Ampicillin. Pharmacy blog.

Diarrhea

2008-07-10T02:37:00.001-07:00

Facts

Diarrhea is the passing of watery or loose stools.
It is the body's way of eliminating toxic wastes.
Diarrhea is also an indication that the digestive system is unable to absorb nutrients, salt and water from food which are subsequently lost from the body through the watery bowels.
Acute diarrhea accompanied by fever and blood or mucus in the stool may indicate bacterial or parasital infection.
Most diarrhea lasts up to 3 or 4 days, even if left untreated. Consult a physician if diarrhea persists for more than 4 days.
Diarrhea depletes the body of electrolytes, which are important minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium. A lack of these minerals can cause fatigue, tiredness and dehydration.
Breast fed babies are less vulnerable to diarrhea.
A body-detoxifying program can bring about a cleansing effect that could result in watery loose stools. This is the action of the removal of fecal matter from the intestinal walls and it should not last more than 2 days.
Excess protein in an athlete can lead to dehydration, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Protein in excess requires more energy to digest and metabolize it.

Reference : "Protein Supplements and Body Building Programs" Cathy K, et al. Journal of the American Medical Association (1978) 240:481

Causes

People with lactose intolerance (the inability to digest lactose) who have consumed dairy products will allow the lactose to ferment in the large intestine where it can cause bloating, flatus, diarrhea and pain.
Consuming large quantities of artificial sweeteners such as hexitols, mannitol and sorbitol can cause diarrhea.
Food poisoning leading up to diarrhea is caused by bacteria such as salmonella, E.coli and campylobacter.
Diarrhea is often a symptom of many health conditions such as diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome, hyperthyroidism, celiac disease (gluten sensitivity,) vitamin overdose, caffeine overdose and alcohol overdose.
Emotional stress and anxiety can have an unpleasant effect on the digestive system and can spark off diarrhea. Once the stress or anxiety is gone, diarrhea stops.
Some women experience diarrhea immediately before or during menstruation.
Antibiotics can upset the healthy balance between the good and bad bacteria in the intestine, resulting in diarrhea. Such antibiotics include doxycycline, digoxin, Ampicillin, clindamycin, tetracycline and dirithromycin.
Diarrhea can be a side-effect from drugs like immunosuppressants and those used for lowering cholesterol; for treating rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, cancer, osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, HIV and manic phase of bipolar disorder.

Brainerd diarrhea

Brainerd diarrhea is a condition characterized by 10 to 20 diarrheic episodes per day of explosive, watery non-bloody stools and often, fecal incontinence, lasting for 4 weeks or more. Other symptoms include gas, mild abdominal cramping and fatigue. It is named after a town called Brainerd in Minnesota, USA where the first outbreak took place in 1983. Neither bacterial, viral nor parasitic pathogens were found to be the cause of this strange disease. A chemical toxin was thought to be involved.

The relief plan

DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS

Replace lost fluids by taking lots of water, juices, broth and decaffeinated teas. Avoid either very cold or very hot fluids.
AVOID THESE FOODS

Avoid milk, dairy products, raw vegetables, acidic fruits, bran, whole-grain cereals, sugary foods, spices, fried food, fatty food, caffeine and alcohol. All of which are tough on the digestive system.
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

Works by absorbing and binding harmful or irritating substances found in the stomach and intestines, thereby preventing them from getting absorbed into the body system. Charcoal digested makes the stool black, naturally. Powder form is said to be better than tablets. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of charcoal powder with water and drink with a straw. Must not be taken at the same time with the syrup of ipecac, a common remedy for poisoning used to induce vomiting.
NONI

A natural tropical fruit found to contain over 150 nutraceuticals which include 20 amino acids, 9 of which are essential because they are not produced in the body, vitamin A, all the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, ursolic acid, linoleic acid, proxeronine (bromelain), scopoletin, pectin, phytosterols, calcium, magnesium and zinc.

As an adaptogen, noni qualifies to be the Yin/Yang regulator, helping to enhance resistance to stress and disease, normalize metabolic functions and improve the body's ability to adapt to differing external or internal disturbances.
Noni has also been blessed with anthraquinone compounds such as alizarin, acubin and L-asperuloside that fight against bacterial strains like E.coli, salmonella, shigella, staphylococcus aureus and baciillis subtilis.

Author of 76 Ways to Use Noni Fruit Juice suggests the tummy treatment as an alternative to get noni's healing compounds into infants and children. This simple treatment uses a cotton ball soaked with warm noni to cover the bellybutton.

More about noni : http://www.tipsofallsorts.com/noni.html.

