2015 Archived Newsletter

Where and How to Get Your Benefits If you’re new to Medicare, here’s how to get started: Step 1: Sign Up. Contact the Medicare office at 1-800-MEDICARE or online through Medicare.gov. You’ll learn: When you’re eligible for Medicare; whether you’ll get Medicare Part A...

Have a Tasty Thanksgiving - with Less Salt Take a holiday trip to New Zealand this year and enjoy these delicious (and heart-healthy) Chocolate, Fruit and Nut Truffles, a holiday favorite there. Chocolate, Fruit and Nut Truffles ¼ cup nuts, chopped ¼ cup dried...

These Ideas Will Help Whittle Your List – and Their Waist! This year, choose holiday gifts that will help your friends and family stay active, eat well and get healthier in 2016. Some suggestions: Pedometers, exercise balls Exercise classes (tai chi, kickboxing, yoga,...

Is Your Bedroom Giving You a Good Night’s Sleep? Design your sleep environment to establish the conditions you need for sleep. Your bedroom should be cool –between 60 and 67 degrees. It should also be free from any noise that can disturb your sleep and be free from...

How to Prevent Someone from Driving Drunk The best way to prevent someone from driving drunk is to make a plan for a sober designated driver, and make sure everyone agrees to it ahead of time. If you are faced with a situation where someone who’s impaired is trying to...

Tips for Managing Kids’ Holiday Stress While the holidays are exciting, they can also be stressful - for parents and children.  But there are ways to help your family have a happy and more relaxed time together. Talk to your kids about expectations for gifts and...

Can I Help Protect My Eyes from Developing Cataracts? Q: Both of my parents developed cataracts in their sixties. Is there anything I can do to help avoid getting cataracts - at least for as long as possible? A: Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block...

Have a Tasty Thanksgiving – with Less Salt It’s easy to cut salt – without sacrificing flavor – this Thanksgiving.  Try these tips from the American Heart Association. Look for a bird that hasn’t been injected with a sodium solution.  Check the fine print on the...

The Diabetes Nurse Practitioner If you or a family member are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you will be introduced to a number of different medical professionals in addition to your primary-care physician.  A nurse educator or diabetes nurse practitioner is a...

Protect Your Child from Burns Every day, more than 300 U.S. children are treated in emergency rooms for burn-related injuries.  Younger children are more likely to sustain injuries from hot liquids or steam, while older children are more likely to sustain injuries...

What Is a Cataract? A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision.  The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus an image on the retina.  The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.  In a normal eye, light passes...

What Is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy.  Diabetes means your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.  Your body uses glucose for energy.  Too much glucose in your blood is not good for...

The Great American Smokeout is November 19 Quitting smoking can be hard, so a good plan can help you get past symptoms of withdrawal. Set a quit date. Choose the Great American Smokeout date or another day within the next two weeks. Tell your family and friends you...

How Can I Cut Down on Stress During the Holiday Season? Q:  The holidays are coming, and I’m already feeling stressed.  What can I do to make the season a more relaxed one? A:  Try to prevent undue stress in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an...

Talk with Your Doctor According to the American Cancer Society, about 5 to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, meaning that they result from gene defects (called mutations) inherited from a parent. The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer...

Know How to Protect Your Child Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects the nose, throat, windpipe, bronchi and bronchioles (air passages of the lungs).  The virus is so widespread that almost all children have had an RSV infection by the time they reach preschool. ...

Seven Ways to Sit Less and Move More There’s strong scientific evidence that says frequent moderate-to-vigorous-intensity exercise plays a significant preventive role in cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers.  The human body, with...

Yes, Says the CDC People sometimes ask their doctor:  “Even if I get sick with thte flu, won’t I recover quickly?” The answer?  Not necessarily.  Influenza can be serious and anyone can become sick with flu and experience serious complications.  But even fi you bounce...

Seniors and Food Poisoning Q:  As I get older, are there certain dietary changes I should make to help reduce my risk of contracting food poisoning? A:  To reduce risks of illness from bacteria in food, seniors (and others who face special risks of illness) are...

Clean Hands Help Protect Your Family When should you wash your hands? Before preparing or eating food After going to the bathroom After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom Before and after caring for someone who is sick After handling...

Don’t Leave the Pharmacy without Doing This After you have received your prescription medication, and before you leave the pharmacy, make sure you do the following: Check to be sure you have the right medicine. If you’ve received this medicine before, make sure this...

