Health Literacy Month: Read Health

Read what you need. Learn about what you need to maintain good health and well-being.  Health literacy is an important part of your self-care health care.  It helps promote better health and quality of life. During this Health Literacy Month make your health healthier with more medical information.

Medical science progresses so rapidly!  It is impossible for health care providers to keep up with all these new developments. Be aware of treatments your doctors and healthcare team have yet to hear about or are unlikely to ever find out about.  The overwhelming amount of new health information that comes out is far too much for many to stay current on every disease and treatment.  This should not stop you the patient from finding out all you can.  The same goes for wellness.  Participating in your health care is mandatory to maintain good health, achieve wellness, and overcome illness.

There are so many different treatments and modalities that compliment traditional medicine.  As many lack training in these areas they are unable to tell the patient.  Asking your doctor is a good starting place as is telling your doctor about the things you have read about or tried that helped.  In turn this may evoke a response by your physician to find out more, and even share with other patients and colleagues who may in turn share their “new” information which your doctor can share with you.

Reading and learning are vital to good health. Health literacy helps you make healthier, informed choices based on facts that have proven to yield better health outcomes.  Be health literate year round.  Best health!

Nutrition Month: Culinary Medicine Makes Healthy More Wealthy

Cooking is good medicine.  What you cook is better medicine.  Culinary medicine can help you get better and stay healthy.  The healthy food plus cooking adds to great, healthy feelings.  This is what more doctors and healthcare providers are studying to recommend for their patients.  More residency training programs are including culinary medicine in their school curriculum.  

Food as medicine is hardly a new treatment.  Hippocrates quoted it thousands of years ago.  Research continues to show that proper nutrition with natural foods keeps low risk for disease lower, and it also keep high risk conditions from progressing and perhaps even occurring. Starting before birth is the optimal time.  Early good nutrition is important.

Make your healthy more wealthy by learning to shop for healthy food to prepare healthy meals.  This can save your money as well as your health.  Let it begin and/or continue with education (March is National Nutrition Month) and action with the intent of adding it to your healthy lifestyle.  Best health and eating!

Know Your Medical History

One of the first things your doctors and healthcare providers want to know is why you made your appointment. Once you answer this question (hopefully before interruption) there will be questions about your general health and wellness, as well as more information about your reason for the visit. For specific concerns you may be asked:

• How long has this been going on?
• What have you done for it?
• Have you had it before?
• Where does it bother you?
• How often does it occur?
• What makes it better or worse?
• Are there any other symptoms?

You will be asked about how the other parts of the body are working, such as your eyes, ears, heart, breathing, and so on. This is called the “review of systems” (ROS). If there are any problems not related to your main problem, now is the time to let the doctor know.
This will be followed by your past medical history (PMH), which includes:

1. Diseases you have (high blood pressure, sugar diabetes, arthritis, cancer, depression,
   etc.), or have had that are better or gone (including childhood diseases such as
   measles, mumps, and inherited disease)
2. Operations and times you were in the hospital (including accidents)
3. Medication, including prescription, over-the counter (don’t forget about vitamins),
   natural (garlic, aloe), and herbal
4. Allergies and reactions to anything and what it did to you (for example: breaking out in a
   rash, swelling, itching, upset stomach, etc.)
5. Smoking, alcohol, drug use (how much, how often)
6. Shots (childhood, flu, last tetanus, etc.)
7. Sexual (active, using protection, number of partners, diseases)—in females this will also
   include menstrual period, pregnancy, last mammogram, and Pap test
8. Family history (conditions that run in family
   such as cancer, high blood pressure, etc.)
9. Social history—your job or jobs; family; marital status; living arrangement (house,
   apartment, alone, etc.); transportation (drive self, public transport, walk); ambulation
   (use walker, wheelchair); disability (deaf, blind, amputee, etc.); religion, ethnic customs, and traditions

If there is anything left out or that you feel the doctor should know, now is the time to speak up. It is sometimes hard to get someone’s full attention, so take advantage of it while you have it. Some doctors’ offices will have you fill out forms asking the above questions or will ask you the questions and fill out the form for you. This is not a substitute for the doctor’s personal interview and questions.
Writing or typing this information is a sure way to keep all of your PMH http://bit.ly/f8FZ55 . Make a copy for your doctor. While talking you both can refer to this vital source of health information.
Best health!

