Health

Prescription Hacks That Can Save You Thousands

February 20, 2020 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

High prescription drug costs can be challenging to manage. One study showed that 28 percent of Americans (of pre-Medicare age) don’t take their prescriptions as written because of the price. In some cases, they are skipping doses, taking less than they should, delaying refills, or forgoing the prescription medication entirely. This can put the person’s health in jeopardy, though many feel that they don’t have any other choice if they are struggling to afford their medication. However, there are things some people can do to reduce the cost. Here are some prescription hacks that could potentially save people thousands.

Shop Around

First and foremost, it’s always best to shop around before you fill a prescription. Pharmacies charge different prices, regardless of whether you have insurance or not. You could end up paying significantly more at one pharmacy than another for the exact same medication.

Contact various pharmacies in your area and ask them what each of your prescriptions would cost. Don’t ask for the total price for all of your medications, as some pharmacies may be cheaper for some but not others.

If you don’t want to make all of those calls, you can also use a prescription drug cost comparison site. For example, GoodRx has information from tens of thousands of pharmacies, so its data might be enough.

Use More Than One Pharmacy

While going to more than one pharmacy might not be as convenient as only using one, it could help you save a bundle. After you find out which ones have the lowest prices on each of your prescriptions, you might want to have your medications handled at a few different pharmacies, especially if the cost difference is substantial.

Skip Your Insurance

Many people assume that, if they have prescription drug coverage, they are getting a better deal than people without insurance. However, that isn’t always the case.

Depending on your insurer’s arrangements with pharmacies, as well as your deductibles and copays, you could actually end up spending more by using your insurance. This means, by telling your pharmacy to skip the insurance, you could actually save money.

Before you fill a prescription, find out what it would cost if your insurance wasn’t involved. Sometimes, the amount you can save is dramatic.

Just keep in mind that, if you use this approach, your prescription drug spending won’t go towards your deductible automatically. You might need to contact your insurance to see if there is a way to apply those purchases or live with the fact that they won’t help cover your deductible.

Use Coupons

A lot of people don’t know that you can find coupons for prescription drugs. In some cases, the medication manufacturer issues coupons. They may be readily available to anyone or be offered through specific programs, such as those that aim to help people afford their medications.

However, there are also other sources. Sites like GoodRx, RxSaver by RetailMeNot, and WebMDRx may have coupons for your prescriptions. Just search for your medications and see what’s available.

Get Larger Supplies

If you’re on a long-term maintenance drug, you might want to see if your doctor can alter your prescriptions so you can get a larger supply. Sometimes, instead of picking up a 30-day supply, you can save by getting a 90-day supply.

For example, if you got three 30-day supplies, you may pay three insurance copays. But, if you got one 90-day supply instead, you only pay a single copay. That’s a 66 percent savings right there.

Switch to a Generic

Name brand medications usually cost more than their generic counterparts. Unless there is a specific reason you need the name brand, switching to a generic might be a good idea. You’ll need to discuss the option with your doctor, as it does have to be authorized by them. But, if one is available, you could save a ton by going generic.

Get Bigger Doses and Use a Pill Splitter

If your pills can be safely split, then asking your doctor for a larger dose and investing in a simple pill-splitter could help you save. Often, the price difference between the dosages is minimal, if one exists at all. As a result, you might be able to functionally get twice the medication for the same price you’re paying now.

It’s important to note that not all medications can be split. If your using capsules, coated tablets, or anything that’s designed to be extended- or slow-release, it can’t be safely split.

Use Your Insurer’s Mail-Order Service

In most cases, if your insurer has a mail-order service for prescriptions, using it is more cost-effective than heading to a pharmacy. This is especially true if you get 60- or 90-day supplies and your need for your medication is predictable, such as having to take one pill a day.

Usually, this approach isn’t ideal for medications that you use as-needed. Since it can take a couple of weeks for a refill to be delivered, any prescription that you take on an unpredictable schedule might not be a great fit. You could end up running out before the refill arrives, so it’s best to take those to a local pharmacy instead.

