» "Before throwing any medication, toss in coffee grounds or kitty litter "

"Mixing any unused or expired over-the-counter and/or prescription medications with used coffee grounds can make the discarded drugs less appealing to children, pets, and people who may rummage through your trash. "

» "Less cost, less hassle "

Looking for a simple way to lose 10 pounds in a year? Just eat 100 fewer calories than you need every day. That's as easy as drinking a glass of water instead of a can of regular soda or a glass of juice.

» "No bones about it, osteoporosis can affect anyone "

"No matter if you're 10 or 110 years old, it's never too early or too late to take care of your bones. The habits you create now can affect your bone health for the rest of your life. "

» "Start with the ""tried and true"" "

"One of the fundamental principles taught in medical school is ""first, do no harm."" In practice, this is not as straightforward as it sounds. Physicians regularly receive ""educational"" materials, ""free"" samples, and ""consulting"" opportunities. "

» "Vitamin D -- Why the ""sunshine"" vitamin is more important than ever "

"It's long been known that vitamin D is needed to help build strong bones, but this multi-dimensional nutrient may have many other health benefits. "

» Allergy remedies

"When used for more than three days straight, over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays can cause a rebound reaction that makes allergy symptoms even worse. "

» An aspirin a day keeps the doctor away?

"It's a public health dream -- a drug that prevents heart attack in men and stroke in women and is perfectly safe. Unfortunately, it doesn't exist. But there is one drug that comes close -- aspirin. "

» Are you spending too much on prescription medications?

"People often equate price with quality, believing that a higher price gets you a superior product. In the case of prescription drugs, however, that belief could be leading you to spend more money than necessary. "

» Breathe easier when the cold or flu hits

Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body hydrated and water-down the mucus which causes congestion. Avoid smoking and alcohol. Both can irritate nasal passages.

» Bundle up

People with asthma - especially young children - can prevent attacks triggered by inhaling cold air by wearing a special ski mask designed for that purpose.

» Commonly abused prescription drugs

"Pain relievers that contain an opiate like morphine or codeine. Examples: OxyContin, Vicodin, Percodan, and Demerol; Lomotil for diarrhea; cough medicines with codeine. "

» Don't be shy

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the directions for taking a prescription medication.

» Dry mouth & tooth decay

"Chew on sugarless gum and sugarless candy to help relieve dry mouth caused by antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers and many other prescription and over-the-counter medications. "

» Easy ways to save big money on your prescriptions

"Always ask your doctor if there is a generic version available when you get a prescription for a new medicine. A generic drug is made with exactly the same ingredients and works the same as its brand name counterpart, but can cost 30% to 80% less. "

» ePharmacy: Filling prescriptions online

"For convenience or cost, many people head to the Web for medications. Although many sites are safe, potential shady suppliers are also lurking out there. "

» Fighting the common cold and flu: Myths and science

"It's cold and flu season -- a time when many patients spend dear dollars on remedies and preventives such as elderberry, garlic, vitamin E, and selenium -- none of which have been shown to work. "

» Figuring out coughing fits

"Suffering from a chronic cough is no fun, and trying to figure out the cause can be frustrating. To get a handle on the source, take a look at some common triggers, and how you might find relief. "

» Fill prescriptions without emptying your wallet

"We trust our doctors to recommend the right medications, when needed, and then worry about paying for them after leaving the doctor's office. The reality is that we're paying more and more out of our own pockets. "

» Generic drugs - a great way to save money

One way to save money on prescriptions is to ask if a generic equivalent or generic substitute is available for a brand-name drug.

» Generic vs. brand names

One way to save significantly on medical expenses is to ask your doctor to prescribe generic medications whenever possible.

» Get the facts about your medications

"Whenever you get a new prescription, ask your doctor or pharmacist these questions: 1. What are the brand and generic names? 2. Is a generic available? 3. What am I taking this medication for? "

» Got iron?

"According to the World Health Organization, iron is the No. 1 nutritional deficiency. Nutritional scientists estimate that 80% of the world's population may be iron deficient or anemic. "

» Healthy babies

"All women who could get pregnant, not just those who know they are already pregnant, should consume at least 400 mcg of folic acid every day. "

» Honesty is the best policy

"Telling your doctor ""little white lies"" may lead to expensive diagnosis procedures, unneeded referrals to specialties, or a delayed diagnosis for a serious problem. Be honest about how much you smoke or drink. "

» How to save on drug costs

Ask your doctor these questions: 1. Are there any lifestyle changes I could make that would make it possible for me not to take this medication? 2. Are there any over-the-counter medications I could use instead?

» How to stop prescription medication mistakes

1. Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you already take. Bring a list with you to your visit.

» Is your medicine cabinet putting your family at risk?

"Prescription drug abuse occurs among people of all ages. Seniors may be at high risk because they are frequently prescribed narcotics for pain relief. Teenagers, however, typically get prescription drugs from family or friends. "

» Just what the doctor ordered

"If you're like most patients, you don't do ""just what the doctor ordered."" More than half of all patients prescribed long-term medications do not take them as their doctor intended. "

» Keeping medicine effective

"Storing and handling medicine properly is important if you want it to be effective. Many people store medicine in the bathroom, but this actually isn't such a good idea. "

» Make drug-switching work for you

Take charge of your prescription drugs and you may avoid the risks and hassles of drug-benefit companies trying to switch your medications -- and you can save money in the process.

» Medication safety - Avoiding food and drug interactions UPDATED!

Alcohol and certain foods can alter the way your body responds to some common medications. Take the time to carefully read all labels on prescription and non-prescription medications.

