Modern medicine

Checklist of Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease

Part 1 of 8

For approximately ten years, I have cared for a parent with slowly advancing Alzheimer’s disease. Contrary to all of the horror stories portrayed in the national media, I have found that the burden of caring for an Alzheimer’s sufferer is less onerous than I originally expected. The primary reason that my burden has been lightened is that I give my mother a potent cocktail mix of drugs and vitamins to combat the disease. Her comparatively slow decline can be attributed to the efficacy of taking a multi-faceted approach to treating this incurable disease.

I subscribe to several news sources that provide daily updates on the latest reported findings and news about Alzheimer’s drugs in development, the latest clinical trials, and treatments using over the counter vitamins and medications. Numerous people have asked me for advice on caring for a family member afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, and I have put together this checklist of therapies that should be administered daily to the Alzheimer’s patient, unless there is clear and convincing evidence that an individual patient will have an adverse reaction to one of these medications.

At the outset, please note that wandering behavior is NOT normal for Alzheimer’s patients; it is a sign of depression that can often be treated and corrected with an antidepressant. Diarrhea accidents and urine accidents are not normal for Alzheimer’s patients, and again, these symptoms can be treated with readily available medications. Too many doctors are quick to jump to conclusions that every ailment afflicting an Alzheimer’s patient is due to the disease. Any doctor who tells you that Alzheimer’s patients normally wake up in the middle of the night, or sleep too much, or lose their appetites, and nothing can be done about it, should be fired. I am happy to debate the merits of my approach with anyone – medically qualified or not – who claims that there are only one or two classes of drugs available to treat Alzheimer’s sufferers.

1. Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (AChEIs). A broad class of drugs inhibit the enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, in the brain. This class of drugs is fairly old as far as Alzheimer’s therapies go; the first of these drugs became available in the 1995/96 period. One of the most popular of these drugs was also the second one in its class: donepezil HCL sold under the brand name “Aricept.” Some newer drugs in this same class include galantamine hydrobromide, sold under the brand name Reminyl, and rivastigmine tartrate, sold under the

brand name Exelon. In addition to being an AChEI, Reminyl also stimulates the nicotinic receptors, which means it should make a person more alert. We tried all three drugs and found Aricept worked best for my mother.

To make a long story short, Alzheimer’s patients do not have enough of the chemical acetylcholine in their brains. Ideally, we would like to have a drug that generates new and abundant supplies of acetylcholine in the brain, but those drugs are still in development. As a second-best alternative, pharmaceutical firms developed drugs that would inhibit the body’s natural enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, thereby giving Alzheimer’s patients a chance to maximize the use of what little acetylcholine is still produced in their brains.

Aricept, in the yellow 10 mg pills, has a long lasting effect and should be taken once a day. Reminyl is taken twice a day and has a shorter duration of efficacy. For whatever reasons, my mother responded better to Aricept than to Reminyl in terms of short term memory for completing daily functions, e.g., making her own breakfast. We could not detect any sign that Reminyl made her more alert. She began taking Aricept just months after it was approved by the FDA, which corresponded to the time she was originally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. A board-certified neurologist told us in 1997 it was best to take this drug at night, so that it could be dissolved in her system overnight and work at its peak when she awoke the next morning.

However, subsequent research has shown that all people need some breakdown of acetylcholine in their brains while sleeping to reach the deeper, more restful stages of sleep. Therefore, medical scientists now say that Aricept and other AChEIs should be taken in the morning, not at bedtime.

Contrary to news articles you may read, AChEIs are useful in the advanced stages of the disease, not just in the early stages. Even advanced-stage patients need as much acetylcholine as they can get. Some clinical studies are now underway to see whether the long-term, chronic consumption of AChEIs can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, even if they cannot stop the pathology of the disease.

Michael A. S. Guth, Ph.D., J.D., is a pharmaceutical economics researcher currently investigating treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, hyperlipidemia, and osteoporosis / bone mineralization. More information about his research work is shown on his web page http://riskmgmt.biz/economist/pharmecon/pharmecon.htm. Utilizing a strong quantitative and statistical background, critique and discover the weakness in any medical study drawing statistical inferences from (clinical trial) data.