Change Medications

Sometimes, the only way to lower your prescription costs may be to change medications entirely. This isn’t going to be an option for some but, for those who can make a switch, it could result in a substantial savings.

If there are several medications that could potentially treat your condition, speak with your doctor about all of your options. Discuss why your physician chose the one you are on now and if another could be a suitable alternative.

Take Other Steps to Reduce Your Need for Prescriptions

Certain conditions are what they are. No matter what you do, you’ll need a particular prescription until the condition clears or, in the case of chronic ones, indefinitely.

However, not all medical conditions fall in that category. You may be able to reduce your need for prescriptions by taking other steps, like improving your eating habits, getting more exercise, or living a healthier lifestyle.

If that’s the case, those efforts may be able to help you save a significant amount. Plus, by improving your health, you could reduce your chances of getting other conditions in the future that might require medications.

Do you have any tips that can help people save on their prescription drugs? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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How Stress is Affecting Your Health in 2020

January 22, 2020 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

The National Institute of Mental Health has stated that there are 40 million adults in the US alone that are plagued with anxiety and depression. These mental health-related disorders are often attributed to one factor: stress. The feeling of stress has become too common in most people’s lives that they start to dismiss its potential effects on the health. But if the occurrence of mental disorders and debilitating health conditions were any indicator, stress should be taken seriously.

Stress in the Modern World

Why is there is so much stress and anxiety these days? Is the modern society to blame for it? What has changed that triggered this explosion of stress-related health and mental disorders?

Evolutionary psychologists have studied closely these cases to determine where the root of the problem is. They came up with these possible factors that can impact one’s stress level in the modern world.

Social media and other forms of media are to blame. In today’s society, people are constantly exposed to images of beauty, youth, and wealth that it is impossible not to compare. Once comparison sets in, most people tend to set unrealistic standards for themselves. Since these standards are unrealistic to begin with, it can lead to personal disappointment and stress.
Everything moves at a fast pace. Since innovation and technology is constantly changing, there is immense pressure on humans to adapt, too. This results in a tremendous amount of pressure and stress on working individuals to keep up and perform to the highest level on a consistent basis.
There is a tendency for modern people to multi-task. Technology and being connected has made it possible for modern people to juggle work, family, and social life. But when you try to do too much, it can take its toll on your physical and mental health.

How Stress Affects Your Health

To better understand how stress can have a direct impact on the human body, it is important to look closely at its physiological effects.

Central Nervous System

The central nervous system is responsible for how you respond during “fight or flight” situations. The hypothalamus sends a signal to your adrenal glands to release stress hormones that will impact how you respond to any given situation. Upon the release of these hormones, it can affect your heart beat and the amount of blood pressure that goes to your body and major organ systems. This explains why stress can have an impact on your heart, muscles and other organs.

When the perceived threat is gone, your hypothalamus will send another signal that all of your systems should return to normal. But there are cases wherein the response will continue long after the stressor is gone. This results in a condition known as chronic stress, which can debilitate your eating and sleeping habits, as well as your social interactions.

Digestive System

Another part of the human body that is commonly affected by stress is the digestive system. The link might be odd to some people but there is a scientific evidence to support that. When you are under stress, the liver produces higher amount of glucose to provide an extra boost of energy. But if your body is constantly stressed (such as in the case of chronic stress), the body will continue to produce excessive amounts of sugar. This explains why stress often results in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Aside from the excessive production of glucose, an increased heart rate and rapid breathing are other signs of stress that can upset your digestive system. People who are chronically stressed suffer from heartburn or acid reflux. This is due to the overproduction of acid in the stomach. Contrary to popular belief, stress does not cause ulcers but it can certainly increase your risk for developing it.

Other digestive problems that had been scientifically proven to be a result of stress are nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and frequent stomach aches.

Sleep

Chronic facial pain such as jaw pain or TMJ is a common occurrence in the US, which affects millions of adults every year. There are several known causes for TMJ such as injury, arthritis, or misaligned bite. But recent studies have shown that stress can also be a factor causing TMJ. If you want to ease TMJ symptoms or any feeling of discomfort associated with it, it is important to understand how stress results to teeth clenching while you sleep.

