Saturday, July 12, 2008

Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Urinary Incontinence


Treatment for incontinence depends on what is causing the condition. For example, if a prostate gland problem is the cause, treatment for that condition can cure incontinence. In severe cases, an artificial sphincter, which allows you to control its open and closed settings, can be surgically implanted. Collagen injection therapy-where in collagen is injected into the external bladder to add bulk to the urethra is effective in some cases for women with sphincter deficiency and for men who experience urinary stress incontinence after prostate surgery. Medication also may be prescribed to treat incontinence; commonly prescribed drugs are anticholinergic agents (Pro Banthene), alpha-adrenergic agonist drugs, tricyclic antidepressant drugs, and antispasmodics (Bentyl, Ditropan, and Urispas). Postmeonpausal women with stress incontinence may benefit from estrogen either orally or by applying a cream to the vagina.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurveda views incontinence as a vata disorder that's caused by a weak bladder sphincter. Your Ayurvedic practitioner may recommend taking an Indian herbal blend containing ashwagandha and also may suggest eliminating or reducing your intake of alcohol and coffee and other caffeine-containing foods, which intensify the urge to urinate as well.

If symptoms persist, see your doctor for evaluation and assistance.

Bodywork and Somatic Practices

Oriental bodywork, reflexology, massage, Therapeutic Touch, Reiki, polarity therapy, and CranioSacral Therapy are helpful first options.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture Chinese medical experts believe that incontinence is caused by a lack of energy in the kidney and spleen and their related meridians. To combat this imbalance, they work on the points that correspond to these areas and to the bladder.

Acupressure Points that may be focused on during an acupressure session to treat incontinence are Conception Vessel 2, Spleen 6, and related auricular points.

Chinese Herbal Therapy Herbs may be given to help tone the kidney and spleen and to strengthen bladder functions.

Yoga and Meditation

Exercise is always beneficial for strengthening muscles, including those of the bladder and surrounding areas. Try these easy yoga exercises several times daily to combat incontinence: Ashwini Mudra and Stomach Lock. Consult a trained practitioner for proper technique. Avoid these poses if you're pregnant.

You can buy Urispas here

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Boogs's weblog

Side Effects of Fluoroquinolones


Fluoroquinolones are antimicrobials, medications used to treat infections caused by microorganisms. Most commonly used fluoroquinolones are moxifloxacin (Avelox), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), enoxacin (Penetrex), gatifloxacin (Tequin), and sparfloxacin (Zagam).

The fluoroquinolones as a class are generally well tolerated. Most side effects are mild in severity, self-limited, and rarely result in treatment discontinuation. However, some people have had severe and life-threatening reactions to fluoroquinolones. Some side effects are so strange, that people often don't associate them with the drug. It's unclear why some people react to medication while others do not.

An important precaution for any antibiotic is that unnecessary use or abuse of antibiotics can encourage the development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are approved for use only in people older than 18. Research suggests that this class of medicines may cause bone development problems in children and teenagers. Infants, children, teenagers, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding should not take this medicine unless directed to do so by a physician.

  • Gastrointestinal effects.
    The most common side effects with fluoroquinolones are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain, which occur in 1 to 5% of patients.

  • Central Nervous System effects.
    These medicines make some people feel drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, or less alert. Insomnia occurs in 3-7% of patients who take ofloxacin.
    These drugs can quickly concentrate in the brain and interfere with a receptor that normally prevents seizures. Although seizures are very rare, fluoroquinolones should be avoided in patients with a history of convulsion, cerebral trauma, or anoxia. No seizures have been reported with levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, and gemifloxacin.

  • Phototoxicity.
    These antibiotics may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Even brief exposure to sun can cause severe sunburn or a rash. While being treated with fluoroquinolones, avoid being in direct sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; wear a hat and tightly woven clothing that covers the arms and legs; use a sunscreen with a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15; protect the lips with a sun block lipstick; and do not use tanning beds, tanning booths, or sunlamps.
    The degree of phototoxic potential of fluoroquinolones is as follows: lomefloxacin > sparfloxacin > ciprofloxacin > norfloxacin = ofloxacin = levofloxacin = gatifloxacin = moxifloxacin.

