Showing posts with label medication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medication. Show all posts

We can check our financial health easily. We know where we stand with our employers. Our families members can generally tell us how our relationships with them are doing. Even so, our health is one of the most complicated aspects of our lives to measure.


 


In movies and television we often see protagonists stand before the mirror and flex their muscles, as if that were the metric by which we should gauge our health. Unfortunately, the diameter of your muscles isn’t enough to determine your true health.


 


However, thanks to technology, these days we can learn more about what’s going on inside our bodies than ever before.


 


 


Facts and Figures


Hypertension, better known as high blood pressure, is often referred to as “the silent killer.” That’s because many people who suffer from it have no idea that they have high blood pressure. As a result, they fail to treat it until it triggers more obvious events like heart attacks and strokes.


 


Plenty of other conditions can lurk beneath the surface, slowly eroding your health even as you seem to feel fine. Conditions like diabetes, cancer, and artherosclerosis can be wreaking havoc on your future even though you feel fine, or at most, have a diffuse group of odd symptoms that you ignore.


 


So just because you don’t notice anything unusual doesn’t mean that something serious can’t be afoot.


 


Getting to the doctor for annual physicals is key. That means going at a time when you aren’t sick and just having your practitioner give you the age-relevant rundown of what you should be checking on. Then, you must take the initiative to get the necessary tests and check-ups.


 


 


Are We Taking the Right Medications?


And while we’re debunking the old ways of monitoring our health, let’s not forget the knee-jerk move to request prescription medication from our doctors the moment we feel run-down.


 


There was a time when the math of health went something like this:


 


Condition + Medication = Recovery


 


But that equation has gotten muddier in recent years. Drugs have side effects. Medications can interact with each other or generate new health problems.


 


The surest way to avoid a negative side effect from your treatment is to submit to prescription drug testing by health professionals who can accurately determine the medication levels in your body. This can also help you and your doctor develop a personalized treatment plan.


 


Remember that many drugs, particularly antibiotics, linger inside your body long after you have gulped the last pill. Certain steps can help you clear many toxins from your body, but medications are harder to resolve.


 


So if the condition for which you’ve taken that medicine is persisting even as the drug remains active in your body, it’s clear that you need to try a new strategy.


 


Obviously that’s not necessary with every pesky cold or nagging cough. But when more serious conditions exist, like major infections or organ malfunctions, it’s critical that you know if your current prescription isn’t cutting the mustard.


 


And your doctor should know too.


 


Speaking of things your doctor should know, interactions are critical events as well. If you continue to show significant levels of a drug you finished weeks or even months ago–and yes, they can hang around that long–your doctor needs to know that before providing you with a new medication.


 


That information is more important if the leftover medication was prescribed by someone else.


 


Regardless of the circumstances, identifying medication residues can direct us to use a different medication or consider nutritional or other treatments for new conditions.

 


Changes in your health can impact your life in many ways. From the food you eat to the activities you participate in, your medical fitness can have far-reaching implications on aspects of your life that you may not have considered. One of these is your ability to drive. Some medical diagnoses and even the addition of new medications can mean you need to think about hanging up your keys for good. But how do you determine when you’ve crossed the line from good driver to road menace? 

 


Moving Away From the Wheel: Factors to Consider


When you receive a new diagnosis or medication from your doctor, it’s important that you understand the full impact it can have on your life. While driving can make your ability to get around a lot easier, some medications and illnesses can make getting behind the wheel dangerous for yourself and others.




According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a relationship has been found between increased crash risk and declines in vision, hearing, and reaction time, all of which can be brought on by various medical conditions. Here are some factors to consider when deciding if you’re not fit to continue being on the road. 

1) Are you currently diagnosed with a neurological disorder?

As people go through the stages of life, neurological disorders such as strokes or Alzheimer’s Disease can become more prevalent. Currently, strokes are the third leading cause of death for Americans, and it’s effects can greatly impact your ability to drive. Be sure to discuss your condition with your doctor, who can do a full assessment to ascertain if you’re mentally competent enough to drive.


