New Studies Suggest Ways to Prevent Post-Surgical Infections

Experts say that an estimated 300,000 patients in the United States annually develop infections following surgery because of bacteria that they carry on their own body. Bacteria are often present in the nose or on the skin of patients which can enter surgical incisions and compromise their recovery. If a patient does develop an infection, it can require costly treatment or, in extreme cases, even lead to death. New studies which have recently been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, suggest easy ways hospitals can avert such infections by killing the bacteria which is on patients. Such methods include simple screening, sterilizing, scrubbing, or giving preventative treatment with antibiotics and/or anti-infective medication. The studies looked closely at infections which occur on a patient at the site of surgery, most commonly around the incision area. In prior years, the emphasis has been on doctors and nurses hand-washing to prevent infection; however, now researchers are looking closely at the bacteria on the patients. Many people which entered a hospital have been found to carry the common, but potentially dangerous bacteria, called staphylococcus aureus. Approximately one-third of the population carries this kind of bacteria in their nose or on their skin's surface at any given time. While it may not otherwise cause an active problem, if they enter a hospital and their skin is opened, they suddenly become susceptible to a serious infection.

These new studies tested 500 patients for the presence of staphylococcus aureus prior to their surgical procedures using nasal swabs. If they proved positive, they were then treated for five days with an antibiotic ointment on their noses and had them shower with special soap that contains the antiseptic chlorhexidine. Post surgery, these patients were shown to be sixty-percent less likely to contract infections than patients who used placebos of ointment and common soap. Marcia Patrick, a nurse and member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology board said, "This is going to be a huge help to the infection-control crowd." She added, "How can we not do this? It would truly be penny-wise and pound foolish. And it's the right thing to do for patients." Dr. Richard P. Wenzel, an infectious disease specialist at Virginia Commonwealth University, said he would highly recommend these preventative measures for any patient that's facing a serious operation such as heart surgery or a joint replacement procedure. He also advises it for patients that already have a compromised immune system. Furthermore, he feels that all hospitals should adopt the use of chlorhexidine-alcohol as opposed to the standard disinfectant, povidone-iodine. Patients cleansed with chlorhexidine-alcohol had forty-percent less general infections and as half the amount of infections from staphylococcus aureus.

Cost is a factor for many institutions, as chlorhexidine-alcohol is more expensive that povidone-iodine. There is also an expense for doing pre-surgical screening for bacteria on patients. However, the costs are far greater to an institution when they need to treat a patient who has contracted an infection. Some doctors and many patients are purchasing antibiotics and anti-infective drugs through an online pharmacy where such medication is manufactured for less in other countries and made available at reduced costs to consumers. This practice has been growing during current times of economic downturn and rising medical costs in many countries. Patients with a valid prescription are buying their antibiotics for less through a reputable online pharmacy, yet still getting the benefit from the same high-quality drugs. These medicines often come in the form of generic drugs or as brand-name pharmaceuticals. This online option is one that hospitals and other medical institutions may need to consider in going forward, to more economically prevent infections on their patients and to contain the cost of their treatment if one does occur.

Good News for Older Thyroid Patients

Research reported in ScienceDaily (October 27, 2009) is good news for older patients with thyroid disease. It shows that surgery is a much safer treatment option for them than many physicians previously believed. Dr. Melanie W. Seybt, endocrine-head and neck surgeon and the Medical College of Georgia and primary author of the study states, "We suspected older patients might be admitted to the hospital more often, have more complications and more cancer." However, the study which was published in the medical journal, Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, showed this not to be the case. In fact, when analyzing thyroid patients between the ages of 21-35 and those who were over the age of 65 the study revealed little differences between the two groups of patients. The findings showed:

• Both groups could successfully have outpatient surgery at approximately the same basic rate: 45.5 percent of the elderly and 51.2 percent of younger patients
  
• Both groups experienced the same rate of complications, such as low calcium
  
• Malignancy was present in 27.3 percent of the elderly patients and 18.6 percent of younger patients
  
• A somewhat higher hospital readmission rate among the elderly patients, 4.5 percent as opposed to 1.2 percent; however, it was not due to age-related issues or calcium levels
  
• No post-operative bleeding or cases of vocal cord paralysis among either group in the study
  

The study gives hope to older thyroid patients who are concerned about the safety of their having thyroid surgery, such as a thyroidectomy. It is still very important for patients to first receive a pre-operative health screening. Older patients have to be concerned with heart failure, hypertension, and restrictive lung conditions. However, head and neck surgeries have fewer complications than procedures which involve the chest or abdomen and elderly patients are tolerating it well.

If patients do not receive clearance for surgery, there are effective pharmaceutical options for controlling thyroid disease. NEOMERCAZOLE® (tablets) is medication for thyroid disease which can be prescribed to patients with hyperthyroidism to lower the amount of hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It may also be given in preparation for surgery or prior to radioactive iodine treatment. Levothyroxine (Levoxyl ®,Eltroxin®) is thyroid medicine given to patients with hypothyroidism that are experiencing an insufficient amount of hormone manufacture by the thyroid. It can also be given to prevent the thyroid from becoming enlarged because of cancer, surgery, or radiation treatment. Thyroid medication can be purchased at a local drugstore. However, thyroid patients of all ages with a valid prescription are now getting their medication through an online pharmacy, such as www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com at reduced costs. The expense of thyroid medicine becomes a concern for many patients because most need to take such medication long-term to successfully manage their condition.

