MEDICAL-REFERENCE

How does the Nervous system work?

The nervous system is the most complex system in the human body, which is surrounded by a network of more than hundred million neurons, assisted by many glial cells. The nervous system functions as an autonomous entity in the body. In addition, this system works by sending signals to other parts of the body. In fact, this communication system of the body permits fast and specific communication between broadly spaced parts of the body. These functions of the nervous system are done by the action of millions of dedicated nerve cells. These cells are called neurons, and they are the basic functioning cells of the nervous system. Each single neuron generating many specialized connections, called synapses, with other neurons and other cells in the body. These cells (neurons) not only gather and process information but also generate proper response signals to the every part of the body.

Division of Nervous System

Anatomically, the nervous system has two subdivisions –

1. Central Nervous System (CNS)
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Functionally, the nervous system is divided into two systems –

1. Somatic Nervous System
2. Autonomic (Visceral) Nervous System

Breaking News -- FDA Issues Warning on Several Proton Pump Inhibitors

Posted by Imtiaz Ibne Alam

Yesterday, the US-FDA issued a new warning on several popular proton pump inhibitors (PPI). The agency warned that the use of certain heartburn and acid reflux drugs might increase the risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). In addition, the agency also suggested diagnosis of CDAD for patients who are taking PPIs and developed diarrhea that does not improve.

The FDA issued this safety announcement just after the review of reports from the AERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) and the medical literature suggested such a link with PPIs.

According to MedPage Today, the warning applies to the following both prescription and over-the-counter PPIs:

omeprazole
omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate
esomeprazole magnesium
pantoprazole sodium
rabeprazole sodium
lansoprazole
dexlansoprazole

Furthermore, you need to know that PPIs have already linked with several other adverse events, including arrhythmias, seizures, clopidogrel resistance, osteoporotic fractures, cardiac birth defects, and decrease in magnesium levels resulting in an increased risk of leg spasms.

The FDA safety announcement also reported that the agency has already started working with these drug manufacturers for modifying the labels to include the warning regarding increased risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

Additionally, you need to know that Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium, which causes a serious diarrhea that rarely improve.

Symptoms Include:

Water like stool
Serious intestinal discomforts
Pain in abdomen and fever

What are Herbal Remedies?

Posted by Imtiaz Ibne Alam

Herbal remedies can be described as the medicinal substances that are directly prepared from medicinal plants or plant extracts for healing purposes. This medical practice also illustrates the ancient medical knowledge practices that were developed over thousands of year ago under a variety of cultures before the age of modern-day Allopathic or Homeopathic medicine begins.

From ancient times to today, these remedies have been used for various therapeutic purposes. In addition, herbal remedies are very popular in non-industrialized societies and they usually uses these remedies in treating sexual problems, acne, pain, gout, migraines, hair loss problems, mental disorders, overweight problems, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Presently, as like pharmaceuticals, they are available in various dosage forms (mainly, tablet, capsule and syrup) in the market. They are also sold as powders, extracts and fresh or dried plants. However, they are not available as injectable and ophthalmic preparations. In addition, according to health regulatory agencies, herbal remedies are mainly regulated as dietary supplements.

Related Articles From This Blog:

Role of Traditional Medicine in Human Society Myths and Facts of Herbal Medicines

Are herbal medicines safe for health?

Myths and Facts of Herbal Medicines

Posted by Imtiaz Ibne Alam

Today, many of us believe that herbal medicines are safe and effective for health. In addition, many of us also believe in several myths about herbs. However, according to recent studies, several issues are associated with safety and effectiveness of these medicines. Accordingly, I want to discuss in this post about the myths and facts of herbal medicines.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine can be described as the medical knowledge practice that uses herb or herb extracts for therapeutic purposes. In addition, these medicines include herbs, herbal preparations, herbal materials and finished products containing parts of plants or other plant parts as main constituents. This medical practice is also known as "natural medicine", "phytomedicine", "botanical medicine" and "traditional medicine".

Myths and Facts Related to the Common Misconceptions

There are several myths and facts related to the common misconceptions about herbal medicines. They are summarized below.

Many of us still believe that herbs are not drugs, it's natural. In addition, many people also believe that medicines, which are prepared from herbs or herbal extracts, must possess magical therapeutic properties with no side effects.
Most of the herbal companies advertise that herbal products are organic, for this reason they possess superior therapeutic benefits than laboratory-produced medicines. In addition, they also advertise their products as natural with no undesirable side effects.
These medicines are OTC (over the counter) products in most of the countries, and there are no strict guidelines for the preparation and administration of these products.
Still limited scientific studies have done to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of these medicinal products.

As a result, many consumers are not concerned about the adverse effects of herbal medicines. Consequently, they still have misconceptions about herbal products and still prefer these medicines rather than modern allopathic medicines.

Why Vitamin and Mineral Supplements Are Essential to Your Body?

Posted by Imtiaz Ibne Alam

Vitamin and mineral plays an essential role to the human body. Although, you can easily get these minimum required substances from your daily food intakes with a balanced diet, but for some reasons you may need vitamin and mineral supplements. Accordingly, in this post, I want to discuss who needs these supplements and why these substances are essential for you.

Who Needs Dietary Supplements?

If you are normally healthy and consume a variety of nutritional foods, including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, lean meats, fish and fiber containing products, you do not need to take nutritional supplements. However, if you are unable to fulfill your daily necessities of vitamins and minerals from your daily calorie intakes, vitamin and mineral supplements may be beneficial for you to get proper nutrients.
In addition, according to mayoclinic, if you consume less than 1,600 calories per day or you are a vegetarian and only consume meals with limited variations, you may need those extra supplements. Alternatively, age also plays another significant role for creating these requirements of supplements. If you are older than fifty years, your body may lose the ability to absorb the vitamins like B12 from your daily meals. As a result, you may need to take dietary supplements containing vitamin B complex to fulfill the nutritional requirements of your body.
On the other hand, these supplements are necessary in several other health or medical conditions. As an example, iron supplements help to overcome heavy bleeding during the menstrual period of women.

Why Vitamins and Minerals Are Essential to Your Body?

Essentially, vitamins and minerals accelerate our usual growth and development, enhance the immune system, and help our organs and cells to work appropriately. In fact, vitamins and minerals aid to keep your body healthy and stronger. According to most recent Dietary Guidelines, you need to have vitamins and minerals in your regular diet, because the deficiencies of vitamin and mineral can lead you to several nutritional disorders like osteomalacia, kwashiorkor, marasmus, mental retardation, growth retardation, keshan disease, pellagra, goiter, anemia, rickets, tetany etc.As an example, you may know that potent antioxidant Vitamin E is one of the essentially required antioxidants for our body. According to Dietary Guidelines, the average required dose of vitamin E in adults is only 15 IU (International Unit) per day. However, you need to know that the Vitamin E deficiency can cause you skeletal muscle, pigmental retinopathy, and hemolytic anaemia like diseases. In addition, according to recent studies, the deficiency of Vitamin E also plays a key role for baldness (androgenic alopecia).