1. Seeing a doctor who’s not board-certified or a doctor who isn’t really an arthritis specialist. A lot of doctors will tell you they’re “board-eligible.” That’s nonsense! What “board-eligible” means is that they did the training for the specialty but either haven’t taken or- heaven forbid- failed the examination for board-certification. Don’t trust your health to one of those doctors. And worse yet, some specialists don’t pass on the first attempt. They keep taking the board exam over and over in the hopes they’ll finally pass. Ask the doctor how many times it took them. Would you rather see somebody who passed the first time or some idiot who took three and four times to pass?

Are they American trained? While some specialists have completed a residency or fellowship in the U.S., they’ve gotten their medical degree elsewhere. The medical schools overseas do not compare to the medical schools in the United States.

How long have they been practicing? It takes a good ten years or longer of real world experience to really be able to take good care of patients.

And are they specialists in the field of arthritis (rheumatology)? Orthopedic surgeons claim to be able to take care of arthritis. But they’re not rheumatologists. They haven’t received formal training in the medications used to treat arthritis. They don’t know about the newest developments in the field of arthritis. They don’t know about the side effects and about proper monitoring techniques for medications. They’re trained to cut and to operate. Why should they want to stop arthritis from destroying your joints? Since they are surgeons, they can always do surgery and replace your joints. Having an orthopedic surgeon take care of your arthritis is like putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop.

2. Waiting too long to be seen. Arthritis causes the most damage in the first six months. That’s a fact from the Arthritis Foundation. It you have to wait a couple of months just to see a doctor… guess what… the cat is out of the bag. Damage has already been done. You can’t afford to wait. And if you’re thinking, “Well, this doctor participates in my insurance…” Is that really a good reason to risk crippling and loss of independence? Participating in managed care is bad for your health. Insurance companies, not the doctor, dictate what kind of care you receive. Think about it?do you really think insurance company executives stay up at night worrying about your arthritis? Is that really good for you?

3. Rude staff and doctor. If you can’t get along with the staff and doctor, do you think your arthritis is going to take top priority? No way!!! Look for a practice where they treat you the way you want to be treated. Like a real human being.

4. Doctor rushes. Hey… you’re paying good money. Make sure the doctor knows what you’re there for and what is worrying you. Are your calls returned? Do they schedule timely follow-up visits? Are they interested in you as a whole person … or are you just a number… a body part. Are they open-minded about alternative treatments? Do you feel comfortable discussing them?

5. They don’t care if you’re educated or not. You have to know about your disease and the medicines you’re being treated with. You’ve got to know about the side-effects and what type of follow-up is needed. These are your rights! And do these doctors know their P’s and Q’s? Have they done clinical research? What kind of reputation do they have in their field? Are they recognized as a leader in the field of arthritis? Do you want to see a leader or a follower?

And that goes double for proper follow through. If the doctor and his staff drop the ball, you could be in for a bad time. Not only is the disease going to cause problems but the medicines need to be monitored carefully. You’ve got to be seen on a regular basis!!! And what if the doctor is a medication freak? He or she gives you a medicine and that’s the end of it. And you go back and you get another medicine… and then another without any explanation. You deserve better.

6. Your doctor doesn’t refer. If you’re seeing a primary care doctor for your arthritis and you’re not getting any better and he’/she doesn’t refer, you’re making a big mistake. Remember… the damage is done in the first six months of disease. It’s important to be seen by a specialist as early as possible! The amount of medical information a doctor has to know has increased 20 times since 1950. Can you really expect a family doctor or internist to know about the latest developments on arthritis? Remember…arthritis causes most of its damage in the first six months. You’ve got to get the right treatment early!!!!!

7. Not getting a diagnosis. This is key. You need to know what you have and what can be done. There are always many treatment options available!

Xanax is a Prescription Drug which is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the Xanax medication. Nevert take more than the prescribed amount of xanax or take it longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if Xanax is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. As per xanax prescription, sudden discontinuation of the medication may result in seizures as its side effect that is why a doctor always recommends a gradual reduction in dose. Xanax prescription is provided for the relief of anxiety disorders and depression, and is usually is taken three times a day. The instructions on the prescription label must be followed exactly. Do not take xanax for more than four months without consulting a doctor. Alprazolam/Xanax should not be stopped without consulting your doctor, because stopping xanax drug abruptly can cause seizures, delirium, and withdrawal symptoms. A doctor only can guide you on how to decrease your dose slowly.

