Health

5 Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Medication

Published

3 years ago

February 6, 2022

Regardless of your health condition, it’s important to know if you are being prescribed the right medicine. Your doctor may be the sole authority when it comes to your medication, but in some cases, you may have to delve further to find out if a certain drug is exactly what you need.

At the end of the day, it’s you who gets to determine if the medicine you are taking is right for you. Not only that, your choices will help you steer clear of drugs that might not support your treatment.

With the help of your physician, consider making better drug choices and making the most out of your treatment:

1. Learn about the risks

Once your doctor prescribes a drug, you wouldn’t want to visit the pharmacy right away. Instead, take time to ask your doctor about certain details such as possible side effects and risks. Your doctor wouldn’t have prescribed the medicine in the first place if you have pre-existing conditions. It’s still important to know what could possibly go wrong in the long run. Doing your research on the possible treatment you will receive should help you make a more informed choice. If you have second thoughts about taking the drug, you can ask your doctor if they can give you something else.

2. Learn why it’s prescribed to you

It’s also important to know why you are being prescribed a certain drug. For instance, if you have been suffering from insomnia, your physician may recommend taking prescription sleeping pills. These are stronger over-the-counter pills you will find at the pharmacy, so there is always the risk of adverse effects which may include digestive problems, headaches, and even depression. Your doctor can give you a good answer on why you should be taking the medication despite these risks. By understanding why it’s the most effective treatment for your condition, you will be able to take it without reservation. In addition, learning a lot about the medication can help you take it properly and let your doctor know if you are feeling any of the side effects.

3. Keep a list of your medication

If you have multiple medical providers, you might want to inform them of the medication you are taking. If you are diabetic, for instance, you might want to let your psychiatrist and dentist know that you are taking metformin or insulin. This is crucial especially if they are prescribing painkillers, anti-anxiety pills, and mood stabilizers that might counteract with the other medications as well as the supplements you are taking. This will help your doctor determine which drug is ideal for your medical situation.

Consider keeping a list of the drugs you take along with a schedule for taking each one. You may also want your healthcare providers to collaborate in making sure you are prescribed drugs that are safe and won’t counteract each other.

4. Know if the drug is custom-made for your needs

In case you cannot be treated by certain drugs simply because they are not appropriate for your needs. This is true if you are allergic to certain ingredients or chemicals. For this, your healthcare providers may consider giving you compounded drugs. These drugs are altered so they are safer to take in. However, drug compounding is heavily regulated due to the risks it poses, so it’s important to know if your local pharmacy has a state-licensed compounding facility.

In most cases, the drugs are compounded in an FDA-approved outsourcing facility that uses sterile vs non sterile compounding processes. That’s a lot to take in, but if you have specific conditions that require drug preparations that tailor to your needs, learning about compounding processes and methods is critical.

5. Learn how to store medication properly

Contamination and environmental conditions can affect the medication’s potency and cause complications. Storing your medication is critical, so you must have the right containers for storing these drugs. In most cases, you may need to keep pills and tablets in their original packaging, but you can always place them in a medicine organizer. Make sure to place the container in a cool and dry area. Moisture and heat can damage the drugs, so see to it that the area is well-ventilated. Through proper storage, you can preserve the shelf life of the drugs and avoid instances of contamination.

When it comes to your medication, it matters a lot to be informed. Apply these tips so you can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment plan and steer clear of any adverse effects.

Health

The Secret Behind Life Alert’s Superior Service

Published

1 week ago

September 11, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo courtesy of Life Alert via Shutterstock

When Amy Skidmore’s mother was discharged from rehab after a stroke, the prospect of giving up her independence was terrifying. Having lived alone and freely since her husband’s passing in 2000, the transition from rehab to home was filled with uncertainty and anxiety for both Amy and her mother.

Life Alert Emergency Response changed everything for them. Amy’s mother regained her confidence in living independently with a simple press of a button. The ease of having help at her fingertips relieved her and Amy of fear. Amy now has peace of mind that her mother is safe, and her mother is happy to maintain her independent lifestyle. This mirrors experiences of countless families who have depended on Life Alert’s service for nearly 40 years.

Various Devices to Suit Every Need

The company offers a comprehensive range of medical alert devices designed to provide protection at home and on the go. For in-home security, members can choose a state-of-the art Micro Voice Pendant and a waterproof wall-mounted Help Button, both of which offer two-way communication capabilities.

The pendant is designed to be worn at all times, even in the shower, while the wall button can be placed in high-risk areas like bathrooms.

For those with active lifestyles, Life Alert also provides a help button with a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, which pinpoints the subscriber’s location so responders can find them quickly. Like all the devices from Life Alert, it does not require charging.

Exclusive Dispatch Center

Life Alert distinguishes itself with its in-house Monitoring Centers, all located in the United States. According to a representative from the company, this allows Life Alert to maintain high standards and have consistent, rapid response times. The Monitoring Centers provide round-the-clock protection and immediate emergency assistance.

Case in point, we found that Life Alert is the only medical alert company proven to save a life every 11 minutes.

The in-house setup also means that Life Alert can maintain control over the quality of its service, unlike competitors who outsource their monitoring to third-party call centers. This direct oversight also ensures that every call is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

Extensive Dispatcher Training

Complementing its dispatch center is the training of its staff before they start handling emergency calls. This training includes learning about the Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) industry. The dispatchers must also complete a Care and Concern course to better understand the emotional needs of members and their families.

Maintaining a high staff-to-member ratio is another crucial aspect of the company’s superior service. There are multiple dispatchers available to handle calls promptly and provide personalized attention to each subscriber. This allows dispatchers to effectively perform their duties attentively without ever leaving the subscriber, and to provide fast help when every second counts.

Tailoring Responses to Individual Needs

Life Alert customizes its emergency response protocols to meet each member’s needs. As a HIPAA compliant company, when subscribers sign up for the service, they provide detailed information about their medical history, emergency contacts, and special instructions.

Dispatchers can then access this information during an emergency to send appropriate help immediately. This allows subscribers and their family to have a sense of security and peace of mind knowing loved ones are being taken care of by the one and only Life Alert.

Long-Term Customer Relationships

Reflecting its dedication to consistent, high-quality, lifesaving services, Life Alert has a loyal fanbase with its subscribers, who have been with them for years and even decades. They even have a list of thousands of subscribers who joined the Life Alert family after having another service that failed them. The company takes pride in the trust it has built with its members.

Life Alert is always ready and reliable, turning years of service into a legacy of care. The secret behind Life Alert’s superior service? It’s their uncanny ability to make “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!®“ sound less like a punchline and more like a lifeline to getting help fast, 24/7.