 


2) Does your illness or medication cause any vision issues?

Although getting a vision test is the norm for getting and keeping your driver’s license, vision problems can pop up between tests, thus putting your driving ability at serious risk. Additionally, some medications can cause dizziness or blurred vision, making driving on more dangerous roads such as a mountainous region like Denver a huge risk.


 


3) Are you suffering or recently diagnosed with a joint or movement-related disorder?

It may come as a surprise to some that movement-related issues could pose a problem to drivers. After all, you’re probably driving to avoid having to move too much. However, simple tasks such as turning around to park, being mobile enough to turn the wheel or even using a stick shift can be greatly compromised by mobility issues.


 


4) Are you taking multiple medications?

Medication interaction is a serious issue for drivers across the United States, and the wrong combination of medications can make you as dangerous as a drunk driver. One Denver car accident attorney states that ”a driver who is improperly medicated is a driving menace. Both your doctor and your pharmacist can advise you on any of your medications and how they might affect your abilities. Additionally, be aware that the effects of some medications can be severely heightened with the use of alcohol.


 


Keeping both you and your passengers safe while driving may always have been a priority for you. However, a new diagnosis or medication can greatly jeopardize your safety on the road. Get to know your medication and how it affects you before getting behind the wheel and ensure you discuss your condition with your doctor. The more information you have the more likely you will keep your road journeys safe.





Writer Melanie Fleury has a father who is on several medications that affect his motor skills. He has to remain very diligent about knowing the side effects of each medication before attempting to operate a vehicle. She hopes that others in the same position take the same care to be mindful of what their body can and cannot do. She used the blog of a Denver car accident attorney to learn more about the consequences of driving when medically unfit.


 


Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianteutsch/43051087/

It has been said that almost ten percent of adults are currently suffering from some sort of problem affecting their mental wellness and wellbeing. Many physicians are also becoming more and more concerned about the increasing number of medications available to these patients.


 


Not every patient responds in the same way to mental health treatments, and so physicians must be very familiar with the different types of medications and the different dosing protocols. They also have to be aware of the signs and symptoms that could indicate that a medication is not working and which symptoms are indicative of a mental health complication such as anxiety or depression.


 


The spectrum of prescription medications used for these patients is relatively new. If you suffer from some kind of mental health condition, you may be tempted to consult with an older doctor, thinking that they are most likely to be well versed in the different treatment options available, but actually the reverse of this is true. Due to the fact that most mental health medications did not arrive until the 1990s, many younger doctors are better up to speed with the treatments that are now available for them to prescribe.


 


Some people think that the rise in diagnoses of mental health conditions is due to the fact that doctors are now more likely to be sensitive to mental health issues. The taboo surrounding mental health is gradually lifting, and there is more of a willingness in the profession to talk about mental health and to allow people to express their concerns.


 


If you think you may be suffering from a mental health condition, the best thing to do is to speak to a physician candidly about your symptoms and then look at all the treatment options available.

Medication is a great thing, and can be fantastic for your wellness, but there are some medications that can have an impact on your developing pregnancy. Your sexual and reproductive system is a fantastically intricate system, and there are many ways that medications can improve your wellbeing, but when it comes to pregnancy, you can never be too careful.


 


First of all, if you take any kind of regular medication for any pre-existing health condition then it is really important to talk to your medical professional before you try to conceive, to find out what kind of effect your medication could have on a developing foetus. It may be that you need to switch to a different kind of medication before you fall pregnant, or even stop your medication altogether. Also, some medications can interfere with your ability to fall pregnant, so it’s always worth finding out what the facts are before you rush into anything.


 


The FDA has a system that awards different gradings to medication based on their efficacy in pregnancy. A grade A shows that there is no risk, a grade B shows that there is no evidence of risk, a grade C means that a risk cannot be ruled out, a grade D means that there is evidence of a risk, a grade X means that you must not use the drug during your pregnancy.


