Category Archives: Over-the-counter Medicine

What Kind of Eczema Treatment Can You Expect?

April 3, 2012

Eczema, a term used by most people to refer to Atopic Dermatitis, is an incurable disease which affects the skin. although sure is not a possibility, there are things you can do to control the symptoms.

These things are a combination of medical attention and at home care. it is important for you to see a dermatologist when symptoms first appear as treating as early as possible helps you to keep your symptoms to a minimum and often makes the flare up period much shorter than it would be otherwise.

No matter how much you read about skin conditions, it is important that you understand a doctor diagnosis is important for you to plan the proper care for your condition. Many skin conditions resemble each other, while some are extremely painful and aggravating, others are caused by something else wrong in your body and can be fatal when not treated.

There are also a number of skin conditions that are curable, unlike eczema. A dermatologist can diagnose your skin condition through various tests, allowing him to give you the proper treatment and allowing you to learn the correct way to care for your condition at home.

Your dermatologist will need to know: when the symptoms first appeared in your lifetime; all of the symptoms (itching, pain, blistering, fever, etc); he will also need to know things that seem to make the symptoms worse (such as, whether washing makes the itching worse); whether you family has any history of skin conditions, hay fever, or asthma; and your own medical history.

When visiting the dermatologist, be prepared for him to order a biopsy. this is a normal procedure when dealing with skin conditions and does not necessarily mean that he thinks you have cancer. do not let yourself stress over this test, especially since stress tends to worsen symptoms. He may also suggest that you have allergy testing done.

Treatments are based on several factors: what kind of eczema you have, how bad it is, your age and medical history, and results of past treatments. Remember that treatment is a way to manage symptoms, not cure the disease. Moisturizing with creams (not most lotions because they can cause even more drying) are usually used with any treatment plan.

Treatment plans are also modified on an individual basis as you and your doctor know and understand more about triggering factors in your case.

First, if the dermatologist finds another condition, such as bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, he will prescribe a medicine to get rid of the infection. Antibiotics will be prescribed for bacterial infections, antiviral are prescribed for viral infections and antifungals will conquer fungal infection.

These may be applied to the skin, taken by mouth, or given in a shot, depending on the type as severity of the infection.

Treatment usually begins with topical medications which may or may not be coupled with antihistamines. Topical treatments are applied to the skin and are usually a cream which comes in a tube.

Most are members of the corticosteroid family of medicine. it is very important, as with any medication, to follow your doctor instructions. Too few applications will not give you much benefit and too many applications can cause thin skin. some of the corticosteroids include:

The newest form of topical medication is the topical Immunomodulators (TIMs). These do not have steroids in them, so they do not have the problems with thin skin that corticosteroids do. Elidel and Protopic are both TIMs.

If topical medications do not produce acceptable results, you may have to move to another phase of treatment. other phases include phototherapy, in which you will be treated with UV rays, directed by either laser or sunlamps.

The UV light is focused on the symptomatic area which has had a medication applied to help the process. beyond phototherapy, you may have to begin systemic treatments. These are medications which are taken into the body, whether by mouth or shot.

You will also find that you have several things you will need to do in your life to help minimize flare ups. Moisturizing, stress relief, avoiding allergens and avoiding irritants are a few of these things.

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Homemade Soup – Easy Pea Soup With Ham

February 24, 2012

If you are looking for comfort food recipes, chicken noodle soup is often the first dish to spring to mind. there is something intrinsically comforting about a chicken soup recipe and this dish is popular all over the world in different forms.

Another comfort food is pea soup. This smooth yet chunky concoction is great on a chilly evening and you can serve it with crusty bread and butter for a really satisfying and substantial snack. This kind of soup has been eaten for hundreds of years and the ancient Romans and Greeks used to cultivate peas in 400 BC. Street vendors in Athens were selling hot pea soup at the time.

This recipe is quite nutritious because of all the vegetables in it and the whole family will love the flavor of this dish. it is up to you whether you leave it quite chunky or puree it but it is nice to puree half the finished broth then add it back to the pan, so it is both smooth and chunky. The texture is a big part of this enjoyable recipe.

Whether you are suffering with a cold or the flu or you just fancy something hot and tasty, easy pea broth with ham is a great recipe to make. you can use a big pot or Dutch oven to make it.

Let this tasty broth simmer away and make the house smell wonderful. If you have cooked a bone-in ham, you can use the bone for this recipe instead of using a ham hock. This recipe makes enough to serve eight people.

