Drug interactions and NSAIDs
NSAIDs reduce the blood pressure-lowering effects of certain high blood pressure (antihypertensive) medications, including:
thiazide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (Dyazide, Maxzide);
beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA), atenolol (Inderal, Tenormin), and metoprolol (Lopressor);
angiotensin receptor antagonists such as enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Zestril; Prinivil), benazepril (Lotensin), quinapril (Accupril), [...]
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Aspirin, when taken together with an anti-coagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin) or enoxaparin (Lovenox), can greatly impair the body’s ability to form blood clots, resulting in excessive bleeding spontaneously, from ulcers, or related to a procedure. Therefore, patients on such combinations must be closely monitored by a doctor.
Low dose aspirin can raise [...]
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Other attempts to prevent complications have included aspirin-containing products that release the aspirin slowly over time (for example, Zorprin, Measurin, Verin). Like enteric-coated products, these products are not ideal when prompt relief of pain is needed. They also do not prevent ulcers or bleeding. Buffered (for example, Bufferin) and effervescent (such [...]
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Migraine or vascular headaches
Migraine or vascular headaches are due to dilation (widening) of blood vessels in the head. An estimated 28 million people in the United States (about 12% of the population) will experience migraine headaches. Migraine headaches affect children as well as adults. Before puberty, boys are affected more than [...]
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Introduction to OTC pain medication and fever reducers
Pain is the most common reason for people to seek medical advice, pain medicine is the most frequently purchased over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Fever is one of the most common reasons that children visit the doctor. Moreover, one in five emergency room visits for children is due to fever. [...]
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Wouldn’t it be great to get an education and have someone else pay for it? In some health care fields, competent workers are in such short supply that employers are willing to pay part or all of a student’s tuition and sometimes companies also offer monthly payments of $1000 or more for living expenses.
For those [...]
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Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with formal training or experience, and certification.
Employment change. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 35 percent from 2006 to 2016, much faster than the [...]
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Some medical assistants are trained on the job, but many complete 1-year or 2-year programs.
Education and training. Postsecondary medical assisting programs are offered in vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Programs usually last either 1 year and result in a certificate or diploma, or 2 years and result in an [...]
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Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. They should not be confused with Physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician. (Physician assistants are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.)
The duties of medical assistants vary [...]
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What is an aneurysm?
An aneurysm is an area of a localized widening (dilation) of a blood vessel. (The word “aneurysm” is borrowed from the Greek “aneurysma” meaning “a widening”).
What is an aortic aneurysm?
An aortic aneurysm involves the aorta, one of the large arteries through which blood passes from the heart to the rest of the [...]
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