Generic or Brand-name? The Choice is Yours

We're all aware that medications come in many varieties. Not only are we offered a host of different medications; we're exposed to medications that treat the same conditions as others. With these things in mind, it's important to know why generic drugs exist, what purpose they serve, and if a brand-name drug does in fact give you the best benefit.

The first and foremost fact relating to generic drugs is that they are cheaper. Often times, brand name drugs can cost hundreds of dollars a year, as opposed to generics that can total only a fraction of that amount. Why is this so? Do generic drugs have different ingredients? Do they mean you're getting less quality? Quite the contrary, says Dr. Neha Patel, M.D., internal medicine. "Generics are cheaper because of the research and marketing costs associated with creation and initial production. Brand-name companies only have a limited amount of time on their patent to research, test, and produce the drug, which makes the cost high. Once the patent expires, the cost of the medicine is driven down to the consumer by other manufacturers."

Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs that have the exact same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and strength as the original brand-name drug. Not only do generic producers want their drug to be the same; the Food & Drug Administration requires that the generic drug be as safe and effective as the brand-name one.

"There are not supposed to be any differences in the production of a drug. This is one reason why the U.S. won't accept drugs from outside of the country; they aren't regulated on the same standards as those within the U.S. by the FDA. In reality, slight variabilities may occur, but they're mostly psychological. The truth is that the active ingredients in the medicines are all the same," says Dr. Patel.

Differences perceived psychologically can easily be tied into other factors as well, such as the colors, flavors, and active ingredients of generics that are differet than the original medications. Trademark laws in the United States do not allow the generic drugs to look exactly like the brand-name ones, but the active ingredients must remain the same to ensure the same medicinal effects.

Overall, generic drugs, when available, provide the same effects and benefits as the brand-name ones. Gary Buehler, M.D., director of the FDA's Office of Generic Drugs states, "People can use them with total confidence."

For more information on generic drugs, visit our complete online health library.

Healthy Grocery Shopping

A key step for losing weight, keeping the weight off, and staying healthy is learning how to buy the right foods at the store.

Smart shopping
Avoid buying foods in bulk and shopping in warehouse-type stores if you can. Getting a good deal can lead to overeating. If you do buy large amounts of a food, divide it into smaller portion sizes and store what you will not use right away.

Know how to read food labels
Learn how to read the Nutrition Facts labels on food packages.

Know what the serving size is and the amount of calories, fat, protein, and carbohydrates per serving.

Learn how to tell the difference between foods that are truly organic. Two words on labels that can be misleading are "natural" and "pure." See also: Reading food labels

Plan ahead
Before you buy food for the week, think about your schedule:

• When and where you will be eating over the next week?
• How much time will you have to cook?

Then, plan your meals before you shop. This can keep you from buying whatever foods look good to you, whether or not they are healthy.

Make a shopping list. Remember to take it with you, and promise yourself you will not buy things that are not on it.

Never go food shopping when you are hungry. You will make better choices if you shop after you have had a healthy meal or snack.

Be sure to check out the Midwest Bariatric Institutes's Weight Loss Health Guide for more information, resources, health and behavior assessments and other tools to help you learn more about how to lose and keep off excess weight.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: The Facts, Stats, and You

Modern society has provided us with some exceptional things: advanced technologies, instantaneous communication, and a developed infrastructure in many areas of our lives. It has also given us the ability to repair health issues like abdominal aortic aneurysms with little complication and no open surgery.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlargement or weak area in the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An aneurysm of this area is caused by a breakdown of the lining of the vessel. The vessel lining gets weaker, primarily due to age and other risk factors, and consequentially becomes thinner. Eventually, the wall expands and this expansion is the aneurysm.

The Stats
Based on 2011 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Rupture of an AAA carries a risk of death up to 90%
• AAA is more common in men and in people ages 65 and up
• Smoking is associated with a 3-to-5 fold increase in the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Symptoms of an AAA are felt once the vessel has ruptured, or is leaking. These symptoms can include:

• pain in the abdomen or back
• clammy skin
• nausea and vomiting
• rapid heart rate
• shock

Treatment of AAA comes in two procedure options: open surgical or endovascular repair, with endovascular becoming the preferred choice due to the minimal invasion it requires. The endovascular repair process involves sealing off the aneurysm by placing a graft inside the diseased aorta, allowing blood to flow through freely. This procedure, typically taking one to three hours, is done by Dr. Paul Jones at Franciscan Physicians Hospital.

Dr. Jones, founder of the Jones Endovascular Institute, is Chief of Cardiovascular Services at Mercy Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Center.

In the traditional or open repair, a large cut is made in the abdomen. The vessel is then replaced with a graft made of synthetic material, such as Dacron.

Alternatively, endovascular treatment is done with some of the most definitive imaging machines and catheterization (cath) labs available. Franciscan Physicians Hospital recently completed construction of a new cath lab, the Philips Allura Xper FD20. This lab provides Dr. Jones and his cardiovascular team with the best ability to repair AAA cases, among many other things.

For more information on AAA procedures and a complete online health library, visit our A.D.A.M. Online Health Library.

