Drugstore

Higher healthcare calling motivates

2012-01-30T23:27:00.000-08:00

by Mike Troy

Senior Walmart executives regularly invoke the name of Sam Walton when it serves to reinforce a point regarding the company's business model or the cultural principles on which Walton is said to have founded the company. Dr. John Agwunobi, president of health and wellness for Walmart U.S., took the practice a step further recently when he participated in a panel presentation with other top executives at a conference put on by the Center for Retailing Excellence at the University of Arkansas' Sam M. Walton College of Business.

When it was Agwunobi's turn to address an audience comprised primarily of Walmart suppliers, he shared a grainy video of Walton speaking at one of the company's Saturday morning meetings. It was early 1992, and Walton was seated next to then president and CEO David Glass. He was bemoaning the healthcare system, the markup charged for various tests he was receiving and a general lack of price transparency. "I wasn't there," Agwunobi said, "but he used that opportunity to deliver a very personal message that Walmart has a purpose."

That purpose, embodied by the company's "save money, live better" value proposition, has become a more powerful force, motivating Walmart's health-and-wellness strategies. "We want to lower the cost of health care so more people can have access to it," Agwunobi said. "Every employer in this environment is facing amazing increases in the price of health care, and we think we might have a way to help them."

He believes the concept of the productivity loop the company applies to other aspects of its business can work just as well in health care. By lowering prices so more people can buy products and services, the cost can be lowered to increase access so even more people can buy and prices can be lowered more and access improved further in a sort of virtuous cycle, according to Agwunobi.

2010-05-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

Can you Get Rid of Hemorrhoids With Drugstore Medication?

There are many drugstore and alternative Internet products
for treating hemorrhoids. Most of these products are not
made to cure or eliminate hemorrhoids but to give you
temporary relief of itching, pain, swelling or bleeding. I
don't recommend using any type of drugstore product that is not
natural for attempting to get rid of hemorrhoids.

If a hemorrhoid product contains petrochemicals, additives, coloring, dyes, or other chemicals, which enhance its appearance and feel, don't use them. Most, if not all, of these chemicals will be absorbed into your body where your organs of elimination will have to deal with eliminating them. In addition they may irritate your hemorrhoids making it more difficult for you to heal them.

Look at the label before you buy a hemorrhoid product. Check to see what the active ingredient is and how many different additives they have. Avoid those that have a lot of additives or dyes.

All products whether drugs, drugstore medications, or
natural formulations use chemicals, substances, oils, and
herbs that have the following properties:

" Anesthetics - suppresses pain and gives relief…any name with the suffix "caine" like tetracaine
" Analgesics - suppresses and give pain relief - some of them are Anacin, Tylenol with Codeine, OxyContin, Darvocet, Ultracet
" Vasoconstrictors - helps to narrow or constrict hemorrhoidal veins…any name with the suffix "rine" like phenylephrine
" Lubricants - provide lubrication in the colon to relieve constipation - mineral oil, flax seed oil, castor, oil olive oil
" Astringents - help to tighten tissue, which have been pushed out by hemorrhoid action - zinc oxide, witch hazel, calamine
" Keratolytics - help to remove excess hemorrhoidal tissue. They are compounds of sulfur and salicylic acid

Many of the drugstore medications have anesthetics. They
can aggravate and irritate the hemorrhoids you're trying to
get rid of. If you are using one of these drugstore
medications, consider using a more natural remedy.

In 1975 Carl I. Flath, wrote a book called The Miracle
Nutrient - How Dietary Fiber Can Save Your Life. In
his book he talks about the effectiveness of drugstore
suppositories,

"Suppositories quickly work their way up in the
rectum beyond the location of most internal
hemorrhoids, and so are of limited value in
reducing local pain. As antiseptics they are
essentially worthless, since the surface areas
they are supposed to protect are under
constant exposure to new bacteria….
Anesthetic agents do offer temporary relief from local
irritations and pain… Neither the suppositories nor the
ointments, however, do anything whatever to correct the
basic cause of hemorrhoids-constipation."

You can get temporary relief for your hemorrhoid condition using drugstore products, but in some cases these products can cause more irritation and discomfort. It is always best to try natural remedies before you move into drugstore products.

You will find a variety of natural remedies that work well on hemorrhoids. But as with many illnesses and body imbalances, natural remedies some times take a little longer to take effect, but not always. You can find a variety of natural remedies to help you get rid of hemorrhoids on the internet or you can look for some of my other articles on hemorrhoids.

2010-01-30T23:13:00.000-08:00

Viral Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

Types and Transmission of Liver Inflammation Due to Virus Infection

Jan 30, 2010 Wendy Anne Makhdum Prosser

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B, due to hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus infection respectively, are the most common and widespread types of viral hepatitis worldwide.

Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by infection with a virus. Although various different viral infections can lead to hepatitis, the most common forms of the disease are hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, each of which is due to a corresponding virus.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is the most common type of viral hepatitis worldwide. It is caused by infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is spread by eating or drinking food or water that has been contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. As a consequence, HAV is most commonly a problem in places where sanitation is poor and is less often seen in developed countries.

Hepatitis A causes flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain and jaundice that may last for weeks or months. There is no specific treatment for the disease, but people who have been infected with HAV are immune to the virus for the rest of their life.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B, caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), is also very common, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. Like HAV, HBV is less prevalent in Europe and North America. As the virus is present in the bodily fluids of an infected person, the disease is usually spread by unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles among drug-users or blood transfusions. Hepatitis B can also be passed from a mother to her baby during birth.

The symptoms of HBV infection are flu-like but are often late to develop, so people with hepatitis B are often unaware that they have the disease. In some people, the disease becomes chronic, and serious liver problems such as cirrhosis or liver cancer can result. Medications are available to treat both acute and chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatitis Viruses are Common Worldwide

Although the various hepatitis viruses all cause inflammation of the liver, the viruses are unrelated to each other and are transmitted and treated in differing ways. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are the most common and widespread types of viral hepatitis worldwide, particularly in resource-poor countries, but are less commonly seen in developed countries.

