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Features
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What
you need to know about ephedra
[FEB.
22, 2003]
Ephedrine, also known as
ephedra or ma huang, has injured or killed 800 users.
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Products containing ephedrine
Super Cap & White Cross
Yellow Jacket
Black Beauty
What
is ephedrine?
What are ephedrine, ephedra and ma
huang?
These terms are used to refer to the
same substance derived from the plant ephedra. Ephedrine supplements
are derived from the dried branches of the plant known as ephedra.
Ephedra grows primarily in Mongolia and parts of China. In the
United States, ephedra and ephedrine are sold in health food stores
under a variety of brand names. Ephedrine is widely used for weight
loss, as an energy booster and to enhance athletic performance.
These products often contain other stimulants, such as caffeine,
which may have collective effects and increase the potential for
adverse effects.
Ephedra contains ephedrine, a stimulant
that acts on the central nervous system. It is found in products
such as Metabolife, Yellow Jackets, Stacker 2, Black Beauties and
other products. The FDA believes that ephedra may be related to
numerous deaths. Most of the serious injuries involve high blood
pressure that can cause bleeding in the brain, a stroke or a heart
attack. Ephedrine alkaloids are amphetaminelike compounds used in
over-the-counter and prescription drugs with potentially lethal
stimulant effects on the central nervous system and heart.
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Dangers
Ephedra is one of the most dangerous of
the dietary supplements. People continue to believe that because
herbs are "natural" they are harmless. Dietary supplements may
interact with prescription, as well as over-the-counter,
medications. However, many dietary remedies are dangerous, such as
creatine.
There is limited research evaluating
creatine's safety and usefulness. The FDA does not regulate creatine,
an over-the-counter drug that has been marketed to enhance sport
performance. Adverse effects associated with the use of creatine
include muscle strain, stomach upsets and kidney problems.
Recent studies show that many people
are seriously injured by the use of ephedrine. They are often
unaware that ephedrine suppliers can make wide-ranging health claims
about the product that have no scientific basis.
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FDA
warnings
No-Doz and Vivarin are other types of
over-the-counter drugs that advertise increased alertness. These
caffeine tablets can cause nausea, insomnia, tremors, irritability,
depression, chest pain and dizziness.
"The FDA is warning consumers not to
purchase or consume ephedrine-containing dietary supplements with
labels that often portray the products as apparent alternatives to
illegal street drugs such as 'ecstasy.' Possible adverse effects of
ephedrine range from clinically significant effects such as heart
attack, stroke, seizures, psychosis and death, to clinically less
significant effects that may indicate the potential for more serious
effects (for example: dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal
distress, irregular heartbeat and heart palpitations). Ingredient
panels on these products may list ma huang, Chinese ephedra, ma
huang extract, ephedra, ephedra sinica, ephedra extract, ephedra
herb powder or epitonin, all [of] which indicate a source of
ephedrine."
[to top of second
column in this article]
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Dietary supplements do not need
approval from the FDA before they are marketed. Also, manufacturers
do not need to register themselves or their dietary supplement
products with the FDA before producing or selling them.
Deceptive marketing
A law known as the Dietary Supplements
Health and Education Act, which was passed in 1994, prevents the FDA
from regulating these products. Prior to this act about supplements,
the FDA claimed it had the power to regulate them and tried to make
the manufacturers and suppliers prove their safety claims for their
products.
The use of herbs in the United States
has increased dramatically since the passage of the act. In 1997, 60
million Americans spent $3.24 billion on herbs for reasons such as
migraines, hypertension, depression, weight loss and sexual stamina.
An estimated 15 million adults are at risk for potential herb-drug
interactions.
Deceptive marketing occurs when the
supplement industry selects brand names or uses wording on labels
such as "fat burner" or "detoxifies" or "natural ecstasy" to suggest
the impossible.
Contact the FDA
If you think you, or someone you know,
have suffered a serious harmful effect or illness from a product the
FDA regulates, including dietary supplements, the first thing you
should do is contact or see your health care provider immediately.
Then you and your health care provider are encouraged to report this
problem to the FDA. You, or anyone, may report a serious adverse
event or illness directly to the FDA, by calling 1 (800) FDA-1088 or
by fax to 1 (800) FDA-0178. The identity of the reporter or patient
is kept confidential.
If you, or
someone you know, is addicted to any drug, contact Logan-Mason
Mental Health for treatment options.
