THE BLOG WILL BE ON VACATION AND RETURN AUGUST 9TH.

A Whole Lot More Adverse Reactions to Drugs in Hospitals

In the 5-year period beginning in 2003, there was a whopping 52% increase in adverse reactions to drugs. Most common was corticosteroids. Narcotics, anti-coagulants, anti-cancer drugs and immunosuppressants were also common reactants. 83% were in patients older than 45 years. Average costs per hospital stay were 50% higher for those who suffered adverse effects. Most of the drugs were not new. It appears to me that doctors are getting more aggressive in prescribing existing powerful drugs. Mixing in nutrients and herbs whenever possible would seem to greatly reduce these complications, as well as the cost of medical care.

See Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2008 Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Even Small Changes in Blood Pressure Can Result in Brain Damage

Dr. William B. White reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology that patients 75 years old and older who began with blood pressures averaging 126/66 lost measurable brain function and walking time for every 1 mm Hg increase in BP over the next two years. Previous concerns for rising BP were heart attacks and kidney problems, but it looks like the brain is affected as well. Rather than adding more drugs, lifestyle factors and natural therapies like garlic might be effective, in my opinion, and certainly safer as well.

See Family Practice News(click here), May 15, 2011, p. 16.

Those Who Have a Favorite Brand are More Likely to be Alcoholics

Dr. Susanne Tanski of Dartmouth Medical School reported to the Annual Meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies that the amount of money that a company spends on TV advertising is very effective in convincing under age drinkers to use their product as a “favorite brand”. Those who develop a favorite brand are then more likely to become binge drinkers and alcoholics. Many such ads appear on ESPN and similar sports channels. Budweiser was the most common brand cited.

See Family Practice News,(click here) May 15, 2011, p. 33.

New Developments in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum is a pioneer in the world of CFS and Fibromyalgia. He reports that moderately high doses of statin drugs have an anti-viral effect that can really help some patients with these problems. This finding is really strange, because statin drugs, which are used to lower cholesterol not infrequently cause severe muscle aching themselves. Sometimes this side effect can be reversed by adding high doses of CoEnzyme Q10 and the adrenal hormone, pregnenolone. If the patient does not have the side effect, he or she might benefit from taking a statin drug, like Lipitor. Much less likely to cause side effects, however, is red yeast, which might have the same benefit without the risk. The latter is my comment.

See newsletter@endfatigue.com (click here) , May 24, 2011.

Is the American Diabetic Association Killing Diabetic Patients?

The Alliance for Natural Health reported that the CDC estimates that there will be 140 million diabetics in this country in 40 years, and according to Life Extension estimates, more than 75% of adults over the age of 40 have pre-diabetes, and many have no idea. The problem is that the ADA recommends conventional screening tests that are not very sensitive in detecting the disorder, and prescribes dietary recommendations that do not sufficiently limit high glycemic foods, which results in poor control and more complications (kidney, blindness, heart attacks, strokes, etc.). Gluten sensitivity, allergies, pollutants, and vitamin D deficiency are also major factors that are usually not addressed. Patients should be tested with a HBA1C (normal <5.6) and a blood sugar fasting and 1 hour after a meal (normal < 85 and < 125 respectively). If these tests are abnormal, they indicate insulin resistance. A low carb diet is essential for good control, and an alternative doc can prescribe supplements if needed.

See ANH-USA, June 7, 2011.