Pain Medication Offers Osteoarthritis Relief

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 27 million Americans over twenty-five years of age. It is caused by a breakdown of the cartilage which cushions the end of bones. Osteoarthritis can bring about stiffness and significant pain in the joints and bones within the knees, hips, back, ankles, wrists, elbows, shoulder, spine and hands. Some arthritis patients may experience reduced mobility because of their condition and even become moderately disabled. The pain from osteoarthritis will vary, per patient, depending on the severity of their arthritis, age, and overall fitness level. However, at some point most arthritis sufferers need to take pain medication to help manage their condition.


Osteoarthritis patients may only take pain medication occasionally, while others find they have to take it daily. There are many different pharmaceutical options for arthritis patients which relieve various symptoms of the disease. Some arthritis medicine helps relieve pain and stiffness, while other arthritis drugs reduce swelling and inflammation. There are even generic drugs or brand-name medication for pain which works on all side-effects of the disease. Many patients with osteoarthritis and even rheumatoid arthritis take analgesics such as aspirin while others prefer to use nonsterodial anti-inflammatory drugs called NSAID's. These work within the body by reducing the amount of pain-inducing hormones which are being produced. They can also relieve pain and bring down a fever. Commonly taken NSAID's are:


Ibuprofen (Advil ®, Nuprin®, Motrin®)

Meloxicam (Mobic®)

Naprosyn (Aleve®)

Nabumetone (Relafen®)

Piroxicam (Feldene®)

Indomethicin (Indocin®)

Ketoprofen (Orudis®)

TORADOL^ORAL (Ketorolac Tromethamine)

Mefenamic Acid (Ponstel®)

Pain relieving drugs can be purchased over the counter or at reduced prices through an online pharmacy. Some pain medication requires a prescription from a physician, while aspirin and less strong NSAID's do not. If medicine is purchased online through a reputable website, such as http://www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com/, patients can be assured of the quality of their medication and expect to receive quickly. Many arthritis sufferers are opting for this method for their pain relief because their condition is chronic and requires a frequent pharmaceutical purchase. If patients engage in doctor-approved exercise, consider adding recommended nutritional supplements (such as fish oil), and take an analgesic for pain, they often can live a comfortable and active life in spite of their arthritis.

Could An Irregular Arm Swing be a Sign of Parkinson’s Disease?

Some neurologists believe identifying an irregular arm swing could lead to early detection of Parkinson's disease, a progressive brain disorder which affects the central nervous system. The disease is usually diagnosed when a patients experiences uncontrolled tremors when their body is meant to be resting. They may also feel stiffness in the limbs or torso or difficulty balancing. By the time these symptoms have been felt by the patient, approximately 50 to 80% of critical brain cells, called dopamine neurons, have already been impaired or died. Associate Professor of Neurology at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Xuemei Huang, and her colleagues are intensely studying the way people walk (their gait) and analyzing their severity of arm swing and its degree of asymmetry. They are trying to determine if there are early physical signs which point to the onset of Parkinson's Disease. One symptom of a Parkinson's patient is that they swing one arm in an asymmetrical manner. These new studies are hoping to find whether or not the actual presence of an irregular arm swing can tell if a patient is more likely to develop the disease. The earlier the condition can be detected, the better it is for patients. They may benefit from early intervention treatment and possibly start Parkinson's drug therapy.

Once having received a diagnosis of Parkinson's, patients have different treatments to consider including neurological surgery and medication for Parkinson's disease. They can also engage in physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling, along with alternative medicine and seek support groups. Some patients who suffer from depression initially following their diagnosis find it helpful to take anti-depressant medication, while under a doctor's care. Parkinson's medication won't cure the disease but it can positively impact a patient's life and increase their general comfort level. This is one reason the study of arm swing is so important. Many patients have been shown to respond favorably if given medication in the earliest phases of their disease. People with the condition need to consult with their doctor to determine which Parkinson's drugs would work best to manage their symptoms, slow the disease progression, and possibly restore a degree of lost motor skills. Many patients respond favorably to a kind of dopamine replacement therapy, like Levodopa and Carbidopa (Sinemet). This medication and other drug treatments for Parkinson's Disease can be purchased with a prescription through an online pharmacy at a reduced cost to Parkinson's patients.

American Feet - Beware the Nail Salon!

American women famously enjoy their manicure and pedicure services at nail salons. However recent studies have shown what's meant to be a pretty and pampering treat is causing an increasing amount of infections, some of which can be life-threatening. Many of these infections are not even reported which makes it difficult to track. However, as stated by infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Kevin L. Winthrop, "They're definitely out there." One of the reasons infections are not reported is because women don't always realize that their health problems have come from their salon or spa. Symptoms of many fungal infections do not appear until later, after the initial point of exposure, which makes in hard for women to identify where or how they developed their infection.

People who frequent salons or spas can contract infections such as athlete's foot, yeast infections, or warts. Depending on the procedure and the sanitary conditions at the salon, customers can even contract more serious conditions like hepatitis C, HIV, or staph infections. If a salon does not properly sterilize their equipment and disinfect their area, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, fungus, or viruses. In 2000, over 100 women in California were infected with boils on their legs which required months to heal. The mycobacteria which caused the boils were traced by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention to whirlpool footbaths in one salon in the northern part of the state. The footbaths were being used during the salon's pedicure service. Since the outbreak, California, Texas, and Arizona changed their state requirements, forcing salons to clean and disinfect the suction screen in their whirlpool footbaths that may accumulate bacteria. Other states, such as New York, require emery boards and bar soap to be used only on one customer and not shared. New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Oregon have mandated salons to clean their tools with hospital-grade disinfectant following every customer. Although it is worth noting that the commonly used disinfectant still won't kill all bacteria, yeast, or the hepatitis C virus.

