The Medical Alerts Page discusses issues requiring immediate attention and which will be up for two weeks.
If
the issue persists beyond that time, I will put it in the Seasonal and Current Medical Topics page.
Posted Monday, January 25, 2010,
One of the Pediatric publications I read has highlighted a study
which looks at antibiotics given to pregnant women and traced effects on the woman's babe.
Most antibiotics given to women who are pregnant do not seem to
affect the babe very much. However, two medications seem to be associated with what medical terminology describe as "medical
misadventures". Translation, bad things. These medications are sulfur drugs, and a drug called nitrofurantoin. These
two antibiotics are usually used to handle urinary tract infections. Unfortunately, women who are pregnant have an increased
chance of having a urinary tract infection, and it can hurt. I would like to encourage any of you who are pregnant, and who
have been diagnosed with a urinary track infection to ensure that you doctor does not give you a sulfur drug, or nitrofurantoin
for the infection. We have many other medicines to quell a urinary track infection.
We're seeing more vomiting and diarrhea lately. Another Winter
stomach virus is running through the plumbing. If the kids or you get it, reduce high protein foods, increase the starches,
keep hydrated with water, stay away from milk, fruit juice, and diet drinks, and get Florastor. Florastor is and over-the-counter
item which replaces the good intestinal bacteria which viruses strip out of the intestine. It comes in pills for adults, and
packets for kids. Check with you pharmacy.
Dr.
D.
