We?ve all had one of those weeks: the
washing machine overflows, the dog forgets his housetraining and the toddler
her toilet training, the boss is going through a divorce and making everyone
miserable. And you feel like you just don?t know how to handle it
all. Anxiety is, unfortunately, an inevitable part of modern life. But when
anxiety prevents you from engaging in day-to-day activity or trying anything
new, it may be time to see your doctor for anti-anxiety help. What causes
anxiety? Anxiety is the feeling caused by the release of stress hormones and
brain chemicals which help us fight for our lives or flee from danger. In
our evolutionary past, bursts of stress hormones may have helped give us a
boost when running away from large animals with big teeth! And believe it or
not, in the right situation, these hormones can be a big help in day-to-day
activities. Mild tension before giving a presentation can help you do your
best. A burst of brain chemicals can help speed your reaction time when you
see a pedestrian dashing in front of your car and can save
someone?s life! When anxiety becomes a constant companion in our
lives, we may start having symptoms of anxiety when we think about anything
- work, marriage, children, even going to the grocery store. The symptoms
include muscle tension, sweating, nausea or ?butterflies,?
clammy hands, difficulty swallowing, jumpiness, stomach distress. If these
symptoms have become part of your everyday life, it may be time to talk with
your doctor about an anti-anxiety medication like BuSpar. But I?d
rather be anxious than spacey! You may remember the days where anxiety was
treated with heavy-duty drugs that could tranquilize a bad-tempered
elephant! But as scientists have learned more about the biology of anxiety,
anxiety management has become more sophisticated, helping your mood without
making you a zombie. You won?t turn into a Stepford wife. Instead,
you?ll go back to reacting the way you used to, both to happy
events and anxiety-provoking situations. BuSpar works gently by affecting
your feelings over the course of a few weeks. Most people begin getting
relief over that time period and can start getting back to living their
lives. While you don?t have to worry about walking around in a
haze, many people do feel some dizziness or drowsiness when they are first
getting used to BuSpar. You may want to avoid driving or operating heavy
machinery until your body has adjusted to the medication. Sounds great!
Let?s head to the drug store! Well, not just yet. BuSpar is a
prescription drug, and you?ll want to check a few things out with
your doctor before she gives you a prescription. If you?re taking
monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (a kind of anti- depressant) or certain
other drugs, have ever had an allergic reaction to mood-altering drugs, or
have severe kidney or liver damage, this may not be the right drug for you.
Lastly, alcohol can have a major impact on how your body responds to BuSpar,
so you may want to skip the champagne in favor of a pancake brunch when
celebrating your anxiety-free life![original]

Remember the last time you stubbed your toe? OUCH!
It?s painful. But a stubbed toe usually doesn?t send us
running to the medicine cabinet, since we know that the pain will pass
within a few minutes. But for more serious ?acute? pain
(pain that?s severe and constant for a couple of days), waiting it
out may not be an option. For some acute pain, we might even make things
worse: for example, if you hold a painful joint at an awkward angle to
relieve the pain, you might end up with a muscle strain. So what are our
options? Sometimes simple over the counter medications may do the trick. But
for when they don?t, a prescription medication may be the best bet.
UltraCET: Two Tough Drugs in one Small Pill For acute pain from sprains,
muscle strains, surgery, or dental work, or for arthritis flare-ups,
UltraCET is a terrific option. UltraCET is like any heroic dynamic duo
(think Batman and Robin, or Xena and Gabrielle): One drug has the
high-profile effect, but the other has an equally important, though less
noticeable set of activities. The ?ultra? part of UltraCET
is tramadol, the generic name for Ultram. Tramadol?s effect on your
body is similar to the effect of narcotics (drugs like opium and heroin
which are illegal, and codeine and morphine, which aren?t).
Tramadol is just as good as narcotics in relieving pain but because unlike
narcotics, it doesn?t affect your breathing or have other
side-effects which stop us from regularly using medical narcotics. The
?CET? part of UltraCET is probably familiar to you in its
day-to-day formulation; you might even have it in your medicine cabinet!
It?s acetaminophen, the same drug that?s in Tylenol. The
two drugs work together (in ?synergy?) to control pain.
