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Use Caution: Mixing Over-the-Counter Medications Can Be Harmful
With allergy seasonâs 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 youâre too sick to go to work but not sick enough for a doctorâs visit, over-the-counter medicines are a welcome relief to help alleviate that fever, runny nose or allergies. But because those medicines arenât signed off on or managed by your doctor and pharmacist, itâs crucial that youâre especially mindful of what you put into your body. Whenever you pop a pill, you want to make sure youâre 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 weâre following suit: Here is a quick go-to guide about potentially harmful over-the-counter combinations. Too Much Tylenol/Acetaminophen Tylenol â or acetaminophen â is a popular pain reliever for many, but too much can be bad for your liver. âOur bodies have a finite ability to metabolize Tylenol,â says Andy Wright, clinical pharmacist at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. âWhen 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.â 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 youâre scanning medicine bottle contents, remember acetaminophen is also referred to as APAP, AC, acetam or paracetamol. Mixing Painkillers When youâre dealing with pain and not getting any relief, taking a different medication may seem like the easy solution. Maybe you take some Aleve â a form of naproxen â for a headache, but it isnât 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. Itâs also important to consider your family history when taking NSAIDs because, ârecent studies have shown NSAIDs may have greater cardiovascular risks for people taking blood thinners or those with hypertension,â explains Andy. âA 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.â 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 arenât always best for everyone in the family. âAspirin in children and teens is not recommended unless under the supervision of a doctor,â Andy says. And pregnant and lactating women should generally avoid NSAIDS due to risk of birth defects and bleeding. âIn both of these cases, acetaminophen or Tylenol are preferred but only if approved by an OB/GYN.â 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 â when taken inappropriately or in the wrong combinations â can also have an adverse effect. Similar to acetaminophen, you need to watch for antihistamines in other products. Sleep aids â like Tylenol PM and Unisom â commonly use an antihistamine known as diphenhydramine, which may increase your risk of overdose. âCombining antihistamines, or overdosing, can cause many adverse effects including dry mouth, blurred vision â even arrhythmias,â Andy says. âOnly take these medications on their own.â If youâre 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. âThe decongestant in question is designed to slowly release, but it can dissolve suddenly in the presence of warm liquids like coffee,â Andy explains. âThis can cause the pill to deliver 12 to 24 hours of medication all at once.â 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 youâre back to normal. Another consideration when taking calcium supplements or calcium-based antacids is gas. âIâve had several patients report cases of excessive gas using Tums or calcium carbonate-based supplements.â Andy suggests instead âtrying Maalox or Mylanta for indigestion and Citracal as a supplement.â Talk with Your Doctor or Pharmacist About Your Medications If over-the-counter drugs arenât providing the relief you need, itâs 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 â prescribed or over-the-counter â that you are taking.
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Perseverance and Physical Therapy Help UNR Student Walk Again
University of Nevada, Reno student Khoa Le was paralyzed in 2010 after a longboarding accident. Through physical therapy, a positive attitude and sheer will, Le is walking again. This weekend, Le will walk across the commencement stage to accept his college diploma. âWalking around on my own power is just the greatest feeling,â says Khoa Le, a senior at the University of Nevada, Reno. Just after finishing summer school at the university in July 2010, his whole life changed within seconds after stepping on a longboard skateboard for the first time. He lost control of the board and hit the curb, causing paralysis on the left side of his body. His journey to recovery began at Renown Health Physical Therapy & Rehab. His physical therapist, Dina Barry, says he never complained once in four years. âI started seeing Khoa in April 2011, and we worked for four years together,â says Barry, a lead physical therapist at Renown. âEverything Iâve ever asked him to do, he does. Le is a hard worker, is continuously optimistic and smiling, and I think that is why heâs accomplished what he has.â Le plans to pursue a career as an information systems manager.
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Name-Brand Medication vs. Generic: What's the Difference?