Reference : "Morinda citrifolia (Noni): A literature review and recent advances in Noni research" Wang Mian-Ying, et al. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (Dec, 2002) 23(12):1127-1141
CAROB POWDER

Take 1 tablespoon (mix with apple sauce and honey) on an empty stomach with acidophilus. Carob soothes irritated intestines.
ACIDOPHILUS

Diarrhea caused by antibiotics can be handled by acidophilus (friendly intestinal bacteria) which will help restore a healthy flora in the digestive tract.
BERBERINE

An alkaloid compound present in the roots and bark of many medicinal plants such as goldenseal root (Hydrastis canadensis), bayberry (Berberis vulgaris), goldthread (Coptis chinensis) and Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium). It is responsible for the yellow color in the roots. Bererine has anti-microbial action against bacteria (e.g. E. coli and cholera), protozoa (e.g. giardia, amoebas and chlamydia), yeasts, certain viruses and worms. It also has anti-inflammatory and astringent effects, especially on mucous membranes. Berberine may reduce healthy bacteria in the gut, which can be corrected with the supplementation of acidophilus once diarrhea has stopped.
RASPBERRY LEAF (Rubus idaeus)

Used for diarrhea, motion sickness and menstrual cramps.

Recommended dosage : 2 capsules twice or 3 times daily with food; as a tea, up to six cups a day for acute problems.
BLACKBERRY (Rubus macropetalus)

Blackberry juice is used to treat diarrhea, acid indigestion, colitis and gallstones. The tannin content in blackberry has an astringent effect, tightening the mucous membrane tissue along the intestinal tract which discourages the formation of watery stools. Drink 1 cup tea up to 6 times a day. Avoid blackberry remedies when suffering from Crohn's disease or any chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
KAOPECTATE

A suspension formula made from an absorbent clay. It works by absorbing and binding to substances irritating or harmful to the gut. The concentrated tablets are free of additives.

Complete article link : http://www.tipsofallsorts.com/diarrhea.html

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Are We Taking Too Many Antibiotics?

2008-07-07T08:20:00.001-07:00

The discovery and development of antibiotics over the last century has led to a dramatic reduction in deaths from infection - they are truly miracle drugs. Penicillin has practically eliminated deaths from infectious diseases. Before 1942, if you got cut deeply, you were pretty much a gonner. The Staphylococcus areus bacteria that normally live peacefully on the surface of your skin would get into your blood supply, penetrate your bones, and set up shop and start replicating itself until you were dead. In the US Civil War, they routinely hacked off limbs of anyone with a deep-cut injury. Pneumonia was often fatal. Tens of thousands of people died every year from rheumatic heart disease, which was caused by infection with the Streptococcus in childhood. Gonorrhea and Syphilis infections were rampant. All of these problems were eliminated with the discovery of penicillin.

However not all infections are created equal; they can be caused either by bacteria or viruses. Bacteria and viruses differ in that viruses need a host to replicate (i.e. the cells of your body) while bacteria can live independently. Antibiotics work only against bacteria; they are useless against viruses. Viruses cause the common cold, most sore throats, the flu, and many gastrointestinal infections. In spite of the fact that physicians routinely prescribe antibiotics for the treatment of colds, sore throats, and stomach pain, since these conditions are typically caused by viruses antibiotics are useless, and these physicians are actually causing harm by increasing the number of antibiotic resistant bacteria, with absolutely no benefit for the individual patient. In fact, most viral infections are not life threatening and are little more than an inconvenience that can be treated effectively with rest and time. Treatment with an antibiotic has no effect in terms of improving symptoms of these illnesses. Yet half of all antibiotics are prescribed for viral illnesses or other disorders for which they have no use.

Remember too that while some bacteria are harmful and even fatal, hundreds of other types inhabit our bodies for our entire lives, and have useful effects on our health. For instance, bacteria inhabit the colon and intestines, and aid in digestion by providing useful substances that assist absorption of food and vitamins, including folate and the B vitamins. Taking too many antibiotics inhibits our natural flora, and in the process we can become malnourished and vitamin-deficient. These same bacteria also neutralize the bile salts and liver toxins dumped into our intestines and colon. Repeated treatments with antibiotics decrease these helpful bacteria, and can lead to problems with digestion and other health problems.

Over the last past half century there has been a dramatic increase in the production of antibiotics, from 2 million pounds per year in 1954 to over 50 million pounds per year today in the US. Most of those antibiotics are being given to farm animals. With the shift of agriculture in the US from pasture grazing of animals to feed lots there has been a need to provide massive amounts of antibiotics to farm animals to prevent epidemics of disease. Another advantage of giving antibiotics to farm animals is that it promotes growth. Although it is not know why antibiotics promote growth some ideas include the possibility that antibiotics eliminate bacteria that consume nutrients in the gut, thus allowing for more uptake of nutrients by the host (i.e. the farm animals).

There is no reason to believe that these effects are not transferable to humans. Indeed the massive exposure to antibiotics in the meat that we eat, in runoff from farms into the drinking water, in addition to the antibiotics we are given for a variety of disorders (which may or may not be responsive to antibiotics) may have contributed to the current epidemic of obesity. I looked at data presented at a conference of the Emory Predictive Health Institute showing that depletion of colonic bacteria by antibiotics caused changes in concentrations of hormones like leptin that directly influence appetite. These studies suggest that massive overuse of antibiotics may have directly contributed to the obesity epidemic that we are wrestling with today. There is some evidence that decreases in helpful colonic bacteria can cause changes in hormones that regulate the feeling of hunger, making people more hungry and that too has contributed to the obesity problem.

Over the last 50 years an increasing number of bacteria have become resistant to older antibiotics. Bacteria multiply very rapidly, so when large numbers of bacteria are exposed to an antibiotic, this increases the possibility it will change ever so slightly, and become resistant to the antibiotic. Naturally the antibiotic-sensitive bacteria die out, while the antibiotic-resistant bacteria flourish. For example, the Methicillin resistant-bacteria Staphylococcus areus developed a strong outer wall that prevented penicillin from penetrating and exerting its effects. These bacteria flourished while the penicillin-sensitive bacteria died out.

Ironically, the development of drug-resistant bacteria favors pharmaceutical companies, because the rise of new strains of resistant bacteria often coincided with old drugs going off patent, like methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (staph infection). In the past 20 years, there has been over a 13-fold increase in the number of bacteria resistant to methicillin. These events required the development of newer, more expensive antibiotics that companies can accurately argue are better than the old drugs.

You can be sure that resistance will grow to new antibiotics as well, or that newer, stronger versions of antibiotics will come with even greater risk to the taker because of their greater power. Better antibiotics weed out the weak bacteria. Because of "survival of the fittest" the bacteria that are left on the playing field at the end of the day are even more resistant to the antibiotics that we currently have. One antibiotic resistant "superbug" often emerges and multiplies.

One hundred thousand people die in the hospital every year from bacterial infections that are largely related to drug-resistant bacteria that evolved from careless use of high-powered antibiotics given for non-life threatening infections, or used in the wrong way. Many scientists and infectious disease specialists predict that we may get to the point where we can't find any new medications that will treat these new forms of bacteria. For instance, new strains of the bacteria Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA (which are highly resistant to antibiotics) are becoming more common. What was previously a simple cut on the finger could grow into something that could kill you in a few days. The number of MRSA cases is growing exponentially.

Another particularly dark outcome of antibiotic overuse is when it results in the development of Clostridium difficile, which happens when the normal bacteria of the colon are wiped out. Clostridium difficile usually attacks hospital patients who have been on multiple antibiotics that have wiped out their normal colonic bacteria. Clindamycin was the antibiotic most commonly associated with Clostridium difficile in the 1970s, due to a combination of the facts that it was more commonly used in the hospital in debilitated patients and had a greater capacity to wipe out normal bacterial flora than other antibiotics. Now for similar reasons the second and third generation antibiotics, including cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and ceftriaxone, are more commonly associated with Clostridium difficile.

Other antibiotics that commonly cause this infection are Ampicillin and Amoxicillin. It is an especially drug-resistant bacteria and is responsible for 3 million cases of diarrhea and inflammation of the colon and 5000-20000 deaths each year. The newer strains of this bacteria are becoming more toxic and more deadly, and are now resistant to antibiotics like the fluoroquinolones to which they were previously susceptible.

Learn more about alternatives to medications and hidden risks of prescription medications in 'Before You Take That Pill: Why the Drug Industry May be Bad for Your Health: Risks and Side Effects You Won't Find on the Label of Commonly Prescribed Drugs, Vitamins and Supplements', by researcher and physician J. Douglas Bremner, MD.

Antibiotics Classification And Side Effects

2008-07-05T09:42:00.001-07:00

What are Antibiotics?

The word "antibiotics" comes from the Greek anti ("against") and bios ("life"). Antibiotics are drugs that either destroy bacteria or prevent their reproduction. Antibiotics that kill bacteria are called "bactericidal" and the ones that stop the growth of bacteria are called "bacteriostatic".

Since penicillin's introduction during the 1940s, scientists developed numerous other antibiotics. Today, over 100 different antibiotics are available. About 90% of antibiotics are made from living organisms such as bacteria, others are produced synthetically, either in whole or in part.

Antibiotics classification

Although there are several classification schemes for antibiotics, based on bacterial spectrum (broad, narrow) or route of administration (injectable, oral, topical), or type of activity (bactericidal, bacteriostatic), the most useful is based on chemical structure. Antibiotics within a structural class will generally have similar patterns of effectiveness, toxicity, and allergic potential.

Most commonly used types of antibiotics are: Penicillins, Fluoroquinolones, Cephalosporins, Macrolides, and Tetracyclines. While each class is composed of multiple drugs, each drug is unique in some way.

Penicillins

The penicillins are the oldest class of antibiotics. Penicillins have a common chemical structure which they share with the cephalopsorins. Penicillins are generally bactericidal, inhibiting formation of the cell wall.

There are four types of penicillins:

The natural pencillins are based on the original penicillin-G structure. Penicillin-G types are effective against gram-positive strains of streptococci, staphylococci, and some gram-negative bacteria such as meningococcus.
Penicillinase-resistant penicillins are active even in the presence of the bacterial enzyme that inactivates most natural penicillins.
Extended spectrum penicillins which are effective against a wider range of bacteria.
Aminopenicillins such as Ampicillin and Amoxicillin have an extended spectrum of action compared with the natural penicillins.

Penicillins side effects

Penicillins are among the least toxic drugs known. The most common side effect of penicillin is diarrhea. Nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach are also common. In rare cases penicillins can cause immediate and delayed allergic reactions - specifically, skin rashes, fever, and anaphylactic shock. Penicillins are classed as category B during pregnancy.

Cephalosporins

Cephalosporins have a mechanism of action identical to that of the penicillins. However, the basic chemical structure of the penicillins and cephalosporins differs in other respects, resulting in some difference in the spectrum of antibacterial activity. Like the penicillins, cephalosporins interfere with synthesis of the bacterial cell wall and so are bactericidal.

Cephalosporins are among the most diverse classes of antibiotics, they are grouped into "generations" by their antimicrobial properties. Each generation has a broader spectrum of activity than the one before.

The first generation cephalosporins include: cephalothin, cefazolin, cephapirin, cephradine, cephalexin, cefadroxil. Their spectrums of activity are quite similar. They possess generally excellent coverage against most gram-positive pathogens and variable to poor coverage against most gram negative pathogens.

The second generation cephalosporins include: cefaclor, cefamandole, cefonicid, ceforanide, cefuroxime. In addition to the gram-positive spectrum of the first generation cephalosporins, these agents have expanded gram-negative spectrum. Cefoxitin and cefotetan also have good activity against Bacteroides fragilis.

The third generation cephalosporins have much expanded gram-negative activity. However, some members of this group have decreased activity against gram-positive organisms. The third generation cephalosporins include: cefcapene, cefdaloxime, cefditoren, cefetamet, cefixime, cefmenoxime, cefodizime, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, cefpimizole, cefpodoxime, ceftibuten, ceftriaxone. They have the advantage of convenient dosing schedules, but they are expensive.

The fourth generation cephalosporins are extended-spectrum agents with similar activity against gram-positive organisms as first-generation cephalosporins. They also have a greater resistance to beta-lactamases (bacterial enzymes that may destroy antibiotic before it can do its work) than the third generation cephalosporins. Many fourth generation cephalosporins can cross blood brain barrier and are effective in meningitis. The fourth generation cephalosporins include: cefclidine, cefepime, cefluprenam, cefozopran, cefpirome, cefquinome.

Cephalosporin side effects

Cephalosporins generally cause few side effects. Common side effects associated these drugs include: diarrhoea, nausea, mild stomach cramps or upset. Approximately 5�10% of patients with allergic hypersensitivity to penicillins will also have cross-reactivity with cephalosporins. Thus, cephalosporin antibiotics are contraindicated in people with a history of allergic reactions (urticaria, anaphylaxis, interstitial nephritis, etc) to penicillins or cephalosporins. Cephalosporin antibiotics are classed as pregnancy category B.

Fluoroquinolones

Fluoroquinolones are the newest class of antibiotics. Their generic name often contains the root "floxacin". They are synthetic antibiotics that belong to the family of antibiotics called quinolones. The older quinolones are not well absorbed and are used to treat mostly urinary tract infections. The newer fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum bacteriocidal drugs that are chemically unrelated to the penicillins or the cephaloprosins. Because of their excellent absorption fluoroquinolones can be administered not only by intravenous but orally as well.

Commonly used fluoroquinolones include Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, sparfloxacin, clinafloxacin, gatifloxacin, ofloxacin, trovafloxacin.

Fluoroquinolones side effects

Fluoroquinolones are well tolerated and relatively safe. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain. Other more serious but less common side effects are central nervous system effects (headache, confusion and dizziness), phototoxicity (more common with lomefloxacin and sparfloxacin). All drugs in this class have been associated with convulsions. Fluoroquinolones are classed as pregnancy category C.

Tetracyclines

Tetracyclines got their name because they share a chemical structure that has four rings. They are derived from a species of Streptomyces bacteria. Tetracycline antibiotics are broad-spectrum bacteriostatic agents, that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. Tetracyclines may be effective against a wide variety of microorganisms, including rickettsia and amebic parasites.

Tetracyclines are used in the treatment of infections of the respiratory tract, sinuses, middle ear, urinary tract, skin, intestines. Tetracyclines also are used to treat Gonorrhoea. Their most common current use is in the treatment of moderately severe acne and rosacea.

The most commonly prescribed tetracycline antibiotics are: tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline.

Tetracycline side effects

Drugs in the tetracycline class become toxic over time. Expired drugs can cause a dangerous syndrome resulting in damage to the kidneys.

Common side effects associated with tetracyclines include cramps or burning of the stomach, diarrhea, sore mouth or tongue. Tetracyclines can cause skin photosensitivity, which increases the risk of sunburn under exposure to UV light. This may be of particular importance for those intending to take on holidays long-term doxycyline as a malaria prophylaxis. Rarely, tetracyclines may cause allergic reactions. Very rarely severe headache and vision problems may be signs of dangerous secondary intracranial hypertension.

Tetracycline antibiotics should not be used in children under the age of 8, and specifically during periods of tooth development. Tetracyclines are classed as pregnancy category D. Use during pregnancy may cause alterations in bone development.

Macrolides

The macrolide antibiotics are derived from Streptomyces bacteria, and got their name because they all have a macrocyclic lactone chemical structure. The macrolides are bacteriostatic, binding with bacterial ribosomes to inhibit protein synthesis. Erythromycin, the prototype of this class, has a spectrum and use similar to penicillin. Macrolide antibiotics are used to treat respiratory tract infections (such as pharyngitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis), genital, gastrointestinal tract, and skin infections.

