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Tria Health participated in the 7th Annual Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress conference last week in Orlando, Florida. A collaboration of dynamic speakers discussed innovative ways we can have an impact on healthcare and benefits.  The conference keynote speaker Scott Hamilton highlighted his journey through the health care system and in his mind coined the phrase “medical tourism.”  His message was powerful and enlightening. It is not the events in life that define character it is how you deal with them. The conference topics included: importance of engagement, medication therapy management and optimizing your wellness program. The idea is to get people moving and improving the outcomes in health and wellness through incentive based programs.  When employees are not engaged in the wellness initiative, absenteeism, productivity, employee retention all begin to impact the health plan. Tria Health clinical pharmacists provide both a preventative and clinical solution to promote better health and better outcomes which will impact your bottom line. For more information on Tria Health, visit www.triahealth.com or call 1.888.799.8742. #conference #employerbenefits #healthcarecongress #TriaHealth

Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your body and is typically expressed in adults as Shingles. This rash is expressed along certain nerves in your body leading to severe pain. Unfortunately, about 1 person for every 5 people with the Shingles will suffer from long term nerve pain (also known as post-herpetic neuralgia) even after the rash has healed. Shingles is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from one person to the other. On very rare occasions, people who have never had chickenpox could get chickenpox if they come in contact with a person who has Shingles. The Shingle vaccine (Zostavax©) is recommended for people over the age of 60 who have ever had or been exposed to chickenpox. Most medical insurance will cover the Shingles vaccine if administered in a physician’s office.  Some prescription insurance may cover a portion of the vaccine if administered in a pharmacy. The vaccine can prevent the development of shingles in 50% of cases and more importantly, can prevent the development of post-herpetic neuralgia (severe nerve pain) in over 80% of cases. People who are immunocompromised or on immunosuppressive medications should not receive the Shingles vaccine.  Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should also not receive the vaccine. If you have questions about Shingles or the Shingles vaccine, talk to your Tria Pharmacist or other health care provider. For information about Tria Health, visit www.triahealth.com. Connect with Tria Health: #diseasemanagement #Zostavax #shinglesvaccination #Vaccination #shingles

#Employersponsoredhealthplans #Healthcare #TriaHealth

Two of the most important components of stroke for patients are understanding what we can do to prevent a stroke from occurring and recognizing symptoms associated with a stroke if it does occur. Prevention is the key: There are a number of things that individuals can do to reduce their risk of developing a stroke. Stroke prevention guidelines highlight the following measures patients can take to prevent a stroke: Know your blood pressure and seek treatment if it is elevated (greater than 140 over 90) Stop smoking – smoking doubles your risk of stroke Know your cholesterol levels and talk to your doctor if your total cholesterol is over 200 Manage exercise/diet – exercising five times per week and maintain a diet low in salt, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol Control alcohol use – excessive consumption of more than 2 drinks per day increases stroke risk Control diabetes – achieve blood sugar and HgA1C goals Identify and treat atrial fibrillation Identification and control of these factors can have a huge impact on reducing your stroke risk. Recognize: If a stroke does occur, the most effective treatments must be initiated as soon as possible. Understanding the signs and symptoms of stroke allow you to seek medical attention immediately. The American Stroke Association has developed the following acronym to help patients recognize symptoms: F – Face:  Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? A – Arms:  Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S – Speech:  Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? T- Time:  If you observe any of the signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Note the time when the symptoms first appear.  There are FDA-approved medications that can be given within 3 hours of stroke onset that may reduce long-term disabilities associated with a stroke. Talk to your Tria Pharmacist or other health care provider regarding what you can do to prevent and recognize. For information about Tria Health, visit www.triahealth.com. Connect with Tria Health: #recognizingsymptoms #strokerisk #symptomsofstroke

The 2015 MTM and Medication Adherence Innovations Summit was held in Phoenix, AZ. A few of our Tria Health team members attended and have summarized the important insights they gained from the conference. Defining Non-adherence: Medication non-adherence is when a person misses doses or doesn’t take their medications properly 80% of the time. Important takeaways from the conference were: The importance of motivational interviewing. Tria Pharmacists use motivational interviewing to engage and empower patients to make educated decisions about their health care. 66% of people don’t know why they take their medication.  Without understanding why and how to take their medication, patients don’t always realize the negative impacts to their health when they don’t take their medication the correct way. Education is key for increasing medication compliance.  Sometimes a patient does not have the ability to understand all the different medication terminology. That is why a pharmacist is so important.  Their goal is break down the terminology to help patients better understand and connect with their medicine. Behavior change is hard and requires a consistent message. In a high touch model, it takes at least 7 times for a patient to change their behavior. For information about Tria Health, visit www.triahealth.com. Connect with Tria Health: #MTM #Nonadherence #TriaHealth

