Retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm knows how excruciatingly long it takes to discover, test, and release a drug for human trials. However, while this can take 15 years or more and cost more than $1 billion, she says there have been a few serendipitous breakthroughs in medical science that were discovered by accident.

Viagra

Many men who pass their 50th birthday rely on Viagra to keep their love life active. However, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that sildenafil was originally developed to treat angina. Unfortunately, the drug causes significant and potentially fatal side effects in individuals who had to continue to use nitrates. However, during the first trial, many men reported unintentional erections. By 1998, Viagra was on the market and has continued to have positive vasodilation effects on men across the world.

Valium

Diazepam, which is marketed under the brand name Valium, is used to treat withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and seizures. It’s also often used as a medication to sedate individuals before surgery. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the compounds that would eventually lead to the discovery of this important medication were part of the efforts of New Jersey chemist Leo Sternbach who, in the 1930s, used it to develop synthetic dyes.

Digoxin

Digoxin is a crucial medication for people suffering with congestive heart failure. It’s derived from the foxglove plant, which has been used by humans since at least the mid-13th century. In 1785, an English physician named William Withering had a patient with significant heart problems that he was unable to fix. The patient, whose name has been lost to history, visited a local herbalist and began drinking a tea that was later found to contain digoxin. Today, the medication is also used to treat bronchitis and a number of other conditions.

Topamax

Topamax was originally used to help treat diabetes. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that this oral hypoglycemic agent was subsequently found to have a positive effect on people with epilepsy. Today, Topamax is used as an antiepileptic and also to treat migraines. Marla Ahlgrimm says that this is one time when history repeats itself, and Topamax has recently been studied again to help treat diabetes and to assist with weight management for chronically obese individuals.

Lithium

If you ask the average person what lithium and urine had in common, the answer would probably be: nothing. But, thanks to World War II psychiatrist Dr. John Cade, who injected guinea pigs with the urine of healthy and mentally ill patients as part of the medical experiment, we now have this effective mood stabilizer. Urine from individuals suffering from mania killed guinea pigs faster than urine from healthy people. Marla Ahlgrimm says the doctor began adding a lithium solution to the urine of healthy individuals. He realized that the guinea pigs were soon calm, and he injected himself with lithium (which was then used to treat bladder stones) to make sure that it was safe for those with psychiatric disorders.

Penicillin

Marla Ahlgrimm says that the most famous accidental medical breakthrough was penicillin. Sometime in the 1920s, Prof. Alexander Fleming went on vacation. Like most excited people do, he left his workspace an absolute mess. Upon return, he noticed one Petri dish free and clear of bacteria. The mold on the glass excreted a substance that would later be used to treat infections.

Botox

One final medication on Marla Ahlgrimm’s list: Botox. Botulism is a dangerous disease that comes from eating spoiled meat. But, in the 1970s, a research team of ophthalmologists determined that this neurotoxin could treat involuntary eye movements. Fast-forward to the 1980s, and Botox became one of the most popular drugs used in cosmetic procedures.

28 million. That’s the number of Americans Marla Ahlgrimm says has experienced an eating disorder at some point. The vast majority of those who have an unhealthy relationship with food are women.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm there are many different types of eating disorders, but the most common are anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, pica, rumination disorder, and food avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

Anorexia

Perhaps the most well-known of the eating disorders, anorexia is typified by highly restricted eating patterns. Marla Ahlgrimm says that women (and even men) with anorexia are fearful of gaining even small amounts of weight. They are typically several pounds underweight and go to extreme lengths to maintain what they perceive to be the perfect body type.

Bulimia

Marla Ahlgrimm describes bulimia as a cycle of binge eating and purging food. In other words, a person will eat large quantities of foods they tend to avoid and then induce vomiting to rid themselves of the “guilty” calories. People with bulimia may also take diuretics, laxatives, or enemas to rid their body of excess material.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder is different from bulimia in that people who binge eat with this mental health condition do not purge. Instead, Marla Ahlgrimm says they typically slip into a type of depression where they feel disgusted, ashamed, or guilty about their indulgence.

Pica

Unlike the three eating disorders previously mentioned, pica is typically not associated with any type of body dysmorphia or attempt to fit into a societal mold of the ideal physique. Instead, Marla Ahlgrimm describes pica as a potentially serious mental health condition that tells the sufferer’s brain to crave things like soap, hair, rocks, metal, or cornstarch. A person with pica will consume these non-food items and is at a significant risk of poisoning and severe gastrointestinal disturbances.

Rumination disorder

A newly recognized eating disorder, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that rumination occurs when a person routinely regurgitates, re-chews, and re-swallows previously consumed food. This disorder can take hold during infancy and, in severe cases, may be fatal as it triggers malnutrition.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (previously known as feeding disorder) is another mental health condition that changes a person’s eating habits. People with this condition avoid or severely restrict some or all foods based on anything from temperature to smell. This can result in nutritional deficiencies that Marla Ahlgrimm notes may need to be compensated for with dietary supplements or a feeding tube.

Other types of eating disorder

While the eating disorders listed above are by far the most common, there are at least three other named eating disorders. These include:

• Purging disorder: Similar to bulimia, people with purging disorder believe that vomiting after a meal will help them reduce calories. The difference is that people with purging disorder do not binge.

• Night eating syndrome. Marla Ahlgrimm acknowledges that it is not uncommon to wake up hungry in the middle of the night, especially for teenagers hitting a growth spurt. However, people with night eating syndrome wake up several nights each week and may consume an entire day’s worth of calories before going back to bed.