Alprazolam/ comes in tablet form, and the xanax prescription label will tell you the correct dose. Online pharmacist can answer any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Take alprazolam exactly as directed by your doctor. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Do not take more than what is prescribed for you. Alprazolam is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Withdrawal effects which follow when alprazolam is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use can sometimes be overwhelming. Always consult a doctor on how to gradually reduce the dose.

Xanax / Alprazolam should be avoided in the following conditions: Activities requiring mental alertness As with other CNS depressant drugs, patients are cautioned against the use of these drugs during activities requiring mental alertness, judgment and physical coordination as well as activities like driving or operating machinery.

Anxiety/Xanax medication should be taken strictly according to xanax prescription with care particularly in the early phases of treatment of anxiety attacks, until proper adjustment to side effects has been established.

Alcohol and Xanax should never be mixed in when driving because of this combination may have unpredictable CNS depressant effects on your brain. During pregnancies and nursing Xanax is not recommended during pregnancies as per xanax prescription of experts. Anxiety medication studies have suggested an increased risk of congenital malformations associated with the use of the Benzodiazepine during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Studies have indicated that Xanax / Alprazolam and its metabolites are secreted into the milk. Therefore, nursing should not be undertaken while the mother is taking the drug.

To children Till now, no proper safety and efficacy of Alprazolam in patients under the age of 18 years has been established. Elderly patients Elderly and debilitated patients, or those with organic brain syndrome, have been found to be prone to the CNS depressant activity of Benzodiazepine even after low doses. Manifestations include ataxia, over sedation and hypotension. Therefore, Xanax / Alprazolam medication to these patients should be administered with caution and strictly according to xanax prescription of expert doctors. Cardiac complications may occur due to a drop in blood pressure. Initial Xanax doses should be low and increments should be made gradually, depending on the response of the patient, so as to avoid over sedation, neurological impairment and other possible adverse reactions.

Anxiety Disorders

Xanax should not be used by individuals with physiological anxiety or in the presence of disabling manifestations of an appropriate pathological anxiety disorder. Xanax prescription also says that xanax medication is not recommended for the treatment of patients with depressive or psychotic disorders.

Alprazolam should not be administered to individuals prone to drug abuse. Caution should be observed in all patients who are considered to have potential for psychological dependence.

Interactions with other drugs

Benzodiazepine may interact with effects of other CNS acting drugs such as alcohol, narcotics, barbiturates, non barbiturate hypnotics, antihistamines, phenothiazines, butyrophenones, MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants. It should never be taken with alcohol. Not only does alcohol in low doses spoil the positive effects of the drug Alprazolam, but practically all benzodiazepines.

A xanax prescription warns against the simultaneous use of other CNS depressant drugs like Benzodiazepine of any other type, such as valium, tobacco, marijuana, grapefruit juice, antihistamines such as benadryl, oral contraceptives, sleeping pills etc. These drugs strongly interact with Xanax and can create serious side effects.

We’ve all had one of those weeks: the washing machine overflows, the dog forgets his housetraining and the toddler her toilet training, the boss is going through a divorce and making everyone miserable. And you feel like you just don’t know how to handle it all.

Anxiety is, unfortunately, an inevitable part of modern life. But when anxiety prevents you from engaging in day-to-day activity or trying anything new, it may be time to see your doctor for anti-anxiety help.

What causes anxiety?

Anxiety is the feeling caused by the release of stress hormones and brain chemicals which help us fight for our lives or flee from danger. In our evolutionary past, bursts of stress hormones may have helped give us a boost when running away from large animals with big teeth! And believe it or not, in the right situation, these hormones can be a big help in day-to-day activities. Mild tension before giving a presentation can help you do your best. A burst of brain chemicals can help speed your reaction time when you see a pedestrian dashing in front of your car and can save someone’s life!

When anxiety becomes a constant companion in our lives, we may start having symptoms of anxiety when we think about anything - work, marriage, children, even going to the grocery store. The symptoms include muscle tension, sweating, nausea or “butterflies,” clammy hands, difficulty swallowing, jumpiness, stomach distress.

If these symptoms have become part of your everyday life, it may be time to talk with your doctor about an anti-anxiety medication like BuSpar.

But I’d rather be anxious than spacey!

You may remember the days where anxiety was treated with heavy-duty drugs that could tranquilize a bad-tempered elephant! But as scientists have learned more about the biology of anxiety, anxiety management has become more sophisticated, helping your mood without making you a zombie. You won’t turn into a Stepford wife. Instead, you’ll go back to reacting the way you used to, both to happy events and anxiety-provoking situations.

