As you may know, dementia is a syndrome that causes a deterioration of cognitive function beyond what is expected from the typical consequences of aging.

According to the World Health Organization, over fifty-five million people around the world currently live with dementia and almost ten million new cases arise every year.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. It is believed to contribute to between 60% and 70% of cases.

While there is no treatment to cure dementia at present, medicines and therapies can be used to help people with Alzheimer’s disease and various new treatments are currently being investigated in clinical trials.

It is sure to be a challenging time after you have been diagnosed with dementia, but by learning how to cope with your diagnosis, you can deal with your new situation better.

Here are some of the ways in which you can cope after a dementia diagnosis.

Seek Professional Help

First of all, seeing as dementia symptoms can be caused by numerous conditions, it is vital that you obtain an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible, especially if your symptoms appear suddenly.

Not every sign of cognitive decline means you have dementia, so you should definitely get a professional diagnosis.

So, you should search for “a dementia evaluation near me” where a professional clinician can evaluate your condition and provide therapy if required.

The best way to delay the progression of dementia symptoms is to combine physical exercise and cognitive activities. A clinic that specializes in dementia diagnosis and care will therefore be able to help you to live a fulfilling life for as long as possible.

Research Your Type of Dementia

After diagnosis, you should learn as much as you can about your specific type of dementia. You could have Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, or another type.

By researching your type of dementia, you will be able to cope better with your symptoms and help to slow the disease’s progression.

Do Not Hold Your Feelings In

It will never be easy being diagnosed with dementia, and you could find yourself in a state of shock or depression in the first few days and weeks. That is perfectly normal. And, indeed, to cope better with your diagnosis, it is important that you give yourself time to take everything in and explore your emotions.

If you try to hold your feelings in, you will probably become more stressed and depressed.

Therefore, you should write down your feelings and also talk to someone about how you feel. Ideally, you should talk to a professional, such as a therapist, as well as loved ones who can support you daily.

Be Kind to Yourself

Following on from the last point, it is important to be kind to yourself after a dementia diagnosis.

You are sure to have multiple feelings, but remember that the dementia is not your fault or anyone else’s. So, do not blame yourself. Instead, be kind to yourself.

When you are kind to yourself, you can more easily work through the shock of the diagnosis and prepare yourself for the challenges ahead.

Make Practical Changes

By considering practical aspects, you can make changes to prepare for the future.

One way in which you can do that is to adapt to your environment.

By taking simple precautions like increasing the lighting in your home, removing trip hazards, leaving yourself reminder notes, and developing daily routines, you can ensure you do not injure yourself and you can preserve your independence.

Speak to a healthcare professional about the practical changes you can make to help you cope better during the different stages of dementia.

For anyone with diabetes, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. Having this condition means needing to check your blood sugar often, remembering to take your medicine, making healthier food choices, and more. 

Recently, a relatively new drug gained momentum – Ozempic. Ozempic offers users effective type 2 diabetes management alongside physical activity and diet. Keep reading to learn more about this drug.

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a single-person-use, disposable, and pre-filled injection pen. It is a prescription medication to help patients revamp their type 2 diabetes management. It is simple to use and can offer solid results.

Type 2 diabetic patients get to use the product with exercise and a healthy diet to keep their glucose in check. It can be a viable option for patients who previously tried other diabetes medications but had no success. Just a single Ozempic dose works around the clock for an entire week.

The dosing options can include 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg. It can be taken with or without food. 

Patients should insert the needle into the skin of the thigh, stomach, or upper arm. They shouldn’t inject it into a vein or muscle. And every time they do use the product, it is important that they rotate the injection site. 

What Is Ozempic Used For?

Ozempic can help treat type 2 diabetes mellitus with increased physical activity and diet changes. People can also take the product to decrease the odds of potential cardiovascular events, such as stroke or heart attack. 

This prescription medicine mimics the effects of GLP-1. It works with the body’s natural capability to reduce glucose and A1C. Semaglutide responds when the glucose skyrockets, thus allowing the system to release its own insulin. It achieves that by preventing the liver from creating or releasing excess sugar. 

It aids the pancreas in producing more insulin when the glucose is too high. And it slows down the time it would take the food to leave the system. 

Ozempic cannot replace insulin. Therefore, this injectable isn’t capable of treating type 1 diabetic patients. 

