A couple of years ago, a friend of mine suffered the loss of several family members in a very short period of time. One of the deaths was that of her brother-in-law, a healthy and very active, 62 year-old inspirational teacher. The morning before he passed away, he had taken a new medication and suffered an allergic reaction to it. When his daughter came home from work that evening, she found him sitting in his favorite chair with his tongue swollen and protruding from his mouth. (more…)
Summer - a glorious time for friends, family and outdoor fun. But, when poison ivy lurks in those outdoor areas we like to play in, the great outdoors can be our worst enemy. According to the FDA, poison ivy is found throughout the United States, except in Alaska, Hawaii and some parts of the West Coast. (more…)
Infection is one of the most common risk factors after any type of surgery and occurs when harmful bacteria enter our bodies and begin to multiply. While our bodies’ defenses normally do an awesome job of protecting us, sometimes the bacteria are very prolific, meaning they multiply much faster than our bodies can effectively manage. This is when an infection starts to make you feel sick. But, how do you know when you are getting an infection? Watch for the following signs and symptoms:
1. Malaise
As bacteria multiply, an infection may become systemic, meaning it moves throughout your body. As a result of this, you may feel a lot more tired than unusual and experience a lack of energy. If you have had surgery and start to feel worse and not better, you may be suffering from general malaise, one of the most common symptoms of infection.
2. Fever
While having a low-grade fever (100 F or less) after surgery is quite normal, when your temperature spikes to 101 F or greater, you should contact your doctor or surgeon right away. A fever can lead to other complications such as dehydration and lack of appetite. Remember to keep yourself well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
3. Swelling, Heat and Redness
When an infection occurs, your magnificent body sends infection-fighting blood cells, called macrophages, to the rescue. This often results in swelling, heat and redness at the infection site.
4. Foul-Smelling Drainage
A bit of bloody, or clear drainage from a surgical incision is normal and usually disappears during the healing process. When a wound starts to drain purulent, foul-smelling drainage or pus, however, this is not normal and should be reported.
5. Pain
Under normal circumstances, pain after surgery should dissipate with each passing day. When your pain increases and is not relieved by pain medication, this should alert you to the possibility of infection.
Only your doctor can diagnose infection. If you experience any of the above signs and symptoms, it is important that you make a follow-up appointment as soon as possible. An infection can be treated with antibiotics, anti-viral or anti-fungal medications. If you are prescribed any of these, make sure to take the entire prescription, and not stop when you start to feel better.
If you are caring for a patient or loved one who is bed-bound, one of the greatest risks imposed on them is that of decubitus ulcers, commonly referred to as bedsores or pressure ulcers.
Bedsores can be caused by a number of reasons - immobility, impaired sensory perception, decreased blood supply to the tissues, poor nutritional status, friction and shearing forces, increased moisture and being elderly. (more…)
You are sitting down at your exam watching your doctor scribble down your prescription, and you just want to hurry up and leave. Stop. Before you think about all the errands you have to run, or about getting back to work, think about yourself.
It will only take a few minutes to ask your doctor these eleven essential questions about your prescription. Save some time in the long run, and save your health.
1. What is the name of this prescription?
Know the name of the medicine you are taking, because if you are seeing several physicians, it is essential to provide the specific name in order to receive the best and safest diagnosis. This also includes over the counter drugs, herbal or dietary supplements. On RememberItNow! you can easily track all the medications you are currently taking and print the list to take to your next appointment with your doctor.
2. Is there a generic brand of my medication?
It doesn’t hurt to ask if there is a less expensive version of the brand name counterpart prescribed. Your doctor can still answer questions about its safety, side effects, and more.
3. Are there side effects or risks with my prescription?
It is normal to anticipate low-risk side effects with most medications and your physician will explain them to you. However, if you are experiencing symptoms not described by your physician it is important to contact them. If your symptoms are putting your health at a dangerous risk and you feel you need immediate help, call 911 or find the closest emergency room. By writing down your prescription list on RememberItNow! and tracking notes on your list, you can immediately know and double-check if your symptoms feel unusual.
4. What exactly is the function of my prescription?
You must know why you are taking your medication and the purpose it serves, whether it treats your entire symptoms or one. To keep track of your medications and what they are taken for, you can make notes in RememberItNow! You can also invite your doctor or other care givers to participate and help you.
5. When and how should I take my medicine? And can I stop if I feel better?
It’s important to take the right medication, at the right time, in the right dose. Don’t feel bad about taking notes when the doctor tells you the schedule. Sometimes it’s hard to remember exactly how to take your medications and the instructions on medication packages are often hard to read. RememberItNow! can help you stick to your medication schedule by sending you reminders and instructions.
There is a lot of information available online to help you learn more about the medication your are taking - in fact you can quickly get overwhelmed. And finding the most credible resources can be a challenge.
We’ve found that the sites listed below provide some of the best information for your questions on side effects, studies done on your drug, information on its interaction with other drugs, and much more.
This government website provides authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Pre-formulated searches are included in MedlinePlus which give you easy access to medical journal articles. MedlinePlus also has an illustrated medical encyclopedia, extensive information about drugs, interactive patient tutorials, and the latest health news.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provide several studies that are open for public viewing for nearly all medications. (more…)
It’s hard to remember all the details you need to take care of before that big cruise or quick get away, but it is crucial to prepare for health care whenever or wherever you are traveling. Check this list off and have peace of mind when traveling.
1. Have a medical exam.
3. Get two papers from your doctor: a letter and a prescription.
4. Get a list of English-speaking foreign doctors from the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT).
5. Find and wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace that shows you have diabetes.
6. If you are flying, you can request a special meal low in sugar, fat, or cholesterol. (more…)
