Medicine…… So many of us find ourselves taking medicine. Almost three-quarters of Americans take at least one medication, and 20% of us take five or more. The older we get, the more likely we are to have health problems. And medications are the mainstay of treatment for chronic health problems like heart disease and diabetes. That’s because so much research shows they work well to keep people with health problems
It’s likely that many of you who are reading this post have a penicillin allergy written in your medical record. As a matter of fact, about one in ten patients in the US report having a penicillin allergy. In my own experience as a pharmacist, I’ve seen penicillin listed as an allergy more often than any other medication. The interesting thing is that when it’s tested, nearly everyone who reports
That’s one of the most common questions I hear. Sometimes people say it jokingly, as if they believe there’s no going back. Other times people say it out of frustration — they’re tired of getting prescriptions filled over and over, filling medication organizers, taking a handful of pills at a time, and looking at money fly out of their bank accounts. Whatever the reason for the question, it’s obvious that
I’m filled with gratitude as I write this last blog post of 2022. It’s been a busy year for Better My Meds — just look how long it’s been since I’ve had time to publish a blog post (September!)..There’ve been joys and challenges in every part of my life, and I’m guessing in yours, too. Caring for loved ones, gatherings of friends and family, home maintenance, professional responsibilities, Sometimes the
Atrial fibrillation (AF, or afib) affects nearly 10% of adults over 65 and more than 15% of those over 70. It sometimes goes unnoticed, but noticed or not, it can be life-threatening. AF usually requires treatment with medications, so I’m often asked questions about it by my patients. In this post you’ll learn what AF is, how to spot symptoms, why it’s dangerous, and what you can do to keep