DIY Health—a great activity for everybody

We inherit bad genes and grow up in families that may not have been health minded. We fall in the river or get hit by a truck, but in the final analysis, we can do more to give ourselves good health than anything
going on outside of our bodies.

Being healthy or, if you’re health isn’t so good right now, healthier, is a great way to invest your time and other resources. It’s a do-it-yourself hobby that will give you endless satisfaction.

You’ll want to talk to your doctor about health concerns that bother you most. Consider your primary care
physician to be a ranking member of your health team, but don’t give away all of the responsibility.

You’re the one who needs to do the walking, make the diet changes, get the sleep you need, take necessary medication as prescribed, and follow the principles of good health.

That’s why we call it “DIY Health.”

Low-cost drugs on your shopping list? Be careful!

Looking for low-cost meds?

Be careful!

You can save money by asking your doctor to allow your prescription to be filled with a generic drug. You can also save money by buying your drugs online. You can save even more by buying your prescriptions in
their generic form online from overseas sources.

Are there any risks involved here?

Generic ingredients

The active ingredient is required by law to be identical in the generic drug to what it is in the brand-name drug. This is enough to convince most people that generic drugs are just as effective as the original, but things may not always be as they seem.

For example, the American Heart Association has found that certain drugs designed to correct problems of an abnormal heartbeat do not work effectively in their generic form for all patients. Another example is that for people who suffer from seizures, in some cases the “filler” or “binder” ingredients holding the pill together were not the same and prevented the medication from having a full effect.

Overseas drugs

Some patients are concerned about drugs that are manufactured overseas. “I’ve heard that the ingredients are made in countries where they don’t inspect, don’t use modern methods, and don’t report problems in making the drugs,” one concerned patient commented.
The more information you churn on this subject, the more you may wonder if you can trust the lower-cost drugs your doctor has authorized for you.

The bottom line is that you are safe as long as you buy drugs that have been approved and inspected by the FDA. Talk to your druggist if you have questions. When you travel or purchase drugs outside the US, it’s a whole new ballgame.

Your best step is to buy drugs in the US and let your doctor know if you prefer a brand-name drug rather than a generic medication.