Overmedication Can Cause New Symptoms

Have you noticed how different you feel with the new medication you just filled?  Then you thought it was just you and something new?  The different feelings like forgetfulness, dizziness, sleepiness are getting worse after one week.  Then you think maybe it could be the five medicines your primary care provider added to the other five you were supposed to be taking. How will you be able to tell which one it could be that is dropping your blood pressure so low you are dizzy and near syncope?  It could have been the one that causes arrhythmias which is the one you were given for the dizziness which only occurred after taking the one for diabetes causing hypoglycemia.  What a constant cacophony conundrum!  When you decide to look over the drug information that came with each prescription, you find that all the medication can cause this and some of the other new symptoms you acquired.

Overmedication is one of the biggest unnoticed culprits of new symptoms in many people regardless of age.  Those over fifty are most susceptible to the effects of too many medication.  Treatment such as proper diet, exercise, and other complimentary therapies are often overlooked as part of first line treatment with or without medication. Accuracy of diagnosis is very important before, after, and during treatment.  Treatment of symptoms may or may not help, and lead to more medical maladies. Overmedication accounts for more hospitalizations and primary care provider/ specialist visits than many chronic diseases, but is hardly noted.  Rather than implement a medication as the cause, another is prescribed to treat new diagnoses.

Overmedication should be included in differential diagnosis of many conditions.  Patients are often non-compliant once they feel a medication may be making them feel bad.  This is usually unknown by the primary care provider for patient fear of being labeled "non-compliant".  Then more medication is added.  Know what medication you are taking, why you are taking it, and the side effects it may cause. Best health!

Medicine Disease Effect
https://mypatienthandbook.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-medicine-disease-effect.html

Free Prescription: Prayer - Use as Needed

Pray for me. This often forgotten yet basic request is often deferred until times of severe health duress. How effective is prayer in helping heal your illnesses or that of someone else? Combining this with other forms of treatment has proven effective in managing illness, especially chronic disease.

Prayer is considered an alternative health treatment; however, faith healing is the only way to many. Man made medical treatments like drugs and surgery combined with modern technology have overshadowed prayer. Prayer, like many other alternative "natural" treatments, is usually left off the intern and resident training in medical school. Research has shown that many patients pray for their health regardless of religious background, and that is does indeed have healing health benefits.

Praying for oneself as well as being prayed for are effective in staying healthy as well as in healing. The beautiful thing is that you can do it anywhere, anytime without paying any money. No health insurance is required.

Best health!

by J.L, Richardson, M.D., family medicine doctor and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

This book provides 112 pages (large print) of health information that will tell you what your doctor should be asking you, telling you, and doing for you - as taught in medical school and used since Hippocrates. http://amzn.to/13m51UU

Shoppimg for Health Insurance Limited Time Only!

Health insurance open enrollment time is here again.  For something so important, it is quite a quandary instead of a clear, concise issue.  First of all, open enrollment implies that you must wait for a certain time once a year for a sixty to ninety day period when you can shop for insurance. This is exactly what it is.  Unlike most nonmedical services you need or want, you can only shop for and get it for a limited time.  Without it you could get sicker, and pay more for your healthcare.  It would be healthier, more convenient, and make more sense to have open enrollment all year long. At one time many years ago, you could shop and get health insurance all year. Time for shopping for your health and insurance should be like shopping for other things you need.  If you had to wait to buy a car during a once a year open enrollment period, and you were without a car, what would you do? 


Health insurance is too important to have such limited access. Though the cost is high for some, most are able to procure enough to prevent bankruptcy from healthcare costs.  Once you have health insurance, you know and feel what is like to have healthcare provisions.  This is a major issue if you have been without it.  The health insurance experience is a healthy way to learn about your healthcare, and what you can do to make yourself healthier.  Many find it to be a security blanket in case of catastrophic illness, but it is also a prevention guide.


