Abstract

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing worldwide. Among the most commonly used CAM treatments are nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, mental healing, naturopathy, manipulative body based therapy, energy therapy, massage therapy, hypnosis, music therapy and relaxation techniques. The use of CAM for the management of chronic diseases is becoming increasingly wide spread and its use is influenced by the health belief system, culture and tradition, ethnicity, geography and family history. Since 1990s, studies on the prevalence of CAM use among patients with diabetes mellitus are growing and the data showed that CAM is a popular choice for diabetes management. On-the-spot use of persons with diabetes associated with CAM use, there is a concern that when used as a complementary treatment there is a risk of drug interactions and additional complications.Turkey ranks third after Russia and Germany is a country in the European region with the highest diabetes. In the literature in patients with diabetes of CAM use is common in Turkey and it is supported by the studies that the most used CAM method is herbal products. The number of scientific and licensed CAM centers in Turkey is still not sufficient and the ones available are not well known by the public.It is expected that nurses will be directed to develop nursing practices related to the use of CAM, to identify effective strategies, and to use the CAM effectively and correctly.

Keywords:Diabetes; Complementary and alternative medicine; Nursing