The most commonly prescribed macrolide antibiotics are: erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, roxithromycin, troleandomycin.

Macrolides side effects

Side effects associated with macrolides include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; infrequently, there may be temporary auditory impairment. Azithromycin has been rarely associated with allergic reactions, including angioedema, anaphylaxis, and dermatologic reactions. Oral erythromycin may be highly irritating to the stomach and when given by injection may cause severe phlebitis. Macrolide antibiotics should be used with caution in patients with liver dysfunction. Pregnancy category B: Azithromycin, erythromycin. Pregnancy category C: Clarithromycin, dirithromycin, troleandomycin.

More information about antibiotic medications is available on author's website

Urinary Tract Infections - Don't Suffer in Silence

2008-07-04T13:57:00.001-07:00

If you've ever had a bladder infection (the common name for UTIs), then you know how very painful they can be.

If you haven't, let me describe one for you:

Many times, you don't realize right off what's wrong. You're edgier than normal. You feel "different down there," but you're not sure. Then, you get the frequent urinating thing. Every two minutes. It begins to be painful, sometimes there's nothing to urinate but you feel like you have to, as if someone's holding your foot and you've got to jump off a cliff.

You start drinking water like crazy thinking you can dilute it. You hear cranberry juice or cranberry pills help so you run out and buy some and chug down a quart and nix the soda pop. No matter what else you think you have to accomplish, you can't because you can't think straight. There are no other thoughts but those of pain. Your lower abdomen aches. You wet your pants, you can't help it, and you cry as you're doing it.

If you are at work or have to go to a function, you're miserable. If you had a gun and could drive yourself to the pharmacy, you would hold it up-for meds. I'm not kidding.

Even after you get the meds, it takes hours, if not days. You can run a fever. You snap at everybody, if you can even answer them. You find yourself running your fingers through your hair over and over. You avoid everyone.

This is a bladder infection.

The medical world acts like it isn't a big deal. Most people assume that the second you get antibiotics it instantaneously goes away. But it might not, and the overuse of antibiotics carry a consequence, according to the AMA.

Doctors and nurses pooh-pooh you if you're young.

Isn't that cute. They assume you're having too much sex with too many partners, wink, wink. While that can be one cause, it's not the only cause. Sex is a major reason women get UTIs due to bacteria and it's common women's wisdom to always urinate after sex. It's also important to remember to wipe from front to back. Women of all ages and lifestyles suffer greatly from UTIs (more than men, in general) in part due to their anatomy--a short urethra. Yeah, blame us.

But there are other reasons. Nerves, for one. I always get a bladder infection when something big is about to happen--buying a house, passing a big test and even caffeine intake can affect UTIs.

UTIs are also serious and can be life threatening if left untreated, so do take this seriously.

But what would a UTI be like if you couldn't communicate?

What if your loved one has ALS or Alzheimer's, or some other neurological, physiological or speech impairment that keeps them from realizing exactly what's going on? What if they don't want to tell someone they've wet themsevles--again? Wouldn't you be embarrassed?

Urinary tract infections in the elderly are very common.

Particularly in women, and even more so for those who live in a care facility. And they often go untreated. Why? Too many to care for, perhaps. The elder's inability to describe what's happening.

UTIs in the elderly or in people with Alzheimer's can affect not only their health, but can also lead to significant behavioral changes.

In fact, if your loved one's behavior has changed recently, even if they're male, you should consider the possibility that they could have a UTI.

Just as with me, agitation or nervousness is a big indicator. A person with a UTI is concentrating on controlling the pain and there's nothing left for niceties. Check to see if they're running a low grade fever, if they've soiled their underwear, if they're going to the bathroom every few minutes or more disoriented than usual.

Elders with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, or other neurological disorders may not remember to urinate-even their bodies and muscles begin to forget, to give off the proper signals, and this leads to a tract infection.

Those who have diabetes are also having a higher risk of a UTI because of changes in the immune system. Any disorder that suppresses the immune system raises the risk of a urinary infection. If your male elder has an enlarged prostrate, that can impede urinary flow and cause an infection. So can a kidney stone.

People who are catheterized or have tubes placed into the bladder are more prone to urinary tract infection. (This is the highest group of all)

Common Urinary Tract Infection Indications:

- Frequent urination along with the feeling of having to urinate even though there may be very little urine to pass.

-Nocturia: Need to urinate during the night.

-Urethritis: Discomfort or pain at the urethral meatus or a burning sensation throughout the urethra with urination (dysuria).

-Pain in the midline suprapubic region also known as flank pain and is also associated with kidney infections.

-Pyuria: Pus in the urine or discharge from the urethra.

-Hematuria: Blood in urine.

-Pyrexia: Mild fever

-Cloudy and foul-smelling urine

-Increased confusion and associated falls are common for elderly patients with UTI.

-Some urinary tract infections are asymptomatic and difficult to detect.

-Protein found in the urine.

Kidney Infection Indications:

All of the above symptoms plus:

- Emesis: Vomiting.

