This drug is commonly prescribed to overweight diabetes 2 patients, which cannot successfully regulate their blood sugar levels with diets and exercise alone, and can be used on its own or prescribed together with other diabetic medications as well. Generic Glucophage Sr is sold online in three different doses: 500mg, 850mg, and 1000mg.

Usage: use this drug exactly as your doctor has prescribed and do not miss a dose or change the dose or the number of tablets that you take without consulting your doctor first. Glucophage Sr is an oral medication and single tablet should be swallowed with a full glass of water; the typical starting dose is one 500mg tablet per day and if necessary, the dose can then be gradually increased (normally after two weeks of treatment).

Before taking the medication, inform your healthcare provider of all your health problems, especially if you suffer from heart failure, kidney and liver diseases, or are allergic to the main ingredients.

Starlix (Nateglinide)

Drug Uses

Starlix is used to control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes. It may be used with diet and exercise when diet and exercise alone are not successful in controlling blood glucose. It also may be used with metformin, another drug that is used for controlling blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. Starlix is not recommended if blood glucose levels have not been controlled by a sulfonylurea since starlix and sulfonylureas have a similar mechanism of action. Therefore, if sulfonylureas are ineffective, it is likely that starlix also will be ineffective.

How Taken

Starlix may be prescribed at 60 or 120 mg three times daily. The dose is adjusted depending upon blood glucose and HbA1c levels. Starlix should be taken 30 minutes or less before a meal but should not be taken if a meal is skipped.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Starlix is an oral drug used to lower blood sugar (glucose) levels in type 2 diabetes. It is in a class of drugs called meglitinides which also includes repaglinide (Prandin). Approximately 90% of patients with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adults and is associated with obesity and a strong family history of diabetes. Insulin is an important hormone that controls the blood level of glucose. Type 2 diabetics have an inability to control blood glucose levels. This is caused by reduced secretion of insulin from the pancreas after meals and resistance of the body’s cells to the effect of insulin which is to stimulate the cells to remove glucose from the blood. This leads to high levels of blood glucose.

Starlix stimulates cells in the pancreas to produce insulin in a manner similar to the class of drugs called sulfonylureas, e.g., glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase and Micronase) which also are used in type 2 diabetes. However, starlix appears to have a faster onset and a shorter duration of action than sulfonylureas. The benefit of this faster, shorter effect may be to prevent the rapid, transient rise in blood glucose that occurs in diabetics immediately following a meal.

Missed Dose

Since this drug is generally given only before meals, consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding advice on a missed dose.

Storage

Starlix should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 degrees C(59-86 degrees F) in an air-tight container.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Do not exceed the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. Follow the dietary plan provided by your doctor.

This medicine may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Signs of hypoglycemia include an increased heart rate, headache, sweating, tremor, increased hunger, changes in vision, nervousness, or tiredness. Discuss with your doctor how to handle hypoglycemic reactions.

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine.

Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol, may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Before you have any medical or dental treatements, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.

Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Insulin therapy may be necessary during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for more details. It is unknown if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include dizziness, increased heartbeat, headache, sweating, tremor, increased hunger, changes in vision, nervousness, or tiredness. If they are severe or continue to occur, check with your doctor. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

More Information

Proper diet, regular exercise, and regular testing of blood sugar are important for best results when using this medicine. Certain conditions such as illness, stress, or emotional disturbances may change your insulin requirements. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Carry an identification card at all times that says you are diabetic. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly according to your doctor’s directions. If your blood sugar level is often higher than it should be and you are taking this medicine according to directions, check with your doctor.

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain local regulations for selecting an appropriate container and properly disposing of the container when full. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain more insulin before your supply runs out.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.

If you really look at it carefully weight loss by surgery seems to be the best solution for people who are severely obese. So obese that ordinary dieting and weight loss processes do not work or are not advised. But it’s not for everyone. Weight loss surgery is contraindicated for patients who want to lose only ten to twenty pounds. Doctors prescribe the process of surgical weight loss only for those patients who are atleast 100 pounds overweight. Patients who have a BMI of about 35 are also the ideal patients for this surgery especially if they have other complications like hypertension, diabetes and sleep apnea.

But nothing is really that easy. You have to remember that if weight loss surgery can make you lose a few pounds there are several catches that come with the process too. The surgery is pretty serious and takes a long time to recover from. After the surgery, the patient has to stick to a serious diet and dietary guidelines so that the patient does not relapse into the same eating patterns. Exercise is also really important. Patients have to follow atleast thirty minutes of exercise routines that will exercise every part of the patient’s body as set by a trainer.