Doctors and dermatologists advise that customers bring their own tools to a salon and ensure those are the ones actually being used on them. Such kits can easily be purchased in most U.S. drugstores and beauty supply outlets. Customers should check that the salon and technicians are fully licensed by the state and to ideally, find a salon which uses a machine to sterilize tools with steam and heat. Women should not shave their legs 24 hours prior to getting a pedicure or have the procedure with any open nicks or wounds on their skin to minimize the chances of infection.

If someone does develop an infection, there is anti fungal medication which can treat certain conditions. Terbinafine hydrochloride (Lamisil® or DASKIL® Cream) is an antibiotic which can successfully treat fungus infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm. Voriconazole (Vfend®) is a drug which is prescribed as a yeast infection treatment and can help fight other fungus adversely affecting the skin. Clotrimazole (Mycelex® or Canesten® Cream) and Butenafine topical (Mentax® Cream) are anti-fungal medicine which doctors may give to patients to treat infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, yeast infections, and other skin conditions. Patients can purchase anti fungal treatments for significantly reduced costs through an online pharmacy. Reputable pharmacies such as www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com carry both generic drugs and brand-name pharmaceuticals and ship them to U.S. patients and others all over the world. Still, even those women most in need of a fresh coat of nail polish will agree, prevention is the best measure of defense. American women should beware of salons, first researching where they're going and then taking the proper precautions to protect themselves when there. Otherwise they can be going from the pedicure chair to one in their doctor's waiting room.

World AIDS Day, 2009

World AIDS Day, 2009 took place December 1 in the United States and was commemorated in cities across the country. Along with discussion of the progress of the disease, there were also protests about reduced funding and information released about current treatment options. In New York City, groups protested the city’s elimination of an office specifically for AIDS policy and decreased funding for AIDS programs. In Santa Cruz, CA. The AIDS Project announced that it lost half of its budget because of reductions from federal, state and local government sources and private grants. The 25-yr. old project had to lay off half of its staff and close its Drop-In Center which offered free HIV testing and needle exchange to drug users. Science Daily reported a study from the New England Journal of Medicine which notes “that viral failure, the point at which medication can no longer suppress the HIV infection, was twice as likely and happened sooner among patients initiating anti-retroviral therapy with high viral loads who were given Epzicom when compared to similar patients treated with Truvada." Patients in this study were being continually monitored; however, these findings caused concern among the HIV-infected community. Positive reports were also shared, as many effective therapies in the form of antiretroviral drugs exist for HIV patients. Anti-HIV medications are primarily categorized as reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and entry orfusion inhibitors. The best pharmaceutical therapy for HIV/AIDS combines medicines from at least two of these drug groups called HAART therapy (highly antiretroviral therapy). These pharmaceutical treatments for HIV also come in generic drug form and can be purchased at reduced cost to patients if ordered through an online pharmacy. Online pharmacies such as http://www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com/ are currently shipping HIV/AIDS medicines to patients in need all over the world and helping many more people survive this disease.

Asthma Immune Cells are Identified

Asthma is a common disease of the respiratory system, which is estimated to affect over 300 million people around the world. Asthma patients usually exhibit signs of the disease at a young age, when exposed to airborne allergens (such as pollen or pet dander). Their respiratory immune system is triggered, causing airways to narrow and compromising their flow of oxygen. A team of researchers at GIGA Research Center in Belgium tried to identify why this response doesn’t happen in the majority of people who breathe in allergens and just a percentage suffer from asthmatic reactions. It was recently reported in ScienceDaily (November 30, 2009) that these researchers discovered particular cells in the lungs which inhibit asthma. Such cells are regulatory macrophages, which had not otherwise been characterized. The regulatory macrophages recognize airborne antigens and trace amounts of endotoxins and paralyze the respiratory immune system response so asthma doesn’t develop. Their prevailing theory is that asthma can only develop in people who have a deficient of these regulatory macrophages.

When someone does have asthma, they can often make lifestyle changes to help avoid an attack. Depending on the frequency or the severity of their condition, they may also need medication to control their asthma. A common type of asthma medicine is a bronchodilator drug. Such medicine for asthma can be used to bring immediate relief to symptoms, acting as a short-term treatment. Bronchodilators can also be long-acting and taken on a daily basis to help prevent asthma attacks from occurring. Many asthmatic patients obtain their medications through an online pharmacy, to save costs. This is an especially good option for those people who take long-acting asthma medicine on a regular basis. One of the best online resources for this type of medication is www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com.

Americans, Acne, and Affording Treatment

Acne is one of the most often diagnosed skin diseases effecting people of all races and genders in the United States. It commonly occurs among teenagers and people in their early twenties; however, someone can develop acne at any age.  The condition is not physically harmful but can be very damaging psychologically to both young adults struggling with their self-esteem or older patients who are concerned about social stigma.

Acne comes in several forms such as: whiteheads, blackheads, and the less common cystic acne and nodular acne. The primary cause of acne is increased oil production in the skin's sebaceous glands.  This excessive production can be caused by a variety of things, including: genetics, stress, hormone changes, and prescription medication. Acne breakouts may also be the result of environmental pollutants, a humid atmosphere, or oily cosmetics coupled with poor hygiene.

 Some statistics about acne:

• 60 million people in the U.S. have acne
• 20 million people in the U.S. have acne severe enough to cause skin scars
• 20% of all American adults have an active case of acne
• 85% of American teenagers have acne, which will cause permanent skin scars on 25% of them
• 40% of Americans with acne will not seek acne treatment
• 30% of Americans will buy over-the-counter acne medication
• 11% of Americans with acne will seek help from a physician
  

Today's acne treatments are very effective. However, to determine the best acne medication for one's specific condition, patients need to first identify the cause of their breakouts.  A medical professional can diagnosis types of acne and recommend which acne medicines will help clear the skin of the individual patient.  Within the United States, there are many excellent dermatologists which can be found through the American Academy of Dermatologists. Unfortunately for patients over twenty-five years of age, many insurance companies don't cover the cost of their treatment.   An adult patient's policy may cover a part of their doctor's visit, skincare procedures, and acne medicines but the remainder is their financial responsiblity.This is because insurance companies consider acne on adults to be a cosmetic issue and not a medical one.  Acne patients may have not be able to afford their skin therapy, which is why some people don't seek treatment.

