The Pharmacy Mart

The Best Help With The Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Could Be Online

No one missed the recent launch of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

Countless newspaper and TV stories have chronicled the complex programs and the difficulties that many people have had finding the best plan to help them get the drugs they need.

However, many older Americans aren’t using the detailed medical information available on the Internet. A recent study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation found that only 21 percent of American senior citizens have gone online to research health information, confirming that most elderly Americans are not using the Internet to become better informed about their health and health care options.

The TV Services division of Microsoft Corp. has compiled a list of third-party online resources that seniors can use to find answers to their questions about the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, including these sites:

• Medicare. The official government Medicare Web site now has answers to the many questions seniors have about the new Prescription Drug Plan. The site includes a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder, an interactive tool that enables you to narrow your search for a Medicare prescription drug plan based on your personal preferences such as cost, coverage and convenience. Go to http://www.medicare.gov/pdphome.asp.

• AARP. AARP, the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over in the United States, has designed a site with many articles and detailed information to answer your Medicare questions. Visit http://www.aarp.org/ health/medicare.

• WebMD Inc. WebMD, the popular health information Web site, and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation created a Medicare Drug Benefit Calculator to help seniors figure out what they will pay for prescriptions under the standard Medicare prescription drug plan. Visit http://www.webmd.com/content/article/113/110712.htm.

If you are a senior or you have an older family member who doesn’t use the Internet because it seems too complicated, did you know there are easy-to-use and affordable devices designed to help you get online? With the MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player (http://www.msntv.com), you simply connect it to a regular television, plug in your phone line (for a dial-up connection) or broadband cable, sign up for MSN TV service, and you can be online within minutes, sending e-mail and researching valuable health and wellness information.

“Some Americans are still intimidated by technology and the Internet,” said Kevin Mizuhara, director of marketing for the TV Services division at Microsoft. “Our customers love MSN TV 2 because it’s easy to set up and doesn’t require computer skills to use.”

More important, the MSN TV 2 player is affordable for just about any budget. The MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player sells for about $200 MSRP (U.S., plus monthly subscription fee). And, if you order directly from Microsoft (1-866-901-4882), monthly payment plans are available. In addition, the MSN TV 2 player is available at many retailers including Best Buy, Circuit City and Amazon.com.

“With MSN TV 2, you can check e-mail and surf the Web via a regular television from the comfort of your living room,” Mizuhara said. “And you can stay in touch with family and friends by sharing digital photos. With the rich resources available online, you can not only use the Web to research hobbies such as gardening, travel or genealogy, you can also find answers to almost any questions you may have about vital subjects such as Medicare, health, retirement and finances.”

Note to editors: The MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player requires a subscription fee to MSN TV service and is subject to acceptance of the terms of service upon registration. A credit or debit card is required to pay for MSN TV service. MSN TV services are available as a local call in most areas. In some areas, long-distance telephone toll charges may apply.

Support Needed For People With Breathing Problems. Emotional Burden Of Chronic Bronchitis And Emphysema May Make Some Patients Reluctant To Seek Treat

Imagine how you’d feel if walking up even a few stairs made you so winded that you gasped for air and had to sit down to catch your breath. For millions of Americans with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, that scenario is part of their everyday lives, and the simple act of breathing can be a constant struggle.

COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a progressive respiratory disease characterized by a loss of lung function over time. Primarily triggered by cigarette smoking, COPD is the second-leading cause of disability and the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease. Beyond COPD’s physical symptoms lies a range of troubling emotions-frustration, anxiety and depression-which, according to a national survey conducted by Efforts (Emphysema Foundation For Our Right to Survive), may affect the way patients manage their disease. Efforts is a nonprofit patient organization dedicated to supporting and educating COPD patients.

