Category Archives: Diseases

Acute and chronic diseases

Is it safe to stockpile influenza medication?

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

 Here’s one good thing that came from the H1N1 epidemic . . .   Image via Wikipedia With the 2009 H1N1 influenza scare, the FDA issued  an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for two antiviral treatments, Tamiflu and Relenza.  Although as of 6/23/2010 … Continue reading →

Posted in Acute diseases, Anti-viral meds, Influenza, Medical archives, Prescription Medications, Shelf life, Stockpiling medications, Tamiflu | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick answers to reader’s questions

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

A few quick answers, details will take some research 09/24/2010     Yesterday’s questions covered a gamut of medical conditions, but can be broken down into several categories.  Here are a few prelimary answers, but each one deserves more attention, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arthritis, Expired medications, Hypothyroidism, Medical archives, Stockpiling medications | 6 Comments

Medical Quarantine – Protecting Your Family from Infection

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Plague.  Yellow fever.  Cholera.  Diphtheria.    Diseases which evoke images of death and despair.   Though less likely to transmit a fatal illness, would you open your door to someone with hepatitis, strep throat, or methacillin-resistant staph?  What about a person … Continue reading →

Posted in Acute diseases, Education, Immunization, Medical archives, Preparation, Public health, Vaccination, Waste disposal | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Safe Needle and Sharps Disposal

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Our friendly Tooth Doctor shares this post on needle disposal when standard sharps disposal is unavailable.  (He also mentions that in times of scarcity we may want to save and reuse needles and scalpels after careful sterilization.)  * * * One … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Dental, Diabetes Mellitus Type II, Equipment, Immunization, Medical archives, Sharps disposal, Vaccination, W Hampton - Tooth Doctor | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ten Essential OTC Medications to Stockpile

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

 Are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs really worth stockpiling?  As a family physician my answer is a resounding yes.  Most of the following were actually prescription medications when first released.  (In higher dosages, several still are.)  Although other OTC drugs are worth … Continue reading →

Posted in Acetaminophen - Tylenol, Antibacterial topical, Anxiety, acute, Arthritis, Bacitracin, Bonine - meclizine, Common cold, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dramamine - meclizine, GERD / Acid reflux, Ibuprofen, Kidney stone, Meclizine, Medical archives, Nausea, OTC Nausea/vomiting meds, OTC NSAIDs, OTC Pain meds, Over-the-counter meds, Pain, Perennial Favorites, Rash, Skin, Stomach flu, Toothache, Vomiting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Thyroid disease – Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) – Part 4 of 5 – Herbal treatment

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

What is the role of herbal medicine in the treatment of hypothyroid disease?  I spent all afternoon looking into the question. In searching the traditional medical literature I could find no studies that substantiate herbal therapy.  It is unlikely such … Continue reading →

Posted in Blood tests, Herbal and complementary, Herbal medicine, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Medical archives, Stockpiling medical supplies, T3 and T4, Thyroid, Thyroid disease, Thyroid tests, TSH | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Diabetes and the End of the World – Part 2 – Blood Sugar Monitoring

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

The following is excerpted from my upcoming book, Armageddon Medicine. * * * Basically there are two kinds of diabetes:  the kind that can kill you quickly and the kind that won’t.  Most people in the first category have Type … Continue reading →

Posted in Diabetes Mellitus Type II, Expired medications, Frequent urination, Medical archives, Stockpiling medical supplies, Stockpiling medications, Weight gain, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Asthma and COPD – Part I – Introduction

Posted on November 7, 2010 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

The following is excerpted from my upcoming book, Armageddon Medicine. * * * Does the thought of not having a rescue inhaler on hand fill you with panic?  What will you do if albuterol is suddenly unavailable?    I remember … Continue reading →

Posted in Advair, Albuterol-Ventolin-Proventil, Allergic, Allergies, Asthma, Asthma and COPD, Asthma/COPD, Benadryl - diphenhydramine, Caffeine, chlorpheniramine, Chronic bronchitis, Claritin - loratadine, COPD, COPD see Asthma, Cough, Emphysema, Exercise-induced, Lung disease, Medical archives, Mild, Moderate-Severe, OTC Antihistamines, OTC Decongestants, Peak flow meter, Shortness of breath, Singulair, Wheeze, Zyrtec - cetirizine | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Thyroid disease – Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) – Part 3 of 5 – Do you need medicine?

Posted on November 4, 2010 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Do you recognize the chemical structure to the left?  If you are hypothyroid, that’s what you’re probably taking:  levothyroxine, the primary thyroid hormone in humans.  No doubt your doctor prescribed this medication, but the question is why?  Were you overtly … Continue reading →

Posted in Blood tests, Constipation, Dry skin, Fatigue, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, levothyroxine, Medical archives, Medical testing, Preparation, Symptoms, Synthroid, T3 and T4, Thyroid disease, Thyroid preparations, Thyroid tests, TSH | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Stay Healthy by Avoiding the Seven Deadly Sins

Posted on October 31, 2010 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Imagine how healthy America (and the world) would be if we all avoided the seven deadly sins.  The accompanying image depicts the rash of secondary syphilis. Pride leadeth to depression … Continue reading →

Posted in Medical archives, Poetry & Prose, Spiritual health, Syphilis, Syphilis | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments