5 Medications for the Better Management of Gout
Treatments

5 Medications for the Better Management of Gout

A form of arthritis, gout leads to extreme pain, redness, and inflammation of the joints. The condition is caused by an accumulation of uric acid in the bloodstream, leading to the formation of urate crystals. Uric acid formation takes place after the breakdown of purines, which are found in certain foods items and are also produced in the body. Gout flare-ups can occur suddenly. Eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties and eliminating foods with purines helps in dealing with the condition. Treatment methods using NSAIDs and corticosteroids can also help in the management of gout symptoms and flare-ups. Here are a few medicines that can be prescribed by the doctor for the same. Naprosyn (Naproxen) A popular medication, Naprosyn, is an NSAID available in different dosage combinations according to your prescription. This medicine is effective in dealing with muscle problems as well as severe joint pain. Furthermore, it helps in lowering inflammation and swelling. It is prescribed for gout and is also recommended for managing bursitis, tendinitis, and arthritis. Generic versions of Naprosyn are available for $16.13 on an average, but with a GoodRX Gold membership, a discount of up to 76% can be availed for a dosage of 30 tablets of 500mg. A different dosage configuration will avail a different discount. Some pharmacies may offer lower prices with coupons of substantial discounts. Zyloprim (Allopurinol) With an average retail price of around $19.62, Zyloprim is available at a discount of up to 69% via GoodRx Gold in dosages of 30 tablets, each of 300mg. Different quantities and dosages have different offers applicable for them. A form of xanthine oxidase inhibitor, this medication works well in dealing with inflammation, pain, and other symptoms of gout. Moreover, Zyloprim is also prescribed for the prevention and treatment of high levels of uric acid, resulting from certain forms of chemotherapy.
4 Popular Medications for Treating GERD
Treatments

4 Popular Medications for Treating GERD

GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a health condition that occurs when the stomach contents flow upwards or reflux into the esophagus, thereby irritating it. GERD or acid reflux happens due to the weakening of muscles at the end of the esophagus. A person suffering from GERD might feel a burning sensation in the chest or throat, which is usually referred to as heartburn. They also feel the taste of stomach acid in the back of their mouth. Other symptoms that might be associated with this health condition include dry cough, difficulty in swallowing, and asthma. GERD can affect anyone, even infants and children. If not treated in due time, the symptoms can worsen and result in the narrowing of the esophagus, esophageal ulcer, and even precancerous esophagus. Hence, apart from making lifestyle and dietary changes, GERD symptoms need to be treated with specific medications. Some medications are mentioned below: Nexium (Esomeprazole) Nexium or Esomeprazole is used for certain GERD symptoms such as ulcers and inflammation in the esophagus. It also helps in treating bacteria. Esomeprazole helps in preventing ulcers due to consuming NSAIDs. It is also more effective in controlling the amount of acid produced in the stomach compared to other proton pump inhibitors. The average retail price of the Esomeprazole is around $285, but GoodRx offers the same at $12.21, which is almost a 95% discount. And with GoodRx Gold , Esomeprazole can be bought at $10.61. Prevacid (Lansoprazole) This medicine is available in the form of a capsule and is used for treating GERD symptoms, heartburn, and gastric and duodenal ulcer. It works similarly to proton pump inhibitors by reducing the acid level in the stomach. There are dosage levels of Lansoprazole. GoodRx offers 30mg Lansoprazole capsules at the lowest price of $10.36, which is a 90% discount on its original price.
4 Popular Medications for Treating Depressive Symptoms
Treatments

