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Archive for the ‘attorney’ Category

New Study Says Exercise Will Cut Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Posted on Sep 24, 2008 05:05:59 AM

Type 2 diabetes is quickly becoming an epidemic as the obesity rates grow in wealthy countries such as America. Additionally, consuming type 2 diabetes drug can, at times, be considered a gamble with ones health because of the adverse reactions and side effects becoming more predominant within the pharmaceutical community.

However, researchers are continuing to work toward non-pharmaceutical alternatives to the condition. For example, a study from the Glasgow University in England found that individuals who are at an extremely high risk of developing the potentially fatal condition of type 2 diabetes can actually reduce their risk by nearly 22 percent with seven weeks of continued exercise.

The study, led by Dr. Jason Gill on behalf of the British Heart Foundation BHF, tested 70 women for seven weeks. The women were divided into two groups of those with type 2 diabetic parents and those with no predisposition to type 2 diabetes. Each group was then instructed to partake in physical activity for several days during the week. Researchers reported that those with a predisposition to type 2 diabetes, meaning one or both parents suffer from type 2 diabetes, lowered their risk by close to 25 percent with exercise.

Living With Diabetes

Even though millions of Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year, the diagnosis can be shocking and often frightening for a majority of patients. The American Diabetes Association ADA describes newly diagnosed diabetic patients as going through several stages of “grief” similar to the grief of losing a loved one. The ADA explained that, upon diagnosis, the following stages usually occur among diabetic patients:

Denial - pretending the diagnosis didn’t occur and avoiding checking glucose levels, taking insulin shots and eating improper foods.

Anger - becoming angry at the disease as well as being angry that the diagnosis occurred, taking it out on family and friends.

Depression - feelings of hopelessness because of the diagnosis.

Fear/Anxiety - fear of reacting poorly to medications or developing hypoglycemic reactions.

Guilt - feeling that the new diagnosis might burden others.

However, because diabetes is becoming so common, the ADA recommends becoming familiar with the condition and talking to a medical professional who can offer reassurance that the condition is manageable.

Diabetic Treatments Associated with Risks

While much of the medical world continues to make huge strides with developing treatments to fight cancers and other fatal conditions, it seems the diabetic community still suffers from undeveloped treatments, many of which are consistently being investigated for association with dangerous side effects.

For example, the drug Byetta exenatide, which is an injectable glucose regulator used to treat non-insulin dependent patients, recently made headlines for risks related to pancreatitis. The reports, which began in October 2007, only two years after Byetta was approved for market, prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA to investigate.

Even though the FDA has issued a statement that it will in fact strengthen warnings about the severity of the Byetta risks, it has not issued a recall even though six patients were hospitalized because of Byetta-induced hemorrhagic pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis — two of whom died.

Legal Consultation for Diabetic Drug Dangers

Patients who currently suffer from type 2 diabetes and who have been taking Byetta are encouraged to contact a medical professional immediately if they experience any of the following side effects:

hives

difficulty breathing

swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat

pain in the upper stomach

pain in the back

nausea/vomiting

increased heart rate

Individuals may also be advised to consult a pharmaceutical attorney who can provide information on developing a Byetta lawsuit. Because the Byetta side effects can become fatal swiftly, it is important to understand that legal action can be taken in which monetary compensation is often awarded to a victim.

About the Author

Visit http://byetta.legalview.com and learn more about type 2 diabetes as well. Also, use http://www.LegalView.com and discover other legal issues causing harm to individuals such as the pharmaceutical controversies including the Ketek risks or the Cipro class action.

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Anthrax Infections and Lingering Treatments

Posted on Sep 23, 2008 03:25:34 PM

The centers for Disease Control CDC explains that anthrax is “an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis.” While most individuals in America believe that anthrax will likely come from a terrorism attack, it actually is more likely derived from contact with wild animals and consumption of infected meat from animals including:

cattle

goats

sheep

camels

antelopes

How is Anthrax Developed

There are three types of anthrax that can develop. Each of the anthrax symptoms are particular to the type of anthrax infection formed, the three types include: either cutaneous, inhalation or intestinal anthrax. Cutaneous anthrax infections are among the most common types of infections that occur, record-keeping for almost 95 percent of all anthrax cases. Commonly, an individual with an open wound or abrasion will come into contact with:

animal skin

anthrax-infected wool

contaminated animal hides

leather

infected animal hair, especially goat hair of
infected animals

Once an individual becomes infected through cutaneous exposure of an anthrax infection, they will likely show signs of the following symptoms:

raised itchy bumps

painless ulcers on skin between 1-3 centimeters in diameter

ulcers eventually develop black necrotic area in center

edema and swelling of tissue

death, even though only occurs in 20 percent of untreated cases

Most individuals in the United Says are concerned with developing symptoms of inhaled anthrax through bioterrorist attacks. Unfortunately, inhaled anthrax commonly results in death and, according to the CDC, even with aggressive antibiotic and supportive therapy 45 percent of inhalation anthrax cases can become fatal. Signs of inhaled anthrax include:

common cold symptoms

severe breathing problems

shock

death

Finally, intestinal anthrax, which is caused by the consumption of anthrax-infected meat and results in death nearly 25 to 60 percent of the time, is characterized by the following:

nausea

loss of appetite

vomiting

fever

vomiting of blood

abdominal pain

severe diarrhea

lesions/soreness in throat

swelling of neck and lymph glands

difficulty swallowing

Treatments for Anthrax

Individuals who may be at risk for developing an anthrax infection can receive the anthrax vaccine, which is developed by BioPort. The vaccine is a cell-free filtrate meaning that it does not have dead or live anthrax bacteria in it.

Additional treatments, however, will likely come in the form of an antibiotic. The following three antibiotics, according to the Mayo Clinic, are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug FDA administration for treating anthrax and include:

Ciprofloxacin Cipro

Doxycycline

Penicillin

Side Effects of Cipro

While Cipro is one of the most recent treatments approved for use by the FDA in both kids and adults, it has been associated with some severe side effects, especially tendonitis and Achilles tendon rupture among both short- and long-term patients.

While the FDA approved Cipro for use within only a few months the FDA then increased the labeling of Cipro and the rest of the fluoroquinolone drug family to a black box warning, the harshest labeling given by the FDA. Additional side effects reported by the National Library of Medicine NLM to watch for while consuming Cipro:

nausea

anxiety

stomach pain vomiting

indigestion

diarrhea

headache

nervousness

agitation

difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep

feelings of distrust

nightmares/abnormal dreams

While the above side effects are commonly considered mild side effects of Cipro, the following list can be considered more serious side effects that are cause for consulting a doctor. The serious side effects, as reported by the NLM include:

rash, blisters, hives or itching

tingling/swelling of face, neck, throat, tongue,
lips, eyes, hands, feet or ankles

difficulty breathing, swallowing

hoarseness

fainting

fever

joint/muscle pain

uncommon bruising/bleeding

flu-like symptoms

seizures/uncontrollable shaking

jaundice of skin

pain in stomach/loss of appetite

dizziness/double vision

confusion

pulsating sounds in head/ringing in the ears

numbness

depression/suicidal thoughts

hallucinations

Overcoming Anthrax and Cipro Side Effects

While anthrax infections are serious and potentially fatal conditions, consuming an antibiotic such as Cipro can be perilous as well, especially among children who are at serious risk for developing joint damage while consuming Cipro.

To learn more about the severity of Cipro side effects, contact a medical professional. Additionally, seeking assistance from an experienced pharmaceutical attorney may offer the insight necessary to develop a Cipro lawsuit in which monetary compensation may be a potential outcome from either a settlement or in a court of law.

About the Author

Visit http://cipro.legalview.com or http://www.LegalView.com for more information on the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Additionally, some of the other drugs among this family include the Levaquin side effects or gather information on other pharmaceuticals including the Ketek risks.

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Asbestos Taints Childrens Toys

Posted on Aug 17, 2008 11:19:26 PM

In late 2007, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization ADAO found asbestos-tainted toys had reached the shelves of thousands of toy stores across the country. Most notably, the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, which was made in China, had been found to contain asbestos in its white and glow powder.