It can have other uses as well. Although this injectable is not for weight loss, research on Ozempic weight loss results shows 2.4 mg of semaglutide once a week, with healthy lifestyle changes, offers a notable drop in body weight.

This is important since higher body weight can lead to bigger risks of different health problems, such as heart disease, sleeping problems, breathing problems, unstable blood pressure, and more. Luckily, with a modest drop in body weight (5%–10%), people can notice beneficial results. 

Is Ozempic Effective for Managing Diabetes?

When exercise and healthy eating habits are not enough to stabilize blood sugar levels, that’s where Ozempic could prove useful. Alongside other drugs, like sulfonylurea, metformin, or insulin, Ozempic could aid the system in managing sugar levels. It can also help patients who can’t tolerate metformin.

So, what makes Semaglutide effective for diabetes? Diabetes is a metabolic condition that impacts various components of the body. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas can create the necessary amount of insulin at first. However, the body’s cells slowly but surely, lose their ability to use and absorb that insulin.

If the patient can’t reduce their glucose enough through working out and eating well, then medication can regulate that. Semaglutide is a type of injectable that can prevent strong fluctuations in glucose levels, including the uncomfortable effects of too low or too high blood sugar.

When it comes to injectable semaglutide, people are also interested in the difference between Ozempic vs wegovy. They are both the same medicine: semaglutide, with different brand names and dosages. But, the main difference is in their purpose. Ozempic is meant to treat type 2 diabetic patients and reduce the risk of notable heart problems. Wegovy is mainly tailored toward weight reduction and chronic weight management. 

What Are the Side Effects of Ozempic?

Just like any medication out there, Ozempic can cause side effects. Based on FDA reports, the most prevalent Ozempic side effects presented in over 5% of patients were: 

• Constipation
• Abdominal pain (i.e., bloating, gas, heartburn, and upset stomach)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea 

Users might also experience a loss of appetite, stomach flu-like symptoms, exhaustion, and headaches. In some patients, the adverse reactions caused a drop in blood sugar. It is important to talk to a specialist if you see your body doesn’t react too well to the product. 

An allergic reaction can also happen. It can be accompanied by dizziness, hives, and swelling. Seek medical help immediately if your body shows any classic signs of an allergic reaction to semaglutide. 

If this injectable doesn’t work for you, you can discuss the potential Ozempic alternatives with your doctor. They can come in the form of an injectable or an oral alternative. 

Some of these options include metformin (oral alternative), Bydureon BCise (injectable), Trulicity (injectable), and Rybelsus (oral tablet). Consult with a specialist to know what diabetes medication is right for you. 

5 Tips for Taking Ozempic 

Before you start using Ozempic, tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you might have or had in the past. This includes problems with the kidneys, pancreas, or diabetic retinopathy. Be open about any medicines or herbal supplements you might be using. 

To get the most out of this medication, here are a few tips you can try.

1. Avoid Some Foods

People want to know what foods should be avoided in an Ozempic diet. Ozempic is an injectable that works best if you combine it with healthy dietary habits. Although no consumables are strictly off-limits, there are some foods to avoid while taking Ozempic. 

These include:

• Fried and fatty foods
• Foods high in sugar
• Refined grains
• Alcohol

If you do experience nausea, you might want to eat smaller portions and take your time when chewing food. Also, eat products that are light and bland but high in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. The best foods to eat with Ozempic are non-starchy veggies, whole grains, nuts, natural protein-rich products, and legumes.

2. Proper Storage

When using the injectable pen, you can store it for 6 weeks, either in the fridge (2˚C to 8˚C) or at room temperate (not over 30˚C). Don’t put it in the freezer or expose its contents to direct sunlight or heat. Feel free to store it in a dry and cool place out of reach of children. 

3. When to Throw It Away

Throw away the pen you are using after 6 weeks, even if there is some medicine still left in it. Make a note of when you bought it so you won’t forget. Use a plastic sharps container to throw away the used needles. 

Do not use the product if the solution is not colorless, clear, or almost colorless. It means the Ozempic went bad.

4. Take Extra Precaution

Avoid sharing needles or pens with anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. You can get an infection or pass one onto them. 