What Is Non-allergic Rhinitis? What Causes Non-allergic Rhinitis?

2010-01-26T22:30:00.000-08:00

When a person has rhinitisthe inside of their nose becomes inflamed (swells), causing cold-like symptoms, such as itchiness, blocked nose, runny nose and sneezing. Rhinitis can be caused by an allergy (allergic rhinitis) or something else (non-allergic rhinitis). This article is about non-allergic rhinitis. The symptoms of non-allergic and allergic rhinitis are similar, but the causes are different.

Some individuals with non-allergic rhinitis often find they have a runny nose that does not seem to get better, while others find that symptoms keep recurring. The blood vessels inside the nose expand, causing the lining of the nose to swell. This stimulates the mucus glands in the nose, causing it to become congested and "drippy".

According to The Mayo Clinic, USA, and the National Health Service (NHS), UK, both children and adults are similarly affected by non-allergic rhinitis. Women tend to be more susceptible to nasal congestion during menstruation and pregnancy.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary:

Rhinitis

" Inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane."

The English medical word rhinitis comes from the Greek word rhinos meaning "nose" and the Greek suffix (word ending) itis meaning "inflammation".

There are different types of non-allergic rhinitis:

Infectious rhinitis - also known as viral rhinitis. This is caused by an infection, e.g. the common cold or flu.
Vasomotor rhinitis - the blood vessels in the nose are too sensitive, leading to inflammation. There is abnormal nerve (neuronal) control of the blood vessels in the nose, resulting in inflammation.
Atrophic rhinitis - the membranes inside the nose become thinner and harder, causing the nasal passages to widen and become drier. Crusts form inside the nose, some of them foul smelling. The patient can lose his/her sense of smell. This type of rhinitis may be a complication of nose surgery or an infection.
Other causes - some people may develop non-allergic rhinitis after taking certain medications, such as beta blockers, aspirin or the overuse of nasal decongestants (rhinitis medicamentosa). Sometimes pregnancy, puberty or an over-active thyroid gland can cause rhinitis (due to a hormonal imbalance). Eating spicy foods can cause rhinitis in some people (this is not allergic rhinitis because it is not caused by an immune system response).

What are the signs and symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis?

A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.

The signs and symptoms of infectious rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis and rhinitis medicamentosa are similar, and they include:

Sneezing
A blocked nose
A runny nose
Nasal pressure
Nasal pain
Postnasal drip - phlegm (mucus) in the throat

The signs and symptoms of atrophic rhinitis include:

Crusting inside the nose
Crusts produce a foul smell
The nose may bleed when the patient tries to remove the crust
Anosmia - loss of the sense of smell

Individuals with non-allergic rhinitis do not generally have itchy nose, eyes or throat (allergic rhinitis symptoms).

What are the risk factors for non-allergic rhinitis?

A risk factor is something which increases the likelihood of developing a condition or disease. For example, obesity significantly raises the risk of developing diabetestype 2. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type 2. Risk factors for non-allergic rhinitis include:

Irritants - people who are exposed to tobacco smoke, smog, exhaust fumes, and some other irritants are more likely to develop non-allergic rhinitis. People who work in environments with irritants, such as airplane fuel, jet exhaust, solvents, and some other substances have a higher risk.
Overuse or prolonged use of nasal sprays and drops - people who use OTC (over-the-counter, no prescription required) decongestant drops or sprays for longer than a few days have a significantly higher risk of developing severe nasal congestion.
Gender - females tend to be more susceptible to nasal congestion during menstruation and pregnancy.
Some health conditions - individuals with lupus, cystic fibrosis, some hormonal disorders and asthma are more likely to develop non-allergic rhinitis, compared to other people.

What are the causes of non-allergic rhinitis?

Viral rhinitis - the lining of the nose and throat become inflamed when a virus attacks the area. Inflammation triggers the production of more mucus, which in turn leads to sneezing and a runny nose.

Vasomotor rhinitis - blood vessels inside the nose should contract and expand, thus helping to control the flow of mucus. If the blood vessels are oversensitive they can dilate when exposed to several kinds of environmental triggers, leading to congestion and too much mucus. Triggers include chemical irritants, perfumes, paint fumes, smoke, changes in humidity, a drop in temperature, consumption of alcohol, spicy foods and mental stress.

Atrophic rhinitis - atrophic rhinitis can occur if the turbinate tissue becomes damaged. The turbinate tissue refers to three ridges of bone that are covered by a layer of tissue inside the nose. Surgery is a common cause of turbinate tissue damage - if air flow is obstructed it is sometimes necessary to surgically remove turbinate tissue. Infection can damage turbinate tissue (more common in India, China and Egypt. Very rare in Western Europe and the Americas).

Turbinate tissue helps keep the inside of the nose moist, it protects against bacteria, helps regulate air pressure of the oxygen we breathe in, and contains nerve endings that give us our sense of smell. If some turbinate tissue is lost, the inside of the nose becomes dry, crusty and much more vulnerable to infection.

While some people need to lose a significant amount of turbinate tissue for atrophic rhinitis to develop, others need only lose a small amount.

Rhinitis medicamentosa - caused by over-use of nasal decongestants. In some cases it can be caused by cocaine use. Nasal decongestants reduce the swelling of the blood vessels inside the nose. If the patient uses nasal decongestants for more than five to seven days non-stop the lining inside the nose can start to become inflamed again - even after whatever caused the symptoms, such as a cold, has gone. If the patient carries on using decongestants to try to reduce the swelling, it will probably make the swelling worse (rebound congestion).

How is non-allergic rhinitis diagnosed?

Viral rhinitis - the signs and symptoms of an infection, as may be observed in a cold or flu, help a doctor diagnose viral rhinitis.

