| Improve the way you and your doctor communicate
The doctor-patient relationship could use a prescription for communication. That's the diagnosis by a recent survey from the Consumer Reports National Research Center of more than 39,000 patients and 335 primary care physicians. Nearly a third of patients surveyed said their doctor didn't adequately explain possible side effects about drugs prescribed. Two-thirds said their doctors never brought up the costs of treatments and tests. Meanwhile, 59 percent of doctors polled said their patients often failed to follow their prescribed course of treatment. "What it tells me is that the patient has one perspective of what the relationship is all about and the physician has another very different perspective of what the relationship is all about," said Dr. Jim Lenhart, vice dean of the University of Nevada School of Medicine.
Feds at It Again, Seize Canadian Drugs in Miami
Instead of searching for Osama Bin Laden the Bush administration seems determined to keep Canada Drugs out of the hands of Seniors who cannot afford to pay American prices. 37 packages of medicine from Canada shipped to Florida were seized last week. This comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said they would stop the practice of seizing drugs that would be used for personal use. Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson was not pleased when he heard the news. He lashed out at the Bush administration and says senior citizens deserve to buy cheaper medications to save money and preserve their health. FDA-approved drugs such as Lipitor for cholesterol, and Nexium for acid reflux were part of the seizure by the federal agents. It really is disturbing that the powers that be in this country are letting this happen.
Tennesseans lead nation in prescriptions
There are pills for her diabetes, pills for her high blood pressure and pills to control the autoimmune disease, polymyositis, that is attacking and weakening her muscles and lungs. The 48-year-old Antioch woman is just one of the many desperately ill Tennesseans who are driving the state's sky-high rate of prescription drug use. .
What's so super about superfoods?
In an ideal world, the food we eat would be organically grown, the vegetables would be freshly picked, the water would be spring-pure and the air we breathe mountain fresh. But, for those of us who live in the real world, this is not so. However, just introducing certain superfoods into your diet can make a huge difference to your health and well-being. Barbara Griggs, co-author of Superfoods, Superfast, explains that these superfoods are "the vital bricks that build your body's resistance to stress, disease, and infection". So, instead vitamin pills and capsules, try adding a few superfoods to your diet. Beer Beer is one of the best nutritional sources of silicon, which is essential for bones. As little as half a pint a day could help to prevent osteoporosis, which causes over 200 000 fractures every year - mostly in women.
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