Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Causes of Gout

First off, what is gout? It is a painful condition that develops and caused when uric acid settles into soft tissues and/or the joints in the body. Uric acid is a waste product that when deposited into the body, are as uric acid crystals. These crystals become lodged and then can cause a condition called inflammatory arthritis. This can then cause redness, pain, stiffness in the joints and swelling.

It is estimated that over six million adults have signs and symptoms of gout at some point in their lives. Middle aged men are more at risk and more likely to develop gout than are women. Also, persons who have been through an organ transplant are more at risk.

What Causes Gout?

Hyperuricemia, (high level of uric acid in the blood), is a root cause and reason that signs and symptoms of gout may develop. There are several different contributing risk factors that can be causes of gout, also called podagra. The reasons that this arthritic and swelling condition can develop include factors such as diet, alcohol consumption, weight, genetics, gender, age, medications and other health issues.

Stages of Gout:
1. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia - elevated levels of uric acid in the blood,
2. Acute gout, gouty arthritis - the hyperuricemia causes uric acid crystal deposits in joints and leads to quick development of joint swelling and intense pain,
3. Interval or Intercritical gout - period of time between gouty arthritis attacks with no symptoms
4. Chronic tophaceous gout - worst stage of symptoms and comes about over an extended period of time. Once the condition reaches this stage, it could have caused long-term damage to joints.

This is a brief overview of the causes of this medical condition, with many other factors and concerns that can come into play. The information on this page is not a substitute for professional medical help. See your doctor or healthcare professional for complete information on this uric acid condition.

Also see:
Uloric febuxostat gout drug review
• Juice detox information   

Resources:
• Q&A about Gout: www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/default.asp
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gout    

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

How to Treat a Wasp Sting

Stings from bees and wasps are never a pleasant experience. Learn how to treat a wasp sting should you or someone in your family become bitten or stung. Quick treatment of the sting or bite area will help it from becoming more irritated. Most times you should be able to treat the affected area and keep on with your activities. If you are allergic to bee and wasp stings, call your doctor or healthcare provider immediately.


How to Treat a Wasp or Bee Sting
There are more than 25,000 different species of wasps around the world. If your activities keep you in close proximity to more bees or wasps, it may be a good idea to put on some protective clothing to minimize the risk of being stung again.

Treatment:

1. You will need to pull out the stinger if it is still lodged in to your skin.
2. Wash and clean the bite area.
3. Placing ice on the bite area may help with any swelling
4. Use peroxide and antibiotic cream to the area to minimize any infection
5. If you experience any rashes, hives, allergic reactions or breathing problems call your doctor immediately.

You may also need to contact your healthcare provider if you also feel intense pain that will not go away.

Resources:
firstaid.webmd.com/bee-and-wasp-stings-treatment    
• Bee and wasp sting causes, symptoms and treatment    
www.medicinenet.com/bee_and_wasp_sting/article.htm    

Monday, March 21, 2011

www.HealthCare.gov - Find Insurance Options

The affordable care act is changing the way we access and benefit from health insurance policies and coverage. The site at www.Healthcare.gov is the official government website to get information out to the American public about the new health care laws. You can access the governement health care reform website and learn a great deal about upcoming changes, current changes and much more about the reform bill and package.
When you visit the website there are several different areas of information that will be helpful to families, individuals, people with disabilities, young adults, seniors, employers and small business. The website, and the affordable health care act, will empower you to take health care into your own hands.

www.Healthcare.gov Website Information

At the official government health care reform and affordable care act web site, you can review several different benefit and information areas:
• Find Insurance Options
• Learn About Prevention
• Compare Care Quality
• Understand the Health Care Law
• Information for You.

In addition, you can explore your health insurance plan coverage and pricing options. You can find out what private health insurance plans, policies, public programs and community service programs are available to you. You can pick your state, describe your situation, complete the brief questionnaire and discover what health options are available to fit your needs. The affordable care act web site also provides tools so you can compare the quality of different care providers. One of the goals of the reform act was to control costs and improve quality of care. You can compare hospital care, nursing home care, home health care and dialysis facility quality comparisons. Also you can learn and understand about the law and how it will impact you and your family.

