General Health

Is Viagra Safe with Afib (Atrial Fibrillation)? Must-Know Info

March 14, 2020/in General Health /by Md. Philip Schein

Erectile dysfunction often coexists with other diseases, especially cardiovascular ones, because they may disruptively influence blood flow in the genital area. It is also known that Viagra can be contraindicated in some rare cases. So some patients are wondering — is it safe to use ‘the blue pill’ with Afib?

What is Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)?

Atrial fibrillation is the most widespread type of heart arrhythmias. It causes irregular heartbeat and this condition may increase risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. The disorder is caused by wrong signals produced by the electrical system of heart, causing the organ to fibrillate or contract too intensively. In most patients, it exists asymptomatically or with poorly noticeable symptoms. Afib who have symptoms usually experience weakness, heart palpitations, dizziness, and tiredness.

Can Afib Affect Your Intimacy?

Naturally, chaotic beating of the heart might force one to think that any exertion (including sexual activity) will cause a new attack. A partner without this condition may also be concerned. However, healthcare experts assure that there is no association between Afib episode and intimacy. As long as one have no heart symptoms, has properly diagnosed and is physically active, there is no need to worry about sex and Afib. However, each organism is unique, and some people may actually experience Afib attacks which are probably linked to sex.

Ironically, medications which are used to treat atrial fibrillation, for instance, beta-blockers featuring BP-lowering effect, might lead do deterioration of the erectile function. In such cases, inhibitors of PDE5 like Viagra and Cialis may come to rescue.

All You Need to Know About Pulmonary Heart Disease

Can Viagra Cause Atrial Fibrillation?

Viagra is a pharmaceutical with high safety profile and chances that it can be an Afib trigger are extremely low. There were rare reports according to which patients with existing health conditions experienced sildenafil-associated Afib episodes. For example, in 1999 scientists at Sano Kohsei Hospital (Tochigi, Japan) described a case of a 55-year-old man with intermittent WPW syndrome and tachycardia who suffered from atrial fibrillation and continuous hypotension after intake of sildenafil tablets. In 2018, researchers M. Ruhela and R. Bagarhatta analyzed an array of related medical studies and reported that there are only a few case reports in literature showing development of atrial fibrillation as a result of Viagra use.

In addition, Viagra is considered safe with almost all medications which are used to treat cardiovascular diseases. The only serious contraindication — never combine it with nitrates like nitroglycerine and isosorbide mononitrate.

If you explore a bunch of reviews, you would not see reports about Afib triggering. This confirms that heart side effects are fairly rare while using Viagra. In addition, they might be caused by other factors, not necessarily by intake of PDE5 inhibitors. Triggers seem to vary with each individual.

Prothrombin Time (Index) Low: Possible Interpretations of Test Results

February 29, 2020/in General Health /by Md. Philip Schein

Some people who do medical tests regularly or before necessary surgery may come across a strange result indicating a low prothrombin index. What can it mean and what to do in this case? Let’s explore the details.

What is Prothrombin Time (PT)?

This test helps a doctor to evaluate blood’s ability to clot. Often patients do it before surgery, as using its results healthcare professionals may forewarn possible issues related to improper blood clotting and bleeding after surgical intervention.

Prothrombin is one of the plasma proteins involved in the process of blood coagulation. It is also called factor II. It is a progenitor of thrombin and therefore has the name ‘[pro]thrombin.’

When the amount of prothrombin corresponds to the physiological norm, dangerous blood clots do not form in the blood vessels, and bleeding after small wounds stops in due time. If it is very low, it can take a long time for the bleeding to remain. For example, a patient may suffer from unstoppable bleeding after his / her wisdom tooth is removed.

The prothrombin index (time) is indicated in ratios or simply percent and means the ratio between the real coagulation time of a particular blood sample and the reference indicator in healthy patients, the so-called international normalized ration (INR).

Prothrombin index is measured in seconds and the normal range is 11 to 13.5 secs. This corresponds to approximately 0.8 to 1.1 INR. Deviations may indicate health conditions/disorders, but not always, as blood tests sometimes may indicate incorrect results, in particular, due to uncapped or expired collection tubes, partially clotted specimens, and some other factors. So repeated test may shed the light on the actual condition.

