Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

Americans are sleepless from Sacramento to Miami and everything in between. Why wecannot sleep is a million dollar question but I am relatively certain that it is not because we donot have enough to do. Many of us wake up and begin our day before the sun comes up. Thenwe work straight through until the day ends and into the blackest of night. Ninety percent ofthat time we spend doing some kind of work: cooking, clean

Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

Now the sequel assumes that you have read Look and are ready to move from PG-13to R. If your own body functions offend you, then reading this might not be ideal. Each bodypart has one or more functions, if it has come to your attention you may agree that there is aspecialist for each part of the body when it does not work properly. Now we will continue yourMD [meaningful diagnostics] training since you have looked. W

Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

You really need to look. I know it sounds disgusting [and it probably is to some] butonce you understand how important it is it will become second nature. You already understandhow important good nutrition is to your body. You can see it in how your skin glows and knowit is true by how good you feel. Equally important but not really talked about much is whatcomes out of the body. Nobody talks about that at the dinner

Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

Arthur. If you heard some of the old school folks [baby-boomers and some of theirparents] refer to someone called Arthur, you might imagine that he is an old, dear, and trustedfriend. Not even, close. Arthur is the pet name for Arthritis. The endearments I suppose arepsychological buffers to temper Arthurs’ wrath from the excruciating pain that he is well knownto dispense. There is nothing warm, friendly or charmin

Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

The ears look like wings attached to the head. Not much respect for the two appendagesthat do not even spend any time with each other. We give so little thought to them thatsometimes we forget to wash behind them. Moreover, we never remember that they are one ofa connected trio or maybe we just do not know that. Nurses and doctors refer to them as ENTand regular people say “ears, nose, and throat”. I believe the

Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

Nearly the entire population of American adults and children adhere to some form ofself-medication regimen. We perceive that the elderly are the largest consumers of medicationbecause of chronic age related illnesses, the sandwich generation is second because of the work,family, and stress, and the younger people are last because of youth and resiliency; that mightnot be too far off the target in some areas except fo

Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

If you can read my lips then you are up close and personal. Up close and personal means,you have made eye contact and are zooming in on the smackers. So am I minty fresh or doodie[people poop smell] breath. Eghad, that smell, take cover! Okay, pretend you are checking yourshoe then raise up in a spot not downwind from the doodie-breath dragon [unavoidable, he is theboss]. We all know that smell but it is normally not

Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

You know the commercial where the man in a hard hat walks up to the construction sitewhere he works and he sees his doctor dressed in his lab coat with no protective gear on. Thedoctor thinks he is operating this guys jack hammer but in truth the jack hammer is out of controland dragging the doctor down a path of destruction. The camera switches from the doctor andzooms in on the man’s face. The man’s facial expr

Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

The best way to get rid of smelly foot odor is to sock it to me, or should I say “put a sockon it”. The primary cause of smelly feet is foot sweat, but that is not enough to cause that “toejam” smell. There is a method to this madness. The human body covered is in skin and hair. Ontop of this skin and hair, humans cover themselves with attire to avoid arrest and incarcerationfor indecent exposure. Foot coveri

Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

This love connection has nothing to do with your loved ones. Do not be alarmed, I amnot demoting your significant others but this love connection is about you. Are you committedto loving yourself? If you are trying to sniff under your armpits, in a way, that nobody sees youcheck, you are busted but it is not too late. You just slipped. I gauge this slipping with hygienein three measurements: the whisper length, the a

Posted Apr 24th, 2012 by Pat Brown

Medical terminology such as inflammatory, bronchiole spasms, airway constriction,and obstruction are not the words that create a visual image of the helpless fear called asthmato the average person. The average person knows that a serious asthma attack means death in amatter of moments without proper treatment or medication. What is more terrifying is if a deathoccurs, there is a higher chance the victim will be a ch

Posted Apr 16th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Paying for medications seems to get more costly with each passing year. And since elderly Americanscomprise a significant portion of the population who take at least one prescription medication daily,those costs can add up quickly and steeply. In some extreme cases, the elderly must choose betweenpurchasing a prescription medication or spending money on other essentials such as food or other billpayments.

But

Posted Mar 29th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Every day, millions of Americans take a cholesterol-reducing medication. The most popular kind ofcholesterol lowering medication is what is called a statin. But as more and more individuals look for drug-less ways to take care of their health, many are turning to natural remedies.

One of the most popular remedies to treat high cholesterol is red yeast rice. First used by the Chinesethousands of years ago to tr

Posted Mar 22nd, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Millions of Americans suffer from depression. Fortunately, the mental health community andthe medical industry has made great strides in identifying risk factors, treatment and preventivemeasures to keep depression under control.

