Enhance Your Immune System

Your immune system is an amazing thing. If you were to realize the amount of germs and microorganisms that you are exposed to daily that your immune system helps to fight off, you’d never complain about a sickness again. While your immune system does an awesome job without much maintenance, there are a few things you can do to help it to the top of its game.

Your first, and perhaps most important, line of defense is an overall healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that are a perfect boost to not only your immune system but your other bodily systems as well. Some foods that seem to be especially helpful are:

· Yogurt – Due to its probiotics or “live, active cultures”, yogurt can help to keep your gut clear of disease causing germs and microorganisms. A study from the University of Vienna in Austria found that a daily 7-ounce dose of yogurt was actually more effective in boosting immunity than taking supplements claiming to do the same thing.

· Garlic – A relative of the onion, garlic contains an active ingredient called allicin which fights infection and bacteria. While fresh garlic is best, you can find supplements at your local health food market to take in place of eating or cooking with it fresh.

· Shellfish – Selenium, which is plentiful in shellfish, helps white blood cells produce cytokines which are proteins capable of helping the body clear viruses that may be lying dormant.

· Tea – Tea has been cherished by cultures all over the world for centuries due to its health benefits. A Harvard study showed that people who drank 5 cups a day of black tea for 2 weeks had 10 times more virus-fighting interferon in their blood than those who did not. L-theanine, the amino acid responsible, is found in both black and green tea. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated versions have the same benefits.

Some seasons seem to be worse than others for communicable diseases and viruses. During these times it is especially important to make sure you are getting enough sleep. It’s no secret that sleep is another top defense for your body against various sicknesses waiting to attack as well as a must for mental health. A well-rested body is better able to reproduce cells quickly so your immune system will be better prepared to fight away intruders. Another fail-proof method is to wash your hands regularly. Our hands collect so many germs and can turn into a breeding ground when met with other germs you encounter throughout the day.

While these tips are great to help boost your immune system and live a healthy life overall, there are going to be times when illness happens. Be sure to get plenty of rest during this time and eat vitamin packed foods like the ones named above. Remember that some illnesses require medication or antibiotics so a trip to your doctor may be best. Be sure to take your FreeRxPlus card with you when going to the pharmacy to get those medications filled so that you will save as much money as possible. Print or request your free card now at www.FreeRxPlus.com

Common Allergies and You

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is estimated to affect 50 million people in the United States throughout each of the various seasons. Don’t let the names fool you, those are just complex names for your typical, seasonal allergies. Rather your symptoms are to the extreme or not, we have all had an experience with allergies at some point. Sneezing, stuffy/runny nose, watery eyes and itching of the nose, eyes or the roof of the mouth are the most common symptoms. Spring and summer seem to be prime times for the flowers to bloom and also for our allergies to flair. If your doctor hasn’t prescribed you a medicine to deal with it or perhaps you don’t feel it’s bothersome enough to worry with a prescription – there are over the counter medicines you can purchase to help take on your allergies and bring some relief.

Luckily there are a great deal of over the counter remedies available. You may be surprised to find that seasonal allergy medications come in many different forms including pills, oral liquid, nasal sprays, eye drops, and even throat sprays. You may be able to eliminate some of those options immediately depending on how you prefer to take your medicine. Be sure to read over what the medicine claims it will help with. For example, most throat sprays aren’t going to be as helpful to watery eyes. Find an option that seems to cover all of your most prevalent symptoms.

Even across the different forms of over the counter medications, you will find many different types that might further complicate your decision. Antihistamines, decongestants, expectorants, and cough suppressants are some of the most popular.

· Antihistamines are possibly the best option to go with if you are experiencing multiple allergy issues. They work by drying up and blocking histamine which is what your body releases during allergic reactions. They also help dry up any extra secretions you may be encountering because of your allergies. Antihistamines can help dry up a runny nose, watery eyes, and especially put the halt on sneezing.

· Decongestants are used to relieve nasal congestion. They work by narrowing the swollen blood vessels that make breathing difficult during an allergic reaction. This helps your nose open up and you to be able to breathe better. Decongestants aren’t necessarily going to help with other symptoms you may be experiencing.

· Expectorants are made for chest congestion relief. They work by thinning and loosening the mucus that causes the congestion.

· Cough Suppressants are best for dry coughs that aren’t helping to expel any mucus. They work by blocking your cough reflex.
If you’re having trouble deciding which to go with, it’s always a good idea to talk to your pharmacist. He/she can better explain your options and help you make an educated decision. If you’re not feeling any relief after 3 or 4 days, it is best to make a visit to your doctor. They will most likely prescribe you a medication that will help to stop your symptoms. Your doctor may also have other recommendations for you to help keep allergies at bay in the future. Don’t forget to take your FreeRxPlus card with you when going to fill your prescriptions so you can be sure to get the absolute best price. Visit our site today to learn more and get your own card for free at www.freerxplus.com.

