Stories from the Emergency Room plus answers to your medical and health related questions

We’re a nation on drugs. In 2009, about 3.9 billion prescriptions were filled in the United States. That’s about 40 percent more than in 1999.

Per capita, we average over 12 prescriptions a year.

So it’s a good idea to give some thought to choosing the right pharmacy.

Here are some tips.

Shop around to compare prices, of course. Check their services. Do they have an easy refill system? Do they offer special services, like infusion therapy, medication management, medication compounding, or home delivery?

Most importantly, do you feel comfortable there? Will the pharmacist take time to answer your questions?

It’s best to have one pharmacy fill your prescriptions. That way, they’ll have easy access to your records so they can screen each new prescription, and confer with your doctor for best results.

Pharmacists are a vital part of your healthcare team, and you should choose your partners well.

About 80 percent of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration are available in generic form. We can all save money by using them.

So let’s de-mystify generics.

Drug companies spend billions researching, testing and marketing brand name medications. They protect these drugs with patents and trademarks so they can recoup those expenses. But when patents expire, other manufacturers can start making their own versions.

Here’s what’s important to know: The FDA requires that all generic drugs have the same ingredients, work as fast, and work as effectively, as the brand name drugs they replace. They just can’t look, or taste, or smell like the original.

Generics are cheaper because their makers haven’t had to pay billions to develop the original brand name product.

So when you use a generic drug instead of a brand name, you don’t give up anything, except higher prices.

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Few symptoms are more alarming than chest pain, and everyone knows that it could be a sign of a heart attack. Yes, many other conditions can cause chest pain, but cardiac disease is very common – and our leading cause of death. It should not be ignored. The common symptoms of chest pain related to a heart attack include:

•Pressure, fullness or tightness in your chest

•Crushing or searing pain that radiates to your back, neck, jaw, shoulders and arms, especially your left arm

•Shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea

However, many people do not have classic symptoms when they are having a heart attack, especially women.

If you have chest pain or suspect you’re having a heart attack, call 911immediately! Don’t waste time trying to diagnose these symptoms or drive yourself to the hospital. Every minute counts. A visit to the emergency department could save your life – or bring you peace of mind if nothing is seriously wrong.

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Everyone seems to be worried about whether the destruction of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan will affect California or the United States.

So far the answer is no.

Trace amounts of radiation from Japan have been found in the U.S. But experts from several agencies have concluded that there is no health risk. These agencies include the California Department of Health, the American Nuclear Society, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other similar bodies.

Our state’s health department has been testing the air. They say the trace amounts of radiation detected from Japan were ten thousand times below any amount that would be damaging to humans. The reality is, the amount of radiation from Fukushima is negligible compared to the background radiation we’re exposed to every day from the sun, medical tests, household gadgets, or flying in an airplane.

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Did you know that Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death and disability in the United States and the main cause of serious disability? Do you know the warning signs and what to do? Consider these 5 signs that individually or together may be symptoms of a stroke.

First – Difficulty walking: stumbling, dizziness or loss of coordination.

Second – Unclear speaking and understanding: confusion, slurred words or not finding the right words to explain what is happening.

Third – Paralysis or numbness on one side of your body or face. Your mouth may droop when you try to smile.

Fourth – Vision problems: sudden blurred, blackened, or double vision in one or both eyes.

Fifth – Sudden and severe Headache that may include vomiting, dizziness or confusion

If you or someone you know is having these signs, call 911 and seek medical help immediately. Treatment is available, but time is crucial.

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