Seventy-year-old Don Wright doesn’t believe in giving up without a fight. Since being diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM), also known as myeloma, eight years ago, he has become a beacon of light for patients battling the crippling cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow. While no exact cause has been found to lead to this disease, it does primarily affect elderly folks. the median age of diagnosis is roughly 70 years.

A picture of health, the retired American lawyer has used his passion for running marathons to keep physically fit, controlling the cancer with a clinical trial drug called pomalidomide to give himself a new lease of life. He has been on this drug since March 2008, with positive results. Prior drugs gave him little to no relief.

Wright spoke to Life following his speech at the 53rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference in San Diego late last year, where medical experts congregated to promulgate and analyse new treatments for myeloma suffers. He spoke candidly to the audience about how encouraged he was to see fresh developments taking place in the treatments for MM patients. a trial drug has worked wonders for him, he said with enthusiasm, offering him a life he would not have imagined a few years ago.

“I want patients around the world to be emotionally and physically strong to fight this disease,” said Wright. “Trial drugs might not be easily accessible to the masses and might not always work, but that should not put people off from looking after themselves both physically and emotionally.

”Pomalidomide, the trial drug, is working for me. It will not cure the myeloma but it keeps it stable. I want people in my shoes to be encouraged to live and celebrate life. I have a disease but despite that I have a wonderful life. Despite the odds, it is pivotal to have hope. At the conference, doctors talked about a cornucopia of treatments, which are at trial stage, so there is a lot of hope for new cures on the horizon. Life is there to be lived to the fullest despite the impact the disease has had on us both mentally and physically.”

Afterwards, he took time out to run a mini-marathon with a small group. He has competed in 55 marathons in 37 states, while his goal is to compete in 50 states. Wright was diagnosed with myeloma two weeks after running his first marathon in 2003. His doctor_ who gave him a five-year survival estimate _ was always supportive of his running which he believed would strengthen his bones. He decided to continue for the sheer enjoyment of pushing his physical limits to the next level. Admitting that with advancing age and the sickness, he is simply content with reaching the finish line.

Adhering to a healthy lifestyle is a must to boost your chances of fighting the disease, he said. Smoking, obesity and fast food should be kept at bay. Nutritious food is a must, organic is most advised. Exercise of all forms can lift people from depression and stress, he enthused with a twinkle in his eyes. Wright credits good emotional health to a supportive family, a wife and daughter that also participate in marathons with him.

The well-toned athlete calls them his pillar of emotional support. Wright concluded on a poignant note: ”I do realise that I don’t know just when the cancer might deteriorate. But for the meantime, my family and I are relishing the extra time that we have been given to be together. To make the most of it, we have been travelling and doing these running events together to celebrate life.”

Meanwhile, Dr Weerasak Nawarawong, president of the Thai Myeloma Working Group, who also attended the ASH meetings, said that while the experimental drug pomalidomide is not available in Thailand, it is important for Thai patients not to lose hope because many new treatments are being tested to find suitable cures. Judging from all the positive developments that are taking place in the field of blood cancer studies, there is reason to be optimistic about the future.

Despite being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a treatable yet incurable cancer, Don Wright (foreground, right) has fought tooth and nail to keep it under control through a positive attitude and healthy lifestyle.

He said a number of updates were shared at the American Society of Hematology conference about the treatment of multiple myeloma. one which includes the next generation immunomodulatory drugs pomalidomide, proteasome inhibitors and carfilzomib. Patients taking these drugs, in addition to other experimental medication, tested in no increased toxicity.

In Thailand he said most MM patients are in the age bracket of 60-70 years old. Annually, there are approximately 150 new cases in comparison to 15,000 in the US. Dr Weerasak noted that while myeloma is treatable it yet remains incurable. important treatment advances, however, have developed in higher rates of remission and lengthier survival than were seen in the past. As experts attain a better understanding of the development and progression of this disease, targeted treatment strategies are generating further benefits.

He said that a routine blood screening can catch a number of myeloma cases while it is still in an asymptomatic state. the symptom at the onset of the disease for most Thai patients is bone pain. In those who have pathologic fractures especially fractures of the thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies, it usually results in severe spasms and back pain. the anaemia, which may be quite severe, is the most common cause of weakness in patients with MM.

Dr Weerasak admitted that while Thailand has kept statistics of the number of myeloma patients through the years, it had not made an epidemiologic study of the disease as such. Due to lack of awareness physicians under-diagnose their patients, he noted. Epidemiologic studies in countries such as China and Korea have given him reason to believe that the number of patients with multiple myeloma in Thailand is increasing steadily.

