February is American Heart Month. With over 67 million Americans with high blood pressure, one’s awareness can save lives. High blood pressure can present with no symptoms, making it important to check regularly and to set a goal with their doctor if they find their BP is too high. People with high blood pressure are four times more likely to die from a stroke and 3 times more likely to die from heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Americans. In a previous blog post we discussed heart health in young men, but it is equally […]
Category: Disease Resources
National Cervical Health Awareness Month
January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month. With all women being at risk for cervical cancer, it’s important to be mindful of the health risks, symptoms, and resources available to those in need. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and about 4000 women die from it annually. The main cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed between people during sex. HPV is so common that most people will have it at some point during their lives without ever developing symptoms. About […]
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
As declared by the UN, today was International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Started in 1992, the observance day aims to promote understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of those with disabilities. With one billion people worldwide experiencing some sort of disability, the day can have an important impact on many who experience difficulties every day. In honor with the international observance, we at NeedyMeds want to share the resources available for people with disabilities in the United States. The UN theme for 2014 is “Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology.” In a […]
Lowering Your Diabetes Costs
Tips from Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs With approximately 29 million Americans affected by diabetes, or 9.3 percent of the U.S. population, the costs associated with the disease are a growing problem. As of 2012, the total healthcare costs for diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is roughly $245 billion, an increase of 41 percent since 2007, and according to the American Diabetes Association, a person with diabetes spends on average $13,700 per year on care. National Diabetes Month, held every November, is a time of year to raise awareness about diabetes prevention and treatment, and also to discuss how high […]
Resources for Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a rare disease – with only about 20,000 Americans diagnosed and 400,000 people with the disease worldwide. It is a bleeding disorder, which “results when the blood’s ability to form a clot at the site of blood vessel injury is impaired.” There are two types of hemophilia – A and B. Hemophilia A is more common. According to Hemophilia.org – “Hemophilia A, also called factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency or classic hemophilia, is a genetic disorder caused by missing or defective factor VIII, a clotting protein.” Hemophilia B on the other hand, is “caused by missing or defective factor […]