One of the most popular ways to treat depression is through prescription medication. Whilemedication has provided relief to so many individuals who have diagnosed depression, they als

Posted Mar 6th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Seasonal allergies are a very common condition affecting millions of Americans, particularly in the spring and summer months. Before allergy medications became so easily accessible, most seasonal allergy sufferers just had to deal with their constant runny nose and watery nose. But while allergy medications are for the most part safe and effective for controlling allergy symptoms, just like with any medication, it is

Posted Mar 6th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

While the United States doesn’t have a universal health coverage plan, it does provide certain qualifying citizens with Medicaid, a health care plan for low income individuals and their families as well as people with certain kinds of disabilities. Medicaid is jointly funded by the state and federal governments even though it is managed each state manages its own allocation of funds. Here is how this works: Each s

Posted Mar 6th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Children’s Health Insurance Program or CHIP is health insurance for children that covers a wide range of services from office visits to prescription drugs to dental care, eye exams and more. CHIP started in 1997 and is a program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal body provides matching funds to states for health insurance to families with children. The purpose of the prog

Posted Mar 6th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

It is estimated that between one in four and one in five Americans do not take their medications correctly. Not only does this contribute to countless preventable drug errors, but it also underscores the increasing need for clear communication between the patient and their medical provider. Sometimes referred to as “medicine compliance,” taking your medication at the appropriate time and for the appropriate amou

Posted Mar 6th, 2012 by Laurie Marbas

You have a doctor’s appointment and you are dreading the long wait in the lobby and then possibly a longer wait in the exam room. You become nervous and frustrated before the appointment even starts. Then before you know the doctor has rushed in and out. You are left feeling confused and all of your questions were not answered. Sound familiar? Then take these simple steps to get the most out of your next appoi

Posted Feb 24th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

All women want to lead a healthy lifestyle during their nine months of pregnancy, but sometimes the lure of “eating for two,” and forgoing the gym for an evening on the couch gets in the way of a woman’s best intentions. Studies after studies show just how important it is to maintain healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. Not only does baby benefit, but following birth, the new mom has a much easier time getting b

Posted Feb 24th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Just a few years ago, in order to get the seasonal flu vaccine, you had to make an appointment with your medical provider or to your local health clinic. But now, thanks to the accessibility of the vaccine and the increasing evidence that suggests just how important getting a flu vaccine can be, you can receive the immunization at a number of locations. Today, neighborhood chain pharmacies offer the flu vaccine on a

Posted Feb 24th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Countless research studies unanimously show that maintaining a healthy lifestyle while pregnant, not just protects mom, but it greatly benefits her baby as well. While most pregnant women become more lax with their exercise routine during these special nine months, it is still very important for women to remain physically active while pregnant. According to the American Pregnancy Association, exercise does not incre

Posted Feb 24th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Eating healthy is always a key element in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but during pregnancy, adhering to sound nutrition principles is even more important. A woman’s diet during pregnancy sets the stage for not only her pregnancy but following the birth of her child as well. Nutrition is such a primary factor in a healthy pregnancy, that diet counseling is a standard component of any prenatal care. While many

Posted Feb 24th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

No one wants to feel down. And while the increasing demand for mood-enhancing prescription medications has rapidly increased over the past few years, certain non mood altering medications can actually have an effect on your mindset even though their sole purpose is to alleviate a physical symptom or ailment. All medications come with a very comprehensive insert, which describes not just how to take the medication, b

Posted Feb 24th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Nearly one-half of all Americans take at least one prescription medication daily. Many of these individuals are elderly who may experience difficulty when swallowing their daily medication. In fact, hard-to-take medications are one of the most common reasons why individuals do not comply with their medication routine. Taking medication should not be such an uncomfortable experience that it prevents someone for main

Posted Feb 24th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

It used to be that the only kind of medication you could get were those with a brand name. But that all began to change in the 1960s, when the government effort to prove the safety and effectiveness of pharmaceuticals and helped to launch the generic pharmaceutical industry. Then in 1984, with the passage of the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act, also known as the Hatch-Waxman, the generic medica

Posted Feb 24th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Is it safe to get vaccinated with flu vaccine while pregnant? According to the Mayo Clinic, absolutely.In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a flu shot for anyone who's pregnant during flu season — typically November through January or even later. The only exceptions are women have had a past reaction to flu vaccinations.Pregnant moms should request receiving an injection form of the va

Posted Feb 24th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the single best way to protect yourself against getting the flu is to get the flu vaccine every year.Here is what you need to know about the influenza vaccine.According to the CDC, there are two types of vaccines:The most common is the “flu shot,” which is an inactivated vaccine that contains killed virus and is given with a needle, usually in the arm.

Posted Feb 24th, 2012 by Patient Assistance Team

Pregnancy is one of the most magical times in a woman’s life, if not the most magical. But with all of this magic, also comes the need to make numerous decisions about your health and your baby’s health during and following pregnancy. The decision whether or not to breastfeed your baby can be a difficult one for moms-to-be. But as with any uncertainty, the best thing to do is arm yourself with knowledge and facts