Airborne . . . Airborne is a dietary supplement created by a school teacher. It is an effervesent tablet that is dissolved in water to be taken at the first sigh of a cold symptom or before entering a crowded environment.

It helps send the cold virus into remission. It contains herbal extracts, antioxidents, electrolytes, amino acids and vitamin C.

I have many patients who have used it and have gotten very good results. 10 tablets come in a box for about $7.00.

Just another preventative for the cold season. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking.

The controversy surrounding the anti-inflammatories. We have to remember that any drug can and will hurt someone. We just have to weigh the good it does versus the side effects.

So, lets wait until all the investigation is done. Don't quit taking your anti-inflammatory meds without talking to your doctor. We also do not want to be taking more than the prescribed amount.

Do not become hysterical because of all the lawsuits and the media. Many times there is an initial reaction to things like this - but, when we have all the facts, a more informed decision can be made.

You are welcome to call Dr. Dani Lynch with your questions.

The flu shot restrictions have been relaxed. Eligible people are as follows:

• All children 9 to 18 years
• Health care providers
• High risk individuals
• Contact with high risk individuals
• Anyone involved in public service

So, basically anyone can get a shot now. The Visiting Nurses will be in both Thrifty Pharmacies through Saturday, December 18th from 10 am to 2 pm. The cost is $20 or free if you have Medicare.

One of the most common health complaints in the U.S. An estimated 60 million adults experience it at least once a month . . . 25 million experience it daily . . . heartburn.

Over the counter we can treat with several preparations:

• 1. Antacids - (Tums, Maalox)
• 2. Histamine Blockers (Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC)
• 3. Antacid/Histamine Blockercombinations (Pepcid Complete)

You should only self-treat on a very limited basis and always ask your pharmacist to see if any of these medications interfere with medications you currently take.

Also - if you do use non-prescription medicines for heartburn - don't use them for longer than 14 days without contacting your doctor - just incase the problem is more severe.

Distinguishing thedifference between anti-histamines and decongestants.

Anti-histamines are used when we have allergies, runny nose and eyes and sneezing. Anti-histamines can cause drowsiness and dry mouth.

Decongestants are used for nasal congestion. They stimulate you and tend to keep you awake. They can also raise blood pressure.

So - remember, before taking either an anti-histamine or decongestant, consult your pharmacist as they can interfere with many medications and medical conditions.

Please be reminded about the possibilities of food poisoning this time of year!

Going to holiday parties or gatherings of family . . . we all get busy - get to talking - and may forget how long food has been out of the fridge.

Bacteria starts to grow on food that is out for just one hour. And - remember leftovers should be kept in the fridge for no more than 4 days.

This bacteria can result in food poisoning - cause severe diarrhea and vomiting - sometimes resulting in a hospital stay.

This can be a real problem for young children and the eldery, as they dehydrate quickly.

The vitamin E issue that has been in the news. The new study out claims that doses of vitamin E greater than 200 IU a day may increase the risk of death, whereas for the last decade we have thought vitamin E was good in helping prevent heart disease.

Dani Lynch has consulted with some highly respected cardiologists at the heart hospital in OKC and the consensus indicates that the benefits of vitamin E for the heart have not shown to be as great as we first thought, but may be a bit extreme to go totally on the side of the study saying it causes death, mainly taking into consideration the high doses of vitamin E were given to people already with some kind of heart disease.

So - if you are taking vitamin E for any condition - consult your doctor before stopping. A good multi-vitamin usually contains enough vitamin E for supplementation - just be careful in mega-dosing.

The Zinc-eez Lozenges compound of Dani Lynch. Take at the start - the first sign - of a cold and it will put the cold virus in remission.

They also help with sore throats, allergies and canker sores.

The Zinc-eez Lozenges contain zinc gluconate, vitamin C, Nutrasweet and natural flavorings. Just suck on a lozenge every 3 to 4 hours. #24 cost $7.99

FLU SHOTS . . . the Visiting Nurses have received 16,000 doses and will be giving them November 10, 11, 12 & 13.

The location is yet to be determined - but as soon as they know where - it will be announced in the newspaper and on all the major TV channels.

These vaccines will be for HIGH RISK people only. You may want to call the Visiting Nurses to see if you qualify as high risk before standing in a long line. Their phone number is 848-9530.

Ongoing ways to help fight viruses and the flu this year - since it still does not look good for the flu shots.

Kleenex has come out with anti-viral tissues. It has a moisture-activated middle layer that is triggered when moisture from a cough or sneeze hits it. The anti-viral tissue begins working immediately - killing 99.9% of cold and flu viruses!

This is just one more way to help the spread of viruses this flu season. They are already available and are about the same price as regular Kleenex.

Sponsored by
Thrifty Pharmacy
thru Sunday, October 31st

Solodex severe cough stopper caplets . . . they contain the strongest dose of dextromethorpalan without prescription. It relieves coughs due to throat and bronchial irritations. It is available as an easy to swallow caplet - eliminating that unpleasant cough syrup aftertaste.

Solodex contains no sugar, alcohol, antihistamine or decongestant. It is available in boxes of 10 for about $4.00 or 30 for about $8.00.

IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT FLU SHOTS!

The company that supplies 1/2 of all the vaccines to the USA had its manufacturing license suspended yesterday . . . so - they will NOT be able to supply any vaccine this year!

The Visiting Nurses have suspended all flu shot clinics for the time being until they determine how much vaccine they have on hand. But - right now - it looks like only elderly people with medicare will get vaccines.

There is some hope that our government will have a "plan B" - but no word yet. So - before you go anywhere to get your flu shot, whether the doctor's office or pharmacy - call first for the status.

FLU SHOTS to be given by the Visiting Nurses for about 20 different dates - at both Thrifty Pharmacy locations - starting next week from October 4th through certain dates to November 24th.

Thrifty - Hefner and May location - call: 751-2852 (OKC)
October 4th 9am to noon

Thrifty - 15th & Santa Fe location - call: 715-4405 (Edmond)
October 4th 2pm to 5 pm

Please keep in mind those people at most high risk are health care workers, people over 65 years old and people with compromised immune systems.

About limiting or giving up driving by an aging parent.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology age lab has produceda 24 page guide offering tips on this delicate subject. The guide can be downloaded at http://www.thehartford.com/talkwitholderdrivers/

A possible way to save money on expensive prescription drugs. Some drugs come in more than one strength without much difference in price. For example - it means that someone who is taking a 50 mg dose of a drug could buy the 100 mg strength and cut it in half - saving money.

Of course the doctor must write the prescription for the larger strength. AND - not all drugs can be cut in half - like timed released medicines and those with hard coatings. So start by checking with your pharmacist to see if some of your medicines might be the type that you can buy the stronger strength and cut in half - then contact the doctor. It might save you money.

A new product called Digestive Advantage IBS. It is a medical food for the dietary management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

The product is a blend of lactobacillus cultlures with an amino acid to help with the digestion of dairy products, meats, fruits and carbohydrates, that cause people with IBS a lot of problems.

It is a once a day chew tab - cost is about $10.99. But remember - before taking anything for IBS it is a good idea to talk with your doctor.

Animal bites . . . please be reminded that animal mouths are very dirty! Two recent examples are people bitten by their own cats.

One case, the man had red streaks running up his arm within 4 hours. He had to receive IV antibiotics for the infection for 8 weeks.

The other case, the lady's hand was swollen twice its size the next day. She spent 10 days on antibiotics.

So - be very wary of any animal bite, they can become infected very quickly and can caue a severe systemic infection.

"Thera Tears Nutrition" dry eye relief capsules. The oil glands in the eye lid are essectial to tear film structure and eye comfort. "Thera Tears Nutrition" for dry eyes provides a blend of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, (flax, fish & vit E oils), that your eyes, lids and tear film need to function, that for some reason your body is not producing with dry eye syndrome.

Can be used in conjunction with dry eye drops or gels. It can be bought without a prescription - a month's supply costs about $12 - take 4 per day in the morning.

The effects of over the counter medicine combined with your present medications and the escalating problem of counterfit prescriptions ordered from other countries.

Please check with your pharmacist before taking any over the counter medicine without a prescription to make sure that it is safe for you. People assume because they can buy a medicine without a prescription that is it safe. Many over the counter medicines interfere or duplicate prescription drugs.

They can also affect certain medical conditions. You might take an over the counter anti-histamine and already be taking Zyrtec, which is a prescription anti-histimine. Or you might have highblood pressure and take an over the counter decongestant which raises blood pressure. So - ask first!

Also - if you have any questions about the quailty of the prescriptions you have received from out of the country or over the internet - ask your pharmacist.

Counterfit drugs . . . people are receiving prescription medications from other countries that are not medication at all - but just contain fillers!

This has occurred in Mexico and now in Canada. It has also occurred in the U.S. - but pharmacists who buy from reliable wholesalers are safe.

This can be very dangerous - for example - if you received your seizure medicine from Canada and it did not contain the active ingredient - one could experience seizures.

So - buy your prescriptions from a reliable pharmacy in the U.S. - it is not worth the savings if it is not real medication.

"Queasy Pops" . . . they are lollipops that are in anall natural way to ease nausea. They are specially formulated for individuals dealilng with motion sickness and the side effects from chemotheraphy. They also alleviate dry mouth. They are helpful to diabetics and gastric bypass patients as they are sugar free.

"Queasy Pops" will be available soon!

