Medarch - Medical Archive

FDA And The Viagra-Blindness Link

More than 13 months before a scientific journal reported that Viagra had been linked to a rare form of blindness in some men, a Food and Drug Administration safety officer made the same observation from monitoring adverse event reports and told her supervisors that doctors and patients should be warned of the findings. Researchers remain uncertain whether Viagra and other impotence drugs pose a significant risk of blindness. Pfizer Inc., which makes the drug, says the side effect has not appeared in any of its 103 clinical trials of Viagra -- involving 13,000 patients -- and that the 23 million users have not reported an increased risk of blindness. Late last month, however, after the possible link was reported in the Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, FDA spokeswoman Susan Cruzan said, "We take this seriously, and the FDA is working with the sponsors to make sure the public is aware of this so they can take it into consideration." The journal study examined seven cases where men suffered an unusual form of sudden blindness within 36 hours of taking Viagra.

Cialis Overtakes Viagra as Top Selling ED Treatment

Cialis (tadalafil), the only erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment clinically proven to work up to 36 hours for most men, has surpassed Viagra (sildenafil citrate) in France for the second consecutive month. In January 2005, Cialis accounted for 45 percent of the total PDE5 inhibitor tablets sold from wholesalers to pharmacies in France; Viagra's total for that same period was 44 percent. For the month of February 2005, Cialis continued its growth in France by attaining 49 percent of tablets sold from wholesalers to pharmacies, while Viagra had the second largest share with 40 percent, according to the latest IMS market share information.(2) The market share of Cialis in France has grown consistently since the product was introduced in Europe in February 2003. Since December 2004, Cialis has secured an additional 6.4 percentage points of the total share of tablets from wholesalers to pharmacies to gain the largest share of sales in the French market.

Feds Eye Viagra-Blindness Reports

Twenty-three million men worldwide have used Viagra. A very small number of them are going blind after taking normal doses. The FDA tells CBS News it's looking at about 50 reported cases of vision loss and, while no direct link has been proven, an FDA medical supervisor says "We're very concerned. This issue is front and center, it's a priority. We know people need to know as promptly as possible." Pfizer told us its Viagra studies show no report of vision loss and say there is no more evidence of vision loss in men taking Viagra than those who don't. However Pfizer confirmed it in in discussions with the FDA to update the labels to reflect the rare occurrences.

Viagra linked to blindness risk

Anti-impotence drug Viagra increases the risk of blindness, doctors believe. Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School in the US identified seven men who developed vision problems after taking Viagra.

vision problems possibly associated with Viagra, Cialis and Levitra

Health Canada is advising individuals who use the drugs Viagra, Cialis and Levitra to consult their physicians and seek immediate medical attention if they experience sudden vision loss or vision-related problems while taking these drugs. Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are drugs used to treat impotence and erectile dysfunction in men.

Men with ED achieve sexual satisfaction with Viagra

Hardness of erection revealed to be the key to good sex - Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) gives men with ED enhanced improved function, leading to a more fulfilling and satisfying sexual relationship, reports new research presented today at the European Society for Sexual Medicine. “These new data show that Viagra has both a physical and emotional impact - by giving men a significantly harder erection they can achieve successful sexual intercourse which, in turn, improves their self-esteem, leading to a more fulfilling sexual relationship with their partner,” commented Dr Vera Stecher, Clinical Director for Pfizer, Inc.

Pfizer statement regarding Viagra and blindness

A review of 103 Viagra clinical trials involving 13,000 patients found no reports of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Outside of clinical trials, Viagra has been used by more than 23 million men worldwide over the past seven years and reports of visual field loss due to NAION are extremely rare. Viagra remains the market-leading ED medicine, with recent data showing more patients switching back to Viagra after trying our competitors than ever before.

Viagra description in the dictionary

what is viagra ? a drug used to treat male erectile dysfunction (impotence) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Viagra pills, intended to treat impotence. It has been suggested that Viagra would lead to a marked drop in the demand for certain traditional remedies, such as tiger penises and rhinoceros horns and that the drug may therefore help to preserve these endangered species. However, this is unlikely in that these parts of endangered species are not only used to treat impotence. Rhinoceros horns, for example, are used as a treatment for high fever. Furthermore, since Viagra has not been shown to possess aphrodisiac properties, it is unclear that the natural remedies would compete with this new clinical drug.

FDA Warning on Viagra-Blindness connection

FDA ALERT [07/2005]: A small number of men have lost eyesight in one eye some time after taking Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. This type of vision loss is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION causes a sudden loss of eyesight because blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve.

Truth about Viagra Blindness

million men have used Viagra since 1988, including 900,000 in the UK. Although few serious side effects have been seen, recent reports (2005) suggest a possible risk of blindness from non-arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy. This is a rare condition in which blood supply is reduced to the optic nerve causing permanent nerve damage, and research workers at the University of Minnesota believe they have detected a cluster of cases of blindness from this cause in men who have taken Viagra.

Viagra can cause permanent vision loss in some men

Ophthalmologists at the University of Minnesota say that a condition that causes permanent vision loss has been diagnosed in a small group of men who have taken the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. The onset of NAION within hours after ingestion of Viagra in 14 patients supports an association between the use of the drug and NAION. Based on the fact that 14 cases of NAION have now been reported soon after the use of Viagra, the researchers believe that ophthalmologists should ask all men with NAION about the use of Viagra, and recommend that patients with a history of NAION in one eye be cautioned that Viagra may increase the risk of NAION in the fellow eye.

Viagra for Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF), or heart failure, is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs. Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects nearly five million Americans. More than half a million new cases of CHF are diagnosed every year Usually, CHF is caused when the heart has been weakened over time Congestive heart failure (CHF) happens when the heart's weak pumping action causes a buildup of fluid called congestion in your lungs and other body tissues. Not only is Viagra safe for men with congestive heart failure (CHF), it improves their ability to exercise, says research from Brazilian scientists. In the process, it may increase compliance with heart failure drugs, improving prognosis and generally improving quality of life. Men with congestive heart failure and erectile dysfunction (ED) safely used sildenafil (Viagra) to improve sexual function in a study reported in rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. The popular medication may even make patients more likely to take their heart failure drugs, says author Edimar Alcides Bocchi, M.D., associate professor and chief of the heart failure clinics at the Sao Paulo University Medical School in Brazil.

Viagra may help children With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Researchers found the active ingredient in Viagra, also known as sildenafil, helped children with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) walk farther and breathe easier when taken over the course of a year. Viagra was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1998. Over 130 clinical trials were used to test the drug's safety. Physicians all over the world have found that the drug sildenafil may help children suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension. This research is reported in the June 14, 2005 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. "Active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, compared favorably to the drugs used now and had far fewer side effects," said senior study author Ian Adatia, Ch.B., M.B, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco Children's Hospital.

Viagra, Cialis and Levitra Get New FDA Labelling

The Food and Drug Administration today approved updated labeling for Cialis, Levitra and Viagra to reflect a small number of post-marketing reports of sudden vision loss, attributed to NAION (non arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy), a condition where blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve. FDA advises patients to stop taking these medicines, and call a doctor or healthcare provider right away if they experience sudden or decreased vision loss in one or both eyes. Further, patients taking or considering taking these products should inform their health care professionals if they have ever had severe loss of vision, which might reflect a prior episode of NAION. Such patients are at an increased risk of developing NAION again.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata (AA) causes hair loss in small, round patches that may go away on their own, or may last for many years. Nearly 2% of the U.S. population (about four million people) will develop AA in their lifetime. Some people with AA (about 5%) may lose all scalp hair (alopecia totalis) or all scalp and body hair (alopecia universalis). The immune system, for unknown reasons, attacks the hair root and causes hair loss. AA is not a symptom of a serious disease and usually occurs in otherwise healthy individuals. Persons with AA may have a higher risk of atopic eczema, asthma, and nasal allergies, as well as other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), and vitiligo. Family members may also have atopic eczema, asthma, nasal allergies, or autoimmune diseases (i.e. insulin-dependent diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, or systemic lupus erythematosus).

Maintaining Beautiful Hair Through Thick and Thin

Each day, Americans are bombarded with advertisements for products and services to improve their hair. While some of these products may enhance appearance, they also can contribute to hair loss. August is Hair Loss Awareness Month and a good time to take stock of your locks. Breaking through the myths of hair loss and hair care is the first step to maintaining beautiful hair for life. Speaking today at ACADEMY ’05, the American Academy of Dermatology’s summer scientific meeting, dermatologist Zoe D. Draelos, M.D., clinical associate professor in the department of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., dispelled traditional myths about hair care and discussed how poor hair care can contribute to hair loss. “Hair loss affects 80 million American men and women and while it isn’t life-threatening, it can cause emotional distress,” said Dr. Draelos. “Disease, genetic predisposition and even poor cosmetic grooming practices all cause hair loss. Even simple changes in your hair care routine can result in healthier hair.”

Male Pattern Hair Loss

Dating as far back as history will take us, baldness has been a part of the aging process that many men fear the most. Before Rogaine, hair transplants and hair additions, men coped in various ways from magic ointments to the styling of their hair. Julius Caesar grew his hair long in the back and combed it all forward. Napoleon did the same thing. Somehow we often disregard history and the fact that this has been an age old condition. We can't imagine or accept the fact that there is not a cure. Understanding the cause of male pattern hair loss may better indicate exactly why it presently has no cure.

