Archive for the ‘Blood Pressure’ Category

What’s Going On in Your Belly?

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Gut Bacteria

Scientists have recently discovered that what goes on in your gut, may have more to do with weight than previously thought. Every person has bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract. However, researchers have discovered that we may be more different than previously thought.

According to the recently published study, some people are born with, or develop, a lack of an important enzyme. This enzyme helps to control the growth of ‘gut bacteria’ and may lead to obesity. In mice, the subjects with no enzyme were weighed significantly more than the mice who carried the proper enzyme, and had no over growth of bacteria.

Researchers believe that this over growth of bacteria can lead to obesity and all of the diseases and conditions associated with it, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and heart and joint problems.

Read more here.

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How is Your Health Affecting Your Quality of Life?

Monday, April 16th, 2012

New Medical Approach

That is the question that doctors are asking, in a novel new approach to health care. They are pushing for nurses and counselors to be more involved in their patients’ lives. THey are asking them less about their symptoms, and more about how those symptoms are changing their life.

Chronic disease in particular will be helped by this approach. Instead of telling diabetics they need to reach a certain blood glucose level, nurses are reminding them that they can do more, play with their grandchildren, be less tired, if they maintain a healthy level. Asthmatics are starting to understand that their condition always needs to be treated, not just when they are already wheezing. By simply talking to their patients, nurses and doctors are realizing that side effects can be worse than what they are treating, or that people have a hard time taking multiple pills in a day. By learning these things, doctors can adjust prescriptions and treatments accordingly. It makes for a happier, healthier patient.

The American government is also beginning to listen to doctors. With 75% of federally funded health care being spent on chronic care, they are beginning to understand that they should approach this differently. They are adding more funding to this personalized style of care, and the statistics say it is working.

Read more on the Wall Street Journal.

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Posted in Arthritis, Asthma, Birth Control Pills, Blood Pressure, FDA Related, Mental Health | No Comments »

Sugary Drinks May Raise Risk of Heart Attack

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

Sugary drinks may raise your risk of heart attack

According to a new study, sugary drinks such as soda and some juices may raise the risk of heart attacks in men. This study, run by the Harvard School of Public Health, was particularly interesting as its subjects were healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses. It showed that men who drank a significant amount of sugary beverages in a week (6 or more) were twenty percent more likely to have a myocardial infarction (heart attack) than those who did not consume any. However, an important fact to note is that this correlation was not seen in subjects who drank artificially-sweetened beverages. It seems that only real sugar, not sucralose or aspartame, is linked to heart attacks.

The study’s 42,883 participants completed questionnaires every four years for 22 years. When the math was worked out, one more sugary beverage per week added a roughly 20% higher risk of heart attack than if the participant didn’t drink sugary drinks. According the head researchers, this is one more reason to cut back on sugary drinks. Studies have already determined a link between these types of drinks and obesity, type 2 diabetes and other life-changing or threatening conditions.

If you drink a significant amount of sugary beverages, be sure to talk to your doctor about how it may be affecting your health.

To view the original study, click here.

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Benicar 10 mg for Easing Blood Pressure and Managing Hypertension

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Manufactured by Pfizer, this FDA approved drug has revolutionised the treatment of hypertension and is recommended for use by itself or in combination with other HBP medications. The active ingredient in Benicar is olmesartan medoxomil. Benicar is available in varying doses and adult hypertension patients are started off on Benicar 20 mg daily. The dosage is increased in case the patient is not responding to lower dosage. A diuretic might be necessary to complement the Benicar dosage for optimum effect. In the case of hypertensive children below 16 years, similar dosage is recommended although under close medical supervision.

Blood pressure is measured on the basis of two readings. The reading on top is known as the systolic blood pressure and the number below is the diastolic blood pressure. An individual is said to have high blood pressure when his or her average blood pressure readings are higher than 140/90. (more…)

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New Blood Pressure Medication Soon To Be Available Through Canada Pharmacy

Friday, January 14th, 2011

The FDA have recently approved a new drug which is directed for the treatment of high blood pressure, or hypertension. Amturnide with active ingredients amlodipine, aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide is a new drug developed by drug manufacturer Novartis and has been proven to be extremely effective in the controlling of high blood pressure.

Over 70million adults in America suffer from hypertension. Extensive clinical trials have shown that more than 80% of sufferers may require several medicines control blood pressure. (more…)

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Taking Blood Pressure Medication at Night Enhances Effectiveness

Friday, October 15th, 2010

Most doctors recommend their patients take their high blood pressure medication in the morning, but a five-year study has established that taking blood pressure meds at night instead may significantly enhance their effectiveness and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. The study of 2156 men and women with high blood pressure was conducted at Spain’s University of Vigo. The participants, whose average age was 56, were randomly divided into two treatment groups.  One group took their blood pressure medication at bedtime, while the other took it when they woke up or at breakfast. (more…)

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Two Commonly Used Drugs Dangerous When Prescribed Together

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Canadian researchers are warning about a potentially dangerous interaction between common cardiovascular medications and a frequently prescribed antibiotic. The study of 300,000 seniors conducted at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Ontario found that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) can be a toxic combination with the antibiotic combination trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), widely prescribed to treat urinary tract infections. (more…)

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