  • Tendon damage (tendonitis and tendon rupture).
    Some fluoroquinolones may weaken the tendons in the shoulder, hand, or heel, making the tendons more likely to tear. Anyone who notices pain or inflammation in these or other tendon areas should stop taking the medicine immediately and call a physician. Rest and avoid exercise until the physician determines whether the tendons are damaged. If the tendons are torn, surgery may be necessary to repair them. Potential risk factors for tendon damage include age >50 years, male gender, and concomitant use of corticosteroids.

  • Cardiovascular effects.
    The newer quinolones have been found to produce additional toxicities to the heart that were not found with the older compounds. Evidence suggests that sparfloxacin and grepafloxacin may have the most cardiotoxic potential.

  • Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia.
    Recently, rare cases of hypoglycemia have been reported with gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin in patients also receiving oral diabetic medications, primarily sulfonylureas. Although hypoglycemia has been reported with other fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin and moxifloxacin), the effects have been mild.

  • Hypersensitivity.
    Hypersensitivity reactions occur only occasionally during quinolone therapy and are generally mild to moderate in severity, and usually resolve after treatment is stopped.


Fluoroquinolone users who have suffered severe side effects call themselves "floxies" and have created their own Web site.

You can buy Cipro here

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Archus's weblog

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Car Paint for Touch-Ups - Your Guide to Auto Touch Up Paints


Ideal for repairing or covering minor chipping, blemishes, and scratches in car paints, auto touch up paints should match your car's original color of paint in order to achieve a seamless finish. Generally available in small quantities in the form of sprays or pen applicators for home use, touch up paints are only applied on the chip or scratch itself. Good auto touch up paints should be able to provide you a “quick fix” although still not able to substitute a factory-applied product in terms of quality. They do not have the same adhesion, durability, chalking, and fading characteristics.

Kinds

Blob eliminator touch up paint: Blobs can appear on dried up surfaces so a “blob eliminator” is used to remove them. A “blob eliminator” is used with the help of an applicator brush, pen, or spray that comes with a kit. Blobs are gone in as fast as 15 to 30 seconds but are allowed to dry for about two to 24 hours.

Air-dry touch up paint: Covering scratches and chips with an air-dry touch up paint kit works in two steps. First, you have to apply the actual touch up paints unto the scratch, chip, or any other damaged surface. And second, after applying the touch up paint, you have to put on a coat of an air-drying additive that prevents future “blobbing” of the paint.

Buying tip

When looking for auto touch up paints, check for touch up paints used by the exact model and color of your car. Aftermarket vendors have a wide variety of brands and paints that can be mixed together to match the color detail of your original paint job. If you're looking for DIY products, most come in colors that match the general shade group of your car's paint.

You can buy Touch-Up Kit here

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Arkaig_Roe's weblog

Rising Demand For Herbal and Ayurveda Products


India is the known as the birthplace of Ayurveda as the great Himalayan mountain range, which forms its northern frontier, is also the source of many herbs that are used in Ayurvedic products. In today's globalization era more and more Indians are choosing to work outside India leading to a rise in the diaspora population. The swelling population of Indians across the globe has led to the popularity of Ayurveda, which in turn has led to a rise in the demand for Herbal Products. Herbal Products, which have been made by following the principles of Ayurveda, which is a five thousand year old system of medicine.

Preparations made from Plant extracts are sought after by patients all across the globe as they have minimal side effects. However, it would be an exaggeration that ayurvedic products have no side effects. Since Ayurvedic preparations are made from plant extracts they help in healing a complication in the natural way. Popular herbs, which are used in the preparation of medicinal formulations, include Amalaki, Arjuna, Ashvagandha, Brahmi, Karela, Lasuna, Neem, Shuddha Guggulu, Shallaki, Tagara, Triphala, Tulasi etc.

In view of the rising popularity of Ayurveda, major pharmaceutical companies who until now were involved in the manufacture of allopathic drugs have forayed into this market segment. The entry of organized players has led to increased investments in Drug manufacturing, R&D and Logistics. Ayurvedic drugs are now being produced in accordance with the established principles laid down by the regulatory authorities. So patients can be assured of the safety of a drug purchased from any of these companies. Distribution and marketing has improved as companies have spotted a huge opportunity in the overseas market. Patients located in any corner of the globe can order herbal products from the online storefront set up by these companies.

