FDA Pulls Darvon and Darvocet Due to Dangerous Side Effects

Darvon-DarvocetThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has requested that Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc. remove the pain killers Darvon and Darvocet from the market. Since 2009 these two prescription drugs were prescribed to about 10 million people throughout the U.S. The reason for withdrawing the drug is a fear that propoxyphene increases a patient’s risk for potentially serious or even fatal heart rhythm anomalies.

“We recommend that physicians stop prescribing the drugs. As for patients, do not stop taking it, but we urge you to contact your health care professional. Do not delay,” said Gerald Dal Pan, director of the FDA’s Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology.

Generic manufacturers are also being requested to voluntarily remove their products.

According to a statement issued by the FDA, “The drug’s effectiveness in reducing pain is no longer enough to outweigh the drug’s serious potential heart risks.”

Is Red Wine Good for Your Heart?

Many people have heard that red wine can be good for your health. Is this true? Studies have shown that it is possible. A moderate amount of red wine can reduce the risk of heart attacks in middle-aged people by 30-50%. Red wine is also assumed to discourage additional heart attacks, in people who have already suffered from one.

Other studies have shown that red wine increases the level of HDL cholesterol in the body, as well as reduces LDL levels. Red wine may also prevent blood clots as well as reduce damage of blood vessels caused by fat deposits.

These health benefits are a result of the antioxidants and other substances that are found in red wine. The resveratrol contained in the grape skins and seeds increases HDL cholesterol and prevents clotting, and the flavonoids in the grapes themselves have antioxidant qualities which also prevent blood clots and plaque formation in arteries.

Passive Smoking Kills More People than Lung Cancer

Passive smoking, or inhaling the smoke from nearby smokers, has been killing more people than lung cancer, a new World Health Organization study has shown.

The worldwide death rate for second hand smoke inhalation is about 600,000 each year. The largest illness caused by passive smoking is heart disease, with an estimated 379,000 deaths per year. An additional 165,000 deaths are caused by lower respiratory infections, and almost 37,000 deaths are due to asthma related illnesses caused by passive smoking. Lung cancer deaths, in comparison, kill only 21,400 people each year.

The study was published in Lancet, a medical journal, and goes on to point out that about 67% of all the passive smoking deaths occurred in Africa and South Asia.

The study also concluded that children are among the largest number of victims, numbering about 165,000 deaths due to second hand smoke.

Make the Most Out of Cyber Monday

The name “Cyber Monday” was coined five years ago by the Shop.org unit of the National Retail Federation to describe the 77% increase in sales on the second biggest online shopping day of the year. Cyber Monday has grown bigger and better since then, increasing to $608 million in 2005, $733 million in 2007 and $846 million in 2008.

Here are some tips for how to make the most of your time and money on Cyber Monday:

1. Sign up for email alerts – be informed about what sales are being offered in your favorite stores.
2. Follow your favorite retailers on Facebook or Twitter to be the first to hear about special offers
3. Check which retailers will give you free shipping.
4. Remember that sometimes, seeing the item in a real store is better than ordering it online.
5. Shop early – in case supplies are limited.
6. Enjoy your shopping!

Backache Relief

Backaches are a common ailment in adults, as well in people who work with heavy loads or sit at the computer for many hours.

Resting is a good way to ease the discomfort, however, certain simple exercises are more effective as eliminating the cause. Swimming is an example of an enjoyable, effective way to rid yourself of pack pain. Swimming strengthens your back muscles while the water supports your body, putting less strain on your back. If you don’t have a convenient pool nearby, or swimming is not for you, here are easy exercises that you can do at home:

• Stand with your back against the wall, with your feet positioned beneath your shoulders. Slide down the wall into a crouch and hold for five seconds. Repeat five times.
• Lie on your stomach. Flex the muscles in one leg and lift it up off the floor, count to ten, then switch legs. Repeat five times with each leg.
• Lie on your back with your arms touching your sides. Lift one leg off the floor for ten seconds, then switch. This can be difficult at first, so you can keep one leg bent with the foot flat on the floor while raising the other leg.
• Stand behind a chair and grip the back with your hands. Lift one leg behind you, making sure to keep it straight. Switch legs.