Barb's Daily Dose

Probiotics Combat Diarrhea That Results From Antibiotics

Before you read further, let me warn you in advance that some of what I'm discussing here has to do with bodily fluids and diarrhea. If you're a caregiver and have dealt with this, I hope this helps. 

Recently, I was working with a family who's elderly mother had intermittent diarrhea as a result of gall bladder issues and some antibiotics she was taking for an infection.  She wouldn't leave the house for fear of an accident.  Embarrassing, depressing and isolating.

Herpes: Medications Help, but Aren't 100% Protective

Brittany and Tom sat in my office holding hands. They looked a little worried and yet were interested in finding out more information about how to prevent Tom from passing Herpes on to Brittany. They were both in their late 20's and been together for about 6 months and so far, so good, she had not become infected, which was reassuring, but they wanted to do everything they could to prevent a future transmission.

Prescription Meds Without a Prescription?

Imagine being able to self diagnose your symptoms at a drug store Kiosk and then get your medications without a prescription?  The FDA is considering a proposal that would do just that.

It sounds like an airport, where you print your boarding pass and then get on the plane. Let's take 2 very different conditions:

MS Medications Restore Function

A diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, MS is overwhelming and can trigger thoughts of being confined in a wheelchair, inability to walk and enjoy life. People like Nina (not her real name) who was diagnosed over 15 years ago is working as a nurse, on her feet and though tired after an 8 hour shift, still has enough energy to make dinner for her family. 

Anti-Depressants and Hot Flashes

Lynn came to see me with severe hot flashes and night sweats. She worked in sales and had resorted to bringing extra blouses in her car because she inevitably sweated through at least one each day. She was beyond irritable and hadn't slept through the night in months. "I feel like a different person," she said. "I can't live like this." Lynn wanted to know about all of her options for treatment.

Chest Pain 101

For people with chest pain, known as angina, the symptoms are often a warning sign of an impending heart attack. Angina occurs when the tiny coronary arteries that provide oxygen rich blood to the heart muscle aren’t able to keep up with the hearts demands. With less blood flow from narrowing caused by atherosclerotic plaques, the heart muscle is literally starving for oxygen. This in turn causes pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and anxiety.

Shortage Of ADHD Drugs Has Parents, Doctors Scrambling

Today's Article was Featured on npr.org, Written by Richard Knox.

When it's time to renew her son's prescriptions for medicine to treat his attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Roxanne Ryan prepares for another wild goose chase.

The Philadelphia mother says she typically has to call around to 10 to 15 different pharmacies to find where the prescriptions can be filled. And when 10-year-old Sergey doesn't get his medication, he's a bundle of uncontained energy.

"It's like having a hundred channels racing through your mind," Ryan says. "He can't sit still. He would interrupt the lesson. He can't complete a thought."

Continue here to complete this article.

Back Pain

I have a friend who called the other day after being diagnosed with a bulging disc in the lower lumbar area of the spine.  He was told to take it easy and take some anti-inflammatory medications for a few days until the swelling subsides. The doctor, who looked at the MRI was reassuring and said that he should recover well in a few months.

Don't Stop Your BP Meds Even if Your Insurance Stops

I received a phone call this weekend from a friend, who was in the hospital because their partner, who was only in his mid 40's had a stroke. A stroke? He's too young, he doesn't smoke, what happened?  My brain was working overtime.  Maybe he has an inherited clotting disorder or there was an aneurysm or an AV malformation?  Something didn't make sense.  The most obvious reason never occurred to me, he had high blood pressure and he had stopped taking his Blood Pressure medication, because after losing his job, and losing his insurance, he couldn't afford it anymore.

Kids With Psoriasis Get Inconsistent Care

An Interesting Article Featured on Health.com

Kids With Psoriasis Get Inconsistent Care - Health News - Health.com.