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Prescription Sleep Medicine
To Vaccinate Or Not to Vaccinate
Posted by sleepyguy in Prescription Sleep Medicine, Sleep Disorder on April 18th, 2009
Almost everyone agrees that vaccination has been one of the single most effective public health measures ever undertaken however it still remains one of the most controversial issues facing medicine today. We will take a look at these controversies, attempting to dispel truly fallacious information and focusing on real issues of concern to families.
Once the efficacy of vaccines became established, governments rushed to both make vaccines available to the populace and to make vaccination compulsory in many cases. In the twentieth century, as immunizations for childhood diseases were developed, including diphtheria, measles, mumps and rubella, vaccination became required for public school attendance.
In 1974, the WHO launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization. Through their efforts the last naturally occurring case of smallpox in the world occurred in Somalia in 1977.
Governmental entities strive to immunize as many people as possible in order to reach “herd immunity”. Herd immunity takes place when enough people are vaccinated to substantially lower the likelihood that a susceptible person will come into contact with an infected person.
Unfortunately, while the discovery of vaccines has probably been one of the single most important steps in eradicating disease (along with sanitation and antibiotics), there have been and continue to be safety issues associated with vaccine administration.
In 1955, two batches of polio vaccine contained live virus, which caused an outbreak of polio. In the 1970s a paper was published linking pertussis vaccination to permanent brain damage. The ensuing boycott of vaccinations and slate of lawsuits drove vaccine manufacturers out of the business, creating shortages and a rapid increase in disease incidence. The theory was later disproved but the controversy led to the development of the National Vaccine Information Office, the National Vaccine Injury Act, which provides some liability protection to manufacturers and the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund which provides monetary compensation when a vaccine is proven to have had a deleterious effect. In 1976, there was evidence that the swine flu outbreak could create an epidemic as bad as the flu epidemic of 1918, which killed 50,000,000 people worldwide. Swine flu vaccine was rushed to the public without adequate testing, resulting in about 500 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome before the program was cancelled.
Vaccines, like any drug or foreign material that enters the body, can cause allergic reactions, often due to the adjuvant, i.e., materials that the vaccine uses as a vehicle for administration. Side effects such as localized swelling, fever, crying and more are often associated with injections.
Beyond the concern about specific vaccine problems as described earlier, there is a strong minority of people who believe that the increasing rates of autism and learning disabilities in the U.S. are related to its mandatory immunization program. A good deal of research has been cited on both sides of the issue and there’s no clear evidence to either support or completely deny these beliefs.
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by impairment of social behaviors and interactions. These behaviors usually become observable at about eighteen months. Most vaccinations are given on a schedule that begins at age 2 months, creating a question about whether the immunizations cause the autism. Historical review shows that the incidence of autism did increase at about the time of the introduction of the MMR vaccine in the U.S. However, awareness of autism as a distinct disease increased at the same time. Autism in the UK did not increase after MMR was introduced there.
In the past, thimerosal, organic mercury, was used as a component of vaccines. Fears of a link between mercury and autism caused the Institute of Medicine to request removal of thimerosal from vaccines as a precautionary measure. This move, which was not based on scientific evidence, lent credibility to these fears. The current scientific consensus is that thimerosal causes or worsens autism; by 1999, this ingredient was removed from almost all vaccines.
Overall, vaccines have improved the lives of billions of people worldwide, eradicating many diseases or reducing them to small, manageable outbreaks.
Proponents in favor of TO VACCINATE cite the following arguments.
Getting vaccinated protects the individual and the community; it’s an obligation of living in a society to support the public good.
While most vaccination proponents recognize that there maybe individual situations where vaccination is not recommended, they point to the fact that if vaccinations weaken the immune system, there should be a higher rate of infections after immunization. A 2001 study of over 800,000 children in Denmark determined that there was no correlation.
It is not fair to subject vaccinated children, especially those who have been vaccinated because their medical conditions suggest that the disease would have serious negative effects, to the potential of getting the disease from those who have chosen not to be vaccinated (since vaccinations are not 100% effective in most cases.)
Manufacturers are constantly working to reduce chemical agents in vaccines such as thimerosal. Children who are not vaccinated with MMR (Mumps, Measles and Rubella) are 35 times more likely to get the diseases, which can be severe. Varicella (chicken pox) can lead to hospitalization and/or death. Polio vaccination is still important because polio is still present in developing countries. These diseases are rare because of the high degree of immunization. If people choose to stop vaccinating, the diseases will rebound as studies in other countries have shown.
There is still no credible evidence of a correlation between autism and vaccination. This position is supported by the World Health Organization, the CDC, The AMA and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
However, while vaccines are spectacularly successful in the macro sense, on a person by person, basis, vaccines can pose mild to severe risks for side effects and/or permanent and debilitating damage. There is a fundamental belief that the government should not be able to force people to submit to unwanted medical interventions.