Acetaminophen helps ?increase your threshold to pain.?
That?s a fancy way of saying that mild pain signals from your body
don?t even make it up to your brain so they don?t
register. The bigger pain signals do make it to your brain, but
that?s where tramadol kicks in - stopping the pain signals while
they?re working their way through your brain. It?s just
like Robin capturing the villain?s henchmen while Batman tackles
the mastermind villain! This Sounds Like The Perfect Rescue! If
you?ve just been seen by a doctor (a surgeon, or a dentist), she
may well have already prescribed UltraCET for you. If you haven?t,
but you?ve got a sprain or regular arthritis flares, you should
talk with your doctor about a prescription for this drug. Like anything
powerful, though, you need to use it at the right time for the right reasons
(letting Xena show off her acrobatic skills in a china shop is not a
terrific idea!). The most important thing about taking UltraCET is to
remember that it?s for short term use only! Most doctors will
suggest using it for up to five days only because you can otherwise become
dependent on (addicted to) it. Stopping the drug after taking it a long time
can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, so never take more than the doctor
prescribes. Your doctor will also ask you about other drugs that
you?re taking. Tylenol, some antidepressants, and some seizure
medications don?t mix with UltraCET. Neither does drinking, so you
might wait to celebrate until after your sprain has healed! Once these
issues are resolved, your doctor can send you home with a prescription for
UltraCET. It?ll help you get through the worst of the pain, and
then best of all, it can ride off into the sunset when its job is done,
leaving you to your pain-free life![original]

We all have blue days: We?re missing
someone we?ve lost, the expected promotion didn?t come
through, we?ve exhausted ourselves over the holidays. But when
these feelings continue for a long time and begin to interfere in your life,
you may have an illness that doctors call major depressive disorder (or
depression). Depression is not something you can ?just snap out
of.” It’s caused by an imbalance of chemicals in your brain; just
like diabetes, cancer, or any other serious medical problem, depression
needs treatment for you to be well again. How do I know I?m not
just having a bad day? Symptoms of depression sometimes creep up on their
victim. They may be triggered by a difficult event (like divorce,
childbirth, or job loss) which makes it hard to see where the natural
sadness ends and a depressive event begins. But over time, these symptoms
become distinctive. They include feeling sad or ?flat,?
unexplained changes in eating or sleeping, feelings of hopelessness, guilty
or worthlessness, losing pleasure in things you used to love (whether
that?s your job or flying kites with the kids), and sometimes
thoughts of death or suicide. In the midst of an episode of depression, it
may be hard to see yourself and identify depressive symptoms clearly. A
spouse or close friend may mention that you haven?t seemed like
yourself, or maybe you?ve noticed that you?re just not
functioning like you used to. If so, your doctor is an objective person to
talk with about how you?re feeling and whether you?re
suffering from depression. But I?ve heard that antidepressants are
dangerous! While a few people may have unusual reactions to mood altering
medications, most modern drugs for treating depression are safe and
effective. Wellbutrin, a relatively new antidepressant medication, is one of
these drugs. It works by affecting the chemicals that changed in your brain
to cause depressive feelings. Unlike some other antidepressants,
it?s more likely to make you feel ?alert? rather
than ?mellow.? It also is less likely to cause sexual
side-effects and weight gain than other antidepressants. Talking to your
doctor One of the hardest parts of depression is that you may feel helpless
or exhausted and thus have a hard time getting motivated to see a doctor. If
you can, ask a friend or loved one to help arrange an appointment. When you
see your doctor, she?ll help you sort through your symptoms.
She?ll also check on whether any other medications that
you?re on (like MAO inhibitors or nicotine patches) might interact
with Wellbutrin. If you?ve had a history of seizures, she may also
suggest a different drug. But if Wellbutrin fits with your life and health,
she?ll start you on a prescription, which you can fill at your
local pharmacy or even online! Once you started taking it, it may take a
little time before the effect is apparent (remember, it?s a gentle
antidepressant. If it?s not working after a few weeks, contact your
doctor to talk about a dose adjustment. You should also contact your doctor
if you start experiencing significant side effects, especially if they get
worse over time. These include symptoms of anxiety (like sweating,
difficulty sleeping, and dry mouth) or significant loss of appetite. As
Wellbutrin readjusts your brain chemicals, you should begin to feel more
active and interested in your life. Best of all, you?ll be back to
yourself - with your own natural highs and lows - the person that your
family and friends know and love![original]

While everybody else is wandering around enjoying
the spring weather, are you hiding out in your hermetically-sealed house? Do
you dread the start of poolside parties because your date is going to be a
box of tissues? If so, like so many of us, allergies may be running your
life. Why me? And why allergies? An allergy is caused when your body
releases chemicals to ward off foreign bodies trying to make their way into
your blood stream. These chemicals are also released when you pollen or pet
dander enter your nose and drift onto your eyes - causing those itchy,
runny, congested feelings! And sometimes the cure?s worse than the
disease: many over-the-counter medicines have unpleasant side effects like
dry mouth and drowsiness. You end up like Snow White?s favorite
dwarves are running your life: Sneezy, Grumpy, Sleepy and Dopey! Before you
give the fight up as hopeless, though, maybe it?s time for a quick
visit to Doc! He or she may suggest Nasonex for allergy relief. Why might my
doctor recommend Nasonex? Nasonex is a gentle nasal spray that relieves
allergy symptoms. It gently covers the lining of your nose with a fine mist
of steroids. Unlike steroids that you hear about in the news, these
won?t give you muscles like Governor Schwarzenegger! Instead, it
reduces the release of those allergy chemicals in your nose and stops that
itchy-runny-sneezy cycle before it takes off! Except for people who have
glaucoma or cataracts, Nasonex can be a safe, non-drowsy path to allergy
relief. Some things to know before you start using Nasonex If you feel a
little squeamish about introducing things into your nostrils, don?t
worry. The tip of the applicator won?t hurt your tender nose, and
the spray doesn?t sting, though the sensation may take getting used
to. Most people only need to take it once a day, so a couple of little
?sppffs? with the applicator and you?ll be ready
to go! Your body will start responding to the medication in a little as two
days and - whew! - Your allergy symptoms will start to calm down. You should
get the full effect in one to two weeks, so hang tight as the medication
starts to work! You might have side effects like sore throat, nasal dryness
and headache. If they become as much of a hassle as the allergies, or if you
feel like they?re getting worse, you should check with your doctor
to make sure that your dose is right and this is the best medication for
you. A few rare side effects require immediate attention. Stop the
medication and talk to a doctor immediately if you see blood in your throat
or nasal mucus or you experience an unexplained weight loss. If you find
yourself getting unusually thirsty or urinating more than usual, again,
it?s time to see a doctor as soon as possible. Lastly, if
you?ve been exposed to chicken pox or measles while taking this
medication, talk to your prescribing doctor as soon as possible. The happy
ending For most people, one to two weeks is all the time it takes for
Nasonex to take full effect. You?ll be able to face those garden
parties with a smile, and a strong confidence that you can leave your tissue
behind![original]

We?ve all had garden variety headaches
from time to time. Getting sleep, drinking water, or taking aspirin or
Tylenol lets you squash these ?tension headaches? (as
doctors call them) quickly and easily. But if you suffer from severe or
chronic tension headaches, you know that headaches can take over your work
and family life. A study by the American Headache Society shows that 70% of
chronic headache sufferers have significant problems with daily functioning
because of the headaches. Migraine sufferers have symptoms in addition to
headache; they may spend days each month in a darkened room because the pain
and light-sensitivity are unbearable otherwise. Fioricet: A New Option
Fioricet is one of the drugs that researchers have developed to manage
headaches. It has been found to be effective for tension headaches. While
studies haven?t shown it to be effective for migraine sufferers
overall, some people with migraines seem to find it helpful as well.