NAION is the latest side effect linked to Viagra and other ED drugs. It is a condition which results from a painless swelling of the optic nerve that causes rapid reduction in vision. Those who suffer from NAION wake up with vision loss and it may worsen in one or two weeks. The main risk factors include hypertension, diabetes or fever and a different appearance of the optic nerve which an ophthalmologist can recognize.

FDA received nearly 50 NAION reports from people who were using Viagra drug. In order to play it safe, FDA demanded a new label which linked the ED drugs effect to NAION. Though all the ED drug companies followed FDA’s demand, drug manufacturers like Pfizer [Viagra] and ELI Lily [Cialis] now ask for a relevant proof to base the NAION side effect allegation.

How to Play safe with Viagra

It has not yet been proved whether NAION is a direct side effect of Viagra. But precautions can only help you to be safe.

• If you have had earlier experiences with NAION, take Viagra only after consulting your doctor

• New Viagra users, meet up with an ophthalmologist,

check your eyes for any NAION symptoms and then begin with the drug

• If you feel gradual loss of vision after taking the drug or any uneasiness in your eyes, stop the medication immediately and get it checked by a doctor

• Sometimes the vision loss can occur in one eye. If you have slight irritations in one eye, don’t take it lightly but get it tested

A million users around the world use Viagra. And NAION has affected only a few. And none of them had their eyes checked before taking the erectile dysfunction drug. Pfizer advices all its Viagra pill users to go for a complete check up before starting your favorite Viagra pill. Those who have heart problems, or take nitrate medications can have serious side effects if they start with Viagra. But how many users go through the pill label and follow the instructions. It is always wise to be safe and sure. And any medication will be most effective when it’s taken the proper way.

Steve Clark

http://www.viagrapunch.com

A well known online publisher and has published lot of articles on Men’s Health Problems.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications

There are a number of prescription arthritis medications that doctors can prescribe to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Though none of these arthritis medications cure arthritis, they can relieve pain, relieve symptoms, and even slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can relieve pain and inflammation. These drugs can are used as an arthritis medicine and can be purchased over the counter and in prescription form. (You may know them as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.) The main adverse side effect to these arthritis medications is they can lead to stomach problems, such as bleeding and indigestion. They may also raise an individual’s blood pressure and in some cases cause fluid retention.

COX-2 inhibitors are a class of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are less harmfull to the stomach. This class of arthritis medication works by suppressing an enzyme called cyclooxygenase which is involved in inflammation. However, possible side effects include fluid retention and high blood pressure. There are also reports that those who take this class of drug may be at an increased risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Corticosteroids are arthritis medications which can reduce pain and inflammation. They can also slow down the damage to joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, many patients who take corticosteroids report they

feel remarkably better. However, after prolonged usage, the effectiveness of corticosteroids may wear off. Prolonged usage also brings with it the possibility of serious side effects such as weight gain, diabetes, and thinning of the bones.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Immunosuppressants are often prescribed as an arthritis medication to help control the immune system. In Arthritis patients, the immune system is not balanced and it is out of control. TNF blockers are sometimes given in conjunction with an immunosuppressant. TNF blockers block the protein which inflames the joints. Those on TNF blockers report reduced pain and less stiffness.

Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis allows patients to be given arthritis medications known as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These drugs are known to slow down the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, if the arthritis is caught early, much damage to the joints can be avoided.

Seeing a doctor at the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis is extremely important. Although modern medicine has not been able to find a cure for arthritis, we are much closer to effective pain relief and the ability to slow down the progression rate of rheumatoid arthritis.

Hanif Khaki is the acclaimed and highly regarded author of numerous health related articles and founder of the popular arthritis resource site http://www.arthritispaincure.com.

Men and women serving in the military forces may be deployed overseas to a variety of training or reserve areas, or they may even be sent for active duty to a battle zone. The commanding officers will issue orders to provide these service personnel with all needed gear and supplies. A military medical kit is part of the official equipment that most soldiers receive, but individual soldiers may need to request specialized items or check to be sure that they have all the necessary things that may possibly be needed during a tour of duty.

