Potential Z-Pak concern

Azithromycin, which is often sold in a five-day dose known as a Z-Pak, is an antibiotic commonly used to kill bacteria that cause middle-ear infections, strep throat, sinusitis and pneumonia. It is therefore newsworthy that a recent study linked azithromycin with an increased risk of irregular heart rhythms in some patients. Azithromycin is part of the macrolide class of antibiotics, which includes erythromycin and other antibiotics that pose similar risks for those with heart disease risk factors. At the same time, the study found no similar risks associated with other antibiotics that treat many conditions as well as azithromycin, most notably, amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin. It may make sense to discuss these alternatives to azithromycin if you have a heart condition.

Treating sinus inflammation

When sinus inflammation (sinusitis) strikes, most people probably think that the best thing to do is get a prescription for antibiotics from their doctors. However, antibiotics are ineffective in 90 percent to 98 percent of all sinusitis case because nearly all sinus infections are viral in nature, and antibiotics don't kill viruses. Currently, one in every five antibiotic prescriptions written for U.S. adults is written for sinusitis. Keeping in mind that unnecessary and unneeded antibiotic use leads to more virulent strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends that doctors only suspect a bacterial infection when sinusitis symptoms last ten days or more and do not improve. After that, a five to seven day course of amoxicillin is often recommended.

What can my son expect from PKD?

Treating sinus inflammation

When sinus inflammation (sinusitis) strikes, most people probably think that the best thing to do is get a prescription for antibiotics from their doctors. However, antibiotics are ineffective in 90 percent to 98 percent of all sinusitis case because nearly all sinus infections are viral in nature, and antibiotics don't kill viruses.

Treating and preventing urinary stones in goats

Urinary stones, or solid masses made from minerals in the urine, develop for a variety of reasons and can be an extremely painful experience for humans and pets alike. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prevent stones from developing, which is especially beneficial for male goats, who commonly experience this condition.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Natural approaches to prostate health

Prostate health is very important to the general health of men, and prostate disease is on the rise. The three main prostate diseases are prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis. Since prostate cancer is a topic of its own, I’m only going to address BPH and prostatitis.

Achalasia tough to swallow

DEAR DR. GOTT: I was recently diagnosed with achalasia. This all started a year ago when I had trouble swallowing food. One doctor stretched my esophagus, after which I could hardly eat anything, and drinking hot or cold beverages was no good, either. I also had a Botox injection in the lower sphincter of my stomach to relax it. Do you have any suggestions for some relief? I have now lost about 50 pounds and can't afford to lose much more. I'm a 74-year-old female. Please help.

Spotting the difference between urine marking and urinary problems

Once pets have learned to urinate where it is appropriate, whether it is outdoors or in their litter box, it can be frustrating for owners when their pet urinates elsewhere in the house. While your first instinct may be to reprimand them for the unwanted behavior, you should first consider if they are simply marking or if there is a bigger health concern at play.

The prostate: The curse of men

Doctor of oriental medicine

About the age that the "curse of women" comes to a close, men begin what could be a curse for them. While women have no choice about having a monthly cycle, men have much control of the health of their prostate. Whether the prostate gland becomes a curse or not is dependent upon some lifestyle choices.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Things you need to know about prostate health

Many men suffer from prostate problems and don’t even know it.

Having a licensed nurse on staff saved my mom's life!

Independent and assisted living communities exist to promote a safe and vibrant environment for residents. Having a nurse on staff can save lives. Licensed nurses are trained professionals that know first-hand the importance of resident care and can assure the timely identification of acute clinical problems. Licensed nurses can optimally monitor, assess and intervene when physical and behavioral changes occur and quickly streamline medical emergencies. Although most states require that all assisted living communities provide sufficient staffing to meet resident’s “scheduled and unscheduled” needs on a 24-hour basis, this does not guarantee that licensed nurses are always on hand. On-site nurses may only be on duty during the day or “on-call.” In fact, the level of care a community offers is directly related to the number of licensed nursing hours they provide. This can make a medical emergency a life or death situation.

OTC medications at wholesale prices

Diabetes is an awful disease.

New drug-resistant superbugs found in 3 states

Healthy Lifestyles

BOSTON - An infectious-disease nightmare is unfolding: Bacteria that have been made resistant to nearly all antibiotics by an alarming new gene have sickened people in three states and are popping up all over the world, health officials reported Monday.

Painful urination can have multiple causes

Ask Dr. K

FDA approves first rapid, take home HIV test

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first over-the-counter HIV test, allowing Americans to test themselves for the virus that causes AIDS in the privacy of their homes.

Lyme disease testing varies

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 39-year-old female recently diagnosed with Lyme disease. For the past 3-1/2 months, I have been experiencing many nervous system symptoms and actually had a test done to detect Lyme disease about 1-1/2 months ago. It came up negative.

Having a licensed nurse on staff saves lives!

Independent and assisted living communities exist to promote a safe and vibrant environment for residents. Having a nurse on staff can save lives. Licensed nurses are trained professionals that know first-hand the importance of resident care and can assure the timely identification of acute clinical problems. Licensed nurses can optimally monitor, assess and intervene when physical and behavioral changes occur and quickly streamline medical emergencies.

HOSPICE: Fine was an atrocity

Anyone who has ever volunteered with one of our local charities, sacrificed financially with donations, or been involved with fund raising projects for various projects such as KMC Festival of Trees, Kroc Center, or Hospice House, knows the blood, sweat and tears that goes into every penny raised. So, when the federal Department of HHS swoops in and STEALS $50,000 of our communities’ hard earned money from Hospice in punishment for a thief stealing one of their laptops, every local citizen should be outraged!

Apply for unclaimed controlled hunt tags by Aug. 15

For a wide variety of reasons, some of the lucky hunters who drew tags in the deer, elk, antelope and bear controlled-hunt drawing did not buy their tags.

OPINION: Idaho must once again send the hate mongers packing

Hate and bigotry often lurk just beneath the surface of civil societies. So long as a society is united in disapproving of hateful words and actions, those evil twins remain suppressed. When they receive official approval, they rise to the surface and infect society like a virus. A society must maintain continued vigilance to keep them in check.