Vitamin E Doesn’t Decrease the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis among Women

There had been a belief among some people in the medical community and those who promote homeopathic remedies that vitamin E supplements may prevent women from developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  However, Dr. Elizabeth W. Karlson and researchers for the Women’s Health Study analyzed the effects added vitamin E and showed this not to be the case. In spite of credible biologic mechanisms, controlled trials revealed that regular, long-term ingestion of vitamin E through supplements does not reduce a woman’s chance of rheumatoid arthritis. 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects approximately twenty million people globally.  It is an autoimmune disease which is characterized by the body’s failure to recognize its own healthy tissues and instead attacking them as if they were a foreign substance.  RA can bring about pain and inflammation of the organs and cause pain, swelling and stiffness in their joints. Over time, RA can also increase the risks of cardiac and lung disease and may cause irreversible damage to bones and cartilage.  Other complications from this chronic condition include dry-eye and irregular salivary gland production. 

Previous studies reported in the journal Arthritis Care and Research, which were “observational” in nature, showed that adding antioxidants to the diet could cut the risks of rheumatoid arthritis. Some people even believed vitamin E could be used as a treatment for arthritis. During the Women’s Health study, every other day almost 40,000 women of forty-five years of age older were randomly given 600 international units of vitamin E through supplements or a placebo. Dr. Elizabeth W. Karlson and researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston followed-up on the study which lasted an average of ten years. Their findings show that fifty women who belonged to the group which received vitamin E and fifty-six women who were part of the placebo group developed RA. This research suggests that taking vitamin E supplements does not have any significant effects on the likelihood of women getting rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Taking large amounts of vitamin E should also not be considered a natural treatment option. Women and men, who do have this disease, should consult with their doctor and rheumatologist to discuss their treatment options.  Often arthritis drug treatments include medication which can be grouped by: corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), and anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Arthritis medication can be purchased through an online pharmacy and shipped to RA patients all over the world. For the latest information about RA and osteoarthritis, visit www.arthritis.org.

Erectile Dysfunction May Increase the Risk of Cardiac Disease

Research which comes of a 2009 Mayo Clinic study shows that men who have erectile dysfunction (ED) between forty to forty-nine of age, are twice as likely to develop heart disease than men who don’t have such dysfunction. The same study found men that suffer from erectile dysfunction are eighty percent more likely to experience some form of heart disease. Men with erectile dysfunction who are in their fifties, sixties, and seventies also had increased cardiac complications; however, the connection was not as strong as among men between 40-49 years of age. When considering older men, erectile dysfunction may not be as relevant to later developing heart disease. While study does not show the reasons why these risks seem to exist in younger men, the prevailing theory is erectile dysfunction and cardiac disease may be caused by the same underlying condition in such patients.  Plaque can build up within arteries near the heart and also in the smaller arteries within the penis.  Blood vessels may also because less pliable over time, with the stiffening of the vessels first affecting the penis. 

Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra®)

Erectile Dysfunction is often treated with men’s health medicine such as Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra®) or Tadalafil (Cialis®).  Many patients with ED purchase their medication through an online pharmacy to both keep their condition discreet and make it more affordable.  Doctors will continue to prescribe pharmaceutical therapy to treat erectile dysfunction; however, they may also start to screen patients for future heart disease. The Mayo Clinic findings suggest medical practitioners consider erectile dysfunction as a predictor for heart disease and take preventive measures in such patients. These men  may need to adopt a heart-friendly diet, excercise, and possibly start taking cholesterol medicine.  This study shows doctors they may have  an opportunity to reduce the progress of cardiac disease, which remains  the number one cause of death in the United States.                    

 

Growing Awareness of the Transgender

When the civil rights advocate, musician, and author Chastity Bono  announced earlier this year she was changing her gender and transitioning to a man, it sparked greater awareness of being transgender.   There have since been more in-depth discussions about what it means to be transgender in schools, in homes, and throughout the media.  One of the most common similarities among the transgender is the feeling from a very early age that they were born the wrong gender.  In their mind, they identify themselves with being the opposite sex, are uncomfortable with their gender-specific body parts, and feel trapped in their own body. Such feelings are not about their sexuality but their self-identity. This can be particularly difficult as young people enter puberty and their sexual characteristics become more pronounced.

