Hello Everyone,
At some point in time almost everyone may be faced with a decision to place a loved one in a nursing home. It is a very difficult decision both for the person being admitted into the home as well as the family.
There are many nursing homes in your area. While I feel that most of the caregivers in the homes do care and try to do the right things, there are some homes that perform those duties better than others.
There is a website www.medicare.gov that lists 50 nursing homes that consistently fail to meet quality of care and safety standards. When you go to this website, click on "Compare Nursing Homes in your Area".
While it doesn't list the best homes in your area, it can alert you to the homes you need to avoid. And, according to Kerry Weems, acting administrator for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services, in the May 15th edition of "Bottom Line", if your loved one is in one of the homes listed, consider moving to a better nursing home.
Hopefully this information can help in making this very difficult decision.
Until then,
Dr. Paul
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
General Health Topic - Time for your Annual Flu Shot!
Hello Everyone,
Flu season is here. Now is the time to get your annual flu shot.
The following folks are the ones who really need to get vaccinated:
Check with your local pharmacy, Dr's offices, County Health Departments etc. concerning locations to get your flu shots. Many locations give the shots at low or reduced cost. Many locations will bill Medicare on your behalf if you are a qualified recipient.
If you are employed, ask your employer if they will be sponsoring a flu vaccine clinic. Or, organize a health fair at your office and make arrangements to have flu shots given at that time. Contact me if you need more information on how to set up a health fair. Many employers will provide flu shots at no cost because it may result in fewer sick days taken by the employees.
I have included some links for more information.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/influenzaspanish/htm/index.htm
http://www.walgreens.com/storelocator/find.jsp?check=true
Remember - THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK
1. Read Dr. Paul's notes
2. Go Grocery Shopping
3. GET FLU SHOT
4. Pay Bills
Please let me know if you are finding this information helpful. If you have any suggestions for future topics, let me know.
Thanks for your time,
Dr. Paul
Flu season is here. Now is the time to get your annual flu shot.
The following folks are the ones who really need to get vaccinated:
- Over age 50
- Any age if you have chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, history of stroke or heart attack, diabetes, compromised immune system, anemia, asthma or other breathing problems
- If you live in a nursing home
- If you live in a house with people listed above
- Health care workers
Check with your local pharmacy, Dr's offices, County Health Departments etc. concerning locations to get your flu shots. Many locations give the shots at low or reduced cost. Many locations will bill Medicare on your behalf if you are a qualified recipient.
If you are employed, ask your employer if they will be sponsoring a flu vaccine clinic. Or, organize a health fair at your office and make arrangements to have flu shots given at that time. Contact me if you need more information on how to set up a health fair. Many employers will provide flu shots at no cost because it may result in fewer sick days taken by the employees.
I have included some links for more information.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/influenzaspanish/htm/index.htm
http://www.walgreens.com/storelocator/find.jsp?check=true
Remember - THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK
1. Read Dr. Paul's notes
2. Go Grocery Shopping
3. GET FLU SHOT
4. Pay Bills
Please let me know if you are finding this information helpful. If you have any suggestions for future topics, let me know.
Thanks for your time,
Dr. Paul
Sunday, October 12, 2008
General Health Topic - Know YOUR Medications
Hello Everyone!
Drug, Medications, Pills Tablets, Capsules, Suppositories, Troches, Injections, Nasal sprays, Eye drops, Ear Drops.........
It's hard to keep track of them all.I know that the goal is for folks not to HAVE to take drugs. Because when we do, it usually means something is not quite right. It could be high blood pressure, cancer, headache, constipation or a myriad of other problems. Of course, sometimes we take drugs because we want to...like vitamins to try to stay healthy. Hopefully YOU don't have to take any medications. But, if you do, do you know what they are? What the drugs are for, the strength of the medications, how you are supposed to take them?I am not talking about a conversation like this:
Dr. Paul "Hi Ms Garcia, I need to update your medication profile, tell me the drugs you are taking."
Ms Garcia "Hello Dr. Paul. I am taking a little blue pill in the morning. I think it is for my heart and I take a round pink pill at night. I'm not sure what it is for."
I know what you are thinking, It doesn't go like that, does it? Yes it does! Or you might be saying, That sounds like me! Or my Mom/Dad, or my Grandmother/Father.
As a pharmacist that conversation doesn't help me one bit. More importantly, IT DOESN'T HELP YOU!
See how this one sounds to you.Dr. Paul "Hi Ms Garcia, I need to update your medication profile, tell me the drugs you are taking."
Ms Garcia "Hello Dr. Paul. I am taking Lasix 20mg in the morning at 8am for my blood pressure. I also take Coreg 6.25mg twice daily at around 8am and 8pm for my blood pressure."
Now we're talking.But wait, you are probably saying, How am I supposed to remember all those crazy sounding names and numbers and stuff. I'm lucky to remember to take the pills!I realize that. It's hard to remember brand name and generic names of drugs. They are hard to pronounce and the chemical name....forget it! They also come in all sorts of mg strengths and sizes... it can make your head swim.
Here come the pointers.Looking at your medication bottles, write down the name of the drug, the strength, how often you are supposed to take it, etc. on a piece of paper. If you know why you are taking it, write that down as well. Do that for every drug you are taking.
Now, take that list and put it in your wallet or purse. Make copies of that list and give them to your kids so they know what you are taking.Try to remember to update that list every time you add or delete a medication. So next time you need to know the drugs you are taking, pull out your list.You can write the list with your computer, print it out and that way it can be more legible. Easier to update as well.. There are forms available online or you can pick up medication cards at your pharmacy if you need themThere are many great computer programs available to help you keep track of your medications and health information. Some are free, some charge for their product. They are all good. Probably way better than you are using now.
Here are some links that you may find helpful:http://www.theguidetogoodcare.com/http://www.mymedilist.org/So get up right now. No, not later....Right now and get your list together. Don't forget to put it in your purse or wallet. It may save your life one day.
NO Kidding!
Until later,
Dr. Paul
Drug, Medications, Pills Tablets, Capsules, Suppositories, Troches, Injections, Nasal sprays, Eye drops, Ear Drops.........
It's hard to keep track of them all.I know that the goal is for folks not to HAVE to take drugs. Because when we do, it usually means something is not quite right. It could be high blood pressure, cancer, headache, constipation or a myriad of other problems. Of course, sometimes we take drugs because we want to...like vitamins to try to stay healthy. Hopefully YOU don't have to take any medications. But, if you do, do you know what they are? What the drugs are for, the strength of the medications, how you are supposed to take them?I am not talking about a conversation like this:
Dr. Paul "Hi Ms Garcia, I need to update your medication profile, tell me the drugs you are taking."
Ms Garcia "Hello Dr. Paul. I am taking a little blue pill in the morning. I think it is for my heart and I take a round pink pill at night. I'm not sure what it is for."
I know what you are thinking, It doesn't go like that, does it? Yes it does! Or you might be saying, That sounds like me! Or my Mom/Dad, or my Grandmother/Father.
As a pharmacist that conversation doesn't help me one bit. More importantly, IT DOESN'T HELP YOU!
See how this one sounds to you.Dr. Paul "Hi Ms Garcia, I need to update your medication profile, tell me the drugs you are taking."
Ms Garcia "Hello Dr. Paul. I am taking Lasix 20mg in the morning at 8am for my blood pressure. I also take Coreg 6.25mg twice daily at around 8am and 8pm for my blood pressure."
Now we're talking.But wait, you are probably saying, How am I supposed to remember all those crazy sounding names and numbers and stuff. I'm lucky to remember to take the pills!I realize that. It's hard to remember brand name and generic names of drugs. They are hard to pronounce and the chemical name....forget it! They also come in all sorts of mg strengths and sizes... it can make your head swim.
Here come the pointers.Looking at your medication bottles, write down the name of the drug, the strength, how often you are supposed to take it, etc. on a piece of paper. If you know why you are taking it, write that down as well. Do that for every drug you are taking.
Now, take that list and put it in your wallet or purse. Make copies of that list and give them to your kids so they know what you are taking.Try to remember to update that list every time you add or delete a medication. So next time you need to know the drugs you are taking, pull out your list.You can write the list with your computer, print it out and that way it can be more legible. Easier to update as well.. There are forms available online or you can pick up medication cards at your pharmacy if you need themThere are many great computer programs available to help you keep track of your medications and health information. Some are free, some charge for their product. They are all good. Probably way better than you are using now.
Here are some links that you may find helpful:http://www.theguidetogoodcare.com/http://www.mymedilist.org/So get up right now. No, not later....Right now and get your list together. Don't forget to put it in your purse or wallet. It may save your life one day.
NO Kidding!
Until later,
Dr. Paul
Monday, July 28, 2008
General Health Topic - "The History of Medicine"
Hello Everyone,
Here is a little something that will hopefully brighten your morning.
The "History" of Medicine
"Doctor, I have an Earache."
2000 B.C.: "Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C.: "That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D.: "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D.: "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D.: "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2008 A.D.: "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"
Author Unknown
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
Friday, July 4, 2008
General Health Topic - OTC Recommendations - Continued
Hello Everyone,
See....I told you it wouldn't be a month till my next post!
Since it is the middle of the summer and time for outdoor activities, I am going to cover the OTC products for the skin that pharmacists recommend most. This list was published in the June 2008 edition of Drug Topics.
