Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Jun 21

I’m up at Spot-on with a few thoughts about the current state of the healthcare reform movement. You’ll get the gist of my argument from the title. The piece is called “Why Healthcare reform won’t work.” As usual, return to THCB to leave your comments. If you want more, go look at my last column “The Bush Health plan.”

It’s taken quite a bit of the time. But the efforts by Republicans George Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Mitt Romney have finally convinced the national press that the rash of cancellations in the individual insurance market is a story worth writing. Perhaps it’s because we’re now discovering that this is a national phenomenon.

It’s somewhat older news here in California where it looks as though the state may decide that any retroactive cancellation of policies needs to be reviewed by an independent official. One Californian insurance company, Kaiser Permanente, caught with its hand in the cancellation cookie jar has already proposed something similar but it’s less likely that competitors WellPoint (Blue Cross of California’s parent), HealthNet and Blue Shield of California will be quite so thrilled.

Blue Cross of California, one of several plans being sued in California, says that it rescinds an average of 1,000 policies each year out of about 260,000 new individual enrollments — less than one-half of 1%, says spokeswoman Shannon Troughton.

WellPoint is strictly speaking right to say that less than 1% of its applications get canceled. But it’s evident from the various testimony already leaked from depositions of Blue Cross of California’s employees that the applications of any individual policyholders submitting high claims were routinely subjected to a review looking for the slightest excuse to cancel the policy. But that’s not the heart of the matter.

The issue is that we have an individual insurance market which is designed to stay away from the care of sick people. And that’s why healthcare reforms, as they are currently proposed won’t really work.viagra, levitra, cialis, Pharma shop

Mar 26

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Mar 25

Have you got the crud? A runny nose or hacking cough? If so, then sit back (in bed), relax and prepare to feel better. Adding some natural supplements and herbs to your regimen can help you clear colds and flus from your system fast.

PROBIOTICS: Probiotics, especially acidophilus, produces substances which are antiviral and antifungal. Probiotics also support the immune system by supporting the function of the digestive system.

HERBS: Demulcent and expectorant herbs like marshmallow, slippery elm, comfrey, mullein, and fenugreek help thin and clear out mucous. You can find most of these herbs in tincture form at the health food store.

IMMUSUN: This immune system support product from Cell Tech contains pure, whole particle beta glucan that helps with inflammation by mobilizing white blood cells to areas of injury or inflammation. These white blood cells (macrophages) remove damaged tissue quickly before it has time to trigger more inflammation.

VITAMIN C and BIOFLAVANOIDS: These two supplements provide potent antioxidant benefits and support healing of the lung tissue.

H20: Water, water, water. It’s the most important ingredient for healing since you need it to flush the colds and flus out of your system!

Feel better yet? If not, you will soon once you get some of these natural healers into your system. The best thing about these herbs and supplements is that they support your immune system rather than suppressing it (the way antibiotics do). As a result, you’ll emerge from your cold or flu with a stronger immune system than ever!

Mar 25

Conventional surgery. Conventional surgery makes a new opening for the fluid to leave the eye. Your doctor may suggest this treatment at any time. Conventional surgery often is done after medicines and laser surgery have failed to control pressure. Conventional surgery is performed in an eye clinic or hospital. Before the surgery, you will be given medicine to help you relax. Your doctor will make small injections around the eye to numb it. A small piece of tissue is removed to create a new channel for the fluid to drain from the eye. For several weeks after the surgery, you must put drops in the eye to fight infection and inflammation. These drops will be different from those you may have been using before surgery. As with laser surgery, conventional surgery is performed on one eye at a time. Usually the operations are four to six weeks apart. Conventional surgery is about 60 to 80 percent effective at lowering eye pressure. If the new drainage opening narrows, a second operation may be needed. Conventional surgery works best if you have not had previous eye surgery, such as a cataract operation. In some instances, your vision may not be as good as it was before conventional surgery. Conventional surgery can cause side effects, including cataract, problems with the cornea, and inflammation or infection inside the eye. The buildup of fluid in the back of the eye may cause some patients to see shadows in their vision. If you have any of these problems, tell your doctor so a treatment plan can be developed. kaufen levitra
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Mar 25

We hear nearly everyday there is another person who has been diagnosed with one type of cancer or another. Even so, the topic has always been left undiscussed. There could be a few reasons contributing to this. The common reason is many of us feel that by mentioning, discussing or showing concern to the cancer patients as being not sensitive, for fear that the motions will be taken differently by the patients. One thing for sure, we have to know that the pain they may be experiencing right at the time may be small, but as the cancer progress, the need for proper cancer pain relief grows and grows until it is all ended either because it is cured or until the person passes away. The cancer pain relief medications used are used somewhat to cover the pain and not to get well from the problem.