The state of New York made a bold move this year and required major retailers (Target, Walmart, Walgreens and GNC) to recall their store-brand supplement lines as ongoing investigations revealed that only 21% of the supplements actually contained the material listed on their ingredient label(s) (Talsma, 2015). This is a step towards future regulation of supplements and vitamins as mislabeling, contamination and false advertising are illegal. What New York testing revealed: Target stores: gingko, St. John’s wort and valerian root contained no evidence of the herb mentioned on the label Walmart stores: only 1 supplement (saw palmetto) contained the actual product mentioned on the label Walgreens stores: no supplements consistently contained the product mentioned on the label GNC stores: only 1 supplement (garlic) contained the marketed level of herb mentioned on the label How to know if your supplements are verified? The best way to make sure you’re getting what you pay for is by purchasing brands stamped with the USP seal of approval. As a pharmacist, misuse and mislabeling of supplements and vitamins is a major concern within our patient population. Between 2004 and 2012, more than half of all drug recalls were linked to dietary supplements. As there are no standards for accuracy and ingredient verification within the supplement industry, be cautious of what you are taking and where you’re spending your money. Source: Talsma, J. (2015, March 1). Target, Walmart, Walgreens ordered to stop store-brand herbal supplement sales in New York. Drug Topics, 20-20.

Today is the first day of spring! What’s not to love about warmer weather and blooming flowers? For many, the return of pollen also marks the beginning of allergy season, which means the runny noses, watery eyes, sneezing and congestion are back. There are several medication options available over the counter (OTC) at pharmacies that are effective in helping you control your allergies.  Most patients find relief with the use of an oral antihistamine or nasal steroids.  Over the counter antihistamines are classified according to their propensity to cause drowsiness. Non-drowsy OTC Medications: Loratadine (Claritin®) is an anti-histamine that is dosed at 1 tablet once daily. Fexofenadine (Allegra®) is an anti-histamine that is dosed at 1 tablet once daily. Drowsy OTC Medications: Cetirizine (Zyrtec®) is an anti-histamine that is dosed at 1 tablet once daily. Drowsiness may affect some individuals, but not all. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) is an anti-histamine that may cause drowsiness and is dosed at 1-2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours. Because Benadryl® can cause drowsiness, it is recommended that the elderly avoid this particular medication. In addition, those who have a history of urinary retention, it is also recommended to avoid this medication as well because this medication can cause urinary retention. Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton®) is dosed at 1-2 tablets every 12 hours. This is recommended to be avoided in the elderly as well as those with a history of urinary retention. Nasal Sprays: Steroid nasal sprays are used to decrease swelling in your nose so you can breathe better. These products do not make you drowsy and can be used in combination with one of the medications above. Flonase (fluticasone) – Available over the counter, usual dosing is 1-2 sprays in each nostril once daily. Nasacort (triamcinolone) – Available over the counter, usual dosing is 1-2 sprays in each nostril once daily. There are many over the counter products that contain a combination of antihistamines, decongestants, cough suppressants, and pain relievers so be careful if you are choosing a combination product. If you have medical conditions such as hypertension, it is important to talk to your pharmacist before purchasing these products. Learn more about Tria Health by visiting our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. #Allergies #OTC #SeasonalAllergies #TriaHealth

Allergies are caused by allergens such as molds, pollen, and animals. An allergen is any substance that is capable of causing an allergic reaction. Most people are familiar with the classic allergy symptoms, including: Sneezing Runny nose Itchy, watery eyes Congestion Seasonal allergies are triggered by outdoor allergens such as pollen and mold spores. Some people have allergies year-round due to indoor allergens from pets, mold, dust mites, and cockroach residue. Whether you have allergies year-round or only experience them during a certain season, there are steps you can take to help keep troublesome symptoms to a minimum. Avoiding Allergens The first step to controlling allergies is to avoid triggers. If you have seasonal allergies, you’ll want to avoid pollen and outdoor molds. Pollen can be difficult to avoid, but here are a few helpful tips: Reduce the amount of time spent outside when your allergy symptoms seem to worsen. In general, tree pollens are present in the spring, grass pollens from late spring through summer, and weed pollens from late summer through fall. Keep the windows of the house and car closed as much as possible during the pollen season. Pollen count tends to be higher on dry, sunny, windy days. Take a shower after being outdoors to remove pollen that is stuck to hair and skin. Depending on the allergen, making changes at home to control indoor allergens can be very helpful.  Here are a few helpful tips to reduce indoor allergy symptoms: Wash your bedding every two weeks in hot water to kill any dust mites present. Use a dehumidifier or the air conditioner as dust mites and mold thrive when indoor humidity is high. Vacuum carpets and rugs frequently. If possible, opt for hardwood floors instead because carpets can trap animal dander. Limit contact with pets and, if possible, keep them out of the bedroom and/or in an uncarpeted room. For some people, making these changes may not always be sufficient to keep bothersome allergies at bay. Check back later this week for our complete guide to over-the-counter allergy medications! Learn more about Tria Health by visiting our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. #Allergies #TriaHealth

