In the March 10, 2003 issue of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution there was an article that warns of the ever increasing drug resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. The article starts off by saying, “Antibiotic resistance is increasing swiftly among the bacteria that cause meningitis, pneumonia, bloodstream infections, sinusitis and childhood ear infections.” The article reports on
read moreIn a number of different articles backpack safety has become a big issue. One article from the September 1, 2006 Ancaster News from Ontario, Canada, reports that more than 7,000 people required a trip to the emergency room in 2001 due to backpack-related injuries. These numbers were reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
read moreThe above was the conclusion of a study published in the December 6, 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, (JAMA). The report in JAMA started off by noting that usage of these devices is becoming more common. “Despite scientific uncertainties about effectiveness, wearing back belts in the hopes of preventing costly
read moreArava, the popular drug for rheumatoid arthritis has been linked to liver damage and at least 12 deaths. According to a story from the March 29, 2002 Intelihealth, Arthritis the FDA has received at least 130 reports of severe liver toxicity linked to Arava use. The full toll according to the article was reported as
read moreThe above is the title of an article on the DrKoop.com web site from Dec. 06, 2000 Reuters Health Information. The article reports on research by Karen I. Plaisance, MD; Philip A. Mackowiak, MD published in the Achieves of Internal Medicine. The essence of the article states that taking aspirin or similar drugs to decrease
read moreThis is theme of new commercials and ads run by Bayer Aspirin. These ads are not voluntary as it was the US Federal Trade Commission that alleged that Bayer advertising claims on television, radio and the Internet went too far in stating that the general public could benefit by taking aspirin daily for the prevention
read moreAn AP story appearing on the May 3, 2006 InteliHealth website paints a disturbing picture of increased antipsychotic medication usage in children. According to a study done by Medco Health Solutions Inc., the four years ending in 2005 saw an increased usage of antipsychotic medication in children by 73 percent. Additionally, a new class of
read moreThe September 8, 2004 edition of the USA Today contained a feature reporting that scientific advisers to the Food and Drug Administration are expected to recommend tougher warning labels or other restrictions on antidepressants linked to suicidal behavior in children. The story notes that presently more than 1 million U.S. children take this type of
read moreThe events of September 11th affected everyone personally in some way. Children were also affected, and probably more than we think. Just from watching news broadcasts children have been impacted in ways we are only beginning to notice. Teachers are even reporting that in art classes, small children are drawing chilling pictures of the Twin
read moreSeveral recent articles call into question the safety and effectiveness of the group of drugs designed to lower cholesterol known as Statins. Statin drugs are a class of drugs that that are supposed to lower cholesterol levels by blocking enzymes that are essential to cholesterol production. Among the statin drugs are: Lipitor (atorvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin),
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