Most prescriptions meds are available in generic form. Find out the similarities and differences between the two and how to determine whether a generic is right for you. Approximately 80 percent of prescriptions sold today are generics. If youâre taking a prescription medication, chances are itâs a generic form of the brand-name drug. But are you getting the same quality in a generic medication? Do generics measure up? The answer in most cases is yes â generics, just like branded products, are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. âTo have a generic product approved by the FDA, the generic manufacturer must prove that its product is bioequivalent to the branded product,â explains Adam Porath, PharmD, BCPS AQ-Cardiology, BCACP and Vice President of Pharmacy Services. Basically, it has to function the same. âGeneric products are extremely well tolerated and will provide the same results as using a branded product,â Porath says. Hereâs how generics are the same as name-brand prescriptions: Generic products contain the same active ingredients. They produce the same desired clinical effect and accompanying side effects. Generics come in the same form as their branded counterparts: pill, liquid or inhaler, for example. Release into the bloodstream matches the name brand in timing and strength. Hereâs how they differ: Generics generally cost less. Federal law requires generics have different names and look different: shape, size, markings and color. Generics contain different inactive ingredients, like binders, fillers and artificial colors. Different side effects with generics can usually be attributed to these additions. Why do generics cost less? When pharmaceutical companies develop a new drug, they are paying for research, development, clinical studies, marketing â in some cases it can cost more than $800 million and take 10 to 15 years to develop a new drug. âThe manufacturers of branded medication products have to recoup their research and development costs,â Porath says. So companies are granted a limited patent to sell their drug without the competition of generic counterparts. âWhen patent exclusivity ends, the market is open for any generic manufacturer to make a competing product with FDA approval.â Without the same startup costs, companies can sell generics at 80 to 85 percent less. And because more than one company can produce the same generics, competition drives prices even lower.
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The Healthy Nevada Project Changed My Life: A Local Mom's Story
Read about Jordan Stiteler, a local mom who says the Healthy Nevada Project provided insights into her familyâs genetic makeup â and the likely cause of her dad and great grandfatherâs deaths. Now she is changing her life due to her new diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia, which will allow her to take steps toward preventing the same fate. Jordan Stitelerâs dad died suddenly of a stroke nearly ten years ago â at only 45 years old. His grandfather died at age 40. Now through the Healthy Nevada Projectâs no-cost genetic testing, she is closer to understanding why that may have happened. And she can take proactive steps to prevent the unhealthy symptoms that often lead to a stroke and heart problems. After getting her Geno 2.0 by National Geographic ancestry report, Stiteler got a call from Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health Cardiologist and Renown IHI Director of Research, Dr. Christopher Rowan. âThey told me that I have FH, which is familial hypercholesterolemia,â she said. âI have genetically very high cholesterol because I have a non-functioning gene that doesnât get rid of my cholesterol like a normal body would.â Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Simple Life Changes Dr. Rowan told Stiteler it is curable with medication and a change in lifestyle. Stiteler has embraced healthy lifestyle changes by exercising more and eating healthier. âIt is so important. Being a mom, I think you have so much more to live for. Having this information has changed my life.â Stiteler feels confident FH affected her Dad. âIt is helping my family realize that we need to get tested,â she said. âThere were big milestones that my Dad missed. He didnât get to see either of us get married or have our children. That was huge.â She has become passionate about sharing the need to join the Healthy Nevada Project as her way of helping to prevent other families from possibly going through what she and her family did with the early loss of her Dad. In addition to FH results, the Healthy Nevada Project is returning clinical results on BRCA 1/2 (hereditary breast and ovarian cancer) and Lynch syndrome (colorectal and endometrial cancer) to consenting study participants. To sign up for the Healthy Nevada Project, go to HealthyNV.org. Join the Healthy Nevada Project Recruitment for phase two is still open. In addition to opting in to receive clinical results, participants receive National Geographicâs Geno 2.0 ancestry app at no cost. They also have the chance to pick an additional app for health and wellness after completing a follow-up survey. Learn More or Sign Up
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Jakobâs Journey at Renown Childrenâs Hospital
In August 2016, six-year-old Jakob was admitted to Renown Children's Hospital with what seemed like a common ear infection. Jakob's condition quickly progressed, and he started experiencing neurological symptoms such as difficulty speaking and a full-body shutdown. Doctors, neurologists and specialists from Renown worked with doctors from Stanford, where he was ultimately diagnosed with Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE). BBE is a rare, autoimmune response that attacks the nerves in the body due to an acute illness such as a cold, flu or, in Jakob's case, an ear infection. Jakob could not breathe or eat and experienced paralysis on the side of his face, throat, stomach, bowels, lungs and legs. In addition, he started to rapidly lose weight as well as body function. Jakob lost half his body weight which resulted in the need for a Gastrostomy tube. This device is placed surgically and gives direct access to the stomach to give the child the nutrition needed. He also needed occupational therapy, and after three and a half months of ICU respiratory therapy, surgeries and treatments, he was released home to regain his strength. Forever Grateful Anica, Jakob's mom, said, "If it were not for the quick response and unconditional support and compassion from the team at Renown, Jakob would not be here today." Jakob's family is forever grateful to the staff, community and expertise at Renown for their unwavering commitment to their son and family during their most trying time in life. "When I met Jakob on the first day of his illness, so much was unknown. My team and I were worried, as his symptoms were very unusual. His rapid deterioration, after being a perfectly healthy child, was clearly terrifying for his parents. Handing over a child's care to a team of strangers is one of the scariest things that can happen to parents,â said Dr. Kris Deeter, Physician in Chief at Renown Childrenâs Hospital. âHowever, Anica and Jeremiah were also very clear that they did not want Jakob transferred somewhere else. So, we used all our resources to care for him, arrive at a diagnosis, and start aggressive therapies. They listened to every word we said, educated themselves, and became partners in Jakob's care. We all became part of Team Jakob, and soon, he proved to us just how strong he was." Today, Jakob is 13 years old and thriving in every aspect of his life. He is currently on the honor roll in school and finds joy in his newfound passion for the violin. He loves spending his free time learning about mixing music, making new friends and traveling to different parts of the country. This summer, he will travel to Europe to explore his passion for culture. The family says, "We owe it all to the family and staff at Renown."
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Stroke Survival as a Warrior â Kimi's Story
It seemed like a normal Wednesday, except Kimi Woolsey was feeling really stressed. On Sept. 4, 2019 she was rushing to get ready for an appointment when suddenly, she could not feel her legs. Kimi immediately knew something was wrong and called out to her fiancĂ©, Paul, for help. After seeing a bright light in her right eye, she felt a severe, sharp pain in her head traveling down into her leg. Paul quickly called 911, the EMTâs arrived and her stroke survival journey began. At first the medical team thought she had a complicated migraine, but one of them suspected a stroke. On the way to the hospital Kimi felt numbness and her face drooping, then instantly, no pain. For a moment she thought she was dying, going from pain to numbness and realizing she couldnât move or speak. Kimi didnât know she was having another massive stroke in transit. Each year nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stroke, or âbrain attackâ â thatâs one every 40 seconds. Of those, about 75% occur in people over age 65. However, at only 45 years old, Kimi is proof that a stroke can happen at any age. Stroke Survival Begins for Kimi Upon arriving at the emergency department of Renown Regional Medical Center the Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center team went into action. Kimi received a brain MRI, then was wheeled into surgery for a thrombectomy (clot removal). She was in the intensive care unit for 11 days. She remembers someone telling her, âGenerally people donât survive this magnitude of stroke.