Flu season is in full swing. Here are answers to some of the biggest questions about the flu, vaccines and how to stay healthy through the whole season. Should I still get vaccinated if I haven’t already? While this season’s vaccine is less effective due to mutations in the predominant strain, the vaccine can still protect you from some strains of the flu. If you catch one of the strains not included in the vaccine, it may also make you illness less severe. Flu season can often last into the spring, and sooner you get vaccinated, the more effective it will be. But can I get the flu from the vaccine? No, you can’t. Flu vaccines are developed using dead or weakened viruses that allow your body to develop the antibodies needed to fight the infection, but that won’t actually cause the disease. Some vaccinations may also cause some side effects in some people. Why isn’t the vaccine as effective as normal? In order to have enough vaccine prepared for a flu season, researchers have to choose the strains of flu to protect against before the season begins. But flu viruses can change by way or antigenic drift or antigentic shift. As the viruses change, the antibodies developed naturally or with the help of the vaccine don’t protect against these new strains of the flu. So the vaccine that was created early last year doesn’t protect as effectively against what has come to be the predominant strain of the flu this season. What are the symptoms of the flu? The flu is a respiratory illness, and it’s usually spread through the air by people coughing and sneezing. The most common symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. The flu is generally much more severe than the common cold, but the symptoms can be similar. The flu tends to develop very quickly and can cause much more severe complications like pneumonia or bacterial infections. A test can be done in the first few days of infection that can determine if you have the flu or a cold. How do I prevent spread of the flu? The most effective thing you can do to protect yourself from the flu is to get a vaccine if you haven’t already. Wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. If you do develop symptoms, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the flu to those around you. For more information about Tria Health, visit our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

According to the American Heart Association, 9 out of 10 Americans consume too much sodium. Where does it come from? The Salty Six Infographic. 65% comes from supermarkets and convenience stores 25% comes from restaurants 10% comes from other sources 3,400 milligrams is the amount of sodium that the average American consumes. 1,500 milligrams or less is the amount recommended by the AHA for ideal heart health. Take the Sodium Quiz to see if your diet could benefit from a little less salt. For more information about Tria Health, visit our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

Did you know… WOMEN are more likely to die from heart disease or stroke than any other condition 1 in 3 women die of a heart attack or stroke Heart disease and stroke are 80% PREVENTABLE National Wear Red Day marks the start of American Heart Month and encourages women to become informed and involved to change this statistic. It is meant to encourage all of us to understand our risks for heart disease and stroke and if needed start making changes to lower these risks!  Women are faced with many demands and little time, but it is important that we take time to care for ourselves as well as our family! My father was diagnosed with heart disease when he was 45 years old.  We have been blessed that he has not suffered complications and manages his heart disease with diet, exercise, and medications.  His early heart disease, however, increases my risk of developing heart disease and that is something I can’t change.  I can change other risk factors though through healthy living:  not smoking, avoiding fast food, and exercising regularly to help keep my blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure low.  Some days it’s difficult to find the time or the will-power and I slip up, but I strive to make those days number very few.  My sister and I are aware of our risks for heart disease and we try to help each other live well and challenge each other to be more active!  We will be part of the change and work to prevent heart disease in women.  So get out your red dresses, shirts, shoes, and accessories to celebrate National Wear Red Day and spread the word! Heart Disease encompasses many cardiovascular conditions including: heart attack, heart failure, heart valve problems and irregular heart rhythms.  Many of the conditions are due to atherosclerosis, or narrowing and hardening of arteries due to plague build up.  Plague is a sticky, cholesterol containing substance that can slow or stop blood flow through arteries if build-up becomes so large that a clot develops or breaks loose.  When this happens in the heart it can result in a heart attack; when this happens in the brain a stroke can occur.  Take the online Go Red Heart CheckUp assessment developed by the American Heart Association to find out your specific risks! Written by Tria Health Pharmacist Jamie Killion #AmericanHeartAssociation #HeartDisease #strokeprevention