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Women and Urinary Tract Infections- What You Ought to KNow

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:07:11 +0100

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when certain bacteria invade the urinary tract. Symptoms may include itching, burning, and painful urination.Women are most susceptible to these infections because of how they are "plumbed". Diagnosis of a UTI can be performed quickly and easily in a doctor's office or medical laboratory using a specimen of the patient's urine Here are some reasons women might get these infections:

Wiping from back to front after a bowel movement.
Having sex.
Wearing panties that do not have cotton crotches to absorb sweat and other bodily fluids
Holding urine for too long.
Being diabetic.
Having a kidney stone or other factor that makes it difficult to urinate.
Producing less estrogen, such as after menopause.
Having recently had a catheter inserted.

While treatment with antibiotics is the gold standard when you acquire an infection, you might find taking PURE cranberrry juice (not cocktail) or cranberry capsules an effective way to prevent or at least decrease the frequency of UTI's.

Side Effects of Seasonal Flu Vaccines

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:53:07 +0100

Below is a listing of seasonal (influenza A and B) flu vaccines.Did your doctor discuss these with you? Did you consider these possible adverse reactions and the actual (proven) benefits of the vaccine? Did your doctor give you a WRITTEN sheet with the PROVEN benefits of the vaccine? I truly doubt it, because very little has been PROVEN. If this is true of a vaccine that has been around a long time, how much do you think the feds REALLY know about the H1N1 vaccine?

Flu Vaccine FluMist

Influenza Virus Vaccine Live, Intranasal

by Medimmune Vaccines, Inc.

Ingredients*: Chick Kidney Cells, Egg Protein, Gentamicin Sulfate, Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose Phosphate Glutamate Buffer.

Published data** (including side effects, adverse effects, potential adverse effects, reactions, reports, experiences, observations or occurrences after vaccination and post marketing experience from Manufacturer Prescribing Information):

Wheezing, significant respiratory symptoms, hypersensitivity, including anaphylactic reaction, hospitalizations ("Most hospitalizations observed were gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections and occurred more than 6 weeks post-vaccination." p.2 pp.17), runny nose, nasal congestion, decreased appetite, irritability, decreased activity (lethargy), sore throat, headache, muscle aches, chills, fever, sneezing, tiredness/weakness, cough, chills, sinusitis, exacerbation of symptoms of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (Leigh syndrome), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anaphylactic reaction, facial edema and urticaria, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bell's palsy, epistaxis, rash, herpes zoster [shingles].

Other Highlights: From the Manufacturer Prescribing Information***:

"Do not administer FluMist to children <24 months of age because of increased risk of hospitalization and wheezing observed in clinical trials. (p.1 pp.6)
"FluMist should not be administered to any individuals with asthma or children <5 years of age with recurrent wheezing because of the potential for increased risk of wheezing post-vaccination." (p.1 pp.6)
FluMist has not been evaluated for its carcinogenic [cancer causing] or mutagenic [DNA altering] potential or its potential to impair fertility." (p.3 pp.16)

Flu Vaccine, FLUVIRIN®

(Flu) Influenza Virus Vaccine

by Chiron Vaccines Ltd. / Novartis

Ingredients*: Thimerosal [a preservative that is approximately 50% mercury by weight] (single dose and multidose), Beta-Propiolactone, Egg Protein, Neomycin, Polymyxin b, Polyoxyethylene 9-10 nonyl phenol (Triton N-101, Octoxynol 9).

Soreness, body aches, local pain and swelling, fever, malaise, myalgia, fever, irritability, Guillain-Barré syndrome, insomnia, seizure, erthema. [NOTE: There were no post-marketing adverse events offered on the prescribing instructions. However, there ere many safety statements that referred to a CDC/ACIP document with suggested guidelines for use – which is not the same as specific studies about this vaccine.]

Other Highlights: From the Manufacturer Prescribing Information***:

“Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with FLUVIRIN®. It is also not known whether FLUVIRIN® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity." (p.3 pp.13).
"The safety and immunogenicity of FLUVIRIN® have not been established in children <4 years of age." (p.3 pp.14)
“Influenza virus is propagated in eggs for the preparation of influenza virus vaccine, thus, this vaccine should not be administered to anyone with a history of hypersensitivity [allergy] to chicken eggs, chicken, chicken feathers or chicken dander." (p.3 pp.8)

Flu Vaccine FLUZONE®

Influenza Virus Vaccine

by Sanofi Pasteur Inc.

