New diseases and treatments, antiobiotic resistance and alternative treatments: Modern medicine, c1900-present: History: GCSE (9:1)

Thalidomide

Was introduced in the 1950s as a safe sleeping pill. It led to many thousands of babies being born with malformed limbs and other issues

Regulation

When extra rules are put in place to improve safety and standards. After a lawsuit over Thalidomide, compensation was paid to the victims and the standards to get a British License were made tougher

Othodox Medicine

Medicines that are scientifically based and are officially approved by the British Medical Association. When mistakes are made (Thalidomide) it creates distrust and doubt

Painkillers

Painkillers like Asprin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, and Opioids are used to treat the symptoms of disease and illness but do not address the causes. These are often used until new drugs are found.

Holistic Medicine

Alternative medicines focused on treating the entire person such as acupuncture, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy that are not officially approved, but many people claim they are effective

Acupuncture

A treatment involving piercing areas on the body with needles to relieve tension or pain. Originates from China

Hydrotherapy

Using water to treat the symptoms of a disease (pain, tension etc). This could be done using water compression, whirlpools, jets or just a bath

Homeopathy

The use of minute doses of natural remedies to treat specific conditions ie) Arnica to reduce swelling in bruising

Hypnotherapy

Uses hypnosis to create a state of focused attention where people are more open to suggestions in their deep mind

Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication (like antibiotics) that once could successfully treat the microbe.

Antibiotic Resistance

When a bug or microbe can resist antiobiotic treatments. These are nicknamed 'superbugs'

Superbug

Antibiotic resistant bacteria that can cause death. A recent example is MRSA, which has killed thousands of people who went into hospitals with other conditions, amongst others.