Acne preps/treatments
Oxy
Neutrogena
Skin Moisturizers
Eucerin Facial
Lubriderm
Canker/Cold sore remedies
Abreva
Zilactin
Diaper Rash Remedies
Desitin
A&D Ointment
Note: my personal favorite - Beaudreaux's Butt Paste
Insect Repellents
OFF!
Cutter
Poison Ivy Treatments
Cortaid
Ivy-Dry
Athlete's Foot Remedies
Lamisil
Clotrimazole
Sunless Tanners
Neutrogena
Coppertone
Topical Anesthetics
Solarcaine
Aloe Vera Gel
Wrinkle Creams
Oil of Olay
Neutrogena
La Mer
Suntan / Sunscreen Products
Coppertone - High SPF
Neutrogena - High SPF
Try not to spend too much time out in the sun. Use plenty of high SPF sunscreen, stay in the shade if possible and stay hydrated.....with water.
Stay Cool!
Dr. Paul
See....I told you it wouldn't be a month till my next post!
Since it is the middle of the summer and time for outdoor activities, I am going to cover the OTC products for the skin that pharmacists recommend most. This list was published in the June 2008 edition of Drug Topics.
Acne preps/treatments
Oxy
Neutrogena
Skin Moisturizers
Eucerin Facial
Lubriderm
Canker/Cold sore remedies
Abreva
Zilactin
Diaper Rash Remedies
Desitin
A&D Ointment
Note: my personal favorite - Beaudreaux's Butt Paste
Insect Repellents
OFF!
Cutter
Poison Ivy Treatments
Cortaid
Ivy-Dry
Athlete's Foot Remedies
Lamisil
Clotrimazole
Sunless Tanners
Neutrogena
Coppertone
Topical Anesthetics
Solarcaine
Aloe Vera Gel
Wrinkle Creams
Oil of Olay
Neutrogena
La Mer
Suntan / Sunscreen Products
Coppertone - High SPF
Neutrogena - High SPF
Try not to spend too much time out in the sun. Use plenty of high SPF sunscreen, stay in the shade if possible and stay hydrated.....with water.
Stay Cool!
Dr. Paul
General Health Topic - OTC Recommendations - Continued
Hello Everyone,
Where does the time go. I have been traveling so much, I have not had a chance to write very many articles. While preparing for today's post, I realized that it has almost been one month since my last post. I apologize for that.
With that said, here is the continuation of the Drug Topics article of the brand that are recommended most by pharmacists.
Today we are going to list the gastrointestinal medications:
Bulk Laxatives:
Metamucil
Citrucel
Fiber Supplements:
Metamucil
Benefiber....Note - my personal recommendation. No grit, no residue, mixes well with any fluid (except carbonated beverages) and can even be placed in foods.
Stimulant or Irritant Laxatives:
Bisacodyl
Senokot
Saline Laxatives:
Magnesium Citrate
Phillips Milk of Magnesia
Stool Softeners:
Docusate
Colace
Antacids:
Mylanta
Maalox
Antigas Products:
Gas-X
Mylicon
Antidiarrheals:
Imodium
Loperimide
H2 Antagonist:
Prilosec OTC
Pepcid
Hemorrhoidal Preps:
Preparation H
Anusol
Hopefully if you have any stomach ailments, this list will help.
Until next time. I won't be a month later....I promise!
Dr. Paul
Where does the time go. I have been traveling so much, I have not had a chance to write very many articles. While preparing for today's post, I realized that it has almost been one month since my last post. I apologize for that.
With that said, here is the continuation of the Drug Topics article of the brand that are recommended most by pharmacists.
Today we are going to list the gastrointestinal medications:
Bulk Laxatives:
Metamucil
Citrucel
Fiber Supplements:
Metamucil
Benefiber....Note - my personal recommendation. No grit, no residue, mixes well with any fluid (except carbonated beverages) and can even be placed in foods.
Stimulant or Irritant Laxatives:
Bisacodyl
Senokot
Saline Laxatives:
Magnesium Citrate
Phillips Milk of Magnesia
Stool Softeners:
Docusate
Colace
Antacids:
Mylanta
Maalox
Antigas Products:
Gas-X
Mylicon
Antidiarrheals:
Imodium
Loperimide
H2 Antagonist:
Prilosec OTC
Pepcid
Hemorrhoidal Preps:
Preparation H
Anusol
Hopefully if you have any stomach ailments, this list will help.
Until next time. I won't be a month later....I promise!
Dr. Paul
Saturday, June 7, 2008
How Do Drugs Work - OTC Recommendations..Continued
Hello Everyone,
In my last post I was going over the top recommended OTC products as published by Drug Topics in a recent pharmacist survey.
Here are some more recommendations:
Antihistamines:
Claritin
Benadryl
Sinus Remedies:
Sudafed
Claritin
Throat Sprays
Chloraseptic
Cepacol
Aspirins:
Ecotrin
Bayer
Next post will include products for stomach problems.
Until then....
Dr. Paul
In my last post I was going over the top recommended OTC products as published by Drug Topics in a recent pharmacist survey.
Here are some more recommendations:
Antihistamines:
Claritin
Benadryl
Sinus Remedies:
Sudafed
Claritin
Throat Sprays
Chloraseptic
Cepacol
Aspirins:
Ecotrin
Bayer
Next post will include products for stomach problems.
Until then....
Dr. Paul
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
How Do Drugs Work - Over the Counter (OTC) Drug Choices
Hello Everyone,
When you walk into the Over the Counter (OTC) medication section at your neighborhood drug store, it can be pretty confusing. There are rows and rows of OTC drugs for headache, colds, constipation, diarrhea...almost every malady that you can imagine.
It seems like almost every brand of OTC medication touts itself as #1 Pharmacist recommended. Well, there are actual studies out that survey Pharmacists and I will let you know which are the #1 drug choices.
The Pharmacy journal Drug Topics surveyed pharmacists to get their top recommendations for several OTC product categories. to see the complete survey visit http://www.drugtopics.com/.
Over the next several posts, I will let you know the choices Pharmacists recommend most.
Adult Cold Preparations:
Robitussin Cough and Cold
Sudafed
Children's Cold Preparations:
Dimetapp
Pediacare
Adult liquid Cough medications:
Robitussin (family of products)
Delsym
Children's liquid Cough medications:
Robitussin (family of products)
Delsym
Flu Remedies
Theraflu
Tylenol
Antihistamines
Claritin
Benadryl
So far I agree with the majority of the recommendations. One additional thing that I tell my patients is that if a generic equivalent is available for these products....buy that instead.
Stayed tuned for more reco's
Dr. Paul
When you walk into the Over the Counter (OTC) medication section at your neighborhood drug store, it can be pretty confusing. There are rows and rows of OTC drugs for headache, colds, constipation, diarrhea...almost every malady that you can imagine.
It seems like almost every brand of OTC medication touts itself as #1 Pharmacist recommended. Well, there are actual studies out that survey Pharmacists and I will let you know which are the #1 drug choices.
The Pharmacy journal Drug Topics surveyed pharmacists to get their top recommendations for several OTC product categories. to see the complete survey visit http://www.drugtopics.com/.
Over the next several posts, I will let you know the choices Pharmacists recommend most.
Adult Cold Preparations:
Robitussin Cough and Cold
Sudafed
Children's Cold Preparations:
Dimetapp
Pediacare
Adult liquid Cough medications:
Robitussin (family of products)
Delsym
Children's liquid Cough medications:
Robitussin (family of products)
Delsym
Flu Remedies
Theraflu
Tylenol
Antihistamines
Claritin
Benadryl
So far I agree with the majority of the recommendations. One additional thing that I tell my patients is that if a generic equivalent is available for these products....buy that instead.
Stayed tuned for more reco's
Dr. Paul
Saturday, May 17, 2008
General Health Topic - Nursing Home Selections
Hello Everyone,
At some point in time almost everyone may be faced with a decision to place a loved one in a nursing home. It is a very difficult decision both for the person being admitted into the home as well as the family.
There are many nursing homes in your area. While I feel that most of the caregivers in the homes do care and try to do the right things, there are some homes that perform those duties better than others.
There is a website www.medicare.gov that lists 50 nursing homes that consistently fail to meet quality of care and safety standards. When you go to this website, click on "Compare Nursing Homes in your Area".
While it doesn't list the best homes in your area, it can alert you to the homes you need to avoid. And, according to Kerry Weems, acting administrator for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services, in the May 15th edition of "Bottom Line", if your loved one is in one of the homes listed, consider moving to a better nursing home.
Hopefully this information can help in making this very difficult decision.
Until then,
Dr. Paul
At some point in time almost everyone may be faced with a decision to place a loved one in a nursing home. It is a very difficult decision both for the person being admitted into the home as well as the family.
There are many nursing homes in your area. While I feel that most of the caregivers in the homes do care and try to do the right things, there are some homes that perform those duties better than others.
There is a website www.medicare.gov that lists 50 nursing homes that consistently fail to meet quality of care and safety standards. When you go to this website, click on "Compare Nursing Homes in your Area".
While it doesn't list the best homes in your area, it can alert you to the homes you need to avoid. And, according to Kerry Weems, acting administrator for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services, in the May 15th edition of "Bottom Line", if your loved one is in one of the homes listed, consider moving to a better nursing home.
