Aug
15
As most of you are aware, avian influenza (bird flu) has recently spread from infected migratory birds to domestic fowl in countries in Europe and Africa. As this pattern continues to unfold, many people mistakenly believe that a bird-flu pandemic—which is an infectious disease transmitted from humans to humans that occurs in multiple counties on multiple continents—won’t begin until the spread encompasses the entire world.
However, the reality is that a pandemic could begin at any moment—all that has to happen is that the virus undergoes a genetic transformation that would allow it to become easily transmissible from person to person. Such a transformation is more likely with more birds and people infected, because there is greater opportunity for the required genetic transformation to take place. However, it is not necessary that the virus spread to more countries before such a transformation takes place.
Given this reality, it is very likely that while most people are patiently watching the virus spread from one country to another, and are waiting for the pandemic to begin once the majority of the countries of the world have birds infected with the virus, the pandemic will begin—before the imagined number of countries have infected birds. In other words, most people will be shocked that the pandemic has begun before it was “supposed” to.
The H5N1 bird flu was first recognized in Hong Kong in 1997 and has evolved to its current animal and bird species and geographic spread slowly, with most of the species and country involvement occurring within the two years. The progression has been monitored by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and, even after eight years, has killed fewer than 100 people worldwide. The virus has not made its way to the Western Hemisphere and on balance, the possibility of a bird-flu pandemic starting anytime soon seems remote. But it could—that’s the point.
What follows is a hypothetical account of how a pandemic started as “reported” in Time magazine one week after the pandemic began (one week ago):
Last week the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified by Chinese officials that 24 people in a remote village west of Beijing were found to have bird flu, three of whom have died. Three members of one family, six from another family and five from still another family were infected and, for the first time, it was discovered that person-to-person transmission had taken place in all three families.
Because of this, WHO rushed in 30,000 dose packs of Tamiflu, the antiviral drug the world has been counting on to help prevent a bird-flu pandemic, and government workers distributed more than 28,000 packs to be used by the local people to help prevent further spread of the disease.
In spite of this quick action, four days ago it was announced that thirty-seven people in Beijing and fourteen people in Shanghai had bird flu, four of whom have died so far. Two days ago, Paris reported three human cases of bird flu in travelers from Beijing, and New York reported the first two confirmed human cases in the Western Hemisphere—also travelers from Beijing. In addition, there are fifteen suspected cases in New York City and the health department is tracking down contacts and placing them in quarantine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta has advised the President to quarantine all planes from China and France, and many countries are taking similar steps to limit the spread of the virus. Using powers granted last year by Congress, the President acted immediately and directed immigration officials to quarantine all travelers from China, France and any country reporting new cases of bird flu in humans. So far, seven hundred thirty-two people have been quarantined.
Ninety percent of flights from these countries have been cancelled and 70 percent of flights to them from the U.S. have been cancelled. At press time, Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco have also reported suspected cases of bird flu, with one death—an eleven year old girl—in Chicago. Contacts of suspected cases are being tracked, and so far 253 people have been placed in quarantine.
People and governments alike are panicking and sales of items to help prevent the spread of the virus, like disposable gloves and face masks, have skyrocketed. Pharmacies are reporting panic buying of Tamiflu across America, and shortages of the drug have occurred in many locations.
Grocers in affected cities report panic buying of many items and shortages have already been reported. As expected, poultry sales across the country have plummeted.
In other developments, widespread absences have been reported in school districts in affected areas, and local banks have reported huge increases in withdrawals. The Dow Jones Industrial Average reported a 450 point loss for the week.
The CDC and state and local governments are monitoring the situation closely, but there is little they can do. Quarantines so far have failed to prevent the spread of the disease and there is no effective vaccine. It will be at least six months before a vaccine is available in any quantity, and it is more likely that it will be nine to twelve months before a vaccine is widely available. Like those affected by hurricane Katrina, it seems that people will have to depend on themselves.
Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory.
Miguel de Cervantes
Bradford Frank, MD, MPH, MBA
(800) 488-2353
bfrank@TheFrankGroup.com
www.AvoidBirdFlu.com
Aug
15
Are Drug Companies Destroying The U.S. Health Care System?
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The U.S. government’s annual bill for healthcare spending – $3,925 per person – significantly exceeds that of all other nations. Despite this, our current health care system is increasingly failing both patients and medical practitioners. Of 13 nations, the U.S. is last for neonatal and infant mortality, last for years of potential life lost, 10th for age-adjusted mortality, 11th and 12th for female and male life expectancy respectively. Chronic degenerative diseases – heart disease, cancer, arthritis, obesity, etc. – are at epidemic levels and create the ideal long-term customers to grow the medical industry.
Looking for a culprit? Consider that pharmaceutical company profits are so large they outstrip every other American industry by far. Americans spend over $500 billion on drugs. The drug companies claim that they need large earnings ($124,835,595,000 in 1999, for example) to conduct their research, but just one of every five dollars the drug industry collects actually goes to drug research. Some drug companies spend twice as much annually for marketing and advertising. From the years 1996 to 2001, pharmaceutical companies spent $3 billion on consumer advertising. Many of the advertised pharmaceuticals are not (contrary to popular belief) FDA-approved, and the information contained in the advertisements is often misleading and not entirely accurate. Now there is even a new wave of drugs being marketed to alleviate the side effects of other drugs being marketed (e.g. NexiumTM to relieve digestive problems created by pain killers).
Pharmaceutical companies have enormous influence on physicians through the billions of dollars of marketing resources. Drug companies in the U.S. spend, on average, $10,000 each year per physician to influence their behavior through subsidizing studies in major journals, aggressive marketing by drug reps (in some instances trained exactly how long to shake a doctor’s hand), advertisements and sponsorship of medical education programs for doctors and medical residents. (Such support of education and science subtly brainwashes physicians into thinking symptom-based medicine is sound knowledge and science as well.) Is it any surprise that two thirds of visits to doctors’ offices result in a drug being prescribed? Some patients may be on numerous medications prescribed by various specialists while not one of them knows, or could even predict, the health consequences of the interactions. (I recently discovered that my elderly mother, suffering from a variety of ailments, including dementia, was on 17 different medications. Not only did she not know what she was taking or when she did, neither did any of her physicians.) Little wonder pharmaceutical toxicity is one of the major factors contributing to medical care being the leading cause of death in the U.S.
[Why Modern Medicine is the Greatest Threat to Health]
http://www.wysong.net/health/hl_884.shtml
Aside from profiteering and marketing, the most fundamental flaw in the system is philosophical. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies think about names of diseases and removal of symptoms, not cure or prevention. They chase, but the race is rigged so they never catch.
Enabling such a system to prosper and flourish is a public that also has a flawed philosophy. They want to live life as they choose, carpe diem, thinking only of momentary relief, pleasure and convenience. When something goes wrong with their health they don’t want instruction on how to change lifestyle, but rather want to use the power of money (preferably the government’s) to buy their way out with a silver drug bullet that immediately takes the problem away. We spend much for dying, little for living.
American health will continue to slip and our economy will continue to be drained by a failing healthcare system until the underlying flawed philosophies are changed. Medicine must change from naming diseases and treating symptoms to prevention and cure. Yes, that means the medical care system should be trying to put itself out of business, not create a growth industry of illness.
On the other hand, people must change by taking the responsibility for controlling their own health destiny. As it stands, the public has become a pawn of commercial medical interests.
Ultimately health is something we do to ourselves, not something others do to us. When that fact is faced, the medical-pharmaceutical complex will shrivel to a cottage industry and the public will be the better for it.
[Br Med J, 2003; 326:416]
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/326/7386/416/b
[N Engl J Med, 2002; 346:498-505, 524-531]
http://content.nejm.org/content/vol346/issue7/index.shtml
Aug
15
Drug Rehab Treatment Centers as an Experience, not a Punishment
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Choosing a drug rehab treatment center is a decision that calls for both negative and positive emotions. Nobody wants addiction to overtake their life to the point that rehab is the necessary step. However, the decision to go to one is something to look forward to, as it is the decision to rebuild a healthy life. It is the conscious realization of a problem, and it is the first conscious step towards healing. Understanding what drug addiction entails and how it affects the user is important for healing substance abuse. As well as understanding addiction, knowing what rehabilitation is will help the patient understand what he is going through and the purpose of the treatment. Lastly, the type of rehabilitation program is of vital importance for the patient. Understanding that a rehabilitation program is as personal as the patient’s problem will certainly help to ascertain the treatment needed for the specific patient. Rehabilitation must be a positive program motivating the patient by his successes and discouraging him from relapses. To reach the stage of being in a rehab center that positively works to heal addiction, the patient and all concerned must understand three things: what addiction is, what rehabilitation is, and what treatment can and should be like.
Drug addiction is much more complex than merely ‘too much drug use’. Drug and substance dependence is beyond the control of the user – he is no longer in control and does not have much choice in the matter of continuing use. In the short term, drug use affects the brain’s reward system, flooding the brain with dopamine, otherwise termed ‘a high’. While the high is a short term effect, long term effects are to follow, which cause the addiction. When our brain’s reward system is working, proteins activate which teach us to pursue the behavior which causes us to feel so good. Naturally, this reaction is in response to food, exercise, and sex. Due to the larger amount of dopamine released due to drugs, the protein reaction is stronger than normal. As a result, drug use is quite addictive, and once the moment is reached that a person cannot control his use of drugs, this is termed addiction, or substance dependence. While willpower is important to controlling anything in one’s life, in drug addiction a lack of willpower is not to blame. Willpower is at play at the first stages of drug experimentation, but at a certain point in addiction, it loses its function. Drug addiction is an illness, and rehabilitative treatment is the only means of curing this behavior.
Rehabilitation, then, is the path that leads to an effective treatment of drug use. Research has shown that addiction is treatable. Research has not shown, and will not show, that treatment is easy. Rehabilitation is the recovery of diminished capacities due to injury or illness. The word itself comes from the latin prefix re meaning ‘again’, and root habilitar meaning ‘to inhabit’. Thus ‘rehabilitate’ literally means to inhabit yourself again – and that is the aim of rehabilitation: to return former capacities to the inflicted person. This is especially true in drug addiction. Freeing oneself from addiction is a type of homecoming to a life of control.
Rehabilitation aims at more than ending drug use. As previously mentioned, rehabilitation cannot be a punishment for drug use. It must be the gradual process of ending dependence while also rehabilitating the patient into society. This is often the most difficult aspect of rehabilitation. It is important that the patient realistically understand that the future will consist of effort to reintegrate and rejoin society. The patient is assisted by counselors throughout the treatment, but the patient himself is the main catalyst in rehabilitation. The family and friends of the patient must also go through aspects of rehabilitation, for life after rehab will not be a continual sunny day. The forecast predicts many rain clouds at first, with occasional storms down the road. The family must know how to be supportive and helpful throughout the stormy weather.
The rehab treatment center can be considered the umbrella in the stormy weathers. It cannot control the weather, but does shield and help the patient and family on their way through the tempest. While there is no one correct rehabilitation treatment, as each treatment must be tailored to the particular needs of the patient, there are means of ensuring that the rehab center chosen is one that will provide a positive environment to optimize the long term results of rehabilitation. The personal treatment for the patient must be continually checked and improved, as different steps throughout the treatment call for different measures, and each patient needs a different length of time for treatment. The personal treatment must also take into account the various problems beyond drugs which the patient faces. Drug addiction is often the result, and not the core of the problem – this core must be dug up through various therapies, counselors, and activities, which all should be readily available through the treatment center. A forced treatment is not necessarily a bad thing – again, depending on the treatment center. With a good treatment center, a person who initially will not admit to his problem
or the need for a solution can be fully rehabilitated. Extremely beneficial are experiential therapies, which, through their communion with nature help the patient gradually reintegrate into life, which will eventually ease reintegration into society. A rehab treatment center must be rigid in its aims to help the patient, but cannot be rigid in its process.
Understanding what addiction is and why it happens is vital for the patient and the chosen treatment center. Once this is established, there can be a mutual respect, in lieu of distrust and judgment. The next step is to understand what rehabilitation is. It is a dedication, again, on the part of both the patient and treatment center, to heal a drug problem and, more importantly, rebuild a life – to bring the patient home in the spiritual sense. With these two concepts well understood and looked after, the patient has great chances of succeeding to overcome the addiction. The treatment center that fully understands addiction and rehabilitation will be the center that offers a full and varied program that will be created and recreated for the particular needs of its patient, and that will guide the patient not only through his addiction, but through his reintegration into life and society.
Aug
15
14 Startling, Must-Read Facts About Prescription Drug Prices and America’s Uninsured
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Fact #1: 45.8 million Americans under the age of 65 lacked health insurance coverage in 2004.
Fact #2: In 2005, the cost of health care insurance for family coverage surpassed the annual salary of a minimum-wage worker.
Fact #3: Drug benefits of many employer insurance plans are being reduced every year. These reductions in drug benefits include steps such as higher premiums for drug benefits, higher co-payments on drug purchases, higher annual deductibles, tiered cost sharing, annual dollar limits on drug purchases, tightening eligibility rules and completely cutting drug benefits all together. This means more and more individuals are becoming underinsured when it comes to prescription drug coverage.
Fact #4: U.S. National Health Care Expenditures per Capita rose by 123% from 1990 to 2004. In that same time frame Prescription Drug Expenditures increased 78.6%. Prescription drug spending is one of the fastest growing components of national health care spending. In fact, in 1999, national prescription drug spending increased an astounding 18.2%, compared to an 5.2% increase for physician and clinical services and a 5.0% increase for hospital care.
Fact #5: Retail prescription drug prices increased an average of 8.3% a year from 1994 to 2004 (from an average of $28.67 to $63.59), more than triple the average annual inflation rate of 2.5%.
Fact #6: A recent AARP Bulletin reported that some individuals have to resort to very desperate (and unnecessary) measures to obtain their medications. The report stated that “A widow recently sold her wedding ring to pay for medicine. Another sometimes begs for prescription drugs left by friends who have died. Another on occasion uses pills prescribed for her dog.”
Fact #7: In a 2004 survey, over a third of uninsured adults said that they did not fill a drug prescription in the past year due to cost. The scary part is that skipping doses or simply not taking a medication to save money can be extremely dangerous to your health.
Fact #8: From 1995 – 2002, pharmaceutical manufacturers were the nations most profitable industry. In 2004, they ranked third, with profits of 16%, compared to 5% for all Fortune 500 firms.
Fact #9: The five most highly paid drug company executives pocketed more than $183
million in compensation in 2001, with the top 25 pharmaceutical execs averaging nearly $6 million in annual compensation in 2000. That compensation does not count stock options, which can add millions of dollars to a CEO’s income.
Fact #10: Prescription drug costs are expected to increase by 12.6% a year for the next 10 years, according to a recent report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. By 2010, 16% of what Americans spend each year on personal health care will be spent on prescription drugs, the department said. In 1999, it was 9.4%.
Fact #11: The United States is the only developed nation that does not regulate drug prices. American consumers pay much more for their prescription drugs than any other country in the World. In fact, a 2003 study by the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration compared the U.S. prices of a list of 54 prescription drugs with the prices in 9 other countries and found that the prices in these 9 other countries were 18 to 67% lower than the U.S. prices.
Fact #12: FDA-approved does not mean “Made in the U.S.A.”. Actually, more than 40% of the drugs sold in the U.S. are made by foreign-based firms that may have American operations.
Fact #13: An estimated 2 million Americans now buy their drugs from a Canadian pharmacy.
Fact #14: A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in September 2005 (Volume 143 Issue 6) concluded that brand name medications are often substantially less expensive when purchased from Canadian Internet pharmacies instead of from major online U.S. drug chain pharmacies.
Individual’s struggling to afford their medication costs may want to look to Canada as a viable option for purchasing their prescription drugs. Canada is a very highly regulated and safe country to buy medications from. Millions of Americans have been ordering medications from Canada for more than 5 years now and there have been no reported cases of an American citizen harmed by an inferior medication. American residents can save an average of 45% on their prescriptions when buying from a licensed Canadian pharmacy.
Aug
15
Gesundheit! A look into the world of Living with Allergies
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Allergies are nothing to sneeze at. In fact, common household and environmental allergies can cause loss of production, loss of money, and can make you feel just plain crummy. The bottom line when it comes to allergies is that this world is filled with potential allergens and if you are a person who suffers from the effects, running from them won’t do you much good. Instead, say "Gesundheit!" and attack the problem head on!
Allergies can be tested by a simple skin test administered by a physician to see what irritants will cause a slight localized reaction. Allergies can manifest as hay fever, watery eyes, itching, hives, swelling, and even if severe enough, asthma. The key here is prevention and control. Here are a few tips to keep the “Gesundheits” to a minimum in your presence so you can carry on in your hectic daily life when dealing with environmental allergies.
Remove old carpet and replace with hard wood floors or new carpet.
Carpeting and rugs are prime habitats for dust mites and pet dander which are major contributors to household allergies. By replacing old carpets, you are getting rid of years of dust mites and droppings.
Vacuum twice per week, deep clean twice a year.
It has been clinically proven in many studies that vacuuming your carpets and rugs with a good HEPA filter Vacuum such as Miele vacuum cleaners. Meile vacuum cleaners are a good choice for this task because they will reduce your levels of dust mites significantly. It is also a good idea to have your floors steam cleaned once per year to get the deep dirt, dust, and other allergens out.
