• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

More welcome relief from modern medicines

by
June 25, 2015
28
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

crutchfieldsquareThis week we conclude our series on miracle medicines with a look at Biologic Response Modifiers, antidepressants and antihistamines.

 

Medical marvels: Biologic Response Modifiers

There are several proteins released by the body that have effects on other cells. These proteins are called cytokines. Some cytokines can cause cell growth and promote inflammation.

As one can imagine, if too much cytokine gets released, the balance is tilted and unwanted inflammatory reactions can occur. Because of relatively recent medical and scientific research and understanding, we have found a way to control or modify the biologic conditions that are driven by cytokines.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Scientists have artificially, via genetic engineering, developed specific proteins (some antibodies, some cytokine receptors, some hybrids of other antibodies or proteins) that bind to free-floating cytokines in the blood and effectively “mop them up” before they have a chance to land on target cells and cause any unwanted inflammatory reactions.

These engineered proteins are injected into patients and do their work in the bloodstream. They are called “biologic response modifiers.” Common names of some of these medications are Enbrel (Etanercept), Humira (Adalimumab) and Remicade (Infliximab).

Some of the conditions these medications treat include but are not limited to: rheumatoid arthritis, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. New disease treatment indications for biologic response modifiers are coming out almost monthly. Biologic Response Modifiers really are at the very forefront of advanced medical treatments.

 

Pushing the depress button on depression: Prozac

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medicines in the world. Making a better antidepressant commands the attention of the worldwide medical community. That is exactly what Prozac did.

A low level of a chemical (neurotransmitter) in the brain was associated with depression. That neurotransmitter is serotonin. The search was on to find a medicine that increased serotonin levels in the brain, thus treating depression.

In the 1970s a medicine called Fluoxetine was found to block the absorption of serotonin, effectively increasing the amount available in the brain. The trade name of Fluoxetine is Prozac. Fluoxetine was the very first of what is known as “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” (SSRIs) and gained FDA approval in 1988. In the first year of availability, over 2½ million prescriptions were issued.

Prozac is not without controversy; it can interfere with sleep, decrease sex drive, cause suicidal thoughts in teens, and the degree of its overall effectiveness has come into question as well as the consideration of it being overused. Nevertheless, Prozac has changed the way we treat depression.

 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Snuffing out the sneeze: antihistamines

Histamine is a substance released by specific cells in the body in response to irritation. Oftentimes the irritation is from pollen, foreign substances, or even foods that the body perceives as “unfriendly.” The body tries to get rid of the unwanted substance by producing histamines, which bind to cells in the body that cause tissue swelling and produce the classic symptoms of itching, sneezing, watery eyes and itchy skin.

Histamine release from food sensitivity may also cause stomach upset, cramping and diarrhea. The classic allergic reaction is triggered by H1 histamine receptors. H2 (histamine2) receptors can regulate acid production in the stomach. H3 receptors may play a role in dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

I will limit this discussion to just the classic H1 receptor antihistamines. By 1932, researchers had confirmed that histamines were the causative agents in these types of allergic reactions with runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing. That began the search for an “anti-histamine” to give relief to allergy sufferers.

The first commercially available antihistamine became available in 1944. The original antihistamines also caused drowsiness, an unwanted side effect for those who need to be alert for their jobs or school.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

A second generation of antihistamines is the most popular available now, and they very rarely cause drowsiness. Claritin is an example of such a non-sedating antihistamine. Antihistamines are also used to treat motion sickness, cold symptoms and insomnia. Thanks to antihistamines, millions of allergy sufferers can gain much-welcomed relief.

 

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the U.S. by Black Enterprise magazine and one of the top 21 African American physicians in the U.S. by the Atlanta Post. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians, MABP.org.

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

‘Jurassic World’: Dinosaurs, Ahoy!

Next Post

The impact of summer on youth

You Might Also Like

Black woman beaten in Duluth after dispute
Local

Black woman beaten in Duluth after dispute

Sister Spokesman inspires and informs with breast cancer awareness event
Local

Sister Spokesman inspires and informs with breast cancer awareness event

McCarthy’s downfall: Rogue Republicans remove House speaker in unprecedented vote
National

McCarthy’s downfall: Rogue Republicans remove House speaker in unprecedented vote

Facing criticism, feds award first maternal health grant to a predominantly Black rural area
National

Facing criticism, feds award first maternal health grant to a predominantly Black rural area

Upcoming Black Business Ball gives Black-owned businesses a night to shine
Local

Upcoming Black Business Ball gives Black-owned businesses a night to shine

Minneapolis police officers head to Alabama for HBCU recruiting trip
Local

Minneapolis police officers head to Alabama for HBCU recruiting trip

Next Post

The impact of summer on youth

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Oct 3
October 3 @ 8:30 am-October 4 @ 5:30 pm

Insects: Little Body, Big Impact | Nobel Conference 59 | Virtual or In-Person

Oct 4
6:00 pm-8:00 pm

An Evening with Liz Cheney

Oct 5
7:00 pm-9:00 pm

The Bombing of Cubana Flight 455: Why it Matters

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

PHOTO: Barbie back-to-school party

A Barbie back to school party.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: