New Blood Test For Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer

A research done at Australian national research organization CSIRO, says that early diagnosing of disease Alzheimer is possible with a blood test

273 Alzheimer patients participated in research. These all patients were earlier diagnosed by means of brain scan and cognitive tests. 85% of the diagnosis result of blood test were correct. Needless to say the study has delighted physicians and scientists across the world. Result data of the blood test was compared to other research studies done by other group. It was found that accuracy of result is matching with every available diagnosis methods.

Research study was presented at 88th Alzheimer’s Association International Conference by Samantha Burnham and her team members.

The proposed blood test includes measuring level of specific proteins and hormones in blood. A protein known as beta-amyloid is widely believed to be causing Alzheimer. Along with beta-amyloid protein eight other proteins level was measured. Five of these eight proteins have been already confirmed by other stdies. Name of the rest of three proteins have not been disclosed as research team awaits more sophesticated result data.

Lipid Lowering Drugs

Lipid lowering drugs

What is lipid?
Lipid is white wax like organic substance made up of sterols, fats, vitamins soluble in fat, diglycerides, monoglycerides and phospholipids. There are eight types of lipids found in human body. Lipids perform many important functions such as membrane formation, storage of energy, carrying signals and dissolve vitamins that are not soluble in water. Triacylglycerols, cholesterol and phospholipids are most common types of lipids found in food.

• Fatty acyls
• Glycerolipids (triglycerides)
• Glycerophospholipids
• Sphingolipids
• Sterol lipids
• Prenol lipids
• Saccharolipids
• Polyketides

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is sterol lipid. It is an essential lipid for human body. Cholesterol maintains permeability of cell membrane i.e. maintains easy flow of molecules to pass through membrane. Body system requires cholesterol to produce steroidal hormones and bile acid. Excess presence of cholesterol is very harmful despite its important functions and necessity. High cholesterol level leads to heart problem such as blockages in coronary arteries and veins. LDL (Low density liporprtien) is strongly associated to critical health conditions while, on the other hand, HDL (high density lipoprotien) is considered to be good cholesterol.
* Statins: Statin drugs are most prescribed drugs class to lower sterol lipid (cholesterol) level in bloodstream. Statin drugs work by preventing HMG-CoA reductase enzyme from getting activated. HMG-CoA reductase decides the rate at which cholesterol is synthesized. Inhibition of these enzymes reduce the cholesterol formation and increase protein (Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor) that helps cells to absorb cholesterol-rich LDL.
Statin drugs lowers LDL by 18% to 55% in blood.
Drugs of This Class are....

• Lipitor, Torvast (Atorvastatin)
• Lipobay, Baycol (Cerivastatin)
• Lescol, Lescol XL (Fluvastatin)
• Mevacor, Altocor (Lovastatin)
• Mevastatin
• Livalo, Pitava (Pitavastatin)
• Pravachol (Pravastatin)
• Crestor (Rosuvastatin)
• Zocor (Simvastatin)
• Vytorin (Simvastatin+Ezetimibe)
• Advicor (Lovastatin+Niacin)
• Caduet (Atorvastatin+Amlodipine Besylate)
• Simcor (Simvastatin+Niacin)

* fibrates are used to treat condition known as hypertriglyceridemia, a condition where blood contains high level of triglycerides. Triglycerides is another type of lipid responsible for hardening of arteries. Fibrate works through sticking to receptors of PPAR-α. Activation releases an enzyme that reduces amount of triglycerides and LDL. Fibrate also increases level of the good cholesterol(HDL). Double action of fibrates results in low LDL and high HDL. Fibrates are indicated for prevention of coronary heart disease. Fibrate may cause muscle damage.
Fibrates typically lower triglycerides by 20% to 50%.
Drugs of this class are....
* Bezalip (Bezafibrate)
* Modalim (Ciprofibrate)
* Clofibrate
* Lopid (Gemfibrozil)
* TriCor (Fenofibrate)
Other lipid lowering drug classes are....
* niacin: Lowers LDL by 5-25% and increase HDL by 15-35%. Side effects include liver damage and hyperglycemia.
* bile acid sequestrants
* phytosterols
* Orlistat (Xenical): Xenical works by preventing absorption of fat from food. This drug inhibits an enzyme that is responsible for synthesis of triglycerides. Xenical is also being indicated to treat obesity since its action reduces calories produced from food.