4 Popular Medications for Treating Depressive Symptoms

Depression is a mood disorder that manifests as persistent sadness and loss of interest. It affects an individual’s feelings, thoughts, and behavior, and it can trigger a variety of physical and mental issues like fatigue, anger, and hopelessness. Depression is much deeper than the feeling of sadness, and nobody can overcome it overnight. Most people require long-term treatment with medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes. Medications are a crucial part of depression treatment, and doctors usually prescribe antidepressants or antianxiety or antipsychotic medications. Let’s look at some of the common medications used for managing depressive symptoms: Zoloft (Sertraline) Zoloft is one of the most popular medications prescribed to people undergoing treatment for depression. It is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), a group of medications that work by boosting the serotonin levels in the brain, which elevates mood. Additionally, it is prescribed to people dealing with panic disorder, anxiety disorders, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If one has a prescription for sertraline, they can sign up for a GoodRx Gold membership to get amazing discounts on both generic and brand versions of the medication. GoodRx Gold offers a whopping 88 percent discount on 30 sertraline tablets of 50 mg. If one is looking for the brand version of Zoloft, they can save up to 17 percent with the membership. Prozac (Fluoxetine) Prozac is another SSRI used to treat major depressive disorder, eating disorders, and a few other mental disorders. The medication affects neurotransmitters in the brain and helps people cope with panic, anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Fluoxetine is available in both generic and brand versions, and a GoodRx Gold membership offers up to 86 percent savings on 30 capsules of 20mg generic fluoxetine. If specifically looking for the Prozac brand, one can get up to 21 percent discount on the same dosage and quantity of the medication.
4 Common Medications that Ease Hypertension
Treatments

4 Common Medications that Ease Hypertension

Hypertension, medically known as high blood pressure, is a common condition that affects a large majority of individuals across the world. An individual’s blood pressure depends on the amount of blood that is being pumped by the heart, the size of the arteries, and the amount of resistance it faces, among other factors. The narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure. If left untreated, hypertension can eventually cause long-term health problems including several heart diseases, strokes, and even eye damage. Many individuals go for long periods without being aware that they have hypertension. Fortunately, this condition can be easily diagnosed and treated with the right medication. Why you should choose GoodRx Medications can be an expensive affair. This statement is, unfortunately, true irrespective of the class of the drug or the disease the individual suffers from. However, it does not have to stay this way. With the help of GoodRx and its gold membership, you can gain massive discounts on various prescribed and generic over-the-counter medications. You can start by availing this benefit with a 30-day free trial period. Medication for hypertension Hypertension can be diagnosed with the help of regular blood pressure check-ups. When it comes to treating hypertension, there are four different categories of medication, namely, thiazide diuretics (TZD); calcium channel blockers (CCB); angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE); and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). Some of the common medications under each of these categories are: Prinivil Belonging to the ACE drug class, Prinivil is a common and inexpensive drug that is used to treat hypertension and heart diseases. It is also used to reduce the risk of death after a cardiac arrest. This medication is made available by most brands, and can be found at discounted prices at some pharmacies. In fact, with GoodRx Gold, you can get a whopping 81 percent off on this lifesaver.
Save big on your next prescription with GoodRx Gold
Treatments

Save big on your next prescription with GoodRx Gold

Healthcare services have become super expensive and people often struggle to pay their medical bills despite having a decent health insurance plan. And the rising cost of prescription medication is one of the main reasons why investing in a prescription membership program is crucial. A pharmacy discount and savings card eliminates the middleman and offers great discounts on the retail cost of the medication. You don’t have to worry about deductibles or any copay as the discount is directly applied to the cost of the prescription. The GoodRx Gold Membership is one such option that offers an exclusive Pharmacy Discount Card that helps you save big on most FDA-approved medications. GoodRx Gold Membership Program GoodRx Gold is free for the first 30 days of the program. By signing up for the membership, you can immediately avail of massive discounts on the generic and brand variants of prescription medications, as well as healthcare services. After the free trial ends, the membership charge is $5.99/month for individuals and $9.99/month for families of up to five members. And yes, this includes your pets! You can get discounts on prescriptions made by your vet. Moreover, it is possible to upgrade your individual membership to a family card as well. The charges for the family program will be levied from the next billing cycle after the upgrade. Key highlights Save up to 90% discount on prescription medications Over 1000 generic and branded medicines available for less then $10 Ease of use with a single physical card or the GoodRx Gold Mobile app (digital card) Average yearly savings of approximately $2,875 on prescriptions for individuals and $3,323 for families Card accepted across top pharmacy chains like Albertsons, CVS Pharmacy, HyVee, Kroger, Safeway, Ralphs, and Vons Simple-to-use website interface with an exclusive medication lookup tool to compare discounts Steps to Use the GoodRx Gold Membership Card Step 1 :
3 effective treatment options for rotavirus
Treatments

