Nutritional Immunology – Gastrointestinal Drugs
Written on September 3, 2010 at 3:00 pm, by admin
Gastrointestinal Drugs
Considering the average diet of most Americans, it is no wonder the country is prone to stomach chaos, indigestion woes, gas attacks and ulcer pains. Doctors suggest healthier changes in diet for better gastrointestinal performance, but instead of giving up bad habits, the majority of people continue to give their stomachs good reason for upset. Rather than choosing good nutrition, they depend on gastrointestinal drugs to calm their troubled insides only to continue making poor dietary choices. It is an endless cycle plaqued with a plethora of potential problems from unplesant side effects to irreversible damage to one of the body’s most vital systems. Gastrointestinal drugs – such as antacids and anti-flatulents, laxatives, stomach acid blockers and ulcer drugs – may help the junk addict rationalize a substandard diet, but the body is not so easily fooled by these chemical dangers.
Antacids and Antiflatulents (Anti-gas)
An antacid is a common follow-up to a disagreeable meal, carelessly consumed as if it were a mere after dinner mint. However, the contents of antacids deserve cautious consideration. Many antacids feature aluminum hydroxide, an ingredient used to treat stomach acid and other antacids contain a combination of aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide and simethicone. Unfortunately, aluminum can cause bone damage, and the magnesium found in antacids can cause severe diarrhea. Doctors strongly discourage older adults with severe kidney disease from using magnesium antacids. Other adverse side effects caused by antacids ingredients include painful urination, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, mental changes, muscle weakness, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps.
Not only found in antacids, the combination of magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide and simethicone is also taken as an antiflatulent (anti-gas) drug. But, according to physicians, there is no evidence that simethicone alone or combined with other ingredients effectively treats excess gas. In fact, physicians believe that treating excess gas is by and large a futile process. Suffers from excess gas may actually have a bloated feeling from overeating or discomfort from eating the wrong food. In this case, no anti-gas drug will help because the problem has nothing to do with gas. In general, the passing of gas is no cause for medical concern, but rather, a cause to improve diet.
Laxatives
Every year, Americans spend $725 million on laxatives (constipation 1). As with antacids and antiflatulents, many people take laxatives far more frequently than necessary. This is dangerous for several reasons. First, laxatives can cause lasting damage to the intestines and can interfere with the body’s use of nutrients. Second, they can be habit forming. Of taken for long periods, they inhibit the body’s natural abolity to digest food properly, causing consumer dependency. The unpleasant side effects are numerous and scientists are continually discovering additional causes for concern. For example, the laxative ingredient danthron was recently recalled in the United States because of its cancer-causing possibilities. According to physicians, laxatives should not be used to “clean out the system” or to promote intestinal regularity, a process the body generally controls naturally.
Unfortunately, even those with healthy diets are not immune to occasional constipation. Although it may be bothersome, according to physicians, constipation itself usually is not serious. For most people, dietary and lifestyle improvements can lessen the chances of constipation. A well-balanced diet that includes fiber-rich foods, such as unprocessed bran, whole-grain breads and fresh fruits and vegetables, is recommended. Drinking plenty of fluids and exercising regularly also help to stimulate intestinal activity.
Stomach Acid Blockers and Ulcer Drugs
Despite doctors’ calls for improved lifestyles, the multitude of gastrointestinal drugs on the market is astounding. Stomach acid blockers, such as nizatidine, famotidine, cimetidine and randitine are another popular drug group used to treat duodenal and gastric ulcers and conditions caused by excess stomach acid. Long-term safety of these drugs is still unknown, but side effects may include confusion, hallucinations, dizziness, sore throat and fever, irregular heatbeat, abdominal pain, skin rash, depression, diarrhea, hair loss, headache and nausea. Because older people eliminate drugs more slowly from their bodies, they are at an especially high risk of side effects.