Possible Causes of Lowered Prothrombin Time

Taking warfarin (brand names Coumadin, Jantoven, Apo-Warfarin etc.) is the most common cause of the condition. This medication is a highly popular blood thinner which is used to treat blood clots associated with vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE). This is also a preventive drug that helps to avert stroke in individuals with cardiovascular diseases. It should be noted that Warfarin is vitamin K antagonist, and this factor is linked to the cause described below.

Another common cause of decreased PT is vitamin K deficit which is associated with improper diet. This essential fat-soluble substance is used by the body to help blood clot. Its name ‘K’ has been derived from Danish ‘koagulation’ which means ‘coagulation’, because the nutrient is paramount for clotting processes.

Other potential causes include:

hormonal problems
intestinal disorders that make it difficult for vitamin K to enter the bloodstream
a general deficiency of proteins in the blood, and in particular fibrinogen
deficiency of proteins like fibrinogen in the blood
administration of some oral contraceptives
disseminated intravascular coagulation (a severe health issue which needs immediate treatment)
hormone replacement therapy
intake of oral contraceptives which are based on hormone-like substances

Some Scientific Pieces

According to a study by V. Croquet, E. Vuillemin et al. (European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2002), low PI is an indirect marker of severe liver fibrosis.

As stated by K. Weigand, J. Encke and others (Medizinische Klinik Munich, 2009), low levels of prothrombin index and platelets don’t increase the risk of significant bleeding when placing central venous catheters during cannulation.

What to Do?

It is necessary to identify the cause and proceed to treatment. If coagulants (drugs that increase blood coagulation) are needed, your doctor will certainly prescribe them and tell you how to take them properly.

If you have been diagnosed with vitamin K deficiency, you need to nourish the organism with it naturally or by intake of appropriate supplements. The most known natural sources of the vitamin include:

green leafy veggies (spinach, parsley, Swiss chard, romaine, lettuce, and dill)
vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage)
eggs and fish, liver, cereals (not too rich sources)

Chlorophyll is a healthful supplement which is packed with various vitamins and minerals. It can contribute to normalization of PT parameters.

Anyway, take appropriate measures and take blood tests repeatedly. Lowered T may be a sign of some diseases — here’s why it is important to find the underlying cause, eliminate it, and normalize blood clotting indicators in your body.

Obesity and Men’s Health: A Hazardous Influence

February 26, 2020/in Erectile Dysfunction, General Health /by Md. Philip Schein

Obesity is a scourge of modern times. Despite the fact that millions of people in the world suffer from malnutrition and hunger, about 1.5 billion have excess weight. And this is not always a symbol of well-being. Vice versa, obesity (and overweight) is associated with a host of health problems.

What Is Obesity And What Are Causes OF THE DISEASE?

Obesity is a chronically developing illness associated with overabundance of fat in the organism, which adversely affects human health. Typically, obesity is determined through BMI (Body Mass Index), which allows one to assess the degree of compliance with the weight and height of an individual. A BMI that is equal to or higher than 30 is believed to be a sign of obesity. However, this is not always the correct method, since a person can have a lot of weight, which is mainly due to muscle mass and not fat. The diagnosis is determined in each case.

The Dangerous Effects Of Obesity

Here are some of the negative effects of obesity (with scientifically revealed anecdotal evidence):

Increased load on the joints. An obese person is about 60% more likely to develop arthritis than a healthy person with normal weight.
Increasing bad cholesterol. In individuals with obesity, ‘bad’ cholesterol tends to be high, while ‘good’ chol is usually low.
Increased risk of diabetes. Being overweight / obese increases risks to develop diabetes type 2. Cells of the body become more resistant to insulin which leads to negative consequences (diabetes symptoms).
Erectile dysfunction. According to Polish scientists Bogdanski P., Skrypnik D. et al, obesity is a significant independent risk factor for ED in men. Some extremely obese people have no physical ability to have sex at all.
Decreased testosterone and libido. Obesity is associated with decreased T levels and vice versa. Low testosterone is a key factor in decreasing sex drive.
Prostatitis. The role of obesity in prostatitis development still remains unclear, but some links may exist. However, data is contradictory. Some scientists have shown the opposite results: high BMI may be associated with lower incidence of prostate diseases, but that’s not a reason to remain obese.