3 effective treatment options for rotavirus

Rotavirus is a specific type of virus that causes a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders in children and adolescents. This may often lead to symptoms like watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. This virus is transmitted via contact with infected surfaces, and it is most commonly passed through fecal-oral contact. The best way to avoid getting infected is by getting the rotavirus vaccine.  If your child is infected by rotavirus, the doctor may recommend immediate hospitalization to prevent any further complications. The following are a few treatment methods that can be opted for when treating a rotavirus infection: Oral rehydration therapy One of the biggest problems that a child suffering from a rotavirus infection may face is the loss of fluids, which can lead to severe dehydration. If an infant is suffering from such an infection, they must be given small amounts of fluids at regular intervals or must be nursed frequently. It is also recommended to use an oral rehydration solution to avoid severe dehydration. If the child is severely dehydrated, they may need to be provided with extra fluids through intravenous or intraosseous lines.  Probiotics A child who is infected with this virus can experience a weakened immune system that needs to be remedied to avoid any further infections and diseases. Regular intake of probiotics is known to be effective in improving immunity in children and preventing foreign antigens from entering the body. Moreover, these probiotics may also help improve gut health in children.  Other medications There are several other medications that might be prescribed to treat protozoal or helminthic infections in the intestines. These infections are a common occurrence in children suffering from rotaviral gastroenteritis, and are usually treated by prescribing medications containing nitrothiazole-benzamide compounds. Although such children may suffer from watery diarrhea, antidiarrheal medications are usually not given to them.
Important things to know about SMA
Symptoms

Important things to know about SMA

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that hampers with a child’s ability to move by affecting motor nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. This disease is progressive in nature and is caused by the loss of specialized motor neurons in the spinal cord and the brainstem. This affects a child’s ability to perform motor activities such as sitting up, jumping, walking, crawling, and controlling head movement. SMA mainly causes muscle wasting and weakness. Moreover, some people who suffer from severe cases of SMA face difficulty in breathing and swallowing as the muscles used for these functions are also affected. Below is some information on different types; diagnosis and treatments of SMA that can help families of the affected children understand the disease better. Types of SMA SMA can be classified into five different types: 0, I, II, III, and IV. Each type is categorized on the basis of different symptoms, and physicians often determine the type by understanding the symptoms. Type 0 Type 0 SMA is one of the most severe types. It is identified on the basis of symptoms such as decreased fetal movements, joint abnormalities, inability to swallow properly, and respiratory failure. This type occurs in a child before birth or within the first few months of birth. Type I Type I SMA is also called the Werdnig-Hoffman disease. It is one of the severe types of SMA that affects a person since their birth or within the first few months after birth. It is quite similar to the type 0 SMA as type I affected infants also face delayed physical developments. Children with this type exhibit symptoms such as breathing and swallowing problems that can cause choking. Other symptoms include diminished limb movements, fasciculation, tremors, hypotonia (severely reduced muscle tone), and lack of tendon reflexes.
Home Remedies for Asthma Attacks
Natural Remedies

Home Remedies for Asthma Attacks

Asthma is a health issue that leads to respiratory problems that make breathing difficult . Asthma is a health problem that affects the lungs. An asthma attack can be scary, and sometimes, even life threatening. It leads to inflammation in the airways, causing the airways to tighten and narrow down the air passage. If you are facing an asthma attack, there are emergency home remedies that may help provide relief from asthma symptoms. An asthma attack The tightening of airways leads to difficulty in breathing, causing gasps and wheezing. As a lot of mucus is produced by the lungs, the person coughs continuously to expel the mucus. Continuous cough can extreme discomfort. In severe cases, you may even need hospitalization in case of an asthma attack. Certain home remedies treat asthma very well. These can be tried to relieve symptoms immediately and also prevent them from worsening. Drink hot coffee It is no secret that home remedies treat asthma symptoms. Hot coffee is one such emergency home remedy that provides relief. The warmth of the drink and the caffeine work together to open up the airways, making breathing easier. Hot tea is similarly proven to be effective. Breathing deeply You need to relax and sit comfortably. Don’t lie down and always sit upright to aid better breathing. You can take slow, deep breaths through your nose. A deep breath not only aids easy breathing but also helps you relax and prevents you from panicking. A panic attack can worsen things for asthmatics, hence staying calm and relaxed is very important. Eucalyptus oil Eucalyptus oil is really helpful to provide relief from the symptoms of an asthma attack. You can keep a steam inhaler with you for such situations. Even if you don’t have a steam inhaler, you can heat a vessel of water and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to it.
Hyperkalemia – Foods to avoid and management options
Diseases & Conditions

