Author: Tracy Smith

FDA Pulls Darvon and Darvocet Due to Dangerous Side Effects

Darvon-DarvocetThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has requested that Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc. remove the pain killers Darvon and Darvocet from the market. Since 2009 these two prescription drugs were prescribed to about 10 million people throughout the U.S. The reason for withdrawing the drug is a fear that propoxyphene increases a patient’s risk for potentially serious or even fatal heart rhythm anomalies.

“We recommend that physicians stop prescribing the drugs. As for patients, do not stop taking it, but we urge you to contact your health care professional. Do not delay,” said Gerald Dal Pan, director of the FDA’s Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology.

Generic manufacturers are also being requested to voluntarily remove their products.

According to a statement issued by the FDA, “The drug’s effectiveness in reducing pain is no longer enough to outweigh the drug’s serious potential heart risks.”

Obesity a Problem of Affluence, New Study Confirms

scaleThe Harvard School of Public Health has just published a new study indicating that in developing countries a high body mass index (BMI) is only a problem among the more affluent living . According to research findings obesity is a problem in wealthier, first and second world countries and effects all levels of society. However, obesity has not yet become a society wide problem in poorer countries. There obesity is limited to the rich.

“Previous research on the increasing overweight and obesity burden in developing countries has assumed that the burden is shared by everybody within these countries. However,according to S. V. Subramanian, lead author of the paper and associate professor in the department of society, human development, and health at HSPH, he found that the social patterning of weight continues to closely resemble the unequal distribution of income and other resources.”

Mosquito Bites

What are mosquito bites? Why do they itch? How can you get rid of them? These are common questions for a common issue. Most everyone has suffered from mosquito bites in their lives.

Mosquito bites are generally harmless. They appear as pale, itchy bumps on the skin. They become pink or red once scratched, and may only begin to itch two days after the bite. They can result in an allergic reaction, which can cause hives, swelling of the throat and wheezing. In rarer cases, mosquitos can transmit dangerous diseases, which must be treated immediately. If fever, severe headaches, confusion, one-sided weakness of the body, nausea or vomiting occur as a result of mosquito bites, consult a doctor.

These bites are caused by female mosquitos. They itch because while sucking your blood, the mosquito deposits saliva into your system. The saliva contains proteins that often trigger your immune system, resulting in the bump and itchiness.

Scratching the skin can cause infections, and will increase the irritating feeling. Instead, try rinsing the areas with warm water and soap, and applying a hydro-cortisone or antihistamine cream or calamine lotion. Oral antihistamines are also effective at eliminating mosquito bite symptoms.

Healthy Snacks Part II

whole-grainsThe more hectic your schedule the easier it is to indulge in getting a quick bite without thinking about how healthy it is. Ironically, the busier your schedule the more important it is to eat healthy snacks to keep your energy level up and keep your body running like the fine-tuned machine that it can be.  This is especially true if you are young and growing fast. You need the best nutrients available. The best to way to get them is by eating a lot of small meals throughout the day. Make them healthy snacks. Here’s how.

Always go for the most complex carbohydrates that you can find. Stay away from simple carbs like sugar. Complex means whole grains, veggies and fruit, in that order.  Eat your whole grains with protein rich foods like low-fat cheeses, yogurt or peanut butter. Watch out for products that advertise themselves as ‘natural.’ This is a catch-word that is only on the package to make a sale. Look on the label for trans-fats, a very unhealthy additive to many processed foods. Another trick food producers use is to take away the fat, but add extra sugar to make up for the loss in taste.

Staying healthy with a good diet can be a challenge. But when you see the results of good health, high alertness, and weight control, you will be thankful you did it.

Healthy Snacks Part I

Staying healthy is not always a simple thing. Most people begin their healthy eating habits journey by making sure that they have three healthy meals each day. We try to include foods from all the famous food groups in our meals, eating whole grains, plenty of vegetable and fruit, not too much protein and a limited amount of foods from animals. Once we get this type of eating into our lives and make it a habit, we usually see results. We feel better, and look better. Combined with a nice chunk of exercise we might even be able to loose and control our weights. One thing that can enter into the equation and sabotage the entire operation are between meal snacks.

It is all too easy to stroll over to a vending machine and get some kind of fast food which is nothing but junk, but what can you do? You’re a little hungry and need a mid-morning boost, and you just don’t feel like having another cup of coffee. Having a little snack seems harmless. It’s small, and fast, and yummy.

Read Part 2 of this article for some ideas on what to do when you want to reach for something for your mouth to do for a little bit of mid meal energy.