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There is no know cause for PCOS but it is still thought to be genetic. It is believed to be a hormonal issue that causes the symptoms, most of which can be controlled with the right treatment. Each symptom has its own treatment and what is good for one symptom may not be good for another. You want to be sure that you get the right treatment for your particular set of symptoms. Below is a list of typical treatments for problems associated with PCOS.

• Absent or irregular menstrual cycles: The corpus luteum will not form with PCOS and progesterone is not produced as a result of the follicles not ripening. For women not wanting to get pregnant, they can manage PCOS with either a low dose of a progestogen pill or a combination of a birth control pill and a progestogen pill.

• Infertility: since conceiving with PCOS can be difficult, it may be necessary to treat a woman wanting to conceive with hormone treatments or a treatment called laparoscopic ovarian diathermy, which is also known as ovarian drilling.

• Treatment concerning miscarriage: High levels of LH are said to cause miscarriages in women with PCOS. There are drugs such as nasal sprays that can be used to reduce the levels of LH prior to inducing ovulation.

• Treating unwanted body hair; this is caused by to much of the male hormone called testosterone and can be treated with birth control medication and an anti-androgen medication. Such treatments can take many months to take effect so until that happens you may want to use alternative treatments such as waxing, bleaching, tweezing or even lasers or electrolysis.

• Acne treatment: Acne is caused by the same means as the excess hair growth with this condition and as such, can be helped in pretty much the same way. By combining the birth control pill and progestogen pill you will not only help the acne but you can also help to regulate your period as well. Over the counter meds for acne may work a little bit but in the end they will dry out the skin and use of antibiotics will not do much of anything when the acne is caused due to a hormonal issue.

• Weight gain: this can be a problem with women that have PCOS as it is more difficult to loose weigh as they burn energy from food more efficiently. As a result of this, their bodies store more as fat, so when they try to combine proper diet and exercise to drop the extra pounds, they have to work twice as hard. Eating 5 small meals a day can help to keep the blood sugar regulated making weight loss possible.

• Treatment for pelvic discomfort. By regulating your period this ca n be helped. Be sure to check with your doctor to make sure it is not cause by some underlying problem. There are many women that find this can be eased with regular exercise such as walking.

Overview of SSRI Drugs

SSRI drugs are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, which means that these drugs slow the release of serotonin which aids in increasing levels of serotonin.  These drugs are primarily used for treatment of depression and anxiety. They are also the most popular of anti-depressants because they display fewer and less intense side effects than other anti-depression drugs.  Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil are a few of the popular prescription names for these classes of anti-depressants.

History of SSRI Drugs

Research for alternative anti-depressants began in 1967 under the theory that different anti-depressants will affect each individual in a unique way.  The first SSRI produced was called Zelmid, but was taken off the market due to its undesirable side effects.  The next was a bit more successful: Prozac.  Since the introduction of Prozac on the market, the interest for SSRI drugs has increased dramatically.  However, some are beginning to call into question the availability and across the board use of SSRI drugs due to some of the reasons listed below.

Before taking SSRI drugs, here are 7 crucial things you need to know.

1. SSRIs should not be combined with the following:

Other types of anti-depressants as it can lead to a number of worsened side effects.  MAOI’s mixed can lead to a potentially fatal condition called serotonin syndrome. Wellbutrin mixed can lead to increased amounts of seizures. Trycyclic/tetracyclic anti-depressants mixed can lead to abnormal heart rhythms.

Amino acids (5HTP or L-Tryptophan) as it can also lead to serotonin syndrome.  At least consult with your doctor on this one; some will work in combination while others will have a terrible effect.

Antihistamines, diabetes medication, and heart medication can have adverse effects when combined with SSRIs.  Always consult with your doctor and review all current medications before taking SSRIs.

2. SSRIs, like other anti-depressants, can actually make patients depression worsen or have increased thoughts of suicide.