Please note that this is not an exclusive list. Obesity increases the risk of dozens of diseases and it is unrealistic to talk about all of them in one article.

A related topic: Correlation Between Diabetes and Obesity

How To Fight Against Excess Weight Smartly?

If you have excess weight and even obesity, you must definitely combat it. It is not a matter of fashion canons or modern ideals of how a person should look. Good physical condition is the key to your health, and obesity is the path to various diseases, especially cardiovascular ones.

There are seven principles for successful fat burning:

Adhere to proper nutrition. The basis of your diet should consist of fruits, veggies, legumes, whole grains and lean meats. In addition, reduce your sugar intake, better choose unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats and boycott trans fats.
Ensure the correct energy balance. You must spend more energy (calories) than you consume. To lose a pound of fat per week, you need to create a daily calorie deficit of 500 kcal (approximately). This rule is suitable for people with a high degree of obesity, in other cases it is enough to create a caloric deficit amounting to 20% of the daily norm. Do not forget to consume enough water. According to the Institute of Medicine (2005), references are on average 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 liters for women. It is also recommended to take breaks in dieting, for example, you can do 1 cheat day a week. This will help you to keep the diet and avoid the phenomenon called yo-yo dieting, when a person reaches a breaking point after a rigid diet and regains former weight.
Do strength training. Cardio sessions are effective, but if you want to burn fat efficiently and quickly, dumbbells and barbells in the gym should help you. Scientists have found that strength training during a low-calorie diet can prevent muscle loss, which is very important.
Do not forget about cardio training. The respected American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 25 minutes of intense aerobic activity (jogging, swimming, cycling) three times a week. If you have high cholesterol and pressure, cardio should be done about 40 minutes 3-4 times a week.

Relax enough and don’t be nervous. It has been proven that psychosocial stress leads to an increase in bodyweight in ladies and gentlemen, which is associated with increased production of the insidious hormone cortisol. Keep in mind that the optimal duration of sleep for most people is 7-8 hours.
You can use sports nutrition. It contains important nutrients in concentrated form, which can be difficult to obtain from regular nutrition. The most efficient and widely known used supplements include protein powders, creatine, BCAA, arginine, and L-carnitine.
Measure results. It is important to monitor your progress so that you know whether you are on the right track. In addition, before and after photos is a fabulously motivating thing.
Enjoy. If the process of weight loss is a burden for you, don’t expect satisfactory results. You have a lot of choices, keep this in mind. Say, if you do not like a certain kind of physical activity, change it, most importantly, stay in motion.

Diovan Generic at Canadian Health and Care Mall. General Information

February 5, 2020/in General Health /by Md. Philip Schein

Hypertension is a major health problem due to high prevalence in all countries worldwide. About 12% of annual deaths in the world are associated with high blood pressure. Therefore, reliable medications which can be taken on a permanent basis are of high importance today.

Key Features of Valsartan (Diovan)

This is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that helps to treat elevated arterial pressure and heart failure.

In 2008-2010, valsartan was the most prescribed medication for the fight against hypertension. This is no accident, as this pharmaceutical is safe and its uses have been studied in hundreds of scientific studies. The evidence base covers about 140 thousand patients, which is a record indicator for medicines of this class.

According to one narrow-profile study, therapy based on the use of valsartan was safe and effective (as part of combination treatment) in 77% of patients with stage 1-2 hypertension with metabolic syndrome. The pharmaceutical can be safely used even in children (age 6-18) who suffers from increased blood pressure.

How Did Diovan Generic Enter the Pharmaceutical Market?

In 2019, the U.S. FDA approved a new generic valsatran to regulate blood pressure. The approval was related, inter alia, to solve the problem of reducing the supply of drugs with this active component in connection with their detected carcinogenicity.

An application for checking and approval of valsatran generic was filed by the Indian company Alkem Laboratories Ltd and was reviewed by the regulator under an expedited procedure. The new product is a generic of the branded drug Diovan manufactured by Novartis.