What you will need:

  • 2 finely diced carrots
  • 2 finely diced celery ribs
  • 1 lb smoked ham hock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups dried yellow split peas or dried green split peas
  • 4 cups low-salt chicken broth
  • 2 minced cloves garlic
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 finely chopped onion
  • 3 thinly sliced green onions

How to make it:

Remove the skin and fat from the ham hock and discard them. Heat the oil in a big pot over a low to moderate heat, and then add the celery, carrots, onion, ham hock, salt, pepper, garlic, and bay leaves. Cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the peas, broth, and water and bring the mixture to a boil. Skim any foam off the top. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about an hour and three quarters, or until the meat is tender enough to come off the hock and the peas break down.

Take out the ham hock and take the meat off it. Shred the meat and discard the bone. Also, discard the bay leaves. Puree half the soup in a blender, and then put it back in the pot with the ham. Alternatively, you could use an immersion blender to puree the soup until it is chunky.

If you want to make this recipe ahead, let it cool for half an hour and then refrigerate it in an uncovered container until it is cold. Cover the container. The broth will keep for up to two days, so just reheat it to serve. Garnish the hot soup with green onions just before serving it.

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The Best Natural Nasal Sprays – Tips From a Sinus Expert

February 19, 2012

Natural nasal sprays such as SinuSoothe and Sterimar are great alternatives to the pharmaceutical nasal sprays and drugs that have failed to help many sinus sufferers.

Many sinus sufferers have been let down by conventional decongestant, steroid and ant-histamine nasal sprays and drugs and are looking for natural alternatives that work and do not cause side effects. unfortunately conventional medicine can artificially mask the symptoms and provides only a ‘band aid’ solution. Some medical conditions such as sinus infections, cannot even be cured using antibiotics, a wonder of modern medicine.

Nasal sprays containing saline solution such as Sterimar can relieve sinus congestion, remove allergens within the nasal passages and improve sinus drainage. therefore by improving sinus drainage and clearing blockages, sinus infections can be prevented and existing sinus infections may be cleared. Clearing of allergens from the nasal passages also helps to reduce nasal allergy symptoms. Sterimar is non-addictive, and is safe to use daily.

Natural nasal sprays such as SinuSoothe also relieve nasal congestion, remove airborne allergens and improve cillary function (sinus drainage) but also have additional benefits. SinuSoothe in particular has powerful anti-allergenic, anti-bacterial, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-histaminic, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-viral, decongestant, expectorant and pain relieving properties. It can be used to treat sinusitis, hay fever, cold, allergies, rhinitis and nasal spray addiction. It provides immediate relief from sinus pain, sinus pressure, headaches, runny nose, sneezing, post nasal drip etc. It kills bacterial and fungal infections extremely effectively and in the case of allergies it not only acts as a nasal anti-histamine but it also desensitizes the nasal passages to allergens. It is doctor recommended and the ingredients have been clinically proven to be effective. It is completely safe to use, has no known side effects and is non-addictive. Doctors even use it themselves to treat their own sinus conditions.

Many people are unaware that these tried and tested alternatives are often far better than the conventional treatments available. however, thankfully doctors are becoming more and more aware of their existence and this can only be good for sinus sufferers.

It is always advisable to consult your doctor before using new treatments.

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Temptin’ Texas Chicken Tortilla Soup

February 6, 2012

One of my very favorite soups.I crave it it seems like quite a few ingredients and it takes 2 hrs or so, but it is WELL worth the wait.Trust me This is an family favorite and satisfies everyone – :D

Type: Soup

Serve with: Shredded cheese and sour cream

Yield: 1 large stock pot full

Ingredients:

3 Chicken quarters – You may use a small, whole chicken, or any other parts in an equivalent

Water – enough to fill a large stock pot 3/4 full

6 large Carrots – Sliced crossways

4 stalks Celery – Sliced crossways

3 Onions – Roughly chopped

5 whole cloves Garlic

8 Peppercorns – Whole

8 Coriander seeds – * Optional

2 whole Tomatoes – Chopped

1 Serrano pepper – Finely diced

3/4 Beer – 3/4 of a whole beer

1/2 tsp Hot sauce – Use as much as you like.

10 oz Tomato sauce – Not pasta sauce

Shredded cheese – Tex-Mex or cheddar

Tortilla chips – To float on top of soup

Sour cream – as garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill stock pot 3/4 full of cold water with sea salt, peppercorns, coriander seeds, bay leaves, and 2 lime leaves.

2. Rinse chicken pieces and put in water on medium heat. You may use frozen chicken for this if desired.

3. Wash and chop carrots, celery, onion very roughly. keep garlic cloves whole, just peel skins off. Add to pot.

4. allow to boil and turn down heat to simmer. Lightly boil/simmer for about 1.5 hrs or until chicken is tender and falling off the bone.

