Arthritis Pain - How to Avoid Accidental Acetaminophen Poisoning

Acetaminophen is the most popular painkiller in the US. It is best known by the brand name Tylenol but is sold under 97 different brand names. It is known as paracetamol in many parts of the world. It is also sold in combination with other drugs in more than 100 products.

During cold and flu season, people who take acetaminophen for arthritis are at risk for acetaminophen poisoning. Taking just twice the recommended dose of acetaminophen can cause acute liver failure. Unfortunately, this has already happened to an alarming number of people because it isn’t hard to do. Two years ago, more than 56,000 people visited the emergency room due to accidental acetaminophen overdoses and 100 people died from unintentionally taking too much. Worse yet, the numbers appear to be growing.

How Can This Happen?

This happens so easily because acetaminophen is found in many different products. If you are taking the maximum recommended dose of just two acetaminophen-containing products, you can easily take an overdose.

For example, the maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen per day is 4000 mg. That equals 8 extra strength acetaminophen pills per day. You might easily take that much for arthritis pain.

Now let’s say you get the flu and decide to take a Cold & Flu product for your aches and stuffiness. Many of them include acetaminophen as the primary ingredient for reducing fevers and aches and pains. So, that will dose you with 1000 mg of acetaminophen every 6 hours or another 4000 mg a day.

By taking both products at the maximum recommend dose, you put yourself at risk for acute liver failure.

The problem doesn’t end there. You might get a head ache and pop some Excedrin. That’s 500 mg more acetaminophen per dose. Maybe you are in a car accident or have some dental work done. Prescription narcotics like Vicodin and Percocet contain from 325 mg to 750 mg of acetaminophen inside each pill. That can quickly add up.

Other Acetaminophen Complications for People with Arthritis

For some people, arthritis is caused by suboptimal detoxification pathways. Such people do not have the level of enzymes necessary to carry out the sulfoxidation necessary for a body to properly process and detoxify acetaminophen. In these circumstances, even the recommended level of acetaminophen may cause acetaminophen poisoning.

Furthermore, this same pathway is necessary for detoxifying many of the chemicals we are exposed to in our environment and through our food. This means that our detoxification system can also be weakened through chemical exposure. Similarly, if we swamp our system with acetaminophen, we don’t have enough detoxification power left to fully deal with all the other assaults in our daily environment.

If you have any known food sensitivities or chemical sensitivities, it is best to assume that your sulfoxidation pathways are already challenged enough, without adding the extra burden of acetaminophen in your system.

How to Avoid Acetaminophen Poisoning

Carefully read the label of any cold or flu medicine or painkiller that you are considering to ascertain how much acetaminophen it contains. Healthy young adults should never exceed 4000 mg/day total from all sources for short term use. For long-term use healthy young adults should never exceed 3250 mg/day, according to clinical pharmacist Sandra Dawson, RPh, MSHA who lectures on pain management in long term care.

People who are vulnerable to damage from acetaminophen should take no more than 2000 to 3000 mg per day, according to Dr William Lee of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. This lower maximum dose includes the healthy elderly since liver and kidney function generally decline with age.

Treating Crohn's Disease With Medication

The medication available to treat Crohn’s disease is fairly abundant; although, there are basically four categories. Symptom relief drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors, and antibiotics are the basic types of medication to be taken.

Symptom relief drugs are often used to tolerate the effects of Crohn’s Disease, but do not really cure or eliminate the primary condition, which is inflammation of the digestive system. Anti-diarrheals, laxatives, pain relievers, iron supplements, and nutritional supplements are on the list of most used medications and are usually available over the counter, although more potent forms may be prescribed. A common complaint is diarrhea, which occurs in almost of Crohn’s sufferers; therefore, ant-diarrheals, such as fiber supplements or loperamide (Imodium), may be used to control the occurrence of diarrhea. On the other hand, blockages may also occur due to the inflammation and scar tissue found in the bowel system. For this ailment, laxatives are sometimes used.

Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, may be used to relieve abdominal and joint pain common with Crohn’s. However, other pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, should not be used as they will worsen symptoms. Also, nutritional and iron supplements may be necessary to restore much needed elements to your body.

However, to truly treat symptoms instead of masking their effects, anti-inflammatory medications are most often used. Considering the primary effect of Crohn’s is the inflammation of the intestinal system, reducing this swelling will greatly reduce the negative side effects of the disorder. Sulfasalazine, Mesalamine, and Corticosteroids are the most common forms of anti-inflammatory used for Crohn’s. Sulfasalazine is the most often used; however, it has very negative side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Mesalamine is used less, but has far less side effects. Corticosteroids are used to treat several disorders. However, they are less effective in Crohn’s Disease and have serious side effects.

Immune system suppressors are also usually effective in treating as Crohn’s Disease is caused by an exaggerated response of the body’s immune system. Azathioprine and mercaptopurine are the most common forms of immunosuppressant used to treat Crohn’s. Unfortunately, these medications may cause liver damage, high blood pressure, cancer and increased risk of infection.

Antibiotics are usually used to control negative effects of infection by healing fistulas, abscesses, and ulcers. Antibiotics do have side effects, especially the forms used to treat Crohn’s. However, untreated infection could be disastrous.

Chinese Medicines Guide

China has made significant contributions in the field of medicine and cure. There are many remedies that originated in China and have proved to be of great help in healing people across the world. According to the people of China, there is a universal life force or energy called “chi” or “qi” that pervades the entire human body. The “chi” flows via unseen energy channels known as meridians. As long as the flow of chi is smooth and unobstructed, the individual remains fit and healthy. But the moment there are irregularities in the circulation of chi, health of the person receives a setback. So in order to remain healthy, consistency in the current of chi should be maintained.

To have a sustainable flow of chi, Chinese medical philosophers devised several ways. Some of the best and eminent techniques are listed in this article.

· The flow of chi can be systematized by pinching small needles in the human body at specific points. This treatment or technique was termed as acupuncture. The basic principle behind acupuncture is to open the blockages to have a constant flow of energy throughout the body. The acupuncture needles are meant to puncture or open the points known as acupuncture points. This treatment primarily affects the nervous system of the individual. It helps in secreting some crucial hormones and other chemicals that are not adequately produced but are required by the body. Many diseases like asthma, problems in vision, paralysis, alopecia etc. find acupuncture a satisfying and good remedy. The diseases might not be completely eliminated but they are definitely controlled through the Chinese developed acupuncture therapy. The best point of acupuncture is that it has no side-effects, its harmless to go for it

· Chinese traditional herbal remedies are meant for hypertension and other cardiac problems. In case of hypertension a mixture of hawthorn, linden blossom, yarrow and valerian is given. The yarrow here is a diuretic while the rest act as relaxing agents. The hypertension with headache is treated with an additional wood betony while stress involves the usage of Siberian ginseng and skullcap.

· Arthritis and Inflammation also find a good treatment in Chinese herbs. Medicines like shosaikoto, sinomenium acutum and scutellaria baicalensis are found to be tremendously effective in this area.

· Chinese doctors have always emphasized the importance of exercise. They also worked out a special method or style of exercising. This method was named as ‘qigong’. Qigong is deemed to bi-function as a fitness developing and enhancing scheme and also as a springboard for superior martial arts. A set of qigong exercises has acted as perfect medicine in many cases.

· The Chinese herbs have something to offer in case of common cold, flu, fever and influenza etc. Astragalus belongs to the pea family and is found to stabilize the immune system. Schisandra vine functions in multiple ways like in preventing diarrhea, cough, stress, aids in producing of fluids by the body. Echinacea is beat in averting cold or flu. It is a purple colored coneflower that stimulates the production of infection resistant white blood cells in the body.

One Important Thing Doctors Forget to Tell You About VNS Surgery

Vagus Nerve Stimulation surgery, a last-ditch effort to control seizures, stirs up a controversy amongst those who have the device implanted. Many patients love the relief from uncontrollable seizures. However, many other patients hate the side-effects caused by the surgery and the devise.

Up to 70 percent of people could have their seizures controlled with prescription drugs. For the remaining 30 percent, surgery may be an option. Epilepsy surgery has many different variations; temporal lobe resection, extratemporal cortical resection, and corpus callosal section.

Besides these radical surgeries, Vagus or Vagal Nerve Stimulation surgery (VNS) implants a VNS pulse generator under the skin of the chest in a surgically created pocket. The electrode is tunneled subcutaneously from a neck incision. The VNS uses electrical pulses delivered to the vagus nerve in the neck which travel up into the brain. The vagus nerve has very few pain receptors and therefore provides a good pathway to deliver signals to the brain.

No one knows why the VNS reduces seizures. Proponents believe that persistent VNS causes changes in brain chemistry that may reduce excitatory amino acids and/or increase inhibitory levels. Patients report that VNS reduces the number, length, severity of seizures, and the length of recovery time after seizures. Some report improved quality of life. "It has been almost three years since my VNS, and the only thing I would have changed is that I would have had it about ten years earlier than I did."

However, one important thing doctors forget to tell you before they implant the VNS in a $23,000 surgery: If you have a heart attack, you can not be treated with an automated external defibrillator (AED). Patients with VNS cannot receive emergency treatment with electrical charges used to restore normal heart rhythm to patients in cardiac arrest.

Headaches and Botox Injections

Most people are unaware that the use of Botox for the prevention of migraine headaches came about purely by accident. It all happened through the use of Botox by plastic surgeons. Patients undergoing plastic surgery, who were also experiencing headaches, noticed that their injections of Botox helped with their migraine headaches.