While production of the toy has ceased, an article from The New York Times in April 2008 elaborated on the near forgotten incident. The ADAO has filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court against CBS Corporation, Planet Toys Inc. manufacturers of the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit and several retailers for their involvement in the sale of the asbestos-tainted toy. Families affected by the contaminated toy should also consider developing litigation for the exposure of “substantial quantities of tremolite asbestos.”

The ADAO has also continued its testing of other products and found several containing asbestos, including additional childrens toys.

ADAO is an organization that utilizes volunteers, several of whom have either been affected directly by asbestos-related illnesses or have watched friends and family suffer from the diseases, including mesothelioma. The organization funds research that might affect public health, and the group acts as a watchdog for asbestos-tainted products or violations of asbestos policies, which have been set by the Environmental Protection Agency EPA.

What’s Asbestos

Asbestos is considered a human carcinogen by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and is a “naturally occurring, fibrous silicate mineral,” according to the EPA. Microscopic fiber bundles that become airborne create asbestos.

When inhaled, the results can be deadly and severely damage an individuals body through the development of mesothelioma cancer. In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos can cause lung cancer or asbestosis, in which fibrous tissue scars the lungs.

According to the EPA, asbestos was mined for use in:

thermal/acoustic insulator used for fire proofing

roofing and siding shingles made with asbestos cement

textured paint and patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints

artificial ashes and embers for gas-fired fireplaces

stove-top pads

vinyl floor tiles, flooring and adhesives

asbestos blanket or tape for hot water and steam pipes

oil and coal furnaces

Asbestos-Affected Childrens Toys

Tracing asbestos can be a difficult process because it is often overlooked, especially since it isn’t a common ingredient in manufacturing products anymore, although, it was at one time. The ADAO has been testing thousands of products for the contamination of asbestos in toys as well as regular products. Currently, they have determined several toys to have had trace amounts of asbestos including:

CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit

Ja-Ru Toy Clay found among three varieties of the product

Art Skills Clay Bucket asbestos found in six colors of clay

Additionally, there are lots of other products the ADAO found with asbestos traces that are not directly related to childrens toys, but could still affect a childs health. One of the major concerns is use of talc baby powder on babies, which could contain small amounts of asbestos. Other products that have been found with asbestos contamination, according to the ADAO, include:

Scotch High Performance and All Weather Duct tapes

DAP Crack Shot Spackling Paste

DAP 33 Window Glazing

Gardner Leak Stopper

The organization also found that hair rollers, hot plates, powdered cleansers and small appliances were at risk for adversely affecting public health with asbestos fibers. The organization noted that these products are all being sold at national retail chains including:

Wal-Mart

Costco

Toys “R” Us

Home Depot

Lowes

Macys

Bed Bath & Beyond

CVS

Consumer Affairs, a Web-based consumer news and resource center, issued the following tips to aid parents, relatives and friends with purchasing toys for children, in order to superior protect kids from asbestos exposure. The list includes the following:

Be a vigilant shopper and read all warnings that might include a toy breaking, containing small parts or fire and choking hazards.

Read product reviews that are both done by independent panels and consumers.

Research information on the most recent product recalls.

Inspect toys; any toys that are broken should be thrown away.

Before buying, consider how and where products were assembled.

What to do if Your Child is Exposed to Asbestos

If a child is exposed or even may have potentially been exposed to asbestos containing tremolite, it is imperative that medical assistance is sought immediately. Because of the nature of asbestos-induced conditions, if a child is exposed to asbestos and goes untreated as if everything were fine, they could develop mesothelioma cancer years later, which is why immediate medical care is advisable.

Individuals should also understand that because the exposure of asbestos is considered highly preventable, especially among kids, it might be necessary to develop an asbestos lawsuit to receive compensation for the irreversible damages caused by the exposure of asbestos. Victims should located an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn more about developing a mesothelioma lawsuit.

About the Author

LegalView offers a wealth of mesothelioma information at http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/. Individuals can also visit http://www.LegalView.com and learn about other legal issues such as truck accident lawsuits or harmful Avandia side effects.