â And a doctor saying, âYou are here for a reason.â Kimiâs comeback journey began with the comprehensive care team at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. âLiterally I had the best day of my life that first day thereâŠI was so happy because I couldnât imagine being in a safer place with people that literally live for you,â she recalls. During her 41 days there, her biggest milestone was being able to get out of bed and walk. For Kimi the support she felt at the rehab hospital was key to her progress, âI still feel loved and appreciated and theyâre rooting for me still and I can feel it.â Although she left the rehab hospital on Oct. 18, 2019, she is still working on improving the left side of her body. Currently Kimi works with therapists in outpatient physical rehabilitation sessions, continuing to see improvement in both her hand and leg. Her advice to those currently in a rehab hospital setting is, âStay as long as you can to get the most out of it and push, push, push.â Kimiâs Stroke Survival as a Warrior âHaving a stroke is not for the faint of heart,â says Kimi. She experienced despair and felt discouraged. Many days she would ask herself, âWhy am I here?â Today she proudly calls herself a stroke warrior and refuses to be a victim of her stroke. Alongside her tenacious spirit, Kimi actively helps others on their stroke survival journey. Before her stroke she never dreamed of starting a non-profit foundation. Now, each day youâll find her texting inspiration to others, offering advice and connecting with other struggling stroke survivors on her Facebook page, Stroke Warrior Recovery Coach. Her goal is to become the person she needed to talk to after her stroke; she currently coaches several stroke survivors. âStroke survivors need to know that they arenât alone. Mental support and encouragement are so important for each personâs stroke journey,â Kimi said. Along with the physical changes, Kimi feels the stroke magnified her empathy. âI was always in a hurry in my life. People didnât go fast enough for me â on the road, at the grocery store, in a line. Now I have more patience with myself and others." Kimi realizes most people cannot wrap their brain around the concept of a stroke. In fact, the brain fog, physical challenges and frustration are hard to explain⊠unless youâve experienced them. âYou need to find your tribe,â she explains. âI have a passion for helping people through this process.â Most of all, she encourages people to keep going and never stop. After her stroke, Kimi has a greater appreciation for her family, health and life. She is one of the patients featured in the current âFight The Good Fightâ trauma and physical rehab advertising campaign. âI wake up every day and fight,â she asserts. âEach day you have to fight for your recovery and fight for yourself.â
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Heart Attack Survivor Fights the Good Fight
Something wasnât right. Even though it was the holiday season, on December 23, 2018, Mondo Corona didnât feel goodâŠnot to mention his sudden earache. Although Christmas was a happy celebration with his family. He still felt tired. Was it the flu? And that darn earache wouldnât go away. On that cool winter day, Mondo could not imagine he was near death. Or that he would become a heart attack survivor. Know Your Heart A few days later, on December 27, he wasnât feeling any better. He decided to go to the emergency room at Renown Regional Medical Center. Thatâs when a simple blood test revealed shocking results. âI thought about death a lot. I was calling people to ask them to help take care of my family if I wasnât going to be here anymore,â he emotionally confesses. Although Mondo loves his job as a railroad engineer, it involves on-call shifts and an erratic sleep schedule. At that time his exercise and eating habits werenât the best either. Yet he never imagined he would have a massive, often lethal, type of heart attack called âthe widowmaker.