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Sound Medicine -- September 27, 2003

Hosts Barbara Lewis and Dr. David Crabb talk to physicians and researchers about:

Ephedra Risks

Plastic Surgery

Indiana Arthritis Initiative

Real Media | Windows Media

Ephedra Risks

Ephedra, an over-the-counter herbal drug marketed as a dietary supplement, can help you lose weight, improve your athletic prowess and boost your short-term energy level. However, for many users, it can also increase the chance of heart attack, stroke and death. Dr. Douglas Zipes, a clinical cardiologist and scientist at Indiana University specializing in heart rhythm disturbances, explains the potential harm caused by ephedra.

Because it is marketed as a dietary supplement, ephedra is exempt from FDA testing. This means its dosage and concentration can vary. A combination of exercise and ephedra's caffeine and other chemical components causes blood vessels to shrink, although serious side effects are uncommon.

Because ephedra is not regulated, some compounds may be contaminated with other chemicals. Also, ephedra may have bad interactions with prescription drugs. Dr. Zipes urges us to remember: Just because a product is marketed as "natural," it is not necessarily safe.

Resources:

Learn how the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is proposing a series of actions designed to protect the public from the risks of dietary supplements containing ephedra.

In July, Dr. Zipes testified on Capitol Hill before the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations about the potential harm caused by ephedra. View a transcript of his report.

Read a press release on how the Federal Trade Commission accused marketers of ephedra weight loss products with deceiving the public about the chemical's efficacy and safety.

Plastic Surgery

Perhaps you have been thinking about getting a nip here and a tuck there. Or maybe you are considering botox injections to slow the progression of wrinkles. There is an entire menu of cosmetic non-invasive procedures and plastic surgeries to choose from. Like any procedure or surgery, however, there are risks to consider.

Dr. Michael Sadove discusses the pros and cons of plastic surgery with us. Dr. Sadove is professor of surgery at the IU School of Medicine, and professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the IU School of Dentistry.

Resources:

Learn about different types of cosmetic surgeries, as well as other information such as fees and insurance issues, risks and complications, and the recovery process.

Ever wonder exactly what a Botox injection is and how it works?

Peruse fact sheets about Botox and breast augmentation procedures.

Indiana Arthritis Initiative

More than one-third of Indiana's population has arthritis. Sufferers feel a jolting reminder of this every time they roll out of bed, climb stairs, write a letter, or rise from a chair. Arthritis is not a single disease, however, but rather a term for more than one hundred conditions that involve the inflammation of joints and surrounding tissues.

Dr. Douglas McKeag, chairman of the department of family medicine at the IU School of Medicine, explains to us how arthritis is not inevitable with old age. Arthritis is a leading cause of disability for all Americans. In Indiana, a new state initiative is addressing the problem. Dr. McKeag is chairman of the Indiana Arthritis Initiative steering committee. The Initiative is a new statewide campaign created to boost awareness and education among people with arthritis, and people who are at high risk for developing the disease.

Resources:

Download the Indiana Arthritis Strategic Action Plan, which discusses early diagnostic tips, proper medical treatment, and self-management strategies for arthritis sufferers. (PDF format)

WebMD supplies in-depth information about osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and related conditions.

Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms affect nearly 70 million Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study the prevalence of arthritis in various U.S. populations.