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Dr. Bernstein Named One of “America’s Top Dentists”
The Consumers’ Research Council of America recently named The Consumers’ Research Council of America San Francisco area cosmetic dentist Joshua Bernstein one of “ America’s Top Dentists .” This title shall be added to his already...
How Zoom Teeth Whitening Works
No matter how frequently you brush your teeth, no matter how
careful you are when flossing, they will still get yellow after
a while. This natural process of teeth loosing their bright
white color is aggravated if you are a smoker or if you...
Implant Dentistry – The Convenient and Safe Alternative to Dentures
If you are missing a tooth or a group of teeth, you may find that you are afraid to smile, you don’t like to speak because you think you sound funny, or you may not be able to eat certain foods that you enjoy. Until recently, your only option was to...
Insomnia - Getting The Help You Need
Experiencing an occasional sleepless night every now and again is normal and transient insomnia affects all of us from time to time, especially when we are under personal or professional stress, or our schedule changes significantly as a result of...
Is America Racist Still?
This is one entry in my Heroes and Villains Volume of an encyclopedia available at World-Mysteries.com. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES : - It was not until after the Nuremberg Trials that the rest of the world put the kinds of protections in place that had...
Recovering from Rhinoplasty Surgery -
After rhinoplasty surgery, your doctor will send you home with an instruction sheet listing many things to be aware of and take heed of after the surgery and before your next office visit. He’ll give you contact numbers to phone in case of any...
The Maharishi Ayurveda Natural Medicine Approach to Beauty and Skin Care
The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Beauty and Skin Care The Three Pillars of Beauty Maharishi Ayurveda (MAV), the modern, consciousness-based revival of the ancient Ayurvedic medicine tradition, considers true beauty to be supported by three...
The Quest for Truth and the Meaning of Life
How committed to truth are we? Do we readily indulge in fancy at the expense of truth, because fancy appears more consistent with our wishes? What if truth was compatible with meaning and happiness within the limits of life, provided wisdom...
Xylitol Glossary of Prevention and Benefits
Xylitol, a relatively new, natural preventative is relatively unheard of by the public, yet it affects our lives on an everyday basis. In fact, we are more familiar with it than we know-at least our bodies are. Our bodies produce about 15 grams of...
Your guide to Strontium supplements
These days, strontium supplements have begun to really take hold as a popular nutritional supplement. The latest research into strontium consumption has begun to reveal that this mineral can have a major positive effect on your health. Strontium is...
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7 Questions You Need to Ask About Bipolar Medication
One of the most critical parts of bipolar treatment is medication. Without the correct medication, you or your loved one may go in and out of episodes without long periods of stability in between. However, even once your doctor has helped you find the right medication for you, there are still some important questions you need to ask about that drug.
1. Is a small overdose dangerous?
Sometimes individuals take their medications incorrectly by accident. They may take the pills too close together or take too many pills at one time. With many medications, these small overdoses don't pose a threat to your system. Other drugs are more powerful and can cause serious harm to your body if you take more than prescribed. While it's never a good idea to deliberately overdo medication, you need to know what might happen if it accidentally occurs.
2. Will there be withdrawal or rebound effects from the previous medication?
Generally, if you are trying a new medication, then you'll need to be taken off of the previous medication you were using. In some cases, something as simple as switching drugs can be quite difficult for the patient. Prescription medications can be addictive and quitting "cold turkey" can sometimes result in serious withdrawal effects, including rebound symptoms (meaning the treated condition comes back with greater intensity). Your doctor should advise you about the potential for withdrawal and/or rebound effects.
3. Is there a major FDA warning about the drug?
When you take any type of prescription medication, it's a good idea to pay attention to the news. As we've seen in recent months, a few drugs that are being sold can cause significant problems for patients. If the FDA puts out a warning about your medication, you want to know about it so you can speak to your doctor about the potential dangers. By paying attention to the news, you can ensure that you won't be the last one to find out about these type of developments.
4. Does the drug interact with any other medications/supplements you are taking?
Problems with drug interaction should be taken very seriously by you, your doctor, and your pharmacist because it can cause serious
health problems and even death. When you talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your prescription, make sure you tell them the names of all the medications you are currently taking, including both prescription and over-the-counter types. You should also ask about potential drug interaction difficulties between the medication and any vitamins or herbal supplements that you take regularly.
5. Do you need to take the medication at a specific time each day? What happens if you don't?
In many cases, the effects of your medication are determined by the time of day when you take them. For example, if you take some types of drugs too late in the evening they may interfere with your ability to sleep or to wake up in the morning easily. Make sure you talk to your doctor about exactly how you should be taking your medication, as well as the ramifications for deviating from that schedule.
6. Will the drug alter your motor vehicle skills, mood, or behavior?
Medications are used to treat certain problems but that doesn't mean there aren't sometimes unforeseen consequences of taking the drug. Many prescriptions come with warnings about not using heavy machinery or driving a motor vehicle while taking the drugs. Doctors may also alert patients that the drug may cause them to be grumpy or to have other mood changes. Take these warnings seriously and let those around you know of the potential changes.
7. What side effects should I watch for? What if the side effects worsen?
Today, medications often cause mild side effects in patients, such as nausea or sleepiness. Your doctor and pharmacist should tell you what those side effects are. If they don't, you need to ask so you'll know what to expect. You should also find out about potential serious side effects, such as an increase in heart attack risk or the possibility of liver damage. If you experience intense side effects after staring a drug, you should talk to your doctor immediately.
About the Author
David Oliver is the founder of BipolarCentral.com, a one-stop source of information on how to cope and deal with bipolar disorder. Sign up for one of his FREE Mini Courses on bipolar by visiting FreeBipolarCourse.com
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