Medical Health

Many doctors have declared war on cough medicines, saying the latter are ineffective and are often used inappropriately. Worse, they are also one of the most abused drugs in the country.

A 2006 survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA showed that about 3.1 million people between the ages of 12 to 25 have used over-the-counter cough and cold medicine to get high.

"The abuse was highest among whites - at levels three times that of blacks. Overall, the level of abuse of these drugs is comparable to levels of use of LSD, methamphetamine or the drug ecstasy in this age group, the agency said. Among those ages 12 to 17, abuse of these drugs was most common among girls, while it shifted to young men among those 18 to 25," said the MSNBC News Services.

"Among those surveyed who said they had misused one of these cough and cold medications in the past year, about 30 percent said they used a NyQuil brand product, 18 percent used a Coricidin product and 18 percent used a Robitussin product," MSNBC added.

A common ingredient of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine is dextromethorpan or DMX that can cause dizziness, disorientation, blurred vision, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting when taken in large doses.

Drug companies don’t seem to mind the bad publicity cough medicines are getting and for a good reason. These products are earning billions of dollars world¬wide. In the United Kingdom, an estimated S275 million was spent on cough and cold remedies in 1991 alone. In that same year, Germans spent $547 million on self-medication with these products.

In spite of this gloomy picture, there is a good side to cough medicines. While I commend doctors’ efforts to protect consumers from dangerous drugs, the public should also be informed that certain coughs have to be treated, especially if they serve no purpose and interfere with sleep. What’s the best way to treat this kind of cough? What products work? How should they be used? This four part series will give you practical and medically sound guidelines on how to manage coughs.

It is said that if you dream of having a cough, it is a sign of impending disaster. That may be true in some cases for a cough is a symptom of many diseases. It should be brought to a doctor’s attention if it persists to rule out any underlying problem.

Coughing is the body’s way of clearing air passages of foreign matter and other secretions. In people with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases, this kind of "productive" cough should not be suppressed. In most cases, drinking plenty of fluids -three to four pints a day or chicken soup - is all that’s required. That will help loosen phlegm.

"The cough is a protective reflex; it clears your breathing passes of secretions. As long as it accomplishes this task effectively, it is to be regarded as normal and even healthy," said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book."

To strengthen your body, take Immunitril - your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html. (Next: Controlling cough).

Taxonomic class

Fabaceae

Common Trade Names

Multi-ingredient preparations: Alvita Teas Licorice Root, Alvita Teas Licorice Sticks, Full Potency Licorice Root Vegicaps, Gaia Herbs Licorice Root A/F, Gaia Herbs Licorice Root SFSE, Licorice ATC Concentrate, Licorice and Garlic, Licorice Root Extract, Licorice Root Tea, Natrol Licorice Root Capsules, Natural Arthro- Rx, Nature’s Answer Licorice Root Low Alcohol and Alcohol Free, Nature’s Herbs Licorice Phytosome Capsules, Nature’s Herbs Licorice Power-Certified Potency Capsules, Solaray Licorice Root, Tea with Mint, Tubi’s Organic Licorice Licorice Bars and Chews, Tummy Soother.

Common Forms

Capsules: 100 to 520 mg licorice root

Liquid extracts: licorice extract, deglycyrrhizinized licorice extract

Tablets: 7 mg of licorice root and 333 mg of pure concentrated garlic

Also available in candy, chewing gum, herbal teas, throat lozenges, and tobacco products. Source

Most medicinal products use the roots and dried rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza gZabra, a perennial herb or low-growing shrub. Spanish licorice, the most common variety, is derived from G. glabra var. typica. Licorice plants are native to the Mediterranean but widely cultivated in the United States, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Greece, India, Italy, Iran, and Iraq. Chemical components

The rhizomes and roots contain 5% to 9% glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid), a glycoside that is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Hydrolysis of glycyrrhizin yields glycyrrhetic acid, which is not sweet. Other compounds include ammonia, oleane triterpenoids, glucose, mannose, and sucrose. Aqueous extracts of licorice contain 10% to 20% glycyrrhizin. Actions

Glycyrrhizin is hydrolyzed by intestinal flora to the pharmacologically active form, glycyrrhetic acid. The main effect oflicorice is to potentiate, rather than mimic, endogenous steroids .

Studies in animals suggest that glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetic acid have mild anti-inflammatory effects. Glycyrrhizin may stimulate gastric mucous synthesis through effects on prostaglandins, which may explain its ulcer-healing properties.

Anecdotally, licorice has effective demulcent (soothing) and expectorant properties and mild laxative and antispasmodic effects. A Chinese licorice preparation called Zhigancao has been found to have antiarrhythmic effects, including prolonged PR and QT intervals. Glycyrrhizin may also lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and exert antianemic, antihepatotoxic, and immunosuppressive effects.

Reported Uses

Because of its anecdotal use for gastric irritation, licorice derivatives have been studied for antipeptic action. Licorice was also evaluated as a treatment for Addison’s disease and was found to enhance mineralocorticoid activity but could not mimic it when adrenal activity was absent.

Glycyrrhizic acid has been used as a shampoo to reduce sebum secretion from the scalp and for cold sores, eczema, and mouth ulcers.

In the United States, glycyrrhizin is used mainly as a flavoring and sweetening agent for bitter drugs, and in beverages, candies, chewing gum, tobacco products, and toothpastes. It is also added to some cough and cold preparations for its expectorant and demulcent effects. Dosage

For peptic ulcer, 200 to 600 mg P.O. of glycyrrhizin daily for no longer than 6 weeks, according to the German Commission E.

The following tea is believed to provide glycyrrhizin in the middle of this dosage range: 1 tsp (2 to 4 g) of crude licorice to Yo cup (120 ml) of boiling water, simmered for 5 minutes. Cool, strain, and take P.O. t.i.d. after food. Adverse Reactions

CNS: hypertensive encephalopathy.

CV: heart failure and cardiac arrest (with overdose), ventricular tachycardia.

EENT: transient visual loss and disturbances after ingestion of 1,4 to 2lb oflicorice candy.

Endocrine: growth retardation reduced serum testosterone levels.

GU: renal tubular damage.

Metabolic: hypokalemia pseudoprimary hyperaldosteronism.

Musculoskeletal: muscle weakness (with hypokalemia), myopathies, rhabdomyolysis.

Respiratory: pulmonary edema.

Interactions

Antihypertensives, diuretics: May increase hypokalemic effects of some diuretics. Avoid administration with licorice.

Corticosteroids (including topicals): May increase effects. Use together cautiously.

Digoxin: May induce hypokalemia; risk of digitalis toxicity. Avoid administration with licorice.

Loratadine, procainamide, quinidine, other drugs that may prolong QT interval: May have additive effects. Use together cautiously.

Spironolactone: May block ulcer-healing and aldosterone-like effects of licorice. Avoid administration with licorice.

Contraindications and precautions

Licorice is contraindicated in patients with arrhythmias; CV, renal, or hepatic disease; or hypertension. Avoid using it in pregnant or breastfeeding patients; effects are unknown. Use cautiously under medical supervision in elderly patients.

Special considerations

Monitor for hypokalemia in the patient receiving diuretics.

A single large dose of licorice is less likely to cause toxicity than prolonged intake of smaller amounts.

Alert Licorice poisoning may be insidious. Monitor for pseudoprimary hyperaldosteronism causing mineralocorticoid-like effects (headache, lethargy, sodium and water retention, hypokalemia, hypertension, and heart failure). Monitor for electrolyte (potassium, calcium, and sodium) imbalances, alkalosis, electrocardiographic abnormalities, and hypertension.

Caution the patient about the dangers of excessive and chronic licorice intake, including fluid retention and electrolyte imbalances.

Inform the patient of potential drug interactions.

Points of Interest

Licorice has been used medicinally since Roman times and is popular in Chinese herbal medicine .

Most "licorice candy" sold in the United States is flavored with anise oil and does not actually contain licorice.