There are several varieties of weight loss surgery and one of the most common procedures that everyone knows about is gastric bypass surgery. In this surgery, a bypass is created in the patient’s stomach to allow the food to pass into the intestine without any digestion taking place. As a result, there is a chance that the patient may suffer from severe nutritional deficiencies that will lead to health complications. Gastroplasty is another weight loss surgery that is similar to gastric bypass surgery. But instead of sending food directly to the intestine, in this surgery the amount of food that enters the stomach is severely limited by reducing the size of the stomach.

As the name suggests, both of these procedures are major surgeries. They can only be done in a hospital with trained gastroenterology surgeons who have sufficient experience. The surgery requires the use of a five to eight inch incision in the abdomen and a hospital recovery period of about seven days. Even after the patient is discharged from the OT, the patient may experience severe complications like nausea, vomiting, chest and abdominal cramps, sweating and diarrhea. One of the worst complications which may arise from this surgery is the chances of an anastomotic leak which is life threatening and requires immediate surgery.

No matter, how easy the surgery looks and how much weight loss is expected; you have to remember that the process is risky and complicated. Or you might lose more than you bargained for!

Weight Loss Medicines

Surgeons use surgery as an advanced medical tool to treat diseased tissues. The process is called as surgery when human tissues are cut into or a part of the human body is removed or previously open wounds are treated by medical intervention. There are several procedures which also involve the same treatments processes but are not called as surgery. For example, angioplasty or endoscopy also involve the use of an operation theatre, sterile environment, surgeons, surgical instruments and suturing but they are not considered as surgeries as they are carried out from the outside of the body. Let us check out some common methods of surgery.

 Elective surgery is done to correct non-life threatening conditions. These surgeries are done at the patient’s request.

 Emergency surgery is not elective. You cannot choose to do emergency surgery. Emergency surgery is done when there is no other alternative and there is a severe danger to the patient’s life and limb.

 Exploratory surgery is done when the doctor carries out surgery to confirm his diagnosis. If the disease is small then the doctor usually removes the diseased part in the same surgery and then this is also called treatment surgery.

 Therapeutic surgery is carried out to treat a diagnosed condition.

 Amputation surgery is carried out when a diseased part has to be cut off the human body.

 Replantation is the process by which a severed body part is reattached to the human body.

 Reconstruction surgery is done when a destroyed body part is rebuilt again for cosmetic or essential reasons

 Cosmetic surgery is carried out to improve or change the existing physical appearance of a person.

 Excision is the removal of a body part from the human body

 Transplantation surgery is the process by which a human body part is transplanted from a cadaver or a living human person to another human person. Animal parts are also transplanted into humans and this process is also considered as a transplantation surgery.

 Minimally invasive surgery is done when you do not want to damage the patient’s body too much. The surgery is carried out through keyhole procedures that reduces the damage to the human body and decreases the time for recovery.

Believe in your decision to stop smoking.
You already know that smoking is bad for you. The whole world knows it but the habit is very addictive. You may want to stop but your body may not co-operate with your mind. But you can try the “Health Belief Model” which prepares you to lose weight by predicting certain health behaviors seen in the general population. The program believes that the only way you can lose weight is by
 Believing you can lose weight if you can remember that tobacco smoking can and will compromise your health pretty seriously.
 You should believe that you are committed to the process of stop smoking.
 Remember that quitting smoking is much better to continuing smoking
 Take a look at the large amount of diseases that smoking can cause to the human body.

Prepare to actually stop smoking
Once you’ve actually committed to stop smoking you have to be motivated enough to pick a date to stop smoking. You should pick a specific date and label it as your “Quit Day.” Prepare a day that you know that you are mentally and physically prepared to stop smoking. Remember that this day is final for your QUIT SMOKING campaign. Prepare yourself by cleaning your room of ashtrays and cigarettes and removing everything that reminds you of smoking. Don’t interact with smokers and don’t let people smoke near you or at your home. Think why previous attempts to stop smoking did not succeed. And rework your present attempt around the pitfalls.

Use medication if necessary!
If you want to really stop smoking you have to acknowledge the fact that you will need help. Trying to get your body off the addiction is not as easy as it seems. Get in touch with a doctor to find out what will help you to control your cravings. It will not be easy so be prepared for a difficult time. Common drugs prescribed by doctors to stop smoking are Buproprion. The medication controls the urge to stop smoking but contains no nicotine.

Nicotine substitutes
Smoking is addictive and many people fall of the smoking bandwagon for the simple reason that the addiction is difficult to control. But if you don’t want to do the process all of a sudden, you can try nicotine substitutes like lozenges, patches, nasal sprays, inhalers, gums etc. all of these products work to provide your body with tapering and reducing dosages of nicotine to get your body off the addiction.

