Urinary incontinence: Common and manageable
As a primary care doctor, I see a lot of women dealing with the inconvenience, discomfort, and embarrassment of urinary incontinence (unintended leaking of urine). Some are comfortable bringing this up right away. Others suffer needlessly because they feel too shy or awkward to mention it.
The truth is, an estimated 45% of women experience some form of urinary incontinence at some point in their lives. That’s almost half of all women! It’s a very big deal. Urinary incontinence can negatively affect physical and emotional well-being. For example, women may avoid going out because they’re worried about having an accide...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - October 18, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Monique Tello, MD, MPH Tags: Kidney and urinary tract Women's Health Source Type: blogs
FDA Issues Two Proposed Studies on Disclosures for Advertising
Last month, the FDA issued two proposed studies on disclosures for advertising: one for general advertising and another for oncology advertising. Both studies have comment periods that end on August 18, 2017.
For both proposals, FDA invites comments on these topics: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality,...
Source: Policy and Medicine - August 8, 2017 Category: American Health Authors: Thomas Sullivan - Policy & Medicine Writing Staff Source Type: blogs
Don ’t take fatigue lying down
Have you ever had one of those days where you are so weary, you can’t seem to do anything except binge-watch Netflix?
Sure, everyone gets tired sometimes, and often bounces back after a quick rest or a good night’s sleep. However, if bouts of fatigue occur more often and last longer, you shouldn’t ignore them.
“Older adults may chalk up fatigue to aging, but there is no reason you should battle ongoing tiredness,” says Dr. Suzanne Salamon, a geriatric physician with Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Here are signs that you should take your tiredness seriously:
inability to do activities yo...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - April 14, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Matthew Solan Tags: Health Source Type: blogs
Those Dumb Physicians Aren't Getting The Job Done
The insurance company insisted that they would be saving money in the end. So they sent the PA (physicians assistant) to my patient's house. They didn't take in to consideration that I was just there a week before. Or that I made home visits on a regular basis. In fact, they didn't even inform me about the appointment.My patient later told me that the exam was exhaustive. The PA, who incidentally graduated school the day before and had never seen an actual patient as a licensed practitioner, poked and prodded the ninety year old woman for over an hour. He asked her about drugs and ...
Source: In My Humble Opinion - June 4, 2015 Category: Primary Care Authors: Jordan Grumet Source Type: blogs
Top stories in health and medicine, May 20, 2015
From MedPage Today:
Overactive Bladder May Set Seniors Up for a Fall. A diagnosis of overactive bladder (OAB) significantly increased the risk of falls among a Medicare population.
IBS: Peppermint Oil May Be a Treatment Option. A slow-release peppermint oil (IBgard) appeared to significantly reduce severe abdominal symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Smoking After Stenting Ups Chest Pain. People who quit smoking after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have less chest pain and better quality of life than those who keep smoking, according to a new U.S. study.
Thin Patients With C. diff Face Higher Death Risk...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 20, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: MedPage Today Tags: News GI Heart Source Type: blogs
Targacept Comes Up Empty, Yet Again
Targacept's attempt to salvage something by testing TC-5214 for overactive bladder has failed. John Carroll at FierceBiotech counts eight straight failed clinical trials from this company: a record? I don't see anyone beating that very easily, that's for sure. Nicotinic receptors have proven to be a very, very difficult field to work in, and I'm not sure that Targacept has anything left in their tank. (Source: In the Pipeline)
Source: In the Pipeline - July 28, 2014 Category: Chemists Tags: Business and Markets Source Type: blogs
Top stories in health and medicine, June 2, 2014
From MedPage Today:
Unique Solutions for MS Gait Problems. With impaired walking ability generally considered the number one functional problem for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, new approaches to assistive devices were described here, ranging from the mechanical to the furry.
OK to Stop Statins in Terminal Illness. Stopping statins for terminal patients doesn’t hasten death and may improve their quality of life.
MS Bladder Problems Show Up Early and Often. Nearly 80% of multiple sclerosis patients in a large registry reported overactive bladder symptoms, and more than one-third of newly diagnosed patients in a ...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - June 2, 2014 Category: Journals (General) Authors: MedPage Today Tags: News Heart Neurology Source Type: blogs
DTC Ad Spending Is Rising So Far This Year, But Will It Continue?
For those keeping track of direct-to-consumer advertising of prescriptions – and we know that many do – newly released data indicates a slight uptick in promotional spending in recent months. Through the first half of this year, DTC advertising totaled $1.82 billion, a slight 1.2 percent rise over the same period a year earlier, according to DTC Perspectives, an industry consulting firm that cited Kantar Media data.
Why? “The reasons for stabilization are new brands doing heavy DTC,” writes Bob Ehrlich, a former Warner-Lambert executive who runs DTC Perspectives, in his blog. He cites new spending for two drugs –...
Source: Pharmalot - October 2, 2013 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: esilverman Source Type: blogs
Patients Should Beware When New Drug for Overactive Bladder Soon
Becomes Available Over-the-Counter
Advisory Committee Rejected Increased Availability but Was Ignored by FDA; Story Told in New Issue of Public Citizen’s Worst Pills, Best Pills NewsWASHINGTON, D.C. – When a new over-the-counter (OTC) version of a drug for overactive bladder becomes available without a prescription in the fall, people should avoid it if they haven’t first talked with their doctor, Public Citizen advises in the latest edition of Worst Pills, Best Pills News (WorstPills.org), Public Citizen’s drug safety newsletter and website.The manufacturer of oxybutynin (Oxytrol for Women), a drug for overactive bladder (O...
Source: PharmaGossip - August 3, 2013 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: insider Source Type: blogs
Apps to help manage medications in the elderly: What I’m looking for
I’ve been interested in apps for the caregivers of elders, but like many physicians, I’ve been too busy to seriously research them or try them out.
Time to change that. No, I’m not going to exhaustively research and review all caregiver apps on the market.
But, as I’ve been invited to give a technology talk to a local group of family caregivers later this summer, I would like to see if I can find a few specific apps or tools that are likely to help caregivers.
As this is an event specifically for younger caregivers, I’m expecting a group of caregivers that is generally comfortable with smartph...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - June 11, 2013 Category: Family Physicians Tags: Tech Geriatrics Mobile health Source Type: blogs
2012: Banner Year for New Drugs
Fueled by new cancer therapeutics, last year the annual new molecular and biological entity approval count from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) saw its highest year since 1997. One-third of the novel products approved by the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) are used to treat cancers of the blood, breast, colon, prostate, skin and thyroid.
As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) promotes and protects the health of Americans by assuring that all prescription and over-the-counter drugs are safe and effective. The CDE...
Source: Highlight HEALTH - February 13, 2013 Category: Medical Scientists Authors: Walter Jessen, Ph.D. Source Type: blogs