Botox, also known as botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxin (a toxin that attacks nerve cells). It was originally approved by the FDA for use in conditions where hyperactivity of muscles was an underlying problem of related health and medical conditions. The theory is that Botox weakens or paralyzes muscles by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is an ester of choline that is thought to play an important role in the transmission of nerve impulses at synapses and myoneural (muscle-nerve) junctions. By inhibiting the release of acetylcholine the nerves cannot cause a muscle contraction, thus relaxing the muscle. Botox is administered by being directly injected into the affected muscles.

There are differing theories as to how Botox works to eliminate migraine headaches, but the exact reasoning remains unclear. One theory is that muscle tension and spasms are a cause of migraines and by eliminating the muscle tension with an injection of Botox it will also eliminate the cause of the headaches. If given Botox before the headache begins it is possible to eliminate the headache before it even starts.

When muscles spasm it can irritate nerves that innervate them. When these nerves send signals to the brain in an increased amount it causes pain and possibly headaches. Botox may affect these nerve cells, inhibiting their transmission, causing a lessening of the perception of pain. Many researches think that migraine headaches are a result of inflammation of blood vessels. However, muscle tension may also play an important role in the cause of headaches.

When researchers test a medication's effectiveness they usually test it through a double-blind study. This means that some patients are given the medication being tested while others are given a placebo. A placebo is an inactive substance, such as sugar, that is given in place of the medication that is being evaluated. Some tests have been performed that did not involve double-blind studies, but showed that Botox could prevent migraine headaches. One double-blind study involving Botox and headaches showed only a small positive effect.

Initial studies may not have shown the full effectiveness of Botox for the prevention of headaches. The injections were not placed in the typical locations of the headache pain, but in areas normally injected during plastic surgery. In subsequent studies, using larger doses and injecting into more specific localities for the headache pain, the results were improved. These tests were concerning migraine headaches. However, with tension headaches, or muscle tension headaches, the studies have shown improved results. This is to be expected due to the weakening or paralyzing nature of Botox on the muscles that are experiencing tension.

When being injected with Botox for the prevention of headaches it may take several weeks before the injection takes effect. For this reason it is usually necessary to have it injected no more often than once every 3 months or so. People that have Botox administered for the treatment of headaches typically need it injected every few months. If there is too long of an interval between injections the headaches may be experienced by the patient.

However, the question arises about the safety of these regular injections of a neurotoxin. Since 1989, when it was first used as a headache treatment, it has appeared to be fairly safe. Most migraine headache medications are taken orally and eventually end up in the blood stream. Because of this common symptoms of migraine headache medication will be dizziness and drowsiness among other symptoms. Since Botox is injected directly into the muscle tissue and does not get absorbed into the blood system as does the typical headache medicine there are fewer side effects. Most commonly, the only side effects of injecting this neurotoxin is pain in the area of injection for a couple of days or drooping of the eyelids for a few days.

Studies are still being performed on this medication and as yet the FDA has not approved it for the treatment of headaches. However, physicians do prescribe it to their patients and if you think you are a candidate to use it you should discuss it with your doctor. If you do not respond to other headache medications it may be something to talk with your physician about. As the studies continue the effects and safety issues involving this medication should become more clear.

Managing Heartburn Without Surgery

Acid Reflux Disease (GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease or GERD) occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. Oftentimes a burning sensation is felt in the chest and this has been commonly referred to as heartburn. If you have chronic heartburn, it is highly recommended to see a doctor.

According to a study mandated by a new Medicare law, data has come back saying that drugs can be just as effective as even surgery in managing some of the symptoms of acid reflux. This can affect many people, as it is estimated that currently sixty million Americans have acid reflux.

If you have been diagnosed with acid reflux disease, knowing that in some cases drugs may be as effective as surgery, it makes available a variety of treatment options. Your doctor may recommend an over the counter medication, such as an antacid or a prokinetic agent. If this is not effective, prescription antacids may be recommended or even surgery, or a combination of both.

It's been found that with chronic GERD, over-the-counter medications (such as Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet -- each with their own respected trademarks) are not as effective as proton pump inhibitors. But the proton pump inhibitors can have more side effects. Also, the respected brands Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec OTC are all similar in the degree of effectiveness. And when compared to surgery, they seem to compare similarly in relieving the discomfort of GERD.

One thing to keep in mind is that even though there are antacids and surgery to help manage your symptoms, be sure not to overlook a simple cure. Sometimes just because a cure is simple, people scoff at the ability of it to help. It's best to start with the easiest and cheapest solutions (such as reducing workplace stress) and then work your way to something more dramatic (like surgery).

Some people have found a simple way to control heartburn is by just making simple lifestyle changes.

The most obvious lifestyle change that you could make to help manage your heartburn symptoms is also the simplest of all solutions: avoid any food or drinks that make you feel uncomfortable. Some people say this is too easy and it can't work, some people say it's too difficult to make dietary adjustments. But you can try a simple experiment to see if this provides your cure.

Take four week test and replace any fatty, deep-fried foods with healthier alternatives, such as a salad, vegetables, and non-citrus fruits. In addition, try to avoid any caffeine drinks (this is probably the most difficult of all) and instead try non-caffeinated drinks and herbal teas.

Another diet tip is to eat a just barely ripened banana (were there is still a small bit of green left to it) about a half hour before bed. I know, it sounds crazy, but some people swear by this simple and healthy method of controlling heartburn.

You may not have realized it, but stress could be a contributing cause to your acid reflux. Studies have found that the body makes more stomach acid in stressful situations, and if you find yourself "stressing out," then it's time to learn to relax.

There's lots of resources on the internet with instructions on reducing stress: the main thing is to find a relaxing place all to yourself, or listen to calm music, or read by yourself. Make sure you don't let other people make their problems become your problem. If everyone asks you how to solve their problems, then get out of the problem solving business. Once you discover the source of your stress, find ways to reduce your exposure to this stressor and you may find your acid reflux to be a thing of the past.

If you have acid reflux, the best thing to do is to seek help from your medical professional. You can get trusted advice and then make your own choice. And for some people, the acid reflux may be so severe that they'll need to have surgery and then follow up with medications to really get a handle on it.

However, some simple changes in your life may provide all the help you need and may even enhance your quality of living.

Outsourcing Preauthorizations For Improved Outcomes

Increasingly, medical management firms and managed care organizations are turning to Independent Review Organizations (IROs) to pre-authorize treatments at the forefront of the healthcare decision-making process. Why?

With rapid medical advances, it’s often difficult for these organizations to stay current on the latest medical necessity protocols of many treatments. Whether decisions are for long-term disease management options, such as cancer or diabetes, or for new medically approved treatments such as laser eye surgery, using an IRO in the pre-approval process can help ensure the proper care for a patient prior to the treatment taking place.

By leveraging the services of an IRO in the preauthorization process, organizations can:


Ensure medical treatment decisions are based on proven medical science
Reduce the number of unnecessary, experimental and out-of-protocol treatments that increase health plan costs
Gain access to specialist expertise that does not exist inside the organization so that highly informed assessments are made on each and every patient
Obtain a needed buffer for cases where there might be any real or perceived conflict of interest Improve the quality of care, by ensuring that each patient/member receives the treatment they deserve.

Cases sent out for pre-approval to an IRO tend to be complicated and cover a wide range of specialty areas. For example, surgeries traditionally categorized as cosmetic, such as orthoganathic (misaligned jaw), bariatric (obesity) or blepharoplasty (eyelid) surgeries are now often determined to be medically necessary, and therefore approved medical procedures.

The best way to ensure decisions are made accurately, timely and with confidence is to rely on the outside expertise of a third-party organization that can ensure correct treatment decisions for every patient.

Pharmaceutical Guide

If asked to name one thing that affects our life in most phases one would hardly say pharmaceuticals. But wait this is a fact that most of us since our birth depend on pharmaceuticals in one-way or other. Definitely by age our dependence on pharmacy products increases but even teenagers and young ones consume a big percentage of pharmaceutical derivatives.

Pharmaceuticals play a vital role in our day-to-day living. And hence their rising costs are destined to be our major concern. The ever growing prices of pharmaceutical products severely pinches one’s pocket, cause this is one area where there is no choice of take or leave. If a person is suffering from certain disease and the doctor prescribes him any medicines he must purchase it whether it suits his pocket or not. One is left with no choice but to pay the chemist. Hence there is a great need to regulate the prices of drugs, at least to watch that its price is not much above the cost incurred plus a marginal profit for the manufacturing company. As of now many market leaders are found to price their monopoly drugs at a very high rate. Even medicines or regular use are very costly. Drugs sold by prescription being much more expensive than those sold over the counter by the chemist. Hence, a person is often tempted to go for over the counter choice.

Big pharmaceutical players in the market also pay much attention to research and development of new medications possible. A big amount of money is invested in the R & D branch of the industry. Based on the market requirements and demands companies try hard to invent a suitable drug to cure any ailment. Millions are spend in this type of research. And once any company hopes to have created any new medicine it has to pass through many different stages to get the approval of the drug controlling authority, FDA. FDA governs the stages of research, development and manufacture that have been undergone for any new drug before being exposed to consumers. Only after it has approved and given its quality assurance any drug shall be sold to public.

Even before any drug is presented to FDA it undergoes intensive testing which is carried on animals and even humans. These tests confirm about the effectiveness of the medicine and makes sure that the invented drug does not have any serious side effects. Animals that are used to carry these tests often raise a controversy among the environmentalists. They strongly object about animals being tortured for the benefit of mankind. While the companies defend by saying that it is important to save mankind and those animals can easily reproduce. Whatever be the case this controversy goes on forever without a suitable solution. All this research work is necessary so that the ultimate consumer gets nothing but the best.

With the high growth rate in the pharmaceutical industry all the companies employed in this sector are facing though competition. There is a constant endeavor to attract the consumers by direct marketing and efficient advertising plans targeted towards customers. We all need to be aware of what types of drugs are available in the market and take our judgment meticulously and not get carried away by advertisements.

How to Relief Widespread Pain in Fibromyalgia

You need pain relief if you are suffering from fibromyalgia. Chronic, widespread pain can often be the hardest and most frustrating challenge of living with Fibromyalgia. Coping mechanisms often fail because people with Fibromyalgia often have difficulty explaining to others what they are going through. They are quick to avoid stressful situations, and because of deep-seeded depression, begin to sink into a feeling of helplessness.

It is typical that people with Fibromyalgia complain of “hurting all over” and because there is no known cure for Fibromyalgia, there is no way to remove the pain. Managing the pain is the only option given to sufferers with this medical condition. Support groups offer plenty of encouragement, but if someone suffers from widespread pain, he or she is the only person that can decide what treatments and management techniques work best for them.

Relaxation exercises, heat therapy, self-hypnosis, stretching exercises, medications, and self evaluation with the ability to develop a personal pain analysis of a person’s own pain are often recommended in controlling and being in control of the pain. People with Fibromyalgia must learn to describe their pain to physical therapists and their family physician. They should also keep a journal of all activities and medications along with any noted difference before or after the activity or change in medication is very helpful when trying to pin point what works and what doesn’t.

As if pain by itself isn’t bad enough, one of the most disabling effects of widespread pain is the ongoing daily existence of fatigue. Most people who deal with Fibromyalgia must accept the fact they will wake up every morning feeling tired. For people battling FMS, (Fibromyalgia Syndrome) everyday activities are often difficult. Preparing meals, walking to the mailbox, putting on make-up all seem overwhelming and drain what energy the person has available.

Managing Widespread Pain is very complicated because in order to do it effectively, people with FMS must plan everything ahead of time. However, pain management is a skill that you should give yourself the chance to learn. Ordinary tasks must be prioritized, often even handed over to someone else who is willing to help. In corporations, often the phrase, “work smarter, not harder,” is used as a motto. In the lives of people dealing with FMS, this is something they must realize can vastly improve their quality of life, so they must plan ahead.

In developing a pain management plan, the person living with the pain should speak out about the medications they need to make their lives more comfortable. Read up on the medications available, and ask for specific medications by name. Zoloft, Sinequan, Flexeril, Prozac, Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, and many others are medications that may provide FMS sufferers with the relief they need temporarily. Often some of these medications can help significantly more than a temporary fix so people with the pain need to talk to their doctors about what is working for them.

You deserve to live a good life. Flexibility and Creativity are two important elements in managing widespread pain and living a more productive, energetic, and happy life. The person, who believes in their ability to manage FMS, will be able to live a more fulfilling life while managing their daily activities at their own pace.

Allegra- Fighting against Allergies

Allergies have been the root cause of around 60 million people getting sick with various types of diseases every season. There are so many substances around, which have good potential to illness and disability. Allergies affect around 60 million Americans, or one in every five adults and children, and are as common in women as in men.

Upper respiratory symptoms are allergic to air & environmental pollution problems while up to 10 million Americans are allergic to cats; and two million develop severe allergic reactions to insect stings.

Food allergies are less common; and while about one out of three people say they have a food allergy, only about three percent to eight percent of children younger than three years old, and one percent of adults have true allergic reactions to foods.

People with allergies have to be careful about what their daily routines. They should avoid things that they are sensitive to and try to avoid those things. When a person’s immune system reacts to a normally harmless substance, and the person develops some kind of illness, then it is certainly some kind of allergy.

The body’s immune system treats the allergen as an invader by generating large amounts of a type of antibody--a disease-fighting protein --that attaches to the body's tissue and blood cells.

The cells are then triggered to release powerful inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals act on tissues in various parts of the body, such as the respiratory system, and cause the symptoms of the allergy.

Allergies can be more than just annoying. While some allergies cause symptoms like sneezing, running nose, cough & cold; skin irritations, itching or gastrointestinal distress or more dangerously a drop in blood pressure.

Allergies that create problems in the respiratory symptoms can be caused by molds and fungi, dust, pets or animals, medications, foods. Food allergies can be caused by shellfish and other fishes, peanuts and other nuts, wheat, soy, dairy and eggs.

Contact allergies, or allergic reactions caused by a person's skin coming in contact with a substance, are most usually caused by, nickel, polishes, rugs, fabric softeners, deodorants, cosmetics, perfumes, preservatives, dyes, and foam insulation.

Shoulder Stiffness- a Common Problem in India

Many middle aged people complain of shoulder stiffness. They have tried some physiotherapy without success and are disabled in their daily activities. Some have accepted it and carry on.

The causes of shoulder stiffness can be one out of four
1) Adhesive capsulitis syn Frozen shoulder
2) Stiffness in diabetics
3) Stiffness following some internal fixation of fracture
4) Osteoarthritis of the shoulder.

Stiffness in diabetics is the most commonly encountered one and is particularly difficult to treat. Idiopathic shoulder stiffness is a rare condition. It occurs without a known cause. Tears of the rotator cuff may be seen in a small proportion of these people.

Stiffness after internal fixation occurs in those people who had sustained a fracture of the upper humerus and undergone internal fixation. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is a rare condition. Symptoms-The affected arm cannot reach behind the back commonly. Lifting the arm forward (elevation) and turning it out (external rotation) may be hampered to a variable degree. Pain accompanies stiffness in early stages and is worse on sleeping on the affected side. Sleep is disturbed and the patient may become depressed due to chronic pain.

Treatment- Physiotherapy under the supervision of an able person is the mainstay and primary treatment. It can be carried out as part of a home exercise program. When there is no success, your shoulder surgeon may advise a manipulation under anesthesia. After being put to sleep, your arm will be put through a range of movement. After the procedure, continuous passive motion will be started.

An Arthroscope is a pencil like instrument which carries a source of light and a camera into a joint to visualize the interior. Other instruments like shavers, punches, radio frequency, Laser can be introduced inside and tight structures can be release.

Arthroscopic release of a stiff shoulder is particularly rewarding and can be accomplished through tiny key-hole incisions. Only the tight structures are divided with an instrument under direct visualization of the arthroscope. The amount of pain is less after this surgery.

Medical tourism India - Orthopedic surgery for Gulf NRI's

The NRI community in the Gulf has promoted medical tourism to India for orthopedic surgery. People of Indian & Asian origin in Gulf countries like Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, feel safe in the hands of Indian Doctors, although Free health is available in Government hospitals. Staffing- Doctors, nurses, para-medical staff of Indian origin constitute the care providers in many of this ministry of health hospitals. Private hospitals also have the same pattern of employment; However para medical staff from Far East countries like the Phillipines is more common. The ministry hospitals are fairly well equipped for delivering reasonable care in emergencies like road traffic accidents.

Elective orthopedic surgery Indians find this hard to get at an affordable cost. The number of Outpatient days for expatriates is very much less in relation to the demands of the proportion of the population. This may be one day in a five day week. Where there is no fixed outpatient day/clinic for Indians, they have to wait for long hours to see the doctor. Ministry Waiting lists for visiting orthopedic surgeons from Europe or USA totally excludes expatriates. In some countries, the ministries of health hospitals have started charging Indians for deliveries and it will be not long before they are charged for other elective surgery as well. The health budget has no provision for the advanced orthopedic treatment of expatriates.This is reflected in the numbers of patients from countries like UAE and Oman visiting Chennai for medical tourism.

Having worked in this region, I have come across non uniform levels of care being provided to the locals versus expatriates in ministry hospitals. This is but natural. Many Indians are forced to put up with this maltreatment as the cost of private treatment is exorbitant. Health insurance provides a cushion for the affluent. However not all can afford it.

Is Orthopaedic treatment in India of excellent standards?

This is for you to judge. Indian doctors have excellent qualifications and skills like their counterparts in the UK, Australia and US. A recent article in “INDIA TODAY” quoted that Indian hospitals and doctors have become the health care destination for foreigners. Is it cost effective?

When you can get world class orthopedic surgery in Chennai at half the cost as in the West, or even in the Gulf, then it is certainly cost effective. For e.g.: A total knee replacement in some of the private hospitals in the Gulf costs about 50,000 UAE Dirhams (17 000 US$). The same treatment can be provided in India for half or three fourths of the cost. An ACL reconstruction can be done in Chennai for 60-70,000 rupees as opposed to $ 3500 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) are so-called because of their molecular structure, which contains three rings of atoms. They act mainly by inhibiting the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin. Other receptors that might also experience a TCA induced inhibition are muscuranic, alpha1 adrenergic, and histaminic receptors.

The TCAs of interest in the treatment of depression include amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep, Tryptanol), amoxapine (Asendin, Asendis, Defanyl, Demolox, Moxadil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane), dothiepin hydrochloride (Thaden, Prothiaden), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), Iofepramine (Lomont, Gamanil), triimipramine (Surmontil), nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl), and protriptyline (Vivactil).