Hair Restoration Treatments

Although an abundance of so called "cures" for thinning hair and baldness is available, the only true way to restore a person's hairline is to seek treatment from a physician. As board-certified specialists trained in hair restoration surgery, dermatologic surgeons are uniquely qualified to diagnose the cause of hair loss and recommend a treatment plan. Since hair restoration procedures greatly rely on the physician's skill and artistry, it's important to see a dermatologic surgeon with training and experience in this area. Dermatologic surgeons continue to pioneer the latest advances in the field, such as the use of much smaller and more flexible grafts, innovative tools and high-tech lasers, novel pain-reduction methods and new surgical approaches that make hair restoration treatment a successful solution to hair loss. And, because each case of hair loss or baldness differs in severity and the position of the natural hairline, dermatologic surgeons have further refined the range of hair restoration techniques in order to customize treatment to suit each patient's specific condition. The type of surgery chosen depends on the extent and pattern of hair loss, along with the patient's expectations, situation and lifestyle. In many cases, a dermatologic surgeon may use a combination of techniques to produce the best results.

Hair Loss and Its Causes

At any one time, about 10 percent of the hair on your scalp is in a resting phase. After 2 to 3 months, the resting hair falls out and new hair starts to grow in its place. This growing phase lasts for 2 to 6 years. Each hair grows approximately 1 centimeter per month during this phase. About 90 percent of the hair on your scalp is growing at any one time. It is normal to shed some hair each day as part of this cycle. However, some people may experience excessive (more than normal) hair loss. Hair loss of this type can affect men, women and children.

The Philosophy of Fighting Hair Loss Part one

For those of you who are just starting to see some receding or thinning, every single day you can buy in keeping your current hair count gets you one day closer to the release of a potentially newer and better treatment. This is the mindset you should have regarding your hair loss. Single treatments options like DHT inhibitors (known for maintaining hair) and starting small are your best bet. Those of you who have already lost noticeable amounts of hair should consider a combination approach of both DHT inhibitors and Growth Stimulants. The goal of a combination regimen is maintenance and regrowth. We will go into what DHT inhibitors are in the next pages. Keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules with which to use. This is only our recommendation. Some people use Growth stimulants to maintain their hair. Others hold off on growth stimulants until they stop seeing results with the DHT inhibitors. Its up to you.

The Philosophy of Fighting Hair Loss part 2

Understanding Hair Loss DHT & Androgens: DHT is a naturally occurring hormone, which assists with sexual development during your fetal days, and during puberty. DHT actually existed in the body even while we had full heads of hair. The problem arises when genetic switches cause changes in the follicles and men's overall biology. In follicles, there exists DHT and structures called "Androgen Receptors". In healthy hair follicles, these two substances combine to carry out normal processes and regulate normal hair growth. DHT is created as a result of another combination of Testosterone and something called 5-alpha-reductase. In summary, we have two combinations going on in the normal, non-balding man: Testosterone and 5-alpha-reductase Enzyme combine to form DHT DHT and Androgen Receptors combine to carry out the creation of normal proteins in follicles, which regulate the health, growth, and resting cycles of a follicle. The degradation process of the follicle is typically very slow, and takes many years, but the result is very apparent on the scalp to the hair loss sufferer. As hair continues through its growth and resting phases, each time a new hair grows from a DHT swamped follicle, it comes back thinner and shorter than it did the last time. Over several years, its growth degrades so much that it can no longer be seen. Thus is Androgenetic Alopecia - aka Male Pattern Baldness.

The Philosophy of Fighting Hair Loss part 3

Type of Hair Loss Hair loss treatments today are most successfully used by those who haven't waited too long to do something about their situation. The process of balding takes years to occur, and it's true that the longer you wait to stop it, the harder it can be to do. Fighting hair loss is as much an act of prevention as it is an act of reversal. Younger men who are experiencing their first signs of thinning have the greatest potential to wake up at age 50 with a full head of hair, simply because the destructive process has not progressed very far yet. Still, there is hope for men who have been losing hair for between 5 and 15 years. Many men, including Jon Ross are over 30 and have successfully reversed their balding with combination treatments aimed at a multifaceted approach.

The Philosophy of Fighting Hair Loss part 4

DHT Inhibitors - Work to inhibit the binding of Testosterone and 5-Alpha Reductase, which in turn keeps DHT levels close to normal, which in turn helps keep hair growth and loss regulation at its normal healthy state. These treatments truly deal with hair loss at the "root" of the problem. Growth Stimulators - Work on a symptomatic level to artificially stimulate growth, without actually dealing with hair loss at the cause of the problem. While this may sound like an ineffective method, growth stimulators are actually a very successful way to at least cosmetically reverse the balding process. SOD's - Also known as Super Oxide Dismutase, these hair loss treatments work by handling the immune response which occurs as a result of excessive DHT in the follicle. When cells sense a foreign body, they release Super Oxide, which typically help defend the body against invading viruses, cells, and foreign tissues. SOD's reduce the presence of this Super Oxide, thus reducing the body's desire to reject the follicle. It's yet another "angle" proven to work in fighting hair loss. SOD's are kind of a hybrid treatment because they also have growth stimulation properties, as well as anti-inflammatory properties.

Male Pattern Baldness

On average, there are 100,000 to 150,000 hairs on the human scalp. The hairs grow from hair roots, or follicles (saclike structures under the skin). Blood vessels at the base of each follicle provide the nourishment necessary for hair growth. Hair growth in each root occurs in a cycle independent of the other roots. At any time about 90 percent of the hairs on the scalp are in the growth phase, while the other 10 percent are in the resting phase. The growth phase lasts an average of four to five years, after which the follicle enters the resting phase, which lasts about two months to four months. At the end of the resting phase, the hair falls out naturally and is replaced by a new hair. Consequently, some hair loss is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. In fact, on a typical day, about 50 to 150 scalp hairs are lost. Baldness (or alopecia) results when hair loss occurs at an abnormally high rate; when hair replacement occurs at an abnormally slow rate; or when normal hairs are replaced by thinner, shorter ones. Male pattern baldness is not a medical disorder. Whether treatment is desirable is a personal decision. Many men decide to let the process run its course. However, baldness can be a source of anxiety for others and can have a negative effect on self-image. If you decide that you are not comfortable with your hair loss, you may want to consider the treatment options described.

Asthma, allergies may reduce risk of brain cancer

Having asthma, hay fever or another allergic condition may reduce the risk of developing one fatal form of brain cancer, a new study suggests. New evidence for this relationship is found in the normal variation of two genes, the scientists say. "Variations in certain genes may make a person more prone to develop asthma or allergies and those same variations may protect adults against the most common kind of brain cancer," said Judith Schwartzbaum, the study's lead author and an associate professor of public health at Ohio State University.

Severe Allergies in the Classroom

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) are asking every parent of a child with food allergies or a known insect sting allergy to alert their child's school to the condition and have an action plan ready. A potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, can be triggered by exposure to one or more allergens, including foods, insect stings, drugs, and latex products. Anaphylaxis can affect multiple areas of the body (such as skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system). Symptoms can include severe headache, nausea and vomiting, sneezing and coughing, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, itching all over the body, and anxiety. The most dangerous symptoms include difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and shock-all of which can be fatal.

Snoring Common Among Young Women With Allergies

Young women with atopy (allergies to pollen, food, dander venoms, etc) are more likely to snore, according to researchers from the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (Cincinnati, OH) and the University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH). After completing a questionnaire about snoring frequency and smoking status and having a skin prick test to determine allergies to 15 aeroallergens, 515 women, with an average age of 29.8 years, were compared to identify snoring risk factors.

Ten Tips on Improving Life in the Winter for Children With Allergies

Spring and summer are not the only seasons that bring misery to children with allergies. "The end of the pollinating season is good news for children with hay fever and similar summer allergies, but those who are sensitive to mold spores may have to wait until the first frost to find relief. Allergy to mold spores is more of a problem than pollen allergy because mold grows anywhere and is not limited to a single pollinating season. It needs little more than moisture and oxygen to thrive," says Dr. David Resnick, Acting Director, Allergy Division at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian. In winter, children spend more time indoors, which increases their exposure to irritants like dust mites, pet dander, smoke, household sprays and chemicals, and gas fumes -- any and all of which can make their lives miserable.

FDA Approves Lipitor® to Lower Risk of Heart Attacks

Pfizer Inc said today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its cholesterol-lowering therapy Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium) for the prevention of cardiovascular disease by reducing heart attack risk in people with normal to mildly elevated cholesterol levels who have other cardiovascular risk factors. The FDA's decision was based on the findings of the landmark ASCOT trial (Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial), which found that the lowest dose of Lipitor (10 mg) reduced the relative risk of heart attack by 36 percent compared to placebo. Because these significant benefits were seen so early, the trial was ended nearly two years ahead of schedule.

Good cholesterol (HDLs) provides human immunity to certain parasites

For years biomedical researchers have known that high density lipoproteins, commonly called HDLs or "good cholesterol," are responsible for protecting humans from certain parasites, but couldn't explain how. Now MBL scientists have discovered that human HDLs work this bug-repelling magic by serving as a platform for the assembly and delivery of two naturally occurring proteins that combine to create a super-toxic antimicrobial. The research, published in the September 30 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, focuses specifically on human innate immunity to Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the parasite that gives African cattle the deadly disease called Nagana, but which doesn't harm humans even though scientists believe they are exposed to it. The parasite is a close relative of Trypanosoma brucei gambienese and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, the organisms that cause African sleeping sickness in humans.

Why are LDL cholesterol levels dropping in America

Americans weigh more than they used to, do less exercise than they used to, eat more junk food than they used to, why are their levels of LDL cholesterol dropping? The reason is that since the end of the 1980s statins, cholesterol-lowering drugs, have entered the scene. It is definitely not lifestyle that has brought about a drop in cholesterol levels, it is the statins. According to recent research, statins are the main reason American cholesterol levels have dropped. Statins lower levels of LDL cholesterol, the bad cholesterol that clogs up the arteries and cause heart attacks. During the last 40 years the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) have remained static.

