By Valentino Schumacher

When it comes to gout, two major courses of action come to mind: fast pain relief and future attack prevention. In this article, we shall list and discuss common medicines associated with the condition; the aim is to familiarize gout victims with what he or she may be prescribed with, and to know how these medications relieve pain or prevent future attacks.

As a preliminary caution, all treatments listed in this article should not be taken (nor legally acquired) without the professional written consent of a doctor.

Gout can happen to anybody at any time. Because of the intense pain the condition is known for, quick and effective pain relief is the topmost priority. After properly resting the affected area (joint), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and indomethacin are normally prescribed. While these may be regarded as over-the-counter drugs in many areas, it is safer and more effective to have them prescribed by a doctor who has checked your symptoms. Taking from their category name, NSAIDs relieve gout pain by reducing the swelling caused by uric acid crystals. The NSAID aspirin should be avoided as it has the ability to change uric acid levels in the body.

Corticosteroid, a strong steroid hormone, is normally administered to severe cases as it is effective in reducing intense inflammation.

Colchicine, a plant-based product taken from the meadow saffron, is an FDA-approved gout and arthritis treatment medicine. Colchicine can reduce swelling, as well as prevent future attacks when taken in smaller maintenance dosages. Colchicine should always be prescribed as it is naturally toxic.

To prevent future gout attacks, uric acid regulation is key. Uricosuric drugs do just that by increasing the excretion of uric acid in the urine. This reduces the concentration of the acid in the blood, which in turn prevents the formation of gout crystals in joints. Examples of uricosuric drugs include probenecid and benzbromarone.

Drugs known as xanthine oxidase inhibitors differ from uricosuric drugs in that they reduce the production of uric acid in the body-instead of getting rid of them. These substances inhibit the activity of the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is partly responsible for purine metabolism. For those familiar with gout-designed diets, foods rich in purine are normally avoided. Examples of xanthine oxidase inhibitors include allopurinol and febuxostat.

Remember, if you plan on taking the medicinal route to treat and control gout, it is essential to receive the proper prescription from a qualified doctor. While there are alternative forms of treatment for gout, medicinal treatments can prove to be as effective, if not more, and can provide fast relief from the painful swelling in the the case of an abrupt attack.

By Mark Chilberg

Paid medical testing opportunities offer you a real chance to make some extra money. It is just that simple-you volunteer to test a new medical drug (or medical related product) and the research group will pay you. Some of these medical studies pay several thousand dollars to each volunteer. You could start earning some serious money in just a few days.

Let’s face it most people can use a few more dollars in their bank account. What could be easier than taking part in a research study where you will also be monitored by a team of doctors and scientists? When you consider that you are being paid good money just for a little of your time you will have to admit that this is an opportunity worth some serious consideration.

Some people mistakenly think that these types of paid medical testing studies are going to be extremely dangerous. They conjure up images of a Frankenstein type laboratory with a mad scientist at the controls. Don’t worry-this does not mean that you are agreeing to be a ‘human guinea pig’ in some illegal clinical study. Actually these clinical trials are very safe for all participants. Your health and well-being is the primary consideration and there are many safe-guards and guidelines that must be observed.

These are scientific research trials that are dedicated to helping people; and your participation is a valuable part of this effort. Where else could you contribute to science, help others and make money at the same time? With paid medical testing trials all of the volunteers are recruited so that the pharmaceutical company, scientists and doctors can determine exactly how well new products are going to work. The only way to determine the effectiveness of the latest medications is by monitoring a group of volunteers.

Your job will be to take a small dose of a new medication. Some volunteers will even receive a placebo pill instead of the actual medication that is going to be tested. You will then have to describe any side effects or symptoms that you experience. Most volunteers report few, if any, side effects while participating in the paid clinical trials.

Researchers will be checking your blood pressure; heart rate and blood work to see how well your body metabolizes the drug or supplement that is being tested. During your time as a participant you will be receiving the very finest health care at absolutely no charge.

These products will generally consist of new medical devices or drugs- but in some instances the research team merely wants to see how an average individual will respond to sleep deprivation or gauge the effects of a new vitamin regimen. Although there are some paid medical testing trials which can be conducted without major disruption to your schedule some tests require you to live at a monitored facility while the study is ongoing. You will be given 3 meals a day plus snacks and will have a dorm-type room for sleeping and naps. There will even be a variety of entertainment and diversions available to keep you from being bored.

Paid medical testing is conducted as part of the final process to obtain FDA approval. Any new drug that is given to a volunteer has been studied exhaustively in laboratories and has already been judged to be safe and effective.

The reason that volunteers are recruited is because the medications must be analyzed on human subjects. In a laboratory setting the research team may have already observed the effects of a drug on a variety of animals but this is not enough to gain FDA approval. Your participation as a paid medical testing volunteer is the most important step in the process that brings new, life-saving medications from the science lab to the shelves of your neighborhood pharmacy.

By Roberto Delgato

Americans are increasingly traveling abroad for major surgeries. In fact, over 500,000 combine an exotic vacation with a surgical procedure each year. If you assume that they must be traveling for something illegal in the United States or to have cosmetic surgery in secret, you’d be wrong. Medial tourism is popular for a variety of reasons and that popularity is increasing every day. So, what do people have done?

1. Bariatric procedures: This type of surgery is popular for privacy and cost issues but many foreign countries also have a slightly different type of gastric bypass than what is currently available in the U.S. The results can be better with this variation.

2. Fertility: Couples that struggle with fertility not only have an emotional strain but also a financial one. The cost of an IVF procedure is over $12,000 per attempt and it is well-known that many procedures may be necessary to get the desired results. This can quickly drain a bank account. On the other hand, an exotic trip to Argentina can include a quick tango and an IVF for just $4,000.

3. Cosmetic Surgery: A perennial favorite, many countries from Canada to Thailand offer first-rate plastic surgeons at rock bottom prices. From tummy tucks to face lifts, you can look better for less with medical tourism.

4. Dentistry: Most people wouldn’t think of traveling anywhere but to the corner dentist to have some dental work done but many procedures, especially dental implants and veneers, are expensive at home. In fact, many insurance companies will not even cover cosmetic procedures. If you want a pretty smile, a trip overseas may be just the ticket. In fact, the price tag will have you grinning from ear to ear all the way home.

5. Stem Cell Research: Controversial in the United States, stem cell research is moving forward rapidly in other parts of the world. In fact, Singapore has a state-of-the-art research center and many people suffering from diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s have traveled there for advanced help.

6. Cardiac: Let’s face it, you only have one heart. You have to take care of it, yes, but what do you do if that means you financially bankrupt your family in the process? It sounds pretty awful to say that you cannot afford to live. A better answer would be to travel to places like India, where the same procedures can be done for up to 90% off. See the country, fix your heart and move on with your life. Save your money.

7. Cancer Treatment: It is no longer just the rich and famous that travel abroad for the latest cancer treatments. The affordability of international travel combined with the oppressive cost of treatment here in the United States make traveling overseas for treatment a viable option, if not a necessity.

You see there is a large variety of options for medical tourism and it’s not just for those who are elite or extravagant. Medical tourism is one of the best ways to get what you need done when you can’t afford it or just save you from spending everything you do have to keep your health. Always do your research and take responsibility for your own health, you’ll find the options are not quite as limited as you may have originally thought.