News - Just for the Health of it!

August 2009

IS YOUR OUTLOOK A LITTLE FUZZY THESE DAYS?

If you are part of the aging population and your vision seems to be slipping a little more each year, it just might be time for a thorough physical exam and eye check-up. You could be one of the millions of patients with cataracts and not even know it! August is Cataract Awareness Month, and oftentimes awareness is nothing more than realizing that you are losing visual acuity (that’s medical gobbledygook for seeing less well with each passing year) and that you’d like to do whatever you can to preserve your eyesight for as many years as possible.

Cataracts are a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. The condition is often compared to a window that has become frosted or yellowed. There are a lot of misconceptions about cataracts, and it may be simpler to discuss what a cataract is not:

A cataract is not

• a film over the eye
• a cause of irreversible blindness
• spread from one eye to the other
• caused by overuse of the eyes

Common symptoms of cataract may include

• blurred vision
• double vision in one eye
• glare or light sensitivity
• decreased nighttime vision
• fading or yellowing of colors
• requiring brighter light to read

The causes of cataracts are numerous, and may include

• family history
• medical conditions, such as diabetes
• previous eye surgery
• injury
• medication, especially steroids
• long-term, unprotected exposure to sunlight

Treatment is surgical removal of the cataract; most commonly with lasers, has a very high success rate, and may include treatment with prescription eye drops for several days before and after the laser surgery. Ask your ophthalmologist whether cataract or some other medical problem is the cause of your vision loss and to help you decide if cataract surgery is appropriate for you.

SAY WHAT?

While we are on the subject of loss of vision, how about hearing loss? August  also includes Hearing Aid Awareness Week. While hearing loss is most commonly associated with aging, we also see significant hearing loss in younger folks due to exposure to high sound levels (decibels) at rock concerts, dance venues, and portable stereo systems. Hearing testing can help you determine if you have experienced temporary or permanent loss of hearing and if you are a candidate for hearing aid therapy.

TESTING YOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE?

The technology in blood glucose testing devices just keeps improving, with new meters that are more compact, simple to use, and provide results in just a few seconds. Many of the new meters accept blood from either fingertip or forearm and require samples that are miniscule in comparison to the older devices. Ask your Leader pharmacist about some of the great buys on blood glucose meters. Many meters, along with the test strips and lancets are covered by insurance with a prescription from your physician, so updating to the most current technology can be fairly painless and low in cost.

GOT A BELLYACHE?

Ulcer awareness includes recognizing that chronic, persistent burning pain in the stomach or esophagus is not normal, may result in acid reflux into the esophagus, bleeding, perforation, and possibly fatal peritonitis from perforation into the abdominal cavity. The causes of ulcers are many, from too much fast food, hot food, alcohol, and caffeine, to stress. The “quick fix” has always been to swallow some antacid, neutralize the acid present in the stomach, and keep doing what you always do. The next step is to take acid-blockers to prevent the production of acid for a few hours or to “coat” the ulcer with a thick demulcent to relieve pain. Recent medical advances have shown that a significant number of ulcers are actually caused by a bacterial infection (helicobacter pylori) and can fairly simply be treated with a combination of antibiotics, bismuth, and may include an anti-yeast medication.  Surprisingly this proven “cure” is rarely prescribed and the above-mentioned treatments, as well as proton pump inhibitors (such as Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, etc) still are most common for everyday treatment. If you have an ulcer-like condition that is not improving, ask your Leader Pharmacist or physician for a recommendation that just might resolve your ulcer problem for good.

SOMETHING BUGGING YOU?

As we approach the return to school in August and September, we also anticipate the return of head lice to our world. Lice know no demographics, they don’t care whether you drive a BMW or a clunker, and they are bugs that infest the rich along with the poor. You need to be aware that if your child comes home from school (or goes to school) with these miserable critters, all is not lost. The bugs can be eradicated, but the treatment needs to be thorough and all family members need to be monitored and treated if the infestation seems to be on-going. Ask your Leader pharmacist to recommend the appropriate treatment for your family.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"Humor is the shortest distance between two people"
-- Victor Borge