Ingredients*: Thimerosal [a preservative that is approximately 50% mercury by weight], egg protein, formaldehyde or formalin, gelatin, octoxinol-9 (Triton X-100).

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy, anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema, convulsions, myelitis (including encephalomyelitis and transverse myelitis), facial palsy (Bell's palsy), optic neuritis/neuropathy, brachial neuritis, syncope, (shortly after vaccination), dizziness, paresthesia, vasculitis, vasodilatation/flushing, dyspnea, pharyngitis, rhinitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, fever, pain, prurtis, asthenia/fatigue, pain in extremities, (related to egg allergy) chest pain, hives, angioedema, allergic asthma, systemic anaphylaxis. Neurological disorders temporally associated with influenza vaccination such as encephalopathy, optic neuritis/neuropathy, partial facial paralysis, and brachial plexus neuropathy have been reported.

Other Highlights: From the Manufacturer Prescribing Information***:

"FLUZONE® vaccine has not been evaluated for carcinogenic [cancer causing] or mutagenic [DNA altering] potential, or for impairment of fertility." (p3. pp27.)
Pediatric use: "The immune response and safety of FLUZONE vaccine was evaluated in 31 children between the ages of 6-26 months." (p.4 pp16.)

Polybotanical Pharmacy

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:53:18 +0100

I am seeing more and more patients who have seen other "natural" providers who load the consumer up with LOTS of herbs and vitamins. One patient that I saw recently was taking 18 different products each with multiple herbs and vitamins inside. When I counted all that she was taking, she was consuming 138 different substances and was overdosing on Vitamin A!

First, if it is natural does NOT maen it is safe! Next, how can ANYONE possibly determine the intercations between so many substances. Third, would you listen to me as a doc if I sent you home with 138 prescriptions?

My suggestion? KISS. I tell it to myself every day. (Keep It Simple Stupid) If you need anything more than just a good diet and exercise, you need one or a few natural treatments. More than that is probably useless and very possibly dangerous! Miraculously when we stopped all of the 138 substances, the patient did much better!

The Public Option

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:31:05 +0100

I am all for creating a competitive environment in the matter of health insurance. I would like to see ALL Americans guaranteed some form of medical insurance. I am constantly befuddled as to why we would blow away money all over the world on wars we will not win and foreign aid to people who hate us and will never change their attitudes when that money can be used to create jobs, feed Americans and give us ALL health care.What are the feds thinking?

I am getting increasingly worried about the feds involved in anything that pertains to our care because I just do not trust them! They make promises that they never keep. They change the rules as they see fit. They have NEVER saved us a nickel and they manipulate the facts to explain their inefficiencies. Look at the Swine Flu issue, now, reportedly, costing $3 billion- tossed in the garbage. You know that when all is said and done, it will look like they saved $ and lives with their probabaly useless vaccine. We Americans love our independence. We like to decide what is right for us and our families. The feds think that they know better. So, I say pull the plug on the Public Option because it may indeed be the door for more control of your life. It could be that we might be better off with health numbers massaged by public health puppets but I like that old saying that is still alive in my heart- "Give Me Liberty OR Give Me Death." Having liberty is also a part of America's health.

Indoor Pollution

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:13:48 +0100

Estimates vary that indoor pollution can be between 5 and 10 times the pollution outside your home. Open up your windows a enough to allow some air transfer for at least some part of the day. Next, consider natural air cleaning plants.

The New Ecologist made a list of the top 10 anti-pollution houseplants. They rate the best as:

The Feston Rose plant
Devil’s Ivy
Phalaenopsis
English Ivy (My personal favorite)
Parlor Ivy
African Violets
Christmas Cactus
Yellow Goddess
Garlic Vine
Peace Lily

IMMUNE COCKTAIL

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:52:49 +0100

Vit D3 (1,000 - 2,000 IU)
Cranberry Juice (NOT Cocktail) or cranberries
Fish Oil (2,000 mg)
Green Tea (ideally at least 2 cups)

Daily consumption may make you less susceptible to respiratory infections.Check with your doctor to be sure there are no contraindications for you specifically.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT WATER FAUCETS; GET THE LEAD OUT

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:10:46 +0100

Do faucets have lead?

