Save the trees, prevent the sneeze
When I worked at Greenpeace for five years before I attended medical school, a popular slogan was, “think globally, act locally.” As I write this blog about climate change and hay fever, I wonder if wiping off my computer that I’ve just sneezed all over due to my seasonal allergies counts as abiding by this aphorism? (Can you clean a computer screen with a tissue?)
Come to think of it, my allergies do seem to be worse in recent years. So do those of my patients. It seems as if I’m prescribing nasal steroids and antihistamines, recommending over-the-counter eye drops, and discussing ways to avoid allergens much more...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - September 10, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Peter Grinspoon, MD Tags: Allergies Environmental health Source Type: blogs
" Long QT " after droperidol
A patient presented to the ED with intractable hiccups. He also had " ongoing GERD symptoms with heartburn......but no chest pain " (Whatever that means). He was treated with droperidol and benadryl and this decreased his symptoms and he was discharged. No ECG was recorded (!).Later, the patient returned with altered mental status and reports of falls.He had an ECG recorded:The QT was 504 msThe computerized QTc (Hodges correction) was listed as 530 ms.Bazett correction would be 563 msThe providers were worried that the droperidol had resulted in a long QT.What do you think?See below for explanation....
Source: Dr. Smith's ECG Blog - July 25, 2019 Category: Cardiology Authors: Steve Smith Source Type: blogs
First, do no harm? Common anticholinergic meds seen to increase dementia risk
Conclusions and Relevance: Exposure to several types of strong anticholinergic drugs is associated with an increased risk of dementia. These findings highlight the importance of reducing exposure to anticholinergic drugs in middle-aged and older people.
The Study in Context:
Study: 46.7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease brain pathology today, so it’s urgent to prevent or at least delay progression to clinical disease
From Anti-Alzheimer’s ‘Magic Bullets’ to True Brain Health
Solving the Brain Fitness Puzzle Is the Key to Self-Empowered Aging
Report: 35% of worldwide dementia cases could be prevented by ...
Source: SharpBrains - June 26, 2019 Category: Neuroscience Authors: SharpBrains Tags: Cognitive Neuroscience Health & Wellness anticholinergic anticholinergic drugs antipsychotics Benadryl dementi dementia risk diphenhydramine middle-aged older-people Parkinson's meds Source Type: blogs
Prescription Drugs That Block Weight Loss
A number of drugs prescribed to treat common conditions, such as hypertension, allergies, depression, inflammation, and diabetes, block your ability to lose weight. Several of these drugs actually cause weight gain, and most doctors fail to inform their patients of such side effects. Among the drugs that block weight loss are:
Beta-blockers: metoprolol, atenolol, carvedilol, and propranolol
Antidepressants: amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin, paroxetine (Paxil), trazodone, and others
Steroids: prednisone and hydrocortisone (but not inhaled or nasal steroids for allergies)
Antihistamines: diphenhydr...
Source: Wheat Belly Blog - May 7, 2019 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr. Davis Tags: News & Updates blood sugar drugs failed weight loss fatigue weight loss hypertension insulin prescription drugs undoctored wheat belly Wheat Belly Total Health Source Type: blogs
Podcast: What ’s it Like to Work in a Psych Hospital?
It’s a sad fact that many people still think a psych hospital is like what they saw in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. But modern psychiatric care is nothing like that. This week’s guest worked for years in a psychiatric emergency facility and joins us to share his thoughts about the experiences he had while employed there.
Subscribe to Our Show!
And Remember to Review Us!
About Our Guest
Gabe Nathan is an author, editor, actor, playwright, director and a lover of commas. He has worked as an Allied Therapist and Developmental Specialist at Montgomery County Emergency Service, Inc., a non...
Source: World of Psychology - May 2, 2019 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: The Psych Central Show Tags: Caregivers General The Psych Central Show Treatment Gabe Howard inpatient psychiatric hospital Vincent M. Wales Source Type: blogs
No Quick Fix for the Culture of Prescribing that Drives Medication Overload
By THERESA BROWN, RN
In my mid-twenties, I was twice prescribed the common antihistamine
Benadryl for allergies. However, my body’s reaction to the drug was anything
but common. Instead of my hives fading, they erupted all over my body and my
arms filled with extra fluid until they were almost twice normal size. I subsequently
described my experience to a new allergist, who dismissed it as “coincidence.”
When I later became a nurse, I learned that seemingly “harmless” medications often cause harm, and older adults are particularly vulnerable. Every year, Americans over age 65 have preventable “adverse dr...
Source: The Health Care Blog - April 25, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Christina Liu Tags: Medical Practice Patients Physicians overprescribing prescription medication Theresa Brown Source Type: blogs
Acute Angle Closure: Mastering Tonometry
Identifying and managing disease often requires the delicate and skillful use of temperamental emergency department machinery. The ability to apply these may appropriately help determine a difficult diagnosis.Glaucoma, we all know, can cause blindness, and acute narrow angle glaucoma refers to the angles within the eye that are not as wide and open as normal. People with acute angle glaucoma have abnormal anatomy within the eye where the angle changes as the eye is dilated. This can cause blockages of fluid drainage from the anterior to posterior changes resulting in increased intraocular pressure. It ca lead to acute a...
