How many prescription medications are you taking? How many over-the-counter herbal medications or other nutritional supplements? The alarming results of a new study on the combinations of medications taken by American seniors indicate that it’s best to be cautious about taking certain prescription and over-the-counter medications in tandem.

According to the report—which reviewed the medications taken by 3,000 men and women aged between 57 and 85—at least two million older Americans might be taking a potentially dangerous combination of prescription or over-the-counter medications. And up to one in ten older men might be taking a combination of drugs which could be potentially harmful.

Another factor affecting seniors is the fact that older people tend to take more medications overall, including both prescription and over-the-counter preparations. In the 57 to 85 age group, 91% of people take at least one medication, and more than half use five or more medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

The consequences of drug combinations aren’t always dangerous, but for older people, the side effects and interactions of drugs and over-the-counter medications are often more hazardous, due to the way metabolism changes as we age.

An example of a potentially serious drug interaction is that between warfarin, which is used to dissolve blood clots, and aspirin, which has a similar blood-thinning effect. The risk of internal bleeding can become dangerously high when both drugs are taken together. The combination of warfarin and garlic can also have a similar effect.

Other potentially dangerous combinations include:

• Aspirin and gingko biloba, taken together, can increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
• Taking Lisinopril (prescribed for blood pressure), along with potassium supplements (which may be prescribed because some blood pressure drugs reduce potassium levels), can cause abnormal heart rhythms.
• Over-the-counter niacin supplements can be dangerous when taken with statins (prescribed for managing cholesterol levels), due to an increased potential for muscle damage.

Experts say it’s best to be cautious when it comes to over-the-counter medications – don’t take them without the ok from your doctor, and make sure you ask about side effects and drug interactions every time your doctor prescribes a new medication.

photo credit: Nils Geylen

When a doctor explains treatment options to a patient, it’s often little understood; frequently glossed over; and delivered in over-technical terms. A new movement in health care is makings strides to change the status quo, and with it the decisions of a whole new group of patients.

Case Examples of Informed Consent Opportunities

Currently, the most effective early warning signal for prostate cancer is an elevated level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. But that test is nowhere near perfect – many men with prostate cancer test negative for PSA, and men who are overweight and have developed prostate cancer often have reduced PSA levels. Up to 25% of men with prostate cancer test negative for elevated PSA.

(more…)

Trees are good for your health – they suck up carbon dioxide and release oxygen, help reduce greenhouse gases and provide welcoming shade during the summer. But those aren’t the trees that have recently been in the news for helping to improve the health of many Americans. This time it’s family trees that are up for discussion – and electronic ones, at that.

Importance of Knowing Your Health History

The importance of knowing your family medical history can’t be emphasized strongly enough, according to Acting Surgeon General Steven Galson, whose office has been in charge of a new initiative to promote the use of a website where users can grow an electronic family tree to find out where their health risks lie.

(more…)

The Healthy People program recommends that adults get 30 minutes of moderate exercise (such as walking) five times a week, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (such as running) every week. It seems, however, that the majority of people still aren’t meeting these goals.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released its figures for the most and least fit metropolitan centers in America, and the results indicate that many people aren’t getting as much exercise as recommended by the Healthy People 2010 initiative.

(more…)

The medical breakthroughs that get reported in the media rarely end up being the miracle cures they’re often portrayed as. In 2008, however, there were several important advanced made in medical science that could have a significant impact on public health in years to come.

1. The question of whether organic food is good for you has finally been answered: A review of studies on nutrient content of organic fruits, vegetables, and grains has confirmed that these have up to 25% more nutrients than conventionally-grown produce.
2. Another long-held myth—about the efficacy of antibiotics for sinus infections—was also dispelled in 2008. Over the course of nine studies involving 2,500 participants, it was found that antibiotics didn’t significantly hasten recovery. According to allergist Neil L. Kao, MD, taking a decongestant or mucus thinner, along with a painkiller as needed, is just as beneficial.

(more…)

Nearly two million Americans have lost their jobs over the last year: around 500,000 in the last couple of months alone. That’s a staggering number of people who have lost their livelihood, perhaps their sole source of income.