3. SSRIs can take up to 6-8 weeks to take full effect. Worst of all, the bad side effects can start immediately, but the positive effects can take up to two months.

4. There can be serious consequences for stopping SSRIs cold turkey. These drugs need to be weaned off and, if they aren’t, a range of mild to extreme side effects will occur.

5. SSRIs can work great for awhile, and then hit a brick wall. Suddenly, the positive effects disappear and for no apparent reason.

6. As SSRIs often will stop working, most doctors prescribe them in a rotation format.  However, moving on to the next SSRI does not guarantee that it will work as long as the last or work in the same way.  Each SSRI will interact differently, and unfortunately, it is hard to predict the reaction. Work closely with a doctor.

7. There is no guarantee that SSRI drugs will solve the problem fully or even partially.  Some depression and anxiety disorders simply will not respond to anti-depressants.  These drugs should be used in combination with therapy and should always have a doctor to monitor the effects.

There are many different varieties of medications that are specifically designed for the successful treatment of acne, but since every person has a different skin composition and conditions can vary it is difficult to say which is the best overall prescription acne medication. Many of the popular medications contain peroxide as a means of treating acne, zits, pimples, blackheads and any other skin blemish that comes to mind and those medications are very successful for a lot of people in treating their acne. However, for some consumers those products and acne solutions just don’t work or if their acne is too severe it may require a more drastic solution. It is usually best to see a dermatologist if your medication is not working, as they will have more experience than your family doctor and are more likely to have a wider knowledge of the treatments available for your particular acne strain or skin blemish.

One of the more popular prescription treatments is for a topical medication that contains retinoids. These acne medications can help to alleviate some of the problems of acne by keeping your pores clear and helping to prevent blackheads. Unfortunately, there is also a downside to topical medications as the skin may be more sensitive to the sun. This can be disadvantage if you live somewhere where the sun is out a lot or if you are going on holiday in a sunny area. Of course, it may well be worth putting up with these minor side effects if the treatment is proving to be effective at reducing or completely eliminating your acne. Whether or not this is the best prescription acne medication for you is something that you could ask the dermatologist. If your condition is particularly bad they might prescribe oral retinoids although they are not usually prescribed in mild cases of acne.

Antibiotics are thought by some people to be the best prescription medication for acne but again, this depends upon your condition and how effective your doctor thinks that they might be for you. It is not something that you should try without first consulting your doctor and getting an appropriate prescribed treatment.

It is very difficult to tell which is the best prescription medication for acne as the condition and the best way to treat it can vary widely from person-to-person. It is not a good idea to try prescription medications without the full consultation of your doctor or dermatologist. If you want to try over-the-counter treatments then it is a good idea to ask the pharmacist what treatments they would recommend and what they think may be best for your skin condition. This way you’ll know that you’re getting the best treatment and the right one for you.

As more and more people these days are suffering from allergies, over the counter allergy medication is becoming increasingly popular. The regular strength medicines off the shelf just aren’t doing the trick anymore. If you have a pet or experience the unpleasant feelings associated with hay fever you may want to consider an OTC medicine for your allergy symptoms. That said, you should be aware of a few potential side effects that come with these products. Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones.

The most common side effect to look out for is drowsiness. This is often clearly stated on the label of antihistamines so have a good read before deciding on a product. The package will usually tell you that it’s not a good idea to drive or operate heavy machinery after taking the medicine. Heed this advice as it may save your life.

Other side effects of antihistamines such as Benadryl and Allegra include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision and urination problems. Everyone’s body reacts a bit differently so consult with your doctor if you think that you’re suffering a different kind of side effect. One thing to keep in mind is that all of these side effects, including drowsiness, dissipate over time. This means that as your body gets used to the medicine, you’ll feel the side effects less and less.

On a final note, it’s very important that you never mix the use of OTC allergy medications with certain other drugs. The most dangerous ones include antidepressants, sleeping pills, and alcohol.

