TresSugar

Stranger Than Fiction: Spider Venom For Erectile Dysfunction

TresSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:00:00 -0700

How desperate are some men to cure their erectile dysfunction, otherwise known as impotence? They might be desperate enough to use spider venom - as a drug ingredient, of course.

Researchers in Brazil are looking closely at the Brazilian wandering spider. Its bites are extremely painful and can cause priapism, which is basically a painful erection that could last for hours. (I'm wondering who the poor research subject was who led them to this conclusion!) The researchers purified the toxin, tested it in rats and mice, and found that it causes a chemical reaction that helps blood flow in penile tissue.

Since erectile dysfunction is the result of an inadequate supply of blood flow in the penis, the venom is a promising treatment for the condition. See, people? Although many of you are afraid of them, spiders can be your friends!

Healthy and Unwealthy: 20-Somethings DIY Health Care

CitizenSugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:01:29 -0800

Trading prescriptions. Self-diagnosing on the Internet (guilty!). Skipping doses to make prescriptions last (I've done that with insurance?). Setting broken bones (ack! not guilty). These are just some of the Band-Aids, the 13.2 million young people, ages 19-29, without insurance have applied.

Maybe we need more doctors like this? Dr. Jay Parkinson (MD!) treats uninsured Internet lovers (but not old ones, he only sees people under 40) via IM, email, and in person through house (or coffee house) calls for a $200 fee per visit. Not exactly cheap, but certainly better than the emergency room.

Most insurance companies cut dependents off at 19 or after college graduation, but more than two dozen states have increased the cutoff age to well into the 20s. Where are these magical lands? Get the list here.

The health care industry calls uninsured 20-somethings the "young invincibles," which makes the industry sound like an old irascible. While some certainly see themselves as young, healthy - invincible? - others live uninsured in fear while focusing on their careers, using the little money they earn interning and working odd jobs for rent and food. Though, in fairness, I've been there and threw a credit card set on automatic payment at the problem.

But I never did use that insurance that I still pay for, so I can't blame those who live without it. Are you sympathetic, or should the young invincibles swallow an adult-sized pill and deal with it?

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The Most Well-Liked Guy in Town Opens a Pharmacy

GiggleSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:00:00 -0700

What, no shrimp?

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Polly Wants Her Meds

GiggleSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:00:00 -0700

Cracker? Don't patronize Polly with a cracker. You know what she wants. Pop open that parrot-proof cap and hand it over. Polly gets what Polly wants, so don't make this difficult. . . . (Thanks, College Humor!)

Doctors List Who Should Die in a Pandemic

LibertySugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:00:37 -0700

If a global and deadly pandemic hits, doctors will have to chose who to save, and thus, who to let die. Prominent doctors have now put out a definitive list of who is in and who is out.

They made the list at the behest of prominent universities and military and US governmental agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services. The list specifically articulates who should not get medical attention in a widespread emergency.

People older than 85.
Those with severe trauma, which could include critical injuries from car crashes and shootings.
Severely burned patients older than 60.
Those with severe mental impairment, which could include advanced Alzheimer's disease.
Those with a severe chronic disease, such as advanced heart failure, lung disease or poorly controlled diabetes.

Do you make the cut? Are you happy to see governmental agencies and physicians getting organized, since preparation could save more lives? Even so, does this godlike list - of who should live and who should die - make you uncomfortable? Does it amount to unfair discrimination?
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Do You Feel Like Hell?

GiggleSugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:02:00 -0700

I have hard time believing that this is a fever reducer.

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Dumbass Instructions

GiggleSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:02:00 -0700

Ruh roh! What if Lassie can't read?

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Calling All Medical Show Junkies!

GiggleSugar — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:00:00 -0700

Addicted to prime-time TV shows that are 1% medicine and 99% drama? Here's a little comedy to add to your diet. The Mad TV gang scrubbed up to show you what would happen if the cast of "Grey's Anatomy" were to meet that obnoxious know-it-all doc from "House." Diagnosis: Funny. I mean, who knew you could deliver a baby with a catcher's mitt, or that there's not only a McSteamy and a McDreamy--but also a McSupremey?

Cuba Gooding Jr. Is Hard Up

GiggleSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 09:26:55 -0700

Cuba Gooding Jr. has a boner to pick with you. That's right. "Hard" times call for desperate measures, like Cialis, and Cuba wants the world to know that there's no shame in a 36-hour erection. (Too bad he doesn't realize that there's plenty shame in going from Jerry Maguire to this gig!)

Funny or Scary? Teens Getting High On Cough Medicine

GiggleSugar — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:02:00 -0800

Time was, teens sneaked cigarettes or broke into their parents' liquor cabinet. The hooked up teens smoked joints or did other illicit and illegal drugs. For whatever reason, one out of ten teens are now "Robotripping," or taking over-the-counter cold and flu medicines for their hallucinatory, sometimes out-of-body, highs. (The name comes from the brand "Robitussin," the second most abused cough medicine.) What, people, aren't 1,001 cable channels and MySpace entertaining enough? Sheesh! Giggle Girls, is "Robotripping"...