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With allergy season’s extended stay and cold and flu season having just begun, you may soon find yourself seeking relief through several different kinds of over-the-counter medications. Know what precautions you need to take when fighting multiple symptoms with multiple medications. When you’re too sick to go to work but not sick enough for a doctor’s visit, over-the-counter medicines are a welcome relief to help alleviate that fever, runny nose or allergies. But because those medicines aren’t signed off on or managed by your doctor and pharmacist, it’s crucial that you’re especially mindful of what you put into your body. Whenever you pop a pill, you want to make sure you’re taking the right dosage, waiting the right amount of time before taking another dose and not mixing certain medicines together. Recent stories like this one detail dangerous over-the-counter medicine combinations, and we’re following suit: Here is a quick go-to guide about potentially harmful over-the-counter combinations. Too Much Tylenol/Acetaminophen Tylenol — or acetaminophen — is a popular pain reliever for many, but too much can be bad for your liver. “Our bodies have a finite ability to metabolize Tylenol,” says Andy Wright, clinical pharmacist at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. “When too much builds up in the liver, it becomes toxic. In patients with medical conditions like cirrhosis of the liver or hepatitis, this could be disastrous.” Remember, acetaminophen is in more than just Tylenol and generic pain relievers. You may also see acetaminophen in flu, cold and cough medicines, like Nyquil, and some prescription medications including Norco and Percocet. Keep a list of the medications you take, and limit daily acetaminophen use to 3,000 mg per day. When you’re scanning medicine bottle contents, remember acetaminophen is also referred to as APAP, AC, acetam or paracetamol. Mixing Painkillers When you’re dealing with pain and not getting any relief, taking a different medication may seem like the easy solution. Maybe you take some Aleve — a form of naproxen — for a headache, but it isn’t working, so you switch to Motrin, an over-the-counter form of ibuprofen. Not a smart idea. Ibuprofen and naproxen along with aspirin are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Because these medicines work in similar ways, they should never be combined or used in larger doses or more frequently than directed. Otherwise your risk of side effects can increase, which range from mild nausea to severe gastrointestinal bleeding. It’s also important to consider your family history when taking NSAIDs because, “recent studies have shown NSAIDs may have greater cardiovascular risks for people taking blood thinners or those with hypertension,” explains Andy. “A good example is ibuprofen: It has a relatively low gastrointestinal bleed risk while it has a moderate to high cardiovascular risk. The opposite is true for naproxen.” Rather than experimenting with multiple medicines, figure out which drug works best for you. You may find muscle soreness improves with aspirin, whereas when a headache hits, naproxen is best. Keep in mind that these medications aren’t always best for everyone in the family. “Aspirin in children and teens is not recommended unless under the supervision of a doctor,” Andy says. And pregnant and lactating women should generally avoid NSAIDS due to risk of birth defects and bleeding. “In both of these cases, acetaminophen or Tylenol are preferred but only if approved by an OB/GYN.” Fighting Allergies Over-the-counter antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra have made fighting itchy eyes and runny noses a little easier. But these daily medicines — when taken inappropriately or in the wrong combinations — can also have an adverse effect. Similar to acetaminophen, you need to watch for antihistamines in other products. Sleep aids — like Tylenol PM and Unisom — commonly use an antihistamine known as diphenhydramine, which may increase your risk of overdose. “Combining antihistamines, or overdosing, can cause many adverse effects including dry mouth, blurred vision — even arrhythmias,” Andy says. “Only take these medications on their own.” If you’re still struggling with symptoms, you can talk to your doctor about adding an over-the-counter nasal steroid. Andy confirms the importance of closely following the directions listed on antihistamine (and all medicine) bottles. He has seen extended release nasal decongestants cause significant arrhythmias requiring medical care after a patient took the medicine with warm fluids. “The decongestant in question is designed to slowly release, but it can dissolve suddenly in the presence of warm liquids like coffee,” Andy explains. “This can cause the pill to deliver 12 to 24 hours of medication all at once.” Taking an Antidiarrheal with Calcium Calcium supplements and antidiarrheal medicines are another harmful combination. Calcium firms up your stool, but if taken with an antidiarrheal, can cause severe constipation. If you need to take an antidiarrheal, take a break from your calcium for a few days until you’re back to normal. Another consideration when taking calcium supplements or calcium-based antacids is gas. “I’ve had several patients report cases of excessive gas using Tums or calcium carbonate-based supplements.” Andy suggests instead “trying Maalox or Mylanta for indigestion and Citracal as a supplement.” Talk with Your Doctor or Pharmacist About Your Medications If over-the-counter drugs aren’t providing the relief you need, it’s time to see your doctor. And remember, for your safety it is important to keep your doctor and pharmacist up-to-date with any medications — prescribed or over-the-counter — that you are taking.

