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The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, with millions suffering from opioid addiction and approximately 50,000 opioid-related deaths annually. This crisis has profound impacts on individuals, families, communities, and society, including withdrawal symptoms, depression, criminal justice involvement, lost productivity, and the high cost of addiction treatment.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated media coverage, the opioid epidemic persists. The pandemic’s impact on in-person medical services has left many patients without access to essential addiction treatment.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a successful strategy for treating opioid use disorder (OUD), combining medication with cognitive behavioral therapy (counseling). Buprenorphine, often combined with naloxone, is one of the most effective and safest medications for MAT. It treats withdrawal symptoms and cravings while preventing overdoses and deaths. When prescribed correctly, buprenorphine does not impair job performance or cognitive functions.

While methadone is also used in MAT, it has disadvantages, such as causing drowsiness and requiring daily administration at a clinic. Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist and antagonist, can be self-administered after consultation with a licensed addiction specialist.

What is Tele-MAT?

According to a Pew analysis, 88.6% of rural counties lack adequate access to MAT programs. The overlap of the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic has further limited access to MAT. Recognizing this emergency, the DEA now allows addiction specialists to prescribe buprenorphine via phone or video without an initial in-person visit. On March 31, 2020, QuickMD became the first Tele-MAT service in the U.S. to offer Medication-Assisted Treatment and Suboxone online. This remote model now lets many people access opioid dependence at home through secure phone or video visits.

Is it Safe to be Prescribed Buprenorphine via the Internet?

While an in-person doctor-patient relationship is ideal, many Americans lack access to MAT, leading to preventable deaths. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the DEA permits practitioners to prescribe buprenorphine via telemedicine without an initial in-person evaluation. If a doctor deems a patient suitable for buprenorphine after a video or phone consultation, they can prescribe the medication.

How Do I Prevent Myself from Being Taken Advantage Of?

Patients with OUD are vulnerable to exploitation by unethical addiction services. To find quality services, consult reputable sources such as:

What is the Difference Between Suboxone, Buprenorphine, and Subutex?

Buprenorphine and Subutex are the same; Subutex is the brand name for buprenorphine. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Most doctors prescribe the combination drug to minimize the risk of illegal diversion. Naloxone in Suboxone has little effect unless injected, thus deterring misuse.

What are the Side Effects of Buprenorphine?

Common side effects include headaches, tiredness, loss of appetite, constipation, skin rashes, weight gain, reduced sex drive, and menstrual changes in women. Consult your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.

What About Drug Testing?

Drug testing is not required in most states for starting buprenorphine treatment. It can pose barriers, delays, logistical problems, or be too expensive. However, drug testing may be necessary if prescribed buprenorphine alone instead of the combination medication.

If you or a family member are struggling with opioid addiction, do not wait to seek help. You may contact one of the resources mentioned above, or if you feel ready to start buprenorphine or continue treatment, talk to one of our addiction specialists at QuickMD, available seven days a week.

High blood pressure (Hypertension) means having a baseline blood pressure above 140/90. Many people live for years with hypertension without knowing it, but there can be serious complications. In short, when someone has hypertension, lowering blood pressure should become the number one priority.

Here are the complications of hypertension.

7 Complications of Hypertension

  1. Heart Disease: When the heart has to struggle to pump, it can lead to congestive heart failure, a potentially fatal condition. Angina, or chest pain, can occur when the heart does not get enough oxygen.
  2. Stroke: High blood pressure can cause balloon-like outpouchings in arteries in the brain, known as aneurysms. When these aneurysms burst, a stroke can occur, causing crippling effects or even death.
  3. Kidney Failure: Many blood vessels carry blood through the kidneys to have toxins removed. Excessive pressure can damage these vessels and impair kidney function.
  4. Sexual Dysfunction: High blood pressure can cause low libido in women and erectile dysfunction in men.
  5. Peripheral Artery Disease: This can lead to pain, cramping, and tiredness in the limbs.
  6. Poor Vision: Damage to blood vessels in the eyes and swelling of the optic nerve can result in vision problems.
  7. Hypertensive Crisis: This is a medical emergency caused by extremely high blood pressure.

Hypertension Prevention–Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

  1. Maintain Normal Weight: Keeping a healthy weight can reduce the risk of hypertension.
  2. Eat a Healthy Diet: Incorporate lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains into your diet.
  3. Perform Physical Activity Daily: Regular exercise helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
  4. Avoid Smoking and Excess Alcohol: Both can contribute to high blood pressure.

9 Types of Hypertension Medications

If you have hypertension, you need to treat it ASAP. Here’s how.

  1. Diuretics: Increase urination, lowering pressure by reducing the amount of fluid in blood vessels.
    • Examples: spironolactone (Aldactone), hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, Microzide), furosemide (Lasix)
  2. Beta Blockers: Relax and slow down the heart and dilate blood vessels.
    • Examples: atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol (Inderal)
  3. Calcium Channel Blockers: Relax the heart and blood vessels.
    • Examples: amlodipine (Norvasc, Lotrel), diltiazem (Cardizem CD, Cardizem SR, Dilacor XR, Tiazac), felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, verapamil
  4. ACE Inhibitors: Block blood pressure-raising enzymes produced by the kidneys.
    • Examples: captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril
  5. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers: Help keep arteries open.
    • Examples: candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), telmisartan (Micardis), valsartan (Diovan)
  6. Alpha Blockers: Relax muscle tone of blood vessels.
    • Examples: doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin)
  7. Central Agonists: Lower blood vessels’ ability to contract.
  8. Peripheral Adrenergic Inhibitors: Reduce blood vessel contraction.
  9. Blood Vessel Dilators: Relax blood vessels.

Hypertension Basics: Final Thoughts

Hypertension is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can lead to severe health complications affecting the heart, brain, kidneys, and overall quality of life. Making healthy lifestyle choices like maintaining a normal weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol can significantly reduce the risk.

For those who need medication, there are numerous options available to manage high blood pressure effectively.

QuickMD can prescribe the appropriate medications to you, and our doctors are experts in treating hypertension. Create an account and talk to a doctor immediately.

Trichomoniasis, or “trich,” is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Trichomoniasis is a parasite infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. According to the CDC, an estimated 3.7 million people in the U.S. have this disease.

How Does Trichomoniasis Spread?

The Trichomonas vaginalis parasite is typically spread through unprotected sexual intercourse. This means that you can get these diseases by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. You can also get the disease by genital touching. You can reduce the risk of getting it by using condoms and avoid vaginal douching.

Signs and Symptoms of Trichomoniasis

Not everyone with Trichomoniasis experiences signs and symptoms–which is why this infection is so widespread. Men are less likely to be symptomatic than women. When symptomatic, men usually experience pain, itching, or a burning sensation in their penis. They may also experience discharge from their penis. Women–if symptomatic–often experience pain, itching, or a burning sensation in their vagina. They may also experience unusual vaginal discharge (which can be yellowish, greenish, frothy, and foul-smelling). According to the CDC, pregnant women with Trichomoniasis are more likely to have their babies delivered too early. Babies who are born to infected mothers are also more likely to have a low birth weight. Both men and women may experience pain during sex when infected with trichomonas.

Trichomoniasis Testing

If your doctor suspects that you might have a trichomonas infection, they will either order a laboratory test to confirm the diagnosis, or if the symptoms are typical, they may treat you without testing.

Treatment for Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is an easily treated infection; the most common regimen is a week-long course of metronidazole (Flagyl). While a one-time dose of Flagyl may also treat the infection, it is less effective than the week-long course. Furthermore, it is essential not to drink any alcohol while taking metronidazole, as the combination may lead to severe and unpleasant side effects, which include nausea, vomiting, and a flushing reaction.

How to Get Help with Trichomoniasis

If you or your partner experience any of the symptoms above or test positive for an STI, do not delay getting treated. QuickMD can send the appropriate antibiotics directly to your pharmacy via phone, video, or chat–from the privacy of your home. Click here to make an appointment or speak to a doctor now. If you would like to get tested, you can order your own STD test here and have it done at a LabCorp location closest to you.

Antibiotics are effective only for bacterial infections, so taking them for non-bacterial illness is ineffective and potentially harmful.

