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Why The Shingles Vaccine Is Both Safe And Effective

Friday, October 8th, 2010

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a commonly contracted virus which causes both chickenpox and shingles. In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a common shingles vaccine.

Many parents and families have questions about whether or not the shingles vaccine is safe and effective both for young children and for those with weakened immune systems such as elderly parents or those with immuno-suppressant diseases.

The shingles vaccine contains a weakened form of the virus, so weak that even an immuno-compromised individual or child can fight it and cannot pass it on to others. Having this weakened form of the virus in one’s system means that if a strong version of the virus is contracted, it will be attacked by the body and no shingles will result.

A single dose of the shingles vaccine is all that is needed for it to be effective. While it will not ease the pain if someone is already infected – weeping, painful skin legions are the typical signs of shingles – it will prevent any future outbreaks of the disease.

The FDA continues to monitor the use of the shingles vaccine, but has thus far determined it to be both safe and effective.

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor About The Birth Control Patch

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

The birth control patch can be an effective way of preventing pregnancy, but there are a number of questions that any woman considering using it should ask their doctor.

First, ask about how effective the birth control patch is. The most recent statistics indicate that it is similar in effectiveness to birth control pills – around 92%. While this is “typical,” it is important to ask your doctor if there is any reason that the birth control patch will be less effective for you.

It is also important to ask about what kind of side effects the birth control patch can cause. Among the most common are irregular menstrual bleeding, mood changes and headaches. More rare are blood clots, but it is a good idea to ask your doctor what to expect, as based on your age and medical history, your risk of side effects and their severity could greatly vary.

The birth control patch is not protection against any STDs or other infections. Also, since it utilizes hormones to affect the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body, it can have a variety of effects on the body, making consultation with a doctor essential before beginning use.

Posted in Contraception Birth Control Patch, News, Paid Clinical Trial | No Comments »

Knowing When To Look For An Influenza Vaccine In Your Area

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

Each year the influenza vaccine, also known the “flu shot,” is given out at health clinics and doctor’s offices around the globe. The disease is far more prevalent in winter than in summer, and for that reason two “flu seasons” exist globally, one in the southern and one in the northern hemisphere.

Typically, an influenza vaccine will be given out at the beginning of a flu season, often when the weather begins to turn cold. There will usually be advertisements on the local news and at health clinics that an influenza vaccine will be given out on a specified day and time. While it is possible to obtain an influenza vaccine shot at a different time of the year, large-scale flu clinics only occur once annually in most major cities.

The flu is an extremely adaptable virus, and for that reason a yearly shot is recommended. Each year, health agencies reformulate the influenza vaccine to take into account the most virulent strains of the past year. This allows the influenza vaccine to be as effective as possible in combating the broadest range of possible infections and keeping the urban population healthy.

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How Renal Impairment Can Lead To Kidney Failure And Other Medical Ailments

Friday, October 1st, 2010

The kidneys, or renal organs, are responsible for processing body waste so that it does not build up in the bloodstream. When functioning optimally, these small pea-shaped twins effortlessly process approximately 200 quarts of blood per hour, filtering out wastes for future excretion through the bladder. When renal impairment occurs, the kidneys are no longer able to do their job properly. Wastes begin to build up in the body, creating a dangerous environment of toxicity in the bloodstream.

Diabetes and high blood pressure, two of the most common causes for renal impairment, attack the kidneys by damaging waste-processing units called nephrons. Nephrons can be damaged or poisoned, and lose their ability to process wastes out of the bloodstream. Diabetes renders the body unable to process adequate amounts of glucose, a normally harmless simple sugar that in the presence of diabetes can build up in the bloodstream to toxic levels, poisoning the nephrons and rendering them nonfunctional. Equally seriously, high blood pressure can cause damage to the small blood vessels the nephrons rely upon to send waste to the bladder. At a 40 percent or greater renal impairment level, individuals are deemed at risk for kidney failure and other medical ailments.

Posted in Chronic Kidney Failure, News, Paid Clinical Trial, Renal Impairment | No Comments »

How Hepatitis C Treatment Can Prevent Liver Disease And Cancer

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Hepatitis C is a virus that accounts for up to 70 percent of all reported cases of chronic hepatitis, and up to 50 percent of reported cases of cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Once diagnosed, Hepatitis C treatment is most typically administered in either a 24- or 48-week course, with options ranging from traditional alpha interferon to ribavarin to combination treatment approaches. Treatment is available and recommended for most individuals, excepting those who have received organ transplants or have other specific contraindications, although newer controlled trials may offer hope for these patients as well.

Treatment for Hepatitis C is essential as soon as diagnosis is confirmed, and the good news is that full remission is possible. Hepatitis C treatment is essential to prevent onset of liver disease and cancer, and studies continue to develop ever more effective means of counteracting the effects of the Hepatitis C virus. Newer Hepatitis C treatment modalities include developing a means to study the lifecycle of the virus outside of its human host. This bodes well for even more effective treatments to prevent liver disease and cancer, as well as eventual development of a vaccine to block the virus itself.