 


Many medications fall into category C – meaning that a risk cannot be ruled out – and that is simply because many drugs are not tested on pregnant women, because it is not ethical to do medical studies on pregnant women.


 


It can be a challenge, however, to balance the needs of the mother with the needs of the baby. There may be times when the health of the mother means that the drug has to be taken, regardless of what it may mean for the foetus.

Modern medicine seems to have a cure, or at least a way to manage, just about any disease or disorder imaginable. Many people would believe that this is the miracle of modern medicine. In many ways this is true. However, many medications have harmful side effects that appear to be worse than the disease or disorders themselves.


 


It is very important when you are diagnosed with a disease or disorder that you have a very open conversation with your medical provider about your treatment plan. Do not just accept blindly what the physician prescribes.


 


Many times physicians are prescribing the latest medication to hit the market, or one that has the most benefits for their practice. It is not beyond a pharmaceutical companies marketing strategy to provide bonuses to medical offices that issue high amounts of prescriptions manufactured by their company.


 


Take the time to ask your doctor the following questions:


 


• What Are The Side Effects? Make sure that you discuss all the potential side effects with the doctor, not just the common ones. Many medications have serious side effects that could harm you more than the disease.


 


• What Are My Other Options? If you do not like what the medication may do to you, ask for other options. If your doctor becomes offended by this, or if they state there are no other options, seek a second opinion.


 


 


Dangerous Medications


Many medications come on to the market as “wonder drugs” or “beak trough drugs” and are quickly prescribed by doctors. However, within a very short period of time, the side effects become an issue. For instance, Januvia is a new medication that was released as a secondary medication for the treatment of Type II diabetes. It was recommended that patients receive this medication if they are having a hard time managing the condition with only one type of medication.


 


Within a very short period of time, people taking this medication began developing pancreatitis, a very painful and debilitating disorder. What is perhaps the scariest part of this development is that many of these people went on to develop pancreatic cancer, the most aggressive form of cancer known.


 


Another example is Pradaxa. Marketed as the wonder drug to replace Warfarin, Pradaxa was immediately prescribed to millions of patients. Not long after it was released, Pradaxa side effects that patients experienced included bleeding episodes and hemorrhaging. It was then discovered that there was no antidote for Pradaxa and that the bleeding could not be stopped and the patient could not be removed from the drug without possibly death.


 


Sadly, the list of drugs that are later found to be too dangerous to take could continue for a very long time.


 


With this in mind, make sure that you are willing and able to talk to your doctor. You are not questioning their authority, you are protecting your health. Your doctor should welcome an open discussion about your health and medications. If not, then it may be time to find a new doctor.


 


Researcher Melanie Fleury has an autoimmune disease that often is prescribed medications, which she avoids. Before adding a new medication, she determines if the side effects are worth the pill. She hopes that those who read this article will make the decision to maintain open communication with their doctors so that they can be prescribed the best possible option. If you are experiencing Pradaxa side effects after being prescribed the medication, there is legal recourse available. Doyle Raizner LLP can help you to get proper compensation if you are in this situation.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/doug88888/2800841720/

A study involving 20,000 Americans has suggested that taking too many selenium-based pills could potentially increase the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Selenium is a common ingredient in heart disease medication, due to its ability to protect the heart from inflammation and oxidative stress. This trace mineral is essential in a healthy diet, and deficiencies have been linked to mental deterioration, poor immune functions and potentially even death. Heart disease is extremely common, and in Scotland alone over 270,000 people live with it, and more than 8,000 dying from it each year. This results in a large population taking a significant amount of selenium in the form of pills and supplements. The link to diabetes should be a threatening one, since a person would face many health complications if they suffered from heart disease and then developed type-2 diabetes. Because of this, the possible connection has caused some alarm and controversy.


 


However many healthcare and research professionals, including researchers at the University of Surrey, have suggested that the problem lies not in the heart medication alone, but in the indiscriminate and unregulated use of medication and supplements. In individuals who have normal or high levels of selenium, over-supplementing could be unnecessary and potentially damaging. If these people also live unhealthy lifestyle, the risk of type-2 diabetes increases greatly.