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Enjoy the heartiness of traditional paella without any added salt or meat. This recipe is also low in fat, making it a good heart-healthy choice for lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

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Craving a snack with crunch, sweet flavor and a powerful nutritious punch? These healthy, homemade variants of this make-it-and-take-it super snack are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and your healthy lifestyle. Who says healthy snacks and bland taste go together? We say you can have it all — nutritious and delicious snack foods that taste great and satisfy — and trail mix fits the bill. Your homemade batch can be as healthy as you like. The nuts provide fiber, protein and a whole lot of crunchy goodness; dried fruit and touches of chocolate infuse the mix with just the right amount of sweetness. We’ve compiled some simple-to-make and hard-to-resist recipes so you can easily pick up a few items from the grocery store’s bulk bins, or your kitchen cupboard, and put together a snack for your kiddos lunches or the office. Better yet, grab your mix and head out for a stroll or hike, or take along on your next road trip or adventure in Nevada’s rugged, desert locales.

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Nothing says comfort like a bowl of chili. This rich, flavorful dish is Paleo-diet friendly and ready to eat when you are.

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This scrumptious mashed potato substitute is super easy, tasty and gluten-free.

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The convenience of marinara sauce in a jar is pretty hard to beat. But with some extra time in the kitchen, the nutritional value of traditional sauce — already packed with good stuff — goes off the charts.

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Research shows that plant-based diets can help manage — and in some cases aid — in the prevention of many chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. If you’re looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle, try incorporating more plant-based and meatless recipes into your diet — even if it’s just once a week. If you want to cut back on meat but not flavor, we’ve got you covered with this black bean tostada recipe. The list of ingredients includes a number of veggies and spices that are not only good for you, but will make your taste buds sing. The best part? This delicious, Mexican-style dish is so easy that even the most novice cook can have dinner served in just 15 minutes. Enjoy!

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Watch Renown Chef Chris Wyatt blend zest and spice in this seared salmon and grilled veggie dish with a few secret ingredients.   Are you looking for a new twist on an old stand-by dinner favorite while getting a heart-healthy dose of omega-3s? Look no further: Salmon recipes don’t get any easier than this. With this mouth watering recipe totaling in at just less than 350 calories, done in nearly 30 minutes, you’re going to want to make it your next meal. Added perk: Eating fish, such as salmon, twice a week has been found to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke over fish oil supplements.

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Looking for a low-sodium recipe that delivers high marks for taste? Try this Heart Association-approved recipe for oven fried chicken. Diets high in sodium can increase blood pressure, putting you at greater risk for stroke. But you don’t have to trade taste for better health. Take this recipe from the American Heart and Stroke Association: With spicy cayenne, tangy dry mustard and smoky paprika, you won’t miss the salt in this lightened-up southern classic.

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Research shows that plant-based diets can help manage and even aid in the prevention of many chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Try incorporating more plant-based and meatless recipes into your diet — even if it’s just once a week. Here’s a delicious and easy pizza recipe to get you started. Cauliflower is finally getting its due. This nutritional powerhouse of a veggie is flying off the shelves as a low-carbohydrate substitute for grains and legumes. Why? The seemingly boring, white veggie is rich in antioxidants, nutrients, fiber and weighs in at just 25 calories per cup. And it’s great at camouflaging as rice, or in this case, as a base for pizza crust.

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Craving Mexican food, but staying away from sodium and trans-fats? These heart-healthy bean tostadas will satisfy without ingredients that are bad for your heart. These tostadas are rich in protein, vegetables and best of all — flavor.   We asked Renown Chef Chris Wyatt to lighten up one of our favorite dishes, and he delivered! Check out his recipe for black bean tostadas that are rich in protein, vegetables, and best of all, flavor.

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The longer days of spring bring us more daylight and more hours to enjoy the sun. At dinnertime, we’re craving something lighter than the heavy stews and dishes of winter. Lighten up your palate for spring and usher in the new season — without sacrificing taste — with these do-it-yourself spring rolls. And with no cooking required, kids can roll up their sleeves and easily join the fun.

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