Hopefully this information can help in making this very difficult decision.
Until then,
Dr. Paul
Sunday, May 4, 2008
General Health Topic - Heart Health and Gum Disease
Hello Everyone,
Can preventing diseases of the gums and bone that support the teeth with regular brushing and flossing prevent heart disease?
According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (heart disease). One study found that the presence of common problems in the mouth, including gum disease (gingivitis), cavities, and missing teeth, were as good at predicting heart disease as cholesterol levels. The evidence isn't clear yet but it is worth noting.
At this time, in addition to all the other steps you are taking for heart health (diet, exercise), it may be a good idea to take a few extra minutes a day on your oral health. In addition to fresh breath and gleaming choppers, you may be helping your heart.
Floss on.....
Dr. Paul
Can preventing diseases of the gums and bone that support the teeth with regular brushing and flossing prevent heart disease?
According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (heart disease). One study found that the presence of common problems in the mouth, including gum disease (gingivitis), cavities, and missing teeth, were as good at predicting heart disease as cholesterol levels. The evidence isn't clear yet but it is worth noting.
At this time, in addition to all the other steps you are taking for heart health (diet, exercise), it may be a good idea to take a few extra minutes a day on your oral health. In addition to fresh breath and gleaming choppers, you may be helping your heart.
Floss on.....
Dr. Paul
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
STROKE Recognition - Revisited
Hello Everyone,
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
It is well known that the sooner a patient is diagnosed and treated after experiencing an acute stroke the better the outcome is likely to be. However, it is often difficult for a non-stroke specialist to recognise and diagnose stroke. There is a method going around and listed on numerous Internet resources that tries to increase the awareness and importance of rapid stroke identification.
This portion of the post was copied from an email that I received.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE - Remember the "3" steps, S T R .
"Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE(Coherently) ( I.e. It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved."
This stroke recognition system appears to be a variation of a widely used field diagnostic test used by paramedics and other first responders. The FACE, ARM, SPEECH TEST (FAST).
Results from a study funded by The Stroke Association indicate that ambulance paramedics can accurately identify a stroke patient before they arrive in hospital.
The Face Arm Speech Test (FAST) has been developed as a stroke identification instrument.
The test assesses 3 neurological signs of stroke: · facial weakness · arm weakness · speech disturbance
FAST has been incorporated as an integral component of ambulance paramedics training module, and is included in the rapid ambulance protocol. http://www.stroke.org.uk/research/stroke_research_news/faster.html
Please pass it on to all your friends, family and patients.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
It is well known that the sooner a patient is diagnosed and treated after experiencing an acute stroke the better the outcome is likely to be. However, it is often difficult for a non-stroke specialist to recognise and diagnose stroke. There is a method going around and listed on numerous Internet resources that tries to increase the awareness and importance of rapid stroke identification.
This portion of the post was copied from an email that I received.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE - Remember the "3" steps, S T R .
"Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE(Coherently) ( I.e. It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved."
This stroke recognition system appears to be a variation of a widely used field diagnostic test used by paramedics and other first responders. The FACE, ARM, SPEECH TEST (FAST).
Results from a study funded by The Stroke Association indicate that ambulance paramedics can accurately identify a stroke patient before they arrive in hospital.
The Face Arm Speech Test (FAST) has been developed as a stroke identification instrument.
The test assesses 3 neurological signs of stroke: · facial weakness · arm weakness · speech disturbance
FAST has been incorporated as an integral component of ambulance paramedics training module, and is included in the rapid ambulance protocol. http://www.stroke.org.uk/research/stroke_research_news/faster.html
Please pass it on to all your friends, family and patients.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
Sunday, March 30, 2008
General Health Topic - New Drug Disposal Guidelines
Hello Everyone,
In a previous post, I wrote about how drug residue is being found in the drinking water in many communities accross the US. In response to this potential problem the bigwigs in Washington came out with new guidelines for disposal of prescription drugs.
Remember, many of the drugs that are found in water are from the drug being ingested by a patient and then being excreted in either urine or feces. The wastewater treatments that are currently available are not designed to remove drugs, drug residues or drug metabolites.
The goal of these new guidelines is to not add more drugs to the water system by following the old guidelines of flushing expired or unused meds down the toilet. In addition, the new guidelines suggest taking the unwanted drugs and rendering them unfit for human use and therefore preventing drug diversion.
Here are the new guidelines:
(Washington, DC)—In the face of rising trends in prescription drug abuse, the Federal government today issued new guidelines for the proper disposal of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly released the new guidelines, which are designed to reduce the diversion of prescription drugs, while also protecting the environment.
The new Federal prescription drug disposal guidelines urge Americans to:
Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers.
Mix the prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, like used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, further ensuring that the drugs are not diverted or accidentally ingested by children or pets.
Throw these containers in the trash.
Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the accompanying patient information specifically instructs it is safe to do so.
Return unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs to pharmaceutical take-back locations that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for safe disposal.
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press07/022007.html
Call your local pharmacy and see if they will accept your unused prescriptions. I think that will be better way than adding the meds to a landfill.
As soon I find more information, I will pass it along.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
In a previous post, I wrote about how drug residue is being found in the drinking water in many communities accross the US. In response to this potential problem the bigwigs in Washington came out with new guidelines for disposal of prescription drugs.
Remember, many of the drugs that are found in water are from the drug being ingested by a patient and then being excreted in either urine or feces. The wastewater treatments that are currently available are not designed to remove drugs, drug residues or drug metabolites.
The goal of these new guidelines is to not add more drugs to the water system by following the old guidelines of flushing expired or unused meds down the toilet. In addition, the new guidelines suggest taking the unwanted drugs and rendering them unfit for human use and therefore preventing drug diversion.
Here are the new guidelines:
(Washington, DC)—In the face of rising trends in prescription drug abuse, the Federal government today issued new guidelines for the proper disposal of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly released the new guidelines, which are designed to reduce the diversion of prescription drugs, while also protecting the environment.
The new Federal prescription drug disposal guidelines urge Americans to:
Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers.
Mix the prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, like used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, further ensuring that the drugs are not diverted or accidentally ingested by children or pets.
Throw these containers in the trash.
Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the accompanying patient information specifically instructs it is safe to do so.
Return unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs to pharmaceutical take-back locations that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for safe disposal.
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press07/022007.html
Call your local pharmacy and see if they will accept your unused prescriptions. I think that will be better way than adding the meds to a landfill.
As soon I find more information, I will pass it along.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
Thursday, March 27, 2008
General Health Topic - Dirty Lemons, San Antonio Investigation
Hello Everyone,
The other day I wrote about DIRTY Lemons. The original article that I cited tested lemons in restaurants in the Northeast.
Well, a local TV station and reporter Jaie Avila, saw the article also, (maybe they read my post) and decided to do their own testing. They recruited Dr. Annette Fothergill at the University of Texas Health Science Center to do the testing of restaurants in the San Antonio Texas area. What follows are the results the WOAI News 4 investigation copied from their website:
"We tested lemon slices from 10 restaurants around San Antonio, and believe it or not, half of them were found to be contaminated with either E-coli, or fecal bacteria from human or animal waste. Who knew lemons could be such a magnet for germs? Even some researchers assumed it might act as a natural disinfectant for your drink.
Dr. Fothergill said before the tests, "Citrus fruit is very acidic, so I'm thinking a lot of bacteria won't survive that kind of environment."
Well, the petri dish doesn't lie. All kinds of nasty stuff showed up when the Trouble Shooters took lemon wedges from local restaurants, and had them tested.
We started by visiting restaurants in different parts of the city, where we ordered water or tea with a slice of lemon. Then, as researchers instructed us to, we used hand sanitizer before putting the lemons into sterile plastic bags and taking them to the lab.
Some of the restaurants kept their lemons pretty clean, like the Denny's at 410 and Perrin Beitel. The lemon slice we got at the Village Inn on Southeast Military also got high marks; nothing but some common, harmless bacteria. When we tested a lemon we were served at the Pizza Hut in the 600 block of San Pedro, the petri dish turned bright pink.
"This is an indication of a coliform, Klebsiella species, and it is an indication of fecal contamination," explained Dr. Fothergill.
That could mean the lemon wasn't washed, it was cut with a dirty knife, or an employee didn't wash up after using the restroom.
In a statement, Pizza Hut told us, "We have strict guidelines and this restaurant has very high health department scores. We are committed to providing a clean and safe dining environment for our guests."
We got a similar result from the lemon slice we got at the Sea Island Shrimp House on Southwest Military. Lab tests showed definite signs of fecal contamination. Sea Island said it was surprised by the findings, since it has received 6 perfect health scores and 3 Kitchen Cops Blue Plate awards, but adds, "We always welcome opportunities to improve our company practices and are identifying steps to go above and beyond the FDA and industry protocols."
Fecal bacteria was also present on the lemon wedge we were served at the Thai Corner restaurant in the 8400 block of Fredericksburg Road. The owner told us his "employees take great care in their own personal hygiene, including hand washing...And a dedicated cutting board and knives are used...to prevent cross contamination."
So, who served us the dirtiest lemon? That dubious distinction went to the Hooters in the 8500 block of Wurzbach. The lemon they put in our drink contained 3 different kinds of fecal contamination. "We have a mixture, a nice fecal cocktail here," said Dr. Fothergill.
