Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Why an Online Pharmacy Saves You Money and Time on All of Your Prescription Medicines

When you visit the doctor, chances are you'll head to the pharmacy next. Prescription medicines are a part of life, and we all need them from time to time. Maybe you depend on prescription medicines day after day for blood pressure, migraines, pain relief or another type of illness and must have your prescription drugs refilled on a regular basis. If so, you'll be glad to learn that there's an affordable alternative - an online pharmacy.





Here's a quick guide that reveals why an online pharmacy saves you money and time on all of your prescription medicines.





Benefits of an Online Pharmacy





Online pharmacies offer a number of benefits if you buy prescription drugs often. If you're Internet savvy or know someone who is, it's worth the time and effort to get familiar with online pharmacies.





Time Saver for Busy Schedules





With today's busy schedules, sitting for an hour or more to wait on your prescription to be filled is no picnic. Between work and family life, you might be pressed for time. If you need prescription refills often, you would benefit tremendously by ordering from an online pharmacy. You can order your prescription refills online at work or home and in only a few moments. It is shipped to you by mail, so you never have to leave the house!





Money Saver





You can also save money by shopping at an online pharmacy. Online pharmacies have very little overhead. Unlike a local pharmacy, the online pharmacy owner doesn't have to pay high building rent and utility payments each month, and they don't have to pay many employees to operate the store. They can easily have a one-to-three person operation online.





Another reason online pharmacies can offer great prices on prescription medicines is they can order products in quantity. They are able to get many medicines (such as pre-stocked creams and pills) in large quantities at discounts. These savings are passed on to you.





Convenient Alternative





Online pharmacies provide a convenient alternative for those who are bed-ridden or unable to drive to the local pharmacy for their prescription medications. They can now order their prescription drugs or get refills online and have them shipped directly to their home. If you are in this situation and do not have online access, your caretaker or a family member can order the prescription medicines for you. It will save you and your caretaker time and money.





Wide Selection of Medicines





You can find a wide selection of medicines online because online pharmacies serve so many people from different locations. They can stock more items or have them drop-shipped from a manufacturer.





If you live in a remote location or small town, your local pharmacy might be limited in supply at times and may not have the medicine you need when you need it. Instead of driving to another city to find your medicines, visit an online pharmacy to place your order.





Online pharmacies offer many categories of medicines, including allergies, anti-depressants, anti-parasitic, antibiotics, headache, heartburn, anti-viral, arthritis, blood pressure, anxiety, birth control, men's health, weight loss, pain relief, and many others. They offer many different brands and generic drugs as well. You can buy Soma, Tramadol, Viagra and other popular medications at great prices.





Privacy and Anonymity





You can ask an online pharmacist questions that you wouldn't want to ask in person without the embarrassment. Online pharmacists are there to help, and you can easily ask questions by email or phone from the privacy of your home.





Choosing an Online Pharmacy





Finding the online pharmacy that's right for you is easy with a little research. An important step is to check with the Better Business Bureau online to be sure the company hasn't had a lot of customer service complaints. Also, be sure the online pharmacy is licensed to practice in the country where it is located and where it is selling to as well. Check for customer references if you still want to know more about the company's service.





Also, surf the online pharmacy site a little while before buying. Learn all about their shipping policies, customer service, and pricing. Taking that first step is always the hardest. Once you order your first medicines online, you'll quickly see why an online pharmacy saves you money and time on all of your prescription medicines.


Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.Learn more about Benefits of an Online Pharmacy or Majon's Health and Beauty directory.

Chronic Pain Relief - Why Living With Pain Is No Longer Necessary

Chronic pain comes in many forms and can occur from a variety of circumstances such as traumatic injury, disease and medical afflictions such as migraines, arthritis and other muscular and skeletal conditions. In the past, living with chronic pain was something that most sufferers were resigned to deal with. Advances in medicine however have gotten the upper hand on pain and it can now be easily controlled through medication and treatment.

What is Chronic Pain?

According to many medical sources, chronic pain is defined as frequently recurring severe pain that flares up frequently and does not respond adequately to common over the counter pain relief medications. This type of pain is also categorized as pain that lasts for a period of more than 6 months, is due to non-life threatening conditions and if not treated or controlled, may be experienced for the lifetime of the person suffering.

What Causes Chronic Pain?