The relationship between stress and TMJ might be more complicated, though. Depending on the type or level of stress, the manifestations of TMJ can be tightness on the left or right side of the jaw. In some cases, pain is felt on both sides of the jaw. Since the TMJ is linked to the movement of the muscles and joints surrounding your jaw and mouth, it is no surprise that it can be affected by stress.

Too much stress and anxiety can lead to muscle tension. You might not notice it but it is a common tendency for most people to clench their teeth while under immense levels of stress. When this happens, the muscles begin to tighten. When you clench your teeth during sleep – a common symptom of TMJ disorder – this can also damage your teeth.

If you are exhibiting symptoms of TMJ and are experiencing a great deal of pain from it, it might be time to see a TMJ specialist. Letting the pain progress will only worsen the situation, especially if you experience a great deal of stress as part of your daily routine. You can seek the advice of a TMJ expert on how to remedy your teeth clenching problem and what is the next step to take after diagnosis.

Cardiovascular System

The release of stress hormones can also have an impact on the cardiovascular system. When you are feeling stressed, your heart is pumping blood faster. As a result, your blood vessels become constricted and the oxygen is pushed towards your muscles so your body is ready to take on a fight response, if needed. The major downside to this is that your blood pressure rises in this situation.

If you are under chronic stress, your heart is working harder and your blood pressure is constantly on the rise. An excessive amount of stress can eventually put you at risk for having a stroke or suffering from a heart attack.

Conclusion

Stress can have its beneficial effects when present at healthy doses. But when there is an overwhelming amount of stress in your life, or you suffer from it chronically, it is time to evaluate how it is affecting you physically. Your health can suffer from stress and it will only get worse when left untreated. Make sure you know how to manage stress in your daily life so your long-term health won’t end up suffering, too.

For more of our great articles on heath, read:

Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips

Mindfulness At Work Helps Your Bank Account

Health Care Costs Can Add Up

Image Source, Sari Montag via Flickr.

Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips: Keep You (And Your Wallet) Lean!

January 15, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

There is a popular myth floating around this country that you cannot eat healthy on a budget. Well, I’m here to bust that myth. Good news for some, bad news for those who needed an excuse to keep buying dry ramen and sugary cereal. Don’t worry, this list isn’t going to take away all flavor from your diet. Quite the contrary, these grocery shopping tips are going to help you make delicious and nutritious food without breaking the bank. For those with alternative diets, things get a little tougher. This guide, though, should fit the bill for the majority of readers.

Hunt for Meat Deals

This one doesn’t apply to a few of you, but for the rest, it is vital. Meat is one of the best and most efficient sources of vitamins and macronutrients, and really helps shape the meals you’re cooking. Wit that said, you aren’t going to be shooting for ribeye and New York strips every trip to Walmart. Chicken is a great starting point, as deals can get as low as $2/lb on chicken breast. With very little inedible tissue, chicken breasts are the cheapest and most versatile cuts in the meat section. With beef, you’ll want to keep your eyes out for cheap-yet-flavorful cuts like top round and tri-tip. If your grocer or butcher has a butcher’s cut or “hanger steak,” that is about the best value you can find. As far as pork goes, it is all pretty cheap.

Rice and Beans, Beans and Rice

Universal staples, rice and beans are always cheap and always a bulk-buy favorite. Snag a 10-pound bag of rice and use it often. Black and red beans are my favorite, and playing with the seasoning can make these two ingredients feel new every time. Make sure you keep that spice cupboard a little varied, and make sure to include some veggies as well. Throw in whatever protein you purchased, and you’ve got a great full meal already!

Don’t Buy Veggies/Fruit Without a Plan

We have all done it. Maybe you had one killer beef and broccoli recipe, and got a little ambitious with how much of that mini-tree you’d actually eat. Maybe you were super determined to start eating more salad, and now you’re staring at a bag of sticky, brown romaine lettuce. The point here is this: If you don’t have a specific meal plan for every bit of veg you buy, don’t buy it. You are on a budget, and you can’t afford to have fresh food going to waste. Choose wisely, and make sure any extras you purchase are things you’d eat alone (and even raw) so you can snack through the excess. Choices like this include carrots, bananas, apples, and other snackables that you can toss into a lunch bag with confidence.