Teladoc

Most all of us have had those after-hours sicknesses that we weren't quite sure warranted an ER trip but we were still concerned about. Even when a sickness comes about during normal business hours, one can't guarantee a same day appointment with their usual doctor. In today's age, heading to the Internet for some self-diagnosis is easy, quick, and a lot less hassle than seeking a professional’s opinion. The downside to this is that it can lead to incorrect diagnosis and a false sense of thinking everything is okay when it may not be. Luckily, there is a convenient option that allows you to get a professional's opinion without breaking the bank or dealing with crowded medical facilities unless it's absolutely necessary.
 
Teladoc is an on demand group of board certified doctors standing by via phone and video chat waiting to help diagnosis you. Formed in 2002, they are the nation's first and largest telehealth provider. All doctors in their national network are U.S. board-certified family practitioners, PCPs, pediatricians and internists who use electronic health records to diagnose, treat, and write prescriptions, when necessary. They proudly meet National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards and are credentialed every three years. A whopping 92% of users have reported that Physicians of Teladoc have resolved their medical issue. What this means for you and your family is a trusted physician with experience and your best interest at heart.

It's important to note that Teladoc cannot help with emergency issues that require immediate attention. So use your best judgement wisely. For example, common things treated are sinus problems, respiratory infection, allergies, urinary tract infection, cold and flu symptoms and many other non-emergency illnesses. If you're ailing from a common condition, doctors can even prescribe you medications depending on your history. The typical wait time for a doctor is less than 10 minutes!

Teladoc even provides you with an electronic health record that you can use to pass along to your regular doctor at your next visit and more. You can access your record online any time and even if you choose not to proceed with Teladoc service – it is yours to keep. Your health record is kept safe and private and is HIPAA compliant.

FreeRxPlus is happy to offer Teladoc service as part of Premier Health and Premier Health with Pets discount benefit plans. Plans start at only $19.95 a month for your WHOLE family and the Teladoc consulation fee is waived. Not only do you get to take advantage of this wonderful service, you and your family will also receive dental and vision benefits, discounts on vitamins, chiropractic care, and much more. Sign up today and join others who have already discovered massive savings and the future in medical care. Visit www.yourdiscountbenefits.com now to view plans!

Price Checking Your Prescriptions

You probably have your favorite pharmacy. You may not even hesitate when it comes time to go get your medications filled. But did you know that pharmacy prices can differ drastically even when located in the same area? If you need to make sure to save every penny you can, price checking before actually having your prescription filled may save you a lot. There are several factors that come into play to determine just what a pharmacy charges for a medication.

Perhaps the most major factor of what the consumer pays is what it cost the pharmacy to obtain prescription drugs at wholesale or otherwise. Larger pharmacies or pharmacies that have been in business longer tend to get the better deals. A lot goes on behind the scenes of any business and the prescription drug business is not exempt from this fact. Bids can actually be made on medicine purchases and contracts. One pharmacy in your town may get a slightly better deal that they can then pass along to you while another may pay full price. When a pharmacy is purchasing from a wholesaler, their sales volume may be taken into consideration too. A busier pharmacy that places more orders is more likely to be cut a better deal.

Another factor is the pharmacies’ business or overhead costs. Expensive rent or utility bills can drastically affect the cost of your medications and what the pharmacy needs to charge to make a profit. Private or independently owned pharmacies especially have to make sure to keep in the green so that they are able to stay in business. Chain pharmacies and their pricing are usually put into place by an executive team located elsewhere. So you may either pay drastically less or drastically more than the independently owned stores depending on what they think. They may take location, popularity of the drug, or other factors into consideration.

There are a lot of laws in place that govern what a medicine costs when an individual has insurance or a government based aid. Unfortunately, this is not so true for those that are just needing to pay cash. The determination of a medication’s retail price is complex and not necessarily transparent to the public. This means that you may not even know that you are paying an incredibly high price for the medications that you and your family so desperately need.

So the next time you go to get your medicine filled, make a few phone calls and ask about what the costs are. Be sure to mention your FreeRxPlus card and present it when you fill your medication for the best possible price rather you have insurance or are paying cash. FreeRxPlus also has a great pricing tool in place that allows you to search for your medications in your area and price check across multiple pharmacies using your discount card. So be sure to put more money back into your wallet and shop around! Visit FreeRxPlus.com now to print your free discount card and use the pricing tool today!