Regardless of how insurance companies classify acne, patients at all stages of life want to treat this skin disease. Like a teenager, the self-worth of an adult patient suffers if they have a poor complexion which is riddled with acne. They shun social situations, aren't as comfortable in the workplace, and in general are less confident. Some adult acne patients have said that they feel they're not taken as seriously when they have acne, as it is a condition typically associated with young people. This is especially frustrating when patients know there is medication which can clear their break-outs but they can't pay for it. One alternative adult Americans with acne have found is to purchase their medicines through an online pharmacy. Electronic pharmacies like www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com carry acne drugs such as Tretinoin Gel (Avita®, Retin-A gel®) but offer them at reduced prices. This is a very welcome alternative for patients because their acne treatment is as much about building their self-esteem as it is clearing their complexion.

Diabetic Adults and Depression

Information which was released during the 69^th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in 2009 reveals that adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are more likely to suffer from clinical depression than adults without the disease.  Diabetic adults also take more anti-depressant medicine
, being almost two times as likely to take prescription antidepressants as non-diabetics. Diabetics struggles with depression are receiving growing awareness by the medical community. Many physicians are now regularly screening patients with diabetes for symptoms of depression, especially those with other health issues related to their diabetes.

A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children or young adults and is the fourth leading cause of mortality around the world. It is an incurable disease which can bring about many serious health complications.  Also called juvenile diabetes (or insulin-dependent diabetes), the disease develops when the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient amounts of insulin to stabilize the body's blood sugar levels. Over time, the pancreatic cells which manufacture insulin are completely destroyed and the body is rendered incapable of any insulin production. Without insulin replacement or other diabetes medication, a patient with diabetes will become severely sick and even die.

Diabetes can cause other health problems such as retinopathy, blindness, amputation, cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and kidney or pancreas failure. People with type 1 diabetes who are experiencing such medical complications are most likely to have anxiety and depression. Such patients say that they have constant concerns over their health, are less able to maintain regular employment, and may experience significant physical pain or discomfort.Most patients can control their diabetes but often need the help from a thorough team of medical professionals which consists of: a primary care doctor, eye doctor, nutritionist, podiatrist, kidney specialist, cardiologist, and dentist.  Since depression is common among diabetics, a psychologist or psychiatrist is often necessary. Many type 1 diabetics can successfully manage their disease with insulin and other supplemental diabetes medicines. They do need to closely monitor their health but can expect to live longer and healthier than ever before. In recent years, antidepressant medicines
are now also being given to such patients.  They are helping them better cope with their condition and enjoy a better quality of life.

Fewer Americans are Dying from Cancer

In 2009, a new look at research shows that there's been a continual decline in the rate of cancer-caused deaths in the United States. Those who have had the most marked decline in death from cancer are adults in their middle years of life; however, people of all ages have registered steady improvement. This appears contrary to prior research generated by the U.S. government, where it was reported that there's been only a small decline in deaths from cancer during the twentieth century. Recently there's been a closer look taken at the statistics and it's telling a different (and much better) story.  The results of prior reports had been the result of an average taken of the cancer death rate from all age groups, formulating a composite rate.  However, the vast majority of deaths from cancer happened to older Americans and did not take into account possible improvements among younger patients.  Newer studies considered improvements in the rate of death among all cancer patients born every five years, beginning in the year 1925.  When viewing this information, it became clear that everyone born after the year 1930 has experienced a reduced risk of dying from cancer. The group which benefited the most is actually adults between the ages of thirty-five to forty-five.  These people have benefited from an over 25% reduction in cancer death, per decade.

This is news that many Americans hoped to hear.  One of the greatest factors for this decline is believed to be improved awareness of cancer prevention.  The United States has been steadily educating its citizens about the cancer risks inherent in smoking and implemented policies that make it more difficult to smoke publically.  It is no longer legal to smoke in most U.S. restaurants and sports venues and penalties are much harsher against those who sell cigarettes to minors.  Smoking Cessation medications like Zyban® and Wellbutrin SR ® have helped patients quit their habit, as have aids like Nicorette Gum.There have also been advancements in early detection of many cancers and people are going more frequently for cancer screening.  Baseline mammograms are being recommended for all women thirty-five years of age and then every year after the age of forty.  This has lead to breast cancer being caught at an earlier and more treatable stage. Colonoscopies are being more frequently performed after the age of fifty, which is saving many lives.  Colon cancer is a condition which responds well to early treatment but survival rates go down significantly if the disease is detected later.

There are better treatment options which have greatly improved survival rates of cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. If is possible to manage such cancers as a chronic condition as opposed to being a deadly diagnosis. Advancements in the study of the biology of breast cancer tumors have led to more targeted pharmaceutical treatments. Today’s cancer drugs can be given to fight the hormones an individual tumor is thriving on and stop the disease from spreading. Anti-cancer medication can also be given as a preventative treatment for women with a known high-risk for the disease, such as those who tested positive for the BRCA1or BRCA2 genes (which may indicate a greater chance of inherited breast cancer). Cancer medications in general are more effective than in prior years and with fewer side effects. These medicines are also less expensive when purchased through an online pharmacy, such as http://www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com/. This new electronic option has made pharmaceuticcal therapy more affordable for cancer patients so more can get the help they need.

