by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
The FDA released a public statement that pill splitting may be hazardous to your health. They advise against the growing practice of asking your doctor for a tablet twice the strength you need, then halving it to make two doses. My Family Doctor has advocated this in the past as a way to save money.
They cite four reasons “why splitting is risky.”
“Give the lifetime gift of nature to your grandchildren! Take them for walks, teach them gardening, talk with them under a tree, teach them how to respect and care for nature and to have fun in it.
“Nature nurtures, decreases stress, reduces depression and increases skills and joy just by being in it. It is a gift that lasts a lifetime and they can teach their children. Your grandchildren will love these times and you are creating wonderful memories for them.”
—Donna LaMar, Ph.D., Psy.D., clinical psychologist, The Farm: Where Living Things Grow Inc., using nature in therapy, Fremont, Mich.
What are your favorite active things to do with kids? Please share in the comments section.
“Almost every patient I have seen wants whiter teeth, and some opt for in-office whitening and other use store-bought kits. A secret weapon that I tell them all about is the mouthwash with whitening properties by Listerine. It helps maintain the whitening treatment and also whitens teeth that haven’t been treated.”
—Dana Gelman-Keiles, D.M.D., board-certified dentist, Northern Westchester Dental Center, New York
“Restaurant portions are two to three times what you would serve yourself. Plan ahead by splitting an entrée, or doggy bagging before you even start. The more you are served, the more you are likely to eat, so only serve yourself a reasonable portion.”
—Jill Jayne, M.S., R.D., president and “Rockstar Nutritionist,” Note to Health LLC, with interactive health presentations
How do you save calories? Please share your tips in the comments section.
by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor
In our blog post about Twitter this week, we’re linking to interesting health articles and blogs, so even if you’re not on Twitter, you can benefit.
For those of you on Twitter, we thought it would be interesting to see who we tweeted about the most in June. We’ve included a few of the posted links. Enjoy!
Some People We Retweeted Most:
Wednesday, June 24, a few minutes after midnight, my daughter Beth delivered Michael Robert (my middle name also) into the world at 8 pounds, 8 ounces and 20 inches. Her husband, Roger, was with her and I was in the waiting room. The labor lasted over 24 hours with no epidural.
Michael is my first grandson and doing well, probably the most beautiful and brightest kid ever born.
Beth and Roger are tired but doing well. Grandpa and Grandma Hubbard are very happy and proud.
by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor
My Family Doctor has learned that Boniva and Tamiflu are no longer covered by the recently announced Medicare-discount agreement. Whether their manufacturer Roche Pharmaceuticals will instate its own discount is unclear.
On June 20, the powerful trade group Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America made big news, announcing their members would offer a 50-percent discount to most people in the dreaded Medicare Part D doughnut hole. But today, the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest reported Roche is leaving PhRMA.
My Family Doctor asked Roche whether they would still offer the discount. Read the rest of this entry »
by Leigh Ann Hubbard, managing editor
In an interesting turn of events, relief is coming for seniors. Drug manufacturers are going to help pay for some medicines!
This sounds great, definitely, but we want to know from you: How much will it really help?
The News
Today, President Obama and industry trade group Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America announced a big deal, part of which involves the dreaded Medicare Part D doughnut hole.
by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor
On Friday, I blogged about some interesting resolutions from the American Medical Association’s annual meeting. Today, as promised, it’s time for the My Family Doctor first annual Resolutions Awards (tongue firmly in cheek)!
Drum roll, please …
by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor
The American Medical Association held their annual meeting this week. Obama’s speech there grabbed the headlines, but AMA members also voted on some interesting resolutions. You may be surprised at some of the topics. But first, some …
AMA FAQs
