20 drug FDA Watching

2007 federal law requires the FDA to disclose all its investigations into allegations of drugs, possibly associated with side effects. Today, the list of the first of this series of quarterly reports. The list includes the adverse events reported between 1 and 31 January in March 2008. FDA officials said that they would be "several weeks or months" before the recent reports are accepted.


All reports from the FDA on the list of early warning systems for drugs already on the market. This Adverse Events Reporting System (AERS) collects reports of patients, hospitals, doctors and pharmaceutical companies, the suspects may have problems - or not - in connection with drugs.

The fact that drugs in the list does not mean that it is not safe - or even suspicion that causes problems. No one should stop receiving the drug just because it is on the list, said, FDA.

"If the drug on the list, it means that we have already begun to analyse see if there is security gap, further evaluation", Gerald Dal Pan, MD, MPH, director of FDA surveillance and epidemiology, said in a press conference.

If the evaluation, FDA without any further warnings or all-clear, Dal Pan said.

Here is a list of drugs and "adverse events" - side effects - reported to the AERS database:

Product Name: Active Ingredient (Trade) or Product Class	Potential Signal of Serious Risk/New Safety Information
Arginine Hydrochloride Injection (R-Gene 10)	Pediatric overdose due to labeling / packaging confusion
Desflurane (Suprane)	Cardiac arrest (heart stops working)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)	Urinary retention
Etravirine (Intelence)	Hemarthrosis (blood in a joint)
Fluorouracil Cream (Carac) and Ketoconazole Cream (Kuric)	Adverse events due to name confusion
Heparin	Anaphylactic-type (life-threatening allergic) reactions
Icodextrin (Extraneal)	Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Insulin U-500 (Humulin R)	Dosing confusion
Ivermectin (Stromectol) and Warfarin	Drug interaction
Lapatinib (Tykerb)	Hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity)
Lenalidomide (Revlimid)	Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a deadly drug reaction)
Natalizumab (Tysabri)	Skin melanomas (deadly skin cancer)
Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)	Overdose due to labeling confusion
Octreotide Acetate Depot (Sandostatin LAR)	Ileus (bowels not moving)
Oxycodone Hydrochloride Controlled-Release (OxyContin)	Drug misuse, abuse, and overdose
Perflutren Lipid Microsphere (Definity)	Cardiopulmonary reactions (lung/heart problems)
Phenytoin Injection (Dilantin)	Purple glove syndrome (discoloration, pain, and swelling of the hand that may lead to amputation)
Quetiapine (Seroquel)	Overdose due to sample pack labeling confusion
Tebivudine (Tyzeka)	Peripheral neuropathy (tingling or numbness in the extremities)
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Blockers	Cancers in children and young adults

Report did not say how many people were affected by the possible reaction of drugs, and did not give any indication of its seriousness.

"Our security measures, experts see the seriousness of the case, when we see more than a certain type of event, we should not expect, if there is anything new and did not know about drugs, or whether it is known, but may require refinement of our Knowledge ", Dal Pan said.

"This expands our commitment to the public and health care in the community abreast of what we appreciate," Paul Seligman, MD, MPH, FDA deputy director of security policy and communications, said at a press conference.

Source : http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/580145?src=rss

Obama addressed the health exception to abortion

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (Illinois), in an interview last week with Christian magazine said that "mental anguish" should not be used as an excuse for "late term abortions, AP / Google.com reports.

In an interview, Obama said: "Well, I do not believe that" mental anguish "qualifies as a mother of health. I think it is still a serious problem that is a natural during pregnancy, when there are real important questions for parents on child complete. " Last year, after the United States - The Supreme Court confirmed the decision that the ban on federal (PL 108-105) in the so-called "partial birth" abortion, Obama said that "totally rejects" the decision because "radically different from previous precedents, the health of pregnant women. " According to AP / Google.com, the health exception is "vitally important" for abortion-rights supporters and is considered a "loophole" opponents of abortion. By limiting health exception "serious physical problems," Obama, among other supporters of abortion rights, AP / Google.com reports (Kuhnhenn, AP / Google.com, 7 / 4).