5. Ask For Advice

Ask your nurse or doctor to show you how to inject Ozempic before you try it out yourself. Injecting it the right way can minimize the discomfort and can help curb some of that unease. 

Final Thoughts

Ozempic is a prescription injectable that can help with type 2 diabetes. With a single dose once a week, patients can decrease their glucose levels and manage their underlying health conditions. They can self-administer the necessary dose and make use of its beneficial properties.  

Author Bio

Ben’s Natural Health is the world’s first high-quality, all-natural, scientifically proven clinical supplement company. Their motto is to combine holistic healing with modern science. 

Ben has brought together a team of naturopaths, nutritionists, and medical researchers to help him create real, side-effect-free solutions to serious metabolic health conditions.

References

1. https://www.ozempic.com/ 
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6088226/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538538/
5. https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/difference-between-ozempic-wegovy-3565564/
6. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/209637lbl.pdf
7. https://www.novonordisk.com.au/content/dam/nncorp/au/en/pdfs/Ozempic-0.25_0.5mg-cmi-v3.0.pdf 

Medicare consists of four parts, each serving a different purpose. Here is a brief overview of each part and its basic features:

Part A

Part A is usually referred to as hospital insurance and covers inpatient services of hospital stays. Here are the services offered under the part:

Hospital services related to staying overnight in a hospital

A person can be treated in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) if he or she is limited or cannot perform daily functions on his or her own and/or needs nursing care for a maximum of 3 months.

Skilled Nursing Facility(SNF)

In order to receive benefits from Part A, the patient must recuperate after an extensive hospital stay that was medically necessary and not self-imposed in an SNF skilled nursing facility. Medicare must approve the place before receiving payment for these services.

Home health benefits

Home health benefits allow patients to receive medical services in their homes. Part A covers skilled nursing, physical therapy, and home health aide services administered under a physician’s direction and for which Medicare is the primary insurer.

Hospice Care

Hospice care is designed to provide comfort and relief to terminally ill patients. Part A has specific provisions for the benefit of hospice care. It covers the costs incurred for inpatient hospice services, including inpatient and outpatient hospice care.

Medical Social Services

Services provided under the medical social services part of Medicare are provided to the elderly, disabled, and persons with a mental illness. It covers doctor’s visits and care that is rendered in an inpatient or outpatient setting. This includes but is not limited to:

Medical Services Related to Unexpected Illnesses

This part covers the cost of services provided for unexpected illnesses that occur within 30 days of admission for treatment or recovery from a new illness. These are called “non-Medicare-covered acute illnesses,” that is, illnesses that require hospitalization and treatment if the person does not have health insurance coverage or other means of coverage (not including short-term or temporary coverage).

Part A is generally paid for by a portion of the Social Security taxes paid over a person’s lifetime. The amount of the Medicare tax paid is deducted from one’s Social Security benefits.

Part B

Part B covers fees for a physician, outpatient care, and outpatient hospital care if you have a Medicare-approved home health plan. This covers the cost of the services provided by your doctor, specialist, dentist, or therapist. Part B covers:

Actual Cost of Dental Services

The actual cost is determined using a process called Cost-Based Dental Examinations (CBDE).

Coverage for Preventive Services

The Plan pays 100% of the cost for some preventive services, including vaccinations, flu shots, and breast cancer screenings. This saves the patient money and can also improve their health.

Medical Equipment

The Plan covers items like walkers, wheelchairs, and hospital beds.  It also covers Hoyer lifts for people who need help getting in and out of bed. The Plan does not cover prosthetic devices or equipment like artificial teeth or eyes.  However, a separate Medicare program covers stand-alone dental plans and contact lenses. Part B is generally paid by premiums that are deducted from the Social Security check bi-weekly.

Mental health treatment

The Plan covers mental health services provided by mental health care providers. The Plan covers only certain types of mental health services such as counseling, psychotherapy, and personal care services. There are different limits on what the Plan covers for mental health treatment.

Ambulance services

The Plan covers ambulance services, including transportation to and from the hospital (ambulance fees) and emergency medical care while in transit.

Diagnostic lab tests

The Plan covers these services that are administered by a physician who works for a Medicare-approved lab. Medicare does not cover blood tests that are performed at any lab other than a Medicare-approved one. Part B is paid by monthly premiums, which are deducted from the Social Security check on a monthly basis.