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Study Uncovers Mesothelioma Link to Nanotechnology

Posted on Jul 25, 2008 02:54:38 PM

Mesothelioma has long been linked to the inhalation and exposure to asbestos fibers and dust, so when scientists uncovered an additional potential cause for this incurable form of lung cancer, the unthinkable became a reality.

According to researchers based out of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington D.C., the early 90s development of carbon nanotubes has been an astonishing feat for technological applications, however, it has not gone without its price. Specifically, carbon nanotubes might be causing harm to the human body in the form of mesothelioma cancer.
If the carbon nanotubes are introduced into the wrong environment, the development of lesions and inflammation of the lungs occurs - symptoms similar to that of mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure. Researchers uncovered the finding through exposure of carbon nanotubes to animals.
Dr. Andrew Maynard, who published a study in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, described the use of nanotubes and the potential link to mesothelioma cancer. He said that currently, nanotubes are being implemented because of their awesome capabilities at conducting heat and electricity. Mostly, Dr. Maynard explains, the nanotubes are being implemented into sports equipment. He stated that there are no regulations as to where nanotubes can be implemented and there are currently no stipulations for the use of nanotubes to be disclosed to the general public.

What Are Nanotubes

According to Maynard, nanotubes are a product of nanotechnology research, one he considers the “poster child” of nanotechnology. The nanotubes are cylindrical structures comprised of carbon atoms that have been rolled together. Maynards study found that when mice were exposed to nanotubes, they developed asbestos-induced symptoms within the lungs. While he and other researchers think about nanotubes to be safe - when encased - the danger occurs when nanotubes are incinerated or broken.

Nanotubes are currently being used in:

a variety of sports equipment

bicycle frames

tennis rackets

electronic gas detectors

radios

Additionally, because of the strength of nanotubes, many consider its future use to vastly effect several business ventures and areas, and be widely used in industries including:

aerospace

vehicle

airplanes

television box productions

medical

environmental uses

Working with Nanotubes

While the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH is doing research on nanotoxicology, there is little knowledge or research currently available regarding the safety of using nanotechnology. Additionally, Dr. Maynard noted that because of the ever-increasing nanotechnology industry, which is apt to be worth 2.6 trillion by 2014, it will be difficult to adequately and accurately assess nanotechnology safety because of the technologys swift growth, which is also being used in the food industry.

Transparency of nanotoxicology among some nanotechnologically-produced products might fall into the hands of manufacturers and producers, which John M. Balbus, health program chief for the Environmental Defense Fund who was interviewed in a Washington Post article on nanotechnology, said could either be a very good thing with open communications, or a very bad thing copying the mistakes made among the construction industrys use of asbestos. However, he noted that upfront communication regarding the dangers of nanotechnology with the public might increase because of the previous mistakes made by other industries in hiding mesothelioma conditions from the public.

Finding Help with Nanotube Related Mesothelioma

Individuals, especially nanotube factory workers who have previously worked with carbon nanotubes or have been exposed to the potential dangers associated with the nanotubes and developing mesothelioma should receive medical attention immediately.
It might also become necessary for these individuals to locate a law firm with knowledge of mesothelioma-related litigation in order to develop a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Because of the nature of the industry and the continued funding flooding into carbon nanotube research it is important to develop a lawsuit that will also alert others, in a similar predicament, and provide aware of the potentially serious health risks associated with nanotechnology. Further, because only 5 percent of the funding, which consists of billions of dollars annually, provided by the National Nanotechnology Institute is going toward health and safety research, it is important for individuals with nanotube-induced mesothelioma to develop a lawsuit that might offer monetary compensation to victims suffering from this irreversible and deadly lung cancer.

About the Author

For more information on nanotechnology-induced mesothelioma, visit http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/. Individuals might also browse the LegalView homepage at http://www.LegalView.com to learn about other issues such as the Cipro black box labeling or the Chantix risks.

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Asbestos Legislation Reaches U.S. Congress

Posted on Jul 1, 2008 12:45:28 AM

In Might 2008, a six-year long battle for many asbestosis mesothelioma victims ended, as a legislative bill was finally introduced to Congress.