 


Diabetes UK has said that this study of a large population in the United States showed no definite link between adding selenium to your diet and the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. It was pointed out that Europeans tend to receive less selenium from their diets than Americans. However, it is also problematic at this stage to dismiss the connection entirely, and more research is needed. Ultimately, it is important to take all medication and supplements in safe and sensible amounts, as directed by the manufacturers and packaging, or by health-care professionals.





As you grow older, the likelihood of developing Type-Two Diabetes is a discomforting prospect. Often, it is a genetic issue, by which there is very little that can be done to prevent it, but that does not mean that you have to be stuck on medication all the time.


Whilst critical, the damage does not have to extend to the rest of your life too. Indeed, the concept that you have to empty your wallet to save your own life is not an end-all scenario. There are ways of saving money, without having to risk more than you have to.


If you haven’t developed diabetes yet, but suspect that you may be at risk, then getting a blood-screening is not a problem – under the NHS, the checks are sound, discreet and thorough. Even if you come clean, there are ways of staying secure properly; by losing 5-7 percent of your body weight and exercising at least 150 minutes a week, the risks of developing diabetes are over an astounding 60%. Dieting is also an excellent way of balancing out your blood sugar, as well as keeping other toxins out of your body.


This can be applicable to those that have already developed diabetes. There are many different types of so-called “new and improved” medication for any ailment, but the majority carry a huge dose of side-effects. Insert the mortifying, long chain of side-effect-culling pills at your leisure.




Keep to what you know – the old types are the best, lest they wouldn’t still be in production today. Discuss this with your doctor, find what is best for less. You don’t always have to nod and agree with everything. It’s your body. The less side-effects that you have to worry about, the less you have to spend combating them.


Look for support. You’re going through a big change in your life – that doesn’t mean that you have to do it alone. Support groups are a fantastic way of meeting people that have gone through the motions already. They are the ones that have shrugged off heavy dosages or the ones that hop onto the treadmill. The words of the experienced are the ones that you can carry with you – and more importantly, you can share your own.







Small Ways of Sustaining Diabetes – And Your Wallet







If you are one of the millions suffering from chronic arthritis, then the news of dud painkillers and pseudo-drugs are not entirely encouraging. That being said, there are many ways to ease pain with less side-effects, reduced dependency and give that joint replacement pause.


Whether you take over-the-counter medicine or otherwise, they all carry with them certain risks that you need to bear in mind.


Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs such as Diclofenac may be one of the most popular drugs in the world, but it has recently come to light that it also boosts your risks of having a heart attack or a stroke by 91 percent. Whilst this is daunting, there is an alternative that is not ingested. Diclofenac can also be found in cream form, which serves as the safest alternative to this dangerous problem.


Pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen also carry with them the risks of heart and liver problems by 29 percent.


Not everything however, is caused merely by the drug.


Viscosupplementation is one such example. It is the injection of a synthetic layer which is placed between the joints, acting like the cartilage that is lost through arthritis. Whilst a substantial relief, it is less effective if you are obese, inactive or if you lack leg strength. It is said however that even if you are young and athletic, there’s sometimes no benefit.


If this is all starting to sound very doom-and-gloom, then don’t be disheartened. There is another way. The answers may be a little simpler than you may imagine.




It was mentioned earlier that the safer alternative to oral or injection-based medication was that of gels and creams. Ointments containing a chilli-pepper extract (capsaicin) can reduce pain by 40 percent if applied daily. Capsaicin works by reducing the number of pain signals sent to your brain.


Stretching and exercise will also be a boon to your body. Warm water aerobics, an exercise bike or even just a walkabout will ease motion and build muscles to take the problem out of your bones. Talk to your doctor about the best routine for you – you may surprise yourself at what you can do.

It’s natural to believe that through exercise comes weight loss. By losing weight, you take the pressure out of your joints – each pound that you lose takes four pounds off your joints. Now isn’t that a sigh of relief?


