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Archive for February 8th, 2010

Do you have pulmonary hypertension? This medical disorder, which is more serious in some patients than for others, occurs when blood pressure increases in the pulmonary artery to the point where blood flow to the lungs is restricted and the heart becomes overworked.

This, in turn, results in a myriad of unpleasant symptoms ranging from lightheadedness and dizziness to fainting spells and shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, and is marked by a dramatically reduced physical activity and exercise tolerance.

Although there are many different types (venous, hypoxic, arterial, thromboembolic, or primary) as well as specific causes (ranging from pulmonary embolism, heart disorders, and autoimmune disorders to genetics and the use of certain weight-loss pills) of pulmonary hypertension, the condition known as primary pulmonary hypertension, or PPH, refers to pulmonary hypertension with a cause that is unknown or unproven in nature.

However, one specific cause that has often been linked to primary pulmonary hypertension is the use of Fen-Phen, a popular weight-loss and anti-obesity pill until the FDA took it off the market in 1997 after more and more reports surfaced, linking its use to the potential development of primary pulmonary hypertension.

Effective PPH treatment is essential if you have primary pulmonary hypertension, no matter why or how you developed this disorder. Flolan, a vasodilator FDA-approved drug as well as a natural form of prostacyclin produced by Glaxo Wellcome, Inc., is one of the more common choices for PPH treatment for a number of reasons. It works by relaxing the lungs’ blood vessels, slowing down the production of cell growth and scar tissue there, preventing the vessels from narrowing, and increasing oxygen in the blood.

Patients who take this treatment notice an improvement in their level of physical activity and exercise, and it may prolong their lives. This treatment is also considered an alternative to having a lung transplant. Finally, because it is a natural form of PPH treatment, Flolan is often preferred over other types of PPH treatment.

However, it is not taken as an oral tablet to treat primary pulmonary hypertension; it is actually quite a bit more complicated than that. Instead, the body receives it intravenously via a catheter through a vein in the chest leading to the heart.

The drug is then pumped into the patient’s system slowly but continuously through a battery-operated pump generally carried inside a little shoulder pack or worn on the belt. In addition, Flolan is natural and therefore has a short shelf life, meaning it must be mixed daily as well as refrigerated. The fact that it is generally considered to be inconvenient for some to use is one of the drug’s biggest complaints.

However, because it is a natural, biological substance and agent, using this treatment has fewer and less serious side-effects than other types of PPH treatment, such as Tracleer. The most common side-effects associated with Flolan include headaches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, jaw pain, and flushing. Very rarely do infections occur within the catheter, but when they do occur, hospitalization and replacement may be necessary.

It is often compared to other types of PPH treatment and drugs used for primary pulmonary hypertension, the most common of which are Remodulin and Tracleer. Flolan and Remodulin are quite similar in a number of ways (how they work and side-effects), but while Remodulin lasts longer than Flolan and does not need to be mixed or refrigerated daily, the location of the injection (abdominal area) must be changed often, and significant pain can develop in the injection area.

Tracleer is considered much more convenient to take than Flolan because Tracleer is taken orally as a tablet; however, it does have more and more serious side-effects, particularly related to the liver.

If Flolan treatment sounds like something that would work well for you in your lifestyle and situation and for treating your primary pulmonary hypertension, talk to your doctor about taking it to find out if it’s right for you. Keep in mind that it does require a prescription.

If you have personally used Fen-Phen as a drug to help you lose weight (particularly substantial amounts of weight) in the past and you now suffer from primary pulmonary hypertension and require PPH treatment, there could very well be a link between the two. Did you know that law firms specializing in cases like these can help you? Contact an established law firm that specializes in helping patients who have used Fen-Phen diet pills and now may have primary pulmonary hypertension or other medical condition or complication as a result.

