Sunday, March 23, 2014

Know your medications

Your medication is important to your health.  But using medications both prescription and over the counter can be complicated. especially given that many people take multiple prescriptions, which can have potential side effects and adverse interactions.


These tips can help become more informed about your medications and help you work with your health care provider and pharmacist to make sure medications work for your health.


Questions to ask your health care provider if you need a prescription:
(1) What is the name of the medication?
(2) Is this a brand name or generic version
(3)How will it help my health condition?
(4)How and when do I take the medication and for how long?
(5)What foods, drinks, herbals vitamins or other drugs do I need to avoid while taking this medication?
(6)Do I need to avoid any activities while taking this medication?(7)Are there any side potential side effects, and what should I do if they occur?
(7)What is the risk of interactions with other prescription and over the counter drugs I am taking?
(8)How will I know if a medication is working?(9)Does this drug contain anything I am allergic to?(9)How long has the drug been on the market? Does it have a safety record?
(10)How much does this drug cost? Are there equivalent but less costly drugs?


For your safety and those around you.


Store medication out of reach of children and pets
Keep medications in their original containers. Use child-resistant containers if children live with or visit you.
Follow a routine when taking your medication
Separate tubes of ointment from tubes of other products such as toothpaste or children's products.
Use the measuring device that comes with the prescription or over the counter medication (for example the dosage cups or oral syringe)
Never take someone else's medication. Drugs and dosages are usually individual and contain specific in ways that may harm you.
Ask your pharmacist about how to discard expired or unused medications.




Taking Your Medication
(1)Make sure that it is for you. Confirm that your filled prescription contains your personal information.
(2)Read all materials. Printed details, known as patient information, should accompany your prescription. Read it thoroughly for information and to get the best results. If you don't understand something, talk to your pharmacist before using a medication.
(3)Take as directed. Taking medication as prescribed is essential to the medication's success. If you take multiple prescriptions read each label with every dose you take to be sure you are not taking a medication twice. or missing a dose of another.


Keep in mind that if side effects become a concern notify your health care provider right away. Also you may or may not feel that the medication is working. But if the problem persists once you have completed the treatment call your provider.  And of course finish the medication even if you are feeling better. Your health care provider sets the number of days for a reason. The bottom line is to take the medication as instructed unless  your doctor or pharmacist tells you otherwise.

Letters of Gratitude

dental health

Something you are NOT doing could be causing early facial aging. Untreated dental problems can have dire consequences on oral and over all health, and can also contribute to rapid facial aging. A more youthful and defined jaw line gives you a more attractive face! Loosing a tooth--whether from trauma or an extraction-causes bone loss in the surrounding area. And advanced gum disease can gradually reshape your jawbone as well! Anything that accelerates bone loss can make you look older much faster.


This should show you the importance of being proactive. When it comes to your smile, the two major "agers" are decay and gum disease. Both can be prevented through proper daily brushing and flossing coupled with regular dental cleaning and routine dental exams.


No One Wants Tooth Decay:
No filling or crown is permanent; they all will  likely need replacing over time. Failure to replace your older fillings and crowns can result in new decay, jaw infection, root canals and even tooth extractions. Tooth decay and tooth loss start the downward spiral that does not only lead to serious health issues but also to premature face aging.


Preserve That Youthful Glow
Don't skimp on oral hygiene or postpone your dental treatment .Periodontitis  can damage the jawbones that hold your teeth in place leading to tooth loss. The gum infection can cause your gums to recede. Receding gums can make your teeth appear longer, hence, the phrase often used to describe aging "long in the tooth". In time the loss of jawbone support results in caved in facial muscles which contributes sagging facial skin where bone use to be. Excessive bone loss also limits your choices of tooth replacement.


How To Prevent Facial Collapse---Due To Bone Loss
We now know that bone loss can result in facial changes. Too many people attribute facial changes to the normal aging process when in fact some of those changes are a bye-product of dental disease. For example the gradual collapse of bone structure can decrease your facial height. Over time , as jaw volume decrease, your chin may gradually rotate forward and upward. Your natural "cupids bow smile" my loose its shape causing your lip line to straighten. You can appear unhappy when your mouth is at rest. With bone loss tissue can sag long the lower jaw producing jowls.


Studies have shown that bone loss in the jaw and cheeks ages people in ways that even plastic surgery can fix! We all want to look our best . and we all want to save our teeth. To do so we  need to brush, floss and have regular dental exams!