As a result, some people, especially parents of vaccination-age children, are in favor of NOT TO VACCINATE and utilize the following arguments
The U.S. vaccination rate is already way above herd immunity thresholds.
Each person or family has the right to make their own free choice about invasive medical procedures. Recognizing the macro value of vaccination, each person or family need the liberty to evaluate their own situation, particularly with respect to vulnerabilities, and then choose the best course of action for the individual.
Vaccines are actively promoted due to the profit motive of manufacturers. When lawsuits related to immunizations go to trial, pharmaceutical manufacturers can supply “purchased” experts to plead their case.
The U.S. Vaccine Compensation Program has paid over 2000 awards (over $1.2 billion) for damages due to vaccines including a recent case where the court found that simultaneous immunizations caused autism symptoms. Children with auto immune diseases are at greater risk for serious side effects from vaccination and should be able to be exempted from participating.
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a government-run program that collects data on adverse events related to vaccines receives over 1,000 reports per month, estimated to be approximately 10% of actual events.
Hepatitis B immunization is not worthwhile - the disease does not even affect children (less than 1% of all reported victims are under the age of 15) yet it carries some risk of adverse effects up to and including death. For less dangerous diseases such as measles and chicken pox, natural immunity is preferable because it is 100% effective.
Vaccines contain known toxins and carcinogens such as aluminum and thimerosal.
Side effects of the MMR vaccination are similar to the disease and can be severe. Varicella side effects are similar to the disease; naturally acquired disease provides lifetime immunity, vaccination requires boosters. Polio vaccination is unnecessary because there hasn’t been a case of wild polio in the Untied States in 20 years. These diseases are so rare that it’s highly unlikely that anyone would contract them anymore.
While the correlation between the increase in autism and the increase in vaccinations may not be causal, it may yet be proved to be causal. Consequently, vaccinations should not be mandatory.
It’s not surprising that there are strong feelings on both sides of this issue, fueled by an enormous amount of misinformation on the Internet. In the meantime, is there middle ground or any solutions to this controversy?
The solution is more and better research on several fronts. People need answers to the question of autism and vaccines. Equally important is research on new and better ways to engineer vaccines so that they can be more targeted and less likely to create adverse events in specific individuals.
The middle ground is probably represented by the United States and Canada which enjoy an extremely high level of vaccination and low levels of preventable diseases but at the same time provides the opportunity for individuals in most cases to be exempted from the need for vaccination based on religious or medical grounds. This balance allows the majority of the population to be well protected while still giving individuals the right to exercise the freedom to choose.
Buttock and Calf Enlargement - Augmentation
Posted by sleepyguy in Prescription Sleep Medicine, Sleep Disorder on April 18th, 2009
Buttock (Gluteal) Enlargement and Calf Enlargement (Augmentation) with Fat transfer or Implants
Buttock and Calf implants are not common Cosmetic surgery procedures. Buttock can be reshaped and given voluptuous dimensions, giving a more aesthetic appeal to them. A number of men and women have buttocks that do not correspond with their body figure and often are found to sag and spoil the body figure. Similarly thin legs do not look nice, and thus the person cannot wear leg exposing clothes. Now of course, we have the option to treat this with surgery.
Buttock augmentation
Buttock enlargement can be done with implants or with fat injection (the Brazilian Buttock Lift). Smooth implants are placed Endoscopically (endoscope assisted buttock augmentation) between the muscles through a single small incision. This incision is a single midline incision which heals very well and is hardly visible. These implants tend to raise the skin, giving it a much fuller appearance and a better figure.
Some patients opt for Fat Injections. Fat can be aspirated using liposuction instruments from the abdomen or thighs, and injected in the region of the buttocks. The advantage of using fat is that it is nearly permanent, belongs to the person only, so there is no chance of rejection, and the procedure is much less expensive.
Calf Augmentation
Skinny legs is a difficult problem to treat other then by way of putting implants to give them a fuller and better shape. Using Endoscopic assistance, a pocket is created between the calf muscles and the implant is placed there. Special shaped implants are ordered fro this from the manufacturer, which comes in different sizes.
ADD Pill
Posted by sleepyguy in Prescription Sleep Medicine, Sleep Disorder on April 18th, 2009
What is an ADD pill? Most ADD pills are classified into categories. The first category is the methylphenidates such as Concerta and Ritalin. The second category is the dextroamphetamines like Dexedrine and Dextrostat. The third category is the racemic d- and l-amphetamine mixtures such as Adderall. The last category is pemoline, also known as Cylert. Most of these pills have stimulatory properties, however individuals that have attention deficit disorder, have a calming effect with the ADD pill.
The proper use of an ADD pill begins with the lowest effective dose. If you begin treatment with a high dose of an ADD pill it may lead to dangerous health consequences such as heart arrhythmias and/or hypertension. Usually treatment with an ADD pill will last from one to two years depending on the patient. Some patients require treatment for several years. The effectiveness of each drug is dependent on the patient’s particular symptoms and/or medical history. Currently, there is an alarming rate of youth effected with attention deficit disorder.