Popular Herbal formulations which have acquired popularity in foreign markets include Serpina, Liv.52, Bonnisan, Reosto, Menosan, PureHands, Himplasia. Apart from medicinal formulations other preparations made from herbal extracts like Acne-n-Pimple Cream, Anti-dandruff Hair Oil, Anti-dandruff Shampoo, Anti-wrinkle Cream, Baby Cream, Baby Lotion, Baby Powder, Diaper Rash Cream, Hair Loss Cream, Muscle & Joint Rub, Nourishing Baby Oil, Sunscreen Lotion.

These days, herbal products are not only used for the treatment of humans but also for animals. Ayurvedic drugs and therapies are also being prepared to alleviate the sufferings of animals and improve their heath. Improved health of livestock leads to animal and dairy products, which are safe for human consumption.

You can buy Himplasia here

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darkcow's weblog

Neurontin Lawsuit: Neurontin Off-Label Abuse Lawyer


Pfizer is currently marketing Neurontin as an oral medication for managing postherptic neuralgia, the pain that lingers after shingles has healed. This is an FDA-approved use, and studies have shown that Neurontin works to reduce patients’ pain. It is a good drug, with many useful applications and few negative side effects, but it has a surprisingly long and sordid past.

Neurontin was originally approved in 1993 for the treatment of partial seizures in adults and children, especially epileptic seizures. However, this limited market for a drug with so few side effects was not enough for the company, Warner-Lambert. The company set up a massive campaign to improve sales of Neurontin, and it worked. By 2002 Neurontin was a $2 billion dollar drug, outselling even Viagra. How did a little epilepsy drug come to claim such a huge number of patients? It did so illicitly.

There are not enough patients suffering from epilepsy that one drug could earn profits of $2 billion a year. In order to claim these kinds of profits, Warner-Lambert began promoting the drug for off-label uses. The company sent representatives directly to doctors, urging them to prescribe Neurontin for to treat not only epilepsy but also bipolar disorder, alcohol withdrawal, cocaine abuse, HIV/AIDS neuropathy, phantom limb pain, anxiety, and a host of other diverse and unrelated conditions.

Though it has since been shown to work for some of these conditions, it was not clear at the time exactly what Neurontin did. The Warner-Lambert salesmen were lying to doctors about what Neurontin could do, and the doctors were listening. While it is illegal for a drug company to promote off-label uses directly and immoral to bribe doctors into prescribing a certain drug, it was also absolutely dangerous to claim Neurontin could cure disorders that it simply couldn’t.

For example, Neurontin has no effect on bipolar disorder. Warner-Lambert sold thousands of doctors on the idea that Neurontin should be prescribed for bipolar disorder. If it did not work, they suggested increasing the dosage. One of the drug company managers told a salesman: “I don’t want to see a single patient coming off Neurontin before they’ve been up to at least 4,800 milligrams a day. I don’t want to hear that safety crap either.... It’s a great drug.” An untold number of bipolar patients were taken off their FDA-approved medication and prescribed Neurontin alone. Although Neurontin has few side effects, it also did nothing for their disorder, leaving these patients effectively unmedicated. Nobody knows how many lives were shattered as a result, but unmedicated bipolar disorder has a mortality rate of 55-60%.

Luckily for the public and patients taking Neurontin, a Warner-Lambert sales representative came forward and revealed the entire scandal. Pfizer has now purchased the Warner-Lambert Company, making Pfizer responsible for the injuries caused by the drug it now profits from. Lawsuits are being filed to claim damages for the dangerous corporate marketing strategies that have caused so much pain. If you or someone you love was wrongly administered Neurontin, please contact a lawyer and discuss your options.

You can buy Neurontin here

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Redwizard's weblog

Medication to Ease Your Hypertension


It seems that pharmaceutical companies are always introducing new products into their range to deal with ailments and conditions.

One such product that has been introduced to deal with hypertension or high blood pressure is Plendil. Whilst high blood pressure does not have a cure it can be maintained or controlled with calcium channel blockers like this.