January Crawford Green Castle - correspondent for ABC News, includes the Supreme Court, and provides legal analysis on the blog, ABC News "legal" - Obama stated that the declaration of perspective ", in contrast to 35 years of Supreme Court rulings on this issue, which always requires That the ban on abortion contain exceptions to permit procedures for the protection of women "mental health", as well as their physical health. "She said that Obama is the support of that law said - and away from support of freedom of choice of law, rights, it is one of the sponsors ", provides a much broader definition of mental health, he explained that this week." Green Castle notes that the Dow concentration problems against Bolton, the leading Supreme Court case decided on the same day in Roe v. manager in 1973, said a doctor may decide to conduct an abortion on the basis of "all factors - physical, emotional, psychological, family and woman, age - in terms of well-being of patients. After Green Castle, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia ", expressed the view that" mental health "exception was not necessary. "(Green Castle," legitimacy ", ABC News, 7 / 5).

The official position of NARAL Pro-Choice America, which was approved in May, Obama said that "except for medical psychiatric problems that may occur during pregnancy. Tyazhesti fetal anomalies, for example, can exact a huge emotional in the pregnant woman and her family." V recent statement in response to interview Obama, the group, said Obama views that are consistent with Roe v. Wade, and added that Obama "has serious statements against President Bush's Federal banning abortion, have no exceptions to protect women's health." Tommy Vietor, Obama press, said: "Obama argued that laws which restrict contain exceptions for abortions, should be health and life of the mother." (AP / Google.com, 7 / 4).

Obama on Saturday to clarify its position and said: "I said that you should have a health exception in many important restrictions or bans on abortion, abortion later date." He added: "My only point is that in an area such as partial birth abortion, mental [or] Health exception can be determined with precision. It can be defined by physical health [and] may be determined by clinical serious mental Diseases. "He said:" Now I do not believe that "mental anguish" qualifies as a mother of health ", adding:" I think it is still a serious problem that is a natural during pregnancy, when there are real problems for mother Child allowances. " Obama campaign representative Linda Douglas, said Senator makes a difference in an interview with the relevant medical diagnosis of mental illness and the nature of mental anguish that is not planned pregnancy can cause. "Fear is not a mental illness," said Douglas, adding: "zero Cree and always said there should be no exception for physical health and serious mental illness" (James, "swamp", Chicago Tribune, 7 / 5).

Green Castle writes that makes Obama so that the comments as "surprising" that the senator is trying to limit abortions after 22 weeks for those women who have serious illness or disease. But today, the law also covers some women are "mental anguish", these women may be affected emotionally and psychologically, without prejudice to abortion "(" legal ", ABC News, 7 / 5).

Rove attacks Obama stand against abortion

In related news, former Bush administration chief of staff Karl Rove on Friday during the speeches members of the National Council the right to life Obama attack from their positions on abortion, while praising Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain (Arizona) for their values , New York Times "In Conclave", reported. During his speech said that Rove Obama threatened "to strike all the good deed that has [NRTL] Done for decades" in the framework of its support for freedom of choice Law and other measures , An abortion rights.

Obama is a man who receives and said that brings Republicans and Democrats together to great things for the country ", Rove said, adding:" How can [Obama] argue that to do if he [is] at the same time support the separation of practice the use of U.S. taxpayer funding of abortion? You can not. You can not square circle ". Rove also noted that Obama has a zero rating NRTL and 100% rating from NARAL. Rove also attacked Obama recent efforts to court" for the lives of leaders and values "and try to" convince them that it is reasonable person ". Rove said:" I understand that you are trying to do ", adding:" But there is a difference between talk and act. "Obama" actions over many years are much more important than any words he could, in private conversation. "

In response to comments made by Rove, Vietor, said that "Obama is working for the presidency, the country together and end kind of political division perfection by Karl Rove" (Falcone, "The Conclave", "New York Times, 7 / 4 ).

Reprinted with permission type http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You see, all Report Daily Women's Health Policy, search archives, or subscribe for delivery by e-mail here. Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Association of Women and Family Affairs, published by the Advisory Board Company.

adapted from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

Variety At Breakfast Linked With Better Mental Health For Teens

Adding a banana to a bowl of cereal and milk could be the key to better mental health in teenagers, according to Australian researchers who have found that a variety of foods at breakfast is linked to mental functioning.

Presenting her research at the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) national conference, dietitian Therese O'Sullivan from the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research said a high quality breakfast, with foods from at least three different healthy food groups, was linked with better mental health in 14 year old boys and girls.

And she said that for every extra food group eaten at breakfast, the associated mental health score improved.