There are many factors and conditions that can lead to chronic pain in humans. Some are the results of aging and others may be triggered by injury or congenital circumstances. Some of the more common causes include:

" Injuries that were not properly healed


" Damage to nerves


" Traumatic injuries


" Arthritis


" Degenerative bone disease


" Ulcers


" Migraines


" Poor posture


" Curvature of the spine

Chronic Pain Relief - What Are The Options?

Most current pain relief approaches involve the use of medications and in some cases, adjustments in lifestyle, physical therapy and even acupuncture. Though over the counter medications can be used to treat some forms of chronic pain, prescription strength options are usually more effective in helping chronic pain sufferers to live pain free. It is always important to consult a physician before taking any prescription pain medication but some of the options that you will likely see include: Carisoprodol (Soma), Butalbital (Fioricet), Celebrex, and Tramadol (Ultram).

Some extreme cases may also involve the use of a patient controlled drip mechanism that provides a continuous supply of pain medication. Others may benefit from Trigger Point Injections which involve delivering pain medication directly to the muscles. Surgical implants and Electric Therapy are also sometimes used (although mostly in extreme cases).

Physical therapy is mainly focused on increasing the body's flexibility and movement in those suffering with chronic pain. This approach is sometimes combined with electrical nerve stimulation which attempts to interfere with the pain signals being sent to the brain for temporary relief during physical therapy.

The Psychological Component of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can have many other effects on you that are completely psychological in nature. Feelings of sadness, despair and anger can have an impact on your personality and affect other areas of your life such as sleep patterns and inducing stress (which may actually make your physical pain worse). Treating the psychological component of chronic pain can be difficult and is usually approached from the standpoint of modifying behavior and activities that trigger physical pain; this, along with education and a support system can be an effective way to treat the psychological aspects of chronic pain.

The approaches mentioned in this article are merely an introduction to this wide and complex topic. It is always best to consult with your doctor prior to engaging any treatment methods for chronic pain. It is only after getting a complete view of the cause that you can find the right treatment program. The main thing to remember is that it is no longer necessary to live with pain and that many treatment options are available. Making that first step towards treatment can be difficult for many but the benefits of a thorough pain management regimen can add significantly to your quality of life.

Are you still living with chronic pain? Find out more about pain medication and treatment programs for pain relief at http://www.relievingpain.org

Doctor - How Serious Are The Risks Of Arthritis Pain Relievers To My Stomach?

Non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are anti-inflammatory pain relievers. Approximately twenty different NSAIDS are available by prescription. Three NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen) are also available over-the-counter as Advil, Motrin IB, Aleve, and Orudis. Aspirin is also an NSAID. NSAIDS are also found in many common cold preparations such as Advil Cold and Sinus, Dimetapp Sinus, and Aleve Cold and Sinus.

The most common side effect associated with these drugs is stomach problems. These problems can range from mild stomach upset to ulcers and bleeding. NSAIDS cause this situation because the same mechanism that allows them to block inflammation also causes them to block the secretion of substances that protect the stomach lining.

The magnitude of this problem is enormous. Significant stomach side-effects from NSAIDS result in 103,000 hospitalizations and 16,500 deaths each year in the United States.

While anyone who takes an NSAID can be at risk for stomach problems, there are some high risk factors that significantly increase the chance of problems developing. These include:

- Age greater than 60


- History of previous ulcers


- Taking steroid medicines such as prednisone


- Using blood thinners like coumadin, Plavix, or heparin


- Regular alcohol consumption


- Taking higher than the recommended dosage of NSAID


- Taking more than one NSAID at the same time (such as taking an NSAID along with aspirin)


- Taking NSAID for a prolonged period of time

A 2003 survey revealed that about half of all Americans who took over-the-counter NSAIDS took more than the recommended dose. This can happen when the dose is taken before the recommended time for dosing, taking more than the recommended number of tablets, taking more than the recommended dosage per day, and taking more than one NSAID at a time.

Small amounts of over-the-counter NSAID including low-dose aspirin to prevent stroke, heart attack, and colon cancer also increase risk.

Warning signs that a significant problem may be occurring include:


- Stomach pain


- Tarry black stool or blood in the stool


- Vomiting up material that looks like coffee grounds

One unfortunate issue is that more than 80 per cent of people who have a life-threatening stomach problem have no warning symptoms. Symptoms can occur quickly also. Serious medical events have occurred in people taking NSAIDS for less than one week.

