World Religion

Philosophy

Dietary Restrictions Hindus shouldnt eat meat of any kind, or fish or eggs, and they a void alcohol.

Hinduism

Hindus believe in preventative medicine. In particular, food is considered a medicine that maintains health. Vegetarian diet is preferred since they believe that it is pure and doesnt bring bad karma. Exercise and yoga are to be practiced daily to maintain good health. Western medication is not taken immediately if they experience pain in their bodies. Traditional medication is the priority. Health encompasses three governing principles in the body: Vata is responsible for movement. Pitta controls metabolism and heat. Kapha supplies the body structure and solidity. When these three principles are balanced, the body functions normally and health is optimal. Balanced vata creates energy and creativity, balanced pitta creates optimal digestion; balanced kapha provides strength, stamina, immunity, and even temperament. Imbalances of these principles cause illness and disease.

World Religions and Health Care History of Treatments Refused Traditional/ Herbal Medicines Ayurveda which deals Hindus theorize that with preventative an animal killed for a measures particularly medicine might have administering food and been a person exercise as a daily perhaps even a close medicine. A relative in another practitioner is called a life. Therefore, baid. medications made of animal products are Homeopathy. A not acceptable, since practitioner is called a they invite bad doctor. karma. Western healthcare practitioners should ask patients if they are taking any ayurvedic or homeopathic medicines before starting other treatments.

Medical Issues

Death

Organ transplant/organ donation: Hindus do not donate their organs because they are not sure how it will affect them in their upcoming lives. Birth Control: Birth control is fine, but sex is only acceptable within marriage. Abortion: It is not allowed by them since it is considered as murder unless the mothers life is in danger. Autopsy: It is not desired, but if the law requires one, Hindus will allow it.

Birth and death is pre-destined by a supreme God. Once a person dies, his/her spirit goes to God for 365 days, in which time the person will be called to account for his/her actions, and decided in which form he/she will return in the next life and how long he/she will live. Although health and protecting life are of utmost importance, the length of a persons life cannot be changed. Even if a patient is put on life support equipment, death will still take place at the pre-destined time. The maximum amount of time a person can live is 120 years, although, this can be exceeded in rare occasions. Hindus hope for a death that is natural and peaceful. It is better to have a quick death than to have a long illness and slow death. Prayers are said when the person is in the hospital and then right after the death. Wherever a person dies, religious rites are performed by a priest. The family will wish to wash the family members body following death (symbolizes cleansing of the soul). The body is cremated and the remains are dispersed in water.

Addendum: Modesty and personal hygiene are highly valued. A bath is required at least daily, but generally not following a meal. Adding cold water to hot water is unacceptable (adding hot water to cold water is acceptable). If a health care worker has prepared bath water that is too hot, it is generally better to discard the entire amount of bath water and start over so as not to offend the client.

World Religion

Philosophy

Dietary Restrictions

History of Traditional/ Herbal Medicines

Treatments Refused

Medical Issues

Death

Buddhism

Buddhists believe that the body, which is a temporary shell for the spirit, should be treated with great respect and care so the mind can concentrate on pursuing enlightenment. Some believe that people who are spiritually focused and who follow a faithful regimen of meditation, diet, and exercise will not become sick. If illness does occur, many Buddhists believe that 80% of the time it can be cured using the mind and 20% of the time it can be cured using herbs. Some believe that exposing the body to the harsh natural elements will strengthen the immune system. And some Buddhists attribute sickness to laziness in faith or lifestyle. Though some Buddhists combine aspects of Western healthcare practices with Eastern traditions, the modern Western hospital is not really set up to address their needs. The ICU, especially, with its bright lights, constant noise, and close monitoring of the patient, does not have the quiet environment in which the spirit of an ill person can contemplate.

Buddhists are vegetarian and avoid alcohol and other stimulants since these products diminish clarity of the mind. The more complete reason for being vegetarian is ethical. All Buddhists adhere to the first precept which is I take the now not to intentionally kill any living being.

Western medication is avoided since it is thought to weaken the body. Though Buddhists may use some traditional Eastern medicines (such as Traditional Chinese Medicine), some of these treatments contain animal products or alcohol. Some Buddhists are not concerned by this contradiction, while others forego these medications. Those who use these medications may believe that since they are not likely to be enlightened in this lifetime, they can always work toward a higher level in the next life.

