Universal Medicine

The biopsychosocial model (BPSM) The BPSM is a holistic approach considering one’s health through their physical (biological), Psychological (psycho) and social factors. The traditional biomedical model used in medical practise – taking into account one’s health only regarding physical well-being through genetics and biology, was expanded by Doctor George Engel in 1977 who stated: “We are now faced with the necessity and the challenge to broaden the approach to disease to include the psychosocial without sacrificing the enormous advantages of the biomedical approach”. He alongside others found the biomedical model a reductionist in nature – narrowing down one’s well-being merely to genetics, ignoring the significant influence of psychology and society on an individual.  The BPSM argues psychological factors - behaviour, cognitive process and emotions, and social factors - cultural, support, economic background (etc…) has an influence on health and illness. This model allow...

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is caused by a type of bacteria that produces acid which erodes the tooth’s surface (enamel) and it’s under layer known as the dentine. This is can result in the formation of holes called cavities. Dental caries is one of the most common oral diseases, yet it can easily be prevented. How is it caused? Dental plaque is a film of bacteria that cover the teeth surface. The consumption of foods high in carbohydrates, predominately those high in sugar, result in acid production by the bacteria in plaque. The acid produced causes the erosion of the enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth. Demineralisation of the tooth is where fundamental minerals and ions are removed from the tooth, which causes the hard enamel to become soft. Once holes are formed in the enamel plaque and bacteria can then make its way down to the dentine. A cavity is created from the breakdown of the enamel and dentine. As the dentine is softer it erodes quicker, so ...

On October 27th 2015, the USA, along with Europe and Australia, approved the oncolytic virus Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) to be used in clinics as recommended therapy for inoperable melanoma. Melanoma is a skin cancer which is the least prevalent of all the skin cancers, however has the most fatalities associated with its name. It was predicted that in 2017 approximately 90,000 people would develop melanoma and of those 90,000, 10,000 of them would die. This means that T-VEC has had the potential to save up to 10,000 people's lives in this year alone. From clinical trials conducted in the past, T-VEC  was shown to completely eradicate the presence of melanoma from 32 patients out of 295, and on average people who were treated with T-VEC lived for around 23 months as opposed to the 19 months they were predicted with other treatments. Seeing as these are extremely early days for the clinical life of oncolytic virotherapy, these results are both impressive and sign...

  In the UK there are currently 6436 people waiting for an organ transplant. As of April 2017, the amount of people who have received a transplant stands at 1962. The number of those in need has always far outweighed what is available, with approximately three lives lost each day in anticipation of an organ. At present the system which is employed to regulate this process is the donor card scheme, whereby individuals must ‘opt in’ and are able to decide the extent of their donation after death or during life if they wish to give a liver, kidney, bone or amniotic membrane. However, a new system is being considered in England which will mean that unless express permission is given an adults body can be used in transplant operations.   Wales has already implemented the opt-out approach in 2015, and it has prompted the sensitive issue to be raised again to revise whether or not it should instead favour organ donation rather than a reliance on people signing up. The Bri...