If you’re wondering whether it is possible to enhance the sexual experiences without medication then you’ll be surprised with the answer as the answer is ‘Yes! It is possible’. To support this fact, there are a number of stories of men who have tried enhancing their sexual experiences without medication and successfully managed to do so. These stories are easily accessible on Internet. It is really exciting that some people have found that wonder cure and are now ready to sell it to everybody who is interested in purchasing it.

It is quite understandable to see people forming a degree of skepticism regarding the natural male enhancement products as who would think that they can increase the volume, size and sexual pleasure by taking a natural pill. By natural pill, we mean the pill whose ingredients are taken straight from the nature. Actually, it seems too good to be true and many times, it is as some companies make outrageous claims of increasing the length, girth and the stamina.

Now, you must be wondering whether it is a wise idea to spend money on such products or not? What’s the truth about these programs and products? What to buy and how much to spend for it? What’s the best product that’s effective? Well, the answer regarding pills, natural patches and creams is straightforward and it is ‘don’t waste your money’. No cream, pill or patch can be used successfully to increase the length, girth and stamina. They’re pretty much useless besides making somebody rich off your hard-earned money.

The natural products are not subject to any regulations or laws when it comes to test the product for its effectiveness. A marketer buy some herbal extracts and then sell them as natural pills under different names. They sell these pills as a cure to anything that might be ailing you. However, on the brighter side, there pills are quite safe and will rarely cause any harm. If a marketer is honest and don’t make outrageous claims then there’s nothing to worry about.

But, what can you do if the pill prescribed by the doctor is found to be harmful for your health? The best thing is to find people who’re in a similar situation and to see what they’ve tried, how can you make the most of any device, what works, what doesn’t work. You can find such people on forums, networks or support groups available on Internet.

The natural male enhancement products are available in different shapes as they could be some stretching devices or even the DVDs with videos explaining the exercises that you need to carry out at your place so as to improve the length. You need to put in some efforts to achieve the desired results and if you’re not afraid of putting in efforts then exercising is something that you should try. They can help you to improve your stamina and to achieve a better control on the body. Pills will only part you from your money and if you’re already tired of trying different pills then try to put in efforts by carrying out exercises so as to achieve a better control on your body and enhance the sexual experiences.

Women’s health is not only monitored and maintained by the foods that she eats, or the exercise she completes throughout the week, but also by the status of her sexual health.

Women’s sexual health is quite important because there are so many complications that can occur within a women’s body that could result in life-threatening consequences.

What makes some of these sexual health issues differ from a man is not only the fact that two different genitals are involved, but also the fact that women give birth, thus increasing the complications that could arise and affect a woman’s health.

Vaginal Bleeding

One of the things that affect both the sexual and overall women’s health is the presence of vaginal bleeding after sex, also referred to as post-coital bleeding. If a woman is not on her period at the time, this could be a warning sign of something that needs the attention of a doctor.

Many possible culprits could cause such an act to occur. Understanding sexual and women’s health is important because some causes of vaginal bleeding are common and can be easily treated with no future affects to women’s sexual health, while other causes can turn into life-altering complications.

Cervical dysplasia can cause Vaginal bleeding, which means that there is the presence of precancerous cells within the lining of the cervix that could affect women’s health. The risk of developing these cells is increased when a women compromises her sexual health by having sex before the age of 18; having sex with multiple partners; having a child before they turn 16 or have had a STD in the past. Cryosurgery can treat this condition, as well as other procedures before the cells turn into cervical cancer.

Cervical Polyps

Another women’s health issue deals with cervical polyps, which are growths that extend, pass the cervix or cervical canal. These fragile, red, or purple pests can be easily removed without pain.

Bacterial Infections

Two well-known bacterial infections are transmitted during sex or other contact with semen, vaginal secretions or blood. They are called chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea offers several treatments that can be prescribed by a doctor.