An Introduction to Diabetes Medications

Brief about Diabetes
Human body requires energy to perform daily activities. Energy is also required for internal organs of body for good functionality. Every cell of the body does respiration process to produce energy from the eaten food. A hormone, known as insulin (secreted by pancreas gland), help body cells to use glucose and generate energy out of it. Diabetes is a disease in which body system fails to produce enough insulin. Because of inability of body cells to transform glucose in energy, accumulation of glucose occurs which eventually leads to many diabetes complications.
Types of diabetes: Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2.

Diabetes Drugs

For type 1 diabetes insulin, pramlintide and exenatide are to be administered by injection or inhalation. Range of oral medicines, belong to different drug-class, are available to treat type 2 diabetes.

Types of Drug For Diabetes

Sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas is class of drug belong to anti-diabetic drugs they are indicated for both type 1 and 2 diabetes. Sulfonylureas increase insulin release by working on beta cells of pnacrease gland.
Sulfonylureas drugs increase electrical positivity on membrane of beta cells of pancreas gland by preventing polarising of potassium tonic. Increased positivity leads to release more Ca (calcium) which helps stored insulin to release in body.
Drugs that are called sulfonylureas are......

• Acetohexamide
• Tolbutamide
• Chlorpropamide
• Tolazamide

Second generation

• Glipizide

Third generation

• Glimepiride

Working mechanism (Pharmacokinetics) and effect on body (Pharmacodynamics) of these drugs are different, though, their resulting action is same i.e. release of more insulin. With sole purpose of releasing more insulin in body different drugs are formulated with different techniques hence side effects of all drugs are different too.

Meglitinides

Meglitinides are indicated for diabetes type 2. Meglitinides works in same manner as that of sulfonylureas. Like sulfonylureas, meglitinidesin too bind its self but at different place.
Drugs of this class are....
Nepaglinide (Prandin)
Nateglinide (Starlix)
Meglitinide may cause low level of glucose (Hypoglecemia) because of high insulin released. Take it before half an hour of meal.

Biguanides

Biguanides are more effective than sulfonylureas and meglitinide. In stead of increasing insulin level biguanides lowers the process known as Gluconeogenesis that forms glucose. It also helps tissues to absorb glucose.
Metformin belong to this class of diabetes drugs. Metformin is one of the most popular drug being used in combination with other drug for diabetes type 2.

Thiazolidinediones

Thiazolidinediones are also know as glitazones. They acts in two ways to reduce glucose level, reduces natural process of glucose formation; helping cells to utilize glucose. Being greater effective, these drugs shows less side effects.

• Avandia (Rosiglitazone)
• Rezulin (Troglitazone)
• Actos (Pioglitazone)

Thiazodinediones works by sticking itself to receptors called PPARs.

Some Quick Facts on Cancer & Its Type

Mouth cancer, breast cancer, blood cancer (Chronic leukaemia) are some of the types of cancers we have heard of. The fact is, there are more than 100 types of cancers. Cancer can develop to any part of the body. No body part is above cancer. HIV positive patients may catch skin cancer known as kaposi's sarcoma, liquid secretion cancer, cervical cancer. Six different types of cancers can occur in eyes. There are two types of breast cancer.

Types of Cancers

Thyroid Cancer

There are four types of thyroid cancer. 1) papillary 2) medullary 3) anaplasticand 4) follicular. High cholesterol, 40+ age, first six months after pregnancy, severe depression, continuous contact with litium can cause thyroid cancer.

Appendix Cancer

Appendix Cancer (Appendiceal Carcinoma) found in rare cases. In most cases \n appendix cancer spreads out of the appendix. Surgry is very difficult and its \n treatment is rare too. 10 cms long appendix is believed to be almost useless organs in body. Five types of cancers can develop in appendix.
Malignant Carcinoid, Mucinous Adenocarcinoma, Adenocarcinoma, Adenocarcinoid, \n and Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma. Surgery is the only well known remedy for appendix \n cancer.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is fastest growing cancer in the world. Can be found in both \n male and female, yet rare in male. Surgery, chemo therapy, radiation therapy and \n vaccine therapy have been used so far to treat this cancer. Female death toll caused by breast cancer is the second largest in the world.
Not necessarily develop in breast only but can also develop outside of breast. Breast cancer can infect lungs which may result into lung cancer.

