Andy Health blog

Men’s Health News
Plans are in the pipeline to raise awareness of health issues which affect men in particular.
The Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the government has set in motion plans for the development of Australia’s first health policy for men based on a draft document developed in 1996.
The Health Minister says a discussion paper followed by consultations across the country over the next 12 months, will raise awareness of preventable problems and specific health challenges which men need to deal with.
Ms Roxon says the resistance amongst men with regard to seeking treatment is an issue the government is determined to help men tackle.
The government’s national Men’s Health Policy aims to address the large diversity between the health of men and women.
The initiative has been given a kick start with a grant of $460,000 grant to the National Suicide Prevention Strategy and another $95,000 to encourage men to seek preventative health checks.
Buy generic acomplia The Men’s Health policy will aims to overcome the widespread resistance among men to seek treatment by making health services more male-friendly and to engage men in looking after their own health.
Research in recent years has revealed that not only do men on average die almost five years earlier than women, but they are also three times more likely to commit suicide and to die from HIV/AIDS, lung cancer, emphysema and liver diseases.
Ms Roxon says men’s health is an issue which is too often overlooked.
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Researchers have long known that type-2 diabetes and depression often go hand in hand. However, it’s been unclear which condition develops first in patients who end up with both. Now, a new study led by Johns Hopkins doctors suggests that this chicken-and-egg problem has a dual answer: Patients with depression have an increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes, and patients with type-2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing depression.
For the study, published in the June 18 Journal of the American Medical Association, diabetes expert Sherita Hill Golden, M.D., M.H.S., and her colleagues took advantage of data generated by the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), which examined risk factors for atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, in an ethnically diverse group of 6,814 men and women between ages 45 to 84. Participants in the MESA study identified themselves when they enrolled as white, black, Hispanic or Chinese.
During MESA, participants made three visits to clinics over the course of three years to be examined for various atherosclerosis risk factors, including type-2 diabetes and symptoms of depression, which could serve as a precursor for full-blown clinical depression.
The study also collected information on other atherosclerosis risk factors, such as participants’ body-mass indices, blood pressure, diet and exercise patterns, and smoking habits, as well as information correlated with health in general, such as income and socioeconomic factors.
Mining the data for their own purposes, Golden and her colleagues excluded from their analysis all participants who had high fasting glucose, an indication of diabetes, at the initial clinic visit. They then looked to see whether participants who initially had elevated symptoms of depression, as indicated through a questionnaire, were more likely than those who didn’t to develop high fasting glucose at the end of the three-year study period.
Results showed that those with elevated depressive symptoms were 42 percent more likely overall to develop diabetes by the end of the study than those without these symptoms. Moreover, the stronger the symptoms, the higher the risk of diabetes, a "dose response" that lends strength to the findings.
Even when the researchers accounted for such factors as overweight, lack of exercise, and smoking, the risk of developing diabetes was still 34 percent higher for patients with depressive symptoms.
To investigate whether diabetes could lead to depression, Golden and her colleagues used the same pool of MESA information and excluded those who had elevated depressive symptoms at the initial clinic visit. Then, they looked to see whether those who had high fasting glucose with or without a formal diagnosis of diabetes were more likely to develop depressive symptoms by the end of the study.
The researchers found that patients treated for diabetes, about 9 percent of the group, were about 54 percent more likely to develop elevated depressive symptoms than those without diabetes.
Surprisingly, those with prediabetes or untreated diabetes were about 25 percent less likely to develop elevated depressive symptoms than people with normal fasting glucose, a finding Golden’s team cannot explain at this time.
Golden, an associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, speculates that depression may lead patients to develop behaviors that trigger diabetes or make it worse, such as overeating, not exercising or smoking. Similarly, keeping up with the often extensive treatment regimens to care for their diabetes may make patients’ depression worse. Understanding how one condition might lead to another could improve treatments for both problems, she says.
"Having both diabetes and depression can make it difficult for patients to get the good clinical outcomes that we like to see for each of these conditions," says Golden. "To make sure that patients with diabetes and depression receive the best care, we wanted to get to the bottom of the connection between these two conditions.
