Acute lymphocytic leukemia 01/21/2008
Acute lymphoblastic (or lymphocytic) leukemia
Highlights: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) There are four major types of leukemia. ALL is the most common type of leukemia diagnosed in children, and the least common type diagnosed in adults. About 5,200 people are diagnosed with ALL each year. Children account for two-thirds of these cases.
Alcoholism 12/28/2007
Alcohol dependence; Alcohol abuse
Highlights: Drug Research Topiramate (Topamax), an anticonvulsant drug used to treat epilepsy, is showing promise as a treatment for alcohol dependence. In a 2007 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association , patients who took topiramate had fewer heavy drinking days, fewer drinks per day, and more days of not drinking at all than patients who received placebo.
Allergic rhinitis 04/20/2008
Hay fever; Nasal congestion - allergies
Highlights: Cough and Cold Products for Children Decongestants, antihistamines, and other cough and cold products should not be used to treat infants and small children under the age of 2, according to recent recommendations by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These medicines can cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects, including rapid heart rate, convulsions, loss of consciousness and death.
Alzheimer's disease 08/09/2008
Alzheimer's disease Description: An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Highlights: Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia is significant loss of cognitive functions such as memory, judgment, attention, and abstract thinking. Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, is a progressive brain disease. It affects 5 million Americans, and millions more worldwide. Risk Factors Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Most people who develop Alzheimer’s disease are 65 years old or older, and the risk increases with age.
Anemia 01/01/2008
Iron deficiency; Pernicious anemia
Highlights: FDA Issues Labeling Changes for Drugs That Boost Red Blood Cells In November 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made several changes to the prescribing labels for erythropoiesis-stimulating drugs. These drugs -- epoietin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) and darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) -- increase the production of red blood cells.
Anxiety disorders 12/25/2007
Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Panic disorder; Phobias; Post-traumatic stress disorder
Highlights: Drug Approval In 2007, duloxetine (Cymbalta) was approved for treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Duloxetine is a dual inhibitor antidepressant. Anxiety Disorders Under-R ecognized and Under-Treated About 41% of patients with an anxiety disorder do not receive any treatment, indicates a 2007 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine .
Asthma in adults 06/26/2008
Asthma in adults Description: An in-depth report on how asthma is diagnosed, treated, and managed in adults.
Highlights: New Asthma Guidelines Released In 2007, the U.S. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) released updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. The new guidelines are the first to be released in a decade. Key points include: Assessment and Monitoring . Doctors should use multiple measures to determine a patient’s current condition and future risk for worsening of condition.
Asthma in children and adolescents 02/19/2008
Asthma in children and adolescents Description: An in-depth report on how asthma is diagnosed, treated, and managed in children and adolescents.
Highlights: New Asthma Guidelines In 2007, the U.S. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) released updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. The new guidelines are the first to be released in a decade. Key points include: Assessment and Monitoring . Doctors should use multiple measures to determine a patient’s current condition and future risk for worsening of condition.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 12/27/2007
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Description: An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ADHD.
Highlights: Drug Approval In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lisdexamfetamine (Vysvanse), a new stimulant drug for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The active ingredient in lisdexamfetamine is similar to dextroamphetamine, the drug used in Dexedrine and Adderall. Drug Warning In 2007, the FDA instructed the manufacturers of all ADHD drugs to include drug warning labels describing the risks for heart and psychiatric side effects.