While many transgender people suffer in silence, it is becoming more common for them to come out to friends, family, and society. This is part because the more mainstream dialogue about this condition. Some courageous children and teens are coming out privately to their parents or even publically to their school teachers and classmates. While it can be difficult to obtain peer acceptance, transgender youth often report they’re relieved and happy to live in a way that’s consistent with their true self- identify. It’s recommended that parents of transgender children seek therapy for them – not to try to change their feelings but to help them cope with the reactions of others and find peace within themselves.  Such young people benefit from as much support as possible.

Some transgender are comfortable just living their life as the opposite sex.  However, others decide to physically change their appearance.  This can mean taking hormones and other transgender medicine or surgically altering their body. Before anyone can medically transition, they must first speak with a therapist and receive a diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder.  They should also undergo their transition during medical supervision to minimize unwanted side-effects and avoid possible health risks. Health Insurance often does not pay for all aspects of gender transition and many plans don’t cover any associated costs.  Since hormone therapy can be expensive, some transgendered people are purchasing their drugs through an online pharmacy.  Electronic drug stores such as www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com carry medication such as Conjugated estrogens (Premarin®) and Cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (Diane 35 ®) and make it available at substantial discounts.  For some transgender people seeking hormone treatment, being able to buy their pharmaceuticals online can make all the difference in obtaining drug therapy and becoming more comfortable living in their own skin.

How to Find a Reputable Online Pharmacy

Obtaining medicines through an online pharmacy is growing in popularity. People with a prescription are no longer going directly to their neighborhood drug store but instead reconsidering their options. Rising medical costs and depressed economical conditions have caused patients to seek less expensive alternatives and many are now filling their prescriptions over the internet. However, online pharmacies aren’t all alike. Buyers have to be careful that they are selecting one which is trustworthy and carries the quality of pharmaceuticals which they expect. Below are some things to consider when using an online pharmacy:

• Anyone ordering from an online pharmacy should first check with their own doctor to ensure taking the medicine is medically advised.
•  Look for an online pharmacy that provides a phone number to call and answer questions about the medication. The best online pharmacies will employ a licensed pharmacist or medical professional. 
•  Never consider using a pharmacy on the internet which is not licensed to fill an electronic prescription.
• Do not consider pharmacies which fill drugs or offer generic medicines not approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Generic drugs should be produced by reputable drug manufactures, ideally in FDA inspected facilities.
• Carefully check your credit card statement to ensure all charges are correct.
• Be sure to report any suspicious pharmaceutical sales practices to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
• Read the privacy and security policies carefully for an online pharmacy to be sure your personal information is well protected.
• Carefully review the contents of an order once it arrives to be certain it is correct. Taking the wrong drugs can be ineffective or worse, harmful to your health.
• Purchase from an online pharmacy which accepts returns and refunds, such as http://www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com/

There are many advantages to purchase medicines online. While the foremost reason is the substantially lower prices, there are other benefits as well. Some people are embarrassed to fill their prescriptions at their local drug store because of the nature of their condition. Such patients feel better ordering pharmaceuticals from the privacy and comfort of their own homes without the risk of being observed. Other people are not physically able to go out to a pharmacy, either because of infirmities or they live in a remote location. There is also a time savings when ordering online. Filling prescriptions over the internet eliminates the need to travel or wait in line and, when placing an order in advance, there doesn’t have to be any downtime in between refills. An online pharmacy is a very good way to help keep ourselves healthy – just do some homework and ask questions first.

Smoking During Pregnancy Linked to Children’s Behavioral Problems

Most pregnant women in the United States know that smoking could be harmful to their baby’s health and cause such problems as low birth weight.  However, new studies have revealed potential behavioral problems of a newborn whose mother smoked during pregnancy or was exposed to excessive secondhand smoke. Researchers have linked prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke to significant behavioral problems, mood difficulties, and psychological disorders which can persist into adulthood.  In general, children who had smoking mothers are more irritable and unhappy.  They are more likely to have attention-deficit disorder, have hyperactive behavior, or exhibit a conduct disorder. Such children are at a higher risk for criminal behavior, including violent offenses, and more susceptible to use drugs as an adolescent.  They also are more inclined to smoke cigarettes themselves as teens or adults, further compromising their health. 

