| Author | Message | ||
     Mohideen Ibramsha |
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2739177&page=3 === In most cases, however, the overdoses are unintentional, and the mistake is often an easy one to make. "Consumers are generally not aware of the four-gram maximum daily dose of acetaminophen," said Edward Krenzelok, director of the Pittsburgh Poison Center and professor of pharmacy and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Worse, for children the maximum dose is significantly smaller, at 2.6 grams per day. ... "Often people take over-the-counter compounds for cold, cough, sinus problems, allergies, arthritis or other common conditions," said Dr. Doris Cope, professor and vice chair for pain medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's Department of Anesthesiology. "These proprietary medications, more often than not, already contain the maximum daily doses of acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen." === Continued in http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2739177&page=4 === "When a patient then adds acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen they will reach toxic doses without even realizing how much they have taken," Cope said. === A suggestion: The best would be a 1 800 number with live experts who could advise us before we take such OTC medication ourselves or give them to our children. The above is manpower intensive and might be difficult to implement. The next best - because of its limited reach - is to have a web site in which we key-in the information and receive guidance. | ||
| Ivan |
Should Niaspan be a prescription drug? As our demographic 'baby boom' population ages, cholesterol becomes more of an issue. There are different ways of treating heightened cholesterol levels, say over 200 mg/dl, to lower it to safer levels, including statin drugs, such as the popular Lipitor, as well as dietary and exercise programs to lower sugar intake. One other way is a niacin related drug called Niaspan, which releases niacin over a longer period of time. The issue is that these cholesterol lowering drugs may have negative side effects, such as dizziness, intestinal disorders, and possibly even liver damage. However, unlike synthetic drugs, Niaspan is more natural, though still potent. Should it remain a prescription drug monitored by a doctor, or should it become available 'over the counter' for those who may wish to lower their cholesterol more naturally without statin drugs? In the link above, it says: So a high cholesterol level in the blood, including triglycerides, can have serious impact on one's health. However, if the risk of taking medication is assumed by the patient taking them, should the responsibility be with the patient, he or she who assumes that risk, or with the doctor, he or she who prescribes the drug? I like Dr. Lam's approach better, personally, such as describe here, Cholesterol: http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Cholesterol.cfm , where the emphasis is on reducing intake of 'free radical' causing sugars, including refined sugars and refined white flour carbohydrates, such as bread, corn products, white rice, and below ground roots, such as potatoes and yams (as opposed to whole grain cereals and natural whole fruit sugars, and above ground leafy greens carbohydrates). Combined with a healthy exercise program, this may be a more directly effective way to reduce cholesterol, in particular LDL (low density lipoproteins) produced by the liver in response to these sugar created free radicals. Should the patient, who assumes the risk of any treatment, be the decision maker of any medicines prescribed? There had been laboratory studies that show a direct link to higher cholesterol from sugars, glucose and sucrose, whereas the link to high cholesterol, fatty foods is less well defined, such as eggs. Dr. Lam's article describes these studies, in the link above. Something to consider, food for thought, and the liver.  If we treat high cholesterol as a 'symptom' rather than a disease, the case for lowering LDL by natural means is a better way, if this LDL is being generated by the liver to combat the oxydized free radicals, a natural response. If so, then reducing sugar intake should take precedence over topical reduction of the symptoms, I would think. Regardless, lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) by other means, especially on a temporary basis, should be encouraged, and perhaps de-prescriptioned for a larger population to benefit. We live in a 'sugar culture' society, where virtually all our processed foods are sugar-salt intensive (i.e., potato chips?). Mindful intake of low sugar and low salt foods, along with reduced saturated fats, should be our first priority, if this food culture is to change in the future. If oxydized free radicals are cause for aging and cancers, I would think it imperative to lower sugar food intake (or free radical forming fried foods, hydrogenated oils, etc.), and in the process lower the liver's production of LDL to combat them. Health is a complex phenomenon, since we are not bionic machines but organically holistic beings, and merely treating the symptoms is not superior to preventing the symptoms in the first place, in my opinion. Ivan | ||
