Category: Medical Mondays

Vaccinate Against The Flu: It’s Not Too Late!

The peak time for people getting Influenza, the “flu”, is just getting started in the United States.

Typically, the months of February and March are when the highest number of Americans suffer from the “flu” and the complications of this viral disease.

If you did not receive a flu shot back in the fall of 2011 it’s not too late!

Getting your shot now will protect you within the next two weeks as the incidence of flu revs up.

Who should get it:

  • The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months of age or older.
  • Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease the risk of severe flu illness and includes young children less than 5 and especially less than 2 years, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people over 65 years of age.
  • Health care workers and people who live with or care for high risk people.
  • People who care for children less than 6 months of age.

But what’s the difference between the “flu” and a “cold” as this time of year many people catch a common cold?

The real flu has some very typical symptoms in people who truly have it:

  • Fever (or feeling feverish with chills), and the majority of the time very high fever (>102F); colds usually are low grade fever (<101F).
  • Cough from the very beginning that can be deep in the chest; colds may develop a cough later in the course of the illness.
  • Severe body and muscle aches; less likely with most colds.
  • Sore throat. This can be present with both.
  • Runny or stuffy nose. This can be present with both.
  • Headache. This can be present with both.
  • Fatigue. Can be severe with the flu.
  • Some people can have vomiting and diarrhea with the flu, though this is more common in children than adults.

Vaccination against the flu can protect you from getting the flu or decrease the severity of the flu if you contract it.

Your Doctor can test you for the flu and begin treatment if you are diagnosed with influenza.

The sooner the treatment is started the faster the flu will resolve.

The symptoms of the flu can last 2 weeks or longer, especially if left untreated.

Should We Be Lowering The Amount Of Salt In Our Diets?

Salt has always been suspected of causing health problems if too much is consumed.

Recent studies have shed new light on how reducing salt intake can reduce blood pressure and ultimately the incidence of strokes and heart attacks.

Salt was originally discovered by the Chinese as a way to preserve food over 5000 years ago.

With the advent of refrigeration, salt consumption declined.

With the rise of consumption of processed foods in Western society, salt consumption has again risen to dangerously high levels.

The current average intake of sodium in the US is greater than 3400mg per day.

Current recommendations are to limit total sodium to 1500mg to 2300mg per day (the American Heart Association recommends no more than 1500mg per day for everyone).

75% of our sodium consumption comes from eating processed foods, not the salt shaker.

The USDA is asking the food industry to voluntarily act to reduce the sodium content in foods and implement mandatory national standards to lower sodium content.

Other countries including Japan and Finland have lowered their consumption over the past 40 years and seen significant reductions in blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.

How can you reduce your salt intake:

  • Pass up processed foods.
  • Cut back on condiments.
  • Beware of dressings and sauces.
  • Opt for alternatives such as pepper, salt free herbs, and spice blends.
  • Forgo fast food.
  • Choose low sodium, sodium free, or reduced sodium products.
  • Read your labels for the actual sodium content and add it up!

To stay healthy, try to reduce your total sodium to 1500mg to 2300mg TOTAL per day!

 

Is Buying Medicines Over The Internet Safe?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers that some Web sites sell prescription and over-the-counter drugs that may not be safe to use!

The FDA says that consumers should know how to recognize a legal Internet pharmacy and how to buy medicines online safely.

Buying prescription and over-the-counter drugs on the Internet from a company you don’t know means you may not know exactly what you are getting.

Although there are many Web sites that operate legally, there are also many “rogue Web sites” that offer to sell potentially dangerous drugs that have not been checked for safety or effectiveness.

These sites often sell unapproved drugs, drugs that contain the wrong ingredient, too much or too little of the active ingredient, or that contain dangerous ingredients.

Some Web sites sell “look alikes” that are counterfeit drugs and not FDA approved medicines and their quality and safety unknown.

Signs of a trustworthy Web site:

  • It is located in the United States.
  • It is licensed by the state board of pharmacy where the Web site is operating.
  • It has a licensed pharmacist available to answer questions.
  • It requires a prescription for prescription medications from your Doctor.
  • It provides contact information and allows you to talk to a person if you have problems or questions.

A way to check on a Web site is to look for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s (NABP) Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites Seal (VIPPS Seal) or visit www.nabp.info for a list of state boards of pharmacy to see if the Web site is licensed.

Using an unsafe Web site could result in:

  • Receiving drugs with unknown quality or origin.
  • Receiving the wrong drug or another dangerous product for your illness.
  • Not providing any way for you to contact the Web site by phone.
  • “To good to be true” dramatically lower prices than the competition for inferior quality medicines.
  • Breaking the law by selling prescription drugs without a prescription!
  • Your personal information being unprotected!

Be aware that some drugs sold online:

  • Are too old, too strong, or too weak.
  • Are not FDA approved.
  • Are not made using safe standards.
  • Are not safe to use with other medicines or products.
  • Are not labeled, stored, or shipped correctly.
  • May be counterfeit, fake, or copycat products!

Always be extremely cautious when looking for and purchasing prescription and over-the-counter medications online to protect yourself and your personal information.