Limited outpatient prescription drugs

The Plan covers these prescription drugs that are approved by Medicare only. These medicines have been determined to have a low cost relative to their efficacy and/or benefit, based on studies performed by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Part C

Part C is also referred to as Medicare Advantage. It is the Medicare supplement program, and private insurance companies provide it. It helps save potential beneficiaries money and provides the benefits they prefer.

Preventive care

The Plan covers inpatient and outpatient services that are administered in a medical facility to help prevent illness and/or injury through prevention.

Hospital Services

The Plan has lower deductibles, among other benefits like Medicare flex cards. Visit this page to learn more about these benefits.

Home Health-Services

The Plan takes over the entire cost of Medicare-covered home health services. This includes costs for inpatient and outpatient services, transportation, and rehabilitation services. For some beneficiaries, there is also home nursing care provided by nurses that the Plan contracts. The Plan covers skilled care administered in an extended stay unit (short-term) and skilled care provided in an acute hospital setting (long-term).

Ambulance Services

The Plan covers ambulance services, including transportation to and from the hospital (ambulance fees) and emergency medical care while in transit.

Prescription Drugs

The Plan covers only medications that are approved by Medicare only. These medicines have been determined to have a low cost relative to their efficacy and/or benefit, based on studies performed by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Skilled Nursing Facility Services

The Plan covers only inpatient services that are administered in a medical facility to help prevent illness and/or injury through treatment. The skilled care provided is not always nursing care but can include physical therapy and/or rehabilitation, among other things.

Part D

Part D is a program that was created as a way to help people with prescription drug coverage. The program is managed by private insurance companies that work for Medicare beneficiaries. These companies contract with pharmaceutical companies for the medical services covered by Part D. Beneficiaries pay a monthly premium deducted from their Social Security (or Railroad Retirement) check. Some beneficiaries may also have an annual deductible applied to the monthly premium payment if they choose not to use their Plan’s drug benefit as part of their prescription plan. Here are some of the items covered by Part D.

Mail-Order Pharmacies

The Plan uses mail-order pharmacies to provide prescriptions for their beneficiaries. However, this does not mean that beneficiaries cannot use local pharmacies.

Prescription Drug Coverage

The Plan provides coverage for these prescription drugs, which are approved by Medicare only. These medicines have been determined to have a low cost relative to their efficacy and/or benefit, based on studies performed by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Some of the more popular Part D prescription plans are as follows:

Continuing Coverage

These are Medicare supplemental plans that cover certain people who were formerly covered under their original Medicare plan. Some of these groups include but are not limited to individuals who have had a late enrollment penalty applied to their Social Security check and those beneficiaries who have had a previous private Medicare supplement plan terminated by the insurance company. In some cases, a beneficiary might be ineligible for Original Medicare but can qualify for an approved Part C or Part D Plan. These supplemental plans can be valuable to individuals who want additional coverage beyond their Original Medicare coverage.

Concurrent Coverage

These are Medicare supplemental plans that cover certain people who were formerly covered under their original Medicare plan. Some of these groups include but are not limited to individuals who have had a late enrollment penalty applied to their Social Security check and those beneficiaries who have had a previous private Medicare supplement plan terminated by the insurance company. In some cases, a beneficiary maybe not be eligible for Original Medicare but can qualify for an approved Part C or Part D Plan. These supplemental plans can be valuable to individuals who want additional coverage beyond their Original Medicare coverage.

Creditable Coverage

People who have had medical coverage that they pay for themselves (e.g., prior employer-sponsored, retiree, or union) may be eligible to apply that coverage toward Part A and/or Part B. Some of these groups include but are not limited to individuals who have had a late enrollment penalty applied to their Social Security check and those beneficiaries who have had a previous private Medicare supplement plan terminated by the insurance company. In some cases, a beneficiary might not be eligible for Original Medicare but can qualify for an approved Part C or Part D Plan. These supplemental plans can be valuable to individuals who want additional coverage beyond their Original Medicare coverage.

In conclusion, it is important to be aware of the different types of Medicare Supplement Plans available, which is why you should contact an agency specializing in Medicare insurance St George Utah, the eligibility requirements, and how these plans work to make an educated decision on which Plan is best for you.