Frustration
Frustration is also a normal reaction. People with Alzheimer’s may misplace things, become easily agitated, wander aimlessly and have poor judgment. Dr. Reynolds compares his wife with a 4-year-old child. “At least you can expect a child to sleep. My wife would be awake, wandering around, running into things all night long. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Prescription Medications’ Category
Special Problems for Husbands Who Care. Part 2
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011Special Problems for Husbands Who Care. Part 1
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011Living With Wives Who Have Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a common condition that affects at least four million Americans. It causes a decline in memory and thinking skills that can lead to inappropriate behavior, decreased judgment, and disorientation. In later stages, a person with Alzheimer’s becomes unable to recognize familiar surroundings and loved ones.
Diabetes Forecast Post 7
Friday, July 15th, 2011In 1994, his endocrinologist told him to give up his years-long smoking habit, and Marier did. But then, like most ex-smokers, he gained weight, shooting up from 190 pounds to 210. The weight gain played havoc with his glucose control.
Marier tried two weight-loss drugs–first fenfluramine for four or five months, then a couple of months of phentermine, each costing about a Canadian dollar a day–but with little luck. He did lose perhaps 5 or 7 pounds to start. But the side effects were his undoing. (more…)
Diabetes Forecast Post 6
Friday, July 8th, 2011Appetite suppressants can help people lose weight, which may also help them control their blood glucose levels. For example, researchers in Australia studied the effects of dexfenfluramine on 38 people with type II diabetes. All the subjects controlled their diabetes with diet or diet and sulfonylureas. Twenty people took dexfenfluramine for three months; 18 took a placebo. Those on dexfenfluramine lost an average of about 8 pounds, and the group’s glycohemoglobin level went from 10 percent to less than 9 percent. Those on placebo didn’t lose weight and their blood glucose control didn’t improve. (more…)
Diabetes Forecast Post 5
Friday, July 1st, 2011Even though the FDA approved fenfluramine in 1973 and recently approved dexfenfluramine, some scientists doubt the safety of these drugs. In some animal experiments, these drugs lowered serotonin levels in the brain. Whether these drops occur in people–and if they do, whether it matters–is not yet known. (more…)
Diabetes Forecast Post 4
Friday, June 24th, 2011Diet Pills: Past, Present, and Future
The Past
People who are depressed often lose or gain weight. And years ago, doctors discovered that a common side effect of drugs used to treat depression was weight gain or loss. It seemed that appetite and mood were somehow intertwined. Doctors began using antidepressants and stimulants as weight-loss drugs–but they didn’t have any idea why they worked. (more…)
Diabetes Forecast Post 3
Thursday, June 16th, 2011Bray chooses whether to prescribe weight-loss drugs based on the risk obesity poses. For a person without health problems, Bray will prescribe a weight-loss drug if the person’s body-mass index* is 30 or greater. For people who have a weight-related health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, Bray uses a BMI of 27 as a cutoff. (more…)
Diabetes Forecast Post 2
Thursday, June 9th, 2011If there are no quick fixes for obesity, then short-term use of weight-loss drugs is bound to fail. Perhaps, just as with calorie counting and exercising, it’s time to consider using these drugs long term as well. (more…)
Diabetes Forecast Post 1
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011“Good news, Mrs. Jones,” your eye doctor says as she scans your test results. “Since you’ve been using the glaucoma medicine, the pressure in your eyes has dropped. And when you’re wearing your new glasses, your vision is 20/20. Now that you’re cured, I’m taking away your eye drops and your glasses. Congratulations!” (more…)
Sun Smarts
Friday, January 28th, 2011The same steps you take to prevent skin cancer can help your skin look younger longer. What more can you ask? Well … you can ask for ways to make sun protection easy, effective, and comfortable. These five tips should help.
1. Get what you’ve paid for
“If you buy a sunscreen or sunblock but apply less than is recommended, you may be dramatically lowering the amount of protection you’re getting,” says doctor, MD, medical director, Consumer Health Care Group, Pfizer, Inc. And one thing’s for sure: Most people apply a lot less than is recommended. People go for a thin application – one that absorbs quickly.