Tag Archives: drugs

Home Medical Errors on the Rise

A research study from the University of California at San Diego found that the number of deaths resulting from medication mistakes at home has risen sharply over the last twenty years. Researchers looked at nearly fifty million American death certificates from the last twenty-five years. They found some interesting trends: Nearly a quarter of a million deaths were caused by medication errors, including overdoses, drug interactions, and mixing prescription drugs with alcohol or recreational drugs. There were 1132 deaths from medication mistakes at home in 1983. Compare that to more than twelve thousand deaths from medication mistakes in 2004 and … Continue reading →

Baby’s Smile Acts Like a Drug

The miracle of a baby’s smile, how it just instantly melts your heart and makes the sleep deprivation and the stress all worth while, is a powerful thing. Now, researchers have concluded, a baby’s smile not only warms the heart but it affects the brain, and it does so much the same way that a drug might. The smile of an infant sends a trigger to the mother’s brain in the reward center. This is the same area that is considered the pleasure center and responds to the high of alcohol or drugs. A baby’s smile sets off a response … Continue reading →

Happy 4/20: Drugs at Home?

Here is one holiday that we won’t be celebrating in our home. Apparently, today is a day that many people the world over are celebrating the recreational use of pot, sharing recipes and techniques in person and through the Internet. How do I know this? Not because I am part of any subculture or anything. In fact, the drugs I am on consist of just three: A pre-natal vitamin, an over-the-counter allergy medicine (for the next few weeks), and chocolate. I know this because I bumped into an acquaintance, one of those friend of a friend folks whom I have … Continue reading →

Adderall: Return to Valley of the Dolls

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The reference to the 1967 movie based upon the book by Jacqueline Susann is quite appropriate here. According to the Internet Movie Database: “In the Valley of the Dolls, it’s instant turn-on… dolls to put you to sleep at night, kick you awake in the morning, make life seem great – instant love, instant excitement, ultimate hell!” The story is about three young women just getting started in careers in show business. The “dolls” are pills. Sadly, we’re seeing more and more of Hollywood self-medicating these days. Take, for example, the sad case of Heath Ledger who received prescriptions from … Continue reading →

Protect Yourself Against Drug Interactions

With all the drugs (both prescription and over the counter) people take these days, it can be hard to keep track of what you’re taking and what you shouldn’t be taking. The following tips can help you protect yourself against potentially dangerous drug interactions. Be sure to tell your doctor EVERY medication you are taking. That includes prescription medicine, over the counter medicine, vitamins, herbal remedies, and other supplements. Ask your doctor if your new prescription is safe with all the medications you already take. Don’t just assume that it is! Doctors are humans, and humans make mistakes. Try to … Continue reading →

Adult Drugs in Childrens’ Bodies

Medicines that work well for adults may not be safe or effective for children or teens. It may not be safe to assume that your doctor is prescribing a drug that has been tested and declared safe for your child. Here are some questions you can ask to help make sure your child is getting the right medications. Why are you prescribing this drug? Some doctors think parents expect to go home with drugs every time. Studies have shown that sometimes drugs just aren’t needed. Ear infections, for example, often go away just as quickly without antibiotics! Will a “wait … Continue reading →

Do You Support Zero Tolerance?

Many schools have adopted zero tolerance rules. Zero tolerance means that no exceptions are allowed and all cases are treated with the same seriousness. Since zero tolerance rules were placed, there have been many discussions and controversies over whether or not the rule is fair. Most zero tolerance rules deal with violence and drugs. Deciding if zero tolerance is a good policy or a bad policy is a hard decision. While most of us think that there should be no exceptions for violence or drugs at school, there are some unique cases to consider. When most people think of drugs … Continue reading →

The Right Foods Can Counteract Drug Side Effects

At some point in your life, you’ll most likely be taking a prescription medicine. Maybe it’ll be short term; maybe it’ll be long term. Some long term prescriptions can deplete essential nutrients from your body, but a few small dietary changes can help. Statins — drugs that can help lower cholesterol — can deplete levels of coenzyme Q10. This can leave you with sore muscles, elevated liver enzymes, and feelings of fatigue. Adding more lean meat, chicken, and fish to your diet can help boost levels of coenzyme Q10. Medications for high blood pressure, like vasodilators or beta-blockers can deplete … Continue reading →

Call Me the Jinxster – Lohan Arrested Again

The other day, I wrote in my blog that maybe Lindsay Lohan was turning over a new leaf. She voluntarily stayed longer in rehab than she had to, she was seen drinking only Red Bull and water at her 21st birthday celebration, she had surrendered herself to authorities to face drunken driving charges from May, and I read that she even was voluntarily wearing the ankle bracelet that would test her sweat for alcohol. It all sounds good, doesn’t it? Yeah, until today’s new that she was arrested again. Just five days after surrendering herself to the May drunk driving … Continue reading →

Warning To Parents: Marijuana Flavored Candy

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I ran across an old article from 2005 about a new marijuana flavored candy. When I read the article I wondered what kind of responsible adult would not only come up with this stupid idea, but actually bring the product to market. Yes, a candy that has the taste of an illegal and addictive drug. I hoped that the product had quickly been removed from the market but an Internet search proved otherwise. As late as this past February, attempts were being made to remove the drug from stores. At that time a bill in Georgia had won approval from … Continue reading →