Amitriptyline inhibits serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake almost equally. It is approved for the treatment of endogenous depression, involutional melancholia, and reactive depression. Amoxapine mainly inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine.

Clomipramine is the most serotonergic TCA but exhibits higher risk for seizures. Doxepin is very effective in causing histamine block. Imipramine is converted by the body to desipramine. Desipramine strongly inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and induces very little anti-cholinergic side effects. It prevents fluctuations in the mood of depressive patients. Trimipramine induces antidepressant effect by raising the level of norepinephrine to normal. Anti-cholinergic and sedative effect are observed with its use. Nortriptyline is the least hypotensive TCA.

The potential side effects of Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) are allergic reactions, blood cell problems, blurred vision, dry mouth, weakness, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, difficulty with urination, sexual dysfunction, sweating, muscle twitches, rash, dizziness, tremors, ECG abnormalities, seizures, stroke, and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (with amoxapine). The secondary amine TCAs (desipramine and nortriptyline) are generally better tolerated than tertiary amine TCAs.

It should also be noted that an abrupt discontinuation of TCA therapy could cause cholinergic side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Thus, a gradual reduction in dose before the complete discontinuation of TCA is a preventive step.

Pain Medicine: Different Types of Pain Medicine

The formal term for painkillers is analgesics, a word derived from the Greek words an (without) and algia (pain). The three most commonly used types of pain medicine today are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the paracetamol based drugs and the opioid drugs.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) group contains a wide range of different painkillers. Examples of commonly known NSAID painkillers are Aspirin, Diclofenac and Ibuprofen. NSAID pain killers do not only alleviate pain; they will also lower fever and decrease inflammations. They are called non-steroidal in order to discern them from the steroids, since the steroids are also used for their anti-inflammatory capacity. Aspirin was discovered in 1829 when salicylic acid was chemically isolated for the first time, but willow bark containing salicylic acid has been used as a pain killer long before the 19th century. A lot of NSAIDs are available over-the-counter but this does not mean that they are harmless. When misused, even comparatively weak NSAIDs can have severe side effects, including bleeding ulcers and photosensitivity. NSAIDs are generally not recommended during pregnancy.

Paracetamol is also known as acetaminophen. Both words are derived from the chemical name for this painkilling compound: N-acetyl-para-aminophenol and para-acetyl-amino-phenol. Two examples of commonly known brand names under which Paracetamol is marketed are Tylenol and Panadol. Painkillers containing Paracetamol will relieve pain and decrease a fever, but unlike the NSAID painkillers they have no anti-inflammatory properties. One of the advantages of Paracetamol compared to NSAIDs is that Paracetamol painkillers will not affect the blood’s ability to clot. Nor will they damage the kidney or lining of the stomach as long as you stay within the recommended limits and never use too much Paracetamol. High doses of Paracetamol will however be damaging to a wide range of bodily functions. Paracetamol should never be combined with alcohol since the liver will be overloaded with the burden of breaking down both alcohol and Paracetamol, which makes the risk of Paracetamol poisoning higher. If you are healthy, well-nourished and do not drink alcohol, a single 10 gram dose of Paracetamol can cause significant liver damage.

Opioid drugs are very potent painkillers but will come with a sever side effects, even in low concentrations. Morphine is one of the most commonly used opioids in pain killing drugs. An example of a morphine based painkiller is Tramal. Pethidine is another pain killing opiate and can be found in medications such as Alodan and Demerol. Morphine will act directly on the central nervous system and can relieve even sever pains, such as post surgery pains and cancer pains. Morphine is addictive and it is important that it is used with caution. The addiction can be physical as well as physiological. The side effects are also both physical and psychological. Among the physical side effects are constipation and an inhibition of the cough reflex. Psychological side effects include euphoria as well as nightmares, and drowsiness can come hand in hand with insomnia. Morphine was isolated from opium in 1803 by Friedrich Serturner, a German pharmacist. He named it morphium after the Greek god of dreams, Morpheus. Serturner soon discovered its usefulness as a painkiller, but morphine didn’t grow really popular until the hypodermic needle was invented in 1853.

Antidepressant Side Effects

MAOIs hold the potential to induce life-threatening problems. The Side Effects associated with its use are hypertensive crisis, rapid heartbeat, blood cell problems, insomnia, dizziness, headache, fluid retention, and loss of appetite. It therefore cannot be used in patients of congestive cardiac failure or in those with a history of liver disease. It is unsafe for those who are hypersensitive to its ingredients.

Though the type of Side Effects experienced by the patient due to TCAs or MAOIs are many times similar, the frequency of these Side Effects is much less in the case of TCAs. Thus, TCAs enjoy a better rate of acceptance by the patients. The potential Side Effects of TCAs are allergic reactions, blood cell problems, blurred vision, dry mouth, weakness, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, difficulty with urination, sexual dysfunction, sweating, muscle twitches, rash, dizziness, tremors, ECG abnormalities, seizures, stroke, and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (with amoxapine). The secondary amine TCAs (desipramine and nortriptyline) are generally better tolerated than tertiary amine TCAs.

The SSRIs are associated with nausea, anorexia, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, headache, dizziness, tremor somnolence, sweating, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, and sexual dysfunction as the general Side Effects. The sexual Side Effects of SSRIs often become the reason for its desired discontinuation.

The currently available SNRIs (desipramine, duloxetine, nefazodone, and venlafaxine) keep both serotonin and norepinephrine at the right level to alleviate depressive symptoms. The Side Effects associated with the use of nefazodone include dry mouth, constipation, and somnolence. Venlafaxine has significant anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary hesitancy, and constipation) and induces sedation. Other Side Effects observed with its use are hypertension, agitation, tremor, sweating, headache, nausea and sleep disturbances. It has potential withdrawal effects.

The drug bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR) is contraindicated in patients with seizure disorder or a history of anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Agitation, tremor, insomnia, decreased appetite, GI upset and psychoses are the bupropion-induced common Side Effects. The most common adverse effects of mirtazapine (a tetracyclic Antidepressant) include increased appetite, weight gain, lethargy and dizziness.

The most commonly associated Side Effects with the use of St. John’s wort (a natural Antidepressant) include fatigue, sedation, restlessness, anxiety, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, gastrointestinal symptoms, and skin reactions. Studies have reported that the rates of adverse events with St. John’s wort are comparable to those with a placebo.

Buy Fioricet and Lose the Headache

We all know how distracting and agitating a nagging headache or other dull ache in the body can be to our daily lives. Pain, even when slight or fleeting, affects us, making us grumpy, miserable, ineffectual, and unduly unproductive. That is why, whenever it is we begin to feel the usual symptoms of fever or headache, we do everything we can to quell the pain before it grows to an unbearable pitch. Fioricet is a barbiturate sedative combined with a pain reliever that can staunch your most painful headaches before they get out of control and render you little more than a grimacing zombie.

Barbiturates have been around for the better part of the last century, and have been used in various situations and for various patients to sedate and calm the nerves in cases of anxiety or shock. Because Fioricet is a barbiturate sedative, it is important to know that after you swallow the pill, it will have the effect of making you drowsy, and cause you to have less than optimal control of your motor skills. This means, of course, that Fioricet shouldn’t be taken at a time when you need to be in absolute control of your faculties.

This means don’t take Fioricet when you operate heavy machinery, drive a car, or, in a less physically dangerous situation, have to prepare a big presentation at your next company meeting. There are far too many unnecessary accidents caused by taking prescription or non-prescription medications that have a side effect of drowsiness, but all of these kinds of “accidents” can be avoided by knowing just what kind of drug you are taking, and what it can possibly do to your sensory perceptions.

You want to know all the side effects, risks, and dosage limits of any drug you take, and Fioricet is no exception. Like all drugs, the risk of side effects are small but possible, and there are considerations to be made as pertains to your own bill of health as well as health histories and allergies that could cause you to react adversely to Fioricet. As well, there are dosage limits that per usage and per day must be adhered to for your own safety, but this is all common sense – what you really want to do is get rid of that pesky headache.

Teas and Herbal Concoctions

I think from this point forward you should be very explicit in the form of tea you mean, of course you were referring to Black, Green, Oolong, Red, or White Tea, but that should always be mentioned due to the major misconception (to nobodies fault) that the Tea mentioned is of the same plant, coming from Camellia sinensis, this shrub produces the leave and dependent on the preparation of the leaf, is where one obtains the various “teas or Tea” as mentioned above.

Furthermore in life, sometimes when one says, writes, or depicts tea, that one is mentioning a broad spectrum of tea in general, which some think consists of any orally acceptable decoction of the various thousands of plants which are beneficial to humans/animals/plants, ie. a cup of tea, one usually thinks of black or Oolong or green but it could refer as mentioned in the last sentence any of the thousands of herbs, like an herbal tea.

For example; Refering to the book 20,000 secrets of tea, Cranberry; a berry tea for vitamin C, b- complex, iron, and calcium-the antistress nutrients. It also cleanses the urinary tact, bladder, and kidneys.

Dandelion, A root or leaf ea for toning your liver and removing toxins. It's a natural diuretic with potassium to maintain electrolyte balance. Astragulus, A root tea with amino acids to restore your immunity, and maintain strong defenses. It also can be used to enhance other tea. Astragulus is also a type of aphrodisiac but of course should not be manipulated for unjust causes, like wasting oneself away for the pursuit of pleasure.

These threes “teas” or herbal decoctions were depicted maybe to help coincide with your seeking some of the essentials that vegetarians are requiring.

So as you can see many variables play into the "tea" inclination and a nomenclature acceptability of a herbs terms of use, and one should always be specific to the type of tea, be it generic, or specific or even vice versa (depends how one is looking, reading, undestanding it). And the more people that understand this, we will be better off and much stronger as a community of health conscious individuals being able to educate ourselves on the systematic constituents and/or (basically) the uses of different types of tea, whether it be the specific nomenclated “Tea” of the Theaceae Family known as Camellia Sinesis (Latin) KUNTZE or for various other decoctions known as tea in which we drink for ailments and remedies and known as beverages as well.

Tea as a beverage will be able to remedy many ailments and there is always a crossover between Eastern and Western Medicine so to divide is so bias. Its effects as well as effects within a pill form usually are referred to with the same definations, and most herbal books have those designations which will helpyou to seek your herbal tea remedy. These definitions may be tonic; which is good for well being, diuretic; help increase urine, Nervine; helping to soothe the nerves. Any education into these definitions will help one determine a herbal decoction or tea beverage that is good for him/her.

Herbal Tea most often is to be consumed with water after brewing and hopefully not allowed to ferment into alcohol. To go alittle further on this topic, the alcohol acts as a preservative and many liquors contain different types of consitutents. Although if one can come to a conclusion that he doesn’t always need the alcohol to gain the effects of the constituents included in “the bottle of alcohol” ie, Anisette, contains fennel. It’s the fennel one enjoys, and that individual doesn’t need to take the alcohol with it to seeks its healing effects.

With commerce today, the preparations do not need to be contained for months at a time across shipping water like in the old days, so we can just ween off the alcohol and gain the soothing effects of herbs properties through a tea concoction, and these herbal teas should be more available in restaurants.

Overall one should realize its not the alcohol that they are after but the constituents in it, and there should be support groups that encompass this type of environment and system.

As it is not always easy to find the structure that allows for an alcoholic to ween to an unalcohol beverage that produces the same effect and coming to learn that the alcohol feeling isn’t necessary. Sometimes the “bottle” is the only way to get to the ingredients a said alcoholic needs. On this typic here, I want to commit that the chemical makeup of wheat is a very addictive constituent, activating the androgenous zone and so doesn’t most burbon as well as opiates and they quicker society comes to realize this the quicker we may be able to help fuel those whom need the care the most to deactivate off the hallucinagenics as well as alcohol, and the feeling of rest, if I may interpolate with those thoughts. My name being Thomas and having to do with bread as defined in the dictionary has helped me to lead into an undersanding of this, and to lapse away from glutonous behavior. Ie the bread basket and basket sometimes refereeing to trouble, well mom whats in the basket? Mother natures best I hope. Also, some may want to know that Hops, a constituent in many “beers” is a hypnotic, be forewarned. And rootbeer was once known as any decoction that contained a root and the tea that was made out of it; but now with the soft drink, I think the rootbeer more or less refers to a beer made with a specific root, maybe licorice; but again overall could refer to any helpful root used in a decoction or tea as one maybe inclined to say or make. Try to stay out of the softdrinks so much sugar and I’m kinda a stiffy for the cornsyrup, just think its burned up to much to make the syrup losing the key constituents of the corn, as anything with labeled condensate. And well barley becareful ot to allow to stand alone to long cause, its latin name is Darnel, ya like in that sitcom that I don’t recall of yesteryear, Good Times or something, or is it Mama’s House you know “Oh Archie” which in its latin meaning means Drunkeness, the same with the Bithstone Stone Amethyst, A=against, Methyst=drunkingness, so febraury should be against drunkedness. Laughin anyway.

Take a breather and heres a new type of topic.

I think it is or may have been a major problem, hurdle, and misconception as we (most of us) were brought up to learn to use all God's plants to our benefit, and a quick slash to that is that some are criminalized ie marijauna and caco, which is so close to the spelling for the coca nut, even cola nut as well as sounding like coffee nut, and even furthermore not to confuse the coconut, (the big round one) and once we can establish that those with the C's nuts; cola, coffee, cocao(also known as cocoa, ie. Chocolate tree), caco,(cocaine base shrub/nut), and coconut (like the milk, or if I may fruit)are beneficial. ("I believe at this point, with a little waryriness to cocao(chocolate tree) and coca leaf, those forementioned are not hallucinagenic,) but if anything is overconsumed, people have a problem with their effects, ie to much chocolate (coca will make one hallucinate or sexually active), please watch out this Halloween).

Now if I may, we who like caffeine to speed up via green “Tea” and the people that enjoy a caffeine via coffee, (this may piss some people off, but even coffee may be considered to be a tea), well having all the previous knowledge as forementioned and not being surcombing to lobbists of the food industry(coffee) and sugar industry, the understanding of some of the fundamentals and constituents of the nuts is essential. For example, cocao or cacoa sounds and is spelled so close to caco that it creates confusion and I think the big wigs of the chocolate and coffee industry want that, so that the caco is much forgotten and they may monopolize and billions of dollars to go to antidrugging for the use of building a society and destroying another for its income.

I mean the acetates of the “cutting” (or bringing forth its major constituent for cocaine are not good, but the access to Caco nut should not be limited, (like why Coca it isn’t in Coca Cola anymore), personally I would like to try a decoction of the caco leaf in a tea. With regards to marijauna, though a hallucinogenic and so isn't sage and wormwood (known as Tarrigon) (outlawed as Absinthe Liquor) which without the alcohol is used by many, contains Thujone (a constituent) that is hallucinogenic and mimics the active constituent of Marijauna, (TetrahydraCannibinol) both anodynes or pain killers. Well buyer beware, even lettuce is in the opium family, hereby in amounts will present a hallucinary effect. Soothing to some and being able to manipulate by others.

Well with all that, the laws shouldn't outlaw only identify and in no way should people be roled around for not understanding what the industries try to circumvent through not well known knowledge for the fact that they want to monopolize on a one sided industry thereby hurting farmers and making large sums of cash for their onesidededness and unmistakenably hurting many through incarcination and ill fortune. I think some of the time the warriors of either side lacks a fully fundamental understanding of what they may be fighting over, and it’s the uppity upsy people who are holding the manipulating cards secretly.

Upon confrontation with those men and the warriors, when they do learn they may turn the other way for feelings of guilt or for selfindulgeness of what they seem to be having problems with, because change is often difficult and if there isn’t a good support system, failure is usually most unavoidable (well I had a brain fart and wanted to use another word like (undelikely not to happen, beg your pardon.) But if they are wrapped up in their society with overwhelming bills or on the reverse side nothing but the soil to plant that is being burned up or taken for other uses, change is difficult and fighting prevails, read an article about the monopolizing of chocolate fields recently in Africa, be wary of what you eat and whom is suffering for it. Same with the coffee produces and the caco farmers that wish to grow their own crops and not be manipulated and scrutinized for the sake of large industry buying up fertile planting area for their Coffee (cash crop).

Another alternative funny as it seems with all this craziness around is an alternate to coffee and some says it resembles or taste like chocolate tastes like coffee, it is know as Guarana.

Thats my blog a lot statement, feeling or whatever, so although the disciple Paul mentioned to stay out of Southeast Asia, I like God's Green “Tea” and the taste of other Green “Teas”, whatever the green tea herbal tea may be, and without sugar and care not for coffee's laxative and find the herbal green teas benficial to my health, so If I'm damned when Peters gates closes before me for drinking green tea maybe the Tibetains will allow me to sit in. Sorry I’m abit unhappy over the 1930’ cosmetique, drug laws and I think alot of information has gone taboo since those times and god thankful I’ve come to find out and may help others in its resurfacing and decriminalization. Paul was a carrier of the cross, maybe I can relieve him one way or another, but quitting Green Tea or other herbal Teas is tough for me, seeing that it opens my life for a healthy breath and overall bodily relief.

To kind of reiterate, Potter’s Herbal Cyclopedia has an entry for Tea, Camellia Sinesis, (L) KUNTZE, Fam. Theaceae It refers to Tea, be it Black, Green, Oolong, and Red. Henceforth a common misconception that shouldn’t be misconstrued is for those whom use various different herb teas with preparation by decoction and call them tea, because there is a known Tea (GreenTea etc.). Please specificy when using different herbs through decoction or (teas), like be careful of the "general" term Tea as inclined better or not with the specific nomenclated "Tea"; green tea, black tea, red tea, oolong tea. The plant Tea is also determined by location of where it comes from but based more on the preparation of raw product because even from China comes teas processes and/or fermented as opposed to India where a lot of the processed teas are known to have been prepared.

Not to confuse the issue but Tea as a slang, is known as heroin, or further more defined in the dictionary as anarchy. Well I think it is sometimes a misleading step for those whom seek a better lifestyle through God's giving plants to be used by society and after all it is the poppy only “cut” again with acetates to make the constituent of something like the opiate come forth but be careful, for maybe not all the properties of the original poppy may be intact, as it may be burned off. Usually with all natural usuage the plants include their own type constituent buffers, which may helpdecrease overdosing within their own signature.

Theres a term known as signature of doctrines, which is or has been a guide by the ancients and some today as to what a plant looks like and what it helps with within a person, such as Mullein, a big leaf furry plant which helps in respiratory, the leaves the natives say are similair to the lung, with its aveolli, the little bushy branches in the lung that pick up the oxygen, well on the reverse the plant with its softness picks up the C2, be wary, this is an extremely dangerous practice and please never try anything outdoors without educated intervention and practice through tangible study.

If all the forementioned help to make some sense, I'm happy and if I baffled you, please speak freely and one (you)will come to learn through questioning.

I wonder whom didn't want the poppy around and therefor people had to condense it to a heroin form for smaller "tighter shipment" so that people could still obtain it. Those with the Hippocratic oathe? Please pardon my inadequacies and the hypocrisy that our system/s sometimes entail.

Best to all and watch out for those hallucinagenic and hypnotic properties that may be unsuspectingly added via lack of knowledge or for other avericious (greedy) peoples and means.

umm "Green Tea"

Well even Wax Myrtle on this East coast of N. America, Massachusetts "the blue hill" or Massachuset, native origin; makes one soothing beverage, but some say the wax is toxic, many things are, and please be knowledgeable to various types of references, because even Potter’s Cyclopedia doesn’t mention toxicity and is sometimes less detailed on definitions

Don't forget to add a little Appalachia tea to your remedy list, white willow 100% natural aspirin, along with its other beneficial constituents that bayer has left out in its synethetic form. A little chew on the stick will do ya! Watch out as blood pressure will decease.

Please don’t get bogged down by the thousands of choices of natural decoctions as its is a lifetime of learning, and a field, no pun intended, that should be held dear.

Buy Hydrocodone and Forget the Pain

Hydrocodone is a analgesic meant to provide relief from aches and pains, or to suppress an ever-frustrating nagging cough. Wintertime can be the worst time of year for nagging coughs – if there is any time of the year that a cough is least welcome, it’s during the more frigid months – and you’ll do anything to stop the annoying hacking that drives you, your family, your coworkers, your pets, and the rest of the human population you come in contact with, absolutely nuts. Hydrocodone attacks the cough centers of the brain, suppressing the neurological urge to continue that dry, hacking, annoyance, and allows you to move out of your self-imposed quarantine and back into regular human interaction.

Purchasing and taking a drug that contains hydrocodone usually means it is married with acetaminophen, for the purposes of relieving moderate to more sever pains in the body. Because both of these cause possible drowsiness, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t take whatever drug it is you’re taking at a time when you’re about to take a cross country driving expedition, or some such thing. The usual cautioning to abstain from operating forklifts, woodworking lathes, and all manner of orbital jigsaws, applies to your ingestion of hydrocodone, as the results of such foolish flouting of obvious warnings can be disastrous for you and everyone around you.

But having constant pain and uncomfortable aches is not anyone’s idea of a good time, especially when all you want to do is get on with living your life. You know when your headaches start making you so irritable that you can’t perform some of life’s greatest pleasures – like watching daytime TV, reading the all-important sports section, and the like – that there is something you must do to stop the debilitating discomfort, and hydrocodone has been developed for that very purpose. You’ll want to consult your pharmacist or doctor as to what drugs are safe for you to take, according to your history of health problems, or other possible factors which could lead to adverse reactions. It is vitally important that you adhere strictly to the precautions and warning laid out to you by the professional you consult – after all, there not giving you information on hydrocodone just because its so much darn fun, they’re doing it in your best interest based on the testing the drug has undergone, and the results it has afforded.

Choosing Natural Alternative Medicine Over Chemically Produced Medicine

Natural alternative medicines now are receiving a lot of build-up and hype and regular medicine are now receiving a lot of flak as well. This is brought upon by the many cases of side effects that might as well do more harm than good. People are rediscovering the goodness of what is natural and chemical-free.

Knowing that these natural alternative medicines were used for centuries upon centuries already makes them more reliable than prescription drugs for many people. Also, the fact that the list of benefits hugely overrates the harm, which rarely happens, gives a great reason to give it at least a try. Nothing is lost and everything is to be gained.

But who’s to say which is really best for us, regular or natural alternative medicines? Many or most of us generally rely on doctors to tell us what to do and which medicine to use. Well, this is the best choice, but seeking a second opinion may also be very recommendable especially if your doctor couldn’t or is having a hard time curing you.

There are a lot of differences between regular prescription medicines and natural alternative medicines. But the main factor that drives people away is not only their price difference but also their effectiveness and the barrage of side effects. Natural alternative medicine has been proven and tested with age and time already.

Aside from the herbs and spices and teas, natural alternative medicine can be coupled with massages, mental exercises such as meditation, aromatherapies and so much more. Many regular medicines have come and gone but natural alternative medicines have lived on. The main reason for this is because we know that they work.

Managing Your Cholesterol - The Best Way To Prevent Hearth Attacks

Cholesterol is one of the most familiar medical words today. Everyone knows “something” about it , but mostly cholesterol is associated in our mind with something “bad” and “unwanted” that happens to old and overweight people.The facts show that about 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.

Actually holesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance (lipid) that your body needs for many important functions, such as producing new cells , some hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.. It is present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, and heart. In fact our bodies need cholesterol to function normally, but too much cholesterol can be bad for our health. Why ? Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers. Cholesterol travels through your blood attached to a protein. This cholesterol–protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are high density or low density depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits (a process called atherosclerosis) and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary heart disease. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol because it can cause cholesterol buildup and blockage of your arteries. LDL is mostly fat with only a small amount of protein.

About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL is called "good" cholesterol because it helps prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. It is mostly protein with only a small amount of fat.

Since there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol it is not only necessary to know your cholesterol level ,it is also important to know your levels of LDL and HDL.

The fact is that there are no symptoms of high cholesterol. Your first symptom of high cholesterol could be a heart attack or a stroke. The level of cholesterol can be measured only with a blood test.The results come as three main numbers:


· Total Cholesterol
· LDL
· HDL
The level of LDL should be less than 160.
Total cholesterol should be less than 200.
The level of HDL should be more than 35.

Most Important: Your LDL level is a good indicator of your risk for heart disease. Lowering LDL is the main aim of treatment if you have high cholesterol. In general, the higher your LDL level, the greater your chance of developing heart disease.

Remember : Regular cholesterol tests are recommended to find out if your cholesterol level is within normal range.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT YOUR LDL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS?

The main cause of high blood cholesterol is eating too much fat, especially saturated fat. Saturated fats are found in animal products, such as meats, milk and other dairy products that are not fat free, butter, and eggs. Some of these foods are also high in cholesterol. Fried fast foods and snack foods often have a lot of fat.

Being overweight and not exercising can make your bad cholesterol go up and your good cholesterol go down. Regular physical activity can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It also helps you lose weight. You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most, if not all, days.

Cigarette smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them likely to have cholesterol rich plaques rupture and have heart attacks. Smoking may also lower your level of HDL cholesterol by as much as 15 percent.

Also, after women go through menopause, their bad cholesterol levels tend to go up. There is also a rare type of inherited high cholesterol that often leads to early heart disease.Some people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which means that very high cholesterol levels run in the family.Other people, especially people for whom diabetes runs in the family, inherit high triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are another type of blood fat that can also push up cholesterol levels. People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels.

So we can make a conclusion that the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol.

But , depending on your risk factors, if healthy eating and exercise don't work after about 6 months to 1 year, your doctor may suggest medicine to lower your cholesterol level.

Now there are very effective medications called “statins”,such as Lipitor. The drug works by helping to clear harmful low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability to form new LDL cholesterol. Each tablet Lipitor includes 20mg Atorvastatin. It is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body. Lipitor has shown the ability to halt, not just slow, the potentially fatal buildup of plaque in clogged arteries. While a handful of drugs now available slow the buildup of new plaque, or atherosclerosis, in coronary arteries, no drug on the market has been proven to both stop new build-up and clear existing plaque.

Five Quick Ways to Save on Prescription Drugs

Prescription prices are skyrocketing out of control. The average person is now spending over $250 a month at the pharmacy counter. With the new Medicare Part D plan, the government is stepping in to try and alleviate some of these expenses. The plan is riddled with problems, delays, and confusion. Taking control of your own healthcare is truly the only way to lower your costs. What follows is a quick list of five ways to lower your costs.

Shopping around to various pharmacies can save you a few dollars here and there. Consider your time, gas, and effort when making the decision to drive out of the way to save a couple of dollars. Is it really worth five dollars to drive an extra 15 miles round trip every month? Some pharmacies will match a competitor’s price. Ask up front is they will match, then find the lowest price. Call them back, give them the lowest price and where you found it. They should then reduce their price for you.

Getting a generic is always the smart thing to do. Some people are apprehensive about generic medication but it must contain the same active ingredients as the more expensive brand. The difference is with the fillers or dyes used in the manufacturing. There are rare allergies to some of these fillers and dyes, but they occur is so infrequently, there is no need to worry. Brand name drugs are so expensive because the manufacturers must recoup the money spent on research and development before the patent runs out. When the patent does expire, any manufacturer who can prove to the FDA that they can make a similar product, can produce it and charge what they feel is necessary. This brings out competition and lower prices.

Splitting tablets is common in the nursing home and hospital setting. These institutions know how to lower costs. You can do the same by asking your doctor to double your dose and cut it in half. Most medications do not double price when they double strength. In most cases, this will save you about 40%. Be sure your medication can be cut. Often times, drugs are released slowly in the body through a mechanism in the tablet. This mechanism cannot be cut or the medication will be released at one time. If you have insurance with a set co-pay, this technique will not work. You will pay the same co-pay regardless of the quantity of pills you buy.