The legislation, known as H.R. 3339, issued a proposal to ban the use of all asbestos and increase federal funding for research of treatments to fight against asbestos-related illnesses or conditions. The bill was introduced on August 2, 2007 and was part of a six-year process for 54 co-sponsors of the bill, which will go on to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

The purpose of the bill is to add amendments to the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) of the United States, which was passed in 1976. Although the TSCA was amended several times in the last few years to address asbestos as a hazardous material, the amendments did nothing as far as offering federally authorized funding directly for asbestos-related illnesses.

One of the amendments simply authorized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to create stipulations as far as asbestos abatement in schools. H.R. 3339 has also been referred to as the “Bruce Vento Ban Asbestos and Prevent Mesothelioma Act 2007.” Vento, who wasn’t only a state legislator and a member of Congress representing the Fourth District of Minnesota, he was also a schoolteacher and a victim of pleural mesothelioma who died in late 2000.

Mesothelioma Victims Slipping through the Cracks

While asbestos is considered a highly carcinogenic contaminant, the United States Geological Survey reported that 2,000 metric tons (approximately 4.4 million pounds) of asbestos was used in 2006 with the Department of Commerce also estimating that approximately $100 million was spent on importing brake parts each year, with these parts allegedly showing traces of asbestos.

The following are facts and statistics of the state of the asbestos industry in the United States currently and highlighted in H.R. 3339:

* There’s no known safe inhalation level of asbestos exposure.

* Products imported from foreign areas might have tiny-to-no asbestos regulations causing asbestos-tainted products to be imported to the United Says.

* New uses of asbestos were essentially banned with the TSCA, but asbestos continues to be imported and used in consumer and industrial products.

* The median survival period for mesothelioma is a mere one-year after diagnosis.

* Europe had a widespread ban of asbestos in 2005.

Asbestos Bill Breakdown

Essentially, with H.R. 3339, supporters are hoping to develop an in-depth study that will:

* Evaluate the health effects of non-asbestoiform minerals and elongated mineral particles.

* Develop recommendations to identify, distinguish and measure these minerals and particles, which might or may not cause diseases or adverse health effects.

* Provide a description of these minerals and their ability to remain biopersistent in the human body.

* Provide a description of mesothelioma, or any other form of cancer or non-cancer form of disease that is caused by these minerals and particles.

* Develop improved sampling and analytical methods for non-asbestoform minerals and elongated mineral particles.

* The legislation would require that within 18 months of this bill enacted into law, this study, which has been seen as critical by supporters of this bill, be completed.

* The sponsors of the bill have also enacted a portion of the bill to address the need for public education and awareness program.

* The public education program would be required to commence no more than one year after the date of enactment of the bill.

* The program would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Secretary of Labor to work together to devise a plan for a public-education campaign.

The bill requires the campaign to address the following:

* Increase awareness of asbestos-containing materials, products and contaminants in homes and work environments

* Increase awareness of asbestos-induced conditions and illnesses

* Offer current and informative information on asbestos-related conditions to patients, family members and health care providers

* Improve awareness of asbestos exposure dangers and the health effects of exposure

* Providing information on symptoms of asbestos exposure

* Increase publicity of research, treatments and clinical treatment trials for patients, family members and health-care providers

Battling Mesothelioma

Patients who are currently suffering from a form of mesothelioma cancer or other asbestos-induced conditions are advised to contact an experienced mesothelioma law firm.

Developing mesothelioma litigation is a potential source for receiving monetary compensation for the lengthy and expensive costs and bills associated with this asbestos-related illness.

Because of the severity of the condition as well as the short life expectancy upon diagnosis, it’s important for individuals suffering from this condition to act swiftly and seek out the money deserved for this preventable disease.

About the Author

For more on mesothelioma cancer, visit http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/. Also use the LegalView homepage at http://www.LegalView.com to peruse other legal issues such as the recently revamped traumatic brain injury and Avandia practice areas or learn the latest news on the Levaquin risks.

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