To raise awareness the Thai Myeloma Working Group organises several functions to educate both physicians and patients on the disease. they also have a website (thaimyeloma.org/th) for patients to obtain information about multiple myeloma. He also hopes that in the near future, they will be able to set up supportive groups for myeloma patients to receive counselling.

Thai myeloma patients can expect medication that is approved worldwide.

”All the anti-myeloma drugs that have been approved for treating multiple myeloma are available in Thailand,” noted the veteran medical expert. ”The success of the treatment is as good as you would find in Western countries if only we can get access to novel drugs, which don’t come cheap. There are numerous determining factors that influence the positive outcome of the treatment. Few examples include age, the advancement of the symptoms and the duration of time that has elapsed before the patient gets the anti-myeloma therapy.

”Novel drugs also have no guarantee and can be expensive. so Thai myeloma patients’ biggest setback can be the ability to purchase these drugs. the government does not also have a big enough budget to cover the expense.”

Dr Weerasak said doctors are looking for appropriate drugs that can be used to maintain the status of remission which is quite successful in some of the sufferers.

He explained that clinical trials are research studies of new treatment methods. Even if you are newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma, he said you might be offered a clinical trial drug. the early phases I and II of the clinical trials focus mainly on a safe dosage level, side effects and type of cancer to ascertain

that the new drugs are working. the phase III trials then determine if the patient is making better progress from the currently available treatment they have undergone. Patients might have to take some risks, such as suffering from adverse effects, so it is up to them to continue or discontinue with the treatment.

Asked to share common causes and symptoms of myeloma, Dr Weerasak explained that as there is no exact cause of MM, there are several risk factors that could lead to the disease. Repeated exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, benzene and spraypaints have been proposed as potential causes.

”Most people with MM have no known risk factors other than age,” he said. ”Scientists have identified a few risk factors for instance, obesity, exposure to radiation or chemicals. Not everyone with risk factors gets multiple myeloma. Myeloma is slightly more common in men than women, and most people are diagnosed in their sixties.

”Symptoms could include frequent low back pain. the pain could nonetheless occur in other areas like ribs, arms, legs and pelvis.

”For patients that develop anaemia, they will have paleness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Infections such as pneumonia, sinusitis are frequent. Weakness or numbness in your legs might be the result of spinal cord compression. Unexplained weight loss is common. High calcium levels cause excessive thirst, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite and confusion. Swelling, especially in the legs, along with weakness are symptoms of kidney failure.”

Best prevention methods are to keep healthy through having a good diet, exercise to enhance your physique, observe good personal hygiene to prevent infection and avoiding smoking and alcohol. Exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation is believed to increase the risk of multiple myeloma and other cancers, so keep this in mind and avoid being around these substances for long periods of time. Regular medical examinations for early detection and timely treatment is always advisable.

Photojournalist Ed Kashi captures the lives of patients suffering myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of closely related but diverse blood cancers, which also affect the aged.

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Doubts have been growing about Yasmin, Yaz and their sister contraceptives for several years now. And those doubts reached full flower at a Food Drug Administration advisory panel on Thursday.

After hours of circular debate about the safety of this family of oral contraceptives, 15 of the FDA’s 26 expert advisors voted that the benefits of these birth control pills outweigh the risk of dangerous blood clots.

But that’s no tub-thumping victory for Bayer. it created this family of contraceptives, which now includes Beyaz and Safyral. They contain a hormone called drospirenone that’s found in none of the other two dozen or so birth control pills available to American women.

And many who voted in favor of Bayer’s drugs expressed serious reservations because of the risks. “I voted yes, but it was a difficult vote,” said Sean Hennessy of the University of Pennsylvania. “I think the drug probably ought to be rarely used.”

Underscoring those doubts, 21 of the 26 panelists voted for strengthening the warnings on labels of Bayer’s contraceptives to reflect the findings of seven studies that the company’s team had spent much of the day trying to discredit.

One of the seven was a 835,000-woman study commissioned by the FDA; it found about a two-fold increase in blood clots for Bayer’s pills compared to competitors’ products.

Nobody’s completely satisfied with the quality of the evidence on the safety of Bayer’s contraceptives containing drospirenone.

But many pointed out that the studies Bayer relies on most to argue for the drugs’ safety were paid for by the company. Bayer makes a bundle on its contraceptives, although U.S. sales have fallen sharply since doubts began to be raised in 2009.

