Conditions

Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Gastrointestinal bleeding is the symptom of vomiting up of blood or bleeding from the rectum.

• Gastrointestinal bleeding can come from the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon or rectum.

• Gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by:
· anal fissures
· arterial vascular malformation ( malformed blood vessels in the stomach or intestine
· aspirin use
· Celiac Disease (Nontropical sprue)
· colitis (inflammation or infection of the colon)
· colon cancer
· colonic polyp
· esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
· gastritis (stomach inflammation)
· hemorrhoids
· stomach ulcer
· stomach cancer
· Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen(Advil/Mortin), Naprosyn (Aleve), Diclofenac

• Gastrointestinal bleeding should always be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – May 1, 2009

Blood in the stool

• Blood in the stool is the symptom of bleeding from the rectum.

• Blood in the stool can come from the bleeding of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon or rectum.

• Blood in the stool can be caused by:
· anal fissures
· arterial vascular malformation ( malformed blood vessels in the stomach or intestine
· aspirin use
· Celiac Disease (Nontropical sprue)
· colitis (inflammation or infection of the colon)
· colon cancer
· colonic polyp
· esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
· gastritis (stomach inflammation)
· hemorrhoids
· stomach ulcer
· stomach cancer
· Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen(Advil/Mortin), Naprosyn (Aleve), Diclofenac

• Blood in the stool should always be evaluated by your doctor

Read more

Voltaren

· Trade Name
Voltaren

· Generic Name
Diclofenac

· Drug Class
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication

· How It Works
Medication reduces prostaglandin production

· Serious Side Effects
allergic reactions
anemia
gastrointestinal bleed
heart attack
stroke
high blood pressure
heart failure
kidney toxicity
liver toxicity

· Common Side Effects
nausea
abdominal pain
constipation
headache
dizziness
rash
liver damage
rash
drowsiness
fluid retention
ringing in ears
bruising

Read more – March 23, 2009

Warfarin

· Trade Name
WARFARIN

· Generic Name
Coumadin

· Drug Class
Anticoagulation medication
Blood thinner medication
Thrombolytic medication

· How It Works
Medication inhibits vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor synthesis (II, VII, IX, X, proteins C and S)
Medication inhibits the ability to make a blood clot

· Serious Side Effects
anemia
bleeding
hemorrhage
skin necrosis
tissue necrosis
gangrene
cholesterol embolism
fetal harm or death (possible if used during pregnancy)
allergic reactions
jaundice
hepatitis
vasculitis
syncope

· Common Side Effects
anemia
bleeding
bruising easily
stomach pain
vomiting
nausea
hair loss
diarrhea
gas
bloating
fatigue
lethargy
headache
dizziness
taste changes
itching
edema
rash
hives
fever
cold intolerance
paresthesias

Read more – March 21, 2009

Xeloda

· Trade Name
XELODA

· Generic Name
Capecitabine

· Drug Class
Cancer medication
Anti-metabolites medication

· How It Works
Medication inhibits cell division
Medication inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis

· Serious Side Effects
infection
gastrointestinal toxicity
diarrhea
low white blood cell count
low platelet count
anemia
inflammation of the esophagus
bleeding in the stomach or colon
inflammation of the liver and bile ducts
liver failure
heart attack
arrhythmias
damage to the heart muscle
allergic reactions

· Common Side Effects
diarrhea
anemia
nausea
vomiting
low white blood cell count
low platelet count
infection
fatigue
rash
inflammation of the mouth and lips
tingling
abdominal pain
low of appetite
jaundice
constipation
eye pain
fever
edema

Read more – March 18, 2009

Retrovir

· Trade Name
RETROVIR

· Generic Name
Zidovudine

· Drug Class
HIV Medication
Anti-Viral medication

· How It Works
Medication inhibits viral reverse transcriptase.

· Serious Side Effects
anaphylaxis
anemia
aplastic anemia
fat redistribution
hepatomegaly
hepatotoxicity
lactic acidosis
myopathy
myositis
neutropenia
pancreatitis
pancytopenia
rhabdomyolysis
seizures
Stevens Johnson syndrome
toxic epidermal necrolysis

· Common Side Effects
anemia
chills
fever
headache
malaise
nausea
anorexia
vomiting
asthenia
constipation
abdominal cramps
abdominal pain
arthralgia
dyspepsia
fatigue
insomnia
musculoskeletal pain
myalgia
neuropathy
elevated liver transaminases
cough
rash
upper respiratory infection
diarrhea
hepatomegaly

Read more – February 27, 2009

Goserelin

· Trade Name
Zoladex

· Generic Name
GOSERELIN

· Drug Class
Cancer medication

· How It Works
Medication inhibits the release of gonadotropin which suppresses ovarian and testicular steroid production

· Serious Side Effects
congestive heart failure
heart attack
ovarian cysts
ovarian hyperstimulation
pituitary apoplexy
pulmonary embolism
stroke

· Common Side Effects
anemia
chills
emotional lability
hot flashes
depression
headache
sweating
asthenia
gynecomastia
diarrhea
pelvic pain
fever
breast tenderness
hypercalcemia

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Zoladex

· Trade Name
ZOLADEX

· Generic Name
Goserelin

· Drug Class
Cancer medication

· How It Works
Medication inhibits the release of gonadotropin which suppresses ovarian and testicular steroid production

· Serious Side Effects
congestive heart failure
heart attack
ovarian cysts
ovarian hyperstimulation
pituitary apoplexy
pulmonary embolism
stroke

· Common Side Effects
anemia
chills
emotional lability
hot flashes
depression
headache
sweating
asthenia
gynecomastia
diarrhea
pelvic pain
fever
breast tenderness
hypercalcemia

Read more

Zevalin

· Trade Name
ZEVALIN

· Generic Name
Ibritumomab

· Drug Class
Cancer medication
Oncologics

· How It Works
Medication binds to B-lymphocyte CD20 surface antigens
monoclonal antibody

· Serious Side Effects
infusion reactions
hypotension
extravasation tissue damage
heart attack
ventricular arrhythmia
cardiogenic shock
angioedema
bronchospasm
hypersensitivity rxn, severe
pulmonary infiltrates
acute respiratory distress syndrome
thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
neutropenia
anemia
pancytopenia
infection
cerebral hemorrhage
secondary leukemia
hemorrhage
myelodysplastic syndrome
pulmonary edema
pulmonary embolism
erythema multiforme
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
toxic epidermal necrolysis
exfoliative dermatitis
bullous dermatitis
viral transmission risk

· Common Side Effects
thrombocytopenia
neutropenia
anemia
asthenia
nausea
vomiting
infection
fever
chills
dyspnea
headache
throat irritation
dizziness
cough
pruritus
diarrhea
anorexia
peripheral edema
rash
arthralgia
hypotension
angioedema

Read more – February 22, 2009

Hematemesis

• Hematemesis (vomiting blood) is the symptom of regurgitation of blood up from the esophagus or stomach.
• Hematemesis (vomiting blood) is a sign of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal track and can result from:
· Ulcers(localized area of inflammation and breakdown of the tissue surface of the stomach wall)
· Varices (varicose veins of the esophagus)
· Mallory-Weiss tears (tear of the lower esophagus usually due to forceful vomiting)
· Gastroduodenal erosions (an irritation of the surface of the stomach or duodenum)
· Erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus due to stomach acid)
· Neoplasm (stomach cancer)
· Vascular ectasias (malformation of blood vessels within the wall of the stomach)

• Hematemesis (vomiting blood) is a sign of serious condition and should be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – February 7, 2009

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