Please report unsafe or suspicious sites to the FDA by going to http//www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm059315.htm.

Generic Drugs: Should You Be Taking These Cheaper Medications?

Forty four percent of all prescriptions written in the United States are filled as generics.

Generics can cost 30 to 90% less than branded medications.

How do branded medications become generic:

  • New drugs are developed by innovators.
  • Patents protect these companies’ investments by giving them sole rights to produce and sell the medication.
  • When patents are near expiration other manufacturers can apply to the FDA to sell generic versions.

Commonly asked questions about generics:

  • What are generics? They are simply a copy of the original drug.
  • Are generics safe? Yes, the FDA regulates all generic manufacturers similar to brand name manufacturers.
  • Are generics as strong as their branded counterparts? Yes, the FDA regulates generics to be within a very small percentage of the strength of the branded product.
  • Why are generics cheaper? The generic manufacturer does not have the investment costs the branded company had to put up: research, development, marketing and promotion. Also competition among many generic manufacturers drives the price down as well.
  • Where are generics made? Fifty percent of generic drugs are produced or linked to the original brand company. The FDA conducts inspections of all generic and brand name companies.
  • Why do generics look different from the branded version? Trademark laws require that the generics do not look like the original branded medication.
  • Does every brand name medication have a generic? No, because the patent on a branded drug lasts for 20 years and can be extended for variations of the original drug.

There are very few exceptions to not substitute a brand name for a generic.

Two medications where I recommend not substituting a branded for a generic:

  • Synthroid/Levoxyl thyroid medications have very small increments between doses and potency can vary from one generic company to the next.
  • Coumadin blood thinner medication has small graduations of dosage and requires it’s effectiveness to be measured routinely. Potency can vary from one generic company to the next.

Other than these two medications, you can be confident your generic medication is safe, strong enough, as effective and cheaper then the branded counterpart.

Memory Loss: When Should You Seek Help For Yourself or a Loved One

Memory Loss: When Should You Seek Help For Yourself or a Loved One.

Now that the holidays have passed, did you notice a visiting loved one who seemed to be having trouble with their memory?

Everyone forgets things at some time. How often have you misplaced your car keys or forgotten the name of a person you just met?

Some degree of memory problems, as well as a modest decline in other thinking skills, is a fairly common part of aging.

There’s a difference, however, between normal changes in memory and the type of memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

Some memory problems are the result of treatable conditions. If you’re experiencing memory problems, talk to your doctor to get a timely diagnosis and appropriate care.

Memory loss and aging

Normal age-related memory loss doesn’t prevent you from living a full and productive life.

For example, you may forget a person’s name, but recall it later in the day. You might misplace your glasses occasionally. Or maybe you find that you need to make lists more often than in the past in order to remember appointments or tasks.

These changes in memory are generally manageable and don’t disrupt your ability to work, live independently or maintain a social life.

Memory loss and dementia

The word “dementia” is an umbrella term used to describe a set of symptoms, including impairment in memory, reasoning, judgment, language and other thinking skills.

Dementia begins gradually in most cases, worsens over time and significantly impairs a person’s abilities in work, social interactions and relationships.

Often, memory loss is one of the first or more recognizable signs of dementia. Other early signs may include:

  • Asking the same questions repeatedly
  • Forgetting common words when speaking
  • Mixing words up – saying “bed” instead of “table,” for example
  • Taking longer to complete familiar tasks, such as following a recipe
  • Misplacing items in inappropriate places, such as putting a wallet in a kitchen drawer
  • Getting lost while walking or driving around a familiar neighborhood
  • Undergoing sudden changes in mood or behavior for no apparent reason
  • Becoming less able to follow directions

Reversible causes of memory loss

Many medical problems can cause memory loss or other dementia-like symptoms.

Possible causes of reversible memory loss include:

  • Medications. A single medication or a certain combination of medications may result in forgetfulness or confusion.
  • Minor head trauma or injury. A head injury from a fall or accident – even an injury that doesn’t result in a loss of consciousness – may cause memory problems.
  • Depression or other mental health disorders. Stress, anxiety or depression can cause forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating and other problems that disrupt daily activities.
  • Alcoholism. Chronic alcoholism can seriously impair mental abilities. Alcohol can also cause memory loss by interacting with medications.
  • Vitamin B-12 deficiency. Vitamin B-12 helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. A vitamin B-12 deficiency – common in older adults – can cause memory problems.
  • Hypothyroidism. An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) slows the processing of nutrients to create energy for cells (metabolism). Hypothyroidism can result in forgetfulness and other thinking problems.
  • Tumors. A tumor in the brain may cause memory problems or other dementia-like symptoms.

When to see your doctor

If you’re concerned about memory loss, see your doctor.

He or she can conduct tests to judge the degree of memory impairment and diagnose the cause.

Your doctor is likely to have a number of questions for you, and you will benefit by having a family member or friend along to answer some questions based on his or her observations.

Getting a prompt diagnosis is important, even if it’s a challenging step.

Identifying a reversible cause of memory impairment enables you to get appropriate treatment.