Some problems can be too serious to wait for a regular doctor’s visit but may not require a trip to the emergency room. Urgent Care centers are a great option for those with a minor medical emergency. They are much less costly and have shorter wait times than hospitals.

An Urgent Care center is ideal if a person is injured, but it is not a life-threatening situation. These centers offer x-rays, wound cleaning, stitches, and many more services that can help in treating injuries. Some common injuries treated at these facilities include sprains, strains, cuts, and animal bites.

Sometimes, a person may not know exactly what is wrong or causing specific issues. An Urgent Care center is still a good idea, as they can treat many symptoms such as wheezing, rashes and itching, coughing and sore throat, unexplained pain or swelling, nausea and vomiting, and headaches.

An emergency room may be the first thought that comes to mind when you need a quick health solution, but an Urgent Care center has many more advantages:

• They are convenient and local. 
• They provide much faster response times.
• They have quick 24/7 access to lab results and medical files.
• They have much lower copays and medical costs.

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PLEASE NOTE: Freestanding ERs are often confused for Urgent Care Centers. When seeking care in emergent situations, please make sure that you are going to an Urgent Care facility, NOT a freestanding ER, as there may be no plan benefits for the freestanding ER.

The post The Advantages of Urgent Care Centers first appeared on Ovation Health.

Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. No matter what you’re going through, there are ways to take action to support yourself and those around you.

It seems like every day we’re hearing more about the importance of mental health. This is a good thing. Mental health problems are more common than you might think.

Each year, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. suffer from some type of mental illness. About 1 out of 20 have symptoms that make it hard to live their life, and more than half of us will be diagnosed with a mental health problem at some point in our lifetime. (Statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).1)

It can happen to anyone, no matter what age, gender, income level or race. Luckily, mental health conditions are very treatable. With the right support, many people can not only get well, but thrive.

Need help now?

Don’t wait until things are difficult to reach out. Seek help from a mental health professional… they are trained to help cope with difficult thoughts, feelings, behaviors or situations and manage mental health conditions.

If you need immediate help, please contact one of the resources below to talk to a trained counselor 24/7.

• Text “ACTION” to 741-741
• Call 988

The post Mental Health is Health first appeared on Ovation Health.

Being ready for an emergency means following simple steps in advance to ensure you can weather a crisis safely and comfortably.

When it comes to emergencies, basic needs for survival are the same for everyone: first aid, food, clean water, batteries, shelter, communication.

While individual needs and circumstances vary, one thing is for sure: it’s not a question of if, but when an emergency will happen. Take steps today to prepare for tomorrow.

• Water – At least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person, per day
• Water purification tablets or filtration system
• Portable water containers
• Food – At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare food
• Pet supplies and food (if applicable)
• Baby supplies and food (if applicable)
• Blankets
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes etc.)
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Personal and medical documents (medication list, pertinent medical information, insurance policies, birth certificates, passports, etc.)
• Cash on hand
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery powered radio with extra batteries or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Glow sticks
• Signal mirror
• Emergency Whistle
• Compass or GPS device
• Maps of the area and evacuation routes
• Emergency contact information for local authorities or emergency services
• Tools and supplies for securing your residence
• Emergency shelter (such as a lightweight tent or tarp)
• Waterproof matches or lighter
• Poncho or emergency raincoat
• Hand warmers
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen and Lip balm with SPF protection
• First aid kit (see below)

A well-prepared first aid kit is essential. Here’s a list of items that should typically be included:

• Adhesive bandages and sterile gauze pads (various sizes)
• Medical adhesive tape
• Triangular bandage (for making slings or securing dressings)
• Elastic bandages (for sprains and strains)
• Antiseptic wipes or solution (such as iodine or alcohol wipes)
• Antiseptic ointment or cream (such as Neosporin)
• Disposable gloves (latex-free)
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Safety pins
• Instant cold packs
• Sterile saline solution (for cleaning wounds)
• Thermometer
• Pain relievers (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• Antihistamine (for allergic reactions)
• Hydrocortisone cream (for itching and rashes)
• Burn gel or dressing
• Eyewash solution
• First aid manual or instructions

Customize your first aid kit according to your specific needs, activities, and the number of people it will serve. Regularly check and replenish supplies to ensure everything is up to date and ready for use.

The post Emergencies happen. Are you prepared? first appeared on Ovation Health.

According to the FDA, generic medications can cost, on average, 80 to 85 percent less than the brand-name equivalents. Brand-name prescription drugs are typically more expensive because of the higher initial costs to develop, market, and sell a brand-new prescription drug. 