[Logan-Mason Mental Health]
This pamphlet material was developed by
Kristi Lessen, N.I.S., Logan-Mason Mental Health substance abuse
prevention specialist, in collaboration with Richard Alexander,
M.D., medical director of Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois
and medical director of Memorial Behavioral Health Group. The
pamphlet is paid for in part by the Illinois Department of Human
Services.
Logan-Mason Mental Health
(A division of Mental Health Centers of
Central Illinois)
304 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
(217) 735-2272
![](../images/ads/maple/maple_ridge_4_01.jpg) |
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Health Matters
A monthly feature from
Logan County Health Department
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Red Cross
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West Nile Virus
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West Nile virus links
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LDN articles
Federal websites
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State websites
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Honors & Awards
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Announcements
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CICBC
blood drives monthly at paramedics' building
Schedule for 2003 announced
Blood supplies across the
nation are critical. In some areas, there is less than a one-day
supply. Fortunately, thanks to the dedicated donors in central
Illinois, these tremendous shortages have not yet touched our
hospitals. However, the blood supply is a resource that must be
renewed. Every three seconds someone needs a blood transfusion of
some kind. To accommodate this constant usage, community members
must continually help replenish the supply. Since a donor can donate
whole blood only every eight weeks, Central Illinois Community Blood
Center needs community members to come forward and help with this
lifesaving effort.
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Central Illinois Community Blood Center
provides all of the blood and blood products for 12 area hospitals,
including those in Lincoln, Hopedale and Springfield. No other
organization provides blood in these hospitals. CICBC is a
community-based blood center whose mission is to provide a safe and
adequate blood supply for patients in local hospitals in a
cost-effective manner.
When you donate blood through CICBC,
you help to keep a safe and adequate blood supply for your
community. You also help keep local medical costs under control.
Regularly scheduled blood drives are on the first Monday of each
month (except Labor Day) at the Logan County Paramedics Association
building, 1300 N. Postville Road. (See
2003 schedule below.) Please help by donating blood.
[to top of second
column in this article]
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CICBC will also bring its automated
double red cell machine, and if donors are interested in platelet
apheresis, information will be available. If there is enough
interest, CICBC will bring apheresis machines to Lincoln.
CICBC also provides other services for
the communities served, such as therapeutic phlebotomy at no charge
for patients with hereditary hemochromatosis.
For more
information, call Terry Bell at 753-1530.
[CICBC press release]
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CICBC blood drive schedule |
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March 3,
noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedics Association building
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March 12,
hours and location to be announced
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April 7,
noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedics Association building
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April 11,
at Lincoln Community High School
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May 5,
noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedics Association building
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May 14,
hours and location to be announced
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June 2,
noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedics Association building
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July 7,
noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedics Association building
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July 15,
hours and location to be announced
[to top of second
column in this section]
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Aug. 4,
noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedics Association building
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Sept. 8,
noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedics Association building
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Sept. 24,
hours and location to be announced
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Oct. 6,
noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedics Association building
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Nov. 3,
noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedics Association building
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Nov. 12,
hours and location to be announced
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Dec. 1,
noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedics Association building
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Mobile health unit schedule
The
Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile
health unit for 2002.
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Morning: 9-11 a.m. |
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Afternoon: 1-3:30 p.m. |
Monday |
1st and 3rd |
Hartsburg |
1st and 3rd |
Emden |
|
2nd and 4th |
San Jose |
2nd and 4th |
Greenview |
Tuesday |
Weekly |
Chestnut |
Weekly |
Mount Pulaski |
Wednesday |
Weekly |
New Holland |
Weekly |
Middletown |
Thursday |
1st and 3rd |
Elkhart |
Weekly |
Atlanta |
|
2nd and 4th |
Friendship
Manor-Lincoln |
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Friday |
1st, 2nd,
4th |
Village Hall-Latham |
1st |
Beason |
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|
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2nd and 4th |
Broadwell |
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3rd |
Maintenance/ special
events |
3rd |
Maintenance/
special events
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The mobile health unit does not operate on the following dates for
holidays during 2002: Jan. 21 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), Feb.
18 (Presidents' Day), March 29 (Good Friday), May 27 (Memorial Day),
July 4 (Independence Day), Sept. 2 (Labor Day), Oct. 14 (Columbus
Day), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving break) and Dec.
24-25 (Christmas break).
For more
information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact
Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.
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Community resource list
This family
resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities
Partnership and the
Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.
Agency |
Phone number |
Address |
Lincoln
agencies |
911 |
911 (emergency)
732-3911 (office -- non-emergency)
|
911 Pekin St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Abraham Lincoln
Memorial Hospital
|
732-2161
|
315 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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American Red Cross
www.il-redcross.org |
732-2134 or
1 (800) 412-0100
|
125 S. Kickapoo
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
Catholic Social
Services
www.cdop.org |
732-3771 |
310 S. Logan
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Lincoln/Logan County
Chamber
of Commerce
www.lincolnillinois.com |
735-2385 |
303 S. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Community Action (CIEDC) |
732-2159
|
1800 Fifth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Crisis Pregnancy
Center/
Living Alternatives |
735-4838 |
408 A Pulaski St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
|
DCFS (Department of
Children
& Family Services) |
735-4402 or
1 (800) 252-2873
(crisis hotline)
|
1120 Keokuk St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Heartland Community
College
- GED program |
735-1731 |
620 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Housing Authority |
732-7776
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1028 N. College St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Illinois Breast &
Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP)
www.logancountyhealth.org |
735-2317 or
1 (800) 269-4019
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109 Third St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Illinois Employment and Training Center (replaces JTPA office) |
735-5441 |
120 S. McLean St., Suite B
Farm Bureau Building
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Lincoln Area YMCA
|
735-3915 |
319 W. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Lincoln/Logan Food
Pantry |
732-2204
|
P.O. Box 773
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Lincoln Parents' Center |
735-4192 |
100 S. Maple
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Lincoln Park District |
732-8770 |
1400 Primm Rd.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Logan County Department
of Human Services (Public Aid)
www.state.il.us/agency/dhs |
735-2306 |
1500 Fourth St.
P.O. Box 310
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Logan County Health
Department
www.logancountyhealth.org |
735-2317 |
109 Third St.
P.O. Box 508
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Logan-Mason Mental
Health |
735-2272 or
732-3600 (crisis line)
|
304 Eighth St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Logan-Mason
Rehabilitation Center |
735-1413 |
760 S. Postville Drive
Lincoln, IL 62656
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The Oasis
(Senior Citizens of Logan County) |
732-6132 |
501 Pulaski St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Project READ
|
735-1731 |
620 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Salvation Army |
732-7890
|
1501 N. Kickapoo
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Senior Services of
Central Illinois |
732-6213 or
1 (800) 252-8966
(crisis line)
|
109 Third St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
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U. of I. Extension
Service
www.ag.uiuc.edu |
732-8289 |
980 N. Postville Drive
Lincoln, IL 62656
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Springfield
agencies |
Department of Aging
www.state.il.us/aging |
785-3356 |
421 E. Capitol, #100
Springfield, IL 62701-1789
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American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org |
546-7586
(24 hour) |
1305 Wabash, Suite J
Springfield, IL 62704
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Community Child Care
Connection
www.childcaresolutions.org |
(217) 525-2805 or
1 (800) 676-2805
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1004 N. Milton Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702-4430
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Hospice Care of
Illinois |
1 (800) 342-4862
(24 hour) or
732-2161, Ext. 444
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720 N. Bond
Springfield, IL 62702
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Illinois Department of
Public Health
www.idph.state.il.us |
(217) 782-4977
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535 W. Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62761
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Legal Assistance
Foundation |
(217) 753-3300 or
1 (800) 252-8629
|
730 E. Vine St., Suite
214
Springfield, IL 62703
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Sojourn Shelter &
Services Inc.
http://www.sojournshelter.org/
|
732-8988 or
1 (866) HELP4DV
(24-hour hotline)
|
1800 Westchester Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704
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U. of I. Division of
Specialized Care for Children
www.uic.edu |
524-2000 or
1 (800) 946-8468
|
421 South Grand Ave.
West
Second Floor
Springfield, IL 62704
|
Logan County
libraries |
Atlanta Library |
(217) 648-2112 |
100 Race St.
Atlanta, IL 61723 |
Elkhart Library |
(217) 947-2313 |
121 E. Bohan
Elkhart, IL 62634 |
Lincoln Public Library
www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org |
732-8878 |
725 Pekin St.
Lincoln, IL 62656 |
Mount Pulaski Library |
792-5919
|
320 N. Washington
Mount Pulaski, IL 62548
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(updated
2-15-02) |
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