Americans and our Allergies

One out of every five Americans, or an estimated 50 million people, suffers from asthma and allergies. Allergy is the 5^th most common chronic disease in the country, affecting people of all ages, and the 3^rd most frequently chronic condition effecting children.  The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that the amount of Americans who say they have allergies problems is growing and its considered to be one of the nation's most common, yet unrecognized, diseases. Allergies are broken into several categories: indoor and outdoor allergies, skin allergies, food and drug allergies, eye allergies, insect allergies, and latex allergy.

Some facts about allergies in the U.S:

• Allergies are reported as the most common chronic condition among American children.
• Allergies restrict the physical activity of over 40% of children with them.
• Over 17 million doctor visits annually are attributed to allergy-related problems, mostly in the spring and fall for seasonal allergy symptoms.
• Upwards of 7 million people visit the doctor for skin allergies.
• More than 30,000 patients visit the emergency room at a hospital because of food allergies
• Over 200 people in the U.S. die each year because of food-related allergies
• More than 200 Americans die each year due to insect allergies
• Almost 400 Americans die annually because of an allergic reaction to penicillin
• Allergy-related costs are estimated at almost 7 billion dollars in the United States
• Americans have spent $5.7 billion dollars on allergy medicines and $300 million on office visits to their doctor to treat allergy symptoms.
• Allergies are responsible for almost 4 million Americans missing work each year, resulting in over $700 million dollars of lost workplace production.
  

Allergies can limit a person's ability to enjoy the outdoors, put them as serious health risk when dinning out, and inhibit their general enjoyment of life. Severe allergic reactions can even be fatal. Since allergies are such a significant health issue, patients are more aggressively pursuing allergy-testing and treatment. Pharmaceutical companies have recognized the need for better allergy medication and there are many choices to help patients get allergy symptom relief. Many of these medicines, like Loratadine (Claritin®) and Fexofenadine (Allegra®, Telfast®) are antihistamine drugs, which reduces the amount of chemical histamine that the body manufactures. Histamine production increases when the body is exposed to an allergen and this excess can bring about symptoms. Allergy drugs can be purchased both over-the-counter, by prescription, or through an online pharmacy. Such medicines are often the only means of offering allergy-prone Americans relief.

New Report Suggests Statin Drugs May Help People with Normal Cholesterol Levels

Fox News.com recently reported on a study by U.S. researchers which suggests people in good health with normal cholesterol blood levels may be helped by taking statin cholesterol medication. Some people with normal (or even low) cholesterol may even benefit more than those who are suffering from high cholesterol levels. The study centered on people who had normal readings of cholesterol; however, did have elevated levels of a particular protein. This protein, called C-reactive, is a marker for inflammation and can be a contributor to cardiac problems. Patients showing an increase in the C-reactive protein who took statin cholesterol drugs showed a reduced risk for serious cardiac conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and congested arteries. Some researchers are recommending that people be screened routinely for this protein to help prevent heart attacks in a broader base of Americans. Currently, such a screening is not done and this could be a contributing factor for those people experiencing heart attack who had otherwise normal cholesterol readings.

This is not the first research of its kind but it is receiving a great deal of attention by both medical practioners and the national population. Dr. Paul Ridker of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston led a another significant study conducted in 2008, referred to as Jupiter, which gave the cholesterol drug Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor®) to healthy patients to reduce their rate of cardiac-related death and complications. He suggests the U.S. medical community may need to change the way it tries to prevent cardiac disease. The determining factor in these studies is the measurement of the amount of people who have to use a drug over a period of time to realize a health benefit (called NNT or number needed to treat). In this more recent study, medical researchers considered the number of patients who had low cholesterol levels with high readings of C-reactive protein who would have to take a statin drug such as Atorvastatin (Lipitor®), Simvastatin (Zocor®), or Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor®) for five year duration before the medication would inhibit cardiac problems. The number was the same or even greater than the amount needed to avert cardiovascular disease in people taking statin drugs who had elevated levels of cholesterol. The findings are especially encouraging when considering heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States. In additional to the current emphasis on a healthy lifestyle and the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs by people with known cardiac risk, a pharmaceutical preventative method for the otherwise healthy population may make a real difference in improving the nation’s heart health. 

American Women Choose the Birth-Control Pill

The world for women in the United States changed radically in 1960 when the birth-control pill (or “the pill”) was first approved for use. Women were finally able to control contraception, something they tried to in every culture since the earliest recorded history. The desire for sex but fear of pregnancy went together for most of the female experience. For years, women were worn out by multiple pregnancies or chose to abstain from sexual intercourse to prevent conception. In earlier centuries it was very common for women to die during childbirth because of little knowledge of obstetrics or the importance of basic hygiene. It’s commonly believed that the primary cause of women’s death from childbirth in the eighteenth century was unwashed hands by physicians and midwives.

While there were other birth control practices in place prior to the pill, the advent of oral contraceptives was especially liberating. When taken properly, the birth-control pill is over 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. This makes women feel confident and in control of their reproductive future. Families can now choose when they have children and how many. They can consider the size of the family they’d like and can comfortably afford. Women can more easily work and better plan a professional future. Oral contraceptives can be purchased through an online pharmacy, such as www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com. Many women are choosing this option because it saves both money and time and their pills are shipped directly and discreetly to their home. There are currently more than 100 million women around the world using birth-control pills, with 12 million of those women residing in the United States alone. For Americans, it really is the birth control method of choice.