Among their worries is the question of what’s going to happen to the healthcare their employers provided. Families with young children, in particular, may find the doctor’s bills piling up, with no healthcare insurance to cover them.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, every 1% increase in the unemployment figure translates into another 1.1 million people who don’t have healthcare insurance. The national unemployment rate was at 6.7% in November 2008 – an additional 7 million people without that crucial insurance.

(more…)

Prescription medications are expensive, and many doctors seem to become “prescription-happy.” These doctors’ first response to a patient complaint is usually to prescribe something new if something doesn’t work the first time. Even if you’re just taking one or two medications, you could be paying more than you need if you are taking brand name drugs, instead of generics.

According to a recent study, led by Dr. Aaron Kesselheim of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, this is particularly true when it comes to medications prescribed for the treatment of heart and cardiovascular conditions. According to the researchers, there is no evidence to suggest that brand name drugs work any better than their generic counterparts.

(more…)

Surgery and a week-long hospital stay can equal a bill of tens of thousands of dollars. Even with insurance you can still end up paying several thousand in out-of-pocket expenses. Insurance companies typically negotiate with hospitals for lower bills – but most people don’t realize they can do that too.

Tips for Negotiating Health Care Bills

The first and most important step is simply asking. According to a survey from the Consumer Reports National Research Center, only 31% of Americans have tried to negotiate medical bills – but of those who did try, 93% were successful, and a full third saved over $100. When you apply this to the massive expense of a hospital stay, it could mean a very significant saving.

(more…)

If you’re a woman and you have health insurance or are contemplating getting health insurance, here’s an important question to think about. When you think of the term “pre-existing” condition, what comes to mind?

These days it’s probably diseases like diabetes, as well as health problems such as high cholesterol, excess weight, and the like. Serious health problems, diseases that can seriously impact on your quality of life, can require expensive or ongoing treatment — right? Yes…but that’s not all. And you might be shocked to find out what, for women, constitutes a pre-existing condition.

(more…)

photo credit: johnsto

Many of us worry about what’s in the water we drink. Sometimes it’s for good reason. Recently, tests from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) confirmed that Wal-Mart’s branded Sam’s Choice water contains unlawful amounts of dangerous chlorine. Yet Americans continue to drink bottled water, consuming twice as much last year than we did in 1997 and spending about $10.3 billion.

Scientists at the EWG say we’ll probably be fine so long as we’re hydrated, especially if we’re drinking from our taps. But who worries as much about the water we swim in? According to some recent news reports there’s definitely cause to worry, due to an outbreak of a potentially deadly bacteria.

In Dallas County, a recent outbreak of Cryptosporidium has prompted county officials to recommend that people with suppressed immune systems avoid swimming in public pools and water parks. With 41 cases of cryptosporidiosis – and one suspected death – in Dallas County since June, the number of cases far exceeds the norm. According to official records, eight to ten cases cryptosporidiosis per month is normal during the summer. The problem isn’t only limited to Dallas County, either, and several other neighboring counties have reported similar issues with contaminated water and increased incidence of Cryptosporidium infections.

Does Swimming in Infected Water Put Me at Risk?

Simply swimming in infected water is enough to contract the disease. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting abdominal cramping, and dehydration, and can last for up to two weeks. Those most vulnerable to the disease are young children, pregnant women, and people with reduced immune function.

Several cities in Dallas County have taken to adding excess chlorine to swimming pool water to ensure that no bacteria can grow. But given that this could end up causing its own set of problems, such as eye irritation and hair damage, it’s probably best to avoid swimming in public pools if you’re one of those people who are vulnerable to infection.

Some Tips for Swimmers

Practicing good hygiene will help limit the spread of infection – wash hands with soap and hot water before handling food, after using the toilet, and after changing diapers.

In addition, healthcare professionals recommend that if you’ve had diarrhea in the past two weeks, you avoid swimming in public pools. Be responsible – don’t take the chance that you might pass this highly unpleasant infection on to someone else.