"It’s important that doctors be attuned to look for both conditions in patients at risk for either diabetes or depression," Golden adds. "We may want to develop interventions for both treatments, instead of just one or the other."
generic ultram online buy Other Hopkins researchers who participated in this study include Mariana Lazo, M.D.. M.Sc.; Hochang Benjamin Lee, M.D.; and Constantine Lyketsos, M.D., M.H.S.
The MESA study was supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Golden and her colleagues’ research was supported by a Patient-Oriented Mentored Scientist Award through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Johns Hopkins Medicine
901 S. Bond St., Ste 550
Baltimore, MD 21231
United States

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Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:
LLY) and Boehringer Ingelheim announced that the Committee for
Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency
(EMEA) has issued a positive opinion supporting the approval of Cymbalta(R)
(duloxetine hydrochloride) for the treatment of Generalised Anxiety
Disorder (GAD).
The positive opinion is based upon the results of five clinical studies
– four double-blind placebo-controlled studies and a relapse prevention
study — involving more than 2,000 non-depressed adults with GAD. In each
of the four placebo-controlled studies safety and efficacy were assessed.
Duloxetine significantly improved core anxiety symptoms (as measured by the
Hamilton Anxiety Scale), compared with placebo (p less than or equal to
0.001, p=0.02, p=0.007, p less than or equal to 0.001 respectively)
(1,2,3,4) and demonstrated improvement in role functioning, including
ability to perform everyday activities in work, home and in social
situations.(5,6) In addition, duloxetine significantly decreased the
likelihood of relapse in those patients who initially responded to
duloxetine and were maintained on treatment for six months compared with
those switched to placebo.(7) The most common side effects in these studies
included nausea, fatigue, dry mouth, drowsiness, constipation, insomnia,
decreased appetite, hyperhidrosis, decreased libido, vomiting, ejaculation
delay and erectile dysfunction.
Although global prevalence is not currently known, more than nine
million Europeans (8,9) and six million people in Central and South America
are estimated to suffer from GAD.(10) Difficult to detect, due to the fact
that the condition presents with a variety of symptoms,(11) GAD is
characterised by more than simple anxiety. The disorder is diagnosed when
patients suffer from excessive anxiety and worry about a number of events
and activities (such as performance at work or school) over a sustained
period of at least six months.(12)
"If left untreated, symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder may
progress to prevent patients from working and operating in daily social
situations," said Dr. Christer Allgulander of the Department of Clinical
Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. "According to population
and primary care surveys the majority of people suffering from anxiety, and
their physicians, still have unmet needs. This positive opinion on
duloxetine creates another effective pharmacotherapy option that will help
patients feel better, and help physicians in their aim to improve
functioning for those suffering from this debilitating condition."
Duloxetine, a member of a class of drugs commonly referred to as
serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors,(13) is already approved to
treat major depressive disorder and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.
Duloxetine gained marketing authorisation for the treatment of GAD in
Mexico in 2006 and in the United States in 2007.
About Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Approximately nine million Europeans (8,9) and six million people in
Central and South America are estimated to suffer from GAD.(10) Quality of
life is affected as symptoms of GAD can include exaggerated worry or
chronic anxiety, irritability and poor concentration. Ability to work is
often compromised with the manifestation of physical symptoms such as
muscle tension, fatigue, sleep disturbance and nausea.(12) The illness
tends to be chronic with periods of exacerbation and remission. Patients
report that episodes of generalized anxiety disorder are often brought on,
or worsened, by stressful life events.(14)
About Duloxetine
While duloxetine’s mechanism of action in humans is not fully known, it
is believed to affect both serotonin and norepinephrine/noradrenaline
mediated nerve signalling in the brain and the spinal cord. Based on
pre-clinical studies, duloxetine is a balanced and potent reuptake
inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine/noradrenaline. Scientists believe
its effect on pain perception is due to increasing the activity of
serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system.
