FitSugar

Get in Gear: Pill Fob

FitSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

If you take daily vitamins or pills such as allergy medicine, or like to carry around Tylenol or ibuprofen, you'll definitely find this useful.

The Pill Fob is a mini holder for your pills. It's great if your are traveling, camping, on a day trip, or just need to carry around a few pills in your purse, but don't want to carry around a huge container.

The Pill Fob comes in a few different sizes, depending on what size pills you are carrying around. The Pill Fob Original ($17.95) hold 7 aspirin-sized pills. The Pill Fob Magnum ($19.95) holds larger size pills like vitamins or capsule-type pills. The Pill Fob Mini ($16.95) is a shortened version of the Original, and is great for carrying around smaller pills.

These keychains are airtight, watertight, and made in the USA out of Medical Grade Stainless Steel. Plus you know how I love things that multi-task!!!

Fit's Tips: Use your imagination and think about what else could go inside these holders - mints, emergency cash or traveler's checks. What a great little invention that could help you out in a pinch!

Want to see all the sizes? Then read more

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Reduce Your Flow

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 11:57:08 -0800

The commercial for Seasonale, a birth control pill, raves about getting only 4 periods a year. So what's the deal? Is that safe?

Birth control pills can either be monophasic, where you get the same amount of hormones each day, or triphasic, where you get a different amount of hormones over 3 weeks.

Seasonale and other monophasic pills allow you to take them in any sequence you want. Each pill pack contains a 3 month supply, and each 4 week supply contains 3 weeks of hormones and one week of sugar pills. So if you want, you can get your period every month by taking the sugar pills after taking 3 weeks of hormones. Or you can get it every 3 months by taking all the hormone pills for 9 weeks and then one week of sugar pills, thus keeping Aunt Flo at bay for over 2 months.

When you're on any birth control pill, when you get your period, it isn't a real period, because you're not actually releasing an egg (the pill stops you from ovulating). It's called a "pill period," and it results as your body's reaction to withdrawing from the hormones. Having this kind of period once a month is just as safe as only having it 4 times a year.

Fit's Tips: Monophasic birth control might be right for you if you suffer from painful periods, excessive bleeding, or unbearable mood swings. Definitely ask your trusted DR about this if you have questions.

Are Occasional Breaks From the Pill Necessary?

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:50:05 -0700

Almost every woman I know has been on the pill at some point in her life, and many of us started when we were under 20 years old. It has many health benefits, such as preventing unwanted pregnancies, decreasing the risk of ovarian cancer, and alleviating PMS symptoms. The one big negative about the pill is that statistics show being on it for longer than 10 years puts you at a higher risk for breast cancer. Women may also be worried that taking hormones for so long may affect their chances of having a baby in the future. So does it make sense to take regular vacations from the pill to give your body some hormone-free time?

To find out if this is a good idea, read more.

While it's common to think that taking occasional breaks from the pill is beneficial for your body, it's actually not necessary. It's a myth that may have started a while back, since the very first birth control pills contained high doses of hormones. Today's pills contain a much lower amount so they're completely safe to take for years at a time. Doctors actually think it's healthier for your body to remain on the pill. The fluctuations in hormones can have a negative effect on your body, both physically and emotionally. Plus, all the symptoms you experienced when you first started the pill such as moodiness, sore breasts, or yeast infections may show up again.

What about your fertility? You may be worried that staying on the pill continuously for many years will make it harder to get pregnant when you decide to start a family. There's no evidence that being on the pill has any effect on a woman's future ability to conceive - it merely prevents pregnancy while a woman is on it. In fact, regularly going on and off the pill may increase your chances of having an unplanned pregnancy since your protection isn't consistent.

Most importantly, if you've been on the pill forever, you'll be happy to know that as soon as you go off it your risk for developing breast cancer begins to go back to normal over time. If you're worried about your risk, or the whole idea of putting hormones in your body doesn't sit well with you, talk to your doctor about hormone-free alternatives such as the ParaGard IUC. A permanent vacation from the pill might be the better option, as opposed to a break.

Myths on the Pill Debunked

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Do you take "the pill?" If so, you're not alone. However, despite the overwhelming number of women on the pill right now, there are still some serious myths floating around out there, giving the pill a very bad rep.