Here are three key reasons why:

  1. Antibiotic Resistance: Our bodies naturally carry some bacteria. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance. If these resistant bacteria cause an infection, antibiotics will be less effective.
  2. Limited Effectiveness: Each antibiotic can be used effectively only a finite number of times. Overuse forces pharmaceutical companies to invest in expensive research for new antibiotics, driving up healthcare costs.
  3. Side Effects: Antibiotics can cause side effects ranging from mild (upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea) to severe (rare cases of serious health complications, including death).

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis, or inflammation of the bronchi (tubes leading from the throat to the lungs), is most often caused by viruses, smoke, dust, or allergies, not bacteria. Bacterial bronchitis is less common but possible. It typically presents with symptoms such as high fever, productive cough with yellow or green sputum, and severe chest discomfort.

If non-bacterial bronchitis does not heal, secondary bacterial infection or bacterial pneumonia can occur, at which point antibiotics may be necessary.

Signs and Symptoms of Bronchitis

Bronchitis Prevention

Medications for Bronchitis

Note: Bronchitis, an acute inflammation of the bronchi, should not be confused with a COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) flare, which is a chronic condition characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms. A COPD flare often requires antibiotics, while bronchitis is usually managed with supportive care and symptom relief.If you are unsure about your condition, our doctors are here to help. QuickMD can provide online prescriptions for the appropriate medications, ensuring that you have access to the care you need from the comfort of your home. We’re here to support you in your journey to better health.

After planning and spending money on a trip, you want to count on having an enjoyable time, and few things can ruin a vacation faster than getting sick. Consider the following list of medications to ensure a happy, healthy trip:

Malaria Prevention

High Altitude Sickness

Motion Sickness

Nausea Medications

Traveler’s Diarrhea

Travel Prescriptions: Final Thoughts

Planning a trip? Our doctors are here to counsel you and prescribe the appropriate travel medications online, offering you the convenience of picking up your prescriptions at any pharmacy right after your consultation. Bon voyage!

Although we all strive to do our best at work and show up every day, sometimes we do fall ill. This means you might need to take some time off work to recover. It might be the right thing to do as well – if you have an infectious disease (e.g., COVID-19), you might inadvertently pass the disease to your co-workers if you come into close physical proximity.

Another reason that you might not be able to come to work is that you have a regular doctor’s appointment that you need to attend. Or you might be pregnant and need to be absent from work due to pregnancy-related reasons (such as prenatal check-ups or delivery).

In these cases, you will need a doctor’s note.

What is a Doctor’s Note?

A doctor’s note is a note from your doctor stating that you have had a consultation with your doctor and that you need to be excused from work/school due to certain medical conditions.

A standard doctor’s note usually includes the following:

You must know that you can receive a doctor’s note through telemedicine as long as a licensed doctor has assessed you and signed the note.

However, there may be some conditions where telemedicine may not be appropriate, such as when a doctor needs to assess you in person. Certain physical examinations, such as listening to your heart using a stethoscope, can only be performed in person. Examples of conditions that may require an in-person evaluation are complex health and disability evaluations, forensic evaluations, or listening for a heart murmur.

Return to Work Note

Another type of doctor’s note is a return to work note or a health clearance note. These state that a patient is safe to return to work and does not pose any significant risk to themselves or to others. Many employers ask for a “return to work” note for employees who miss days due to illness, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Get Your Doctor’s Note with QuickMD

Did you know that QuickMD can provide you with an official doctor’s note by a licensed physician, all from the convenience of your own home?

We can also provide you with a “return to work” note online. It will be on QuickMD Urgent Care letterhead, with the physician’s signature and license number. Within minutes of the consultation, it will be sent as a PDF. Upon request, it can also be faxed directly to an employer or school.

The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, produces thyroid hormone, which regulates the body’s metabolism. Hypothyroidism refers to low thyroid hormone production. You can take a thyroid function test to see if your thyroid is functioning properly.

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Causes of Hypothyroidism

The most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States is Hashimoto’s disease, where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. 

Other causes include pituitary deficiency, iodine deficiency, use of the medication lithium (for bipolar disorder), radiation of the neck for cancer treatment, and surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. Women over 60 are at particularly high risk.

Hypothyroidism Treatment

Treatment for hypothyroidism involves supplementing the thyroid hormone that the gland fails to produce. 

Synthroid (levothyroxine) tablets are commonly prescribed to raise blood thyroid hormone to normal levels. Finding the right dose for each patient takes time and requires gradual dosage adjustments. Blood levels must be checked annually to ensure the dose remains adequate.