The advantages of using nicotine substitutes are –
1. They prepare you to receive tapering dosages of nicotine and that reduces the cravings and withdrawal symptoms that smokers experience when they try to stop smoking
2. It increases your confidence levels that you can stop smoking and the fact that you do not need a cigarette to complete your day.

Acne

Sebum, a type of oil that normally lubricates the skin and hair, clogs the pores of the skin. This results in pimples or acne. During puberty the hormones go into an overdrive and sebum production increases. So Acne is more common during adolescence. The forehead, nose, and chin— the T-zone- has more oil glands so pimples are more common here.
To tackle this, follow these tips:
Twice daily wash your face with a mild acne special soap and warm water. Massage your face gently in small circles. Do not over scrub or wash. Apply a lotion with benzoyl peroxide over this to decrease oil and microorganisms.
Do not break your pimples. This could lead to other problems like redness, further swelling and scarring.
Consult a dermatologist, if needed. A dermatologist will treat you based on your skin type. Certain salons and spas have estheticians or specialists who can advice you.

Protection from sun

Sun’s rays could be harmful and what’s more they are very difficult to avoid. There are some uses of sunlight too. For example it creates Vitamin D. You should manage the level of exposure your skin faces. Here are some pointers:
Always wear a sunscreen when going out in the sun. See to it that the sun protection factor or SPF of your sunscreen in more than 35. Wear a sunscreen even when it seems cloudy outside or you do not intend to spend too much time outside. Even if the sunscreen is waterproof, reapply the sunscreen after you swim or re-apply it every 2 or 3 hours if you perspire a lot.
A few medications, for example prescription acne medications or birth control pills could increase your level of sensitivity to the sun. So it would be advisable to protect yourself more against the sun in such a situation.

Eczema

Eczema makes the skin dry, red and itchy. A person with eczema will be more prone to rashes, which are also itchy, especially near the bend of the knees or the elbows and the neck and the face. Symptoms of eczema vary according individuals. A few steps to prevent eczema could be:
Steering clear from heavily fragranced lotions or harsh detergents and perfumed soaps that have a tendency to start or aggravate eczema.
Taking short, warm showers and baths as water can dry the skin and thus increase the skin irritation. Wear gloves while washing dishes or car or at any other time when your hand will be exposed to water for long.
To prevent itching and dryness, apply fragrance-free moisturizer to your skin regularly. This will soothe you. It is seen that creams last longer than lotions and moisturize better. It is recommended that you apply cream just after bathing, when the skin is slightly wet.
You could also consider seeking the help of a dermatologist if you are having trouble managing eczema by yourself.

When it comes to treating and relaxing your feet, the French pedicure is the best you can get. It has a smooth and relaxing feeling that leaves your feet with an outstanding look just by using luscious lotions, callus removers, hydrating butters and scented soaks or scrubs. The procedure is quite simple and not complicated in any way. However, it’s recommended for one to visit a beauty supply or a drug store in order to acquire the materials needed.

In French Manicure; you soak your feet in Luke warm water containing a few drops of Epsom salt so as to make them softer and completely remove the old nail polish with the use of cotton bands dipped in acetone remover. The next step is to cut the toe nails and in this case, quality clippers will give you outstanding results. Nevertheless, when cutting the nails, make sure you leave about 1/8th of an inch so that the nails don’t extend over the tip of the toes.

Filing all round the edges will also help in acquiring soft square shaped nails.
The feet should then be soaked in a in a bath of salt and aroma oils so as to help loosen the dead skin. Trimming of the loose skin can also be done with the help of a cuticle nipper though care should be taken to avoid cutting the toe flesh.

Finally in Manicure Pedicure set white nail polish is applied to the nail tips followed by a clear, pearl or pale colored pink polish over the nails. It’s done by painting a strip of color down the center of the nail that overlaps with a strip on either side. When you’re done, you should make sure the nails are dry before wearing shoes.

Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Pedicure. For More Information on French pedicure, Visit His Site at FRENCH PEDICURE You Can Also Add Your Views About French pedicure At My Blog here FRENCH PEDICURE Visit for more Skin Care Tips

How It Happens?

The lungs are thin balloons which are responsible for filtering air and allowing only oxygen to enter the body and allow carbon dioxide to escape. As we breathe in air, it enters into the windpipe and the trachea and ultimately into the bronchial tubes. The entire respiratory system is dependent on the last part of the respiratory system called as the alveoli. The actual exchange of gases takes place in the alveoli which are nothing but thin walled balloons. But, under disease conditions, these thin walled balloons become thick and dense or filled with thick mucus. The thin wall of the alveoli is the main reason that gases can pass through easily.

