Posts Tagged tests
Early Psychosis Linked to Marijuana Usage: Do You Know Where Your Children Are?
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology on February 15, 2011
If you are the parent of a teenager, you are probably already worried about the possibility that they are using or trying drugs. If you’re not, you should be! Not only are there the inherent risks of drug use from driving under the influence to unprotected sex, but now marijuana use has been tied to early psychosis, especially schizophrenia. 
A causal relationship wasn’t established, therefore the researchers of the study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry online last week, can’t say that marijuana use causes psychosis, but they certainly suspect that it’s possible.
Several theories about what the link between marijuana and early onset of psychosis means have been floated. It could be that people who already have some mental problems are using marijuana to self-medicate or are drawn to getting high. It could also be that those who will develop early psychosis (before the age of 25) tend to smoke marijuana for some reason while those who will develop it later aren’t drawn to it as strongly or at all.
While these alternative reasons to a theory that marijuana use causes early psychosis are valid and may be the right answers, it can’t be ruled out that pot smoking is the cause. Instilling the fear of drugs and their side effects in our youth is more important than ever. Why take a chance that your child will be the one to develop a psychosis that never would have surfaced without marijuana use? Confidential tests are available that can keep you informed about your teen’s extracurricular activities. I wouldn’t take the risk of letting my child ruin their life, and the earlier the onset of psychotic illness, the more long lasting and debilitating the disease tends to be. Stay involved and know what your children are up to.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
FDA Working on New Guidelines for Opoid Prescribing
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology on July 24, 2010
Although they are not there yet, the FDA is working towards creating a plan to prevent inappropriate prescribing, misuse and abuse of extended release opoid painkillers. A panel reviewing the plan rejected it 25 to 10 saying that it doesn’t go far enough toward stemming opoid addiction, overdose and death. The abuse and inappropriate use of these highly addictive painkillers has risen to the level of illegal drug use and has become a huge problem. The proposed plan, a risk evaluation and strategy (REMS) plan, would require drug companies to provide education to physicians on how to prescribe pain medication and provide them with information to provide to patients on how to use and store opoids. The panel stated that providing education is not enough and that the FDA plan needs to be stronger. In fact, they suggest working to get Congress to pull the Drug Enforcement Administration in to tackle this problem.
The abuse of painkillers affects all of us, adding to our national healthcare costs and putting us at risk when prescription drug addicts and abusers perform jobs that we rely on. Employer drug screening programs need to include opoid testing and the FDA needs to continue their work to develop a plan that would prevent these abuses. Patients could be placed on a list when they receive a prescription so that other physicians know their pain medication prescriptions and usage and physicians need to be monitored more closely and provided with training so that they can spot patients faking their pain. We have a long way to go, but this is a critical health issue that needs to be addressed.
Balancing the Risks of Statins with the Benefits
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on June 16, 2010
Many people, especially those who take statin drugs for lowering their cholesterol, are aware of risks to the liver while on the drugs, but there are other negative side effects that are at their worst during the first year on the medication. These drugs are generally considered to be highly effective at treating heart disease and are credited with saving millions of lives. New findings, published in the British Medical Journal, found that for every 10,000 high risk women treated with statins, there would be about 271 fewer cases of heart disease and 8 fewer cases of esophageal cancer. On the flip side, however, there would be 74 extra patients with liver dysfunction, 23 extra patients with acute renal failure, 307 with cataracts and 39 with a muscle weakness condition called myopathy. The lead researchers of the study stated that the study likely won’t change the use of statins, but should be considered for policy and planning purposes.