“I’d wake up in the middle of the night scared and anxious because I couldn’t breathe,” says COPD sufferer Jacquie Bossert, 72, from San Diego. “To me, this disease meant I would have to give up all the important things in my life. But with the right resources, I’ve learned to manage my disease, so instead of feeling frustrated, I now feel empowered to get back to doing some of the things I enjoy.”

Overall, the 649 COPD patients in the survey, which was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer Inc., said that they most frequently felt uncomfortable, tired and frustrated. More than half reported more extreme emotions, saying that they “always” or “very frequently” felt troubling emotions. These included feeling burdened, overwhelmed, depressed, isolated, defeated, embarrassed or ashamed because of their disease. Nearly all said that they think about their condition at least once a day; are concerned about experiencing an exacerbation, a worsening of symptoms; and believe that other people think that they caused their condition themselves.

Importantly, patients who experienced extreme emotions were more likely to be very concerned about their condition worsening, think that there is nothing they can do to control it or were uncomfortable or reluctant to seek treatment. This group was also more likely to consider immediate symptom relief important and use short-term medications, often called rescue medications, at least once a day.

“These findings illustrate the fear and hopelessness that many patients feel, along with a possible emotional attachment to rescue medications,” says Dennis E. Doherty, M.D., Professor of Medicine and head of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center and Chairman of the National Lung Health Education Program, which is dedicated to the identification and treatment of patients in the early stages of emphysema and related chronic bronchitis. “Maintenance therapies are more effective in managing COPD over time, but many patients are confused about the role of short- and long-term treatments in managing symptoms. Physicians need to recognize the emotional aspect of this disease and better educate patients on the value of maintenance therapy so they can get the treatment they want and need.”

To help address the issues found in this survey and the need for better disease education, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer Inc., in conjunction with COPD Foundation, NLHEP (National Lung Health Education Program) and Efforts, have launched The Breathing Room, a nationwide COPD education program. The Breathing Room gives patients and the public the opportunity to learn more about COPD through innovative tools such as interactive disease animation. The program will also offer information about COPD from medical experts and will provide lifestyle and disease management tools and treatment options to help patients manage their disease more effectively.

Hepatitis is a disease taking on many forms which feature inflammation of the liver. The cause is depended on the prognosis and on the symptoms shown. Certain forms of hepatitis are unable to reveal many signs or symptoms and are only noticeable when the longstanding inflammation has led to the replacement of liver cells by connective tissue. General symptoms of hepatitis are noticed by fever, enlarged liver, abdominal pain, and jaundice (icterus).

Viral infections are the cause of most acute Hepatitis. Hepatitis comes in 7 not so delicious flavours: Hepatitis A, B, C, D – Agent (which requires the presence of the hepatitis B virus to form), Hepatitis E, F, and G. None of these are very yummy, and should be avoided at all costs.

The most common of the 7 is Hepatitis A. It is transmitted through the orofecal route, or in other words, contaminated food. This one is the easiest to contract, but it does not reach a chronic stage, so the body is able to build up an immunity against it by creating antibodies. An excellent preventative measure is to get a Hepatitis A vaccination. This will prevent infection of the virus.

Hepatitis has a close brother – Hepatitis B. This evil twin is also very easy to contract. you can get it through blood, tattoos, sexually, and you can even inherit it from your mother when you are born. Hep. B can be acute, however, some peoples’ bodies are unable to produce antibodies against it, thus turning an acute virus into a chronic one.

The easiest way to avoid contracting Hepatitis is simple cleanliness and vaccinations. click the link to my website at the bottom for more information on all forms of Hepatitis.

Sinusitis in children and adults are different. Oftentimes, sinusitis in children is over diagnosed because the symptoms are minor and the causes are complicated. Parents and doctors think that children suffer from sinusitis when what they experience is only a runny nose. But this is often not the case. Your child may not simply be suffering from common cold and they would require treatment. So if a yellow or green runny nose does not mean a sinus infection, how could a parent know if his or her child is actually suffering from sinusitis?