How Men Feel About Hair Loss

While hair loss has a minor effect on a man's physical health, it can have a tremendous impact on his emotional well-being.  Almost every man asked would admit that he'd be upset if he lost his hair.  Young men count balding as one of their greatest fears of aging. Society has long associated a full head of hair with youth, health, vitality, virility, and attractiveness.  When a man begins losing his hair, he often suffers from stress, anxiety, and depression.  Below are some of the most commonly reported feelings of men experiencing hair loss:

• Depression about the perceived loss of youth
• Frustration over styling thinning hair
• Dissatisfaction with self-image
• Fear of being teased about hair loss
• Reduction of self-esteem
• Fear of not being sexually attractive
• Envy of men with full heads of hair
• Embarrassment as hair thins
• Desire to wear hats to disguise the condition
• Erosion of social confidence
• Increased feelings of introversion and reduced social participation
• Difficulty at work, especially in professions tied to appearance
• Urge to improve one's physique to compensate for balding
• Desire to dress better to build confidence and improve appearance
• Tendency to grow facial hair such as a beard of mustache
  

These feelings have long driven men to seek remedies for their balding. Historical documents tells us of the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra attempts to cure Julius Casear’s baldness with a mixture of deer bone marrow, bear grease, horse teeth, and burnt mice. Thankfully, today’s balding man has much better alternatives. Methods to help hair loss range from natural remedies such as scalp massage and aromatherapy , to disguising the condition through hairpieces and hair weaves, to hair restoration surgery with hair plugs and grafts. Among the best methods to treat male pattern hair loss is hair loss medication. The medication Finasteride (Propecia®) can significantly help mild to moderate hair loss when it happens on common parts of the scalp. It won’t help re-grow follicles which have already fallen out but can stop further hair loss and improve the overall look and appearance of hair. Many balding men are purchasing Finasteride (Propecia®) for reduced prices through an online pharmacy. They are using it both as a treatment for existing hair loss and even as a preventative action. Men who are experiencing thinning hair and struggling with their feelings about it are generally grateful for anything which can help.

Miracle Medicine for a Migraine

Almost everyone has experienced a headache at some point in their life. In fact, ninety-nine percent of people have them at least once per year. Most of the time they just forget about it or take a common pain reliever, like aspirin or ibuprofen, and feel better soon. However, some headaches are so painful that they are completely incapacitating. They can prevent someone from working, driving, or generally participating in their life. These headaches can bring with them other nasty symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and hypersensitivity to light and sound. Some people with these kinds of severe headaches will notice their limbs grow cold, their face is pale, and even simplest of movement causes their pain to intensify. These headaches are called migraines. The World Health Organization estimates that twenty million people have a migraine attack a day and they affect people of every race and in all countries.


Migraines have been around for a long time. There are people throughout history who are believed to suffer from this kind of head pain, such as Julius Caesar, Thomas Jefferson, Joan of Arc, Ulysses S. Grant, and Sigmund Freud. Some theorists believe that Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was actually inspired by Lewis Carroll’s symptoms of a migraine aura. Vincent Van Gogh is another famous figure whose work is believed to have been derived in part by his migraine headaches.

Migraines are considered to be a “vascular headache” and, common as they are, doctors still don’t know exactly what causes them. The prevailing medical belief is that blood vessels in the brain swell until they press on nerve fibers, which give off chemicals that cause feelings of pain. The tendency to have migraines could be hereditary and may also be linked to changing hormone levels in women, who are more likely to suffer from migraines than men. They can occur as an isolated headache or happen in clusters, where someone may experience severe, reoccurring head pain that may continue for hours, days, or even weeks at a time! Since the pain from a migraine can be so bad; it’s commonly referred to as an “attack.”

People that are in the throes of a severe migraine can feel desperate for relief. In years past, patients with migraines suffered in silence. They went into a dark room, applied cold clothes to their heads, and lie still while waiting for the pain to subside. In time, people attempted to manage their migraine pain with aspirin and later analgesics like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen. However, most patients found these methods didn’t offer sufficient pain relief or they weren’t able to take such medication. For many migraine-sufferers, the advent of migraine-abortive medication was the equivalent of a pharmaceutical miracle. These drugs don’t just treat the pain but go right to the cause – the swollen arteries. Triptans are one type of migraine medicine which brings down the swelling of the blood vessels and reduces the amount of chemical substances which cause pain. Among those most commonly prescribed by doctors are Imitrex® (Imigran), Zomig®, and Rizatriptan (Maxalt®). Flunarizine (Sibelium®) is part of another class of drugs which can be used for migraines called channel blocking agents, which relax the blood vessels and encourage a better blood-flow. These medicines can all be purchased at reduced prices at http://www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com/ by both physicians and patients. Frequent migraine sufferers can also be treated with prophylactic medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Even tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsant medications can be employed to help thwart a migraine While it is very good for the creative world that Vincent Van Gogh couldn’t take Imitrex® (Imigran) or any of other of today’s migraine-abortive medications, I’m sure at times the artist really wished he could have.

America’s Growing Obesity Problem

Anyone visiting an average restaurant in the United States only has to look around to see that obesity is a growing problem in the United States. On a weekday afternoon, the drive-through lines at a McDonald's can stretch down a block as people wait for a supersize portion of high-fat, high-sodium, and fructose corn syrup-imbibed foods.  Americans appear to consume the maximum amount of calories with the least extended effort of any culture. While our ancient ancestors who hunted and chased down animals for a meal would find this scenario a dream come true, it is becoming a nightmare for many Americans. Aside from feeling uncomfortable with their weight both physically and psychologically, the U.S. Surgeon General reports that 300,000 Americans die annually from obesity-related conditions.