Ulcer drugs, such as sucralfate, misoprostol and omeprazole are used to treat and prevent ulcers resistant to the usual treatment with stomach acid blockers or antacids. Adverse side effects include constipation, dizziness, backache, drowsiness, dry mouth, indigestion, stomach cramps, difficulty breathing, fever, cloudy or bloody urine, bleeding or bruising and skin rash. Certain ulcer drugs have also been shown to alter chemical markers of bone metabolism, possibly leading to osteoporosis. Long-term suppression of acid by ulcer drugs can also lead to intestinal infections.
Stomach acid blockers and other ulcer drugs should not be taken for minor digestive complain such as occasional upset stomach, nausea or heartburn, as there is no evidence that they effectively treat these problems. They should also not be used by those with pre-existing conditions and in combination with other drugs, so it is critical to consult with a physician before taking any ulcer drug. It is also important to recognize that even with treatment, ulcers frequently return after a few months. As long-term prevention, people prone to ulcers should avoid smoking, foods that trigger ulcers and drugs known to aggravate ulcers, especially aspirin, ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Anti-Nausea Drugs for Cancer patients
Although most instances of stomach pain are caused by diet, feeling of sickness, including nausea and vomiting, are also side effects linked with chemotherapy drugs can affect the lining of the digestive system and others can cause people to lose their appetite for a time. More rarely, chemotherapy drugs can cause constipation. A doctor may prescribe one of a number of anti-sickness drugs (antiemetics) to stop or reduce these side effects. However, these drugs can cause further side effects including signs of tardive dyskinesia, parkinsonism and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Eating small, frequent meals so the stomach is never empty, avoiding foods with strong smells and drinking clear liquids are simple dietary changes that may prevent the need for antinausea drugs (drum).
Effective Solutions to Gastrointestinal Upset
Stomach disconfort is real, but it is preventable in many cases. According to physicians, dietary changes, as oposed to drugs, should be the first solution in the attack against inner aches and pains. E.Excel family’s goal offers healthy and delicious ways to better meet the body’s nutritional needs. As medical studies demonstrate, improved daily eating habits may help prevent the gastrointestinal nightmares haunting the stomachs of millions. Furthermore, choosing a healthy lifestyle hushes the phrase “oh, I shouldn’t have” and prevents emergency drugstore trips and the body will celebrate their absence.
Instant Drug Testing Methods & Procedures
Written on September 1, 2010 at 12:07 pm, by admin
Drug testing involves many different methods and devices that detect whether or not a person has been using drugs or is currently under the influence. Drug testing products are available for home and office use that help concerned parents or employers find out the truth about their teen or employees. Likewise, drug testing procedures assist employers in creating a workplace drug testing program that ensures the safety and wellbeing of their employees while still protecting their rights.
On Site Drug Testing
Substance abuse testing works by means of testing a sample from an individual to find out if drug use has occurred. On site drug testing is typically best for the office and workplace environments as the results can be obtained quickly and action can be taken immediately. On site drug testing can occur in a number of ways. Urine drug testing is the most common drug testing products. It works great as an on site drug test because after a sample is taken, test results are typically available within a few minutes.
Saliva (oral) drug testing is also a convenient means of substance abuse testing. After a collector sponge is saturated in the donors saliva, it is placed in a testing device from which results can be read. Spray drug testing is also convenient, but not quite as effective as other drug testing products. Lastly, hair drug testing is probably one of the most accurate drug testing products on the market. While it requires a laboratory to obtain results, this form of on site drug testing requires only a few strands of hair follicles as sample.
Drug Testing Procedures
Creating a drug testing program can be a viable option for employers who wish to increase productivity, lessen the likelihood of jobsite accidents and insurance claims, and maintain a safe working environment for all. In order to organize drug testing procedures for the workplace, it is advisable to seek legal counsel to ensure your companys program does not violate any federal or state laws or individual rights. Additionally, a clearly written workplace drug testing policy and procedure is required in order for the program to be carried out smoothly. An effective on site drug testing policy will detail when and where the drug testing procedures will be carried out, who will be conducting the tests and disciplinary action to be expected should an individual test positive for an illicit substance.