Soy lowers Cholesterol and blood sugar levels & helps you lose weight

Soy appears to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, aid weight loss (also notes on childhood obesity) - The labels in the snack food aisle promise low-fat, no-fat, low-cal and low-carb tasty treats. But what really makes a food healthy? And should we believe the commercial hype about soy products and our health? Renowned nutrition and weight-loss expert, and University of Kentucky physician and researcher, Dr. James Anderson addresses these and other questions in two articles in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Meal replacements, including powders, drinks and energy bars, are popular weight loss tools. Anderson tested two commercially available meal replacements - one soy-based, and one milk based - in a group of obese adults for twelve weeks. Both groups lost weight. The soy-based group lost slightly more weight in any given week, and displayed lower serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Soy intake also produced small but significant reductions in serum glucose values. This evidence suggests that soy may be a valuable tool in maintaining overall health, lowering cholesterol, and even slowing the development of diabetes.

Research sheds new light on cholesterol danger

Research by a Michigan State University cardiologist published in the September edition of Clinical Cardiology has shed new light on the role that cholesterol plays in causing heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events in humans. The work of George Abela, a professor in MSU's Department of Medicine and chief of the department's cardiology section, finds that cholesterol that has built up along the wall of an artery and crystallized from a liquid to a solid state can expand and then burst, sending material into the bloodstream. It is this chain of events - the expansion of the liquid cholesterol as it crystallizes into a solid - that kick-starts the body's natural clotting process which, unfortunately in this case, works against the body, essentially shutting down the artery. "As the cholesterol crystallizes, two things can happen," Abela said. "If it's a big pool of cholesterol, it will expand and just tear the cap off the deposit in the arterial wall. Or the crystals, which are sharp, needle-like structures, poke their way through the membrane covering the cholesterol deposit, like nails through wood."

Poly/mono balance important to cholesterol-lowering diet

In the search for the best fats for a heart healthy diet, trans- and saturated fats have long been recognized as undesirable and those that contain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are preferred -- with no clear benefit demonstrated for higher levels of either the PUFAs or the MUFAs within recommended limits. Now, a Penn State study provides evidence that the optimum dietary fat isn't one that contains either more PUFAs or more MUFAs, but one that contains a proper balance of both to control cardiovascular risk factors. In the Penn State study, detailed in the current issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, two heart healthy oils, a new PUFA-rich sunflower oil (NuSun) and the more MUFA-rich olive oil, were compared in a diet designed to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Most Patients Treated for High Cholesterol Don't Know Their Goal

An alarming number of U.S. adults who are being treated with cholesterol-lowering statin medications (60 percent) do not know their target cholesterol goal according to the results of a new consumer survey released today by a partnership of leading health organizations - WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. and AstraZeneca. Sixty-nine percent of statin users who are discussing cholesterol goals with their healthcare provider and do not know their cholesterol goal, surprisingly, are not communicating with their doctor about ways to lower their cholesterol goal and 31 percent are not talking with their doctor about ways to maintain their cholesterol goal. “A cholesterol-lowering program is a lot like a home makeover project - you have to determine a specific goal, identify the necessary steps to reach that goal and work according to plan, checking in on your progress along the way,” says Paul DiMeo, who embarked on his own health makeover after being diagnosed with high cholesterol. “As one of the nearly 38 million Americans with high cholesterol, I know how important it is to talk with a doctor to pinpoint a target goal and make a lifelong commitment to maintaining it.

Liver may be source of 'good' cholesterol

Research in mice suggests that the liver may produce most of the body's "good" cholesterol, an unexpected finding that might one day help scientists develop new treatments to raise levels of this heart-protecting molecule in humans. In the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and colleagues will report on a project that used gene-targeting in mice to simulate a rare disease in people - Tangier disease. People with this genetic disease produce virtually no "good" cholesterol. "In studies of mice, we provided the first definitive proof that the liver is the source of about 80 percent of the high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or 'good' cholesterol, that circulates in the blood," said John S. Parks, Ph.D., senior researcher, from the school of medicine, which is part of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. "Understanding more about how HDL is produced could lead to new treatments to raise its levels."

Weight-loss surgery increasing, except for the poor

There will be nearly ten times as many operations performed for weight loss in 2005 as there were in 1998, report researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of California at Irvine in the 19 October 2005 issue of JAMA, but the groups that need surgery the most are not the ones driving the increase. Surgeons performed an estimated 13,365 bariatric procedures, primarily gastric bypass operations, in 1998. In four years that had doubled and doubled again, to 72,177 in 2002. The authors project 102,794 such operations in 2003; 130,000 in 2005 and as many as 218,000 by 2010. Recent growth, they note, was "substantially higher than that previously reported."

Weight loss decreases breast cancer risk in susceptible women

Women with a mutation in the gene BRCA1, which predisposes women to breast cancer, are 65% less likely to develop the disease if they lose weight between 18 and 30 years of age. Research published in the open access journal Breast Cancer Research suggests that young women with this genetic predisposition should avoid putting on weight in early adulthood, especially if they plan to have children. Steven Narod from the University of Toronto, Canada, and colleagues from universities in Canada, the USA and Poland studied two groups of women, all of whom had a mutation in one of the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. The first group had been diagnosed with breast cancer while the second group had not. Each member of the first group was paired up, or `matched', with a woman from the second group who was the same age, carried a mutation in the same gene and lived in the same country. This is the largest study of this kind to date, with 1073 women from five different countries in each group. By comparing the two groups, the researchers could identify the relationship between the incidence of breast cancer before the menopause in women at risk, and weight at 18, 30 and 40 years of age.

US District Court dismisses claims against Abbott Labs anti–obesity medication Meridia

The US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio last week dismissed 113 cases against the company’s anti–obesity medication, Meridia® (sibutramine HCl monohydrate) C–IV. The court found that the plaintiffs failed to come forward with sufficient scientific evidence to support the claims. "The court's decision supports what Abbott has long known, that Meridia, when combined with diet and exercise, has been approved as a safe and effective option for the treatment of obesity," said William G. Dempsey, senior vice president of Pharmaceutical Operations and president of Pharmaceutical Products Division. "We hope that this court decision brings to a stop the alarming and medically inaccurate campaign of fear, confusion and misinformation perpetuated by the plaintiffs' attorneys and certain consumer watchdog groups."

Protease Inhibitors Not Associated With Weight Gain

Although some antiretroviral drugs are associated with weight loss in the extremities in HIV- positive men, weight gain is not associated with taking protease inhibitors, according to a study published in the Oct. 1 issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, the New York Times reports. Some patients have refused to take protease inhibitors because of a syndrome referred to as lipodystrophy that involves weight loss from the cheeks, arms, legs and buttocks and weight gain in the abdomen and upper trunk. But researchers have found that any weight gain experienced by patients is probably the result of aging and not associated with HIV infection or antiretrovirals.

Nutrition expert evaluates new weight-loss medication, Xenical

60 mg low-dose version of the prescription weight-loss medication orlistat (marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as Xenical® 120 mg) was found to be safe, effective and tolerable in overweight individuals, according to new data presented today at the 2005 Annual Meeting of NAASO, The Obesity Society in Vancouver, British Columbia. The study, which compared orlistat 60 mg plus diet to placebo plus diet in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 28, demonstrates a statistically significant difference in weight loss. Orlistat patients who completed the four-month treatment period lost 5 percent of their baseline weight and diet alone lost 3.3 percent. The randomized, placebo-controlled, 16-week study was conducted in a primary care setting, offered minimal intervention and was largely self-instructional. Approximately 36 percent of orlistat users and 28 percent of the placebo group (who used diet modifications alone) lost more than five percent of their initial body weight. Approximately 57 percent of orlistat users, compared to 42 percent of the placebo group, lost more than three percent of their initial body weight.

Lipitor reduces heart attack and stroke risk for diabetes patients

Data presented at the annual meeting of the ADA have shown that patients with diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD) on Lipitor who lowered their cholesterol to well below currently recommended levels experienced significantly fewer heart attacks and strokes than those who achieved recommended levels. These findings are from a subgroup analysis of the 5-year TNT study, involving 1,500 people with diabetes and CHD with an LDL-Cholesterol level of <3.34 mmol/L randomised to treatment with either 10mg/day or 80 mg/day of Lipitor.2 Mean LDL-C levels at 3 months were lower in the 80 mg group (1.86 mmol/L) compared to the 10 mg group (2.54 mmol/L).

Inegy More Effective than Atorvastatin at Reducing Atherogenic Particles

Results from clinical studies presented at the 2005 European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) annual meeting show that INEGY(tm) (ezetimibe/simvastatin) provided greater reductions in LDL-C than atorvastatin, and INEGY also has a positive effect on key atherogenic particles - apolipoprotein B (Apo B), apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-1) and C-reactive protein, a risk marker for atherosclerosis.1,2 INEGY is the first single tablet to provide powerful LDL cholesterol reduction by treating two sources of cholesterol - inhibiting the production of cholesterol mainly in the liver and inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. Atherogenic particles are found in the blood stream and are associated with atherosclerosis, the process by which arteries become narrow over time due to the formation of cholesterol plaques. In addition, INEGY demonstrated a greater reduction in Apo B/Apo A-1, an interesting finding as evaluating plasma levels of Apo B, Apo A-1 and CRP are emerging as possible additional ways to assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

Hertfordshire group to adopt a new approach to weight loss

A new group which will help women who are seriously overweight to lose weight and keep it off run by the University of Hertfordshire will start in Stevenage in January. The group, which has been formed by Professor Julia Buckroyd, the University's Professor of Counselling, and will run for 12 months, and invites women who have serious weight problems, are over 18 and are not involved in any other treatment for weight loss to attend. Professor Buckroyd, who has proved in recent research that therapy has a role in enabling some women to lose weight and keep it off, believes that eating behaviour is determined in part by emotional states and that therefore presenting women with just a diet will not work.

