Category: Chronic conditions

According to the ATLANTIS trial, a large-scale study published in *The Lancet*, low-dose amitriptyline is a safe and effective second-line treatment for managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. This article delves into how this medication works on the gut-brain axis and answers the critical question, is amitriptyline good for IBS?

Although most antibiotic prescriptions are for short-term courses, with over half of outpatient oral antibiotic use targeting respiratory and urinary infections, a critical subset of medical conditions require prolonged therapy. Understanding **what illnesses require long-term antibiotics** is crucial for patients and healthcare providers managing complex, persistent, or hard-to-reach infections that do not respond to standard short-term treatments.

For individuals with chronic conditions, standard over-the-counter (OTC) cold and sinus medications can pose risks, with decongestants and NSAIDs potentially raising blood pressure or impacting blood sugar. Understanding what sinus medicine can I take with high blood pressure and diabetes is crucial to safely manage symptoms without compromising your health.

Many people with glaucoma experience dry eye, often as a side effect of their prescribed medications. A common over-the-counter solution is Systane, but patients often wonder, "can I use Systane eye drops if I have glaucoma?" The answer is yes, provided you follow important precautions regarding timing and product type to ensure your vision-saving medication remains effective.

In a study of Myasthenia Gravis (MG) patients who discontinued pyridostigmine, 26% did so because of side effects. This raises the question for many: **Can you take pyridostigmine long term?** This article examines the benefits, risks, and management of its extended use.

In a study observing oral glucocorticoid prescriptions over 17 years, between 12.2% and 18.1% of users were classified as long-term. This raises the question: can prednisone be taken for a lifetime, and what are the implications of such extended use?

For some conditions, including Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), colchicine is recommended as a lifelong treatment. The possibility of taking a medication for life raises questions about long-term safety, and whether it is always necessary. The answer depends heavily on the specific medical condition being treated, as well as the prescribed regimen and individual patient factors.

In some specific medical cases, patients are prescribed antibiotics for courses lasting longer than 12 months, sometimes indefinitely. This practice, often called long-term suppressive or prophylactic therapy, raises the important question: what is a lifelong antibiotic use and what are its consequences?

Studies show that annually, around 3.8% of the population receives oral glucocorticoid steroids, with 12.2% to 18.1% of them being long-term users [1.8.2]. The question, 'Can you take steroids the rest of your life?' is critical for these patients, as the answer depends on the type of steroid and the underlying medical condition [1.2.3, 1.4.1].

While prednisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication, it does not provide a permanent cure for inflammation. Instead, it works by suppressing the immune system to temporarily relieve symptoms, a critical distinction for anyone managing chronic conditions with this drug.