Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
A study shows that children who are exposed to
tobacco smoke in the home
may have lower IQs than their unexposed peers.
Despite mounting evidence about the perils of secondhand tobacco smoke
exposure in children, 40% of children in the United States are routinely exposed to
secondhand smoke, termed environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), in their own homes.
ETS has already been definitively linked to a number of medical problems in
children, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS),colic, middle ear disease, worsening
of asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems. Research
has also begun to suggest that ETS may be neurotoxic, or damaging to the
nervous system, with potential effects on the development of intellect and reasoning
skills in children.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Varenicline is an oral drug that is used to
promote cessation of smoking. It binds to nicotine receptors in the brain and
competes with nicotine from cigarettes for binding to nicotine receptors.
Although varenicline stimulates nicotine receptors like nicotine, it blocks the
stronger stimulation by nicotine. Therefore, smokers do not experience the full
effect of smoking while taking varenicline. The FDA approved varenicline in May
2006.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Capsules: 0.5 and 0.1 mg
STORAGE: Varenicline should be stored at room temperature, 15° to 30°C
(59° to 86°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Varenicline is an aid for smoking cessation treatment.
DOSING: The recommended dose is 0.5 mg daily for 3 days followed by
0.5 mg twice daily for 4 days, then 1 mg twice daily for the remainder of the
treatment period. Duration of therapy is 12 weeks. If treatment is successful,
an additional 12 weeks is recommended to increase the chance of long-term
abstinence. Those who do not respond or return to smoking after treatment should
be encouraged to try again.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Based on current experience and characteristics of
varenicline, varenicline does not interact with other drugs.
PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies in
pregnant women.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether varenicline is excreted in
breast milk. Nursing mothers should consider discontinuing varenicline or
breast-feeding because of the potential for adverse effects in the infant.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most common adverse effects of varenicline are
nausea, sleep disturbance, constipation,
flatulence, and
vomiting.
Headaches,
abnormal dreams and taste disturbance also are frequent side effects of
varenicline. Varenicline is not addictive and is not a controlled substance;
however, some patients may experience irritability and sleep disturbance if
varenicline is abruptly discontinued. Patients may experience psychiatric
symptoms such as behavioral changes, agitation,
depressed mood, and
suicidal
behavior during varenicline treatment.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Smoker's lung photo essay is a collection of pictures and microscopic slides of lung disease caused by cigarette smoking. Smoker's lung refers to the diseases and structural abnormalities in the lung caused by cigarette smoking.
Cigarette smoking is associated with a wide variety of abnormalities
throughout the body that cause not only illness, but also, all too often, death.
Indeed, if all deaths from diseases related to smoking (lung disease,
heart
disease, and cancers of many different organs) were considered, a case could be
made for cigarette smoking as the leading cause of death in industrialized
countries. Ironically, it is also the most preventable cause of death in our
society!
This photo essay will focus on smoker's lung. The term "smoker's lung"
refers to the structural and functional abnormalities (diseases) in the lung caused by
cigarette smoking. First, the normal structure and function of the lung will be
described and illustrated. Then, the structural and functional abnormalities
caused by smoking will be described and illustrated.
Lungs RSS
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