In Summary

This isn’t at all meant to be a complete guide to healthy shopping. Rather, incorporating these tips into a legitimate meal plan will keep your costs down without reaching for the junk. Following these rules exactly will keep you full, but you will want to throw in other ideas to keep it fresh. Know what your needs are, and if you have kids, make some concessions to make sure they eat enough. The main idea here is to give you confidence that your thin budget doesn’t have to harm your health.

A Cup of Green Tea a Day Can Help You Live a Longer Life

January 13, 2020 By Amanda Blankenship Leave a Comment

The average life expectancy in the United States is 78.69 years old. That number has risen drastically over the years, but people are constantly looking for ways to extend their lifespan. Now, a new study has found that drinking green tea on a regular basis can help you live longer.

How Green Tea Can Help Extend Your Lifespan

Although many people start their day with a cup of coffee, researchers found that swapping that out for green tea can help lower the risk of heart problems. To come to this conclusion, scientists examined health and behavioral information of 100,000 Chinese adults.

Each study participant self-reported the amount of tea they drank. Those who drank less than three cups of tea per week were found to have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. Individuals who drank more had a 20% lower risk of cardiovascular issues, a 22% reduced risk of death associated with cardiovascular problems and a 15% lower risk for premature death. It has even been shown to help prevent some types of cancer.

Individuals who drank green tea on a regular basis also lived a year longer than those who do not, on average. This is because green tea is jam-packed full of flavonoids that help improve the function of blood vessels, relieve inflammation, lower oxidative stress, and increase the efficiency of heart muscle cells.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. For this reason, it is important to look into things, like drinking green tea, to help people prevent it. At the very least, adding more green tea into your diet promotes healthy teeth and hydration, so why not give it a try?

What to Do After Getting a Cancer Diagnosis

December 22, 2019 By Justin Weinger Leave a Comment

It’s some of the worst news you’ll ever hear, and nobody wants to believe it could happen to them. But someday, you or a loved one may be diagnosed with cancer. In the wake of this revelation, you’ll probably feel a plethora of emotions, including fear, confusion, and uncertainty, and you may not know what to do next.

The process is different for everyone, but there are some important steps to take both for your physical health and your mental wellbeing.

Find and Build Your Support System

First, try to identify and build a social support system for yourself. Nobody should go through this alone. You may be reluctant to inform your family members, especially if there’s any degree of uncertainty in the diagnosis, but it’s typically better to be upfront and honest. If you have a spouse or partner, tell them about your diagnosis, and ask them to come to your future appointments. If you don’t, you may be able to get help from a close friend, neighbor, or coworker.

Establish an Organization System

After a cancer diagnosis, you’ll probably be meeting with lots of specialists, attending many appointments, and generally dealing with lots of paperwork. You’ll need some kind of system to stay organized. Consider getting a binder together, and stocking it with everything you’ve learned or received thus far. It’s much easier to stay organized if you start it from the beginning.

Get a Second Opinion

Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. Cancer is a tricky disease to diagnose, so it’s often helpful to get a second set of eyes on your physical condition. You may find that another doctor believes your cancer isn’t as serious as the first, or that they recommend a completely different type of therapy. If your first two opinions seem to contradict each other, you may even need to seek a third.

Talk to a Lawyer

Some types of cancer are attributable to harmful environmental conditions, carcinogenic ingredients, or other circumstances that are the result of another person’s or organization’s negligence. For example, it’s been recently revealed that ingredients in Zantac may be responsible for an increased risk of stomach, bladder, and other types of cancer. If you believe your cancer may be the result of someone else’s negligence, make sure you talk to a lawyer, as you could be entitled to medical and personal compensation. Lawyers often invest heavily in SEO so they rank high in search engine results pages (SERPs), so you shouldn’t have trouble finding one who specializes in your target area.