A few popular prescription medications are available over-the-counter (OTC) in lower doses. For example, Prilosec recently became available OTC. The cost for the OTC version is much less than the prescription and you do not need to see your doctor, an added expense in time and money. Motrin, Zantac, and Pepcid are other examples of medication available in both prescription and OTC strengths.

Going online to find a pharmacy can be worthwhile. These companies will mail you your prescription at a lower price than you can usually get them at the retail level. They can do this because they are set up in a very efficient warehouse setting with little overhead. When shopping online, you must be cautions. The FDA has now determined that almost half of the seized drugs that were supposed to be from Canadian pharmacies, were from some other country. When looking for an online pharmacy, by sure they display the VIPPS symbol. This signifies that they are following all the rules and regulations set forth by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. This is the same governing body that regulates traditional pharmacies.

Medication is essential for the health and wellbeing of many people. Anything this important is not going to be cheap. By using one or all of these quick tips, you will see your costs reduced at the pharmacy.

How Your Doctor Decides Which Medication is Right for You

You go to your doctor’s office for a routine check-up. Everything is fine but your cholesterol is a little high. The doctor wants to put you on medication because lowering your cholesterol will significantly reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Sounds good until you get to the pharmacy and realize this will cost you a hundred dollars a month, for life. Why would my doctor prescribe a medication for me that is going to cost $1,200 a year? Why didn’t he choose something a little cheaper? Why didn’t he tell me about eating better and exercising?

Your doctor will go through a thought process before prescribing your medication. Some of it is based on age, sex, race, weight, experience, and other medical conditions. You may be surprised to find out that some of his decision may be based on the “attention” he receives from the drug companies. The term attention is used to refer to the many number of gifts or freebees given to the doctors for prescribing certain medication.

The billion dollar drug manufacturers know how to influence your doctor into prescribing their drug. In years gone by, the gifts given to doctor were pretty extravagant. I’ve heard stories of a leased car, an Alaskan cruise, and untold free rounds of golf. Recently, the companies have come to a “gentleman’s agreement.” They discovered the gifts were getting out of control with each company trying to one-up the other. The free items were reduced significantly to pens, pencils, pads, clocks, and anything else you can use in a doctor’s office. Look around the office; everything has a drug name on it.

The manufacturers have now gotten clever again and give away free continuing education, or CEs. These are something every health professional must have in order to keep his or her license active. They are usually sponsored by drug companies. When a doctor has been prescribing the company’s drug, the representative may give him a ticket to a continuing education seminar. The seminar is usually held in a nice vacation area like Miami, New York, San Diego, or even Hawaii. Everything is paid for; flight, hotel, and rental car. All the doctor has to do is attend the seminar to get his credits. The CE credits are important and keep health professionals up to date on the latest therapies, but they are also held locally. The fact that they are held in these exotic locations is the bonus for prescribing the medications.

You may be wondering how the drug manufacturer’s representative knows how many prescriptions the doctor is writing. The manufacturers print up a prescription pad with everything on it including the medication for the doctor to sign. All that is needed is a signature. The pads have a sequential number printed on them. So when the representative returns weeks later, all he has to do is look at the next number to know how many prescriptions have been written.

He will also drop off free samples for the doctor to give away to his patients. Your doctor will give you free samples to get you started on the medication. The companies know once you start, you will probably stay on the medication for a long period of time. So giving away a little bit of medication up from will pay off in big profits at the end.

When your doctor has the decision to make in regards to the medication he will prescribe, do you think these gifts are in the back of his mind? Now he has to decide whether to prescribe the less expensive generic or the more expensive brand and possibly get some freebees. The more expensive brand name drugs he prescribes, the more gifts, freebees, and “vacation CE” he receives. The more free samples he gives out, the better he looks in his patient’s eyes, and the better he looks in the manufacturer’s eyes. But you, the patient, will be spending money at the pharmacy for months buying the expensive brand drug.

The purpose of this article is not to decide whether this method of drug selection is immoral. Your doctor is supposed to choose the right medication for your condition. The fact that he is getting a reward for prescribing expensive medication has to be an issue.

The next time you get a prescription from your doctor, ask him about a less expensive generic. Just about every medication has an alternate that is available in generic form. The generics will always be cheaper. In prescription drugs, it is definitely not; “you get what you pay for.” Less expensive generics must work just like the more expensive brand name drugs. By using generics, you will spend less money every month.

Treating ADD With Medication

Medication has long since been the cornerstone for treating Attention Deficit Disorder. There are several medications on the market and their effectiveness is rarely at question; however, they do not come without their side effects and criticisms.

The most common medication is methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin and Concerta. Other stimulant medications are pemoline, known as Cylert; dextroamphetamine, known as Dexedrine and Dextrostat; and d- and l-amphetamin racemic mixture, known as Adderall.

Stimulant medications would typically make a person more active; however, with Attention Deficit Disorder, it has a calming effect. Therefore, it quiets impulsive and disruptive behavior quickly and effectively. For this reason, many teachers and parents sing its praises. However, this is only a treatment and not a cure for Attention Deficit Disorder. Ultimately, it is a temporary form of relief.

Other types of medicine sometimes used to treat ADD include atomoxetine, known as Stratera; buproprion, known as Wellbutrin; clonidine, known as Catapres; imipramine, known as Tofranil; and desipramine, known as Norpramin.

However, Stratera was recently the subject of a public health advisory issued by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA issued a statement saying Stratera was linked to increased suicidal thoughts among children in an extensive study. This, of course, should be of great concern to parents, as well as doctors treating a child with ADD.

Side effects that are common with these medications include loss of appetite, stomachache, headache, insomnia, fast heart beat, vomiting, and chest pain. Many of these effects can be reduced or eliminated with the lowering of medication dosage, eliminating doses close to bedtime, and taking medication with food.

Due to the possible side effects, as well as the negative connotation surrounding over-medicating children, there are a lot of people against administering medication for ADD. However, this may also be due to the misconception that ADD is not a real disorder and is a parent’s way of getting out of controlling or disciplining their child. This, of course, is not true and such unfounded opinions should not be considered in seeking a treatment course for your child. Professional advice will prove to much more helpful in making sound decisions for your child and your family.

It should also be understood that, while medication may be effective, it is not a cure for ADD. Many doctors suggest using medication in conjunction with behavioral therapy to achieve the full benefit of both treatment methods.

A New Way to Buy Prescription Medications

Everyone is well aware of the problematic health care industry. It seems the more and more you pay for your health care benefits the less and less they cover. There are many factors that go into the reasons for this failing health care system and I won’t go into all of them. One of the easiest and most obvious reasons we can point to is the cost of prescription medication.

I am personally on a bunch of medications so I compared some of the prices on my medications. Let’s begin with Nexium (taken for acid reflux disease). My pharmacy, CVS, charges $151.99 for a 30 day supply. Walgreens doesn’t even offer this medication to get a price comparison. Costco sells that same medication for $130.67. I also checked Lisinopril (blood pressure). CVS charges $13.39 for a 30 days supply, Walgreens is $13.90 and Costco is $6.79. We are not talking breaking the bank numbers here if you break it down per customer. If you imagine the amount of customers just Walgreens and CVS service times the amount of the inflated prices you can easily see how much more the insurance companies are shelling out than they do not have to.

If you pay for any medications out of your pocket, and many Americans do, you can see it is the simple decision to buy your medications through Costco. You do not need to be a member of their club to buy prescriptions either and if there isn’t one close by you can by them on-line.

There has been a lot of press about the cheaper costs of medicine if you buy it from Canada. Costco is even cheaper than Canada believe it or not. My father-in-law has been buying his medications through Canada for years and I just let him know Costco was even cheaper. His prescription, Vytorin, was $279 for a 90 day supply in Canada. Costco gives him a 100 day supply for $265 and he pays an additional $15 for shipping through Canada.

I have also been doing a lot of comparisons from on-line pharmacy websites. You may find some websites that appear cheaper than Costco or Canada but in most cases it is just appearance. Some of those websites charge monthly membership fees to be able to buy from them. I saw one for $15/month. Some others hide their costs in the shipping. Even worse, some of them are overseas and if they go out of business and keep your money good luck getting your money back.

Why am I pushing Costco? No, I do not own stock in it and I do not work for them. It just bothers me to see these billion dollar companies, like a Walgreens or CVS gouging prices so when I see one that is much more reasonable I like to point it out. So, help the healthcare system in this country, buy your medications at Costco.

How to Empower People with a Serious Illness

Serious illness is more than a crisis of the body; it is a crisis of the soul. Many patients react to a serious disease by becoming paralyzed by fear. Resistance quickly crumbles, and is followed by depression and despair. Yet others marshal the inner resources needed to overcome the crisis.

How can people be empowered to mobilize their innate resources for health and healing? The twin keys to unlocking the door are Comprehension and Communication.

Comprehension means first understanding that the outcome of most common diseases—cancer and heart disease—is rarely inevitable. Your illness need not be your fate. Every doctor has seen patients with a life-threatening illness make a miraculous recovery after they were thought to be beyond hope. But because medical science is unable to explain these extraordinary occurrences, their importance is often ignored. Medicine is so enamored of the apparent infallibility of science that it has become blind to other possibilities. Remarkable recoveries are dismissed with the derisive term, “anecdotal,” a code word for meaningless.

Countless times, I have observed two desperately ill patients lying side by side in the Intensive Care Unit, seemingly in identical clinical circumstances. At the critical juncture, one would start to show signs of improvement, and go on to live, while the other would go downhill, deteriorate, and die. The cause of that divergence has always been a profound mystery to me, and one of vital importance. Clearly, the importance of a patient’s state of mind is a critical factor in determining the outcome of a life-threatening illness. Self-empowerment is possible, and it does matter. Research has validated what doctors have always known: the will to live is as potent a force for healing as any pill or procedure.

Comprehension also means becoming learning everything you can about the disease afflicting you. Get online. Do the research. Becoming more knowledgeable is vital to becoming an active participant in your own care. Become informed. Educate yourself about your illness, using the internet, library and resources like the Library of Congress, American Heart Association and Cancer Society.

Communication begins with your doctor. Let him or her know that you plan to be an active partner in combating your illness. Ask questions. Find out about alternative approaches—their risks and benefits. And never hesitate to get a second opinion.

Communicating with your loved ones is also vital. Friends and family members are often skittish around sick people. They often tend to avoid meaningful interactions. This can reinforce a patient’s sense of loneliness and isolation. Open up to them about your feelings. Tell them how you would like them to be with you. Encourage them to express their heartfelt feelings by taking the lead and letting them know what’s going on within you.

Most importantly, communicate with yourself. Learn to use simple relaxation techniques as well as journal writing to re-enforce your self-belief, keep you centered and aware of what’s happening within you. Relaxation and/or meditation techniques are easy to learn. They simply involve becoming quiet and visualizing a beautiful scene from nature or, repeating a word or phrase that is meaningful to you such as God or Peace, or simply focusing your attention on your breath. Journal writing is a powerful way to express inner feelings.

If you would like to become inspired by patients with life-threatening illnesses who found the inner strength to combat their afflictions, I suggest you read my recent book, Courageous Confrontations. It tells the stories of seven patients whose will to live imposed new realities on their disease. Often they survived, not because of their medical care, but despite it. These wonderful people prove that all of us have the power to impose new realities on illness. Your crisis can be an opportunity to change the quality of your life, as well as your relationship with yourself and others.

Why I Prescribe Antibiotics

I am often asked why I prescribe antibiotics to my patients with rheumatoid or reactive arthritis, late-onset asthma, Crohn's disease, fibromyalgia and other so-called "autoimmune diseases". Before I prescribe any medication, I ask myself whether it will help or hurt. All of the "auto-immune" diseases cause severe disability. Conventional medications neither cure these diseases nor stop the progressive destruction that they cause. Doctors prescribe immune suppressives that sometimes have deadly effects. Antibiotics are far safer than the drugs conventionally used to treat these diseases. So, if antibiotics can be shown to help control these diseases, they should be used long before a doctor thinks of using the conventional immune suppressives.

When a germ gets into your body, you are supposed to produce cells and proteins called antibodies that attach to and kill that germ. These diseases are felt by many doctors to be caused by your own immunity. Instead of doing its job of killing germs, your immunity attacks your own tissue. If it attacks your joints, it is called reactive arthritis; if it attacks your intestines, it's called Crohn's disease; your colon, it's called ulcerative colitis; and if it fills your lungs with mucous, it's called late-onset asthma. I do not believe that your immunity is that stupid. Accumulating data show that all of these conditions can be caused by infection. Many diseases that were thought to be autoimmune turn out to be infections: stomach ulcers are caused by bacterium, helicobacter pylori and others; multiple sclerosis may be caused by HHS-6 virus; rheumatic fever is caused by the bacterium, beta streptococcus, group A; Gillian-Barre syndrome may be caused by the bacterium, campylobacter; Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis by E. Coli, Klebsiella, Bacteroides or Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis; and so forth.

Shouldn't We Be Concerned About Resistant Bacteria? The argument that giving antibiotics causes bacteria to be resistant to that antibiotic is reasonable, but it has no place in discouraging people with these diseases from taking them. First, these people have serious diseases that cause permanent damage and death. Second, the treatments that are available are toxic, shorten life, cause cancer, and have to be followed with frequent blood tests. On the other hand, I prescribe derivatives of tetracycline and erythromycin. These drugs are extraordinarily safe and do not require drawing frequent blood tests. If you were to become infected subsequently with bacteria that are resistant to these antibiotics, you would have lost nothing. No reasonable doctor would prescribe erythromycin or tetracycline for acute serious diseases, such as meningitis, pneumonia or an abscess, because tetracyclines and erythromycins do not kill germs, they only stop them from multiplying. Instead, doctors prescribe far more bacteriocidal antibiotics that kill bacteria.

Many doctors criticize my use of antibiotics, but antibiotics are far safer than conventional treatment, cost less, can be administered by a general practitioner, and often cure the condition, rather than just suppressing symptoms. I know that the most physicians who develop these conditions will treat themselves with antibiotics because they know that conventional treatments with prednisone, chloroquine, azathioprine and methotrexate are toxic, and treatment with erythromycins and tetracyclines is safe. However, treatment of many conditions with long term antibiotics is controversial and not accepted by most doctors; discuss your particular condition with your doctor.

How you can help to prevent antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Suffer through short-term illnesses. Don't ask your doctor for antibiotics when you have a cold, flu or other self-limiting illness. You may feel miserable, but antibiotics are useless against viruses.

Finish your prescription. If you stop taking a prescribed antibiotic as soon as you feel better, you encourage the development of resistant organisms.

Become a vegetarian. The bulk of antibiotics are given to animals raised for food. As long as humans demand huge amounts of meat, farmers will use whatever means they have to deliver their product economically.

Definitions: Bacteriocidal Antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, kill bacteria. They are used to combat most bacterial infections, particularly acute, serious diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, a ruptured intestine or an abcess. However, most bacteriocidal antibiotics are not effective against chlamydia, mycoplasma or ureaplasma, bacteria that have no cell walls. Bacteriostatic Antibiotics such as tetracyclines (including doxycycline and minocycline) and erythromycins (including Biaxin and Azithromycin) keep bacteria from multiplying. Your own immunity is then able to kill the bacteria and remove them from circulation.

Online MDs

Doctors across the United States and around the world are making use of the latest technology and the convenience of the internet in a variety of ways. Whether it's better patient care or making their presence known in their communities, medical professionals have come to depend on web sites, web hosting, and databases. It is no longer a luxury, but fast becoming par for the course.

Better Patient Care

The internet is often used for transfer of all types of medical data. Particularly with respect to radiology, the technology now exists to transmit CAT or PET scan images over the web for analysis by physicians in remote locations, or to transfer patient information quickly whether it's across the country or around the world.

Unfortunately, this technology is seeing limited use and usually only in affiliation with larger, teaching medical centers. Transfer of individual patient information is constrained by the HIPPA regulations to the point that signatures are required for exchange of that type of data and tend to be transmitted in paper form or by fax. While some medical facilities maintain advanced databases for patient records, the information contained in them remains closely held.

Maintaining a database of patient records will make filing simpler for employees, free up office space that was once dedicated filing cabinets, allow for fewer mistakes on charts and quicker and more accurate retrieval and transfer by any medium.

Community Medical Listings

The most likely place to find a physician's name, specialty and location on the web is through the regional online service listings. There are probably half a dozen 'yellow page' ecommerce type services in most major metropolitan areas that have medical listings.

Additionally, there are the 'city search' type web hosted services that provide local information on entertainment, restaurants and local attractions - and will also provide legal and medical listings. There are dedicated listing services such as yourmd.com that are more comprehensive, providing specialty information and an area for the physician to provide comments on treatment focus and philosophy, but provide only a basic phone number and address listing. A small monthly fee is charged.

Personal Medical Websites

If a physician chooses to utilize online listing services, it would be of substantial value if those listings included a clickable web address for the individual doctor or practice. Any medical practice or professional listed online should consider establishing its own hosted web site, so that the browsing consumer can click to a dedicated page introducing the doctor(s) and the practice specialties. Post professional information: where you were educated, hospitals you have worked at, and information about your specialty. Allow potential new patients to contact through your website with an online form or contact link for email. Post a picture, your address, phone number, and hours. List all your services and what insurances you accept. Give as much information as possible.

Educate Your Current Patients And Attract New Ones

There are a couple of specialties that have recognized the value of using online presentation of information. One is sports medicine: many clinics for sports-related injuries have web sites that discuss rehabilitation philosophy as well as surgical options and the clinical backgrounds of the staff.

Another is pediatrics: a field where many group practices have established websites in order to create an introductory environment designed to put the browsing parent at ease. Brief biographies of the doctors in the practice may be found there, along with any specialties that apply.

Physicians that have established their own hosted web sites will often use them to provide basic information on common afflictions and links to more comprehensive sites about the diseases. Provision of this sort of information is often done with literature and usually with the physician walking the patient through it. For that sort of patient care, a hosted website can be a timesaver for the doctor. "Look it up on my website and call if you have questions" can be a timely and convenient closer for an office visit.

Thorough Patient Care

A doctor's personal website can provide alternative contacts and telephone numbers for weekend or off-hour care. It can route calls to information nurses or other personnel on staff; providing a service that otherwise is simply another phone message for the doctor to return. It can also provide an email link for inquiries about appointment times - a worthwhile service for an office with phone lines that are often busy. In the medical field, a hosted website dedicated to a single doctor or practice is more an introduction and information source than an advertising vehicle. If designed and utilized properly, a personal medical website can be an efficient and useful tool in the practice of medicine.