• See: www.healthcare.gov    

You may also be interested in:
simple savings card       
Low Testosterone     
Florida Healthy Kids - www.healthykids.org                  

Sunday, March 20, 2011

www.SimpleSavingsCard.com - Simple Savings Card - Discount Prescription Card Review

Looking for a way to get savings off the cost of your prescriptions? If so, then a discount prescription card may help. One website that offers this type of help is www.SimpleSavingsCard.com. From their website it states that you can participate in a free program so you can get savings on your medicines, called the Simple Savings Card, that may save you up to 60% off the costs of your medications at your local pharmacy.

The discount program is there to help people who do not want to pay full price for their medications. The discounted prescription savings card may provide instant savings when your purchase your prescriptions at your local pharmacy. All consumers are eligible for the Simple Savings Card. Their website states that the average savings is 26% off, with a potential savings of up to 60% off the cost of your medication.

The free program is offered by Luscinia Health, and they make it clear that this is a discount program and not insurance. Some of the quick facts about the situation many Americans find themselves in, include that 46 million Americans have no health care coverage and even more than that number have no coverages for prescriptions. This means that many pay full price for their drugs or go without filling their prescriptions. For a lot of patients, there is a way to reduce the cost of medicines and get a discount.

You can get specific details about the program at the Luscinia Health website, but everyone can use the card and possibly benefit from the discounted program. You can not use an insurance card and their card at the same time, so it will come down to which offers the most discounts. The card can be used at over 60,000 pharmacies across the U.S.

• Website at: www.simplesavingscard.com  
• FAQ's at : www.simplesavingscard.com/faq.html

You may also be interested in:
PPARx.org prescription assistance program  

Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan PDP

Learn more about the Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx plan. You may have noticed, or maybe already participate, that Walmart has partnered with Humana and now offers a co-branded prescription rx plan to customers and members. So, beginning in 2011, the new partnership will offer a Medicare Part D (PDP) prescription drug plan to seniors on medicare.

Eligible customers can enroll and participate based upon Medicare enrollment guidelines for PDP rx plans. The co-branded PDP plan started on November 15, 2010 and coincides with the 2011 Medicare enrollment periods. You may notice the Humana kiosks located in thousands of Walmart stores. You can information there or at their official website pages such as www.walmart.com/rxplan, or at www.walmart.com/medicare on the Humana prescription drug plan. Members of the low cost Medicare drug benefit plan may be able to save money and prescription savings on their medications.

Their website states that the 2011 plan premiums are $14.80 per month, with in-store copays as low as $2 per prescription. They also provide a savings estimate that compares different national benefit programs for the 2011 year and come up an estimated average savings dollar amount of over $400 per year. You can get low cost plan information and specific details on the PDP drug plans being offered by the Humana Walmart preferred rx plan partnership. At their site, you can enter your zip code and compare the plan with other drug plans in your area.

www.walmart.com/rxplan    
www.walmart.com/medicare

You may also want to see:
www.PPARx.org prescription assistance

www.PPARx.org - Prescription Assistance Program

If you need help with the cost of your prescription drugs, then an assistance program may be able to help. The site at www.PPARx.org is the official website for the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. Many patients without prescription drug coverage have a hard time affording their FDA approved medications every month. Patients who qualify may be able to get their medications for free or at a significantly reduced cost.

The Partnership of Prescription Assistance may be able to help match the eligible patient with a discount prescription medicine program to reduce the cost of their monthly drugs. They help patients find a program that is right for their needs. Their service is free of charge as they are supported by corporations, pharmaceutical companies, doctors, patient advocacy groups and other healthcare providers. Their free service helps thousands of people get free or low cost drugs and medications every month. The service's website also has other resources to help both patients and patient advocates.

The PPARx.org service can help with more than 2,500 medicines and drugs. The partnership also has access to 475 patient assistance programs. Their toll free phone number is 1-888-4PPA-NOW or 1-888-477-2669. You can contact them on their website or by phone to see if you are eligible for assistance.

www.pparx.org  

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Spiriva Coupons

Coupon savings for Spiriva is available from the manufacturer at www.spiriva.com. Spiriva Handihaler is a once daily maintenance medication to control symptoms of COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The handihaler medication works to control the patient's symptoms by relaxing the obstructed airways and helping to keep the airways open. This allows for free breathing and less COPD symptoms.

