Archive for October, 2008

No-one takes any notice of adverts, do they?

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

It is easy to dismiss advertising as having little effect on consumer behaviour which is, of course, why companies spend so much on advertising campaigns. In the medical field, the adverts are intended to achieve specific goals:

  • to extend brand name awareness;
  • to understand links between everyday experiences and medical causes; and
  • to believe that the branded medications will remove the causes and return you to normal.

Every year, the pharmaceutical industry in the USA spends billions of dollars on direct-to-consumer advertisements for medications that are only available on prescription. In other countries, such advertising is often banned. Advertising to the medical profession is, however, universal - companies need to inform doctors of the products and their use.

The first adverts appeared in 1981 but, in 1983, the FDA imposed a moratorium to research the effect of the adverts on the public. In 1985, the moratorium was lifted because of fears that it was interfering with freedom of speech. Now adverts are permitted so long as they provide a “true” and “balanced” view of the product and its effectiveness. The FDA monitors compliance and can instruct a company to withdraw any advertisement it feels does not comply. Interestingly, some pharmaceutical companies now spend more on direct-to-consumer advertising than doctor advertising.

In the area of erectile dysfunction, the advertising for cialis runs through a number of different forms. Like any prescription medication, it is aimed at relieving the symptoms of a medical condition. The wording proclaims, “It works!” as if that explains all the benefits of the medication.

These simple statements are often combined with personal testimonials and confirmation that use of the medication avoids the feared outcome, in this case, a failure to penetrate or maintain the erection after penetration. This tends to be the core appeal. If erectile dysfunction is the problem, cialis helps you to function normally again. The medication is packaged as a means of emotional security. Trust the pills to get you back to normal. People are praised because they cared about themselves and the effect their condition was having on their partners. By introducing others as victims, guilt at not getting the “cure” is increased - cialis is life-enhancement for both partners. To support this, people are encouraged to begin the art of self-diagnosis and health management. The adverts give a few symptoms and suggest that those symptoms represent a disorder that can then be “cured”. It is uncommon to find the price of the medication mentioned, or any information about whether it is available on health insurance plans.

There is no doubt that this advertising educates the public about their options when faced by health problems and teaches them to believe that taking a pill is the best solution. When that medication is only available on prescription, it promotes business to the doctors. In the case of cialis, it is interesting to note that the FDA has never queried any of the adverts whereas there has been litigation alleging misleading advertising for competing medications. Add to this the fact that the word-of-mouth advertising for cialis has been and remains very strong, and it is easy to understand why this medication has taken so big a slice of the market so quickly.

Massage is good for you

Monday, October 13th, 2008

On its site, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reports that more people are turning to massage therapy for medical purposes rather than for relaxation. But the baby boomers are more committed to massage than the young with an average seven session in the last year. This does not deny the importance of tramadol or other painkillers. They are complementary. This reflects a general trend. More people now use massage as a component in their wellness programs or pain management strategies.

Almost one-third of those surveyed used massage for pain relief, injury rehabilitation or the control of migraines, and just over 85% agreed that massage improves health and promotes wellness. This is echoed in figures from the registered AMTA members. Almost three-fifths reported an increase in referrals from healthcare professionals. Curiously, 70% also make the service open to their own staff. Massage with a judicious use of tramadol is good for you.

More than half those surveyed wanted their medical insurers to include massage therapy. If it was better integrated into healthcare, the AMTA believes there would be a significant improvement in quality of treatment for chronic pain and stress.

Sleep yourself better

Saturday, October 11th, 2008

Effective pain management is really the management of your feelings about the pain. To make the best recovery, you have to remain as positive as possible no matter what the world throws at you. Sleep is essential in this. If you’re walking around feeling like one of the living dead, you’ll feel less positive. That means taking drugs on top of the painkillers to help you sleep properly. Get proper medical advice. Some drugs interact when you mix them.

Although the first thought when the pain starts is to take Ultram, an equally urgent problem is the need to get a good night’s sleep. When you have a fairly constant level of pain, sleep is the first thing to suffer. Sleep does not come until you are too exhausted to care any more. Then, when it seems as though only an hour or so has passed, you’re awake again.

Once you’ve established a better sleep routine, you can move on to the next step which is learning how to live your life within the new limits imposed by the pain. There will be a short-term role for sleeping pills to restore your strength of purpose. Now, with Ultram to help you through the first steps, it’s back to the drawing board to relearn how to move around with the least pain.