Celebrating Health Literacy Month: Expert answers to your top health questions
October isn’t just about autumn leaves, pumpkin-scented candles and Halloween movie marathons – it's also Health Literacy Month! Health literacy is a broad term that describes how well you’re able to access and understand health information. It’s not just about comprehending medical jargon or navigating the healthcare system; it's about being able to use that information to prevent health issues and make informed decisions that directly impact our well-being.
Here at Sesame, our mission aligns perfectly with the spirit of Health Literacy Month. We believe in the power of accurate information, and we're committed to helping you stay in-the-know and confident about your health - which is why we shared an “Ask Anything” survey with Sesame subscribers at the beginning of the month. From idle curiosities to nagging questions, we welcomed readers to share their health queries, and then teamed up with Sesame’s Medical Director, Dr. Allison Edwards, MD, to address as many questions as possible below.
Please note that the responses outlined below should not be construed as medical advice. It’s critical to seek the advice of a healthcare provider for individualized medical care.
I'm uninsured and can't afford my prescription. Are there any resources that can help me?
Not being able to afford a prescription due to being uninsured can be deeply distressing, but there are some steps you can take - and resources that you can explore - to ease the burden:
Talk to the prescribing healthcare provider for medical advice about less expensive prescription medications - there may be generic versions of the medication that are more cost-effective, or another equally-effective medication that is more affordable.
Many manufacturers have coupons, discounts, rebates, or patient assistance programs that you can use when purchasing your medication. Pharmacies and other big-name retailers typically offer coupons on their store-brand products as well. Visit the website of the drug manufacturer or retailer to see if there are any patient assistance programs or coupons available.
Some states and local governments have programs to help residents with the cost of medications. Check with your state's health department or local community health centers for more information. Some community health clinics also offer medical services, including prescription drugs, on a sliding scale based on your income.
You may also want to consider shopping around - prices for the same medication can vary significantly between different pharmacies. You can use online tools like GoodRx or SingleCare to compare medication prices in different pharmacies in your area.
Are there any ways to lower my cholesterol naturally?
Absolutely! Studies have shown that higher cholesterol levels lead to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and stroke. Cholesterol in the diet comes almost exclusively from animal products & excess sugar (and also from your genetic makeup, which isn't easily modified). One major way to cut down on your cholesterol levels is to move towards a more plant-based diet with a focus on healthy fats, fiber, and – when you do eat meat – meat from lean sources such as fish or poultry. This discussion on non-pharmaceutical therapy for lowering cholesterol is particularly helpful!
There are also medicines that can help lower cholesterol levels (and, thus, your risk for heart attack and stroke); diet doesn’t always get everyone to the place they need to be to truly lower their risk profile. Based on your risk factors for heart disease and stroke (i.e. your age, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, presence of diabetes, prior history of heart problems, etc.), a clinician may recommend a "statin"-type medicine.
How long am I contagious when I have the flu or cold?
This is a really tough question to answer – and we all felt the uncertainty as we lived (and continue to live) through the COVID pandemic. While there isn’t a hard-and-fast timeline of contagiousness for any illness, the general rule of thumb is that if your symptoms are diminishing, your contagiousness is diminishing as well. The best way to reduce the risk of transmission is to practice good hand hygiene, cover coughs and sneezes, and to isolate when you’re feeling particularly crummy.
You can also refer to this “Am I Still Contagious?” infographic from the New York Times, which sums things up pretty well!
My family has a history of heart disease - what are some ways to reduce my chances of developing it?
While we can’t change our genetics, we can actively work to lead the healthiest lifestyle possible. Science is constantly evolving, but as best as we understand at this point, the most important things you can do to prevent heart disease are to get regular exercise and to eat a balanced, plant-based diet. Additionally, if you have conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, keeping these well controlled and treated will pay dividends in helping protect your heart in the long run.
Can I get my flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster/vaccine at the same time?
Yes! Absolutely! As with any vaccine, there are some commonly encountered side effects. Some people prefer not to have a “double whammy” of side effects and, thus, get their flu and COVID vaccines on separate days. My personal opinion, however, is that getting them both out of the way with one trip to the pharmacy, doctor’s office, or health department makes life a bit easier in the long run rather than spacing them out, even if you do feel the effects of both simultaneously.
When should I go to an urgent care vs. an ER?
This is a hard question to answer with any black-and-white sort of certainty. If you judge that your condition is an emergency and that your life is in danger, by all means, you should head to your nearest ER. If you are not experiencing an emergency or a condition needing pretty quick and possibly specialized care, urgent care may be a good option. When compared to a primary care clinic, urgent care centers tend to have longer hours, weekend hours, and operate without appointments, so getting seen last minute – similar to how an ER operates – is more possible. Importantly, though, if you have a primary care provider and you feel as though your condition is not an emergency, feel free to call your primary care provider first to see if they can help you, saving you a trip to the urgent care center.
I’m not diabetic, but I do want to lose weight. Is Ozempic right for me?
The generic name for Ozempic is semaglutide, and that’s the same active ingredient for Wegovy, which is FDA-approved for weight loss. Additionally, a related medicine whose generic name is liraglutide – and sold as the brand Saxenda – is also approved for weight loss. However, the best way to decide if a medication is right for you is by talking with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
How dangerous is the radiation from a mammogram?
Radiation exposure is a well-known risk factor for cancer of many types, and it can seem odd to intentionally expose yourself to radiation – via a mammogram, in this case – in an effort to find cancer. As with anything in medicine, we try to weigh the risks and benefits.
When the USPSTF put together the breast cancer screening recommendations in 2015, they did just that and found that the number of possible breast cancers caused by annual screening starting at age 40 was small compared to the number of cancers found at early stages and deaths prevented. As you’d expect, they found that delaying the start of mammogram screening until age 50 or performing mammograms every other year decreased that risk of radiation-induced breast cancer.
How long should I have a sore throat before going to a doctor?
This is another tough one to answer clearly. If you’re having trouble swallowing your food, are finding that you’re unable to swallow liquids (like your own saliva), have an associated fever, are experiencing significant voice changes or muffling, or if you have trouble breathing you should seek care right away. If this is more of a run-of-the-mill type of throat pain, you can likely watch it for a day or two and treat it with the mainstays of over-the-counter treatment, like hot teas with honey, cough drops, and numbing throat sprays to see how things go.
Are antibiotics necessary for strep throat?
This is an interesting question, the short answer is: yes! The long answer is that the most common bacterial cause of a throat infection – termed pharyngitis – is from a group of organisms called group A strep (GAS). Interestingly, without taking antibiotics, the symptoms of GAS pharyngitis will actually usually resolve within 3 to 5 days on their own. It’s the complications from a GAS throat infection, however, that we are concerned about when we prescribe antibiotics. Complications can range from abscesses in the throat region to rheumatic heart disease, a leading cause of heart disease worldwide. So yes, antibiotics are necessary for strep throat, but mainly to help prevent some pretty nasty long-term complications.
If you’re seeking more information, the Sesame blog is filled with helpful and educational health content, including medically-reviewed answers to common health questions, healthy recipes, ways to save on health care expenses, and more.
Dealing with a specific health concern? Book a telehealth visit with a Sesame provider! Sesame clinicians are available 7 days a week, bookable in just a few clicks, and offer prices up to 50% less than traditional care so that you can pay half - and be whole.
