Acetaminophen — best known today by the brand name Tylenol — is one of the most widely used pain relievers in the world. But its path from laboratory discovery to medicine cabinet staple spans more than a century and includes missteps, rediscovery and one of the most significant public health crises in modern pharmaceutical history….
Neuropathy is essentially a “glitch” in your body’s electrical system. It occurs when nerves — usually the peripheral nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord — become damaged or destroyed. Instead of sending clear signals to your brain, these damaged nerves might send “phantom” pain signals, or stop sending signals altogether. It often feels…
Using an inhaler seems straightforward, but it’s actually a high-precision task. If the technique isn’t quite right, the medication often ends up hitting the back of your throat instead of reaching your lungs where it’s needed. Here is a guide to help you master the puff. The Pre-Game Checklist Before you even take a breath,…
Managing glaucoma requires a commitment to a daily routine. Because glaucoma is often “silent” (meaning you won’t feel your eye pressure rising), the medications are your primary defense against permanent vision loss. Here are five essential things every patient should know about glaucoma medications: Consistency is Your Most Powerful Tool Glaucoma eye drops only work…
Everyone taking prescription medications should be aware of essential safety practices. Here are six tips to help ensure you are taking your medicine correctly and safely: 1. Maintain a Comprehensive Medication List Keep an up-to-date list of everything you take, and share it with every healthcare provider you see (doctors, specialists, dentists, and pharmacists). Include:…
The history of vitamin K is a story of a single discovery that later expanded to include a family of related compounds, each with distinct roles in the body. The journey from initial observation to a detailed understanding of vitamin K1 and K2 spans several decades and involves multiple scientists. The Initial Discovery of Vitamin…
~ The First Recorded Clinical Trial in 1747 ~ The history of Vitamin C is closely linked to the understanding and eventual conquest of scurvy, a debilitating and often fatal disease that plagued sailors on long voyages for centuries. Early Observations As early as the 15th century, it was noted that certain foods, particularly citrus…
The history of the B vitamins is a fascinating journey that spans several decades and involves the work of numerous scientists. Initially thought to be a single nutrient, it was later discovered to be a complex group of essential water-soluble vitamins with distinct functions. Here’s a brief overview of their discovery: The Beriberi Connection The…
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays many crucial roles in the body. Here are some of its key benefits: Vision Essential for night vision: Vitamin A is a component of rhodopsin, a protein in the eyes that allows us to see in low-light conditions. Deficiency can lead to night blindness. Supports overall eye…
Medication reconciliation is a term used in healthcare that describes the process of comparing a patient’s medication orders in a healthcare institution (hospital or nursing home) to what the patient has been prescribed and taking at home. The purpose of this short column is to point out that many times patients are admitted to an…
