Health and medical information

EATING DISORDERS: THE MIXED MESSAGES OF OUR MEDIA – THE STRUGGLE TO LIVE UP TO AMERICAN STANDARDS OF BEAUTY

Apr 11th, 2011 Posted in Weight Loss | Comments Off

Ruth Raymond Thone, author of Fat: A Fate Worse Than Death, asserts that if you’re a fat woman in America, you are essentially a second-class citizen: “Studies show that women do not get hired, do not get promoted, do not get grants…. There’s a prejudice against women who do not fit whatever the current description of attractive is. And it does mean sexually attractive. The other thing is people feel free to come up to you and say, ‘Look at that tummy. Don’t you think you better do something about that?’ People say terrible things to large women.”

Thone talks about her own struggle to live up to American standards of beauty and how far she and other women will gO to meet the cultural ideal of attractiveness. She says that for most of her life she did feel attractive, but only because she managed to stay thin by chronically dieting. Dieting, it seemed, was automatically part of a woman’s life. “What I have done and what women do is very, very destructive to health, and, in fact, sometimes results in death, as you will find with anorexia and bulimia.”

Thone recalls the time a doctor told her that she needed to quit smoking. “I stopped for two weeks and started to gain weight. So I immediately went back to smoking. That is blatantly a choice to die of either lung cancer or emphysema rather than be heavy. That’s a really stupid choice. But it’s a clear choice that millions of women make every day. Stomach stapling, jaw wiring, surgery that’s conducted on faces and bodies—there’s a lot of life-threatening stuff that goes on in the name of what you look like. So it’s a life-and-death issue for women. It’s a huge issue that I don’t believe will be over in my lifetime. In fact, I think it’s getting worse.”

*57\233\8*

HOW ALLERGIES CAUSE ARTHRITIS

Mar 20th, 2011 Posted in Arthritis | no comment »

Clinical ecologists have shown that in 80 to 90 percent of arthritis cases, allergy is the culprit. It has been scientifically proved by the recently published double-blind study I conducted with the assistance of Anthony Conte, M.D., which confirms observations of other ecologists.

The mechanism is the same as for any other allergic reaction. Remember that the pain, swelling, and stiffness in arthritic joints (and ultimately the permanent damage) are due to an excess of fluid in and around the joints and the joint inflammation that occurs when the body attempts to defend itself against the environmental offender. When a substance to which the body is sensitive arrives at an affected or soon-to-be-affected joint via the bloodstream, the capillaries in the synovial membrane lining the joint respond with an inflammatory reaction, allowing fluid and certain cells from the bloodstream to enter the joint and the surrounding tissues. This occurs because the immune system begins an unnecessary, illness-causing effort to fight off the usually harmless substance it unfortunately recognizes as an offending intruder.

In many cases it will be easy for an arthritic person to determine if his or her arthritis is an allergic disorder. And once it has been shown to your satisfaction that this is the case, it is usually not very difficult to relieve your pain and swelling. In addition, you will probably be able to prevent the occurrence of permanent joint damage, or at least keep it limited in severity as you bring the allergies under control by yourself or with professional assistance.

Thousands of cases of allergic arthritis have been diagnosed by clinical ecologists in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, and elsewhere. Allergic arthritis is a common disorder, and it may very well be the kind that you have.

It is very likely that many of people will be able to do everything in the Lifetime Arthritis System from start to finish on their own and be well again, or much better, without any professional assistance. If your self-help program is not completely successful, at least there is an excellent chance that you will learn so much about your illness, even if it happens to be a very complex disorder, that you will strongly suspect or have definitely proved that you are allergic and are proceeding in the right direction, even though it is obvious that additional help is necessary.

*14/295/5*

HOW ALLERGIES CAUSE ARTHRITISClinical ecologists have shown that in 80 to 90 percent of arthritis cases, allergy is the culprit. It has been scientifically proved by the recently published double-blind study I conducted with the assistance of Anthony Conte, M.D., which confirms observations of other ecologists.The mechanism is the same as for any other allergic reaction. Remember that the pain, swelling, and stiffness in arthritic joints (and ultimately the permanent damage) are due to an excess of fluid in and around the joints and the joint inflammation that occurs when the body attempts to defend itself against the environmental offender. When a substance to which the body is sensitive arrives at an affected or soon-to-be-affected joint via the bloodstream, the capillaries in the synovial membrane lining the joint respond with an inflammatory reaction, allowing fluid and certain cells from the bloodstream to enter the joint and the surrounding tissues. This occurs because the immune system begins an unnecessary, illness-causing effort to fight off the usually harmless substance it unfortunately recognizes as an offending intruder.In many cases it will be easy for an arthritic person to determine if his or her arthritis is an allergic disorder. And once it has been shown to your satisfaction that this is the case, it is usually not very difficult to relieve your pain and swelling. In addition, you will probably be able to prevent the occurrence of permanent joint damage, or at least keep it limited in severity as you bring the allergies under control by yourself or with professional assistance.Thousands of cases of allergic arthritis have been diagnosed by clinical ecologists in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, and elsewhere. Allergic arthritis is a common disorder, and it may very well be the kind that you have. It is very likely that many of people will be able to do everything in the Lifetime Arthritis System from start to finish on their own and be well again, or much better, without any professional assistance. If your self-help program is not completely successful, at least there is an excellent chance that you will learn so much about your illness, even if it happens to be a very complex disorder, that you will strongly suspect or have definitely proved that you are allergic and are proceeding in the right direction, even though it is obvious that additional help is necessary.*14/295/5*

COMBATTING ASTHMA IN CHILDREN: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS – STEROIDS: THE CORTISONE DRUGS – WITHDRAWAL OF INHALED STEROIDS AND WHY ARE INHALED STEROIDS NOT USED MORE EXTENSIVELY?

Mar 12th, 2011 Posted in Asthma | no comment »

Withdrawal of Inhaled Steroids. When and how to step down or stop inhaled steroids? In controlled trials it has been observed that after six months of treatment many patients achieve the treatment goals: they have normal airway function, normal exercise tolerance, normal sleep and no symptoms.

After having given budesonide 400-800 mg twice daily and achieving control of symptoms, the dose can be gradually reduced. Once the dose is down to 200-400 mg per day, it may be stopped completely and the patient kept under observation.

Why are inhaled steroids not used more extensively?

There are several reasons, why inspire of being safe and effective, inhaled steroids are not as widely used as they should be. Many medical practitioners are still guided by the traditional, but now debunked, view that asthma is a result of bronchospasm. Unaware of new research and findings they continue to treat the bronchospasms and not chronic inflammation of the airways, which is the real cause of asthma. As a consequence, a small section of the medical community regards steroids as the treatment of the last resort for asthma.

The patients’ attitude that steroids cause severe side effects may also influence the attitude of some doctors. That is true only for oral steroids; we do not see the same side effects with inhaled steroids in normal doses. The lack of an immediate perceived benefit with inhaled steroids (whereas the bronchodilators give immediate symptomatic relief) also reduces compliance of the inhaled steroid. When patients are well, they usually tend to stop taking inhaled steroids first.

*60\260\8*

COMBATTING ASTHMA IN CHILDREN: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS – STEROIDS: THE CORTISONE DRUGS – WITHDRAWAL OF INHALED STEROIDS AND WHY ARE INHALED STEROIDS NOT USED MORE EXTENSIVELY?Withdrawal of Inhaled Steroids. When and how to step down or stop inhaled steroids? In controlled trials it has been observed that after six months of treatment many patients achieve the treatment goals: they have normal airway function, normal exercise tolerance, normal sleep and no symptoms.After having given budesonide 400-800 mg twice daily and achieving control of symptoms, the dose can be gradually reduced. Once the dose is down to 200-400 mg per day, it may be stopped completely and the patient kept under observation.Why are inhaled steroids not used more extensively?There are several reasons, why inspire of being safe and effective, inhaled steroids are not as widely used as they should be. Many medical practitioners are still guided by the traditional, but now debunked, view that asthma is a result of bronchospasm. Unaware of new research and findings they continue to treat the bronchospasms and not chronic inflammation of the airways, which is the real cause of asthma. As a consequence, a small section of the medical community regards steroids as the treatment of the last resort for asthma.The patients’ attitude that steroids cause severe side effects may also influence the attitude of some doctors. That is true only for oral steroids; we do not see the same side effects with inhaled steroids in normal doses. The lack of an immediate perceived benefit with inhaled steroids (whereas the bronchodilators give immediate symptomatic relief) also reduces compliance of the inhaled steroid. When patients are well, they usually tend to stop taking inhaled steroids first.*60\260\8*

NATURAL HISTORY OF TYPE 1 DIABETES: THE EFFECT OF INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT

Mar 4th, 2011 Posted in Diabetes | no comment »

The effect of intensive management was to delay the rate of appearance of microaneurysms in the primary prevention cohort compared with the standard management group. However, the risk reduction was only 27%, and at 5 years of therapy approximately 50% of the intensively managed group had one or more microaneurysms compared with close to 70% of patients in the standard group. By life table analysis over 9 years of follow-up, an estimated 7.9% of patients who received intensive treatment would require laser therapy compared with 30% of those with conventional treatment (risk reduction: 59%; p = 0.001). Thus, although mild background retinopathy progressed in both groups, serious progression of retinopathy and the need for laser therapy was significantly greater in patients randomized to conventional therapy compared with those in the intensive therapy group. This finding provided strong port for intensive glycemic regulation in type 1 diabetes.

*27\357\8*

NATURAL HISTORY OF TYPE 1 DIABETES: THE EFFECT OF INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT The effect of intensive management was to delay the rate of appearance of microaneurysms in the primary prevention cohort compared with the standard management group. However, the risk reduction was only 27%, and at 5 years of therapy approximately 50% of the intensively managed group had one or more microaneurysms compared with close to 70% of patients in the standard group. By life table analysis over 9 years of follow-up, an estimated 7.9% of patients who received intensive treatment would require laser therapy compared with 30% of those with conventional treatment (risk reduction: 59%; p = 0.001). Thus, although mild background retinopathy progressed in both groups, serious progression of retinopathy and the need for laser therapy was significantly greater in patients randomized to conventional therapy compared with those in the intensive therapy group. This finding provided strong port for intensive glycemic regulation in type 1 diabetes.*27\357\8*

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES: RISKS YOU CANNOT CONTROL

Feb 26th, 2011 Posted in Cardio & Blood-Cholesterol | no comment »

There are some risk factors for CVD that you cannot prevent or control. The most important are these:

• Heredity. Having a family history of heart disease appears to increase risks significantly. Whether this is because of genetics or environment is an unresolved question.

• Age. Seventy-five percent of all heart attacks occur in people over age 65. The risk for CVD increases with age for both sexes.

• Gender. Men are at much greater risk for CVD until old age. Women under 35 have a fairly low risk unless they have high blood pressure, kidney problems, or diabetes Using oral contraceptives while smoking also increases risk. Hormonal factors appear to reduce risk for women although after menopause or after estrogen levels are otherwise reduced (e.g., hysterectomy), women’s LDL levels tend to go up, increasing their risk for CVD.

• Race. Blacks are at 45 percent greater risk for hypertension and thus at greater risk for CVD than are whites. In addition, African Americans have a worse chance of surviving heart attacks.

*16/277/5*

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES: RISKS YOU CANNOT CONTROLThere are some risk factors for CVD that you cannot prevent or control. The most important are these:• Heredity. Having a family history of heart disease appears to increase risks significantly. Whether this is because of genetics or environment is an unresolved question.• Age. Seventy-five percent of all heart attacks occur in people over age 65. The risk for CVD increases with age for both sexes.• Gender. Men are at much greater risk for CVD until old age. Women under 35 have a fairly low risk unless they have high blood pressure, kidney problems, or diabetes Using oral contraceptives while smoking also increases risk. Hormonal factors appear to reduce risk for women although after menopause or after estrogen levels are otherwise reduced (e.g., hysterectomy), women’s LDL levels tend to go up, increasing their risk for CVD. • Race. Blacks are at 45 percent greater risk for hypertension and thus at greater risk for CVD than are whites. In addition, African Americans have a worse chance of surviving heart attacks.*16/277/5*

GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES: NATUROPATHY, HOMEOPATHY AND HERBAL MEDICINE

Feb 10th, 2011 Posted in Cancer | no comment »

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a general term that includes the use of a variety of therapies. It emphasizes the use of therapies that support the body’s self-healing mechanisms and treatments that are not toxic to the body. Naturopaths use nutritional therapies, herbal medicines, homeopathy and massage as their main forms of treatment.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy uses dilute forms of medicine that stimulate the patient’s inherent healing capacities by introducing an artificial disease into the body that will get rid of the original illness. Their use is based on the ‘Law of Similars’, a belief that medicines in strong forms can produce in healthy people the same symptoms as they cure in the sick. A dilute form of the same medicine can be curative for those who show similar symptoms to those produced by the strong form of the medicine.

Herbal medicine

Herbalists use plants to treat disease, and as preventative medicines to promote health and well-being. The use of plant medicines is found in all traditional medical systems. Herbalists may be trained in one of any forms of herbal medicine including Chinese herbal medicine, Indian herbal medicine and European herbal medicine.

*97/144/5*

GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES:NATUROPATHY, HOMEOPATHY AND HERBAL MEDICINENaturopathyNaturopathy is a general term that includes the use of a variety of therapies. It emphasizes the use of therapies that support the body’s self-healing mechanisms and treatments that are not toxic to the body. Naturopaths use nutritional therapies, herbal medicines, homeopathy and massage as their main forms of treatment.
HomeopathyHomeopathy uses dilute forms of medicine that stimulate the patient’s inherent healing capacities by introducing an artificial disease into the body that will get rid of the original illness. Their use is based on the ‘Law of Similars’, a belief that medicines in strong forms can produce in healthy people the same symptoms as they cure in the sick. A dilute form of the same medicine can be curative for those who show similar symptoms to those produced by the strong form of the medicine.
Herbal medicineHerbalists use plants to treat disease, and as preventative medicines to promote health and well-being. The use of plant medicines is found in all traditional medical systems. Herbalists may be trained in one of any forms of herbal medicine including Chinese herbal medicine, Indian herbal medicine and European herbal medicine.*97/144/5*

DECREASING PAIN DURING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): CLOSING THE PAIN GATE

Feb 1st, 2011 Posted in Arthritis | no comment »

Emotional factors are as crucial as physical factors in creating your experience of pain. What methods can you employ to decrease the transmission of pain through the pain gate?

1. Utilize distraction. An enjoyable pastime is always an excellent means of distracting your mind away from pain. Watching a favorite television show or videotape, going out to the theater to see a movie or play, reading a book, telephoning an old friend, taking a college course, exploring new hobbies – all of these activities can take your mind off your joints. Look for fun. Laughter is a great analgesic (pain reliever) and muscle relaxant that has no adverse effects. The prospect of having fun might seem inconceivable because you feel so miserable. If you make up your mind to pursue enjoyable activities, however, you will have fun.

2. Change your beliefs about pain. There are two ways to accomplish this. One is to view your pain scientifically as being a valued signal that provides a protective function for your joints. Viewed this way, pain is less likely to foster fear, anxiety, or depression.

Another technique is imagery. When your pain is overwhelming, try using visual imagery to change your view of it. Here are two examples. Begin each of them by sitting or lying down and then closing your eyes and taking a few long, deep breaths.

Example 1

Concentrate on your warm, painful joints, likening them to an uncomfortably hot, blazing fire. Imagine yourself slowly moving farther and farther from the flames, feeling less heat. Or imagine a cool, summer shower gently extinguishing the fire and pain.

Example 2

Think of the pain throbbing in your knees as being like a team of horses, galloping out of control. Imagine yourself controlling the reins, slowing the horses down to a gentle pace. Then visualize the pleasant ride through the countryside, breathing in the fresh air, enjoying the surroundings.

In each of these examples, you are creating healing images to counteract the painful ones. If you can become involved in your images, your body will respond as if they were real. Muscles will relax, heart rate and breathing rate will decrease, and pain can subside.

3. Address your stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Remember that these symptoms and emotions lower your pain threshold by opening the pain gates and creating muscle tension.

*44/209/5*

DECREASING PAIN DURING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): CLOSING THE PAIN GATE Emotional factors are as crucial as physical factors in creating your experience of pain. What methods can you employ to decrease the transmission of pain through the pain gate?1. Utilize distraction. An enjoyable pastime is always an excellent means of distracting your mind away from pain. Watching a favorite television show or videotape, going out to the theater to see a movie or play, reading a book, telephoning an old friend, taking a college course, exploring new hobbies – all of these activities can take your mind off your joints. Look for fun. Laughter is a great analgesic (pain reliever) and muscle relaxant that has no adverse effects. The prospect of having fun might seem inconceivable because you feel so miserable. If you make up your mind to pursue enjoyable activities, however, you will have fun.2. Change your beliefs about pain. There are two ways to accomplish this. One is to view your pain scientifically as being a valued signal that provides a protective function for your joints. Viewed this way, pain is less likely to foster fear, anxiety, or depression.Another technique is imagery. When your pain is overwhelming, try using visual imagery to change your view of it. Here are two examples. Begin each of them by sitting or lying down and then closing your eyes and taking a few long, deep breaths.Example 1 Concentrate on your warm, painful joints, likening them to an uncomfortably hot, blazing fire. Imagine yourself slowly moving farther and farther from the flames, feeling less heat. Or imagine a cool, summer shower gently extinguishing the fire and pain.Example 2Think of the pain throbbing in your knees as being like a team of horses, galloping out of control. Imagine yourself controlling the reins, slowing the horses down to a gentle pace. Then visualize the pleasant ride through the countryside, breathing in the fresh air, enjoying the surroundings.In each of these examples, you are creating healing images to counteract the painful ones. If you can become involved in your images, your body will respond as if they were real. Muscles will relax, heart rate and breathing rate will decrease, and pain can subside.3. Address your stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Remember that these symptoms and emotions lower your pain threshold by opening the pain gates and creating muscle tension.*44/209/5*

GOD’S ADVICE FOR DEFEATING DEPRESSION

Jan 25th, 2011 Posted in Anti-Psychotics | no comment »

It’s important to deal with stress because it can easily turn into depression. In fact, I once read an article that said depression is often caused by not learning how to deal with the stresses in your life. Women especially have to be on guard because their personalities tend to make them more prone to depression than men.

From my own experience, I agree. Almost every week I talk to depressed mothers who feel like the bull’s eye on the dart board of life. Many of them just want to curl up and find a hole to hide in (which is what I did the first time Larry left for the gay life). But I urge them to try to keep busy, to keep going. And I also tell them to be patient. It takes time to get over depression, but it does end. It doesn’t come to stay; like much of the other pain and hassle in life, it comes to PASS.

I found a wonderful paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13. It can be a real help, particularly if you’re feeling down and depressed. Try reading this paraphrase aloud every morning and evening, and the realization of God’s love will start seeping into your life to blow away your black clouds:

BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME

Because God loves me, He is slow to lose patience with me.

Because God loves me, He takes the circumstances of my life and uses them in a constructive way for my growth.

Because God loves me, He is for me. He wants to see me mature and develop in His love.

Because God loves me, He does not send down His wrath on every little mistake I make, of which there are many.

Because God loves me, He does not keep score of all my sins and then beat me over the head with them whenever He gets the chance.

Because God loves me, He is deeply grieved when I do not walk in the ways that please Him because He sees this as evidence that I don’t trust Him and love Him as I should.

Because God loves me, He keeps on trusting me when at times I don’t even trust myself.

Because God loves me, He never says there is no hope for me: rather, He patiently works with me, loves me, and disciplines me in such a way that it is hard for me to understand the depth of His concern for me.

Because God loves me, He never forsakes me even though many of my friends might.

Because God loves me He stands with me when I have reached the rock bottom of despair, when I see the real me and compare that with His righteousness, holiness, beauty, and love. It is at a moment like this that I can really believe that God loves me.

Yes, the greatest of all gifts is God’s perfect love!

—Source Unknown

*41\316\2*

GOD’S ADVICE FOR DEFEATING DEPRESSIONIt’s important to deal with stress because it can easily turn into depression. In fact, I once read an article that said depression is often caused by not learning how to deal with the stresses in your life. Women especially have to be on guard because their personalities tend to make them more prone to depression than men.From my own experience, I agree. Almost every week I talk to depressed mothers who feel like the bull’s eye on the dart board of life. Many of them just want to curl up and find a hole to hide in (which is what I did the first time Larry left for the gay life). But I urge them to try to keep busy, to keep going. And I also tell them to be patient. It takes time to get over depression, but it does end. It doesn’t come to stay; like much of the other pain and hassle in life, it comes to PASS.I found a wonderful paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13. It can be a real help, particularly if you’re feeling down and depressed. Try reading this paraphrase aloud every morning and evening, and the realization of God’s love will start seeping into your life to blow away your black clouds:BECAUSE GOD LOVES ME Because God loves me, He is slow to lose patience with me.Because God loves me, He takes the circumstances of my life and uses them in a constructive way for my growth.Because God loves me, He is for me. He wants to see me mature and develop in His love.Because God loves me, He does not send down His wrath on every little mistake I make, of which there are many.Because God loves me, He does not keep score of all my sins and then beat me over the head with them whenever He gets the chance.Because God loves me, He is deeply grieved when I do not walk in the ways that please Him because He sees this as evidence that I don’t trust Him and love Him as I should.Because God loves me, He keeps on trusting me when at times I don’t even trust myself.Because God loves me, He never says there is no hope for me: rather, He patiently works with me, loves me, and disciplines me in such a way that it is hard for me to understand the depth of His concern for me.Because God loves me, He never forsakes me even though many of my friends might.Because God loves me He stands with me when I have reached the rock bottom of despair, when I see the real me and compare that with His righteousness, holiness, beauty, and love. It is at a moment like this that I can really believe that God loves me.Yes, the greatest of all gifts is God’s perfect love!—Source Unknown*41\316\2*

WHY YOU CAN’T STAY AWAKE

Jan 11th, 2011 Posted in Anti Depressants-Sleeping Aid | no comment »

The previous chapter focused on the problems that can prevent you from falling asleep or that cause you to awaken during the night. Let’s look now at a category that is actually more common: the disorders of excessive sleepiness (DOES), also known as hypersomnia.

Naturally we have all experienced days when, for one reason or another, we simply cannot—or will not—drag ourselves out of bed. According to writer Anthony Burgess, our understandable reluctance to rise may be nothing more than a recollection of “the perfectly tempered warmth of the womb; the cold out there is more than a matter of temperature, it is an aspect of the iron hardness of the cruel world.” If we do manage to extract ourselves from the bed, we proceed to stagger through our daily routines, barely aware of our surroundings, unable to keep our eyes open or our mind focused. We may doze off at our desk or, even worse, behind the wheel of a car. Such periods of occasional somnolence are normal, arising from temporary disruptions in our daily schedule or a transient perturbation in our circadian rhythms.

A disorder of excessive sleepiness, on the other hand, is more serious; such a disorder is a medical problem which persists over time and interferes with everyday living. By sleepiness I mean simply that the patient perceives the need to sleep. Victims of DOES—15 percent of the population by some estimates—may describe themselves as constantly sleepy, or they may be subject to periodic attacks of sleepiness, or both. For some, although they are able to function to one degree or another, there is a constant battle to stay awake. For others, the desire to sleep is so overwhelming that they are forced to nap, often at inappropriate times. DOES victims may experience such effects as decreased cognitive and motor functioning, fatigue, depression, and an increase in time spent asleep over a twenty-four-hour period.

*128\226\8*

WHY YOU CAN’T STAY AWAKEThe previous chapter focused on the problems that can prevent you from falling asleep or that cause you to awaken during the night. Let’s look now at a category that is actually more common: the disorders of excessive sleepiness (DOES), also known as hypersomnia.Naturally we have all experienced days when, for one reason or another, we simply cannot—or will not—drag ourselves out of bed. According to writer Anthony Burgess, our understandable reluctance to rise may be nothing more than a recollection of “the perfectly tempered warmth of the womb; the cold out there is more than a matter of temperature, it is an aspect of the iron hardness of the cruel world.” If we do manage to extract ourselves from the bed, we proceed to stagger through our daily routines, barely aware of our surroundings, unable to keep our eyes open or our mind focused. We may doze off at our desk or, even worse, behind the wheel of a car. Such periods of occasional somnolence are normal, arising from temporary disruptions in our daily schedule or a transient perturbation in our circadian rhythms.A disorder of excessive sleepiness, on the other hand, is more serious; such a disorder is a medical problem which persists over time and interferes with everyday living. By sleepiness I mean simply that the patient perceives the need to sleep. Victims of DOES—15 percent of the population by some estimates—may describe themselves as constantly sleepy, or they may be subject to periodic attacks of sleepiness, or both. For some, although they are able to function to one degree or another, there is a constant battle to stay awake. For others, the desire to sleep is so overwhelming that they are forced to nap, often at inappropriate times. DOES victims may experience such effects as decreased cognitive and motor functioning, fatigue, depression, and an increase in time spent asleep over a twenty-four-hour period.*128\226\8*

TAKING OTC NASAL MEDICATIONS: IF YOU NEED AN ANTIHISTAMINE

Jan 1st, 2011 Posted in Allergies | no comment »

The major concern about the use of antihistamines is that they can make you drowsy. Unfortunately, none of the three antihistamines available in the United States mat do not cause drowsiness – Claritin (loratidine), Hismanal (astemizole), Seldane (terfenadine) – are available OTC (over-the counter).

Fortunately, not all antihistamines cause the same degree of drowsiness. For example, the class II antihistamines (ethanolamines), of which diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is the most commonly used, frequently cause drowsiness. Class III antihistamines (alkylamines), on the other hand, cause drowsiness infrequently, as does a class I antihistamine (ethylenediamines) called pyrilamine (Nisalal).

The antihistamines available for OTC use least likely to cause drowsiness include brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, dexbrompheniramine, triprolidine, and pyrilamine. However, dexbrompheniramine and triprolidine are available only in products that also contain a decongestant. Pyrilamine is available only in prescription products. Therefore, your OTC selection of a sustained-release (minimally sedating) antihistamine is limited to a product composed of one of only three chemical agents:

- Brompheniramine

- Chlorpheniramine

- Clemastine

*47/322/5*

TAKING OTC NASAL MEDICATIONS: IF YOU NEED AN ANTIHISTAMINEThe major concern about the use of antihistamines is that they can make you drowsy. Unfortunately, none of the three antihistamines available in the United States mat do not cause drowsiness – Claritin (loratidine), Hismanal (astemizole), Seldane (terfenadine) – are available OTC (over-the counter).Fortunately, not all antihistamines cause the same degree of drowsiness. For example, the class II antihistamines (ethanolamines), of which diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is the most commonly used, frequently cause drowsiness. Class III antihistamines (alkylamines), on the other hand, cause drowsiness infrequently, as does a class I antihistamine (ethylenediamines) called pyrilamine (Nisalal).The antihistamines available for OTC use least likely to cause drowsiness include brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, dexbrompheniramine, triprolidine, and pyrilamine. However, dexbrompheniramine and triprolidine are available only in products that also contain a decongestant. Pyrilamine is available only in prescription products. Therefore, your OTC selection of a sustained-release (minimally sedating) antihistamine is limited to a product composed of one of only three chemical agents:- Brompheniramine - Chlorpheniramine - Clemastine*47/322/5*