Scott Gottlieb, the then head of governmental body, said they were trying to use new strategies to alleviate the shortage of this important medicine for patients. He also said that the agency has set the task of considering applications for drugs of this drug in the list of priority goals.

The official noted that the FDA experts checked the production facilities of the Indian enterprise and concluded that Alkem used appropriate analytical methods to demonstrate the absence of cancer-causing chemicals in the generic new medicine.

How to Use Diovan?

You should take the medicine according to your healthcare practitioner guidelines. Do not change its dosage without prior consent of the doctor.

General rules: Diovan should be taken orally, regardless of meals. Recommended initial dose is 80 mg for high BP treatment once a day (age, race, and gender don’t matter unless otherwise is stated by the healthcare expert in your specific case). In case of heart failure, patients should take 40 mg 2 times per day, 80mg total daily dosage. If needed, they can make x2 increase (to 80mg 2 times a day, 160mg in total) under doctor’s control.

Read our article: Viagra & Cialis for Patients with Special Health Care Needs

Contraindications

The medication should not be used in the following cases:

oversensitivity to the main active agent or auxiliary components of Diovan generic
severe hepatic and renal diseases
hemodialysis (extrarenal blood purification), which is carried out during the period of taking the medication
pregnancy and lactation in women

Side Effects

According to clinical trials and scientific studies, there have been no serious side effects in the treatment with valsartan. However, as in the case of other medicines, Diovan generic can cause a number of adverse effects including headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, orthostatic hypertension (drop in blood pressure when rising from a sitting position to an upright position), as well as malfunctioning the liver.

Read the leaflet to know more about side effects and precautions.

Where to Buy the Medicine?

Online pharmacies usually feature more attractive prices than brick-and-mortar ones. Buying these pills at My Canadian Health and Care Mall, you can enjoy other benefits, such as regular discounts and cheap delivery.

Yeast Infection in Men: Treatment and Dangers of Long-Lasting Disease

December 31, 2019/in General Health /by Md. Philip Schein

If you feel itchy in your pants, this may be a symptom of a yeast infection. You have probably heard about thrush in women, which affects the genital organs and is caused by candida.

However, this fungus can also affect men, although the disease usually proceeds with less serious symptoms.

Yeast infection in men mostly occurs due to increased reproduction of Candida albicans fungi. These microorganisms are present in the body of each person in small quantities. Under normal conditions, the body does not allow it to develop, but when weakened, the fungus can make itself felt.

Yeast Infections in Men are Rare

About 10 percent of men at least once in their lives may encounter this disease.

In women, such an ailment can be caused by hormonal contraception, the use of too much bread and sugar, as well as the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. In men, a yeast infection can be caused by similar factors (hormonal contraception does not count), and it can also be transmitted through sexual contact with a woman suffering from thrush.

Symptoms

Usually, the symptoms are much more serious in women, but men can suffer significantly. They may experience the following: genital erythema, itching near the foreskin, small blisters on the penis head. Often, symptoms of thrush in men appear immediately after the intercourse and can quickly disappear even without treatment.

how to treat genital yeast infection in men

Disease Treatment

Usually, this disease cannot be cured using natural methods, but simple antifungal agents can quickly help in healing. Usually it’s enough to go to the pharmacy and buy over-the-counter medicines (or order them online), but if the therapy with them is unsuccessful, then you should consult a doctor for advice, maybe he will find that you suffer from another disease (non-fungal) that requires a completely different approach to treatment.

You might be interested in a Guide to Male Diseases and Conditions in Urology

Prolonged Yeast Infection Can Cause Problems

Although yeast infection is not a very dangerous disease for the body, it is still recommended to start treatment as soon as possible. Inflammation with mild symptoms or their absence can continue and infect the potential partner (s) during intercourse. But it is worth noting that men (with the exception of rare cases) do not become infected from women with this type of infection. Often, thrush in men occurs during a wife’s pregnancy. This is due to the fact that this condition creates more favorable conditions for the fungus, which leads to intensive reproduction of the pathogen of thrush.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a risk of infection, therefore, both sides of the sexual relationship should be treated and sexual contact should be avoided during the treatment period. If you do not adhere to the temporary sexual abstinence recommended by your doctor, this can lead to an unpleasant relapse (rollback), and your partner will get a repeated yeast infection.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Exercises for Better Sex: How to Engage Right Muscles

December 23, 2019/in General Health /by Md. Philip Schein

You can improve sexual health not only by taking special medications but also doing special sports exercises. They help to strengthen and stretch the muscles of the pelvic floor, abs and hips, thanks to which the male body improves the ability to control processes including those related to the sexual function.