Duloxetine is approved for the treatment of depression and diabetic
peripheral neuropathic pain, in many countries and is approved in some
countries for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, Major
Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Duloxetine is
approved only for adults 18 and over. There is a possibility of an
increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour in children and young
adults treated with antidepressants. Patients should call their doctor
right away if they experience worsening depression symptoms, unusual
changes in behaviour or thoughts of suicide, especially at the beginning of
treatment or after a change in dose.
Patients taking duloxetine may experience dizziness or fainting upon
standing. The most common side effects of duloxetine include:
– For depression: Nausea, dry mouth, headache, insomnia, diarrhea
– For diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain: Nausea, somnolence
(sleepiness), fatigue, headache, dizziness
– For stress urinary incontinence: Nausea, dry mouth, fatigue
– For Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Nausea, fatigue, dry mouth,
drowsiness, constipation, insomnia, decreased appetite, hyperhidrosis,
decreased libido, vomiting, ejaculation delay and erectile dysfunction.
Duloxetine is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to it, who
have liver disease resulting in hepatic impairment, who are taking a
monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin or enoxacine
or who have severe kidney disease. The initiation of treatment with
duloxetine also is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled
hypertension that could expose them to a potential risk of hypertensive
crisis.
Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim
In November 2002, Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim signed
a long-term agreement to jointly develop and commercialize duloxetine
hydrochloride. This partnership covers neuroscience indications in most
countries outside of the United States and Japan, with few exceptions.
About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing
portfolio of best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest
research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with
eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind.,
Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of
the world’s most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly
is available at
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading
pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates
globally with 135 affiliates in 47 countries and almost 38,900 employees.
Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed
to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of
high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine. In 2007,
Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 10.9 billion euro while spending
one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment Prescription
Generic ultram pills no prescription Medicines on research and development. For more information please visit

Duloxetine for major depressive episodes is marketed by Lilly and
Boehringer Ingelheim in all countries included in the partnership under the
brand name Cymbalta, except for Greece, Italy and Spain. In Greece, Italy
and Spain Lilly markets the product as Cymbalta and Boehringer Ingelheim
markets the product as Xeristar(R). In the United States, Cymbalta is
marketed by Lilly and Quintiles. In Japan, duloxetine will be co-developed
and co-marketed by Lilly and Shionogi & Co., Ltd.
Duloxetine for stress urinary incontinence is marketed by Lilly under
the brand name Yentreve.(R)
References
(1) Koponen, H., et al. Efficacy of Duloxetine for the Treatment of
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Implications for Primary Care Physicians.
Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry 2007: 9(2):100-107
(2) Rynn M., et al. Efficacy and Safety of Duloxetine in the Treatment
of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Flexible-Dose, Progressive-Titration,
Placebo- Controlled Trial. Depression and Anxiety 2007: 25(3): 182-189.
(3) Hartford, J., et al. Duloxetine as an SNRI Treatment for
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Results from a Placebo- and Active-Controlled
Trial. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2007: 22(3):167-74.
(4) Nicolini H, et al. Improvement of psychic and somatic symptoms in
adult patients with generalized anxiety disorder: Examination from a
duloxetine, venlafaxine extended-release, and placebo-controlled study. In
Press at Psychological Medicine.
(5) Endicott, J., et al. Duloxetine Treatment for Role Functioning
Improvement in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Three Independent Studies. The
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2007: 68(4):518-24
(6) Allgulander, C., et al. Pharmacotherapy of Generalized Anxiety
Disorder: Results of Duloxetine Treatment from a Pooled Analysis of 3
Clinical Trials. Current Medical Research and Opinion 2007: 23(6):
1245-1252
(7) Davidson JRT, et al. Duloxetine treatment for relapse prevention in
adults with generalized anxiety disorder: A 26- week randomized
placebo-controlled study. Poster presented at the American College of
Neuropsychopharmacology annual conference 2007. Boca Raton, Florida
(8) Lieb, R, et al. The epidemiology of generalised anxiety disorder in
Europe. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2005 Aug;15(4):445-52.
