Saturday, July 12, 2008

Vintage Shiny Brite Christmas Ornaments - Max Eckardt's Shiny ...


An American businessman named Max Eckardt introduced Christmas tree decorations imported from Germany to the US around 1907. The ornaments consisted mostly of small hand-blown glass balls that were colorfully decorated. Late in the 1930s though, it was plain to Eckardt that the oncoming war was going to disrupt his supplies. So he made a business arrangement with the Corning Glass Company that got them started on Christmas ornament production in their light bulb plants. Corning started making the glass ornaments after adapting their own light bulb manufacturing process and proceeded to ship ornaments to both Woolworth's stores and to Eckardt's factories where the plain ornaments could be further adorned by hand after being machine-lacquered.

As the wartime shortages increased, making both lacquer and silver difficult to come by, Eckardt started having the ornaments decorated in pastels and bright colors. As a result, Shiny Brite ornaments became very popular because of their uniqueness and soon become a staple of every family's Christmas trees. By the end of the war, Shiny Brite was the largest manufacturer of Christmas ornaments in the world and the popularity of the ornaments raged on into the 1950s.

Shiny Brite stopped making and selling the glass balls in 1962 because of production disruption and because of the changing business landscape and moved into the production of plastic ornaments, which never proved to be as popular. But now that we are in the 21st century, demand for the original vintage glass ornaments has shot up and you'll find many "Shiny Brite" ornaments all over Ebay.

One thing to keep in mind though when shopping on Ebay for these ornaments is that many sellers and buyers seem to think that "Shiny Brite" refers to a type of ornament rather than a specific brand name. So if you are looking specifically for ornaments made by Max Eckardt's company, you might want to do a little digging into the auctions.

In addition to the vintage Shiny Brite Christmas ornaments available at antique shops, flea markets and online, Christopher Radko started making reproductions of the ornaments around 2001 and you'll find those on Ebay as well. Generally though you don't have to worry about the Radko reproductions being passed off as the vintage ornaments because Radko's ornaments are collectible in their own right. Also, Radko's ornaments are made in Europe and all of the original Shiny Brite's were of American manufacture.

You can buy here

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Gnarl's weblog

The Insider's Guide To Antihistamine Clarinex


Clarinex is a medication which can be taken year-round by those who suffer from allergies. It is also effective at treating those who suffer from hives or rashes. The active ingredient in this medication is desloratadine, which is an antihistamine. This blocks the immune system's production of the natural chemical histamine, which is produced when the body becomes sensitive to something.

Clarinex is effective at treating allergy symptoms produced from contact to both indoor allergens and outdoor ones. Anything from dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores, to pollen, grass or weeds can cause allergies.

Clarinex is widely used and popular because of its non-drowsy characteristic. Many antihistamines tell users to avoid machinery or driving while taking it, but Clarinex does not. This drug was also the first to boast that grapefruit juice did not affect its absorption.

It is also safe for most people who suffer form asthma to use this medication, although it is recommended that one contacts their doctor before mixing medications of any kind. Reported side effects include dry mouth, fatigue and a sore throat.

This medication comes in many forms which are taken according to age group, severity of symptoms, and other factors. The regular Clarinex tablets relieve symptoms for up to 24 hours and are safe for ages 12 and up. Clarinex 24-hour combines the power of antihistamine and decongestant for people with seasonal rhinitis and congestion. Children as young as 6 months of age can receive relief from indoor allergies, while children 2 and over can experience relief from outdoor ones, with the bubblegum flavored Clarinex syrup.

The syrup formula can also reduce the appearance of hives in children. Because many people are unable to easily take pills or tablets, Clarinex has provided a solution. For those who need another method, Clarinex Redi-tabs melt easily in the mouth. These also provide 24-hour relief and come in a fruit flavor.

The makers of Clarinex, Shering-Plough, claim that taking this medication in the morning will relieve symptoms all the way into the next morning when one awakes. This is a benefit, since many 24-hour solutions seem to wear off while one is sleeping.

Clarinex-D is a stronger formula which does require a prescription.

This also claims to have 24-hour relief all the way through to the next day. This member of the Clarinex family is for moderate to severe allergy sufferers.

You can buy Clarinex here

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Old Grumpy Dwarf's weblog

Thursday, July 10, 2008

The Stop Smoking Injection - Is it the Answer to Quitting Smoking?


In the land of instant gratification, the idea of going to the doctor, receiving an injection and then going home a non-smoker sounds great. In fact it sounds too good to be true. So is it?

For more than a decade, there have been injections available that are supposed to help you stop smoking. They started out using scopolamine and atropine in the injections. The newer version uses scopolamine and Atarax. It is marketed under the name SMART Shot.