Commentary

Although licorice derivatives have been studied for use against peptic ulcer disease, such products have not performed better than H 2 antagonists and may be less well tolerated. Glycyrrhetic acid may playa role in increasing the topical action of low-potency steroids while minimizing systemic effects, but this research is still preliminary. Glycyrrhetic acid is the chief cause of licorice-induced pseudohyperaldosteronism syndrome seen with licorice ingestion, because of its inhibitory effect on the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Surprisingly, licorice in any form, even as candy, should be considered cautiously because chronic ingestion of low doses as well as high doses can be toxic, exemplified by a multitude of serious adverse events documented in the literature.

You can read and hear different opinions about the value and importance of DHEA for muscle mass building. I want to give you short overview on what exactly does DHEA do in process of creating new high quality muscle mass and how you can benefit from using it.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is made in continuous cycles from the adrenal glands. It’s made of cholesterol, under the influence of adrenocorticotrophic hormone from the pituitary. DHEA is the fundamental material used to produce all your steroid hormones in the body including testosterone and estrogen.

DHEA is essential for the body’s internal "maintenance" alarm system you can call it so. DHEA is vital for the daily replication of body cells and production of sex hormones. Without sufficient amount of DHEA, cellular damage slowly rises until disease becomes a risk. DHEA promotes strong immune system and therefore health by helping to prevent this accumulative damage.

However, DHEA levels tempt to decline as aging advances. Just imagine, DHEA levels start to decline already about age of 30. If you measure DHEA as sulfates its easy to determine that the average blood level of DHEA declines by about 50% of its level with each passing decade.

Now the whole point is that we have good news for you reg. DHEA. Research and testing are showing that for most people proper supplementation with 50-100 milligrams of DHEA daily will maintain their DHEA sulfate level within or near the level normal to healthy body at the age of 30.

Serious research is done in this area. Therefore we can be sure that this amount is completely safe from all sides and may provide a number of physiological benefits such as improved body composition, muscle strength and blood hormone profiles. It is also proved that any healthy person over 40 should definitely consider supplementing with DHEA.

"Act as if what you do makes a difference…and it does!" William James

The year was 1969, and it was my last year in the U.S. Air Force, and a few of my buddies and I were having a beer at the NCO club, and we were wondering how the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, would look like, when they reached the age of 40! To us back then, the age of 40 was ancient…fossils…all old people for sure!

Well…well…well…how times change! Here we are, entering a brand new year of 2008, and I will be 63 years young on February 18, 2008! OUCH! Where did the time go?

"You’re as young as you feel." SHUT UP! Do you mind…I’m sick of hearing that!

"How you spend your time, is more important than how you spend your money. Money mistakes can be corrected, but time is gone forever." David Norris

When I turned 40 and 50 years old, it didn’t bother me! But, when I turned 60 years of age, it bothered me, because getting old is my greatest fear! Add illness to old age, and you have a toxic mix for sure! I have now entered the 4th quarter of my life, and the scoreboard up ahead, tells me that the 2-minute warning is fast-approaching, and all of this is making me quite nervous!

"Live your life, so that when you lose…you’re still ahead." Will Rogers

I grew up during the first generation of rock and roll, and I love to see the oldies shows. But, I don’t like it when they show the audience, because I think to myself, "Do I look THAT old?" These are my peers! Where did the time go?

"Life is too short!" SHUT UP! I’m sick of hearing that, too!

"A man or a woman is not old, until regrets replace dreams." John Barrymore

I think it’s all in the attitude of a person…how you feel about yourself, age, life and death…what you’ve accomplished and what you have not accomplished, etc. Have you gotten your 15 minutes of fame, yet? Do you even want it? I liked the attitude of one of my favorite comedy writers, Art Buchwald, who died recently, and he would not allow technology to help keep him alive, but he let nature take its course! We should all be so brave, right?

"If you have the time to whine and complain, then you have the time to do something about it." Anthony Ward

Have you ever thought about how you’re going to die? Have you reached some or all of your goals? Let’s face it…like it or not…we’re all heading for the Old Folks Home…and we will all hang up our sneakers sooner or later! The dreaded S-word is sneaking up on all of us…SENILITY!

"I’d rather regret the things I’ve done, than the things I haven’t done. Lucielle Ball

Everybody wants to look young these days. What’s wrong with looking old? (forget I said that!) Today, you see boomers pushing the panic button, in trying to look young! They go out and buy themselves a 55 gallon drum of hair-coloring and jump in it! Nothing is left out to look younger…face-lift; tummy-tuck; wrinkle cream; magic dust; snake-oil…WHEW! I hate to rain on their parade, but they’re still getting OLD!

"Hope is the best part of our riches." Christian Bovee

But, there’s a little hope for old people! Grandma Moses didn’t start painting until she was 78 years old, and look what she accomplished! Ronald Reagan didn’t become President of the United States until he was 70 years old!

"You cannot do kindness to soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Merv Griffin, was one of my favorite entertainers, and I saw the show in the 1960’s, when he told the audience, what he wanted on his grave stone. He wanted it to read, "We will NOT be back after this commercial message!" Isn’t that funny? IF I die…and that’s a big IF…I don’t want a stone on my grave…but I want a parking meter which reads, "TIME EXPIRED!"

Men and women of all ages try to protect their skin by using all available means. Women in particular are paranoid about their skin-glow and other body features. The hectic urban life, long office hours and stress effects metabolism that in turn gradually leads to wrinkles.

Wrinkles make one look older and that reflects bad personality traits. This is the reason why each one of us tries various wrinkle protection creams. But finding the right and the "best wrinkle cream" is not easy.We come across various advertisements and each one claims to be "best anti-aging wrinkle cream" available on this planet. Solution is generally implicit in the problem so in this case too there are ways to determine and choose the best product for you from the stacks.

Wrinkle cream reviews give a fair idea about the product but these must be published on sites which have impeccable reputation.Many reputed educational journals too feature wrinkle cream reviews but they are generally filled with medicaljargons.The idea is not to scare you of wrinkle cream reviews but equipping you with right information to enable you to assess what is right for you.

The anti aging eye cream was a smash hit and soon various brands surfaced claiming various advantages. Critics still question whether wrinkle creams work. But for ordinary customers it is very difficult to decide which is the best wrinkle cream and why one is better than the other. Nowadays consumers have endless options for anti aging skin care.

There are different creams in the markets and each one claims to have unique and patented secret ingredients that sets them apart from the rest. Then the question arises that why some wrinkle cream ares better than others? And what is the best wrinkle cream out there? These are the questions which haunt consumers.

As a matter of fact there are various herbal products now which are not only environment friendly, but are perfectly safe as there are no side effects. A lot of research is being conducted and those companies which are market leaders in this segment are investing further in the research journals.

One of the best places to get information about skincare or any other health related query is your and development. To find out the latest updates in this area one should keep consulting the academic doctor who can guide you to the person who has authority over the subject.

The expert can actually help you decide the best wrinkle creams for your skin type. Don’t be guided by the advertisements and booklets, consult your doctor instead. There is no more question hopefully whether wrinkle creams work?

Since times immemorial, it has been a dream of every living soul to remain youthful throughout his or her life. People can go to any extent to ensure that their appearance remains comparable to that of an eighteen year old. Thankfully, now there are products to assist them in the pursuit for eternal youth.

A myriad of anti aging skin care products are available in supermarkets and cosmetic shops. Anything that is capable of reversing or at least arresting aging of skin can be classified as an anti aging skin care product. These include creams, lotions, pills, injections, massagers etc. It is very difficult to choose a suitable product because the variety befuddles most consumers.

Because of the ease of application and portability, anti aging creams are very popular with people concerned about aging of skin. There is no dearth of brands selling in this category either. Therefore, to ensure that you really benefit from an anti aging skin cream, you must decide which one to buy after reading anti aging cream reviews.

What you see is not what you get. Don’t get duped by advertisements. Don’t assume that an anti aging cream that is advertised in prime time commercials is a safe bet. Instead, take the pains to read several anti aging cream reviews before deciding whether the product is worth being tried.

Not all anti aging cream reviews are unbiased. To ensure that you are reading a review which is truthful and unbiased, make sure that you check the veracity on two counts: first whether the person writing the review is an acknowledged independent expert, and second whether facts are being reported or is the review just a piece of juxtaposed superlatives.

What should a review of an anti aging cream include? Well, it should first and foremost list the composition of the cream and explain each ingredient in detail. Second, it should explain what were the assumptions made in the conducted tests. It should then explain the results of the tests in percentage terms.

Anti aging cream reviews should also explain the variations in results obtained. For example, a wrinkle cream may produce wonderful results in a person with oily skin; however it may not be equally beneficial to a person with dry skin.

Where can you read anti aging cream reviews? Well, there are several sources where you can read such reviews. These include online forums, health magazines, and fitness related web portals. Some cosmetic industry associations also publish anti aging cream reviews in their journals.

Many people cringe when they hear the word "wrinkle cream," and mistakenly think that these creams are only for the aging population. Most people would be surprised to learn, however, that starting a skin regimen that includes using a good wrinkle cream in your mid-twenties or thirties can prevent troublesome wrinkles from occurring in your later years.

When conducting a search for the best anti aging wrinkle cream (through online wrinkle cream reviews, beauty magazines, or speaking with your dermatologist), it is important to consider the current condition of your skin. Wrinkle cream reviews will usually be categorized according to different skin types: oily/acne prone, dry, or combination skin.

People with oily skin that is prone to breakouts should avoid heavy creams with ingredients such as mineral or baby oil. Instead, the cream should have no added oils and be specifically recommended for acne-prone skin. Look for labels that say "for acne-prone skin."

People with dry skin should look for a heavier cream for both night and daytime. Because people with dry skin have a higher likelihood of developing premature wrinkles and age spots, it is important to start incorporating wrinkle creams into the skin care regimen at a younger age.

People with combination skin, categorized by dry cheeks and occasional oiliness on the t-zone, will find that most online wrinkle cream reviews are catered toward their skin type since the majority of people have this type of skin. People with combination skin may want to consider just using wrinkle creams around the eyes or in dry areas.

Look for products that contain exfoliating ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids or natural citrus ingredients. The best wrinkle creams are free of harsh dyes and fragrances, and cater to people with sensitive skin. It is important to note your reaction to the wrinkle cream and start by applying the cream just a couple times a week until your skin gets used to the change.

A good wrinkle cream should feel rich and luxurious and by all means should not sting! If irritation does occur, wash with water immediately and stop using the cream. It is also important to remember not to let the cream get too close to your eyes. Wrinkle cream reviews on the internet and in magazines should give you a good idea of the feeling and consistency of the product, and what to do if your skin should get irritated.

By starting with a good wrinkle cream at a young age, you could be on your way to preventing many skin problems that can occur with age. Also, as a preventative measure, slather on a good sunscreen with a high SPF rating for even more protection. The more you can protect and pamper your skin today, the happier you will be tomorrow!

There is nothing as discouraging as the sight of yellow, chipped and uneven teeth on a person’s mouth. As manufacturers come up with more ideas and teeth whitening products evade the market, customers are buying the products and dentists all over the country are enjoying a fair customer.

Everyone wants to have a bright and dazzling smile. You too, can have it without going bankrupt with the expensive cost of whitening teeth products or going to the dentist for a treatment. This is if you resort to using natural teeth whiteners.

The emergence of natural teeth whitening products with herbal ingredients came about as a better choice for people who want to save dollars. Some of these natural teeth whiteners consist of bamboo powder, calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, and silica are gaining popularity as removers of plaque and stains from the teeth.

The basic ingredients of natural teeth whiteners are readily accessible and the preparation is easy. You can do it right in your home. You can also save thousands of dollars you would have used to pay dentists or buy expensive systems by using these products.

However, it takes time for the whitening effects to show up using the natural teeth whiteners and people are in a hurry to get that "instantly white" teeth promised by other teeth whitening products. Only a few feel that the longer time they have to wait for the whiteness to show using natural teeth whitening products is worth the wait. There are no reported side effects using natural teeth whiteners.

Nowadays, even though more people simply buy commercial products from the shelves of the stores or engage the professional services of dentists, natural teeth whiteners are still being used and will continue to be used in the future.

There are essentially three great ways to make your teeth whiter in no time at all. On one hand, you have the dentist quality laser teeth whitening systems which are designed to make your teeth many shades whiter in about an hour of time. It’s expensive, but if you need your teeth white quickly, this is the best way to go. On the other hand, if you want whiter teeth at a lower price, there are plenty of grocery store whitening products that you can buy at your local supermarket. But what if you want whiter teeth practically for free? Then a home remedy may be just the thing.

Home remedies exist for practically everything–from headaches to hiccups. But did you know that there are a number of teeth whitening home remedies out there? They range greatly in price and usability, but many of them actually work - and work as well as most of the supermarket purchased whitening products. Here is a list of some of the best.

Without a doubt, the best home remedy for those looking to make their teeth several shades whiter can be made with a couple of simple household items. All you need is three teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide, two teaspoons of baking soda, and some toothpaste. What you want to do for this home remedy is mix together the hydrogen peroxide and the baking soda, and add in a dollop of toothpaste to make the mixture taste better. If your mixture is not sticky enough, add more baking soda. Once you’ve created a paste that is similar consistency to toothpaste, place some on your toothbrush and scrub your teeth and leave it on for at least two minutes before rinsing your mouth out. Whatever you do, don’t swallow any of the mixture. Hydrogen peroxide can be toxic in larger quantities, so do not swallow any of it.

Another of the best teeth whitening home remedies is as simple as eating a piece of fruit: strawberries to be exact. However, instead of eating this tasty treat, cut it in half and rub it on your teeth, allowing the juices to permeate throughout the teeth that you want whitened. This technique is highly effective, and you should start to notice whiter teeth in a few days time. While not as inexpensive as the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixture, using strawberries is a great way to improve the whiteness of your teeth in no time.

Most people have to deal with some sort of back pain at some time in their life. Therefore this is a problem that most definitely needs to be addressed. One of the most common types is lower back pain which can radiate around the lower spine area.

Acute back pain lasts for 6 months or less and is not considered too severe. The longer it lasts though, the more it can be influenced by other factors and it could evolve into a serious chronic problem.

Chronic back pain last for longer than 6 months. Regardless of what is causing it, this can really put a damper on your day to day activities. Therefore, it is important to investigate the cause and to try and find ways of healing it before you are forced to schedule your activities around it.

No matter what type you have there is probably someone who has thought of a way to heal it. Depending on how serious it is and depending on your personal opinions on what type of treatment you prefer there is usually a solution to bring relief.

Yoga has been quite popular since many years when it comes to healing back problems. This is because Yoga is not just about the physical aspects of the body it is also about the mind. The exercise system involved with Yoga can help ease the every day neck and back pain that may be caused by poor posture. It can also help with improving the overall health of your spinal column even if you do not have any discomfort.

Most people have stress which causes tension around the neck and shoulders and down into the hips and the lower back. These are key areas that affect the spine and it can be quite painful when these muscles are too tight. Yoga exercises really help loosen up these muscles and release the tension.

There are many types of Yoga exercises you can practice to help in the healing. If it is more severe you will want to start off with something easy and focus on the meditation and relaxation methods first.

Regular walking and stretching are also advisable. Not just to keep the muscles fit and flexible but also to avoid obesity which is another common cause of an aching back.

Recent studies suggest that proper hydration, drinking plenty of water, is important to keep your muscles working properly. Something to keep in mind when working out hard in the gym or in the garden!

Another option for chronic back pain sufferers is medication. This can only be prescribed by a doctor and often it only gives short term relief. For a long term solution you really should find the cause.