Another important aspect to take into consideration during the planning stages of drug testing procedures is when drug testing will take place. Deciding on whether or not you will enforce random drug testing, pre-employment screening or only suspicion-based testing gives you as an employer a better idea of how many testing kits required for a given year.
Drug Testing Products
Drug testing products are efficient and effective at screening for drug use. As an employer, it is vital to choose a drug testing product that is easy to use as well as accurate.
Parents also benefit from drug testing products that provide on site results. If you suspect your teen is using drugs, a simple urine drug test after they get home from a party will provide the answers you need. Substance abuse testing used to be reserved to laboratories, but now, anyone can conduct a drug test in order to create a safer and healthier environment for all.
Important Points To Consider When It Comes To Drug Testing
Written on August 29, 2010 at 4:33 am, by admin
Important Points To Consider When It Comes To Drug Testing
For people who want to have a loved one undergo drug testing or for anyone who just wants to go through a drug testing, here are some highly important points to take note of when it comes to drug testing and substance abuse. It really is high time for people all across the United States, even the entire world, to really put some greater importance on the life threatening risks that are involved when it comes to drugs and various other substance abuses.
Some general information about the detection of drug abuse from drug testing: as compared to having a drug testing wherein they will take samples of the patients blood, it is highly recommended that the medical technicians just use the patients urine as the urine has been proven to be actually more reliable when it comes to the detection of any drug abuse. Unfortunately, it also a more expensive kind of drug testing. However, even if it is fairly easy for medical technicians to see whether or not a person has taken in some harmful drugs into ones system.
A urine drug testing, as goes with the blood drug testing, would not be able to provide the medical technicians with other relevant information with regards to the drug testing. Whether or not the patient is under the influence of the drug at a specific time is most unlikely to be determined by the urine drug testing.
Blood testing, however, in spite of being the lesser choice when it comes to drug testing will actually be able to help the medical technicians to obtain some more relevant information on whether or not the individual is actually under the influence of drugs during the time that he or she went through the drug testing. Although some experts say that this may tend to not be conclusive in all cases.
Another drug testing technique nowadays is through hair testing which is actually not recommended because a lot of laboratories are actually finding some difficulty with regards to the reliability of the results especially, as most often than not, drug testing through the hair usually poses positive results for the patient. A lot of people dont buy into this kind of drug testing since with the simple act of washing ones hair as well as being subjected to other hair contaminants can the patient actually saves his or herself from being detected with any substance abuse.
The laboratories that usually perform this kind of drug testing do not really have the ability to confirm the reliability as well as the accuracy of their hair testings results. This can actually put lawyers who are defending a person who is said to have been under substance abuse in a precarious situation wherein the evidence to be presented in court may really not be that reliable. The urine drug testings accuracy is also highly dependent on how the drug testing procedure has been carried out by the medical technician.
It is important to note that drug testing will only be extremely reliable and accurate if and only if every aspect of the drug testing process are done with much care. When mishandling happens, there is the great chance that the results of the drug testing may actually be inaccurate and unreliable. This is why when it comes to drug testing, the people who are going through with it should be fully aware of how the drug testing process should be appropriately done as well as exercise ones assertiveness by demanding that the clinic which is conducting the drug testing has to do it properly and according to the systems standards.
Unfortunately, most especially during this time wherein more and more people are getting lured into doing drugs as well as other substance abuse, a lot of the clinics that are conducting drug testing all over the United States are not really capable of providing the reliable results that people need due to the rampant mishandling and as well as the improper way that some clinics conduct their drug testings. Therefore, the top three most reliable aspects that people should need to look for in a drug test for it be considered as reliable: strict collection procedures, proper testing procedures and random notification.
Medication And Therapeutic Activities Can Make An Important Difference In
Written on August 28, 2010 at 1:49 pm, by admin
Medication And Therapeutic Activities Can Make An Important Difference In The Lives Of People With Alzheimer’s Disease
Many people understand that getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and treatment with an FDA-approved prescription medication may help slow the progression of the disease’s symptoms. But did you know that caregivers can complement treatment with activities that may help reconnect their loved ones to daily life?