Scopolamine is most commonly used to treat motion sickness, intestinal cramping and to dilate pupils during eye exams. It is currently being investigated for its possible usefulness by itself or in combination with other drugs to help people with breaking the nicotine habit. Side effects include: dry mouth, throat and nasal passages, thirst, blurred vision and sensitivity to light, constipation and difficulty urinating.

Atropine is made from the deadly nightshade plant and can be poisonous. It is used to treat extremely low heart rates in cardiac arrest, as an antidote to some poisons. Its side effects include: dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, loss of balance, dilated pupils, confusion and hallucinations.

Atarax is an antihistamine used primarily for the treatment of itches and irritations, to reduce nausea and as a weak pain killer. Side effects include: deep sleep, dizziness, ringing in the ear, low blood pressure, dry mouth and constipation.

Now how these drugs are supposed to help you quit smoking, I don't know. And apparently neither does the FDA. The website that markets the SMART Shot (www.smokingshot.com) states "The SMART Shot is a new and improved smoking cessation shot consisting of a combination of two medicines that have been around for over a decade and are FDA-approved for indications other than quitting smoking." At first glance it appears that this is a FDA-approved product. But read the wording closely and you will see that the site states that the two drugs (scopolamine and Atarax) are FDA-approved drugs. (And the are.) But that the FDA does NOT approve those drugs to be used as a smoking cessation product. (Which it doesn't.)

But does it work? Bottom line - who knows. SMART shot claims a 70-80% success rate, but doesn't back up their claims with any data or show any proof in the form of results from clinical testing.

Meanwhile, testing is underway on a stop smoking injection called NicVax. It is a vaccine that is supposed to make the immune system create antibodies that will bind with the nicotine and prevent it from ever reaching the brain.

So maybe someday there will be a stop smoking injection that is known to really work, but for now there doesn't appear to be.

You can buy Atarax here

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Khaoz's weblog

5 Natural Pain Relief Methods - Relieve Pain Naturally


1. Massage - Massage the area gently and firmly. Massage helps to ease pain by

applying pressure on the nerve endings, releasing endorphines and enkephalins -

the body's natural pain killers, improving blood circulation, stretching muscles

and reducing some stress hormone levels.

2. Relaxation, Distraction and Imagery - Focus on the rhythm of your breath;

imagine yourself in a serene peaceful place; read a book; watch a movie; listen to

soothing music; meditate; do yoga; garden; go walking in a scenic place. Stress is

the primary cause of pain and relaxing or distracting yourself allows the stress

to leave and with it the pain.

3. Heat and cold - Heat and cold therapy help to temporarily relieve pain. Apply

heat - preferably moist heat with heating pads, hot towels and mitts. Taking a hot

shower can be extremely therapeutic. Cold can be applied with cold compresses, ice

cubes in a towel or plastic bag and cold packs. Do not use heat or cold for more

than 15 minutes at a time. Take care to always protect your skin by placing a

cloth or towel around the hot or cold pack.

4. Exercises and Positions- Try gentle stretching exercises. For arthritic pain in

the hands and fingers, gently try and bring your hand into fist as much as

possible and then release. Also try rotating one arm in a full circle and then the other arm.

This exercise helps relieve pain in the legs! Certain yoga postures help relieve pain -

go to a trained professional for help in this. Also lying on the floor with your legs and feet over a chair is also known to help relieve pain.

5. Herbal supplements - Try using vitamins such as Vitamin E and Vitamin B which

is an effective pain reliever. Use ginger in your food. It is an anti-oxidant and

anti-inflammatory. Boswellia / Shallaki is a well known Ayurvedic herb that has shown

anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-arthritic benefits. Rumalaya Forte and Rumalaya Gel are ayurvedic formulations that incorporate Boswellia, Guggul and other herbs and effectively relieve pain due to various conditions including arthritis, osteoarthritis, back pain, frozen shoulder and other joint conditions.

You can buy Rumalaya here

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mook's weblog

What are Lamisil Side Effects?


Lamisil side effects are probably the biggest concern for people who are taking this drug, or considering taking it, for fungus nail infections. Fungal infections are difficult to treat, and antifungal drugs are infamous for their toxicity. The liver is the organ that removes toxins from the bloodstream: the liver recognizes many drugs, including Lamisil as toxins, so this is where the drug does its worst damage. No one wants liver damage in exchange for treatment to clear up a fungal nail infection.

The danger of Lamisil side effects is real, but probably not as severe as many people believe. Controlled studies of the drug, and years of experience, indicate that severe complications are rare. When side effects Lamisil may cause are usually mild and temporary. If you are thinking about taking it, learn to recognize the symptoms of liver toxicity: nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, stomach pains, a yellowish hue developing in your skin and eyes, dark urine, pale stools, tiredness. If any of these symptoms occur, you can always stop taking the drug and let your liver recover.

