The five drugs that are discussed in this article are Ibuprofen which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used for relief of Arthritis, Warfarin which is an anticoagulant drug commonly prescribed by doctors to treat venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, to treat or prevent dangerous blood clotting in people with arterial fibrillation and to prevent strokes, a benzodiazepine drug called Diazepam which is commonly prescribed by doctors for relieve nervousness, anxiety, and anxiety disorders, a sulfonylureas drug called Glipizide which is used to help control blood sugar levels and used to treat type 2 diabetes and a thyroid medication called Armour Thyroid which is prescribed for the treatment of hypothyroidism.
Arthritis is a common illness in today’s society; doctors prescribe drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for this condition. A common NSAID is Ibuprofen which reduces inflammation, pain and high temperature and is used widely to relieve the symptoms of arthritis. Ibuprofen is available in prescription and nonprescription. As well as rheumatoid arthritis, Ibuprofen is used to treat mild to moderate pain, primary dysmenorrhoea, osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, bursitis, gout, migraine headaches and fever.
NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal (GI) irritation, bleeding, iron loss and kidney dysfunction and increased blood potassium levels, especially in older people. Ibuprofen may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision especially when taken with alcohol.
Ibuprofen has adverse results when taken with lithium, sodium and white willow.
Lithium a mineral which is commonly prescribe to treat manic depression, many NSAID’s stop the excretion of lithium from the body which results in higher blood lithium levels which in tern can create unwanted side effects and interferes with efficacy. NSAID’s should be taken with caution for those people who are taking lithium whether in supplement form or for mood disorders. It is wise to reduce salt intake when taking Ibuprofen because Ibuprofen may cause sodium and water retention.
People who are taking the herb white willow should be aware that links have been made that white willow reduces the blood level of NSAID’s.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Managing Stress Without The Use Of Drugs
In today’s fast paced environment, many people are under a lot of stress. Women are even more susceptible to the strains of everyday life. Some are single mothers that work full time jobs and then come home and care for their baby. They are over worked, underpaid and under extreme stress.
Many women go to their family doctors complaining about headaches, lack of sleep and mood swings. The doctor will calmly explain to them that they have stress problems, and to take a few days off, and then prescribe them a drug to alleviate the symptoms.
While the drugs may work in the short term, it doesn’t treat the root problems. When you stop taking the drug, the stress will still be present. And who has the time to put their feet up and relax, especially if you have a toddler causing mayhem at home?
So what are the alternatives?
Well there are many and we will explore a few of them in this article, but the first thing you have to do is figure out the cause of your stress. Stress can be caused by many things. What is stressful to one person can be joyful for the next. For instance, speaking in public can cause some people a lot of anxiety, but to some it is a joy.
Once you have located the reasons for your stress try to think of ways to alleviate it. Here are some more helpful tricks and tips for managing stress levels without the use of drugs.
Take a Deep Breath: The reason why stress causes headaches in a lot of cases is because when a person is under significant stress they will tend to breath shallowly, or hold their breath without even realizing it. Your muscles then get a lack of oxygen and you cramp up in such places like your neck and abdomen and you get a headache. Sometimes it just makes you feel uptight.
If you feel a headache coming on, or you feel uptight, stop and check your breathing. Take a few minutes to rest and take deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth.
Talk to People: Being lonely is a terrible thing, and this can cause stress all by itself. Try joining a club or something you enjoy that will connect you to other people. Sometimes just talking and having fun can do wonders for your stress problems.
Regular Exercise: It has been scientifically proven that exercise helps relieve stress. Try joining a gym, or just going for a walk each night. You will boost your energy level making it easier to cope with the stress of daily life.
Managing Time: Nothing causes stress like being late for an appointment. Avoid this unnecessary stress by planning your day. Insure that you have enough time to get to all of your appointments. Maybe invest in a day planner.
Body Break: Your mind and body are one. Make sure that you eat proper nutritious meals, and sleep well at night. Avoid excess sugar and caffeine. These foods will give you a temporary high, but will cause you to crash later. A body that is properly maintained will be better able to cope with stress.
