by admin | Jan 28, 2016 | Doctors Perspective
Are you unsure what to do with your unused, left-over, expired prescriptions, vitamins, supplements or injectables, syringes or needles?
There are proper disposal guidelines for medicines and injectables to help reduce harm from accidental exposure or intentional misuse after they are no longer needed.
Here are some guidelines on how to dispose of unused medication and sharps in a way that ensures it won’t fall into the wrong hands or contaminate the groundwater in your area.
Sharps (Needles) Disposal
Some common medications we prescribe for Men such as Pregnyl, HCG, Novarel, and Testosterone, etc. use a needle to administer.
- Talk to your pharmacist about disposal options.
- Subscribe to a regular safe collection service of used needles from your household or use a mail-in program to send in used sharps. Some are listed here:
- Destroy needles at home by purchasing a needle destruction unit available online, in health care stores, and at pharmacies.
- It is still legal in Minnesota, but NOT recommended, to place needles and syringes in a hard puncture proof container, tightly seal the container (duct tape), label the container sharps or needles, and place the container in your household trash. The container cannot be placed in the recycling as the needles and fluids are hazardous waste and pose a danger to the people sorting the material by hand. Some County’s like Washington County accept sharps to be collected at their Environmental Center. Please check with yours.
Disposal of Prescription Medicines & Vitamins
Dispose of unused / left-over prescriptions (bio-identical Progesterone, Estrogen, Testosterone and other prescription meds), over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and pet medications in the green containers provided in the lobby at various locations in Hennepin County. Needles and syringes not accepted at these locations. Some disposal locations nearby are:
- Edina Hennepin County Library – Southdale, 7009 York Ave. S., Edina
- Minnetonka Hennepin County District Court Ridgedale – 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
- Brooklyn Park Hennepin County Sheriff’s Patrol Headquarters – 9401 83rd Ave N, Brooklyn Park
For more information and rules on disposals, check your County’s website. Here are a few links:
Thank you for your effort for making our communities safer!
Staff at Innovative Directions in Health
by admin | Jan 26, 2016 | Skincare Spotlight
Jill Porter, our RN / Injection Specialist has been injecting Botox and Fillers for over 10 years. Jill was invited to the KARE 11 TV studios to talk with Belinda Jensen about a few game changing beauty products that hit the market in 2015.
These three treatments have Jill really excited about the way Aesthetic Treatments are headed:
- Bellafill – the only FDA approved 5 Year filler. It is unlike any other filler as it creates your own collagen resulting in long lasting natural results and ongoing skin tone and volume improvement.
- Radiesse – the only FDA filler indicated for Hands. We all know that the face is the #1 indicator of age, but the hands come in second for giving away a person’s age. Radiesse can restore lost volume in the back of the hands making them appear more youthful by diminishing the appearance of prominent bones, ligaments and veins and tightening crepey skin.
- Micro-Needling – a very popular non-invasive treatment for those expecting results. The treatment uses very small needles to renew skin-tone, shrink pores, improve scarring and revitalize skin. We have had beautiful results on acne scarring.
Watch the KARE 11 video clip.
If you would like more information about these and other beauty treatments, Jill can be reached at (952) 922-2345 or email nurse@idinhealth.com. Complimentary Consultations are available.
KARE 11 event specials will be honored through February 29, 2016, please visit our Specials page.
by admin | Jan 11, 2016 | Doctors Perspective
If you are in the stages of perimenopause or menopause, you may be experiencing symptoms such as not being able to sleep at night or waking up having no energy because you are totally exhausted!
Night sweats may be preventing you from going back to sleep because you wake up drenched and have to change the sheets and your clothing. Now getting back to sleep is another problem. You are not alone. These symptoms often are mostly likely the result of a progesterone hormone deficiency.
Bio-Identical progesterone comes in different forms such as a troche (lozenge you suck on like a cough drop), triturate (sublingual tablet), cream, capsule, etc. Your body will recognize bio-identical progesterone as it is exactly made to be like your own hormone. Progesterone can also be formulated into several different flavors. Common flavors are peppermint, tangerine, tea berry, chocolate raspberry. If you are currently taking progesterone, ask your pharmacist which flavors they carry.
Progesterone should be taken in the evening or at bedtime (usually 30 minutes before bed) as it may cause drowsiness. Here are two forms of the types of progesterone Dr. Sinda uses most often:
Troche
- Depending on the dose prescribed, you will use either one or ½ of a troche. If your dose is ½ troche; the troche is scored on one side and can easily be cut it into equal halves.
- The dosage is placed between the gum and the cheek, so the hormones are dissolved slowly into the blood stream. It is very important that you do not swallow or chew the troche while it is dissolving. The goal is to have the hormone enter your system through your oral mucosa (skin) rather than being swallowed. It usually takes about 10-15 min for the troche to dissolve and 30 min for a dose to be fully absorbed.
- It is a good idea to brush your teeth about 30 minutes after taking your troche.
- Troches are stored at room temperature between 60 and 80 degrees F or in the refrigerator. Troches can melt so protect from heat and moisture.
