Healthwise - Fall 2012 - (Page 3)

Connect SHARE WhatNext (acs.whatnext.com), a new online community from the American Cancer Society, matches you up with other cancer patients in similar situations for support. SEARCH Looking for a family medicine physician or a specialist? Visit www.st-claire.org/ﬁ ndadoc to ﬁ nd your perfect match today. e Diabetes 24/7 online self-management tool from the American Diabetes Association allows you to record your numbers and share information with your physician. Visit diabetes.org and search “24/7.” TRACK Can’t Quit? You want to. You know you need to. You have even promised loved ones you will. But you just can’t quit smoking. Something always gets in the way. Don’t let it. OBSTACLE WAY AROUND IT Don’t diet while you’re quitting. Instead, aim to eat more fruits and vegetables. These low-calorie snacks will keep your hands busy during cravings. Take up a physical activity. Also, try nicotine replacement products and talk to your doctor about prescription medication. Switch to low-sugar beverages instead. And avoid other triggers such as going to lunch with co-workers who smoke. Clean house. Throw out ashtrays, lighters and cigarette cartons. Freshen the air and get carpets and upholstery cleaned. Take with Food? You know about the dangers of drug interactions. But did you know that what you eat and drink can also play a role in medication eﬃcacy? e following are the most common culprits, according to the Food and Drug Administration: D Alcohol can increase or decrease the eﬀectiveness of many drugs and should never be consumed with medication. D Grapefruit juice has been found to increase the side eﬀects of certain medications, including those for high blood pressure. D Chocolate can sharply raise blood pressure when eaten with antidepressants. D Licorice can interact with drugs that treat congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms, and can reduce the eﬀectiveness of blood pressure medications. I’m afraid I will gain weight. I stress out and want to smoke. I can’t drink coffee or alcohol without smoking. I can’t get smoking off my mind. Source: smokefree.gov FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOU WILL SAVE BY QUITTING Use this online calculator to ﬁgure out what you will save by not smoking for a day, a week, a month or even years: WATCH TO LEARN ABOUT MEDICATION SAFETY Medication errors are serious and can be lifethreatening. Find out how to avoid them by watching a video. Visit www.fda.gov and search “avoiding medication mistakes” today. smokefree.gov/savings-future.aspx. GET the latest ﬂu news on Twitter by following @FluGov 3 http://acs.whatnext.com http://www.st-claire.org/findadoc http://www.diabetes.org http://www.smokefree.gov http://www.smokefree.gov/savings-future.aspx http://www.fda.gov

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthwise - Fall 2012

Healthwise - Fall 2012
Caution: Don’t mix these foods and medications
Getting back in the game after a sports injury
Stay Centered

Healthwise - Fall 2012