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(StatePoint)
While last year’s cold and flu season was mild, experts say this year could bring you a wallop of sniffles and sneezes. While there is no cure for the cold or flu, despite what mom says about her soup, over-the-counter (OTC) medications can provide relief for the most common symptoms. And these guidelines can help you better navigate the cold and flu aisle:
Sneezing Got You Down?
OTC antihistamines can provide relief from sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical in the body that triggers congestion and upper respiratory discomfort.
Constant Cough
Cough suppressants, also known as antitussives, basically tell your brain to stop coughing. One commonly used cough suppressant is dextromethorphan, which relieves cough symptoms but doesn't speed recovery. If you’re producing mucus, however, don’t take a cough suppressant. Instead, look for an expectorant, a medicine that helps thin the mucus in the lungs and soothe an irritated respiratory tract.
All Clogged Up!
Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (PSE) relieve a stuffy nose and congestion by actually narrowing the blood vessels in nasal passages so you can breathe more easily. PSEs are now located behind the pharmacy counter because they are an ingredient that can be used to make the illegal drug methamphetamine (meth). Rest assured though, PSE has been safely used for decades. If you’re clogged up, consider treating your symptoms and doing your part to keep your community safer at the same time. Ask your pharmacist about new Nexafed 30mg pseudoephedrine HCl tablets, the next-generation PSE that provides the same effective cold and allergy relief from standard PSEs, but with technology that disrupts the extraction and conversion of pseudoephedrine into methamphetamine.
Stop the Pain
If your symptoms include muscle aches or high fever, consider an analgesic or painkiller. Most OTC analgesics fall in to two categories: acetaminophen or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Both medications can reduce fever and ease aches and pains from the flu or cold.
Scratchy Throat
Help ease throat pain with cough drops or throat spray. While not a cure-all, cough drops or hard candy can help provide relief from a dry, tickling cough. Also consider taking a warm shower or using a vaporizer to increase the moisture of indoor air. No matter what your symptoms are, it’s important to get some rest and stay hydrated. Doctors recommend six to eight hours of sleep every night to fight and prevent illnesses and keep the immune system healthy. If you have any questions or doubts about which medications may be best for you, talk with your pharmacist. And if symptoms worsen or last for more than two weeks, be sure to see your doctor. More tips on how to prevent and treat a cold or the flu can be found at www.CDC.gov. Don’t needlessly suffer this season. With the right treatment, you can help alleviate your cold and flu symptoms.
By Bob Moos/Southwest public affairs officer for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The New Year will bring improvements and other changes to Medicare. Here’s a brief rundown of what to expect in 2013. You’ll get bigger price breaks on brand-name and generic drugs in the “doughnut hole.” If you have a Medicare drug plan and reach the coverage gap, you’ll receive bigger discounts on your prescriptions – about 53 percent for brand-name drugs in 2013 (compared with 50 percent this past year) and 21 percent for generics (compared with 14 percent in 2012). The price breaks are adding up. Almost 158,800 Texans with Medicare have saved $103.4 million on their prescriptions in the coverage gap this past year – an average of $651 per person. The discounts will continue to grow each year until the doughnut hole disappears in 2020. Medicare premiums will increase only slightly. The monthly premium for the part of Medicare that covers doctor visits and outpatient hospital care will increase for most people by only $5, to $104.90, in 2013. The Part B premium has gone up slowly over the past five years – an average of less than 2 percent annually. The standard premium amount is calculated each year according to a mathematical formula. It takes into account Medicare’s costs the previous year and the fact that the government pays 75 percent of Part B’s costs while beneficiaries pay the other 25 percent. A small number of people with Medicare – about 4 percent – pay surcharges on their Part B premiums because their annual incomes are higher than $85,000. They, too, will see only a slight increase in their premiums for physician visits and outpatient services. Medicare deductibles will increase modestly. Besides new premiums, there are new deductibles for 2013. These are the amounts you pay out of pocket each year before Medicare kicks in and covers its share of the bills. The Part B deductible for doctor appointments and other outpatient care will be $147, compared with $140 this past year. The Part A deductible for up to 60 days