LOOK INSIDE:
Flu Season is Here
Stay Healthy during
Flu Season
Smoking
It’s Never Too Late to Quit!
How Do You Feel?
Depression Signs
page 2
page 3
page 4
WINTER 2014
Meridian Health
Plan’sHealth
DiseasePlan’s
Management
Newsletter
Meridian
Disease
Management Newsletter
Get the Most from Your Meds
You get the most from your medicine when you take it the way your doctor tells you to. It’s not always
easy to take it exactly as you are told. Check what applies to you below to see how well you are doing.
q I sometimes forget a dose
q I often forget to take my medicine
q I have trouble paying for my medicine
q The side effects bother me
q I am not sure how my medicine helps me
q I take every dose, each day, just as my doctor told me
Take this with you to your doctor. Talk to your doctor about any problems you have. You and your doctor
can work to change your care plan so it is easier for you to follow.
Take Your Meds on Time
Here are some tips to help you take your medicine on time, just how your doctor told you:
• Make a calendar. Write down the name of your meds, when you take them and when you
need to get them refilled
• Use a seven-day pill box. Fill it each week with all of your meds
• Set an alarm. Have it go off when you need to take your next dose
• Get a “medicine buddy.” Friends or family can remind you to take your meds. Info about your care
plan and health can be given to your caregiver with your permission. Meridian must have your
permission on file before we can share anything. Call 877-204-9132 for more info
Take Your Meds Safely
• Fill all of your prescriptions at one pharmacy so your records are at one place
This lowers the risk of taking meds that might not be safe to take together
• Do not crush or split your pills unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to
• Tell your doctor how your medicine makes you feel
• DO NOT stop taking any meds without talking to your doctor
Some meds have to be stopped slowly
Stay Healthy during Flu Season
Protect yourself and your
family during flu season –
get the flu shot! The flu shot
is free for everyone ages
6 months and older when
you get it from your doctor.
Call your doctor today to
get vaccinated! Flu strains
change each year. Protect
yourself and those around
you from the flu by getting a
flu shot each year.
You cannot get the flu from the flu
vaccine. It takes about two weeks before
the vaccine fully protects you, so be sure
to get vaccinated early!
What is Influenza?
Influenza (“the flu”) is not the stomach flu.
The flu usually has all of these symptoms:
• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Runny/stuffy nose
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Severe body aches/pains
Symptoms may last a few days to two
weeks and are worse than a common
cold. Call your doctor if you think you may
have the flu.
Who Should Get the Flu Shot?
Everyone over 6 months of age should
get the flu shot. People who are younger
than age five or over 65, pregnant or
who have certain health problems
(diabetes, asthma, heart disease, Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease/COPD)
are at risk for serious illness from the
flu. All healthcare workers and people
who take care of young infants or older
people or live with someone with health
problems should be vaccinated.
2
Hand Washing
Hand washing is a simple way to fight
the flu. You can’t wash your hands too
many times!
• Washing with soap and water is best –
wash for at least 20 seconds and don’t
forget the backs of your hands
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
like Purell® if you can’t get to a sink.
Do not use hand sanitizer if your
hands are visibly dirty
Sneezing or Coughing
• Cover your nose and mouth with a
tissue OR sneeze or cough into your
inner elbow
• Wash your hands after you sneeze
or cough
What to Do If You Get Sick
• Stay home and avoid other people
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after
fever and other symptoms have
cleared up
Your doctor may give you medicine to
treat your illness and protect against
serious complications from the flu. This
medicine is called an antiviral. You must
start taking an antiviral in the first 24-48
hours after you have symptoms for the
medicine to work.
Follow your doctor and pharmacist’s
directions if you get an antiviral. Take
all of the medicine – do not skip a dose
or save some for another time. Do not
share your medicine. Talk to your doctor
about getting antiviral medication for
family members if you are worried about
spreading the flu.
Sm
king –
It’s Never Too Late to Quit!
Smoking causes many health issues and is the main cause of COPD and lung cancer.
Smoking and secondhand smoke can also trigger asthma and COPD flare-ups. Quitting smoking
and getting support from others around you is the best way to manage your disease.
It’s never too late to stop smoking. Quitting – even later in
life – helps you live longer.
Tips to Help You Quit
• Write down why you want to quit. Pick something like “to
have more energy” or “to live longer”
• Set a quit date. Pick a low-stress time to quit
• Ask your doctor for ways to help you quit. These can help
stop the urge to smoke
• Find replacements for smoking. Try chewing sugar-free gum
or candy to keep your mouth busy
• Be active during the day. It reduces the stress of quitting
• Relax before bedtime. Take a hot bath, read a book or drink
hot tea before going to sleep
• Get help from others. Ask your doctor or local hospital about
support groups. Don’t forget to get help from your family
and friends!
• Stick with it! Most people “practice” quitting many times before
stopping for good
Are YOU Ready to Quit?
If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do to
improve your health. Your doctor can also tell you about
smoking cessation strategies other than medication.
Ask your doctor how to quit smoking or using tobacco
at your next visit! Call the Iowa Tobacco Quitline at
800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) if you want to quit now.
P o r t i on S i z e You r P l at e
Eating healthy is important, especially if
you have diabetes. Knowing the correct
portion size helps you follow a healthy diet.
Many people do not eat the right portion
size. Here is an easy way to figure out what
should be on your plate.
1/4 Proteins
Low-fat proteins like chicken, fish or beans
are good for your heart and waistline. Bake,
broil or grill your protein for a healthy meal.
Do not fry!
1/2 Veggies & Fruit
Cover half your plate with different types
of colorful veggies and fruit. This gives you
good nutrition and a filling crunch to satisfy
your cravings. Fruits and veggies are also
a great way to get plenty of fiber.
1/4 Starches
Whole-grain starches keep you feeling full
longer and are good for your heart. Yams,
potatoes and corn are considered veggies,
but they are high in starch and should be
placed on this side of your plate. Brown rice
or whole wheat pasta are also good choices.
Dairy (2-3 cups)
Eat or drink dairy foods, like milk, yogurt and
hard cheeses to make sure you get enough
calcium. Choose dairy foods that are fat-free
or low-fat. Avoid foods with little calcium
like cream cheese, cream and butter.
Portion Size Guidelines
1 cup = baseball
½ cup = tennis ball
1 oz. or 2 tbsp. = golf ball
1 tbsp. = poker chip
1 slice of bread = cassette tape
3 oz. meat (chicken or beef) = deck of cards
3 oz. fish = checkbook
1 oz. lunch meat = compact disc
3 oz. muffin or biscuit = hockey puck
1 ½ oz. cheese = 3 dice
Visit www.choosemyplate.gov
for more info.
Visit www.choosemyplate.gov for more info.
3
How Do You Feel?
About one in 10 people have depression symptoms. Depression impacts your mood, sleep, focus and
interest in doing things. It can also make it harder to care for yourself and your health issues.
Depression can be serious for some. Do not deal with your feelings alone if you think you may
have depression. Your family, friends and doctor can help.
Depression Signs
Talk with your doctor if you feel some of the following:
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
Do not care about things you used to enjoy
Have a change in appetite or weight (loss or gain)
Sleep too much or too little
Lose interest in sex
Feel guilty, not worth much or helpless
Feel hopeless or negative
Cannot think, decide or remember things
Have body aches and pains or stomach problems that don’t go away
Have thoughts about dying or killing yourself*
* Call your doctor right away or go to the ER if you feel like hurting yourself.
Depression can be treated. Talk to your doctor about what treatment choices will work best for you.
Don’t let depression stop you from taking care of yourself. Get the help you need to control your health.
NLDM02 IA
666 Grand Avenue, 14th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50309
4