Much of the public comment featured people who urged the FDA to pull Bayer’s contraceptives off the market. “In my opinion, absolutely, these drugs should not be on the market because there are safer alternatives,” said Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Research Center for Women and Families, a consumer group.

The most wrenching testimony came from patients who say they suffered disabling blood clots, and from parents of young women who died after taking these pills.

One of them was Cindy Rippe, whose daughter 20-year-old Elizabeth died three years ago from pulmonary embolisms two months after she switched to Yasmin.

“Elizabeth was a very smart young woman,” Rippe told the panel. “If Elizabeth had been clearly warned that Yasmin had more risk – maybe twice as much risk as other pills – she never would have switched to Yasmin – never. And she would be alive today.”

Rippe is among 10,000 plaintiffs suing Bayer in cases that are to be tried beginning next month.

It doesn’t help Bayer’s case that a former FDA commissioner, Dr. David Kessler, has filed an affidavit in a Chicago federal court accusing Bayer of withholding early reports of blood clots from the federal agency back in 2004. Plaintiffs’ lawyers leaked Kessler’s statement to reporters on the eve of this week’s hearing.

Asked about withholding of data, Bayer executive Dr Leo Plouffe Jr., said:

“We’ve always had a very open communication with the FDA. We’ve responded openly to all requests for information from the FDA. And the information we’re presenting today is in total openness. I hope that puts your mind at rest.”

Bayer’s strongest witness was Dr. Andrea Lukes, a North Carolina gynecologist who said her patients on drospirenone contraceptives often have less bloating, acne and breast tenderness.

“In my experience,” Lukes said, “patients who begin Yaz or Yasmin are less likely to change and are happier with this pill… drospirenone pills provide an important and unique role for contraception.”

That argument had some impact with panel members. Dr, Naomi Tepper of Emory University voted for the proposition that drospirenone contraceptives’ benefits outweigh their risks because she was afraid that a no-vote “would mean pulling them from the market. And if there are women who believe this pill benefits them, that has to be taken into consideration.”

But many were unpersuaded that Yasmin and her sisters confer any special benefits, or at least not enough to outweigh the risks of fatal lung clots or longterm disability from deep-vein thromboses. “I wouldn’t recommend this to my patients and I wouldn’t have my daughter take it,” said Dr. Peter Kaboli of the University of Iowa.

The decision on what to make of all this rests with the FDA. It’s expected to strengthen the warning labels of these birth control pills – although many panel members worried about what consumers and doctors can make of an even-more-complicated litany of conflicting studies.

The agency says it intends to do more definitive studies on the risks of drospirenone contraceptives. but one staffer acknowledged that it hasn’t identified the funds for that yet.

Gonorrhea is becoming more difficult to treat with readily available antibiotics, and it may be just a matter of time before a case shows up in California that doesn’t respond to any of the drugs currently in use.

This week, the world’s first case of drug-resistant gonorrhea – in a sex worker in Japan – was reported during a conference on sexually transmitted disease research. And last week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported increased rates of gonorrhea cases that, while not quite resistant to antibiotics, are requiring larger doses to treat effectively.

Gonorrhea is still relatively easy to cure, and in the United States there has yet to be a patient who wasn’t successfully treated with antibiotics. but it’s likely that a strain of gonorrhea that doesn’t respond to the current treatments will begin circulating worldwide at some point – and doctors have run out of new antibiotics to replace the old ones.

“We’re not seeing any untreatable cases in the United States, but we’re seeing proof that what we’ve been worrying about for a while has actually happened” in Japan, said Dr. Susan Philip, director of STD prevention for the San Francisco Public Health Department. “If previous patterns hold true, drug resistance should slowly move its way toward us.”

S.F. has high rate

Gonorrhea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection after chlamydia, and San Francisco has among the highest rates of disease in the state and country. The city reported nearly 2,000 cases of gonorrhea in 2010, for a rate of 253 cases per 100,000 people; statewide, the rate is roughly 70 cases per 100,000 people.

While gonorrhea cases had been declining in recent years, San Francisco reported a 10 percent increase last year. there are several possible explanations for that increase – better and faster testing of STDs, for example – but epidemiologists say drug resistance could be a factor, too.

Gonorrhea is a bacterium that typically infects the male and female reproductive tracts, the rectum or the mouth. Symptoms can include a burning sensation when urinating and a discharge from the penis or vagina. but half of women, and a small percentage of men, have no symptoms, and if the infection is in the rectum or mouth, most people won’t know it.

Untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women, and people infected with gonorrhea are more susceptible to contracting HIV.