'Eating a breakfast of toast with a glass of milk and some fruit seems to be better than just a large serve of toast alone. This may be because mental functioning is affected by the absorption of a variety of nutrients, including calcium, iron and B group vitamins,' said Ms O'Sullivan, an Accredited Practising Dietitian.

The researchers asked more than 800 teenagers what they ate for breakfast, and scored this based on their intake of the core food groups. Mental health was assessed using a child behaviour checklist.

They found that just one in four teens ate a high quality breakfast, and the two most common core food groups eaten at breakfast were breads/cereals and dairy products.

Disturbingly, a small proportion of teens did not eat any items from the healthy core food groups for breakfast over the three day study period.

Research has already shown that students who eat breakfast pay more attention in class, retain more information and are more interested in learning, but this is the first study to show that variety at breakfast is also important.

According to Australia's last national nutrition survey, high school-aged girls were more likely to skip breakfast than boys. The report found that around one in three girls aged 12 to 15 did not eat a regular breakfast, compared with 13 per cent of boys.

Ms O'Sullivan suggests trying the following ideas to increase variety of nutrient intake at breakfast:

• Add a spoonful of sunflower seeds to your cereal


• Top your toast with a sliced banana


• Sprinkle diced dried fruit over your cereal or add some canned fruit


• For a quick breakfast on the go, prepare a whole grain sandwich with baked beans and cheese the night before and toast it in the sandwich maker the next morning.

The DAA 26th national conference will be held from May 29 - 31 at Conrad Jupiters at the Gold Coast. The conference is titled 'Improving nutrition - a social responsibility'.

The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is the professional body representing dietitians nationally. Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the only national credential recognised by the Australian Government, Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs and most private health funds as the quality standard for nutrition and dietetics services in Australia. For more information visit http://www.daa.asn.au

Taken from : http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Key Concepts in Mental Health

Definition

Mental health is defined as a state or condition on which an individual feels a sense of well-being. This gives him or her the capacity to live life in fulfillment of what he or she wants to achieve in accordance to the available resources. This condition also provides an individual the capacity to be resilient to the stresses he meets and to respond to these challenges without having to compromise his well- being. This also makes him productive and fruitful for himself and his community.

Mental wellness could also be defined as the lack of mental problems or disorders. People who do not present diagnosable behaviors that could qualify as a mental disorder are seen as mentally healthy. For example, someone who has an obsession on things may not necessarily have a mental disorder like obsession. Thus he is said to have mental wellness. But when this obsession is combined with unrelenting compulsion to do the object of obsession, the person may already be diagnosed with a mental disorder called Obsessive-compulsive Disorder or OCD.

It could also be seen as a positive element in an individual's personality which makes it possible to enhance mental wellness regardless of a diagnosable mental disorder. This definition covers a person's capacity to "live life to the fullest", to respond well to his environment through the conscious or unconscious use of coping mechanisms and to be able to balance emotional as well as psychological well-being in relation to constant flow of experiences.

Mental Health Across Culture

The World Health Organization believes that there is no single definition for mental health due to differences in culture. What could be mentally healthy (or acceptable behavior) in one culture may present something too eccentric in another. For example, cannibalistic behavior in some tribes living in remote areas is highly regarded as a religious practice however, in the majority of urbanized world this could be seen as barbaric or insane.

Disruption in Mental Health

Abnormalities in mental health could lead to a number of problems with various representations. Some people with mental illnesses have aggressive behaviors while others are withdrawn and lack social interest. Each type of disorder has its own signs and symptoms therefore; diagnosis as well as treatment vary depending on the nature of the mental heath problem.

There are several factors that disrupt mental health including: environment or upbringing, biological make-up of a person, pre-programmed instructions in the genes, medical disorders, traumatic experiences such as loss and abuse and substance abuse. While one factor could be dominant than the other, all of these are contributors to the development of the majority of mental health disorders. In some cases, a single factor may be sufficient to trigger the disorder but the majority of disorders require an accumulation of experience that constantly challenge the well-being of a person.

What preserves mental health?

The preservation of mental health is highly dependent on the capacity of the person to a) blend in his environment and handle its stresses, b) achieve a good internal balance in his personality that is sufficient to give a stable character and c) create a good perspective that would limit the damages of negative experiences. For some people a good support system such as a sympathetic family or a strong social group may work well to safeguard mental health.