Brand-name prescription drugs are distinct pharmaceutical products marketed under a unique trade name. They benefit from patent protection, giving manufacturers exclusive rights for a specific period. A pharmaceutical company that develops a brand-name prescription drug will file for a patent that prohibits other manufacturers from producing and selling the medication for a set time period. Other prescription drug manufacturers are only allowed to make generics after the patent or exclusivity rights expire.

A generic prescription drug is equal to a brand-name prescription drug in “dosage, safety, strength, how it is taken, quality, performance, and intended use.” In other words, the “generic” and “brand-name” labels are primarily related to how the prescription drug is sold to consumers, not differences in active ingredients, usage, or how it works on the patient. This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) ensures equivalence between generic and branded medications by requiring generic prescription drug manufacturers to demonstrate “bioequivalence.” This involves proving that generic prescription drugs have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and administration route as their branded counterparts. The FDA carefully reviews extensive data provided by manufacturers, including formulation and clinical study details, to confirm that generic prescription drugs behave similarly in the body. This stringent regulatory process guarantees that FDA-approved generic prescription drugs offer comparable therapeutic effects to branded prescription drugs, maintaining high standards of safety and effectiveness.

It is our job to keep costs down, including costs related to prescriptions. As a member, you can assist in this effort by making sure that your doctor is prescribing generics whenever possible. Don’t wait until you are at the pharmacy to ask about generic alternatives. Discuss this with your doctor upfront. Let your provider know that you prefer generic prescription drugs over brand name higher cost medications.

The post Save money with generic prescription drugs! first appeared on Ovation Health.

Heat exhaustion is a serious condition where the body struggles to regulate temperature, while heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency where the body’s temperature rises dangerously high, and its cooling mechanisms fail.
Children, older people and people with long-term health conditions (such as diabetes or heart problems) are more at risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

While both involve overheating and can share similar initial symptoms, heat stroke is more severe and requires immediate medical attention, as it can lead to organ damage and death if not treated promptly.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• High temperature
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive sweating
• Cool or moist skin
• Paleness of skin or skin rash
• Muscle cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
• Fast breathing or fast and weak pulse
• Weakness

If someone has heat exhaustion, follow these 5 steps:

1. Move them to a cool place.
2. Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.
3. Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water.
4. Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too.
5. Stay with them until they’re better.

They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes. If not, you should seek Urgent Care for possible heatstroke.

Signs of Heatstroke

• Confusion and lack of coordination.
• A very high temperature (above 104°F (40°C) and rapid increase in temperature (within 10-15 minutes) which is often accompanied by the cessation of sweating.
• Hot skin that is not sweating and may appear red.
• A fast heartbeat.
• Fast breathing or shortness of breath.
• Seizure, agitation, or combativeness.
• Loss of consciousness.

If someone has signs of heatstroke, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that can cause permanent disability or death if not treated promptly.

So how do you prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke?

• Drink more water and cold drinks, especially if you’re active or exercising.
• Wear light-colored, loose clothing.
• Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm.
• Avoid excess alcohol which dehydrates the body.
• Avoid extreme exercise.
• Even if you’re inside on a very hot day, close the curtains, and turn off electrical equipment and lights that get hot.

Especially in the summer months with hotter temperatures, be sure to prioritize your health and well-being, and stay informed about weather forecasts and any heat warnings issued by your local authorities.

The post Understanding and preventing heat stress first appeared on Ovation Health.

Get medical care from the comfort of your home.

When you’re not feeling well, you don’t want to wait to get care. Good news — with virtual care, you don’t have to!

• Comfort and Convenience. Visit with a doctor from the safety and comfort of your own home, at a time that works with your schedule. A telehealth appointment can usually be obtained fast, within 10-15 minutes.
• Safe from Infectious Illness. It’s best to stay home if ill, so you don’t spread germs or viruses. Likewise, using telehealth will help you avoid exposure to other people’s germs and viruses.
• Cost-Effective. With telehealth you don’t need to miss work and/or spend money on gas or parking costs. With the possibility for remote monitoring and streamlined administrative processes, you will receive a more cost-effective and efficient healthcare delivery system.
• Enhanced Information, Tools, and Resources. With telehealth, you have access to health information, educational resources, and a variety of interactive tools designed to enhance your medical care.

Telehealth is not a replacement for in-person care, but a complement to it. There are some situations where you still need to see your doctor face-to-face, such as for physical exams, procedures, or emergencies. However, telehealth can offer you a convenient and effective alternative for many of your health care needs.

Try telehealth today and see the difference it can make for you and your family!

 

The post Have You Tried Telehealth? first appeared on Ovation Health.