Posts Tagged ‘patients’
Saturday, August 7th, 2010
Natural Alternatives to Atherosclerosis Drugs – Diet and Lifestyle
Dean Ornish on Newsweek cover
Dean Ornish, M.D., a leader in promoting lifestyle changes to reduce cardiovascular risk, emphasizes the importance of a restricted diet for patients with cardiac disease. In a study published in 1990 in the journal Lancet, Dr. Ornish reported that 23 of the 28 participants who followed his special diet for one year showed “measurable reversal of coronary artery blockages”. The participants also quit smoking, had stress-management training, and followed moderate exercise. Among the 20 patients in the control group,who reportedly followed standard medical advice regarding a low-fat diet, coronary artery plaque more than doubled after one year.
This demonstrated to Dr. Ornish that atherosclerosis patients needed to do more than just reduce dietary fats to improve their condition. As a result, he developed the Ornish Reversal Diet, which recommends:
- 10 percent of daily calories from polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats (no saturated fats).
- 70 to 75 percent of calories from carbohydrates.
- 15 to 20 percent of calories from protein.
- No more than 5 milligrams of dietary cholesterol.
Dr. Ornish
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Tags: calories, fruits, heart, patients, vegetables, Vitamins, years
Posted in Atherosclerosis, CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) | Comments Off
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease Drugs: Antiplatelets
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
Salicylates: aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, Acuprin, Alka-Seltzer, Ascriptin A/D, Bayer, Bufferin, Easprin, Ecotrin, Empirin, Zorprin, aspirin gum (Aspergum)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
These medications work by preventing platelets from sticking together to form blood clots. These drugs are often used in people with a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Reduction in heart attack and stroke and blood clots that can cause these cardiovascular conditions.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Diarrhea
- Itchy rash
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
The most common side effects of aspirin involve the digestive system (ulcerations, abdominal burning, pain, cramping, nausea, gastritis, and even serious gastrointestinal bleeding and liver toxicity) and ringing in the ears. Rash, kidney impairment, vertigo, and light-headedness can also occur. Aspirin should be avoided by patients with peptic ulcer disease or kidney disease. Aspirin can increase blood uric acid levels and should be avoided in patients with hyperuricemia (high blood uric acid levels) and gout. Talk with your doctor about discontinuing aspirin therapy before surgery due to its bloodthinning properties. (more…)
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Tags: aspirin, bleeding, blood, clopidogrel, clots, digestive, disease, drugs, kidney, medications, patients, plavix, ticlid, ticlopidine, Vitamins
Posted in Atherosclerosis, CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) | Comments Off
Sunday, April 18th, 2010
Antacid and Reflux Drugs: H2 Blockers
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
This group of acid-blocking medications works by blocking the receptors for histamine receptors in the stomach wall. Histamine is a chemical that stimulates the acid-producing cells of the stomach. These drugs are also known as histamine antagonists because they block the histamine type 2 receptor. They are best taken 30 minutes before meals and at nighttime before bed to prevent heartburn. These medications are available in lower doses over the counter or at higher doses by prescription only.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
H2 blockers are effective for relieving the symptoms of GERD, especially heartburn. They are easily accessible over the counter. They are not effective in the prevention or treatment of inflammation and erosion of the esophagus (esophagitis) that can occur with GERD.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects may include constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, insomnia, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. Other side effects include irregular heartbeat, impotence, rash, visual changes, allergic reactions, and hepatitis. Side effects due to cimetidine are rare and generally are reversible once the medication is stopped.Minor side effects include constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, insomnia, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. Major side effects include confusion and hallucinations (usually in elderly or critically ill patients); enlargement of the breasts; impotence (usually seen in patients on high doses for prolonged periods); decreased white blood cell counts. Other side effects include irregular heartbeat, rash, visual changes, allergic reactions, and hepatitis.
MAJOR CAUTIONS
A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that long-term use of H2 blockers may increase the risk of mental decline in later life. Researchers looked at the use of H2 blockers among 1,558 over-65 African Americans enrolled in a study of aging. The study showed that after taking into account other factors, elderly people who reported
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Tags: absorption, Antacid, antacids, blood, doses, drugs, effects, histamine, medications, patients, Reflux
Posted in Antacid, Reflux | Comments Off
Monday, April 12th, 2010
Antacid and Reflux Drugs and Their Natural Alternatives: What is gastroesophageal reflux disease?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD or acid reflux, is a common condition that affects more than 60 million Americans at least once a month. It occurs when the liquid content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This backflow occurs when the valve between the lower esophageal sphincter and the stomach fails to close properly, permitting stomach acid and other liquid contents to back up. The stomach acid irritates and can damage the lining of the esophageal tissues and causes pain.
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Tags: absorption, esophageal, fractures, medical, medications, natural, patients, protein, Reflux, stomach, symptoms
Posted in Gastroesophageal disease, Reflux | Comments Off
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Acne Drugs and Their Natural Alternatives. Vitamin A
Large doses of vitamin A have been found to be effective for the treatment of acne vulgaris. We have found it to be effective in patients who are nonresponsive to other natural treatments.
DOSAGE
Under a doctor
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Tags: acne, birth, doses, effective, natural, patients, supervision, symptoms, Vitamins, women
Posted in Natural alternatives, Skin health, Vitamins | Comments Off
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Natural Alternatives to Acne Drugs. Guggul
This herb native to India is commonly used in the United States to reduce cholesterol. It has been shown to be effective for difficult-to-treat cystic acne. A study in the Journal of Dermatology involved 20 patients with cystic acne. They received either tetracycline 500 mg or tablets of guggul (equivalent to 25 mg guggulsterone), taken twice daily for three months. The reduction of inflammatory lesions in the tetracycline
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Tags: acne, cholesterol, cystic, guggul, guggulsterone, gugulipid, patients, tetracycline
Posted in Skin health | Comments Off
Saturday, February 13th, 2010
Natural Alternatives to Acne Drugs. Zinc
Several small double-blind clinical trials have shown that zinc supplements are effective for acne. Zinc is involved in skin healing and improved immunity. Zinc also reduces the skin levels of the testosterone metabolite dihydrotestosterone, which can aggravate acne. Studies show that people with acne tend to have lower serum and skin levels of zinc. We have observed zinc supplementation to be effective for numerous patients. A study published in Dermatology compared the effectiveness and safety of zinc versus antibiotic therapy (minocycline) in the treatment of acne vulgaris. In this multicenter randomized, double-blind trial, 332 patients received either 30 mg of elemental zinc or 100 mg of minocycline over 3 months. The clinical success rate was 31,2 percent for zinc and 63,4 percent for minocycline. The zinc group had 5 dropouts; the minocycline group, 4 dropouts. Most of the adverse effects were related to gastrointestinal upset. The conclusion of this study was that both zinc and minocycline were effective in the treatment of acne,with minocycline having a better effect.However, it should be noted the zinc dosage was quite low compared to what nutrition- oriented doctors typically use to treat acne. (more…)
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Tags: clinical, copper, dosage, effective, effects, levels, minocycline, patients, safety, supplementation
Posted in Natural alternatives, Skin health | Comments Off
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Natural Alternatives to Acne Drugs. Diet and Lifestyle Changes
For some people with acne, a healthy diet can do wonders to clear up their complexion. Conventional medicine has traditionally held to the notion that acne is not related to diet. Nutrition-oriented doctors such as ourselves have found that diet plays a major role in acne for some but not all individuals. An emerging body of scientific evidence is demonstrating that diet does indeed have an impact on acne. For example, researcher Loren Cordain, professor of health and exercise science at Colorado State University, teamed up with five scientists from around the country to look at the more than 1,300 Kitivan Islanders of Papua New Guinea and Ache hunter-gatherers of Paraguay. They could not find a single case of active acne in either Kitivan Islanders or Ache hunter-gatherers. According to Cordain, the perfect skin of the two unrelated groups in the study was not due to genetics, but likely was the result of different environmental factors, especially diet.
Unlike the high simple sugar content of U.S. foods, the diet of the Kitivans in Papua,New Guinea, consists mainly of fruit, fish, and tubers. The diet of the Ache hunter-gatherers of Paraguay includes wild and foraged foods, locally cultivated food, and a small percentage of Western foods obtained from external sources.
A Western diet boosts the hormone insulin, which promotes inflammation of the skin as well as the overproduction of oil and skin cells in pores that lead to bacteria overgrowth on the skin and acne formation. In addition, the Western diet increases growth factors and other hormones such as testosterone that contribute to acne. (more…)
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Tags: foods, glycemic, group, hormonal, hunter, insulin, patients, stress, study, water
Posted in Natural alternatives | Comments Off
Sunday, February 7th, 2010
Retinoids
Topical
Tretinoin (Retin-A, Avita, Renova)
Adapalene (Differin)
Isotretinoin (Isotrex gel)
Oral
Isotretinoin (Accutane)
Retinoids are a derivative of vitamin A. In topical form, they work by increasing skin cell turnover and promoting the release of the plugged material in the follicle. They also prevent the formation of new whiteheads and blackheads (comedones) because the rapid turnover of cells prevents new pimples from forming. Some retinoids (oral isotretinoin specifically) also reduce the amount of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands and stop P. acnes growth.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Although the list of side effects and precautions is daunting, the long-term effectiveness of Accutane (isotretinoin) is extremely positive. Seventy percent of patients receiving Accutane will be acne-free for more than 10 years. However, about 25 percent of patients who have used Accutane will see acne symptoms return after two years, and 10 percent will see acne return after just one year. A normal treatment period is about four to six months.
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Tags: accutane, carbamazepine, effects, isotretinoin, patients, percent, pregnant, problems, retinoids, topical, treatment, Vitamins
Posted in Skin health | Comments Off
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Psittacosis in humans
Psittacosis – an acute infectious disease of the groups of influenza. Characterized by fever, general intoxication, lung damage, nervous system, increased liver and spleen. Reservoir and source of infection – domestic and wild birds. Currently ornithosis agent isolated from more than 140 species of birds. Most epidemiological significance have pets and pet bird, especially the urban pigeons. The share of occupational diseases have 2-5% of the total number of cases. Infection occurs through the air, but in 10% of patients indicated food infection. Pathogen ornithosis related to chlamydia, in the external environment remains up to 2-3 weeks. Resistant to sulfanilamides, sensitive to the antibiotics Noroxin,
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Tags: acute, birds, blood, clinical, disease, epidemiological, Infection, intoxication, lung, ornithosis, patients, pigeons, signs, symptoms, tetracycline
Posted in Infectious disease (contagion) | Comments Off