A Spiriva medication prescription can be costly for many patients, so being able to find and redeem coupons for this COPD drug can help many to better afford the cost of the handihaler device. The tiotropium bromide inhalation powder medicine and inhaler device is manufactured by Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. The company's official website is www.spiriva.com. On their website they provide a lot of information about this asthma or COPD drug, as well as information about drug benefits, symptoms, symptom relief and other important facts to know about this medication. They also provide access to a printable coupon for Spiriva that will save patients up to $45 on your Spiriva prescription refills with the discount coupon. Some restrictions apply to the printable coupon discount, so read the offer for eligibility and specific details. Take the printed coupon along with your doctor's prescription to your local pharmacy to participate in the discount savings.

You can also check with your doctor or healthcare provider about the availability of exclusive manufacturer's coupon offers or pharmacy coupons, discounts and deals that may be available from time to time.

www.spiriva.com/consumer/extras/coupon-offer.jsp

www.RapaFlo.com - RapaFlo BPH Treatment Review

Rapaflo silodosin is a BPH treatment drug that is manufactured by Watson Pharma, Inc. The official website for this medication is at www.RapaFlo.com. This prescription medication is approved to treat the signs and symptoms of BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) in men. Silodosin is the drug in Rapaflo that is used for the treatment of enlarged prostate problems.

Rapaflo, silodosin, comes as a capsule and is taken by mouth per your doctor's instructions. The medication's official website is a good place to learn more about this BPH treatment drug. You will also be able to learn more about the signs and symptoms of BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Rapaflo may provide rapid relief from the symptoms of BPH within a matter of 3 to 4 days. The drug is available only by prescription. An enlarged prostate or BPH is a common problem in men as they age.

Rapaflo (silodosin), works to relax the prostate gland muscles as well as parts of the bladder, to help give rapid BPH symptom relief. The prostate medication can help improve comfort and urine flow in men. The silodosin drug belongs to a class of drugs that are called alpha-blockers and is designed to target the areas of the body involved with the prostate.

The drug manufacturer provides the Rapaflo promise, that states that if this medication does not meet your needs, that Watson Pharma, Inc. will reimburse the patient up to a $50 copay for the first use of other select prescription treatments that include doxazosin, tamsulosin, alfuzosin or terazosin.

See the website for more information about the treatment medication options and see your doctor for information about this medical condition and other prostate conditions that can develop in men.

www.rapaflo.com

Friday, March 18, 2011

Uloric Febuxostat Gout Drug

If you have gout, then your doctor may have prescribed Uloric febuxostat drug to treat your symptoms. Uloric febuxostat is an FDA approved prescription medication to treat adult patients who have gout. It is used to reduce and lower blood uric acid. It is not for those people without a history of gout. The manufacturer warns that it is not to be used for the treatment of high uric acid without the patient having a history of gout. Only your doctor can prescribe this drug to treat your gout arthritis symptoms. The official website is at www.uloric.com.

Gout is a type of arthritis that can develop when a person has a history of high uric acid levels in the blood. This arthritic condition can be quite painful for some patients. Since this arthritic disease or medical condition is caused by higher than normal blood uric acid levels in the body, what is desired is a medical treatment that is designed to lower or reduce blood uric acid levels.

Uloric Febuxostat Gout Drug Information  

The medication is manufactured by Teijin Pharma Limited and Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. The company's website is at www.uloric.com.

Febuxostat is the generic name of the drug in Uloric, and is used to treat high blood uric acid concentrations in patients who have gout. The medicine is included in the drug class called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. The medicine may come as a tablet in either 40 mg or 80 mg strengths, or as determined by your physician. Uloric febuxostat may help to control your symptoms but does not cure them. Patients should take the medicine exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may prescribe various drugs or prescription medications in your treatment plan. It is important that you fully discuss all potential reactions, side effects, dosage and concerns you may have about the disease and gout arthritis condition and the treatment drugs before taking any medications.

Also see:
Causes of gout  

Resources:
• The official drug website is at www.uloric.com.    
www.rxlist.com/uloric-drug.htm

Boniva Side Effects

It is important to remember that all drugs may cause certain reactions. Boniva can also cause side effects in some patients. Boniva, or ibandronate sodium, is manufactured by Roche Therapeutics Inc and Genentech. It is approved by the FDA as a once-monthly oral treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis symptoms in women. The one tablet per month treatment must be prescribed by your doctor.

It has been estimated that as many as 44 million Americans that are over the age of 50 years old are affected with or at risk of developing osteoporosis. Once-monthly Boniva may help to keep people from developing this bone disease and condition, and also may help with the symptoms of those who have postmenapausal osteoporosis. Basically, osteoporosis is a bone disease that can cause a person's bones to become weak and brittle. It can also be the cause of low bone mass. The bone disease can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.

Boniva  Side Effects:

All drugs and medications have the potential to cause interactions, but does not mean that all people will develop any side effects. While not a complete list, some of the common side effects of this once-monthly table tablet medication can cause include the following list of adverse effects.

Common reactions:
• headache
• heartburn
• pain in the arms and legs
• diarrhea
• tiredness
• dizziness
• nausea
• muscle aches

Some potential severe Boniva side effects:
• severe allergic reactions
• facial swelling
• eye pain
• chest tightness
• severe bone pain
• severe stomach pain

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these or other severe side effects. Discuss all risks, concerns and potential reactions with your physician before taking Boniva.

Review this bone disease and concerns with your doctor.

Prescription Savings and Coupon Offer:
www.MyBoniva.com Free Boniva Offer Review  

Resources:
www.boniva.com/about_boniva/side_effects.aspx    
www.drugs.com/boniva_150.html    
www.medicinenet.com/ibandronate/article.htm  

www.MyBoniva.com - Free Boniva Offer

If you are looking for help with your Boniva prescription, you can visit www.MyBoniva.com and become a member of the MyBoniva program. Members receive a one free month supply. Members also receive periodic newsletters with tips to help their postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment support. They also receive monthly reminders and exclusive promotional discounts and special coupon offers through out the year.

Boniva is a prescription medication treatment used to treat women with postmenopausal osteoporosis symptoms. This drug is manufactured by Genentech, which is a member of the Roche Group. This osteoporosis drug may be prescribed by your doctor to help prevent or to treat current symptoms. The drug helps to improve and increase a woman's bone mass density over time, with the goal to reduce the risk or chances of a bone fracture or spinal fracture. At their official medication website, you can also read and learn more about the symptoms that the drug treats and any side effects that it may cause in women. Discuss all of these issues, potential side effects and concerns with your doctor before taking the medication or treatment.

The program was developed to help support women and their concerns with this once-monthly treatment medication. You can join the program at www.myboniva.com. The one month free Boniva trial offer will help many people to better afford the medication. Another way to help some people save money at their local pharmacy is with a free prescription savings card. While the discount pharmacy cards may not work for everyone, a lot of patients will be able to save cash on their prescriptions with pharmacy coupons. When signing up for Genentech's osteoporosis medication program, keep in mind there may be certain restrictions and eligibility requirements, so read about the program. More information is also available at their medical condition and medication website at www.Boniva.com.

Boniva Side Effects       

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Medicare Paid Millions for Viagra and Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

Medicare has been paying for many men's Viagra and erectile dysfunction drugs. While the prescription drug benefit in Medicare pays for many different drugs and medications, it does not pay for all medicines that may be prescribed by a doctor. Apparently, since 2007, ED drugs were not covered under the Part D prescription plans, unless they were prescribed for certain medical conditions. In many cases, Medicare incorrectly paid for millions of dollars for Viagra and other ED erectile dysfunction drugs.
Medicare Paid for Viagra and ED Drugs Incorrectly

Per the news reports, apparently prescriptions have been paid under the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan system that should not have been paid for. The overpayments or incorrect payments is estimated at over $3 million dollars.

Resources:
Medicare Incorrectly paid for Viagra and other Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
blogs.wsj.com/health/2011/03/15/medicare-incorrectly-paid-for-viagra-and-other-erectile-dysfunction-drugs/      
thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/medicare/149245-report-medicare-paid-31-million-for-viagra-ed-drugs

Fear of Radiation Leads to Potassium Iodide Shortage in the U.S.

Due to the earthquake and tsunami devastation at the nuclear power plant in Japan, there is growing fear that the radiation leaks will manifest itself in the U.S. These fears have led to a shortage of potassium iodide in parts of the United States. Potassium Iodide may be able to help shield and protect the thyroid gland from radiation poisoning.

Potassium Iodide Shortage and Radiation Fears    

The U.S. government is saying that is there is no need to stockpile and take the potassium iodide to protect against radiation poisoning. The news reports go on to say that with the radiation leaks thus far, that there is very little chance of it reaching the U.S., and if it did the dilution factor would make it not a serious issue.

It has also been reported that the atomic radiation plumes do not pose any serious threats to the Western U.S. coastline and cities.

Read more:
• www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/650917.html  
www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-17/japanese-atomic-plume-will-pose-no-serious-threat-to-u-s-coast.html  

Low Testosterone

Do you know if you have low testosterone? If you do, is it affecting your health?

Low testosterone is a normal condition that many men will face with differing degrees and levels of testosterone drop. Testosterone is a steroidal hormone that is present in both men and women, although a minimum amount for females. The steroid hormone testosterone performs two key functions in the body. First it is necessary for the formation and maintainence of the male sex organs. It also provides for other characteristics such as hair growth and voice levels.

Second, due to its androgenic steroid relation, it helps to facilitate muscle growth and bone development. While testosterone levels are present in both males and females, the average male will have up to ten times the amount of testosterone levels as the average female. Testosterone levels can affect the entire body and many different tissue groups and organs. Low levels and high levels can also affect mood swings and aggression.

Low Testosterone Levels in Men

What is low testosterone? It is when, on average, a male has less than 300 nanograms per deciliter of blood. Why does it drop? The aging process is natural, so is having your levels drop. As we age the natural level of this anabolic steroid drops in our bodies and affects our mood swings, sex drive, energy levels, and general outlook on life. Some doctors' estimates put the loss at 1% to 2% percent each year after age 40. If you think your levels are low or lower than they should be, it may be a good idea to your doctor or physician in order to assess your symptoms and test your actual levels. Your doctor can discuss replacement options and treatments if they are necessary.

Some types of replacement therapies can include a daily skin gel or patch to help supplement or replace the natural drop of this steroid in our bodies.

Resources:
• low testosterone symptoms, health effects and testosterone replacement
men.webmd.com/features/low-testosterone-explained-how-do-you-know-when-levels-are-too-low
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testosterone        

FDA - US Food and Drug Administration

Some people may want to know what the FDA does to help patients and consumers. The FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has taken the charge to have programs and systems in place that will effectively protect the public health. The FDA is in place to ensure the safety and security of drugs and medicines for both human and animal consumption. The FDA oversees the efficacy of human and veterinary medicines, drugs, medical devices, our food supply, biological products, products that emit radiation and cosmetics.
One of the main ways that they accomplish this task is by making sure that our food supply is secure, sanitary and safe to eat. Also, to ensure that the medicines we take are also safe to take. Understand that no medications, drugs, or medical devices should be used without recommendation or prescription from your physician. The FDA is actually a division in the Department of Health and Human Services. There are various office locations across the United States.

To Contact the FDA:  
1-888-INFO-FDA  ( 1-888-463-6332 )
Emergency Operations numbers are: 301-796-8240 or 1-866-300-4374

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002

FDA Centers and Offices:  
www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/default.htm    

What the FDA Regulates:

Some of the items that the FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates to maintain public safety include the following:

• Biologics
• Cosmetics
• Drugs
• Foods
• Medical Devices
• Radiation-Emitting Electronic Products
• Veterinary Products

Also see some key areas of the FDA website that may be of interest to consumers.
• Drug Safety - Drug Alerts and Statements  
www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm215175.htm    

• Information by Drug Class  
www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/default.htm      

• Drug Safety and Availability - Medication Guides
 www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM085729    

The government website has a ton of information to help you better understand about health and drug safety.

Also see:
COPD support groups information  

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

We take your privacy seriously. This policy describes the personal information that is collected and how it is used. This privacy policy is applicable to the website at http://floridahealthykids.blogspot.com/.
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Contact Information

Concerns or questions about this privacy policy can be directed to hooplabuzz(AT)yahoo.com for further clarification.

Health Topics for the Average Person

Hello,
This HealthTopica blog is devoted to providing concise pieces of information on various health and medical related topics that may be of interest to the average person. This blog does not give health or medical advice, rather will attempt to bring information from authority sources on a wide range of health and fitness topics.


Causes of Gout  

Florida KidCare health insurance

Child Health Insurance
You Can Afford

Through Florida KidCare, the state of Florida offers health insurance for children from birth through age 18, even if one or both parents are working. It includes four different parts. When you apply for the insurance, Florida KidCare will check which part your child may qualify for based on age and family income.
Some of the services Florida KidCare covers are:
 
  • Doctor visits
  • Check-ups and shots
  • Hospital
  • Surgery
  • Prescriptions
  • Emergencies
  • Vision and hearing
  • Dental
  • Mental health 
Follow this link for information on eligibility and cost.

There are several ways to apply for Florida KidCare:
 If  you've applied for Florida KidCare before, call 1-888-540-5437 to update your information by telephone.