Do your laundry.
Wash your bed linens each week in hot water and cover with Allergen proof slipcovers. Companies are becoming more aware of the health hazards associated with dust mites and dander and are making products to be anti-allergenic to be used as covers for mattresses and pillows.
Keep pets off of furniture.
The family pet should be not allowed on furniture. This allows the dander which is basically dust mite food, to really infest mattresses and furniture. Shampoos made for dander control may be another option.
Keep yourself cool.
Dust mites love humid, warm, moist conditions. Running a room dehumidifier is a good idea to keep the humidity down and the dust mites at bay. Air cleaners are another good bet for keeping a smoke and pollen free home.
Change your filters.
Change your duct work filters monthly and use a Hepa grade filter. Home air purifiers can also help to make sure the air pumped through your home is as clean as it can be.
Living with allergies can be difficult at times but with the use of Miele vacuum cleaners in addition to these simple tips, the only “Gesundheit!” that will be heard is the one you give the person next to you.
Aug
15
Lunesta- Promise of Peaceful Sleep
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Lunesta
(eszopiclone) is a prescription sleep aid (sedative or hypnotic) that is used
for treating insomnia and can give you and your restless mind and body the
sleep you need. It will not only help you fall asleep quickly, it helps you
stay asleep all night long with fewer interruptions and wake up fresh. Good bye
to morning drowsiness and whole day-long irritation because you did not sleep well.
Lunesta is the most widely studied sleep aid and is unique as it does not lose
its effectiveness over time and is approved for long term use. Lunesta has
proven to be more effective that other over-the-counter sleep medications like
Ambien®, Restoril®, Desyrel®, and Sonata®.
Always consult your doctor before beginning a course of sleep medication.
Discuss your medical history including major illnesses, current usage of
prescription or non-prescription medicines, and dependency on drugs or alcohol
or if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant during the medication period.
Some sleeping aids are known to pass into breast milk hence nursing mothers
should exercise care in this regard. Additional information written for health
professionals can be obtained from your doctor or pharmacist that you may read.
This sleep aid should only be taken immediately before bedtime. Never alter the
dosage without consulting your doctor. Onc
e you start taking Lunesta be sure
you can get at least eight hours sleep before becoming active. Once awake do
not engage immediately in any activity that requires complete alertness, such
as driving a car or operating machinery. Avoid heavy fat-rich meals and alcohol
while taking any sleep medication. As with any sleep aid keep the medication out of reach of children and store in
a place away from moisture and heat.
Most sleep medicines carry some risk of dependency. Do not use sleep medicines
for extended periods without first consulting your doctor and analyzing the
risks and benefits involved. Always follow your doctor’s advice when ending the
medication. You should never abruptly terminate the dosage as this may result
in some withdrawal symptoms. Side effects may include unpleasant taste,
headache, drowsiness and dizziness. In case of an overdose seek immediate
medical assistance.
Sleep medications are known to cause amnesia, reduced tolerance levels and
changes in behavior and thought process. However, clinical trials, ranging up
to 6 months, involving Lunesta indicate that this medication is not associated
with the above mentioned outcomes.
So, if you are having trouble sleeping and need a safe means of getting a good
night’s rest, talk to your doctor about Lunesta. This sleep aid is available
on-line or can be sent via overnight courier.
Aug
15
16 Side Effects of Measles
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Measles can lead to many complications. Some are not serious but others can be very dangerous and even fatal. Complications occur most commonly in pre school-age children, especially the under 2 year olds, and in adults over the age of 20. Up to 30% within these age groups suffer complications, compared to 3 – 5% of school age children.
The frequency of complications can only be estimated. Many different sources give different figures. Some are regional and others based on surveys carried out at specific times, rather than longer range trends. The figures quoted are therefore approximate, and in some cases no figures are given. This does not infer that the complications are extremely rare. In many cases the condition is not associated with measles at the time of diagnosis.
This article is intended as a guide only, and not intended to provide detail on the effects of the complications or their treatments. The website link at the bottom of the article will give more details if you require them.
Common Side-Effects
1. Diarrhoea
Common, occurring in about 1 in 7 cases of measles in children. This can be a serious side effect, especially if in a child who is refusing to eat or drink. As a parent you should be aware of the possibility of dehydration and make sure your doctor is aware of the situation. Do not use ‘over-the-counter’ diarrhoea remedies without consulting your doctor.
2. Eye Infections
Conjunctivitis occurs in about 10% of measles cases. It is easily treated but can cause complications if allowed to go unattended. There is no effective treatment for viral conjunctivitis, but there are treatments available to make the eye feel more comfortable. Your doctor will be able help with this.
3. Laryngitis
Measles causes acute laryngitis in about 10% of people who contract the disease. Measles is a respiratory disease and the throat, larynx and other areas of the respiratory system can become weakened and more susceptible to attack from other viruses and bacteria. The laryngitis can last for up to three weeks and is treated by rest and ensuring that the patient is kept away from irritating atmospheres such as cigarette smoke. Do not smoke in the presence of an ill child.
4. Earache.
About 7% of measles cases (1 in 15) will be affected with an inner ear infection (otitis media). This can cause loss of hearing, and if your child is affected she may pull at her ears or rub them with her hand. There are treatments available, and you should point out any symptoms of this to your doctor. Occasionally permanent damage to the ear can occur leading to chronic hearing difficulties.
Less Common
5. Pneumonia
About 1 in 15 of measles cases will be associated
with pneumonia, either during the course of the disease, or just after it. Pneumonia is the cause of about 60% of measles deaths and urgent treatment is required. Although not serious in healthy adults, it can be fatal in young children, especially where their immune system has been damaged or compromised with, for example, cancer treatments and other conditions requiring the use of immuno-suppressive drugs. If your child is otherwise healthy, pneumonia should not be a serious problem, but your doctor should be aware of it. Most deaths are in developing countries, especially areas where AIDS is common.
6. Febrile Convulsions.
This type of fit looks very serious, and may cause you great alarm, but your child will generally make a full recovery. The child will lose consciousness, become stiff and may stop breathing for about 30 seconds. The limbs may twitch or spasm for a short while, the eyes will roll upwards, and then child may wet or soil himself. Recovery occurs rapidly and the child suffers no after effects. This is a complication in about 1 in 200 measles cases in young children under 3 years old, and is due to the temperature rise in measles from normal to around 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
7. Meningitis
Meningitis is a serious complication caused by infection of the meninges, the membrane covering the brain and spinal column. It occurs in about 1 in a 1000 cases, and can be fatal if not treated rapidly. Several pages are devoted to the disease on my website, and it is too serious a disease to cover in a few sentences. It is a complication of measles which doctors are well aware of, but is difficult to diagnose.
8. Encephilitis
This has similar symptoms to meningitis and is a swelling of the brain itself. It also occurs in about 1 in 1000 and can be fatal unless treated promptly. It is usually a viral disease, caused in this case by the measles virus which has moved up and attacked the brain. It is also a side-effect of meningitis.
9. Squint
Measles can also cause a squint in your child’s eye, which previously seemed normal. A squint is due to a weakening of one of the muscles controlling the eye. It is thought that in measles cases the weakness was probably there but your child was able to compensate for it. However, after suffering from measles your child is no longer able to do this, and the squint becomes noticeable. There are no figures available for the frequency of this condition when associated with measles.
10. Bronchitis
As previously stated, measles is a disease of the respiratory system and bronchitis is a possible complication. It is treatable and any serious effects from bronchitis are very rare. It is an infection of the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs and your doctor will be able to treat it satisfactorily.
11. Croup
Croup is another respiratory infection which is a side-effect of measles. It is an infection of the larynx and trachea (voicebox and windpipe) and can be distressing to you and your child. It is rarely serious, but if your child starts to turn slightly blue, you should call your doctor. The main symptom is a ‘barking cough’ which starts off as a hoarseness in speech which rapidly gets worse.
It is not normally serious in developed countries, but can be in times of distaster.<
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12. Hepatitis
Impaired liver function can occur during a measles infection , and it may not be as rare as previously thought. However, it appears to last only a short time and symptoms do not persist. It is more common in adults than children, and parents need not worry too much about this as a possibility. Studies have shown that it can occur and disappear without being noticed.
Rarely, Measles can lead to:
These last four are rare, but they do, and have, occurred as complications in measles cases.
As you can see, it is a long list. Measles can also kill, with a rough figure in developed countries of 1 in 1000. In undeveloped countries the death rate increases to 15% of cases or more, and over 30% where the immune system has problems, e.g. in AIDS patients and those taking immuno-suppressive drugs.
An aspect of measles which some parents fail to recognise is that unless they, themselves, have had measles already, or have been vaccinated, they could catch it from their children, and become more seriously ill than the child.
All parents should therefore ensure that they themselves have immunity. To plan this along with the starting of a family is not going too far because no parent would want to catch measles from elsewhere before their child is old enough to be vaccinated.
Complications are more likely in children with a poor immune system (such those with leukaemia or AIDS), and in those who are malnourished. This is one reason why measles is still a major problem in some poorer countries. Many malnourished children in the world die when they get measles, usually from a ‘secondary’ pneumonia.
There are still the occasional reports of children in the
Finally, there is another complication which is associated with all viral diseases, including measles, called Reye’s Syndrome. This is a very serious disease which attacks all organs of the body including the brain and liver. It causes pressure on the brain and large accumulations of fat in the liver, both potentially fatal. Although its cause is unknown, it is known to be set off by aspirin, or any other salicylic acid derived medication taken during a viral infection.
It is important therefore never to take or give aspirin during a viral infection of any kind. Several measles symptoms could be treated with aspirin, such as raised temperature, headache, etc. Use paracetamol instead.
If you give your son or daughter aspirin when they have measles, or any other viral disease, you could be killing them.
This is one major problem I have with many websites dealing with viral diseases. They correctly identify headaches and sore throats as symptoms and correctly state in their ‘treatment’ paragraphs that viral diseases cannot be treated, just the symptoms. They then go on to suggest pain relief for the headaches, etc.
No word about the dangers of aspirin and related painkillers.
Please, therefore, be careful in your use of aspirin with a viral disease. Even adults who may take aspirin regularly as a heart treatment can fall foul of this dangerous condition if they also have a viral infection at the time.
Finally, lest anyone think that measles is not a potentially very serious disease, the following comes from the World Health Organization regarding measles in Tsunami affected areas:
“Complications: Up to 75% children may develop complications which include diarrhoea, otitis media, pneumonia, laryngo-tracheal bronchitis (croup) and encephalitis. Measles also depletes Vitamin A status that results in severe eye complications and blindness. Measles can lead to longer term brain damage and deafness.
Low vitamin A status is associated with an increased risk of complications.
Death: Case–fatality ratios for children under one in emergency settings: 3–30%. The three major causes of high case–fatality rates are pneumonia, diarrhoea and croup.”
Measles is a serious disease and can lead to death. I shudder when I read about ‘measles parties’ where parents deliberately try to have their children get measles from other affected children in the mistaken belief that it is safer than vaccination. I remember ‘mumps parties’ and ‘German measles parties’ in the 1950s and 1960s, but never ‘measles parties’. It was always considered too serious a disease for that.
Many doctors have never seen a case of measles. Times may have changed, but the disease has not.
Aug
15
A Step-by-Step Guide to Medicare Part D’s Prescription Drug Plan
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By May 15 of this year, if you haven’t signed up for the program, you could end up without drug coverage, or have to pay the penalty for applying after the deadline. The penalty is a 1% increase in your premium for each month after May 2006 in which you don’t enroll.
The following is a step-by-step guide designed to get down to the basics of Medicare Part D, cut through the jargon, and tells you exactly what you need to know.
Step #1: Eligibility. Are you eligible for Medicare’s new prescription drug plan? Simply put, if you are eligible for Medicare Part A or Part B, you are eligible for Part D.
Step #2: Cost. What will Medicare Part D cost you? For drug expenses in the range of $0-$250, you pay 100% of the cost. When and if your costs fall between $250-$2,250, the plan pays for 75%, and you pay for 25%.
At this point, the infamous coverage gap, often referred to as the “donut hole,” comes into play. Essentially, if your total drug costs, which include what you and the plan pay for prescriptions, exceed $2,250 per year, you pay 100% of your drug costs after that point until you reach $3,600 in out-of-pocket expenses (total $5,100 in drug costs). But after you escape from the “donut hole,” you only have to pay for 5% of your drug costs.
What you pay also includes the usual insurance costs associated with a drug plan. If you do not qualify for extra help, you will pay: monthly premiums, a yearly deductible, and co-pay or co-insurance for each prescription.
If you qualify for extra help due to a limited income, you will pay: low or no monthly premiums, low or no yearly deductible, low or no co-pay or co-insurance for each prescription, and you don’t have to worry about the coverage gap.
Through Medicare’s prescription drug plan, you must choose drug coverage from one of the many private plans made available for the purpose of Medicare Part D. This is usually the point at which people become the most confused. There is a wide range of plans from which to choose, and in the end, the right one for you depends on your unique circumstances. Search for the plan that offers the lowest total costs for the year, including your premiums, deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance for each prescription, and any drug costs you pay during the coverage gap.
To best compare the available plans, visit the http://www.medicare.gov prescription drug plan finder.
Step #3: Drugs Covered. Choosing an insurance plan also requires that you make a selection based on the specific drugs you need. The list of drugs covered is called a formulary. So when determining which plan is best for you, cost is only one consideration – you must also make a choice based on the type of drugs covered. Generic and brand name drugs are included in the formularies, but if a drug you take is not on the list, you will either have to pay for it in full, or switch to a similar drug that is covered by the plan.
Step #4: Joining. Signing up for a plan is, luckily, easier than you may think. You can either sign up through the plan’s website or through Medicare.gov. Another option: call the company offering the plan you desire, or call Medicare directly.
Aug
15
This article was written to answer many of the most frequently asked questions on the subject of bone scans. If you have chronic back pain, a bone scan may be one of the scarier tests that you may undergo, but it is actually a fairly safe and relatively painless procedure.
First off, what is a bone scan?
Simply put it’s a study done to show problem spots on the spine. A radioactive chemical, sometimes called a “tracer”, is injected into the bloodstream. The chemical quickly attaches itself to sections of the bones that are actively making new bone. Images are taken of the skeleton, several hours after the shot.
How is a bone scan done?
An intravenous line (IV) goes in your arm or hand. The chemical tracer is injected into the bloodstream through the IV.
There is a waiting time of two to three hours, while the chemical attaches itself to any areas of bone that are undergoing quick changes. Generally, you are free to leave and come back after this time.
After that, you will be asked to lie or sit underneath a large “camera” that takes pictures of your skeleton. Because the chemical tracer is radioactive, it sends out radiation that can be captured by a unique camera. The camera is analogous to a “Geiger counter” in that it uses film to capture the radioactivity. The process takes 30-90 minutes.
Why a bone scan?
When it is uncer
tain precisely where the problem is in the skeleton, a bone scan is very helpful. It offers the ability to isolate any problem areas by taking a picture of the whole skeleton. Concentrations of the chemical look like dark spots on the film. In an adult, this usually indicates there is a problem. The increased bone-making activity is an answer to the trouble. For example, bone cells will very rapidly start to make new bone to try to mend it, if there is a crack of the bone.
Once these areas are located on the bone scan, the physician may order other tests for exact information about your condition.
A bone scan can show problems such as fractures of the spine, infection, and bone tumors. It can also be used to resolve bone density and the bone-thinning condition of osteoporosis.
How risky is a bone scan?
The chemical is radioactive, but it disappears from the body very rapidly-within hours. Something injected into the bloodstream can always provoke an allergic response. Generally, an allergic reaction to the chemical is uncommon.
What are the limitations of a bone scan?
The bone scan does not show details of the bones or soft tissue. It simply shows how greatly the bone around an exact area is reacting to the problem.
Thanks for taking the time to read my article. You should continue searching for additional information to help you.
Aug
15
All About Cialis
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Cialis is
an effective drug approved for the treatment of impotence in men. Impotence or Erectile
Dysfunction refers to difficulty in having and maintaining an erection.
Cialis relaxes muscles within the penis. It works by allowing an increase of
blood flow into the penis. This increased blood flow into certain internal
areas of the penis results in an erection.
Differentiation from other ED treatment drugs
As compared to other ED treatment drugs, Cialis remains in the body for a very
long period, thus enhancing its effectiveness. However, there are no statistics
to prove its safety or side effects in comparison to other drugs.
Intake of Cialis
Cialis is available in the form of a tablet and can be easily taken orally
before sexual activity. However, the dose and frequency may differ from
individual to individual. One may need to check with a doctor to confirm dose.
The most common side effects observed includes headache, indigestion, back
pain, muscle pain, flushing, and stuffy nose. Back pain and muscle aches are
less severe effects and typically go away within 12 to 24 hours of intake of
Cialis. A small number of patients consuming Cialis may also feel abnormal
vision. However, this is very rare. In case it happens, call for a doctor
immediately. Cialis may be dangerous for some patients taking nitrates (such as
nitroglycerin tablets or patches) or any alpha blocker daily should be aware
not to take Cialis under any situation. This may prove fatal for their lives.
This is because the combination of these drugs with Cialis results in a
significantly lower blood pressure, thus leading to fainting or even death.
Anyone can buy Cialis from an online Cialis pharmacy. It is cheap and easily
available.