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Incidence
People over the age of 65 consume more than a third of all prescription medications in the United States... almost a quarter of older Americans are sent to hospitals or nursing homes because of problems with medications. According to the California Pharmacists Association, more than 100,000 Americans die each year of adverse drug reactions. The annual bill for treating medication misuse is a stunning $177 billion. [MSNBC, January 2002]
Treatment & Prevention
Become an expert on what ails you - do your own research. The phrase "Ask your doctor" is a favorite in ads for pharmaceuticals, but the fact is that no doctor knows everything.- Find out as much as you can about your medications. Thousands die each year from medication errors. Know what you're taking, what the name is, what the strength is and what it's for.
- After taking new medications, watch for new symptoms that could be side-effects.
- Bring all of your medicines to the doctor with you - even over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies - so that your doctor can see everything you are taking and possibly detect conflicts.
- Be on your guard, even in the hospital. Every time a drug is about to be administered, even intravenously, ask what it is.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of (Prescription) Drug Side-Effects: | | | | | Symptoms - Nails |  Blue and/black/ brown fingernails | Black nails (melanonychia) can be a medication side effect, particularly of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). |
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Symptoms - Skin - Conditions |
No blood in nipple discharge| | Some medications can cause non-bloody nipple discharge. The most common culprits are cimetidine (for stomach problems), oral contraceptives, some antidepressant and other drugs for psychological problems, and domperidone (for nausea). Even if you have not noticed any blood, your doctor may ask you to try to squeeze a few drops out, and will test it for microscopic blood. |
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Conditions that suggest (Prescription) Drug Side-Effects:
Recommendations and treatments for (Prescription) Drug Side-Effects: | | | | | Drug |  Conventional Drug Avoidance |
Mineral |
MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane)| | Patients demonstrating drug hypersensitivity to aspirin, several nonsterioid antiarthritic agents (Naprosin, Indocin, Motrin), and oral antibiotics, became drug-tolerant when MSM was given within an hour of or concurrently with the sensitizing drug. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Likely to help |
GLOSSARY
Antidepressant (Antidepressants)
Literally, substances meant to oppose depressions or sadness, and generally heterocyclic types such as Elavil, MAO inhibitors like phenelzine, or lithium carbonate. This category of substances formerly included stuff like amphetamines and other stimulants. Botanical examples include Hypericum, Peganum and Oplopanax.
Anti-inflammatory (Antiinflammatory)
Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin.
Dementia (Senile Dementia)
An acquired progressive impairment of intellectual function. Marked compromise exists in at least three of the following mental activity spheres: memory, language, personality, visuospatial skills, and cognition (i.e. abstraction and calculation).
Discharge (Discharges)
A secretion, of pus for example, from a wound or bodily orifice.
Herbs (Herb, Herbal)
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Hormones (Hormone)
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.
Immunosuppressant
An agent that acts to suppress the body's natural immune response.
Nausea
Symptoms resulting from an inclination to vomit.
Nipple (Areola, Nipples, Subareolar)
The small projection near the center of the breast containing the outlets of the milk ducts, OR the corresponding projection of the male breast. The areola is the darker tissue that encircles the nipple. Subareolar describes the location beneath the surface of the areola.
Over-The-Counter (OTC, Over The Counter)
A drug or medication that can legally be bought without a doctor's prescription being required.
Steroid (Steroids)
Any of a large number of hormonal substances with a similar basic chemical structure containing a 17-carbon 14-ring system and including the sterols and various hormones and glycosides.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Ulcer (Ulceration, Ulcers)
Lesion on the skin or mucous membrane.
Yeast
A single-cell organism that may cause infection in the mouth, vagina, gastrointestinal tract, and any or all bodily parts. Common yeast infections include candidiasis and thrush.
Last updated: May 11, 2008
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