Antibiotics fading

For decades, gonorrhea was treated with penicillin but, like many other bacteria, gonorrhea mutates quickly and often, and eventually strains that didn’t respond to penicillin were circulating widely around the world.

Now that antibiotic isn’t working as well as it once did. Cephalosporin is still an effective treatment for gonorrhea, but over the past decade, public health labs have found more cases that require higher doses of the antibiotic to kill the bacteria.

In California, 4.5 percent of cases needed higher doses in 2010; there were no such cases in 2000. Higher doses are usually the first sign that the bacteria is building resistance to a drug.

“We’re down to our last class of antibiotics that we use to treat gonorrhea,” said Dr. Heidi Bauer, chief of program development and evaluation in the California public health department’s STD Control Branch. “One by one we’ve had to eliminate these other classes because this bacteria is so good at resistance.”

My friend has been diagnosed with tuberculosis of lymph nodes after having FNAC for neck swelling though he never had any symptoms like cough, fever, etc. he has to take 4 medications for 6 months.

there are specific side effects with specific drugs.. what are the medications?

Hi, in previous questions i've said about my mental health and one person said I might have ADHD, could someone please give me a list of symptoms if you have ADHD yourself or know if ADHD? thanks!

there are none as add an adhd do not exist, i had a long talk with a psychiatrist an thats what he told me. what they do is test you for all known illnesses if you come back negative on all of them then thats when they rule it add or adhd. then they give you drugs an snd you on your way.

    Schizophrenia has a significant impact and effectively on mental health which may affect negatively on the thinking of any person, and may the person to drugs and drugs to go his mind for some time, but the same problem still exists already, so in this article we will talk about schizophrenia and its symptoms, its causes and how to overcome it.
How is Schizophrenia treated?
Drugs: although the drugs for the schizophrenia and help a person to continue his life, but it is not addressed fully.
What are the symptoms of Schizophrenia?
     Show psychotic symptoms and mental health problems at the beginning of the age of late adolescence or early in the twenty years of age, but it does not appear on the youth, but in the form of sleep or a change in friends.
 Psychotherapy:
     Counseling and therapy help the patients undergoing mental health problems to understand their disorder in a better manner. Some of the most commonly used drugs include chlorpromazine, haloperidol, perphenazine, and fluphenazine.
     Person who lives with people suffering from schizophrenia were more likely to develop schizophrenia than someone who does not have a history of disorder in the family.

 Heredity:
     Investigations show that this state tends to run in families. This will prevent the patient to cause harm, either to themselves or to others. People suffering from Schizophrenia become fearful and withdrawn because they may hear voices of people (who might not even exist), or they may believe that people are plotting against them etc.
Viral Infection: 
     Some scientists believe that schizophrenia is caused by a virus which attacks the brain. Mental Health – Symptoms and Treatment of Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder which causes a person suffering from it to lose touch with reality.
When people get schizophrenia?
     The nerve of one of the reasons where the movement of Electrical messages between neurons, leading the strike to an imbalance in the mental health of the sick person and this would eventually lead to violent behavior and emotional stability Uadm.
 Severe Symptoms: Correspond to a loss or a decline in the capability to commence with plans, speak, put across emotion, or find joy in everyday life.

What are those reasons that may lead to schizophrenia?
     There are symptoms and are hidden in these symptoms hallucinations and perceptions, imagination, movement disorders and thinking disorder and schizophrenia rarely occurs after the age of 45 years or before the age of puberty.
The cause of schizophrenia to the disparity in the electrical hops in the brain, which leads to thoughts of them do not trust in one of those around them.
So should people who suffer from schizophrenia to cooperate with others and participation in and interaction of people so as to overcome the disease, namely schizophrenia, a disease that affects the thinking of people in a negative way,
So we note that the most important methods of treatment comes from the same person, through the ideas that we presented to you such as creating a spirit of cooperation and help people and active participation in family life.

     here comes the role of the reader may Our goal all help each other so it has a suggestion or a right way to treat join us and hope in the end that I inform you.

it is tempting to rush kids to the doctor and ask for drugs for prostate BPH and prostatitis experiencing the first symptoms.

However, not all of these drugs are very effective.

And in some cases, can make your prostate problems worse!

In fact, here is a true story:

not long ago I heard about this guy who started to feel the symptoms of enlarged prostate and prostatitis.

the worst thing was for him to havepee all the time.

it was like the guy in the TV show "Lost", press a button every 180 minutes was – day and night. Besides saving, instead of a button, the world was this guy running to the bathroom, standing on the toilet for several minutes (as it was, the problem is to get his power) and then Eek A little urine, only to return to bed and repeat it again a few hours later.