Organ transplant/organ donation: As long as the organs are not bought or donated through coercion, there is no problem. However, the organ is not usually allowed to be taken from a Buddhists body until the religious teacher confirms that the spirit has left the corpse. Blood transfusion: Giving blood, if done of out selflessness and free of charge, is a very kind gift. Some monasteries regularly donate blood. Birth control: A personal issue for Buddhists some support it, while others are opposed. Sex is condoned only within marriage.

Death offers a unique last chance for enlightenment. The person does not become reincarnated immediately after the body dies. Therefore, serious contemplation can occur in the period between the death of the body and reincarnation. For this reason, the mind should not be clouded by drugs, and, if it is apparent that a person is close to death, often Buddhists will ask that the patients medication or painkillers be lessened or stopped. In order to get closer to enlightenment, the mind and soul need to be unhindered. The approach of death is the time that the family will contact the patients teacher. Rites and rituals are done before the death, or, if the teacher does not arrive in time, immediately afterwards. With an athome death, the body may lie undisturbed for hours or even days. In a hospital, the family will usually want the body to remain undisturbed for as long as the hospital permits. So that the spirit of the dead body will be undisturbed, the number of visitors is often limited, and the grief of loved ones is not often openly expressed. Death is not separated from life in Buddhism, and the faithful may have an easier time accepting the lifecycle than those of other religious beliefs. In many

Abortion: If an abortion is for the greater good of the mother and unborn child, it is seen by some as the best solution. Others believe it is unnatural and, therefore, wrong. Usually the path of least suffering is seen as the most just way to approach situations such as these. Autopsy: It is believed that after death, the soul remain near the body and communicate with it for a period of time. An autopsy is a major disturbance of the body, and it could distract the soul. Different teachers have different ideas about how long the soul stays by the body. An autopsy may be permitted after a religious teacher determines that the soul has left the body.

traditions, the body of the deceased is cremated after a certain amount of time around five days and then a memory service is held 49 days after the death.

World Religion

Philosophy Historically, Muslim physicians and scientists made major healthcare discoveries long before they were realized in the West. In combination with the will of God, Muslims believe that physicians have the power to heal. The Koran states that for every illness there is a cure, so it is the challenge of healthcare professionals to search for those cures. The Koran also gives explicit instructions for living hygienically, including habits like tooth brushing, exercising, breastfeeding, and hand washing. There is a high respect for healthcare professionals in the faith physicians are considered to be Gods agents of healing and nurses to be the helpers of doctors. Muslims also believe that healthcare is holistic. During illness, Muslims are expected to seek Gods help with patience and prayer, increase the remembrance of God to obtain peace, ask for forgiveness, give more in charity, and read or listen to more of the Koran. Muslim patients do not consider illness to be a punishment from God.

Dietary Restrictions Muslims follow the Halal diet, which prohibits the consumption of pork and alcohol. Also, there is a traditional diet that advises onethird food, one-third water, and one-third air, as a form of dietary moderation.

Islam

History of Traditional/ Herbal Medicines Traditional Arabic doctors are known as Hakims. The name literally means wise and knowledgeable person. The practice of a Hakim usually includes aspects of herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic, and other similar practices. In modern times, it is considered to be noble to become a doctor or healthcare professional.

Treatments Refused Some Muslim physicians believe that healthcare practitioners should do everything in their power to save a life. Others do not believe in prolonging life beyond that which God has ordained there should be no attempt to artificially prolong life (or misery). Healthcare professionals are believed to be assisting God in the care of patients but should not try to replace God. There is great emphasis on the sanctity of life, but also on the reality of death and the will of God. However, Muslims also believe there is a cure for every disease. Even the implantation of a pigs heart may be considered acceptable, if it is a medical necessity. Also alcohol or pig-based medications can be used if there are not other comparable alternatives and the medications are deemed to be medically necessary.

Medical Issues Organ transplant/organ donation: Providing that no sale of the organ is involved and that the persons life is in jeopardy without the transplant, organ transplants are acceptable from animals to humans or from one living person to another. However, some Muslims take offence to receiving the organ of a dead person, since it involves the desecration of a dead body. Similarly, some people do not want to donate their organs because of their belief in the sanctity of the body, while other people are happy to do so because it helps others. Blood transfusion: It is fine both to give and receive. Birth control: It is fine to take birth control. Abortion: Allowable in cases where the mothers life is in jeopardy or in very limited circumstances in early pregnancy due to medical or fetal indications. Autopsy: In general, Muslims resist autopsies but will consent if there is a compelling reason for one. Sexual enhancing drugs: Acceptable in order to fix an impotency problem within a marriage but not in order to become promiscuous or to become disrespectful to ones wife. Euthanasia: Physician-assisted suicide is considered murder.