If the objective is to insure more people, limited open enrollment time once a year seems to be a contradiction to getting more people insured.  This could better serve everyone if it were provided in a timely, sensible manner if open enrollment was ongoing.  After all, your health is your most important asset.  You should be able to shop, and buy what you need when you need it beyond a limited time.  Best health!


 

Healthy Eating Precision Diet

One of the best ways to cut costs is to cut unnecessary expenses.  You invite good health when you manage your money well.  When you start with your health, you create more wealth.  One of the best ways to save money is to create wellness in your life.  One of the best ways to do both is to eat healthy, more precisely, precision eating.  Studies have shown what I have seen.  Those who consume a healthy diet, with emphasis on foods necessary for their illness, feel better and consume less medication.  Weight tends to stay stable when this occurs over the years.
Those with hypertension can decrease their medication and even stop it as their blood pressure becomes normal on their precision diet.  This would include vegetables especially carrots, beans, bananas, broccoli, garlic, and onions five times a week.  These are a few foods of the many that help lower blood pressure and decrease heart disease. The same foods also increase brain power, decrease cholesterol, improve digestion, and more.  Tumeric seasoning is an excellent way to add anti-inflammatory pain relief in arthritic neuromuscular states. Cinnamon helps with diabetes control as do beans.  Beans supplies fiber which helps keep bowel habits regular and stress free. 
When you buy these basic good foods, you are very likely to save more at the grocery checkout monthly than if you were buying three or more medications per month.  Over time you will feel better and see health improvements.  As this occurs less money will go towards medication.  The multivitamin is likely to be one of the first since a healthy selection of food will include all you need.  This healthy food will decrease most bowel distress thereby alleviating the need for gastrointestinal medication.  When blood pressure or blood sugar get in normal range, there is little need for pills.
Healthy food leads to good health.  Saving money on your health becomes greater wealth in many ways.  Study and read about what you need to make your precision food prescription for better health.  Eating healthy is eating good.  Best health!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Zapping Zika to Zero

The Zika virus is here. This Aedes species mosquito-borne flavivirus continues across the Americas.  Zika is spread primarily by mosquito and/or sexual transmission.  In pregnant females it may be transmitted to the fetus and infant. Blood transfusion transmission has also been a cause.  Known new cases are reported almost daily.  States and U.S. territories with the most reported infections are Puerto Rico (primarily unrelated to travel), New York, Florida, Texas, California, and Pennsylvania


Common symptoms include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, joint and muscle pain.  They have been described as flu-like and mild lasting up to one week.  This usually occurs within 1-2 weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito or having sex with someone who carries the virus.  The symptoms, travel history, and living in specific infected areas help make the diagnosis.  Blood and urine tests for Zika confirm the diagnosis.  Screening asymptomatic individuals is not recommended at this time.  Major complications include Guillan-Barre syndrome, fetal defects (microcephaly, hearing loss, eye defects), delayed infant growth, and pregnancy loss  Treatment is much the same as flu including rest, fluids, and analgesics.  The vaccine is in experimental stages as are Zika anti-virals.


You should protect yourself from Zika virus as much as possible. This includes the following:

• stay indoors (better with air conditioning) as much as possible especially during early evening, night, damp/rainy days
• wear long sleeves, long pants in light colors
• avoid highly scented perfumes, lotions, soap
• use insect repellant (e.g DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picardin, essential oils like basil, catnip, lavender, neem) on exposed skin, permethrin on clothes (or wear permethrin treated clothing)
• use insecticide yard spray, citronella incense/ candle products liberally around your home when outside (if inside use fogger or spray made for indoors)
• plant mosquito repelling plants in yard like geraniums, lemon balm, citronella
• use mosquito netting over stroller, carriers, outdoor venues (over beds if open area to mosquitos)
• keep windows, doors screened or closed to prevent mosquito entry
• avoid local areas that have yet to spray insecticide especially if a known endemic area

If bitten by mosquito apply cool compress and rubbing alcohol to areas involved.  If itching persists, try calamine lotion or topical diphenhydramine to areas.  Severe allergic reactions may require professional attention in the emergency department.  If Zika is suspected, see your healthcare provider or go to your local health department as soon as possible.  Zap Zika!  Best health!