- Back, side (flank) or groin pain.

- Abdominal pain or pressure.

- Shaking chills and high spiking fever.

- Night sweats.

- Extreme fatigue.

Testing for UTIs is usually a mid-flow urine test, and that can difficult when dealing with an elder loved one.

The treatment for UTIs is antibiotics, but antibiotics have become overused and may not always be effective. Be sure to retest. The drugs usually used in uncomplicated UT cases are: trimethoprim (Trimpex), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim), Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Wymox), nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Furadantin), and Ampicillin (Omnipen, Polycillin, Principen, Totacillin). There are also a new class of drugs called quinolones includes: ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), and trovaFloxin (Trovan).

Elderly individuals, both men and women, are more likely to harbor bacteria in their genitourinary system at any time, which means it just comes with old(er) age. Care facilities are a medical necessity in many families lives for many reasons, but there is a higher incidence in care homes for UTIs. If you can care for your loved one at home for as long as possible and utilize the many community resources available to you-and keep your elder on a consistent routine, your elder is better off.

Consult a urologist if you or your loved one has recurrent or consistent UTIs as there are more agressive treatments available for recurrent UTIs.

By being aware of UTIs and how they present themselves, you can keep your loved one from suffering from this very painful and frustrating ailment.

Don't suffer in silence.

Helpful website: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/

Carol D. O'Dell is the author of Mothering Mother: A Daughter's Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir, about her experience caring for her mother through Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and coronary diseases.

She is a family advisor at Caring.com.

A creative writing teacher and inspirational speaker, O'Dell is often featured at spiritual retreats and conferences of caregivers and health care and geriatric professionals.

Mothering Mother is available on Amazon or request it at your favorite bookstore. Visit Carol's website and read her blog at http://www.mothering-mother.com

Problems with Our Health Care System

2008-07-03T15:21:00.001-07:00

Given the enormous amount of money that is spent on our health care system and the research that has gone into the various diseases we would be excused if we think that there should be able to trust our health care system to deliver quality health care. Sadly, our Western health care system falls well short of what is desired. Instead of healing and health it largely delivers suffering and further disease. Mendelssohn as far back as 1979 (and he wasn't the first to suggest it) considers that the public has been 'conned' about the benefits delivered by 'scientific medicine'. There is a great deal of myth that surrounds our current system.

A part of the myth is that medical practice has produced an overall increase in health in the past one hundred years. However, historical analysis has found that general improvements in social and environmental conditions provide a more adequate explanation of the changes than the rise of 'scientific medicine'. Factors such as the improvement in diet and nutrition, sanitation and improved general living conditions have made the greatest difference.

Hospitals are deadly. Mistakes/errors, accidents, infections, medical drug disasters, diagnostic equipment including; X-rays, ultrasounds and mammograms make hospitals very dangerous. Hard technology has taken over the central role in modern medicine as it is considered effective and efficient. This has however been questioned. It is considered uneconomic and it also causes an unnecessary amount of pain and suffering. Accidents in hospitals now occur more frequently than in any other industry except mining and high rise construction. In addition to this are the medical doctor caused diseases. They are so common that they have their own name - iatrogenesis. Again the general public is unaware of how common this disease is. All told, iatrogenesis accounts for 784,000 deaths each year in the United States - more American deaths than all the wars of the 20th century combined. 98,000 deaths a year are caused by medical errors alone, and surgical errors account for another 32,000 deaths. These figures include only deaths. Officials admit that medical errors are reported in official data only 5 percent of the time, so the problem is much greater - exactly how much greater, no one really knows.

Research carried out in Australia showed that the equivalent of a jumbo jet load of people died unnecessarily died each week in Australia because of medical interventions - this information was contained in an official Health Department report. It was substantially hushed up - because of the potential impact of the information on the general public! We talk about and work to reduce road accidents and we 'ground' airplanes that are shown to have faults - but the general public is generally unaware of the risks that they take when they come under the care of the medical health care system.

Apart from accidents and medical mistakes adverse drug reactions and infections account for many of the incidences of iatrogenesis. Adverse drug reactions are very common. Some of these reactions can be minor but they can also be deadly. There are five main groups into which these adverse reactions can be placed. Those that:

adversely affect the blood cells,
cause toxicity in the liver,
damage the kidneys,
affect the skin, and
affect the unborn baby.

The hazardous side effects listed here do not include allergic reactions or medication errors, but rather the effects of the drugs themselves. Out of the 2.2 million cases of serious adverse reactions to drugs each year, authorities have listed four types of drugs as being the worst offenders for adverse reactions. These are antibiotics (17%), cardiovascular drugs (17%), chemotherapy drugs (15%), analgesics/anti-inflammatory drugs (15%). 198 drugs were approved by the FDA from1976 through 1985 and over 50 percent had serious post-approval reactions. Many adverse reactions were discovered during clinical trials and were covered up by pharmaceutical manufacturers in order to get FDA approval. The FDA is also far from blame free when it comes to giving approval for drugs that have serious reactions. The whole drug approval process has many problems and cannot be relied upon to protect the public from dangerous drugs.