Vasomotor rhinitis - as this type of rhinitis has similar symptoms to allergic rhinitis, diagnosis is not so easy. There is no single test that can diagnose vasomotor rhinitis. Doctors use a system known as diagnosis through exclusion to be able to eventually make a diagnosis. All other potential rhinitis causes may have to be checked, including allergens, such as animal fur or pollen. This will include some allergy tests:

Skin prick test - drops of diluted foods are placed on the patient's arm. The skin is then pierced through the drop, thus introducing the food into the system. If there is itching, redness or swelling, the indication is most likely a positive reaction. Experts say that negative results are 95% accurate, while positive results are 55% accurate.
Blood test - the aim is to measure how much IgE (Immunoglobulin E) antibody there is in the blood. IgE is produced by the immune system in response to a suspected allergen.
Patch test - a tiny amount of suspected allergen is added to metal discs which are then taped to the patient's skin. They remain there for up to two days. The health care professional then inspects the skin to see whether there has been a reaction. The test is generally done in hospital.

If the patient is found not have any allergic reactions, the doctor will probably diagnose vasomotor rhinitis.

Atrophic rhinitis - signs and symptoms, such as nasal crusting, widening of the passages in the nose, a foul smell, and the patient's loss of his/her sense of smell indicate that the patient has atrophic rhinitis.

CT (computerized tomography) scan

Rhinitis medicamentosa - the doctor will ask the patient whether they have been using decongestant nasal sprays, and how long for. The patient needs to answer honestly. The doctor is interested in making a diagnosis, and will not judge or criticize the patient.

Ruling out a sinus problem - the doctor may want to determine whether the patient might have a deviated septum or nasal polyps. Either a nasal endoscopy or CT scan may be ordered.

What are the treatment options for non-allergic rhinitis?

Viral rhinitis - as the infection that caused the rhinitis usually goes away on its own, medical treatment for the rhinitis is not usually required. Nasal decongestants may help reduces swelling and blocked nose - it is important not to overuse as this may eventually make the congestion worse, leading to rhinitis medicamentosa. People taking MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) antidepressants should not take nasal decongestants.

Vasomotor rhinitis - an individual who has been diagnosed needs to try to avoid exposure to the environmental triggers that are causing vasomotor rhinitis. Corticosteroid nasal sprays may help reduce inflammation and congestion. If the patient does not respond, the doctor may try:

Antihistamine nasal sprays - even though these are more commonly prescribed for patients with allergies, they sometimes help patients with vasomotor rhinitis.
Anticholinergics nasal sprays - this medication helps widen the airways, which helps breathing. They also reduce the production of mucus.
Sodium cromiglicate - reduces the production of mucus as well as inflammation. In most cases the medication is inhaled.

Atrophic rhinitis - nasal irrigation is most commonly recommended. A saline solution is inserted into the nasal cavities with the use of a syringe. Nasal irrigation is effective in treating crusting and dryness. If there is an infection - often the case if there is a foul smell - the patient will be prescribed an antibiotic.

The following surgical procedures are sometimes used to treat atrophic rhinitis:

Young's operation - the nasal cavity is closed, usually for about nine months, after which it is reopened. This allows it to heal with a much lower risk of infection.
Nasal narrowing - grafted bone or cartilage, and sometimes Teflon or silicon is used to narrow the affected nasal cavity. If the cavity is narrower crusting is less likely to occur.

Rhinitis medicamentosa - the patient needs to stop using the nasal decongestant spray. Some may find this difficult, especially if they have been using them for a long time. The following may help:

Do not use the spray on the good nostril (or less congested one). The good nostril will eventually open up - then stop using it on the other nostril.
There are some types of antihistamine, especially the older ones, that cause drowsiness and help the patient sleep. When taking them be careful not to drive or operate heavy machinery.
Use a saline solution to naturally lubricate your nose.

Written by Christian Nordqvist

Top Tips to find Legitimatize Online Pharmacy Drug Store

2010-01-18T04:14:00.000-08:00

Written by Vishal Dwivedi

If you are looking for legitimatize online pharmacy store then you need not to worry. It bit easy and no hassle comprised task. There are number of tips that help you out to find the required thing.

All of us know that reasonable price, fast delivery service, privacy are some of the factors that made the online pharmacies widely known among the common people as well as with patients. Also if we check for few years back, people required getting line up in front of a public pharmacy store and receiving their recommended prescriptions filled, introduction of online pharmacies has really proved a boon for the people who are incapable of going and buying their medicines from pharma stores. So, now people do not require covering up all the way and then buy medicine from nearby drugstore, no standing in line up in front of stores and more prominently all details and medical informations remnants locked, as private ownership and provided that it is entirely inaccessible to the outsiders. Now, with this boom of online pharmacies, any kind of prescribed drugs can be purchased by just clicking to the option of "order now" of that particular website of pharmacy. Everyone knows it's a minute task and is cost savvy too. Once you get done with the little procedure, the concerned Online Pharmacy supplies you the required variety of drug at your doorsteps.

Although online pharmacies are grabbing more and more popularity among the people, but this fact cannot be unnoticed that most of such pharmacies are not filling the requirement of expected values. The flourishing trade of online pharmacies has provided the way to few illegitimate pharmacies but patients must require walking with legitimate pharmacies only. If you are dealing with entirely legitimate pharmacy then you don't require thinking much about quality issues and standard policies linked up with buying and selling of medicines. Legitimate pharmacies rum smoothly with their high quality services in terms of all services. For finding legitimate pharmacy, you just check out the things:

▪ Check out for the proper contact details of online pharmacy with which you are dealing. It must possess a physical address and the mentioned or given address should idyllically be there in its website itself Prescription drug store.

▪ Pharmacy must sell prescription-based medicines only. Away from that it should require dealing with multiplicity of drugs.

▪ Always check for a seal of verification. Legitimate online pharmacies have their rank approved from a confirmation authority.

