There
are hundreds of drugs sold over the counter today which required
a physician's prescription less than 20 years ago. They help us
take charge of our health, but we need to be cautious about what
we're taking. That's when you need to rely on your pharmacist
for more information.
Before using over-the-counter
(OTC) drugs, here are some questions to ask your pharmacist:
1
Are there any unlisted side effects I should know about?
Labels can't always list every possibility, so ask. Your pharmacist
may also be able to tell you how to minimize the side effects.
2
Are there potential interactions with alcohol, food or other
drugs? For example, some OTC medications can cause problems
with blood pressure drugs.
3
Could the OTC drug complicate another medical problem I have
(i.e. diabetes, prostate condition or heart or thyroid disease)?
4
When is the best time to take the drug?
5
Is there a less expensive version of the drug? 
Take charge. Carefully read OTC medicine
labels for ingredients and proper use... Discard outdated drugs...
Alert your physician or pharmacist if any new or unexpected symptoms
appear... Keep a record of all your current medications and take
this list to every visit with your provider.
Be sure to tell your provider if: You
are allergic to any drugs or foods; have diabetes or kidney or
liver disease; use alcohol or tobacco; take dietary supplements;
are breast feeding or pregnant.
Blood Tests
What do they mean? 
When
your doctor orders a blood test, ever wonder why it's needed or
what it shows? Along with your medical history and physical exam,
blood test results can help your provider diagnose or treat a
specific condition. Listed below are some common blood tests and
how they're typically used.
 Complete blood count -
Measures several types of cells in your blood including:
- Red cells, which carry oxygen throughout
your body.
- White cells, which are involved in
allergies and fighting infection.
Chemistry profile - Checks
a series of substances in your blood, which may include blood
sugar, minerals, electrolytes, protein and uric acid; measures
kidney and liver functions.
Cholesterol - Checks for
high total cholesterol or LDL (bad) cholesterol levels or low
HDL (good) cholesterol, all of which are indicators of heart disease
risk.
Electrolytes - Checks
for sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate.
Glucose - Measures your
blood sugar level, which may be an indicator of diabetes risk.
Kidney function - Shows
how active your kidney is in filtering wastes; a buildup of certain
substances may indicate kidney problems.
Liver function - Shows
how well your liver is working; increased substances may indicate
liver disease.
Thyroid - Diagnoses hypo-(low)
or hyper- (high) thyroid conditions.
To learn more about your blood tests,
be sure to ask your health care provider to explain the results
and what they mean.
|
HEALTH CARE
 UPDATE
|
|
 Many women ignore high blood pressure - three
of every four women know they have it but fewer than one
in three control it, according to the Alliance for Aging
Research. Steps to control high blood pressure include
losing excess weight, exercising more, having no more
than one alcoholic drink a day, and taking prescribed
medication for hypertension as directed. Johns Hopkins
Medical Letter/Health After 50, 4.98
The incidence of some cancers in the U.S. is
declining. These include colorectal cancer, stomach cancer,
Hodgkins disease, and cancers of the cervix, uterus, ovaries
and mouth. However, the incidence of lung, breast and
prostate cancer is rising. Most of the rise in breast
and prostate cancer is due to greater public awareness
and to improved and more frequent screening, which detects
more tumors and sooner than before. |
Asthma keeping
you from exercise? Many people who suffer asthma attacks
avoid physical activity for fear of their symptoms. There
are new drugs available in either pill or inhalant form
that may help you prevent exercise-induced wheezing. Check
with your physician. Time 7/27/98 |
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