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Protecting your private information

The catch behind a ‘free’ pharmacy discount card If you have a mailbox, chances are you’ve received a Pharmacy Discount Card in the mail. The offer sounds great: up to 75 percent off your medications, no paperwork, it’s accepted all over, and it never expires. Don’t forget the kicker—it costs absolutely nothing. Hopefully by now…
John Rodda on keeping it in perspective

Pancreatic cancer survivor stays positive John Rodda used to put in some 12-hour workdays, but he’s learned to slow down and savor every day. A survivor of pancreatic cancer, which usually claims the lives of its victims, Rodda is one of the fortunate few. Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest of cancers, in part because…
Pop Quiz: Are your halls decked with dangers?

‘Tis the season for health and safety, so test your knowledge to make sure your home is not a potential holiday hazard. “Deck the halls with…”— well, with safety precautions. Even though this time of year is the time to spread laughter, cheer and goodwill to all, spreading safety tips may be a better gift to…

Brain Attack (Stroke or Mini-stroke): Are You at Risk?

Approximately 700,000 strokes occur in the United States annually. Stroke or brain attack is a disease that involves the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that brings oxygen to the brain gets blocked by a blood clot most commonly. With the oxygen supply to the brain…
Punctal Plugs

Many patients suffer from dry eye, and eye care professionals have many tools at their disposal to help with symptoms. For many patients, over-the-counter lubricating drops such as Blink or Systane can be helpful. It is important to avoid redness relieving drops, as these tend to cause more problems over time. When over-the-counter drops are…
Understanding Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Last year, I wrote about heart failure. At that time, I had said that about half the patients admitted with congestive heart failure have normal systolic function. This is true. The most common way to express heart function is by measuring ejection fraction (EF). This is the proportion of the amount of blood in the…