Most kits are designed to carry basic supplies that will meet the usual known or anticipated medical needs, like blisters, cuts, sunburns, or muscle soreness. Other supplies help to prepare temporary emergency care for extreme wounds, critical exposures to toxins or environmental hazards, and side effects of ecosystem and climate adjustments. Since no portable kit could hold all the possible equipment and supplies that might be needed, it is up to the medical officer to design a generic list for most of the company’s needs based on prevailing conditions. Thus, space and weight are limited in a medical pack due to competing equipment needs that the soldier must carry, so it is important to review the kit periodically and discard expired items while adding new ones that are needed for changing health or duty needs.

Wound care is a primary consideration. Assorted bandages should include large and area-size adhesive strips, a gauze bandage approximately 2” x 5 yards (or of similar proportions), square gauze pads, and adhesive tape, along with butterfly wound closure strips. Foot relief or blister pads, as well as eye wash and eye pads, should be included. A small tube of antibiotic ointment, another of burn cream, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol prep pads, and moist towelettes are useful for many situations, as well. Soap can be brought if room allows.

In case of bleeding injuries or superficial surgery needs, other types of tools and supplies can be added to the medical pack. Sterilized tweezers and scissors, EMT shears, a blood stopper kit, ammonia inhalants, disposable gloves, a syringe with

needle, latex tubing, stethoscope, flashlight, an oral thermometer, and cotton swabs make useful additions. Don’t forget a small medical manual that pertains specifically to the type of conditions the soldier is likely to encounter. One that is enclosed in plastic to protect it from the elements is especially useful.

Pain management supplies are a routine component of any soldier’s medical pack. Pain relievers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen are important to include, along with an antihistamine product. Those who may have special medication needs should arrange to bring along any prescription products they may likewise need.

If there is a reasonable chance of bodily injury, an arm splint and cast plaster may be dispensed, along with a sling or binder, if space permits. In some units, the medic is responsible for managing these and other supplies that may be more randomly needed, so the soldier will not have to take these items along.

Depending on other equipment needs and packaging, a medical kit might contain water purification supplies, an emetic, a blood pressure cuff, and earplugs. A gas mask could be part of the medical kit or fit with field supplies, based on its design and how the other things are packed, allowing for space and accessibility in the event the mask is needed. Kits can be rearranged occasionally to help soldiers keep handy the items they are most likely to need for a particular assignment. If a solder is unsure about whether to take along certain supplies, he or she should check with the medical officer.

Each medical supply bag will be standardized to that base of operations, and then perhaps tailored somewhat to individual soldiers’ needs. In some cases, weight or space may prohibit the inclusion of everything mentioned above, so adjustments will need to be made. The ultimate goal is to provide triage and emergency care to protect the soldier until he or she can return to base for more thorough evaluation and treatment.

Jason Beck is president of Diamondback Tactical, an organization committed to selling American made products. http://www.diamondbacktactical.com should be linked to and credited for any use of this article

Alcohol Abuse information, tips, recovery and treatment.

Washington State joins the growing list of states that are allowing importation of Canadian Prescription drugs. The battle will still be the Federal government as the law still prohibits reimportation of Canadian Drugs although many Americans order safe prescription drug over the internet.

Governor Christine Gregoire said “This bill says to the federal government, Show us what’s wrong with Canadian prescription drugs”

This is a statement that says it all. How the federal government, the drug companies and the USDA all try to manipulate people into believeing that Canadian drugs are not safe.

If that was the case, why do we have Americans driving up Canada to get their prescriptions????

Are they driving here to get bad medicine to hurt themselves??? It is unbelievable how Canada is thought of as a 3rd world in the eyes of some people.

Congrats Washington, hope to help you and your citizens out asap. For more info visit www.77canadapharmacy.com

Here is a brief breakdown of the latest in facts of Canadian Pharmacies.

- Average savings is around 25 to 50 percent less than the U.S. prices

- There was $800 million in sales in 2004 that is 33% more than 2003.

-70% of the 1400 people surveyed believe that ordering prescription drugs from Canada is just as safe and in some cases safer than ordering from the U.S.

Drugs Reviews – drugs side effects and patients reviews..