Nicotine is responsible for most of the negative effects of tobacco throughout pregnancy or during the postnatal period.  However, cigarette smoking is also linked to a deficit in monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity, which are enzymes that can compromise the functionality of brain neurotransmission.  This can make children exposed to smoke more vulnerable to neurological disorders and behavioral problems.  Doctors in France looked at blood biomarkers of MAO-A activity in pregnant women who both smoked and did not smoke and analyzed the umbilical cords and blood flow to their infants.  They also observed the newborns reactions and behavior during their first two days of life.  Their findings showed reduced MAO-A activity in both the pregnant mother and her child.   Additionally, newborns of women who smoked exhibited signs of discomfort and irritability than the babies from non-smoking mothers.  This study has prompted doctors to commission further research because of the implied connection between both biology and behavior among smokers and their offspring.

Women who are considering pregnancy should ideally quit smoking prior to conception to bring as little stress as possible on their developing fetus. Ways to quit smoking include support groups and sometimes hypnosis therapy to work on behavioral changes.  Exercise can be an important part of an anti-smoking plan and smoking cessation medication can play a big part in a smoker’s success. Medicine to quit smoking such as Zyban®/Wellbutrin SR® and Nicorette Gum® can help mitigate the physical withdrawal symptoms, while antidepressant medicine can help a smoker maintain a more positive mood while going through the process.

The current research shows there are even greater risks to a fetus and a newborn baby when exposed to cigarette smoke than previously known.  Smoking while pregnant can have long-lasting ramifications on a child’s mental wellbeing and can negatively effect their entire life. This provides even more compelling reasons for pregnant women to abstain from smoking and to bring their newborns into as healthy a post-natal environment as possible.

Diabetic Adults and Depression

Information which was released during the 69^th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in 2009 reveals that adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are more likely to suffer from clinical depression than adults without the disease.  Diabetic adults also take more anti-depressant medicine , being almost two times as likely to take prescription antidepressants as non-diabetics. Diabetics struggles with depression are receiving growing awareness by the medical community. Many physicians are now regularly screening patients with diabetes for symptoms of depression, especially those with other health issues related to their diabetes.

A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children or young adults and is the fourth leading cause of mortality around the world. It is an incurable disease which can bring about many serious health complications.  Also called juvenile diabetes (or insulin-dependent diabetes), the disease develops when the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient amounts of insulin to stabilize the body’s blood sugar levels. Over time, the pancreatic cells which manufacture insulin are completely destroyed and the body is rendered incapable of any insulin production. Without insulin replacement or other diabetes medication, a patient with diabetes will become severely sick and even die.

Diabetes can cause other health problems such as retinopathy, blindness, amputation, cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and kidney or pancreas failure. People with type 1 diabetes who are experiencing such medical complications are most likely to have anxiety and depression. Such patients say that they have constant concerns over their health, are less able to maintain regular employment, and may experience significant physical pain or discomfort.

Most patients can control their diabetes but often need the help from a thorough team of medical professionals which consists of: a primary care doctor, eye doctor, nutritionist, podiatrist, kidney specialist, cardiologist, and dentist.  Since depression is common among diabetics, a psychologist or psychiatrist is often necessary. Many type 1 diabetics can successfully manage their disease with insulin and other supplemental diabetes medicines. They do need to closely monitor their health but can expect to live longer and healthier than ever before. In recent years, antidepressant medicines are now also being given to such patients.  They are helping them better cope with their condition and enjoy a better quality of life.

Americans, Acne, and Affording Treatment

Acne is one of the most often diagnosed skin diseases effecting people of all races and genders in the United States. It commonly occurs among teenagers and people in their early twenties; however, someone can develop acne at any age.  The condition is not physically harmful but can be very damaging psychologically to both young adults struggling with their self-esteem or older patients who are concerned about social stigma.

Acne comes in several forms such as: whiteheads, blackheads, and the less common cystic acne and nodular acne. The primary cause of acne is increased oil production in the skin’s sebaceous glands.  This excessive production can be caused by a variety of things, including: genetics, stress, hormone changes, and prescription medication. Acne breakouts may also be the result of environmental pollutants, a humid atmosphere, or oily cosmetics coupled with poor hygiene.