Short Facts:

Most hypertension medications and calcium channel blockers work to relax arteries and veins in your blood vessels. Plendil is no different and operates on the same principle. When the arteries and veins are relaxed more oxygenated blood can flow to the heart which is of a higher quality. This is effective because the pressure that the heart was under is relieved and the heart is able to pump more effectively with less muscular stress.

The aim of the medication is to reduce serious cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of death from the effects of high blood pressure.

Side Effects

This medication can produce some side effects which may cause you discomfort. One side effect is that you may experience dental problems, usually in your gums. You will need to increase your dental brushing and flossing routine to avoid these unfortunate side effects.

The other thing is that this medication does not react well with grapefruit. So, if you are a fan of grapefruits or grapefruit drinks you will need to stop your intake while on this course of medication. Unfortunately, when grapefruit and Plendil are mixed there can be dangerous side effects so it is not worth risking that morning drink. Your doctor should be able to advise you on what sort of beverages and meals are suitable for you while taking this drug.

Another thing is, that if you are used to crushing tablets up or chewing them to make it easier to get your daily dose you will not be able to do that while on your course of treatment. This medication must be swallowed whole. If Plendil is taken in any other form the concentrations can increase the absorbtion rate in your body and lead to an overdose.

It is common at the commencement of your treatment to experience dizziness when standing up or sitting down all of a sudden. If you make slow movements it will cause your blood pressure to settle until your body has fully adjusted to this medication.

You will often experience the side effects of this medication first thing in the morning, on standing up or late at night. If the side effects are unusual or cause you discomfort you should immediately consult your doctor.

Administration

Plendil is best taken with a light meal. If taken on an empty stomach it can cause harm to the digestive tract.

You can, of course, take Plendil with or without food. Fact is, though, if you suffer from hyper acidity or GERD, it would be better to line your stomach with a meal.

Long Term Treatment

You will probably find that you will feel much better in the days after you start your treatment. You cannot stop your treatment if this is the case. Stopping your dosage of Plendil suddenly can cause serious affects on your blood pressure. If you do wish to stop your course of treatment you will need to discuss the procedure with your doctor to gradually stop the administration of Plendil.

You can buy Plendil here

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Findus's weblog

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Prozac Returns


In the late eighties and early-nineties, Prozac was pronounced as the new wonder drug, a magical cure for depression that was patronized by millions of people worldwide. Prozac was later discredited when murmurs spread that it could spur suicidal tendencies in regular users. These days, Prozac is making a big comeback in the most unlikely of places: law enforcement.

Online news reports last June 25 graphically detailed the latest plan of the United Kingdom to control sex offenders - feed them with Prozac until they're calm as lambs. It seems the British government, impressed with Prozac's calming effects, plans to administer the controversial drug to jailed pedophiles and other sex offenders. In doing this, they hope to tame the beastly nature of the inmates and shackles their libidos so they do not commit any more heinous crimes.

The plan calls for 100 inmates from nine different prisons to serve as the first, recipients of Prozac in the British penal system. If the plan works, British authorities say they will proceed to administering Prozac to as many as 10% of the prison population and see if it'll calm them down.

The plan is a rather unique way to approach the problem of sex offenders. You might say it's like castration on a mental and emotional level. You could also say that the plan is not morally ethical considering that it is tantamount to drugging the prisoners into submission, if not immobility. And then, there's also the controversial history of the drug to consider.

Prozac was heaped upon the American public in 1988 and was an immediate smash hit. Millions flocked to drugstores to purchase the new drug, which seemingly had touched a raw nerve of depression that lay latent not only in America but in the rest of the world. It became cool to ingest Prozac. There is no doubt that the aggressive and creative marketing communications campaign that promoted Prozac was a tremendous boost. Sales hit the roof as the drug earned billions of dollars in sales annually.

Then, in 1990, Prozac came under severe attack stemming from allegations that

Prozac made people preoccupied with thoughts of suicide.

Eli Lilly and Company, makers of Prozac launched its own media campaign citing studies that refuted the connection between Prozac and suicide. Nothing was ever proven in court nor were there any settlements, But the damage had been done and Prozac's reputation was tarnished.

Let's see if the British government can find some use for the drug that will help us all sleep a little better.

You can buy Prozac here

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Arkaig_Roe's weblog