Work to Understand Your Condition

Talk to all your doctors about the nature of your condition, and do your own research independently; if you do, make sure you rely exclusively on trustworthy sources. The more you understand how this cancer works and statistics like its survival rate, the more comfortable you’ll feel—and the more informed you’ll be when making decisions in the future.

Understand the Options

Different types and stages of cancer will require different types of treatment. It pays to know what these treatments are and how they work:

Minor or major operations can sometimes remove the majority of cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy relies on a full-body, anti-cancerous medication, given across several sessions.
Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses targeted, high-energy beams to kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy relies on products of the immune system as a kind of medicine to kill cancer cells.

Oftentimes, doctors will use a combination of these methods.

Psychologically Adapt

Finally, you’ll need to psychologically adapt to your new circumstances. These steps can help:

Keep a routine. Try to keep your routine as consistent as possible. It can provide you with a sense of comfort and familiarity during this trying process.
If you feel able, try to get in some physical exercise. It will reduce your stress, keep you healthy, and increase your positive disposition.
Stay positive. It may be hard, but try to stay as positive as possible. Instead of dwelling on the potential ways your life will be uprooted, focus on the support you’re getting. Instead of focusing on the worst-case scenarios, focus on survival rates and success rates. The more positive you are, the higher your success chances will be.
Rely on others. Don’t try to do too much on your own. Rely on other people, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Just talking to people and spending time with them can make you feel better.
Talk to a therapist. If you find yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to talk to a professional therapist. This is a significant and complicated issue, psychologically, but a professional will be able to provide you with more advice and assistance.

Going through cancer treatment and living with your diagnosis is never easy, but it can become easier with these steps. Try to remain positive and patient at every step of the process, and take things one day at a time.

Health Professionals Say There Could Be an HIV Vaccine By 2021

December 2, 2019 By Amanda Blankenship Leave a Comment

HIV isn’t something that is talked about as often as it used to be. In the 1980s, HIV and AIDS plagued the thoughts of most Americans. Despite the fact that it hasn’t drawn as much attention as it used to, HIV is still a huge problem. Thankfully, scientists are just another step closer to developing a successful HIV vaccine.

How Much Does HIV Treatment Cost

The average treatment for HIV costs between $14,000 and $20,000 per year. That is just to keep the virus from progressing to AIDS and keep the infected person alive. Some treatments can cost as little as $1,000 per month, but those paying that price can consider themselves lucky. All of this can add up to $400,000 or more in lifetime treatment expenses.

Not to mention, many individuals with HIV may also have other incurable diseases, such as Hepatitis. Combining HIV treatment costs with the costs of maintaining another disease can run upwards of $28,900 or more per year.

Many people managing their HIV diagnosis live paycheck to paycheck and struggle financially. Some even try to ration out their medications, which can be dangerous. With around 38 million people infected worldwide and healthcare costs continuing to rise, it has become a priority for officials to develop a vaccine to help prevent HIV.

The Development of an HIV Vaccine

Thankfully, scientists are coming closer to developing an HIV vaccine. Three experimental vaccines are entering their final stages of testing. While any of these three trials may fail, scientists are more hopeful than they’ve ever been in the past. Margaret Heckler, Secretary of Health and Human Services, has predicted there would be a vaccine available for wide-scale testing within the next two years.

This is “perhaps one of the most optimistic moments we have been in,” said director of the Bridge HIV research program at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Dr. Susan Buchbinder. “We have three vaccines currently being tested in efficacy trials, and it takes quite a bit to actually be promising enough in the earlier stages of trials to move you forward into an efficacy study.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who helped draft President Trump’s Ending the HIV Epidemic plan, said that if one of the current three vaccines being developed works, “that would be the endgame.” The HIV Epidemic plan aims to help lower new infections by 75 percent in the next five years and 90 percent in 10 years’ time. That could save countless peoples’ lives, not to mention millions of dollars. However, only time will tell whether scientists will be able to craft a vaccine that really works.