Some experts believe that these symptoms decrease as the children become adults however research has yet to confirm this belief. It is often necessary for some children to continue treatment well into adulthood. Therefore, it is important to understand the signs and symptoms when they first appear. The early detection of this disorder can aid doctors in controlling the symptoms of the condition. People suffering should realize that they are not alone and that help is available. ADD can be well controlled with the effective use of the appropriate pill/tablet.
Side Effects of Taking Melatonin
Posted by sleepyguy in Prescription Sleep Medicine, Sleep Disorder on April 18th, 2009
Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by our brains at night, and regulates our sleep cycle. Synthetic melatonin can also be bought as a sleep-aid product, and has become popular in recent years. But the more popular it has become, the more the safety and health of its consumption has come into question.
One reason that this substance is not fully trusted is that it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. That means that it is not regulated, so may the buyer beware. It would be adviseable to buy only Melatonin products made by reputable companies you trust. It should also be noted that the dosages listed on the package may not be precise, and may vary from product to product.
Perhaps one of the biggest dangers of its consumption is the human factor. When our brains naturally secrete Melatonin, our bodies know the natural timing and how much to produce. But due to human factors of error, we are likely to mistake the timing of consumption, making ourselves drowsy at the wrong times, during the day for example. And if your body is already producing enough naturally and you add more in its synthetic form, you may feel very sleepy much longer than you should.
Along with the sleepiness that may come with Melatonin consumption is possible confusion, dizziness, headaches, and abdominal cramps or discomfort. A significant minority of patients also report lucid dreams and nightmares.
According to a Dutch study, taking high doses prevents the production of estrogen, to the extent that Melatonin could possibly be used for birth control. So if you’re intending to get pregnant, it might be a good idea to avoid this supplement.
On top of those side effects, there is evidence from various studies that Melatonin simply isn’t a very effective cure for insomnia. Since it regulates the timing of sleep, it is probably more effective at curing jet lag than insomnia.
There are no reports of serious adverse effects of taking supplemental melatonin. It should be noted however that since it is such a recently developed product, there is no data about the longterm effects of taking the substance. If you decide in consultation with your doctor that you should take it, you can rest assured that there is probably nothing to worry about. But at the same time, when a natural cure is possible that is certainly preferable to a synthetic cure.
How to Buy Prescription Drugs Online - Safety Issues to Consider
Posted by sleepyguy in Prescription Sleep Medicine, Sleep Disorder on April 18th, 2009
Buying prescription drugs online is a great way to save money and who doesn’t want to save money? With a tight economy and people looking to save money wherever they can, buying prescription drugs online is becoming more and more popular. However, there are many things to keep in mind if you are considering doing so for the first time.
Choosing the right online source for your prescription drugs is incredibly important. Making the wrong choice can seriously affect your health. Therefore you need to be sure the source of your meds is a reliable, trustworthy one. Keep these factors in mind when you are looking for an online prescription drug source.\r
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- Check to be sure the company is licensed and has a good reputation. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacies can provide this information. A Verified Internet Pharmacy Practices Site (VIPPS) seal is a good sign.
- The online pharmacy should also have a physical address that is published and verifiable.
- Make sure you have access to a licensed pharmacist, for questions and advice and who will make sure that there are no drug interactions to worry about.
- Use only sites that require a prescription from a doctor. If you are ordering drugs from a company that does not, that company is not operating as it should in that regard. Therefore other aspects of the company’s practices may also be questionable.
- Check to make sure your payment information and other personal data is treated in a secure manner to ensure that you are not at risk for identity theft.
- Compare prices before you buy. Online prices may not always be the best ones. Many brick and mortar pharmacies have realized that they need to compete with online dispensing services and have made their prices much more affordable in consequence.
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When you have located the online drugstore you feel comfortable using, get a prescription from your doctor, ideally for at least 3 months worth of the drug. Order your prescription online and send the prescription to the address given. Alternatively some online pharmacies will accept faxed prescriptions if they come directly from your doctor’s office.
Ordering prescription drugs from online companies that do not meet the above guidelines is risky because many such companies dispense expired drugs or drugs that have been manufactured without the same quality controls as legitimate companies. Drugs may also have been stored improperly causing their active ingredients to deteriorate. Some of the extreme cases of fraudulent online sites vend fake prescription drugs, which can put you greatly at risk should you take them. The better sites will provide the real thing but may not provide adequate counseling, warnings or check on other drugs you are taking to avoid potential interactions. The FDA strongly recommends using only online pharmacies that are located in the United States and are state licensed.
If you have a bad experience with an online pharmacy, report it immediately to the Food and Drug Administration. You may be saving someone else’s life.