Author Archives: Jennifer Walker-Journey
Mystery illness hospitalizes 7, kills 2 in southeast Alabama
Two people have died and at least seven have been hospitalized by a mystery illness in Alabama. All seven cases were reported at one hospital in Dothan and come from a 10-county area in the southeast corner of the state.
For-profit dialysis clinics use more costly and dangerous drugs
For-profit dialysis kidney centers use more of an expensive and dangerous class of drugs than nonprofit clinics, according to a report published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine. The drugs are known as erythropoiesis-stimulation agents (ESAs) such as Amgen’s Epogen.
Victims of fungal meningitis outbreak deserve compensation for their pain and suffering
The days when Brian Kennedy can rate his pain as an 8 out of 10 are “good days,” but most often it feels more like a 9 or 10 even with the potent painkiller oxycodone in his system. Kennedy is
Study finds placebo treats symptoms almost as well as antidepressants
A new study shows that placebos may be just as effective as antidepressants for treating depression, suggesting that many people may not need to take the drugs, exposing themselves to potentially dangerous side effects.
Women file lawsuits against makers of transvaginal mesh
Lori Eggenberg thought the surgery she was having to correct urinary incontinence was the newest, most advanced, minimally invasive procedure available. Her doctor used transvaginal mesh to lift up her bladder. It turned out to be her worst nightmare. Lori’s
Researchers study abnormal heart rhythm, sudden cardiac death among dialysis patients
A group of researchers from the University of Cincinnati is hoping that an implantable device can identify undetected heart rhythm abnormalities in patients undergoing hemodialysis. These patients are at high risk for sudden cardiac death, which doctors say may be
New study shows increased risk of autism in children exposed to SSRIs in utero
Children exposed to antidepressants in their mother’s womb are more likely to develop autism than children who were not exposed to the drugs, a new study suggests. The study identified the risk with both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and
FDA rejects drug maker’s request to block generic versions of opioid painkiller
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has vowed to crack down on powerful opioid painkillers that are easily abused and misused; however, the agency this week voted to deny a request by drug maker Endo Health Solutions to block generic
Sleeping pills land more people in emergency room than ever before
The popular prescription sleep medication Ambien and others that contain the active ingredient zolpidem are sending an increasing number of people to the emergency room, a new study has found.
