Diseases & Conditions Blog

MRSA Concerns Growing Rampant - Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Parents across the nation are worried by the seemingly rampant reports of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections in schools all over the United States. In recent weeks, a teenage boy has died and dozens of students have contracted the bacterial infection. Health experts say overuse of antibiotics has contributed to the rapid spread of MRSA, once a problem confined primarily to hospital settings. The public health concern of growing antimicrobial resistance is a prime reason 50 percent of dermatologists report cutting back on antibiotics to treat acne according to the Galderma Quality Report for Dermatology and Managed Care.

On the surface, acne sufferers might feel frustrated, believing that their treatment options have narrowed. But holistic health experts say curbing the reliance on antibiotics is a step in the right direction for the millions of Americans who suffer from acne --and to the general public in light of the prevalence of drug resistant bacteria.

Chris Gibson, a holistic health and lifestyle coach and author of the book, Acne Free in 3 Days, believes antibiotics are a problematic treatment choice for acne. He urges parents to be cautious when seeking an acne regimen that's safe and effective for kids.

"You have your family doctor saying we don't want to over-prescribe antibiotics," says Gibson. "Then you take your teenager to a dermatologist and typically one of the first options has been antibiotics. With the drug-resistant 'super-bugs' in the news, no wonder parents are anxious. Just look at the numbers involved. An estimated 80 percent of teens have some acne, so imagine the volume of antibiotics being consumed if only a fraction of these teens get prescriptions."

The growing problem of drug resistance isn't the only drawback to antibiotics. Side effects are also a major concern. For example, antibiotics can upset the natural balance in your digestive track and stain your teeth.

"I can speak from experience about the side effects," says Gibson, who once suffered from chronic acne. "The digestive issues alone can create a major disruption to the balance of good bacteria in your body- the bacteria that your immune system needs to stay healthy."

Other medications such as Accutane have been the subject of lawsuits after being linked to heart, liver and bowel disease along with depression and suicide. Accutane, normally reserved as a drug of last resort for people with severe, cystic acne, is also known to cause birth defects. But many acne sufferers reach a point of desperation where they'd try just about anything to improve their skin.

Exposure to Pesticides Can Lead to Parkinson's Brits Say - Monday, November 12, 2007

Researchers in Great Britain recently reported that exposure to pesticides can significantly increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. According to the study, individuals heavily exposed to pesticides had a 41% increased risk of developing Parkinson's, and even those with low exposure had a 13% increased risk of developing the disease.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that affects speech and motor skills. Sufferers experience muscle tremors, muscle rigidity, slowing physical movements and sometimes total loss of physical movements. Other symptoms include high level cognitive dysfunction and language problems.

Enzyme Blocker May Increase Risk of Death - Tuesday, November 6, 2007

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that accumulating evidence suggests a Bayer AG drug used to prevent excessive bleeding during heart bypass surgery increases the risk of death when compared with other drugs.

The announcement came as a Canadian study comparing the safety and efficacy of the drug, Trasylol, with two others was halted. Preliminary results from that trial also suggested Trasylol increased the risk of death when compared with the other drugs. The trial was to include 3,000 patients.

Trasylol, (generic aprotinin) works by blocking enzymes that dissolve blood clots. Bayer said it believes Trasylol remains a safe and effective treatment option, but that the company would work with the FDA and regulators in other countries to re-evaluate the drug's risks and benefits and determine where any label changes are needed.

The announcement came a month after FDA advisers recommended Trasylol remain on the market despite its links to an increased risk of death and other serious side effects. The FDA approved the drug in 1993 to slow the loss of blood and prevent the need for blood transfusions in surgeries to bypass clogged coronary arteries.

Zelnorm and Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Friday, November 2, 2007

Zelnorm (generic tegaserod) is a drug prescribed for the short-term treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women. IBS is a disorder that gives millions of people abdominal pain and either severe diarrhea, constipation or both. IBS occurs mainly in women, and Zelnorm is only prescribed to women. Zelnorm has been the only drug therapy for the constipation-causing form of IBS approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In March 2007 the FDA notified healthcare professionals that the manufacturer of Zelnorm, Novartis Phamaceuticals Company, agreed to discontinue marketing Zelnorm in the United States.