Did you know? Our physicians can treat hypothyroidism through telemedicine and prescribe medications online. You can receive up to a 90-day supply. Additionally, you may order your own discounted thyroid labs to check your thyroid function. Get started with QuickMD today!

Insulin is crucial for managing diabetes, particularly for those with type 1 diabetes (DM Type 1), where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. It is also used in some cases of type 2 diabetes, usually alongside oral medication. Insulin types are classified by their onset and duration of action:

Rapid-Acting Insulin

Regular/Short-Acting Insulin

Intermediate-Acting Insulin

Long-Acting Insulin

Administration of Insulin

Insulin is administered subcutaneously, meaning it is injected just below the skin. Common injection sites include the abdomen, arms, or legs. Rotating injection sites is recommended to prevent tissue damage in any one area. Insulin should be stored in the refrigerator unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider.

Did you know? Whether you need a refill of your insulin or assistance controlling your blood sugar levels, QuickMD can help. Our doctors can prescribe insulin online, giving you the convenience of receiving your medication from home. Get started with QuickMD today!

The terms telemedicine and telehealth are often used interchangeably, but the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) makes a distinction between the two:

Telemedicine refers specifically to remote clinical services, such as consultations between doctors and patients using electronic communication. It involves diagnosing and treating patients through telecommunication technologies.

Telehealth encompasses a broader scope of remote healthcare services beyond clinical consultations. This includes non-clinical services such as public health education, healthcare administration, and provider training.

Understanding Virtual or Online Doctors

A virtual or online doctor is a healthcare professional who consults with patients using digital platforms such as computers, smartphones, or tablets rather than in-person visits. This allows patients to access medical care without visiting a physical clinic.

Remote Doctors and Telemedicine

Remote doctors use telemedicine to deliver medical care to geographically, culturally, socioeconomically, or climatically isolated patients. This approach is crucial for providing healthcare to underserved populations.

Types of Telemedicine Services

Direct-to-Consumer Services

Direct-to-consumer telemedicine services offer on-demand access to healthcare providers. Patients can sign up and make appointments for diagnoses, prescriptions, and other healthcare services. Examples of these services include:

Doctor-to-Doctor Services

Doctor-to-doctor telemedicine services involve healthcare professionals consulting with other doctors. These services include:

These services facilitate specialist consultations and enhance the quality of care provided by healthcare providers.

Final Thoughts on Telemedicine vs. Telehealth

While telemedicine and telehealth are closely related, telehealth encompasses a broader range of remote healthcare services, including both clinical and non-clinical services. Telemedicine focuses specifically on remote clinical services. Both play a crucial role in expanding access to healthcare, especially for isolated or underserved populations.Did you know? QuickMD can connect you with a licensed doctor from the comfort of your home. Whether you need a diagnosis, prescription, or just a consultation, QuickMD’s telemedicine services are available 24/7. Get the care you need without leaving your house. Book an appointment with QuickMD today!

Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but there are several steps you can take to minimize their appearance.

Preventing Wrinkles

Wrinkles form as the skin loses proteins known as elastin and collagen, becoming looser and drier. Smoking accelerates the breakdown of collagen, and ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and tanning lamps also damage the skin. Lines form where we frequently express emotions, such as laugh lines and crow’s feet.

Here are some effective strategies to prevent wrinkles:

Treating Wrinkles

Retinoids, which are derived from vitamin A, are the active ingredient in effective anti-wrinkle creams. 

Prescription-strength retinoids, such as Retin-A (tretinoin) and Avage or Tazorac (tazarotene), can reduce fine wrinkles, even out skin pigmentation, and smooth the outer layers of skin. These creams may cause redness initially and can increase sensitivity to sunburn, so they should be used alongside a sunscreen with an SPF factor of 30. They can also help treat acne.

Over-the-counter (OTC) wrinkle creams are less effective because they do not contain sufficient retinoids to make a significant difference. Some OTC creams also contain peptides and antioxidants, but their effects are generally limited compared to prescription-strength retinoids.

Getting a Prescription for Retinoids for Wrinkles

Did you know that our doctors can conveniently prescribe retinoids online? Simply create an account and get a 3-month supply of prescription-strength retinol cream, such as tretinoin, delivered to your door.