Porter County Consumer & Family Science

According to the Harris Poll survey, almost half of patients (46 percent) are extremely or very concerned about adverse events when taking medicine as directed, and more than a third said they have decided not to take a medicine prescribed by their doctor because of that concern.  So - what can you do to protect your health and take your medications with confidence?  First, understand the risks.  It’s important to recognize that all medications carry the potential for risks.  That’s why our federal govenment established a regulatory agency more than a century ago to monitor drug safety.  New medications have to go through a strict approval process, and they only come to market if they’ve been deemed safe.  But all drugs carry some risks of interaction, overdosing, and abuse.  Even drugs you can purchase over-the-counter, without a prescription, can be risky if not used properly.

Talk to your doctor.  Express your concerns to your doctor.  When you receive a new presciption, ask your doctor what to expect:  how will it work?  What side effects should you look for?  When should you get in touch with your doctor if you have any problems?

Read labels.  Be sure to read and understand the label, which has been carefully written to explain how and when to take the medication and convey any risks.

Ask questions.  At the pharmacy, ask your pharmacist whether there are any interactions with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, or dietary supplements, that you should be aware of.

Follow directions.  Don’t just read the label - follow it!  Many consumers think taking more of a medicine, such as a pain killer or allergy pill, will help treat symptoms even faster or better.  This is often not the case and is too risky to try!

Report problems.  Contact your pharmacist or doctor at the first sign of trouble, and also report any side effects to the FDA (1-800-FDA-1088).

and were afraid to ask….

One common example of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is the pass - like the E-Z Pass - that some drivers keep in their cars so they can drive through tollbooths without having to stop to pay.  The chip in the pass sends information to a reader located in the toll booth, and this information, the location, time, and date of the reading are transmitted to a computer system that links to databases containing other information such as the fee for going through the toll and the bank account that’s set up to automatically pay the fee.

RFID technology is also used by companies to track products as they travel from manufacturer to distributor to retailer and many points in between.  This helps ensure that safety and quality requirements are met.

RFID, Radio Frequency Identification, involves three components.  First it has a tag consisting of a microchip and radio antenna.  Second is a reader.  And third is a computer system.  The tag is attached to or embedded in an item such as an employees’ building entrance pass.  Information contained in the chip is sent to the reader by radio signals.  The device translates those signals and delivers the information to the computer system.  The computer system can use the information in a variety of ways, depending on what it’s set up to do.  Depending on their intended use, RFID systems vary in the amount and sensitivity of information that the chips contain and the distance from which readers can pick up the signals from the tags.  Keep your eye on this blog for more fascinating information on RFID.  

You have undoubtedly already used RFID several times in your lifetime already - you just didn’t know it’s name!  Every day, consumers use RFID, sometimes without even realizing it.  From the passes employees use to access buildings to the car keys that drivers use to unlock their vehicles, RFID technology has become a part of our lives.  And it’s helpful to know what it is and how it works.  Keep your eyes on this blog for the skinny on this in the next blog!

Anything we can do to help save money these days is a good idea.  Here are a few ideas from Purdue Extension document CFS-704-9-W, “Economize when your income drops”.  Try planting a garden.  You don’t need to own land to do this.  A window sill container garden can provide delicious, flavorful herbs that you can harvest all year round.  If you’ve never gardened in your life, ask around - you will discover that there are people everywhere who are knowledgeable.  And one thing about gardeners is that they love sharing not only their knowledge, but also plant cuttings and seeds. 

Another idea is canning and freezing your produce.  There is wonderful information on the internet on this topic put out by all the extension offices around the country.  You should be able to find the extension website for your state and that will have further contact information for your questions.  And even if you don’t grow the produce yourself, you can simply buy it in season very economically at the nearest Farmers Market and then can or freeze it.  Or, one step up, go pick it yourself at the nearest local strawberry patch or orchard.  This would be extra wonderful because then you are being environmentally sound by buying and eating locally grown food.  That cuts out the cost to the environment of shipping it from other countries and trucking it to your grocery store. On top of all these rewards is the incredibly wonderful taste of home canned food - absolutely superior to most commercial brands in my opinion. 

OK, another idea, entertain at home.  Many of us are already doing this and have great home theatres set up for that special sports event.  But what about preparing a special meal for the family or the roommates on Friday evenings or Sunday noon.  You could take turns doing it.  Wonderful food unites people like almost nothing else.  If  you check with your family and friends, I’m sure they will have more ideas on fun evenings to plan. 

This one is pretty universally suggested, “Brown Bag It” at work.  If you plan your grocery list, buy some stuff that will travel well, and cook over the weekend, you can come up with creative, delicious lunches that are better than what you would buy.  And whatever you do, don’t spend a ridiculous amount of money on those commercial “health bars”.  If you bake a pan of cranberry oatmeal bars over the weekend, everyone in the family can take them for lunch all week.  They are simple, healthy and totally delicious!  Follow the link to see Liz at Iowa State Extension whipping these up. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsavings/prepare/cranberry_bars.htm

Drink milk with food, goes down easier.  Eat tasty aged cheeses like Cheddar and Swiss - they are low in lactose.  Introduce dairy slowly, gradually increase the amount.  Eat yogurt with active cultures - this helps you to digest lactose.  And if you buy plain yogurt and add your own fresh fruit, it is a wonderful  incredibly healthful snack.  And last, also enjoy lactose free milk and milk products.These tips are from the National Dairy Council. 

WATCH OUT!  Late payment fees could be as high as $39.00.  If the mail gets there five minutes late, ouch!
Some cards have a sliding scale, and for any balance over $1,000, you’re nicked for the highest fee.

Here, as promised are some more tips you might find helpful.  Although it’s entirely possible that you have always done these things.  Wrap food carefully.  Store food promptly.  Use food while fresh, this may involve some organizing of the fridge on a daily basis.  Plan use of leftovers - or just checkout the leftovers and then come up with an awesome original recipe.  I find that adding cheese to almost anything perks it up, for instance.  Use old food first - and if you like spicy food, adding a little jalepeno pepper or hot cayenne pepper makes it into a whole new dish.  And lastly, don’t overeat. Heh.

IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS!

Credit card offers are everywhere.  Separating the good deals from the bad and the ugly is a never-ending challenge.  And once you’re wise to today’s card tricks, the dealer will change the rules again, maybe even the game. 

The rule of thumb is simple - if an offer sounds too good to be true, it is.  So don’t let the hype distract you from the fine print.  This is the first in a series of tips for tricks to watch for.  Today - TELPHONE PAYMENT FEES - some cards charge a fee if you use your pay-by-phone banking service.  Watch this blog for more tricks to watch out for.