Bedbugs and movies

Is it possible to carry bedbugs home from a movie theater?

The answer is yes, but it is difficult. Bedbugs do lurk in dark warm places and where food is found. These creatures generally do not tag along with you after the movie is over. But there is a possibility that one bedbug may be hidden in your jacket sleeve or your pant pocket. So when you get home, the best thing to do is remove your clothes before you enter the home. Shake and inspect the clothes. If you think there is a bedbug in your clothes, put the clothes in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes. If you live in cold place like Canada, leave the clothes outside all night- bedbugs do not tolerate the cold well. This may sound like crazy advice, but once you get a bedbug in your home, it will be impossible to get rid of that creature.

Bed bugs

Can bedbugs spread disease?

Bedbugs are like miniature roaches. They have a similar color, and cannot fly. To date bedbugs have not been found to spread disease. They generally bite and cause an itching sensation. Sometimes the bite may initiate an allergic reaction. Children tend to be more sensitive to bedbug bites than adults. While it has not been shown that these creatures can spread disease, there is always a possibility .

Thera patch for low back pain

Does Thera patch work for low back pain?

Thera-patch is widely sold for low back pain and treatment of arthritis. It contains salicylate, camphor and menthol. There are several formulas of this product. Orientals have been using the equivalent of thera-patch for centuries. The paste is applied over the area and immediately produces a cooling effect. The pain relief is mild. I am not sure how it works for low back pain, but you can try it. While working in Thailand, I discovered that thera-patch (called tiger balm) was used to treat every disorder under the sun- and in most cases, it did jack shit.

Soma for back pain

Is Soma available over the counter for back pain?

No soma is a prescription medication. It is heavily abused by patients. There are no muscle relaxants that you can buy over the counter. If you have low back pain, I recommend several things- first avoid all back surgeons, start some form of exercise and lose weight. The majority of cases can be treated this way. The only thing back surgery will do for you is make you more miserable.

Dexilant for reflux

My doctor prescribed me Dexilant for reflux disease. Is there something cheaper I can take?

Sure, doctors have a bad habit of always prescribing newer medications. This is very common among GPs in Canada. The chief reason is that they are courted by drug reps who offer them BS gimmicks and free dinners. There are several generic versions of Proton pump inhibitors available. These are just as effective as any newer PPI. In fact, you can now buy prilosec and prevacid over the counter at 1/4th the price. Remember, newer is not always better. Medicine is a business and just like newer iphones and ipads, newer medications come and go. Most are no more effective than older medications.

Blood clots

I have been told that I have a blood clot in my leg and have been given warfarin. How long should I remain on this medicine?

If you have blood clots in your legs, you need to be on a blood thinner –which is warfarin. It is sold as Coumadin and is an excellent drug for people with blood clots. If blood clots are not treated, they may break off and fly off to the lung. In most cases of a first time blood clot in the leg, you need to take the medication for at least 6 -9 months. Unfortunately, most doctors are clueless about duration of therapy and never discontinue this medication. Patients are often on warfarin for years. The only people who need life long anticoagulation are those who have inherited coagulation disorders. In addition, you need to wear compression stockings for the rest of your life to prevent post phlebitic syndrome.

The safest diabetic drug

Which is the safest drug for diabetes?

All diabetics would like to know which is the safest drug for them. Now there is research showing that diabetic patients who are treated with sulfonylurea drugs other than metformin have a significantly higher mortality.

Glipizide, glimepiride and glyburide were recently compared to metformin in patients with coronary artery disease. The safest drug was metformin and all experts agree that today it should be the first line drug prescribed for type 2 diabetics.

Until recently, all diabetic drugs were all felt to be similar in effectiveness and safety. But now this research reveals otherwise. Metformin is now available as a generic, is very affordable, and is an excellent drug for blood glucose control. However, in patients with coronary disease, glimepiride may be the preferred drug.

Overall, glipizide and glimepiride are preferred over glyburide, but metformin should be the drug of choice in most type 2 diabetics. The other benefit of metformin is that it induces weight loss. The drug has been around for 80 years and withstood the test of time. Remember, none of the newer anti-diabetic drugs is as effective as metformin.