Prescriptions, Start Talking!

Ever have trouble reading your prescriptions? An Illinois company called En-Vision America is developing the ScripTalk System, designed to give the blind and visually impaired the ability to have their prescriptions talk to them.

A "smart label" built into the bottle stores the prescription information in a tiny embedded microchip and, when held within a few inches of a ScripTalk reader, the contents are spoken.

It is hoped that the new system will help patients to avoid life-threatening mistakes resulting from side-effects or reactions to their prescription drugs.

The REAL Active Ingredient

Been wanting to try a new back pain medication? There may be an easier way to get the same effect.

Quite often, the "special ingredient" which makes the medication work is caffeine. Caffeine boosts the analgesic effect of aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) and acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).

Don't waste your money...just take your preferred pain reliever with a caffeinated beverage such as coffee, tea or caffeinated cola.

This is also a good tip for people who are avoiding caffeine for health reasons ­ check the label before you take that pain reliever!

Immunization DID YOU KNOW?

• Diphtheria kills 1 in every 10 persons who get the illness; tetanus kills up to 1 in 5.
• Measles causes encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in about 1 out of 1,000 cases.
• Adults need booster shots every ten years for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
• Chickenpox is one of the most common pre-disposing factors for the development of necrotizing fasciitis ("flesh-eating disease").
• Make sure you are vaccinated against these diseases. For more information, talk to your physician, public health nurse, or local health unit, or visit www.immunize.cpha.ca.
• Thimerosal, a preservative, is not in vaccines approved for use in Canada for routine childhood vaccinations.

- News Canada