Avoid The Use of Illegal Drugs: Many people turn to alcohol and drugs to relieve their stress. While it may seem that these things are helping with your stress they are really harming you. Not only are they wrecking your body, but they are only a temporary fix. When you wake up in the morning, the problem that you were trying to escape will still be there.
Many women go to their family doctors complaining about headaches, lack of sleep and mood swings. The doctor will calmly explain to them that they have stress problems, and to take a few days off, and then prescribe them a drug to alleviate the symptoms.
While the drugs may work in the short term, it doesn’t treat the root problems. When you stop taking the drug, the stress will still be present. And who has the time to put their feet up and relax, especially if you have a toddler causing mayhem at home?
So what are the alternatives?
Well there are many and we will explore a few of them in this article, but the first thing you have to do is figure out the cause of your stress. Stress can be caused by many things. What is stressful to one person can be joyful for the next. For instance, speaking in public can cause some people a lot of anxiety, but to some it is a joy.
Once you have located the reasons for your stress try to think of ways to alleviate it. Here are some more helpful tricks and tips for managing stress levels without the use of drugs.
Take a Deep Breath: The reason why stress causes headaches in a lot of cases is because when a person is under significant stress they will tend to breath shallowly, or hold their breath without even realizing it. Your muscles then get a lack of oxygen and you cramp up in such places like your neck and abdomen and you get a headache. Sometimes it just makes you feel uptight.
If you feel a headache coming on, or you feel uptight, stop and check your breathing. Take a few minutes to rest and take deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth.
Talk to People: Being lonely is a terrible thing, and this can cause stress all by itself. Try joining a club or something you enjoy that will connect you to other people. Sometimes just talking and having fun can do wonders for your stress problems.
Regular Exercise: It has been scientifically proven that exercise helps relieve stress. Try joining a gym, or just going for a walk each night. You will boost your energy level making it easier to cope with the stress of daily life.
Managing Time: Nothing causes stress like being late for an appointment. Avoid this unnecessary stress by planning your day. Insure that you have enough time to get to all of your appointments. Maybe invest in a day planner.
Body Break: Your mind and body are one. Make sure that you eat proper nutritious meals, and sleep well at night. Avoid excess sugar and caffeine. These foods will give you a temporary high, but will cause you to crash later. A body that is properly maintained will be better able to cope with stress.
Avoid The Use of Illegal Drugs: Many people turn to alcohol and drugs to relieve their stress. While it may seem that these things are helping with your stress they are really harming you. Not only are they wrecking your body, but they are only a temporary fix. When you wake up in the morning, the problem that you were trying to escape will still be there.
Best Drugs For Your Anxiety
In the quest of curing your anxiety there may be times when you’ll be persuaded that you’ve found the best anxiety drug for you. There will be times when people – family and friends – who also perhaps suffer from anxiety like you do, will tout that they have found the best anxiety drug and they now live a carefree life. And there’ll be times when your doctor might tell you that what he’s just prescribed for you is the best anxiety drug there is on the market right now.
Whatever the case maybe, and however you came across it, you should always be wary when you’re presented with any new drug, especially when it comes bearing the tag “best anxiety drug”. It might be just the thing that you need in your fight against anxiety, but you should also be aware that it might also be completely wrong for you and also that it could make your condition worse.
Some drugs also have serious side effects that can affect you in the long term. Even herbal drugs like St. John’s Wort can have side effects like photosensitivity – sensitivity to light – which can affect you if taken over a long period of time.
Other drugs first touted as the best anxiety drug available, have now been known to induce withdrawal symptoms in many people. Since this knowledge was only fairly recent, this so-called “best anxiety drug” was one that was freely prescribed by doctors up until recently, when better anxiety drugs were found.
The thing to know and recognize though is that most drugs will have side effects and most of the time very little is known about the drugs themselves. While it’s true that these drugs have undergone rigorous testing before being passed on to you, you should still be aware that the latest wonder “ best anxiety drug” has not been tested on you. What this means is that in addition to the many various side effects that you might get from the drug that are already listed, you might also develop other symptoms.