“In addition to obtaining a diagnosis and beginning medication, it’s important that caregivers plan activities to share with their loved one, like playing games and going on outings,” explained Eric Pfeiffer, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Founding Director of the Suncoast Gerontology Center at the University of South Florida Medical Center. “Even doing simple tasks like baking cookies or feeding pets can help to give a patient with Alzheimer’s a sense of self-esteem or self-worth.”
Engaging a person with Alzheimer’s in activities that they enjoy may reduce many of the symptoms of the disease, such as agitation, frustration and wandering, according to the Fischer Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. These therapeutic activities can include:
• Playing music of the person’s choosing
• One-on-one interaction
• Playing videotapes of family members
• Walking and light exercise
• Pet therapy
“When I noticed that my wife, Dorothee, was showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s, I took her to the doctor,” said caregiver, Dick Lundgren. Dorothee was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and began treatment with Namenda (memantine HCl). Namenda is the only medication approved for the moderate and severe stages of the disease. In addition to the benefits they’ve seen from Namenda, Dick finds that taking Dorothee for daily walks in their neighborhood makes an important difference in her quality of life. “Not only do the walks get her outside in the fresh air, they allow her to get moving, to get some exercise,” said Dick.
Dick also knows firsthand that activities shared by both the patient and caregiver can benefit the caregiver as well. “The walks have given us a chance to spend quality time together, and make me feel like I’m really making a difference in her life.”
“Above and beyond the benefit to the patient,” added Dr. Pfeiffer, “sharing in activities can help caregivers feel more connected to their loved ones.”
Namenda is the only medication approved for the moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease and is available by prescription in the U.S. For more information, ask your doctor about Namenda or go to www.Namenda.com. Individual results may vary by patient.
Patients who are hypersensitive to memantine HCl or any ingredients used in its formulation should not take Namenda. The most common adverse events reported with Namenda vs. placebo were dizziness, confusion, headache, and constipation. Patients with severe kidney disease should take a reduced dosage of Namenda.
Caregiver Dick Lundgren and his wife, Dorothee, enjoy spending quality time together.
How To Select The Right Drug And Alcohol Rehab Center
Written on August 28, 2010 at 9:07 am, by admin
How To Select The Right Drug And Alcohol Rehab Center
A person suffering from an alcohol or drug addiction needs help immediately. Without it, it is highly likely he will continue down a never-ending path of self-destruction that could ultimately lead to death. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol addiction are both extremely difficult to overcome. Therefore, the only way most addicts are able to truly fight the battle against drugs and alcohol is to receive addiction treatment through a reputable drug rehab program. Furthermore, it is essential that the addict find the rehab center that is best suited for him and his personality because if care is not taken to find a program compatible with his needs, a relapse is highly probable.
* The Specialty
Not all drug rehab centers specialize in every type of addiction recovery. Therefore, the first step in selecting the right drug or alcohol rehab center is to identify those that specialize in the drug the person is addicted to. For example, an alcoholic will receive little help from a program specializing in addiction treatment for those who abuse heroin. While the basics of addiction recovery are the same regardless of the type of drug that is abused, there are special considerations to be made with different drugs. The withdrawal symptoms can vary from drug to drug. In addition, the exact approach used to help the person recover from addiction can be different depending on the drug. Addicts may find a higher level of comfort treating in an environment where other addicts have shared the same drug experience.
* The Location
The location of an alcohol or drug rehab center can have an impact on its success with the addict. For some, it is best to find a rehab center that is located near to family and friends. In this way, it is possible for them to maintain more consistent contact with the addict. For others, it is better to find a rehab center that is further away from home because the memories and the people there make it too difficult to refrain from abusing drugs or alcohol. The proximity to home may cause triggers leading to early relapse.
* The Program
The first consideration a person must make when attempting to select the right drug and alcohol rehab center is the treatment program. Most drug rehab centers offer both inpatient and outpatient care programs, but careful consideration must be exercised when making the decision for the level of care. For some addicts, an inpatient care program may be the best option because they do not have the strength or ability to fight the addiction without receiving 24-hour care. For other addicts, outpatient treatment may be sufficient for overcoming the problem while still allowing the person to live a semi-normal life. A preliminary assessment by a physician or qualified counselor/therapist will help determine what level of care is most appropriate.
* The Approach
Nearly all alcohol and drug rehab centers provide physical and emotional care to help addicts overcome their disease. The exact approaches used by various rehab centers, however, can vary. For example, some centers place a greater emphasis on the physical aspect of the addiction while others focus more on the emotional impact. In addition, the way these rehab centers address both components of treatment may vary.
In some rehab centers, patients are provided with another drug in order to overcome the addiction. For some patients, however, there is a risk of becoming addicted to the replacement drug. Therefore, this type of approach may not be best for some addicts. Yet other rehab centers simply have patients go cold turkey, but this approach can be devastating for some patients and can even cause them to give up hope and want to quit.
In addition, the emotional approach used by rehab centers to assist with addiction recovery can differ. For example, some drug rehab programs may utilize less known approaches, such as music therapy and art therapy. Similarly, some centers may focus on hypnosis or acupuncture. Yet other programs may utilize only counseling and group therapy. For an addict, the approach used can make a huge impact on the overall success because if the addict does not believe in the type of therapy being utilized, they will likely be defeated before the recovery program even begins.
There are other questions that should be asked when making a decision about admission into an alcohol or drug rehab facility. Staff credentials, medical supervision, cost, typical length of stay, aftercare programs, 12 step philosophy, sobriety success rates, and family involvement are a few other important considerations to think about when making perhaps one of the most important decisions in the life of an addict.
Medicare’s New Drug Benefit: Worth The Effort By Tom Paul,
Written on August 28, 2010 at 12:15 am, by admin
Medicare’s New Drug Benefit: Worth The Effort By Tom Paul, Chief Pharmacy Officer of Ovations, a UnitedHealth Group company
With Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage program, “Part D,” you could pay $5 or less for many of your prescription medications.
Because the program is still new, understanding how it works can seem challenging. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Step 1: Don’t go it alone
• Talk to other seniors who have gone through the process. To date, surveys show the majority of people who have signed up for a Part D plan say their efforts to understand the plans and enroll are worth it.
• Take advantage of meetings available in your community to help you understand the drug program and to get assistance signing up. Check with the local AARP office, local senior centers, the library, your health insurer or other experts for educational events.
Step 2: Learn As Much As You Can
• Go to libraries, publications and your Medicare & You handbook for toll-free phone numbers of the plans available in your area.
• If you think you may qualify for extra help with your Part D costs you should call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 877-486-2048, (24 hours a day/7 days a week), or your State Medicaid Office, or the Social Security Administration a4 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call, 1-800-325-0778.
• If you have Internet access, visit Medicare’s Web site at www.medicare.gov. It has a wealth of information, including a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder that helps compare plans in your areas. Other helpful Web sites include www.aarp.org and www.MedicareRxInfosource.com.
• Caregivers can go to www. PartDCentral.com or www.family caregiving101.org
Step 3: Make Sure You’re Signed Up
• Once you’ve enrolled in the plan, your acknowledgement letter from Medicare and/or the enrollment confirmation letter from your health plan serves as temporary proof of coverage. The letter plus your Medicare and/or Medicaid ID cards, will allow you to fill prescriptions until you receive your health plan’s ID card.
• If you are a Medicaid enrollee and have not received information about which plan you have been enrolled in you should call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 877-486-2048, (24 hours a day/7 days a week), or your State Medicaid Office, or the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call, 1-800-325-0778.
• Enroll before the 15th of the month. This helps ensure your enrollment information is in the pharmacy computer systems by the first of the following month.
• If you currently receive drug coverage through a Medicare Supplement plan, check with your Medicare Supplement plan provider: You may be able to realize additional savings under Medicare Part D.
Remember, if you are currently eligible for Medicare, enrolling before the May 15 deadline will help you avoid late enrollment fees. While the process may seem challenging, enrolling in a Part D plan may save money and help you get the drugs you need now and in the future.