American obesity is such a concern that it's now considered a nationwide health epidemic.  The current IHRSA/ASD Obesity/Weight Control Report reveals the following shocking statistics on the U.S. obesity problem:

• There are 3.8 million Americans who are over 300 pounds
• More than 400,000 people in the U.S. (primarily men) weigh 400 pounds or more
• Average adult American woman now weighs 163 pounds
  

The National Center for Health has been carefully watching the U.S. obesity issue for decades.  They have released the following disturbing information:

During the years between 1962 and the year 2000, the amount of Americans who are obese rose from just from 13% to a shocking 31% of the country's population.

There are 63% of people in the U.S. who are medically overweight, with a Body Mass Index greater than 25.0

American children are struggling with obesity, with the number tripling over the past twenty years. 31% of U.S. children are considered obese, with a Body Mass Index of 30.0 or more.

The U.S. Surgeon General reported that 300,000 Americans die annually from obesity-related conditions.

We know that Americans are overweight and that it presents very real risks to their health. People who are overweight have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes and life-threatening cardio-vascular complications such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Obese Americans are more inclined to have a stroke or suffer from general metabolic syndrome. They are also more likely to develop gallstones, which require the removal of their gall bladder. The American Institute for Cancer has released data that obesity may contribute to the development of certain cancers like prostate, uterine, breast, and colon cancer.  Excess weight puts stress on joints and can add to the pain of conditions such as osteoarthritis. It can also be a cause of sleep apnea and lead to menstruation and general fertility problems in women.

Americans are growing more aware of their larger size in relation to their foreign counterparts. Healthcare institutions have developed advertising awareness campaigns and childhood obesity is being addressed in schools through nutritional and physical education programs. People are struggling to cut calories and improve their general nutrition.  They are signing up for exercise programs and working on their fitness.  However, for many who are obese, significant weight loss requires a complete life-style change and this is not easy. The current American culture, their consumption practices, and the food industry are also working against them.

Obesity is a real health crisit for Americans. Even with the current awareness of its dangers, the statistics on those overweight are getting worse.  Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have even predicted that by the year 2030, the majority of all American men and women will be categorized as clinically obsese.  The U.S. has historically been proud of being "the land of plenty" but when it comes to weight it's time for them to admit they have become of nation of "too much."
 
A recent help in the weight-loss battle is weight loss medication
such as Orlistat (Xenical®) and Rimonabant (Acomplia®), medicines both carried at www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com. While such drugs do not present the quick-fix many would hope for, they can help the clinically obese when included in a total plan for weight loss. The medications need to be doctor-prescribed and used in combination with a reduction in daily calorie intake and an increase in physical activity. However, most obese Americans are happy to take any medication which can increase their odds of weight-loss success.

Why is U.S. Antidepressant Drug Use on the Rise?

There are many more people in the United States taking antidepressants. The good news is that it's not necessarily because they are more depressed. Recent studies show that the use of antidepressant drugs is definitely on the rise in the United States.  The usage rate has been steadily climbing over the past ten years. A study which was published in August, within the Archives of General Psychiatry, analyzed the frequency of antidepressant drugs and antipsychotic medicines prescribed specifically during the years 1996 – 2005.  The results showed that use of various types of such drugs  increased substantially – up almost seventy-five percent, by both males and females of all ages and races (with the exception being African Americans). Use of  antidepressants continued to build in the years following the study.  In 2008, over 164 million prescriptions were given to patients for antidepressant drugs, which IMS Health adds up to $9.6 billion in United States pharmaceutical sales.

While the facts speak for themselves, they lead to the question, "Why are Americans taking more medication to treat depression?"  While on the surface it seems as if more people in the U.S. are just growing more and more depressed, when taking a closer look that's not necessarily true. Currently in America, there are reasons people are feeling anxious and unhappy.  People in the United States are dealing with an ongoing economic recession and a national increase in unemployment. There is also generalized social anxiety related to domestic terrorism and a year of political change. However, social and economic conditions were always variable and fluctuations are not new to people.  While these things may cause some to worry or feel disheartened, that is not the same as clinical depression. It could be that there's an increase in antidepressant drug use because more patients are seeking medical care for their condition. In the past, there was something of a social stigma for those suffering from depression and people were ashamed to admit they suffered from the disease. It wasn't publically perceived as a medical condition and people felt those with ongoing depression should just be able to "snap out of it" themselves.  This made many of those afflicted feel ashamed and they tried to hide their mental and emotional struggles.  Sadly, patients who failed to seek help, either through talking or drug therapy, often saw their psychological state deteriorate. However, now that there is more main-stream awareness of depression, people are less reticent to reach out for treatment. Among their treatment options, pharmaceutical therapy has proved to be one of the most effective methods of controlling this disease and their use is now widespread among people with depression and other mental health conditions.

Other contributing factors to the increase in such drug use are the amount of antidepressant medicines which are now available, the improvements in such medication, and the more frequent drug advertising which is direct-to-consumer.  People are learning from television and print ads that depression is frequently diagnosed and told that they have pharmaceutical options which can help.  The medical community has also approved the use of antidepressant drugs to treat an expanded range of mental health afflictions so such medicine is more widely used in general. Among the most commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs are those which affect the neurotransmitter serotonion, such as Paroxetine (Paxil®, Aropax®), Fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac®), Escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro®), Citalophram (Celexa®), or Sertraline (Zoloft®, Lustral®). However, use of almost all antidepressant medication has been documented to be on the increase. Tricyclic antidepressants such as Doxepin (Sinequan®), Dothiepin (Prothiaden®) and  Imipramine (Tofranil®) are prescribed to help stabilize certain brain chemicals and improve the mood of affected patients, as are norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor drugs such as Reboxetine (Edronax®).  Reboxetine (Edronax®) can be given to people suffering from clinical depression, generalized panic disorder, or conditions such as ADD/ADHD.   Some mental disorders are treated with more than just one drug, so patients can be seen taking antidepressant or other medications in conjunction with each other.