Dieting – the other method of weight loss. Foods can ease off inflammation as easily as the tablets that you take – only with positive side-effects! Fruits and vegetables are a great source of anti-inflammatory goodness. Whilst refined grains, sunflower and soybean oils up the inflammation, foods such as strawberries, leafy greens, carrots, blueberries and cherries will help you. Try out fatty fish like omega-3 DHA-loaded salmon and trout; then drizzle salads with olive oil. Throw in some omega-3 rich walnuts; and wash it all down with green tea.


Now isn’t that a treat?







The Ups and Downs of Arthritic Medication

Most people are able to take antihistamines. However, antihistamines are not recommended in certain circumstances, which are explained below.


Health conditions


A number of health conditions can be made worse by taking antihistamines, or they can cause the antihistamines to react unpredictably. Before taking antihistamines, seek advice from your GP or pharmacist if you have:


  • asthma

  • diabetes (type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes)

  • high blood pressure

  • epilepsy

  • glaucoma – an eye condition that’s associated with a build-up of fluid inside the eyes

  • an enlarged prostate gland

  • heart disease

  • liver disease

  • kidney disease

  • a bladder obstruction, such as a bladder stone

  • an overactive thyroid gland

  • a blockage in your stomach or intestines

Pregnancy and breastfeeding


As a general rule, avoid taking any medication during pregnancy unless there’s a clear clinical need. Always check with your GP, pharmacist or midwife before taking any medication.


If you’re pregnant and feel that you need antihistamines, or you’re advised to take them by your GP, loratadine or chlorphenamine are the antihistamines that considered the safest to use.

However, chlorphenamine is a first-generation antihistamine, so it may make you feel drowsy.


If you can’t take loratadine or chlorphenamine, your GP may recommend another oral antihistamine called cetirizine. Cetirizine is also considered safe to use during pregnancy.


Antihistamine eye drops and nasal sprays should be used with caution during pregnancy. Some people are allergic to antihistamine eye drops. Seek advice from your GP before using antihistamine eye drops or nasal sprays.


Most antihistamines will pass into breast milk. While this isn’t thought to be particularly harmful, it’s recommended as a precaution that you don’t breastfeed while taking antihistamines.


Children


Some antihistamines, such as alimemazine and promethazine, aren’t suitable for children under two years old. Therefore seek advice from your GP if your child is under two years old and you think that they require treatment with antihistamines.


Before giving your child any form of medication, always read the patient information leaflet for advice about whether the medication is suitable for them.


Antibiotics:Antibiotics are medicines that can be used to treat infections caused by micro-organisms, usually bacteria or fungi. For example, amoxicillin, streptomycin and erythromycin.
Antifungal:Antifungal medicine is used to treat fungal infections. For example, clotrimazole, ketoconazole.
Dose:Dose is a measured quantity of a medicine to be taken at any one time, such as a specified amount of medication.
Drowsiness:Drowsiness is when someone feels extremely tired and uncontrollably near to sleep.
Heart:The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood around the body.
Kidney:Kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located at the back of the abdomen, which remove waste and extra fluid from the blood and pass them out of the body as urine.
Liver:The liver is the largest organ in the body. Its main jobs are to secrete bile (to help digestion), detoxify the blood and change food into energy.



Who can use antihistamines

coercian mentalIn a new report, the FDA has discovered that there could be a link between smoking cessation medications, Chantix and Zyban, and changes in one’s mental health, such as depressive mood swings, hostility and suicidal tendencies. A new labelling is being drawn up for medications such as these, including generic versions of these treatments, in order to warn of the new potential side effects. Those taking these medications who feel a sudden or dramatic change in their mood, such as feeling the need to hurt themselves, should cease taking the drugs immediately and seek advice from their GP as soon as possible.


It’s important for people trying to quit smoking to weigh up the risks from smoking with those from the side effects of the drugs – while smoking is, of course, bad for your health, there may be other ways in which to give up. Smoking is extremely bad for your body, causing a risk of lung cancer, disability and stroke to name just a few ailments. If you’re smoking, no matter how much, it’s crucial that you give up as soon as possible to reduce your risk of such harmful side effects.