1. Plow Pose Exercise (Shoulderstand Position)

Put something on the floor and lie on your back. The head should be about half a meter from the wall. Arms should lie along the body. Now raise your legs up and lower them back (towards the head) trying to reach the wall. If you succeed, you need to lower your legs as low as possible. Most likely, the first time you will not succeed, but over time you will develop the necessary flexibility and strength.

You need to be in this position until you feel discomfort. Then take a few deep breaths in and out, and return to the starting position. If you are easily doing this exercise, try to perform it so that your toes touch the floor.

2. Bow Pose

Lie on your stomach in a pose with your legs bent at the knees. Now raise your legs and try to grab your ankles with your hands. Inhale, stretching your legs up, then exhale, dropping a little down. If you can’t grab your legs, use a towel or belt as a bundle. At the initial stage, perform up to five repetitions, and then you can increase them to 10-15.

3. Lying Hip Raises

The technique for performing this exercise is as follows: lie down on the floor, put your hands along the body. Pull your legs as close to your buttocks as possible. Lift your toes up slightly, focusing on your heels. Gently raise your hips above the floor as high as possible, and then lower it down smoothly. Perform several repetitions, starting with 5-10 and culminating with up to 20. You can also do several sets (the optimal number is 3-4).

Bottom lifts is one of the safest exercises for strengthening gluteal and pelvic muscles. It can be safely performed by people who do not have significant physical training.

4. Bicycle Crunches

Lie on your back tightly to the floor. Put your hands behind your head. Lift your legs up and bend them at the knees, creating a 45-degree angle. Start simulating the movement of the bike with your feet. To begin with, adapt to this movement, and then, at each approach of the knee to the head, try to reach it with the elbow of the opposite hand (for example, the right knee – the left hand). Do up to 10 repetitions. Perform bicycle crunches for one minute, three to four times a week for best results.

5. Kegel Exercises

Contrary to a popular misbelief, these exercises are not just for women. To perform the male version of Kegel exercises, first you need to find the pubic-coccygeal muscle. Imagine urinating and then stop urinating with a quick muscle contraction. The pubic-coccygeal muscle is responsible for these contractions. Then lie down on the floor and contract this muscle up to 20 times, delaying for 2-3 seconds. Ideally, you need to learn how to contract this muscle to 10 seconds. At first, it will be easier for you to perform Kegel exercises lying down, but soon you will be able to do it in a standing position.

Benefits of Muscle Exercises in the Pelvic Area

Improving blood flow. The main function of blood circulation is to deliver oxygen and nutrients, which are necessary for the normal functioning of organs. Stagnation in the pelvis can provoke diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis and urethritis. Moreover, good blood circulation is necessary for the delivery of this vital fluid to the cavernous bodies of the penis, which ensures a high-quality erection.
Burning fat. Regular exercise will help burn fat. This will not only positively affect your appearance, but also reduce the risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Indeed, obese men who neglect physical activity are much more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than those who regularly do exercise.
Maintaining tone. Even short-term home workouts will enhance your overall health, sense of well-being and improve your tone (both physical and psychological).

An interesting article: Can Viagra Be Used as a Weight-Loss Drug?

Thus, with the right exercises you can improve your sex life. Do not wait for instant results, the body must adapt to the loads. Gradually, you will get trained and undoubtedly see the result in your sex life.

What Happens During Orgasm or How Does Ejaculation Work?

December 19, 2019/in General Health /by Md. Philip Schein

It may seem that what we experience during intimacy, is difficult to explain in scientific language. But in fact, all processes are mediated by physiological mechanisms and biochemical reactions. Curious men and women are probably interested in what happens during orgasm and what mechanism ejaculation has.

Male Ejaculation in Scientific Terminology

Ejaculation is the process of emitting seminal fluid from the urethra in men during sex or other sexual activity. This is a complex reflex act, the control center of which is located in the spinal cord, and certain parts of the brain also play a role in its regulation. Ejaculation is usually accompanied by an orgasm; however, these phenomena are not equivalent to each other (for example, ejaculation also occurs during pollution at night, which is not accompanied by orgasm).

Ejaculation Phases in Men

The ejaculatory process consists of two phases:

The emission phase (‘travel’ phase). This process is controlled by the human sympathetic nervous system. During this phase, vas deferens smooth muscle contraction occurs, leading to sperm eruption from epididymides. Usually the beginning of this phase is accompanied by a feeling of inevitability of ejaculation. Sperm flows through the ejaculatory tract, then it mixes with other fluids, as a result of which the final ejaculate is formed and breaks out.
Semen ejection phase. During this phase, the formed ejaculate is ejected due to the rhythmic contractions of the so-called bulbospongiosus (bulbocavernosus) muscle. There are several shocks (emissions), usually the first one has weaker strength, and the second or third one is the most powerful, but it all depends on a man’s physiological characteristics. Then there is a gradual decrease in the volume and power of the shocks and the latter can be already dry, that is, without semen ejection. Usually, about 10-15 contractions occur, this period is characterized by the appearance of extremely pleasant sensations for men. Then the head of the penis gains sensitivity and any touch is almost no pleasure (a man feels only hypersensitivity). Also, after ejaculation, men may feel drowsy.

In terms of hormonal fluctuations, the hormone oxytocin is released during orgasm, which leads to rhythmic muscle contraction and ejaculation. And the stronger the orgasm, the greater the release of oxytocin. After that, the brain rewards the man with a good portion of dopamine, as a result of which he experiences pleasure. Oxytocin also enhances a sense of trust and makes a person miss his partner. However, it is known that testosterone can interfere with the action of oxytocin, and in men with an elevated level of this hormone, the feeling of convergence can be suppressed. Perhaps this caused the image of a ‘bad guy’ who loses interest in a girl after achieving his goal (that is, sex).

Multiple Orgasm

Men cannot experience multiple orgasms, unlike women. After ejaculation, they inevitably experience a refractory period during which sexual intercourse is impossible. But men have another advantage: getting an orgasm is easier for them than for girls, with the exception of some pathologies, such as delayed ejaculation. However, it should be noted that men are much more likely to suffer from premature ejaculation when intercourse can end in a few seconds. This can be caused by psychological and physiological problems, as well as prolonged abstinence from sex.

An interesting tidbit: Does Viagra Help with Premature Ejaculation?

Is There Ejaculation in Women?

In some women, during the orgasm, a clear liquid (the name of this process is squirting) is released abundantly, most likely from the bladder. Scientific debates about its nature are still underway. Some scholars believe that it is urine, although others report that it does not have a characteristic smell or color. Some scientists suggest that fluid release helps flush out harmful bacteria from the urethra.

Many women who ejaculate say that G-point stimulation helps them to achieve this.

Painkiller Addiction: Signs, Treatment and Prevention

December 18, 2019/in General Health /by Md. Philip Schein

Painkillers are a great invention of mankind because they help get rid of acute pain, including that occurring during surgical interventions. It would be impossible to carry out many important operations without anesthesia and painkillers. You could not even pull out a tooth painlessly and without severe torment if painkillers were not available. But these medicines also have side effects and other disadvantages.

Some people, especially those who suffer from chronic pain, develop addiction to painkillers because they take them very often and immensely (in high doses). Sometimes even people who do not abuse these medications (intentionally or unintentionally) may encounter this problem.

Signs of Painkiller Dependence

Although the main goal of painkillers is to relieve a person from pain, these medications can cause a feeling of euphoria to which addiction is developed. As a result, a patient desires to receive it again and again.