of inpatient hospital services will increase about 2 percent, from $1,156 in 2012 to $1,184 in 2013. If you’re dissatisfied with your Medicare Advantage plan, you can quit it beginning Jan. 1. If you’re unhappy with your private Medicare Advantage health plan, an annual “disenrollment” period allows you to return to the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program between Jan. 1 and Feb. 14. You can also pick a drug plan to go with your new coverage. A word of caution here: There are a few things you can’t do during the six-week disenrollment period. You can’t switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. Nor can you switch from the traditional Medicare program to an Advantage plan. Most people will need to wait until the annual enrollment period in the fall to make either of those changes. You’ll pay less for walkers, wheelchairs and other medical equipment. You’re likely to reap hundreds of dollars in savings each year from the new way that Medicare will pay for medical equipment like home hospital beds, walkers and wheelchairs. The reform takes effect in dozens of additional metropolitan areas starting July 1. The government is replacing an outdated fee schedule with a new system that requires equipment suppliers to bid for Medicare’s business. Beneficiaries have enjoyed substantial price reductions in the first nine areas where Medicare has tried competitive bidding. Among the next areas to see lower costs on medical equipment and supplies beginning this summer will be Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, Beaumont-Port Arthur, El Paso, Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission and San Antonio-New Braunfels. All areas of the country will benefit from competitive pricing within a few years. As I said, this is just a quick look at Medicare’s more noteworthy changes. The “Medicare and You 2013” handbook you recently received in the mail has a complete summary. If you need a copy, ask for one at 1-800-MEDICARE, or visit medicare.gov and download it.
HOUSTON
It looks like your mother was on to something when she said, “Eat your vegetables!” A concentrated form of a compound called sulforaphane found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables has been shown to reduce the number of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells in the lab setting, said researchers at Baylor College of Medicine (www.bcm.edu). The findings appear in the current edition of PLOS ONE. “Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a type of cancer of the white blood cells common in children,” said Dr. Daniel Lacorazza (http://www.bcm.edu/pathimmuno/index.cfm?pmid=13977), assistant professor of pathology & immunology. “There is about an 80 percent cure rate, but some children don’t respond to treatment. For those cases, we are in need of alternative treatments.” Lacorazza and his colleagues focused on purified sulforaphane, a natural compound found in broccoli believed to have both preventive and therapeutic properties in solid tumors. Studies have shown that people who eat a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables have a lower risk of some cancers. “There have not been definitive studies showing how this compound interacts with blood cancers,” Lacorazza said. To study how this compound would act on acute lymphoblastic leukemia, researchers, led by Dr. Koramit Suppipat, lead author of the study who performed this work while a clinical fellow in the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers (http://txch.org/), incubated human-derived leukemic cell lines and primary lymphoblasts from pediatric patients with the compound. The cancer cells died while the healthy cells obtained from healthy donors were unaffected. Studies tested in pre-clinical mouse models showed similar results. Lacorazza said the compound works by entering the cells and reacting with certain proteins. More studies will be needed, but researchers believe this compound could one day be used as a treatment option in combination with current therapies. They also are working to determine which proteins are affected by sulforaphane and how. This could identify a new treatment target that might be affected by other types of cancer cells as well. “Sulforaphane is a natural product. However, what we used in this study is a concentrated purified form,” said Lacorazza. “So while eating cruciferous vegetables is good for you, it will not have the same effect as what we saw in the lab.” Others who contributed to the study include Chun Shik Park and Ye Shen, both with the department of pathology & immunology at BCM; and Xiao Zhu, with the Summer Medical and Research Training Program (SMART) at BCM. Lacorazza is also with the department of pediatrics, BCM. Suppipat is currently a clinical instructor in the department of medicine at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Funding for this study came from The Gabrielle Angel Foundation for Cancer Research and the Alkek Award for Pilot Projects on Experimental Therapeutic at BCM.
