What is Medicine: Definition and 136 Discussions

Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient and managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment or palliation of their injury or disease. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness. Contemporary medicine applies biomedical sciences, biomedical research, genetics, and medical technology to diagnose, treat, and prevent injury and disease, typically through pharmaceuticals or surgery, but also through therapies as diverse as psychotherapy, external splints and traction, medical devices, biologics, and ionizing radiation, amongst others.Medicine has been practiced since prehistoric times, during most of which it was an art (an area of skill and knowledge) frequently having connections to the religious and philosophical beliefs of local culture. For example, a medicine man would apply herbs and say prayers for healing, or an ancient philosopher and physician would apply bloodletting according to the theories of humorism. In recent centuries, since the advent of modern science, most medicine has become a combination of art and science (both basic and applied, under the umbrella of medical science). While stitching technique for sutures is an art learned through practice, the knowledge of what happens at the cellular and molecular level in the tissues being stitched arises through science.
Prescientific forms of medicine are now known as traditional medicine or folk medicine, which remains commonly used in the absence of scientific medicine, and are thus called alternative medicine. Alternative treatments outside of scientific medicine having safety and efficacy concerns are termed quackery.

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  1. dedesperado

    Dangerous Area of a Hair Removal Laser

    From what distance does the diffuse radiation of a „hair removal laser“ cease to be a threat? I apologize for the peculiar question, but I'm curious about the following matter: I walked past the window of a hair removal studio about 50 meters away earlier, and I noticed repeated bright red...
  2. pinball1970

    COVID Nobel Prize in medicine: Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman

    Article here https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-10-katalin-karik-drew-weissman-nobel.html "The laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times,"
  3. emilmammadzada

    Radionuclides used in nuclear medicine

    From which site and article can I find a table or information about alpha emitting radionuclides used in nuclear medicine?
  4. BillTre

    Svante Pääbo wins Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for Paleogenomics

    Svante Pääbo won this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his foundational work in paleogenimcs. Among other things, he was involved in determining the genomic sequence of Neaderthals, showing they interbred with modern humans before they disappeared, discovering Denisovans (similar...
  5. Astronuc

    2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

    Two American scientists have won the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries of how the body senses temperature and touch. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/two-americans-win-nobel-medicine-prize-for-body-sensory-findings/6256678.html...
  6. E

    Most common cancers caused by radiation exposure?

    What are the most common types of cancer caused by exposure to excessive amounts of radiation?
  7. M

    Wavelength of a transparent medicine

    Summary:: Is there a way to find the wavelength of a transparent medicine without adding a color to it? I have a transparent substance (medicine) . I cannot find out its wavelength without having to add color to it. However I don't want to change any of its characteristics. Is there a way to...
  8. uberinferno

    Collision (Task help for medicine entry exam)

    I am guessing you have to find the speed at which the lighter ball moves and then to use the formula for kinetic energy, which I've tried but I'm not getting it quite right. We got m1=5kg v1=3,5kg m2=2.5kg v2=0 v1prim=? v2prim=? Ek=? How do you get the speed of the lighter ball after collision...
  9. Wrichik Basu

    Nobel Prize 2020 in Physiology or Medicine

    The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine this year has been awarded jointly to Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice “for the discovery of Hepatitis C virus.” https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2020/summary/
  10. Ygggdrasil

    2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

    Today, the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to three scientists who study how cells sense and respond to changes in oxygen levels: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/ These three scientists were previously awarded the Lasker Prize for Basic Medical Research in...
  11. hagopbul

    Physics What kind of a career path would a physics graduate have in medicine?

    Hello all: I had a debate about physics and medicine. The topic of that debate is can a physics graduate , enter medicine by studying radiology for few years less than it requires , for normal high school students, for example 2 years The other topic is about radiology equipment, how much...
  12. E

    Job Skills Medical physics: additional training

    I've been working as a medical physics expert (still not really an expert, I have the EU to thank for the name) for more than a year now and I have just finished all the relevant academic training and internships. However, I like to learn new things, be it in the hospital or the university. So I...
  13. Ygggdrasil

    Medical Bacteriophage treats antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection

    Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, have long interested scientists as a potential therapy for bacterial infections. Today, in the journal Nature Medicine, scientists report the first clinical use of genetically-engineered bacteriophages to treat an antibiotic-resistant bacterial...
  14. Zeynaz

    The safety of radioactivity in Medicine

    The question also considered 99m-Tc which has a 6h of half-life. And 99Tc has about 2.2E5 years. My argue was, “the half life of 99Tc is greater than the lifespan of a person. So ionization energy that is released has minimal effect to the person compared to Tc-99m which decays (and releases...
  15. Savian

    Courses Is there a calculus requirement in Europe for Biophysics?