This holds true for any medication and you do need to be careful. So don’t rush out and jump on the bandwagon of the next “best anxiety drug” to hit the market. Wait a little while, do some research into this new wonder drug and talk it over with your doctor first. There is no real substitute for caution and as long as you realize that there is no cure-all drug to treat your anxiety, you can’t go too wrong. This way you won’t be tricked into believing that you’ve found the best anxiety drug there is and you’ll be able to find one that is more suited to you not your next door neighbor!
Whatever the case maybe, and however you came across it, you should always be wary when you’re presented with any new drug, especially when it comes bearing the tag “best anxiety drug”. It might be just the thing that you need in your fight against anxiety, but you should also be aware that it might also be completely wrong for you and also that it could make your condition worse.
Some drugs also have serious side effects that can affect you in the long term. Even herbal drugs like St. John’s Wort can have side effects like photosensitivity – sensitivity to light – which can affect you if taken over a long period of time.
Other drugs first touted as the best anxiety drug available, have now been known to induce withdrawal symptoms in many people. Since this knowledge was only fairly recent, this so-called “best anxiety drug” was one that was freely prescribed by doctors up until recently, when better anxiety drugs were found.
The thing to know and recognize though is that most drugs will have side effects and most of the time very little is known about the drugs themselves. While it’s true that these drugs have undergone rigorous testing before being passed on to you, you should still be aware that the latest wonder “ best anxiety drug” has not been tested on you. What this means is that in addition to the many various side effects that you might get from the drug that are already listed, you might also develop other symptoms.
This holds true for any medication and you do need to be careful. So don’t rush out and jump on the bandwagon of the next “best anxiety drug” to hit the market. Wait a little while, do some research into this new wonder drug and talk it over with your doctor first. There is no real substitute for caution and as long as you realize that there is no cure-all drug to treat your anxiety, you can’t go too wrong. This way you won’t be tricked into believing that you’ve found the best anxiety drug there is and you’ll be able to find one that is more suited to you not your next door neighbor!
Drugs For Diabetes
Some people with diabetes may be able to control their blood glucose levels through diet and exercise however, the major will also require diabetes drugs to control the amount of sugar in their blood. Either diabetes is caused by the body not producing enough insulin to move the sugar from the blood into cells, where it is needed for energy, or the cells are not open to receive the sugar. In either event, the glucose is gathering in the blood with no way out and diabetes drugs can help it get through the system.
Persons with Type 2 diabetes are typically treated with oral medications, which are listed in five classifications. They are formulated to either increase the amount of insulin the body produces naturally, the effectiveness of how insulin works in the body or controls how the sugar is absorbed into the cells. Most diabetes drugs have few side effects, but all synthetic medications may create an adverse response in some patients and all side effects should be reported to the doctor. One of the earliest diabetes drugs developed is sulfonylurea, developed to help the body produce more insulin. This class of drug has been in use since the mid-1900’s and has relatively few side effects.
Biguanides are a class of diabetes drugs usually prescribed to patients who are overweight. The most common brand name of this class of drug is Metformin and prompts the body to use the available insulin more effectively. These drugs have been known to cause nausea and diarrhea in some patients. Alpha-glycosidase inhibitors slow the absorption of insulin into the digestive tract, giving it time to help glucose find its way into the body’s cells. Stomach and bowel problems are possible side effects of these diabetes drugs. Biguanides which reduces the glucose amount that is being produced by liver. Metformin is the common drug under this class. Metformin is more useful for obese diabetics because it can diminish the excretion of glucose and it also suppresses appetite.
How metformin increases insulin action is not known. In addition to suppression of hepatic glucose output, increased insulin-mediated glucose utilization in peripheral tissues (such as muscle and liver), particularly after meals, and an antilipolytic effect that lowers serum free fatty acid concentrations, thereby reducing substrate availability for gluconeogenesis, have been demonstrated.
Combination of Sulfonylurea and Biguanide which became available just recently. Before, patients are taking these two drugs separately; nowadays, one tablet with the combination of these drugs is effective in encouraging patient's compliance. Metformin and Glyburide are common examples of these drugs
Persons with Type 2 diabetes are typically treated with oral medications, which are listed in five classifications. They are formulated to either increase the amount of insulin the body produces naturally, the effectiveness of how insulin works in the body or controls how the sugar is absorbed into the cells. Most diabetes drugs have few side effects, but all synthetic medications may create an adverse response in some patients and all side effects should be reported to the doctor. One of the earliest diabetes drugs developed is sulfonylurea, developed to help the body produce more insulin. This class of drug has been in use since the mid-1900’s and has relatively few side effects.