To reduce your risk:


- Check to see if you have risk factors.


- Discuss potential side-effects with your prescribing physician.


- Read the warning label and follow dosing instructions.


- Don't use prescription NSAID and over-the-counter NSAID at the same time.


- When you see your doctor let him or her know about all the medicines, including nutritional supplements, you are taking.


- Limit your alcohol intake while on these medicines.


- Recognize that low dose aspirin is an NSAID.


- Let your physician know if you're experiencing any symptoms that suggest a stomach problem.


- Ask about other medicines that might reduce your risk of a stomach side-effect. Medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIS) can reduce the risk of stomach side-effects. Examples of PPIS include Nexium, Protonix, Prilosec, and Axid.

Another medicine, Cytotec, may also protect your stomach. Sometimes using an analgesic that is not an NSAID can relieve arthritis symptoms sufficiently. Analgesics include Tylenol or Ultram (Tramadol).

Cox-2 medicines such as Celebrex may also reduce your stomach risk. However, adding low dose aspirin to Celebrex apparently removes the protective effect of the Celebrex.

Dr. Wei is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland (http://www.aocm.org). He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information: Arthritis Treatment

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Overseas Pharmacies

If you look around on the internet, you will find that online pharmacies are becoming more and more popular. There are many U.S based pharmacies online that will allow you to order non-narcotic prescription drugs by simply filling out an online questionnaire that is reviewed by a doctor and once it is approved, you can order prescriptions such as Lorcet, Viagra, Tramadol, etc. and it is 100% legal!

One question you see posted on many pharmacy forums is regarding the order and shipment of narcotic based prescriptions drugs such as Vicoden, Hydrocodone, Codeine, etc. and weather it is legal to get these drugs imported from overseas pharmacies. There are many conflicting answers regarding this topic. The basic answer is that it is legal to order these medications from overseas pharmacies as long as the medication is for personal use, not for resale, is not an illegal drug such as marijuana, LSD, etc., and does not exceed a 90 day supply. If you do a search on Google for "Personal Prescription Drug Import Fairness Act" you will find more information regarding the legality of the issue. To my knowledge, no one has ever gotten in trouble for ordering a 90 day supply of medication for personal use.

What about customs? Can they reject shipments for medications from overseas pharmacies?

- Customs reserves the right to reject any inbound shipment into the United States. This does not mean that this attempted importation is a crime unless the drug is illegal to process (LSD, Ecstasy, etc). Customs only has 2 options regarding imports of drugs from overseas pharmacies and that is to either let them pass through or refuse to pass them through. Well over 250,000 pieces of mail come through US customs every day so it is very hard for them to examine every one of them. I would guess that less than 5% of that total are actually inspected. If your medication is randomly examined, it may be seized by customs but is contestable as long as the medication does not exceed a 90 day supply. This type of seizure is not a crime and as just mentioned, can be contested with the customs clerk.

One little piece of advice that I have is to stay away from those "Fly By Night" overseas pharmacies. Many of these will take your money and not deliver. Most legitimate overseas pharmacies are not allowed to advertise their products outside their country and do not show up in any search engines. If you do find that some are advertising and listing their services, chances are that they are a scam.

How do I locate these overseas pharmacies if they are not allowed to advertise?

- There are many services you can find on the web that keep a database of reliable overseas pharmacies. The database is created by companies that make contact with these overseas pharmacies and is also based on previous customer experiences. One Many also have a list of blacklisted pharmacies that you should stay away from. Another good thing about these overseas pharmacies is that they can provide you with your prescription medication at a fraction of the cost that you would pay in the USA. This is because the pharmaceutical companies base their prices on the average income of that country. If those countries had to pay what we pay in the USA, they could end up spending an entire months salary on one prescription. The pharmaceutical companies make up for this loss by price gouging on prescriptions in the more wealthy countries.

Note: The information in this article is not legal advice! For legal advice, please consult an attorney. In no way to do encourage illegal import or illegal use of prescription drugs. All medication imported should be for personal use only and should not exceed a 90 day supply.