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How Diabetes Treatment Can Restore Organ Functionality And Prevent Blindness

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 7.8 percent of the population currently suffers from some form of diabetes, a metabolic disorder that affects how the body processes glucose. Glucose, a simple sugar, is a primary means by which the body receives nutrients. The body breaks down glucose primarily through the help of insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. When insulin is not present at sufficient levels to assist with metabolizing glucose, the body system becomes toxic and organ damage or failure as well as vision loss and blindness, called retinopathy, can occur. The good news is that both conditions are treatable if caught early.

Diabetes treatment focuses on keeping blood glucose levels within manageable, non-toxic levels. Following diagnosis confirmation, consistent management through diabetes treatment is key to restoring proper organ functionality and preventing the onset of blindness. In addition to preventative measures such as moderating diet and blood glucose levels and getting adequate exercise, as well as regularly prescribed treatment protocols dialysis and injectible insulin, a federally-funded study called the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) paved the way for exciting new clinical trials that offer new hope for a new wave of future diabetes treatment options.

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How A Shingles Vaccine Promotes Health In Early Development

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Cases of shingles and chickenpox can be life threatening, and those that aren’t can still be extremely uncomfortable. The chickenpox and shingles vaccines are effective ways to combat both ailments.

The shingles vaccine is recommended for anyone ages 60 and over who has already had the chickenpox. Research has shown that the number of shingles cases in adults who are vaccinated as compared to those who aren’t is cut in half. Receiving the chickenpox vaccine as a youth also helps prevent shingles later in life.

The chickenpox vaccine itself is called the varicella vaccine, and is recommended for every child between 18 months and the teenage years. While the varicella vaccine can cause shingles, most cases are much milder than those that occur from contracting the varicella virus itself.

Studies show that people who are given the varicella vaccine as children have a decreased chance of getting shingles later in life. It is important to give children the varicella vaccine early so that it has a chance to protect their bodies from chickenpox and, years later, shingles.

Some forms of chickenpox and shingles can be fatal. Getting immunized with both the varicella and shingles vaccines at the appropriate age is highly recommended.

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Common Side Effects Of The Birth Control Patch

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Like a square-shaped band-aid, the birth control patch is a type of contraceptive that is worn on the skin. It can be placed on the upper arm, upper torso, abdomen, or buttocks. It works by its release of progestin and estrogen hormones through the skin. The patch is worn for three weeks, with a new patch worn for every week.

Some women experience some side effects when using the birth control patch. The side affects are actually similar to those brought about by birth control pill use. Side effects include: headaches, mood changes, dizziness, irregular menstrual bleeding, breast tenderness, and blood clots. Other possible side effects include: menstrual cramps, skin reactions brought about by the patch, change in vision, and difficulty in wearing contact lenses. Some may have allergic reactions resulting in hives, rashes, wheezing, and difficulty in swallowing.

Although some birth control patch side effects only result in mild discomfort, others can actually be life threatening and must be reported immediately to a physician. Some of the more severe side effects include: lumps in the breast, chest pain, toxic shock symptoms, high blood pressure, coughing up blood (blood clot in the lung), migraines, depression, and unusual vaginal bleeding.

Posted in Contraception Birth Control Patch, News, Paid Clinical Trial | No Comments »

INX-189 Passes First Hepatits C Trials

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Inhibitex, Inc. has completed preliminary Hepatitis C trials of a new drug called INX-189. The drug is a nucleotide polymerase inhibitor discovered in 2008 by personnel at the Cardiff University Welsh School of Pharmacy.

During the Hepatitis C trials, 42 volunteers unaffected by Hepatitis C were administered a single dose of the drug or a placebo. Thus far, INX-189 has proven to be safe and tolerated well in varying concentrations, from 3 to 100 mg. The only side effects that more than one subject suffered included headaches and nasal congestion.

The drug is well on its way to being approved for treatment of Hepatitis C. Up until the present day, 170 million Hepatitis C patients worldwide were being treated with injections of ribavirin and interferon. These drugs have very undesirable side effects, causing many patients to stop receiving treatment prematurely.

The first Hepatitis C trials of INX-89 led researchers to believe it has the potential to be more effective against the ailment than the current method of treatment, work more quickly, and have fewer side effects. INX-89 would be administered in a low daily dose that would take the place of an injection. Researchers maintain high hopes for the next impending trial phase.

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How To Find Diabetes Trials In Orlando

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

For those suffering from diabetes, one of the best ways to take control of the disease and make a difference in finding a permanent cure is to enroll in a clinical trial.

If you are located in the Florida area, for example, one of the most popular locations to find diabetes trials in Orlando. The city has a large population and an aggressive research and technology sector which offers a range of clinical trial options.

When searching out diabetes trials in Orlando, there are a few key points to bear in mind. First, make sure to contact a reputable firm. Avail Clinical Research, as an example, is not only partnered with several major international prescription drug companies, but has received significant support from the county of Volusia to continue their work.

Diabetes trials in Orlando can take many forms and test many different facets of the disease, and is worth knowing that the company running the trial is not only local, but has the support of both local government agencies and the backing of big players in the industry.

By using caution and care when looking for diabetes trials in Orlando, patients can find a great experience and help the cause simultaneously.

Posted in Diabetes, News, Paid Clinical Trial | No Comments »

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