Health.com has taken note and talked to the professionals to finally debunk the most common myths on the pill:

It’s risky to stop your period: Studies show it’s safe to suppress your period using various methods: Seasonale, a pill that limits you to four periods a year; Seasonique, a similar pill that may help fight PMS; or others like Depo-Provera injections that may eliminate your period. “The hormones keep the lining of your uterus thin, so nothing builds up,” says Rebecca Gould, MD, an OB-GYN at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Side effects that usually go away include breakthrough bleeding. Menstrual suppression is great for women with particularly heavy flows, painful cramps, and menstrual migraines.

Does the pill make you fat or give you cancer? To find out, read more

The Pill ups your cancer risks: Actually, the risk of endometrial and ovarian can-cers goes down the longer you’re on the Pill. After one year, endometrial-cancer risk decreases by 50 per-cent, and after just three to six months, ovarian-cancer risk decreases by 40 percent. After 10 years, the risks are 80 percent lower than normal. “The longer you keep the endometrium thin and the ovaries inactive, you are reducing the chance of the inappropriate cell divi-sion that characterizes cancer,” explains Katharine O’Connell, MD, assistant clinical professor of OB-GYN at Columbia University.
The Pill may also lower the risk of colon cancer: What about breast cancer? The research is inconclusive. A recent review of previous studies, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, suggests a tiny elevation in risk among current users, which disappears when you quit. (There’s no debate for women who have-or have had-breast cancer: They should steer clear because the hormones can stimulate some cancerous cells.)
The Pill makes you fat (and frigid): Wrong. Most women link the Pill to weight gain, but only breakthrough bleeding is a proven side effect. (Women often put on pounds after getting the Depo-Provera injection.) As for libido, while some studies show a decreased sex drive, others show an increase-a lower chance of pregnancy can be quite an aphrodisiac.
An IUD ruins your fertility: The Dalkon Shield, pulled from the market in the 1970s, may have contributed to infections that led to infertility. It was also linked to 17 deaths. But not the new and safe IUDs, such as ParaGard and Mirena. Plus, they’re more effective and cheaper than the Pill.

Cons? Pain during insertion (for about 3 minutes you’ll feel a sensation akin to intense menstrual cramps), and cramps and bleeding that can occur for a week afterward. Also, there’s an increased chance of infection during the first 3 weeks, usually because bacteria have been introduced during insertion; this can be easily treated with an anti-biotic, though.

The Sponge is as good as the Pill: Nope. The Sponge, which blocks the cervix and contains a spermicide, leaves much to chance. Its failure rate is 32 percent for women who have delivered a child vaginally (because the cervix is larger after childbirth); for those who haven’t, the failure rate is 16 percent. For better protection, pair it with condoms.
Long-term use of the Pill is a no-no: You may risk getting pregnant if you take a break. “This is how my brother was conceived,” Gould says. There’s no medical reason to stop. It’s possible to get pregnant right away after quitting. Half of women get pregnant within three months-a good reason not to take that break!
Pill side effects last forever: Not at all. The first three months of any new hormonal birth control method brings side effects that eventually go away, Gould says. It’s past month three, and your doctor’s telling you to “gut it out”? Time for a second opinion.
Taking the Pill past age 40 is risky: Not if you’re healthy. You can take it till menopause. But if you’re over 35 and you smoke, or have uncontrolled high blood pressure or long-term or uncontrolled diabetes, your heart disease and stroke risks are elevated, and the Pill raises them. Anyone who fits this profile is fine on a progestin-only “mini-pill” (or Depo-Provera).
It’s OK to take any medicine with the Pill: Wrong. St. John’s Wort, a popular sup-plement used for depression, cuts the Pill’s effectiveness. Researchers think the herb makes your body speed up the metabolization of the Pill, preventing the hormones from doing their job. On the flip side, the Pill may exaggerate antidepressant effects.
The Pill makes migraines worse: The Pill doesn’t aid or aggravate migraine symptoms. But birth control pills may increase stroke risk in women who suffer from migraines with aura (added symptoms like numbness, weakness, hallucinations, or blurred vision). For them, the mini-pill and other estrogen-free hormonal methods are OK.