Fioricet gets its effect from three different ingredients that attack
different ?parts? of your headache, just like a good
laundry detergent has different ingredients to tackle grease, odors, and
dirt. So how does the dynamic trio work? Fioricet has three parts, two of
which may be old friends: Butalbital Acetominophen Caffeine Butalbital is a
barbiturate; like other barbiturates, it has a relaxing effect. Butalbital
will help you relax and make you feel a bit drowsy, which seems to help with
tension headaches. Acetominophen is a drug that you may recognize as the
active ingredient in Tylenol. It can help with pain relief especially when
combined with a relaxant. Caffeine gives you the ?buzz?
that you may feel after drinking tea, coffee, or colas, or eating chocolate.
Caffeine helps to reduce blood flow to the brain. Many scientists believe
that ?too much? blood flowing to the brain is part of what
causes chronic tension headaches, so caffeine can reduce that effect.
Fioricet as part of your pain-management system As headache sufferers,
anything that might help get our lives back to normal sounds like a
God-send. But there a couple of questions you should ask yourself before
talking with your doctor about a prescription ? Do I have
migraines? If you don?t know, talk about your symptoms with your
doctor before deciding that Fioricet is a good fit for you. ? Is
operating heavy machinery or doing a lot of driving part of my daily life?
If you take a little too much Fioricet of if you?re very sensitive
to barbiturates, it can create the feelings and behaviors of someone who has
had too much alcohol. Being ?drunk? is not a good mix with
operating a crane or driving carloads of kids to school, soccer practice,
and the library! ? Do I need a pain-killer at least once a day?
Fioricet can make you dependent on it. Dependence can lead to
?rebound headaches? (headaches as the drug leaves your
system) and even more serious health consequences. Your doctor might suggest
using Fioricet as a ?back-up? medication - to use it for
the days where your regular medication doesn?t work. And if
you?ve previous experienced dependence on another drug (including
alcohol), this medication is not for you. I?ve Thought It Over, So
What?s My Next Step? Take the prescription to your local pharmacy
or on-line drug store so it?s ready for your use at the sign of the
first stubborn headache. Discussing any problems or side effects like
dizziness or drowsiness with your doctor will help you manage this drug and
can make it part of your plan for a pain- free life![original]

Step One: The Big Decision One of the most
frustrating things about deciding to quit smoking can be people?s
reactions: ?Well, it?s about time!? or
?It was a filthy habit, why didn?t you quit
sooner?? But as anyone who has been using nicotine knows,
it?s one of the hardest decisions, and one of the most difficult
tasks, many people face. For many of us, smoking isn?t just a
physical addiction: we may associate smoking with our first cup of coffee in
Paris or favorite college bar. It may help you relieve stress or even remind
you of a fondly loved parent or grandparent, now gone. So before creating a
plan to stop smoking, stop and CONGRATULATE yourself on making a tough
decision that will lead to a healthier life both for you and your family.
Step Two: Consider Zyban There are many things that you can do to prepare
yourself for quitting, including taking medication. Some people use nicotine
patches or gum. Keep in mind, though, these substitute one form of nicotine
for another. While they do stop you from smoking, they don?t help
you get over a dependence to nicotine. When you stop using the patches or
gum, you may find that you miss the nicotine and need to go back to smoking.
Think instead about asking your doctor to prescribe Zyban for you. Zyban has
a chemical found in an antidepressant (Wellbutrin), but Zyban works to
change your brain chemistry easier to quit smoking (pretty neat huh?). As
long as you?re not on Wellbutrin (or other medications) or have a
seizure disorder, a Zyban prescription can be the start of your trip to
Smoke-Free Living. Step 3: Planning Ahead It takes Zyban a week to ten days
to start working, so once you start the medication, pick a quit date about
two weeks later. In the meantime, you may keep smoking, if you wish. By the
time you?ve reached your official quit date, Zyban will be ready to
help you adjust to not smoking. During that week, do a little more planning
ahead of time. There are times during the quitting process that
you?ll probably ?miss? having a cigarette in your
hands, so make a list of things you like to do with your hands that you can
do instead of smoking. Want to get back to knitting? Maybe you can get rid
of some one-time projects on your to-do list: cleaning the car out or create
that vacation photo-album or family webpage. Make a list of the things that
motivated you to quit and write it down. Are you worried about your health?