Most faucets purchased prior to 1997 were constructed of brass or chrome-plated brass containing up to 8 percent lead (the main metals in brass are copper and zinc). Water sitting overnight (or for several hours) in a brass faucet tends to leach lead from the brass faucet interior which may produce relatively high lead levels in the first draw of drinking water. Due to recent regulations, most faucets purchased after 1997 contain less lead than previously used thereby lessening the potential health risks from the first-draw of water. Lead is of potential health concern, especially for children and pregnant women, since it can build up in the body and cause damage to the brain, red blood cells, and kidneys.

How can I tell if a new faucet is "lead free"?
Faucet manufacturers responding to recent regulations have decreased or eliminated the lead in residential kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, bar faucets, drinking fountains, and icemakers. The national standard for certifying the "lead free" status of plumbing fixtures is National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International Standard 61-Section 9. NSF provides catalogs and a computer web site listing approved "lead free" fixtures. NSF can be reached at 1-800-NSF-MARK or www.nsf.org. New faucets meeting the NSF 61 standard will have NSF 61/9 stamped on the new faucet’s cardboard box.

Note that the term "lead free" may be misleading since its legal definition allows a faucet to leach up to 11 parts per billion (ppb) of lead using a standard test protocol. The national action level for lead in drinking water is 15 ppb. California has a stricter standard for faucet lead leaching via Proposition 65. California-compliant kitchen faucets can leach up to 5 ppb of lead and bathroom faucets can leach up to 11 ppb. Any faucet sold in California, which does not meet the California standard, must have a Proposition 65-package warning insert or a warning hang tag.

If your new faucet has both a NSF 61/9 stamp on the cardboard box and has no Proposition 65 warning, then your faucet is both a "lead-free" and an ultra low-lead faucet. This is the most desirable faucet.

Are there any faucets with no lead at all?
Some faucet manufactures produce plastic faucets that have virtually zero lead. Other manufactures are substituting other metals for the lead in the brass, inserting copper tubes inside the brass faucets, or applying special coatings on the inside of the faucets in order to minimize or eliminate lead leaching.

Does it really matter if I have an ultra-low lead faucet?
In extreme cases older faucets can contribute up to one-third of the lead in the first-draw of water in the morning with the remainder coming from other plumbing such as pre-1988 lead solder joints in copper pipes. Residents who let the water run at the tap in the morning for one minute and use cold water for cooking should have little concern with respect to lead in the drinking water. If residents are still concerned, they can request from their water supplier a lead test (at a nominal charge that can be waived under special circumstances) or a list of local laboratories approved for lead testing. Residents always have the option of replacing an older kitchen or bathroom faucet with a new ultra-low lead faucet.

Do some new plumbing fixtures still contain lead?
Federal and State lead regulations do not cover hose bibs, bathtub fixtures, shower heads, and industrial faucets. Avoid drinking or cooking with water from these fixtures. Since the year 2000, all kitchen faucets sold in California have been ultra-low lead. Beginning in 2010, when any water fixtures and fittings intended to convey drinking water are replaced, they must be replaced with ultra-low lead products (containing no more than 0.25% lead).

Is drinking water the main source of lead exposure?
Lead contamination from lead-based paint, dirt, and dust accounts for most of the exposure. Lead from drinking water accounts for about 20 percent of a person’s exposure to lead. The two most cost effective ways to minimize lead exposure from drinking water are to 1) flush the kitchen faucet for one minute in the morning or after coming home from school/work and 2) use only cold water for drinking and cooking.

What about sources of "purified" water?
If you have an in sink water purifier- reverse osmosis (RO)- or you buy purified water from a machine or in a bottle know that the faucet (spigot) through which the water passes may leach even more lead into the water than a regular faucet because the RO water is mineral free- "sucking" contaminants into your "pure" water before it comes out of the spigot.
Lead is NOT the ony issue. BPA (BisphenylA) the poison that I have written and spoken about many times before can be leached from some water puirifiers IF certain plastics are used in the filtration material (plastics). Check this out VERY carefully! As far as I can tell Pur and Brita filters DO NOT have BPA.

