Remedy to Relieve Congestion

Shortly after I started dating my boyfriend a year ago, I was suffering from a cold. I was sniffling, coughing, had a sore throat and felt awful. I was complaining about how congested I was, and he suggested a remedy that he always used. My boyfriend’s home remedy is the use of a mixture of tea tree and lavender oil. He drops a couple of drops into boiling water and then immediately deeply inhales the steam. He usually does this about three times a day whenever he feels a cold coming on or has a cold.

In my personal experiences, this remedy did not “magically” cure my cold, but I did feel less congested and inhaling the steam made my cough very productive.
I found an article that supported the anti-microbial use of these essential oils.

Whether they work or if they merely provide a sense of comfort, I think most home-remedies are beneficial as long as they do not require unavoidable harm.
I would recommend this remedy and have because I experienced the benefits myself.

Inouye, S., Nishiyama, Y., Uchida, K., Hasumi, Y., Yamaguchi, H., & Abe, S. (2006). The vapor activity of oregano, perilla, tea tree, lavender, clove, and geranium oils against a Trichophyton mentagrophytes in a closed box. Journal Of Infection And Chemotherapy: Official Journal Of The Japan Society Of Chemotherapy, 12(6), 349-354. Retrieved from MEDLINE database.

Dr. Internet

The Internet is quickly becoming the first choice of many healthcare consumers whenever they feel less than 100 percent. And why not? It is quick, easy, and you don’t have to leave home. I think it is great that people are doing the research because it educates them and prevents needless, costly visits to the hospital or doctor’s office. However, it is important that healthcare consumers are able to filter through all of the “junk” on the web to find reliable sources of information. Although the Internet cannot actually assess, diagnose, or treat you; however, it can help the reader identify their physical ailment and possibly some home treatments. This may not always be the best course of action, but for individuals without insurance that will not go to the doctor at least they are doing something. When using the internet as a medium for healthcare, consumers need to make sure they are using reliable sites such as mayo clinic, department of health, etc. Additionally, compare information from different sites to come to a conclusion.

Damman, O., Hendriks, M., Rademakers, J., Delnoij, D., & Groenewegen, P. (2009). How do healthcare consumers process and evaluate comparative healthcare information? A qualitative study using cognitive interviews. BMC Public Health, 9423. Retrieved from MEDLINE database.

Generic vs. Brand Name Drugs

For many drugs, the only delay on a generic form is the greed of pharmaceutical companies. They make deals with developers of the generic form to not “rush” their drug to the market allowing the pharmaceutical company to make more money even after their patent has expired. Additionally, generic drugs are not usually the first prescribed or encouraged. On the contrary, it becomes the consumer’s responsibility to inquire about the availability of a generic form in order to avoid paying ridiculous amounts of money for drugs they must have. In reference to the quality and safety of generic drugs, the Food and Drug Administration requires that generic drugs be as safe and effective as brand-name drugs. The reason that they are so cheap is because the companies producing the generic form do not have the research and development costs that the brand-name pharmaceutical companies did. The price does NOT reflect the quality, safety, or efficacy of the drug.

Becker, C. (2001). Drugmakers fight for good name. Stakes high, challenges many for providers who seek generic products. Modern Healthcare, 31(35), 28. Retrieved from MEDLINE database.

How is direct-to-consumer marketing affecting our healthcare system?

Pharmaceutical companies are known for their lack of ethics and questionable marketing. And yet, their marketing continues to influence the general public and practitioners. Some legal boundaries and required reporting have just recently been put into practice. However, the money-hungry pharmaceutical companies continue to put Americans at risk if it means their pay out will be greater. Now, of even more concern is the declining research of breakthrough drugs because of their lack of profitability. Also, the whole idea of their marketing scheme seems ridiculous. Pharmaceutical companies are promoting a drug before it is even developed in order to have the drug sell that much faster once it is (if ever) on the market. Does it not seem backwards? Maybe we should focus some more effort on perfecting drugs before they are released and knowing more about their therapeutic effect then on how quickly it can be sold…


Applbaum, K. (2009). Is marketing the enemy of pharmaceutical innovation?. The Hastings Center Report, 39(4), 13-17. Retrieved from MEDLINE database

Throughout my entire life my mother has struggled with manic depression and anxiety. I have witnessed her try drug after drug looking for an answer. About a year ago my mother's psychiatrist prescribed a new drug for her to try. Seroquel is an anti-psychotic drug used most often to treat schizophrenia. It has had good results in treating schizophrenia and also some successful trials in treating bipolar depression. However, my mom had an awful experience with this drug and felt no relief of her depression or anxiety. After researching this drug, I am coming to the conclusion that her experience was atypical. My mother experienced a severe drop in blood pressure, severe pain, and overall sick feeling when she took Seroquel. Therefore, she immediately discontinued taking the drug.  Nevertheless, my research did not reveal any other occurrences similar to what she experienced. Several studies on Seroquel reported minor or no side effects and effective treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar depression. My mother takes several over-the-counter and prescription drugs. As a result, it is possible her experience could have been due to an interaction with some other drug she was taking.



The following side effects are usually associated with Seroquel and should be reported to your physician if they are experienced severely or for an extended period of time:

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  drowsiness
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  dizziness
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  pain in the joints, back, neck, or ears
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  weakness
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  dry mouth
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  indigestion
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  constipation
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  gas
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  stomach pain or swelling
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  increased appetite
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  excessive weight gain
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  stuffy nose
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  headache
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  irritability
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  difficulty thinking or concentrating
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  difficulty speaking or using language
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  loss of coordination
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  unusual dreams
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  numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms or legs
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  missed menstrual periods
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  breast enlargement in males
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  discharge from the breasts
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  decreased sexual desire or ability
   Keating, G., & Robinson, D. (2007). Quetiapine: a review of its use in the treatment of bipolar depression. Drugs, 67(7), 1077-1095. Retrieved from MEDLINE database.