Tom Paul
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Is Here!
Written on August 22, 2010 at 10:18 am, by admin
Medicare prescription drug coverage is now available to all people with Medicare. Everyone with Medicare can join a Medicare drug plan to get this coverage, regardless of your income or what drugs you take. You owe it to yourself to look into it, even if you have coverage now.
Medicare is here to help
Since Medicare prescription drug coverage is brand new, it’s natural to have questions like: Where can I get help choosing a plan? And, where can I get help joining a plan?
You can get answers from Medicare in several ways.
Where can I get help choosing a plan?
• Look for enrollment events in the area. Over the next few months, you’ll be able to get help with your drug plan choices at dozens of places throughout your community, like schools, senior centers, clubs, faith-based organizations, and your pharmacy. Or you can talk with friends and family or call your local office on aging for help. For the telephone number, visit www.eldercare.gov on the Web. The Eldercare Locator can help you find places to go to get personalized assistance.
• Use the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder. Visit www.medicare.gov to get a personalized side-by-side comparison of up to three plans at a time based on cost, coverage and convenience. If you don’t use the Internet, call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) to get the same information. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Where can I get help joining a plan?
• Visit Medicare’s Web site. You can join a drug plan at www.medicare.gov on the Web using Medicare’s online enrollment center.
• Call the plan. You can join over the phone by calling the plan’s toll-free number.
• Visit the plan’s Web site. Visit the drug plan company’s Web site. You may be able to join online (not all plans offer this option).
Medication and Older Adults
Written on August 22, 2010 at 8:22 am, by admin
You are a partner in your health care. This is a partnership between you, your doctor, and your pharmacist. You need to be assertive and knowledgeable about the medications you take.
The Food and Drug Administration is also working to make drugs safer for older adults, who consume a large share of the nation’s medications. Adults over age 65 buy 30 percent of all prescription drugs and 40 percent of all over-the-counter drugs.
“Almost every drug that comes through FDA [for approval] has been examined for effects in the elderly,” says Robert Temple, M.D., associate director for medical policy in FDA’s Office of Drug Evaluation and Research. “If the manufacturer hasn’t done a study in the elderly, we ask for it.”
More than 15 years ago, the agency established guidelines for drug manufacturers to include more elderly patients in their studies of new drugs. Upper age limits for drugs were eliminated, and even patients who had other health problems were given the green light to participate if they were able. Also, drugs known to pass primarily through the liver and kidneys must be studied in patients with malfunctions of those organs. This has a direct benefit for older adults, who are more likely to have these conditions.
In several surveys, FDA discovered that drug manufacturers had been using older adults in their drug studies; however, they weren’t examining that age group for different reactions to the drugs. Now, they do. Today, every new prescription drug has a section in the labeling about its use in the elderly.
Says Temple, “The FDA has done quite a bit and worked fully with academia and industry to change drug testing so that it does analyze the data from elderly patients. We’re quite serious about wanting these analyses.”
When More Isn’t Necessarily Better
Of all the problems older adults face in taking medication, drug interactions are probably the most dangerous. When two or more drugs are mixed in the body, they may interact with each other and produce uncomfortable or even dangerous side effects. This is especially a problem for older adults because they are much more likely to take more than one drug. Two-thirds of adults over age 65 use one or more drugs each day, and a quarter of them take three drugs each day.
Not all drug combinations are bad. High blood pressure is often treated with several different drugs in low doses. Unless supervised by a doctor, however, taking a mixture of drugs can be dangerous.
For example, a person who takes a blood-thinning medication for high blood pressure should not combine that with aspirin, which will thin the blood even more. And antacids can interfere with certain drugs for Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Before prescribing any new drug to an older patient, a doctor should be aware of all the other drugs the patient may be taking.
“Too often, older people get more drugs without a reassessment of their previous medications,” says Feinberg. “That can be disastrous.”
There is also evidence that older adults tend to be more sensitive to drugs than younger adults are, due to their generally slower metabolisms and organ functions. As people age, they lose muscle tissue and gain fat tissue, and their digestive systems, liver, and kidney functions slow down. All this affects how a drug will be absorbed into the bloodstream, react in the organs, and how quickly it will be eliminated. The old adage “Start low and go slow” applies especially to the elderly.
Older adults who experience dizziness, constipation, upset stomach, sleep changes, diarrhea, incontinence, blurred vision, mood changes, or a rash after taking a drug should call their doctors. The following suggestions may also help:
* Don’t take a drug unless absolutely necessary. Try a change in diet or exercise instead. Ask your doctor if there’s anything else you can do besides drug therapy for the condition.
* Tell your doctor about all the drugs you take. If you have several doctors, make sure they all know what the others are prescribing, and ask one doctor (such as an internist or general practitioner) to coordinate your drugs.
* Ask for drugs that treat more than one condition. Blood pressure medicine might also be good for heart disease, for example.
* Keep track of side effects. New symptoms may not be from old age but from the drug you’re taking. Try another medication if possible until you find one that works for you.
* Learn about your drugs. Find out as much as you can by asking questions and reading the package inserts. Both your doctor and pharmacist should alert you to possible interactions between drugs, how to take any drug properly, and whether there’s a less expensive generic drug available.
* Have your doctor review your drugs. If you take a number of drugs, take them all with you on a doctor’s visit.
* Ask the doctor, “When can I stop taking this drug?” and, “How do we know this drug is still working?”
* Watch your diet. Some drugs are better absorbed with certain foods, and some drugs shouldn’t be taken with certain foods. Ask a pharmacist what foods to take with each drug.
* Follow directions. Read the label every time you take the medication to prevent mistakes, and be sure you understand the timing and dosage prescribed.
* Don’t forget. Use a memory aid to help you–a calendar, pill box, or your own system. Whatever works for you is best.
Medicine and Special Needs
Arthritis, poor eyesight, and memory lapses can make it difficult for some older adults to take their medications correctly. Studies have shown that between 40 and 75 percent of older adults don’t take their medications at the right time or in the right amount. About a quarter of all nursing home admissions are due at least in part to the inability to take medication correctly.
A number of strategies can make taking medication easier. Patients with arthritis can ask the pharmacist for an oversized, easy-to-open bottle. For easier reading, ask for large-type labels. If those are not available, use a magnifying glass and read the label under bright light.
Invent a system to remember medication. Even younger adults have trouble remembering several medications two or three times a day, with and without food. Devise a plan that fits your daily schedule. Some people use meals or bedtime as cues for remembering drugs. Others use charts, calendars, and special weekly pill boxes.
Mary Sloane, 78, keeps track of five medications a day by sorting her pills each evening into separate dishes. One is for morning pills, the other for the next evening. Then she turns each medicine bottle upside down after taking the pill so she can tell at a glance if she has taken it that day.
“You have to have a system,” Sloane says. “Because just as soon as I get started taking my pills, the phone rings, and when I come back to it, I think, ‘Now have I taken that?’”
Drug-taking routines should take into account whether the pill works best on an empty or full stomach and whether the doses are spaced properly. To simplify drug-taking, always ask for the easiest dosing schedule possible–just once or twice a day, for example.
Serious memory impairments require assistance from family members or professionals. Adult day-care, supervised living facilities, and home health nurses can provide assistance with drugs.
Active Lives
Not all older adults are in danger of drug interactions and adverse effects. In fact, as more and more people live active lives well into their 80s or beyond, many take few medications at all. Among healthy older adults, medications may have the same physical effects as they do in younger adults. It is primarily when disease interferes that the problems begin.
To guard against potential problems with drugs, however, older adults must be knowledgeable about what they take and how it makes them feel. And they should not hesitate to talk to their doctors or pharmacists about questions and problems they have with a medication.
Says the University of Maryland’s Feinberg: “We need to have educated patients to tell us how the drugs are working.”
