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-- US Food and Drug Administration has granted Icatibant fast track designation and orphan drug status
-- Icatibant is first-to-market therapy in an under-diagnosed area of significant unmet need
-- Jerini plans further clinical development of Icatibant for additional indications of angioedema
-- Kos responsible for Icatibant's potential clinical development in asthma and liver cirrhosis
Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:KOSP) announced today thecompletion of patient randomization for Jerini AG's (FSE: JI4) secondof two pivotal Phase III clinical trials, FAST-2 (For AngioedemaSubcutaneous Treatment), of Icatibant for the treatment of hereditaryangioedema (HAE). FAST-2 is a multi-center, double-blind trial with atotal enrollment of 74 patients in ten European countries and Israel.On April 24, 2006, Jerini announced the completion of randomization inits FAST-1 trial, in which 56 patients were treated at clinical sitesin the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina. The studiesseek to determine efficacy for symptom relief, as well as safety andtolerability. To date, more than 260 open-label treatments have beenadministered in both Phase III trials.
Icatibant is a potent and specific peptidomimetic bradykinin B2receptor antagonist developed by Jerini AG. HAE is a rare geneticdisease that can be debilitating, painful and life-threatening and ischaracterized by recurrent local swelling at three main sites:subcutaneous tissue, the gastrointestinal tract, and the larynx. Thereare approximately 10,000 diagnosed HAE patients in the European Unionand the US, but the disease is believed to be significantly underdiagnosed. Experts estimate the HAE patient population could be ashigh as 75,000. Icatibant has been granted orphan drug status andfast-track designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).HAE is the first of several indications for which Icatibant offers apotential treatment. The partnership with Jerini outlines ongoing andpotential development in other forms of angioedema, asthma, and livercirrhosis.
"We are very pleased with Jerini's timely completion of patientrandomization for FAST-1 and FAST-2, placing us on track to reporttop-line data in the third quarter of this year, filing a marketingauthorization application by year-end 2006 and projected launch in2007," said Adrian Adams, President and CEO. "Icatibant is an excitingopportunity for Kos and is an excellent example of the continuedsuccess of our expanded business model. In particular it highlightsthe value of making measured investments to build our R&D pipelinethrough corporate development and licensing activities. The next fewyears represents a busy and very exciting time for Kos as far as newproduct introductions are concerned with the projected roll-out ofoptimized Niaspan(R) MF, the launch of Icatibant, and the introductionof Simcor(R) and Flutiform(TM)," Adams added.
Kos has exclusive development, marketing and distribution rightsfor Icatibant in North America. As a first-to-market therapy for HAE,Icatibant's subcutaneous administration and excellent safety profiledemonstrated in clinical studies to date offer key advantages topatients. In addition, Kos plans to market Icatibant in a pre-filledsyringe, enabling patients to self-administer the drug at the onset ofan attack. Kos will enter a potential $300 million market space inNorth America, with orphan drug status securing seven-year US marketexclusivity upon approval. To support the anticipated 2007 Icatibantlaunch, Kos has established a new, self-contained Allergy BusinessUnit that will encompass sales and marketing, medical education andcommercial services functions to drive the successful introduction ofIcatibant.
About Icatibant
Icatibant is a potent and specific peptidomimetic bradykinin B2receptor antagonist. It has exhibited a strong safety profile in over1,000 individuals. Icatibant is being tested in clinical trials fortreatment of hereditary angioedema and liver cirrhosis as well as inpreclinical models for severe burn injuries.
About Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)
Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a debilitating and potentiallylife-threatening genetic disease affecting between 1:10,000 and1:50,000 individuals worldwide. The disease is characterized byunpredictable episodes of edema and swelling of the hands, feet, face,larynx and abdomen. Swelling of the larynx can result in suffocation.In addition, patients often have bouts of excruciating abdominal pain,nausea, and vomiting that is caused by intestinal wall swelling. Thedisease is caused by a genetic defect, passed from parent to child.(1)
About Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a fully integrated specialtypharmaceutical company engaged in developing, commercializing,manufacturing and marketing proprietary prescription products for thetreatment of chronic diseases with a particular focus on thecardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory disease areas. The Company'sprincipal product development strategy is to reformulate existingpharmaceutical products with large market potential to improve safety,efficacy, and patient compliance. Kos' strategy also includes makingmeasured investments in new chemical entity research through in-houseand sponsored research, scientific in-licensing and general corporatedevelopment activities. The Company currently markets Niaspan andAdvicor(R) for the treatment of cholesterol disorders, Azmacort(R) forthe treatment of asthma, Cardizem(R)LA for the treatment ofhypertension and angina, and Teveten(R) and Teveten(R)HCT for thetreatment of hypertension. Kos has a strong and growing research anddevelopment pipeline including proprietary drug delivery technologiesin solid-dose, inhalation and aerosol metered-dose deviceadministration to help fuel sustained, organic sales growth into thefuture.
Asthma Treatment
Enbrel, containing etanercept, is a breakthrough product approved for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis. Enbrel continues to maintain a leading position in the dermatology and rheumatology biologic marketplaces, ranking No. 1 in worldwide sales among biotechnology products used in rheumatology and dermatology.
Enbrel is the first FDA-approved drug to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is a chronic, painful condition that causes the skin to overgrow and develop thick scaly patches, which in severe cases can virtually cover a person's entire body. Almost 7 million Americans suffer from psoriasis.
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic, often destructive disease characterized by joint inflammation and erosion, and is associated with psoriatic skin lesions. The progressive joint pain and swelling, which is often coupled with painful, scaly, red skin lesions, can disrupt a person's ability to perform activities of daily life that most people take for granted such as getting dressed, eating, or walking. About 1 million people suffer from psoriatic arthritis in the United States.
Enbrel has been used by more than 376,000 patients worldwide. Patients can self-administer an Enbrel injection. The drug was first approved and launched in the United States in 1998, and in Europe in 2000. 2005 marked the launch of Enbrel in Japan, the world's second-largest pharmaceutical market, in conjunction with Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Enbrel was launched in Japan for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis March 30 under a joint-promotion agreement between Wyeth KK (wyeth.jp) and Takeda (takeda.com). Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic, chronic, and potentially disabling disorder that affects about 700,000 people in Japan.
With rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks the lining of the joints, resulting in pain and swelling and may lead to fatigue, disability, deformity, organ damage, or premature death if not managed properly. According to analysts with Decision Resources Inc., Enbrel leads the market for biologic drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Rheumatologists and dermatologists prefer Enbrel over all other biologic agents because the drug has been marketed for a sufficient period of time to provide assurance of the durability of its efficacy and safety.
"Prescriptions for Enbrel will increase modestly as a result of continued uptake and the impact of Medicare reform," says Cynthia Mundy, Ph.D., analyst, Decision Resources (dresources.com). "Among rheumatologists, Enbrel already enjoys widespread use."
According to Dr. Mundy, rheumatologists are expected to move some of their patients currently treated with Centocor Inc.'s (centocor.com) Remicade to Enbrel now that Medicare reform and changes to the reimbursement landscape for self-administered drugs have taken effect.
In 2005, FDA approved an expanded indication for Enbrel to improve physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Enbrel is the first drug in its class to receive this expanded indication. In addition, FDA approved an update to the Enbrel label to include new radiographic data demonstrating that Enbrel continued to inhibit the progression of joint destruction for two years among most psoriatic arthritis patients who received ongoing therapy.
Results for Enbrel were announced in November at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting showing that in a long-term blinded study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, more than three quarters of patients treated with Enbrel plus methotrexate combination therapy experienced no progression of joint damage at three years.
In the first quarter of 2006, Amgen (amgen.com) recorded Enbrel sales of $658 million, 11% more than the same period in 2005. Enbrel sales growth in the first quarter was affected by slowing market growth and increased competitive activity. Wyeth (wyeth.com) reported first-quarter Enbrel sales of $335 million, up 42%.
Enbrel is the only soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor approved to reduce signs and symptoms, induce major clinical response, improve physical function, and inhibit the progression of structural damage in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. Enbrel can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate.