What are The Cancer Pain Relief

For most people they just know particular few types of medications that are prescribed for cancer pain relief and one of those given will most often work for the patient. There are many of them who will get or have achieved excellent results for them.

However, when the person suffering from cancer has been given a medication that does not work, then they are closely monitored and selectively given another type to try in the hope that it will be effective.

The emotional trauma that comes along for those with cancer is so great that it is paramount to make them physically as comfortable as possible through the cancer pain relief that have been proven working.

When They Are Near the End

We have many friends or relatives who have cancer, and we will always hope that they will recover and have access to cancer pain relief. Even though there are millions of people who recover from their cancer, there are always going to be a number of people who just could not make it.

As the cancer progresses further and further, the person will be in more pain and it will ultimately get to a point that patient claim they would just rather quickly pass then suffer the pain any more. For these people, in spite of their outlook is not having the chance to survive it, they are still in need of some effective cancer pain relief. The cancer pain relief is giving the patients chances to be feeling a little better and spending more time with friends and family till their last days.

Frequently, for people who find themselves in that situation, there seems to be little effect from the cancer pain relief medications that are normally given and this is when doctors start to give a lot more medications at a lot higher doses in hopes of doing something.

These people are commonly given so many medications that end up not working; their bathroom cabinet could begin to parallel to a pharmacy. For these people, it is just more about finding something, anything that will help them get through the few days they have left so they can make the most of them.

Mar 25

Antiretroviral drugs are medications for the treatment of infection by retroviruses, primarily HIV. Different classes of antiretroviral drugs act at different stages of the HIV life cycle. Combination of several (typically three or four) antiretroviral drugs is known as Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART). Antiretroviral drugs are broadly classified by the phase of the retrovirus life-cyle that the drug inhibits. There are thus five broad classifications of antiretroviral drugs in development, though only the first three classes currently have licensed examples:
* Reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) target construction of viral DNA by inhibiting activity of reverse transcriptase. There are two subtypes of RTIs with different mechanisms of action: nucleoside-analogue RTIs are incorporated into the viral DNA leading to chain termination, while non-nucleoside-analogue RTIs distort the binding potential of the reverse transcriptase enzyme.
* Protease inhibitors (PIs) target viral assembly by inhibiting the activity of protease, an enzyme used by HIV to cleave nascent proteins for final assembly of new virons.
* Fusion inhibitors block HIV from fusing with a cell’s membrane to enter and infect it.
* Integrase inhibitors inhibit the enzyme integrase, which is responsible for integration of viral DNA into the DNA of the infected cell. There are several integrase inhibitors currently under clinical trial but none are commercially available.
* Entry inhibitors block HIV-1 from the host cell by binding CCR5, a molecule on the viral membrane termed a co-receptor that HIV-1 normally uses for entry into the cell.
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Mar 25

After being shadowed by modern day medicine, honey is being used to treat a variety of different health conditions including infected wounds involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Scientists have discovered the unusual antibacterial activity of a certain type of honey has the ability to kill pathogenic bacteria and promote wound healing. Clinical studies show that Manuka Honey, commonly found in New Zealand and some parts of Australia, is effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, including MRSA. Bacterial is unable to develop a resistance to Manuka Honey. This has become extremely important within the medical industry as antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest problems faced by modern medicine.

There has been evidence of honey being used for medical purposes by many cultures throughout history, particularly as a wound dressing. It Honey’s antibacterial activity is primarily due to the production of hydrogen peroxide. However, Manuka Honey has additional antibacterial and antimicrobial properties not found on standard types of honey. In addition to having powerful antibacterial activity, Manuka Honey has also been known to actively promote healing. Studies show that Manuka Honey stimulates human cells that are important in the immune response and in wound healing.

“Despite the ancient and modern evidence suggesting an enormous potential for honey as a wound dressing, it is highly underestimated,” says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Manuka Honey as a healing agent. “Manuka Honey has natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, making it an amazing natural resource. Since many health conditions are caused by bacteria and microorganisms, Manuka Honey’s ability to destroy such microbes is extremely valuable as an ingredient in our health care products. We blend Manuka Honey into our medicated creams and lotions making the most effective health and beauty aids on the market.”

Honeymark makes products that are effective in treating conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, ringworm, athlete’s foot, arthritis, muscle and joint pain, wounds and burns. For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329

Mar 14

Heartburn is a painful burning sensation in the esophagus, just below or behind the breastbone. The pain often rises in your chest and may radiate to your neck or throat. Almost everyone has occasional heartburn. If you have frequent, ongoing heartburn, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Normally, when food or liquid enters your stomach, a band of muscle at the end of your esophagus (called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES) closes off the esophagus. If this muscle fails to close tightly enough, stomach contents can back up (reflux) into the esophagus. This partially digested material is usually acidic and can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. Heartburn is more likely to occur if you have a hiatal hernia, which is when the top part of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest cavity. This weakens the LES and makes it easier for acid to reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. Heartburn can be brought on or worsened by pregnancy and by many different medications. Such drugs include: Calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure, progestin for abnormal menstrual bleeding or birth control, anticholinergics (e.g., for sea sickness), certain bronchodilators for asthma, tricyclic antidepressants, dopamine for Parkinson’s disease, sedatives for insomnia or anxiety, beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease If you suspect that one of your medications may be causing heartburn, talk to your doctor. NEVER change or stop medication you take regularly without talking to your doctor.
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Mar 14

While not necessarily addictive, antidepressant drugs can cause serious side effects that lead to erratic behavior. Such side effects create a dangerous situation in the workplace, the home, while driving and in many other instances. Those antidepressant drugs of particular concern are tricyclic antidepressants.
Amitriptyline is an antidepressant drug that goes by the brand name Limbitrol. Nortriptyline is also a part of the tricyclic antidepressant family and is prescribed as Aventyl and Pamelor. Doxepin is used to treat both depression and anxiety and can be found under the names Adapin and Sinequan. Desipramine is sometimes also prescribed to treat eating disorders and withdrawal symptoms from cocaine addiction. It is sold under the name brands Norpramin and Pertofrane.
How Do Tricyclic Antidepressants Work?
Antidepressants work by helping to maintain certain levels of neurotransmitters, chemicals called serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These chemicals help to regulate mood and modes of thinking. By elevating a person suffering from depression’s mood, antidepressants alleviate the feelings of hopelessness, sadness and the general lack of interest in living associated with their condition. The medication is typically taken as an antidepressant pill, but is also available in syrup form.
Effects of Antidepressant Drugs
Antidepressant drugs, especially tricyclic antidepressant drugs can cause a whole array of side effects. Side effects include, upset stomach, dry mouth, increase in skin sensitivity, insomnia, drowsiness, changes in sex drive, changes in appetite and confusion. Serious antidepressant side effects that require medical attention include constipation, difficulty in speaking, irregular heartbeat, trembling, stiffness of limbs and hallucinations. Tricyclic antidepressants also create an increased likelihood of thoughts of suicide and attempts in children and adolescents. Any sudden behavior changes, mood swings or extreme agitation should be relayed to your child’s doctor.
Signs of Tricyclic Antidepressant Overdoses
Someone overdosing on tricyclic antidepressants exhibits many signs and should be taken to a medical facility immediately. Warning signs of a potential overdose include seizures, dilated pupils, pounding or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, difficulty breathing, severe drowsiness, and vomiting.
How To Test For Antidepressant Drugs
While antidepressant drugs are a prescription medication with legitimate uses, they can be potentially dangerous to those who work in fields that require the operation of heavy machinery and other hazardous activities. There are many different kinds of drug testing kits that test for tricyclic antidepressants in one’s system, such as urine drug tests, saliva drug tests and hair follicle drug tests.
Having an employee that is under the influence of antidepressant drugs such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline or doxepin can be potentially dangerous, not only to themselves, but to other employees and the health of your company. That is why performing drug tests at your workplace to detect antidepressant use can keep your workers safe, your reputation sound and your company producing to the best of its ability.
As a parent, the prescription drugs your child or teenager is taking is obviously of concern to you. But the potential side effects of some drugs like tricyclic antidepressants are astounding and should be carefully monitored. To test your teen for amitriptyline use, nortriptyline use, doxepin use, desirpramine use and other antidepressant drugs that have been shown to increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts in adolescents, a drug test kit can help to calm your mind and decide what is best for your child.
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Mar 14

The New York Times reports on a program at the Colorado University hospital to mix up chemotherapy drugs with robots. If successful, this may be the beginning of a substantial safety innovation in the field of cancer care. Chemotherapy is often given in the form of cocktails: either more than one chemotherapy agent or agents with carriers, diluents, and other materials. Dosing must be exact, and there is always the possibility of dangerous errors. By turning the responsibility over to a machine, developers hope to reduce error rates and enhance patient safety. Two companies, Primus Innovations and Health Robotics, are mentioned as collaborating with the hospital in the program. The Baylor Health System in Texas is also pursuing a chemotherapy mixer robot program. A news report says the Colorado doctors think robotic mixing will eventually become the standard procedure at major mesothelioma centers. The CU Hospital will start using the robot in a few weeks. A similar robot has been used in Europe.