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Consumer Health Information

This page shares info that helps us with health and insurance issues for ourselves, our parents, our children, and our grandchildren. To add to this page, please email the Webmaster.

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    IMPORTANT INFO

     

  • Coronavirus government website
  • What to do if you suspect you are having a heart attack while you are alone. Thanks to Ed Conti for this link.
  • To check for side effects or drug interactions of your medications: Medwatcher
  • Observation Status Law: New York hospitals are required to notify patients within 24 hours whether they are on observation status or inpatient status. The distinction is important: For instance, under Medicare, observation means the patient will pay a lot more out-of-pocket for their hospital stay. 
  • Yellow Dot Program: a free program designed to help first responders provide life-saving medical attention during that first “golden hour” after a crash or other emergency. A Yellow Dot in the driver's-side rear window of your vehicle will alert first responders that vital medical information is stored in the glove compartment.
  • The New CPR
  • FDA Info on Product & Ingredient Safety
  • 24/7 National Poison Help Line: 800-222-1222
  • Thyroid Cancer Prevention Tip: When you are having a mammogram or dental x-rays, make sure to ask your health care professionals to use a thyroid guard.
  • USDA My Plate
  • Here's a list that EVERYONE should have written down somewhere in case they have a medical emergency. Keeping one list at home and one in your wallet is a good idea. It can make the difference in getting quick, appropriate medical care, especially when the patient cannot answer questions and the family is too distraught to give the information. Include: name, address, DOB, SSN - weight (used for drug dosages), Insurance info, Doctor's name/preferred medical facility, allergies (especially to antibiotics, painkillers, latex), current medical problems/serious past medical problems, current medications (include strength and dosage), emergency contact person/phone number, anything you wear such as contact lenses, prosthetic limbs, false teeth/eyes, pacemaker, etc. Also, people taking multiple medications are often under the care of more than one physician. It's very important that they make sure each doctor is kept informed of what medications, prescription AND over-the-counter AND herbal supplements they take on a daily basis. Patients can have serious medical emergencies due to taking multiple doses of the same medication (often one was brand-name, the other generic, prescribed by different docs, so the patient didn't realize they were taking double the same thing!), or due to an interaction of medications. (Thanks to Ed Conti for this important tip!)
  • Injured? Remember the RICE Protocol: R=Rest; I=Ice; C=Compression; E=Elevation. Of course, the first thing to do if you're not sure how serious the injury is - seek professional help!

BMR x 1.2 if little to no exercise

BMR x 1.375 if light exercise 1-3x/wk

BMR x 1.55 if moderate exercise 3-5x/wk

BMR x 1.725 if heavy exercise 6-7x/wk

BMR x 1.9 if very heavy exercise 2x/day

 

          Modified March 2, 2024 3:15 PM
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