The most effective products for head lice

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

most effective treatments for head liceHead lice: a back-to-school nuisance

Head lice and their eggs (nits) are a frequent irritation for school children and their parents.

Because they spread through person-to-person contact and by sharing personal items like hats and hair brushes, head lice are especially widespread in the fall and winter months.

And super lice, or head lice that are resistant to conventional treatments permethrin and pyrethrum, are now common in at least … read on

Daily baby aspirin is not safe for everyone

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

daily baby aspirinTalk to your doctor first!

The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published a study last week that shows the risks of a daily baby aspirin may outweigh the benefits, at least in patients older than 65.

I’ve known a lot of people, however, who started taking a daily baby aspirin on their own, without checking with their health care providers first.

Over the last few years there have been … read on

It’s time for the seasonal flu shot 2018

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

seasonal flu shot 2018Get ready for flu season

Last year’s flu season was nasty.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) labeled it a “high severity season” because the circulating strains of influenza virus were especially virulent and the season lasted longer than usual.

It’s impossible to predict when flu season will start, but it could be as early as October. The CDC recommends getting your flu shot by the end of October, but … read on

Homemade probiotics are best

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

homemade probioticsHealthy guts need healthy bacteria

After his ruptured appendix my husband was on antibiotics for almost a month. His surgeon, physician and several nurses all suggested he take probiotics to help restore his gut’s healthy bacteria. The surgeon even recommended a popular brand of probiotics on Amazon.

“No problem,” I told them all. “My husband loves to ferment and makes his own probiotics—kefir, kombucha, yogurt, sauerkraut, ginger ale, etc. Our … read on

Home remedies for headaches

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

home remedies for headachesOh, my aching head!

Headaches must be one of the most common health complaints. They affect all age groups, and have any number of underlying causes. Still, most headaches are a minor annoyance at most, and go away with minimal treatment.

But judging by the amount of money spent on over-the-counter pain relievers and headache medications (about half a billion dollars a year), we must be a country in a … read on

Save money on over-the-counter pain relievers

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

over-the-counter pain relieversThe two main OTC pain relievers

If you browse pain relievers online, or walk down the pain relief aisle at the drug store, you see dozens of different boxes and bottles.

Their labels may promise to treat specific pains, such as headaches, back pain, migraines, menstrual cramps, arthritis or muscle aches.

But there are really only two types of pain relievers found over the counter: NSAIDs and acetaminophen.

Save money … read on

What I learned from my atypical Spitz nevus

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

atypical spitz nevusOverdiagnosis of melanoma

I learned two things from a recent journey into the healthcare system:

  1. Melanomas are overdiagnosed; and
  2. Always discuss cost with your physician.

I’ll explain.

Earlier this summer I shared that I had a small mole removed from my leg. I didn’t like the look of it, so I thought it prudent to have it checked out.

I had to wait almost a month for an answer, because … read on

Protect yourself from the measles

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

measlesMeasles is still common in other countries

Every year I read about people traveling overseas and coming home with the measles.

The first symptoms are unremarkable: fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. It takes about 5 days for the telltale rash to appear, and by then the patient has spread the virus through at least two airports, an airplane and multiple other shops or restaurants.

Measles is highly contagious … read on

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a scary problem

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antibiotic-resistance bacteriaWe are all at risk

As my husband lay in his hospital bed with multiple antibiotics infusing into his body, the thought came to me that 100 years ago he wouldn’t have survived a ruptured appendix.

Penicillin was only discovered in 1928.

Being able to treat infections revolutionized health care. Patients had immeasurably better odds of surviving surgery, trauma and infectious diseases.

But now we are faced with the … read on

Tips for hospital visits

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tips for hospital visitsWhen a friend or family member is in the hospital

I haven’t updated my blog for the last 10 days because my husband’s appendix decided to rupture. That put him in the hospital for surgery and a week of IV antibiotics.

I took my own advice to not let a loved one be alone in the hospital, so I spent a lot of hours last week hanging out at … read on