▪ Most significant thing is that you should avoid dealing with pharmacies that use to advertise drugs forcefully.

Over the existence the, online pharmacies in Canada has really been of immense assist for the patients and will retain the same reputation. Though, it is the best part to check for the above mentioned essentials before placing any kind of order with any of the pharmacy Canadian Pharmacy.

Red-Light Specials

2010-01-06T17:29:00.000-08:00

Looking for sexual aids or just sex toys? You don't have to shop online anymore.
By Susanna Schrobsdorff | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Feb 13, 2008 | Updated: 6:05 p.m. ET Feb 13, 2008

Hustler magazine and Wal-Mart haven't had much in common over the years. After all, the megaretailer won't even carry Hustler's explicit publications. But now they have at least one area of overlap. As of this month, Wal-Mart will be selling Wet, a sexual lubricant that has been a staple for more than a decade at Hustler's adult product boutiques.
If you haven't heard of Wet or its cousins, like Astroglide, you probably haven't been exploring the "sexual health" section of your local drugstore lately.
The migration of what used to be called "marital aids" from specialty sex shops to the mainstream stores began about four years ago for Trigg Laboratories Inc., the company that makes Wet. "Since then, even the more conservative retailers have come over," says John Winning, vice president of sales for the Valencia, Calif., firm.

You might think that Wet and other personal lubricants with blush-worthy labels would be hidden away on a special shelf in the back of the store behind a curtain. Nope. They are usually right out in the open—near the female contraceptives and pregnancy tests."Every retailer has a different line on what will be acceptable—and that line can move," says Winning. "For us it was also about getting them past the name. But once they see our sales, that doesn't last long."
Nor are they the most risqué items to appear on pharmacy shelves in the last six months. Indeed, certain aisles are starting to look like supply sites for Cosmopolitan magazine's sex tips section.
Those who do go sex-product shopping online will find products that go way beyond the discreetly and romantically packaged offerings on retail store shelves without having to go to sleazy sites. Most of the big chains, except for Wal-Mart, have a sexual health section on their Web sites with an extensive and often eye-popping array of sex toys and "intimacy aids."
Click the "Sexual Wellness" tab on Walgreens's home page and you get a screenful of featured products that includes things like the "Liberator Wedge/Ramp," which comes in three colors and costs $210. (Sorting out what exactly it's for may take a little extra research.) And we won't even describe the other prominently displayed item on the page; suffice it to say it's called "Shag Throe."
For now there's not much chance you'll be seeing the Throe at your local pharmacy. But Winning says he has his sights on expanding into supermarket chains.
Durex and other companies are already selling the lubricants at many mass-market stores like Target, though Cleary declines to say whether the vibrators are heading to supermarkets, where they'd be just a few aisles away from the chicken filets. But the way these products are migrating, we may soon be able to add a lot more spice to our grocery lists.

Royal Botanic Gardens discover nearly 300 new plant and fungi species

2009-12-23T18:09:00.000-08:00

Giant rainforest trees with exploding seed pods and minute fungi are among nearly 300 new species discovered by scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens in their 250th anniversary year.

By Murray Wardrop
Published: 7:30AM GMT 22 Dec 2009

Kew scientists have discovered well over 250 new plants in their 250th anniversary year, including the Isoglossa variegata Photo: PA

However, while discoveries were made in exotic locations across the world, one expert found a new species in one of Kew Garden’s own glasshouses in west London.

Coffee lovers can also celebrate that their favourite morning brew could be saved from climate change after seven new species of the plant were found.

Nearly a third of the 292 new plant and fungi species unearthed this year are thought to be in danger of extinction.

Threatened discoveries include the critically endangered "cancer cure" yam from South Africa, with only 200 plants known in the wild. Regarded by locals as a medicine for cancer, the plant, which has a 3ft, lumpy wooden tuber, is under threat from over-collection.

The smallest species discovered this year are wood rotting fungi which are less than a millimetre thick.

Two species of flowering plants less than 4 ins tall, which take their energy from underground fungi instead of the sun, have also been identified.

According to researchers, the work to discover and document the world's plant species is vital in an era of climate change and loss of biodiversity.

Professor Stephen Hopper, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, said: "These new discoveries highlight the fact that there is so much of the plant world yet to be discovered and documented.

"Without knowing what's out there and where it occurs, we have no scientific basis for effective conservation."

Among the most impressive of the new discoveries are three towering rainforest trees identified by Xander van der Burgt, and colleagues in the Korup National Park in Cameroon.

Talbotiella velutina and Lecomtedoxa plumosa both reach more than 100ft into the forest canopy, but Berlinia korupensis tops these at more than 135ft in height.

Despite its size, the critically endangered Berlinia is a member of the pea family, whose 12-inch pods explode when ripe, propelling the seeds ballistically away from the tree.

However, this year's most surprising discovery was made by Dr Iain Darbyshire as he took a lunchtime stroll through the gardens’ Princess of Wales conservatory. There he found Isoglossa variagata, a plant native to east Africa and southern tropical Africa.

Dr Darbyshire later unearthed specimens of the plant, which had first been collected nearly 100 years ago, at Kew's Herbarium, a scientific collection of more than seven million dried plant specimens.

But despite a note on a specimen from the 1950s which reads "name urgently desired", it has only been described this year.

Dr Aaron Davis, a botanist and Kew's coffee expert, said the discovery of new species of wild coffee this year took the total found in the past decade to almost 30.

With most commercial coffee – the second most traded commodity in the world after oil – coming from a handful of plants, the genetic variety is very limited and the plants are susceptible to pests, diseases and climate change.

Conserving species with different traits, such as being able to grow in waterlogged soil or at different altitudes, could help secure the future of the important crop – but an estimated 70 per cent of wild coffees are in danger of extinction due to habitat loss and climate change, he said.

"Conserving the genetic diversity within this genus has implications for the sustainability of our daily cup, particularly as coffee plantations are highly susceptible to climate change," he said.

