Month: October 2007

Root Beer – The Safest Soft Drink for your Teeth

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Exposing teeth to soft drinks, even for a short period of time, causes dental erosion—and prolonged exposure can lead to significant enamel loss. Root beer products, however, are non-carbonated and do not contain the acids that harm teeth, according to a study in the March/April 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the AGD’s clinical, peer-reviewed journal.  That might be something to consider during the next visit to the grocery store. Consumers often consider soft drinks to be harmless, believing that the only concern is sugar content. Most choose to consume “diet” drinks to alleviate this concern. However, diet drinks contain phosphoric acid and/or citric acid and still cause dental erosion—though considerably less than their sugared counterparts. “Drinking any type of soft drink poses risk to the health of your teeth,” says AGD spokesperson Kenton Ross, DMD, FAGD. Dr. Ross recommends that … Read more

Methadone Used for Chronic Pain

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Canadian study shows how a pain center’s case-management program allows out-patients to use methadone for relief from chronic pain. The study, published in Pain Management Nursing, found 57 percent of the 75 patients involved were satisfied with the program. Methadone, well known as a treatment for heroin addiction, is also used in hospitals for pain management. Since the body metabolizes methadone slowly, intense monitoring is required to avoid toxicity. “We needed a way to monitor patients effectively after they go home with their prescriptions,” explained Louise Lamb, a clinician nurse at the Pain Center of the Montreal University Health Center. The program begins with an education session with patients and their families receiving information and a diary in which to note pain intensity and its impact on mood and activities. Thereafter, regular telephone communication — via 194 calls — allowed … Read more

Migraine Videos

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If your looking for videos on migraines I encourage you to check out http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/video.html?ic=4025 There are videos that range from the following topics. 1. Migraine: It’s Cause- A migraine is a severe form of recurring headache. The pain is generally concentrated on one side of the head. This animation shows a key cause of a migraine, the changes to the blood flow within the brain. 2. Migraine Zapper – A device can zap away the pain for the 28 million Americans who suffer from migraine headaches 3. Fixing the Heart Eliminates Migraines – A procedure used to treat heart defects in stroke patients eliminates migraines in more than half of those who have them. 4. Virtual Relief from Dizziness – Patients with chronic dizziness are finding solid ground with the help of virtual reality therapy 5. Treating Migraines with Botox … Read more

A Day in the Life of a Headache

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A poem written by Sabrina Wirey  Pounding… aching… I must be driving her crazy. She runs for the bottle of Motrin, but I can’t be eliminated. As she lies staring at the ceiling, I am the one keeping her awake. Pounding on her temples with my iron fists, I make it impossible for her to think. You may ask why I would do this to someone. Why would you cause her so much pain? As you ask me this I am causing her ears to ring. She needs to lie down again. As I create a whirlwind of dizziness in her skull, I laugh loudly inside. She falls, like a boulder into her bed, as I continue to throw my shield up at the never ending waves of medicine coming at me. I will continue this series of events until … Read more

Post Nasal Drip

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With flu season just around the corner it is important to be ready for nuisances like post nasal drip to occur. The feeling that it is accumulating in the throat or dripping from the back of your nose is called post-nasal drip. Treatment for Post Nasal Drip  A correct diagnosis requires a detailed ear, nose, and throat exam and possible laboratory, endoscopic, and x-ray studies. Each treatment is different. Bacterial infection– if it is present, it is treated with antibiotics. In cases of chronic sinusitis, surgery to open the blocked sinuses may be required. Allergy is managed by avoiding the cause if possible. Antihistamines and decongestants, cromolyn and steroid (cortisone type) nasal sprays, and other forms of steroids may offer relief. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) also may be helpful. However, some older, sedating antihistamines may dry and thicken post-nasal secretions even … Read more