Heat precautions . . . with all of the 90 degree plus days, a heat alert has been issued by the EMS.

Precautions include:

- stay in air conditining or near a fan
- weat light colored clothing
- use a hat or umbrella
- drink plenty of water, avoid caffeine and alcohol
- when outside, drink water ever 15-20 minutes

The signs of heat related illness are as follows:

- headache
- dizziness
- muscle weakness/cramps
- nausea and vomitting

Dr. Dani Lynch was at a pharmacist convention - returning by next week topic.

Aladerm Cream . . . a 20% urea cream that retains moisture in the skin. All lotions & creams contain water so they create a vicious cycle - you put it on, it makes you dry & so on. Aladerm preserves the moisture - good for any dry skin - especially cuticles and feet.

It feels a little heavy at first, but goes right in.

2 oz. is $4.99 and can be bought without a prescription.

The summer cold season. Threre are products that will increase compliance to treat the symptoms of cold and flu.

Thera-Flu and Triaminic have come out with the first systemic medicines in thin strip form that melt on the tounge. They are flavored grape or cherry. They provide accurate dosing with out water.

Thera-Flu strips are for adults and children over 12 years, Triaminic thin strips are for children 6-12. They will help with the cough and congestion.

The anti-itch gel compounded by Dani Lynch at Thrifty Pharmacy, that contains several anti-histamines, hydrocortisone and a local anesthetic.

It is good for insect bites, rashes and poison ivy. It will help the itching, help clear up the rash and dry up the lesions of poison ivy. It also helps deaden the pain.

This would be a good thing to have on hand in your medicine cabinet. Cost for 2 ounces is $4.50.

Eating healthy while traveling. We all tend to go off our diets when we travel - but, you don't have to. There is a new guide out called Healthy Highways, a guide to good food that is healthy and where to get it. The guide lists 1900 healthy restaurants from coast to coast. Included are maps and driving directions along with a description of the menu.

The guide is $18.95. The website www.healthyhighways.com/ will get you more info and a place to order it.

Missing nutrients with a low-carb diet . . . with a lot of people changing eating habits, they need to be aware of important nutrients they may be missing.

Centrium vitamins have come out with Carb Assist - it has higher levels of B vitamins and anti-oxidants C & E. It is formulated with high levels of select nutrients to help your body utilize carbs, fats & proteins effeciently.

A bottle costs about $9.00.

A reminder of how to take care of a sunburn.

First of all - we need to wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you do get a sunburn - shower in cool water, then apply a sunburn reliever like aloe vera gel with lidocaine. This will help moisturize and heal burned skin along with a local anesthetic to deaden pain. If you develop blisters remember to not pop them, they will drain on their own and watch blistered areas for infection . . . redness, heat, streaking.

A product for canker and mouth sores . . . Orabase Soothe-N-Seal is a unique liquid protectant, it seals off nerve endings to immeditaly stop pain, it interlocks with oral tissue to form a strong barrier that lasts up to 6 hours, sealing out irritants allowing the area to heal.

It forms an oral bandage, it is applied with an applicator, the box has 10 applications and costs about $11.00.

A follow-up on Medicare Prescription Discount Cards. Since last week - the Medicare website has been pulled due to inaccuracy.

It is still true that if you already have prescription insurance - that is the best way to go.

You need to make sure the discount card you choose covers your specific medications and that your pharmacy takes the card!

The average fee is about $30.00 a year for most cards. You have until December to enroll. Call your pharmacist for more specifics and which card they think is for you.

Medicare Prescription Discount Cards . . . first of all, if you choose one, make sure it is Medicare approved. If you already have prescription insurance it is almost always better coverage.

To be eligible for these discount cards, a person must make less than $12,000 a year or a married couple $16,000 a year. A pharmacist can only help so much with the information, because it is changing.

There is a Medicare website that can offer some information at http://www.medicare.gov .

Also, if you choose a certain discount card and are dissatisfied - you cannot change until your renewal date!

 

A device for better administering eye drops. This time of year people use a lot of lubricating and allergy drops. Eye drops are hard to use in that people miss their eyes.

Eyot is a new device that assists the person in the correct position of the dropper bottle. It supports the bottle to prevent hand shaking. It elimanates accidentally poking the eye. So when trying to administer eye drops that cost a lot of money - it stops waste.

Eyot is reusable and washable - it costs about $4.00.

The dangers of ticks right now!

Because we did not have an extended period of freezing weather this winter - the ticks are out in full force. People and pets must be careful. Ticks need to be removed with tweezers very carefully to get all of the tick out. Afterwards, clean the area well. Then for several weeks, watch for rashes, fever and lethargy.

People are at risk for Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Dogs can develop Ehrlichia, which can destroy a dog's platelets, causing hemorraging.

