FitSugar

How Do You Feel About Taking Antibiotics?

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 04:30:00 -0800

It seems like everyone I know is coming down with a cold, the flu, or some other Winter sickness. Depending on the illness or how long it's been going on, some doctors may prescribe antibiotics to speed up the recovery even when you are dealing with a viral infection rather than a bacterial one. While a course of these powerful pills can help kick your sick to the curb, you may have to deal with annoying side effects such as nausea, stomach pains, diarrhea, or a yeast infection. So tell me . . .

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Antibiotics Causing Tendon Troubles?

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I thought antibiotics were beneficial in fighting infection, but it looks like some antibiotics may be causing some harm as well. The FDA is forcing companies to put a black box warning on certain antibiotics because they've been found to lead to tendinitis and ruptured tendons. Yikes! Flouroquinolone drugs, the potent class of antibiotics which include Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, Proquin, Noroxin, Floxin, and other medications are the drugs in question.

The FDA says that if you are currently taking any of these antibiotics and are suffering from tendon pain or inflammation, you should stop usage and contact your doctor. You want to be able to fight infections, but keep your tendons intact, too.

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Women and Antibiotics

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:30:00 -0800

When battling a bacterial infection, antibiotics seem like a wonder drug. They do have side effects though, and some of those side effects are woman specific. If you are taking antibiotics and are a woman here are a few things you should know about:

Yeast infections are a possible side effect when taking antibiotics, since the antibiotics can disrupt the good bacteria in your system. Taking probiotics may help prevent this itchy side effect of taking antibiotics.
Some antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you are on the pill taking antibiotics, discuss your options with your doctor. It might be a good idea to use a back up form of birth control until you are finished with your course of antibiotics.
If you are pregnant or nursing, certain antibiotics should be avoided, like streptomycin, quinolones and tetracycline, since they all pose risk to the developing fetus.

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Antibiotics for Sinus Infections: Not a Happy Ending

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

To kick off cold and flu season, a new British study found that a placebo works just as well as antibiotics (amoxicillin) in treating sinus infections. That conclusion, at least in my book, is not a happy ending. It seems no matter what treatment the 240 study participants tried – antibiotics, steroid nasal spray, or placebo – their sinus infections cleared up after about two weeks. Antibiotics work on bacterial infections, but the long held belief that green and yellow mucus (gross I know, but a telling symptom of a sinus infection) is not indicative of a bacterial infection, as was once widely believed.

The study concludes that doctors should aim to treat the symptoms, using over the counter pain medication, like ibuprofen, for the throbbing pain (I don't exaggerate – the inflamed sinus can really cause some serious pain) and warm water rinses, like using the good old fashioned neti pot.

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Prevent Swimmer's Ear

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Your ears are pretty remarkable. Their unique design helps to tip water out of your ear canal, so you can usually bathe, shower, swim, and even walk in the rain with no problems. The ear canal is also acidic which prevents against bacterial and fungal infections.

However, if your ear is exposed to excess moisture (like if you're swimming a lot), the water can stay trapped in your ear canal. This skin can then get soggy and break down, diluting the acidity and allowing bacteria or fungi to penetrate through the skin, causing an infection called swimmer's ear.

The weird thing is that you don't have to swim to get swimmer's ear. Anything that causes a break in the skin of your ear canal will cause this infection - that's why cleaning your ear with a cotton swab is NOT recommended - if you damage the skin, you could risk getting swimmer's ear.

What are the symptoms? PAIN! The ear may also feel itchy or full. The outer ear may turn red or get swollen, and the lymph nodes around the ear may become enlarged and tender. There may be discharge - clear at first, but then turn cloudy, yellowish, and pus-like. Hearing, understandably, is affected as well.

Fun stuff, huh? So what do you do if you have swimmer's ear? To find out, read more

If your infection is severe, your doctor will prescribe drops that contain antibiotics for 7-10 days to fight the infection, and steroids to reduce swelling. Oral meds like ibuprofen or aspirin may also be suggested to help reduce the pain.

Fit's Tips: To prevent this painful infection during the summer, as soon as you're done swimming, shake your head to one side and then the other to get excess water out of your ear. OTC drops that contain a dilute solution of acetic acid or alcohol can also help dry up your ear canal. If you or your child is prone to swimmer's ear, wearing ear plugs may also be a good option.

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Nellie's Nest Eggs

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 11:45:00 -0700

The other morning I went to the grocery to pick up some eggs to hard boil so I could decorate them with my girls, and they were out of Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs.

I freaked for half a second, but then noticed another brand right next to them. I picked up a 6-pack of Nellie's Nest Eggs and read the label. Just like my other favorite eggs, Nellie's are also Certified Organic and Certified Humane.

Nellie's Nest Eggs are also Cage Free. Their eggs come from hens that are kept in spacious chicken coops, where they can roam, scratch, perch, and nest as they please. Their hens are fed all natural vegetarian grain with no animal by-products, hormones, or antibiotics.

