The function of the kidney is to filters out waste products from blood stream. Normally 200 litres of water are filtered through the kidney daily and only about 2 liters are passed as urine.
Usually, there are two kidneys in each one of us. They are bean shaped and weigh about 150gms and are 12 cm x 5 cms in size. They are located in the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. Each kidney is made up of small, complex units called nephrons. The two kidneys contain about two million nephrons. The nephrons work continuously to filter out waste products from the blood stream, all of which come from the food that one eats and the fluid that one drinks. The kidney also regulates the concentration of most of the constituents of body fluids.
They also retain certain substances that are needed by the body. In addition, the kidneys stimulate the body to produce red blood cells, regulate blood pressure, keep bones healthy by converting inactive Vitamin D to its active form and maintain the water and pH (acidity / alkalinity) balance of the body.
Custom Search
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Breaking News - FDA Orders to Halt Marketing of Eye Solution, Ointment
The US Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday warned pharmaceutical laboratories to stop marketing two unapproved products that have been linked to serious health problems.
The first is an eye solution used to irrigate the eyes during and following cataract surgery, and the second is an ointment to treat sores and ulcers containing papain, which is not FDA approved.
"These unapproved products have put consumers health in jeopardy, from reports of permanent vision loss with unapproved balanced salt solutions to a serious drop in blood pressure and increased heart rate from the topical papain products," said Janet Woodcock, the FDA's director for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
"Consumers need to be assured that all drug products are manufactured according to the high quality standards required for FDA approval and that they are safe and effective."
The FDA asked doctors to prescribe only ophthalmic balanced salt solutions (BSS) which are FDA-approved and produced by Alcon or Akorn.
Out of the some 3.2 million bottles of BSS solution sold in the United States since 2007, just one percent were approved by the FDA.
The FDA recommended that doctors refrain from prescribing any topical drug ointments containing the enzyme papain.
The agency also warned that companies must stop manufacturing and marketing these products by November 24, or face penalty such as injunction or seizure.
Source-AFP
SRM
The first is an eye solution used to irrigate the eyes during and following cataract surgery, and the second is an ointment to treat sores and ulcers containing papain, which is not FDA approved.
"These unapproved products have put consumers health in jeopardy, from reports of permanent vision loss with unapproved balanced salt solutions to a serious drop in blood pressure and increased heart rate from the topical papain products," said Janet Woodcock, the FDA's director for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
"Consumers need to be assured that all drug products are manufactured according to the high quality standards required for FDA approval and that they are safe and effective."
The FDA asked doctors to prescribe only ophthalmic balanced salt solutions (BSS) which are FDA-approved and produced by Alcon or Akorn.
Out of the some 3.2 million bottles of BSS solution sold in the United States since 2007, just one percent were approved by the FDA.
The FDA recommended that doctors refrain from prescribing any topical drug ointments containing the enzyme papain.
The agency also warned that companies must stop manufacturing and marketing these products by November 24, or face penalty such as injunction or seizure.
Source-AFP
SRM
Propoxyphene - Medicine Details
Generic Name : Propoxyphene
Pronunciation : (proe pox' i feen)
Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Propoxyphene is used to relieve mild to moderate pain.
When it is to be taken : This medication is usually taken every four hours as neeed. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. This drug begins to take effect within one hour and goes on working for four to six hours.
How it should be taken : Propoxyphene comes in the form of capsules, tablets, and oral liquid form. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Shake the liquid bottle well before each use.
Special Instruction :
1. Propoxyphene can cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
2. Propoxyphene can be habit-forming. Do not take it more often or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to, and do not take more than the prescribed amount at each dose.
3. Contact your doctor if this medication is not effective or loses its effect.
4. Do not smoke while taking propoxyphene. Somking can decrease its effectiveness.
Side Effects :
When taken as directed, propoxyphene is virtually free of side effects.
Other Precautions :
1. Do not increase your dosage without consulting your doctor. Symptoms of propoxyphene overdose include weakness, difficulty breathing, confusion, and dizziness.
2. Some patients become unconscious. If these symptoms occur, call your doctor and obtain emergency help immediately.
3. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking.
4. Do not take sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, sleeping pills, or other pain relievers unless your doctor specifically tells you that you may.
5. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors. 6. Alcoholic beverages can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
7. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.
Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medciation in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.
3. Do not allow the oral liquid to freeze.
Pronunciation : (proe pox' i feen)
Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Propoxyphene is used to relieve mild to moderate pain.
When it is to be taken : This medication is usually taken every four hours as neeed. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. This drug begins to take effect within one hour and goes on working for four to six hours.
How it should be taken : Propoxyphene comes in the form of capsules, tablets, and oral liquid form. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Shake the liquid bottle well before each use.
Special Instruction :
1. Propoxyphene can cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
2. Propoxyphene can be habit-forming. Do not take it more often or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to, and do not take more than the prescribed amount at each dose.
3. Contact your doctor if this medication is not effective or loses its effect.
4. Do not smoke while taking propoxyphene. Somking can decrease its effectiveness.
Side Effects :
When taken as directed, propoxyphene is virtually free of side effects.
Other Precautions :
1. Do not increase your dosage without consulting your doctor. Symptoms of propoxyphene overdose include weakness, difficulty breathing, confusion, and dizziness.
2. Some patients become unconscious. If these symptoms occur, call your doctor and obtain emergency help immediately.
3. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking.
4. Do not take sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, sleeping pills, or other pain relievers unless your doctor specifically tells you that you may.
5. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors. 6. Alcoholic beverages can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
7. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.
Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medciation in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.
