Statins are a class of drugs that lower blood cholesterol levels.  They accomplish this by reducing the amount of cholesterol that the liver produces, and also by increasing the amount of low-density lipoprotein receptors, which clear LDL from the body. Statins have been used in humans since the 1980s, with Lovastatin being the first to market in 1987. They are prescribed for the primary and secondary prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).  The goal of primary prevention is to prevent the onset of a disease, compared to secondary prevention, which aims at stopping the progress of a disease before it develops completely.  Statins generally reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by 1% for each percentage of LDL-C lowered. High-intensity statins reduce LDL levels by 50% or more, and moderate regiments reduce LDL levels by 30% or more. Importance of Statins: Statins are the only drug with significant data that...

The CDC warns that 15% of US adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Even worse, half of the people with low kidney function who are not on dialysis do not know they have CKD. 1 in 3 American adults are at risk for CKD. What do the kidneys do? The kidneys are important in the removal of toxins from the body, as well as regulation of waste products such as creatinine, urea, and uric acid. They also play a role in regulating the amount of fluid outside of the cells in our body, amongst other things. The kidneys can also be impacted by medications. Diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and kidney stones all affect the function of the kidneys. Because the kidneys filter the blood in our body, if they are impaired drug potency can be increased  How do we test kidney function? Testing kidney function generally...

https://www.auajournals.org/article/S0022-5347%2817%2973303-4/abstract Epidural Facts When was the Epidural Invented The epidural during childbirth has been used since 1909. Before adding this as a treatment for pain in childbirth epidurals had been used on animals and men. Who Invented the Epidural Epidurals were developed overtime by more than one person. What does an epidural feel like? A common concern from new mothers is the anticipation of the pain associated with an epidural. Kylee, one of Madison’s compassionate Labor and Deliver Nurses, and a mother discusses epidurals with Paul. Paul is one of our Anesthetists. Both of these professionals have extensive research and training. Most importantly, they have substantial experience as healthcare providers. Paul and Kylee agree that generally receiving an IV hurts worse than an epidural. Paul explains this is partially because there are less sensory receptors in the back than places like the hands. To minimize the pain and discomfort from...

Blood test. Your Gran CBC (Granulocytes from your Complete Blood Count) is the result of a blood test that tells your doctor a number of things, including your cell count for each blood cell type, your concentrations of hemoglobin, and your gran CBC count. It’s a quick and easy procedure. A nurse, such as those at Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, will insert a needle into the vein of your arm and draw a small sample of your blood, to be sent to the lab for analysis. You can eat and drink on the day of your test like you normally would unless you’re having some other test or procedure performed on the same day. Types of cells. There are three main types of cells circulating in your bloodstream – white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. If you have a particularly high or low count of any of these three,...

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing. What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)? When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network. “Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than...

A heart test may save your life. For about $100 with a doctors prescription you can come in and get one. Recommendations include women over the age of 50, and men over that age of 40 that have one or more of the following risk factors: yes/no Risk Factors: Family history of heart disease High cholesterol levels Diabetes High blood pressure Past or present smoking Obesity (you need to be under 250 lbs for this test)   A fatal heart attack is the first and only sign of heart diseas for too many Americans!  In fact, one of the leading activities for about a hundred fatal heart attacks occurs while shoveling snow annually. Many of these same individuals have had no warning signs, and had little reason to think there was anything to be concerned about. A Cardiac Calcum Scoring Exam determines the amount of calcium build-up in the coronary...