If your child has the following symptoms, it can indicate that a sinus infection is present: chronic cough; cold that lasts for more than ten to fourteen days; low-grade fever; thick yellow or green drainage; irritability; fatigue; swelling in the eye area and post nasal drip. Remember though that even if symptoms last for two weeks it does not necessarily mean that there is sinus infection. If the symptoms are improving, then it may just be a cold. But if your child remains sick beyond two weeks, a visit to a doctor is recommended.

Although most children respond well to antibiotic, it still wont help your child get better faster. When antibiotics are used unnecessarily it can cause secondary infections to your child with bacteria that has become immune to the medicine. Nasal sprays may be prescribed to relieve short term stuffiness and nasal saline can help in improving mucous membrane function. If your child is suffering only from acute sinusitis, it should get better in the first few days. But for chronic sufferers, it is important to get the help of doctors to avoid any further infections in your child.

A correct diagnosis of sinusitis is often done upon careful examination of a childs nose, throat and ears and making a careful study of the symptoms that the child is having. Getting a sinus x-ray is not really necessary especially if your child is six years old or younger. Nevertheless, the use of an x-ray cannot be underestimated as it can help know where the blockage has occurred and it can help check the reliability of a sinusitis diagnosis.

If left untreated sinus infection can lead to serious complications, including brain damage. So, as a parent you have to be always concerned about your childs health. But you have to also keep in mind that sinus infection is not diagnosed by a mere yellow or green runny nose. It is detected by analyzing the symptoms and looking at how bad they are.

Crohns Disease, unlike ulcerative colitis, may affect any region of the digestive system. From the mouth to the anus, depending on which area of the body is affected, there are different types of Crohns Disease. Each encompasses slightly different symptoms and varies in intensity. You should be familiar with the various forms as your doctor may refer to your condition as one of the following five types of Crohns Disease.

The most common type of Crohns is Ileocolitis, which affects the ileum, or lower part of the small intestine, and colon. Common symptoms experienced with this type is pain or cramping in the lower right part or middle of the abdomen, as well as diarrhea and weight loss. As with the other forms, as a result of inflammation, damage to the intestinal wall is common and may cause additional complications.

Another form is Ileitis, which only affects the lower part of the small intestine, or ileum. There are similar symptoms as Ileocolitis, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and may include the formation of ulcerations or abscesses in the lower right area of the abdomen. Weight loss may also occur as a result of excessive diarrhea.

Gastroduodenal Crohns Disease, on the other hand, involves the first part of the small intestine, the duodenum, and the stomach. Loss of appetite usually occurs, as well as weight loss as a result, and nausea. Vomiting may also occur and be a sign of bowel obstruction. This form is particularly difficult to deal with as it affects nutritional intake and may lead to malnutrition.

Jejunoileitis is another type and causes inflammation in the upper half of the small intestine in patches. Abdominal pain is common, as with most forms of Crohns disease, but may vary from mild to intense. Pain usually occurs after meals and may include diarrhea. Fistulas may also form. If fistulas or abscesses form, they may lead to other complications as well.

Crohns (granulomatous) colitis affects the colon only and not any other part of the intestines. Because of the effect on the lower digestive system, rectal bleeding is common, in addition to anal disease, such as ulcers, abscess, and fistulas. Other symptoms include diarrhea as well as joint pain and skin lesions, which may occur in other forms on Crohns but is more common in this type. This form, in particular, is easily misdiagnosed as ulcerative colitis, because both disorders affect the colon.

When you are searching for an alcohol and drug rehab program, it is important that you select a facility that will best suit the needs of the person in need of treatment. Whether its you, a family member or friend, the most important part of the selection process is ensuring that the facility will be able to offer not only a quality treatment program, but also a professional counseling and support system throughout the entire rehabilitation process.