I was so psyched to find another egg company I could trust and feel happy to support.

Eggs are nutritious, providing 6 grams of protein per egg. One egg also contains approximately 200 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids which are known to have health benefits such as prevention of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Fit's Tips: The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 300 mg of cholesterol a day . One of Nellie's Nest Eggs contains about 215 mg, so it's OK to eat an egg a day for breakfast, as long as you aren't eating it with cholesterol-loaded bacon and sausage too.

Antibiotic/Anti-inflammatory combinations (Into the ear)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:02:03 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Treats infections of the ear canal, minor swelling of the ear, and other ear problems.

Brand Name(s)

Ciprodex, Cipro Hc, Cortisporin-TC, Cort-Biotic, Antibiotic Otic, Cortisporin, Cortomycin, Oticot Hc, Acetasol HC, Acetasol Hc, Pediotic, Cipro HC, Coly-Mycin S Otic, Cortisporin TC, Coly-Mycin S

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotic medicines or to steroids such as cortisone, hydrocortisone, or prednisone.

How to Use This Medicine

Liquid, Drop

Your doctor will tell you how much to use and how often.
Wash your hands.
Warm the drops by holding the bottle in your hands for a few minutes.
Shake the suspension well before using.
Never touch the dropper to your ear or anything else.
Lie down or tilt your head to the side.
Drop the prescribed number of drops into the ear.
Keep the ear tilted up for a few minutes or insert a cotton plug into the ear.
Wash your hands again so as not to spread the infection.

If a dose is missed:

Use as soon as possible except when it is close to the time for your next dose.
If almost time for next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule.
You should not use two doses at the same time.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature and away from direct light.
Do not freeze.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have a history of ear problems or a perforated ear drum.
If you have herpes simplex or chicken pox, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
If your symptoms do not get better in one week or become worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Skin rash, redness, swelling or intense itching that develops after you start using this medicine.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Stinging or burning of the ear

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_4760

Food News: Restriction on Antibiotic Use in Livestock

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:00:22 -0700

After reading Michael Pollan's books - especially The Omnivore's Dilemma - and watching the new film Food Inc., I was pleased to read the news that the Obama administration is looking to restrict the use of antibiotics in livestock.

The principal deputy commissioner of food and drugs testified that feeding antibiotics to livestock to encourage rapid growth must stop, and that farmers should only be able to use the drugs with the supervision of a veterinarian. The reason behind this recommendation is that the rampant use of antibiotics has strongly influenced the development of bacteria immune to many treatments, rendering common antibiotics useless in fighting infections. This point of view has long been accepted by the medical community. According to estimates by the Union of Concerned Scientists, chickens, pigs, and cattle receive 70 percent of antibiotics used in the United States. While the American Medical Association backs the proposed restriction, it is no surprise that meat producers are opposed to it.

Antibiotic combinations (Into the eye)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:02:02 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Treats eye infections and swelling. Contains an antibiotic medicine and may sometimes contain a corticosteroid.

Brand Name(s)

Neosporin, Neocidin, Polytrim, Terramycin w/Polymyxin B Sulfate, AK-Poly-Bac, Polysporin, Polycin-B, AK-Spore

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to certain antibiotics. Make sure your doctor knows about all medicines you are allergic to, especially polymyxin B, gramicidin, neomycin, bacitracin, oxytertracycline, Neosporin®, Neocidin®, or Polysporin®.

How to Use This Medicine

Ointment, Liquid, Drop

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. This medicine is not for long-term use.
Wash your hands before and after using the medicine.
Shake the eye drops well just before each use.
Lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.
To use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.
To use the ointment:Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine or drops in your eyes.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney problems.
If your condition does not get better, or gets worse, while you are using this medicine, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Severe eye itching, swelling, or redness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Watery eyes
Eye irritiation when the drops are put in

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_4759

Bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin B (On the skin)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:50:31 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Bacitracin (bas-i-TRAY-sin), Neomycin (nee-oh-MEY-sin), Polymyxin B Sulfate (pol-i-MIX-in B SUL-fate)

Prevents infections caused by minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.

Brand Name(s)

Neosporin Neo To Go, Neosporin, Good Sense Triple Antibiotic, Ultra Mide 25, Triple Antibiotic, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Neoporacin

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to bacitracin, neomycin, or polymyxin B.

How to Use This Medicine

Ointment, Cream

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
FOR USE ON THE SKIN ONLY. Do not use this medicine in or around your eyes or over large areas of your body. This medicine should not be used in your ears if your eardrum is perforated (torn).
Clean the wound and apply a small amount of ointment or cream. You may cover the wound with a bandage after putting on the medicine.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

For more serious wounds such as puncture wounds, animal bites, or severe burns, you should call your doctor before using this medicine.
You should not use this medicine for more than 7 days, unless your doctor has told you to. If your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse, stop using this medicine and call your doctor.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Rash, hives, swelling, or itching that was not there before you started the medicine.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Minor skin tingling after putting on the medicine

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_0399