Tag: Food and Drug Administration

Arthritis Pain: Can Supplements Help?

Do you suffer from arthritis? Are you tired of suffering? Do you want it to end and now? Immediate pain relief is possible with over-the-counter pain medications. Unfortunately, the pain returns as soon as the medication wears off. What can you do? You can try herbal and dietary supplements. Many have little to no risks. In fact, most have additional health benefits.

So, what dietary supplements can help you treat, manage, or relieve the pain of arthritis?

Note: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not approve most of these supplements. We all know that this approval is important, but lack of approval does not mean a thing. Perform a standard internet search with the supplements highlighted below and you will hear first-hand that they do work.

Ginger. This supplement comes from the root of a ginger plant. Depending on the form, it comes from either fresh or dried root. What is ideal about this supplement is your options. You can choose from capsules, powder, extract, and oils. Up to two grams a day are recommended. The extract can be added to tea for taste.

According the popular Arthritis Today magazine, ginger extract helps with inflammation. It has the ability to slow down the chemicals that cause inflammation, including COX-2. In addition to aiding in arthritis pain, this supplement is an ideal cure for motion sickness, as it not only subsides pain, but nausea and vomiting too.

Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables, otherwise known as ASU. Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) not only provides pain relief, but it lessens joint swelling and inflammation too. Various studies, since 2002, have shown that ASU did stop inflammation. Not only that, it slows the break down of cartilage and in some instances worked to repair prior damage.

Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables is available in capsule format. It can be found for sale at most health and nutrition stores. Read all labels before taking, but most call for two capsules a day.

Fish Oil. Fish oil has long been known for its health benefits. Fish oil comes from cold-water fish. The Arthritis Today magazine recommends up to two three-ounce servings of fish a week. For those unable to stomach the taste and smell, capsules and tablets are available. This supplement is affordable and available for sale at most retail locations, including department stores, nutrition stores, drug stores, and grocery stores.

As previously state, it has long been known that fish oil is a healthy supplement. It helps to promote healthy blood circulation. Due to its ability to protect against high blood pressure and heart disease, you cannot go wrong with this supplement. The reduction of inflammation in your joints and decreased pain are only the beginning.

Devils claw. Although the name sounds frightening, this supplement is an herbal remedy that was and is widely used in South Africa. It is available in powder, liquid, and capsule formats. According to the Arthritis Today magazine, the active ingredient in devils claw is Harpagoside. Many claim it reduces both joint pain and inflammation.

Devils claw is shown to reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain associated with arthritis. Unfortunately, there are known risks involved with this supplement. Those who are pregnant, taking blood thinners, antacids, or diabetes medication should not take the devils claw supplement, regardless of the form.

Ginkgo, also known as ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo has long been touted as a memory-enhancing supplement. Although medical professionals have yet to agree on this benefit, there is more. For many, it improves blood flow and circulation. This improves the overall health and wellbeing of the body. Some studies have shown that it reduces disease flair ups, including arthritis.

Ginkgo is available for sale in most retail stores. It is available in liquid, extract, or capsules format. The Arthritis Today magazine recommends choosing supplements with 24% flavonol glycosides and up to 7% terpene lactones.

As you can see, many herbal and dietary supplements can reduce the pain associated with arthritis. The good news? These are just a sample of the supplements available for sale. Before trying any supplement, including the ones highlighted above, research or speak to your primary care physician. Some can counteract with common over-the-counter or prescribed medications.

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Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a mental illness which causes mood swings and mood cycling. Mood cycling refers to the transition between mania and depression. Mania, or manic episodes, typically consist of feelings of elation and invincibility, and cause disorientation, lack of sleep, and obsessive behaviors. Depression typically consists of feelings of overwhelming sadness and low self worth.

There are many treatments available for bipolar disorder, ranging from medications to therapy. There are too many medications to be discussed here in depth. There are also many forms therapy can take, and techniques that can be learned to assist the patient in gaining some control over their bipolar disorder.

Typically, bipolar disorder is treated with more than one medication. This is due to the dual nature of bipolar disorder. Most patients need at least two medications: one to control depression and one to control mania. The combination of these two types of medication works to obtain balance in moods and stop mood cycling. Often, a third medication, called a mood stabilizer, is also prescribed. The most common mood stabilizer is Topomax.

Popular medications for treatment of mania in bipolar patients include lithium, valproate (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), and ziprasidone (Geodon). Lithium has long been considered the miracle drug of bipolar disorder. It is a sodium based medication that helps to balance the chemical imbalance in the brain that causes manic episodes in bipolar patients.

Valproate, or Depakote, was originally developed as a seizure medication. However, its effects on bipolar patients who have rapid cycling bipolar (moods that cycle every few hours or days rather than weeks or months), it has been quite effective. Carbamazepine, or Tegretol, is another anti-seizure medication. While it appears to have similar effects on bipolar disorder as Depakote, it has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a bipolar disorder treatment.

Olanzapine, or Zyprexa, and Ziprasidone, or Geodon, are both anti-psychotic drugs, and are particularly effective for treatment of bipolar disorder in which mania becomes so severe that psychotic symptoms are present.

Medications for treatment of depression are called anti-depressants. Common anti-depressants include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft). All of these medications have been proven to be successful treatments for depression, although Celexa and Prozac are the most commonly prescribed.

Typically, treatment of bipolar disorder includes a combination of medications and therapy, or counseling. However, in some cases, medication may not be necessary for milder cases of bipolar disorder. In other cases, medication may not be desired by the patient, and the patient may wish to seek out other alternatives to medication for treatment of their bipolar disorder.

For these patients, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be quite effective. CBT is a method of bipolar disorder treatment that involves teaching the patient techniques to recognize triggers and symptoms of their mood cycling, and use that information and recognition to prevent the triggers from occurring, or the mood cycling from being quite as severe. Most of these techniques require the patient to develop cognitive thinking skills as well as critical thinking and problem solving capabilities. If the bipolar disorder is severe to the point that the patient is unable to engage in these thinking abilities and skills, CBT may not be a viable form of treatment in and of itself.

Overall, there are many treatments available for bipolar disorder. There are many options for the patient that can be discussed with the patient’s doctors. If a patient is not satisfied with the form their treatment is taking, they should discuss it with their doctor, and not be afraid to change doctors in order to change treatment methods. All in all, effective and successful treatment of bipolar disorder rests in the hands of the patient.

Safety Issues Regarding Laser Hair Removal

Safety issues regarding laser hair removal relate to both clients and technicians. These safety issues are very different than those involving other forms of epilation. There are no concerns of drawing blood, contaminating probes, or risking infection. However, there are concerns regarding burns and eye safety. Several organizations have laid down guidelines to ensure the safety of both the clients and technicians. These organizations include The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, The American National Standards Institute, The Food and Drug Administration, The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, and The Society for Clinical and Medical Hair Removal.

All laser hair removal devices in the United States are subject to very strict mandatory performance standards. They also must meet the federal laser product performance standard, which includes specifying their safety features, both for the benefit of the patient and technician.

It is best to purchase new laser hair removal equipment. If used equipment must be purchased, it should only be bought from a qualified distributor with the assurance that it has been thoroughly checked and serviced. The equipment should also be guaranteed..

The room that is used for laser hair removal can be used for other treatments. However, it must be set up in accordance with the strict guidelines that are associated with the use of laser equipment. Setting up the room the proper way is usually done by the equipment distributor or the manufacturer.

The laser hair removal room should have a door that can be locked during treatment. There should be a warning light outside the door to let others know that treatment is being done and they should not enter. There should be protective eyewear, outside of the door for people who may need to enter during a treatment. They should not be any windows in the room, however if there are windows they should be blacked out with protective coverings. It is very important to that the electrical outlet has its own circuit breaker. It also must be grounded, and have the proper amperage and voltage. The room should not have any mirrors or reflective surfaces in it.

Laser hair removal equipment should be on a flat surface and have plenty of ventilation around it. This equipment should only be serviced and calibrated according to the manufacturer’s guidelines for that particular device. It should be regularly cleaned of any carbon buildup that may occur. When the laser equipment is not in use the key should be removed.

It is important that the operator of the laser hair removal device be well trained and qualified. This training should be in all areas including histology and client care. The technician should not wear any reflective clothing or jewelry. The technician, along with any other person in the room, is required to wear ANSI approved protected our eyewear in order to avoid laser blindness.

The client should receive a thorough and detailed consultation, pre and post care instructions, and a patch test before the laser hair removal treatment begins. It is also important that the client understands the benefits and risks of the treatment. During the laser hair removal process the client should wear ANSI approved protective eyewear and be instructed to keep the eyewear on throughout the treatment.

Drugs to Fight Alzheimer’s

Although there is no known cure yet for Alzheimer’s disease, there are already a number of drugs available worldwide that can help slow down a patient’s cognitive deterioration. The main aim of these Alzheimer’s medications is to try and improve cognitive ability or the person’s capability to think, perceive, judge and recognize.

There are currently five drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can be used to treat Alzheimer’s. There is ongoing research done all the time to test the effectiveness of such medications since they do not serve as a cure-all for the disease.
These medications may not have the same effects on all patients that are suffering from Alzheimer’s. But such prescription drugs can have significant effects on some of the patients with Alzheimer’s disease and should be given consideration as a possible treatment.

The 5 FDA Approved Medications are:
Aricept
Cognex
Exelon
Razadyne
Namenda

The first four drugs listed above belong to a group of drugs known as Cholinesterase Inhibitors. They work by trying to delay the break down of a substance known as acetylcholine in the brain which helps in bridging communication between nerve cells and has an important role in a person’s memory.

Nameda on the other hand acts on another neurotransmitter called glutamate and shields the brain from then said substance which contributes to the death of brain cells in people with Alzheimer’s disease. This drug is more effective in treating moderate to severe forms of Alzheimer’s disease, improving the day to day life of the person with Alzheimer’s disease.

The most common side effects associated with the drug Nameda include dizziness, confusion, constipation, headache and skin rashes. Some patients may experience less common side effects such as tiredness, back pain, high blood pressure, insomnia, hallucinations, vomiting and occasional shortness of breath.

The drugs Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne are seen to be most effective in treating the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This group of prescription drugs has been shown to have some modest effect in slowing down the degeneration of a patient’s cognitive abilities.

These drugs can also help in trying to reduce certain behavioral problems usually exhibited by people suffering from Alzheimer’s. When these drugs are administered effectively on an Alzheimer’s patient, they can significantly improve one’s quality of life and more able to cope up with the disease.

Alzheimer’s patients taking these medications may experience some side effects which may not be the same for all patients. Common side effects observed in patients using the drug Aricept include nausea, vomiting, excessive tiredness, sleeping troubles and muscle cramps.

Less frequent observed side effects of the drug are headaches and dizziness with rare cases of patients suffering from anorexia, gastric or duodenal ulcers, gastro-intestinal hemorrhage, bladder overflow obstruction, liver damage, convulsions, heart problems and psychiatric disturbances while using Aricept as medication.

The usual side effects seen in using Exelon as treatment for Alzheimer’s are nausea, vomiting, weight loss, stomach upset and fatigue. Less usual side effects observed with the use of the said drug are abdominal pain, sweating, diarrhea, headaches, tremor, and psychiatric disturbances such as anxiety or depression with rare cases of patients experiencing gastro-intestinal bleeding.

The drug Cognex is used less frequently for Alzheimer’s treatment as it can cause serious liver damage to most patients. Other side effects of the drug include nausea and vomiting. Some patients may also experience some abdominal pain, sore muscles, headache, dizziness, rapid breathing, increased urination, insomnia, runny nose or mouth, swelling in legs and feet when taking Cognex. Some of the most severe side effects associated with using Cornex are liver damage, heart problems and seizures.

The common side effects often reported with the use of Razadyne are nausea, vomiting, appetite loss and weight loss. Less common are fatigue, dizziness, tremor, headaches, abdominal pain, urinary tract infection, blood in urine, runny nose. There are no serious side effects with this drug.