â In fact, his family had been concerned about his health for awhile. âHe worked so much and he didnât take care of himself and he didnât exercise â he was burning the candle at both ends,â shares his wife, Alison. His daughter Justice, an avid exerciser, was always encouraging him to join her at the gym, but could never quite convince him. Mondo remembers the time before he became a heart attack survivor. âI didnât have any exercise whatsoever in my life. At that point my eating habits were just terrible,â he shares. He went to the emergency room due to his earache, but nothing was found until one of the doctors ordered some tests. Specifically blood work showed high troponin levels. Troponin is a blood protein often released in large amounts when the heart muscle has damage, sometimes by a heart attack. Heart Attack Survivor âMy surgeon came in and told us that it was going to be a triple bypass â that three of the fourâŠmajor arteries were clogged 100 percent,â Mondo explains. Amazingly his heart was pumping on only 10 percent blood flow. Heart surgeon, Joseph Brandl, MD, told him he survived a widowmaker heart attack. This type of heart attack happens when there is a 100 percent blockage in the critical left anterior descending artery (LAD) of the heart. Frequently the symptoms can often be mistaken for the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 40 seconds a person in the U.S. has a heart attack. And 1 in 5 heart attacks are âsilentâ â meaning you can be a heart attack survivor, but not know it. For Mondoâs children, seeing their strong father struggle after heart surgery was difficult. Justice tearfully shares, âIt was really hard seeing him so vulnerable. He really needed anybodyâs and everybodyâs help at that point.â A Heart Attack Survivor Program After leaving the hospital on January 5, 2019, he was extremely weak. On February 12, Mondo began Renown Healthâs Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) Program called the Healthy Heart Program. This program, requiring a doctor referral, includes 12 weeks of supervised exercise along with nutrition education and stress management skills. In spite of heart disease being the leading cause of death in the U.S. â more than all cancers combined, the risk can be lessened with daily lifestyle habits. Mondo credits the ICR program with motivating him and getting his focus back on his health. He saw the team members setting an example and also caring about his health. He describes one of his favorite recipes, âIn ICR Sara showed us how to make this incredible fruit salad, with jicama, watermelon, grapes, oranges, red onion, and ginger!â Of course, the recovery process was not overnight. âIt did take a long time to really realize that he was going to be back to normal, that he was going to be okay and that he was going to be that strong provider for me and my children,â Alison reflects. âMondoâs had an amazing outcome and heâs not limited in his activities at all and should hopefully have a life thatâs not limited at all from heart disease as weâre monitoring everything and everythingâs looking good,â reports his heart doctor Jayson Morgan, MD. Mondo describes his care experience being a heart attack survivor as life-changing. âThe care teams at both Renown and ICR were incredible. There wasnât a single person we came across who didnât immediately become a part of the family. They truly cared for us, all of us, including the extended family that came to visit. They were informative and supportive. I felt like I created lasting bonds with so many of them, especially the gang in ICR. What amazing people.â Lynice Anderson, Director of Intensive Cardiac Rehab, Healthy Heart Program, shares,â Mondo is one of the most genuine, thoughtful and humble people I have ever met. His love for his family is palpable. His impact on me personally and our team is forever.â She acknowledges family support is key to his success, âMondoâs family is his rock and they are his. I have never met a family that was so âall inâ in the support of their loved one. His new heart healthy lifestyle is modeled through his family every day.â Fighting The Good Fight Of course, Mondo may look familiar to you. Thatâs because he is featured in Renown Healthâs âFight The Good Fightâ brand campaign. For this reason, you may have seen him in advertising working out on a treadmill, shirtless, with his open heart surgery scar in full view. When asked how he feels about showing his scar he confidently says, âI donât mind showing it to people. I donât. I earned that scar.â He is a proud heart attack survivor. Today, heâs grateful to be alive and takes his health commitment seriously. âThings have a different feel now. The skies and lakes are bluer and the trees greener. My family is so much more a part of my day. We go on so many more outdoor adventures, trying to incorporate a little exercise into our fun. We watch what we eat more and are trying to teach our children and loved ones about healthy choices. And I think with a few weâve even been successful!â he observes. âDonât take life for granted.â âUnconditional love. I get nothing but support from my family without them I wouldnât be where Iâm at. What happened to me definitely makes me a fighter for sure. Iâm fighting for my life â the good fight â I think life is good,â he adds.
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Helpful Caregivers Make a Wedding Dream Come True
A wedding is a big day for the wedding couple, but itâs also special for loved ones. A patient at Renown, Ken, got to take part in his daughterâs special day as her wedding plans changed to accommodate his medical condition. Grab some tissues and read how Renownâs team of compassionate caregivers and chaplains planned a wedding in Fiannaâs Healing Garden. Ken was hospitalized at Renown Regional Medical Center where he was battling a lung problem â which was unrelated to COVID-19 â and his condition worsened rapidly on Wednesday, Aug. 12. His family made the decision to transition him to palliative care, which helps patients near the end of their lives remain comfortable, while supporting their dignity and quality of life. Kenâs medical condition altered wedding plans for his daughter, Chandra, and her fiancĂ©, Tyler, who were planning to tie the knot later in 2020. Chandra wanted her father there, but knew he could not leave the hospital. Thatâs why Chandraâs sister, Heather, approached Kenâs care team with a request to have a small wedding ceremony at the hospital. Planning the Wedding A member of Kenâs care team, Amy Heston, registered nurse (RN), began planning how the wedding could be held outdoors in Fianna's Healing Garden in the E. L. Wiegand Pavilion, which was donated by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation.  In 24 hours, Amy planned a wedding ceremony with the help of her colleague, Breyanna Aufiero, RN; the Renown Spiritual Care team; and nursing leaders on the coronary intensive care unit (ICU). Together, they decorated the aisle in the garden with flowers and battery-operated candles. They also made a sign for Kenâs hospital bed, which read, âFather of the Bride,â and crafted a bow tie for him to wear for the special occasion. With visitor restrictions in place at the hospital due to coronavirus (COVID-19), having the wedding outside in the Healing Garden allowed for more members of Kenâs family to attend including his wife, Charlotte, and his dog, Bella.  Every step in planning the wedding required thoughtful and thorough care coordination so Ken could participate. His breathing was supported by oxygen and special arrangements were made to transport the oxygen tanks he needed to take part in his daughterâs wedding. Amy worked with respiratory technician, Kasey Benfield, and critical care technician, Ruben Duckworth, to ensure Kenâs oxygen needs were met using portable machines. Celebrating Love and Life Together Kenâs team of caregivers bathed him and shaved his face so he could look and feel his best for the ceremony. They put on his bow tie, covered his bed in decorations and his favorite blue, flannel blanket, and wheeled his bed outside for the ceremony. Renown associate chaplains Terri Domitrovich and Susan Palwick coordinated music and performed the ceremony for Chandra and Tyler on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. The bride and groom shared their first dance in the garden and Kenâs care team provided water and treats to give the family a full wedding experience.  Shortly after the ceremony, Ken passed away. This wedding provided Ken and his family meaningful memories for their big life-changing moments as they celebrated and said goodbye. âSeeing Ken surrounded by family he never would have gotten to see again while in the hospital, watching him get to share a father-daughter dance with Chandra on her wedding day, and having him tell me that this day meant more to them than we would ever know were some of the most moving moments Iâve witnessed as a nurse,â Amy said. âI am so thankful for the team we have here. I know that this beautiful day wouldnât have happened without the help of every single person who gave their time, money, creativity and passion to make it a day to remember.â
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Free Virtual Event! Saving Money on Medications
According to a National Center for Health Statistics survey, about 8% of U.S. adults are not taking their medications because they canât afford them. This means millions of adults arenât taking their medication due to the high cost. Virtual Event with pharmacist, Adam Porath Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m. to Noon Attend Virtual Lecture 5 Ways to Cut Medication Costs Safely Cost might not be affecting your medication plan, but the following ways to save money on medication can help: 1. Questions to ask your prescribing provider Do I have to take this medication? This is particularly a good question when youâve been taking a pill for some time and not sure if you should continue. Is there a way to combine my medications? A good example of this is for those who are taking blood pressure medications. Do I have to take this particular pill? Often there are generic choices in the same medication class. Can I get a larger supply? Basically, knowing the cost of a 30- vs 90-day supply is always a good idea. In other words, it could save you time and money. This generally works for medications you take long-term. Remember, asking questions can help you save money on medication, so communicate your concerns. 2. Research online Find the website for the medication and look to see if there are savings and support available through the drug company. 3. Consider a co-pay card Coâpay cardâŻprograms offered by drug manufacturing companies are a direct way to lower out-of-pocket costs forâŻprescriptionâŻdrugs for eligible patients. TheâŻcardsâŻcan patients pay for the medications they, or their doctors, prefer. If you donât qualify for a co-pay card, then you can look into patient assistance programs. 4. Consider patient assistance programs Drug companies sponsor these programs by income and they are often hard to find. The best way to find a patient assistance program is by asking your pharmacist. 5. If youâre on Medicare, consider updating your plan Medicare plans can change from year to year, which often times includes the medication they cover and the co-payments or deductible amounts. Annual Enrollment takes place October 15 â December 7, 2020. Most important, review the options and shop around for the best plan. Visit Senior Care Plus for information on Medicare Advantage Plans available to you. Want to ask a pharmacist more questions on how to save on medication? Join us for a Sterling Silver Club virtual event on Saving Money on Medication. To learn more about the Sterling Silver Club, visit our club website.