How do I get information about lead in my drinking water?
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will provide lead information via the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CLPPB) at (510) 620-5600. Also, the CDPH lists materials and products for lead detection and removal on its website.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) operates a National Lead Information Center at (800) 424-LEAD [5323]. or can be reached at its website http://www.epa.gov/lead/index.html.

The SFPUC Water Quality Bureau can provide information on the quality of your water and can be reached at (650) 652-3100 or email quality@sfwater.org .

Regina Benjamin, MD An Example For The Rest of Us?

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:08:53 +0100

I want a REAL healthcare reform. Not one that is another
"do as I say- not as I do". Well before the elections I showed you in this blog Mr Obama- "Now you're smoking!" He still smokes but tells us about how WE should live our life. It is NOT a small thing that he can't stop smoking, but his healthcare reform would be biased against smokers. Now we have a surgeon general who is LARGE! I have no problem with this- except the US needs to wage a war on obesity which is the most costly disease we have and our Surgeon General is a STERLING EXAMPLE of obesity! There are many extraordinary men and women (white and black) that could have been appointed to this position.This tells you a lot about the President- "Do as I Say, NOT as I do."

REVISED COLD AND FLU SURVIVAL AND INFORMATION KIT

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:30:49 +0100

This is my list of “must haves” for your home in this flu and cold season that has already begun. I do NOT think that it is clear at all as to the actual benefits of the flu vaccine. I have not seen any substantive evidence that the flu vaccine (for “regular” flu- A and B) has decreased mortality in anyone- let alone seniors and in some studies (like kids with asthma who had been vaccinated) actually increased hospitalizations when compared to those children who were NOT vaccinated. The scares of H1N1 are trumped up. In this case, there is absolutely not one shred of evidence that the Swine Flu is more aggressive than the every day flu we see each year and all the horror figures that you hear or read about are projections- based on dubious assumptions Swine Flu vaccine may not arrive before it has already spread across most of the US and it would be foolish of your doctor to suggest that it has been tested adequately to show its' efficacy and/or safety. Many years ago an admittedly less sophisticated Swine Flu vaccine resulted in thousands of cases of paralysis (Guillan Barre Syndrome) which reversed in most (admittedly) but left permanent disability in some. In short, the therapy was worse than the disease which never amounted to anything after the same kind of scares were sent throughout America.

I have decided NOT to offer the H1N1 vaccine because I do not feel in good conscience that it will (especially by the time it arrives- late) make any significant public health contribution. Although I assure you that the feds will make that claim- no doubt! I have decided to send those of my practice who will no doubt panic as a result of the ongoing media hype to a public facility where they can be vaccinated. I will NOT take the vaccination. By the way my daughter, I believe, contracted Swine Flu last season. It was lousy- a week of misery, but she survived just fine. She used some of thee products I have listed below.

My Flu and Cold Survival List

Oscillococcinum (This is a homeopathic remedy popular here in the US and in Europe to be taken at the VERY FIRST suspicion of the flu. It could shorten the duration of the flu and might make it more “tolerable”. Carry it with you when traveling as well.)

Cold -Eeze Lozenges (This is a great homeopathic zinc remedy at the EARLIEST stage of a cold. It can cut down the severity and the duration of colds. Avoid products like ZiCam or any zinc product that is inhaled into the nose as they could adversely affect your sense of smell.)

Sambucol (This is a safe Black Elderberry that can be used to attenuate the symptoms of the flu and possibly shorten its course

American Ginseng (Can be used in adults and kids to shorten the length of a cold and attenuate the symptoms.)

Umcka (Many use this European supplement for colds. I suggest it to those with bronchitis.)

Neti Pot and pH adjusted salt water OR Ocean Normal Saline Spray ( While I prefer the Neti Pot, either of the aforementioned get salt water into your nostrils and drain viruses and fungii as well as bacteria. Be sure to really inhale the non toxic water and get it into your sinuses. Messy? Yes, but it is a great and non toxic way to get rid of germs and speed recovery! Drain 3-5 times a day. It's just salt water!)

Steaming Hot Water and Tea Tree Oil (It's old fashioned and it works for sinus infections. Boil a pot of hot water and add a drop of Tea Tree Oil used by the Aborigines in Australia which fights infections including fungii. Cover your head and the pot with a towel. Inhale deeply . Be sure not to get so close to the hot steam that you burn the insides of your nostrils. A few times a day can be better than antibiotics which rarely are effective.)