Enbrel is the only drug indicated to reduce the signs and symptoms, inhibit the progression of structural damage of active arthritis, and improve physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. The product is approved to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular-course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in patients 4 years old or older who have had an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Enbrel is also the first biologic approved to reduce the signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. Enbrel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients 18 years old or older with chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.
Enbrel acts by binding tumor necrosis factor, one of the dominant inflammatory cytokines or regulatory proteins that play an important role in normal immune function and the cascade of reactions involved in the inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. The binding of Enbrel to TNF renders the bound TNF biologically inactive, resulting in significant reduction in inflammatory activity.
Analysts with Decision Resources believe that the increasing number of immune diseases being treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors will enable Enbrel and Humira to dominate this market for the next 10 years. Humira contains adalimumab and is marketed by Abbott Laboratories (abbott.com). These analysts say expanding patient populations will be treated with etanercept and adalimumab for a number of diseases, including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Due to the high price of these drugs and their increased use in treatment, the market for TNF-alpha inhibitors will grow from $7.1 billion in 2005 to almost $12 billion in 2014 in the United States, Western Europe, and Japan.
"Biologic agents targeting TNF-alpha first launched in 1998 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease and are now used to treat psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis," Dr. Mundy says. "Although physicians were initially cautious about TNF-alpha inhibitors due to safety concerns, the availability of safety data over the past several years has provided reassurance that the benefits of TNF-alpha inhibitor therapy significantly outweigh the risks."
Enbrel is in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of asthma as well as for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
According to Datamonitor Plc. analysts, Enbrel is among several novel antifibrotic agents in clinical trials that offer new hope for major advances in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the processes that lead to end-stage fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and lethal disease of elderly patients for which current therapy is minimally effective.
To date, very few multicenter trials have been conducted in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Datamonitor analysts estimate, however, that the promising antifibrotic drugs in Phase II/III clinical trials could potentially bring relief to more than 200,000 sufferers and will create a new market estimated to be worth more than $2 billion annually.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a disease of unknown cause that affects people 50 years old and older. A typical symptom cluster includes shortness of breath, a chronic dry hacking cough, and chest discomfort. Shortness of breath is usually the most prominent and disabling symptom, although the cough may have a greater impact on a patient's daily life in terms of decreased socialization.
The pathology of the disease is poorly understood, although current thinking suggests that the disease is a disorder of wound healing, in which progressive fibrosis gradually interferes with a persons ability to breathe. Novel antifibrotic agents in clinical trials, such as interferon-gamma 1b, pirfenidone, bosentan, and etanercept, which inhibit the process of fibrosis, may prevent the fatal outcome common in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.
There are estimated to be about 220,000 people in the United States, Europe, and Japan that are affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with about 90,000 of these patients in the United States. These figures are comparable to the prevalence of diseases such as chronic myeloid leukemia. As a consequence of misdiagnosis and late presentation, however, the actual number of diagnosed patients is significantly lower.
Asthma Treatment
Credit where it's due: Utah's determination to require more math, science and language arts courses for those seeking high school diplomas should improve educational quality, not lead to rote repetition of the same dull stuff the students had to sit through last year. That's why it is good news that a state committee that is reviewing high school offerings for compliance with the new standards is open to the
idea that life-skills, career-oriented and applied-technology courses will both be available and will earn the appropriate math and science credits for students. Students who are college-bound and those who aren't can truly benefit from consumer math or biotechnology courses at least as much as they can from a third year of algebra or chemistry.
And the bus you rode in on: It's bad enough that so many of Utah's children suffer from asthma and other breathing disorders brought on by our polluted air. It's worse to learn that the very school buses those children ride on every day have been listed as a major cause of those woes. A national report card issued last week by the Union of Concerned Scientists rates the emissions performance of school buses across the country, and Utah's old and dirty fleet got a near-flunking 3D.2 All these belching buses are not only another cause of all the days some children have to stay home from school, or at least off the playground, they are a symptom of inefficiencies that waste ever-more-expensive fuel.
