Why Drug Companies are Naughty and 5 Remedies to Cure the Symptoms

With the hum of the election campaign and the debate of "big business," versus human interest, I decided to do a bit of muckraking into the art and science of the recent removal of Merck's Vioxx. My motivation of course; to look for clues as to the role drug companies play in our health and wellness (or lack thereof).

Here's some symptoms giving me trouble:

Symptom #1: After pulling Vioxx from the shelves, drug company, Merck, (as well as the media) made the "only 7.5 in 1,000 patients could be at risk for heart attack or stroke" sound like a simple omission.

Symptom #2: Prior to the pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies clearing their shelves of Vioxx, studies had shown the drugs destructive effects for over four years (Check out the proof for yourself in this article: http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/95/103442.htm )

Symptom #3: We are given all of this data in a most nonchalant fashion, prior to learning the amount of money Merck was pocketing on the drug: current tally, $2.6 billion (reference article above).

Symptom: #4: We are meant to be comforted by the fact that the drug, Vioxx, was released with only limited clinical testing. And gosh, if no one from the random sample had any cardiovascular consideration to begin with, who knew it would cause heart attacks or stroke (ref. http://my.webmd.com/content/chat_transcripts/1/103031.htm )?

Symptom: #5: (Even if we are to digest this) Perhaps they shouldn't have told us that in 2002, according to a report from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association ( www.bcbs.com ) over $160 million dollars was spent to advertise Vioxx (which was higher than advertisement dollars for both Pepsi and Nike).

Shall I continue?

Why not... here's more off the cuff musings:

On the other side of the coin, Merck has set off a chain reaction. Each and every day I see advertisements from lawyers on my local upstate New York television asking for Vioxx users to step forward. Yes, if you dial 1-800 they're at your disposal, poised and ready to sue the pants off Merck.

And so I ask you... Do two wrongs make a right?

Here's my assessment of the situation based on clinical experience: When we're sick, we trust our doctor to help us come back to health. We trust the pharmaceutical companies to support research and create drugs to prevent disease and ailments. Yet, in a fear based society (assuming death to be the fear we speak of) we hear precious little about the trust we should place on our bodies own natural ability to heal itself. It's just that simple.

Let's all be honest with each other, drug companies are betting that you are going to get sick ? and if and when you do they will be happy to accommodate you. When doctors prescribe drugs, pharmaceutical companies make money. And when a doctor prescribes a certain "brand" of drug, the doctor receives a kick-back from the company. It's simple supply and demand.

What's more, now their digging a little deeper into your pocket and your psyche. Here's a prime example. Turn on your television set during ? let's say football season just to be timely. You'll notice prime?time advertisements by your favorite (or not so favorite) celebrities promoting Celebrex, Levitra and so on... These advertisements bypass the medical profession placing drugs on the table for commercial consumption.

So this all begs the question - are drugs bad for you? The answer can be both yes and no. All drugs have side effects. Most drugs are created from organic sources but are then chemically manipulated to cause a favorable reaction in the body. When you take a drug, basically, you're putting an inorganic substance into nature.

Therefore, the hullabaloo makes me think ? how do we stay out of the machine? Or better yet, if there are drugs which will help people become well (which I believe there are) how do we keep the money-hungry honest? Here's my 5 remedies:

Remedy One: Educate Yourself

What drugs can do is be a means to wellness. But you need to know the facts. If you walk into your doctor's office with a list of symptoms, you will receive a drug that promises to (on paper) relieve you of your symptoms.

But what if those symptoms are trying to tell you something? And what if the drug your doctor prescribes could make you sicker? Here's what you can do: If you are given a drug, check out the side effects and interactions here, then decide: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/

Remedy Two: Think Complimentary Medicine

So, Laura, what is complimentary medicine? Complimentary medicine asks you to take a long look at yourself, your body and your beliefs about why an illness has developed. It's not about treating one ailment (joint pain, an injury, an illness) ? it's about looking at the whole picture: your posture, your diet, your lifestyle. Then, creating an exit strategy for your illness.

Complimentary medicine asks you to take a look at your relationship to the affliction and then ? with your doctor's facilitation - developing a treatment program as a means to health (which can include medication). This way you become fully active in your illness and treatment.