Senior Day at the Lake County Fair

Franciscan Alliance is a proud sponsor of Senior Citizens Day at the Lake County Fair, Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point.

Join us in the Seniors Tent on Monday, August 8, 9 a.m. to noon, for free health screenings and information including:

• Blood Glucose Testing/Finger Sticks (no fasting required)
• Blood Oxygen Checks
• Blood Pressure Testing
• Body Fat Analysis
• Nutrition Information
• Pulmonary Function Screening
• Senior Services/SHIIP
• Stroke Information
• Wound, Ostomy, Continence Information

Also, in the Showcase Tent, come and check out these events:

• 9 a.m.: Goldtones
• 11 a.m.: Apple Peeling Contest
• 12 noon: Ladies' Red Hat Contest
• 7 p.m.: Charlie Blum and Friends (Showtunes and Classics)

Hope to see you at the Fair!

Soldier Care Package Collection Continues

Soldier care package collections at Franciscan Physicians Hospital and Franciscan Hammond Clinic are well under way. The collection has already drawn hundreds of items to bins located in each facility’s lobby.

The collection, which began on July 14, will continue through August 12.

Dropoff areas are:

Franciscan Physicians Hospital
Hospital Lobby: Rear Entrance
701 Superior Ave.
Munster, IN 46321

AND

Franciscan Hammond Clinic
Main Lobby
7905 Calumet Ave.
Munster, IN 46321

Please look for the bin marked "Designated Drop-Off Area" when bringing items.

In collecting for the troops, both organizations are looking for the following items or similar:

• Plastic jars/Peanut Butter
• Skin lotion
• Chap stick
• Playing cards
• Paperback books; new or used
• White socks
• Hard candy
• Self-opening cans of snacks (Pringles, etc....)
• Drink additives (Gatorade, Crystal Light, Kool-aid, etc....)

Items collected will be divided into smaller care packages and then shipped to soldiers in Iran and Afghanistan. Help us gather as many items as possible in the next eight days to show our love and support for those defending our freedoms!

For more information, contact Andrew Mullins at (219) 922-4200 ext. 5346 or by email at Andrew.mullins@franicscanalliance.org.

Bright Light? Imitate Night!

Sunglasses have become a staple of modern culture; not just during the summer, but throughout the year. Children and adults from all different lifestyles can be seen wearing these darkened spectacles, but what is it that sunglasses actually do? And, how did sunglasses come to be such a popular expression of style?

Did you know: Sunglasses were first used by judges in Chinese courts to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses?! While they serve a significantly different purpose today, sunglasses have become an important part of eye protection. Here's why:

Sunglasses minimize the exposure to sunlight, especially ultraviolet rays that cause both short and long term ocular problems. Experts suggest wearing sunglasses that relflect or filter out 99-100% of UVA and UVB light. This light, having wavelengths of 400 nanometers (a unit of length in the metric system), can be blocked with sunglasses labeled UV400.

Light is broken into three different types: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA has longer wavelengths and passes through glass easily. UVB rays are the most dangerous, as they don't go through glass. These types of rays make sunglasses a must. UVC rays don't reach the earth because of atmospheric blockage.

Utilizing polarized and anti-reflective sunglasses greatly reduces severe glare. Light that is reflected from surfaces like a flat road or smooth water is generally horizontally polarized. The horizontally polarized light from these surfaces is blocked by the vertically oriented polarizers in the lenses of these types of sunglasses. Anti-reflecting coatings reduce glare that comes from light reflection off the back surface of the sunglass lenses. Both of these types are of great benefit when doing activities on water, snow, or driving.

History of the Style

The beginning of this article mentions the first known uses of sunglasses by Chinese courts. But what about from there on? Information from Sunglass Internationals notes that the turn of the 20th century caused the widespread use of sunglasses as early silent movie stars began wearing them before filming to shield their eyes from the stage lights.

Cheap sunglasses (not the ZZ Top song!) were first manufactured in 1929 by an American man named Sam Foster, whose primary purchasers were beach goers in New Jersey. This was the defining time of sunglasses as a fashion accessory. Polarized lenses crept into the scene in 1936 from developer Edwin Land, who patented the Polaroid filter.

The biggest promotion for the accessory use of sunglasses is thought to be from WWII, when prominent military figures such as General MacArthur were seen wearing them. The popular wartime image made them a desirable item for youth and young adults.

Ever increasing styles, materials, and varieties of sunglasses are being made everyday. Remember: eye damage is cumulative, meaning it increases from year to year, so the sooner you protect your eyes, the better.

For more information on eye protection, eye damage, and medical conditions or treatments, visit our complete online health library.

New Mallwalkers Program Set for July 27

"Take Charge of Your Health" will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana and Westfield Southlake mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m., July 27.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Jean Kim, M.D., an endocrinologist at the Franciscan Hammond Clinc. Dr. Kim will discuss diabetes, osteoporosis and bone disease.

Glucose and blood pressure screenings also will be provided by the nursing staff of the Franciscan Hammond Clinic.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall’s lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and 9 to 11 a.m., Sundays.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana include Franciscan Physicians Hospital LLC in Munster, St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond, St. Anthony Health-Michigan City and St. Anthony Health-Crown Point.