How to Safely Dispose Needles and Medical Sharps

(Family Features) If you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffers from a chronic illness that requires using needles or sharps outside of the doctor’s office, you may question how to dispose of them safely. There is plenty of information available, but the proper disposal method may be different depending on where you live, work or travel.

To help ensure people who use needles and sharps at home or on-the-go know how to dispose of them easily and safely, NeedyMeds, a national non-profit organization that provides health care information to consumers, developed tools at SafeNeedleDisposal.org.

“Most people want to do the right thing, but they need specific, succinct information on safe sharps disposal,” said Richard J. Sagall, MD, president of NeedyMeds. “For local guidance presented in a way that is easy to follow, our website is a one-stop-shop.”

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, sharps that are not disposed of properly may cause injury. In order to increase awareness and minimize risk, people who use sharps are encouraged to learn more about local regulations and disposal options.

In many states and communities, people who use sharps may dispose of them by following these three simple steps:

1. Place used sharps in a strong, plastic container like a laundry detergent or bleach bottle.
2. Seal the container with duct tape and label “do not recycle.”
3. Place the sealed container in the trash, never the recycling.

“Some locations have different disposal regulations, which may require people in those areas to take used sharps to special collection points,” Sagall said. “SafeNeedleDisposal.org helps people learn how to get rid of used sharps safely, wherever they happen to be.”

To learn more about disposing used needles and sharps safely, visit SafeNeedleDisposal.org.

Chronic Conditions More Common in Hispanics

(Family Features) Heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke are among the most common causes of illness, disability and death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These chronic conditions and the factors that lead to them can be more common or severe in minorities, including Hispanics.

For example, 4 out of 10 Hispanics die due to heart disease or cancer, and they are 50 percent more likely to die due to diabetes than Caucasians, according to the CDC.

Services like Chronic Care Management (CCM) can help people living with chronic conditions coordinate care services and lead to better outcomes and higher satisfaction.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary with two or more chronic conditions, ask your doctor about CCM and see if you’re eligible for connected care, including services such as:

• At least 20 minutes a month of CCM services.
• Personalized assistance from a dedicated health care professional who will work with you to create a care plan.
• Coordination of care between your pharmacy, specialists, testing centers, hospitals and more.
• Phone check-ins between visits to keep you on track.
• Emergency access to a health care professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Expert assistance with setting and meeting your health goals.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Health Resources and Service Administration introduced the “Connected Care” campaign to help raise awareness about the benefits of CCM. The campaign has free resources, including an animated video in English and Spanish that can help you learn more.

Talk to your doctor to see if CCM is available to you and visit Medicare.gov to learn more about the benefits of the program. 

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

5 Tips for Managing Diabetes

(Family Features) Living with diabetes is no laughing matter, but as many would say, laughter is often the best medicine.

This is certainly true for comedic actress Yvette Nicole Brown, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013.  In partnership with the American Diabetes Association and Colgate Total through the “Laugh Out Loud” campaign, Brown offers the following tips for a healthy smile and managing diabetes with a touch of humor.

Get Moving
When it comes to diabetes, small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Taking the first step toward exercising can be difficult for many, but a little bit goes a long way. Try parking further away from the door, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or taking the longer route when you walk the dog. Whatever it may be, choose an activity that you enjoy doing and keep it consistent.

Give Your Smile Some Extra TLC
You’re twice as likely to develop gum disease if you have diabetes. When Brown learned that, she immediately started taking better care of her teeth. She recommends brushing morning and night with a specially formulated toothpaste like Colgate Total, which reduces 83 percent more germs that cause gingivitis, the most common form of gum disease, as compared to an ordinary non-antibacterial toothpaste.

Befriend Your Dentist
Don’t be afraid to become friends with your dentist. Brown has her dentist on speed-dial, even calling or texting him in the middle of the night sometimes. You don’t have to be best friends with your dentist, but it’s crucial to establish a good relationship. They’re the expert who you can turn to for all your oral health care needs, and oral health care is important for those living with diabetes.

Find Your Tribe
When you’re living with diabetes, you need a strong support system. Be it friends, family or an online community, things are easier when you’ve got your tribe. A good place to get your questions answered and find people who are going through the same journey as you is OralHealthandDiabetes.com.

Live Confidently
“Every time I think about my type 2 diabetes, I say to myself ‘So what? You are a strong, confident woman. Don’t let your diabetes run your life,’” Brown said. Diabetes isn’t a hindrance, it’s just a slight hiccup in life that you learn to live with. Get your mindset right, don’t let it dictate what you can or cannot do.

When Brown was a kid her mom would say, “Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying.” That’s sometimes what people do when they get any kind of health diagnosis. The first response is, “Oh no,” and then you find a way around it.

For more information about the connection between oral health and diabetes, visit OralHealthandDiabetes.com or search #OralHealthDiabetes on social media.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (women walking)