Unlike the other places, the source of the bacteria is almost certainly human. Fothergill explained, "Quite clearly someone did not wash their hands before they handled lemons and sliced them, and put them on the cup."
We went back to Hooters to ask them about the results. One of the managers told us their policy is that servers use a fork to grab the lemon slice, instead of touching it with their fingers.
John Totin, Hooters Assistant Manager, explained, "So we use forks to put the lemon on to the drink."
The results of our investigation even made an impression on the researchers who conducted the test.
"I have now decided I will no longer put any citrus items in my drinks so I order them without. I don't even want them touching the glass anymore," explained Dr. Fothergill.
Some of the restaurants told us they would be changing the way they do things because of our findings.
Mama's Cafe on Nacogdoches, which served us a lemon containing E-coli bacteria, said it will no longer allow servers to put the lemon slice on the edge of the glass by hand, and anyone who handles them will use gloves or tongs.
That may have you wondering, what are the health department's rules for handling lemons?
Servers can only use their bare hands to handle or squeeze lemons if they wash their hands and use hand sanitizer each time. Even the restaurants admit, that 2-step process is so time-consuming, nobody does it."
http://www.woai.com/content/troubleshooters/story.aspx?content_id=43831ecc-e3bb-4c58-89f7-f67e8856b8f2
As more and more health officials, restaurant workers and consumers become aware of the potential problems, they will demand / force a change in the way food service workers handle our food. My thought is that we should also look at other citrus fruits that are commonly put into drinks. Has anyone thought to test the cherries or olives that they put into drinks? I think the tide has only just started to roll.
I eat at or have eaten at most of the restaurants listed in the WOAI article. Hopefully the restaurants that had problems will take the results as constructive criticism and do what is right.
Just as at the end of my last post, I think I'll go grab another glass of tea....with lime!
Until later,
Dr. Paul
The other day I wrote about DIRTY Lemons. The original article that I cited tested lemons in restaurants in the Northeast.
Well, a local TV station and reporter Jaie Avila, saw the article also, (maybe they read my post) and decided to do their own testing. They recruited Dr. Annette Fothergill at the University of Texas Health Science Center to do the testing of restaurants in the San Antonio Texas area. What follows are the results the WOAI News 4 investigation copied from their website:
"We tested lemon slices from 10 restaurants around San Antonio, and believe it or not, half of them were found to be contaminated with either E-coli, or fecal bacteria from human or animal waste. Who knew lemons could be such a magnet for germs? Even some researchers assumed it might act as a natural disinfectant for your drink.
Dr. Fothergill said before the tests, "Citrus fruit is very acidic, so I'm thinking a lot of bacteria won't survive that kind of environment."
Well, the petri dish doesn't lie. All kinds of nasty stuff showed up when the Trouble Shooters took lemon wedges from local restaurants, and had them tested.
We started by visiting restaurants in different parts of the city, where we ordered water or tea with a slice of lemon. Then, as researchers instructed us to, we used hand sanitizer before putting the lemons into sterile plastic bags and taking them to the lab.
Some of the restaurants kept their lemons pretty clean, like the Denny's at 410 and Perrin Beitel. The lemon slice we got at the Village Inn on Southeast Military also got high marks; nothing but some common, harmless bacteria. When we tested a lemon we were served at the Pizza Hut in the 600 block of San Pedro, the petri dish turned bright pink.
"This is an indication of a coliform, Klebsiella species, and it is an indication of fecal contamination," explained Dr. Fothergill.
That could mean the lemon wasn't washed, it was cut with a dirty knife, or an employee didn't wash up after using the restroom.
In a statement, Pizza Hut told us, "We have strict guidelines and this restaurant has very high health department scores. We are committed to providing a clean and safe dining environment for our guests."
We got a similar result from the lemon slice we got at the Sea Island Shrimp House on Southwest Military. Lab tests showed definite signs of fecal contamination. Sea Island said it was surprised by the findings, since it has received 6 perfect health scores and 3 Kitchen Cops Blue Plate awards, but adds, "We always welcome opportunities to improve our company practices and are identifying steps to go above and beyond the FDA and industry protocols."
Fecal bacteria was also present on the lemon wedge we were served at the Thai Corner restaurant in the 8400 block of Fredericksburg Road. The owner told us his "employees take great care in their own personal hygiene, including hand washing...And a dedicated cutting board and knives are used...to prevent cross contamination."
So, who served us the dirtiest lemon? That dubious distinction went to the Hooters in the 8500 block of Wurzbach. The lemon they put in our drink contained 3 different kinds of fecal contamination. "We have a mixture, a nice fecal cocktail here," said Dr. Fothergill.
Unlike the other places, the source of the bacteria is almost certainly human. Fothergill explained, "Quite clearly someone did not wash their hands before they handled lemons and sliced them, and put them on the cup."
We went back to Hooters to ask them about the results. One of the managers told us their policy is that servers use a fork to grab the lemon slice, instead of touching it with their fingers.
John Totin, Hooters Assistant Manager, explained, "So we use forks to put the lemon on to the drink."
The results of our investigation even made an impression on the researchers who conducted the test.
"I have now decided I will no longer put any citrus items in my drinks so I order them without. I don't even want them touching the glass anymore," explained Dr. Fothergill.
Some of the restaurants told us they would be changing the way they do things because of our findings.
Mama's Cafe on Nacogdoches, which served us a lemon containing E-coli bacteria, said it will no longer allow servers to put the lemon slice on the edge of the glass by hand, and anyone who handles them will use gloves or tongs.
That may have you wondering, what are the health department's rules for handling lemons?
Servers can only use their bare hands to handle or squeeze lemons if they wash their hands and use hand sanitizer each time. Even the restaurants admit, that 2-step process is so time-consuming, nobody does it."
http://www.woai.com/content/troubleshooters/story.aspx?content_id=43831ecc-e3bb-4c58-89f7-f67e8856b8f2
As more and more health officials, restaurant workers and consumers become aware of the potential problems, they will demand / force a change in the way food service workers handle our food. My thought is that we should also look at other citrus fruits that are commonly put into drinks. Has anyone thought to test the cherries or olives that they put into drinks? I think the tide has only just started to roll.
I eat at or have eaten at most of the restaurants listed in the WOAI article. Hopefully the restaurants that had problems will take the results as constructive criticism and do what is right.
Just as at the end of my last post, I think I'll go grab another glass of tea....with lime!
Until later,
Dr. Paul
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
General Health Topic - The Next Big Thing?
Hello Everyone,
I thought I would pass along this funny story. As people are living longer and staying active, it could happen. Thanks to my good friends, Harold and Nancy for sending it to me.
Of course, when you stop to think about it, it could be the next big craze. Remember, you read about it here first!
Jacob, age 92, and Rebecca, age 89, living in Florida, are all excited about their decision to get married. They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding, and on the way they pass a drugstore. Jacob suggests they go in.
Jacob addresses the man behind the counter: "Are you the owner?"
The pharmacist answers, "Yes."
Jacob: "We're about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?"
Pharmacist: "Of course we do."
Jacob: "How about medicine for circulation?"
Pharmacist: "All kinds."
Jacob: "Medicine for rheumatism and scoliosis?"
Pharmacist: "Definitely."
Jacob: "How about Viagra?"
Pharmacist: "Of course."
Jacob: "Medicine for memory problems, arthritis, jaundice?"
Pharmacist: "Yes, a large variety. The works."
Jacob: "What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, drugs for Parkinson's disease?"
Pharmacist: "Absolutely."
Jacob: "You sell wheelchairs and walkers?"
Pharmacist: "All speeds and sizes."
Jacob: "We'd like to use this store as our Bridal Registry."
I thought I would pass along this funny story. As people are living longer and staying active, it could happen. Thanks to my good friends, Harold and Nancy for sending it to me.
Of course, when you stop to think about it, it could be the next big craze. Remember, you read about it here first!
Jacob, age 92, and Rebecca, age 89, living in Florida, are all excited about their decision to get married. They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding, and on the way they pass a drugstore. Jacob suggests they go in.
Jacob addresses the man behind the counter: "Are you the owner?"
The pharmacist answers, "Yes."
Jacob: "We're about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?"
Pharmacist: "Of course we do."
Jacob: "How about medicine for circulation?"
Pharmacist: "All kinds."
Jacob: "Medicine for rheumatism and scoliosis?"
Pharmacist: "Definitely."
Jacob: "How about Viagra?"
Pharmacist: "Of course."
Jacob: "Medicine for memory problems, arthritis, jaundice?"
Pharmacist: "Yes, a large variety. The works."
Jacob: "What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, drugs for Parkinson's disease?"
Pharmacist: "Absolutely."
Jacob: "You sell wheelchairs and walkers?"
Pharmacist: "All speeds and sizes."
Jacob: "We'd like to use this store as our Bridal Registry."
Sunday, March 23, 2008
General Health Topic - Restaurant Lemons Loaded with Germs?
Hello Everyone,
The latest potential health situation out there is based on a small study that was done in New Jersey. The study tested lemon wedges in 21 restaurants and found them teeming with bacteria.
I don't know about you, but here in Texas where we really enjoy our iced tea and margaritas, most people don't think twice about squeezing their lemon or lime into the drink and then plopping the wedge into the drink.