What To Avoid Or Limit

Acetaminophen (Tylenol or its generics relief aches and pains and bring down fevers, so, sometimes you have no choice depending on the severity of the cold or flu you might contract. BUT, there's mounting evidence that suppressing the fever which is the body's natural response to infection results in a more prolonged course of illness.)

Ibuprofen (It seems to be more effective than acetaminophen for fever control but the same issue applies to ibuprofen as does acetaminophen. In addition, it can cause nausea or an upset stomach for some so take it with food if you can.)

Pseudophedrine (If you are absolutely dribbling – nasal discharge and can't seem to “shut it off”. Then judicious use of this product- Brand Named Sudafed- lots of cheaper generics- CAN help symptoms. But it will not TREAT the cold or flu. In addition, it can raise blood pressure, adversely affect thyroid and heart conditions. It might be associated with DEATH in kids!)

Cold, Flu Daytime and Nightime Remedies - (A waste and potentially dangerous! Buy a good book to put you to sleep at night. They are more effective!)

Antibacterial Hand Sanitizers- (No more and in fact less effective than washing your hands! The added danger is that these products are contributing to the development of resistant bacteria that can not be treated easily AND some containing Triclosan are TOXIC and absorbed through the skin.)

Ultra Violet Wands, Air Purifiers, etc. (A waste of cash and effort. You can't purify the air with wands or portable units. If you want to clean the air, open the windows- much more effective!)

BEST AND WORST CELL PHONES/SMARTPHONES FR EWG.ORG

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:27:01 +0100

BEST PHONES (low radiation)		WORST PHONES (high radiation)
	Samsung Impression (SGH-a877) [AT&T]		Motorola MOTO VU204 [Verizon Wireless]
	Motorola RAZR V8 [CellularONE]		T-Mobile myTouch 3G [T-Mobile]
	Samsung SGH-t229 [T-Mobile]		Kyocera Jax S1300 [Virgin Mobile]
	Samsung Rugby (SGH-a837) [AT&T]		Blackberry Curve 8330 [Sprint, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless, MetroPCS]
	Samsung Propel Pro (SGH-i627) [AT&T]		Motorola W385 [U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless]
	Samsung Gravity (SGH-t459) [CellularONE, T-Mobile]		T-Mobile Shadow [T-Mobile]
	T-Mobile Sidekick [T-Mobile]		Motorola C290 [Sprint, Kajeet]
	LG Xenon (GR500) [AT&T]		Motorola i335 [Sprint]
	Motorola Karma QA1 [AT&T]		Motorola MOTO VE240 [Cricket, MetroPCS]
	Sanyo Katana II [Kajeet]		Blackberry Bold 9000 [AT&T]

Best and Worst PDAs/Smartphones

Listing is based on all PDAs/Smartphones in the database. You can also see all PDAs/Smartphones ranked by radiation.

BEST PHONES (low radiation)		WORST PHONES (high radiation)
	Nokia 9300i		Kyocera Jax S1300 [Virgin Mobile]
	Nokia 7710		T-Mobile myTouch 3G [T-Mobile]
	T-Mobile MDA (WIZA200)		Blackberry Curve 8330 [Sprint, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless, MetroPCS]
	Samsung Impression (SGH-a877) [AT&T]		Palm Treo 600
	Nokia 9300		T-Mobile Shadow [T-Mobile]
	Samsung Propel Pro (SGH-i627) [AT&T]		Blackberry Bold 9000 [AT&T]
	Samsung Gravity (SGH-t459) [CellularONE, T-Mobile]		Blackberry Curve 8300 Smartphone
	Blackberry Storm 9500 Smartphone		Palm Treo 650
	Blackberry Storm 9530 [Verizon Wireless]		Blackberry Curve 8300 [AT&T, T-Mobile]
	Nokia E90		Sony Ericsson P910a

Legal Disclaimer: EWG’s cell phone database is dynamic, which means that the cell phone ranking numbers may change based on evolving science, new information on SAR radiation exposures, market conditions, or other factors. Please be advised that EWG does not recommend that companies create marketing materials based on the EWG rating system, given that the rankings may change as the database is updated. EWG m akes no representations or warranties about any of the products rated on this site. EWG hereby disclaims all warranties with regard to the products on t he site, including express, statutory, implied warran