One of the best ways to find a quality alcohol & drug rehab facility is through the referral of a physician, many of whom will offer a recommendation as to the best treatment options for an individual following a determination as to his/her level of alcohol and/or drug dependency. Without the recommendation of a physician, individuals will have to search for a treatment facility on their own. One way of doing this is by looking through the yellow pages of a local telephone book or searching the web for local treatment facilities.

While each alcohol & drug rehab treatment program is different, the basic fundamentals are the same. Most facilities have a strict list of guidelines that every patient must adhere to including which items can and cannot be brought onto the premises. This is especially true of an inpatient treatment facility, which offers housing to patients. Most programs begin with a detoxification process, often referred to simply as detox, which is followed by a treatment program customized to the patients needs. During this time, counseling sessions and various activities will be participated in by the patient in order to show them the benefits of living a drug and alcohol free life.

According to their level of dependency, patients may be required to attend an inpatient program. As mentioned previously, this entails the patient actually residing on the property during the treatment process. During this time, there is 24-hour supervision with inpatient care. Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, is for individuals who are able to continue living their life, attending school or work and everyday functions without the concern of substance abuse. An outpatient treatment program allows for an individual to live at home and attend regular counseling meetings, such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or other treatment program. The decision between an inpatient or outpatient treatment program will depend heavily on the level of addiction and the patients ability to resist alcohol and drugs without constant supervision.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional medical advice regarding the treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. Prior to selecting a quality alcohol & drug rehab facility, individuals should consult a licensed medical doctor for a proper diagnosis and recommendation for treatment.

Yaws, a tropical infection of the skin, bones and joints is usually caused by the bacterium spirochete. Yaws is easily and quickly transmitted by skin contact with infected individuals. The Bacteria enters through an existing cut or similar damage to the skin. Usually less than a month but within ninety days of infection with Yaws a painless but vivid “Parent Yaw”, an ulcerous papule appears on the surface of the skin at the point of entry. This Ulcer is described to have the color of a rasberry and is about 15-45mm in diameter. This initial Ulcer can last for up to nine months and other ulcers will appear on skin as the previous one heals.

If left untreated a secondary stage of Yaws will occur after up to four months. This second stage is marked by more ulcers similar to the first one in appearance, although much smaller. These growths can combine together into a thick fissured plaque. These fissured plaques can occur on the feet and induce a distinctive gait. Secondary growths of Yaws are irreversible.

In approximately 10-20% cases of yaws the disease can progress for over a decade or more to a tertiary stage. This tertiary stage will have destructive lesions to the skin and to the bones. The largest group afflicted by yaws are children aged 5 to 11 years in Latin America, the Caribbean Islands, India, West Africa, Oceania and Southeast Asia. Numbers of Yaws outbreaks have been increasing over the past years since, the World Health Organization (WHO) funded campaigns against yaws in 1954 to 1963.

Yaws is easily identified from blood tests or by a microscopic examination of a lesion. Treatment for Yaws is by a single dose of penicillin, erythromycin or tetracycline. It is very oncommon for a victim to have recurrence or a relapse.

According to the U.S. News & World Report Health Center, Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Literally meaning porous bone, it results in an increased loss of bone mass and strength. Osteoporosis debilitates millions of people every year, but there is good news prevention is possible!

The skeletal structure of the body provides support for our muscles and protection for our vital organs; our bones are also a storehouse of calcium and other minerals. More than 99 percent of the bodys calcium is stored in our bones and teeth, the other 1 percent travels throughout our body in our blood. Calcium is vital for heart and muscle function.

Our skeletons are made up of a smooth, tough outer layer of dense bone, a spongier mid section and a soft core of marrow where new cells are made to rebuild our bones. Our bones are constantly changing because our bodies depend on a steady supply of calcium to function properly. When we dont get enough calcium from our regular diet our bodies break down and rebuild bone to meet our needs. This is called bone remodeling.