Other side effects Lamisil may cause include rash or itchy skin, diarrhea, and an altered sense of taste, and these symptoms are more common than those experienced with liver toxicity. Rarely, people experience Lamisil side effects such as blistering and peeling skin, fever, chills, aching joints, and sore throat.

The danger of Lamisil increases in certain circumstances. You should not take Lamisil without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not use alcohol while taking it. Alcohol abuse, past or present, as well as liver disease or kidney disease don’t mix well with the drug: patients with these conditions should not take the medication. Finally, if you are taking other medications, be sure to remind your doctor and your pharmacist: some of the side effects Lamisil causes are made worse when the drug is mixed with other drugs in the body.

While it’s important to be careful, remember Lamisil side effects are rare and the danger of Lamisil doing you serious long-lasting harm is quite remote. In fact, the greatest danger of Lamisil could be the damage it will do to your budget if you have to pay for it yourself. Depending on where you buy it, the drug can cost more than eight dollars per pill! At one pill a day for 12 weeks, you would spend about $700.00 clearing up a nail infection, and some nail infections take much longer to resolve. It might be safe to say that, of all the side effects Lamisil can cause, financial stress is both the worst, and the most common.

You can buy Lamisil here

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Drathuu's weblog

Chronic Daily Headache Treatment


Chronic headache treatment is possible as there are a variety of preventive medications available. Here are the medications your doctor may recommend.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants such as Amitriptyline (Aventyl), nortriptyline (Pamelor) and other tricyclic antidepressants are the most widely used treatments for all forms of these headaches. These medications are valuable because they also help treat depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances that often accompany chronic daily headache.

SSRIs ( selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)

There is also evidence that suggests other antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be effective in treating these headaches for some sufferers. SSRIs that have been used to treat this condition include fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, nafazodone, veniafazine, citaloprom and escitalopram. These SSRIs can have adverse effects so, again, it is important you discuss these with your doctor.

Beta-blockers

While these drugs are most commonly used to treat high blood pressure, they are often helpful in treating episodic migraines. Beta-blockers used to treat chronic daily headache include atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal) and timolol (Blocadren). In some cases these beta-blockers are prescribed in combination with antidepressants.

Anti-seizure drugs

Anticonvulsant drugs used in migraine prevention are also being used increasingly to treat this type of headache. Drugs in this category include divalproex (Depakote), gabapentin, (Neurontin) and topiramate (Topamax).

Muscle relaxers

While not always effective in the treatment of chronic daily headache, muscle relaxers such as tizanidine Zanaflex) have helped in some cases.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents)

Naproxen and other nonsteroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs may be effective in the treatment of these daily headaches, especially if you're undergoing withdrawal from some other pain relievers. Included in this group are naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis) and mefenamic acid (Ponstel)

Cox-2 inhibitors

While These drugs Are Similar to NSAIDs, they work differently and have fewer side effects. Medications such as Celebrex, Vioxx and Excedrine are most helpful in treating chronic daily headache when combined with other preventive medications. Typically, they are prescribed for one or two months if you are withdrawing from pain relief medications, to help decrease the frequency and severity of rebound headaches.

Others

Botox is currently being researched as a possible for many of treatment for this type of daily headache. Injections of a local anesthetic around a nerve (nerve block) or injections of a numbing agent and corticosteroid at the point of pain are sometimes recommended for chronic daily headache.

You can buy Zanaflex here

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Birus's weblog

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Seroquel Side Effects: Effects of Seroquel Worth the Risk?


Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is used to treat hallucinations, delusions and confusion caused by psychotic conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Atypical antipsychotics are not SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or benzodiazepines. Atypical antipsychotics like Seroquel affect only certain parts of the brain, blocking the input of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, histamine, and muscarine. The benefit to atypical antipsychotics is that they are non-habit forming and are not as frequently abused as normal antipsychotics.

Some less serious side effects of Seroquel are dizziness, drowsiness, agitation, constipation, dry mouth and weight gain. More serious side effects are allergic reactions that are revealed through breathing problems, swelling of throat, lips, tongue or face, and hives. Other effects are spastic movements of limbs and face or fever, muscle rigidity or irregular heartbeats. However, serious side effects of Seroquel include pancreatitis, hyperclycemia, stroke and being three times as likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Also, some patients on Seroquel have developed Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). While the mortality rate for those with NMS has decreased, it is still a serious condition that results in respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse, myglobinuric renal failure, arrhythmias, rhabdomyolysis, pneumonia, seizures or diffuse intravascular coagulation.

Furthermore, AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Seroquel, has been charged with promoting the drug for off label use that violated FDA restrictions.

If you or a family member has been affected by Seroquel, you may be entitled to pursue a lawsuit against AstraZeneca. Attorneys are currently pursuing class action lawsuits to establish a fund for those affected by Seroquel.

You can buy Seroquel here

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mook's weblog