Biguanides are a class of diabetes drugs usually prescribed to patients who are overweight. The most common brand name of this class of drug is Metformin and prompts the body to use the available insulin more effectively. These drugs have been known to cause nausea and diarrhea in some patients. Alpha-glycosidase inhibitors slow the absorption of insulin into the digestive tract, giving it time to help glucose find its way into the body’s cells. Stomach and bowel problems are possible side effects of these diabetes drugs. Biguanides which reduces the glucose amount that is being produced by liver. Metformin is the common drug under this class. Metformin is more useful for obese diabetics because it can diminish the excretion of glucose and it also suppresses appetite.
How metformin increases insulin action is not known. In addition to suppression of hepatic glucose output, increased insulin-mediated glucose utilization in peripheral tissues (such as muscle and liver), particularly after meals, and an antilipolytic effect that lowers serum free fatty acid concentrations, thereby reducing substrate availability for gluconeogenesis, have been demonstrated.
Combination of Sulfonylurea and Biguanide which became available just recently. Before, patients are taking these two drugs separately; nowadays, one tablet with the combination of these drugs is effective in encouraging patient's compliance. Metformin and Glyburide are common examples of these drugs
Generic Drugs
We have heard about the term drugs and are very well aware of the purpose it is used for. But what does the term Generic Drug mean? Does it have the same effect as the branded drug available at the local pharmacist? If you have these questions in mind, your questions will be answered before you complete reading this article.
Definitions
A Branded Drug has a trade name and is drug manufactured by a well established pharmaceutical company, protected by a patent. It cannot be produced or sold by any other company. A brand name will be more simpler than the generic name.
Generic Drugs can be defined as a substitute or a bioequivalent of a branded drug satisfying the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic standards. A generic name is the actual chemical name of the drug with respect to the chemical ingredients present within the drug.
A drug can be called generic only if it has the same chemical ingredients at same strength, safety precautions and most importantly it has to meet the same pharmacopoeial standard of preparation. If you are taking generic drugs, they are suppose to be taken in the same manner as the branded drug i.e. similar dosage, similar time duration, similar strength and similar instructions. Although instructions about taking a particular is always mentioned on the packet cover.
Why do we have different names and what purpose does it solve? Let's find out the reasons behind this naming convention with an example of a shoe manufacturing company. We all wear shoes everyday and the purpose of wearing shoes is simple to protect your feet. A shoe from a branded company (an expensive pair of shoes) will do the same job for you as would a normal cheaper brand of shoe will. But not everyone can afford expensive shoes for their day to day use, so they settle down for a normal black leather shoe. similarly, there are two kinds of drugs, a branded one and a generic one both have the same chemical composition and safety precaution but differ in price for the various research, manufacturing and marketing cost incurred on the brand name company. One more reason for this naming convention is that generic names are long and difficult to remember or pronounce. But brand names given by the manufacturing companies are catchy, single word names which are easy to remember.
Definitions
A Branded Drug has a trade name and is drug manufactured by a well established pharmaceutical company, protected by a patent. It cannot be produced or sold by any other company. A brand name will be more simpler than the generic name.
Generic Drugs can be defined as a substitute or a bioequivalent of a branded drug satisfying the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic standards. A generic name is the actual chemical name of the drug with respect to the chemical ingredients present within the drug.
A drug can be called generic only if it has the same chemical ingredients at same strength, safety precautions and most importantly it has to meet the same pharmacopoeial standard of preparation. If you are taking generic drugs, they are suppose to be taken in the same manner as the branded drug i.e. similar dosage, similar time duration, similar strength and similar instructions. Although instructions about taking a particular is always mentioned on the packet cover.
