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Keith I Block

Publications and source records attributed to Keith I Block.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The demise of the super-aspirins: an opportunity for integrative medicine?

The recent findings of significant cardiac risks with longterm use of the selective COX-2 inhibitors and naproxen leave many patients without access to drugs they may depend on for sustained management of pain. These cardiac risks can arise from disturbances in the ratio of prostacyclin and thromboxane A-2. Integrative medicine offers a variety of interventions that do not disrupt this ratio, including herbs, nutriceuticals, mind-body strategies, and physical care. Clinical studies for evaluating these interventions, and research on sustainable production of those that are natural substances, should be given greater funding priority at this time.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2004

The role of optimal healing environments in patients undergoing cancer treatment: clinical research protocol guidelines.

Integrative cancer care (ICC) is the treatment of patients with cancer, under physician supervision, with appropriate conventional treatments in a healing context based on insights from research on nutrition, biochemistry, exercise, and psycho-oncology. It uses validated techniques and practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and strategies for enhancing treatment and side-effect management such as chronomodulated chemotherapy, therapies to reduce treatment resistance, and innovative assessments for individualizing treatment plans. The elements of ICC align well with the concepts of optimal healing environments (OHE). Expectations of well-being are fostered; transformative self-care practices are common therapeutic tools; development of healing presence among staff and therapeutic alliances with patients are emphasized; instruction in health-promoting behavior is standard; and collaborative integration of CAM in the practice is typical. Based on the authors' clinical experience, an OHE for patients with cancer is described and suggestions for meaningful research are identified.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care.

Insomnia and other sleep disturbances are common in cancer patients. Insomnia is a multifactorial health concern that currently affects at least 1 in 3 cancer patients, and yet most insomnia sufferers do not consult their physician regarding pharmaceutical options for relief. Use of hypnotic drugs (primarily benzodiazepines) is associated with increasing tolerance, dependence, and adverse effects on the central nervous system. While hypnotic drug use declined substantially in the past decade, the use of herbal sedatives appeared to increase. Mostly self-prescribed by lay people, herbal sedatives hold widespread appeal, presumably because of their lower cost and higher margin of safety when compared to pharmaceuticals. Studies of better-known herbal sedatives, notably valerian and kava, showed moderate evidence for both safety and efficacy for valerian while revealing disturbing toxicity concerns for kava. Milder sedatives or anxiolytics in need of clinical study include German chamomile, lavender, hops, lemon balm, and passionflower; St. John's wort may have anxiolytic effects with relevance to sleep. Herb-drug interactions are a possibility for some of these species, including St. John's wort. Although sufficient evidence exists to recommend some of these agents for short-term relief of mild insomnia, long-term trials and observational studies are needed to establish the safety of prolonged use as well as overall efficacy in the context of cancer treatment and management.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

Antioxidants and cancer therapy: furthering the debate.

The consideration of whether to use antioxidants concomitantly with chemotherapy and radiation therapy has evolved into a heated debate. This special theme issue brings together several contributors to this debate, whose perspectives enlarge our views of the questions at hand, pointing out several very relevant ideas. First, the early hypotheses of the role of antioxidants in carcinogenesis gave a simplified and often inaccurate picture of the physiological effects of specific antioxidants. Antioxidants can have protective effects that have nothing to do with oxidation; on the other hand, they can under some circumstances develop prooxidant properties and promote carcinogenesis. During treatment, however, their role is far from clear and may be either quite positive or potentially negative. A number of clinical studies have already demonstrated beneficial effects of antioxidants in ameliorating side effects of chemotherapy. More theoretical work on the chemistry of antioxidants and chemotherapy drugs suggests that antioxidants might improve therapeutic efficacy of antineoplastics by counteracting aldehydes that impede the passage of cells through the cell cycle. However, detailed clinical study also makes it clear that we are only at the very beginning of understanding the dynamics of antioxidants and oxidant damage in the body during conventional treatment. Nevertheless, research is under way on radioprotective and chemoprotective substances, some of them rooted in traditional medicine and others in our understanding of dietary antioxidants, that may eventually lead to antioxidant-based supplements that support tolerability and efficacy of treatment, without protecting tumors through interference from antineoplastic treatment.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2003

Timing is everything.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2003

Vitamin C in alternative cancer treatment: historical background.

Ascorbic acid is the single-nutrient supplement most commonly used by cancer patients, although in most cases this takes place without the physician's knowledge or supervision. A comprehensive review of the literature is presented on the impact of ascorbic acid on cancer survival. Findings from 6 uncontrolled studies suggest that ascorbic acid may increase survival, whereas 2 controlled trials have yielded null results. The relative strengths and limitations of these studies are discussed. A turning point occurred with the release of the 2 controlled (null) studies, which influenced many physicians to turn away from nutrition in the care of cancer patients. Controversy about these trials still persists, however, in the alternative cancer community.

Antioxidants↗