Find out in this World Book Explains video presented by Dr. Marc Garnick, Physician at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Faculty Member at Harvard Medical School, explains why people have allergies. World Book Discover has hundreds of World Book Explains videos.
The following information was provided by Natural Standard, the authority on Integrative Medicine.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a consumer warning for WOW, which contains unlabeled prescription drug ingredients with potentially adverse effects. WOW was sold on several websites, including gonepainfree.com and browerent.com.
WOW was marketed as a remedy to treat arthritis, bone cancer, muscle pain and osteoporosis. According to the FDA, WOW is the relabeled version of Reumofan Plus, which caused several mild and serious side effects from Reumofan Plus. Subsequently, the FDA issued warnings against Reumofan Plus in June and August 2012.
Based on laboratory studies, the FDA determined that Reumofan Plus contains diclofenac sodium. Diclofenac sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that requires a prescription to use. Side effects of this drug include heart attacks, stroke, bleeding, ulceration and the formation of holes in the stomach or intestines that may lead to death.
In addition to diclofenac sodium, the FDA also determined that Reumofan Plus contains methocarbamol. Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxing drug that also requires a prescription to use. Side effects of this drug include tiredness, dizziness, reduced blood pressure and reduced mental and physical abilities. Furthermore, both methocarbamol as well as diclofenac sodium have the potential to interact with other medications.
Prior to the FDA’s analysis of Reumofan Plus, the Mexican Ministry of Health discovered that at least some batches of the product contained dexamethasone. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that functions as both an anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing agent. The Mexican Ministry of Health went on to order Riger Naturals to recall Reumofan Plus, and issued a warning to consumers regarding the potential health hazards associated with the product.
The FDA advises consumers in possession of WOW or Reumofan Plus to discontinue use immediately. Any negative side effects should be reported to a healthcare provider and the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.
For more information about integrative therapies for pain relief, please visit Natural Standard’s Comparative Effectiveness Database.
References
1. Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine.
2. US Food and Drug Administration. www.fda.gov
Reiki is an ancient healing practice that is approximately 2,500 years old. The name “Reiki” is derived from two Japanese words: rei, meaning universal spirit, and ki, meaning life energy. Mention of Reiki can be found in the Tibetan sutras and in ancient records of cosmology and philosophy. The fact sheet Reiki, Background Information will answer some general questions and if you want to learn more use these resources:
The use of magnets to treat illness has been described historically in many civilizations and was suggested by ancient Egyptian priests and in the 4th Century BC by Hippocrates. The 15th Century Swiss physician and alchemist Paracelsus theorized that magnets may be able to attract diseases and leach them from the body. In modern times, magnetic fields play an important role in Western medicine, including use for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pulsed electromagnetic fields, and experimental magnetic stimulatory techniques. Magnets have not been proven to work for any health-related reason, yet static, or permanent, magnets are widely marketed for pain control. The fact sheet Magnets for Pain Relief provides basic information about magnets for pain, and summarizes scientific research.
To learn more about magnets for pain relief use these library resources:
To support your lesson plans, here is December’s health programing ideas – brought to you by The Pulse, part of the Gale Health and Wellness Resource Center.
December is full of celebrations. Whether at a school concert or play, family holiday gathering, or work party, when people gather together and eat together, the chance of spreading germs increases. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most important thing that we can do to prevent getting sick is simply to wash our hands.
Help your library community stay well this winter by promoting National Handwashing Awareness Month with these free resources and with information from Gale Health and Wellness Resource Center.
Take a $1.00 clear soap or hand-sanitizer dispenser and turn it into a gift by customizing it with fun photos or adding accessories to transform it into a cute snowman.
Fun StuffAdd these interesting and helpful interactive links to your library’s website, Facebook page, or Twitter feed:
