The use of a skin patch was first introduced in 1980 with the development of a motion-sickness patch. However, this concept was not widely accepted until the nicotine patch was introduced (1996).  The transdermal patch works by allowing medicine easy access to the bloodstream through thousands of capillaries close to the surface of the skin. This increases drug effectiveness and offers a host of other advantages over traditionally administered oral medications.For example, patches are useful for patients who have difficulty swallowing. Patches don’t have the problem of inconsistent absorption via the gastrointestinal lining, and they can help people avoid many side effects that some pills can cause. Patch medication also avoids the delay and side effects of having to pass through the stomach and the liver before reaching the target tissues. And less medicine may be needed to get a similar effect because of the patch’s proximity to the bloodstream. Plus, busy patients don’t have to worry about forgetting to take their medicine. They just slap on the patch and go.

Is a Patch Right for You?

PROS: Avoids common side effects of pills. The patch gets into the bloodstream more quickly than oral medications, achieving faster effectiveness than with pill versions. Because the medication bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and liver, it goes directly into the bloodstream and cause fewer gastrointestinal problems than the pill version.

CONS: Can’t be exposed to the sunlight, must be worn under clothing; may cause skin irritation, Because of the reduced frequency of administration, compliance should be enhanced with transdermal delivery. Most patches need to be changed once or twice per week. Delivery of drug via a transdermal route also avoids the hostile environment of the gastrointestinal tract, where drugs can be inactivated and absorption can vary depending on pH, food ingestion/interaction, and other local factors. In addition, some oral medications may cause nausea because of local effects, and some cannot be taken if the patient is already nauseated.Oral medications are subjected to first-pass metabolism in the liver. This can lead to breakdown of the parent compound into a less active or more toxic metabolite(s), drug-drug interactions (because there is competition for enzymatic pathways), or hepatic toxicity.

• The convenience and reduced side-effect profile associated with transdermal delivery of medicines have made this method of drug delivery more popular than oral therapy among many patients.
• Adverse events associated with transdermal therapy are primarily related to local skin reactions, which can be nonimmunologic or allergic and are most often mild to moderate in severity.

In Summary, if the condition can be treated and the same results can be obtained by either using the patch or ingesting a pill, it would seem logical to use a patch over the pill.  For obvious reasons, adverse events would be minimized, efficacy would be achieved and the need for continued maintenance (e.g. remembering to take a pill every day) would be a thing of the past.

http://www.Prostaderm.com

One of the main differences in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is that we are looking at the energy system of the body – we call it qi life force (pronounced chee) – the qi flows through the body via a system of meridians.  The meridians are the energy circuits that traverse the body.

In TCM we use needles, pressure, cupping, and herbs to regulate this flow of qi in the meridians.  We study what herbs effect what meridians, so by using certain combinations we can activate the qi in that meridian.  To make it simple, it is the same idea as a pharmacist making medicine – it is how you make up the formula that has the effect.  The ingredients are listed, but not the amounts.

Herbal medicine, like acupuncture, works on the meridians. For example an aromatic herb is used to open the sensory orifices and awaken the spirit – this is called she xiang – the herb awakens the heart, spleen and liver meridians. It opens the orifices and unblocks the closed disorders.  Because of its intensely aromatic, penetrating nature, this herb is used for treating a wide variety of problems.

This aromatic herb invigorates the blood, dissipates clumps, reduces swelling, and alleviates pain.  Also used to clear meridian obstructions due to traumatic injury or painful obstruction.   In pill or tea form it can be very strong.

Dr. Richard Chin has a long history in Oriental Medicine, Herbology, Qi Gong and Martial Arts. He was among the first group of physicians certified by the National commission for Certification of Oriental Medicine, and has written several books, including The Energy Within: the Science Behind Eastern Healing Techniques, and is co-founder of Prostaderm, Inc. a developer of herbal skin patches for common ailments.

Dr. Richard Chin can be reached at http://www.Prostaderm.com

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) also known as Nodular hyperplasia, Benign prostatic hypertrophy or Benign enlargement of the prostate (BEP) refers to the increase in size of the prostate gland in middle-aged and elderly men. To be accurate, the process is one of hyperplasia which means proliferation of cells rather than hypertrophy (the increase of the size of an organ), but the nomenclature is often interchangeable. It is characterized by hyperplasia of prostatic stromal (supportive framework of an organ or gland ) and epithelial cells, resulting in the formation of large nodules in the region surrounding the urethral (a tube which connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body) of the prostate. When the nodules becomes large, it compresses the urethral canal to cause partial, or sometimes complete obstruction of the urethra which interferes the normal flow of urine. This will lead to symptoms of urinary hesitancy, intermittency, incomplete voiding, weak urinary stream, straining, nocturia (frequent urination occuring at night time), frequent urination in the daytime, increased risk of urinary tract infections and urinary retention. It should be noted that prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels may be elevated in these patients, however, BPH is not considered to be a premalignant lesion.

Medications used to treat BPH consist of:
Alpha blockers such as doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (Uroxatral) and tamulosin (Flowmax). Alph blockers relaxes the smooth muscles in the prostate and bladder neck thereby decreasing the degree of blockage of urine flow. Some of the side effects include: dizziness, unusual weakness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, runny nose, fainting, vision changes. Serious side effects include: sexual problems (difficulty ejaculating, decreased interest in sex), retrograde ejaculation (ejaculation back into the bladder), fast heartbeat. painful, prolonged erection lasting 4 hours or more (stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention or permanent problems could occur). Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

The 5a reductase inhibitors such as finasteride (Propecia) and dutasteride (Avodart or Duprost) are other medications used to treat BPH. Side effects include: inability to have or maintain an erection, decrease in sex drive, difficulty ejaculating, breast tenderness or enlargement.

Herbal remedies include: Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) fruit extracts in alleviating mild-to-moderate BPH symptoms. However, a recent double-blind study did not demonstrate any efficacy greater than that of a placebo for moderate-to-severe symptoms. Other herbal remedies include: beta-sitosterol from Hypoxis rooperi (African star grass), pygeum (extracted from the bark of Prunus africana), Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seed, Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) root and rye flower pollen.

Surgical options if medical treatment fails include: transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). This involves removing (part of) the prostate through the urethra. Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TVP), laser TURP, visual laser ablation (VLAP), TransUrethral Microwave ThermoTherapy (TUMT), TransUrethral Needle Ablation (TUNA), and ethanol injection. Newer techniques involving lasers in urology have emerged in the last 5-10 years.

At age 72, my father was diagnosed with BPH – benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophy and was prescribed Flomax. He used it for a few weeks but did not have good results. Also, knowing what the side effects the medication had, I did not want my father to use it. At the time my father was diagnosed, surgery involving TURP was the choice. I did not want my father undergoing surgery because of the surgical risks he may suffer. My brother Richard, a doctor of oriental medicine and martial arts expert, and I looked into my grandfathers old Chinese herbal formula book and noticed a concoction used to aid in the relief of urinary disorders. We enhanced the formula, and after several years, we created a patch for him to wear for urinary disorders. My father used it, however, he did not noticed any difference. But we knew we had something very special when our mother stated “he does not go to the bathroom as much after wearing the patch.”

In April of 2007 my brother and I launched Prostaderm – an herbal skin patch for prostate relief and sexual health. The patch consists of a disk in the center that is worn over the navel for 3 to 5 days. It consists of musk and eight Chinese herbs (a patent-pending blend) that targets the main sexual energy channel in the body and the main energy system for health. It uses the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture/acupressure, and the method of surface treatment for inner disease. The ingredients are absorbed through the skin and follow the internal energy channels to diminish local inflammation and pain.

Prostaderm helps alleviate all of the symptoms of BPH – including prostatitis and erectile dysfunction.

I have received numerous emails and calls raving about its effects and how it diminishes people from going to the bathroom at night and being able to take long drives without have to look for toilet facilities. We have also heard that the patch has jump started the sex drive and it has helped to sustain erections.

Dr. James Chin is a trained forensic pathologist with over 17 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He is also an acupuncturist and has been involved in clinical trials of pre-approved and post-approved (FDA) products specifically in the safety profile of medications for consumer use. He is also instrumental in developing new novel treatments with pharmaceutical products and herbal supplements.

http://www.prostaderm.com