Source: The Procedural Pause - November 9, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs
Something Smells Fishy
A 32-year-old woman and her 36-year-old husband with no past medical history presented to the ED with palpitations, headache, a feeling of warmth all over, and a rash extending from their upper chests to their faces.The blood pressures of the wife and husband were 91/56 mm Hg and 93/61 mm Hg, respectively. Both were mildly tachycardic with heart rates of 112 bpm and 108 bpm. The patients described intense pruritus, and they had patchy blanching and erythema over their chests and faces with mild eyelid edema. They reported that their symptoms started five to 10 minutes after sharing an ahi tuna poke bowl.What Is the...
Source: The Tox Cave - November 1, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs
Live the Wheat Belly lifestyle, get off prescription medications
Take a look at the list of medications people have been able to stop by following the Wheat Belly lifestyle.
These represent medications prescribed by doctors to, in effect, “treat” the consequences of consuming wheat and grains. They prescribe drugs to treat inflammation, swelling, skin rashes, gastrointestinal irritation, high blood sugars, airway allergy, joint pain, high blood pressure, leg edema and other abnormal effects caused by wheat and grains.
The list includes anti-inflammatory and pain medication, acid reflux drugs, injectable and oral drugs for diabetes, numerous anti-hypertensive agents, asthma i...
Source: Wheat Belly Blog - October 27, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr. Davis Tags: News & Updates autoimmune blood sugar bowel flora cholesterol Gliadin gluten-free grain-free grains Inflammation undoctored Weight Loss wheat belly Source Type: blogs
Dia de los Muertos
A 27-year-old man presented by EMS was agitated, confused, and combative. EMS said they had received a call for a patient who was minimally responsive lying on the sidewalk. They noted the patient with pinpoint pupils and decreased respirations. The concern was that he had been using heroin, so he was given 2 mg intranasal naloxone. This caused the patient to become acutely confused and combative. He was awake and alert but oriented x 0. His vital signs included a temperature of 99.1°F, a heart rate of 122 bpm, a respiratory rate of 26 bpm, and pulse oximetry of 97% on room air.At least 160 people were admitted to Phil...
Source: The Tox Cave - September 29, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs
Light Therapy Tech to Help Overcome Jet Lag and Summer Insomnia
The warm summer months we’re experiencing here in the northern hemisphere bring a whole host of health effects on our bodies. While longer days in the sun allow more time for our bodies to produce vitamin D and develop a nice tan, too much sun can lead to painful sunburns, an increased risk of skin cancer, and appearance of UV wearables that never seem to catch on. And while summer days for many also bring the excitement of traveling, a holiday abroad often means jet lag, weird sleep schedules, and simply adjusting to being on a different part of the Earth.
While sleep aids like melatonin or Benadryl, or stimulants ...
Source: Medgadget - July 31, 2018 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Scott Jung Tags: Exclusive OTC Psychiatry Sports Medicine Source Type: blogs
Could medications contribute to dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease and other illnesses that cause dementia are devastating, not only for those affected but also for their friends and family. For most forms of dementia, there is no highly effective treatment. For example, available treatments for Alzheimer’s disease may slow the deterioration a bit, but they don’t reverse the condition. In fact, for most people taking medications for dementia, it may be difficult to know if the treatment is working at all.
Experts predict that dementia will become much more common in the coming years. We badly need a better understanding of the cause of these conditions, as this c...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - May 23, 2018 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Robert H. Shmerling, MD Tags: Alzheimer's Disease Brain and cognitive health Drugs and Supplements Memory Source Type: blogs
Are you taking too much anti-inflammatory medication?
Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling
You might call them pain relievers. You might take them for back pain, headache, or arthritis. Your doctor calls them “NSAIDs,” which stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Whatever you call them and for whatever reason you take them, NSAIDs are among the most popular medications worldwide. In fact, estimates suggest that about 15% of the US population takes an NSAID regularly (including those that are over the counter and prescription strength). Along with sporadic users, more than 30 billion doses are taken each year.
Some of the most common NSAIDs include ibuprofen (as in...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - April 2, 2018 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Robert H. Shmerling, MD Tags: Arthritis Back Pain Drugs and Supplements Headache Health Injuries Pain Management Source Type: blogs
Sleep Medications for Alzheimer's and Dementia Patients
I often have family caregivers request medications to help people living with Alzheimer's and related dementia to sleep.By Rita JablonskiAlzheimer's Reading RoomMedications have their place in Alzheimer's care, but only AFTER all of the suggestions listed below have been followed.It may seem exhausting to the caregiver to have to engage in all of these activities; but, the resultscould lessen exhaustion, frustration, and stress in a manner of days.Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading - This is a Free Service - Join NowRule Out Physical Problems FirstThere are many medical conditions that contribute to problems sleeping.Som...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - February 19, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimers dementia connect alzheimers sleep alzheimers symptoms alzheimers treatment care of dementia patients dementia sleep not sleeping sleep medication Source Type: blogs
The Political Economy of Fentanyl
By KAREN SIBERT, MD
Just say No to Fentanyl.
No, I’m not talking about putting fentanyl into my own veins — a remarkably bad idea. I’m questioning the habitual, reflex use of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, in clinical anesthesiology practice.
I’ve been teaching clinical anesthesiology, supervising residents and medical students, in the operating rooms of academic hospitals for the past 18 years. Anesthesiology residents often ask if I “like” fentanyl, wanting to know if we’ll plan to use it in an upcoming case. My response always is, “I don’t have emotional relationships with drugs. They are tools in our ...
Source: The Health Care Blog - January 2, 2018 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: John Irvine Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: blogs