Vaginitis, also called cervicitis, is the inflammation or swelling of the cervix or vagina, which is caused by an infection. Depending on what caused the vaginitis, a treatment is available.

Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by a protozoan, can compromise a women’s sexual health, as well as the health of their newborn. It is possible for a mother to pass this disease onto her newborn during a vaginal birth.

One of the most common infections to affect women’s sexual health is the vaginal yeast infection, which is an overgrowth of harmless fungi that found in the vagina. The result is an odorless, cheese-like discharge accompanied by itching and burning. Three out of four women will have at least one yeast infection throughout their lifetime.

When a woman wishes to prevent this sort of infection from affecting her sexual health, a few preventive measures are available – women’s sexual health tips concerning a yeast infection include:

· Wear white cotton panties

· Use only water-based lubricants for the vagina

· Always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement

· Eat one cup of yogurt per day when on antibiotics

· Avoid bath products containing perfume in the vaginal area

· Do not douche because it creates an attractive breeding ground for yeast to flourish.

Other sexual and women’s health concerns include endometritis, uterine polyps, fibroid tumors, as well as adenomysis, which can affect the uterus and ovaries. Never ignore vaginal bleeding.

Calling a doctor immediately is the best way to solve the sexual and women’s health issues.

What are you going to do if you are having pain in your neck? Your have a few choices like, take some medications over the counter or see your doctor. However, would you want to mess around with the medications that which is not going to help you relief your pain.

What causes someone to suffer from neck pain? There are no one reasons for this pain to occur but the sufferers are only interested in getting a neck pain relief. However, you and I know that all the sufferers might be given the same particular medication, without considering the reason it begins with. Would someone takes a medication when the neck pain is due to your sleeping position or too much pressure has been put on your neck. This pain is usually not permanent and it is not due to the pain caused by any serious accident, thus only temporary neck pain relief is needed.

However what happened if the pain is so sever and it lasts so long that it crucifies you? You might feel that there is no way of treating the pain. When this happens you become more desperate looking for neck pain relief that works. You will not mind to try just about anything that gives promises about the effectiveness of their products. Of course it is easier to be our own doctor. However when you have tried so many types of medications and it has been like that for a long time, we suggest you go for a consultation with your family doctor. Professional advice is paramount in making sure that you are taking the right medications to prevent complication caused by self prescribed medications.

Medications options

Nowadays we are being bombarded with different companies advertising their products with promises to take away your pain. I am not surprise you become confused because when you try them, nothing seems to work for you. What you should do first off is to find out the root to the problem, and why you are in need of neck pain relief. You don’t need neck pain relief anymore if it goes away and everything is better after you have found the cause and solve the problem.

Tell your doctor the medications that you have already taken so that he can advise you whether it is going to help you with your pain. After both and your doctor decide the root to the problem, you are still going to ask for something to relief your pain.

Take some time talking to your doctor about the neck pain relief you require so that he can prescribe you with something that will work for you. If all this while you have been taking over the counter medications that claim can do the trick but if those have not been giving you the neck pain relief you are hoping to get, then prescription medications will be the way to go.

An antibiotic is a drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics are one class of antimicrobials, a larger group which also includes anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic drugs. Antibiotics are chemicals produced by or derived from microorganisms (i.e. bugs or germs such as bacteria and fungi). The first antibiotic was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 in a significant breakthrough for medical science.

Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medications in modern medicine.
Some antibiotics are ‘bactericidal’, meaning that they work by killing bacteria. Other antibiotics are ‘bacteriostatic’, meaning that they work by stopping bacteria multiplying.

Each different type of antibiotic affects different bacteria in different ways. For example, an antibiotic might inhibit a bacterium’s ability to turn glucose into energy, or its ability to construct its cell wall. When this happens, the bacterium dies instead of reproducing.

Some antibiotics can be used to treat a wide range of infections and are known as ‘broad-spectrum’ antibiotics. Others are only effective against a few types of bacteria and are called ‘narrow-spectrum’ antibiotics.

Side effects of antibiotics

Antibiotics can literally save lives and are effective in treating illnesses caused by bacterial infections. However, like all drugs, they have the potential to cause unwanted side effects. Many of these side effects are not dangerous, although they can make life miserable while the drug is being taken.

In general, antibiotics rarely cause serious side effects. The most common side effects from antibiotics are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. Fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract and vagina can also occur with antibiotics because they destroy the protective ‘good’ bacteria in the body (which help prevent overgrowth of any one organism), as well as the ‘bad’ ones, responsible for the infection being treated.

Some people are allergic to antibiotics, particularly penicillins. Allergic reactions cause swelling of the face, itching and a skin rash and, in severe cases, breathing difficulties. Allergic reactions require prompt treatment.

Types of antibiotics

There are many different kinds of antibiotics. The type of antibiotics you take depends on the type of infection you have and what kind of antibiotics are known to be effective.

The main classes of antibiotics:
Aminoglycosides Cephalosporins Fluoroquinolones Macrolides Penicillins Tetracyclines

Macrolides

There are a couple of new relatives of erythromycin (azithromycin and clarithromycin) that work the same way, but kill more bugs and have slightly fewer side effects. The erythromycin-like antibiotics are also known as macrolides. Macrolides belong to the polyketide class of natural products. Macrolide antibiotics are used to treat respiratory tract infections, genital, gastrointestinal tract, soft tissue infections caused by susceptible strains of specific bacteria.

Macrolides bind with ribosomes from susceptible bacteria to prevent protein production. This action is mainly bacteriostatic, but can also be bactericidal in high concentrations.

Macrolides cause very little allergy problems compared to the penicillins and cephalosporins, the biggest concern with these medicines is that they can irritate the stomach.

The most commonly-prescribed macrolides:
erythromycin clarithromycin azithromycin roxithromycin

Aminoglycosides

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. Aminoglycosides may be used along with penicillins or cephalosporins to give a two-pronged attack on the bacteria. Aminoglycosides work quite well, but bacteria can become resistant to them. Since aminoglycosides are broken down easily in the stomach, they can’t be given by mouth and must be injected. When injected, their side effects include possible damage to the ears and to the kidneys. This can be minimized by checking the amount of the drug in the blood and adjusting the dose so that there is enough drug to kill bacteria but not too much of it. Generally, aminoglycosides are given for short time periods.

The aminoglycosides are drugs which stop bacteria from making proteins. This effect is bactericidal.

The most commonly-prescribed aminoglycosides:
amikacin gentamicin kanamycin neomycin streptomycin tobramycin

Cephalosporins

Cephalosporins are grouped into “generations” by their antimicrobial properties. Cephalosporins are categorized chronically, and are therefore divided into first, second, and third generations. Currently, three generations of cephalosporins are recognized and a fourth has been proposed. Each newer generation of cephalosporins has greater gram negative antimicrobial properties than the preceding generation. The later-generation cephalosporins have greater effect against resistant bacteria.

Cephalosporins are used to treat pneumonia, strep throat, staph infections, tonsillitis, bronchitis, otitis media, various types of skin infections, gonorrhea. Cephalosporin antibiotics are also commonly used for surgical prophylaxis. Cephalosporins are closely related to the penicillins.

Cephalosporins have a bacteriocidal effect by inhibiting the synthesis of the bacteria cell wall.

The most commonly-prescribed cephalosporins:
First generation cephazolin cefadroxil cephalexin cephradine
Second generation
cefaclor cefuroxime cefprozil loracarbef
Third generation
cefotaxime cefixime cefpodoxime ceftazidime cefdinir
Fourth generation
cefepime cefpirome


Fluoroquinolones

Fluoroquinolones are known as broad-spectrum antibiotics, meaning they are effective against many bacteria. Fluoroquinolones are used to treat most common urinary tract infections, skin infections, and respiratory infections (such as sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis). Common side effects of fluoroquinolones include mainly the digestive system: mild stomach pain or upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These are usually mild and go away over time. Fluoroquinolones should not be given during pregnancy.

Fluoroquinolones inhibit bacteria by interfering with their ability to make DNA. This activity makes it difficult for bacteria to multiply. This effect is bacteriocidal.

The most commonly-prescribed fluoroquinolones:
ciprofloxacin gatifloxacin gemifloxacin levofloxacin moxifloxacin norfloxacin ofloxacin trovafloxacin

Penicillins

Penicillin was the first antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1929. Penicillins are used to treat skin infections, dental infections, ear infections, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea. Penicillins are sometimes combined with other ingredients called beta-lactamase inhibitors, which protect the penicillin from bacterial enzymes that may destroy it before it can do its work.

Penicillins are usually very safe. The greatest risk is an allergic reaction, which can be severe. People who have been allergic to cephalosporins are likely to be allergic to penicillins.

Penicillins block the construction of bacteria cell walls, causing the walls to break down, and eventually killing the bacteria.

The most commonly-prescribed penicillins:
amoxicillin ampicillin bacampicillin oxacillin penicillin

Tetracyclines

Tetracyclines are a family of antibiotics used to treat a broad spectrum of bacterial infections. Tetracyclines were discovered in the late 1940s and were extremely popular when they were first discovered. The tetracycline antibiotics have a very broad spectrum of action.

Tetracyclines are used to treat mild acne, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme Disease, upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, typhus.

The most commonly-prescribed tetracyclines:
tetracycline doxycycline minocycline

Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotics are extremely important in medicine, but unfortunately bacteria are capable of developing resistance to them. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are germs that are not killed by commonly used antibiotics. When bacteria are exposed to the same antibiotics over and over, the bacteria can change and are no longer affected by the drug.

Bacteria have number of ways how they become antibiotic-resistant. For example, they possess an internal mechanism of changing their structure so the antibiotic no longer works, they develop ways to inactivate or neutralize the antibiotic. Also bacteria can transfer the genes coding for antibiotic resistance between them, making it possible for bacteria never exposed to an antibiotic to acquire resistance from those which have. The problem of antibiotic resistance is worsened when antibiotics are used to treat disorders in which they have no efficacy (e.g. antibiotics are not effective against infections caused by viruses), and when they are used widely as prophylaxis rather than treatment.

Resistance to antibiotics poses a serious and growing problem, because some infectious diseases are becoming more difficult to treat. Resistant bacteria do not respond to the antibiotics and continue to cause infection. Some of these resistant bacteria can be treated with more powerful medicines, but there some infections that are difficult to cure even with new or experimental drugs.

There are a number of allergy medications that can be used to counter allergic reactions to certain substances. But one should not go about choosing a particular one for his or her own use.

Before you take any kind of allergy medication, you should consult your physician about your condition first. You might be thinking that you’re allergic to a particular food item, when in fact; it’s another item that you are allergic to. And taking in medication for that particular allergy can very well do more harm than good to you.

There are four basic categories for allergy medications. These are oral antihistamines, nasal antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays. Oral antihistamines are the most popular when it comes to doctors’ prescriptions. What this drug does is it actually blocks the release of histamines in your system. Histamine is one of the brain’s chemical messengers that are released upon your immune system’s detection of the allergen. Antihistamines do not really offer long-lasting relief, but it does give relief to some extent. The drug is commonly taken by people suffering from sneezing, hives, itching, and nasal drip. But taking antihistamines usually makes the patient drowsy, because the medicine works better when the patient is made to rest. This is precisely why it is strongly advised for people driving not to take antihistamines when they are driving.

