AVOIDING AN ADVERSE DRUG REACTION

Researchers are now estimating that 3 to 6 percent of all hospital admissions are caused by dangerous, and often hidden, side-effects associated with prescription drugs. Even worse, 87 percent of these adverse drug reactions were not listed on the medication’s label. Between the years 1998 to 2005, hospital admissions—due to negative side-effects stemming from prescription medication—sky-rocketed from 34,966 cases to 89,842. With this came a 2.7 percent increase in deaths directly resulting from an adverse drug reaction. In 2005 the number of Americans who needlessly died as the result of lethal drug-related side-effects reached a disturbing 15,107 souls.It’s clear that America’s drug-safety evaluation system is full of flaws, making it very difficult to trust the medical community. That’s why every one of us must take our health seriously. If we don’t want to end up a medical statistic we must make permanent, healthy changes to our lifestyle. Healthy eating is a priority, as is exercise. Add regularly scheduled chiropractic adjustments to that mix and you’ll be on your way to a longer, healthier, better quality of life that is adverse drug reaction free.

[Source: Archives of Internal Medicine 9/10/2007]

CHIROPRACTIC IMPROVES ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

A new study reveals that bicyclists can improve their performance by undergoing a short program of chiropractic care.The study involved six people, 4 male and 2 female. Three of the males and both females were competitive racers.Initially, the subjects were tested to determine their base line performance. Using a CompuTrainer--a stationary, computerized machine that allows the rider’s personal bike to be attached to it—each bicyclist participated in a race simulation. Researchers then recorded various data regarding strength, pressure and force. After the test, each biker was examined and adjusted by a chiropractor, then retested on the CompuTrainer one to two weeks later.A poll of the riders found that five reported a lower perceived effort of how hard they were working at the same workload during the retest. Five of the riders also experienced improvement in pedaling performance. These results indicate that a bicyclist can ride longer before fatiguing.Chiropractic adjustments improve all aspects of body performance by correcting misalignments of the spine, which interfere with nervous system and the body’s ability to function at 100 percent capacity. If this is what chiropractic adjustments can do for bicyclists, just image how beneficial chiropractic adjustments will be to your everyday living!

[Source: www.montanarochiropractic.com/computrainer.htm]

BEWARE OF VYTORIN

Data from a recent study shows that people taking the popular cholesterol-reducing heart medication, Vytorin, are 33 to 70 percent more likely to develop—and die from—cancer.The study, called SEAS, was initially launched to examine the effectiveness of Vytorin to prevent severe, age-related heart valve problems. During the course of the study researchers unexpectedly stumbled upon Vytorin’s link to cancer.Vytorin and its sister-drug, Zetia, are widely prescribed medications in the US, raking in over $4 billion a year for Merck and Schering-Plough. A statement by Merck and Schering-Plough acknowledged that the medications did seem to come with a higher risk of cancer, but added that the discovery was “an anomaly that, taken in light of all of the data, doesn’t support an association with Vytorin.”The problem with that statement is that current ongoing studies, such as IMPROVE-IT and SHARP, are investigating the Vytorin-cancer link, and what they’re finding does not look good for anyone who has been taking Vytorin.
[Source: “Heart drug’s safety scrutinized” USA Today Weekend Edition, 7/25/08]

ANTIBIOTICS LEAD TO ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA

As the worldwide medical community continues to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics—especially to young children—negative side effects are beginning to surface.A 2003 study at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit presented compelling evidence confirming the danger antibiotics. This study, authorized by Christine Cole Johnson, PhD, concluded that children who receive antibiotics within the first six months of life increase their risk of developing asthma and allergies to pets, ragweed, and dust mites.Researchers followed 448 children from birth to seven years of age. The children were evenly divided by gender. Of the entire group, 49% had received antibiotics in the first six months of life. Data gathered throughout the study showed that children who took at least one antibiotic as a baby were 1.5 times more likely to develop allergies, and 2.5 times more likely to develop asthma than children who did not receive antibiotics.