* Take a piece of chicken out of the pot, and make sure the chicken juice runs clear when cut near the bone.

* Tip: Some brown foam may rise to the top of the pot, so take a large spoon and skim off the brown foam off the top and discard. These are the impurities. You may have to do this a few times before the soup boils clean.

5. Once chicken is falling off the bone, fish out all the chicken out of the pot and allow to cool. Once cool, shred chicken by picking off the bones and pulling apart every piece. Set aside to add to each individual bowl.

6. while waiting for chicken to cool, find garlic in pot and crush, with the side of a wooden spoon, into the soup.

7. Dice 2 whole, ripe tomatoes into small pieces. Dice 1 serrano pepper (I cannot get fresh serranos where I live in Canada, so I use canned serrano peppers.) Add to the soup while continuing to let simmer.

* Tip: put remainder of can of serrano peppers into a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze for subsequent uses.

8. Add beer, ground cumin, chili powder, other 2 lime leaves, and hot sauce to soup and continue to simmer.

9. Once chicken is shredded for serving, take cornstarch in a small bowl and add same amount of cold water. Take a whisk to mix completely, then add to soup.

* Tip: The cornstarch will thicken up the soup and will only reach it’s thickening power when the soup boils. if you boil it too much, the cornstarch will then lose it’s thickening power. so, as soon as the soup boils for about 1 min after adding cornstarch mixture (a slurry), turn it down/off.

10. To prepare individual bowls for serving, add a good amount of shredded chicken, then add desired amount of soup. Garnish top of soup with tortilla/corn chips (the more the better), shredded cheese and sour cream.

11. Serve and enjoy I know you will

I hope you enjoy this soup recipe like we do

Eat Deliciously

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Natural Remedies for Heartburn – A Good Choice Regardless of Your Condition

October 12, 2011

There is a fine line between benign digestive problems which exhibit symptoms once in a while, and the more serious chronic conditions that require medical treatment. But whether you suffer from occasional indigestion, or chronic GERD, natural remedies for heartburn can be beneficial to you and even improve your overall health in general.

An upper GI endoscopy is conducted by a gastroenterologist to conclusively diagnose a chronic GERD condition. But if you suffer from heartburn more than once a week then you should seriously consider taking preventative measures before your condition becomes chronic. This will include testing and observation to isolate dietary and external causes, lifestyle modification, and alternative therapies. Heartburn is just a symptom, but GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a lifelong condition. It results when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) becomes weakened by repeated and prolonged exposure to stomach acids and digestive fluids. The LES is a valve-like muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus. When this valve no longer works properly, it cannot keep the acids from leaking into the esophagus. The lining of the esophagus becomes damaged and can lead to extreme discomfort, chronic reflux cough, and throat cancer.

Maintaining That High Degree of Physical Function

Fortunately there are natural remedies for heartburn which help keep stomach and throat in harmony with each other by preventing the reactions that meals can have after we eat. if you can keep the stomach acids under control, you will prevent frequent heartburn and limit your chances of developing GERD. The good news is that these types of remedies are inherently good for the human body and provide nutrients and enzymes that the body needs. Under perfect conditions when our bodies are young and strong, we have no problem getting these supplements from our diet. But during the aging process, we eventually become less and less able to absorb these essentials because of natural degeneration combined with years of eating improperly even if only on occasion.

Although there are many causes of GERD, some of which are even genetic and unknown, you can greatly improve your chances of avoiding it by taking proactive measures to give your body the essential elements that it needs to function at its best. even if your condition is caused by circumstances outside of your control, you still have the ability to limit the severity of the condition and to eliminate the triggers that inflame it.

Comparing the available Options

There are several over-the counter natural remedies for acid reflux mostly consisting of the usual ant-acids. The fact that over $2 billion a year are spent by people on these OTC products alone, should give you an idea of the seriousness of this problem. This does not even include the amount spent on prescription medication. But these antacids are short term fixes that simply treat symptoms after they arise, and while the prescription meds do work to stop reflux from occurring, they also have their own long term health hazards. since reflux is a long term problem, it hardly makes sense to treat it with a therapy that has long term disadvantages and dangers.

This is where Natural Remedies for Heartburn become the most viable solution. They act to prevent reflux before it occurs, they are not only harmless but beneficial, and they are cheaper than prescription medications. if medication is still required, they can act in conjunction with it to boost the remedial benefits and promote digestive balance.