• Orthorexia. Orthorexia is not classified as a standalone eating disorder as yet. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that this condition is characterized by an obsessive-compulsive urge to check nutrition labels and ingredient lists.

People with eating disorders are likely to suffer from malnutrition, hair loss, weight fluctuations, depression, fatigue, and a host of other conditions. Marla Ahlgrimm suggests that people who suspect that they or someone they love has an eating disorder seek help. Eating disorders are mental health conditions (like depression or anxiety) and may be treated with education, behavioral therapy, and by addressing the underlying cause of body dissatisfaction.

If you’ve recently had a baby, you may have noticed that your hair isn’t quite as full and luxurious as it once was. However, Marla Ahlgrimm says this is not unusual, and dermatologists do not consider this temporary shedding to be true hair loss.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that hormone changes caused by pregnancy and birth can result in what the medical community calls excessive shedding. Fortunately, although it can be scary during a time when you are also learning to acclimate to life as a new mom, this type of hair loss typically resolves itself within the first 12 months after giving birth. 

Although you cannot stop post-pregnancy related hair loss, Marla Ahlgrimm says there are a few things that you can do to take better care of your hair until it begins to grow back. These include:

• Invest in quality, volumizing shampoos. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that volumizing shampoos contain a higher number of protein particles, which make the hair appear fuller by coating them in a protective layer.
• Use a weightless conditioner. Look for a conditioner formulated specifically for fine hair. Even if your hair is normally thick, the lighter formulation is better for thinner hair.
• Only condition the ends. Marla Ahlgrimm says her hairdresser gave her great advice many years ago: condition the hair, shampoo the scalp. Avoid heavy conditioners on the scalp, which can push the hair down further, making it appear even thinner than it is.
• Change up your style. Speaking of a stylist, Marla Ahlgrimm says that yours may even be able to recommend a new hairstyle to make your thinner hair look fuller. More importantly, shorter hair isn’t as easy for the baby to grab, and your little one is less likely to get strands of hair wrapped around their fingers or toes.

Men and women tend to be equal in many ways. However, Marla Ahlgrimm says that the fairer sex is still at a disadvantage in some arenas.

Sexism

Despite a push over the last 20 years or so and a century after women gain the right to vote, many women report issues such as sexual harassment and unequal opportunity in the workplace. Coupled with societal expectations and a lack of women in powerful professional positions, women continue to struggle in many industries. The good news, says Marla Ahlgrimm, is that the vast majority of men and women alike support equality, and gains are being made every day.

Trauma-centered feminism

Feminism is the combination of actions, political movements, and widespread ideologies that help to establish equality between the sexes. It’s a beautiful thing, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Unfortunately, there is also an emerging sector of women pushing feminism not for equality but for protection from men. This is often triggered by issues, such as college campus rape and sexual assault, that leave women fearful. As the US is considered one of the top most dangerous countries for women, we must look for ways to preemptively prevent violence against women so that we can all come together harmoniously and on equal ground.

Caregiver disrespect

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, women make up the vast majority of caregivers for both young children and aging parents. This also holds true for those who care for adult brothers and sisters as well as disabled spouses. Even women who maintain a job while performing caregiving functions are often viewed as less professional or valuable than the career-minded men in their lives. Marla Ahlgrimm says that we must learn how to respect caregivers for the important jobs they do, which is to nurture the future and to provide compassion to our most vulnerable.

Ultimately, Marla Ahlgrimm says that women are catching up to men in most areas. She encourages everyone to take a look at their actions to make sure that they show equal respect and give equal opportunity to everyone.

It’s that time of year again. Trees are blooming, grass is sprouting from the ground, and allergies are making their return after the long, cold winter. Keep reading as Marla Ahlgrimm talks about seasonal and other allergies.

Q: Why do some people have allergic reactions to different stimuli?

Marla Ahlgrimm: The quick answer is that your body is trying to fight off what it considers a foreign invader. Once the substance, which could be anything from pollen to mold or pet dander, enters a sensitive person’s body, chemicals called histamines are triggered. Histamines can cause cold-like symptoms, or they can affect the skin with hives or eczema. [Read more…]

Diabetes is unfortunately common among men and women alike. However, Marla Ahlgrimm says that diabetes-related complications are more prevalent among women.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, women with diabetes experience urinary tract infections more often than those without. Those with especially high blood sugar are at an even greater risk of UTIs. She says that keeping your blood sugar within target range (your healthcare provider can help you determine this) is the best way to reduce urinary tract infections. This, coupled with wearing cotton underwear and eliminating your bladder when you need to, will go a long way toward helping you enjoy urinary comfort.

Women with diabetes can also have heavier periods. Diabetes can even make PMS harder to deal with, and those cravings you experience right before your cycle begins may be exacerbated when you have diabetes. Marla Ahlgrimm says that women who use insulin may wish to speak with their doctors about upping their dose in the days before bleeding begins.

Another unfortunate side-effect of diabetes for women is a lack of desire to engage in sexual activity, says Marla Ahlgrimm. This is because diabetes can reduce vaginal moisture, which can make sex uncomfortable. This is another area that your physician can help with, and they may suggest over-the-counter lubricants or exercises that can enhance and elevate the sexual response.

Marla Ahlgrimm further explains that diabetes can get in the way of a healthy pregnancy. Women with diabetes need to plan ahead and maintain close contact with their OB/GYN throughout gestation. Women with diabetes are prone to high blood pressure and the need for cesarean section. Further, an excess of sugar in the blood can result in birth defects, including breathing problems and excess body weight. Some women experience gestational diabetes, which can morph into type II diabetes if left unchecked.