Lung Cancer

Unwanted formation of lung cells or tissues causes lung cancer. Tobacco intake for long period of time, constant company of smoker, interaction with radon gas (very rare case) and pollution also leads to develop lung cancer. Genetic factors plays important role for those who have taken tobacco for short period of time.
Two basic types of lung cancers are seen: 1) Small cell cancer also called \n oat cell cancer 2) Non-small cell cancer (most common lung cancer, with 70%).
Non-small cell cancer has been divided into five category depending upon appearance of cells

• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Large cell carcinoma
• Adenosquamous carcinoma
• Adenocarcinoma
• Undifferentiated carcinoma

According to World Health Organization estimates 1.4 millions (and growing) death each year by lung cancer.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is believed to 'totally male' cancer. Prostate cancer surviving person feels pain during urination or sexual intercourse. This cancer poses danger to the born of new baby.
Vitamin E and celenium deficiency or excess of vitamin D may invite prostate cancer. Nickol masa was the first to identified this cancer in 1536. Other family members must be wary if any of the members found this cancer.

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer starts within any of the artery or vein in kidney. Mostly found \n in small children. Kidney cancer develop before age of five.

Fact File about Cancer

58 millions people were reported died in 2007, out of which 13% i.e 7.6 millions deaths were because of cancer.
Lung cancer, Intestine cancer and liver cancer are the top three cancer causing death in male.
Breast cancer, lung cancer and intestine cancer are most deadly for fmale.
Cancer is treatable if diagnosed early.
Tobacco is number one reason to cause cancer.

Heart Patients May Have Heart Attack if Stop Aspirin

Lately, in a study conducted in UK has found that heart patients who stop taking aspirin are at greater risk of heart attack than patients who take apirin.

Patients with record of heart disease in recent past are recommended to take lower dose of aspirin. It is found that half of the patients with heart disease stops taking prescribed medicine which are supposed to take for long time. Aspirin prevents clotting of blood in heart arteries which ensures smooth circulation of blood. Study of the records at UK hospitals revealed that not taking aspirin increased the chances of heart disease but nothing was known whether this may lead to heart attack. But latest research study revealed that discontinuing aspirin increases the events of heart attack.

Although aspirin is OTC (Over the Counter) drug, almost 65%-80% patients receive it from prescription. OTC drug can be bought from any local pharmacy store without prescription from doctor.

Heart Disease Patients Study

Data, obtained from UK primary care of The Health Improvement Network, was examined by Dr Luis Garcia and his team members. Data included 39,512 heart patients of aged between 50 and 85. All these patients were prescribed aspirin of strength 75mg to 300mg a day to prevent any future heart disease.

Possibility of heart attack and coronary disease was assessed by a comparison between the patients who continued taking aspirin and those who stopped taking aspirin.

Significantly increased risk

Study revealed that patients who lately stopped aspirin were at higher risk of heart attack than those who stopped long back. This simply means that within a year there were 4 patients, in every 1000 patients, at risk of heart attack. Those who stopped aspirin treatment were at low intensity attack.

New Drug-Resistant Bacteria Discovered

Scientists have discovered new gonorrhoea stain which is believed to be resistant to most of the antibiotics.

Annually millions of people are reported to infected by sexually transmitted disease (STD). Infections by Bactria are most common cause of STD.

Infection of Gonorrhea may lead to HIV, infertility and complex pregnancy.

Resistant Bacteria

What worries experts is the no current antibiotic is able to kill the bactira and the new-strain can pose threat people globally. Dr Unemo led the team of experts which found the said strain.

Anticiotics have been standard treatment for several decades. Several bacterias have developed resistance capacity because of prolong usage of similar antibiotics.