Drugs aid weight loss among type 2 diabetes patients

Three commonly used drugs -- Prozac, Xenical and Meridia -- may help type 2 diabetes patients lose small amounts of weight, although long-term benefits are not clear, a new review of 22 studies suggests. Prozac and Sarafem, known generically as fluoxetine, are most commonly prescribed as antidepressants. Xenical, the brand name for orlistat, blocks fat digestion in the intestines. Meridia, known generically as subtramine, is an appetite suppressant that works in the brain. According to the systematic evidence review by Dr. Susan Norris of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and colleagues, patients taking fluoxetine had lost an average of 11 pounds (5.1 kilograms) 24 to 26 weeks after starting the therapy. Patients taking orlistat had lost an average of four and a half pounds (two kilograms) 12 to 57 weeks later, and those taking sibutramine had lost an average of 11 pounds 12 to 52 weeks later.

Dietary supplement chitosan not yet proven effective for weight loss

The dietary supplement chitosan shows some promise in treating overweight and obesity but has not been shown conclusively to be an effective weight loss aid, according to a new systematic review of current evidence. The review assessed results of 14 randomized controlled trials that included 1,131 overweight or obese adults. Those who received chitosan (pronounced kigh-toh-san) had an average weight loss of almost 4 pounds more than those on placebo in the short term, and their cholesterol and blood pressure levels also decreased more than those in the placebo group. There were no side effects noted in the group taking chitosan. "This review has indicated that chitosan may be an effective aid to weight loss but many of the included trials have been limited by poor methodology and reporting," according to lead author Cliona Ni Mhurchu, Ph.D., of the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and colleagues.

Combination of Lipitor® and Celecoxib at lower doses is most effective at limiting colon cancer development

Combination of Lipitor® and Celecoxib at lower doses is most effective at limiting colon cancer developmentAnaheim, Calif. -- Combinations of Lipitor® and Celebrex® (celecoxib) at lower doses proved more effective at limiting colon cancer than higher doses of the drugs when given alone, according to research reported at the 96th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research here today. A low dose blend of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib and the cholesterol-lowering medication Lipitor® dramatically limited the incidence of invasive and non-invasive colon adenocarcinomas, said Bandaru Reddy, D.V.M., Ph.D., research professor at Rutgers University, Piscataway, N.J. "The combination of these drugs given to laboratory animal models inhibited 95 percent of the tumors that developed in untreated animals," Reddy said. "When used together, the drugs were most effective at doses substantially lower than when used alone.

Citrus Aurantium, Herbal Weight Loss Ingredient, Ephedra Substitute, May Have Risks

People taking “ephedra-free” weight loss products that contain the herb Citrus aurantium, or Seville orange, may be doing more harm to their body than good, according to a new review published by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers. The review, published in the September issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine, found that no reliable scientific evidence supports the use of C. aurantium for losing weight. More importantly, high doses of the herb, which contains synephrine, may not be safe. Synephrine can cause hypertension, and C. aurantium also interacts with drugs in a manner similar to grapefruit juice. “C. aurantium has many of the same potential deleterious cardiovascular effects as ephedra, and it also potentially affects the metabolism of other drugs,” said Adam Myers, PhD, professor of physiology and co-author of the review. “The public and the medical community should be concerned about the growing use of C. aurantium without adequate data on safety and efficacy.”

Atorvastatin halves stroke risk in diabetes patients, UK researchers announce

“In this study, patients on atorvastatin experienced major CVD benefits – so much so that the trial was stopped early because it would be unfair to those receiving placebo to continue,” commented Professor John Betteridge, CARDS investigator. “Currently, only patients with diabetes with elevated cholesterol or established heart disease routinely receive statins – but this study shows that even those without CVD or high cholesterol could benefit from cholesterol-lowering.” Simon O'Neill, Head of Information and Education at Diabetes UK added, "People with diabetes spend 1.1 million days in hospital in the UK every year. Two thirds of this time is as a result of cardiovascular disease, much of which could be prevented. Doctors should now consider all of their patients with diabetes for statin therapy." CARDS stands for the Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study and was conducted in 132 centres across UK and Ireland1. A total of 2,838 patients with moderately elevated LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels were involved1. The study was designed to assess the effectiveness of lipid-lowering treatment (with atorvastatin 10 mg) for the primary prevention of CVD in Type 2 diabetes patients with additional risk factors for CVD1.

Amylin drug effective for weight loss compared to a placebo

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc presented detailed data from a 16-week Phase 2 obesity study of pramlintide (AC137) at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Athens, Greece. Pramlintide is a synthetic analog of human amylin, a hormone known to play a role in the regulation of appetite and food intake. The study showed statistically significant, progressive weight loss of 3.6 percent (3.5 kilograms) compared to placebo, with no evidence of a plateau in effect at 16 weeks. The weight loss was accompanied by a significant, progressive reduction in waist circumference, a recognized marker of abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk. This blinded, placebo-controlled study included 204 obese subjects, 160 without diabetes and 44 with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. Study participants received pramlintide or placebo three times a day before meals for 16 weeks and were asked to maintain their usual diet and exercise routines. Subjects in this study were able to tolerate higher doses of pramlintide than those previously evaluated in long-term diabetes studies, with approximately 90% progressing to 240 micrograms three times a day.

Women and Weight Loss

Weight loss seems to be a national pastime for many American women. Various weight loss products, that seem to offer a quick fix, have been offered for years with the hopes of enticing women desperately trying to lose body fat. Unfortunately there is no quick fix. If we look to the biology of women, there is a distinct predisposition for the female to carry more body fat than the male. By nature, a woman's body is developed to protect her and a potential fetus. As a result of this genetic coding, women have more enzymes for storing fat and fewer enzymes for burning fat. In addition to this, the hormone estrogen actually actives fat storing enzymes and causes them to multiply. Women have a tendency to become preoccupied by the numbers on a scale. Often times a certain weight becomes so ingrained in a woman's mind that she will do just about anything to attain that "goal". Just because you weighted 115 lbs., as a high school senior doesn't mean that as a 40-year-old woman, you should maintain that same weight as the ideal. Frequent dieting not only slows down the metabolic furnace, it can actually reduce your lean, muscular tissue, and leave you with more body fat. So it is possible to continue weighting 115 lbs. and be FATTER. Not the goal most women would hope for.

DHEA for weight loss: miracle drug or unproven experiment?

In a study exploring DHEA-replacement therapy as a weight loss technique, researchers gave test animals large doses of both DHEA and the drug fenfluramine. According to Dr. Ray Sahelian's DHEA: A Practical Guide, "Even a hot fudge sundae with fresh bananas and dark chocolate syrup couldn't get [the test animals] interested." If you're like most sweet-toothed adults, you probably can't imagine not being interested in a hot fudge sundae. You're probably thinking, "There's something that can make me not interested in a hot fudge sundae? Give me some of that!" But if your taste buds haven't entirely taken over your mind, you might also be asking whether animals would normally be interested in a hot fudge sundae. Unlike the researchers, you might conclude that the animals' lack of interest in ice cream doesn't necessarily prove there are weight-loss properties in DHEA and fenfluramine.

Erectile dysfunction may be early sign of heart disease

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often the first and earliest sign of a more significant cardiovascular condition, according to a study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. "Erectile dysfunction is not just a quality of life issue, but needs to be considered a significant public health concern associated with preventive cardiovascular medicine," states lead researcher and author of the article, Kevin Billups, MD. Research suggests that medical evaluation for ED in patients needs to be integrated into an evaluation for cardiovascular risk as well. The study stresses that early recognition of ED, "particularly in high-risk and underserved minority populations" like African Americans and Hispanics, can lead to early diagnosis of previously undetected cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical vascular disease.

Diabetic men prone to severe erectile dysfunction if they do not control blood sugar levels

Scientists at a university in Brazil say that diabetics can lead to erectile dysfunction – if patients do not properly control their blood sugar levels. The researchers tested the blood sugar levels of 115 diabetic men, some of whom had maintained healthy levels and others who had not. Of those with high blood sugar, 46 percent said they had severe erectile dysfunction. Only 18 percent of those with healthy blood sugar levels had severe erectile problems. Overall, the high sugar group had 3 percent more cases of erectile dysfunction – severe or otherwise – than the healthy blood sugar group. The study also found that severe problems only occurred in men who had been diabetics for more than five years.

Weight Loss Centers Are Popular, But Do They Really Work?

There's a tremendous amount of money to be made in helping people lose weight and fight obesity. Accordingly, all sorts of franchises are expanding across America and attempting to help people lose weight by pursuing a variety of strategies, including calorie control, hypnosis, weight loss supplements, and physical fitness. One of the most popular franchises is, of course, Weight Watchers, which now holds 44,000 meetings a week in 30 countries. Americans are spending $40 billion a year on weight loss products and services. Many weight loss franchises, however, don't do very well in the long run. The Jenny Craig franchise, for example, saw its sales plummet after hiring Monica Lewinsky as a spokesperson. The bigger question in all this is, of course, do any of these really work? Do they really help people lose weight, and if so, which ones work the best?