To read the full article and other fabulous information, visit Health.com.

Wynonna Judd Uses Alli Diet Pills - Should You?

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:30:00 -0800

Wynonna Judd has been struggling with her weight both in and out of the public eye. In 2003, she opened up to Oprah about how her cholesterol levels were putting her at risk for a heart attack, and three years later, she checked into a treatment center for food addiction. Wynonna will be turning 45 in May, and she recently opened up to People magazine about the changes she's making to become more healthy.

Wynonna is planning ahead for meals, cooking more at home, and taking walks with her children. She is also taking Alli over-the-counter diet pills to lose weight, and is even a spokesperson for the diet aid. These pills act as a fat blocker, preventing your body from absorbing a quarter of the fat you consume. To find out more about Alli and see if it's effective at losing weight, read more.

Let me begin with the cautions found directly on the Alli website. It says that Alli can cause:

gas with oily spotting
loose stools
more frequent stools that may be hard to control

It also says that "You may feel an urgent need to go to the bathroom. Until you have a sense of any treatment effects, it's probably a smart idea to wear dark pants, and bring a change of clothes with you to work." Yikes! The website also says that if by dieting alone, you lose 10 pounds, you could lose up to 15 pounds if you diet and take Alli. Is five more pounds really worth it if it puts you at risk for repeatedly soiling your pants? I'd say no on that one. Not only that, but what happens when people use Alli, lose weight, and then go off those pills? They probably gain all the weight back.

If you're trying to lose weight for good, I'd avoid the diet pills. Eat a healthy diet with appropriate portion sizes, and exercise regularly. Not only will you melt away pounds and strengthen your body, but you'll become healthier, reduce your risk for heart problems and cancer, and will no doubt improve your quality and length of life.

In case you were curious, here's a commercial for Alli featuring Wynonna.

Source

Have You Ever Tried Diet Pills?

FitSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

As of last Friday, Hydroxycut diet aids have been voluntarily recalled after a warning from the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA had received 23 reports of "serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplants" after using the supplement.

Hydroxycut pills, drinks, and powders are promoted as weight loss supplements that increase energy while boosting the metabolism. If you are using any Hydroxycut products, the FDA urges you to stop using them.

I am not a fan of diet aids as they represent a "magic pill" approach to weight loss, when I believe that losing weight requires sustainable lifestyle changes. However, we are a society hoping to have our cake and eat it too, and diet pills represent a quick fix. I am wondering . . .

Source

New Birth Control Pill Means NO PERIOD!!!

FitSugar — Mon, 21 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

See ya Aunt Flo. Adios cramps! Sayonara uncontrollable mood swings and chocolate cravings! Hello Lybrel! This new birth control pill, expected to be announced on Tuesday by the FDA, will help women avoid their periods altogether!

Allow me to throw a little background history your way. Before the wonderful invention of birth control, women spent most of their time pregnant or breast feeding, and endured only about 50 periods their entire lives. Now that we have a plethora of birth control options, women get as many as 450 periods! Dealing with your period is just as much fun as going to the gyno, so who wouldn't be excited about a safe and effective way to ditch your monthly period?

Lybrel is kind of like the pill Seasonale, where you take pills for 3 months straight, and then take 7 days of sugar pills (so you get your period). The difference is that Lybrel is taken continuously, with no sugar pill breaks - and that means no period.

Lybrel could change women's lives everywhere, but unfortunately testing has shown that it doesn't work as perfectly as planned. Although 59% of women who tried this new pill ended up with no periods after 6 months (wa-hoo!), 18% dropped out of the study because of annoying spotting and breakthrough bleeding. At this point if you switch to Lybrel, you may be trading in "scheduled bleeding" for "unscheduled bleeding," which many women won't be too psyched about.

For many women, getting no period at all is a brilliant concept. Even though Lybrel may not be the best option just yet, it's still a great first step towards making this happen.

Want to know if not getting your period is safe? Then read more

When a woman is not on the Pill, every month she gets her period to shed the unfertilized egg and the built up lining in her uterus that her body has made to prepare for getting pregnant.