The research highlights the need for careful monitoring of patients on statin drugs. It is important to be tested frequently for liver function and to be aware of the adverse side effects pointed out in the study. It is possible that the close monitoring of patients taking statin drugs will allow these side effects to be caught early enough to prevent long term damage. If you fall into this group, get tested, stay in touch with your doctor and watch out for unusual symptoms or side effects.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Choose You Campaign Focuses on Putting Yourself First
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on May 7, 2010
Just in time for Mother’s Day, when we all say “Thanks Mom”, the American Cancer Society is encouraging women to take better care of themselves. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 3 women will contract cancer during her lifetime. Moms spend so much time taking care of everyone else, they often neglect their own health. Carving out time to exercise, go to the doctor, or even choose healthier foods can be a struggle for busy people. Ellen Pompeo, of Grey’s Anatomy, launched the effort this week in Times Square and focused on this specific idea: Busy mothers need to make the time to stay or get healthy. In a new national survey, out of 2000 women aged 25 to 64, 90% say they “fall short” of eating a balanced diet and 85% fail to squeeze in 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week.
“Women hold the keys to cancer prevention because they are the Chief Medical and Chief Operating Officers of their individual households. But they really struggle to make their own health a priority,” said Elizabeth T.H. Fontham, M.P.H., Dr.P.H., immediate past volunteer president of the American Cancer Society. Women are encouraged to go to the Choose You website and sign a Choose You commitment to meet a specific personal health goal from 5 different categories: Eat Right, Get Active, Get Recommended Health Screenings, Protect Your Skin or Quit Smoking. Choose You participants and visitors will also have access to online tools and support such as a virtual dietician, a calorie counter and more.
On May 12th, large employers will support the Choose You campaign by encouraging employees to support the campaign and to take a 30 minute walk during the workday to focus on their own personal health. Employees can choose to take a walk, attend a yoga class or attend another program provided by their employer. If you were waiting for some encouragement to get started on a improving your health, here it is!
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Getting High on Junk Food
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on March 30, 2010
New research published in this week’s online journal, Nature Neuroscience, shows that there may be similarities between the compulsion to overeat high fat, junk food and the compulsive behavior seen in drug addiction. The study, conducted on rats, provided the subjects unlimited amounts of fatty junk food. Perhaps not so amazingly, the rats ate more and more of the food as time went on. Even when they were full they continued to eat even if it meant receiving electric shocks and the amount of food they consumed increased as their weight increased. The researchers believe that the rats experienced lower dopamine levels as their weight rose so that they needed larger amounts of the high fat foods to feel the rewards of eating the food. This is similar to the action of dopamine found in habitual drug users.
The dangers of both drug addiction and obesity are well known and can be disasterous. Controlling our behavior and managing our long term health is critical for disease prevention. Testing is available for some of the obvious health issues associated with obesity such as high cholesterol and diabetes. Take action today!
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Your Biological Clock is Ticking Faster
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests on February 25, 2010
No, your clock hasn’t sped up. It’s been going faster than you thought all along! The Washington Post reported that women may lose 90% of their eggs by the time they are 30. These days many women don’t get married until they are in their 30′s, putting off marriage and children until they have spent time establishing their careers and their independence. The biological reality is that women are most fertile in their teens and early twenties. Studies have shown that as women get older their fertility is reduced, so in a way this information is not a surprise. The news that is surprising is that the decline in fertility happens so early and that the drop off after the age of 30 is so steep. Society has changed allowing longer life spans and more opportunities for women, but ovaries have not changed. If having children is important to a woman, she needs to think about it sooner rather than later. Tests to measure progesterone, a marker of fertility, can be done to help determine when to attempt to conceive and the level of present fertility. Additionally, there have been significant advances in fertility treatments to assist women trying to conceive. Being healthy, maintaining a normal weight, and keeping stress under control all help, but age appears to be the biggest factor.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
CDC H1N1 Flu Updates:- Press Briefing Transcript: Dr. Thomas Frieden's Remarks at the 2010 Influenza Workshop for Journalists
- HHS News Release: WHO Declares End to 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic
- WHO Statement on H1N1 in post-pandemic period
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update
- MMWR: Regional Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccination Campaign -- Skokie, Illinois, October 16--December 31, 2009
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update