 Some statistics about acne:

• 60 million people in the U.S. have acne
• 20 million people in the U.S. have acne severe enough to cause skin scars
• 20% of all American adults have an active case of acne
• 85% of American teenagers have acne, which will cause permanent skin scars on 25% of them
• 40% of Americans with acne will not seek acne treatment
• 30% of Americans will buy over-the-counter acne medication
• 11% of Americans with acne will seek help from a physician

Today’s acne treatments are very effective. However, to determine the best acne medication for one’s specific condition, patients need to first identify the cause of their breakouts.  A medical professional can diagnosis types of acne and recommend which acne medicines will help clear the skin of the individual patient.  Within the United States, there are many excellent dermatologists which can be found through the American Academy of Dermatologists.

Unfortunately for patients over twenty-five years of age, many insurance companies don’t cover the cost of their treatment.   An adult patient’s policy may cover a part of their doctor’s visit, skincare procedures, and acne medicines but the remainder is their financial responsiblity.This is because insurance companies consider acne on adults to be a cosmetic issue and not a medical one.  Acne patients may have not be able to afford their skin therapy, which is why some people don’t seek treatment.

Regardless of how insurance companies classify acne, patients at all stages of life want to treat this skin disease.  Like a teenager, the self-worth of an adult patient suffers if they have a poor complexion which is riddled with acne. They shun social situations, aren’t as comfortable in the workplace, and in general are less confident.  Some adult acne patients have said that they feel they’re not taken as seriously when they have acne, as it is a condition typically associated with young people. This is especially frustrating when patients know there is medication which can clear their break-outs but they can’t pay for it. One alternative adult Americans with acne have found is to purchase their medicines through an online pharmacy. Electronic pharmacies like www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com carry acne drugs such as Tretinoin Gel (Avita®, Retin-A gel®) but offer them at reduced prices. This is a very welcome alternative for patients because their acne treatment is as much about building their self-esteem as it is clearing their complexion.

Americans and our Allergies

One out of every five Americans, or an estimated 50 million people, suffers from asthma and allergies. Allergy is the 5^th most common chronic disease in the country, affecting people of all ages, and the 3^rd most frequently chronic condition effecting children.  The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that the amount of Americans who say they have allergies problems is growing and its considered to be one of the nation’s most common, yet unrecognized, diseases. Allergies are broken into several categories: indoor and outdoor allergies, skin allergies, food and drug allergies, eye allergies, insect allergies, and latex allergy.

Some facts about allergies in the U.S:

• Allergies are reported as the most common chronic condition among American children.
• Allergies restrict the physical activity of over 40% of children with them.
• Over 17 million doctor visits annually are attributed to allergy-related problems, mostly in the spring and fall for seasonal allergy symptoms.
• Upwards of 7 million people visit the doctor for skin allergies.
• More than 30,000 patients visit the emergency room at a hospital because of food allergies
• Over 200 people in the U.S. die each year because of food-related allergies
• More than 200 Americans die each year due to insect allergies
• Almost 400 Americans die annually because of an allergic reaction to penicillin
• Allergy-related costs are estimated at almost 7 billion dollars in the United States
• Americans have spent $5.7 billion dollars on allergy medicines and $300 million on office visits to their doctor to treat allergy symptoms.
• Allergies are responsible for almost 4 million Americans missing work each year, resulting in over $700 million dollars of lost workplace production.

Allergies can limit a person’s ability to enjoy the outdoors, put them as serious health risk when dinning out, and inhibit their general enjoyment of life.  Severe allergic reactions can even be fatal. Since allergies are such a significant health issue, patients are more aggressively pursuing allergy-testing and treatment.  Pharmaceutical companies have recognized the need for better allergy medication and there are many choices to help patients get allergy symptom relief. Many of these medicines, like Loratadine (Claritin®) and Fexofenadine (Allegra®, Telfast®) are antihistamine drugs, which reduces the amount of chemical histamine that the body manufactures. Histamine production increases when the body is exposed to an allergen and this excess can bring about symptoms.  Allergy drugs can be purchased both over-the-counter, by prescription, or through an online pharmacy.  Such medicines are often the only means of offering allergy-prone Americans relief.