    I saw the roadmap of my university of and there is no calculus for biophysics, as soon as there is no calculus for medicine, as for example there is in the US. My question is if there is calculus for biophysics in Europe and in the US. Adendum: there is only calculus in Brazil for medicine in...
  16. Demystifier

    Other Why Pre-Med? Exploring the Unique Prerequisite for Medicine

    Why (in USA) there is a pre-med, while there is no a pre- for other professions? What is so special about medicine that it requires a pre-education while other professions don't require it?
  17. S

    Can Interdisciplinary Collaboration Drive Progress for the Common Good?

    Hello All, The purpose of my joining the Physics Forums is to request advise on the necessity of agile collaboration among technology, law and medicine to promote common good. I started out as an electronics/computer professional, work experiences certifying wired/wireless products and...
  18. K

    Min max: optimal quantity of medicine

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Minimum/Maximum occurs when the first derivative=0 The Attempt at a Solution $$R'=2D\left( \frac{C}{2}-\frac{D}{3} \right)-\frac{1}{3}D^2$$ $$R'=0~\rightarrow~D=C$$
  19. W

    Thermodynamics in medicine school

    Can you understand thermodynamics without a lot of information from chemistry?I mean I didn't learned a lot about atoms,molecules and everything that is related to science so I was wondering if it is possible to learn it without these subjects.I learned a few things about chemistry in high...
  20. C

    Medical Is the Future of Medicine Already Here?

    Anywho, I'm posting today to let you guys know what I'm thinking about. Mainly the future of medical science. I got the idea by reading a new kind of science by Wolfram, some genetics stuff, some stem cell stuff, developmental bio and chaos and fractals as well as using what I already knew...
  21. T

    Studying Am I supposed to understand everything in a formula?

    When studying equations, formulas, laws - am I supposed to understand each bit of information ? For example, let's take Fick's law: So I can memorize the law and I can tell with words what is "t", what is "x", what is "D", and so on, but I don't truly understand why is one divided with the...
  22. mktsgm

    Medical Samuel Hahnemann and Heroic medicine

    By 1784, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann of Germany, revolts against the then practice of 'heroic medicine' which is nothing but bloodletting and some related treatment like purgation. Around the same time, he hits upon an idea of 'like cures like' after reading William Cullen's A Treatise on the materia...
  23. Ygggdrasil

    2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

    This morning, the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael W. Young for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm. https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2017/press.html
  24. N

    Studying Can I do PhD in Physics after Medicine

    Do I need to study Bachelor in Physics, If not, How?
  25. T

    Medical What are some reliable open resources to learn about health?

    Finding authentic resources online is pretty difficult for a starter. There are some websites that come up frequently on search engines; 1. healthline.com 2. livestrong.com 3. medicinenet.com 4. emedicinehealth.com 5. webmd.com 6. nhs.uk My questions are mostly cause-and-effect ones. I...
  26. Delta31415

    Other Combining Physics & Medicine: My Questions & Advice Needed

    Well I have a few questions, for the past few months and weeks, my parents have been constantly bugging me to be a doctor [I just became a senior, like today; I will be applying to college in a few months, so I need to be thinking about majors and stuff]. My problem is I don’t hate medicine, its...
  27. J

    Biology Best Colleges for Sports Medicine

    Hello, I want to do a masters degree in sports medicine. please suggest me some colleges like http://www.scuhs.edu/academics/atce/residencies/chiropractic-sports-medicine/ Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
  28. Marco Masi

    Medical Major breakthroughs of medicine in the last 20 years?

    We hear so often of the great advances of medicine. Every day one reads of breakthroughs in research in the news. But then I never hear of it again. I'm not a doctor or biologist, but am wondering what are the important discoveries ***and which had practical applications*** of the last 20 years...
  29. Labilana

    Engineering Can I handle Medical Physics as an Engineer?

    Hello everyone! I just finished my Chemical Engineering bachelors degree and after my study I developed a strong interest in nanomedicine, but because I would really like to be in direct contact with medicine and make an impact on people's lives, I'm seriously considering to continue my masters...
  30. D

    Mutiple choice nuclear medicine question

    Homework Statement Why does PET scanner use positron emitters? 1-positrons have more penetrating power than electrons 2-positron emitting isotopes are cheap and widely available 3-the location of emission can be located better because a pair of gamma rays get emitted from the body...
  31. U

    Programs Choosing a Career Path: Math or Medicine?

    I’m a Master’s student in math at a Canadian university. I am in a dilemma where I cannot decide which career path to choose. I have a very deep interest in math and computer science, but I am not sure if I want to dedicate my life to a research based job in that field. I have participated in...
  32. VNN

    Courses Comparing Physics and Medicine for Career Choice

    OK,I'm am currently going to go into y11 GCSE's...I have considered career option in engineering and physics(physicist)/Surgeon... I personally absolutely love physics(And engineering) and it is one of my if not only true life passion...I'm intrigued by every aspect of it and i would like to...
  33. Oganesson

    Programs I have a degree in Medicine and want to study Biophysics?