Asthma Treatment
In this study, researchers selected 167 patients to undergo Roux-en-Y gastric surgery: 12 adolescents (12-18) and 155 older adults (60-76). In Roux-en-Y gastric surgery, the stomach is separated into two parts with the smaller pouch receiving food intake. The food pouch is then connected to the small intestine to create a new gastric outlet. Patients in both age groups were afflicted with serious obesity-related health conditions, including Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, severe hypertension, sleep apnea, joint arthropathy and asthma.
The three-year follow-up of adolescents showed an average body mass index (BMI) decrease from 55 to 36, an 82 percent reduction in obesity-induced diseases and health conditions, and importantly, no deaths or serious complications. The five-year follow-up of older adults showed an average BMI reduction of 46 to 33 with a 51 percent reduction in obesity-induced diseases and health conditions. In this group, there was a one percent mortality rate, and 15 percent experienced complications.
"This study reveals that bariatric surgery is a safe and effective option for all ages, including severely obese adolescents and older adults," said Michael Sarr, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic and senior study author. "The remarkable decrease in BMI lowers the risk of health complications and increase chances for long-term survival for people battling with obesity. For adolescents especially, early treatment of obesity is instrumental in reducing the long-term health complications associated with obesity."
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Laparoscopic Nissen Fundolplication (LNF) versus Proton Pump Inhibitors for Treatment of Patients with Chronic Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) [Abstract 256]
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic gastrointestinal disease that affects more than seven million people in the United States, is most commonly treated with medication or surgery to manage disease symptoms. Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario conducted a study to evaluate the efficacy of individual versus combined treatment regimens in attempt to further reduce symptoms. Results demonstrated that patients who managed symptoms with a class of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) experienced a significant reduction in symptoms associated with GERD. Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole and lansoprazole, reduce symptoms and repair erosion to the esophagus by reducing the upswell of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. Doctors perform LNF with a video laparoscope, wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the lower esophagus to strengthen the control valve to decrease the upflow of stomach acid to the esophagus.
Researchers selected 98 chronic GERD patients who required long-term therapy. Researchers randomly divided the patient sample into two groups; one group initiated treatment with PPI and the other underwent LNF. Researchers evaluated patient symptoms every three months and conducted a 24 hour pH test on all patients at one year.
Study results showed that 24 hour pH levels and GERD symptoms improved in both the PPI and surgery groups. However, at one year follow-up, the overall symptom control score for patients on medication remained stable, while surgical patients experienced a significant improvement in their symptoms increasing from 73.3 to 90.2 on 100 point global rating scale. The global rating scale is an assessment of patient satisfaction with symptom control, on a scale of 0 (poor) to 100 (excellent).
"Although there is no known cure for GERD, this study reveals that patients maintaining long-term PPI therapy may experience a greater improvement in their symptoms with surgical intervention" said Mehran Anvari, M.D., of McMaster University in Ontario and lead study author. "This minimally invasive surgical procedure may allow some patients to manage GERD symptoms and forgo a long-term drug regimen."
Digestive Disease Week? (DDW) is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), DDW takes place May 20-25, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. The meeting showcases more than 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology.
Aimee Frank
newsroom@gastro.org
American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org
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Asthma Treatment
It is well known that Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe, with only around four in 10 mothers choosing to breastfeed their babies. However some mothers are willing not only to feed their own children in this way, but also to donate some of their breast milk to help sick and premature babies throughout the country.
"The mothers who do this are simply fantastic", says Ann McCrea, a lactation consultant who works in the country's only human milk bank.
Located in Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, the Sperrin Lakeland Milk Bank works in a similar way to a blood bank. Breastfeeding mothers who have excess milk and wish to donate, express the milk and then send it in insulated containers to Fermanagh, where it is checked for bacteria and pasteurised. The milk is then stored at the bank until it is sent to neonatal units around the country as required.
In 2005 alone, 163 donors provided breast milk, which was used to help 429 babies in 11 hospitals, including 26 sets of twins and one set of quadruplets.
Breastfeeding is already known to provide a number of health benefits. Children who are breastfed have a lower incidence of illnesses such as diarrhoea, asthma, diabetes, eczema and pneumonia.