Many things can influence bone remodeling, like injury, illness, medications, exercise, diet, hormonal changes, smoking, heavy drinking and of course the normal aging process. When the body requires more calcium than we are able to consume, or if we arent able to store the calcium we consume adequately it is leached from the spongy mid layer of our bones. They gradually lose their density making them weak and porous, and more prone to fractures. This is osteoporosis.

Most of our bone mass is established before the age of 30, and after about age 35, as a part of the normal aging process, our bodies begin to breakdown our bone faster than we are able to rebuild it. The natural decline in hormonal production is another contributing factor. When women reach menopause and their ovaries stop producing estrogen and bone loss accelerates. In men a reduction in the hormone testosterone also encourages bone loss.

There is no cure for osteoporosis, so disease prevention is vital to maintaining bone density. There are three key areas to consider when it comes to preventing osteoporosis: diet, lifestyle choices and medications. http://www.osteoperosishelp.com/howtopreventosteoporosis

To maintain strong healthy bones a diet sufficient in calcium and vitamin D are important from preadolescence and throughout adulthood. Calcium needs become greater in older adults whose bodies can no longer rebuild bone mass. Recent studies suggest that bone fractures can be reduced by 30-50% in individuals with low dietary calcium simply with the addition of a calcium and vitamin D supplement.

A few easy lifestyle changes can also influence our risk of getting osteoporosis. Smoking, low body weight and a lack of exercise are all contributing factors to raising our susceptibility to the disease. Weight-bearing exercises like walking, stair climbing, dancing and weight training help to increase bone density, keep muscles flexible and ensure better physical balance in people of all ages. Exercise also helps to regulate body weight to a healthy level. There is a direct link between tobacco use and lower bone density so smoking cessation is also recommended.

The use of medications can and does play an important role in the prevention of osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D supplements as mentioned previously are often paired with bisphosphonates like Alendronate and Risedronate, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like Raloxifene, and hormonal replacements like Estrogen and Testosterone. All medications have some side effects and these are best discussed with your doctor.

Though there is no known cure for osteoporosis there is hope and help in preventing this common and often debilitating disease of the elderly. By starting now and working to prevent bone density loss youll have a stronger, healthier future.

In our last article, we briefly discussed Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. This article will take a close look at the cause, symptoms, and current treatment used for Osteoarthritis. So lets take a second look at what Osteoarthritis is.

Osteoarthritis is known by many as wear and tear Arthritis. It is one of the most common forms of Arthritis and is the result of cartilage wearing away from the joints. This cartilage is responsible for the smooth gliding of joints, and once it begins to deteriorate, the patient is left with pain, joint swelling and inflammation, and even deformity.

Osteoarthritis patients usually state that their pain is greatest during times of movement, and then lessens significantly during periods of rest. Osteoarthritis affects many more women than men. There is an estimated 24 million Osteoarthritis sufferers in the United States and roughly 74% are women.

The cause of Osteoarthritis is not known, yet doctors have many suspicions. Some of the symptoms of Osteoarthritis boggle the minds of scientists and more research needs to take place to determine the actual root of the disease. For instance, X-rays can tell that Arthritis is present, yet the amount of pain reported by Osteoarthritis sufferers differs from the results of the X-ray. Though many people refer to Osteoarthritis as the wear and tear disease, evidence shows that this disease and its mysterious cause are not as simple as that definition. In fact, wear and tear does not take place in just one joint, but affects joints simultaneously throughout the body. An example of this, is that sufferers with Osteoarthritis of the knee, offer suffer Osteoarthritis in the hand. Also, doctors have noted that patients dont suffer with Osteoarthritis on just one side of the body (as would be expected due to wear and tear) but because it seems to affect the body concurrently, it appears that Osteoarthritis is a systematic disease affecting all of the cartilage at once.

