April 02, 2024

Spring into Action: How To Beat Allergies Before They Strike!

16 minutes

Medical expert Dr. Kevin Most joins the Steve Cochran Show to discuss how to choose the best allergy medicine for yourself, new blood thinners medication that will prevent clots without the risk of bleeding, and Dr. Most highlights a promising biopsy test that could offer individuals early indications of Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Kevin Most's Steve Cochran Show Notes:

Blood thinners

Many people take medications termed "Blood thinners"

These medications don't actually "thin" the blood, they just impact the clotting mechanisms

Many take these medications to prevent clots that may cause heart attacks or strokes

Because of this, current medications often cause bleeding problems

Now new drugs will prevent clots without the risk of bleeding

The body makes two types of clots- good ones that that stop bleeding from external injury and bad ones that grow in arteries and veins where they serve no function but increase risk to other issues

Current medications focus on stopping both types of clots, so there is a high risk of bleeding with these medications

These medications must be titered and monitored to make sure the fine balance is kept

We have many clotting factors, proteins that trigger the formation of clots

There is a specific factor , Factor XI that causes more clots internally and has little impact on clots needed for external bleeding

The premise is that if we can impact Factor XI, we can minimize the impact on external clots and slow internal clots.

Several drugs are being looked at now in clinical trials that impact only Factor XI

If these drugs can come to market they will be blockbusters, as the current drugs now have a $20 billion market, and that is with many patients refusing to take blood thinners because of the risk of blood thinners

It is expected that over 10 million individuals will need these medications by 2030.

Chicago- Air pollution

At one point last year Chicago had the poorest air quality among the recorded 95 cities worldwide

Part of this was due to Canadian wildfires but vehicle exhaust and industry emissions cause the problems

In 2023 Chicago was ranked No 2 for worst air pollution among major US Cities

The health impact is noted in our lungs and eyes, but it also has more long term effects as well,

It does have an impact on those with asthma, COPD and heart disease

Individuals with these medical conditions should consider air purifiers in their homes and bedrooms

Drier and hotter conditions will continue to lead to large wildfires8. With the impact on Children, schools should also look at ways to improve air quality in the class room

Parkinson's Disease

Diagnosis normally made with symptoms

News in Jama this week highlighting a biopsy test that may allow for identification of individuals who will end up with Parkinsons

Parkinsons thought of as a disease of older individuals, remember Michael J Fox was diagnosed at age 29

This test will identify Parkinson's years before symptoms begin

Cost is currently $1500

Allow doctors to diagnose based on biology not symptoms

The biopsy looks for a specific abnormal protein that impacts nerves

This protein is also being looked for in spinal fluid, blood, nasal swabs

There currently is no cure for Parkinsons, just medications that manage some of the symptoms

As the disease progresses the medications become less effective

Companies are now looking at treatments that target the abnormal proteins

Early diagnosis will hopefully allow for more options for treatment in the future.

Early diagnosis may allow for more research looking for a cause

Parkinsons can be hereditary but is very rare, but most cases have no cause identified

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By WLS | Cumulus Media Chicago

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