Here’s How to Stay Healthy The best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is for those over 6 months of age to be vaccinated.  (There are some exceptions, and yourdoctor can discuss those...

Get the Facts Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are nicotine-delivery devices.  They are battery operated, but are designed to look and feel like a cigarette.  The nicotine in them is derived from tobacco plants.  The potential user is led to believe that...

Exercising with Arthritis Exercise is important for people with arthritis.  It increases strength and flexibility, reduces joint pain, and helps fight fatigue.  Your doctor or physical therapist can recommend exercises that are best for you, which might include...

Try These Easy Swaps for Better Nutrition Many lunchboxes are overloaded with fat, sugar and salt and are missing fruit, vegetables and whole grains.  The good news?  There are simple, easy ways to improve your kids’ nutrition by making some simple lunchbox swaps. If...

The Season Brings Its Own Challenges to Allergy Sufferers Fall can be especially difficult for people with allergies, especially if they are sensitive to mold and ragweed pollen.  Here are three things that can contribute to fall allergies: Lingering warm weather....

When Should I Get My Flu Shot? Flu vaccination should begin soon after the vaccine becomes available, ideally by October.  However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even in January or later. ...

“Does My Child Need Additional Hearing Tests?” Q:  My child failed a hearing screening at school.  What does that mean? A:  School-based hearing screening provides pass/fail information on your child’s ability to hear.  If your child fails a screening, this means that...

Movement is Key Arthritis is made up of more than 100 different rheumatic diseases and conditions, the most common of which is osteoarthritis.  Other common forms include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and gout.  Common symptoms include pain, aching,...

Personal-Safety Tips for Older Adults You don’t necessarily need physical strength, agility, speed or expensive security devices to help protect yourself and your home.  You do need to be alert, cautious and confident. Keep doors and windows locked.  Install...

Protect Kids from Digital Eye Strain According to the American Optometric Association, 83% of children between the ages of 10 and 17 estimate that they use an electronic device for three or more hours each day. Children often report experiencing burning, itchy or...

How to Select Kids’ Shoes It’s back-to-school time, and that may mean it’s time for shoe shopping.  Children over 3 years of age experience increases of about one half a foot size every four to six months.  Style and shoe fit are important for school-age children.  At...

Good News in Bug-Bite Protection Are you concerned about exposure to the ingredients in some bug repellents?  Consumer Reports has good news.  Their recent tests found the more effective bug repellents were also among the safer choices. For the first time ever in...

What Kinds of Foods Do I need as I Get Older? As we get older, our bodies begin to need fewer calories, but we still need just as many nutrients.  It’s helpful to “eat from the rainbow” of foods rich in nutrients, like these: Fruits and vegetables (choose a range of...

Walk This Way! Walking to school is fun!  These tips can help ensure that it’s also safe: Walk together.  Younger children should always walk with an adult.  Older kids can walk with a sibling or friend. Pick the best route.  Help your kids pick a safe route to...

Know Your Numbers Sunscreens protect your skin by absorbing and/or reflecting UVA and UVB rays.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that all sunscreens contain a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) label.  The SPF Reveals the relative amount of sunburn protection...

Are You Setting Yourself Up for a Fall? Have you ever tripped while walking down the stairs?  Slipped on a rug?  It may seem silly, but falls are nothing to take lightly.  Here are some easy tips to help fall-proof your home: Keep electrical cords out of walking...

Try These Tips for Summer Fun! You say school has been out for a month now, and the kids are hanging around the house staring at screens of all kinds just a bit too much?  It’s time to recharge!  Try these tips to get your family eating, moving and enjoying the summer...

What Is Toenail Fungus? Toenail fungus is an infection of the nail and sometimes the surrounding tissue.  It’s common, with 20% of the general population and 75% of individuals over 60 years old affected.  Frequently the problem causes cosmetic concerns, but many...

Protect Your Family This Summer Although anyone can get Lyme disease, children spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer and are at particular risk.  Reasons to suspect that your child may have Lyme disease include:  your family lives in or has visited a region where...

It’s Time to S-T-R-E-T-C-H! Stretching can help improve flexibility, and, consequently, range of motion in your joints.  Better flexibility may improve your performance in physical activities or decrease your risk of injuries by helping your joints move through their...

Know the Differences Basal-cell and squamous-cell cancers are the most common skin cancers.  Both are found mainly on parts of the body exposed to the sun, such as the head and neck.  They are strongly related to sun exposure.  They are much less likely than melanomas...

When to See a Doctor Not all headaches require a physician’s attention. But headaches can signal a more serious disorder that requires prompt medical care. Immediately call or see a doctor if you or someone you’re with experiences any of these symptoms: Sudden, severe...

What Can My Baby See? New parents often wonder “what exactly can my baby see?” Up to about 3 months of age, babies’ eyes do not focus on objects more than 8 to 10 inches from their faces. During the first months of life, the eyes start working together and vision...

Know Your BMI for Better Health The best way to learn if you are overweight or obese is to find your body mass index (BMI). You can find your BMI by entering your height and weight into a BMI calculator, such as the one available at...

Enjoy the Day – and Keep Your Family Safe Everyone loves a great July 4 celebration! But fireworks can be dangerous, causing serious burns and eye injuries. It’s always best to attend a community celebration where fireworks are handled by the pros. But if fireworks...

Good? Bad? What’s the difference? Q: I’ve heard there are “good: crabs and “bad” carbs. Can you tell me how to add healthy carbohydrates to my diet? A: Some diet books use the term “bad carbs” to talk about foods with refined carbohydrates (i.e. meaning they’re made...

What Exactly IS Diabetes? Diabetes is the condition in which the body does not properly process food for use as energy. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes...

How Much Weight Should I Gain During Pregnancy? Gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy helps your baby grow to a healthy size. But gaining too much or too little weight may lead to serious health problems for you and your baby. Too much weight gain raises...

What is Occupational Asthma? Our jobs can sometimes bring us into contact with substances that can cause asthma to flare up. Occupational asthma is caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust or other potentially harmful substances while on the job. If you’re exposed to any...

Can you get enough if you’re lactose intolerant? You’ve heard for years about the importance of getting enough calcium in your diet. But what if you’re lactose intolerant? Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get enough calcium while also avoiding lactose....

Do’s and Don’ts for Healthier Nails To keep your fingernails looking their best: Keep fingernails dry and clean. This prevents bacteria from growing under your fingernails. Repeated or prolonged contact with water can contribute to split fingernails. Wear cotton-lined...

How Important is Flossing? Is flossing really all that important? Yes! When you floss, you are cleaning the areas of the teeth that a toothbrush cannot access. Left on its own, plaque bacterial biofilm organizes and changes the environment in your mouth so that...

Taking Care of Our Skin As We Age Older adults are at increased risk for pressure ulcers on the skin because their circulation is poorer, their skin is thinner and drier, and there is less fatty tissue to cushion it. Older skin is easily injured and slower to heal. If...

Walk off the weight – and make it fun! Want to walk more for weight loss and better health? Try walking different routes in your neighborhood or mixing in a hill or two with flatter terrain. Vary your pace. Walk at a more casual or moderate pace for a couple of...

Everybody Has It. What Foods Cause It? According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, most foods that contain carbohydrates can cause gas. Foods that most often cause gas include: Raffinose. A complex sugar found in beans, cabbage,...

Ear Infections Are the Most Common Cause for Kids’ Doctor Visits An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by bacteria, that occurs when fluid builds up behind the ear-drum. Anyone can get an ear infection, but children get them more often...

Healthier Nails Can Be Yours To keep your fingernails looking their best, keep them dry and clean. This prevents bacteria from growing under the nails. Repeated or prolonged contact with water can contribute to split fingernails. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when...

Try These Prevention and Treatment Tips April is Foot Health Awareness Month, and it’s great time to make sure your feet are in healthy shape for spring and summer. Corns and calluses are thick layers of skin caused by repeated pressure or friction. A corn is a...

Reducing Medication Errors There are many things you can do to help protect yourself or a loved one from potentially dangerous medication errors: Have all prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. This allows the pharmacist to check for possible drug interactions...

Vitamin D for Stronger Bones According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, adults age 50 and older need between 800 and 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily. (Some people need more, so talk with your doctor about the correct amount for you.) If you aren’t getting enough...

What is Pink Eye? Conjunctivitis is an infection of the eyes commonly known as “pink eye.” It is most often caused by a virus but can also be caused by bacteria. Symptoms include redness, irritation, and itchiness. Clear or yellow discharge may make the eyelids stick...

Make the Most of Your Visit to an Allergist Each year, more than 12 million doctor’s visits result from allergic rhinitis, commonly known as allergies. Symptoms from seasonal allergies are among the primary reasons people miss school or work. If allergies are driving...

How Much Is OK? It’s clear that Americans have a taste for salt, but salt plays a role in high blood pressure.  Everyone, including kids, should reduce their sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day (about one teaspoon of salt).  Adults age 51 and older,...

Gerontology and Geriatrics:  What’s the Difference? Gerontology is the comprehensive study of aging and the challenges facing older adults.  Many people confuse gerontology with geriatrics.  Whereas geriatrics focuses strictly on the medical conditions and diseases of...

How to Clean Your Ears – Safely Cleaning your ears so9unds like a no-brainer, right?  But you can injure your ear canal or eardrum if you don’t do it correctly.  Here’s how to do it safely: Wipe the outer ear with a washcloth.  Do not put anything into your ear...

Keep Them Healthy Recent studies indicate that 26 million American adults suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) and that the number is likely to rise unless Americans get serious about prevention.  Primary risks include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure,...

Know the Facts Blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery walls as it circulates through your body.  Blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day, but it can cause health problems if it stays high for a long time.  High blood pressure can...

Milk Allergy in Children In children, an allergy to cow’s milk can cause abdominal pain, hives and eczema.  These symptoms are typically associated with IgE antibodies to milk.  Because abdominal pain is also a symptom of lactose intolerance, only your healthcare...

Choosing Shoes for Better Foot Health Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can prevent many foot problems.  Try these tips when shoe shopping: Choose a shoe that is shaped like your foot.  Styles with high heels or pointed toes can hurt your feet. Stand up when...

When Should Eye Exams Begin? A pediatric eye exam helps detect eye problems in your child at their earliest stage – when they’re most treatable.  Several factors may determine how frequently your child needs an eye exam, including age, health and risk of developing...

Keep It Healthy! Getting answers from your doctor to these important questions will give you vital information about your heart health and what you can do to improve it.  You may want to take this list to your doctor’s office: What is my risk for heart disease? What...

How Much Do You Need? The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamins reflects how much of each vitamin most people should get each day.  The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods. ...

Age-Related Vision Problems As you age, so do your eyes.  You might find that you have difficulty reading small print or that you need brighter lighting at your desk.  In addition, eye diseases that could lead to more-serious vision problems become more common with...

What Is It? Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.  This keeps air from getting into the lungs.  This is very common, because the muscles inside the throat relax as you sleep.  Gravity then causes the...

Diabetes and Fungal Infections The culprit in fungal infections for people with diabetes is often Candida albicans.  This yeast-like fungus can create itches rashes of moist, red areas surrounded by tiny blisters and scales.  Problem areas include moist folds of the...

Thank you for using Dan’s Wellness Pharmacy for all your needs. The staff and I do appreciate your business and would like you to take advantage of one or all three of the attached coupons. Please click here to download...

Try These Safe and Effective Treatments Research has shown that cold and cough products offer little benefit to young children – and can have potentially serious side effects.  Cold and cough products for children under age 4 have been removed from store shelves.  So...

Thank you for using Dan’s Wellness Pharmacy for all your needs. The staff and I do appreciate your business and would like you to take advantage of one or all three of the attached coupons. Please click here to download...

Don’t Be Afraid To Speak Up Doctors and nurses care for many sick people in a day, and they risk spreading germs to you if they don’t wash their hands. Hand hygiene is the simplest, most effective way to reduce the chance of catching these infections. But healthcare...

Is That Weight Loss Plan Too Good To Be True? If it seems too good to be true, it probably is! In choosing a weight-loss program, watch out for these false claims: Lose weight without diet or exercise! Lose weight while eating all of your favorite foods! Lose 30...

Heart Disease Knowing your risk for heart disease, along with what you can do to protect your heart, is an important part of taking care of your health. Take these questions along to your next doctor’s appointment to get the facts. What is my risk for heart disease?...

Older Seniors Can Benefit, Too More than two thirds of older adults don’t engage in regular physical activity, according to the National Institute on Aging. Most people know that exercise is good for them, but older adults have often been left out of the picture-...

What’s The Difference? Perimenopause means “around menopause” and refers to the time period during which a women’s body makes its natural transition toward permanent infertility (menopause). Perimenopause is also called the menopausal transition. Women start...

Hypothermia Hypothermia occurs when the body loses more heat than it produces. Symptoms include change in mental status, uncontrollable shivering, cool abdomen and a low core-body temperature. Severe hypothermia may cause rigid muscles, dark and puffy skin, irregular...

No Matter How Long You’ve Smoked, Quitting Can Help Improve Your Health No matter how old you are or how long you’ve smoked, quitting can help you live longer and be healthier. People who stop smoking before age 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years in half...