Nick Johnson is lead counsel with Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving Fen-Phen and PPH, Paxil, Mesothelioma and Nursing Home Abuse. Call Nick Johnson at 1-888-311-5522 or visit http://www.jbclawfirm.com

Among the many kinds of contact lenses available today are: novelty, colored, crazy, Halloween, special effects, theatrical, costume, scary, glow in the dark, wild eyes, mirrored, black, white, and red. Be careful about buying cheap contact lenses, they may not be the quality you want; discounted quality contact lenses are the most desirable. The choice of which lens is right for you should be based only on an examination by your doctor or eyecare professional, not over the phone. Once you have the prescription in hand you can look for discounted lenses online.

Contact lens sales are solely regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission.) And all correcting contact lenses must have a valid prescription from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Extended wear contact lenses are used for overnight or continuous wear ranging anywhere from one to six nights or up to 30 days. There are differences in the water content and shape of the contact lens between different brands. There are also a few rigid gas-permeable lenses designed and approved for overnight wear.

Although easier to handle and less likely to tear, rigid gas-permeable lenses are not as comfortable in the beginning as soft contacts and it may take a few weeks to get used to wearing them compared to just a few days for soft contacts. There are two types of contact lenses – soft and rigid gas permeable. You can become adjusted to soft lenses within a few days, compared to several weeks for the rigid ones.

In some models, each lens corrects for near and distance vision and in others, one lens is for near vision, and the other is for distance vision. Rigid gas permeable lenses tend to be cheaper over the life of the lens since they last longer than soft lenses. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are more durable, resistant to deposit buildup, and generally give clearer, crisper vision.

Rigid lenses don’t absorb chemicals, unlike soft lenses which will soak up residue from your hands like soap and lotion. If you plan to wear lenses for more than 18 hours for the purpose of changing your eye color, then buy colored soft lenses.

You want to always buy from a reputable company; you can buy contact lenses without a prescription, but then the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device violating FTC regulations by selling you contact lenses without having your prescription. Ask about lens prices at your doctor’s office when you have your eye examination, or during a follow-up visit after you get your prescription. Check out how long the online supplier has been in business before you buy from them.

Focus on value, not the price; most people looking for the best price are really looking for the best value. Get a feel for how the retailer handles customer service calls, in case you end up having a problem after your order arrives. There are many good discount contact lens retailers now on the Internet making their lenses available at a good discount for both prescription and non-prescription lenses.

Rebates sometimes are available from the seller, from the manufacturer, for first-time contact lens wearers and for individuals who buy lenses and get an eye exam – make sure to ask. Beware of any attempts to substitute a brand different from the one you want when buying contacts. You can buy discount contact lenses from an eye doctor, on the Internet, from an optical store or a warehouse club.

One sight-threatening concern is the infection Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is caused by improper car of the lens; this difficult-to-treat parasitic infection’s symptoms are similar to those of corneal ulcers. Daily-wear lenses are removed daily for cleaning and are a safer choice, provided they aren’t worn while you’re sleeping. A basic rule: never swap your contact lenses with anyone else.

The risk of corneal ulcers for people who keep extended-wear lenses in overnight is 10 to 15 times greater than for those people who use daily-wear lenses only while they are awake. Heat disinfection is the only effective method against the microorganism Acanthamoeba keratitis, a common culprit for contact lens wearers, and it also kills organisms in and on the lens case. Under the binding down of a rigid contact lens during sleep, the flow of tears and oxygen to the cornea is reduced. The lack of oxygen leaves the eye vulnerable to infection.

If you are planning to buy discount contact lenses, you should buy the best quality you can get, even at a higher price; you don’t want to skimp on quality when it comes to your eyes. Shopping for contacts online will save you a lot of money; contact lenses are deeply discounted. Laser or LASIK surgery and its risks can be frightening and too expensive for some people; contacts can provide a safer, more comfortable alternative.

For more information on color contact lenses and where to buy discount contact lenses visit http://www.VisionNurse.com Helen Hecker R.N.’s popular website which offers tips, advice and resources, including information on LASIK eye surgery, sunglasses, eyeglasses and affordable quality contact lenses