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Winterize Your Skin with These 5 Easy Expert Tips
Winter skin alert â cold temperatures can put your skin into chaos. We asked for skin tips from Heidi Nicol, an esthetician with Renown Dermatology, Laser & Skin Care. She shares how to keep your skin glowing through the frosty months ahead. With the change from warm to cold weather, your skin can get stressed out. In fact, issues like flaky skin, irritation and chapped lips can be an everyday struggle. 5 Easy Winter Skincare Tips 1. Re-think your shower Few things feel better on a cold day than a long, hot shower. But hot showers can lead to dry skin because they strip your skin of its natural protective oils. Avoiding them altogether is best â choose a lukewarm, or warm, shower instead. If you have an occasional hot shower, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests keeping it at five to ten minutes. Nicol recommends using a gentle cleanser and avoid using too much. Moisturizing after a shower or bath while your skin is still damp is also a must. Slathering on your favorite lotion helps your skin hold on to precious moisture. 2. Stay away from smoke and fire Although sitting close to a roaring fireplace can feel good, it is drying to your skin. Smoking and exposure to smoke also harms your skin. Smoking reduces healthy blood flow to the skin. This also causes your skin to wrinkle faster, making you looker older. Additionally your skin heals much slower if you smoke. 3. Consider a humidifier Cranking up the thermostat dries out indoor air. Skin is our largest organ, and in general, heat is very drying to your skin. To clarify, over time dry air degrades your skinâs natural moisture (lipid) barrier leading to flaking, peeling and cracking. Your skin can overcompensate for the dryness by producing even more oil. In other words it is possible for your skin to be both oily and dehydrated at the same time. Even oily skin needs a daily lightweight, non-pore clogging moisturizer. 4. Use SPF daily The sunâs rays damage your skin even on cloudy days. Sunlight contains UVB (burning) and UVA (aging) rays. Although UVB rays are less strong in the winter, the UVA rays are same strength all year. And snow can reflect almost 90% of UV radiation. With this in mind make sure you have suitable skin and eye protection when going outdoors. 5. Take care of your hands and feet Donât forget your fingers and toes when moisturizing. These areas tend to be drier than other parts of the body. Gloves help to protect hands from winter weather and lock in moisture. Similarly, putting lotion on your feet before your socks will keep them your skin from flaking and cracking. Follow the tips above to make sure your skin is at its best, despite the winter weather. Renown Dermatology, Laser & Skin Care | 775-982-8255 Renown Dermatology, Laser & Skin Care offers a comprehensive range of treatments and products to address any skin care need. Visit our beautiful office in south Reno and browse our product lines. Experts are available to answer any questions concerning your skin care and health and wellness needs.