If more than three hours of sleep only got a good night washim.

So what did he do?

Like most boys would do, he went to his urologist, the symptoms gave him various medications to help with the prostate.

the only problem was … the drug has made things worse!

he had to get up more often, and less urine is left up to the point where he asked me, would be able to pee at all, without medical assistance.

since then he has tried other means.

Including supplements and prostate coneExercises, and have much more (and was also taking the medication) has helped.

what is the moral of the story?

sometimes the drugs not only do not help prostate BPH and prostatitis symptoms, but may worsen. be sure to keep educated on other means, too.

Posted by Gallbladdersymptoms on March 13, 2011

The process of removal of gallstones is now very simple thanks to new ways to get rid of these calculations painful and unhealthy. the natural methods of treatment alternatives available today are really making things easier for many people.

Today, people like that do not have to undergo the rigors and dangers of surgery. You no longer have to fear that your gallbladder can be exploited or withdrawal.

It’s also a relief for many people to be able to avoid treatment of gallstones, drugs that could be addictive. Diabetics it is easier to remove gallstones with natural approaches. the natural method is also ideal for pregnant women suffer from this condition.

Gallstones are formed due to the hardening of the substance or liquid which accumulates in the gallbladder. It is shaped stones. A natural process of gallstone removal to ensure good health is maintained.

It costs much less than traditional treatments. It really works too fast. You can get an exemption on your gallstones in 24 hours! Natural treatment alternative will be the stress of surgery and ensure that the bodies have not been tampered with.

This saves you thousands of dollars in medical expenses and saves you from having to go to hospital permanently. another of the wonderful things about this method of treatment is that it has absolutely no side effects. the ingredients for that also will cost less than $ 10 and you can get at any convenience store.

It ‘s very important to make the removal of gall stone quickly. Persistent delays can cause serious health problems. Would not it be nice to be free of this problem in the next 24 hours? Act.

raljo.com/gallstones-review.html

I have taken one dose over the recommended amount in the last 24 hours and now feel sick and my mouth is dry. What should I do?

You may drink more water to speed up your symptoms,put your drugs out.
Or you may see your doctor.

Published on March 22, 2011 by giorinelavmayt   ·   No Comments

Nearly all of us experience itchiness, redness of skin, rashes, or maybe blisters on the skin, with extended exposure to the sun. several of us may in addition get fatigue, nausea; vomiting etc. they are the warning signs that denotes sun poisoning. Sun poisoning refers to an unhealthy reaction which develops with prolonged exposure to the sun. this is associated with alters in the power of the skin to endure the rays of the sun. Though it may also be linked with certain cures or maybe skin balms.

What causes Sun Poisoning?

Sun poisoning is mainly invoked by prolonged exposure to the strong and deleterious ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. It takes place most normally in hot summers when the ultraviolet rays are the strongest. Additionally, light-skinned persons are more in danger of suffering from sun poisoning. That is due to less amount of protecting melanin pigment. Though, it is able to have an effect on any person who expends long hours in the sun. The possibility of having sun poisoning enhances completely by the use of definite chemicals, drugs, and cosmetics. Drugs, such as sulfa-comprising drugs, tranquilizers, anti-hypertensives, drugs used for diabetes mellitus, anti-fungal, and birth control pills, could trigger sun poisoning. also direct contact with substances like detergents, deodorant bar soaps, shampoos definite cosmetics and toiletries, followed by the exposure to sun rays may lead to sun poisoning also. Besides that, definite chemical that are discovered in vegetables and fruits might in addition be responsible for the particular photosensitive reactions.

Sun poisoning is of two types. In the first type, the skin reacts to the sun rays by having red, bumpy skin related to rashes. while in the second type, heat stroke, sunstroke, and heat prostration occurs. this is due to dehydration and the loss of electrolytes that happens in sun poisoning.

The severity of the signs produced by sun poisoning depends on the duration of the exposure to the ultraviolet rays, strength of the sun rays, as well as the capacity of the body to endure the sunrays. These signs may appear to be either soft or perhaps pretty serious.

Several of the ordinary warning signs of sun poisoning that are made incorporate the following:

Redness of the skin, Tenderness of the skin, Red skin rash, Itching Blister formation, Fever, Chills, Flu-like warning signs, Nausea, Vomiting, Drowsiness, Dehydration, Dizziness, Loss of liquid, Electrolyte misbalance

Surplus exposure might also cause worsening and damage to the skin. In serious cases, sun poisoning may in addition lead to early aging, wrinkle formation and skin cancer in some cases.

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