Mike enjoys building websites, domain investing and programming. If you like this article, check out his websites for other great information.

http://www.medsrc.com
http://www.informationoutlet.net

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Treatment For Fibromyalgia - A Combination Of Medication And Self-Care

Treating fibromyalgia includes medication and self-care, and the target that must be touched is improving general health and minimizing symptoms.

The doctor may prescribe analgesics, such as Acetaminophen and this can ease the pain and stiffness, but its effectiveness varies from case to case. With Acetaminophen can be also administrated Tramadol, another pain reliever, or it can be taken without the other drug. There can also be taken nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium, in association with other drugs.

Amitriptyline, doxepin, or nortriptyline are some antidepressant medications, that the doctor may prescribe if you have sleep problems. Also fluoxetine combined with amitriptyline can show results in this situation, and if you are having depression, sertraline and paroxetine are some medications that the doctor may prescribe.

In order to treat muscle pain and spasms, cyclobenzaprine may be taken at bed-time, but this medication should be used only for a short period of time.

Sleeping pills, like zolpidem can sometimes show benefits in some people with fibromyalgia, but the long-term using of these drugs is not advised by the doctor, because your body can become resistant to the drug's effects, and as a last result there can appear even more sleeping problems .

Also, the doctors don't recommend the benzodiazepines, and they even avoid prescribing these drugs, because even if they may help relax muscles and promote sleep, can become habit-forming and do not show long-term benefits.

Narcotics are "black-listed" too, because they can develop dependence and addiction potential.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be very useful, it helps the patient to increase the belief in his own potential, in his abilities, it teaches him how to deal with stressful situations and how to manage the fibromyalgia.

Interdisciplinary treatment programs can be very useful, these programs can have effect in improving the symptoms, they can even relieve the pain. They include a combination of a variety of treatments, like biofeedback, relaxation techniques, and receiving information about chronic pain. Of course, there isn't a combination generally available, the doctor will create a program that suits best to each patient.

Self care is also very important. Getting enough sleep is essential, that's why it is recommended that you go to bed and wake up at the same hour every day, and you should also limit daytime napping. Also try to reduce stress, allow yourself some time for relaxation, try stress management techniques, like deep-breathing exercises or meditation. Also it is important not to drop all your activity, because many times, it was shown that this situation can make even worse then if you continue working. You should continue your activities, but also you must learn to have a break and to say no if it is necessary.

You can do exercises, like swimming, biking, water aerobics or walking, and you should maintain a healthy life, by eating healthy foods and limit your caffeine intake.

By following all these advices, you may discover that you can find enjoyable every day.

For more resources on fibromyalgia and espcially about fibromyalgia pain please visit this link http://www.fibromyalgia-info-center.com/fibromyalgia-pain.htm

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Osteoarthritis Treatments

A person's lifestyle is seriously affected by osteoarthritis. Not only does it come with pain and swelling in one's joints but also it impedes any person suffering the condition from normal day-to-day activities such as walking, climbing a flight of stairs, and running. The pain induced by osteoarthritis sometimes depending on the severity of the ailment, can even pose a threat to one's occupation.

Diagnosis

The first and most important step in the treatment of osteoarthritis is the diagnosis. Why? First, because correctly diagnosing the arthritis could spell the difference between pain and relief, aggravating and alleviating the condition, the safety of the treatment and also treatment costs.

Medication for Pain Relief

What everyone looks for in any medication or treatment, and perhaps it is the most explicit gauge of the efficacy of treatment for osteoarthritis, is how well it soothes the pain in the joints. In fact, most oral medications target pain relief more than stopping the condition from progressing.

NSAIDS - also known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, meloxicam, ketoprofen, naproxen, and naproxen sodium provide osteoarthritis sufferers quick pain relief but do not treat the condition itself.

Cox-2 Drugs - such as celecoxib and valdecoxib are a special kind of NSAIDS that are less likely to have side effects.

Analgesics and Topical Analgesics - People experiencing mild to moderate pain from osteoarthritis can take analgesics (oral medicine) and or topical analgesics (externally-applied medicine) which are both easy to obtain from any drugstore counter. Tramadol, propoxyphene hydrochloride, and Acetaminophen are some examples of analgesics while creams and rubs that have a counterirritants or a combination of counterirritants such as wintergreen oil, camphor or eucalyptus are examples of topical analgesics.

