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Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
Hello dear friends, I get online subscriptions from hep c magazine, and last night I read this very interesting article, and wanted to share it with you guys.
July 29, 2008 Printer-friendly version
Two Promising Ways to Quit Alcohol
In addition to cutting the risk for fatty liver disease, research presented at the Research Society on Alcoholism conference confirmed two distinct approaches that can help those battling alcoholism.
Two new medications may help alcoholics kick the bottle
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/two-new-medications-
may-help-alcoholics-kick-the-bottle_10073049.html
Washington, July 18 (ANI): Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) have identified two new medications that may help heavy drinkers modify their consumption, reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and prevent relapse.
In the first study, MUSC researchers along with a team from the University of Virginia Health System have found that topiramate, an effective therapeutic medication, not only decreases heavy drinking, but also cuts risk factors associated with heavy drinking.
The medication effectively lowers all liver enzymes, plasma cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, thus reducing heart disease risk.
These findings add growing data indicating that heavy drinkers who modify their drinking with the help of medication and supportive counseling may see an improvement in health and well-being, as well as a potential reduction of risk for the development of heart and liver diseases, said Raymond Anton, M.D., distinguished university professor.
This shows that treatment of alcoholism has potential health benefits beyond the immediate behavioural and emotional improvement caused by a reduction in drinking," he added.
In addition to decreasing liver enzymes and cholesterol levels, topiramate can also cut fatty liver disease risk, which leads to cirrhosis - a common consequence to end-stage liver disease leading to death in some alcoholics.
Topiramate significantly contributed to a decline in obsessive thoughts and compulsions, components of alcohol craving, and also had a greater improvement in their overall quality of life.
Another study by Anton showed that PROMETA alcoholism treatment program, a combination of generic medications, led to significant reductions in cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
It promoted abstinence, and improved mood and sleep only in those who had symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Courtesy of:
The results were presented at Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA) conference in Washington D.C. (ANI)
July 29, 2008 Printer-friendly version
Two Promising Ways to Quit Alcohol
In addition to cutting the risk for fatty liver disease, research presented at the Research Society on Alcoholism conference confirmed two distinct approaches that can help those battling alcoholism.
Two new medications may help alcoholics kick the bottle
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/two-new-medications-
may-help-alcoholics-kick-the-bottle_10073049.html
Washington, July 18 (ANI): Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) have identified two new medications that may help heavy drinkers modify their consumption, reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and prevent relapse.
In the first study, MUSC researchers along with a team from the University of Virginia Health System have found that topiramate, an effective therapeutic medication, not only decreases heavy drinking, but also cuts risk factors associated with heavy drinking.
The medication effectively lowers all liver enzymes, plasma cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, thus reducing heart disease risk.
These findings add growing data indicating that heavy drinkers who modify their drinking with the help of medication and supportive counseling may see an improvement in health and well-being, as well as a potential reduction of risk for the development of heart and liver diseases, said Raymond Anton, M.D., distinguished university professor.
This shows that treatment of alcoholism has potential health benefits beyond the immediate behavioural and emotional improvement caused by a reduction in drinking," he added.
In addition to decreasing liver enzymes and cholesterol levels, topiramate can also cut fatty liver disease risk, which leads to cirrhosis - a common consequence to end-stage liver disease leading to death in some alcoholics.
Topiramate significantly contributed to a decline in obsessive thoughts and compulsions, components of alcohol craving, and also had a greater improvement in their overall quality of life.
Another study by Anton showed that PROMETA alcoholism treatment program, a combination of generic medications, led to significant reductions in cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
It promoted abstinence, and improved mood and sleep only in those who had symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Courtesy of:
The results were presented at Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA) conference in Washington D.C. (ANI)
Thanks McK for this post from '08. It seems the compulsion to drink is over powering for many people. It would be helpful to have a med that breaks the obsessive compulsive thinking pattern.
We do med detox, but that alone does not work. The most important factor is the individual must want to stop and be willing to do what it takes to break the cycle. A med that helps to do that would relieve a lot of suffering.