Jetsetters hit with the E. coli infection, known as traveler’s diarrhea, have a new treatment option. Aemcolo, approved by the FDA on November 16th, 2018, is the first drug in 10 years approved for traveler’s diarrhea and gives patients an alternative to the typically prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and Xifaxan. What is Aemcolo for?…
These Drugs Could Increase Your Risk of Dementia
When asked about the medical condition they fear the most, adults overwhelmingly point to dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s-related dementia. Treatment options for dementia are dismal, so the focus needs to be on prevention. It might be hard to believe, but risk factors for dementia include common things like diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity—and even some…
Should Everyone Get the Chickenpox Vaccine? – Benefits, Risks, and Age Recommendations
Currently, a school in Asheville, North Carolina is the source of the state’s largest chickenpox outbreak in over 20 years. Ever since the chickenpox vaccine became available in 1995, these types of outbreaks have been less common. But chickenpox can still occur in areas where not enough people are vaccinated. Let’s find out more about…
Understanding Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Health Insurance Plans
Open Enrollment is here, which means many of us are trying to choose an insurance plan for 2019. But understanding the options can feel like learning a new language with all the new terms, legaleze and sheer amount of information out there. In this article, we’ll walk through the basic health plan types to help…
What’s the Best Treatment for an Ear Infection?
Ear infections are caused by either a bacteria or a virus, and most kids get them before they turn two years old. Ear infections, which often occur after a cold or throat infection, can be unpleasant or downright painful. Here’s what you need to know about treatments. What are symptoms of an ear infection? Ear…
Health Insurance Aside, Americans Still Struggle To Pay for Their Medications
More than 40% Americans are struggling to pay for the cost of their medications – even though nearly all of them have some kind of health insurance coverage, a new GoodRx survey has found. Despite the fact that nearly all survey respondents reported they had some health insurance coverage for medications, the analysis reveals that…
9 Hangover Remedies That REALLY Work
With the holidays comes more drinking—and hangovers. If you ask around, you’ll be buried in folk remedies for hangovers. But here’s what’s actually been studied and what actually works compared to doing nothing (or taking a placebo). What causes a hangover? Hangovers are NOT caused by an electrolyte imbalance, lactate, ketones or (this will surprise…
Long-Acting Maintenance Asthma Inhalers: Know Your Options
If you have asthma, you’ve likely been prescribed a maintenance inhaler to help control your symptoms long-term, but there are multiple options to choose from: inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta agonists, long-acting muscarinic antagonists and combination inhalers. All have different ways of working and side effects, so which one is best for you? Here’s what you…
Top 5 Vaccinations Recommended for Adults With Diabetes
We hear a lot about vaccination shots for children, but it turns out adults also need immunizations. People with diabetes need to pay special attention because they are more likely to get and experience complications from certain infectious diseases. The CDC recommends that adults with diabetes be up-to-date on five different vaccinations. 1) The flu…
Health Insurance Premiums, Deductibles and Copays – Here’s How They Work
Shopping for health insurance and feeling a bit confused? You’re not alone. A recent survey by the UnitedHealthcare Group found that only 9% of Americans have an understanding of four of the most basic health insurance terms: health plan premium, health plan deductible, out-of-pocket maximum and co-insurance. For the other 91% of you, we’re here…