HEALTH INSURANCE PRICES RISING

Your health insurance price is going higher.  Since July 2015 there have been reports of health insurance premiums rising in 2016.   Prices have risen by 25 per cent or more with many health insurance plans.  It may actually be cheaper to be uninsured especially if you are healthy and stay that way.  Since the Affordable Care Act took effect in 2014, insurance premiums are on the rise again.  If deductibles are included, it resembles prices of yesteryear.  The premium may be less, but adding the deductible balances out to about the same yearly amount as before the health law was passed. 

With premiums likely to rise as much as 25% again next year this could set the stage for more uninsured as patients find they may be able to do better without insurance. The 2016 yearly penalty imposed if one declines to be insured by a health plan is $695 per adult and $347.50 per child but can be no more than $2085 per family or 2.5% of family yearly taxable income.  This increased over 50% from $325 and $162.50 respectively in 2015 with total to be no more than $925 or 2% of yearly taxable income. In 2014 when the Affordable Care Act went into effect the penalty started at $95 per adult and $47.50 per child with total to be no more than $285 or 1% of yearly taxable income. 

Many are paying between $200 to over $1000/ month for “affordable” health insurance.  If health care could be attained at less than $2085 a year, could it be to your advantage to opt of health insurance coverage and pay the health premium penalty? The choice is yours to make for health coverage.  With or without it, price increases continue. Though it may appear cheaper and healthier to be uninsured it may be more risky.  One unexpected consultant visit or diagnostic test can easily exceed $2085 for the year! 

If you are without any major illnesses or chronic disease, and have a healthy genetic predisposition, do you really need health insurance?  Should you save your money in a medical fund until you need it instead of having health insurance?  There are folks doing this, and they are spending less on their medical care than the price of what health insurance would cost.  Many are able to afford their medicines (if they are taking any) and other treatments as well as routine screening tests that may be needed.  Their own health savings account is their “insurance”.  Saving enough money for your health care is difficult because health changes as unexpected health challenges arise especially with aging. 


Should you have health insurance?  Do you have enough money in your budget for health insurance and/or a health savings account? It is prudent to have some type of coverage solely because your health is so important.  Health insurance is prevention intervention as well as diagnosis and treatment coverage.   As more insurance companies focus on wellness and prevention, more services are covered at much less than what you will pay for them yourself. Health insurance benefits do seem to give you more bang for your buck and your body.
The choices for your personal health maintenance are there.  Health insurance is important like home and car insurance.  You are your most important asset.  To keep the car and house  while maintaining financial stability, you must stay in good health.  Find a plan to fit your needs medically and financially.  Even if you have health insurance, unless it's the "gold" plan you will most likely have to pay some out of pocket as well (deductibles, copays, full pays for services not covered).  Saving your health can help save your money. Best health!

10th ANNIVERSARY PATIENT HANDBOOK TO MEDICAL CARE THANK YOU

This year marks the tenth anniversary since publication of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.  Thank you all for reading my book and nine year old blog.  This book was written to help each and every one of you for we all are patients at some time in our lives.  The primary intent and purpose for writing Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide was to help patients learn the basics involved in seeing your doctor and healthcare providers.  It was far too much to tell in a short office visit so I decided to write it down and self-publish!
Since 2006 publication, Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide has become available in many libraries and bookstores (on and off line). There is a Kindle e-book with plans for the audible version.  The blog has been viewed by so many!  Book giveaways, sales, and blog reads are an indication of the patient interest in health facts and information. Health literacy improves your health care in all ways. It helps you make the right choices for you and your family.

Again much thanks to you all! Best health!

Mobile Healthcare:Telemedicine Telehealth

If you could visit your doctor 24/7 how much money and time could you save?  Telemedicine healthcare makes this possible.  Telemedicine makes virtual reality a reality as real as visiting your doctor in the office.  Through your smart phone, tablet or computer you can make a doctor visit.  No travel time. No wait time. Just quality doctor time.

