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Report Links Hypertension Medication to Increased Likelihood of Fall Injuries

2024-03-28T21:06:09-04:00August 26th, 2015|Categories: eNews, Medication, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: |

A recent study finds that elderly patients can have an increased risk of falling after starting a blood pressure medication. Researchers at the University Medical Center in New York studied 90,000 Medicaid patients who experienced fall injuries. Data indicated that patients who began taking hypertension medication had a 36 percent increase in the likelihood of falling within two weeks. Those who were already on blood pressure drugs had a 16 percent chance of falling after starting a new class of medication. The report mirrors another study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, although data in Hypertension contradicts the findings. [...]

FDA Increases Focus on Warning Labels for Everyday Painkillers

2024-03-28T21:06:11-04:00August 26th, 2015|Categories: eNews, Medication, News & Events, Treatment|Tags: |

The Food and Drug Administration is stepping up to improve the warning labels on non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS.  Studies find that using these medications are linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The move comes 10 years after warnings were added to prescription pain relievers, but researchers have found that over-the-counter medication also contains risks. Health officials caution patients not to take more than one drug containing NSAIDs at a time and to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Patients should contact their physician with any questions about NSAIDs. [...]

Facts About the Flu

2024-03-28T21:06:54-04:00January 4th, 2013|Categories: eNews, Medication|

Flu Facts Flu season usually runs from November through April.  The flu can cause mild to severe illness, and even lead to death. Each year, in the U.S. about 36,000 people die from flu-related illness and there are more than 200,000 people hospitalized. Over 90% of deaths and about 60% of hospitalizations occur in people older than 65. Who is at risk? In seasonal flu, certain people are at “high risk” of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, such as [...]

Questions Patients Should Ask Their Healthcare Providers

2024-03-28T21:07:11-04:00December 17th, 2012|Categories: eNews, Medication|

It is critical to be an active and engaged participant in your own care. Reading this article will help you make sure you are getting the care you need. Any time new medicines or tests are ordered for you, it is important to ask questions. It can be intimidating to ask doctors or nurses these questions, but you are not able to make informed decisions without all of the facts. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ), part of the part of the Department of Health and Human Services, was created to help with this process. The AHRQ has developed [...]

The Medicare “Donut Hole”

2024-03-28T21:07:13-04:00December 17th, 2012|Categories: Costs for Treatment, eNews, Medication|Tags: |

The Coverage Gap The way Medicare Part D was designed there was a planned coverage gap, which has become known as "the donut hole". This gap has caused a great deal of confusion and higher than expected out of pocket costs for medications. When do you reach the gap? The gap begins when a person reaches a predetermined amount during the year based on average retail cost of drugs. In 2011, that amount is set at $2840. Since Medicare drug plans negotiate for a lower price the average retail cost is not what you actually paid out of pocket. Every drug [...]

Medicare and the Part D Donut Hole

2024-03-28T21:07:14-04:00December 17th, 2012|Categories: Costs for Treatment, eNews, Medication|Tags: |

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? This saying, made famous by Benjamin Franklin, is as true today as it was in the 1700's. Preventative care and early treatment can impact the outcome of most diseases. Mammograms and prostate screening are effective tools against cancer Sunscreens and limiting outdoor exposure to direct sunlight are effective methods to lower the risk for skin cancers The proper use of medication can also prevent conditions from forming or stop existing conditions from worsening. A potential growing gap is forming between what the doctor orders and what the patient may or may [...]

Kidney Patients and the Donut Hole

2024-03-28T21:07:20-04:00December 17th, 2012|Categories: Costs for Treatment, eNews, Medication|

Can the Medicare "Donut Hole" Affect Kidney Patients? The short answer to this question is "maybe". The longer answer reveals that the gap affects some Medicare recipients more than others. A closer look will help to explain the reason why these two answers are different and how your patient may be affected. What is it? The "donut hole" is a gap in prescription drug coverage under Medicare. This gap begins when a person reaches a predetermined amount during the year based on average retail cost of drugs. In 2011 the gap begins when a person spends $2840 in actual out of [...]

Managing Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease

2024-03-28T21:07:22-04:00December 14th, 2012|Categories: eNews, Medication, Nutrition, Stages of Kidney Disease|

As you are being treated for your chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage 5, there are 2 areas of concern that you and your renal (kidney) care team should discuss. Diet Following a renal-friendly diet can help limit the amount of waste in your body, which will aid in your treatment. You and your renal dietitian can work together to monitor the foods you eat and the fluids you drink. Some things you may discuss include Limiting fluids Avoiding salt Being aware of hidden phosphorus Sticking to the diet you and your dietitian create may not only help you feel better, it [...]

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