Antidepressant medication is being taken more by people who have another disease, apart from their depression, as adjunctive drug therapy. This can happen when a patient's diagnosis, symptoms, or treatment is contributing to a generally depressed state of mind. Patients being diagnosed with progressive, incurable conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Cancer, or Parkinson's disease may also be given antidepressant medicine to help them cope.  Under these circumstances, such patients may only use the medicine short-term, while they come to terms with their prognosis, or long-term to ensure a more consistent and positive state of mental wellbeing.

Antidepressant medication is also more affordable now, through alternative means online.  Instead of having to visit a traditional drugstore, people can purchase medication through an online pharmacy.  Such pharmacies carry an extensive supply of these medicines and offer them at a substantial price discount.  Since patients can more easily afford their antidepressant medicine, they are more willing to use it. Online pharmacies ship mental health medication to people directly and discreetly to their homes.  This more private alternative helps those people who may still be embarrassed about their condition to obtain their medication without the worry about being observed. After looking at the rise in the use of antidepressant drugs by Americans, when considering all the contributing reasons, it's good to realize it's not just because of their state of mind.

Smoking During Pregnancy Linked to Children’s Behavioral Problems

Most pregnant women in the United States know that smoking could be harmful to their baby's health and cause such problems as low birth weight.  However, new studies have revealed potential behavioral problems of a newborn whose mother smoked during pregnancy or was exposed to excessive secondhand smoke. Researchers have linked prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke to significant behavioral problems, mood difficulties, and psychological disorders which can persist into adulthood.  In general, children who had smoking mothers are more irritable and unhappy.  They are more likely to have attention-deficit disorder, have hyperactive behavior, or exhibit a conduct disorder. Such children are at a higher risk for criminal behavior, including violent offenses, and more susceptible to use drugs as an adolescent.  They also are more inclined to smoke cigarettes themselves as teens or adults, further compromising their health.

Nicotine is responsible for most of the negative effects of tobacco throughout pregnancy or during the postnatal period.  However, cigarette smoking is also linked to a deficit in monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity, which are enzymes that can compromise the functionality of brain neurotransmission.  This can make children exposed to smoke more vulnerable to neurological disorders and behavioral problems.  Doctors in France looked at blood biomarkers of MAO-A activity in pregnant women who both smoked and did not smoke and analyzed the umbilical cords and blood flow to their infants.  They also observed the newborns reactions and behavior during their first two days of life.  Their findings showed reduced MAO-A activity in both the pregnant mother and her child.   Additionally, newborns of women who smoked exhibited signs of discomfort and irritability than the babies from non-smoking mothers.  This study has prompted doctors to commission further research because of the implied connection between both biology and behavior among smokers and their offspring.

Women who are considering pregnancy should ideally quit smoking prior to conception to bring as little stress as possible on their developing fetus. Ways to quit smoking include support groups and sometimes hypnosis therapy to work on behavioral changes.  Exercise can be an important part of an anti-smoking plan and smoking cessation medication can play a big part in a smoker's success. Medicine to quit smoking such as Zyban®/Wellbutrin SR®
and Nicorette Gum® can help mitigate the physical withdrawal symptoms, while antidepressant medicine can help a smoker maintain a more positive mood while going through the process.The current research shows there are even greater risks to a fetus and a newborn baby when exposed to cigarette smoke than previously known.  Smoking while pregnant can have long-lasting ramifications on a child's mental wellbeing and can negatively effect their entire life. This provides even more compelling reasons for pregnant women to abstain from smoking and to bring their newborns into as healthy a post-natal environment as possible.

How to Find a Reputable Online Pharmacy

Obtaining medicines through an online pharmacy is growing in popularity. People with a prescription are no longer going directly to their neighborhood drug store but instead reconsidering their options. Rising medical costs and depressed economical conditions have caused patients to seek less expensive alternatives and many are now filling their prescriptions over the internet. However, online pharmacies aren't all alike. Buyers have to be careful that they are selecting one which is trustworthy and carries the quality of pharmaceuticals which they expect. Below are some things to consider when using an online pharmacy:

• Anyone ordering from an online pharmacy should first check with their own doctor to ensure taking the medicine is medically advised.
  
•  Look for an online pharmacy that provides a phone number to call and answer questions about the medication. The best online pharmacies will employ a licensed pharmacist or medical professional.
  
•  Never consider using a pharmacy on the internet which is not licensed to fill an electronic prescription.
  
• Do not consider pharmacies which fill drugs or offer generic medicines not approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  
• Generic drugs should be produced by reputable drug manufactures, ideally in FDA inspected facilities.
  
• Carefully check your credit card statement to ensure all charges are correct.
  
• Be sure to report any suspicious pharmaceutical sales practices to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
  
• Read the privacy and security policies carefully for an online pharmacy to be sure your personal information is well protected.
  
• Carefully review the contents of an order once it arrives to be certain it is correct. Taking the wrong drugs can be ineffective or worse, harmful to your health.
  
• Purchase from an online pharmacy which accepts returns and refunds, such as http://www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com/
  

There are many advantages to purchase medicines online. While the foremost reason is the substantially lower prices, there are other benefits as well. Some people are embarrassed to fill their prescriptions at their local drug store because of the nature of their condition. Such patients feel better ordering pharmaceuticals from the privacy and comfort of their own homes without the risk of being observed. Other people are not physically able to go out to a pharmacy, either because of infirmities or they live in a remote location. There is also a time savings when ordering online. Filling prescriptions over the internet eliminates the need to travel or wait in line and, when placing an order in advance, there doesn't have to be any downtime in between refills. An online pharmacy is a very good way to help keep ourselves healthy – just do some homework and ask questions first.