Dependence can progress slowly, so patient painkiller taker may not notice its development. Typically, symptoms include apathy for the surrounding, fatigue, lethargy, and loss of interest in normal daily activities. If a person abuses painkillers, he or she may also experience overdose symptoms, namely space disorientation, vomiting, nausea, drop in blood pressure, and sharply negative or suicidal thoughts. Using too high dosage can even be fatal. This makes it necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible and start treatment for addiction. Close relatives should carefully monitor a patient who has signs of dependence on painkillers and suspicious behavior:

ordering large quantities of medicines online
theft of painkillers from relatives, friends, other people
causing damage to oneself to enter the hospital and receive a new prescription
illegal prescribing (faking) recipes
purchasing drugs from illegal street vendors
getting angry with other people who indicate his / her abuse
sudden mood swings
constant obsession with the use of drugs

Both non-prescription and prescription painkillers may be abused. According to F.V. Abbott and M.I. Fraser (1998), more than 4 grams of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or acetaminophen over a long period of time may be considered abuse. As stated by D.A. Fishbain et al (2008), percentage of addiction development in chronic pain patients using RX opioids is relatively low, but they often tend to have aberrant drug-related behavior.

Read our article about Headaches

Addiction Treatment

The treatment plan depends on the type of addiction. If a person is addicted to opioid (narcotic) painkillers, he / she may be faced with both physiological and psychological dependence. The rehabilitation process can be lengthy and undergoing treatment in specialized rehab centers is often the best option.

Non-narcotic analgesics usually cause psychological dependence, which is theoretically less serious than physiological one, but it is often the trickiest thing.

Aftercare plays a significant role after successful treatment. Painkiller addicts may join local or online groups, which allow for creating environment of understanding and help prevent relapse of the disorder.

How to Prevent the Development of Painkiller Addiction?

Always take medicine as instructed. If it is indicated that, for example, roughly speaking the maximum duration of treatment is five days, you should not take the medication for 10 days.

Also, do not exceed the recommended dosage. Remember that painkillers provide only a symptomatic effect. They do not eliminate the cause of the pain. To combat the primary source of the problem, you need to take other drugs and or resort to other actions.

And remember: in spite of the fact that many painkillers are dispensed without a prescription, it is always better to consult a doctor if you are planning a medium or long-term treatment.

Always try to get the right diagnosis to identify the true cause of the pain. If you need painkillers on an ongoing basis, consult your doctor regularly, maybe he or she will advise you to change your medication.

If you suspect you are addicted to painkillers, see your doctor as soon as possible, this will speed up the achievement of sobriety.

Can You Drink Alcohol with Viagra? Sildenafil and Alcoholic Drinks

November 21, 2019/in General Health, Generic Viagra /by Md. Philip Schein

It is a common belief that alcoholic drinks lead to loosing up, making you horny and ready for sex. Hence people often take Viagra which contains sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, before or after drinking alcohol. Is that safe? Can you consume strong or low-alcohol drinks while taking the ‘blue pill’?

Viagra and Alcohol – Safety Issues

Viagra is the most known drug for treating erectile dysfunction, which is taken orally approximately 30 minutes before sexual intercourse. Alcoholic drinks often accompany romantic settings, which actualize a question of combining ED pills with them.

Theoretically, Viagra and alcohol can cause synergistic vasodilating effect when taken together (as they are both vasodilators), however, such an assumption has not been clearly confirmed by clinical studies. One research has shown that one bottle of wine (0.75 L) combined with the ‘blue diamond’ doesn’t lead to low blood pressure. However, this doesn’t’ mean that you can try such a risky adventure.

However, some users report that they or their friends have experienced severe side effects amidst simultaneous use of Viagra and consuming alcohol-containing drinks (binge drinking). These adverse events are unique and may be extremely unpleasant:

Decrease in penis hardness (in terms of achieving and maintaining it).
Poor ability to get aroused to have sex.
Serious headache due to which you can lose a desire for intimacy.
Skin flushing.
Dizziness and lightheadedness.

Alcohol and Overall Health

Alcohol is a considerable contributor to the development of many diseases. Jürgen Rehm, PhD and a director of one of departments at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Toronto, Canada), highlighted the following ones:

cardiovascular diseases
liver disorders (fatty liver, cirrhosis, hepatic failure)
infectious diseases
pancreatitis
malignant tumors
diabetes
psychotic disorders
alcoholic myopathy and cardiomyopathy

The healthcare expert noted that ethyl alcohol is actually a primary underlying cause for over 30 diseases. Alcohol overconsumption may contribute to the development or aggravation of hundreds of other abnormal conditions.

