SIDE EFFECTS OF COMMON DRUGS

Medications--Beware of their side effects. I'm Dr. David DeRose. In a moment we'll look at "Side effects of common drugs" on WellnessWise.

Many are asking how can I feel better, increase my brain power and boost my productivity? The answer may lie no farther away than your medicine cabinet.

Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs have the potential to affect our mental health and our physical performance.

	Of specific concern from a productivity standpoint they can:
		1	decrease mood
		2	decrease performance
		3	increase the risk of injury
		4	cause side effects that lead to absenteeism
		5	lead to insomnia or nightmares
		6	cause major psychiatric syndromes:
			    mania, hallucinations, paranoia

Several years ago, The Medical Letter, reviewed some 100 references and implicated a number of commonly prescribed drug classes in impairing optimal mental function in some individuals. These include the following classes of drugs:

		1	asthma medications 
		2	blood pressure medications 
		3	tranquilizers and sleeping pills
		4	antidepressants
		5	anti ulcer pills
		6	anti-inflammatory drugs
		7	pain relievers, narcotics
		8	cold and allergy medications

This does not mean that all drugs used for these conditions can impair your performance--but it just takes one drug to sap your productivity.

If you think your performance is suffering from a medication--don't abruptly stop it--but rather talk to the physician who prescribed them. See if there aren't some non drug options that could give you the same benefits.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose

Reference: The Medical Letter, December 29, 1989 (31: 113-118)

SAFE USE OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS--STIMULANT BOTANICALS

Can over-the counter dietary supplements be harmful? I'm Dr. David DeRose, and we'll look at this issue in a moment on WellnessWise.

Although dietary supplements may help us with a variety of physical conditions, some of these products are potentially dangerous.

One category of supplement that has received considerable notoriety of late are those products marketed for energy, weight loss, and body-building purposes. They are touted for their apparent ability to speed up metabolism, thus giving "pep" or "energy", and aiding in weight loss.

Many of these products, though marketed for these different conditions have similar ingredients--including a number of stimulants. Among the stimulants are the caffeine sources Kola nut and guarana. Another common constituent is Ephedra (also known as Ma huang) which is a plant source of several stimulant drugs including ephedrine.

These products have been associated with an increasing number of adverse reports. These reports have documented milder symptoms such as tremor, dizziness, nervousness, headache, changes in heart rate or blood pressure and intestinal distress. They have also documented serious conditions like stroke, seizures, liver problems, severe psychiatric disturbance, chest pain, heart attack, and even death. Even young, otherwise healthy individuals have experienced these adverse reactions.

If you are seeking to boost your energy level, lose weight or enhance your body building efforts--I recommend avoiding these potentially dangerous supplements. Go back to the basics--start by making better nutritional choices and improving your physical exercise program.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

References: (1) 1992, The use and safety of common herbs and herbal teas, by Winston Craig, R.D., Ph.D. (2) p. 3 FDA Medical Bulletin September 1994

CIGARETTES: GREAT DECEIVERS

Would you keep a pathological liar as your best friend? I'm Dr. David DeRose--in a few moments we'll look at: "Cigarettes: Great Deceivers" on WellnessWise.

Among US adults who have ever developed a daily smoking habit, over three quarters of them became daily smokers before the age of 20. And recent research is confirming that young people who are daily smokers tend to smoke for the same reason that adults do--they are addicted.

Statistics also illustrate the deceptive powers of cigarettes. Many young smokers apparently take up the habit thinking that they can remain "in control." But here is where they are deceived. That small paper roll of tobacco contains nicotine--a powerfully addictive chemical.

In 1992 approximately two thirds of young smokers said that they wanted to quit--and nearly 3 out of 4 said if they had it to do over again they never would have started smoking. Over 70% of daily smokers under 22 said that one of the reasons they still smoked was because "It was really hard to quit."

The research suggests that the nicotine's deceptive power is great. It's easy to think that we can be in control of the drug nicotine--but it often controls us.

Young people need to be encouraged not to start smoking--and there are no more powerful advisors than their own peers. Messages about the harmful health consequences of smoking are important--but the deceptive nature of cigarettes and nicotine-- should also be stressed.

After all who wants a deadly deceiver for their best friend?

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Reference. Reason for Tobacco Use and Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal among Adolescent and Young Adult tobacco Users--United States, 1993--MMWR 43(41):745-750. October 21, 1994.

SECTION II

SCIENCE/HEALTH ABSTRACTS

Exercise accelerated transit time (the time required for food to pass through the colon and be excreted) in a study of ten volunteers. Without exercise the transit time in the volunteers averaged 51.2 hours, one hour of jogging per day decreased the transit time to 34.0 hours, bicycling decreased transit time to 36.6 hours. (Gut 32:941-944, 1991) Exercise may be helpful to those with chronic constipation.

SECTION III PARTING WORDS

SUBSCRIPTION INFO

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