They also have better health outcomes later in life. In fact, research indicates that they have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and a lower incidence in infections throughout childhood and adulthood.
However probably most importantly for premature babies, breast milk helps to protect against NEC, a life threatening condition that affects the baby's gut (bowel).
NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) can affect all newborns, however it is much more common in premature babies. It can result in death and those that survive often require surgery.
While the cause is unknown, research has found that babies fed breast milk are at a reduced risk of developing this condition. However breast milk is not always available from the mother as she may be too ill, absent from her baby or her supply may not meet her baby's needs. It is at times like this when donor milk is used.
Tanya Cassidy and Conrad Brunstrum know all too well the dangers of NEC. One year ago, they lost their newborn son, Liam, to the condition. Tanya, originally from Canada, has been living in Ireland for 12 years. She had been visiting Canada and was on her way home to Ireland when she went into labour 10 weeks premature. She required an emergency Caesarean section and lost a lot of blood. As a result, she was not in a position to breastfeed.
Liam only lived for 16 days - he had developed NEC, which sadly led to his death.
When Tanya became pregnant again, she and Conrad did as much research as they could on the condition. While obviously hoping that their baby would not be born premature, they wanted to be as prepared as possible if that should happen. After discovering that premature babies who are given breast milk are significantly less likely to develop NEC, they decided that if necessary, they would use donated breast milk.
Unfortunately Tanya, who was attending the Coombe Maternity Hospital in Dublin, developed placenta praevia during her pregnancy. This is when the placenta is in the lower segment of the uterus, near the opening. Bleeding can be a symptom and if the placenta is totally obstructing the opening from the womb, a Caesarean is necessary.
As a result of her condition, Tanya bled throughout her pregnancy and again required an emergency Caesarean section. On February 15, 2006, just 30 weeks and three days into her pregnancy, her son, Gabriel, was born.
Tanya had lost so much blood, she was not able to meet the baby's demand for milk. Furthermore as she was still unconscious after the Caesarean, Conrad talked to the doctor about the couple's wishes for donor milk to be used.
As premature babies cannot suckle, the milk has to be expressed even if it is the baby's own mother providing it. Tanya gives Gabriel whatever she can, which is about one-third of what he needs.
"We are now past the dangerous stage for NEC and I'm thrilled to say Gabriel has developed no infections. When a baby is born at 30 weeks, the doctors warn you that they will get something, but he didn't. It wasn't all straightforward. He was only 3lbs when he was born and had a collapsed lung, but he didn't have to deal with the infections that a lot of premature babies do", Tanya explains.
Donor milk is not only provided to premature babies. It is also provided to babies with certain medical conditions who require it. For example, since 2005, the bank also provides milk to babies undergoing heart surgery, as they are also at an increased risk of developing NEC. Furthermore, those given breast milk tend to have fewer problems with things such as blood pressure.
So how does someone get involved?
"If any woman has extra milk and would like to donate, simply give us a ring. We will take a history and if there is no problem, you will have to undergo a blood test, usually by your own GP or maternity hospital", explain Ms McCrea.
If everything checks out, the milk bank will send an insulated container to the woman 'on the bus'. She will express the milk and send it back to Fermanagh, where it is pasteurised and stored.
"In the USA, milk travels with airline pilots. In Brazil, it travels with firemen. In Ireland, it travels with the bus driver! Women anywhere in the country can get involved. After pasteurisation, the milk is frozen and it has a shelf life of three months", she says.
It is sent to hospitals around the country when needed, where it is stored in freezers and defrosted as required. How long a baby needs to stay on the breast milk is decided on a case-by-base basis.
However not surprisingly, the bank can experience a shortage of donations.
"We supply about 80 litres of milk a month. In our busiest month, we supplied 92 litres. We have five freezers here, but currently only enough milk to fill three", Ms McCrea explains.
She points out that of the 163 donors last year, not all of their babies survived.
"We had 13 mothers contact the bank after their baby had died, due to extreme prematurity or foetal abnormality, offering their pumped milk for use by other babies. Other mothers collected milk in neonatal units, hospitals or their own homes and sent it on to the bank", Ms McCrea says.