Fewer Americans are Dying from Cancer

In 2009, a new look at research shows that there’s been a continual decline in the rate of cancer-caused deaths in the United States. Those who have had the most marked decline in death from cancer are adults in their middle years of life; however, people of all ages have registered steady improvement. This appears contrary to prior research generated by the U.S. government, where it was reported that there’s been only a small decline in deaths from cancer during the twentieth century. Recently there’s been a closer look taken at the statistics and it’s telling a different (and much better) story.  The results of prior reports had been the result of an average taken of the cancer death rate from all age groups, formulating a composite rate.  However, the vast majority of deaths from cancer happened to older Americans and did not take into account possible improvements among younger patients.  Newer studies considered improvements in the rate of death among all cancer patients born every five years, beginning in the year 1925.  When viewing this information, it became clear that everyone born after the year 1930 has experienced a reduced risk of dying from cancer. The group which benefited the most is actually adults between the ages of thirty-five to forty-five.  These people have benefited from an over 25% reduction in cancer death, per decade.

This is news that many Americans hoped to hear.  One of the greatest factors for this decline is believed to be improved awareness of cancer prevention.  The United States has been steadily educating its citizens about the cancer risks inherent in smoking and implemented policies that make it more difficult to smoke publically.  It is no longer legal to smoke in most U.S. restaurants and sports venues and penalties are much harsher against those who sell cigarettes to minors.  Smoking Cessation medications like Zyban® and Wellbutrin SR ® have helped patients quit their habit, as have aids like Nicorette Gum. 

Mammogram Images

There have also been advancements in early detection of many cancers and people are going more frequently for cancer screening.  Baseline mammograms are being recommended for all women thirty-five years of age and then every year after the age of forty.  This has lead to breast cancer being caught at an earlier and more treatable stage. Colonoscopies are being more frequently performed after the age of fifty, which is saving many lives.  Colon cancer is a condition which responds well to early treatment but survival rates go down significantly if the disease is detected later.

There are better treatment options which have greatly improved survival rates of cancers like lymphoma and leukemia.  If is possible to manage such cancers as a chronic condition as opposed to being a deadly diagnosis. Advancements in the study of the biology of breast cancer tumors have led to more targeted pharmaceutical treatments. Today’s cancer drugs can be given to fight the hormones an individual tumor is thriving on and stop the disease from spreading.  Anti-cancer medication can also be given as a preventative treatment for women with a known high-risk for the disease, such as those who tested positive for the BRCA1or BRCA2 genes (which may indicate a greater chance of inherited breast cancer). Cancer medications in general are more effective than in prior years and with fewer side effects. These medicines are also less expensive when purchased through an online pharmacy, such as www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com. This new electronic option has made pharmaceuticcal therapy more affordable for cancer patients so more can get the help they need.

New Report Suggests Statin Drugs May Help People with Normal Cholesterol Levels

 FoxNews.com recently reported on a study by U.S. researchers which suggests people in good health with normal cholesterol blood levels may be helped by taking statin cholesterol medication. Some people with normal (or even low) cholesterol may even benefit more than those who are suffering from high cholesterol levels. The study centered on people who had normal readings of cholesterol; however, did have elevated levels of a particular protein. This protein, called C-reactive, is a marker for inflammation and can be a contributor to cardiac problems. Patients showing an increase in the C-reactive protein who took statin cholesterol drugs showed a reduced risk for serious cardiac conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and congested arteries. Some researchers are recommending that people be screened routinely for this protein to help prevent heart attacks in a broader base of Americans. Currently, such a screening is not done and this could be a contributing factor for those people experiencing heart attack who had otherwise normal cholesterol readings.

This is not the first research of its kind but it is receiving a great deal of attention by both medical practioners and the national population. Dr. Paul Ridker of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston led a another significant study conducted in 2008, referred to as Jupiter, which gave the cholesterol drug  Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor®) to healthy patients to reduce their rate of cardiac-related death and complications. He suggests the U.S. medical community may need to change the way it tries to prevent cardiac disease. The determining factor in these studies is the measurement of the amount of people who have to use a drug over a period of time to realize a health benefit (called NNT or number needed to treat). In this more recent study, medical researchers considered the number of patients who had low cholesterol levels with high readings of C-reactive protein who would have to take a statin drug such as Atorvastatin (Lipitor®), Simvastatin (Zocor®), or Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor®) for five year duration before the medication would inhibit cardiac problems. The number was the same or even greater than the amount needed to avert cardiovascular disease in people taking statin drugs who had elevated levels of cholesterol. The findings are especially encouraging when considering heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States. In additional to the current emphasis on a healthy lifestyle and the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs by people with known cardiac risk, a pharmaceutical preventative method for the otherwise healthy population may make a real difference in improving the nation’s heart health.