Remedy Three: Practice Prevention

The best way to approach wellness is when you are well. Then, if the time should come for you to become a part of your own health care, you can be honest with yourself and how you feel about your body.

Start now. Take a long look at your self. Begin by checking your score on the wheel of life: ( http://www.onlinewbc.gov/docs/manage/lifewheel.html ) Are you taking ample time for yourself? Time for exercise, time for play? Are there outside forces instigating stress in your body? By taking the wheel of life exam you'll understand that your personal fulfillment can pay dividends on your health.

Remedy Four: Have Routine Check Ups

This one is easy. Create a relationship with your doctor: Make continuous notes of all your concerns and talk to your doctor about them. Most doctors will only spend a limited time with you, so get your notes together before hand and aim to keep the lines of communication open.

Step Five: Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Be Kind To Yourself: Start by taking a few quiet moments each day to silence the outside world and allow the heart rate to slow. Continue your process to be well by becoming conscious of all that is around you.

Nutrition: Practice becoming aware of what you are putting in your mouth ? try to focus on the naturals: fruits and vegetables and go for lean meats and low fats. Finally, don't forget to drink your 8-oz glasses of water.

Exercise: Be sure to find an exercise program you enjoy and be consistent with your workouts: My philosophy: spend 1 hour per day at least 5 days a week. This is just a guideline. Find what kind of exercise you enjoy most, and be consistent. Your body will thank you.

In Closure:

Learn to get to know your body. Your body and your relationship to it will give you signals as to how to take care of it. You can keep the drug companies honest by asking questions, challenging information and making the most of the time you spend with your doctor. By creating a positive atmosphere and a positive lifestyle you are certain to find yourself betting on wellness and keeping the pharmaceutical monies right where they belong: in you own pocket.

About The Author

Laura Turner is a writer and author. She publishes the bi-weekly New Body News and Wellness Letter, 'The eZine healthy people read!'( http://www.new-body-news.com ) Her latest book: Spiritual Fitness: The 7-Steps to Living Well is currently available. Learn more here: http://www.new-body-news.com/Spiritual_Fitness.htm.

---

Bextra, Some Facts To Consider

For those who take Bextra, there are many warnings out that are telling people to stop. It is wise to do this and to do it right away. Of course, you should talk... Read More

Spin Control: What to Do When Youre Dizzy

Dizzy Dean, the great baseball pitcher of the 1930s-1940s, once quipped, "The doctors x-rayed my head and found nothing."That is as good an analogy as any in describing what often happens to patients... Read More

Increasing Patient Care and Reducing Liability in Seven Simple Steps

When an unconscious patient arrives in the ED, every hospital agrees that timely next of kin notification is vital. Not only is it important to have a family member present to comfort the... Read More

Drug Abuse In Teens: Online Drug Abuse Identification Help

Teen drug abuse is at an all time high, but not in the same way that most people might assume. Parents are accustomed to hearing about teens doing everything from huffing chemicals to... Read More

Prevent Foot Problems When Walking

Americans are on the go. According to a NSGA Survey, 71 million American adults are exercise walkers, making walking the top sport in the United States. Taking steps daily to improve health will... Read More

UltraCET: The Dynamic Duo Of Prescription Pain Control Medications

Remember the last time you stubbed your toe? OUCH! It's painful. But a stubbed toe usually doesn't send us running to the medicine cabinet, since we know that the pain will pass within... Read More

Protect Yourself Against the Flu Vaccine!

The vaccine industry insists that their vaccines against the flu serve as the key to a healthy winter. Although there has not been a serious flu epidemic for 38 years, their vaccines are... Read More

How Is Mold Like AIDS?

Don't laugh. Both get a lot of coverage in the press. Mold isn't a politically sensitive issue but there are a lot of similarities.1. Both get into your system without being felt.If you... Read More

The Trouble with Tranqs

There's a whole group of drugs out there called benzodiazepines.They are tranquillisers, or sedatives. They include such well-known names as Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Tranxene (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), Centrax or Verstran... Read More

Pain in the Butt. How to Deal with Hemorrhoids?

This is very sensitive area of your body. Too private. Nobody likes when something is wrong over there. However it happens.Hemorrhoids occur practically in everyone. Though hemorrhoids cause problems in 1 out of... Read More

Is the Mexican Pharmacy safe to buy drugs online?