Health laws in most locations require lemons to be handled just like any other food item, with gloves or tongs. But its common practice simply place the lemon or lime wedge onto a drinking glass with bare hands.
If an employee's hands aren't clean, however, then touching the lemons is likely to contaminate them with bacteria. Also, were the lemons/limes washed?
In the study, the swabs of lemon wedges revealed everything from high counts of fecal bacteria to a couple of dozen other microorganisms -- many of which can make you sick. They found bacteria on the rind and on the flesh of the lemons.
Should we be concerned?
Some folks just freak out knowing that another person touched their food. And while there is no reason to doubt that bacteria was present on the wedges, the actual threat is yet to be determined. Has anyone actually become ill due to the bacteria on lemon wedges?
For me, the importance is to know that there is potential problem that will require more study. Hopefully, bringing this potentially unsafe practice to light will spur restaurant workers to be more diligent in handling our food.
We can also be more pro-active by requiring the restaurants that we frequent to use proper food handling techniques.
Until then, I am going to have another glass of tea. With lemon, you ask?
Of Course! Ok, maybe I'll just squeeze it in and discard the rest.
Later,
Dr. Paul
The latest potential health situation out there is based on a small study that was done in New Jersey. The study tested lemon wedges in 21 restaurants and found them teeming with bacteria.
I don't know about you, but here in Texas where we really enjoy our iced tea and margaritas, most people don't think twice about squeezing their lemon or lime into the drink and then plopping the wedge into the drink.
Health laws in most locations require lemons to be handled just like any other food item, with gloves or tongs. But its common practice simply place the lemon or lime wedge onto a drinking glass with bare hands.
If an employee's hands aren't clean, however, then touching the lemons is likely to contaminate them with bacteria. Also, were the lemons/limes washed?
In the study, the swabs of lemon wedges revealed everything from high counts of fecal bacteria to a couple of dozen other microorganisms -- many of which can make you sick. They found bacteria on the rind and on the flesh of the lemons.
Should we be concerned?
Some folks just freak out knowing that another person touched their food. And while there is no reason to doubt that bacteria was present on the wedges, the actual threat is yet to be determined. Has anyone actually become ill due to the bacteria on lemon wedges?
For me, the importance is to know that there is potential problem that will require more study. Hopefully, bringing this potentially unsafe practice to light will spur restaurant workers to be more diligent in handling our food.
We can also be more pro-active by requiring the restaurants that we frequent to use proper food handling techniques.
Until then, I am going to have another glass of tea. With lemon, you ask?
Of Course! Ok, maybe I'll just squeeze it in and discard the rest.
Later,
Dr. Paul
Monday, March 10, 2008
General Health Topics - Drugs Found in Drinking Water
Hello Everyone,
There has been press lately concerning drugs found in drinking water.
Here is a blurb from AOL - "A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows."
How do the drugs get into the water?
"People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest of it passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not remove all drug residue."
Taken from http://news.aol.com/health/story/ar/_a/probe-finds-drugs-in-drinking-water/20080309184409990001
For more information click here: http://news.aol.com/health/story/ar/_a/probe-finds-drugs-in-drinking-water
It is hard not to pass drugs into the water supply in that manner.
However, if you have old medications that you need to dispose of, DO NOT flush the drugs down the toilet. Contact your local pharmacist and ask for the most current disposal recommendations for your area. If you have any questions, please contact me and I will get you the correct current information.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
There has been press lately concerning drugs found in drinking water.
Here is a blurb from AOL - "A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows."
How do the drugs get into the water?
"People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest of it passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not remove all drug residue."
Taken from http://news.aol.com/health/story/ar/_a/probe-finds-drugs-in-drinking-water/20080309184409990001
For more information click here: http://news.aol.com/health/story/ar/_a/probe-finds-drugs-in-drinking-water
It is hard not to pass drugs into the water supply in that manner.
However, if you have old medications that you need to dispose of, DO NOT flush the drugs down the toilet. Contact your local pharmacist and ask for the most current disposal recommendations for your area. If you have any questions, please contact me and I will get you the correct current information.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
Saturday, March 1, 2008
How Do Drugs Work - Antibiotics - Aminoglycosides
Hello Everyone,
It's time to get back to how antibiotics work. Today we are going to talk about a class of antibiotics that many people don't know about or hear about often. The reason is that these drugs are given intravenously (IV). So, unless you or a family member have been sick with with an infection that required an aminoglycoside like gentamicin, tobramycin or amikacin, you will not be familiar with them. Neomycin is also an aminoglycoside and is mainly given for bowel prep before surgery.
Mechanism of Action: Aminoglycosides irreversibly bind to the 30S subunit of the bacterial
ribosome, which results in the bacteria being unable to synthesize certain proteins.
Spectrum of activity: gram-negative bacteria
Toxicity: Aminoglycosides can be toxic to the kidneys and can also cause hearing loss. Therefore when a patient is taking these medications, they are monitored closely for the amount of aminoglycosides in their blood. When these antibiotics are monitored properly they can be safely given.
Aminoglycosides are often given with other antibiotics. When combined, they have a synergistic effect. That means that both antibiotics dosed together are more effective than either antibiotic if given alone.
Stay tuned for the next post. Thanks,
Dr. Paul
It's time to get back to how antibiotics work. Today we are going to talk about a class of antibiotics that many people don't know about or hear about often. The reason is that these drugs are given intravenously (IV). So, unless you or a family member have been sick with with an infection that required an aminoglycoside like gentamicin, tobramycin or amikacin, you will not be familiar with them. Neomycin is also an aminoglycoside and is mainly given for bowel prep before surgery.
Mechanism of Action: Aminoglycosides irreversibly bind to the 30S subunit of the bacterial
ribosome, which results in the bacteria being unable to synthesize certain proteins.
Spectrum of activity: gram-negative bacteria
Toxicity: Aminoglycosides can be toxic to the kidneys and can also cause hearing loss. Therefore when a patient is taking these medications, they are monitored closely for the amount of aminoglycosides in their blood. When these antibiotics are monitored properly they can be safely given.
Aminoglycosides are often given with other antibiotics. When combined, they have a synergistic effect. That means that both antibiotics dosed together are more effective than either antibiotic if given alone.
Stay tuned for the next post. Thanks,
Dr. Paul
Saturday, February 23, 2008
General Health Topic - Heart Attack Signs
Hello Everyone,
I know we are in the middle of a series on How Antibiotics Work but I read something online and I thought I needed to let you know.
The article, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that only 1 in 4 Americans know the warning signs of a HEART ATTACK and what to do first. I do not want my readers to be in the group that doesn't know about the warning signs of heart attack.
Here are the signs and symptoms and can include one or more of the following 6:
1. Chest pain (most common symptom)
2. Shortness of breath
3. Pain or discomfort in the chest
4. Discomfort in the arms or shoulder
5. A feeling of weakness or lightheadedness
6. Discomfort in the jaw, neck or back
According to the American Heart Association, women are more likely than men to experience shortness of breath and back or jaw pain.
If you, a family member or co-worker experience these symptoms...CALL 911.
Sometimes patients are rushed to the hospital for heart attack symptoms and it turns out to be something entirely different. Don't worry about that. Consider that the symptoms are heart attack symptoms until proven otherwise!!!!
For more information, check out the following links:
The CDC publication: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr
The American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org
Hopefully, this information is helpful. Please pass it on to all your friends, family and co-workers.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
I know we are in the middle of a series on How Antibiotics Work but I read something online and I thought I needed to let you know.
The article, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that only 1 in 4 Americans know the warning signs of a HEART ATTACK and what to do first. I do not want my readers to be in the group that doesn't know about the warning signs of heart attack.
Here are the signs and symptoms and can include one or more of the following 6:
1. Chest pain (most common symptom)
2. Shortness of breath
3. Pain or discomfort in the chest
4. Discomfort in the arms or shoulder
5. A feeling of weakness or lightheadedness
6. Discomfort in the jaw, neck or back
According to the American Heart Association, women are more likely than men to experience shortness of breath and back or jaw pain.
If you, a family member or co-worker experience these symptoms...CALL 911.
Sometimes patients are rushed to the hospital for heart attack symptoms and it turns out to be something entirely different. Don't worry about that. Consider that the symptoms are heart attack symptoms until proven otherwise!!!!
For more information, check out the following links:
The CDC publication: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr
The American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org
Hopefully, this information is helpful. Please pass it on to all your friends, family and co-workers.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
Monday, February 18, 2008
How Do Drugs Work - Cephalosporins
Hello Everyone,
The last post covered the first group of antibiotics, the penicillins. This post will cover the cephalosporins.
The cephalosporins are similar to the penicillins in that both contain an chemical structure called a beta-lactam ring.
The cephalosporins are classified by generation (1st - 4th generation) based on the types of bacteria they are active against (their spectrum of activity).
Here is a list of the cephalosporins:
1st Generation
• Cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol)
• Cephalexin (Keflex)
2nd Generation
• Cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef)
• Cefotetan (Cefotan)
3rd Generation
• Cefpodoxime (Vantin)
• Cefotaxime (Claforan)
• Ceftazidime (Tazicef)
• Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
4th Generation
• Cefepime (Maxipime)
Generally speaking, the 1st and 2nd generation cephalosporins are active against gram positive organisms while the 3rd and 4th generation have activity against both gram positive and gram negative organisms.