Telemedicine is a billion dollar business that is becoming a trend in our connected world of convenience and crucial time management.  It entails the use of electronic communications to monitor and improve a patient’s health status.  In addition to saving money for patients and all providers (including insurance companies, hospitals, clinics), there is better access for everyone. Studies have shown that overall quality of care improves as patients are given more of the attention they deserve to make their healthcare experience more beneficial. .  It is helpful for patients in remote areas with limited or no transportation and those with chronic conditions that limit their ability to make an in person office visit.   

As telehealth develops, doctors and patients will find even greater access with connectivity via personal electronic health devices and applications (apps, for short).  Telemonitoring allows patient and doctor to check and follow together such parameters as blood pressure, blood sugar, and much more in real time together.  If that noon time blood sugar is too high, your doctor can be aware and advise accordingly at the time of occurrence instead of on the next appointment in 2 weeks.  This alone saves the patient’s health as well as travel time, office visit wait time, and the money to do all of this.  It potentially avoids an emergency room visit and hospital admission. 

In addition to patient care, doctors are able to communicate in a more timely, efficient manner with other doctors and health facilities.  The CT scan you had this morning is can be viewed by your doctor within minutes after completion instead of days after. Mobile collaboration allows your doctor to discuss your health case with other healthcare professionals like specialists (in the same or different locations) to determine the plan for your care.  This can actually happen the same day a test is done!  This eliminates delays in care that could be life threatening to a patient. 

As costs for telemedicine access decrease and more insurance companies/plans reimburse, it will become the portal of choice for many patients, doctors, and other healthcare providers.  Your doctor visit time can be more about you at your convenience in your home.  Best health!

Chronic Non-Malignant Pain Opiate Options

You got pain?  Take a pill to ease the strain.  Chronic nonmalignant pain affects everyone.  It can be a major cause of personal and family distress.  In addition to the pain of pain many live with secondary effects such as depression which leads to family chaos, work absenteeism, and decrease in activities of daily living to the point of depression.  Prescription medication like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, celebrex and more) and opiates (oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and more) are the gold standard for acute and chronic pain management.  Once you have seen the doctor you are most likely to get one or both of these depending on the etiology of the pain.  Once the cause of the pain is found and treated the need for pain medication may cease.  If this fails to work, the pain meds continue.  This can be a hazard to your health.

In 2012 there were about 183,000 deaths worldwide.  In 2014 there were over 47,000 lethal drug overdoses making it the leading cause of accidental death in the United States (2012 statistics: United Kingdom: 3,200, South America/Latin America/ Caribbean: 7300, European Union: 6100, Oceania: 1900).   This exceeds the number of deaths in road accidents in most countries. Research from studies done in 2013 revealed that opioid analgesics were the primary cause of most drug overdoses in the United States.  Over three-quarters of these deaths were accidental or unintentional.  Opioids (75%) were the most common drug followed by benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics.  Prescription pain relievers accounted for over 18,000 overdose deaths.  Misuse of these medications often leads to illicit heroin use.  Why?  It is easier to get and less expensive than prescription opioids even though the rate of prescribing opioids has almost tripled since 1994.  This has increased the mortality rate from overdosing over 400% in women and over 200% in men from 1999 to 2010.

Pain can be managed in ways that use less prescription pain medicine.  The pill may be the easiest way and is usually the first thing a patient is offered.  There are many options to finding relief while decreasing your risk of opiate dependence or overdose. Your doctor can do the following:

• advise on other treatments and refer to appropriate specialists
• discuss risks, side effects, etc of prescription pain drugs
• educate, provide resources for education on the diseases, pain management (articles, books, videos, agencies like Partnership for Drug Free America)
• prescription drug monitoring (doctor-patient contract, drug tests)
• use of non medicinal treatment
• identify risky drug use patterns
• require visits for refills
• referral to pain management specialist
• behavioral therapy consult

Opioid dependence and overdose can be prevented.  Using opioids responsibly is the patient’s responsibility.  It is up to you to recognize what these types of drugs can do to you.  Relief of pain is the objective; however, the addictive potential must be taken into consideration.  It is important to get a correct diagnosis of the pain as there is probably non opiate treatment that can make it tolerable or resolve it totally.  Make opiates the option instead of the treatment of choice.  Best health!