Triturate
- A progesterone triturate is sublingual, meaning it is placed under your tongue to dissolve. Depending upon the pharmacy making the triturate it takes about 5 to 15 minutes to dissolve. Sublingual progesterone is not destroyed by stomach acid or broken down by the liver. It fully enters the bloodstream where it can be fully utilized by your organs. Do not chew or swallow the tablet to let it fully absorb.
- Triturates can be compounded up to 100mg so if you require a higher dosage you may consider changing to a troche which can contain a higher dose.
- It is a good idea to brush your teeth about 30 minutes after taking your triturate to avoid dry mouth during the night.
- Triturates are stored at room temperature. Patients often leave them on their night stand to help with compliance. Avoid keeping any medications in the bathroom due to moisture.
Current patients, if you have questions about your progesterone flavoring or dose method, please call your local compounding pharmacy. Progesterone can be customized to meet different needs such as sugar free, gluten free, etc.
If you are wanting to confirm that you have a hormone imbalance it is important to have your hormone levels measured and reviewed by a qualified doctor who prescribes bio-identical hormones and monitors levels and symptoms throughout the year.
If you have any questions about getting started with hormone replacement or your current regimen give us a call at (952) 922-2345 or contact us, we are always happy to help and answer any questions you may have!
Staff at Innovative Directions in Health
by admin | Jan 4, 2016 | Patient Experience
Hi, it’s Jill the nurse from Innovative Directions in Health.
I started taking bio-identical hormone therapy in March, 2015, just a few days after I started working at Innovative Directions in Health.
I couldn’t wait to get started and feel like myself again.
I have an update to report on my progress to everyone. First off, had I known about this sooner I would have been feeling better years ago!
Nine months later, my life has changed with these very noticeable changes:
- More energy! I love my warm bed but I am eager and ready to get up in the morning.
- Libido has definitely improved.
- I am no longer a hermit. I enjoy going out and seeing people again. Before I had my hormones replenished and balanced, with my low energy I became comfortable just staying home.
- My hair, nails and skin are growing, healthy and glowing again. Since I have been feeling better taking my hormones and supplements my changes haven’t just been internal. My entire body is benefiting!
- I have lost 20lbs and went down 2 sizes in clothing! I often hear from patients how different I look now from when I started working at IDH.
- My family (especially my mom) says that the twinkle is back in my eyes.
- My memory has really improved. I still forget where I leave my cheaters and often find 3 pairs on my head but there is much less fogginess.
- Sleep is awesome (this is the biggest change for me!!). I sleep hard and enter REM sleep. I know this because I dream like crazy every night.
- My mood is upbeat and my spunk is back! I used to feel a little bit depressed at times.
The greatest part of my job is seeing all of these great improvements in our patients!
I have also noticed that menopausal symptoms for both men and women are similar to those of other medical conditions and as men and women try to bring these to the attention of their family physicians, it is unfortunate that many are not trained to correctly diagnose and/or successfully treat hormone imbalances.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a hormonal imbalance (some common symptoms are listed below), seek out a qualified physician in hormone therapy that monitors blood levels and prescribes bio-identical hormones in natural ways or schedule a consultation with Dr. Sinda, he’ll work with you to help develop a plan to get you feeling like yourself again!
Common Symptoms of a hormone imbalance:
- Insomnia
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Loss of desire
- Irritability
- Anxiety/Panic attacks
- Weight gain around the midsection
- Memory problems
- Vaginal dryness
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Loss of strength
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions while you are on your journey to regain your sense of self. My email is nurse@idinhealth.com.
Jill, RN at Innovative Directions in Health
by admin | Dec 1, 2015 | Tips and Recipes
It's that time of year when we are run down and tired and our eyes show it!
Try this DIY remedy for under eye puffiness. My eye doctor shared this tidbit with me and I have seen amazing results with patients who have tried it! Swollen or puffy eyes occur when there is inflammation or excess fluid and oil in the connective tissues surrounding the eye. Swollen eyes can affect both the upper and lower eyelids. These simple steps just take a few minutes every night. 1) WARM COMPRESSES Warming your eyelids will increase oil production and help melt the oil that has solidified in the glands. Use a warm washcloth to apply heat on the eyelids for two minutes. This warms the oil and allows it to flow more freely and also helps soften lash debris. 2) MASSAGE Apply light pressure on the lower under eye area with your index finger from the inner eye to the outer eye. Roll the finger upward on the lower lid while looking up. 3) LID STIMULATION This helps to remove oil, bacteria and debris. It also stimulates the oil glands. With your eye closed, use a Q-tip or a warm washcloth on the tips of your fingers to rub along the lash line on the top and bottom lid. 4) FLAX SEED OIL In addition to the above, some people benefit by adding omega-3 fats to their diet which will help with the oil consistency. If you have any questions about the steps, give me a call or stop in. I would be happy to walk you through the steps and also share with you other products or tips to help revive your eyes. I can be reached at (952)922-2345 or nurse@idinhealth.com. Jill, RN @Innovative Directions in Health