Hyperkalemia – Foods to avoid and management options

The nerves and muscle cells need potassium to function, and the mineral is also responsible for regulating nerves in the heart. However, when potassium levels in the blood exceed the normal range, i.e., 3.6–5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), it can lead to a condition called hyperkalemia. This can cause severe health complications, including irregular heartbeat and even heart attack. However, hyperkalemia can be managed through treatment and changes in meal plans. Foods to avoid A high-potassium meal regimen or using excessive potassium supplements can contribute to the development of hyperkalemia. Excessive amounts of this mineral can result in numbness, tingling sensations, and digestive problems. So, one should avoid potassium-rich fruits like honeydew melon, oranges, bananas, and cantaloupe. Additionally, people affected by the condition should also limit high-potassium foods like apricots, mangoes, avocados, kiwis, breakfast cereals (with dried fruit), salt substitutes, milk and dairy products, chickpeas, and lentils. One should ensure that their potassium intake is limited to a maximum of 2,000 milligrams (mg) per day. A doctor can help develop a manageable meal plan to keep the potassium levels in check.  Maintenance treatment options  Various treatment options are recommended for different stages of hyperkalemia. If the potassium levels are not severe but still need to be lowered, doctors may recommend sodium bicarbonate to temporarily shift potassium into body cells. Albuterol may be prescribed to raise blood insulin levels and move potassium into the cells. Another option is patiromer (Veltassa), which binds potassium in the intestine. A healthcare expert may also recommend Lasix (furosemide) to reduce extra fluids in the body brought on by conditions like heart failure, kidney disease, and liver disease. This is a water pill that helps the body flush out excessive fluids and remove potassium through urine. Lokelma is another recommended treatment for high potassium levels. It binds the excess potassium and lowers its concentration to keep the levels in check.
6 management options for unresectable rectal cancer
Treatments

6 management options for unresectable rectal cancer

Unresectable rectal cancer is another term for metastatic rectal cancer that has been rendered inoperable or one that cannot fully be removed by surgery. This generally occurs due to the size or location of the tumor. It is diagnosed in nearly 15% of rectal cancer cases and may require other interventions to manage symptoms. When cancer cannot be removed by surgery, oncologists may recommend one or more of the following therapies: Laser removal of the rectal tumor Lasers may be used in the early stages of diagnosis to remove any polyps that may become cancerous in the colon and rectum. Generally, CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers are used to shrink or destroy tumors in the body with the help of an endoscope. Cryotherapy Some studies have also reported using cryotherapy (treatment with extreme cold) for palliation to reduce tumor bulk in the body. This led to improvements such as more effective control of bleeding, relieving the obstruction, and avoiding colostomy. This is a form of ablation therapy used for small tumors (4 cm or less). Elective colostomy to bypass the tumor (diverting colostomy) A colostomy is an opening that is made in the abdominal wall during surgery. The end of the colon is brought through this opening to form a stoma that allows fecal matter to be removed from the body. This procedure is required when the rectum, anus, or surrounding sphincter muscle has been removed, such as during abdominoperineal resection. Rectal stent In some cases, doctors may recommend adding a rectal stent or a flexible hollow metal tube to keep the rectum open. This procedure does not require surgery. Once the doctors locate the blockage using a colonoscope, they may use X-rays and fluoroscopic imaging technology to place the stent accurately and help expand the colon or rectum. Chemotherapy People battling advanced stages of cancer may be offered chemotherapy, which is a treatment option used to kill fast-growing cancer cells.