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J&J’s Zytiga Gains EU Approval

September 30, 2011

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ – Analyst Report) recently gained EU approval for its prostate cancer therapy, Zytiga (abiraterone acetate). The European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted approval to Zytiga, an oral, once-daily medication, for use in combination with prednisone (or prednisolone) for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in adult men whose disease has progressed on or after a docetaxel-based chemotherapy regimen.

EU approval was expected as in July 2011, Zytiga had received a positive recommendation from the Committee for Medical Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Phase III data (pre-specified interim analysis) on Zytiga showed an increase in median survival in patients treated with Zytiga plus prednisone or prednisolone compared to patients treated with placebo plus prednisone or prednisolone. A 35.4% reduction in the risk of death and a 3.9 month improvement in median survival was observed in patients treated with Zytiga plus prednisone or prednisolone compared to patients on placebo plus prednisone or prednisolone.

Being an oral, once-daily treatment, Zytiga could gain share rapidly. Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in Europe. according to Johnson & Johnson’s press release, it is estimated that about 370,000 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in Europe in 2008 – almost 90,000 men die from the disease.

Zytiga became a part of Johnson and Johnson’s portfolio with its July 2009 acquisition of Cougar Biotechnology. Zytiga is already available in the US where it gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in April 2011. other players in the prostate cancer market include Sanofi-Aventis’ (SNY – Analyst Report) Jevtana.

Neutral on Johnson & Johnson

We currently have a Neutral recommendation on Johnson & Johnson. this is supported by the Zacks #3 Rank (short-term Hold rating). Even though Johnson & Johnson has been facing challenges in the form of OTC product recalls, pricing austerity in the EU and generic competition, we believe that the company’s diversified business model, lack of cyclicality and strong financial position will help it in tough situations.

Read the full analyst report on JNJRead the full analyst report on SNY

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Scabies Rash – When Does it Go Away?

July 25, 2011

The rash caused by scabies is extremely itchy and contagious in nature. the mites beneath the rash can migrate from one host to another through direct skin contact. the rash is produced due to the allergic reactions in the body, due to the eggs or the fecal matter produced by the mites.

Moisture and warmer temperature are suitable for the growth of these mites and therefore the scabies are often found in the lesser exposed parts of the body such as the buttocks, the elbows, between the fingers, armpits and genital areas. a few doctors would scrap a portion of the affected area to correctly diagnose the disease, since the underlying mites are microscopic in nature and cannot be seen with the naked eye. there is a thin white line on the skin which indicates the presence of mites beneath the surface.

Since the rash can look like poison oak or eczema, it could be easily mistaken for allergies as well. the 5% Elimite Permethrin cream is one of the most effective creams to eliminate these mites. it has to be applied for 8-14 hours on the body from neck to toes. People might still experience itchiness for a few weeks after the mites are killed. the body would continue to produce allergies because of the dead mites and their faeces. the itchiness gets worse at night, since the mites are active then.

If you have taken proper medications, frequent hot baths and maintained a hygienic environment, then the rash should disappear within a few weeks after the treatment. However, you must continue the medications, since there are chances of re-infestation as well.

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Are there any cold medicines/decongestants I can take with lithium, zoloft, and lamictal?

July 10, 2011

I'm taking lithium, zoloft, and lamictal for bp. I have been told I should avoid pseudophedrine, but is there anything else I can take? I asked a cvs pharmacist and he said he wasn't sure…

Thanks! I feel so miserable, and would just love to be able to take something for some congestion relief…

Yes, do NOT take pseudophedrine since it may increase your blood pressure. though the side effect profile is not perfect for Claritin it is one of the best choices for you (be careful: there is a possiblity of central nervous system (CNS) effects which may include ataxia, confusion, drowsiness, respiratory depression, and weakness). also, a safe choice is using nasal saline. I am sorry that is the best I can give you since pseduophedrine is the best option for congestion, but I just do not feel comfortable recommending it in your situation. *Notice* I am not a pharmacist yet, but I am graduating from pharmacy school this upcoming May so of course consult an actual healthcare provider/pharmacist (not the one from CVS!)

I would not trust anyone on yahoo answers with that type of info… ask a doctor. you can go to webmd.com and "ask a pharmacist."

women.webmd.com/pharmacist-drugs-…

My husband is on all of those medications too, and he's been taking Alka Seltzer Plus Cold. he hasn't noticed any side effects, and it's making him feel a lot better.

Another option is to put a good humidifier in your room at night.

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Anti Allergy Drugs and Steroids

July 3, 2011

Anti allergy drugs are sometimes called mast cell stabilizers and they nip the allergic reaction in the bud by damping down the activity of the mast cells. This medication can control hay fever eyes and a runny nose, as well as being good for asthma. it is usually taken as eye drops or a nasal spray. Itchy, red and inflamed eyes can be soothed with sodium chromo gyrate eye drops. a new drug, lode amide, acts in a similar way.

Steroids work in much the same way as drugs for asthma by preventing inflammation. Used in a nasal spray they reduce inflammation in the lining of the nose and so prevent a runny nose, a blocked nose and sneezing. they can also help prevent red and itchy eyes. If you suffer from severe hay fever, doctors recommend that you start taking steroids every day just before the start of the hay fever seasons and continue taking them until the end.

Corticosteroids are available as tablets and you can also have a steroid injection. Most decongestants belong to a group of drugs called sympathy mimetic. they work by contracting the blood vessels in the nose, which reduces congestion and makes it easier for you to breathe. they usually come as nasal sprays, with the result that only a tiny amount of the drug enters your blood stream.

However, if you overuse the spray, or take decongestant tablets, you may have a few side effects, such as an increased heart rate and trembling. a dry powder inhaler is convenient to carry, easy to use and can provide fast relief from the symptoms of asthma.

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How to Obtain Sinus Relief

June 26, 2011

Don’t think that sinus inflammation is harmless. Left untreated, this annoying condition eventually causes permanent scarring of the sinuses and might, in rare cases, even lead to sightlessness or brain abscess.

For the reason that sinusitis often begins as a usual cold, the condition regularly goes undiagnosed and untreated. a person who experiences a cold for more than 10 days ought to be checked for the presence of sinus infection.

Other symptoms: o Thick or discolored nasal discharge (yellow or green). o Fever. o Bad breath. o Facial ache or pressure appearing in the temple and over the eyes, sandwiched between the cheek and nose, in upper teeth or between the eyes. o Reduced or absent awareness of smell. o Ear ache.

Symptoms that subside in four weeks are diagnosed as acute sinusitis…Subacute sinusitis lasts for four to 12 weeks. if not treated effectively, this condition can spin into chronic sinusitis, in which symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks. Antibiotics are the primary medication for acute sinusitis. The key goal is to eradicate the infection and prevent the development of chronic sinusitis.

The useful antibiotics include amoxicillin (Amoxil)…Amoxicillin and clavulanate (Augmentin).. Cefpodoxime (Vantin)…and cefuroxime (Ceftin).

Many folks make the faux pas of discontinuing the antibiotic when symptoms start to subside. But the drug must continually be taken for the full course typically 10 days to ensure that the bacteria are eliminated. if symptoms are unchanged after three days, your doctor ought to reevaluate your condition and probably switch antibiotics.

In addition to taking antibiotics, sinusitis sufferers ought to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. It’s also crucial to stay away from alcohol, sugary drinks and caffeinated beverages. other strategies to consider…

o Fill a bowl to one-third full with hot water, arrange a towel over your head and the bowl and inhale the steam for several minutes. The warm humidity helps loosen secretions inside the nose, throat and lungs, making them easier to clear. o Use an over-the-counter (OTC) mucus thinner, such guaifenesin (Robitussin or Mucinex), to release phlegm. o take an OTC oral decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). o try an OTC nasal spray decongestant, such as naphazoline (Privine) or else oxymetazoline (Afrin).

Caution: In no way use a spray decongestant for more than three consecutive days. doing so often triggers return swelling of the nose. The saline nasal sprays are also very useful. They release the nose of secretions and irritants. Saline sprays can be used in the same way as often as every two hours.

If chronic sinusitis develops, a longer course of antibiotics, typically prescribed for three to six weeks ought to be taken.

Purpose: Chronic sinusitis has been linked to anaerobic bacteria, especially hardy microorganisms that can live on devoid of oxygen.

The condition is also more likely to include multiple types of bacteria. a long-term course of antibiotics is the most helpful remedy against these bacteria. Inflammation and swelling can be reduced by using a nasal steroid spray, such as beclomethasone (Beconase)…Otherwise an oral steroid, such as prednisone (Deltasone) or dexamethasone (Decadron).

Oral or spray decongestants eliminate congestion. Mucus thinners promote drainage. Anticholinergic nasal sprays, such as ipratropium bromide (Atrovent), might help with dry secretions.To determine if allergies are involved, your doctor ought to conduct a skin or blood test that will assess your effect to a variety of distinct allergens.

Nasal fungus is also being identified within an increasing number of chronic sinusitis cases. Clinical trials are under way of two medications, itraconazole and amphotericin B, meant for use in the handling of sinus fungal infections.

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