FOCUS Your Health Winter 2016 Stay safe and feel good - Help is on the way Winter is a great time of year to spend with loved ones and eat tasty food! Sadly, winter is also the most common time of year to get sick. Cold weather and stress make it easier to catch a cold or the flu. You can protect your loved ones and yourself by: washing your hands often covering your coughs and sneezes Medications Less can be best! But sometimes we get these health issues even after trying our best to prevent them. Some medications that can help do not need a prescription. These are called over-thecounter (OTC) drugs. It is important to note that many of these OTC drugs: only relieve symptoms have age limits should only be used for a short time It is also important to know that many OTC drugs that have multiple drugs might: contain drugs you may not need contain the same drugs that you may already be taking in other products A medication that does not need a prescription does not mean it is safe for everyone. The goal of using prescription medications is to relieve symptoms and avoid side effects. [See DRUG FACTS on page 2 ] INSIDE THIS ISSUE Ask me 3 - Tips for talking to your doctor Protect cavities with fluoride Caring for Your Infant's Teeth Know the ABCs of Diabetes (High Blood Sugar) Fall 2015
2 Ask me 3 - Tips for talking to your doctor Health Plan of San Joaquin knows the value of clear messages between doctors, patients and health plans. Without clear messages, you may miss facts about your health and well-being. That means you may not get the right care or drugs. What if you are confused after you see the doctor? Maybe they give you a drug but what if you do not know what to do? Ask Me 3 can help. Ask Me 3 will help you talk to your doctor. When using Ask Me 3, please ask these three questions: 1. What is my main problem? 2. What do I need to do? 3. Why is it important for me to do this? Some more tips that can help you have a better doctor visit are: Write down your questions before going to see the doctor Take a notepad and pen with you to your visit Make a list of drugs you are now taking those given by your doctor and those bought over the counter (OTC) at a store or take them with you If you still don t get it, ask again If you need someone to help you speak with your doctor in your language, HPSJ can give you a FREE interpreter. This person tells your doctor what you are saying and they can tell you what the doctor is saying. Call our Customer Service Department to get an interpreter 1-888-936-PLAN (7526); or TTY/TTD 209-942-6306. We suggest you do not use a child to help you talk to your doctor. For more about Ask Me 3, you can visit: www.npsf.org/for-healtcare-professionals/programs/ ask-me-3 Drug Facts [CONTINUED from page 1] To make sure you are taking medications that are safe and helpful, be sure to: read the medication labels carefully for ingredients, warnings, and age limits (see photo to the right) ask your pharmacist for help It never hurts to ask, but it might hurt to use medications incorrectly. Remember, less can be best and be safe! Therapeutic substance in drug When not to use this drug, when to stop taking it, when to see a doctor, and possible side effects Information on how to store the drug Other things in the drug, like colors or flavoring Product type Symptoms or diseases the drug treats Read carefully: how much to take, how often to take it, and when to stop taking it
Prevent cavities with fluoride One of the best ways to stop cavities in little teeth is to make sure children get fluoride. Fluoride encourages remineralization which is the process that makes teeth stronger and more resistant to cavities. For children younger than eight, fluoride, in fact, helps make the adult teeth that are growing under the gums strong. Fluoride comes from many sources: Talk to your doctor about what is right for your child. 3 Fluoride varnish Fluoride Varnish applied in the doctor s office can stop cavities, slow them down, or stop them from getting worse. Fluoride varnish can make the outer coating of the teeth stronger. Fluoride drops or tablets Fluoride supplements are available by prescription and are used by children age 6 to 16 years old. Fluoride toothpaste If fluoride toothpaste is used, strategies to limit the amount swallowed include limiting the amount placed on the brush and observing the child as they brush. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a smear (grain of rice amount) of fluoride toothpaste be used until the child's 3rd birthday. After which a pea-sized amount may be used. Most importantly, talk to your doctor about the best amount of fluoride your child needs for growing little teeth and be sure to plan regular check-ups.