Are you frustrated with the high prices of prescription drugs? Take a look at a Mexican Pharmacy. Not only can you save a lot of money but you can also be sure that... Read More

Antibiotics and Bowel Flora

The word Antibiotic is constructed from Greek words anti, which means "against" and bios, meaning "life", is a phrase used to describe an antibacterial substance made from micro-organisms, all though nowadays most are... Read More

Relafen: A New Drug with an Old Danger

Individuals who regularly take Relafen (nabumetone) or other anti-inflammatory medications, either for arthritis, joint pain, or other indications, should be aware of severe adverse health implications that can potentially result from prolonged use.... Read More

Onychomycosis - One Of The Many Nail Fungus Out There

Many natural changes in fingers and toenails come with age. Fine ridges, for example, may start developing from the cuticle of the nail tip. This and other similar changes are common, but they... Read More

SUPERLASIK- Enhance Your Vision; Safer Than LASIK

Things are moving forward and new and advanced procedures are being developed for those who originally could not receive the standard Lasik procedure. Dr. Khanna has introduced a brand new procedure called "Super... Read More

Mind Altering

"It's a chemical imbalance." I've heard those words so many times in the last decade, it's becoming routine for Doctors to blame everything on it.Have you been listening to the News, the talk... Read More

Lumbar Puncture: This (Really) Is Spinal Tap

I couldn't resist the title's corny riff on the name of the rock band and their movie, but the kind of spinal tap featured in this article was a spinal tap before Spinal... Read More

Lipitor Side Effects

Lipitor is a drug intended to help lower cholesterol. The generic name for this brand-name medication is atorvastatin.What are the side effects of Lipitor (atorvastatin) cholesterol medication?Lipitor has been an effective treatment for... Read More

Ephedra Product Ban

Ephedra is a naturally occuring herbal dietary supplement that has been marketed as a weight loss drug. The principal active ingredient is an amphetamine-like compound. Because it has been marketed as an herbal... Read More

Signs of Suicide : Learn What They are and How to Deal with Them

The true numbers are probably much higher because many suicides are reported as accidents or illnesses. Suicides are usually the result of a complex combination of emotional, social, and biological factors. For that... Read More

A Guide to Arthritis Pain Relief

In a recent survey on pain conducted by the Stanford University Medical Center, arthritis pain was cited as the chief complaint among America's seniors, with thirty-two percent of the senior population listing arthritis... Read More

Online Pharmacy Watch: DEA Does Spring Cleaning Of Illegal Internet Pharmacies

Since early 2004, it has become more apparent every day that the online pharmacy industry is being destroyed. Who is doing such damage to bring the industry crashing down, you ask? So far,... Read More

How Do I Choose The Best Arthritis Medicine?

Are you spending a fortune on prescription arthritis medicines? Are they helping? Are you concerned about side effects? You may think a particular drug is a miraculous godsend. Yet, someone you know may... Read More

Contact Lenses and Eye Glasses, How is Your Vision?

Notice friends getting contact lenses and pulling out eye glasses?"What do you recommend?"I find myself asking people what looks good to them, what do they recommend or can they summarize the directions on... Read More

How To Save Money On Prescription Medications

If you are a regular user of prescription medications, you know that these drugs can be costly to purchase. Cutting back on drugs can be dangerous to your health, but if you are... Read More

Comfortable, Affordable Lab Coats for the Health Care Professional

When a health care professional uses lab coats it conveys several different messages. First, lab coats give an appearance of professionalism. It's very important in the health care setting to be professional and... Read More

Bextra and Vioxx Withdrawal Spawn Advertising Pause from Bristol Myers

Pharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb has announced that they will suspend direct-to-consumer advertising for their prescription drug products for a year. This comes in the wake of the well-publicized withdrawals of Merck's Vioxx... Read More

Stop Taking Blood Pressure Medications with Your Doctors Approval

I have been swallowing three varieties of blood pressure pills for 10 years. In another month, I expect to be off of them entirely. And that's with my doctor's approval.Some months ago, I... Read More

Patient Communication: Picking Up Where Medicine Leaves Off

We've all seen patients who were far beyond the reach of medical treatment suddenly defy the odds and recover. We've also seen patients who were well on the road to recovery, take a... Read More