» Natural cold relief

"Use natural remedies like saline (salt-water) nose drops, vaporizers, and a half-teaspoon of honey to help relieve the symptoms of colds and coughs in toddlers. "

» Over-the-counter cold & flu relief

"Always read labels carefully, and avoid taking more than one medication containing cough suppressant, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage when taken in excess. "

» Pill splitting

"Pill splitting may help you save money on prescriptions. If you take a daily medication, research your health plan's prescription coverage and talk to your doctor. "

» Pills and passports UPDATED!

"When you travel with medicines, make sure you carry them in their original containers with labels, so it's clear what medicine they are. "

» Poison control

Immediately call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if you suspect a child has swallowed poison. Swallowing ipecac syrup to cause vomiting is no longer recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

» Prescription and over-the-counter drug interactions

"Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about the medications -- including prescription, over-the-counter, and dietary supplements -- that you take. "

» Prescription checkup

"At least once a year, review your prescription medications and ask your doctor these questions: Are there any lifestyle changes I could make that might make it possible for me not to need this medication? "

» Prescription medications - Save money with generics

"Generic prescription medicines may cost up to 80% less than brands. Even though they may look different, the medicine is the same because generics have gone through the FDA approval process to make sure they are safe and have the same effects. "

» Prescription pointers - When generics aren't available

"If a generic drug isn't available for the medicine you're taking, ask your doctor if there is another drug in the same class that may work as well but is less expensive. "

» Prescription safety: asking the right questions

"When your doctor gives you a new prescription, ask her or him to write down what condition the medicine is for. This will help your pharmacist be sure it's filled correctly. "

» Prescription storage

The moisture and humidity in bathroom medicine cabinets can cause prescription or over-the-counter medications to break down more quickly and lose their effectiveness.

» Prescriptions - Brown bag it to the doctor's office

"If you see more than one doctor, make sure that they all know what prescription and over-the-counter medications you're taking, including vitamin supplements. "

» Prevent abuse - Dispose of prescription medications safely

"Protect your family, pets, and the environment by taking these steps to dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription medications. "

» Preventing birth defects

Any woman who can get pregnant needs to get 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. A woman who has enough folic acid in her body before and while she is pregnant is 70% less likely to have a baby with a major birth defect to the brain or spine.

» Protect yourself from prescription drug abuse

"When used long term, your body can develop a tolerance to certain medications used to treat pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions. "

» Rx for health-care costs

One easy thing you can do to lower health-care costs is to follow doctors' orders when it comes to prescription medications. The misuse or non-use of prescription medications is estimated to add nearly $200 billion a year to the cost of medical care.

» Side effects

Being aware of possible side effects will help you know whether or not you need to call a doctor if you experience unusual symptoms after starting a new medication.

» So you won't forget...

If you need help remembering to take a daily medication: Send yourself a pop-up note through your e-mail or daily planner. Set an alarm on your cell phone or ask your voice mail service to call you with a reminder.

» Superbugs or happy patients?

"Most patients with colds, flu, bronchitis, and middle ear infections do not need antibiotics. Yet, many patients who come in for these issues are not satisfied unless they receive a prescription for antibiotics. "

» Take as directed

"Even if you feel better after a few days, always take the entire bottle of pills when you are prescribed antibiotics for illness or infection. The last few pills kill the toughest germs. "

» Take with food

"If a prescription says ""take with food,"" it's fine to take the medication immediately before, during, or soon after eating. The amount of food in your stomach is not critical. "

» The 3 R's for safe medicine use

"Here are three points to remember regarding medicines: Risk, Respect, Responsibility. "

» The big deal about vitamin D

Make sure you're getting enough. The fast-approaching winter months mean less sunlight. Less sunlight means your body is losing the solar power it uses to make vitamin D in your skin.

» The heart of the matter - How a flu shot could save your life

"If you have a history of heart disease, a flu shot could do more than just keep you from feeling miserable for a week or two. "

» To half or half not

"Buying prescription and over-the-counter medications at double the dose and then splitting them in half can save money, but not all pills can be split. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure a medication can be split safely and accurately. "

» Update on aspirin

The most recent guidelines for taking aspirin to prevent disease advise low-dose aspirin for men ages 45-79 to prevent heart disease and for women ages 55-79 to prevent the most common type of stroke.

» Vital veggies

"Load up on vitamin C with cruciferous vegetables. From broccoli to turnips, the family of cruciferous vegetables is one of the best sources of vitamin C in the produce section. "

» Vitamin D & breast cancer

"Vitamin D is needed to help the body absorb calcium and build strong bones, but on-going research suggests that vitamin D supplements may also play an important role in preventing certain types of cancer. "

» Vitamin D & colon cancer

"A study of more than 500,000 adults in Europe found that those with the highest blood levels of vitamin D had a 40% reduced risk of colon cancer compared to those with lower levels. "

» What you need to know about winter and vitamin D

Shortened daylight hours from November through February can make it difficult to get the vitamin D you need from sunlight alone.

» What's in your wallet?

"In addition to your driver's license and other important cards, keep an index card with these vital pieces of information on it: Your phone number and the name and phone number of your physician. "

» Wired or weary?

"Sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest impact. Think about your computer of your car. Everything is running smoothly. Then, all of a sudden, a little glitch here or there causes your entire system or vehicle to go haywire. "

» Women's health UPDATED!

"Folate and vitamin B-12 are an important combo. All women of child-bearing age should get the recommended amounts of folate and vitamin B-12, whether they plan to get pregnant or not. "