Personalized Precision Medicine

As we look forward to medical breakthroughs of the future, precision medicine becomes more of a reality in your medical care. Precision medicine uses treatment and intervention based on a person’s genetic and non-genetic (e.g. lifestyle, environment).  Unlike the present but ever changing protocols for wellness and disease management that are used on everyone, precision medicine is individualized just for you.  It will be your own prescription for staying well and treating your ailments. 

The basis of precision medicine is genomics.  Sequencing of your genome is done.  This molecular process identifies normal and abnormal genes.  Genomic mutations are studied and tested for different characteristics.  The results of this testing allows for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment based on your molecule makeup within your genes that have been influenced by family history, lifestyle, and environment.  DNA analysis of your genes in addition to a thorough history and physical will help your doctor determine what you have and what health risks may be present.  This information will then be used for further diagnosis and treatment.  Prevention of conditions that you are prone to develop may be less likely to develop if at all.

Precision medicine has become prevalent in drug treatment as well as disease diagnosis.  Clinical pharmacogenetics makes use of patient’s genetic data as a guide for drug therapy.  This information can then help your doctor pick the right medication for you. Pharmacogenetic information for blood thinners like coumadin and clopidogrel can be helpful in choosing which will work best for you with least complications.  Neonatal (newborn) diabetes and mature onset diabetes of the young (MODY) are rare causes of diabetes.  The cause of these types of diabetes is from an inherited mutation of one gene (monogenic).  Genetic testing can make the correct diagnosis that would otherwise be missed or misdiagnosed.  Some cancers have specific gene mutations that can be detected and treated successfully based on this information.  Drugs are made to target these and eradicate the cancer.

Thousands of disease genes and genetic tests have been discovered since the Human Genome Project of 2003.  As costs go down and precision medicine improves, personalized medicine will get more precise.  Prevention instead of treatment will be more likely.  Genetic tests and treatments for the individual will be precisely what the doctor orders for you.  Best health!

10 Money Saving Medical Tips

You are your most important asset. Saving your health saves you money. These money saving medical tips can help you do both.

• Keep your health insurance coverage. This is as important as your home and food. Cut expenses elsewhere to keep it in your budget. Let your doctor know if you do not have insurance coverage. Many offer discounts to the uninsured as do other health providers like hospitals and diagnostic centers.
• If you lose your job, get COBRA through your employer. You will have at least 18 months of coverage. You will have to pay for it. It is worth it.
• Be sure you are up to date on your health maintenance. Get in now for your physical and preventive tests (mammogram, blood tests, eye exam, shots, etc.).
• Check your medication, prescription and non-prescription. Review these with your doctor to discontinue any you really do not need, and/or can't afford. Let your doctor know if you are unable to afford any of your medication, so other options can be discussed such as drug assistance programs. Research them yourself on the Internet, and by calling or writing the drug company that makes your medication. Remember to include your non prescription medicines in your budget (like cough medicine, stool enhancers, pain relievers, etc.). Talk with your pharmacist.
• Discontinue unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive drinking. These items cost money and your health.
• If you become disabled, you can withdraw money from your IRA without paying the penalty and taxes. You may need this money to pay for present or future health costs. It may benefit you more while you are well enough to enjoy it. By the time retirement rolls around, you may not be around.
• Eat healthy small servings. Smaller portions of healthy food save your money and your health. Remember this when you eat out.
• Exercise at home. Save your money and time on that gym membership. You can reap the same and better benefits with a home exercise program with or without expensive exercise equipment. Turn on the TV and participate in the fitness shows that are best for you. Exercise DVDs and tapes are a one time expense that can be used again and again. Ride your bicycle, take a walk or jog in your neighborhood. It all counts.
• Continue your home exams like self breast exams, and self scrotal exams. You may detect something early. There is much controversy about the self breast exam, and it is no longer recommended by some. Common sense tells you that self detection is a smart thing to do.
• Save money for your health bank. As insurance companies and plans cover less, you will be paying for more for services and premiums. Keep a nest egg for health expenses.

Remember that YOU are your most important asset. Great health is true wealth!

