Health Tips
One ounce of prevention is priceless in the health of a patient. Dr. Money has always tried to think "ahead" to prevent future health problems. Call today: 301-824-9240 and see if she can suggest how to improve your health.
Dr. Money has always attempted to provide health tips to prevent medical problems. In this section she will be providing current tips for patients. These will be updated as new information becomes available. Please use the question box to suggest topics.
Prescription Drugs
have now be come MORE AFFORDABLE.
Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company
The cost of medications has been steadily sky rocketing over the last several years. Drug companies are charging thousands of dollars and making huge profits.
Mark Cuban has established a new pharmacy which doesn't participate with insurances and has taken out the profits made by the "middle men" by charging only the cost of the manufacturing, a 15% markup, $3 for pharmacy labor, and a standard shipping fee of only $5. Please go to https://costplusdrugs.com and check on the medication page to see if your medication is listed. If it isn't you can sign up and receive notification when it becomes available.
You will need to have your physician send a prescription directly to them by fax or scanning. It is that simple to begin to save money on the cost of your medications.
AAnother reason to get the Shingles Vaccine:
To PREVENT STROKES and HEART ATTACKS
Yes, that is right. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and in this case, getting the new Shingrix vaccine may very well help you avoid a stroke or heart attack.
What is the mechanism? Well, it turns out that any inflammatory process in the body may result in a vascular inflammation which can disrupt the plagues of cholesterol that are on the inside of the blood vessels.
When this happens, plagues may break loose and float downstream to a point where the blood flow is blocked causing the damage.
Other infections can also cause these vascular accidents. Having the flu, pneumonia, etc. Therefore, it is really important to get all of the vaccinations that are recommended to reduce other medical events.
What Are The New Recommendations For Antibiotic Duration?
Recently the American College of Physicians have made recommendations shortening the length of time that a person needs to be on an antibiotic for common uncomplicated infections. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance and an increase risk for clostridium difficile infection. A shorter period of time may provide the same benefit but without as much risk for the above side effects. These recommendations are for individuals who have common infections without complications are include the following below
- Acute bronchitis: 5 days duration
- Uncomplicated pneumonia: 5 days, and then reevaluate to determine if a longer period of time is necessary.
- Uncomplicated bladder infections in women: 5 days nitrofurantoin; or 3 days of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; or one dose of Fosfomycin.
- Uncomplicated kidney infection: 5-7 days for fluoroquinolone or 14 days for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
- Uncomplicated skin infections: 5-6 days with antibiotic that covers streptococci a common cause of skin infections.
Reference: Ann Intern Med. 2021; 174: 1-22.
*More is often not better. Discuss length of antibiotic use with your primary care doctor, and for common colds, try to use over-the-counter measures for at least 3-7 days before considering antibiotics.*
Location
12912 Conamar Drive, #12912, Hagerstown, MD 21742
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Hours
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Consultation times may be in the evening or on the weekend if necessary by phone or zoom.