When a woman is on the Pill, since she is not ovulating (producing an egg), the "period" she has is not actually a real period at all. It is a hormone withdrawal bleed, brought on simply from taking a break from the hormones. So whether you are having this fake period once a month, 4 times a year (with Seasonale), or not at all, it doesn't really make a difference since it's not a real menstrual period.

Source

Seriously? An Exercise Pill?

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

The fitness world just got a new prescription. Scientists have developed a pill that helps you burn calories without exercising one bit. So far only mice have benefited from this new exercise pill. It's tricked the rodents' muscles into thinking they've been working out, and their little bodies ended up burning calories without lifting a paw. It's also improved their fitness performance, helping mice run 68 percent longer and 70 percent farther than mice who exercised but didn't receive the drug. That's great news for those mousy couch potatoes who decide to get off their furry tushes and do a few laps around the cage.

Scientists aren't sure how this exercise pill called AICAR would work on the human population, but they're hoping a drug like this could help treat people suffering from obesity, diabetes, or other injuries and conditions that make it difficult to exercise regularly. While that is all well and good, it seems like the majority of people who'll want this magic pill will be able-bodied individuals looking for a way to skip out on their morning jog. Or it may be sought after by fitness fanatics and athletes who want to improve their endurance, or get an edge over their competition.

This pill, as amazing as it sounds, can only help to mimic aerobic activity, but a person will still need to strength train in order to tone their muscles. Also, besides burning calories, I can think of so many other reasons that exercise is necessary. It keeps your heart healthy, boosts your confidence, prevents depression and osteoporosis, and gives you time to yourself - you can't fulfill all that in a pill. So what do you think about this exercise drug? Would you take it?

Source

Are Remote-Controlled Pills in Our Future?

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0800

Yes they are!

Philips, the electronics company, has designed a remote-controlled pill to help solve the problem of faulty time released medications already in use. Basically, it will be a little capsule that has a reservoir inside it (see 144 in the diagram) that holds the medicine. You can control a valve in the capsule with an external remote control, so it releases the medicine when you want to. External factors such as a rise in pollen count, or a rise in a patient's blood pressure will also be able to trigger the medicine's release too. What's more? The pills will also be able to hold several kinds of medications, so you only have to take one pill a day.

Phillips plans that the remote-controlled pills will be inexpensive and disposable, so they won't need to be collected and recycled after each use.

Very cool, but is this sounding a lot like a plot from the movie Innerspace to anyone else?

Source

First Over the Counter Diet Pill Approved by FDA

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 13:00:00 -0800

I have a pretty bad opinion of weight loss pills, I am not convinced there is a magic bullet. Nor am I convinced that diet pills are the answer to losing weight.

The FDA doesn't agree with me and has recently said the fat-blocking weight-loss pill Orlistat (aka Xenical), which has been available by prescription, can be sold in a reduced-strength version over the counter. The new version will be sold as alli (pronounced AL-eye by GlaxoSmithKline) and is the first nonprescription diet pill to be approved by the FDA. Alli is intended for people 18 and older to use along with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise.

Alli will contain half the dose of Xenical prescription capsules and is expected to run $1-$2 a day. The company estimated 5 million to 6 million Americans a year would buy the drug over the counter. The important safety information directly from Myalli.com are as follows:

When using this product:

Take a multivitamin once a day, at bedtime. alli can reduce the absorption of some vitamins.

Follow a well-balanced, reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. Try starting this diet before taking alli capsules.

Alli capsules work by preventing the absorption of some of the fat you eat. The fat passes out of your body so you may have bowel changes.

You may get:
-gas with oily spotting
-loose stools
-more frequent stools that may be hard to control.

In studies, most people lost 5-10 pounds over 6 months.

To these points I say: Scary. Duh. Weird. Gross. That's it?!?!

The FDA also said that people who have had organ transplants should not take OTC Orlistat because of possible drug interactions. In addition, anyone taking blood-thinning medicines or being treated for diabetes or thyroid disease should consult a physician before using Orlistat.

I am seriously outraged that the FDA will approve something that causes anal leakage yet Stevia, the non-caloric herb has yet to gain the FDA's approval.

This is a backwards world we're living in.