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Blood pressure is perhaps the most important risk factor we know about in medicine. There some new research that is suggesting treatment should start earlier. Usually, treatment starts when the systolic (upper number) reaches 140. Now some doctors are thinking that better outcomes can be reached if anything of 120 is measured. Don’t know your […]
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PHOTOSENSIVITY REACTIONS: As pharmacists are aware, these reactions can be a simple skin rash reaction, called photoallergic reaction or the more serious, phototoxic reaction. The tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones and sulfas are some of the drug categories that can cause these reactions as well as some NSAIDs, furosemide, HCT and phenothiazines. Hydrochlorothiazide, sulfonylureas and oral contraceptives fall […]
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LUNG CANCER: I have to be careful in banging the drum against smoking too often. Over the years of writing this column, I have come down hard on smokers and sometime got the feeling they wish I’d leave them alone. It is an addiction and it’s easy for the non-addictive to become judgemental. However, I […]
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MUSCLE WASTING IN THE LEGS IN AGING: A researcher from Manchester Metropolitan University says that young adults usually have 60-70,000 nerves from the spine that control leg movement. However the aging process can reduce this number by 30-60% with a corresponding loss of muscle mass in the legs. If the muscles are reasonably healthy and […]
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GREECE DRUG RECYCLING: In Europe, most medications are dispensed in a manufacturer-packed blister format. Greece is in the middle of a real economic crisis and there are millions who just can’t afford medicaions. One man decided to do something about the millions of euros of medication that go unused. He set up a website […]
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TOBACCO USE CESSATION: In mentioning “nicotine replacement” products, I was intentionally vague. I didn’t want to mention the e-cigarettes because their legality in Canada is also vague even though you can buy the products everywhere in Canada and on-line. The jury is still out on these products. Granted they certainly contain less carcinogenic compounds […]
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There is a link between eating red meat and colorectal cancer but it doesn’t mean you have to cut out red meat altogether. Lean red meat is a good source of iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and protein. Replacing it with poultry or fish and keeping red meat to twice weekly is a good idea. Smoked […]
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WITCH HAZEL: The Osage natives of North American used witch hazel bark to treat skin ulcers and sores. I vaguely remember it being discussed in our pharmacognasy course at UBC. You must remember the chemical contents….calcium oxalate, gallotannins, safrole as well as chemicals found the essential oil (carvacrol and eugenol). I certainly don’t! It was […]
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