10 Tips For Lowering SuperStress

2009-12-04T16:47:00.000-08:00

I know what you're thinking . . . there's no way your life could be stress-free. You've got deadlines, bills to pay, kids to get to soccer practice, and traffic to battle en route. And then there's the stress of news reports about crisis, tragedy, war and recession. None of that will change quickly. But by my definition, stress-free doesn't mean you'll not experience any stress in your life. Rather, living stress-free means you and your activities won't be determined by the inevitable stresses you face. Keep your own personal stress level low and you'll be free of the physical and emotional pressures that stress puts on your body.

The problem comes when the stress response is triggered over and over with no time for rest, as it does for most of us almost every day. You dodge the bus but then are late for work; your report is due but you get a call from your child's day care and have to leave work early to pick her up -- you stay up late that night to finish the report and start again the next day with less sleep than you really need. This is chronic or SuperStress -- you lurch from one stress to the next without a break! Unfortunately, your brain can't tell the difference between the danger of the oncoming bus and the "danger" of your deadlines. The physiological response is the same, and over time, the cumulative result isn't pretty: your digestion gets out of whack, your blood sugar surges, pushing the body into a near diabetic state; your immunity becomes compromised and with that, a myriad of serious medical conditions. In my previous post I explained SuperStress in detail and offered you a quiz to assess whether or not you have SuperStress.

So how can we keep the many, many stresses in our lives from accumulating and becoming super-sized instead of acute and manageable incidents? Here are 10 important strategies for reducing the impact of inevitable stress:

1. First and foremost, try to keep stress in perspective. Cultivate the attitude that whatever is stressing you will eventually resolve itself -- nothing lasts forever. You don't need to aim for a stress-free life in the literal sense, but rather should be aiming for a life with stress in it but not exclusively defined by stress.

2. Try to get 7 hours of sleep a night. Sleep repairs your body from the daily wear and tear and improves your immunity. Scientists have found that those who sleep less than seven hours a night (on average) are three times as likely to get sick as those who averaged at least eight hours.

3. Eat breakfast: starting with a healthy meal will give you more energy to cope with stress later in the day. You don't have to take a lot of time to prepare a good start. Try a fruit and low-fat yogurt smoothie. Berries are naturally sweet and they have vitamin C which tends to be helpful in combating stress. Furthermore, berries have some fiber -- which will decrease cravings by building up bulk in your GI track. Another great breakfast smoothie is banana (1), peanut butter (1 tsp), soy milk, almond milk, or skim milk (½ cup), honey (2 tsp) and low fat yogurt (about 6 ounces).

4. Take a 10 minute break in the middle of the day -- walk around the block or just push back from your desk and talk to a colleague about something other than your work. Even this short break will give you a mental energy boost.

5. Be sure to take a daily multi-vitamin: we use up more vitamins under stress and your multi will help replenish what you're burning through.

6. Steer clear of junk or highly processed foods. Your body needs nourishment when under strain so choose whole grains, fish and lean meats, veggies and fruits. But don't do without chocolate! Chocolate is rich in magnesium and potassium, two minerals that help promote the "relaxation response," as well as iron and zinc, which are minerals that many people don't often get enough of during the course of the day. Chocolate also contains a good amount of selenium, which enhances immune health. The ideal cocoa mass is 75% or more -- this will be clear on the label and is most often found in dark chocolate -- and the ideal portion is 1 ounce (about 1/3 of an average bar or roughly the size of the palm of a woman's hand).

7. Take a 20 minute daily walk -- around your neighborhood, to do an errand on your lunch break, or as part of your commute. Physical activity mobilizes endorphins, the "feel good" hormones. If you can't fit a full 20 minute walk, aim to simply add steps to your day -- take the stairs instead of the elevator or get off the bus or subway one stop shy of your destination and walk the rest of the way. Wear a pedometer to count your steps. People who use pedometers walk an average of one mile more than those who do not measure their steps!

8. Answer the question "What 5 things am I grateful for today?" You won't believe how good it feels to stop and take stock of all that is right in your life. Remind yourself of the abundance that you have. Reach out and appreciate those who contribute to making your life pleasant. Pin up a picture of your family that makes you smile or put up a quote on your refrigerator that inspires you.

9. Go visit a friend or loved one in person this week -- we all need each other and keeping in touch via phone or the internet is just not enough. Your oxytocin levels will rise with the pleasure and comfort of the company of a good friend. Oxytocin is a hormone that enhances a sense of belonging so get off email and stop texting -- spend some quality time with someone who makes you feel loved!

10. Do something kind for someone, compliment somebody, wish someone well. Reaching out to help someone reminds us of the interconnected nature of the human experience--and our capacity to aspire to our highest nature, something we often forget under stress. As the author of One Door Closes, Another Door Opens, Arthur Pine, put it "Caring can start a domino effect."

To reduce stress, and avoid SuperStress, try this today:
Simple as it sounds; focused breathing -- during which you think about your breath as you inhale and exhale -- is a very effective stress-management technique. A slow, full breath triggers physical and cognitive changes that promote relaxation. Deep breathing helps release tension and anxiety and is a great energizer because the deeper the breath, the more your body is flooded with life-fueling oxygen. A full breath begins with the diaphragm pushing downward so that the stomach extends out. As your lungs fill with air, your chest expands. When you exhale, the reverse occurs -- your chest settles first and then your stomach.
* When anxiety strikes or you find yourself focusing on negative thoughts, immediately exhale through your mouth.
* Now, breathe in through your nose, drawing in a fresh, cleansing air to the count of four.
* Exhale again slowly to the count of five.
* Repeat four times.

***

Roberta Lee, M.D., author of The SuperStress Solution, is vice chair of the Department of Integrative Medicine, director of Continuing Medical Education, and co-director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at Beth Israel's Continuum Center for Health and Healing at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Lee attended George Washington University Medical School and is one of the four graduates in the first class from the Program of Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona conducted by Andrew Weil, M.D.