(StatePoint)
Medical misdiagnoses may be a lot more common than many patients realize. According to a household survey commissioned by the National Patient Safety Foundation, of people who reported experiencing a medical error, 40 percent said the error was a misdiagnosis. Dermatologists may unknowingly be contributing to that statistic, as some skin ailments may exhibit symptoms similar to a rare form of lymphoma called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, or CTCL. CTCL is estimated to affect 16,000 to 20,000 people across the U.S. and approximately 2,500 to 3,000 new patients are diagnosed every year. It can cause visible skin symptoms as mild as a small rash or as severe as tumors, extensive redness, peeling, burning, soreness and itchiness all over the body. The illness can be hard to detect and diagnose, as it shares the same symptoms as other more common skin diseases. The scaly, itchy, red patches of CTCL are often mistaken by doctors as eczema or psoriasis. Many patients are misdiagnosed and treated unsuccessfully for other disorders before receiving a correct diagnosis. In fact, it takes an average of seven years for patients to receive a correct diagnosis. “By the time patients are diagnosed with CTCL, they are often exhibiting visible and debilitating skin symptoms that impact daily activities that most of us take for granted,” says Dr. Francine Foss of Yale University. “Fortunately, treatment options like extracorporeal photopheresis exist, which can be a helpful treatment option for these patients.” Most CTCL treatments often suppress the immune system of these already-ill patients; they can also cause harsh side effects that contribute to the debilitating nature of these diseases. By comparison, ECP therapy helps to restore the body’s natural ability to maintain a balanced immune system by regulating the activity of overactive immune cells, involving the intravenous collection of white blood cells that are then treated with ECP and re-infused into the body. And patients may stay on the treatment for an extended period of time and have shown no increased risk of opportunistic infections, relapse, or development of secondary malignancies. In the U.S., Therakos currently markets the only approved integrated systems for ECP, which can result in outcomes such as decreased itching and redness, as well as noticeable or complete clearing of the skin. If you’re affected by CTCL, talk to your doctor about whether this treatment option may be right for you. To read about the experiences of patients, caregivers and health care professionals impacted by CTCL and using ECP as a treatment method, visit www.lightinguplives.com.
(StatePoint)
The nutritional choices you make for your children are crucial, setting the stage for good health and good habits for years to come. So if you’ve heard about the benefits of organic food, you may be wondering if it’s worth the extra expense, especially if you’re on a budget. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recently weighed in on the subject of organic food for the first time, what’s most important is that children eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products, whether those are conventionally or organically grown. Organic foods do have lower levels of pesticides and drug-resistant bacteria, says Dr. Thomas K. McInerny, president of the AAP. “That may be important for kids because young children are more vulnerable to chemicals, but we simply don’t have the scientific evidence to know if the difference will affect a person’s health over a lifetime,” says McInerny. Both organic and conventionally grown foods have the same vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, lipids and other nutrients that are important for children’s health. “If you’re on a budget, don’t buy the more expensive organic option if it’s going to reduce your family’s overall intake of healthy foods like fresh produce,” advises McInerny. “It’s better for kids to eat five servings of conventionally grown produce a day than for them to eat one serving of organic vegetables.” Families can also be selective in choosing particular organic foods to stretch their budget. The Environmental Working Group has created a Shopper’s Guide that rates the level of pesticides in produce. Their guide indicates that conventionally grown onions, sweet corn and pineapples have relatively low pesticide rates, making them safer to purchase. If you can budget a few extra dollars to spend on groceries, opt for organic apples and celery, which are among the most pesticide-laden crops. According to the AAP, organic milk is not healthier for kids than conventional milk, but parents should make sure all milk they purchase is pasteurized. The jury is still out on the long-term health benefits of organic produce, but in the meantime keep your eyes and ears open for new information as it becomes available -- so you can make the best possible choices in the future. You can find nutrition tips for kids on the AAP website for parents, www.healthychildren.org. No matter the size of your budget, you can do your kids a world of good by ensuring they get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
(SPM Wire)
Got a case of the blahs? Winter may be at fault, when Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression, is most common. But don’t spend the season sad. Try these techniques to boost your mood. The best part?