One suggestion is that Osteoarthritis is a result of cartilage that has stopped functioning at optimum level. Cartilage is continuously undergoing a process where it is broken down, then rebuilt. Some theories state that this process becomes unbalanced and out of hand. This is referred to as End Stage Osteoarthritis. It is at this stage that joint pain and impairment begin to manifest. There are many natural remedies that show promise in the management of Osteoarthritis pain and symptoms. Look for future articles in our Arthritis Series that will offer natural remedies that may prevent enzymes from damaging cartilage.

Some other ideas that point to the cause of Osteoarthritis include:

Previous Sports related or Joint Injuries
Genetically Inherited (it appears that Osteoarthritis runs in families)
Repeated Occurrences of Bleeding into a Joint (as occurs with Hemophilia and other diseases)
Repeated Occurrences of Gout and Gout like Diseases
Avascular Necrosis- this is a condition where blood near a bone is cut off, this leads to bone death as well as joint damage. Avascular Necrosis typically afflicts the hip joint.
Previous Rheumatoid Related Illness- such as Rheumatoid Arthritis can lead to chronic inflammation of the joints.
Osteoporosis-due to the high risk of bone fractures and injury, Osteoarthritis may develop in joints.
Metabolic Disorders- for example, Hemochromatosis can result in high levels of Iron being deposited in the joints
Joint Infection-It is believed that cartilage may deteriorate in people who have defects in their cartilage and joints.

Weve discussed the potential causes of Osteoarthritis, now it is time to look at the various symptoms of Osteoarthritis. The symptoms of Osteoarthritis include:

Joint Pain- this tends to be worse when rising in the morning
Joint Swelling and Inflammation- this occurs during periods of activity
Feeling a Grinding Sensation when a Joint is moved
Loss of Mobility and Flexibility

There is no sure way to prevent Arthritis in any of its forms. There are however some things that you can do to help lower your risk of developing Osteoarthritis or any other type of Arthritis. Some of the preventative methods that you may add to your lifestyle today include:

Maintain an Ideal Body Weight
Take steps to prevent the development of Osteoporosis. Some of these include taking adequate Vitamin D and Calcium, exercising, and taking medication if needed.
Do your best to prevent injuring your bones and joints try to avoid accidents such as sports related, implementing joint protection by using splints and braces.

The coffee table talk goes very low when you whisper, “yeast infection”, but the body screams RELIEF NOW! A trip to the doctor, adverse side effects and nothing natural would be the next thought. Can there be a natural solution to a disease that each woman will suffer at least twice in her life?

Yeast infection is like a ghost waiting to scare young and older women when their body becomes out of balance due to stress, dubious partners, hormonal changes and/or immune system weakness.

A few women will elude this voracious monster but unfortunately most will be frightened at least twice in their life and others will live with a chronic reoccurrence of yeast infection.

The most important message is to recognize the yeast infection early and try an available natural remedy that you can use in the comfort of the home that is safe and no prescription required.

Natural antibiotics are always a choice that should be taken over a prescription if possible. Colloidal silver has been a patented drug and then relabeled a natural supplement. Oregano oil is also a natural antibiotic.

In addition to natural antibiotics there are two other home remedies that have been used to control yeast infection, yogurt insertion and tea tree oil. The body will always respond quicker to a natural solution and return to a healthy state if it doesn’t have a compound job to do. The dual duty of the immune system would be trying to rid the body of an invasive disease while expelling man made toxins in prescription drugs that usually cause unbalanced ph in the blood and immune system.

Natural antibiotics and home remedies are not in any way the answer to all medical problems and do not take the place of a medical doctor. However taking care of your body and boosting your immune system to support good health is your everyday job. Only you know that responsibility best.

The World Wide Web has become a highway to a library of testimonials for natural disease remedies. There is an effort to suppress all natural vitamin, herbs, minerals and home remedy practice. We are a voice crying RELIEF in cyberspace from the proven archives of our word-of-mouth ancestors. We practice freedom of speech, and deny that these references are an attempt to diagnose or treat any disease, symptom or individual.