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Should You Worry About Herbs And Medications Interacting?

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A good number of people (particularly seniors) take multiple medications that have the potential to negatively interact. When you add herbs to the mix, the chances of some type of interaction may increase significantly.

And today, herbal remedies are not just for health food stores anymore. Herbals have gone main stream, and as sales continue to rise, so do concerns about their interactions with prescription and more traditional over-the-counter drugs.

Does that mean you should stop taking medication, supplements or forget about herbs?

No, absolutely not! But you do want to be aware of possible interactions and exercise caution. [Read more…] about Should You Worry About Herbs And Medications Interacting?

Are you on Medication?

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hospice.jpgWhen a new patient comes to my clinic, I ask them to list all their medications, including any over-the-counter medications, herbal and vitamin supplements they may be taking. Often times, they don’t know.

While I understand that it’s sometimes difficult to remember everything, I cannot tell you how important it is to your health and safety for you to know what you are taking and communicate that list to your own provider, the hospital or emergency personnel.

Let’s say you suddenly show up in the ER and are unconscious. Medical personal are not going to know what kind of medication you take or what your health problems are. This could be dangerous as they will be treating you somewhat blinded. As we all know, various medications should not be combined. But how will anyone know?

In our clinic, I have cards I give out to all my patients and encourage them to write down everything, each and every medication, and carry it with them at all times.

Here is a medication list I designed for you.  It has your information, your providers information, allergies and a place for you to list all your medications, why you are taking them, and how often. Feel free to download it, fill it out and carry it in your wallet or purse at all times. Keep it updated with new medications, or remove medications you are no longer taking.

Let me know how it works for you.

Medicare Drug program problems…

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If you are on medicare and struggling with the new medication program, you may be interested in this:

WASHINGTON – Private insurers offering prescription drug coverage through Medicare should supply senior citizens with an additional 60-day supply of medicine for emergency cases, the Bush administration says.

The move will give beneficiaries more time to find alternative treatments when their plan won’t cover a prescription, or more time to file an appeal. Pharmacists had warned that the previous 30-day limit could pose significant problems for poor senior citizens and disabled patients.The new prescription drug program under Medicare began Jan. 1. In a review of the first month, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt acknowledged there were problems with the startup. “I make no excuses,” he said. “We own the problems.”

You can read the entire article here.