Cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) from early December will be entered into the class of generic drugs. Statins are included in selling drugs and quite effective.

Anti-cholesterol drugs known as statins, which had already become generic include Zocor (simvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin) and Mevacor (lovastatin). But according Dr.Howard Weintraub, clinical director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, statins are not as strong as lipitor.

“Generic statin drugs are good and effective in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), but slightly more powerful atorvastatin over other generic statins, so it helps patients achieve normal cholesterol levels,” he said.

Of course, the doctors should pay attention Lipitor drug interactions with other medications because most patients taking high cholesterol also other medicines.
“The main thing is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which means eating and exercise habits should be considered,” said Dr. Robert Ostfeld, a cardiologist from New York USA.

During this time, atorvastatin is still considered expensive, so many patients are not taking it regularly, or only eat half the dose that can be consumed for longer.

The heart doctors in the United States welcomes the decision of generic Lipitor is considering the economic crisis makes many patients can not afford to buy medicine.

When a headache strikes, do not rush to seek a headache remedy. Try to relieve by drinking a glass of water. Water consumption are regularly shown to reduce the severity of headaches and migraines.

The scientists found that drinking seven glasses of water every day is enough to get rid of the pain and improve patient comfort that is often plagued by headaches.

This was evidenced by studies in the Netherlands in 2005 which showed that bladder disorder patients are advised to drink enough water claimed their migraines lighter.

Dr.Mark Spigt, lead researcher and his team recruited 100 patients who routinely suffer from mild to severe headaches. Then they were asked to do some things to reduce the pain of the head, such as by improving the quality of sleep, avoiding caffeine, and reduce stress.

But half of the respondents were asked to drink 1.5 liters of water a day for three months.

At the end of the study, all patients were asked to answer a questionnaire Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Index to find out how they’re doing. As a result, patients who drank more water than normally experienced significant improvements.

“We suspect the headache patients benefit from the consumption of water and it seems reasonable to recommend their drinking water within a certain period so that the pain subsides,” the researchers said.

Even so, according to Ahmed Dr.Fayyaz of Migraine Trust, the benefits of drinking water that could be felt by the patient is a placebo effect. But he said that regular consumption of healthy water and make more comfortable feeling.

Headache that is medically known as cephalalgia is a condition of the presence of pain in the head, sometimes at the back of the neck or upper back neck. Headache disorders glance it looks as a trivial issue, but this condition can be very disturbing activities.

There are many ways to overcome the headache attacks, one of them by taking pain medication. But there are also some alternative ways that you can use to repel the pain of headaches:

1. Biofeedback

It is a method of using electronic sensors to monitor body functions such as muscle tension problems, skin temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Description of the patient’s condition will usually look through sounds or images on the computer. Studies show that biofeedback is very effective for migraine and tension in the head. A recent analysis published in the journal Headache showed behavioral therapies, such as biofeedback, more cost-effective than prescription drugs.

2. Acupuncture

In the method of acupuncture, thin needles inserted under the skin to realign energy flow, or qi, in the body. An analysis by experts known as the Cochrane review found that acupuncture can help prevent acute migraine with fewer side effects. Evidence also suggests that acupuncture may help people with chronic headaches

3. Massage

For temporary relief of headaches, you can try to rub his temples atauleher, back, head, or shoulders. “You’ll feel better temporarily, but then you have to do it again,” said Salwa H. Hanna, MD, owner and medical director of the Headache Clinic of Denver. In a small study, patients with migraine who mendapatkansesi massage for six weeks, the frequency of migraines tends to diminish and get better sleep quality.

4. Stretching

Stretch to reduce muscle tension that contributes to pain. Try these three movements: the movement of the neck (chin forward, upward, and to the left and right); shoulder movements (shoulder movement upward, turn the shoulders to the front and rear), and isometric neck (hand-pressed on every side of the head) . Stretch twice a day for 20 minutes per session. Hold the stretch for five seconds, relax for five seconds and repeat each stretch three to five times.

5. Aerobic

Regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, can reduce the intensity and frequency of migraines, according to the National Pain Foundation. A small study published in the journal Headache for migraine patients who do exercise regularly for 12-weeks with cycling in the room showed no increase in quality of life and decrease the incidence of migraine, and pain intensity.