They work any time of year:
• Get the right amount of sleep. Too much or too little shut-eye can contribute to depression.
• Eat right for mental health. Studies have linked diets low in selenium and omega-3 fatty acids with poorer moods and depression. Eat plenty of fish, beans, lean meats, low-fat dairy and nuts.
• Take a daily walk for exercise and fresh air. Both are important for good mental health. More tips to combat seasonal blues are available at www.nmha.org.
NIH study finds delays after exposure to pesticides, industrial chemicals
Couples with high levels of PCBs and similar environmental pollutants take longer to achieve pregnancy in comparison to other couples with lower levels of the pollutants, according to a preliminary study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions. PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are chemicals that have been used as coolants and lubricants in electrical equipment. They are part of a category of chemicals known as persistent organochlorine pollutants and include industrial chemicals and chemical byproducts as well as pesticides. In many cases, the compounds are present in soil, water, and in the food chain. The compounds are resistant to decay, and may persist in the environment for decades. Some, known as persistent lipophilic organochlorine pollutants, accumulate in fatty tissues. Another type, called perfluorochemicals, are used in clothing, furniture, adhesives, food packaging, heat-resistant non-stick cooking surfaces, and the insulation of electrical wire. Exposure to these pollutants is known to have a number of effects on human health, but their effects on human fertility-- and the likelihood of couples achieving pregnancy-- have not been extensively studied. “Our findings suggest that persistent organochlorine pollutants may play a role in pregnancy delay,” said the study’s first author, Germain Buck Louis, Ph.D., director of the Division of Epidemiology, Statistics, and Prevention Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at NIH. Dr. Buck Louis added that individuals may limit their exposure by removing and avoiding the fat of meat and fish, and by limiting the consumption of animal products. The study was published online in Environmental Health Perspectives and is available online at http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/2012/11/1204996/ In addition to researchers at the NICHD, the study also included investigators from the Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Emory University, Atlanta, and The EMMES Corp., Rockville, Md.
HOUSTON
Many women who develop an itchy, painful irritation of the eyelid assume makeup is the culprit. But often, it's the nail polish they're wearing. "People who have eyelid dermatitis assume it's due to something they put on their eye," said Dr. Rajani Katta, assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine. "Most of the time, it's something that accidentally comes in contact with the eyelid." The eyelid is a common place for rashes to develop, because the skin is so sensitive in that area, she said. "You can touch things with your hands and it doesn't bother them. The skin of your hands is thick and not that sensitive," Katta said. "But, if you accidentally touch your eyelid, a rash can develop." Cosmetics for the eyes can cause irritation, even if a patient has used the same product for a long time. "You can develop an allergy at any time, and sometimes companies even change product ingredients without advertising that fact," Katta said.
Pregunta:
¿Es verdad que las oficinas del Seguro Social cambiarran sus horas?
Respuesta:
A partir del 19 de noviembre del 2012, las oficinas del Seguro Social en Texas estarán abiertas al público de lunes a viernes de 9 a.m. a 3 p.m., una reducción de 30 minutos cada día de la semana. También, a partir del 2 de enero del 2013, las oficinas cerrarán al público al mediodía los miércoles. Aunque los empleados de la agencia continuarán trabajando sus horas regulares, esta ventana más corta al público les permitirá completar las entrevistas de cara a cara y procesar el trabajo de reclamaciones sin incurrir el costo de tiempo adicional. La significante reducción de fondos provista por el Congreso bajo la resolución de continuación por los primeros seis meses el año fiscal, hace que sea imposible para la agencia, proveer el tiempo adicional necesario para prestar el servicio al público como lo ha hecho en el pasado. Además, el 23 de noviembre, el día después del día de Acción de Gracias, todas las oficinas del Seguro Social estarán cerradas al público. Como hicimos el año pasado, los empleados que trabajen ese día se concentrarán en la reducción de trabajo atrasado. La mayoría de los servicios del Seguro Social no requieren una visita a la oficina. Muchos servicios, incluso el solicitar los beneficios por jubilación, incapacidad o de Medicare, inscribirse para depósito directo, reemplazo de la tarjeta de Medicare, obtener una carta de prueba de ingresos o informarnos acerca de un cambio de dirección o número de teléfono están convenientemente disponibles en www.segurosocial.gov o marcando nuestro número de teléfono gratis, 1-800-772-1213 y oprimiendo el 2 para hablar con un agente en español. Las personas quienes son sordas o tienen problemas de audición pueden llamar a nuestro número TTY, 1-800-325-0778. Muchos de nuestros servicios también están disponibles en español en www.segurosocial.gov.