Italian study connects erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease

Erectile dysfunction may be an early warning sign of coronary artery disease, even in men without typical risk factors, new research shows. In a small study done in Italy, men with erectile dysfunction showed more signs of being on the road to coronary artery disease than men without erectile dysfunction. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. If those arteries harden and narrow, it's harder for blood to get through, depriving the heart muscle of oxygen. That can lead to chest pain and heart attacks.

Erectile Dysfunction - Review

Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called "impotence," is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The word "impotence" may also be used to describe other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation or orgasm. Using the term erectile dysfunction makes it clear that those other problems are not involved. Erectile dysfunction, or ED, can be a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. These variations make defining ED and estimating its incidence difficult. Estimates range from 15 million to 30 million, depending on the definition used. According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), for every 1,000 men in the United States, 7.7 physician office visits were made for ED in 1985. By 1999, that rate had nearly tripled to 22.3. The increase happened gradually, presumably as treatments such as vacuum devices and injectable drugs became more widely available and discussing erectile function became accepted. Perhaps the most publicized advance was the introduction of the oral drug sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in March 1998. NAMCS data on new drugs show an estimated 2.6 million mentions of Viagra at physician office visits in 1999, and one-third of those mentions occurred during visits for a diagnosis other than ED.

Erectile Dysfunction Overview

The physiological process of erection begins in the brain and involves the nervous and vascular systems. Neurotransmitters in the brain (e.g., epinephrine, acetylcholine, nitric oxide) are some of the chemicals that initiate it. Physical or psychological stimulation (arousal) causes nerves to send messages to the vascular system, which results in significant blood flow to the penis. Two arteries in the penis supply blood to erectile tissue and the corpora cavernosa, which become engorged and expand as a result of increased blood flow and pressure. Because blood must stay in the penis to maintain rigidity, erectile tissue is enclosed by fibrous elastic sheathes (tunicae) that cinch to prevent blood from leaving the penis during erection. When stimulation ends, or following ejaculation, pressure in the penis decreases, blood is released, and the penis resumes its normal shape.

Sildenafil Use in Pulmonary Hypertension Appears Useful

High doses of sildenafil (Viagra) could safely bring relief to selected patients suffering from acute complications caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), according to 2 studies presented here at the American College of Chest Physicians Annual Meeting (CHEST). Two separate groups - 1 in Michigan and the other in California - reported case series in which sildenafil was used as a treatment of last resort in patients who were unable to use intravenous epoprostanol (Flolan) therapy for a variety of reasons.

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, potentially fatal, systemic allergic reaction that can involve various areas of the body (such as the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system). Symptoms occur within minutes to two hours after contact with the allergy-causing substance, but in rare instances may occur up to four hours later. Anaphylactic reactions can be mild to life-threatening. The annual incidence of anaphylactic reactions is about 30 per 100,000 persons, and individuals with asthma, eczema, or hay fever are at greater relative risk of experiencing anaphylaxis.

Allergy FAQs

The immune system mistakenly believes that a harmless substance, in this case a food item, is harmful. In its attempt to protect the body, it creates specific IgE antibodies to that food. The next time the individual eats that food, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals and histamines in order to protect the body. These chemicals trigger a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system. Symptoms range from a tingling sensation in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and the throat, difficulty breathing, hives, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, to death. Symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours after the person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic.

Agricultural Workers at Increased Risk for Infection with Animal Flu Viruses

Farmers, veterinarians and meat processors who routinely come into contact with pigs in their jobs have a markedly increased risk of infection with flu viruses that infect pigs, according to a study funded in part by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While the findings are not entirely unexpected, the strikingly higher risk of infection coupled with the fact that pigs can be infected by swine viruses, bird (avian) viruses as well as human flu viruses—thereby acting as a virtual virus “mixing bowl,” especially on farms where pigs, chickens and people coexist—is a potential public health concern, the study authors assert. The paper appears online this week in Clinical Infectious Diseases. “Pigs play a role in transmitting influenza virus to humans,” says NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “The worry is that if a pig were to become simultaneously infected with both a human and an avian influenza virus, genes from these viruses could reassemble into a new virus that could be transmitted to and cause disease in people.”

New Food Allergy Research Consortium Focuses on Peanut Allergy

The only advice doctors can give to the 4 percent of Americans with potentially life-threatening food allergies is to avoid the culprit food, often nuts or shellfish. But that may change as researchers in a new Food Allergy Research Consortium, announced today, strive to develop therapies to treat and prevent food allergy. The consortium, led by Hugh Sampson, M.D., at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, will receive approximately $17 million over five years from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. In addition, a five-year NIAID grant totaling approximately $5 million to the Emmes Corporation, of Rockville, MD, will fund a statistical center to support the consortium. “The expertise of the Food Allergy Research Consortium provides a unique opportunity to investigate basic immunologic mechanisms associated with food allergy in animal models and humans, and, ultimately, to test novel therapies to treat food allergy,” says Daniel Rotrosen, M.D., director of NIAID’s Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation.

Asthma, allergies may reduce risk of brain cancer

Novel Therapy Tested in Mice Could Chase Away Cat Allergies

A molecule designed to block cat allergies successfully prevented allergic reactions in laboratory mice, as well as in human cells in a test tube, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers report in the April issue of Nature Medicine, available online now. In the future, the investigators say, these promising results could lead to a new therapy not only for human cat allergies, but also possibly for severe food allergies such as those to peanuts. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, funded the research. “This novel approach to treating cat allergies is encouraging news for millions of cat-allergic Americans. Moreover, these results provide proof-of-concept for using this approach to develop therapies to prevent deadly food allergy reactions as well,” says NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.

Early Fevers Associated with Lower Allergy Risk Later in Childhood

Infants who experience fevers before their first birthday are less likely to develop allergies by ages six or seven, according to a new study funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study, published today in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, lends support to the well-known "hygiene hypothesis," which contends that early exposure to infections might protect children against allergic diseases in later years. "The prevalence of asthma and allergies has increased dramatically worldwide in recent years," says Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of NIAID. "This study provides evidence that diminished exposure to early immunological challenges could be one of the reasons for this trend."

Scientists Identify Genes That Regulate Allergic Response to Diesel Fumes

The risk of developing respiratory allergies from exposure to diesel emissions depends largely on genetics, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Given their findings, researchers estimate that up to 50 percent of the United States population could be in jeopardy of experiencing health problems related to air pollution. The study is published in the Jan. 10 issue of the British journal The Lancet. "This important study adds to previous data that suggest how modern environmental factors interact with the body's defenses to produce 'airway' diseases considered rare before the advent of industrialized society," says Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of NIAID.

Cat Exposure Increases Asthma Risk for Children of Asthmatic Mothers

Scientists are gaining a better understanding of the complex relationship between cat exposure and the risk of developing asthma. For many years, scientists thought that cat exposure increased a child's asthma risk. Recent studies, however, have suggested that exposure to high levels of cat allergen during infancy can actually protect children against developing asthma. This week, a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) adds another twist to the developing story. The new study confirmed the protective effect of cat exposure for at-risk children in all but one situation: when the child's mother has asthma. If the mother has asthma, then a cat in the home actually triples the risk that a child will develop persistent wheezing - an initial indication of asthma - by age five.

Asthma Awareness Day Empowers Youngsters

Right on the edges of their seats, the children sit transfixed. Between magic tricks, jokes, and balloon sculpturing, three clowns--Sparkles, Precious, and Yogi--offer tips on how a child can cope with asthma. Puppets from Kids on the Block, Inc., explain--from what appears to be first-hand experience--what it's like to be a child with asthma. Representatives from voluntary health organizations and a pharmaceutical company answer questions and distribute literature, including coloring books. These are typical scenes from Asthma Awareness Day for Family and Friends held recently on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., and targeted to 500 third- through sixth-grade children from the District of Columbia Public Schools. "Asthma Awareness Day for Family and Friends is an innovative way to disseminate important medical information to children, their parents, and teachers," says Floyd J. Malveaux, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the Howard University College of Medicine. "We want our children with asthma and allergies to feel special."

Scientists Discover Potential New Way To Control Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Based on an improved understanding of bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria—scientists reporting in the Sept. 23 issue of the journal Nature believe they have discovered a potential new way to control drug-resistant bacteria, an increasingly worrisome public health problem. The new research, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, found that bacteriophages contain genes that allow them to quickly change their proteins to bind to different cell receptors. The researchers, who encountered this genetic property while working on an unrelated project, believe that this discovery could lead to the use of genetically engineered phages to treat bacterial infections that have become resistant to antibiotics.

Female Pattern Hair Loss

The most common type of hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern alopecia or baldness. This is seen as hair thinning predominantly over the top and sides of the head. It affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but is most commonly seen after menopause, although it may begin as early as puberty. Normal hair fall is approximately 100-125 hairs per day. Fortunately, these hairs are replaced. True hair loss occurs when lost hairs are not regrown or when the daily hair shed exceeds 125 hairs. Genetically, hair loss can come from either parents side of the family. There are two different types of hair loss, medically known as anagen effluvium and Telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium is generally due to internally administered medications, such as chemotherapy agents, that poison the growing hair follicle. Telogen effluvium, is due to an increased number of hair follicles entering the resting stage.

Non-Surgical Hair Loss Solutions

HAIR ADDITIONS Any external hair bearing device added to existing hair or scalp to give one the appearance of a fuller head of hair. i.e. Hair weaves, hair extensions, hair pieces, toupees, non-surgical hair replacements, partial hair prostheses, hair wefts, etc. Devices may consist of human hair, synthetic fiber or a combination of both. HOW ARE THEY KEPT ON? Partial hair additions are attached in a variety of techniques. Either the existing hair or the skin are the anchor sites. EXISTING HAIR: Weaves, fusion, bonding, cabling, micro links, beading are general terms of techniques all attached to the client's existing hair. All are used to provide more security for the active life-style. They are all dependent on the growing existing hair and therefore must be reattached or tightened as the existing hair grows.

Guide to Women's Hair Loss - Part 1

Did you know that over 20 million women in the United States are suffering from some type of hair loss? About 40% of them are also under forty years old. The emotional aspects of hair loss range from anxiety, depression, frustration and poor self-esteem. Fortunately there are more options available now to help slow down and even reverse hair loss. The first and foremost important step in the search for answers is to educate yourself. Being proactive by researching information and seeking solutions is the best way to manage your treatment. Unfortunately, treating and diagnosing female hair loss is not as simple and straightforward as male pattern baldness. Many physicians subscribe to the theory that women should immediately begin a regimen of growth stimulants (whether it be Rogaine for Women, or others). Like men's hair loss however, there are underlying causes, and the good news is that a large percent of women's hair loss is completely reversible. The general idea behind diagnosing and treating it involves a responsible informed physician and a series of tests to rule out, or rule in, the causes.

Guide to Women's Hair Loss - Part 2

Common Types of Women's Hair Loss. Did you know that over 20 million women in the United States are suffering from some type of hair loss? About 40% of them are also under forty years old. The emotional aspects of hair loss range from anxiety, depression, frustration and poor self-esteem. Fortunately there are more options available now to help slow down and even reverse hair loss. The first and foremost step in the search for answers is to educate yourself. Being proactive by researching information and seeking solutions is the best way to manage your treatment. Unfortunately, treating and diagnosing female hair loss is not as simple and straightforward as male pattern baldness. Many physicians subscribe to the theory that women should immediately begin a regimen of growth stimulants (whether it be Rogaine for Women, or others). Like men's hair loss however, there are underlying causes, and the good news is that a large percent of women's hair loss is completely reversible. The general idea behind diagnosing and treating it involves a responsible informed physician and a series of tests to rule out, or rule in, the causes.

Guide to Women's Hair Loss - Part 3

It is extremely important to find a qualified physician to treat hair loss. A dermatologist is usually a good doctor to start with, as they specialize in treating skin diseases, including problems associated with hair and hair loss. A good starting place for finding a board certified dermatologist is through the American Academy of Dermatology’s website. Unfortunately, if your insurance carrier is enrolled in an HMO, you may not have the freedom in choosing a dermatologist. You will have take charge with your HMO to work with you, and coming in armed with all the appropriate information is the key to making the best of your situation.

Alopecia Areata In Children

Alopecia areata is a common disease that results in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere. It usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth patches. It occurs in males and females of all ages, but onset most often occurs in childhood. Over four million people in the United States are affected by alopecia areata. In alopecia areata, the affected hair follicles become very small, drastically down production, and grow no hair visible above the surface for months or years. The scalp is the most commonly affected area, but the beard or any hair-bearing site can be affected alone or together with the scalp. Some people develop only a few bare patches that regrow hair within a year. In others, extensive patchy loss occurs, and in a few, all scalp hair is lost (this is referred to as alopecia totalis) >or, hair is lost from the entire scalp and body (this is referred to as alopecia universalis). No matter how widespread the hair loss, the hair follicles remain alive and are ready to resume normal hair production whenever they receive the appropriate signal. In all cases, hair regrowth may occur even without treatment and even after many years.

Loss of hair

Hair loss usually develops gradually and may be patchy or diffuse (all over). Roughly 100 hairs are lost from your head every day. The average scalp contains about 100,000 hairs. Each individual hair survives for an average of 4-1/2 years, during which time it grows about half an inch a month. Usually in its 5th year, the hair falls out and is replaced within 6 months by a new one. Genetic baldness is caused by the body's failure to produce new hairs and not by excessive hair loss. Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. Inherited or "pattern baldness" affects many more men than women. About 25% of men begin to bald by the time they are 30 years old, and about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60. Typical male pattern baldness involves a receding hairline and thinning around the crown with eventual bald spots. Ultimately, you may have only a horseshoe ring of hair around the sides. In addition to genes, male-pattern baldness seems to require the presence of the male hormone testosterone. Men who do not produce testosterone (because of genetic abnormalities or castration) do not develop this pattern of baldness.

Erectile dysfunction overview

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or the needs of his partner. Most men experience this at some point in their lives, usually by age 40, and are not psychologically affected by it. Some men, however, experience chronic, complete erectile dysfunction (impotence), and others, partial or brief erections. Frequent erectile dysfunction can cause emotional and relationship problems, and often leads to diminished self-esteem. Erectile dysfunction has many causes, most of which are treatable, and is not an inevitable consequence of aging.

Erectile Dysfunction - Common Treatments

Oral medications used to treat erectile dysfunction include selective enzyme inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil [Viagra®], vardenafil HCl [Levitra®], tadalafil [Cialis®]) and yohimbine (Yohimbine®, Yocon®). Selective enzyme inhibitors are available by prescription and may be taken up to once a day to treat ED. They improve partial erections by inhibiting the enzyme that facilitates their reduction and increase levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP, a chemical factor in metabolism), which causes the smooth muscles of the penis to relax, enabling blood to flow into the corpora cavernosa. Patients taking nitrate drugs (used to treat chest pain) and those taking alpha-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure and benign prostatic hyperplasia) should not take selective enzyme inhibitors.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Erectile dysfunction has been defined by a National Institutes of Health conference as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Erectile dysfunction is strongly age related. As many as 30 million men may be affected in the USA [1]. While there is an estimated prevalence across all ages of about 10% (making erectile dysfunction common), the prevalence rises to over 50% in men between 50 and 70 years of age, though it is not an inevitable consequence of normal ageing [1]. It is also associated with a number of organic disorders and diseases. In diabetes, for instance, it occurs in up to 40% of men. But erectile dysfunction may also occur with cardiovascular disorders (especially in men with angina or after myocardial infarction), neurological disorders, after pelvic surgery or trauma, and as a consequence of pharmacological treatments of a number of diseases [2]. Conditions that are common often become expensive if an effective treatment comes along. For erectile dysfunction what most of us know (or think) is that treatments are reserved for funny boxes in the pages of our more popular newspapers. We might be dimly aware that a number of physical treatments have been used, including semi-rigid or inflatable implants, vacuum constriction devices, and vascular surgery. Some of these can be effective in some men, but they can be expensive and may not be appropriate in every affected man.

Erectile dysfunction Q&A

A successful, sustained erection requires a sequence of events to occur in a precise fashion. Anything which disrupts this sequence can lead to problems either getting, or keeping an erection. The most common cause of erectile dysfunction is damage to the tissues, either the nerves, arteries, muscles or fibrous tissue. This is often linked either to disease. Conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease account for around 70% of cases of erectile dsyfunction. In some cases the condition is caused by damage to the nerves and arteries near the penis which can occur during surgery, particularly for prostate and bladder cancer. Physical injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder or pelvis can also be a factor. Erectile dsyfunction is also a side effect of some common medications, including blood pressure drugs, antihistamiines, antidepressants and tranquilizers. Experts believe that psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure cause up to 20% of cases. Smoking, which affects blood flow, has also been linked to the condition.

Erectile Dysfunction - Diagnosis

In the last 20 years there has been increasing recognition that erectile dysfunction is a common problem. While many patients may come to their general practitioner's or internist's offices with erectile dysfunction as a primary complaint, there are still many patients who feel reluctant or embarrassed to discuss this problem. Many physicians also feel uncomfortable discussing and evaluating sexual dysfunction. It is important for us as physicians to feel comfortable discussing and evaluating sexual dysfunction and hopefully to help our patients feel comfortable discussing these issues. Several recent studies have looked at the prevalence of erectile dysfunction. The Massachusetts male aging study was a cross-sectional random sample community-based survey of 1,290 men ages 40 to 70 years and was conducted from 1987 to 1989 in areas around Boston.1 Erectile dysfunction was self-reported and the condition was classified as mild, moderate or complete. The combined prevalence of minimal, moderate and complete erectile dysfunction was 52%. The study demonstrated that erectile dysfunction is increasingly prevalent with age. At age 40 there was an approximately 40% prevalence rate increasing to close to 70% in men age 70. The prevalence of moderate erectile dysfunction increased from 17% to about 34% with that of complete erectile dysfunction increasing from 5% to 15% as age increased from 40 to 70.

Viagra protects mountain climbers' lungs from pulmonary hypertension

Viagra protects mountain climbers’ lungs from problems associated with high altitude, such as pulmonary hypertension, researchers say. Pulmonary hypertension can be triggered by a lack of oxygen. According to research carried out at the University of Geissen, Germany, Viagra protects the lungs of mountain climbers from pulmonary hypertension. You can read about this study in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. The scientists say this discovery could give Viagra another indication – not just for mountain climbers, but patients who develop pulmonary hypertension (without climbing mountains).

Questions and Answers About Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata affects an estimated four million Americans of both sexes and of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. It often begins in childhood. If you have a close family member with the disease, your risk of developing it is slightly increased. If your family member lost his or her first patch of hair before age 30, the risk to other family members is greater. Overall, one in five people with the disease have a family member who has it as well. While there is neither a cure for alopecia areata nor drugs approved for its treatment, some people find that medications approved for other purposes can help hair grow back, at least temporarily. The following are some treatments for alopecia areata. Keep in mind that while these treatments may promote hair growth, none of them prevent new patches or actually cure the underlying disease.

Male hair loss - Review

What is male hair loss (male pattern baldness/androgenic alopecia)? Male hair loss is the most common type of hair loss. It is caused by increased sensitivity to male sex hormones (androgens) in certain parts of the scalp, and is passed on from generation to generation. In the past, baldness was often seen as something unfortunate or undesirable. However, this attitude has changed over the years and nowadays a clean-shaven head is usually considered both fashionable and attractive. Can male hair loss be prevented? Male hair loss is genetically determined (passed on from parents). Although a doctor can offer medical treatment to improve the condition, this may have side effects.

Hair loss and depression

Rare cases of hair loss have been reported with using Prozac, and hair loss such as this (alopecia) usually shows three months or so after the initial cause, which would fit with your Prozac use. Depression may also occasionally cause hair loss, as may other hormonal imbalances such as thyroid underactivity. If you have not already had some simple blood tests taken by your doctor I think it would be a good idea to do so, and certainly you should see them again to let them know how you are feeling - this could be an early sign your depression is returning.

Alopecia Areata and hormones

This started as a small patch on the back of my head but has recently spread to the entire of the back of my head. When I got pregnant seven years ago, the hair grew back perfectly, however, when I stopped breastfeeding it fell out again. A consultant that I saw says that the alopecia is not hormonal, but surely it must be considering the change during pregnancy. This is now causing me great distress, but it seems no one can help. 'Hormonal' is a also a word that means different things in different contexts - what the consultant probably meant was that it is unlikely to be caused by a problem with your female sex hormones - oestrogen or progesterone. That doesn't mean to say that another of the body's hormones might not be the problem. Specifically, you should have a blood check to make sure your thyroid gland is working properly, because malfunctions there can lead to hormonal changes which can cause alopecia.

Benadryl allergy oral solution

Benadryl allergy oral solution contains the active ingredient cetirizine, which is a type of medicine called a non-sedating antihistamine. (NB. Cetirizine is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Cetirizine works by preventing the actions of histamine. Histamine is a substance produced by the body as part of its defence mechanisms. It is stored in cells called mast cells, in almost all tissues of the body. When the body reacts to a foreign substance (known as an allergen, eg flower pollen), the mast cells stimulated by the allergen release their stores of histamine. The released histamine then binds to its receptors (H1 receptors), causing a chain reaction that results in allergic symptoms. It causes an increase in blood flow to the area of the allergy, and the release of other chemicals that add to the allergic response.

Cholesterol Facts

Cholesterol is an important substance that's used by the body in many ways. It's the starting point of manufacture for many of the body’s natural steroid hormones and for vitamin D, which controls calcium in the body. It is also an essential component of the membrane that forms the walls of individual cells in all tissues. Eighty percent of the cholesterol we have is produced within our own body – mostly by the liver. It's then transported from the liver via the blood stream to other tissues. Cholesterol travels through the blood in minute packages mixed with large molecules called lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are themselves combinations of fats and proteins. Fats such as cholesterol don't dissolve well in the blood stream, but become soluble when coated with lipoproteins. What are lipoproteins? Four main groups of lipoproteins exist, based mainly on their different sizes and density: high density lipoproteins (HDL) low density lipoproteins (LDL) very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) chylomicrons.

Reduce your blood cholesterol

What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fatty material mainly made in the body from saturated fat in your diet. It plays a vital role in cell function throughout the body, and is the building block of many essential steroid hormones. However, too much in the blood increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Cholesterol uses the body's circulation as its road system, and is carried on vehicles consisting of proteins known as lipoproteins. There are two main types: low density lipoproteins (LDL), which transport cholesterol from the liver to the cells; and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which return excess cholesterol back to the liver. Blood lipids is a general term for all the fatty substances in the circulation, including HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Common Food Allergens

A food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. Once the immune system decides that a particular food is harmful, it creates specific antibodies to it. The next time the individual eats that food, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, including histamine, in order to protect the body. These chemicals trigger a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system. Scientists estimate that approximately 11 million Americans suffer from true food allergies. At the present time, there is no cure for food allergy. Avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction. Although an individual could be allergic to any food, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, they are not as common as the following eight foods which account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions: Milk Egg Peanut Tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc.) Fish Shellfish Soy Wheat

Steroid Spray Shrinks Nasal Polyps

A popular prescription nasal spray used to treat seasonal allergies may help people with nasal polyps delay or even avoid surgery, new research shows. The nasal steroid spray Nasonex was approved by the FDA for the treatment of nasal polyps a year ago this month, largely on the strength of the newly reported study. Nasal polyps are growths within the lining of the nose or sinuses most often seen in people with chronic allergies. The growths can reduce airflow in the nasal passages, create chronic congestion, runny nose and postnasal drip, as well as a diminished sense of smell, headaches, and snoring.

It’s adios to hair loss

Hair loss can be due to so many causes—environmental, eating habits, improper maintenance, use of wrong products and so on. But all problems have solutions—you have to see which one relates to your particular problem and take remedial steps to stop the hair loss.

Preventing Infant Food Allergies

Although food allergies affect only a small number of children, finding a way to prevent them or at least delay their onset is an important goal for parents and researchers alike.

Allergies: More Than Sneezing

Most people associate allergies with itchy, runny, and sneezy noses, but allergies can encompass much more than the common symptoms associated with hay fever.

Men With Mild Depression and Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction and depression are highly associated. Previous studies have shown benefits of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor treatment for erectile dysfunction associated with antidepressant therapy or subsyndromal depression. The present study assessed the safety and efficacy of vardenafil in men with erectile dysfunction and untreated mild depression.

FDA Warns of Fake Viagra, Lipitor and Evista

The FDA is warning consumers to be on the lookout for fake versions of the popular prescription drugs Lipitor, Viagra, and a non FDA-approved drug being marketed as "generic Evista" currently being sold in Mexican border towns.

Viagra Now Being Increasingly Used as a Recreational Drug By Younger Men: Is Pfizer Responsible?

A new study is showing that recreational use of Viagra is growing rapidly in men under 45 years of age. From 1998 to 2002, the use of Viagra in men under forty-five tripled, says the study, which looked at 5 million insured American males. What this study indicates is that Viagra is being used as a recreational drug, not as a drug to treat a medical condition. Thus, it belongs more in the category of pot, crack, heroin, or meth rather than being a medicinal pharmaceutical.

Viagra use causes infertility, says study; statins interfere with sex hormones

The irony is hard to miss: men who take Viagra may be shooting blanks according to new research conducted at Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Viagra, it seems, causes sperm cells to premature release digestive enzymes that normally break down the wall of the egg. As a result, sperm from men who take Viagra can no longer fertilize eggs as effectively.

Impotence drug reduced hormonal stress on heart by 50 percent

Viagra, famous for improving men's sexual function, also appears to reduce the effects of hormonal stress on the heart by 50 percent, claims a report by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.

Public Citizen Wants Stronger Blindness Warning on Erectile Drugs

In a petition filed with the FDA, Public Citizen noted that Viagra accounts for more cases of a type of vision loss called ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) than any other drug (19 percent) and more than double the percentage of the next most often-reported drug. Public Citizen obtained these results by analyzing data from the FDA’s Adverse Event Reports database.

FDA Was Told of Viagra-Blindness Link Months Ago

Viagra And Cialis May Be Linked Increased Risk Of Optic Nerve Damage For Men With Cardiovascular Problems

Viagra and Cialis, the drugs used to treat impotency, may be associated with an increased risk of optic nerve damage in men with a history of heart attack or high blood pressure, suggests a small study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The Advertising Behind Male Enhancement Pills

Ever since Viagra exploded on the market eight years ago, it's been almost impossible to watch television without seeing ads for drugs designed to enhance a man's sexual experience.

Pfizer Using RFID to Fight Fake Viagra

The company is attaching a high-frequency tag to each bottle of the drug, which U.S. pharmacists and wholesalers can use to ensure the product is genuine.

Viagra could reduce men's fertility

Taking Viagra could reduce men's fertility, suggest the results of a new study. The anti-impotence drug not only speeds sperm up, researchers found, but it also caused the vital reaction needed to penetrate an egg to occur prematurely.

The Dangers of Using and Abusing Viagra

Once upon a time, a big American pharmaceutical company named Pfizer accidentally discovered a new treatment for erectile dysfunction -- Viagra, the little blue pill. Originally developed as a treatment for heart disease, its penile erection enhancing effects were noted in clinical trials and Pfizer quickly saw the drug's potential marketability as the first pill for men with trouble getting it up or keeping it up. Patented in 1996 and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for prescription-only sale in 1998, Viagra became a smashing financial success, exceeding annual sales of $1 billion every year since its introduction.

Fake Chinese Viagra tablets among seizures by board

The counterfeit tablets originated in China and after tests were found to be different in size to the genuine product. They also contained varying amounts of the active ingredient normally found in Viagra.

Viagra Saves Wildlife

Viagra has surely had many unintended consequences, but one of the strangest is the help it might bring to vulnerable animal species. Since the drug was introduced in 1998, the trade in some wild animal parts traditionally used in the creation of "impotence cures" has fallen drastically. And two researchers who have studied that trade in Canada and Alaska say they believe the link is no coincidence.

So, what's your Viagra for peaking in the market?

Warren Buffett, John Templeton and other value investing legends built huge fortunes by never overplaying in the stock market.

VIAGRA

Viagra is available since 1996 and is F.D.A approved for usage is U.S.A. It is registered in most of the European countries and is available almost every where including Middle East.

Beyond Viagra

Since the advent and commercial availability of Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra®) in 1998, the market for treatments for erectile dysfunction has grown to become worth about $2 billion worldwide per annum. That is now projected to grow to $4 billion per year by the year 2004 and to an astonishing $6 billion per year by 2006! (1) Results of recent surveys indicate that, on average, 15% of the male population has suffered from erectile dysfunction. As a strong indicator of its age-related increase, more than 50% of men over the age of 60 have varying degrees of erectile dysfunction (ED). So it may not be surprising that it is estimated that ED affects approximately 31 million men in the United States, and as a whole, there may be as many as 300 million men around the world suffering with ED.

The greatest plague of our time is a drastic spiritual impotence that we might say requires a heavy dose of spiritual Viagra.

There seems to be a proliferation of television ads for Viagra, Cialis, and the other mass-market impotence drugs. There are nearly three times as many Google hits for "Viagra" as for "George Bush." Then there is the most frequently deleted spam title from my email box, something about potions that one can order online to restore vitality. I suppose with the market as it is, Bob Dole's crusade against E.D. is moving toward a victorious end. Yet the question remains, what about the vitality of the soul?

Erection pill associated with normalization of relationships

The inability to perform sexually can have a significant negative psychosocial impact on a man's overall health including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. New research shows that safe and effective oral treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) can improve relationships, sexual confidence, and self-esteem in men with ED.

New Insight Into Cause Of Crohn's Disease

UK scientists have found evidence that suggests Crohn's disease is caused by a weak immune response. The researchers, who report their findings in an Article in this week's issue of The Lancet, also suggest that sildenafil (Viagra) might help in the treatment of the disease.

Millions for Viagra, Pennies for Diseases of the Poor

Almost three times as many people, most of them in tropical countries of the Third World, die of preventable, curable diseases as die of AIDS. Malaria, tuberculosis, acute lower-respiratory infections--in 1998, these claimed 6.1 million lives. People died because the drugs to treat those illnesses are nonexistent or are no longer effective. They died because it doesn't pay to keep them alive.

Could Viagra make love blind?

Can you lose your eyesight by taking Viagra? Some doctors have discovered that a small group of men who took the erectile dysfunction (ED) drug developed a condition that causes permanent vision loss.

Italian horses given Viagra boost

Italian police have seized 80 race horses which had been given performance-enhancing drugs, including male potency booster Viagra.

Can Viagra and other lifestyle drugs save lives?

The test for the boys and girls was simple: to cover as much ground as they could in 6 minutes. But these children, ages 5 to 18, had pulmonary hypertension—high blood pressure in their lungs from constricted blood vessels. Such kids "don't have a lot of energy," explains pediatric cardiologist Tilman Humpl. "They can't exercise at all. They may not be able to walk up from the basement to the first floor."

No Viagra for Women

Well, it's been scientifically proven. Men and women truly do go from arousal to desire in two different ways. Even though in laboratory tests, it was always easy to use the same biometrics to measure arousal in men and women. Body temperature rises, blood flows to the penis or vulva -- same process. Measure these biometrics before and during orgasm, and you're even more sure that the same process is going on.

Viagra gives wildlife a boost

The success of the anti-impotence drug Viagra has drastically reduced the demand for wild animal body parts used in traditional cures for impotence, a new analysis shows.

Pfizer to tag Viagra with RFID to control fakes

In an effort to prevent counterfeiting, Pfizer said it has started to ship Viagra bottles in the U.S. that feature radio chips under the labels. Pharmacists with the proper equipment can read the chip and check the electronic product code stored on it in order to ensure that the product is genuine.

Viagra may Restore Brain Damage due to Liver Failure

Scientists through the ages have been trying to solve the baffling puzzle behind liver failure leading to brain damage. But a new research using Viagra has come up with certain revelations that can uncover the whole mystery. Scientists used laboratory rats to come up with this interesting medical discovery.

The Latest Treatments For Erectile Dysfunction

Viagra's the top party pill now

The drug intended to reclaim sex for the over 60s is now the number one party pill for the under 30s. Viagra has become popular with partygoers, who combine it with other drugs to ensure they have a good night at the end of the night.

Levitra: New Impotence Drug Christened

Sept. 23, 2002 -- The long-awaited competitor to Viagra -- christened Levitra today -- inches its way to final FDA approval. Two early studies suggest it's longer lasting, has fewer side effects, and is safe for virtually everyone, including those with heart problems. Similar drugs approved in this class of medication carry warnings for men with heart disease.

Zenegra Generic Viagra - an Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

Viagra is the brand name of Pfizer pharmaceutical company and Zenegra is also the brand name that we have for generic Viagra (sildenafil citrate). The active ingredients are the same in both Zenegra Generic Viagra and Viagra therefore Zenegra generic Viagra works the same way as Viagra.

It is Okay to Talk About Viagra

There are a lot of men out there who need help with a very personal problem, but they are afraid to do anything about it. This is because the topic of erectile dysfunction is about as terrifying to face as an appointment with a divorce lawyer, so they try to avoid it altogether. Unfortunately, erectile dysfunction affects not only men, but it also affects their spouses as well, so this makes it impossible to avoid indefinitely. Sooner or later the topic of sex (or lack thereof) will come up at the dinner table, and then they must face the problem head on. That is usually when the name Viagra enters the conversation, and they better be ready to make an informed decision on whether or not to use it.

Viagra Overtakes Impotence in a Flash

Impotence or erectile dysfunction in men is a condition signifying his inability to perform a sexual act. The term impotence may also be used to describe other sexual problems such as lack of sexual desire, premature ejaculation or orgasm. Using the term erectile dysfunction makes it clear that those other problems are not involved. Erectile dysfunction (E.D) is related to the hardening of penile arteries which restricts the flow of blood to the penis thus making it unable to achieve or maintain an erection.

The Other Side of Viagra: Turn Off for Some Women?

Millions of men have been able to enjoy sex again thanks to the famous little blue pill, Viagra. For years it was assumed that a man's rejuvenated sex life would be happily shared by his partner. But in a series of recent studies, researchers are noticing that the passionate romance with anti-impotence drugs does not always cut both ways.

Cross-Gender Sex Pill

Irwin Goldstein could hardly wait for the FDA to approve Viagra. The renowned Boston University urologist is so excited about last week's approval of the first-ever impotence pill for men that he is opening a new sexual-dysfunction clinic, and will soon begin prescribing the drug--for women.

Talking Points: Viagra's real benefit, scalping art, and how to best exploit a tragedy

Even businesses that want to comply with the [federal antitrust] law often have no idea what is acceptable. Companies are sometimes accused of charging "too much" for their products, for instance, since this is assumed to be evidence of monopoly power. Yet companies that charge the same as their competitors are assumed to be colluding and price-fixing. Charging "too little" is also a no-no, however, since this behavior can be construed as predatory pricing. Needless to say, this does not leave a company many options.

'Viagra 'reduces heart stress''

Viagra has been shown to be effective in inhibiting the effects on the heart of a drug which mimics the symptoms of stress, reported seven newspapers (25 October 2005). The reports were based on the results of a trial conducted in healthy volunteers, therefore research is needed in people suffering from cardiac disorders.

Viagra for the Brain

Biotech firms are tantalizingly close to unraveling the mysteries of memory. On the way are drugs to help fading minds remember and let haunted ones forget.

Viagra can cause permanent vision loss in some men, University of Minnesota Researchers say

Ophthalmologists at the University of Minnesota say that a condition that causes permanent vision loss has been diagnosed in a small group of men who have taken the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. The condition, nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), described as "stroke of the eye," occurs when blood flow is cut off to the optic nerve, which injures the nerve and results in permanent vision loss. These cases were published in the March 2005 issue of the Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology.

Viagra And Cialis May Be Linked Increased Risk Of Optic Nerve Damage For Men With Cardiovascular Problems

New 'sex pills' may put heat on Viagra

Viagra, the little blue pill that has dominated the male impotence market in the United States since its launch in 1998, will be getting some competition soon.

Giants to tackle Viagra spam ring

Software giant Microsoft and the world's biggest drug company Pfizer are getting into bed together to combat an internet Viagra spam ring.

Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra?

So you have decided that you are going to buy a PDE-5 inhibitor to treat your erectile dysfunction problem, but you are not sure which one would be right for you. The three that you have to choose from are Viagra (sildenafil, Pfizer), Cialis (tadalafil, Lilly/ICOS) and Levitra (vardinafil, Bayer). These three drugs are the only drugs approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction. All three work in the same way to preserve high levels of the substance cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) that is produced when a man is sexually aroused.

Generic Viagra: Vital Key in Relationships

Life without sex might be safer but it would be unbearably dull. It is the sex instinct which makes women seem beautiful, which they are once in a blue moon, and men seem wise and brave, which they never are at all. Throttle it, denaturalize it, take it away, and human existence would be reduced to the prosaic, laborious, boresome, imbecile level of life in an anthill. - Henry Louis Mencken

Viagra: A Tale of Two Pills

Ever since the FDA's April approval of Viagra, the little blue pill giving insurance companies a headache, the media have been infatuated with male impotence and its potential cure. U.S. pharmacists dispensed more than 215,000 Viagra prescriptions within the first four weeks of availability, sending manufacturer Pfizer Inc.'s stocks soaring and journalists buzzing. Everyone from porn magazine editors to former presidential hopefuls have expounded upon the supposed sociocultural impact of a wonderdrug clinically proven to, shall we say, make man's best friend stand up and salute the flag.

The Viagra Myth

It was quite exciting at the time, but afterwards I felt a vague sense of dissatisfaction. Perhaps I was expecting too much from a big, shiny hardback, but The Viagra Myth by Abraham Morgentaler didn't quite match up to my expectations.

Microsoft and Pfizer After Viagra Spammers

Pfizer (Quote, Chart) and Microsoft (Quote, Chart) have filed parallel lawsuits against two international pharmacy rings hawking generic versions of the pharmaceutical giant's erectile dysfunction drug Viagra.