PILL DOSE

Drug manufacturers are trying to make drugs more convenient to take by developing pills to be taken only once daily.  Often the time of day the pill is taken can have an important effect on how well the drug works.  As your pharmacist, we will tell you which is the best time to take your one-daily dose. Part of our job as your pharmacist is to ensure you get the most out of all your medication.  Let our knowledge help increase your knowledge about the drugs you take.

PNEUMONIA VACCINE

Pneumonia vaccine is recommended for all over people 65.  Younger people with a chronic disease should also receive the vaccine.  Certainly anyone who smokes regularly is at a greater risk of pneumonia so the vaccine is a good idea for this group of people.  Pneumonia shots can be given at any time of the year.

PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month in Canada.  Over 100,000 Canadians have this disease.  The average age of diagnosis is 60 but about 10% of people are diagnosed before the age of 40.  Men are slightly more affected by Parkinson’s than women.  Research is constant in finding a cure for this debilitating disease and better drugs for controlling it.

HEART DISEASE PREDICTION

A recent note on the web suggested that doctors could get a better idea predicting risk of heart disease by measuring the patient’s abdominal height rather than circumference.  The patient lies on his back and the doctor measures from the table to the top of the stomach.  It’s a good measure of how much fat is within.

NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS

It is estimated that 71% of Canadians regularly take vitamins, minerals, herbal products and homeopathic medicines.  Since 2004, when the federal government passed Bill C-51, there has been no change in the availability and distribution of natural health products.  The bill’s main focus was to ensure these products were safe and of high quality.  It has done that. Our pharmacists are ready to answer your questions about natural health products.  We do our best to keep current on all types of therapy. Our pharmacists try to be up-to-date in all types of herbal products.  You can depend on them to give you solid, reliable information about all types of medication.

URINARY TRACT INFECTION

We often hear that pure cranberry juice helps prevent urinary tract infections.  But how much do you take?  Recent information says that 400-700ml (about 2-3 cups) daily seems to be the “dose”.  Women get more urinary infections because the length of their urethra is shorter than men’s therefore more accessible to bacteria.

ST. JOHN'S WORT

It’s well known that the herb, St. John’s Wort, can be useful in treating mild depression.  But it shouldn’t be used if you are pregnant.  Also, it should never be taken with prescribed antidepressant drugs. Keep your doctor and pharmacist informed if you are going to try this product.

POLYPHENOLS

Polyphenols are substances in grains, vegetables and fruit that help reduce heart attacks.  Another source of polyphenols is dark chocolate.  A “dose” of 40gm (a little more than one ounce) per day can be part of a healthy diet.  If you don’t need those extra calories, get your polyphenols from tea, grapes, onions and olive oil.

EARWAX

The purpose of earwax is to prevent debris from entering deeper into the ear.  The ear usually clears out old wax on its own but if you have some build-up and your eardrum is intact, try warming a bit of vegetable oil and putting a few drops into the ear.  Let it sit for about 15 minutes then flush it out with an ear bulb syringe. Don’t use cotton-tipped applicators in the ear at all.

GINKGO

There have been many claims made for the herb ginkgo.  It was thought to slow the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  Large studies have recently been completed that showed it was not helpful in either preventing or slowing the progression of mental decline.

HAND WASHING

We hear much about washing our hands often to avoid viral and bacterial infections.  Using soap and water does the job but it should be done vigorously for 10 to 20 seconds to do a good job of cleansing.  Quick rinsing isn’t good enough.

KALE

Kale is a green, leafy vegetable from the cabbage family not usually found in many shopping carts. It is very nutritious containing high amounts of beta-carotene, vitamins K and C, lutein, zeaxanthin and some calcium.  Lutein is recommended (about 6mg daily) to reduce your risk of age-related macular degeneration of the eyes.  A half-cup serving of kale contains about 23mg of lutein.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure is so prevalent and potentially such a dangerous medical problem that it’s a good idea to invest in a home blood pressure monitor, especially as we get older.  There are many good, easy-to-use kits on the market. We’d like to be part of your healthcare team.  For answers to your questions about herbs, other drug products or information about blood pressure monitors, talk to our pharmacists.  They are always ready to serve you.