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When was the last time you checked the expiration date on that bottle of laxative
in your medicine cabinet? What about your aspirin? Have you started buying it in
gigantic bottles in one of those discount stores? If so is it really a great bargain
or do the majority of the pills lose their potency before you have a chance to take
them?
Well friends, it's time to re-view, re-move, and re-stock. You need to go through
your medicine cabinet at least once a year and check for expiration dates.
Prescription drugs don't usually have an expiration date. So, if it's been in your
cabinet a year or longer, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist as to
whether it should be kept. If it's a drug you don't even remember what it's for you
certainly shouldn't keep it.
Throw out all expired drugs and those you can't remember why you were taking them.
Make sure your doctor is aware of all your medications, to lower the risk of drug to
drug interactions.
When restocking, there are some things you need to keep on hand: first-aid
ointment, pain relievers (aspirin, ibuprofen, Tylenol). Products for cough and cold
relief, laxatives, products for upset stomach, heartburn, and acid reflux.
Non-prescription allergy fighters, eye drops, and anti-diarrhea. Also keep
thermometers and bandages of various sizes on hand.
There are two other points to consider when going through your medicine cabinet.
First pick a time of year that's easy for you to remember it's time to check out your
medicine cabinet. When turning the clock forward this spring would be a good reminder.
Second, not all medicines should be stored in your bathroom's medicine cabinet.
Frequent changes in humidity and temperature in the bathroom may reduce the
effectiveness of certain medicines, and so this room may actually be the worst place
to store some products. A place with drier conditions and away from direct sunlight,
such as a shelf in a hallway closet may be a better place to keep your medicine
cabinet.
Also, I want to say a few words about over the counter drugs taken for heartburn or
acid stomach. These drugs contain calcium and if you find yourself taking more and
more daily, be aware that taking large doses of calcium interferes with your potassium
level. Calcium can cause your pulse and blood pressure to increase or decrease, cause
shortness of breath, chest pains, and light-headedness. High calcium intake can also
interfere with your regular medications. It may be wise to inform your doctor of the
heartburn/acid stomach problem. |
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OSTEOPOROSIS IS THE MOST COMMON
DISEASE AFFECTING THE BONES. The disease causes more than one million broken bones
annually, mainly at the hip, spine or wrist. Osteoporosis affects women more than men.
The good news is it's possible to prevent Osteoporosis and the fractures that result
from it. This is a lifelong job, but it is never too early and never too late to
start. To build bone mass and slow bone loss:
- Give your body the calcium it
needs - 1000 - 1500 mg./day. Good sources of calcium are milk, cheese, yogurt, fish
(sardines, salmon), shrimp, vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and collards. Also
ice cream, Tofu, and almonds.
- You need Vitamin D to help your
body utilize calcium. The best way to obtain Vitamin D is 15-20 minutes spent in the
sunshine. However, I know it is hot out there, so you can obtain Vitamin D in
fortified foods such as milk, cereal, or a daily multivitamin.
- Exercise - walking helps
strengthen bones. Strong bones can reduce your chance of falling.
- Alcohol - alcohol slows down
bone building.
- Smoking - smoking causes bone
loss.
- Talk to your doctor about
Osteoporosis, its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Risk Factors:
- Low calcium and Vitamin D
intake.
- Smoking
- Excess alcohol
- Lack of exercise
- Family history of Osteoporosis
- Caucasian or Asian heritage
- Excess thyroid hormone
- Estrogen deficiency in women
- Steroid therapy
-
Small body frame
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OSTEOPOROSIS IS THE MOST COMMON
DISEASE AFFECTING THE BONES. The disease causes more than one million broken bones
annually, mainly at the hip, spine or wrist. Osteoporosis affects women more than men.
The good news is it's possible to prevent Osteoporosis and the fractures that result
from it. This is a lifelong job, but it is never too early and never too late to
start. To build bone mass and slow bone loss:
What does Medicare pay for?
Medicare coverage of bone mineral density tests under Part B began on July 1, 1998.
Doctors determine a patient's medical history and risk factors in deciding who should
have a bone mineral density test and which type of test he or she should have.
Who is eligible for a bone mineral
density test under Medicare?
- Women, who are being treated
for estrogen deficiency and are at clinical risk for osteoporosis, based on their
medical history and other findings.
- Men and women with vertebral
abnormalities or previous fractures as demonstrated by x-ray.
- Men and women receiving, or
planning to receive, long-term glucocorticoid (prednisone or steroid-type), therapy.
- Men and women diagnosed with
primary hyperparathyroidism.
- Men and women being monitored
to assess the response to or efficacy of a FDA-approved osteoporosis drug therapy.
What will Medicare cover?
Medicare coverage applies as follows:
- Bone mineral; density tests
apply to all Medicare plans, including managed-care plans.
- Deductible and co-payments
apply.
- Medicare will pay for this test
only if a physician orders it or qualified practitioner for a patient he or she is
treating.
- Medicare will cover tests every
two years or more frequently if medically necessary.
Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider
- Am I at risk for osteoporosis?
- How can I tell if someone in my
extended family may have suffered from osteoporosis?
- How do I determine if I have
low bone density?
- What type of bone mineral
density test is right for me? How often should I be tested?
- Are any of my current
medications affecting my bone health?
- What type of exercise should I
be doing and how often?
- What type of medication should
I consider for present and future bone health? What are the side effects of these
drugs?
-
What steps can I take to prevent
osteoporosis?
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Researchers have found that drinking purple grape juice has a protective effect on
antioxidants, which protect the body against oxidative stress. Juice intake also
improved platelet activity, nitric oxide production and signaling in cells.
The study also found that one-third among subjects who drank the juice reduced the
production of superoxide-a potentially harmful free radical. These protective effects
are due to the juice's flavonoids. Flavonoids, are potent antioxidants found mostly in
fruits and vegetables. When the researchers separated individual groups of flavonoids,
the isolated groups did not have the same effect as the whole juice. |
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