Dating back to 1978, the FDA has twice been asked to remove propoxyphene (better known as the brand name Darvocet) from the market due to risks of heart abnormalities that could be and have been fatal. 32 years later, we have action. As of Friday 11/19/2010, the FDA has agreed to remove it from the US market. The pain medication was especially popular in the US, as over 10 million people have received prescriptions for it over the last year alone.

This admission of danger comes in typical cryptic FDA fashion though. Their statement recommends doctors to stop prescribing the medication, though they encourage patients to continue taking it. They also stated that “the drug’s effectiveness in reducing pain is no longer enough to outweigh the drug’s serious potential heart risks.” If the risks are so serious, then why would they recommend patients currently taking it to continue to do so?

Popular opinion in the medical community suggests that the drug has been so widely prescribed due to its long existence. Since when does something being the oldest make it the best though? Far too often, medications are prescribed out of comfort. This can frequently leave patients with chemical dependency on these drugs long after their pain has subsided. Prescription drug abuse has been on the rise in recent years, and the real shame is that alternatives to drugs like darvocet are primarily stronger and potentially more addictive ones like morphine and oxycodone.

Furthermore, the delay in removing drugs like this goes to show that the FDA often doesn’t even trust their OWN advice. Last January, an advisory committee inside the FDA voted 14-12 to discontinue marketing the drug. That vote was vetoed by the FDA as a whole, and pill popping went on, business as usual.

Also of importance, when the ban was finally instated here in the US it was announced that a 30 year old study on the drug showed high levels of toxicity. More than 1,000 people have died in the US alone from use of this drug since 2005. That was the year it was banned in the UK.

Have you ever had an ear ache? Terrible, aren’t they? Hours of pain that nothing seems to remedy until in most cases, the infection is healed. Well, imagine having an ear ache of that magnitude for 30 years. Stephen Hirst of Sheffield, Great Britain had such an ear ache that was recently cured, and the media was just waiting to sink their teeth into this story.

Stephen had to go into early retirement due to daily excruciating pain. The ex-miner had dealt with it since age 14. Now age 47, Stephen has spent over 30 years being examined by doctors and specialists trying to determine the cause of the “sharp, jabbing pain that wouldn’t go away.” Not one to give up, he recently visited the Royal Hallamshire Hospital where the cause was surprisingly quickly discovered. With the help of a suction tube and tweezers, a nurse discovered what appeared to be a baby tooth lodged in Hirst’s ear that he said he must have put there when he was a kid, but had no recollection of.

What’s most amazing is that it took 30 years and a simple examination to get to the cause of something that seems so simple. Doctors and specialists often have patients with foreign objects stuck in their ears, so how they didn’t notice this much earlier is certainly a valid question to pose.

It’s truly a miracle that Stephen hasn’t had any developmental issues. In many cases where an object affects hearing like this, it’s likely that parts of the brain wouldn’t develop properly. He hasn’t regained the hearing in the affected hear, but he has at least lost the earaches and headaches.

Sunburn
Not only your skin, but your entire body can be dried by a sunburn, so be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. There are some great remedies in your kitchen for dealing with the pain. If your eyelids are burned, soak tea bags in cool water and apply them to decrease pain and swelling. Wrap some dry oatmeal in gauze and run water through it for a few minutes. Remove the oatmeal and soak a cloth in the liquid leftover and apply every few hours.

Heat exhaustion
Unlike the winter months, summer weather predictions are usually pretty accurate. Keep this in mind, and plan ahead for extreme temperatures. Limit consumption of both caffeine and alcohol, as they both speed up the dehydration process. If someone is already suffering from heat exhaustion, either splash them with cool water or apply cool towels rather than submerging them in water. This will allow the water to evaporate and absorb more quickly and have a better cooling effect.

Mosquito bites
Mosquitoes can spread a number of diseases, so the first thing you should do once you’ve been bitten is to clean and disinfect the area where it appears with soap and hot water. To help prevent or reduce the inflammation caused by a bite, wet the affected area and rub an aspirin over the bite as soon as you can after it appears. Dissolve baking soda or Epsom salts in water, dip a cloth into that water and place it on the skin of the affected area for 15-20 minutes to help alleviate the itching.

Bee stings
The most important thing to do in order to avoid pain and swelling from a bee or wasp sting is to act fast, no matter what treatment you choose. Just like mosquitoes and flies, bees often are carriers for some nasty bacteria. Clean the area first, and then scrape the stinger away so that it doesn’t continue to pump venom into your skin. Apply a paste made of powdered activated charcoal to draw the poison out. Mud is an acceptable substitute, as not everyone keeps activated charcoal lying around.

If you’re craving a steak or a burger:
Cravings for red meat can signal a lack of iron, or conjugated linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid that helps your body burn stored fat. A healthier option to replace iron is dark, leafy greens like spinach.  This is especially beneficial if your diet is high in fat or carbohydrates. Try incorporating smaller amounts of red meat into your diet so that you don’t go overboard when you do indulge.

If you’re craving baked goods:
This usually indicates that your blood glucose levels are fluctuating. The stress hormone cortisol triggers the release of glucose, and thereby insulin to regulate it. The sugars and carbohydrates in baked goods raise levels of blood sugar and serotonin, which is a brain chemical that invokes feelings of happiness.  Instead, try a piece of fruit or a glass of 100% fruit juice.  Not only will the natural sugars help level you out, but they also provide nutrients like vitamin C that you can’t get from a brownie.

If you’re craving chocolate:
Chocolate contains an amino acid called phenylalanine, which is essential in the body’s production of brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin.  These chemicals enhance mood, and reduce pain. A better choice is dark chocolate as it has less sugar and more cacao.  Another option is to mix unsweetened cocoa powder with skim milk and add a natural sugar substitute like Stevia.

If you’re craving French fries:
This usually means you’re lacking sodium, or experiencing a blood sugar imbalance caused by cortisol. The simple carbs in potatoes break down to glucose, and the salt will satisfy your need for sodium.  The healthy alternative is salted nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts.  These are full of sodium as well as healthy omega 3 fatty acids.  The protein found in nuts will help keep your energy up as well.

Sudden Dizziness or Chest Pain
Either of these scenarios could signal a serious cardiovascular problem stemming from lack of blood being pumped to your heart or brain.  If you experience these symptoms, you should stop exercising immediately and if they don’t subside then you should seriously consider visiting the ER.  Sometimes symptoms like chest pains or shortness of breath can be caused by sudden pains or muscle cramps, so be sure to have your doctor evaluate you to be sure.

Chills, Headache, or Blurred Vision
If you experience any of these symptoms while exercising in hot weather or inside a hot building, stop immediately.  These symptoms could be a sign of heat stroke, which is potentially fatal.  If you don’t feel better right after stopping, your body temperature could be so high that it needs to be cooled right away to prevent possible brain damage.

Feeling the “Burn”
In order for muscles to gain strength and endurance your body breaks down carbohydrates into lactic acid.  This makes your muscles acidic and causes the burning sensation.  The longer you’re in the burning zone, the longer it will take for your muscles to recuperate for your next workout.  When you start to feel the burning, slow your pace and exercise at a low intensity until it subsides.

Pain or Tenderness That Doesn’t Subside
Overuse injuries to bones, tendons, and ligaments are often preceded by localized soreness on one side of the body.  This soreness will generally get worse with continued exercise, so stop immediately if you feel this sort of pain.  This is different than delayed onset muscle soreness which will typically occur 8-24 hours after intense exercise.  This will usually take a few days to completely subside, so exercise at a lighter intensity until you’re fully recovered.