Barb's Daily Dose

Testosterone Gel for Men

There's another new testosterone gel that's been approved for men in the US.  We have AndroGel and now recently, the FDA approved Bio-T-Gel.  These help treat low testosterone in men, which affects an estimated 5 million men.

Indigestion and Hip Fractures

If you're like millions of American women over 60, you might have a little indigestion after meals, especially at night. Go to any pharmacy and you can find lots of over the counter and/or prescription medications that aim to relieve the excess acid and decrease heartburn.

Prescription Meds Without a Prescription?

Imagine being able to self diagnose your symptoms at a drug store Kiosk and then get your medications without a prescription?  The FDA is considering a proposal that would do just that.

It sounds like an airport, where you print your boarding pass and then get on the plane. Let's take 2 very different conditions:

Medical: Handling Drugs Safely at Home | ScrippsNews

Here's my latest interview with Lee Bowman on how to stay safe no matter what age or stage with medications Medical: Handling drugs safely at home | ScrippsNews.

What to Do for a Stomach Bug

Does NOTHING Help a Somach Bug??

I recently got this question and thought it would be great to cover it on The Daily Dose.

Here's a ICU Nurse Tip for Stomach Bugs

We use this to help people get re-hydrated. Wait at least 30 minutes after throwing up to even try to get some liquids. Then, mix water with clear juice and whatever  you do, DO NOT give more than a teaspoon at a time and wait 5 minutes between small sips. The liquids will be absorbed in the mouth and esophagus before they reach a very irritated stomach, so are less likely to come back up.

Sinus Infection? Cold or Flu?

What Can You Do for a Cold or Flu?  

Rest, rest, rest - Really, who has time for that?  Yet, the truth is, that our bodies are craving naps and time curled up on the coach with a soft blankie, hot tea with lemon and honey and a Romantic Comedy for distraction.

How Can I Figure Out if I have a Sinus Infection or Just a Cold? 

How do you know?  It's hard to figure out, even if you've searched on-line for symptoms.  Here's a clue.

What is Gout?

More and more Americans are suffering with Gout.  What is it and what can you do to prevent and treat it?

Most people experience gout as excruciating pain and inflammation in their big toe. It caused by a combination of factors, that lead to the build up of pain-causing crystals in the joints. These monosodium urate crystals are a result of too much uric acid in the blood, that is often a result of being overweight, obese, having hypertension and using diuretics (medication to help the body excrete more fluids). People who have a diet with high levels of red meat, seafood and alcohol are also at increased risk. 

Shingles

If you've ever had shingles or known someone who has, you know that it's very painful and debilitating. If it's recognized quickly and treated appropriately, it can save the person weeks of pain.

How to Recognize Shingles

• Pink, raised blisters or sores that start on ONE side of the body
• Pain in the same area 1 - 3 days prior to noticing the blisters
• The sores may look like bumps
• There may be a few or large clusters and look like an angry red rash
• Sores may be filled with pus after a few days, then scab over
• There may be intense burning, itching, tingling, deep pain or even muscle aches in the area
• Extreme sensitivity on the rash, so that even clothing may be too uncomfortable, and
• Long lasting pain for weeks or months after the sores disappear.

Don't Stop Your BP Meds Even if Your Insurance Stops

I received a phone call this weekend from a friend, who was in the hospital because their partner, who was only in his mid 40's had a stroke. A stroke? He's too young, he doesn't smoke, what happened?  My brain was working overtime.  Maybe he has an inherited clotting disorder or there was an aneurysm or an AV malformation?  Something didn't make sense.  The most obvious reason never occurred to me, he had high blood pressure and he had stopped taking his Blood Pressure medication, because after losing his job, and losing his insurance, he couldn't afford it anymore.

Stay on Your Aspirin

If you've been advised to take a daily aspirin by your health care provider, you need to stay on it, because if you stop, you're 63% more likely to have a heart attack.  A European study found that people who stopped taking their recommended aspirin were more likely to have a heart attack within 6 months.