We are overusing antibiotics so that bacterial resistance is becoming a significant threat. The CDC has estimated that treatment of infections due to resistant bacteria costs more than $4 billion annually. There are many factors associated with increasing resistance.
*Increased antimicrobial use in the community and hospital
* Increase in empiric antibiotics
* Prolonged and broad-spectrum antibiotic courses
* Repeated antibiotic courses
*Prolonged Hospitalizations
*Severely ill patient status
*Immunocompromised state
*Increase use of intravascular devices and catheters
*Inadequate infection control procedures
*Antibiotic use in animals and agriculture
The medical community can help curb this problem by offering the patient narrow spectrum or older antibiotics, shorter duration of therapy when appropriate and manipulating the dose of antibiotics. Perhaps even more importantly, doctors need to educate their patients regarding the risk of using antibiotics and spend more time discussing prevention. Patients would be wise to ask if there are any other options to consider, if watchful waiting is an option and if the antibiotic is specific for the condition.
Together, we can reduce this significant threat of bacterial resistance.
Hana R. Solomon, MD
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Prescriptions for selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and risk of breast cancer
Introduction
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prevent the growth of mammary tumours in animal models. Two population-based case-control studies suggest a reduced risk of breast cancer associated with selective cyclooxygenase-2 (sCox-2) inhibitor use, but data regarding the association between breast cancer occurrence and use of non-selective NSAIDs are conflicting.
Methods
We conducted a population-based case-control study using Danish healthcare databases to examine if use of NSAIDs, including sCox-2 inhibitors, was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. We included 8,195 incident breast cancer cases diagnosed 1991 through 2006 and 81,950 population controls.
Results
Overall, we found no reduced breast cancer risk in ever users (>2 prescriptions) of sCox-2 inhibitors [odds ratio (OR)=1.08, 95% confidence interval (95%CI)=0.99, 1.18), aspirin (OR=0.98, 95%CI=0.90-1.07), or non-selective NSAIDs OR=1.04, (95%CI=0.98, 1.10)]. Recent use (>2 prescriptions within 2 years of index date) of sCox-2 inhibitors, aspirin, or non-selective NSAIDs was likewise not associated with breast cancer risk [ORs=1.06 (95%CI=0.96, 1.18), 0.96 (95%CI=0.87, 1.06) and 0.99 (95%CI=0.85, 1.16), respectively]. Risk estimates by duration (<10, 10-15, 15+ years) or intensity (low/medium/high) of NSAID use were also close to unity. Regardless of intensity, shorter or long-term NSAID use was not significantly associated with breast cancer risk.
Conclusions
Overall, we found no compelling evidence of a reduced risk of breast cancer associated with use of sCox-2 inhibitors, aspirin, or non-selective NSAIDs.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prevent the growth of mammary tumours in animal models. Two population-based case-control studies suggest a reduced risk of breast cancer associated with selective cyclooxygenase-2 (sCox-2) inhibitor use, but data regarding the association between breast cancer occurrence and use of non-selective NSAIDs are conflicting.
Methods
We conducted a population-based case-control study using Danish healthcare databases to examine if use of NSAIDs, including sCox-2 inhibitors, was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. We included 8,195 incident breast cancer cases diagnosed 1991 through 2006 and 81,950 population controls.
Results
Overall, we found no reduced breast cancer risk in ever users (>2 prescriptions) of sCox-2 inhibitors [odds ratio (OR)=1.08, 95% confidence interval (95%CI)=0.99, 1.18), aspirin (OR=0.98, 95%CI=0.90-1.07), or non-selective NSAIDs OR=1.04, (95%CI=0.98, 1.10)]. Recent use (>2 prescriptions within 2 years of index date) of sCox-2 inhibitors, aspirin, or non-selective NSAIDs was likewise not associated with breast cancer risk [ORs=1.06 (95%CI=0.96, 1.18), 0.96 (95%CI=0.87, 1.06) and 0.99 (95%CI=0.85, 1.16), respectively]. Risk estimates by duration (<10, 10-15, 15+ years) or intensity (low/medium/high) of NSAID use were also close to unity. Regardless of intensity, shorter or long-term NSAID use was not significantly associated with breast cancer risk.
Conclusions
Overall, we found no compelling evidence of a reduced risk of breast cancer associated with use of sCox-2 inhibitors, aspirin, or non-selective NSAIDs.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Help with Menstrual pain
Initial treatment is focused on relief of pain. Anti-inflammatory medications can be helpful. This includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and prescription medications. (Note: Long-term use of NSAIDs can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding.)
Oral contraceptives may be prescribed in severe cases for disorders such as endometriosis.
If menstrual pain results from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), antibiotics will be prescribed.
but what i really think everyone should concentrate on here is the type of food we eat in other to reduce the pains and if possible eliminate it totally.
* Eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, soy, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test for food sensitivities.
* Eat calcium-rich foods, including beans, almonds, and dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach and kale).
* Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell pepper).
* Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
* Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy), or beans for protein.
* Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
* Drink soy milk for bone health and symptoms of menstrual pain.
* Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
* Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
* Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
* Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.
Oral contraceptives may be prescribed in severe cases for disorders such as endometriosis.
If menstrual pain results from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), antibiotics will be prescribed.
but what i really think everyone should concentrate on here is the type of food we eat in other to reduce the pains and if possible eliminate it totally.
* Eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, soy, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test for food sensitivities.
* Eat calcium-rich foods, including beans, almonds, and dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach and kale).
* Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell pepper).
* Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
* Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy), or beans for protein.
* Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
* Drink soy milk for bone health and symptoms of menstrual pain.
* Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
* Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
* Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
* Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
True Love
What is real love? is it the one that requires you to do things you don't like doing? or the one that makes you want to do the things you don't like doing?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
pains of valentine
The love we feel for our partner is something very personal and different with each individual/couple; when that same individual is in death threatening and painful breast cancer, then this valentine season will definitely be a more trying one for you, unless your awareness level of breast cancer is very much higher than the average and you are a very creative and highly loved guy.
For people affected by breast cancer, overcoming pain can be a major part of dealing with the disease and its treatment. Pain is a common side effect of treatment and also a side effect of cancer. Sure the new vaccine is hoped will be effective in destroying HER2-positive tumors, but it’s still been tested on mice.
Aspirin, Tylenol, NSAIDs, Advil, Motrin, opioids and coanalgesics alone will not do the work as they are normal and everyday occurrence or routine for the patient and you can bet your happiness that she wants to feel different on that special day; this brings us to the issue of affectionate-creativity, how do you make a woman in pain feel fine and happy with herself? Do not think am going to give you a magic formula, because if I have one I would most probably package and sell it for very high price, so lets get that clear, I do not have any magic formula.
What one can do though is to consider the type of person your partner is, what makes her thick and apply a lot of affection, accompanied with intense creative awareness as well as fasting and prayer for divine guidance, believe me you will need it as a nonnegotiable option.
If all goes well, the reward will be worth it. The pain they go through can only be imagined by those of us who don’t feel it.
For in the end, it’s the spirit and the efforts put into showing our loved ones that they are special to us and that we appreciate them and hold them in high esteem that really make us inseparable!
Happy valentine!
For people affected by breast cancer, overcoming pain can be a major part of dealing with the disease and its treatment. Pain is a common side effect of treatment and also a side effect of cancer. Sure the new vaccine is hoped will be effective in destroying HER2-positive tumors, but it’s still been tested on mice.
Aspirin, Tylenol, NSAIDs, Advil, Motrin, opioids and coanalgesics alone will not do the work as they are normal and everyday occurrence or routine for the patient and you can bet your happiness that she wants to feel different on that special day; this brings us to the issue of affectionate-creativity, how do you make a woman in pain feel fine and happy with herself? Do not think am going to give you a magic formula, because if I have one I would most probably package and sell it for very high price, so lets get that clear, I do not have any magic formula.
What one can do though is to consider the type of person your partner is, what makes her thick and apply a lot of affection, accompanied with intense creative awareness as well as fasting and prayer for divine guidance, believe me you will need it as a nonnegotiable option.
If all goes well, the reward will be worth it. The pain they go through can only be imagined by those of us who don’t feel it.
For in the end, it’s the spirit and the efforts put into showing our loved ones that they are special to us and that we appreciate them and hold them in high esteem that really make us inseparable!
Happy valentine!
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