BuSpar works gently by affecting your feelings over the course of a few weeks. Most people begin getting relief over that time period and can start getting back to living their lives.

While you don’t have to worry about walking around in a haze, many people do feel some dizziness or drowsiness when they are first getting used to BuSpar. You may want to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until your body has adjusted to the medication.

Sounds great! Let’s head to the drug store.

Well, not just yet. BuSpar is a prescription drug, and you’ll want to check a few things out with your doctor before she gives you a prescription. If you’re taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (a kind of anti-depressant) or certain other drugs, have ever had an allergic reaction to mood-altering drugs, or have severe kidney or liver damage, this may not be the right drug for you.

Remember the last time you stubbed your toe? OUCH! It’s painful. But a stubbed toe usually doesn’t send us running to the medicine cabinet, since we know that the pain will pass within a few minutes.

But for more serious “acute” pain (pain that’s severe and constant for a couple of days), waiting it out may not be an option. For some acute pain, we might even make things worse: for example, if you hold a painful joint at an awkward angle to relieve the pain, you might end up with a muscle strain.

So what are our options? Sometimes simple over the counter medications may do the trick. But for when they don’t, a prescription medication may be the best bet.

UltraCET: Two Tough Drugs in one Small Pill

For acute pain from sprains, muscle strains, surgery, or dental work, or for arthritis flare-ups, UltraCET is a terrific option.

UltraCET is like any heroic dynamic duo (think Batman and Robin, or Xena and Gabrielle): One drug has the high-profile effect, but the other has an equally important, though less noticeable set of activities.

The “ultra” part of UltraCET is tramadol, the generic name for Ultram. Tramadol’s effect on your body is similar to the effect of narcotics (drugs like opium and heroin which are illegal, and codeine and morphine, which aren’t). Tramadol is just as good as narcotics in relieving pain but because unlike narcotics, it doesn’t affect your breathing or have other side-effects which stop us from regularly using medical narcotics.

The “CET” part of UltraCET is probably familiar to you in its day-to-day formulation; you might even have it in your medicine cabinet! It’s acetaminophen, the same drug that’s in Tylenol.

The two drugs work together (in “synergy”) to control pain. Acetaminophen helps “increase your threshold to pain.” That’s a fancy way of saying that mild pain signals from your body don’t even make it up to your brain so they don’t register. The bigger pain signals do make it to your brain, but that’s where tramadol kicks in - stopping the pain signals while they’re working their way through your brain. It’s just like Robin capturing the villain’s henchmen while Batman tackles the mastermind villain!

This Sounds Like The Perfect Rescue!

If you’ve just been seen by a doctor (a surgeon, or a dentist), she may well have already prescribed UltraCET for you. If you haven’t, but you’ve got a sprain or regular arthritis flares, you should talk with your doctor about a prescription for this drug.

Like anything powerful, though, you need to use it at the right time for the right reasons (letting Xena show off her acrobatic skills in a china shop is not a terrific idea!). The most important thing about taking UltraCET is to remember that it’s for short term use only!

Most doctors will suggest using it for up to five days only because you can otherwise become dependent on (addicted to) it. Stopping the drug after taking it a long time can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, so never take more than the doctor prescribes.

Your doctor will also ask you about other drugs that you’re taking. Tylenol, some antidepressants, and some seizure medications don’t mix with UltraCET. Neither does drinking, so you might wait to celebrate until after your sprain has healed!

Once these issues are resolved, your doctor can send you home with a prescription for UltraCET. It’ll help you get through the worst of the pain, and then best of all, it can ride off into the sunset when its job is done, leaving you to your pain-free life!

Results of a new study comparing the effectiveness of Pfizer Inc.,’s Lipitor with Pravachol, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb, was recently published in the New York Times. The study details the clinical observation that Lipitor was significantly more effective than Pravachol in lowering patient’s LDL cholesterol levels. However, the study did not comment on the overall effect that Statin drugs have on patient health, or the research that indicates Statins may actually increase your risk of heart disease and heart attack.

Statin drugs have been proven effective in the reduction of LDL cholesterol in most patients. However, the bio-chemical reactions that the drugs use to decease cholesterol also inhibit the production of an important nutrient that is essential for good heart health; specifically CoQ10.

Lipitor and Pravachol work by inhibiting the body’s ability to make an enzyme called HMG-CoA. This enzyme is the precursor to two compounds, cholesterol and CoQ10. Because the intent of Statin drugs is to inhibit cholesterol production, this method of suppression is very effective in reducing cholesterol levels. However, by suppressing the manufacture of HMG-CoA, and subsequently CoQ10, the body actually becomes more susceptible to heart attack, angina, congestive heart failure, and many other pulmonary-related diseases.

CoQ10 is found in every cell in the body and is necessary for proper energy utilization, resistance to disease, and cardiac health. The compound is so necessary that it’s chemical name is actually ubiquinone, because of its ubiquitous presence in the body. By suppressing the mechanism that makes CoQ10, Statin drugs such as Lipitor and Pravachol put patients at significant risk of heart disease, as well as reduce overall resistance to cancer and other diseases.

CoQ10 is used by the heart and other muscles to facilitate contraction as blood is pumped through the body. If the body’s source of CoQ10, is lowered, either through Statin drugs or environmental factors, the hearts ability to contract is greatly diminished. This subsequently results in significant cardiac complications; including angina, heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia and heart attack.

In addition to its contribution to proper heart function, CoQ10 is also a significant ant-oxidant. When our ability to product CoQ10 is reduced, our body’s immunity to cancer, pollution and disease can be greatly diminished. This has been documented in a number of studies where CoQ10 levels have been measured in people with specific cancers, degenerative diseases, or HIV.

The relation between HMG-CoA, cholesterol, and CoQ10 has been well documented and is freely available. Subsequently, the solution to reduced CoQ10 levels has been made extremely simple. The solution is simply dietary supplementation with CoQ10 if you are taking a Statin drug. Much of the diminished CoQ10 supply can be made up through dietary supplementation. In fact, CoQ10 supplements can be purchased in the supplement section of your local health food store.

CoQ10 is essential to proper heart health and resistance to disease. Statin drugs such as Lipitor and Pravachol inhibit the body’s ability to product CoQ10. If not addressed, this can increase a patient’s risk of heart disease and other cardiac conditions. However, supplementation of CoQ10 by the use of a dietary supplement can balance the effects of Statin drugs and ensure that the patient’s risk of overall heart disease does not increase while his/her cholesterol levels decrease. If you are currently taking a Statin drug to reduce your cholesterol, talk to your doctor about supplementation with CoQ10 to ensure your continued good health.

The news has been full of the recent FDA findings on a new set of drugs to help relieve pain. These drugs have been approved for re-release, but it is unclear whether Vioxx will be available again and whether physicians will feel comfortable prescribing Celebrex and Bextra for many of their patients.

What happened to Celebrex and Vioxx?

Celebrex, Vioxx, and Bextra are all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, pronounced en-said-z), similar to drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, that are available over the counter (OTC). Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra, (sometimes called Cox-2 inhibitors) however, use a slightly different method to achieve the same effect as their OTC cousins; this new method was supposed to limit the side effects some people experience on OTC drugs, including stomach and intestinal problems and allergic reactions. It was thought that because these drugs were less likely to cause such problems, they might be safer for patients with painful chronic conditions (like arthritis) to use for long periods of time.

Unfortunately, some studies of Cox-2 inhibitors suggest that while they don’t cause the sorts of side effects of other NSAIDs, they may create a greater risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke. For people already at risk for these diseases (including those who have already experienced a stroke or heart problem), taking these drugs over the long run may significantly increase the risk of heart problems.

Now What Can I Do To Get Pain Relief?

Until a final decision has been made on each of these drugs, what can your healthcare provider do to help you with pain management? Here are important pieces of information to think about in determining what next steps to take:

* The Cox-2 inhibitors were not shown to be more effective than other NSAIDs, like naproxen. If you’ve been on or thinking about trying Vioxx or another Cox-2 inhibitor, you may be able to use an older anti-inflammatory drug. Naproxen, one of the older NSAIDs, may be an anti-inflammatory drug that actually lowers heart attack risk.

* Some people started on a Cox-2 inhibitors because they had a stomach ulcer or other risk factors for stomach or intestine bleeding (for example, people on blood thinners), which may be made worse by older anti-inflammatory drugs. For some people who are at risk for bleeding, other options like acetaminophen may be an option.