Pregunta:
¿Puedo demorar mis beneficios por jubilación y recibir solo beneficios como cónyuge? ¿Cómo funciona esto?
Respuesta:
Eso depende de su edad. Si está entre la plena edad de jubilación y los 70 años de edad y su cónyuge está recibiendo beneficios de Seguro Social, puede solicitar para beneficios por jubilación y pedir que se suspendan los pagos. Entonces puede elegir recibir sus beneficios bajo el registro de Seguro Social de su cónyuge. A partir de ese momento ganará créditos por jubilación aplazada hasta los 70 años de edad, siempre y cuando no reciba beneficios en su propio registro de trabajo. Más tarde, cuando comience a recibir beneficios bajo su propio registro, esos pagos podrían ser mucho más altos de lo que hubieran sido de otra manera debido a que ganó créditos por jubilación aplazada. Oscar Garcia trabaja por la Administración de Seguridad Social como el especialista de actividades públicos. Usted le puede dirigir sus preguntas a él en: SSA, 411 Richland Hills Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78245. También lo puede mandar un correo electrónico en: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
(StatePoint)
Health care costs are on the rise. Between a maturing baby boom population and an explosion of available tests, treatments and devices, Americans spend about twice as much per capita for healthcare compared to other western countries. Some experts warn that despite legislation like the Affordable Care Act that promises to expand quality coverage to everyone, there are still a lot of unknowns about the future of healthcare in this country. “Getting savvy about your health and the future of healthcare politics can help protect you and your family, no matter what trends we see in the years to come,” says Virgil Simons, Founder and President of The Prostate Net, a non-profit patient education and advocacy organization.
Here are some important steps to consider:
• Know your health risks. Some populations are more susceptible to certain diseases than others, and if you have a family history of a particular disease, you may be genetically predisposed for a certain condition. Take advantage of free screenings where possible and make realistic and appropriate decisions about what diagnostic exams are important for you to receive. Testing for the sake of testing can add enormous costs to your health care bills and may not be worth the price tag.
• Disparity in quality of care is often due to lack of knowledge. Empower yourself to get better care with free resources. For example, The Prostate Net’s bi-monthly “In the Know” newsletters serve as a thorough review of information and developments in healthcare of critical importance to men. You can access the free newsletters online or order a print edition at www.ProstateNet.com/intheknow_a.htm.
• A recent study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund found that uninsured and underinsured U.S. women are more likely to skip care because of costs than women in 10 other industrialized nations. Be an advocate for affordable care by becoming an active voter and engaging your elected officials.
• Seek alternate sources of information. Health symposiums and conventions, for example, bring together patients and doctors for a healthy exchange of information not normally available. The Prostate Cancer Educational Symposium is a series of events that are free to attend and will address risk awareness, treatment options, and disease management. To register, visit www.TheProstateNet.org/Symposium.html. • Take steps to reduce your chance of being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. You can start by eliminating risky habits like smoking, reducing your intake of alcohol and highly processed foods, and eating a diet rich in vegetables, lean meats and whole grains. Obesity increases your risk for diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Incorporate exercise into your day to help maintain a healthy weight. No matter what the future holds politically for healthcare reform, Americans can become their own health advocates by getting informed.
