Declining Lung Function w COPD? New News!

Treatment with a commonly used drug slows the decline in lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to results from the TORCH (TOwards a Revolution in COPD Health) new study.

The study of 6,112 patients from 42 countries found that those treated with salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (Advair) had a slower rate of lung function decline compared with patients receiving a placebo over three years (39 vs. 55 milliliters per year).

Patients who received either the long-acting beta2-agonist salmeterol (Serevent) or the inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone propionate (Flovent) alone also had less of a decline in lung function than those receiving the placebo, but the decline was smaller than with the combined salmeterol/fluticasone propionate treatment.

The study also found that patients with a low body mass index (BMI) lose more lung function than those with a higher BMI. (read more at ScienceDaily)…

Suggested Reading by XLPharmacy Canada

New Migraine Study Shows Brain Damage

Even though the brain's arteries expand considerably and make a great deal more oxygen-rich blood available to meet the demand for energy, some parts of the brain still wind up experiencing severe oxygen shortage, or hypoxia. This causes parts of brain cells' sophisticated signaling structures to disintegrate, similar to what occurs when a person has a mini-stroke, or after a severe injury, or when blood flow to the brain is completely stopped, such as during a heart attack.

Migraines may be doing more than causing people skull-splitting pain. Scientists have found evidence that the headaches may also be acting like tiny transient strokes, leaving parts of the brain starved for oxygen and altering the brain in significant ways. (Read more at Science Daily)

Recommended reading by XLPharmacy Canada

FACTS ABOUT HERPES

Fact 1: Transmission is caused by close oral, anal, or genital contact, including intercourse, masturbation, kissing, or any direct skin-to-skin contact which allows for the transfer of bodily fluids.

Fact 2: A person is considered contagious when prodromal symptoms, active sores, and healing lesions are present.

Fact 3: Herpes is potentially contagious when no symptoms are present. That is, a person who has genital herpes is potentially always shedding active virus.

Fact 4: Approximately 1 in 6 members of the general infected population is thought to shed active virus occasionally without symptoms.

Fact 5: Some people do not get typical blister-like sores but harbor active virus in their saliva, vaginal, or penile secretions, and can shed the virus without knowing they have herpes.

Fact 6: Lesions can occur deep inside the vagina where they cannot be seen or felt, but can readily transmit the virus.

Fact 7: An uninfected individual has about a 75% chance of contracting herpes during intimate contact with someone actively shedding virus.

Fact 8: Oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals, and vice versa. Symptoms are similar.

Fact 9: Auto-inoculation: An infected individual can spread the virus to other parts of his or her body by touching an area shedding virus and then touching, scratching, or rubbing another susceptible part of the body. Towels are especially conducive to this.

Fact 10: It is possible for a person to contract genital herpes if the partner with oral herpes performs oral sex. Oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals, and vice versa. Symptoms are similar.

Fact 11: Environmental surfaces like toilet seats may be a source of contagion, but there is no evidence that this poses a real threat to the general population. Experts differ as to how long the virus can survive on its own. The primary cause of infection remains intimate contact.

XLPharmacy Canada and Valtrex-Herpes.com