(9) National Institute of Economic and Social Research. Summarized from
the National Institute Economic Review,194, 28 October 2005.
(10) Calculated extrapolations of prevalence rates against the
populations of a particular country or region, based upon prevalence of
generalized anxiety disorder in the US, UK, Canada or Australia. Available
at:
Accessed on 2.4.08
(11) Gliatto, M.F. Generalised Anxiety Disorder. American Family
Physicians, Vol. 62/No. 7, October 1, 2000.
(12) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Anxiety Disorders.
Available at:
Accessed on 2.5.08
(13) Bymaster, FP et al. The Dual Transporter Inhibitor Duloxetine: A
Review of its Preclinical Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetic Profile, and
Clinical Results in Depression. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2005; 11:
1475-1493.
(14) Patient.co.uk. Generalized anxiety disorder. Available at
Accessed on 2.5.08
Eli Lilly and Company

View drug information on Cymbalta.
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Itchy, watery eyes. Stuffy nose. Sneezing. Sound familiar? As much as we love it, warm weather can spell misery for the 20 million to 30 million Americans who suffer from allergies. According to Dr. Leslie Miller, director of the Emergency Department, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/The Allen Pavilion, the majority of spring respiratory problems come from inhaling such allergens as trees or grass pollen and mold spores. Exposure to dust, pet dander, and other indoor pollutants can worsen the severity of spring and summer allergies, essentially adding fuel to the fire.
In addition, Dr. William Reisacher, an otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, says allergies can trigger or worsen asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
Drs. Miller and Reisacher suggest the following tips to help allergy sufferers’ weather through the season:
- If you stay in air-conditioned areas with windows closed, you may reduce your symptoms. Be aware that symptoms will flare up the moment you go outside and may remain with you for the rest of the day.
- Window air-conditioning units are useful in filtering out large, airborne pollen particles. If you are allergic to pollen it is recommended to run the air-conditioner as much as possible during the warm-weather months. If you use an air conditioner, keep it clean. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems harbor moisture, mold and dust.
- If you suffer from mild symptoms, over-the-counter antihistamines will help for a few hours. Caution should be taken because they may cause drowsiness. Driving and operating heavy machinery should be avoided. Occasionally, older men develop urination problems when taking antihistamines.
- If you need more relief, over-the-counter antihistamines combined with a decongestant can relieve symptoms, but read the package for health warnings. Individuals who take multiple medications, and those with chronic medical issues like hypertension or prostate problems, should consult a physician.
- Buy acomplia pills If you are concerned about your symptoms, please see your physician. In almost all instances, identifying allergic sensitivities and tailoring treatment with prescription drugs, nasal sprays, eye drops, non-sedating antihistamines or allergy shots, or specific allergen avoidance can help alleviate symptoms.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center
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Men’s Health News
The results of research into early testicular cancer has found that a single chemotherapy treatment is just as effective as radiation therapy while much less toxic.
The researchers from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London have found that for men diagnosed with early-stage seminoma, one of the most common types of testicular cancer, a single dose of the chemotherapy drug carboplatin is an effective treatment.
The study leader Dr. Tim Oliver says testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 45 years and surgery followed by radiation has been the usual treatment.
For the study, 573 patients with testicular cancer were randomly assigned to a single dose of carboplatin given over 1 hour on an outpatient basis while the other 904 were given daily radiotherapy over a 2 or 3 week period.
Buy generic levitra Dr. Oliver says 5 years later the rate of the cancer reappearing was similar in the two groups - 5 percent in the carboplatin arm and 4 percent in the radiation group.
With both groups the side effects were few but the patients treated with radiation experienced higher levels of moderate to severe lethargy 4 weeks after starting the treatment.
Dr. Oliver says with testicular cancer as with prostate cancer, personal preference regarding treatment is becoming a more important factor in determining what is best for the patient.
He says the study establishes that surgery followed by carboplatin chemotherapy is a safe new alternative for patients who have early-stage seminoma and want a treatment that lasts a shorter period of time.
The research was presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago.
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