As for sexual health, according to Healthline, booze affects it in four ways:

Increases angiotensin levels, which is associated with elevated risks of ED.
Leads to a decreased blood flow to the penile organ.
Exert a depressive effect on the CNS (central nervous system).
Drinking too much can delay or even prevent ejaculation.

In addition, the use of alcohol increases risks of sexually transmitted diseases (as drunk people are more prone to abandoning condoms and committing other reckless sexual actions), as well as can lead to unintentional/intentional injuries. Often an injury is received unintentionally, due to worsening of coordination. Research has shown that intentional injuries comprise about 15% of total quantity and are typically caused by beatings. Not to mention social harm, including disruption of family, workplace problems, financial issues, and committing criminal offences.

A drink or two (depending on your bodyweight) can make one hornier, this is true for both males and females. However, non-modest drinking may lead to the opposite effect.

It’s worth noting that low doses of some alcohol drinks were associated with some health benefits. In particular, according to a study by Lukas Shopek et al. (Molecules, 2018), moderate wine consumption has been linked to cancer prevention, due to antioxidants and polyphenols contained in fruits from which wine is made.

An interesting article: How to Take Viagra – With Water or Milk? Can You Take It With Juices?

Conclusions

You’ve probably heard ‘whiskey dick’ expression. But not only whiskey can lead to troubles with getting an erection. This applies to any drink, whether it is 4% beer or 80% absinth, the key thing here is excess income of ethyl alcohol in the blood. If effect of booze is severe, no Viagra will help you. You’ll end up with nothing. So, excessive drinking is anyway harmful, regardless of taking the sildenafil-based drug. Moreover, increased amount of ethyl alcohol in the blood might lead to enhancement of Viagra effect which is fraught with an increased risk of side effects and a decrease in blood pressure. So our recommendation is to avoid alcohol when you take Viagra; at least minimize its consumption, 1-2 units appear to be relatively safe.

Everything About Chickenpox

January 29, 2018/in General Health /by Douglas C. Goldberg, MD

General Information

Chickenpox or as it got used to be called waterpox is referred to a sharp viral disease. The infectious invader of chickenpox is the shingles virus. The illness is an airborne one and affects people of any age. We will notice that chickenpox at adults and children becomes infectious even before the first symptoms appearance, that’s why chicken pox epidemics are fixed worldwide which usually occur in winter and in the beginning of spring.

Mechanism of Infection

The virus enters a human body through mucous membranes of the upper airways. The initial reproduction is carried out there as well. After that the virus gets into blood and is carried on all main systems of life-sustaining activity. In the course of further development the infectious invader of chickenpox accommodates in the organism, causing dystrophic changes and forming the characteristic bubbles filled with serosal substance.

Symptoms

Chickenpox symptoms in majority of cases depend on patient’s age. Chickenpox at children seldom proceeds in a heavy form and in most cases recovers without any serious complications.

The situation changes in a case with children with weak immunity system and adults who had no chicken pox in the childhood. This case has more acute symptomatology and demands a long-term treatment. Chickenpox the incubation period of which lasts from ten to fifteen days keeps in touch within two-three days prior to emergence of the first enanthesis on skin.

Characteristic symptoms of chickenpox is headache, slight increase of temperature, general weakness. If you notice such symptoms of your child for example, you’d better call for emergence not to risk the child’s health. In case of this disorder you may check drugs via the web site: mycanadianhealthcaremall.com.

Treatment

Many people consider that skin enanthesis is the only serious manifestation of chickenpox. But certainly, they are mistaken. At the diagnosis chickenpox treatment has to be carried out immediately as, otherwise, the infection brings to damage of inner organs – lungs, liver, brain covers and to defeat intervertebral ganglion and nervous tissue.

The scientists try to work out the vaccine to protect people from this disorder and sometimes they are succeeded. But it should be mentioned this disease must be treated in any case. If the drugs are expensive you may order them via the Internet for example with the professional help of Canadian Health Care mall specialists. It is a pharmaceutical company providing an outstanding service and well-qualified medications for their customers.