Injectable Glucocorticoids - Knee pains caused by moderate to severe pressure or trauma to joints surrounding the knees can be treated with injectable glucocorticoids which are steroids that provide quick pain relief. However, these may only be administered only 3-4 times a year on the same area.

Alternative Treatment

An alternative oral medicine to treat osteoarthritis is a dietary glucosamine supplement. Glucosamine supplements such as Synflex Liquid Glucosamine which fortunately comes in liquid form making absorption easier and faster, do not only provide pain relief but also reverses symptoms of osteoarthritis by repairing damaged cartilages in the joints. Synflex glucosamine contains ample amounts of anti-inflammatory substances such as yucca, manganese ascorbate, and boswellin that soothe pain and swelling in the joints. Ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate serve to stimulate the production of essential components in cartilage.

Readjusting one's Lifestyle

Of course treatment for osteoarthritis is highly dependent on the patient's willingness and participation. Sometimes the most effective treatment is the will of the patient to get well again. When the will is strong, the patient is motivated to find other ways of helping himself or herself (of course consultation with one's physician is still a must before attempting any independent treatment) such as remodeling one's lifestyle. Incorporating a nutritious diet and regular exercise to one's life can be a big help in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

You can try Synflex and Synflex 1500 products here http://www.syn-flex-usa.com/

Thursday, July 10, 2008

How Many Mg Do I Take? Is My Medication Safe? All Of Your Medical Questions Answered Here!

If you have gotten this far, you are probably wondering how this simple article is going to answer all of the medical questions that you have now, or have had in the recent past. Well, I am not.

The best way to find the correct answer to all of your medical questions is very simple. Speak to your doctor! The problem with that answer is that you never would have gotten to this article if you wanted to make an appointment with your doctor, make an excuse to your boss why you're going to be late to work, pay the expensive co-pay along with every other hassle that comes with seeing your doctor. The truth is, seeing your doctor for every medical question that you have is unrealistic. If people did this not only would they be broke, but their doctor's would stop seeing them because they would start to think that every patient was a hypochondriac (someone who always think they are sick/ill with something).

The amazing world of the internet has drastically helped people find the answers to all of the medical questions that they have without going to the doctor. Right about now your asking "what is this guy (me) even writing about? He's telling me something I already know!"

What you DON'T know, however, is that simply taking a trip over to WebMD or other medical websites isn't always going to answer your questions. Medical websites can give you generic answers to questions about medicines and other things - but thats is all they are - GENERIC! The side effects of medications, for example, are based on the reactions of a specific closed group of people that may or may not have similar side effects that you would have. What does this do? This allows the people who purchase medications to know what the general side effects are - that is it!

What is the best way to learn more about your medications or other health-related issues? Online Forums and Discussion Boards! When you join online forums you can openly and freely discuss issues with similar people who have dealt with the same problems. You can talk to regular people who will have answers for you, and whom you will in turn most likely have answers for as well. Medical sites are a good way to learn certain things, but to truly understand how the regular, everyday person like yourself functions, you need to talk to the regular, everyday person. Let's be honest, you can't walk up to someone on the treat and hope that they take Tramadol or xanax like you do and how they react to it. They will think you are crazy simply because you approached them!

I have created a medical forum that is 100% free to join and will never cost you anything! I created my forums for people just like you to discuss different medical topics with the regular person and to have an informative, appropriate and enjoyable atmosphere where people can talk about anything medical related. Please come join the The Medicine Maestro medical forums and be a part of a growing, influential medical discussion community.

Lastly, we are in need of moderators at our forums so please contact me if you wish to moderate the forums at TheMedicineMaestro. Thank you for reading my article and I hope that I have helped! Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

TheMedicineMaestro.com is a free forum that allows its users to openly discuss medications, their use, side effects and much more. For most people, a simple sentence on the side of a medicine is not enough to fully understand the complexity of modern-day medications and their proper uses. Our forum at http://TheMedicineMaestro.com aids users in questions regarding medicines and online pharmacies and we hope to enhance our users' quality of life by moderating a useful, informative forum. Please visit and register for free today!

Also, We are in need of forum moderators, so those who register and are regularly active in our forums will be offered a moderator position. Contact me for more details about this post, TheMedicineMaestro.com forums, or information on becoming a moderator. Thanks!