Antibiotics are no longer working on many extremely dangerous bacteria or they only work in doses that that cause serious side effects. The development of these antibiotic resistant 'superbugs' is in the order of a crisis. In the years following the introduction of antibiotics they were (and still are) used for the treatment of common colds and flu and other complaints. Antibiotics, such as tetracycline were used (and still are) over long periods of time for the treatment of acne. Ampicillin and Bactrim were used for the wrong reasons and there has been a reliance on antibiotics to treat recurrent bladder infections, chronic ear infections, chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis and non-bacterial sore throats. The UK office of health Economics in 1997 (cited in Chaitow) reported the following statistics:

- 5,000 people are being killed every year (in UK hospitals alone) by infections that they caught in hospital.

- A further 15,000 deaths are being contributed to by the infections that they caught in hospital.

- One in 16 patients who goes to hospital for anything will develop a 'hospital acquired infection'.

- Many of the infections acquired involve the difficult to treat 'superbugs'.

- USA figures published more than a decade ago show that 1 in 10 patients develops an infection that they caught in hospital - this involves around 2.5 million people every year.

- Every year 20,000 of these people die from their infections and the deaths of a further 60,000 are contributed to by the hospital acquired infection - a large number of these involve antibiotic resistant 'superbugs'.

The current approach of our health care system is ineffective and can potentially cause more harm and damage than the original condition. Although undoubtedly many lives have been saved by timely medical intervention much medical intervention is unnecessary and alternatives, which don't cause the same devastation, are available. Everyone needs to consider the way they interact with the medical system. Try to avoid the health care system if you can and certainly question your medical practitioner very carefully about any intervention they wish to make. Many will not like this questioning and just want to be seen as the 'all knowing, all wise doctor' - but this they are not! Do not be conned and do not buy into myths about the medical profession and health care.

Having said this it is important that if you are currently taking medication that you don't suddenly stop. Seek information, discover alternatives and discuss changing you approach to health care with a health professional. If your current medical practitioner is uninformed about alternatives (as many are) or unwilling to discuss these with you (as many are) then you may need to seek a different health professional who is prepared to help you improve your health rather than just use medical drug prescriptions or surgery!

Dr Jenny Tylee is an experienced health professional who is passionate about health and wellbeing. She believes that health is not just absence of disease and seeks to actively promote vitality and wellness through empowering others. She encourages people to improve their health by quit smoking, cleansing their body, taking essential vitamin and mineral supplement and many other methods, including herbal remedies. Visit Dr Jenny's blog and join her newsletter for more quality information.

Proton Pump Inhibitors - Drug

2008-07-02T16:43:00.001-07:00

Type of Drug

Proton pump inhibitors (PPls); gastric (stomach) acid secretion inhibitors.

How The Drug Works

PPls reduce gastric acid secretion significantly and for a prolonged period by blocking the final step of acid production by the stomach lining.

Uses

For short-term treatment (8 weeks or less) of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, the reflux of stomach contents into the food pipe, which can cause heartburn), and to maintain healing and reduce relapse rates of heartburn symptoms in patients with erosive or ulcerative GERD.

Esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole: For short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks for esomeprazole and omeprazole; 8 weeks or less for lansoprazole) or to maintain healing of inflammation and erosion of the food pipe (erosive nsophilqitis).

Esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole: In combination therapy with antibiotics for treatment and elimination of Helicobacter pylori infection and associated active duodenal ulcer and to reduce the risk of ulcer recurrence.

Lansoprazole: For short-term treatment (up to 12 weeks) to reduce the risk of NSAID-associated gastric ulcers.

Lansoprazole, Omeprazole: For short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks for omeprazole; 8 weeks or less for lansoprazole) of active benign gastric ulcers; to treat and reduce the risk of gastric ulcers associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Iansoprazole only).

Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole: For long-term treatment of hypersecretory (increased acid secretion) conditions (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Rabeprazole: For short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks for omeprazole; 4 weeks or less for lansoprazole, rabeprazole) of active duodenal ulcers; to maintain healing of duodenal ulcers (Iansoprazole only).

Other Uses: These agents may increase the effectiveness of pancreatic enzyme replacements used to treat the "fatty stools" of patients with cystic fibrosis. Omeprazole has been prescribed to treat laryngitis.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and the potential benefits out weigh the possible risks to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if proton pump inhibitors are excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from PPI, decide whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Omeprazole can be used in children 2 years of age and older.

Safety and effectiveness of other agents have not been established.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over � the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with these drugs. Drug doses may need to be modified or a different drug prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with these drugs:

Ampicillin (eg, Principen)

Clarithromycin (eg, Biaxin)

Benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam)

Cyclosporine (eg, Neora/)

Disulfiram (eg, Antabusn)

Iron salts (eg, ferrous sulfate)

Phenytoin (eg, Dilantin)

Sucralfate (eg, Carafate)

Side Effects

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many patients experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Digestive Tract: Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain; constipation; gas; belching.

Nervous System: Dizziness; headache; weakness.

Other: Rash; back pain; upper respiratory tract infection; cough; high blood sugar.

Guidelines for Use

Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.

Do not stop takingor change the dose, unless instructed by your doctor.