6. Meditation

The various techniques of meditation can be used to focus and calm the mind from distractions such as chronic pain. At this point, there is little data on the effects of meditation on migraine. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, in Baltimore, who was involved in a clinical trial trying to determine whether Vipassana – an ancient Indian meditation technique that focuses on the mind – can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines and improve the overall quality of life. A little research on migraine sufferers find that spiritual meditation reduces headache frequency and pain tolerance better than secular meditation and muscle relaxation.

7. Yoga

A little research about the headaches involved two groups of migraine patients were randomly assigned to yoga therapy for three months. As a result, compared with the control group, the yoga participants had fewer headache attacks.

8. Relaxation exercises

Take a deep breath, relax listening to music or using mental imagery, can help people relax and avoid possible headaches. This finding needs further research.

However, a study of 90 headache sufferers find that relaxation training can improve the quality of sleep is better than acupuncture.

9. Hot and cold therapy

Anyone can use this therapy. In fact, there is no risk to the pregnant woman with a headache. To relieve tension in your neck, you can give the sensation of heat to the back of the neck. For a headache, you can also put ice into the temple.

According to the Edmund Messina, MD, practicing physician at the Michigan Headache Clinic, the arteries that supply blood to the dura (the lining of the brain) is located behind a thin layer of bone in the temple. “Dura gets inflamed when you have migraine. Lowering the temperature of the blood vessels passing through the area is believed to relieve pain that arises,” he said.

10. Limit of nitrate and nitrite

The experts recommend to avoid substances that can stimulate headaches, including nitrites and nitrates in processed meats and monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used in foods as a flavor enhancer. Some heart medications also contain nitrates.

Meanwhile, caffeine, alcohol, phenylethylamine (found in chocolate and cheese), tyramine (found in nuts and fermented meats, cheeses, and soy), and aspartame (an artificial sweetener in many foods) are some triggers of headaches.

11. Transcranial magnetic stimulation

A recent study found that when patients diberik transcranial magnetic stimulation to the brain, they get better help in troubleshooting headaches than those treated with placebo. This is a noninvasive therapy that lasts for one to two hours and is performed in a special clinic.

Therapy is done by placing an electromagnetic coil to close the head to send a signal or wave. However, transcranial magnetic stimulation is still considered an experimental therapy to treat migraines.

12. Electrodes implanted

Problem recurrent headaches in the future may be resolved with the use of electrodes implanted in the neck or brain to relieve pain.

One type of therapy called occipital nerve stimulation, emerged as a promising medication in the treatment of cluster headache and migraine, although this therapy remains to be seen through a large-scale study. In this treatment, electrodes implanted in the base of the skull, near the occipital nerves.

During pregnancy, not just the food and physical activity should be considered, but also the consumption of drugs. Pregnant women need to be more careful because not all medications are safe for consumption.

Chemicals in drugs, whether OTC or prescription, can move from mother to fetus through the placenta and enter the baby’s blood vessels. These substances can interfere with infant development.

Each drug has a different effect on each period of pregnancy. There is a dangerous drug if taken in the early trimester of pregnancy, there are also medications that should be avoided in the last trimester because it could disrupt the delivery process.

Most pregnant women do not immediately realize that it is probable they are taking certain medications. If you’re in the program there is a possibility of pregnancy or becoming pregnant, you should consult with your doctor before taking any medication, especially if the drug should be diasup in the long run.

Drugs are given at the end of pregnancy or during labor, such as anesthetic if you perform a cesarean section, it could affect the baby after they are born.

Most types of drugs and anesthesia antinyeri could make the baby drowsy.

What about OTC pain reducers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen group? So far there has been no evidence to suggest paracetamol dangerous if taken during pregnancy.

Even so should avoid the consumption of paracetamol more than two or three times a week.

Also, avoid the type of pain reliever ibuprofen and codine in early pregnancy and late pregnancy because it is harmful to the fetus. Aspirin should also be avoided, especially at the end of the period of pregnancy.

Another OTC sleeping pills should be avoided. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of drugs, vitamins or supplements to take.