Morning Ailments

Have lately been watching a morning news show for a bit, HLN's, 'The Morning Express with Robin Meade.' Lots of video of floods, traffic pileups, railway pileups, tornadoes, cops, recalls, food scares, pets, music videos, trending Tweets, Taylor Swift groping trial, Tiger Woods DUI updates, and other staples for what passes these days for important "news." And of course weather. Never forget the weather

Aside from the expected segments of heart-tuggers are the commercials. And the ratio of health related commercials to other commercials, for say Progressive, or Geico insurance, automobiles, cable companies, et al is astounding. If it were a batting average, the player would be in Cooperstown on the first ballot.

There are so many "medicinal" commercials, as I call them, that they run back-to-back-to-back. It's a tsunami of health related remedies that would make you doubt Americans are living longer. You would think we're all watching TV from a hospital bed, ER, or a waiting room.

Here's a sample from just one day's worth of viewing. And this is hardly from the entire show, which runs 5 hours.

Menigitis-B vaccine. Meningitis-B is rare, but you certainly wouldn't want to get it. They have a point.

Trintellix, for depression, with more side effects to make you even more depressed.

Optum, a health care company that's putting all the health data to use, with the tagline: "How well gets done." I'm encouraged by this.

Chrohn's Disease, Stelara. 'It's more than a bathroom disease." There is cause for alarm there.

Allergies, Flonase. "Six is better than one." Always depends are what you're counting, but I guess in their case they might be right?

Medicare Advantage coverage helpline. Jason Buchwald, M.D. will help wade you through the swamp and help you determine if you can get a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Listerine. Okay, not a prescription, but is out there with: "Bad breath killing power. Fresh breath on the go." Not sure it has been tested on people who are holding the pole with you on the subway who have just consumed a glove of garlic, or a bag of lyche nuts.

Cosentyz, plaque psoriasis. "Show the real you." Endorsed by Cyndi Lauper, among others.

Otezla, plaque psoriasis. Side effects are upper respiratory infection; depression. But go for it anyway.

Breo, prevents asthma symptoms. Do not use as a rescue inhaler. You won't be rescued.

Nasocort, for allergy sufferers.

Biotene, for dry mouth.

So, how are you feeling now? Still feel like going to the store?

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