Usually taken once daily, at least 1 hour before a meal. Dosages and dosing regimens may vary depending on condition being treated.

Take rabeprazole after the morning meal when treating duodenal ulcers.

Take pantoprazole with or without regard to food.

There medicine must be taken daily to be effective in treating and preventing acid-related gastrointestinal diseases. Do not take on an "as needed" basis.

Antacids may be used as needed with these medicines.

Do not chew, crush, or split capsules or tablets. Swallow whole. If you have difficulty swallowing esomeprazole, omeprazole, or lansoprazole capsules, they maybe opened, sprinkled on 1 tablespoon of apple sauce, Ensure pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, or strained pears, and swallowed immediately without chewing the granules. Lansoprazole capsules can also be emptied into a small glass of either orange or tomato juice (60 ml; approximately 2 oz), mixed briefly, and swallowed immediately. To ensure complete ingestion, rinse the glass with 4 or more oz of juice and swallow the cOntents immediately.

Orally-disintegrating tablets - Place tablet on the tongue. Allow to melt with or without water until particles can be swallowed.

Lansoafazole suspension - Empty the packet contents into a container with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water. Do not use other liquids or foods. Stir well and drink immediately. More water can be added if material remains in the container; drink immediately.

If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless instructed by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

PPls should be taken at least 30 minutes prior to taking sucralfate.

Store at controlled room temperature (59� to 86�F) in a tightly closed container. Protect from light and moisture.

Author has an experience of more than 4 years writing about drug interactions He also holds experience writing about benefits of drugs and side effects of drugs

Help I Am Allergic To Penicillin

2008-07-02T13:02:00.002-07:00

If you are allergic to penicillin then you suffer from allergies Type 1 what is also called Contact Allergies. The immune system overreacts to the beta-lactam molecule found in penicillin. Why the immune system thinks this molecule is harmful to the body is not very well understood and more testing is needed.

The overuse of the penicillin 40 years ago for bacterial infections resulted in an increased frequency of allergic reactions to the drug and also created what is known as antibiotic resistance bacterium. Penicillin and Amoxicillin were routinely given for bacterial infections such as ear infections, sinus and upper respiratory infections. Different types of penicillin such as Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Dicloxacillin, Nafcillin, Penicillin V, and Penicillin G were given to target different infections.

Since then many new dugs have been developed to treat bacterial infections and a true allergy to penicillin should not be a problem when treating for infections. Penicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic while Amoxicillin is an amino antibiotic. Children may be allergic to Penicillin but may not be allergic to Amoxicillin or visa versa, however care must be taken when using a related type of penicillin for anyone who has reported a history of allergic reaction to penicillin. It is recommended that an alternative class of antibiotic be prescribed.

Some types of penicillin will cause reactions that are not normally associated with allergies to penicillin. They include dark or amber colored urine, yellow eyes or skin, and pale stools. If you notice any of these symptoms after taking any antibiotic you should notify you doctor immediately. If you are allergic to penicillin, reactions on rare occasions may cause severe stomach cramps, bloating, vomiting, seizures, pain, unusually bleeding or bruising, or bloody diarrhea and should be treated as quickly as possible.

Testing for allergies to penicillin are usually performed with a skin test. The skin is scratched or injected with a small amount of penicillin usually on the forearm or back. If you are allergic to penicillin you will develop a red, raised bump and possibility hives. Only specialized allergy centers are able to perform skin test.

Treatments for allergic reactions include antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to relieve the itching and rash. More severe reactions will require treatment with an oral or injected corticosteroid. For life a threatening emergencies then injection of epinephrine administrated at a hospital.

If you are allergic to penicillin then it is best to avoid penicillin and similar antibiotics. Tell you doctor about you allergy and he will give you antibodies that are completely unrelated to penicillin.

If you have any type of allergy then you should wear a medical alert bracelet that describes your allergy. These items are available over the counter at most drugstores.

Mild cases of Allergies Type 1 can be treated with common products such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Pantothenic Acid, Glucosamine, Antioxidants, Allergy Aid, and Quercitin.

Vitamin A is a known antioxidant and can assist the human body in the healing process. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.

Up to one-third of older people can no longer absorb Vitamin B from their food. Vitamin B is needed to form red blood cells and keep nerves healthy.

Vitamin C is nature's protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies immune system.

Beta Carotene protects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs. It also helps protect Vitamin C from oxidation, which enables it to perform at optimum efficiency.

Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Many find Pantothenic Acid to be very helpful against allergy symptoms. It is another form of nontoxic B vitamins. Pantothenic Acid is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory and may give some relief from allergy symptoms.

Substances called antioxidants can neutralize free radical by pairing up or binding with the free radical elections thus inhibiting them from damaging cells in the human body.

Allergy Aid supplies 9 beneficial Herb's to help provide temporary relief of respiratory allergies. The natural action of these specific Herb's help to open bronchial tubes and ease breathing.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

David Cowley has created over 50 articles about the relationship between diseases and vitamins. For other articles on Allergies click on Articles on Allergies and for other articles click on Other Articles

Help I Am Allergic To Penicillin

2008-07-02T13:02:00.001-07:00