Family Health: Allergy vs. Adverse Reaction

Do you know the difference between an allergy and adverse reaction?  When taking medication of any type, prescription or non-prescription, reactions from a single or multiple drugs may occur.  An allergic reaction usually involves allergy symptoms which may include difficulty breathing, hives, and itching.  Adverse reactions may include this and much more essentially indicating your body is unable to tolerate the medicine.

It is important that your health care team is aware of any reactions to medication you have taken.  When asked about allergies be sure to include adverse reactions as well.  It is also important to note any drug-drug and drug-food interactions you may have experienced.  Medication in the same drug class are often offered as alternatives. These can also be adversely tolerated.

Be aware of your medication history and include it in your medical history.  Share this with all of your healthcare providers.  This will assure that you will be unlikely to be prescribed anything that may cause an allergic or adverse reaction.  Best health!

Keep a Happy Heart, Be Heart Smart

A healthy heart is a cheerful heart.  Keep your heart smart and happy with this quick, easy to understand information.

Check your heart list:
___Heart and vascular exam by health care provider
___Blood pressure, pulse, weight, height
___EKG

For further evaluation, especially if symptoms are present, and/ or if there is a strong family history of heart and vascular disease see a cardiologist.

Tests may include:
___Doppler echocardiogram (checks heart valves, size, etc.)
___Stress test - nuclear, doppler or exercise (heart function)
___Heart MRI scan (artery disease)
___Interventional studies like cardiac catherization, angiogram (checks artery blockage, valve function)

Heart health habits:

1. Maintain a healthy weight.
2. Eat healthy small portions.
3. Exercise regularly - every little bit counts! Just do it regularly.
4. Keep blood pressure under control.
5. Keep stress level low.
6. Get adequate sleep.
7. Take an aspirin a day if in a high risk group. Check with your health care provider.
8. Love, laugh, and let go!

Have a happy, healthy heart! Best health and love!

J.L. Richardson, MD, family medicine, is the author of the award winning Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

How You Can Save on Health Costs

Rising health care costs are one of the biggest reasons many people refrain from getting medical care when they need it.  Medical care costs deter many from doing what is best for their health. The following suggestions will help you spend your health dollars more wisely.

1. Eat proper foods. This is more healthy and less expensive especially if dining out or ordering in is eliminated.  Deleting junk food reduces expenses as well.  Home cooking is better for you and less costly.
2. Keep weight stable. It is the healthy thing to do. This will save on grocery and clothing expenses as well as long term savings on medical expenses.
3. Get prescription medicines in bulk quantity of 100 versus thirty day supply especially if you are paying outright. Buy nonprescription medication in bulk when on sale. You will be amazed at your savings when you buy a six to twelve month supply on sale. This tip is also effective for emergency preparedness.
4. Talk with your doctor by phone, fax, and email to save on the cost of an office visit payment. Just think about the number of office visits you have been to where all you did was talk (after waiting for a long while). This will save your time and money.
5. Monitor blood pressure at home.  Call in, email, or fax your readings to your health care providers. Many doctors will discover that your blood pressure is actually stable when the stress of the doctor's white coat is absent. For diabetics, a home glucometer is very useful for monitoring blood sugar.
6. Maintain healthy lifestyle changes long term.
7. Do routine health maintenance check-ups and testing.  Prevention and early detection have proven cost effective and good for overall health.

Invest in your most important asset - YOU. Maintaining your good health is one of the best ways to prosper into longevity.  Best health!

Family Doctors: Your Primary Health Care Source

The family physician cares for the whole person and the whole family. Training in this specialty teaches one to care for all aspects of the patient no matter what age, sex, or illness. The Family Physician’s Creed is:

I am a Family Physician, one of many across this country. This is what I believe: You, the patient, are my first professional responsibility, whether man, woman or child, ill or well, seeking care, healing or knowledge. You and your family deserve high quality, affordable health care including treatment, prevention and health promotion. I support access to health care for all. The specialty of family practice trains me to care for the whole person, physically and emotionally, throughout life, working with your medical history and family dynamics, coordinating your care with other physicians when necessary. This is my promise to you.

Because of their versatility, family doctors are excellent primary care physicians. They are able to diagnose and treat many different problems and refer to specialists when needed. They provide continuous routine medical and preventive healthcare. Family doctors may also perform minor surgical procedures in the office. These may include excision of small skin lesions such as warts, opening drainage of a small abscess, and even suturing (sewing up) minor lacerations like cuts. In addition, some also take additional training to perform procedures such as a colonoscopy.

Everyone should have a family doctor as their primary health care source and resource.  You will be guaranteed the most comprehensive care and compassion you deserve. Join the Family Medicine revolution!

Best health!

Father's Day Health Checkup

"If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself." — Mickey Mantle

Statistics show that men are less likely than women to get routine health checkups and physical exams. Men are more likely to seek medical attention when there is an acute problem, and once that has resolved not until another acute problem. Part of the reason for this is lack of health education. Men are also more prone to the "this can't be happening to me" syndrome. Is ignorance truly bliss? Short term, maybe. Long term, no.

So what's a fella to do? Make a yearly checkup routine. Do it around your birthday or holiday like Father's Day or Christmas as a gift to yourself (your most important asset!). In addition to a complete medical history (be sure to take your notes and questions http://bit.ly/122ZEeF) and physical exam, there are other things your doctor should do. This includes:

• complete blood panel including a PSA (prostate specific antigen) if over 40 or have a history of prostate cancer in your family - please note that PSA screening is very controversial as to if it should be done and should be discussed at length with your doctor as this test does save lives
• EKG, baseline at first physical then every 2-3 years - yearly if over 50, have risk factors such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, increased cholesterol, family history of heart disease
• cardiac screening by a cardiologist if any signs or symptoms of heart disease especially if there is a family history of heart attack, angina
• colon cancer screening with stool guaiac cards - stool samples are placed on these and returned to your doctor who checks for blood (this should be done when a rectal exam is performed, but if for some reason it is not, be sure to get these cards)
• colonoscopy, baseline at 50, sooner if stool positive for occult blood or gross rectal bleeding, weight loss, stomach symptoms
• mental health assessment

Be sure to include regular visits to the dentist, and optometrist or ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Best health, guys!

by J.L. Richardson, M.D., family medicine doctor and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

Surge in Surgery

How many surgeries does the average person have in a lifetime?  According to the most recent study of its kind from 2002, it was found that you could need surgery at least 9.2 times if you live to 85 years of age. It is no surprise that surgeries increase with age.  Surgery is also prevalent in women during their reproductive years.  For both men and women between ages of 45 to 75 there is also an increase.  Three of the top ten most common surgeries were for women’s gynecological conditions.  C-sections ranked as number one.  For men the top surgery was for cardiac conditions (angioplasty, heart bypass).  Fortunately many surgeries done today are minimally invasive done as an outpatient instead of in a traditional hospital stay.

These facts indicate that you will have surgeries in your lifetime.  Think about the cost of this.  Would you be able to pay for it?  Rising health care costs and increase in illness have made this nearly impossible for most on an average income of today. The sensible and responsible thing to do is have health insurance.  Is your health more important than that $50,000 car or $200,000 home you insure? Plus these insurances are usually required.  Your health deserves to be insured as well.

If your health insurance policy has been cancelled, your health insurance provider has other plans that will fit your need with comprehensive, affordable coverage that covers more and includes your same providers.  Look at the cancelled product as new and improved health benefits at a much lower price. Basically your policy has not been “cancelled”, but upgraded with many more options.

There is also the option of looking at the National Healthcare Insurance Exchange by phone, paper application, online, or in person at designated places.  This offers more choices from other health insurance providers with different “levels” of coverage.  Each level offers basic and free preventive care from less than 60%  to 90% coverage.  The cost is now actually less than what you may have paid previously under the “cancelled” policy!  Now that health insurance is more affordable and chances are you will need surgery, it makes sense to have it.  Plus you get the chance to maintain your health with prevention and proper treatment in hopes of preventing surgery.

The yearly cost of your health insurance premium is much less than the cost of one major surgery and recuperation (equals 5-10 years worth). Even if you have enough cash to pay, you will save more than your money by being insured. Get covered for good health!

Best health!