| Ivan |
Ukraine's 'oldest man' turns 116 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6454317.stm  "Hryhoriy Nestor was born in what is now Ukraine." -BBC News. He attributes his good health to celebacy... but I suspect the real ingredient is the 'vodka'. May we all aspire to longevity greatness too! Ivan | ||
| Mohideen Ibramsha |
Should the patient, who assumes the risk of any treatment, be the decision maker of any medicines prescribed? Posted on Sunday, February 25, 2007 - 11:17 am: Ivan Once there is a prescription a doctor is involved. Then the patient believes in the prescription and consumes the medicine. He or she does not decide upon the medicine. Further in the case of in patients they have no choice. They are expected to take the medicines given by the hospital. So when the FDA decides to make a medicine the OTC variety they along with the drug manufacturer are responsible. There is some merit in claiming compensation from a drug manufacturer in case the drug causes harm. Could we demand compensation from the FDA as well? | ||
| Ivan |
"Eat less and live longer." This should be the motto at every fine nouvelle cuisine restaurant! Gene clue to longevity uncovered http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6612411.stm If the lowly nematode worms can do it, so should we. Also, don't smoke. Nicotine will last in your bloodstream anywhere from 48 to 96 hours, but the psychological effect lasts longer. Stop and you'll live longer. Ivan | ||
| Mohideen Ibramsha |
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/world/06poison.html?hp === Panama is the most recent victim. Last year, government officials there unwittingly mixed diethylene glycol into 260,000 bottles of cold medicine — with devastating results. Families have reported 365 deaths from the poison, 100 of which have been confirmed so far. With the onset of the rainy season, investigators are racing to exhume as many potential victims as possible before bodies decompose even more. Panama’s death toll leads directly to Chinese companies that made and exported the poison as 99.5 percent pure glycerin. Forty-six barrels of the toxic syrup arrived via a poison pipeline stretching halfway around the world. Through shipping records and interviews with government officials, The New York Times traced this pipeline from the Panamanian port of Colón, back through trading companies in Barcelona, Spain, and Beijing, to its beginning near the Yangtze Delta in a place local people call “chemical country.” The counterfeit glycerin passed through three trading companies on three continents, yet not one of them tested the syrup to confirm what was on the label. Along the way, a certificate falsely attesting to the purity of the shipment was repeatedly altered, eliminating the name of the manufacturer and previous owner. As a result, traders bought the syrup without knowing where it came from, or who made it. With this information, the traders might have discovered — as The Times did — that the manufacturer was not certified to make pharmaceutical ingredients. An examination of the two poisoning cases last year — in Panama and earlier in China — shows how China’s safety regulations have lagged behind its growing role as low-cost supplier to the world. It also demonstrates how a poorly policed chain of traders in country after country allows counterfeit medicine to contaminate the global market. === These kind of disasters could be avoided by our suggestion by which people consult an 800 number or a web site before taking OTC medication. | ||
| Ivan |
Not all 'weight loss' programs are weighed equal. Some of us work best with a low-glycemic diet, while others better with low fat, low calorie diets. Knock out sugars and fast starches and you'd be surprised how fast the weight comes off, even without dieting. It worked for me, only whole foods, whole fruits, whole grains, and lean meats, lots of veggies, nuts, and eggs from happy chickens. Moderate exercise is good too. Biologically tailored diets to beat obesity http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19426045.400-biologically-tailored-diets-t o-beat-obesity.html Ivan | ||
| Ivan |
Oldest man reaches 112 and says he wants to live 'indefinitely'.  Oldest man marks 112th birthday. "Mr Tanabe says being teetotal and keeping a daily routine keep him young. The world's oldest man, who is celebrating his 112th birthday in south-western Japan, has said he wants to live "indefinitely". Tomoji Tanabe, who was born in 1895, says avoiding alcohol is the secret of his longevity." Go man, go! Papasan. That Japanese food must be good for you... watch the sake. | ||
| Ivan/sleep |
Why do we sleep? Why sleep?
Well, it's almost my bedtime, but interesting... Ivan | ||
| Ivan/vitamins |
Vitamins 'may shorten your life' ...?  BBC Health News (click on image for text) Anything in moderation may help us, but to excess...? From the article:
Ivan |