With constant irritations from allergens like cigarette smoke, the cell wall becomes multi-cellular and thick. This interferes with the exchange of gases and causes the amount of oxygen entering the body to decrease. As the actual exchange of oxygen decrease, breathing becomes more and more difficult for the patient. This is the primary symptoms for all patients who have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Along with the thickened walls, the alveoli also start to develop recurrent swellings and infections.

Cuses of Infections

No one really knows what causes respiratory diseases. There are several reasons for it but sometimes it can be a combination of all these factors which causes respiratory diseases. At least one lung disorder can also be blamed on contemporary medications and their side effects. For example, pulmonary hypertension which is characterized by high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery can be also caused due to the widespread use of diet drugs like fenphen or fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine. Many patients who were on the drug to lose weight developed symptoms of the lung disease. Although the drugs were later banned from regular use, they are still used illegally by patients to lose weight.

Infectious diseases can also cause lung disorders. Two of the world’s most dangerous diseases are pneumonia and tuberculosis which can severely damage the lungs and destroy the patient’s respiratory health almost permanently. But newer and better antibiotics have made it possible to control these diseases to a manageable condition.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is another extremely common lung condition found all over the world. Smoking or exposure to dangerous toxins can cause the lung tissue to get irreparably damaged. There is a permanent decrease in the breathing capacity of the patient.

Pain Medicine specialists have to come up with treatment plans that take into reckoning the patient’s culture and special needs depending on age.
Interpreting historical data, reviewing of previous lab reports, assessing behavioral, social, occupational, and avocational issues and talking to the patient are some evaluation techniques an Algiatrist will try out.

Medication for severe pain:

A combination of acetaminophen and narcotic can be prescribed for slightly severe pain-
1. Acetaminophen and codeine (Tylenol and Codeine, Capital with Codeine, Phenaphen and Codeine)
2. Acetaminophen and hydrocodone (Anexsia, Dolacet, Vicodin, Bancap HC, Co-Gesic, Anodynos-DHC, Lortab)
3. Acetaminophen and oxycodone (Roxicet, Percocet, , Roxilox, Endocet, Tylox)

The medications have a different effect depending on individual:

1. Tylenol with codeine is not stronger than a similar dose of ibuprofen. It has other side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and disorientation. For Codeine to be effective it has to be converted morphine by the body. Certain patients don’t have the enzyme necessary for the conversion. Codeine is not effective in such cases.
2. Vicodin is double the strength of as acetaminophen or any NSAID and rarely has side effects. It is effective and quite safe. But using it long could cause dependency, unless recommended by the doctor. Narcotics are not commonly addictive but they do have the potential in some cases to cause addiction.
3. Percocet is similar to Vicodin in safety as well as side effects. One of which is constipation.
A good way to use these medicines short-term would be to take a regular dose of NSAID (e.g.: ibuprofen) and take a Percocet or Vicodin as and when needed.

Avoid the following pain medicines:
Tylenol with codeine and oral Demerol should be avoided. These apart, there are other pain medications that ought to be avoided for some reasons.

For long, osteoporosis was thought of as something connected only to older women. But as a matter of fact, it starts damaging you pretty early. By 25 years of age, you should have built strong bones because by then peak bone density is reached and this will help you throughout the life. Calcium intake is essential for this.
About 10 million people suffer from osteoporosis in the US alone. Another 18 million are at risk due to low bone index. 80% of those affected are women. 50% of women and 20% of the men have the chance of getting osteoporosis.

Symptoms:

Initially there may be no visible symptoms of osteoporosis. As time progresses, slight back or neck pain or pain in other parts might be felt. Afterwards the sharp pains could be felt all-of-a-sudden. It might not radiate and might become worse as pressure on the region increase due to work. It will start decreasing within a week but pain maybe felt for the next 3 months.

A fracture of the spine due to osteoporosis could give the person a stoop (dowager’s hump) and make the person shorter. A fall could cause fracture of hip, wrist etc.

Treatment:

The most important part of treatment involves cutting down the mineral loss, improve bone density and prevent fractures and pain. A vertebral fracture due to osteoporosis could lead to other fractures and is called a “fracture cascade.” Here treatment is to prevent fracture.

Nutrition: At least 1000mg of calcium intake daily is important for young adults. Milk or calcium-fortified orange juice and foods high in calcium are recommended. Maintaining average weight is of essence.

Consulting: Each case is to be treated differently. Spinal, hip, or wrist fracture cases should see an orthopedic surgeon or bone specialist. They will get tips on fracture management. They also benefit from the recommendations of physical and occupational therapist and learn how to exercise without injuring themselves. For instance, a person with spinal fracture is advised not to touch toes, do sit ups or lift heavy weight.

Keeping fit: Exercise is an important part of the treatment. Consistent exercise can decrease the chance of bone fracture in those suffering from osteoporosis.