Naturopathic Solutions

Results from a recent study indicate that islet cells from the pancreases of pigs may help cure diabetes in humans. At the University of Minnesota, researchers have successfully implanted the islet cells from pigs into monkeys that have diabetes. This has been hailed as a major step in creating a widespread cure for diabetes in humans.

Currently, there are only a few thousand human pancreases that are donated each year in the U.S. Thus, far too few pancreases are available to cure the disease in millions of people that have diabetes. Pig islets have been tested because they would provide a nearly endless supply of islet cells. The test in these monkeys is promising.

Before getting too excited, there are several things to keep in mind. First, researchers do not plan on trying this surgery on humans for at least three years. Further, immunosuppressive drugs would likely still be required.

It’s hard to see these studies and then know that I’m going to be required to wait patiently for at least five years (probably even longer). Nevertheless, it’s exciting to see progress.

Thank you to everyone who has been helped me with my ride preparation. I still have a long way to go, but I greatly appreciate everyone’s support of my upcoming Century Challenge ride.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation changes millions of lives, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to their cause. Even with diabetes, though, we must not let the disease hold us down.

Please contribute to JDRF’s mission (to support my ride, type “Tyler Wolf”). All proceeds from the event go to research for a diabetes cure.

Once again the alarmists at the FDA are going forward and giving a good drug a bad wrap.  This time it is benzocaine, a topical anesthetic, that is especially useful to anesthetize the inside of the mouth and throat before introducing a tube into the airway or the stomach. Simply put it makes the procedure more comfortable for the patient.  The problem is the FDA puts out this advisory about a known complication of using benzocaine called methemoglobinemia.  They state that due to this warning the Veterans' hospitals are pulling benzocaine from the shelves.  This sounds pretty bad....but it is not!! Quote:

The FDA has received adverse event reports involving benzocaine sprays together with symptoms that probably indicated methemoglobinemia in the patients.  It is important to note also that these cases were received over a period of many years and this is an uncommon adverse event.

Key point; this is an uncommon adverse event.  From a risk management point of view I must stop the use, or if I do and something happens I will be hung by the trial lawyers. So because some overzealous practitioner used too much of the stuff and caused this complication, the rest of us who use these drugs properly are under greater scrutiny should we use it and literally are forced to stop using this helpful drug!  Thank you FDA, my tax dollars have been well spent helping you try to make up for your blatent inadequacies of the past.

benzocaine FDA methemoglobinemia

Once again the alarmists at the FDA are going forward and giving a good drug a bad wrap.  This time it is benzocaine, a topical anesthetic, that is especially useful to anesthetize the inside of the mouth and throat before introducing a tube into the airway or the stomach. Simply put it makes the procedure more comfortable for the patient.  The problem is the FDA puts out this advisory about a known complication of using benzocaine called methemoglobinemia.  They state that due to this warning the Veterans' hospitals are pulling benzocaine from the shelves.  This sounds pretty bad....but it is not!! Quote:

The FDA has received adverse event reports involving benzocaine sprays together with symptoms that probably indicated methemoglobinemia in the patients.  It is important to note also that these cases were received over a period of many years and this is an uncommon adverse event.

Key point; this is an uncommon adverse event.  From a risk management point of view I must stop the use, or if I do and something happens I will be hung by the trial lawyers. So because some overzealous practitioner used too much of the stuff and caused this complication, the rest of us who use these drugs properly are under greater scrutiny should we use it and literally are forced to stop using this helpful drug!  Thank you FDA, my tax dollars have been well spent helping you try to make up for your blatent inadequacies of the past.

benzocaine FDA methemoglobinemia

I have always been a big Batman fan; from the hokey days with Adam West in the 70's to the modern day “Batman Begins”, but now the Caped Crusader is ready to fight terror wear it has begun.  Batman will be hunting down Osama bin Laden and whoopin his butt! Although, the DC Comics release has not yet been announced I cannot wait.  

If movie rights are made I hope the direction goes to Christopher Nolan who directed “Batman Begins”.  IMHO this was the best Batman movie ever.  If you have not seen it you need to buy it, rent it or borrow it as soon as possible.  Even Mrs. EMDoc enjoyed it, and she never likes any movies like this...she may like it because Liam Neeson is in it but that is for her to comment on not me.

Without spoiling it, the best part of the movie for me is when Bruce Wayne is finding all the toys and gadgets he will use while fighting crime.

Batman Osama bin Laden