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Capsule moment

Blood pressure is perhaps the most important risk factor we know about in medicine.  There some new research that is suggesting treatment should start earlier.  Usually, treatment starts when the systolic (upper number) reaches 140.  Now some doctors are thinking that better outcomes can be reached if anything of 120 is measured.  Don’t know your blood pressure?  Get it checked.

The new shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is about 97% effective in preventing shingles.  This is an improvement on the first shingles vaccine called Zostavax but both vaccines reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia, that intense nerve pain that shingles sufferers know so well.  Two shots of Shingrix are required two to six months apart.  Shingles risk rises after the age of 50.

The term deprescribing is starting to show up in medical and pharmacy journals.

It refers to the idea that periodic reviews of your medications might reveals some drugs you may not need or their doses could be reduced.  It’s an idea that “less is more” could be beneficial because for every drug that is added to your list increases the chance of adverse drug reactions and interaction.  

Swimmer’s Ear is a painful, itchy infection of the external ear that can develop from long periods of swimming.  It’s caused by water becoming trapped in the ear making it an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.  To prevent this, dry the ears and mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol and instill 1-2 drops into the ear.  This will help dry the ear out.