Although it would be too early to assert that new bacteria has spreaded widely, past record shows of any bacteria shows that bacteria with resistance capability spreads rapidly. Dr Unemo underscores the need of developing effective therapy before it becomes world wide threat, it would have been late otherwise.

The report of the finding by Dr Unemo & Team was made public in International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research held in Quebec.

Gonorrhea is treatable with general antibiotics. But, like many other diseases, if left untreated it can lead to other deadly infection such as HIV. Gonorrhea is easy door for HIV. Apart from HIV infection it may lead to life threatening complications in both male and female.

Different antibiotic drugs are being tested against the new bacteria strain.

Last year (2010) 416,678 STD infections were reported in England alone.

Shortages of Drug in hospitals, a serious Concern

A survey has revealed that shortage of medicines is compelling hospitals across the America to shutdown some chemotherapy drugs as well as critical care drugs.

The survey, titled as 'Impact of Drug Shortages on U.S. Health Systems', was conducted by American Hospital Association. As per the data eighty percent cases are being delayed and seventy percent patients are not receiving effective alternate medicine.

Total 820 hospitals participated in survey. The survey was conducted to convince parliament for legislative solution. Another survey, by ASHSP, assumed that shortage is costing about $216 millions per year to cop up the additional labor cost.

These drugs are mostly generic version of brand drug. Because these drugs are used in critical treatment, FDA requires them to be manufactured with stringent precautions (safety guideline for plants). This causes some companies to shutdown manufacturing plants as the plants were found incompatible with guidelines issued by FDA. Other companies are unable to bridge the gap and shortages occur.

FDA has officially reported 175-180 cases of drug shortage in 2010. Number for 2011 is not known, yet it is believed to be higher than 2010 and increasing rapidly.

Shortages are for antibiotics amoxil, drugs used in chemotherapy and nutritional supplements. Most of the drugs injections. Shortages are also there for medicines used in emergency or in intensive-care units. But shortages of antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs are sever as it may cause death.

Shortages are felt for other drugs also. 90% hospitals are facing shortage for anesthetics and drugs used in emergency. 271 hospitals reported for chemotherapy. More than 50% hospitals are facing 21 types of drug shortages.

The pharmacists' survey showed the biggest shortage in 2010 involved the drug succinylcholine, used in procedures to insert a tube into patients' airways to help them breathe.

ASHSP survey denoted succinylcholine drugs on the top of the shortage medicine of year 2010. Succinycholine drugs are used when a tube is inserted in patients' airways for easy breathing.
Survey link

Most Abused Prescription Medicines

Many of the Prescription drugs have been working wonderfully for patients suffering from number of pains, illnesses and diseases.Without these medicines we would have been in trouble, these prescriptions have changed the way medicines have been looked upon. We have to use them wisely as they may be dangerous if overdose is taken. Here are a few most misused and abused prescription drugs:

Anabolic steroids: Its a steroid used to develop the muscle and bone mass. The bodybuilder do misuse this for bodybuilding it has the side effects like aggression, blood pressure rise, it may damage the liver and cause cancer as well.It is used to those patients who develop abnormal low amounts of testosterone, so to avoid delayed puberty

Muscle Relaxers: It is used to treat acute muscle problems and to relax the muscle which are giving pain to the people. It is used to treat severe pain in muscle and also pain from fibromyalgia, some spinal cord injuries. It is misused to enhance alcohol pleasure and a temporary pain relief.It works by reducing the muscle pain by relaxing the muscle over dosing the same may affect skeletal muscle fibers and nerves.Valium sometimes used to muscle relaxing when at pain.There are common prescription like baclofen, tizanindine and zanaflex to reduce the pain in spinal cord.

Fentanyl: It is a very strong opioid same as above painkillers. It is much affective than morphine and it is a powerful synthetic opioid. It is used to cure cancer patients to reduce the pain or some severe pain or chronic. Due to its nature of drowsiness and pleasure which happens as it blocks the perception of pain to the brain's opiate receptors. It is often used to enhance the pleasure by mixing with drug with heroin, cocaine or other illegal drugs. It cause severe damages to heart and respiratory. People with its addiction often end up in coma or unconsciousness.