Helping people find assistance with health care and prescription costs

Category: Health

Blood Thinners Explained: Who Needs Them and Why

Blood clots can be life-threatening. For many people, blood thinners are an important part of staying healthy and preventing serious complications. Whether you’ve just been prescribed a blood thinner or you’re trying to understand a loved one’s treatment, this article explains what blood thinners are, why doctors prescribe them, and how they work. You’ll also learn about common conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and atrial fibrillation (AFib), along with what to expect while taking these medications. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how blood thinners help reduce health risks and how to manage […]

Understanding the Risks of Caffeine: Helpful Tips to Guide Teens to Healthier Choices

This article was originally published on healthinhand.org and is reposted with permission in collaboration with our partners at Health in Hand. Teenagers today are under a lot of pressure, juggling schoolwork, sports, and their social life. As the demand for quick energy and alertness increases, caffeine energy drinks, supplements, and other products have surged in recent years among the general population. Caffeine is a widely consumed stimulant found in various products, including energy drinks, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Caffeine has become a staple in many people’s daily routines because it can enhance mental alertness, physical performance, and mood. However, excessive caffeine […]

Iron Deficiency and Overload: Key Takeaways for Your Health

Iron plays a vital role in our overall health, particularly in the formation of red blood cells and the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Understanding how iron levels affect the body — and knowing the signs and symptoms of too little or too much is essential for maintaining long-term well-being.   In this article, we’ll explore how common iron deficiency is, why it occurs, what symptoms to watch for, and how both deficiency and overload can be managed.  How Common is Iron Deficiency and What Causes It?  Iron deficiency affects 14% of all adults in the U.S.; among reproductive-age non-pregnant […]

COVID-19 Treatments No Longer Covered by the Government

In a blog posted here on May 16, 2023 I discussed the phasing out of the January 2020 Federal Government COVID-19 public health emergency. At that time The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continued to authorize the COVID-19 antiviral drug nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) for emergency use. It has since been fully approved for adults with Covid at high risk of hospitalization or death, such as older adults and those with medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, and obesity. The government continued to provide Paxlovid at no cost to patients until November 1, 2023. Insurance companies will now be able to charge for […]

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

As a pediatrician I am very familiar with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In infants and young children RSV infection results in a sometimes frightening seasonal illness called bronchiolitis. The virus affects the smallest airways, called the bronchioles, and results in wheezing and trouble breathing. There is no effective antiviral medication, only supportive treatment. The illness is especially severe in premature infants. In June 1998 one of the first monoclonal antibody drugs palivizumab was approved as a preventative measure given to premature infants at high risk for severe infection. In July 2023 another monoclonal antibody drug named nirsevimab-alip was approved for […]

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About Us

Welcome to the NeedyMeds Voice! We look forward to presenting you with timely, provocative pieces on healthcare reform, patient advocacy, medication and healthcare access, and other health-related news. Our goals are to educate, enlighten, and elucidate; together, we will try to make sense of the myriad and ongoing healthcare-related changes in the U.S. today.