The study found that people taking Chantrix or Zyban could be at risk of depressive or suicidal tendencies even after stopping the medication. In many of these cases, it was noted that the nicotine withdrawal symptoms brought with them mental effects such as sleep disturbances, irritability and anxiety. Patients should be aware of these symptoms so that they are prepared for them when they give up cigarettes. You shouldn’t be put off from giving up smoking though – while it does require a lot of determination and willpower, it will decrease your risk of lung cancer and heart disease, among providing other positive effects on your body.



Mental Health Issues Linked To Smoking Cessation Medication

How Oral Medications Can Benefit Your Type 2 DiabetesUsing a vaginal gel that contains HIV medication before and after sex has been shown to reduce the number of cases of infection of the virus. This is one of the strategies used to prevent HIV infection through unprotected sex in sub-Saharan Africa.


However, a project analysing the use of the vaginal gels along with daily tablets has shown that this particular strategy has failed because the women involved did not take the medication when they were supposed to. The results of the study reveal the importance of individual’s behaviour in dictating the spread of the disease.


More than 5,000 women in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Uganda were given the gel and two different types of anti-HIV drugs in the three-year study carried out by the University of Washington called Vaginal and Oral Interventions to Control the Epidemic (VOICE).


Blood tests at the end of the study revealed that more than 70% failed to use the medication in the way it was prescribed. Unmarried women, who are the group most at risk of contracting HIV, were shown to be the most likely to not use of any of the medication.


Truvada, the daily tablet tested during the study, has now given approval for use in HIV prevention by the US Food and Drug Administration because tests have shown its effectiveness in reducing the risk of HIV.


The results of the University of Washington study were revealed at a conference on retroviruses and opportunistic infections in Atlanta. Experts in HIV and AIDS believe the study confirms that, alongside medication, encouraging a change in people’s behaviour so they take the drugs is the only way that infection rates will be reduced.


HIV rates in eastern and southern Africa are the highest anywhere in the world and so the focus for experts on the disease has been on finding drug treatments that can be administered simply and effectively to a destitute population.



Medication Halts Spread of HIV But Women Failing to Use it

asthma homeWhen you have asthma, your inhaler should become your new best friend. Ok, so you don’t have to dress it up in little outfits and name it Pascale, but an inhaler gives your wellbeing a bit of protection when you’re facing asthma – an unpredictable condition.


Whilst you’re figuring out how your condition affects your wellness, it’s likely that a few surprises will occur along the way. There will always be something new that triggers a reaction, and causes your airways to become blocked, even though you’ve not known about that trigger for years. There are many ways that asthma can be treated, but when you have an inhaler, you have the vital tool you need at your disposal to fight the unpredictability of asthma triggers.


If you face this type of condition with any severity, having an inhaler is a must, but even if your asthma is only mild, access to an inhaler can be helpful on those rare occasions when something does set your asthma off. It’s important because it allows you to get almost immediate relief, which is crucial when you’re having an asthma reaction. Imagine you are outdoors, enjoying a bit of sunshine, and then you breathe in some pollen or mist and you’re facing a reaction. Do you want to be in that situation without an inhaler?


The way inhalers work is that they simply allow you to breathe in your asthma medication quickly. This means that the medication can get right into your airways, open up your muscles there and allow you to breath normally again. Though other medications that are taken in the form of a pill or injection eventually will have the same effect, they take more time to actually get into your system and provide help.


If you think that you can use someone else’s inhaler in a desperate situation, tread with caution. Not everyone that has asthma will have the same medications within their inhaler, and the medication that yours contains with depend on the severity of your specific asthma reaction. Therefore, what a doctor prescribes your friend may not be enough to help you. Also, make sure you keep your medications up to date and with you at all times to receive the help that only your inhaler can provide. Most people don’t want to have to use an inhaler, but when the need arises, surely no one wants to be without one.



Take a Deep Breath: Why Do You Need an Asthma Inhaler?