The cephalosporins work the same way the penicillins do; they inhibit the formation of the bacterial cell wall.
Since the cephalosporins are structurally related to the penicillins, if a patient has a true penicillin allergy, they may also be allergic to the cephalosporins. The actual rate of cross-sensitivity is not well defined. Therefore if a patient has a penicillin allergy (anaphylaxis, urticaria or angioedema) the cephalosporins should be avoided.
For more information on cephalosporins, please check out:
http://www.surgicalcriticalcare.net/Lectures/antibiotics.pdf
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Stay Well,
Dr. Paul
The last post covered the first group of antibiotics, the penicillins. This post will cover the cephalosporins.
The cephalosporins are similar to the penicillins in that both contain an chemical structure called a beta-lactam ring.
The cephalosporins are classified by generation (1st - 4th generation) based on the types of bacteria they are active against (their spectrum of activity).
Here is a list of the cephalosporins:
1st Generation
• Cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol)
• Cephalexin (Keflex)
2nd Generation
• Cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef)
• Cefotetan (Cefotan)
3rd Generation
• Cefpodoxime (Vantin)
• Cefotaxime (Claforan)
• Ceftazidime (Tazicef)
• Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
4th Generation
• Cefepime (Maxipime)
Generally speaking, the 1st and 2nd generation cephalosporins are active against gram positive organisms while the 3rd and 4th generation have activity against both gram positive and gram negative organisms.
The cephalosporins work the same way the penicillins do; they inhibit the formation of the bacterial cell wall.
Since the cephalosporins are structurally related to the penicillins, if a patient has a true penicillin allergy, they may also be allergic to the cephalosporins. The actual rate of cross-sensitivity is not well defined. Therefore if a patient has a penicillin allergy (anaphylaxis, urticaria or angioedema) the cephalosporins should be avoided.
For more information on cephalosporins, please check out:
http://www.surgicalcriticalcare.net/Lectures/antibiotics.pdf
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Stay Well,
Dr. Paul
Friday, February 15, 2008
How Do Drugs Work - Antibiotics - Penicillins
Hello Everyone,
Today we are going to discuss the Penicillins. There are several different types of penicillins, however, they have all the same basic mechanism of action (MOA).
Natural Penicillins
• Penicillin G
• Penicllin G procaine
• Penicillin G benzathine
• Penicillin VK
Penicillinase-resistant Penicillins
• Nafcillin
• Dicloxacillin
Aminopenicillins
• Amoxicillin
• Ampicillin
Carboxypenicillins
• Ticarcillin
Ureidopenicillins
• Piperacillin
Penicillin B-Lactamase inhibitors
• Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid
• Ampicillin-sulbactam
• Ticarcillin-clavulanic acid
• Piperacillin- tazobactam v
Mechanism Of Action (bactericidal/bacteriostatic) - Penicillins act by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. They inhibit enzymes that create a cross-linkage between the bacterial peptide chains and prevent the formation of the bacterial cell wall. These enzymes are the penicillin-binding proteins.
Spectrum (Gm+, Gm-, anaerobes) Gram +: streptococci, Enterococcus, but NOT
S. aureus. Gram - : only a few (E. coli, Proteus spp, a few others)…lots of resistance
No below-the-diaphragm anaerobic activity
I f you would like some more in-depth inormation on penicillins or antibiotics in general you can check out:
http://www.surgicalcriticalcare.net/Lectures/antibiotics.pdf
http://students.washington.edu/rhochi/antibiotics.pdf
Next post will cover the the cephalosporins.
Stay well.....
Dr. Paul
Today we are going to discuss the Penicillins. There are several different types of penicillins, however, they have all the same basic mechanism of action (MOA).
Natural Penicillins
• Penicillin G
• Penicllin G procaine
• Penicillin G benzathine
• Penicillin VK
Penicillinase-resistant Penicillins
• Nafcillin
• Dicloxacillin
Aminopenicillins
• Amoxicillin
• Ampicillin
Carboxypenicillins
• Ticarcillin
Ureidopenicillins
• Piperacillin
Penicillin B-Lactamase inhibitors
• Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid
• Ampicillin-sulbactam
• Ticarcillin-clavulanic acid
• Piperacillin- tazobactam v
Mechanism Of Action (bactericidal/bacteriostatic) - Penicillins act by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. They inhibit enzymes that create a cross-linkage between the bacterial peptide chains and prevent the formation of the bacterial cell wall. These enzymes are the penicillin-binding proteins.
Spectrum (Gm+, Gm-, anaerobes) Gram +: streptococci, Enterococcus, but NOT
S. aureus. Gram - : only a few (E. coli, Proteus spp, a few others)…lots of resistance
No below-the-diaphragm anaerobic activity
I f you would like some more in-depth inormation on penicillins or antibiotics in general you can check out:
http://www.surgicalcriticalcare.net/Lectures/antibiotics.pdf
http://students.washington.edu/rhochi/antibiotics.pdf
Next post will cover the the cephalosporins.
Stay well.....
Dr. Paul
Sunday, February 10, 2008
How Do Drugs Work - Classes of Antibiotics
Hello Everyone,
I was at a meeting all last week and I didn't have time to write. I am glad to be back.
On my last post I wrote about different types of bacteria, Gram Positive, Gram Negative and Anaerobes. Now I am going to start talking about the different types of antibiotics that are used to treat the different types of bacteria.
Now you might think that the antibiotics are used to treat different types of conditions like pneumonia or skin infections. However, the antibiotics are selected to work against the most common type of bacteria that cause those conditions (empiric therapy) or to treat the actual type of bacteria once it has been identified.
There are several different classes of antibiotics that are used to treat the different types of infections. The mechanism of action that these antibiotics use to halt the growth of bacteria (bacteriostatic) or to kill the bacteria (bacteriocidal) is different for the different types of antibiotics.
Some of the antibiotics are effective against Gram Positive organism, some are effective against Gram Negative organisms, some are effective against both types to some degree and others are effective against the anaerobes.We will discuss the different mechanisms of action for these antibiotics.
For now, I just want to introduce the different classes of antibiotics. Here they are in no particular order.
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Tetracyclines
Aminoglycosides,
Flouroquinolones
Carbapenems
Macrolides
Sulfonamides
Glycyclines
Oxazolidinones
Monobactams
Other various agents that don't fit the above catagories.
Stay tuned for more information on the different classes of antibiotics.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
I was at a meeting all last week and I didn't have time to write. I am glad to be back.
On my last post I wrote about different types of bacteria, Gram Positive, Gram Negative and Anaerobes. Now I am going to start talking about the different types of antibiotics that are used to treat the different types of bacteria.
Now you might think that the antibiotics are used to treat different types of conditions like pneumonia or skin infections. However, the antibiotics are selected to work against the most common type of bacteria that cause those conditions (empiric therapy) or to treat the actual type of bacteria once it has been identified.
There are several different classes of antibiotics that are used to treat the different types of infections. The mechanism of action that these antibiotics use to halt the growth of bacteria (bacteriostatic) or to kill the bacteria (bacteriocidal) is different for the different types of antibiotics.
Some of the antibiotics are effective against Gram Positive organism, some are effective against Gram Negative organisms, some are effective against both types to some degree and others are effective against the anaerobes.We will discuss the different mechanisms of action for these antibiotics.
For now, I just want to introduce the different classes of antibiotics. Here they are in no particular order.
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Tetracyclines
Aminoglycosides,
Flouroquinolones
Carbapenems
Macrolides
Sulfonamides
Glycyclines
Oxazolidinones
Monobactams
Other various agents that don't fit the above catagories.
Stay tuned for more information on the different classes of antibiotics.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
Friday, February 1, 2008
How Do Drugs Work - Antibiotics - Part 1- Bacteria
Hello Everyone,
Before we talk about antibiotics, we need to know a little about the clinical bacteria that cause illness.
There are bacteria which normally occur on the outside of the body on our skin and in our nose and mouths. There are also bacteria that normally live inside our intestinal tract. Usually, those bacteria do not cause any problems for us. There are portions of the body that are sterile and do not contain any bacteria such as blood or spinal fluid.
So, a common organism that lives on the skin and is always present can cause significant problems if it gains entrance to an area that is usually sterile.
Knowing the type of bacteria that is causing an infection is usually one of the first things a physician needs to know. You are probably saying, "The last time I had an infection, the doctor prescribed an antibiotic right away. There in no way she could know what type of bacteria it was." True....kind of. There are many types of infection that are caused by the same types of bacteria. For example, pneumonia is usually caused by one of three types of bacteria. In addition, if the pneumonia was aquired out in the community or inside a healthcare facility will also give a clue as to the type of bacteria that cause the infection. Based on that knowledge, the physician can narrow the bacterial field and prescribe an antibiotic based on the suspected bacteria. Prescribing or administering an antibiotic based on common pathogens is called "EMPIRIC THERAPY".
However, knowing the type of bacteria is key. So, how are those bacteria classified?
Clinical bacteria are grouped into five categories based on gram stain appearance under the light microscope. Two groups have a general rounded shape (The COCCI) and stain either red or blue. Two groups have a general rod-like shape (The BACILLI) and stain either red or blue.
The organisms that stain blue or that can uptake the stain are called GRAM POSITIVE.
