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:
Many people take medications termed "Blood thinners"These medications don't actually "thin" the blood, they just impact the clotting mechanismsMany take these medications to prevent clots that may cause heart attacks or strokesBecause of this, current medications often cause bleeding problemsNow new drugs will prevent clots without the risk of bleedingThe 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 issuesCurrent medications focus on stopping both types of clots, so there is a high risk of bleeding with these medicationsThese medications must be titered and monitored to make sure the fine balance is keptWe have many clotting factors, proteins that trigger the formation of clotsThere is a specific factor , Factor XI that causes more clots internally and has little impact on clots needed for external bleedingThe 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 XIIf 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 thinnersIt is expected that over 10 million individuals will need these medications by 2030.At one point last year Chicago had the poorest air quality among the recorded 95 cities worldwidePart of this was due to Canadian wildfires but vehicle exhaust and industry emissions cause the problemsIn 2023 Chicago was ranked No 2 for worst air pollution among major US CitiesThe 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 bedroomsDrier 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 roomParkinson's DiseaseDiagnosis normally made with symptomsNews in Jama this week highlighting a biopsy test that may allow for identification of individuals who will end up with ParkinsonsParkinsons thought of as a disease of older individuals, remember Michael J Fox was diagnosed at age 29This test will identify Parkinson's years before symptoms beginCost is currently $1500Allow doctors to diagnose based on biology not symptomsThe biopsy looks for a specific abnormal protein that impacts nervesThis protein is also being looked for in spinal fluid, blood, nasal swabsThere currently is no cure for Parkinsons, just medications that manage some of the symptomsAs the disease progresses the medications become less effectiveCompanies are now looking at treatments that target the abnormal proteinsEarly diagnosis will hopefully allow for more options for treatment in the future.Early diagnosis may allow for more research looking for a causeParkinsons can be hereditary but is very rare, but most cases have no cause identifiedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.