* There are lots of other medical options. Steroids can be used for shorter periods of time to manage inflammatory pain from diseases like arthritis and lupus. Opioids (drugs that resemble opium), such as oxycodone, codeine, and hydrocodone (Vicodin) can help with pain management, but they can have serious side effects, and some of them can be addictive, so working closely with your healthcare worker is key to determine if these will work for you. In addition, some antidepressants may help with chronic (long-term) pain, though the way this works isn’t yet known

* New procedures may be of assistance to you. Nerve block therapy (in which certain nerves are temporarily anaesthetized) can relieve pain temporarily. “Implantable “technologies, like spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems and implantable drug delivery systems, do seem to help some people for whom other pain relief methods don’t work.

* If you aren’t getting the relief you need (with or without the use of Cox-2 inhibitors), you may want to consult a pain specialist. Some large hospitals (such as Stanford University) have departments devoted to pain management. The American Board of Pain Medicine and the PainConnection (at painconnection.org) can help you locate a pain specialist who can work with your other healthcare professionals to put a new treatment plan together for you.

Peptic ulcers, which are in the stomach and the duodenum (the first part of the intestine leading from the stomach) can occur at any age and affect both men and women. Untreated, sufferers can look forward to a long siege with them. But today’s peptic ulcer sufferers have a brighter prospect for relief than did those of even a single generation ago. There is now less than 1 chance in 18 that surgery will every be necessary and new medications act faster and better and offer more relief than ever before.

The warning sign of active ulcers you will most likely experience (if you get any warning at all) is a gnawing discomfort in the middle or upper abdomen that typically comes between meals or in the middle of the night. Food or liquids, including antacids and milk, can provide some temporary relief, but milk might not be all that good a remedy since it stimulates production of hydrochloric acid and other digestive juices which further aggravates the pain.

Antacids blended from aluminum, calcium or magnesium salts, have long been the non prescription drugs most people quickly reach for to get relief from their stomach pains. But, because antacids interfere with absorption of some medications, be sure to go over this with your doctor and get his approval.

You should never ignore any warning signs of ulcers. Ulcer complications are serious and in some cases can be life-threatening. If paid from ulcers persists after more than 10 to 14 days of self-treatment or comes back when treatment ends, you should see your doctor. The passing of blood through the bowels may be caused by some other problem, but it can also be an urgent warning of a bleeding ulcer.

Bleeding ulcers can cause anemia or, if the ulcer gets larger it may expand into a major blood vessel, a leak can turn into a hemorrhage, with only minutes available for life saving emergency treatment. Ulcers can also perforate and may erode completely through the wall of the stomach or duodenum. If this happens and the stomach’s contents flow into the abdominal cavity, severe infection can result. A perforated ulcer is an emergency that requires immediate surgery.

It has been determined that smoking doubles a person’s risk for ulcer disease. Physicians and researches have found that ulcers heal a lot slower for smokers, and smokers also have a higher relapse rate.

And you’re definitely at risk for ulcers if you take aspirin and any of the other products containing aspirin. High-dose Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Maproxen and Piroxicam are in wide use today for many conditions, especially to relive pain and swelling among the millions of people who have arthritis. These medications can irritate the stomach’s lining and cause gastrointestinal bleeding.

Ulcers have frequently been the target for humor in describing the stereotypical aggressive, pressured, goal-or-career-oriented person. But for those who have them, ulcers are certainly no laughing matter. Peptic ulcers strike 1 out of ever 50 Americans each year.

As research continues, there is now mounting evidence that something other than smoking, drinking, spicy meals, or a possible battle with the boss may be associated with ulcers. It is now believed that ulcers are the result of a combination of conditions, the dynamics of which researchers don’t yet fully understand.

Hi Rusty. A few days ago, I slightly injured a finger on my hand. Now my hand is swelling with severe joint pain in the fingers. At first I thought this was a possible sprain in that region, but now my other hand is showing the same swelling of the fingers and pain of the joints. Should I go check this out right away? It doesn’t seem to be getting worse today, but the pain and swelling are persistent. Could this be a sudden arthritis attack? I’m 38 years old and in good health (I just had a check-up at the doctor last week and the blood work came back okay).

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Answer

Ouch, a little sprain is not supposed to do that. Unfortunately some times it does. I am sorry to hear about this. It is not unusual for arthritis to begin in an effected joint. It is not the norm for it to set in so quickly. There are different kinds of arthritis that can effect the hands and feet that can cause swelling. It is possible that arthritis was already beginning but not showing symptoms yet but this triggered a symptomatic response.

I am concerned that the pain is bilateral, effecting both sides. I doubt it is anything extremely serious but it would be good to see your doctor. The sooner the better. If nothing else, your doctor will be able to treat the pain and swelling. But if it is arthritis or one of the other conditions that can cause this type of swelling in the fingers the earlier the diagnosis the better.

