So do alt med practitioners use diagnostic tests? Are they even knowledgeable of how to take history and do correct physical exam? For example, a 56/F patient comes in for complaints of edema in the legs, tires easily, and feeling as if she's drowning when she's lying down. How would an alt med practitioner go about getting to the bottom of this patient's condition? This is the chance of the alt med adherents to prove that they treat the whole person and not the symptoms as we evil MDs do.
Dr. T2009-10-30T19:22:23Z
Favorite Answer
With that presentation, I would suspect CHF. I would complete a thorough history and then do a physical, with particular attention to vitals, auscultating lungs and auscultating heart. I'd also measure and record the circumference of each ankle and of the leg ~5" above the ankle.
I would order CBC and metabolic panel... and perhaps Nt-proBNP.
Depending on severity of sx and findings on PE, I may refer to MD immediately for EKG. I may wait to review the blood test results first... but either way, I'm referring for cardiovascular concerns, which are best co-managed (MD/ND.)
On confirmation of the dx with objective testing, I then go about assessing the CAUSE of the problem... HTN? Hx of rheumatic fever/mitral valve prolapse? Is this originating with lung dysfunction such as COPD/emphysema? Hx of MI? Scarring on the pericardium? Kidney disease? etc.
Furthermore, what will be the "trickle down" effect, physiologically speaking? What can I do preventatively?
How is this diagnosis impacting the patient emotionally/socially/psychologically? How do I manage THOSE symptoms? And how are those areas impacting the pathophysiology?
I digress.
Fact is, NDs use the same diagnostics MDs use. We're fully trained in clinical skills and perform a more complete physical than most MDs (because we have the "luxury" of a lot more time.)
well being care provider's do not fee plenty, hospitals and coverage firms do. Ask maximum medical doctors what their expenses are and all you will get a is clean stare. in basic terms through fact the device that surrounds the well being care provider is a huge bloated mess, does not mean he's a fraud, it in basic terms potential scientific college is long and extreme priced; as is criminal duty coverage and the working expenses for a scientific institution. As an aside, as a former Canadian citizen I firmly have self belief socialized drugs could restoration not something, it may in basic terms be an fullyyt diverse variety of mess.