Penicillin has been called the greatest advancement in the history of medicine.[1]
Since its discovery in 1928, penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic, has saved millions of people from dying of pneumonia, tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, strep, and other previously untreatable bacterial illnesses.
One researcher estimated that penicillin has prevented some 200 million deaths. That’s the equivalent of saving the life of every American living east of the Mississippi River.… Read More
In 2013, a new class of diabetes drugs was approved by the FDA. It was hailed as a breakthrough.
The medications were called SGLT2 inhibitors. They included Invokana (canagliflozin), Farxiga, (dapagliflozin), and Jardiance (empagliflozin).
The drugs worked by causing the kidneys to remove more blood sugar.
SGLT2 inhibitors were touted as providing superior blood sugar control for type 2 diabetics with no serious side effects.… Read More
It happened again.
A big pharmaceutical company has admitted to bribing doctors.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals paid $678 million to settle a case in which it was accused of giving thousands of dollars to doctors in return for prescribing the company’s medicines.
Besides cash, the drug giant lavished doctors with expensive dinners, wine tastings, sporting events, and even trips to Hooters.
The settlement stems from 2013.… Read More
Nature gave us stomach acid for a reason.
It helps our digestive system break down food and absorb nutrients. And it protects against germs.
When we eat something containing a virus or bacteria, our stomach acid kills it, stopping an infection before it starts.
But millions of Americans don’t have this protection.
Forty percent of older adults take heartburn drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that suppress stomach acid production.… Read More
Even in the best of times, many of us have a hard time sleeping. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Family Medicine found that a third of adults suffer from chronic insomnia.[1]
But these days, the number may be far higher. The pandemic is taking a heavy toll on our sleep.
It’s not hard to see why. People have lost their jobs and businesses.… Read More
People with arthritis and other aches and pains are flocking to CBD and medical marijuana for relief—and they’re getting it, a new study finds.
About 20% of orthopedic patients with chronic pain are using a cannabis product, researchers found. The patients say the supplements are working.
Nine out of 10 said CBD and/or medical marijuana effectively manages their pain. Four in 10 said the supplements allowed them to take fewer painkillers.… Read More