Not surprisingly, Tanya and Conrad view women who donate breast milk as 'a Godsend'.
"My vision of these donors is women who care. If I had extra milk, I would give it back", Tanya says.
Asthma Treatment
Mild asthmatics should take preventer medication on a regular basis, rather than take it intermittently when their symptoms worsen, a new Australian study has found.
The year-long study involving 44 mild asthma sufferers showed continuous treatment with a low dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) led to a significant reduction in the rate of asthma flare-ups in patients. It also improved lung function, reduced airway hyper responsiveness and reduced exhaled nitric oxide, indicating less airway inflammation was present.
The study was undertaken by Sydney's Woolcock Institute of Medical Research with the aim of finding out whether it was safe and appropriate for patients with mild asthma to take preventer medicine only when symptoms worsen.
Dr Christine Jenkins, Head of the Airways Research Group, at the Woolcock Institute, explains one of the most important goals of asthma treatment is to maintain good asthma control on the lowest effective dose of preventer, as advocated by best practice guidelines for asthma.
We know that people with mild asthma often don't like taking their medication regularly, especially when they feel fine, but prefer to take it when symptoms get worse, she said.
We did this study to see whether treating asthma only when flare-ups occurred was a good idea. It seems it isn't.
Dr Jenkins said the trial group appeared to have only mild or well controlled asthma, but the group who received the ICS only intermittently during the study did less well in the primary outcome measures than the group who took low dose ICS all year.
A significant clinically important difference was seen in the asthma flare-up rate between the two groups, as well as in lung function, airway responsiveness (the sensitivity or twitchiness of the airways) and daily peak flow tests.
Interestingly symptoms recorded by all subjects were pretty consistent, said Dr Jenkins.
What this indicates is that judgements about ceasing medication for mild asthma sufferers should not be made solely on symptom control.
The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research conducts research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, as well as investing time educating Australians about these diseases.
Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
http://www.woolcock.org.au
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Asthma Treatment
Lung disease is the third leading cause of death in America, responsible for one in seven deaths. Today, more than 35 million Americans are living with some form of lung disease.
Diseases such as lung cancer, asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis are all harmful lung diseases that are potentially fatal if not detected and treated early. The lungs are a vital part of the human respiratory system and are responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and releasing carbon monoxide out of the body.
Lung disease can be detected by several warning signs. Chronic cough is a major symptom of lung disease. A cough that lasts more than one month is considered to be chronic. Shortness of breath is another symptom of lung disease. Shortness of breath that continues after a brief rest following normal exercise, or happens after little or no exercise at all, is abnormal. Chronic phlegm production is also an indicator. The lungs produce phlegm as a defense mechanism that responds to infection or other irritants. If one experiences phlegm production for more than a month, an underlying lung problem may exist. Wheezing, another symptom of lung disease, is a noisy breathing that indicates something is blocking the airflow of the lungs or making the airways too narrow. Coughing up blood and frequent chest colds are warning signs as well.
Many factors can contribute to lung disease. The most harmful factor for lung disease is cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke has many negative effects, such as:
Weakening the lungs' cilia (a defense mechanism), making them more susceptible to infection;
Closing up air passage, making breathing more difficult;
Causing chronic inflammation or swelling in the lungs, which can lead to bronchitis and
Changing the enzyme balance of the lungs, which leads to the destruction of lung tissue that occurs in emphysema.
Occupational hazards also contribute to lung disease. Certain work environments expose workers to unhealthy air dusts from things such as coal, silica, asbestos or raw cotton. Metal fumes and chemical vapors are also occupational hazards. Workers who are overexposed to such conditions greatly increase the risk of lung disease. Viruses, fungus, and bacterium are airborne germs that can be inhaled into the lungs and cause additional lung problems. Several actions can be taken to prevent lung disease, which include:
Don't smoke. Quitting smoking is the best way to protect your lungs and dramatically reduce the risk of lung disease;
Be knowledgeable of the symptoms of lung disease and see your physician immediately if any symptoms arise;
Avoid heavy exposure to air pollution. Refer to local radio or television reports as well as local newspapers on the air quality. Avoid increased physical activity on days with high levels of pollution.
Avoid lung hazards such as secondhand smoke, air pollution and occupations where unclean air is inhaled on a regular basis.
Get immunizations. Getting vaccinated can prevent lung diseases such as pneumococcal pneumonia and influenza.
If you want to learn more about maintaining healthy lungs or facts about lung disease, contact your primary care physician.
Sources: American Lung Association: http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=33316 and American Lung Association of Georgia & East Central Region: http://abrannen.home.mindspring.com/alag/healthy.htm.
Dr. Ronald Trudel specializes in internal medicine and geriatrics. His practice is located at 1959 N. Aaron Dr. Suite C in Tooele
Asthma Treatment
On Dr. Ellen Cutler's path toward healing her own physical problems, she encountered the theraputic and healing value of enzymes. Now after 24 years of clinical practice, she has penned both her personal and professonal experiences along with her wisdom & science to offer us one of the only layman's books on enzymes: MicroMiracles:Discover the Healing Power of Enzymes. (Rodale)
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) June 8, 2006 -- As a young child, Ellen Cutler suffered from digestive problems that were so severe, she dreaded eating for fear of the bloating, constipation, and cramping that followed. When she got older, her symptoms got worse, aggravated by her stressful schedule as a chiropractic student. She tried a wide range of supplements, colonics, therapies, and fasting, to no avail. Doctors invariably recommended a regimen of drugs that would treat the symptoms of inflammatory bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis but would never get to the root of her problem. Despite the deterioration in her health, her medical education thrived. It was during an intensive three-year postgraduate program that one of her instructors recommended she read about enzymes and take a plant digestive enzyme for own condition. Two weeks after she started supplementation, Ellen Cutler was symptom-free'permanently.
Twenty-four years later, Dr. Cutler is the preeminent authority in the field of enzyme therapy. In MicroMiracles: Discover the Healing Powers of Enzymes she explains how and why enzymes are essential to good health, shows readers how to identify and evaluate enzyme deficiencies, and helps them create their own enzyme regimens. Based on extensive research and more than two decades of life-changing work with patients suffering from a wide range of ailments, this is the first book to fully explore the unlimited potential of enzyme therapy.
Dr. Cutler writes in her Introduction, 'enzymes are the medicine of the future. They are revolutionary and holistic and will transform how we view and treat disease. They are essential to true healing in its most basic sense: the restoration of optimal health and balance, or homeostasis.'
In MicroMiracles, she describes how enzymes are necessary for our bodies to carry out the most basic metabolic functions, and how healthy immune function is also dependent on enzymes. She explains how enzymes not only prevent disease but also heal chronic health problems and boost overall energy, stamina, and vitality.
Following an explanation of the three different categories of enzymes'systemic or metabolic, digestive, and food, Dr. Cutler provides a self-test to help readers determine whether an enzyme deficiency is behind particular health issues they are experiencing. Specific, detailed information gathered from this evaluation enables readers to develop a personalized enzyme program that targets their unique needs and helps them achieve optimal health in a wide range of categories, from lowering the risk of such potentially life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease to enhancing elements essential to well-being such as energy level and emotional balance. Category by category, Dr. Cutler prescribes lifestyle changes, dietary guidelines, and enzyme supplements to renew and sustain good health'for life.
Throughout MicroMiracles, inspiring case studies provide real-life examples of Dr. Cutler's patients whose lives have been changed forever by the implementation of enzyme therapy, demonstrating how enzymes are, truly, nature's 'micromiracles.'
About the Author
Ellen Cutler, D.C. is the founder of BioSet, an innovative healing system that combines enzyme therapy with other complementary medicine disciplines. The author of such groundbreaking books as Winning the War against Asthma and Allergies and The Food Allergy Cure, Dr. Cutler presents workshops and seminars on enzyme therapy to health care professionals around the world.
MicroMiracles
Discover the Healing Power of Enzymes
By Ellen W. Cutler, D.C.
Publication date: October 2005
384 pages, $15.95 paperback original
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