    Is it necessary to have a Physics or Biology degree in order to pursue a Masters in Biophysics ?
  34. verzix

    Creating a Solution to False Medicine in Africa

    Good evening, I shall like receiving some advice and knowing if there would be some people to follow me in this project. The problems bound to false medicine in Africa are so much many. I have 4 friends who were affected by the malaria and who died, because they took false medicine. They are...
  35. verzix

    How Can I Make a Molecular Scanner to Determine Medicine Composition?

    good morning everyone. Please, I shall like knowing how to make a molecular scanner. To determine the composition of medicine
  36. N

    Other Can I Become a Successful Nanomedical Entrepreneur Without an MD Degree?

    I am currently doing a diploma of bio science i want to be a doctor and then research and start a nanomedical company , dealing with drug delivery systems, i want to know how to do such a thing
  37. G

    Engineering Biomedical engineering prospects?

    Hey everyone. A friend of mine has recently finished high school and is unsure of whether she wants to pursue medicine or biomed engineering. She tells me that she's equally interested in both. However, she's currently inclined towards medicine, mainly because she has been told by certain people...
  38. L

    I'm Just thinking -- I'm very interested in doing something with sports medicine

    Hey I'm a grade 9 student and I'm very interested in doing something with sports medicine. I don't know what I want to do for sure yet but I'm thinking about becoming a physiotherapist. I not a very high grade scorer my grades are at a average but some are a bit over. What grade percent would I...
  39. S

    What are the job prospects for Astronomers in the next 10-15 years?

    Hello all! I am currently a freshman (just finished my first semester) and I need to choose a career path. I have had a burning love and passion for Astronomy/Astrophysics from a very young age but I hear that the job market for Astro Ph.D's is complete and utter dang (pardon my French). I grew...
  40. Sarah00

    Medicine & Physics -- Question about chest tube suction techniques

    Homework Statement Hi, I'm a junior doctor. It's been so long since I had physics! I've question about tube that's placed in chest cavity to drain air/fluid/etc. The second bottle, is under-water seal bottle. I know that its purpose is to prevent air moving TO the patient. but how? The "trap...
  41. T

    Best textbook for Forensic Medicine

    I am a 3rd year medical student from Bangladesh. REDDY is our textbook for forensic medicine. But i need more textbook which is submitted world wide
  42. R

    Center of mass of medicine ball

    Homework Statement 1.68 - ((51(0) + 109(1.5) + 66(3) + 13(0))/(51 + 66 + 109 + 13)) [/B] A person with mass m1 = 51 kg stands at the left end of a uniform beam with mass m2 = 109 kg and a length L = 3 m. Another person with mass m3 = 66 kg stands on the far right end of the beam and holds a...
  43. Y

    Should I pursue medical physics?

    Hello, new to the forum. I am currently in high school taking a full load of college classes through dual enrollment. I will graduate high school with an Associates of Science degree. I really enjoy math. It has always been my favorite subject. At the moment I am in Calculus 1 and it isn't so...
  44. R

    Is Intelligence the Only Measure of Success in Medicine and STEM Fields?

    Hello all, this isn't meant to be a scientific post, just a conversation. I was wondering what people think, in their opinion. As a former premed I run across a huge amount of medical students and hopefuls who looked down on other professions including STEM Ph.Ds (yes, I didn't make that up) Of...
  45. R

    Hello Is anyone having a good time?

    Hi! Nice to meet you all! Like you guys, I am also fond of reading science articles and brainstorming for better ideas that can help us in the future! No, I am not a genius or whatsoever however Like I said I am just here to enjoy reading physics and science stuff and make friends and We might...
  46. S

    Engineering Nursing student- wants to work in biomedical engineering

    I have grown up planning on going into engineering. I loveeee science and math! However, once I became a mom I decided that an engineering career might be harder to start with a child. So, I decided to go to school for nursing since medical sciences really interest me and the schedule is really...
  47. Domenico94

    How much are machine learning and NMR related in medical imaging?

    Hi everyone. By reading stuff on the Internet, I found many times the correlation between machine learning and NMR, or, better, algorithms that are implemented for that kind of technology( The same goes for PET, or CT scans. The thing I want to ask is, how much do you think that the two things...
  48. H

    Physics Choosing Between a Career in Physics or Medicine: A Personal Dilemma

    Hi, this is going to be a slightly long question so please be patient with me. With that disclaimer out of the way, let me start. I have just finished high school and I can take up a career in Medicine (going to med school) or a career in Physics (going in for a BSc course). I am unable to...
  49. TranscedentKid

    Jobs combining medicine, nanotech, and cybernetics?

    My interests lie in what is apparently coming next-- the future of nanotech, cybernetics, artificial intelligence, and the "transhuman" era. My family has been encouraging me to go pre-med-- people will always need a doctor. However, I've learned that in Med school, there isn't much of an...
  50. L

    Pharmacophore and polarity of aspirin and ibuprofen?

    Homework Statement I need to know the pharmacophore of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and ibuprofen. There is a task where I have to compare these two drugs' structure, synthesis, mechanism of action and side effects. Specifically, it says to include, "The chemical structure of the drug...
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