Saturday, July 12, 2008

Risperdal Side Effects: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome NMS


Risperdal is an atypical anti-psychotic drug that balances the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. It helps to stabilize patients with mental illness including the manic stages of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However Risperdal has been prescribed not just for people with mental illness, but also for children and the elderly who have behavioral and conduct disorders and for autism. Studies have only approved Risperdal for use with adults, not children. Children on Risperdal could retain lasting side effects.

Side effects of Risperdal can include abdominal pain, vomiting, dry mouth, agitation, aggression, anxiety, chest pain, coughing, involuntary movement, nasal inflammation, lack of coordination, dizziness, dry skin, weight gain, rapid heart beat, fainting, seizures, trouble swallowing, vision problems, tremors, lethargy, joint pain, respiratory infection, impotence, heavy menstruation, and many many others. However an even more serious side effect of Risperdal is stroke. Risperdal related strokes have killed 16 people and injured many others. Also, Risperdal has been shown to cause Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). NMS is a syndrome that causes respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse, myglobinuric renal failure, arrhythmias, rhabdomyolysis, pneumonia, seizures or diffuse intravascular coagulation and is sometimes fatal.

If you or a loved on has suffered from the dangerous side effects of Risperdal, including stroke, NMS, or tardive dyskinesia, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of Risperdal. Johnson & Johnson has a $2.1 billion revenue from Risperdal sales. A Risperdal lawsuit can help gain compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and physical and emotional distress caused by taking Risperdal. If you feel you have a case, contact a product liability lawyer.

You can buy Risperdal here

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Mazakari Maelstrom's weblog

Restless Leg Syndrome - Healing is Possible


Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is defined by the International Restless legs syndrome Study Group, which was established to create a medical diagnosis. The IRLS Study Group narrowed the symptoms to four essential criteria needed for clinical diagnosis.

These criteria are:


1. The urge to move the legs, usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs


2. Symptoms of restless legs syndrome are worse during rest or inactivity


3. Symptoms are partially or totally relieved by movement


4. Restless legs syndrome is worse at night.

These criteria are the most frequently reported symptoms that something isn’t ‘right’ within the person’s mind, body and/or spirit. However, since western medicine only treat symptoms the root cause for these symptoms are never addressed.

People who suffer from restless leg syndrome often have other psychiatric symptoms, including depression and anxiety. Other risk factors are heavy smoking, unemployment status, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Sleep apnea and insomnia appear to be other risk factors for restless leg syndrome, along with difficulty falling asleep (taking more than 30 minutes), driving while drowsy and excessive daytime fatigue. Subjects with self-reported restless leg syndrome also have a higher incidence of being late for work, missing work, making errors at work and missing social events because of fatigue more often than those without restless leg syndrome.

Requip manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline is the most frequently prescribed antidote. The precise mechanism of action of Requip as a treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome (also known as Ekbom Syndrome) is unknown. Although the pathophysiology of RLS is largely unknown, neuropharmacological evidence suggests primary dopaminergic system involvement. Positron emission tomographic (PET) studies suggest that a mild striatal presynaptic dopaminergic dysfunction may be involved in the pathogenesis of RLS.

In clinical trials for restless legs syndrome, the most common side effects of Requip were nausea, extreme drowsiness, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue. In December 2004, a European Union panel of experts initiated a probe of the drug after concerns surfaced about the product's effectiveness and long-term safety. Called Adartrel in Europe, the drug is sold in a few countries but has not yet received full European approval. Whether the drug, Requip has been approved seems irrelevant since the side effects seem worse than the problem. One is trading—the urge to move the legs, usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs with nausea, extreme drowsiness, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue.

THERE IS HOPE: In twenty-five years of working with those suffering with RLS, I have learned RLS can be readily healed with 100% long-term results and satisfaction with no side effects. While the western medical profession says there is NO known cause for RLS, there is a plausible explanation for the symptoms to occur and therein lies the clues to the healing process.

100% of the RLS sufferers I have worked with were also, verbal, physical and/or sexual trauma survivors. While this fact may not give reason to assume that other RLS sufferers are verbal, physical and/or sexual trauma survivors, it is a strong indication there is a high probability.