Rebecca D. Williams is a writer in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Cutting Costs
The cost of medications is a serious concern for older adults, most of whom must pay for drugs out of pocket. Even those who have insurance to supplement Medicare must often pay a percentage of the cost of their medicines.
For a new prescription, don’t buy a whole bottle but ask for just a few pills. You may have side effects to the medication and have to switch. If you buy just a few, you won’t be stuck with a costly bottle of medicine you can’t take.
For ongoing conditions, medications are often less expensive in quantities of 100. Only buy large quantities of drugs if you know your body tolerates them well. But be sure you can use all of the medication before it passes its expiration date.
Call around for the lowest price. Pharmacy prices can vary greatly. If you find a drug cheaper elsewhere, ask your regular pharmacist if he or she can match the price.
Other ways to make your prescription dollars go further include:
* Ask for a senior citizens discount.
* Ask for a generic equivalent.
* Get drug samples free. Pharmaceutical companies often give samples of drugs to physicians. Tell your doctor you’d be happy to have them. This is especially convenient for trying out a new prescription.
* Buy store-brand or discount brand over-the-counter products. Ask the pharmacist for recommendations.
* Call your local chapter of the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) and your local disease-related organizations (for diabetes, arthritis, etc.) They may have drugs available at discount prices.
* Try mail order. Mail-order pharmacies can provide bulk medications at discount prices. Use this service only for long-term drug therapy because it takes a few weeks to be delivered. Compare prices before ordering anything.
How Drug And Alcohol Testing Are Carried Out On Drivers
Written on August 21, 2010 at 9:22 am, by admin
How Drug And Alcohol Testing Are Carried Out On Drivers
Drug and alcohol tests vary testing is required for most drivers license applicants and before a drivers license renewal. Nevertheless, it depends on the state a driver resides in really.
Some states have passed laws that empower the police to randomly test drivers for the presence of cannabis (tetrahydrocannabinol), commonly known as marijuana, and methamphetamines, commonly known as speed ice or crystal meth. Even a drivers saliva can be tested with an absorbent collector whereby an individual presses their tongue to a collector and then chews on it. If a driver tests positive for any of these drugs, their license is immediately cancelled.
Drug driving is the term used for those who operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. There are different consequences for those guilty of drug driving that depend on precisely what substances were in their system at the time.
Also, drugs has a different connotation to authorities than they would to lets say, a pharmacist. When a police officer thinks of drugs, he means depressants like cannabis, methadone and heroin, stimulants like speed, cocaine and ecstasy, and hallucinogens such as LSD. Even so, there are some prescription drugs that affect driving, like tranquilizing drugs (rohypnol and oxazepam), which cause drowsiness and render a person unfit to operate a vehicle.
Surveys show that the number of road accidents is directly related to the amount of drivers under the influence of illegal drugs and alcohol on the road. And sadly, a large number of those who are involved in accidents due to drug driving, die. Some studies show that because the prevalence of different drugs has increased over the decade, so has the number of car accident casualties.
While it is easy to correlate drug use with motorist deaths, there is not a cause-effect relationship that can be proven as of yet but it is still interesting to note. And clearly, a diver who is free of drugs and alcohol is a safer driver than a driver under the influence. Legislators have the responsibility of carefully designing laws that limit drug driving and ultimately, the number of dangerous and fatal car accidents.
A persons capacity to handle the effects of drugs and alcohol certainly play a role in determining the degree of impairment they will experience while on the road. But this is very difficult to determine, as a persons tolerance of various substances is based on many different factors, like genes, past exposure, and even their diet that day. Likewise, the specific combination of drugs and alcohol can have unpredictable effects on a person. Essentially, its all a precariously inexact science.
Hence, police officers must make general observations in order to determine if a driver is a potential threat on the road. Those abusing depressants tend to have slow reactions and reduced concentration for example, cannabis users usually have trouble keeping their car in the correct lane and encounter difficulty maneuvering on busy roads and intersections.
How Antidepressant Drugs Work & Effect Us?
Written on August 18, 2010 at 12:28 pm, by admin
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 depressions 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 childs 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 ones 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.