America has been built on the idea that thin is attractive and capable, while fat is ugly and lazy. Morbid obesity is a growing problem in the United States. News channels have done stories about the nation's problem with weight and diet fads abound. Whether it is South Beach, Atkins, bypass surgery, or weight watchers, the message is clear. If one wants to improve one's life, lose the fat. Morbid obesity

Prescription weight loss pills are diet drugs, regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. If certain side effects exist, then they are advertised and prescribed for weight loss only under certain criteria and in certain pill-dosages. Examples of prescription diet pills include Merida and Phentermine, and these types of diet pills are principally designed for those suffering from serious obesity. Diet and weight loss prescription drugs are not a

PICO Question: Bariatric Surgery As the obesity rate continues to be an issue of great concern in America, the question arises as to the best ways to reduce the BMIs of individuals already suffering from the condition, as well as how to enact preventative means. Although the ideal is for people to never become obese at all, the fact remains that there is a need to develop proactive measures to facilitate

Responsibility and Awareness of Regulatory Status The responsibility or lack thereof concerning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the public is cause for concern and is of personal interest. Regulations and deregulations are important as a father, husband, and member of the community for personal views that I hold. First, a loved one has a red meat allergy that has been disregarded by pharmaceutical companies and the FDA. Secondly, she

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, older patients and other patients with certain medical problems are advised to first consult their doctors before using the drugs. These medical problems are heart disease, heart rhythm problems, severe lung disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and thyroid disease (Flanigan). Although side effects of digitalis drugs are rare, patients are urged to consult reactions such as skin rash, hives or other troublesome symptoms (May 2006). Signs

Sleep deprivation is frequently a direct result of the need for intensive care, constant surveillance and monitoring that combine to limit the opportunities for uninterrupted sleep in the intensive care unit (ICU). The problem is multifactorial, with patients' chronic underlying illness, pain, pharmacological interventions used for the treatment of the primary illness, as well as the ICU environment itself have all been shown to be contributing factors to the process