The next on the list is nasal antihistamines. Now this kind of drug is available through prescription alone. Drug companies developed the nasal version of antihistamine on the note that the components of the drug would be absorbed faster when inhaled. However, nasal antihistamines can still make you drowsy. You also might experience headaches and nausea when you use nasal antihistamines.

Nasal and oral decongestants are commonly prescribed for sinusitis, post nasal drip, runny noses, itching, fever, sneezing, and itching. Decongestants in the past had the component phenylpropanolamine. This component has since been banned, and the current decongestants now have Entex, Ornade, Sudafed, and Triaminic. But be sure to consult your physician about the side effects of decongestants because they can cause a rise in your blood pressure, as well as sleeping problems.

Nasal sprays complete the list of allergy medications. These come in two formulas, the non-steroid and the steroid. The non-steroid formulas are very safe to use, and can even be bought without prescription. It is the steroid formulas that need a physician’s prescription. The popular steroid formulas include Nasonex, Beclovent, and Flonase. Intake of such sprays should be administered and supervised by your physician constantly.

Obesity is a problem that is growing at an alarming rate affecting many people and it is also a factor that leads to other serious conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Treatments can include prescription weight loss medication, over the counter supplements, or both.

Weight loss medication when combined with regular exercise and a reduced calorie diet can help with weight loss. Different medications affect the body differently. Some reduce the appetite making a person feel full, while others speed up the metabolism and burn fat, or even all three combined.

Prescription weight loss medication should be used only by those that have an increased risk of another medical condition because of a weight problem and they should be used only under the direction of a physician. They should not be used for cosmetic weight loss such as losing 10 pounds. Prescription weight loss medicine has been approved for use on individuals with a BMI that is above 30 or for those that have a BMI of 27 combined with obesity related conditions. Side effects from prescription weight loss medications are generally mild however as with any medication there is the potential for serious side effects. You will need to discuss all of your options with your doctor.

For those that are not in need of medical intervention for weight loss but are looking for a cosmetic change in their weight, there are many over the counter products which will do the job. Choose wisely as some are more hype than effective. As with prescription medications many reduce the appetite while increasing metabolism and burns fat.

Some products contain ephedrine, ephedra, and caffeine and the safety of these drugs is still unknown. There have been reports that link these compounds to stroke, heart attack, and seizure that can result in death. Some countries have banned the use of ephedrine and ephedra. When using ephedrine or caffeine based products always make sure that you are over 18, do not have any heart problems such as high blood pressure and that you are not pregnant or lactating. It is important to always use caution when starting a new weight loss supplement and remember that even though it is over the counter it is still potent.

With so many products out in the market place, there are many which do not help with weight loss. So here are just a few that appear to be showing promising results.

• Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA has been involved in several studies and has been found to reduce body fat, increase lean muscle tissue and reduce the risk of cancer.

• Derived from a fruit, Hydroxycitric Acid or HCA inhibits an enzyme that converts carbohydrates to fat and it also suppresses the appetite. There have been mixed results in studies. It is recommended that a diet lower in fiber will give better results.

• Derived from the white kidney bean Phaseolamine works by reducing the amount of starchy carbohydrates that the body absorbs which means you absorb fewer calories to help with weight loss. Studies have shown as much as 10% body fat loss in 30 days.

• 5HTP (5-Hydroxy-tryptophan) increases serotonin levels in the brain which result in weight loss, improved sleep and better mood. Studies have shown it is an excellent appetite suppressant and results in excellent weight loss over a 6 week period. Most users were happy while they lost their weight thanks to its mood enhancing abilities.

• L-carnitine is an amino acid which has been shown to encourage the body to burn stored fats for fuel/energy instead of carbohydrates. Very effective when taken before exercise.

The quest for the perfect body will never end and thus a multi billion dollar industry will continue to flourish. Healthy weight loss can be achieved by including exercise and good nutrition with the right weight loss medication or supplement. It’s important for a person to find the best combination for their personal situation.