There are many people who do not realize that having Lupus will greatly increase their risk of heart disease. At least that's the conclusion of a study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, which found that only 31% of Lupus patients even know that it is a definite risk factor for heart disease. And get this, there was 58% of those surveyed that said their doctors didn't even discuss the risks with them.
Lupus is an autoimmune condition where the immune system turns against the body's own tissues. And the symptoms are swollen joints, skin rash, fever, and fatigue, but lupus can also affect the heart, lungs, blood vessels, and kidneys. Those with Lupus have a five to nine times greater risk of heart disease than the general population. The term heart disease refers to a variety of conditions that affect the heart, the most common being coronary artery disease, that may lead to heart attacks.
Most of us know that rheumatoid arthritis is also an autoimmune condition that increases the risk of heart disease. This study,however, shows the link between heart disease and Lupus is not quite so recognized. It is extremely important for those who have Lupus to know about these risk so that they can speak to their doctors about what steps to take to reduce it. These steps may include changes to their diets, an exercise program, and medication.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Smokers More Prone to Long-Term Prescription Painkiller Use
Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=112566
THURSDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) Smoking, as well as the medicinal use of opioid painkillers such as oxycodone, are independent predictors of longer-term opioid pain medication use among patients with chronic back pain caused by lumbar spine conditions, a new U.S. study finds.
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The study included over 2,100 patients recruited from 13 spine specialty centers in 11 states. Of those patients, 42 percent said they used opioids for their back pain and one-third said they take opioids every day.
The researchers analyzed the medical, social and demographic characteristics of the participants and concluded that smoking and nonsurgical treatment independently predicted long-term opioid use, but pain severity did not.
Smoking can be a marker for substance abuse disorders, the researchers noted.
They said that, for some patients, the risks associated with long-term use of opioids to manage back pain may outweigh the risks of surgery. The researchers suggested this may be a factor to consider when doctors make decisions about surgery for patients with herniated discs or stenosis, especially those with a history of substance abuse.
The study was published in the January issue of the Journal of Pain.
-- Robert Preidt
SOURCE: American Pain Society, news release, January 2009
THURSDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) Smoking, as well as the medicinal use of opioid painkillers such as oxycodone, are independent predictors of longer-term opioid pain medication use among patients with chronic back pain caused by lumbar spine conditions, a new U.S. study finds.
Latest MedicineNet News
Smokers Prone to Long-Term Prescription Painkiller
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Asian Air May Be Worsening Ozone Over U.S.
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Want More News? Sign Up for MedicineNet Newsletters!
The study included over 2,100 patients recruited from 13 spine specialty centers in 11 states. Of those patients, 42 percent said they used opioids for their back pain and one-third said they take opioids every day.
The researchers analyzed the medical, social and demographic characteristics of the participants and concluded that smoking and nonsurgical treatment independently predicted long-term opioid use, but pain severity did not.
Smoking can be a marker for substance abuse disorders, the researchers noted.
They said that, for some patients, the risks associated with long-term use of opioids to manage back pain may outweigh the risks of surgery. The researchers suggested this may be a factor to consider when doctors make decisions about surgery for patients with herniated discs or stenosis, especially those with a history of substance abuse.
The study was published in the January issue of the Journal of Pain.
-- Robert Preidt
SOURCE: American Pain Society, news release, January 2009
Revamping blog
Hey Everyone,
I have been doing a lot of reading about blogs and so I decided create a Blogging Strategy but the first thing I want to do is to tell you a little about myself.
I was diagnosed with osteo-arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and all the goodies that go along with all of these diseases, in 1999. I thought my life as I knew it was over. When I left the doctor's office, I wasn't even at my car, and I busted out in tears. I cryed all the way home and for a few more hours when I got home. I kept wondering how I was going to tell my husband of 2 years. We were still considered newlyweds, still on the honeymoon. Lost were all those weekend trips we would take at the drop of a hat. Lost were the night rides on the motorcycle, the nights with friends, pretty much everything to do with a normal life. Gone! Or so I thought at that time. Later I would find out that my life wasn't over it just need to be tweaked a little.
For the next 12 years I spent my time researching each and everyone of those diseases trying to find out just what they were, what the known therapies were, what medications there were that would help me to have a somewhat normal life, until I figured out that by changing my diet, exercising, journaling, and taking supplements was what I needed to do. Until several years ago there were no medication specifically for fibromyalgia so all I could do was take Tramadol for my pain. Then Lycria came along and I tried it, but my tongue and throat swelled up (that is part of the side effects) and the pharmacist told me to go off of it because I was schedule to go in for surgery in a week and he thought it would create complications for me. Then in January of 2009 the FDA approved a medication called Savella. It is the best thing going for me right now. For 12 years I knew only pain, now, I am almost back to the way I was before all h____ broke out.
I have a strong belief that everyone can beat their health issues by staying informed and getting as much information as they can about whatever is wrong with their health. That way when you do go to the doctor you will know your options and you will be able to talk to them better. Taking control of your health is a choice. A choice that can be better made when you arm yourself with information.
I have been doing a lot of reading about blogs and so I decided create a Blogging Strategy but the first thing I want to do is to tell you a little about myself.
I was diagnosed with osteo-arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and all the goodies that go along with all of these diseases, in 1999. I thought my life as I knew it was over. When I left the doctor's office, I wasn't even at my car, and I busted out in tears. I cryed all the way home and for a few more hours when I got home. I kept wondering how I was going to tell my husband of 2 years. We were still considered newlyweds, still on the honeymoon. Lost were all those weekend trips we would take at the drop of a hat. Lost were the night rides on the motorcycle, the nights with friends, pretty much everything to do with a normal life. Gone! Or so I thought at that time. Later I would find out that my life wasn't over it just need to be tweaked a little.
For the next 12 years I spent my time researching each and everyone of those diseases trying to find out just what they were, what the known therapies were, what medications there were that would help me to have a somewhat normal life, until I figured out that by changing my diet, exercising, journaling, and taking supplements was what I needed to do. Until several years ago there were no medication specifically for fibromyalgia so all I could do was take Tramadol for my pain. Then Lycria came along and I tried it, but my tongue and throat swelled up (that is part of the side effects) and the pharmacist told me to go off of it because I was schedule to go in for surgery in a week and he thought it would create complications for me. Then in January of 2009 the FDA approved a medication called Savella. It is the best thing going for me right now. For 12 years I knew only pain, now, I am almost back to the way I was before all h____ broke out.
I have a strong belief that everyone can beat their health issues by staying informed and getting as much information as they can about whatever is wrong with their health. That way when you do go to the doctor you will know your options and you will be able to talk to them better. Taking control of your health is a choice. A choice that can be better made when you arm yourself with information.
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