I wish you good health.

Several methods are being used since time immemorial to cure the condition of hair loss. Hair loss is not just a male problem; it occurs in women too. Only that in women, it is not so very conspicuous. However, there are several treatment methods for both men as well as women. One such unisex treatment method is the hair loss treatment shampoo.

As the name suggests, this is a shampoo – a medicated shampoo, in fact – that is meant to be applied directly over the scalp, when having a bath. It does foam and lather like normal bath shampoos do, but the amount of lather is lesser than them. The shampoo is usually meant to be rubbed onto the scalp with the fingers and work it on slowly. Then it is to be kept on the scalp for a few minutes – five minutes are ideal – and then washed away with water. Cool water (not cold) shows better effects with these shampoos.

Today there are a lot of hair loss treatment shampoos available in the market. You will get one at your nearby drugstore. Or, you could get a prescribed one from a doctor. There are several brands on the Internet too, too many in fact, and deciding the one that would be good for your condition from among them is usually a pain. That is why, getting a hair loss treatment shampoo upon a doctor’s prescription is the best bet.

Most of the hair loss treatment shampoos are all herbal products, and these are very safe to use. At least, most of the genuine ones are! Generally, the herbal ingredients that these shampoos contain are aloe vera, saw palmetto, nettle, primrose oil, wheat extracts, carrot extracts, cucumber extracts, ginseng extracts, avocado extracts, rosemary, citric acid, etc. Several nutrients found in the food such as vitamin B3, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A and several others are also added for extra effects from the shampoos.

There are also several synthetic shampoos available. These have ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, phenoxyethanol,biotin, glycol stearate and hydrolyzed glycosaminogylacans among others. In all these shampoos, whether they are herbal or synthetic, the water used is always deionized pure water.

Of course, there are many shampoos – in fact most of them – that are a blend of herbal and synthetic products. Different companies have their own formulations too, and depending on the products used, these shampoos can bring additional benefits to the users such as shinier and silkier hair, hair that does not break, dandruff treatment, etc. In that way, other hair issues can also be addressed along with the use of the hair loss treatment shampoos. Because of their medical properties, these shampoos are always much more expensive than the normal shampoos that are available in the market.

If you are thinking of buying a hair loss treatment shampoo for yourself, the price should not be your first deciding factor. Look at the ingredients and study up a little on what they do for the hair. If that is too difficult for you, take a copy of the ingredients and ask your doctor. It is better to get a shampoo that works for you rather than paying good money for something that shows no results at the end of the day.

According to ongoing research about the needs of patients with emotional problems misinformation or shame to speak about the problem with the doctor or psychotherapist is a major limitation to treatment success. However, transparency, good information and participation in the course of the therapy is the most important factor for a lasting positive result. Maybe the following list of the most relevant questions might help you to get good information about your personal somatic or psychological problems, diagnosis and treatment options.

This list, however, might help you to be prepared for the right questions :

1. Is there a name (clinical diagnosis) for my problem?

2. What are typical symptoms (somatic and psychological)?

3. What are the causes of the problem or the disorder?

4. What is the typical experience of other patients with this kind of problem or disorder?

5. What could I do myself to achieve a solution?

6. What kind of further technical diagnosis is necessary to exclude other organic disorders?

7. What is the aim of these diagnosis? Are there any possible risks?

8. What kind of treatment options (drugs, psycho-social help, different psychotherapy-methods, biological treatment options) exist for my problem?

9. What kind of advantage can be achieved with the treatment (and how long does it take)?

10. What is the goal of suggested clinical diagnostic process

11. What kind of different treatment options are available?

12. What will be realistic advantages of a positive therapy outcome?

13. Can the treatment offer me a reduction of my complaints?

14. How long will it take to achieve first positive results?

15. What might be the influence on my feelings or personality?

16. Are there any negative consequences for my sexuality?

17. Are there risks or possible side effects of the treatment?

18. Do you think my problems will reoccur? Is it a chronic disorder?

19. What kind of information is relevant for people, who care for me?

20. Is there anything I could do myself to accelerate my rehabilitation?

21. How do I get additional information?

22. Are there self-help groups for my problem?

This is a rather comprehensive list of questions and you must not expect to get a quick answer within a short time. But it might be a start to get the answers you need. Reading books and using the internet to find reliable information related to your personal problems is a great support for you and your doctor.