First let us look at the dynamic of verbal, physical or sexual trauma. There are several inherent factors that can not be underestimated in these acts of trauma. Behavior between adult and child is traditionally looked at from the perspective of the adult rather than the child. The adult reasons that because an adult does not experience adverse affects neither will a child. This reasoning is faulty to the nth degree. There are several reasons why an experience can be damaging to a child and not damaging to an adult.

First and foremost, the child generally has no frame of reference from which to reconcile the experience. Second, since the experience is usually orchestrated through an adult the child knows and loves, the child has no one to discuss their adverse experience, because the adult is unwilling to acknowledge the negative consequences of their behavior. Thus, the child suffers in silence—holding the blame, shame and humiliation of their reaction, which has been deemed by an adult as uniquely inappropriate, uncharacteristic for the circumstance and therefore unworthy of discussion.

The child’s only source of comfort and avenue to reconcile experiences is the family. Thus, when the family fails to meet the child’s emotional needs, it is an insidious betrayal so profound that a child’s sense of trust is compromised and the child works mightily to regain fully what is a birthright.

The next layer of betrayal is the ‘age old’ tradition of using hitting as a form of discipline. It is rationalized that hitting will ‘teach the child a lesson’ they will never forget. This reasoning is faulty, because spanking creates shock, whereby the mind is unable to focus or retain logic rather than enhance comprehension. Furthermore, hitting engenders rage rather than respect. Thus instead of creating learning and compliance the child has learned to distrust adults. In order to maintain the relationship, the child pushes the rage deep into the psyche; the accompanying response to body boundary violations is to act out in other ways that may include rebellion, violence, self-destructive behavior etc. In addition, hitting is a body boundary violation—the skin is the largest sensory organ and when it is compromised it causes untold damage.

Last, but not least, hitting is hypocrisy—I love you therefore, I hit you. Love and hurting can not coexist simultaneously. Thus, while hitting the child—the adult is not being loving—they are hurting the child. This is abundantly clear to the child, but has become a distorted concept as adults have been indoctrinated in the ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’ rhetoric.

During the act of verbal, physical or sexual traumatizing, the mind, body and spirit have experienced an assault. This assault is experienced vis-а-vis all five senses—touch, hearing, smell, taste and seeing. These sensory organs hold the experience until it can be reconciled. Unfortunately, since the child seldom has the opportunity to reconcile the experience and have a meeting of understanding between adult and him/herself, the experience stays trapped in the system. Thus, for example: the traumatizing spanking on the buttocks stays trapped in the buttocks and legs. Or because a child who is being verbally assaulted has a flight or fight reaction, but can neither, fight or flee, the energy is trapped in the legs, which is the first line of defense for fighting or fleeing. Since the child can do neither the energy is stored and never released. Thus, years later when one’s faces a similar emotionally charged experience the old experience resurfaces as RLS. This phenomenon is commonly called trapped energy.

These childhood experiences can be healed through a seven-step multifacted process. Talk therapy is inadequate to uncover the emotional pain, and heal the trauma trapped in muscles and tissue. To fully appreciate the depth of this pain, I will quote one of my clients, "Even my blood hurts." A multifaceted healing process specifically focused on trauma recovery and diligent work is the most effective; wherein the survivor can replenish their emotional and spiritual identity and empowerment.

You can buy Requip here

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SirCruizer's weblog

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Allergic Rhinitis - Ayurvedic Concept


It is quite common in spring to see people sneezing. Allergic rhinitis commonly known as Hay fever is in full swing and you feel the urge to rub your nose, eyes and ears. Throat is constantly sore and itchy. This is all due to immune response to airborne pollens of different plants and flowers. In Ayurveda a disease is a state of imbalance in the three doshas present in the human body namely vata, pita and kapha.

Allergic rhinitis is also, one of those diseases. The most common cause of allergies is pollens of the grass, trees, weeds and molds. Rhinitis could range from mild nasal congestion to skin rashes. It can be extremely infectious, as in the case of the common cold and non-infectious when it comes to seasonal and allergies.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of vataja prathisyaya (Ayurvedic name for Rhinitis) are: Nasanaha is nothing but nose block, Kaphasruti is running nose, rhinorrhoea and Kshava is sneezing. Sneezing may include paroxysms of 10-20 sneezes. Rhinorrhea is profuse, thin and watery. Headaches and earache may accompany nasal congestion and prolonged congestion may lead to alteration or loss of smell and taste. The treatment for allergic rhinitis involves anti-histamines, decongestants and immunotherapy. The line of treatment in ayurveda is nasya and dhoomapana. Shamana drugs like lakshmivilas ras, panchamrutha, septilin tablet, amrutharishta etc can be used.

Ayurvedic approach

Certain foods are more mucous producing and Ayurvedic medicine recognizes those foods as Kapha foods. Dairy, wheat, sugar, night shade family like potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, peppers, and bananas, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits all are considered Kapha foods, thus aggravating allergies. Diet rich in lots of fruits and vegetable of different colors are recommended, as they provide photochemical, which reduce susceptibility to allergies. Neti is nasal douching with salt and baking soda of the nasal passages, which helps soothe the irritated mucous membranes. Ayurvedic herbs like Guggul, Shilajeet, Amla and Pippli also help tremendously. Shilajeet is a mineral pitch that helps boost the immune system.

You can buy Septilin here

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MadandAngry's weblog

Shuddha Guggulu For Cholesterol Concerns


It is a common foodstuff carry tags claiming to be “free from cholesterol”, “low fat”. Lately, the word “cholesterol” has become a cursed word in the world health, and not without reason.

Although Cholesterol is required for various functions in the body, too much of it can be bad for your health as it can put you at risk of heart disease and stroke. Hence, keeping your cholesterol levels low is important, regardless of your age or health condition.

Although lifestyle changes like diet and exercise are essential in lowering your cholesterol levels, they may not be enough sometimes. Even if you exercise daily and eat right, you may still have a hard time lowering your cholesterol levels due to your age, gender or family history.

Herbal remedy for Cholesterol Control

In Sanskrit, Guggulu means, “that which protects from disease”. Shuddha Guggulu, a traditional Ayurvedic medication used to treat high cholesterol, is widely used in India and was first recommended as a treatment for hardening of the arteries in 600 BC. This ancient diagnosis is similar to the modern description of atherosclerosis or blocking of arteries leading to problem with the heart.

Shuddha Guggulu is purified gum-resin exudates from the plant Commiphora wightii. Guggulu is a small to medium size tree found in the acrid regions of Arabia and India. The plant produces this gum when its bark is injured. Shuddha Guggulu helps to regulate lipid metabolism, which helps in weight control and body fat reduction.

Clinical research on Shuddha Guggulu shows reduction in total cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol levels. Besides, the anti-inflammatory properties of Shuddha Guggulu also lower arthritis pain.

You can buy Shuddha Guggulu here

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Mazakari Maelstrom's weblog

How To Avoid Problems In Treating Arthritis With Arava


The internet is a great source of information on all topics and Googling Arava will through up many results - some positive, some negative. There are a huge number of reviews online by users and professionals alike - some reviewing experiences, knowledge or promoting the product itself.

Where do you go to get reliable information about Arava online?

How reliable is the information online about Arava or any other drug for that matter? There are a number of respected medical sites that review many drugs on an impartial, professional basis. The reviews are generally done by qualified professionals, be they doctors, pharmacists or other health specialists. You should also remember that for a drug to be marketed in the US, it has to pass stringent tests and research trials before being granted FDA approval, and details on that approval are available on the FDA website.

Because of the problems caused by living with rheumatoid arthritis, most people with the condition will at some stage be taking medication of one description or another to deal with the pain and reduce swelling associated with the condition. Medication for rheumatoid arthritis can be divided into two categories:

1. Symptom Relievers. Used to help relieve pain and swelling, these include the following:






  • Tylenol®*





  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen





  • COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs





2. Disease Modifiers. These drugs, known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), not only help relieve pain and swelling, but they also help slow the progression of RA.

Arava slows the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and because of this is classified as a DMARD. Arava helps relieve the pain and swelling in the joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis. So, while there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, it is possible you can do something to help prevent it from getting worse.

There are issues with Arava around loading dose levels in patients, particularly those at risk of hematologic or hepatic toxicity. Managing the initial loading dosage is something you should take very seriously and consult with your doctor.

So why are there Negative reviews of Arava online and what should I do about it?

The negative publicity you will find online about Arava is related to the potential side effects of using Arava. In the past there have been situations where Arava was used incorrectly and this has lead to problems.

This is the manufacturer's own warnings in relation to the use of Arava:

"Pregnancy must be excluded before the start of treatment with Arava. Arava is contraindicated in pregnant women, or women of childbearing potential who are not using reliable contraception. (see contraindications and warnings). Pregnancy must be avoided during Arava treatment or prior to the completion of the drug elimination procedure after Arava treatment."

As with many treatments, there are a number of conditions that are incompatible with Arava. If you are considering using treatment with Arava, make sure you undergo thorough medical examination so that you make sure you don't have any of the conditions that could cause you issues. You may not even know you have them so it si best to get checked out first and keep those risks as low as possible. Also make sure you are regularly checked by your doctor.

Other common complaints or side effects include skin problems such as dermatitis, acne and rashes, respiratory problems such as cough, pneumonia and respiratory infections or endocrine deficiencies related to the thyroid and the pancreatic functions. Arava, like most drugs, have these issues and it is important that you understand the risks associated with using it. That information is freely available online or from your medical professional.

So make sure you understand the risks, and weigh them up against the potential benefits - make sure you take the advice of a trusted professional and keep your risk factors to a minimum.

You can buy Arava here

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Playing Mantis's weblog

Indian Ginseng for Stress Relief - Ashwagandha


Ashwagandha, known as the Ginseng of India, is an exotic herb. Also known as Winter Cherry, it comes from the root of a tall branching shrub with yellow-green flowers, cultivated in India and North America. The shrub is called Withania Somnifera. Ashwagandha calms and strengthens the nervous system, promotes sleep, helps arthritis, relieves weakness and clears the mind. It is considered a promoter of good health and well being for the entire body, similar to other "ginsengs". However, unlike regular Ginseng, it has a sedative effect on the Central Nervous System. Regular Ginseng has a stimulant effect. Ashwagandha contains natural chemicals and flavonoids which calm the central nervous system and balance the systems in the body. It has been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory as well, comparable to hydrocortisone. Ashwagandha contains the amino acids alanine, glycine, proline, tyrosine and valine which enhance brain function.

Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years in India as a folk medicine by Ayurvedic practitioners. It has undergone valid scientific testing and in a double-blind study in India, healthy males taking this Indian ginseng showed slowed signs of aging, less grey hair, lower serum cholesterol, and increased sexual performance. Indian scientists have also proven that Ashwagandha disrupts the ability of cancer cells to reproduce. Both skin and stomach cancer were slowed with its use. A test on rats in Germany showed that acetylcholine metabolism was affected in the brain by Ashwagandha. Acetylcholine is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain and is essential for good memory and cognitive abilities. A recent Japanese study showed that the compounds in Indian ginseng reduced the growth of colon, breast and lung cancer. In India, Ashwagandha is used to treat geriatric patients, amnesia and as an antioxidant treatment, since its use has shown to increase three antioxidants: superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Other studies showed that Ashwagandha has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties against such bacteria as Salmonella.

Ashwagandha may be taken daily. So far no dangerous side affects have been reported with use in moderate dosages, which is 2-6 grams daily. It should not be taken by pregnant women, with sedatives or illegal drugs. It comes in various forms such as powder, liquid, tablet and dried root. Many health food stores carry it.

You can buy Ashwagandha here

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Eversore Garlaxiel's weblog

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

A Look at the Different Depression and Anxiety Medications


While it may be easy to recite the various brand names and generalize their benefits enough to know they put us (or are supposed to put us) in a better mood, for lack of a better term, the drugs themselves can all be categorized individually, each working in a slightly different way.

The following is a list and very brief description, by category, of depression and anxiety medications currently prescribed by physicians.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs, which are fairly new to the arsenal of depression and anxiety medications, have gained immense popularity among prescribing psychiatrists within the past 10 years. They are usually prescribed during the early stages of depression, if a person has sought help and behavioral and/or psychotherapy has not proven effective enough. With appropriate dosage, SSRIs can "catch" depression before it becomes severe. Although they do not work for 20% to 40% of people who try them, their ability to work for people with minor (and even major) depressive illnesses makes them attractive enough to prescribing psychiatrists to try them first before moving on to more serious depression and anxiety medications and methods, if need be. SSRIs work on serotonin, one of the brain's three neurotransmitters.


SSRIs Brand name (chemical name)

Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline)

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MOAIs)

MAOIs are the type of depression and anxiety medications that work for people who are mildly depressed, develop mild depression over a long period of time, are overly sensitive to their environment, or who are easily able to emerge from periods of depression. People who demonstrate an excess of a particular activity (ie, overeating, oversleeping, emotional overreaction) as compensation with stress can benefit from MAOIs, which work on the three neurotransmitters (called monoamines) found in the brain: norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. These are usually only prescribed when a person hasn't responded to any of the other types of depression and anxiety medications.

A strict diet must be followed if taking an MAOI, because in conjunction with certain foods, the body can react with elevated blood pressure, headaches, fluctuating blood sugar (for people with diabetes), and in more severe cases, brain hemorrhage. Because of these risks, MAOIs were taken off the American market for a while, but were reintroduced for patients who haven't had luck with any other depression and anxiety medications.

MAOIs Brand name (chemical name)

Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine)

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Tricyclics have been available longer than any other depression and anxiety medications. In 1958, the first tricyclic, imipramine (Tofranil), was released to help combat major depression, and physicians saw a 70% positive response within their patients. Previously the only treatments for severely depressed patients were amphetamines and electroshock therapy. TCAs increase the brain's supply of serotonin and norepinephrine, two of the brain's three neurotransmitters, but it also affects some of the brain's other nerve impulses as well, and this allows for more side effects.

Severely depressed and/or hospitalized patients see the most benefit from taking TCAs because of its sedative effect. In the past, patients were usually prescribed tricyclics before anything else, but with the movement of psychiatrists (and patients!) toward heading off depression before it becomes severe and/or chronic, TCAs are now usually only prescribed if the other types of depression and anxiety medications don't work.

TCAs Brand name (chemical name)

Adapin (doxepin), Anafranil (clomipramine) , Elavil (amitriptyline), Endep (amitriptyline), Ludiomil (maprotiline), Norpramin (desipramine) , Pamelor (nortryptyline), Pertofrane (desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Surmontil (trimipramine), Tofranil (imipramine), Vivactil (protriptyline)

Non-specified or "Other" depression and anxiety medications

Because their chemical make-ups do not fit into any of the other categories, the following list of depression and anxiety medications can only be termed as "other." Wellbutrin, Desyrel, Remeron, and Effexor are prescribed most. Each of the four drugs affects at least one of the brain's three neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine), and as a result, each has its own particular set of side effects. As a result, psychiatrists are much more likely to prescribe one of the other types of depression and anxiety medications (SSRIs, MAOIs, TCAs) before switching to one of these. In some instances, a patient's regimen is augmented by combining an SSRI or TCA with an"other" depression and anxiety medications, but because of an MAOI's particular chemical make-up and dietary requirements, it is prescribed alone.

Brand names (chemical names) of Non-specified depression and anxiety medications

Buspar (buspirone), Cymbalta (duloxetine), Desyrel (trazodone) , Effexor (venlafaxine), Edronax, Vestra (reboxetine), Remeron (mirtazapine), Serzone (nefazodone), Wellbutrin (bupropion).

In August of 2004, the FDA approved the investigational drug Cymbaltaв„ў (duloxetine HCl), which demonstrated rapid relief of anxiety symptoms associated with depression that was sustained for the length of the study period, according to new data published in the journal Depression and Anxiety. In clinical studies, researchers attribute the medication's effect on a broad spectrum of depression symptoms, which include emotional and painful physical symptoms as well as anxiety, to its dual reuptake inhibition of both serotonin and norepinephrine.


Learn more about treating depression at http://www.e-mentalhealth.com

You can buy Remeron here

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Drathuu's weblog