Prevention involves keeping yards mowed and sprayed, putting tick collars or a preventative that goes on a dog's back, and checking everyone after spending time in the yard.

Zicam no drip nasal gel liquid. With all the allergies and congestion - people sometimes need a nasal spray decongestant, but most people don't like the taste of a nasal spray and the fact that it runs down the back of your throat. Also they are so drying to the nasal membranes.

Zicam no drip nasal gel liquid is different in that it uses a liquid gel matrix that stays inside the nostrils, not running down the back of your throat. It also has a special combination of ingredients including aloe vera that soothes nasal irritation. But as with all nasal decongestant sprays, we don't want to use them more than 3 days or it makes the congestion worse.

Consult your doctor before using if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, prostate problems or thyroid disease. Cost is $12.

The confusion about Sudafed and what can and cannot be sold without an ID and what can't.

Products containing pseudoephedrine must now be sold ONLY by a registered pharmacist. Exceptions are liquids, capsules and gel caps containing pseudoephedrine. So what this means to the consumer is that they can no longer buy pseudoephedrine products at a convenience store or in a discount store on the shelf.

It must be purchased in the pharmacy in all stores, the consumer must sign for it and produce a photo ID. The problem this might cause is someone needing pseudoephedrine after pharmacies are closed.

Examples of these products are Sudafed, Claritin-D, Drixoral . . .

The topic discussed on the Danny Williams Show 4/07/04 was:

Ways to prevent osteoporosis.

One of the most important ways to keep bones strong is to have a high intake of calcium & vitamin D . . . women 40 years to 50 years old need 1000 mg a day, over 50 years old need 1500 mg a day.

Other preventive measures include regular but limited exposure to the sun, daily weight bearing exercise and avoidance of smoking and excess alchol.

Also - women over 65 are encouraged to have bone density tests. If bone density is found to be low, there are several prescription medications that can help.

Zanfel - a very effective, topical solution for poison ivy, sumac and oak. It removes the chemical urushiol from the skin, immediately stopping any further breakout. Itching and pain is relieved in 30 seconds.

Zanfel can be used at any time after exposure - no matter how advanced. It usually only takes one washing, but once in awhile a second washing is needed.

It is not cheap - about $35 - but in comparison to a doctor visit and prescription, plus the time, it is a bargin.

The topic discussed on the Danny Williams Show 3/17/04 was:

National Poison Prevention Week is March 21st to 27th. The goal is to help reduce the annual toll of poisonings to children under 5 years old. The nation's poison control centers receive more than one million calls each year about unintentional poisonings of children under 5 years of age from medicines and household chemicals.

Here are the basic poison prevention tips that every person should check during National Poison Prevention Week:

The topic discussed on the Danny Williams Show 3/3/04 was:

Vitamist . . . an aerosol spray containing multi-vitamins. It is more effective than pills because the vitamins are delivered directly into the bloodstream without having to be broken down by the body.

With an oral spray you can receive higher concentrations faster. With tablets you have binders, fillers, colors and waxes. Vitamist does not have any of these - therefore, causing less of a burden on kidneys.

They also taste good. A month's supply is $19.95.

The topic discussed on the Danny Williams Show 2/18/04 was:

The study done in Washington state of more than 10,000 women . . . the study concluded that greater use of antibiotics doubles the chance of developing breast cancer.

Antibiotics could increase the risk for breast cancer by affecting the bacteria in the digestive system in ways that interfere with the way the body uses foods that protect against cancer.

Another theory is antibiotics may affect the immune system. This does not mean stop taking antibiotics - there needs to be more studies and research done - but it is something to watch. And - even if it turns out that antibiotics do not increase the risk for breast cancer - the research could lead to the discovery of whatever it is about women who use the antibiotics that women appears to make them more prone to breast cancer.

The topic discussed on the Danny Williams Show 2/11/04 was:

A topical water based gel that is applied in and around the nostrils. It stops airborne allergens from being inhaled. The gel carries a negative charge and attracts the allergy particles like a magnet before they are inhaled. It needs to be applied 3 to 4 times daily or whenever airborne allergens are high.

The topic discussed on the Danny Williams Show 2/04/04 was:

A test called Menocheck - a new home test kit to determine whether a woman has reached menopause. It works similar to a home pregnacy test, but it measures the level of FSH in the urine.

The woman can then discuss the best course of action with their doctor. It is very important to know when a woman reaches menopause, as menopausal women are at greater risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

The cost of the kit is about $20.

The topic discussed on the Danny Williams Show 1/21/04 was:

Symptoms of high blood sugar:

1. Feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual

2. Urinating more often, including having to get up at night several times

3. Feeling very tired, sleepy or have no energy

4. Unable to see clearly or see halos when looking at a light

5. Urine having a fruity smell

If you experience any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor.