A rival for Viagra
Men treated with
Viagra, are known to be able to achieve an erection, in response to sexual stimulation,
for up to 4-5 hours after the drug has started working. A new drug, tadalafil (to be
marketed under the name Cialis) promises to broaden this to 36 hours.
A
recent UK trial showed very positive responses, according to researchers, with some
patients reporting less flushing, headache and lassitude in comparison with other
treatments.
A group of 348 men with mild-to-severe erectile
dysfunction were randomly assigned to receive tadalafil 20 mg or placebo over
approximately an eight-week period. Patients were instructed to attempt intercourse with
their partners, after appropriate sexual stimulation
on two occasions 24 hours after dosing and on two occasions 36 hours after dosing. Twice
as many men taking tadalafil were able to successfully engage in intercourse compared to
placebo at 36 hours post-dose.
The most
commonly reported treatment-related side effects in the study were headache and indigestion. Less than 2% of patients taking
tadalafil or placebo discontinued the study due to side effects. An application for marketing authorisation of tadalafil
was submitted to the European Medicines Evaluation Agency in late June 2001. Regulatory
approval in Europe is expected in the second half of 2002.
Erectile dysfunction is defined as the
consistent inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.
ED affects an estimated 152 million men and their partners worldwide. The UK Impotence
Association estimates there are at least 2.3 million men with ED in the UK and only 10%
are currently receiving treatment, with many cases caused by physical conditions such as
cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The Impotence Association Helpline is open 9am-5pm
Monday to Friday on 020 8767 7791.
Chewing gum helps drivers - free
offer!!!!
A
quick caffeine fix to keep people from falling asleep at the wheel has been given a seal
of approval by the Transport Medicine Research Council in Japan. The caffeine is a component of guarana, a herb from the
rain forests of the Amazon basin. Incorporated
into a chewing gum, experiments show that it prevents drowsiness, especially when spiced
up with mint.
The combination of exercising the jaw by chewing, the
high natural caffeine content of guarana and the mint flavour apparently do usefully
stimulating things to the cerebral cortex that result in wakeful drivers.
Buzz Gum, as the
product is called, also contains Xylotol, a natural sweetener that can harden tooth enamel
and limit plaque production.
Rio Health are making a free offer to the first 25
visitors placing an order: log onto www.riohealth.co.uk
stating name, address and ‘laterlife offer’ on the message board to receive a
pack of 12 pieces.
Normal cost is
£1.10 for a pack, available from chemists
and health stores. Or for £9.99 if you buy
mail order, you get 120 pieces. Mail order
address is: Rio Health Direct, freepost sea
2598, Brighton BN2 4ZZ.
Kiss and don’t tell
A day in July (the
6th to be precise) has been
designated National Kissing Day - who knows who by. Seizing
the opportunity, the makers of a remedy for mouth ulcers have contacted laterlife with
timely advice.
Frador forms a
protective seal over mouth ulcers, which prevents further infection and reduces
irritation, say the makers. The product has
been available for over 40 years, is safe to use and is available from most chemists at
£1.99 a pack.
Gut reactions - 1
constipation
Chronic
constipation sufferers can benefit from a daily dose of probiotics, foods or supplements
derived from bacterial fermentation. Fermented milk
drinks like Yakult, live or bio yoghourts, capsules and powders containing acidophilus
have all been found to create a healthier type of flora in the gut which can help
stimulate sluggish bowels. A hot drink immediately
after is not recommended as high temperatures can destroy some of the helpful bacteria.
Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, regular exercise
may also get things moving, and/or daily bran or a bulking agent like psyllium capsules or
powder. For some people, a change of regime,
switching to one or another form of bran or bulking agent will help.
A short course of
aloe vera may be worth a try, or a dose of milk
of magnesia, or a standard laxative. But remember
that laxatives tend to act as shock tactics, and the system may revert afterwards rather
than be kick-started into better habits.
Eat yourself slim
 Based on the recipes and menus that will feature in Rosemary
Conley's television series, of the same name, this book has suggestions for those who want
to enjoy fine food and control their weight, or lose some weight at the same time.
The natural beauty
& bath book
This book gives you 70 recipes for beauty and bath
products that you can make yourself, using ingredients you will find at your local grocery
and health food shops. Pamper yourself from head to toe with these natural formulas:
 6 weeks to super health
Whether you are looking to lose weight, get healthy or
get out of a rut, this eminently readable, well-designed, informative and authoritative
guide is guaranteed to have a permanent effect on your lifestyle. |
 |
Gut
reactions - 2 digestion
Digestive
discomfort on holiday tends to take a more active form, with acid indigestion, cramps and
heartburn almost as common as sickness and diarrhoea.
A new over the counter remedy, Pepcidtwo, may be worth
putting into a suitcase. It combines antacids and
an acid balancer in tablet form, available from chemists.
If you prefer a
natural remedy, try Slippery Elm, in tablet or capsule for from health stores to calm the
gut.
Breath test for ulcers
An
endoscopic test is not one of life’s pleasant experiences, so an alternative way to
detect stomach ulcers is welcome news.
Researchers at Glasgow’s Western Infirmary are
recommending a breath test as preferred screening procedure for patients suspected of
suffering from an ulcer due to helicobacter pylori.
This bug is
responsible for most ulcers, and the endoscopic test may involve a general anaesthetic is
some cases. Now, the new breath test has been
shown to be equally reliable, and much less intrusive.
Osteoporosis update
HRT may not
protect against heart disease, as previously thought, and may increase risk of blood
clots. It does not protect against bone
fractures as well as other drugs either, and once women stop taking it, bone loss resumes.
If in any doubt about any of the
information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.
In edition
27:-
Healthier hearts 1
News of a new
supplement to guard against Cardiovascular disease
Healthier hearts 2
A cup of tea is
good for the heart.
Travelling safeguards
Any form of
travel lasting over three hours carries the risk of DVT, deep vein thrombosis
Exercise against
osteoporosis
Osteo exercise
video with exercises designed to build bone and muscle strength and improve balance.
Seasonal sneezes and
wheezes
The pollen
count is said to be 5 times higher than normal this year
Ten-minute Yoga
Can a ten
minute yoga fix do what the more usual solid hour and a half session achieves?
Pain and painkillers
NOP Research interviewed nearly
4,000 people throughout Great Britain to discover their experiences of pain and
painkillers. The results are here.
Index to
all previous Healthwise editions
For books on Health visit the Amazon
Family and Health Section.
Don't forget if you buy books or videos from Amazon by linking from
laterlife, you generate money for Charity.
Maximise your
memory
This work provides detailed instructions, illustrations and sample
exercises that show the reader how to build a system of personalized frameworks for
storing and recalling information on demand.
Stop smoking
This new edition of the bestseller aims to help the reader use the "Easy way"
method to eliminate the psychological reasons for smoking, handle withdrawal symptoms,
avoid temptation situations, and stay a non-smoker!
 Tai Chi
This book explains: what Tai Chi is; how to use Tai Chi
for health and healing; the best way to train in Tai Chi. This book is an ideal guide for
anyone who wants to understand the fundamental ideas and practices of this ancient martial
art. |