7751 S. Manthey Road French Camp, CA 95231 888.936.PLAN (7526) TTY/TDD 209.942.6306 www.hpsj.com years of community We want to hear from you Health Plan of San Joaquin, your health plan, wants to hear from you. In February, you may receive a survey by mail from either HPSJ or the Department of Health Care Services, which gives you a chance to tell us how we are doing as your health plan. The survey, known as, The CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) is fast and simple to fill out. If you receive the survey, please use the self-addressed stamped envelope to return it back to us. This is an anonymous survey. You can complete it for yourself, or for your child. Look for the CAHPS survey in your mail. We want to hear from you. Your opinion matters to us. Surveys are coming! Remember to look for this survey: Tell us how your doctors are doing. Tell us how we can improve health care services. Tell us how the health plan can better meet your needs. 6 Teaming up with United Way to Help Make a Difference, One Life at a Time Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) partners each year with United Way (UW). Our team helps support more than 70 local, non-profit programs. Some serve parents and kids with little or no money, and in need of shelter, food, and clothing. Some help victims of child abuse and fighting in the home. Some have reading programs to help kids and adults learn. These are just a few ways our HPSJ staff feel good about helping our neighbors, as we would want to be helped when needed. For a second year, HPSJ has pledged to support UW s Community Councils (Stockton, Lodi, Manteca/ Lathrop and Tracy).
Know the ABCs of Diabetes (High Blood Sugar) As a child, your ABCs helped you learn to read. As a person with diabetes, your ABCs can help save your life! If you have diabetes, learn the ABCs listed below. They are some of the most important things you can do! 5 What is A1c? Hemoglobin A1c is a test that shows you what your blood sugar has been over the past 2 to 3 months. When do I get it checked? Get an A1c test every 3 to 6 months. is for A1c. Have your A1c checked and know YOUR number? What s my goal? Less than 7% or 154 mg/dl, unless your doctor sets another goal. is for Blood Pressure. Have your blood pressure checked and know YOUR numbers? Why is blood pressure so risky? When do I get checked? What s my goal? High blood pressure is called the silent killer because you can have it and not see any warning signs. High blood pressure raises your chances of stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure. Your doctor will check your blood pressure at each visit. Less than 130 over 80 (130/80) is for Cholesterol. Have your cholesterol checked and know YOUR numbers? Why is high cholesterol so risky? When do I get checked? What s my goal? Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in foods that come from animals. Bad cholesterol (LDL) can build up and cause a heart attack or stroke. Get your cholesterol checked at least once a year. LDL of less than 100 If you have any questions or need our help, please call us at 1-888-936-7526 or TTY/TTD 209-942-6306
4 Caring for Your Infant s Teeth After Teeth Start to Come Keep on wiping your child s gums until he has some teeth. After more teeth come in, start using a soft, child-sized toothbrush and water. Ask your doctor to apply fluoride to your child's teeth and to provide drops or tablets for your child s daily use. Fluoride stops cavities and makes teeth stronger. Protecting your Child s Baby Teeth Get in the habit of always wiping down gums and teeth. As more teeth come in, start a brushing routine using water. Talk to your doctor about when to use toothpaste with fluoride. Limit sugary foods and drinks. Do not put your baby down with a bottle filled with milk or formula. Do not let baby nurse continuously. Talk to your child s doctor about applying fluoride to your child s teeth and giving you fluoride drops or tablets. Fluoride stops cavities and makes teeth stronger. Fluoride being appplied to child's teeth Carrying for Your Toddler s Teeth Look at your child s teeth and gums at least once a month, so that you will be able to see problems in time. At age two, you can use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. Always select a soft, toddler-sized toothbrush. Lift your child s lip to brush at the gum line and behind the teeth. After brushing your child s teeth at night, only give your baby water to drink, and nothing to eat. Take your child to the dentist by their first birthday. Ask your child s doctor to apply fluoride to your child s teeth and to give you fluoride drops or tablets. Fluoride stops cavities and makes teeth stronger. Let your children see you brushing your teeth, and tell them what you are doing and why. Source: http://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/fluoride-supplements