Maybe you?re thinking about starting dating: being a non- smoker
might open up the places you go to meet people. For some people, saving
money is a motivator; the amount you spend on cigarettes could buy you golf
clubs or a new dress! This list can be a helpful reminder when you feel
cravings coming on. Step 4: The Early Days of Smoke-Free While Zyban will
make it easier to keep from reaching for a cigarette, having distractions in
place will help you get through periods of craving. Keep in mind that
cravings only last a few minutes and you?re tough - you can handle
anything for a few minutes! Use deep breathing or a quick walk around the
block to ease your tension until the craving passes. You should also keep an
eye out for side-effects of Zyban; common ones are dry-mouth and trouble
sleeping, but if you notice other effects (including symptoms of allergy)
contact your doctor right away. Step 5: The Non-Smoking You People may stay
on Zyban anywhere from 7 to 26 weeks, though 7 to 12 weeks is most common.
At that point, you are ready to move onto your smoke-free and Zyban-free
life![original]

When Aspirin Isn?t Enough It?s
surprising how clearly we can recall getting hurt. Years later, we can
recount our first fall from a too-tempting tree, a bee-sting, the birth of a
child. We can even tell humorous stories about those events because the pain
was transient ? it passed. But many illnesses and conditions can
make pain a daily visitor, interfering with our jobs, family lives, even
sleep. Even ancient people tried to relieve the devastation of chronic pain
using surgeries and medicinal herbs. By the 1800s, people started using
narcotics (drugs like opium) to reduce pain. Even the narcotic heroin was
originally developed as a pain medication! But many narcotics were found to
be addictive, to interfere with digestion and mood, and even to slow or stop
breathing! Fortunately for us, modern research has uncovered safer
pain-relief drugs for chronic conditions. One of these drugs is Ultram (the
generic drug Ultram contains is called tramadol). Ultram?s effect
on your body is similar to the effect of narcotics and is as effective in
relieving pain. But since it isn?t a narcotic, it doesn?t
have as many of the side-effects which have made medical narcotic use so
dangerous. The Wonder Woman of Pain Control? Ultram can help manage pain
from many sources, just like comic-book superheroes can foil thieves,
kidnappers, and polluters! Ultram can reduce pain from cancer, spinal
problems (kyphosis, scoliosis), arthritis ?even surgery !. Some
physicians report using it to help people with severe, chronic headaches and
endometriosis. The Dark Side of Ultram While Ultram is not a narcotic, both
physicians and patients have reported cases of dependence on it. Signs of
dependence (addiction) include getting tolerant to the dose (not getting the
effect you used to from one pill), a continuing feeling that the dose needs
to be increased, and withdrawal symptoms (sleeplessness, jitteriness, mood
disorders) if you stop taking the drug. Checking in with your physician
regularly while on this medication helps both of you notice any symptoms of
addiction so you can stop any problems before they start! The other effects
of Ultram tend to be mild and transient. You might notice dizziness,
drowsiness, stomach or intestinal distress (usually constipation). People
taking Ultram are discouraged from driving ? driving under
it?s influence is a bit like driving after having a few drinks.
Ultram requires a prescription, so while you?re talking with your
doctor about using it, schedule a regular time to discuss any side-effects
or difficulties you experience while on this medication. Control the
Medication - Don?t Let It Control You How can you benefit from this
drug while minimizing its risks? First, when deciding whether to start on
Ultram, be candid with your physician about any dependence issues with
alcohol or other drugs you?ve had. People who have struggled with
other addictions may be more susceptible to Ultram dependence. Remember -
your physician is on your side and telling her about your history will help
her tailor pain medications to your needs! Second, be aware that Ultram is
pretty powerful stuff and treat it with respect! Any change in dose should
be discussed with your doctor; mild drowsiness at one dose can become a
deadly blackout in another. Never ?lend? this drug to a
friend, even if he?s in great pain ? what works for you
could be fatal for him. Thirdly, make sure that you tell your physician
about other drugs you?re taking: many drugs (including alcohol and
over- the-counter medications) can enhance the effect of Ultram, making it
act like you?re taking a much bigger dose. These sound like dire
warnings, but remember: by working with your physician, this drug can be a
powerful tool to help you reach the active, pain-free life you were meant to
have.[original]