Why do we have different names and what purpose does it solve? Let's find out the reasons behind this naming convention with an example of a shoe manufacturing company. We all wear shoes everyday and the purpose of wearing shoes is simple to protect your feet. A shoe from a branded company (an expensive pair of shoes) will do the same job for you as would a normal cheaper brand of shoe will. But not everyone can afford expensive shoes for their day to day use, so they settle down for a normal black leather shoe. similarly, there are two kinds of drugs, a branded one and a generic one both have the same chemical composition and safety precaution but differ in price for the various research, manufacturing and marketing cost incurred on the brand name company. One more reason for this naming convention is that generic names are long and difficult to remember or pronounce. But brand names given by the manufacturing companies are catchy, single word names which are easy to remember.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Drug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any chemical substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in medicine, government regulations, and colloquial usage.
In pharmacology, Dictionary.com defines a drug as "a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being." Drugs may be prescribed for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.
Recreational drugs are chemical substances that affect the central nervous system, such as opioids or hallucinogens. may be used for perceived beneficial effects on perception, consciousness, personality, and behavior. Some drugs can cause addiction and habituation.
Drugs are usually distinguished from endogenous biochemicals by being introduced from outside the organism. example, insulin is a hormone that is synthesized in the body; it is called a hormone when it is synthesized by the pancreas inside the body, but if it is introduced into the body from outside, it is called a drug.
Many natural substances such as beers, wines, and some mushrooms, blur the line between food and drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning of both mind and body.
In pharmacology, Dictionary.com defines a drug as "a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being." Drugs may be prescribed for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.
Recreational drugs are chemical substances that affect the central nervous system, such as opioids or hallucinogens. may be used for perceived beneficial effects on perception, consciousness, personality, and behavior. Some drugs can cause addiction and habituation.
Drugs are usually distinguished from endogenous biochemicals by being introduced from outside the organism. example, insulin is a hormone that is synthesized in the body; it is called a hormone when it is synthesized by the pancreas inside the body, but if it is introduced into the body from outside, it is called a drug.
Many natural substances such as beers, wines, and some mushrooms, blur the line between food and drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning of both mind and body.
I Think My Child Is Using Drugs
What is a parent to think? I see behavior changes in my child. They used to be social, outgoing and communicated with the family. Now my child is secretive, isolated & uncommunicative. Is it possible that my worst nightmare has come true? My child is using drugs?
In today’s world, pressure to use drugs is quite significant. When we were children, back in the 60’s, 70’sand 80’s; the drugs of choice were marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Today’s world is much different. The children of today are exposed to numerous other “rave” drugs. They include ecstasy, (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), Khat, Ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride), GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) and Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) this is the date rape drug.
Is my child going through normal adolescence, where they begin to separate from their parents, or using drugs? There are very important signs that you will see when your child is using drugs. Some of the most important signs are:
Less attention paid to grooming. “My child used to take care of themselves, brush their hair, brush their teeth, now they seem indifferent.”
Loss of appetite or an increased appetite, loss of weight or increased weight, without current medical issues. “My child has lost/gained 5-20lbs over the last few months and I don’t know what is going on. My PCP reports all blood-work and physical examination appeared fine.”
Red and glassy eyes and frequent use of eye drops. “My child is using Visine on a regular basis. I smell breath mints when they walk in the door. Is it possible that they are drinking/smoking pot?”
In today’s world, pressure to use drugs is quite significant. When we were children, back in the 60’s, 70’sand 80’s; the drugs of choice were marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Today’s world is much different. The children of today are exposed to numerous other “rave” drugs. They include ecstasy, (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), Khat, Ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride), GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) and Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) this is the date rape drug.
Is my child going through normal adolescence, where they begin to separate from their parents, or using drugs? There are very important signs that you will see when your child is using drugs. Some of the most important signs are:
Less attention paid to grooming. “My child used to take care of themselves, brush their hair, brush their teeth, now they seem indifferent.”
Loss of appetite or an increased appetite, loss of weight or increased weight, without current medical issues. “My child has lost/gained 5-20lbs over the last few months and I don’t know what is going on. My PCP reports all blood-work and physical examination appeared fine.”
Red and glassy eyes and frequent use of eye drops. “My child is using Visine on a regular basis. I smell breath mints when they walk in the door. Is it possible that they are drinking/smoking pot?”
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