The organisms that stain red are called GRAM NEGATIVE.
There are some antibiotics that are affective against both Gram positive and Gram Negative organisms. Those are called BROAD SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTICS.
There are some that are effective against primarily Gram positive organisms as well as some that are effective against primarily gram negative bacteria.
Therefore, knowing if an organism is gram positive or gram negative is considered by many to be the single most important chacteristic of clinical bacteria.
Gram negative organisms have thinner cell walls and the cell wall composition is different from that of gram positive organisms. This difference also accounts for some general distinctions in susceptibility to antibiotic drugs.
In addition to the Gram Stain characteristic, knowing if the bacteria do or do not require oxygen to replicate is important. Some bacteria can grow only in the absence of oxygen and they are known as ANAEROBES. If they require oxygen, they are know as AEROBES. If the are flexible and grow in both conditions they are called FACULTATIVE ANAEROBES. Anaerobes account for 5 - 10% of all clinical infections. There are antibiotics that are effective against anaerobes.
Well, this is just a start and I will continue with my next post.
To be continued....
Dr. Paul
Before we talk about antibiotics, we need to know a little about the clinical bacteria that cause illness.
There are bacteria which normally occur on the outside of the body on our skin and in our nose and mouths. There are also bacteria that normally live inside our intestinal tract. Usually, those bacteria do not cause any problems for us. There are portions of the body that are sterile and do not contain any bacteria such as blood or spinal fluid.
So, a common organism that lives on the skin and is always present can cause significant problems if it gains entrance to an area that is usually sterile.
Knowing the type of bacteria that is causing an infection is usually one of the first things a physician needs to know. You are probably saying, "The last time I had an infection, the doctor prescribed an antibiotic right away. There in no way she could know what type of bacteria it was." True....kind of. There are many types of infection that are caused by the same types of bacteria. For example, pneumonia is usually caused by one of three types of bacteria. In addition, if the pneumonia was aquired out in the community or inside a healthcare facility will also give a clue as to the type of bacteria that cause the infection. Based on that knowledge, the physician can narrow the bacterial field and prescribe an antibiotic based on the suspected bacteria. Prescribing or administering an antibiotic based on common pathogens is called "EMPIRIC THERAPY".
However, knowing the type of bacteria is key. So, how are those bacteria classified?
Clinical bacteria are grouped into five categories based on gram stain appearance under the light microscope. Two groups have a general rounded shape (The COCCI) and stain either red or blue. Two groups have a general rod-like shape (The BACILLI) and stain either red or blue.
The organisms that stain blue or that can uptake the stain are called GRAM POSITIVE.
The organisms that stain red are called GRAM NEGATIVE.
There are some antibiotics that are affective against both Gram positive and Gram Negative organisms. Those are called BROAD SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTICS.
There are some that are effective against primarily Gram positive organisms as well as some that are effective against primarily gram negative bacteria.
Therefore, knowing if an organism is gram positive or gram negative is considered by many to be the single most important chacteristic of clinical bacteria.
Gram negative organisms have thinner cell walls and the cell wall composition is different from that of gram positive organisms. This difference also accounts for some general distinctions in susceptibility to antibiotic drugs.
In addition to the Gram Stain characteristic, knowing if the bacteria do or do not require oxygen to replicate is important. Some bacteria can grow only in the absence of oxygen and they are known as ANAEROBES. If they require oxygen, they are know as AEROBES. If the are flexible and grow in both conditions they are called FACULTATIVE ANAEROBES. Anaerobes account for 5 - 10% of all clinical infections. There are antibiotics that are effective against anaerobes.
Well, this is just a start and I will continue with my next post.
To be continued....
Dr. Paul
Thursday, January 24, 2008
How Do Drugs Work - Antibiotics
Hello Everyone,
Since the name of this blog is "How Do Drugs Work", I figured it was time again to talk about some different drugs and how they work.
Say you are not feeling well, you go to the Doctors office and you have some type of infection. Have you ever wondered how the Doctor decides which antibiotic to prescribe for you? How does the Doctor decide what strength of antibiotic to give you? Is one antibiotic better than the other?
In the upcoming series of topics I am going to discuss:
Since the name of this blog is "How Do Drugs Work", I figured it was time again to talk about some different drugs and how they work.
Say you are not feeling well, you go to the Doctors office and you have some type of infection. Have you ever wondered how the Doctor decides which antibiotic to prescribe for you? How does the Doctor decide what strength of antibiotic to give you? Is one antibiotic better than the other?
In the upcoming series of topics I am going to discuss:
- An overview of the different types of bacteria
- Which type of bacteria can cause which type of illnesses.
- The different classes of antibiotics.
- Which classes of antibiotics work against which type of bacteria.
- How the antibiotics work to eradicate the bacteria.
- How different antibiotics work in different ways.
- How some bacteria can become immune to some antibiotics.
- Why it is important to take your antibiotics as directed.
That is a bunch of material to cover and I plan on addressing those topics in multiple posts.
Stay tuned.
Dr. Paul
Saturday, January 19, 2008
General Health Information - Bell's Palsy
Hello Everyone,
My last two posts have covered strokes and recognition of strokes. A colleague of mine wrote and stated that it would be a good idea to cover Bell's Palsy since the symptoms are often confused with that of a stroke.
What is Bell's Palsy?
Bell's palsy is paralysis of the face caused by an irritation of cranial nerve VII (seven). It occurs with no apparent cause. Cranial nerve VII controls most facial muscles, including those needed to smile, blink, and wrinkle the forehead. The nerve also controls the function of certain salivary glands and the lacrimal (tear) glands as well as the tiny muscles inside the ear that dampen loud noises. The nerve also controls the function of some salivary glands and the lacrimal (tear) glands. This does not include the facial paralysis associated with known causes such as infection or stroke.
Some evidence suggests that the cause is inflammation of cranial nerve VII is triggered by a viral infection, possibly a virus in the herpes family. People with diabetes or high blood pressure, and pregnant women, are at slightly greater risk, but most patients have no known predisposing factors
The classic symptom of Bell's palsy is weakness on one side of the face. The weakness may range from difficulty blinking all the way to a complete paralysis on one side of the face with an inability to close the eye. Onset usually occurs acutely, but the weakness may worsen for 24 to 48 hours before stabilizing
Most patients with Bell’s palsy recover completely or or some have minimal lasting effects, even without treatment. The percentage may increase with medical treatment.
Using the S-T- R stroke identification method one would find a patient with Bell's Palsy unable to Smile. However, they would probably be able to Talk and form complete sentences and would be able to Raise their arms.
Facial paralysis does not always indicate Bell's Palsy. It is best to have a patient evaluated by their physician to rule out other causes of facial paralysis.
Hopefully this information will help distinguish different situations you may run into.
Please email me if you have any questions.
Dr. Paul
My last two posts have covered strokes and recognition of strokes. A colleague of mine wrote and stated that it would be a good idea to cover Bell's Palsy since the symptoms are often confused with that of a stroke.
What is Bell's Palsy?
Bell's palsy is paralysis of the face caused by an irritation of cranial nerve VII (seven). It occurs with no apparent cause. Cranial nerve VII controls most facial muscles, including those needed to smile, blink, and wrinkle the forehead. The nerve also controls the function of certain salivary glands and the lacrimal (tear) glands as well as the tiny muscles inside the ear that dampen loud noises. The nerve also controls the function of some salivary glands and the lacrimal (tear) glands. This does not include the facial paralysis associated with known causes such as infection or stroke.
Some evidence suggests that the cause is inflammation of cranial nerve VII is triggered by a viral infection, possibly a virus in the herpes family. People with diabetes or high blood pressure, and pregnant women, are at slightly greater risk, but most patients have no known predisposing factors
The classic symptom of Bell's palsy is weakness on one side of the face. The weakness may range from difficulty blinking all the way to a complete paralysis on one side of the face with an inability to close the eye. Onset usually occurs acutely, but the weakness may worsen for 24 to 48 hours before stabilizing
Most patients with Bell’s palsy recover completely or or some have minimal lasting effects, even without treatment. The percentage may increase with medical treatment.
Using the S-T- R stroke identification method one would find a patient with Bell's Palsy unable to Smile. However, they would probably be able to Talk and form complete sentences and would be able to Raise their arms.
Facial paralysis does not always indicate Bell's Palsy. It is best to have a patient evaluated by their physician to rule out other causes of facial paralysis.
Hopefully this information will help distinguish different situations you may run into.
Please email me if you have any questions.
Dr. Paul
Monday, January 14, 2008
General Health Topic - Stroke Identification
Hello Everyone,
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
It is well known that the sooner a patient is diagnosed and treated after experiencing an acute stroke the better the outcome is likely to be. However, it is often difficult for a non-stroke specialist to recognise and diagnose stroke.
There is a method going around and listed on numerous Internet resources that tries to increase the awareness and importance of rapid stroke identification.
This portion of the post was copied from an email that I received.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
It is well known that the sooner a patient is diagnosed and treated after experiencing an acute stroke the better the outcome is likely to be. However, it is often difficult for a non-stroke specialist to recognise and diagnose stroke.
There is a method going around and listed on numerous Internet resources that tries to increase the awareness and importance of rapid stroke identification.
This portion of the post was copied from an email that I received.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE - Remember the "3" steps, S T R .
"Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE(Coherently) ( I.e. It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved."
This stroke recognition system appears to be a variation of a widely used field diagnostic test used by paramedics and other first responders. The FACE, ARM, SPEECH TEST (FAST).
Results from a study funded by The Stroke Association indicate that ambulance paramedics can accurately identify a stroke patient before they arrive in hospital.
The Face Arm Speech Test (FAST) has been developed as a stroke identification instrument.
The test assesses 3 neurological signs of stroke:
· facial weakness
· arm weakness
· speech disturbance
FAST has been incorporated as an integral component of ambulance paramedics training module, and is included in the rapid ambulance protocol.
http://www.stroke.org.uk/research/stroke_research_news/faster.html
Please pass it on to all your friends, family and patients.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
Friday, January 11, 2008
General Health Topic - Stroke - What Is It?
Hello Everyone,
This was sent to me as a suggested topic and I agree that we need to spread the word.
About Strokes - There are two types of strokes (also called a cerebrovascular accident).
An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to all or part of the brain is cut off. Most strokes are of the ischemic type. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient stroke that lasts only a few minutes. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted.
A hemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel bursts in the brain.
Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die. Permanent disability or death can result. High blood pressure, smoking, and having had a previous stroke or heart attack increase a person’s chances of having a stroke.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United Sates. In 2002, stroke killed 162,672 people, accounting for about 1 of every 15 deaths in the United States. Four million Americans who have survived a stroke are living with impairments and 15 to 30 percent are permanently disabled. The American Heart Association also estimates that stroke cost about $68 billion in both direct and indirect costs in 2005 in the United States alone. For more information check out the following: http://cdc.gov/DHDSP/library/fs_strokesigns.htm
With timely treatment, the risk of death and disability from stroke can be lowered.
It is very important to know the symptoms of a stroke and act in time.
Signs of a Stroke - The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes these major signs of stroke:
•Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs
•Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others
•Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
•Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
•Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you think someone is having a stroke, you should call 911 immediately.
I'll post more information on stroke identification in the next article.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
This was sent to me as a suggested topic and I agree that we need to spread the word.
About Strokes - There are two types of strokes (also called a cerebrovascular accident).
An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to all or part of the brain is cut off. Most strokes are of the ischemic type. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient stroke that lasts only a few minutes. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted.
A hemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel bursts in the brain.
Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die. Permanent disability or death can result. High blood pressure, smoking, and having had a previous stroke or heart attack increase a person’s chances of having a stroke.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United Sates. In 2002, stroke killed 162,672 people, accounting for about 1 of every 15 deaths in the United States. Four million Americans who have survived a stroke are living with impairments and 15 to 30 percent are permanently disabled. The American Heart Association also estimates that stroke cost about $68 billion in both direct and indirect costs in 2005 in the United States alone. For more information check out the following: http://cdc.gov/DHDSP/library/fs_strokesigns.htm
With timely treatment, the risk of death and disability from stroke can be lowered.
It is very important to know the symptoms of a stroke and act in time.
Signs of a Stroke - The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes these major signs of stroke:
•Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs
•Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others
•Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
•Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
•Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you think someone is having a stroke, you should call 911 immediately.
I'll post more information on stroke identification in the next article.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
Thursday, January 10, 2008
General Health Topic - Four Healthy Changes Can Prolong Life 14 Years
Hello Everyone,
I don't know if you have read this article that was published by a group of British researches in the Journal PLoS Medicine.
I have included the article that was written by Michael Kahn from Reuters and can be found at the following link:
http://body.aol.com/news/health/article/_a/four-healthy-changes-can-prolong-life-14/20080108121809990001
Four Healthy Changes Can Prolong Life 14 Years
By MICHAEL KAHN, Reuters
Posted: 2008-01-10 11:36:29
Filed Under: Health, Healthy Living, Diet & Fitness
LONDON - People who drink moderately, exercise, quit smoking and eat five servings of fruit and vegetables each day live on average 14 years longer than people who adopt none of these behaviors, researchers said.
Overwhelming evidence has shown that these things contribute to healthier and longer lives, but the new study actually quantified their combined impact, the British team said."These results may provide further support for the idea that even small differences in lifestyle may make a big difference to health in the population and encourage behavior change," the researchers wrote in the journal PLoS Medicine.
Between 1993 and 1997 the researchers questioned 20,000 healthy British men and women about their lifestyles. They also tested every participant's blood to measure vitamin C intake, an indicator of how much fruit and vegetables people ate.
Then they assigned the participants -- aged 45-79 -- a score of between 0 and 4, giving one point for each of the healthy behaviors.
After allowing for age and other factors that could affect the likelihood of dying, the researchers determined people with a score of 0 were four times as likely to have died, particularly from cardiovascular disease.
The researchers, who tracked deaths among the participants until 2006, also said a person with a health score of 0 had the same risk of dying as someone with a health score of 4 who was 14 years older.
The lifestyle change with the biggest benefit was giving up smoking, which led to an 80 percent improvement in health, the study found. This was followed by eating fruits and vegetables.
Moderate drinking and keeping active brought the same benefits, Kay-Tee Khaw and colleagues at the University of Cambridge and the Medical Research Council said.
"Armed with this information, public-health officials should now be in a better position to encourage behavior changes likely to improve the health of middle-aged and older people," the researchers wrote.
The article also contained the following tips:
Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight. A body mass index (BMI) between 21 and 23 is the ideal recommendation.
Be physically active daily for at least 30 minutes.
Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar and fat, or low in fiber).
Eat more variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans. Earlier this year, the CDC reported that Americans are not consuming enough vegetables and fruit in their diet.
Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats. Processed meat -- such as bacon -- consumed per day increases the risk of colorectal cancer.
If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to two for men and one for women a day. Alcohol is linked to an increased risk of throat, breast and liver cancers.
Limit consumption of salty foods and food processed with salt/sodium.
Don't use supplements to protect against cancer, opt for a balanced diet.
Researchers also suggest against smoking or chewing tobacco in any form because of the increased risk of cancer and other serious diseases.
Hope this information helps,
Dr. Paul
I don't know if you have read this article that was published by a group of British researches in the Journal PLoS Medicine.
I have included the article that was written by Michael Kahn from Reuters and can be found at the following link:
http://body.aol.com/news/health/article/_a/four-healthy-changes-can-prolong-life-14/20080108121809990001
Four Healthy Changes Can Prolong Life 14 Years
By MICHAEL KAHN, Reuters
Posted: 2008-01-10 11:36:29
Filed Under: Health, Healthy Living, Diet & Fitness
LONDON - People who drink moderately, exercise, quit smoking and eat five servings of fruit and vegetables each day live on average 14 years longer than people who adopt none of these behaviors, researchers said.
Overwhelming evidence has shown that these things contribute to healthier and longer lives, but the new study actually quantified their combined impact, the British team said."These results may provide further support for the idea that even small differences in lifestyle may make a big difference to health in the population and encourage behavior change," the researchers wrote in the journal PLoS Medicine.
Between 1993 and 1997 the researchers questioned 20,000 healthy British men and women about their lifestyles. They also tested every participant's blood to measure vitamin C intake, an indicator of how much fruit and vegetables people ate.
Then they assigned the participants -- aged 45-79 -- a score of between 0 and 4, giving one point for each of the healthy behaviors.
After allowing for age and other factors that could affect the likelihood of dying, the researchers determined people with a score of 0 were four times as likely to have died, particularly from cardiovascular disease.
The researchers, who tracked deaths among the participants until 2006, also said a person with a health score of 0 had the same risk of dying as someone with a health score of 4 who was 14 years older.
The lifestyle change with the biggest benefit was giving up smoking, which led to an 80 percent improvement in health, the study found. This was followed by eating fruits and vegetables.
Moderate drinking and keeping active brought the same benefits, Kay-Tee Khaw and colleagues at the University of Cambridge and the Medical Research Council said.
"Armed with this information, public-health officials should now be in a better position to encourage behavior changes likely to improve the health of middle-aged and older people," the researchers wrote.
The article also contained the following tips:
Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight. A body mass index (BMI) between 21 and 23 is the ideal recommendation.
Be physically active daily for at least 30 minutes.
Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar and fat, or low in fiber).
Eat more variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans. Earlier this year, the CDC reported that Americans are not consuming enough vegetables and fruit in their diet.
Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats. Processed meat -- such as bacon -- consumed per day increases the risk of colorectal cancer.
If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to two for men and one for women a day. Alcohol is linked to an increased risk of throat, breast and liver cancers.
Limit consumption of salty foods and food processed with salt/sodium.
Don't use supplements to protect against cancer, opt for a balanced diet.
Researchers also suggest against smoking or chewing tobacco in any form because of the increased risk of cancer and other serious diseases.
Hope this information helps,
Dr. Paul
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
General Health Topic - How are Your New Year's Resolutions Holding up?
Hello Everyone,
Just a quick note of encouragement to stick to those New Year's Resolutions you made. How are they holding up? Are you doing anything special to help you stay with your program?
Drop me a note so I can pass on your success stories.
All the best,
Dr. Paul
Just a quick note of encouragement to stick to those New Year's Resolutions you made. How are they holding up? Are you doing anything special to help you stay with your program?
Drop me a note so I can pass on your success stories.
All the best,
Dr. Paul
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
