T.J. Samson | Destination Health | December 2020

When your doctor prescribes a new medicine, you want to clear up any confusion you may have about the right way to take it. Got a new prescription? Ask questions! M edicine should help you feel better, but if you don’t take it correctly, it may not work well—and it could cause serious, but preventable, side effects. That’s why when your doctor pre- scribes a new medicine, you’ll want to clear up any confusion you may have about the right way to take it. Before you fill your prescription, be sure you know the answers to these questions: ●    What’s the name of the medicine? And what is it supposed to do? ●   How and when do I take the medi- cine and for how long? ●   What about the timing of each dose? For example, does “four times a day” mean I have to take it in the middle of the night? ●    What should I do if I miss a dose? ●   How long will it take for the medi- cine to work? How will I know if it’s not doing its job? ●   Will this medicine cause problems if I take it with other medicine, including over-the-counter ones? ●   Should I take this medicine with food or not? Is there anything I shouldn’t eat or drink while taking it? ●   Is it OK to drive while I’m on this medicine? ●   What are the possible side effects, and what should I do if they occur? ●   Do I need any tests or other monitor- ing while taking this medicine? AT THE PHARMACY Asking these three questions when you pick up your prescription is still another chance to get the most from your medicine: ●   Do you have any written information about my medicine? ●  How can I get a refill? ●   How should I store my medicine? The more you know, the safer you’ll be. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration In any given year, around 1.7 million people in the U.S. will develop sepsis—a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s massive immune response to an infection. Here are some key questions and answers about sepsis. Q WHAT CAUSES SEPSIS? Sepsis starts with an infection, most often one caused by bacteria.The infection can start almost anywhere, such as in the lungs, stomach, kidneys, bladder or skin. Sepsis also can result from viral infections, like the corona- virus. To fight the infection, the body mounts a strong immune response. But this response is too aggressive. It triggers a cascade of inflammation and damage throughout the body. Q WHY IS SEPSIS DANGEROUS? Sepsis can damage organs. In the most severe cases, it can cause many organs to stop working, which can lead to death. Q WHO IS AT RISK? Anyone can get sepsis. But it often occurs in older adults. Others at risk for sepsis include:    ● Those with a weak immune system.    ● People with chronic health problems, such as diabetes, AIDS, cancer or lung disease.    ● Babies.    ● People who have had sepsis in the past. Q WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? Common symptoms include fever, chills, trouble breathing, confusion and a fast heart rate. Q HOW IS IT TREATED? Antibiotic medicines are used to try to cure the infection. Doctors also try to protect a sepsis patient’s vital organs and keep the person’s blood pres- sure from dropping too low. All of this care takes place in a hospital’s in- tensive care unit. While many people get better, some may still have health problems long after they have recovered from sepsis. Q HOW CAN YOU PROTECT AGAINST SEPSIS? Follow your doctor’s advice about preventing infections. If you have an in- fection that isn’t getting better or is getting worse, call your doctor right away. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institutes of Health Understanding sepsis December 2020 7 Stay healthy