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How a New Recreation Therapy Program Creates Valuable Bonds
The Recreation Therapy Alumni Program is a new addition to Renown Rehabilitation Hospitalâs current programs. After daily hospital physical therapy ends, it is an opportunity for other adventures. Shaun Stewart, CTRS (Ceritified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist), tells us about the new Renown Alumni Recreation Therapy Program, its partnership with the City of Reno and upcoming events. Itâs no secret that being active and social supports a satisfying, happy life. With this in mind, the Renown Alumni Recreation Therapy Program reinforces this idea. Its goal is to help patients experience the energy, teamwork and commitment that sports and recreation provide beyond the hospital walls. âWe are happy to partner with the City of Renoâs adaptive and inclusion programming to create an active community of adaptive sports participants. There are many options for outdoor recreation in our area. This program looks to share these opportunities with those with a traumatic spinal cord injury,â says Shaun. April Wolfe, CTRS, with the City of Reno adds, âThe programâs main objective is to empower individuals living with spinal cord injury to live and recreate independently in the community. We also want them to enjoy the activities, improving their emotional and physical well-being by taking part in the Renown Alumni Recreation Therapy program.â First Successful Therapy Event On Aug. 27, 2020, the recreation therapy programâs first event was an introduction to adaptive mountain biking. Eight participants enjoyed a morning of adaptive biking thanks to a grant in partnership with the City of Reno. âGetting back to an active leisure lifestyle following injury can increase your quality of life both socially and physically,â explains Shaun. âIt was great to be outside with people of all abilities enjoying the beautiful Nevada sunshine.â We encourage patients of all abilities to develop active skills, make lasting friendships and, of course, have a blast. Certainly any activity is possible with adaptive equipment and a motivated attitude. Future Recreation Therapy Events Below are the details for the next event. Event: Introduction to Wheelchair Rugby Learn the rules of the sport and play with local athletes. When: Sunday, Nov. 1, from 2 â 5 p.m. Where: Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center, 1301 Valley Rd., Reno, NV 89512 Cost: Free RSVP: Shaun.Stewart@renown.org or 775-982-3612 by Tuesday, October 26, 2020 This event has a 10 participant limit, following six feet distancing guidelines. Please bring a mask to wear. In particular, this will be a learning event and no scrimmages will occur Rugby wheelchairs will be provided. Please RSVP, to ensure the reservation of the appropriate equipment. In case you cannot attend this event, please look for upcoming events which will include adaptive archery, skiing and scuba diving. Renown Rehabilitation Hospital | 775-982-3500 Renown Rehabilitation Hospital is the regionâs only hospital with certification by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). It is certified for: Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program Stroke Specialty Program Medical Rehabilitation Case Management Take a Virtual Tour
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Prevent Breakouts by Keeping Your Makeup Tools Clean
Did you know that your makeup brushes are likely full of built-up dirt and bacteria? Using dirty makeup tools can lead to irritation, breakouts and even infections. The good news? It's completely preventable. An expert explains For anyone who regularly wears makeup, brushes are great tools for powdering, contouring and finishing touches. Unfortunately, these same brushes also harbor harmful bacteria that can clog pores and cause unwanted breakouts. âBrush hairs and sponges are porous, and hold on to oils, debris and bacteria,â says Heidi Nicole, medical esthetician with Renown Dermatology, Laser & Skin Care. âAlso, if they are dirty, the application of makeup can be spotty and make blending more difficult." Most dermatologists suggest that you clean your makeup brushes at least once a week. Because they are used on your face, it makes sense to keep them as a clean as possible. In addition, your brushes will last longer if you stay on top of cleaning them. Six simple steps to integrate makeup brush care into your beauty routine: Wet your brush with lukewarm water. (Donât soak your brushes, as water in the brush barrel can cause the hairs to fall out.) Place a drop of gentle cleanser or specialized brush cleaner in the palm of your hand. Gently massage the tips of the bristles on your palm. Rinse the bristles well. Blot with a clean towel and reshape the head. Let the bristles dry over the edge of a counter. Do not allow the bristles to dry on the towel, which could cause the brush to mildew. Store your brushes in a clean, dry place in between uses.
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