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Month: November 2016

Regularly Check Your Blood Pressure

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In today’s digital age, there are so many wearable fitness gadgets. These can assist you in getting an overview of your health from the comfort of your own home. They can allow you to check your blood pressure, oxygen and weight. These are all things help you to maintain a healthy weight. Most of these fitness gadgets are not covered by insurance, but are definitely worth the cost.

The American Heart Association recommends for anyone with hypertension (high blood pressure) to monitor their blood pressure at home regularly. This is an important part of managing hypertension. Monitoring it from home can help you keep tabs on it from a familiar setting, make sure your medication is working and alert you and your doctors to potential health complications.

Blood pressure monitors are available at many different places and without a prescription. So, home monitoring is an easy step that you can take. Before getting started, you should know the right technique and find a good monitor.

So, why do you need to monitor at home?

  • It can help to make an early diagnosis of high blood pressure. If you have pre-hypertension, diabetes or kidney problems, home blood pressure monitoring can help diagnose high blood pressure earlier.
  • It can help people of all ages check their condition. The only way to know whether your lifestyle changes or medications are working is to regularly monitor!
  • It results in better blood pressure control.
  • It reduces overall health care costs, lowers your travel expenses and saves in lost wages.

Stop by MacDonald’s Pharmacy today to get more information on monitoring at home! We can help you figure out the best ways to regularly keep up with your blood pressure at home.

Keeping Your Knees Healthy

MacDonald's Pharmacy

Men, women and children are all equally subject to knee problems. Over exercising, obesity or old age can cause them. It is important to keep them healthy and if you do suffer from knee-related issues, it is crucial to find the right knee brace to protect yourself because your knees are an important part of the way you walk.

What are knee braces?

Knee braces are supports that you wear for a painful or injured knee. Some people use them to simply prevent an injury during sports. A combination of metal, foam, plastic, elastic material and straps makes these braces.

Do knee braces work?

Braces help some people more than others. In general, functional braces, rehabilitative braces and unloader braces are the most effective. However, everyone is different. There’s no better way to know what brace is right for you than consulting with your doctor.

There are four kinds of knee braces:

  • Prophylactic: Designed to protect knees from injuries during contact sports (football, rugby, etc.)
  • Functional: Give support to knees that have already been injured.
  • Rehabilitative: These limit harmful knee movement while a knee is healing after an injury or surgery.
  • Unloader/Off-loader: Designed to provide relief to people who have arthritis in their knee.

How do I get a knee brace?

Pharmacies or medical supply stores often carry simple knee sleeves or supports and are probably your best bet for proper protection. Some people order knee braces off the internet, however, it is always wise to try on a brace before purchase. Talk to your doctor to find out different knee braces and how they can help you.

How do I use a knee brace?

A knee brace should be worn during all activities that put you at risk of injury to your knee in order to work well. Don’t forget to warm up properly before beginning any athletic activity.

How do I care for my knee brace?

Regular cleaning with soap and water is good for the brace fabric. A worn-out brace should be replaced for maximum benefit. More durable materials may cost more, but the brace will be more secure and last much longer.

At MacDonald’s Pharmacy, we can help you find the perfect knee brace. Let us know what your concerns are so we can help you pick the right product.  Keep in mind that if you want your item to be submitted to your insurance, you must have a valid prescription with a diagnosis code for fast and accurate processing.

Diabetes Awareness Month

MacDonald's Pharmacy

Diabetes affects 26 million Americans, or eight percent of the population, with about 5.7 million undiagnosed people. Cases are projected to double, even triple, by 2050, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

November is Diabetes Awareness Month!

Here are a few of the recent statistics on diabetes:

  • Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.
  • Another 86 million Americans have diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of it.
  • The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion.
  • 1 in 5 health care dollars is spent caring for people with diabetes.
  • 1 in 10 health care dollars is spent treating it and its complications.

Additionally, if a beneficiary has Medicare Part B and has diabetes, here are the guidelines set up by Medicare to cover certain supplies.

These supplies include:

  • Blood glucose self-testing equipment and supplies
  • Therapeutic shoes and inserts
  • Insulin pumps and the insulin used in the pumps

Blood Glucose Self-Testing Equipment and Supplies

Blood glucose self-testing equipment and supplies are covered for all people with Medicare Part B who have diabetes. This includes those who use insulin and those who do not use insulin. Also, these supplies include:

  • Blood glucose monitors
  • Blood glucose test strips
  • Lancet devices and lancets
  • Glucose control solutions for checking the accuracy of testing equipment and test strips.

Medicare Part B covers the same type of blood glucose testing supplies for people, whether or not they use insulin. However, covered supplies varies.

If the beneficiary:

  • Uses insulin, they may be able to get up to 100 test strips and lancets every month, and 1 lancet device every 6 months.
  • Does not use insulin, they may be able to get 100 test strips and lancets every 3 months, and 1 lancet device every 6 months.

MacDonald’s Pharmacy participates with Medicare part B, there are certain guidelines we have to follow in order to get your diabetic supplies from us. So, call if you have any questions or if you need assistance we will be happy to help.

Conquer the Common Cold!

MacDonald's Pharmacy

The most important thing to remember about the common cold, or any sickness for that matter, is this: PREVENTION IS KEY!

  • Avoid touching your face with your hands, especially after touching doorknobs, sink/toilet handles, phones, etc.
  • Always wash your hands thoroughly and often – sing the birthday song. Hand sanitizer doesn’t help prevent the spread of germs as well as washing your hands carefully.
  • Disinfect commonly used surfaces (handles, phones, etc.)
  • Make sure you exercise, get enough sleep and stick to a healthy diet to support a strong immune system.

How You Can Self Diagnose the Common Cold:

  • A cold usually begins with a sore throat. This can then be followed by a runny nose, cough, congestion, sneezing and oftentimes fatigue.
  • You will begin showing signs of a cold over the course of 24-48 hours, while the flu sets in abruptly and without warning.
  • With a cold, a fever with body aches are rare. A fever usually indicates the flu or a different infection.

Treatment to Cure the Common Cold:

  • Time is the only cure for a cold. However, if symptoms last longer than 7-10 days, contact your physician immediately.
  • Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice).
  • Get an ample amount of sleep.
  • Over-the-counter cold medicines are helpful in relieving symptoms.
  • Ask your pharmacist about herbal remedies: Echinacea, Zinc, and Vitamin C.
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214 Peach Orchard Road
Mcconnellsburg, PA 17233
(717) 485-3622
info@macdonaldspharmacy.com
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Monday-Friday: 8:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Saturday: 8:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Sunday: Closed
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