Follow Roberta Lee on Twitter: www.twitter.com/drrobertalee

Janet Jackson: Michael in denial over drug problem

2009-11-18T19:37:00.000-08:00

By FRAZIER MOORE, AP Television Writer – Wed Nov 18, 3:28 pm ET
NEW YORK – Janet Jackson says she recognized her brother Michael's drug problem, and tried to help him, but that he rebuffed those attempts to intervene. "You can't make 'em drink the water," Jackson told ABC News in an interview airing Wednesday. When asked if her brother was in denial about his addiction, she replied, "Possibly."
"I wish he could answer this question for you and not me," she told ABC's Robin Roberts. "I felt that he was in denial."
She blames Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician, for his death June 25.
Prosecutors in Los Angeles are weighing charges against Murray, who told police he administered a powerful anesthetic to the singer shortly before he died.
During the interview, the 43-year-old Janet Jackson spoke of her upcoming diet book, "True You," which chronicles her lifelong struggle to control her weight.
She has gained some mastery over her self-image, she said, after years of "just picking yourself apart all the time because you're so used to being kind of picked apart."
She said she hasn't seen "This Is It," the new documentary film spotlighting her late brother as he prepared for the concert tour that would've taken place last summer.
"I definitely won't, not right now," she said. "I don't know if I will ever see it."
___

M. D. Anderson Offers Guidance On Choosing Tobacco Cessation Products

2009-11-12T17:26:00.000-08:00

Whether you smoke three cigarettes or three packs of cigarettes a day, kicking the habit is difficult. Various nicotine replacement products are on the market to make quitting easier. But which product is right for you? Experts from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center are here to help.

"Quitting smoking is a wonderful thing to do for yourself and your loved ones, but it can be really hard without help," said Jennifer Irvin Vidrine, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Health Disparities Research at M. D. Anderson. "A great way to reduce withdrawal symptoms while you are trying to quit is to use some sort of nicotine replacement therapy."

Quitting smoking is one of the absolute most important things you can do to improve your health. It significantly reduces your risks for cancer and other diseases, such as heart and lung disease. M. D. Anderson experts share the lowdown on nicotine replacement products.

Patches

The patch gives you a steady stream of nicotine that helps cut down on the highs and lows of nicotine withdrawal. Side effects: Some people with sensitive skin can develop a skin rash when using this product. Moving it to a different spot on your body each day usually helps.

Gum

Gum is a great way to keep your mouth busy without a cigarette. It gives you small doses of nicotine when you need it. Gum and lozenges also are good for people who are habitual about when they smoke cigarettes. Side effects: The most common problem with the gum is that it is often misused. You need to chew the gum, tuck it between your cheek and gum, and let it sit for a while. If you don't chew as directed, your body won't get the full dose of nicotine.

Lozenges

Lozenges came onto the market after the gum to help people who have trouble using the gum correctly. It is great for habitual smokers to indulge in while having a cup of coffee or to soothe themselves during a stressful moment. It also is for people who aren't thrilled about the idea of having to tuck the gum between their gum and cheek, which can leave an unsightly bulge. Side effects: Although easier to use than the gum, the lozenge can leave a film in the mouth. It also can leave users with stale breath.

Nasal Spray

The nasal spray is like many sprays you might use for a runny nose or allergies. With the gum or lozenge, what you eat or drink can affect the amount of nicotine you get. The nasal spray is a single shot of nicotine. It works faster than the gum or lozenge, and unlike the patch, it can be used exactly when your craving hits. Side effects: The nasal spray can sting the inside of your nose. It also is just one shot, so if you smoke because you like the habit, this isn't the tool for you.

Inhalers

Inhalers work fast like the nasal spray and certainly faster than the gum and lozenge. Like an asthma inhaler, you put it to your mouth and breathe deeply. Like nasal spray, inhalers gives you a measured amount of nicotine the instant you need it, but, it isn't quite as harsh as the nasal spray. Side effects: The biggest trouble with the inhaler is that it is impractical or awkward to use in real life. Using the inhaler in social situations can be awkward, if not alarming, for your company. It also is fairly bulky to carry around.

A nicotine replacement product for every personality

"You really can't go wrong with any nicotine replacement therapy," said Damon J. Vidrine, Dr.P.H., assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Science at M. D. Anderson. "I recommend, however, trying the patch first. The patch delivers a steady, low-dose stream of nicotine to your system that reduces cravings."

While you can buy the gum, lozenge and patch over-the-counter at your local drugstore or supermarket, you need a prescription from your doctor to get the inhaler or nasal spray.

Reaching your goal

"To help yourself quit, I strongly recommend a nicotine replacement product in combination with counseling," Jennifer Vidrine said.

Although going to see a private counselor might be impossible because of time or money, there are several free smoking quit lines such as 1-800-QUIT NOW (American Cancer Society) and 1-877-44U-QUIT (National Cancer Institute).

"Your goal should be complete cessation," Damon Vidrine said. "It shouldn't be just to cut back. This can be difficult, but nicotine replacement products, non-nicotine medications, and counseling really do help people who want to quit."

Read more about smoking cessation and get linked to M. D. Anderson tobacco cessation studies, some of which offer free treatment methods, at www.mdanderson.org/focused.

M. D. Anderson experts available for interview:

Jennifer Irvin Vidrine, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Health Disparities Research

Jenifer Irvin Vidrine's research focuses on eliminating health disparities through investigating potential "windows of opportunity" for promoting health behavior change, developing and evaluating the impact of tailored health risk communications, evaluating potential mechanisms underlying changes in risk perceptions over time in the natural environment, and disseminating evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions to underserved populations. The primary emphasis of her work to date has been on tobacco.

Damon J. Vidrine, Dr.P.H., Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral Science

Damon Vidrine's research interests include tobacco use in special populations and the development of intervention and assessment approaches. Among his current projects is a study designed to elucidate the relationships between disease events (e.g., diagnosis, treatment failure, and disease progression) and subsequent changes in smoking behaviors, attitudes, and intentions. Additional efforts involve the development of cell phone-delivered treatments, such as counseling, interactive text messaging and use of mobile web-based applications.

Green Tea

2009-03-23T22:16:00.000-07:00

What is green tea?

Green tea, like all other teas, is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Unlike darker teas like black tea and oolong tea, Green tea is unoxidized and retains much of its antioxidants and nutrients. Most of the worlds green tea is produced in either China or Japan and there are many varieties.
Does green tea really help aid in weight loss?

Yes! Green tea is an excellent weight loss aid. It boosts the metabolism, burns fat, and increases exercise endurance. There have been many scientific studies that prove how beneficial green tea is when it comes to losing the pounds.
Are there any health benefits from drinking green tea?

Tons! Green tea is healthier for you than pure water. Its powerful antioxidants fight cancer and diseases, improve digestion, promote healthy skin, enhance mental focus, boost the immune system, fight the aging process, and much more. Once again, there have been many scientific studies that prove these benefits.
Are there any side effects from drinking too much green tea?

Not really. Although green tea does contain caffeine, too much of which can cause restlessness and sleeping problems.
How much caffeine is in green tea?

Green tea contains about 20 mg of caffeine per average serving. This is much less than coffee (100-120 mg), and less than Oolong tea (30 mg) and black tea (40 mg).
How many cups of Green tea should I drink per day?

Although it’s still debatable, most research has found that drinking 4 or more cups per day will yield the maximum weight loss and health benefits.
Does iced green tea have the same health benefits as freshly brewed green tea?

If you brew it yourself, yes. If it’s “green tea” in a bottle from a grocery store, it probably doesn’t have the same benefits as natural green tea. Also, be aware that the healthy antioxidants in green tea are diminished over time if the tea is not refrigerated.

Herbal Medicine

2009-02-16T19:59:00.000-08:00

Herbal medicine is older than any other type of healthcare. Every culture has taken advantage of herbs and their benefits. Herbal medicine began with primitive cultures using different plants for shelter, clothing, and medicine. Man learned medicinal benefits of plants through trial and error methods in addition to observing animals. Man’s knowledge of herbs and their medicinal uses advanced over time. Herbal pharmacopoeias were developed by different tribes. Even the pharmacopoeia of scientific medicine in the 20th century was developed primarily from native herbal lore. Herbal medicine continues to influence the medicines of today. Up to 25 percent of all prescription drugs in the United States have at least one active ingredient that comes from plant extracts or synthesized plant compounds.

As many as 4 billion people, or 80 percent of the earth’s population, are estimated to use a form of herbal medicine in their health care, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Herbal medicine is a large part of naturopathic, homeopathic, Native American Indian, Ayurvedic, and traditional oriental medicine. Of the 119 plant-derived pharmaceutical drugs, as many as 74 percent are used in the same ways the plants were used by natives. Plants gathered from locations such as the rain forests are being studied for their possible medicinal values by various pharmaceutical companies.

Conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, pain, and heart disease are often treated today with commercial medicines containing plant-based substances. Ephedrine is derived from an herb called ephedra and is used in commercial medicines to relieve respiratory and asthma symptoms. The actual herb ephedra has been used for over two thousand years in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat the same symptoms.

The foxglove plant is an herb that has been used since 1775. Today this herb, also referred to as the cardiac stimulant digitalis, keeps millions of heart patients living all over the world.

Branches of Herbal Medicine include Ayurvedic Herbalism and Traditional Chinese Herbalism. Ayurvedic Herbalism stems from Ayurveda and Western Herbalism and originated in Greece and Rome. Its practice spread throughout Europe and eventually to North and South America. Traditional Chinese Herbalism comes from Traditional Oriental Medicine.

Western Herbalism is now considered folk medicine. Ayurvedic and Chinese Herbalism differ because they have developed over centuries into very advanced forms of treatment and systems of diagnosis.

People in the United States are continually gaining interest in herbs because of an increasing number of success stories. One example is the use of St. John’s Wort to treat forms of depression. People have used this drug to avoid using Prozac, which produces unwanted side effects. Certain Ayurvedic herbs are commonly used to help those with conditions including diabetes and high cholesterol. Herbs such as Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) and Ginseng continue to increase in popularity because of their helpful effects.

Health News & Tips

2008-06-22T02:59:00.000-07:00

Health Tip: Reduce Your Risk of Anemia

(HealthDay News) — Anemia occurs when there aren't enough red blood cells in your blood, or they are deficient in a protein called hemoglobin. This means your red blood cells don't carry enough oxygen to the rest of the body.
Latest MedicineNet News

* Device Helps Spinal Patients Breathe
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* Doctors Slow to Embrace Electronic Medical Record
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Women and people with chronic disease are at greater risk of becoming anemic.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these suggestions to help prevent anemia:

* Get plenty of iron in your diet by eating such foods as leafy green vegetables, lean red meats, iron-fortified breads and cereals, fish and dried fruits.
* Consume foods with plenty of vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to help your body absorb more iron.
* Avoid restrictive or fad diets that prevent a healthy balance of vitamins and minerals.
* Don't drink coffee or tea with meals. They make it more difficult for your body to absorb iron.
* Get tested for anemia every five to 10 years while in your childbearing years. If your doctor tells you that you're at greater risk of anemia, the physician may recommend annual testing.

— Diana Kohnle

Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Device Helps Spinal Patients Breathe Without Ventilator

WEDNESDAY, June 18 (HealthDay News) — The NeuRx DPS RA/4 Respiratory Stimulation System has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help paralysis patients breathe for at least four hours without a ventilator.
Latest MedicineNet News

* Device Helps Spinal Patients Breathe
* 'Micromagnets' May Enhance MRI Technology
* Doctors Slow to Embrace Electronic Medical Record
* Type, Severity of Iraq War Injuries Changing
* Stem Cells Might Treat Tough Fractures

The implanted device uses four electrodes to stimulate the diaphragm, which contracts when a person breathes. People with paralysis stemming from severe spinal cord injuries can lose the ability to control this muscle, requiring full-time connection to a ventilator machine.

"While the NeuRx RA/4 does not cure paralysis of the diaphragm, allowing patients to be free from a mechanical ventilator for at least four hours a day may enhance their quality of life," Dr. Daniel Schultz, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in a statement.

The device is manufactured by Synapse Biomedical of Cleveland, Ohio.

— Scott Roberts

Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Micromagnets' May One Day Enhance MRI Technology

WEDNESDAY, June 18 (HealthDay News) — "Micromagnets" could some day be injected into the body to add color to MRIs and enhance sensitivity and the amount of information provided by the images, according to U.S. researchers.
Latest MedicineNet News

* Device Helps Spinal Patients Breathe
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* Type, Severity of Iraq War Injuries Changing
* Stem Cells Might Treat Tough Fractures

They said these micromagnets also could act as "smart tags" that identify specific cells, tissues, or physiological conditions for medical research or diagnostic purposes.

Currently, chemical solutions are used as image-contrasting agents in MRIs, which are primarily black and white, the researchers said.

The researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Institutes of Health have demonstrated the proof of principle for this new approach to MRIs. The findings are published in the June 19 issue of the journal Nature.

Tweaking the micromagnets' physical shape adjusts the radio frequency (RF) signals used to create MRI images. The RF signals are then converted into different colors by computers.

Different sets of micromagnets can be created to produce different colors. For example, specific sets of magnets could target different types of cells, such as cancerous versus normal. The cancerous cells could then be identified by tag color, the researchers said.

Each micromagnet consists of two round, vertically stacked magnetic discs a few micrometers in diameter, separated by a small open gap. Very low concentrations of the magnets in a person's body would be enough to enhance MRI images, the researchers said.

Further engineering and testing, including clinical trials, must be done before these micromagnets could be used in patients undergoing MRI exams.

— Robert Preidt

SOURCE: National Institute of Standards and Technology, news release, June 18, 2008

Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Doctors Slow to Embrace Electronic Medical Records

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, June 18 (HealthDay News) — Electronic medical record systems are being touted as the wave of the future in health care and communication, but only 17 percent of U.S. doctors have embraced the technology, a new survey finds.
Latest MedicineNet News

* Device Helps Spinal Patients Breathe
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* Doctors Slow to Embrace Electronic Medical Record
* Type, Severity of Iraq War Injuries Changing
* Stem Cells Might Treat Tough Fractures

"When you use a good definition of what a record system is, very few physicians appear to have one," said lead study author Catherine M. DesRoches, at Massachusetts General Hospital's Institute for Health Policy, in Boston.

The definition of a fully functional electronic medical record system includes a patient's complete medical records, medication lists, problems, and clinical notes from past visits. The doctor can also order prescriptions, laboratory tests and radiology tests electronically, DesRoches said.

In addition, the doctor can review lab results and view X-rays, MRIs or other scans on the computer, DesRoches noted. There are also warnings about inappropriate prescriptions or abnormal lab results. And the systems remind the doctor when lab or screening tests are needed.

For the survey, DesRoches and her colleagues surveyed 2,758 doctors nationwide about their use of electronic medical record systems. The researchers found that 4 percent reported having a fully functional system. An additional 13 percent said they had a basic system.

The survey also found that primary care doctors and doctors with large practices or those in hospitals or medical centers were more likely to have electronic medical record systems. In addition, doctors in the western region of the United States were more likely to have such systems.

The findings, published online Wednesday, were expected to be published in the July 3 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Doctors cited a number of barriers for not adopting an electronic medical record system, including concern about cost and return on investment, DesRoches said.

"They also worry about their system becoming obsolete," she said. "They also worry that the system is going to go down, and they will have a waiting room full of patients, and they can't get to anyone's record."

But, she added, doctors who have these systems are very satisfied with them. "It makes care more effective and efficient," she said.

DesRoches thinks that eventually, most doctors will adopt an electronic system. In fact, the survey found that 40 percent of those physicians who did not have an operational system said they had purchased one but hadn't started to use it, or they planned to buy one, she said.

Both Medicare and private insurance companies are pushing doctors to adopt electronic medical record systems as a way of monitoring quality of care, which will be a basis for reimbursement levels, DesRoches noted.

One electronic medical records expert doesn't think this survey truly reflects which physicians are using electronic systems or takes into account the ultimate goal of computerized medical care.

"What we are talking about is moving physicians into the computer age," said C. Peter Waegemann, chief executive officer of the Boston-based Medical Records Institute, which promotes the use of electronic medical records. "We are changing the way physicians practice medicine, from an intuitive art to a computer-guided, computer-based care system."

Waegemann said that while only about 20 percent of doctors have electronic record systems, the number varies by specialty and region of the country.

"About 50 percent of family practitioners have electronic health record systems. Among pediatricians, 40 to 50 percent have systems," Waegemann said. "In states such as Massachusetts, New York and California, you have maybe 40 to 50 percent implementation. When you get to Mississippi and Idaho, you have maybe 4 percent."

Electronic medical records are coming rapidly, Waegemann predicted. Forces pushing their adoption include patient demand, younger doctors who were trained with such systems and pressures from the insurance industry.

Electronic records also make it easy for patients to send their medical records directly to doctors and specialists, Waegemann said, adding, "If physicians don't have such systems, patients will go elsewhere."

SOURCES: Catherine M. DesRoches, Dr.P.H., Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; C. Peter Waegemann, CEO, Medical Records Institute, Boston; June 18, 2008, New England Journal of Medicine, online, July 3, 2008, New England Journal of Medicine, print edition

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