3. Do not allow the oral liquid to freeze.
Alprazolam - Medicine Details
Generic Name : Alprazolam
Pronunciation : (al pray zoe iam)
TradeName : Alpam, Alpraquil, Alprax, Alprose, Alzam, Alzolam, Alzomax, Alzopax, Anax, Anxit, Anzilum, Besquil, Eurelax, Nitril, Plaxid, Poize, Praxal, Quiet, Restyl, Rian, Tagat, Tranisol, Trans, Trika, Trizo, Zallpam, Zamitol, Zeftra, Zena, Zenax, Zenoprax, Zolam, Zolax , Zoldac, Zopic
Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Alprazolam is used to relieve anxiety and anxiety disorders.
When it is to be taken : Alprazolam is usually taken three times a day. Follow the instruction on your prescription label carefully.Do not take alprazolam for more than four months without consulting your doctor.
How it should be taken : Alprazolam comes in the form of tablets.
Special Instruction :
1. Alprazolam can decrease alertness and coordination. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery.
2. Alprazolam can be habit-forming.Do not take more of it. Do not take it more often and do not take it for a longer duration of time.
3. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
4. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause seizures, delirium, and with drawal symptoms. The dose has to reduced gradually.
5. Your dose may need to be adjusted occasionally and you may have blood tests periodically.
6. Do not take a missed dose when you remember it. Omit it completely; then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
Side Effects :
1. Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, muscle incoordination, fatigue, confusion and faintness are the common side effects.. If these effects persist for more than few days, contact your doctor.
2. Talkativeness, restlessness, anxiety, excitement, trembling, muscle spasms, sleeping problems, nightmares are also seen. If these symptoms persist,stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately.
Other Precautions :
1. If you are a pregnant or a breast feeding women,inform to your physician.
2. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking.
3. Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
4. Do not smoke while taking alprazolam.
5. Tell your doctor before taking alprazolam,if you have liver or kidney disease.
Storage Conditions :
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light.
Pronunciation : (al pray zoe iam)
TradeName : Alpam, Alpraquil, Alprax, Alprose, Alzam, Alzolam, Alzomax, Alzopax, Anax, Anxit, Anzilum, Besquil, Eurelax, Nitril, Plaxid, Poize, Praxal, Quiet, Restyl, Rian, Tagat, Tranisol, Trans, Trika, Trizo, Zallpam, Zamitol, Zeftra, Zena, Zenax, Zenoprax, Zolam, Zolax , Zoldac, Zopic
Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Alprazolam is used to relieve anxiety and anxiety disorders.
When it is to be taken : Alprazolam is usually taken three times a day. Follow the instruction on your prescription label carefully.Do not take alprazolam for more than four months without consulting your doctor.
How it should be taken : Alprazolam comes in the form of tablets.
Special Instruction :
1. Alprazolam can decrease alertness and coordination. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery.
2. Alprazolam can be habit-forming.Do not take more of it. Do not take it more often and do not take it for a longer duration of time.
3. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
4. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause seizures, delirium, and with drawal symptoms. The dose has to reduced gradually.
5. Your dose may need to be adjusted occasionally and you may have blood tests periodically.
6. Do not take a missed dose when you remember it. Omit it completely; then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
Side Effects :
1. Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, muscle incoordination, fatigue, confusion and faintness are the common side effects.. If these effects persist for more than few days, contact your doctor.
2. Talkativeness, restlessness, anxiety, excitement, trembling, muscle spasms, sleeping problems, nightmares are also seen. If these symptoms persist,stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately.
Other Precautions :
1. If you are a pregnant or a breast feeding women,inform to your physician.
2. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking.
3. Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
4. Do not smoke while taking alprazolam.
5. Tell your doctor before taking alprazolam,if you have liver or kidney disease.
Storage Conditions :
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light.
Bariatric Surgery
General Information about Bariatric Surgery or Weight Loss Surgery:
Bariatrics is the field of medicine that deals with the study of being overweight, its prevention and treatment.
Bariatric surgery is a term derived from the Greek words: "baros" meaning "weight"
The procedure was developed out of modifications on cancer/ulcer operations that involve the removal of a part of the stomach or small intestine. It was noticed that patients undergoing these operations lost weight afterwards, and the doctors developed the idea of using similar types of surgery to treat morbid obesity.
These surgical procedures are major gastrointestinal operations that work on the principles-
1. To bypass most of the stomach to reduce the amount of food one can eat.
2. To rearrange the small intestine so as to reduce the calories the bodies can absorb.
There are several different types of bariatric weight loss procedures, and they are collectively called as 'bariatric surgery.
Due to the current high levels of obesity among people in US of all age groups, and the lack of success with non-surgical weight loss methods-
Bariatric surgery is now becoming a very important option for severely obese patients.
It is estimated that approximately 170,000 bariatric operations were performed in the US in the year 2005.
Bariatrics is the field of medicine that deals with the study of being overweight, its prevention and treatment.
Bariatric surgery is a term derived from the Greek words: "baros" meaning "weight"
The procedure was developed out of modifications on cancer/ulcer operations that involve the removal of a part of the stomach or small intestine. It was noticed that patients undergoing these operations lost weight afterwards, and the doctors developed the idea of using similar types of surgery to treat morbid obesity.
These surgical procedures are major gastrointestinal operations that work on the principles-
1. To bypass most of the stomach to reduce the amount of food one can eat.
2. To rearrange the small intestine so as to reduce the calories the bodies can absorb.
There are several different types of bariatric weight loss procedures, and they are collectively called as 'bariatric surgery.
Due to the current high levels of obesity among people in US of all age groups, and the lack of success with non-surgical weight loss methods-
Bariatric surgery is now becoming a very important option for severely obese patients.
It is estimated that approximately 170,000 bariatric operations were performed in the US in the year 2005.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
