As a community health care resource on the North Shore for the last 30 years, we provide the following useful drug and health tips. This is a collection of comments from Darryl Wing, Pharmacist at Davies Pharmacy, which have appeared in the North Shore News.
Asthma-sufferers note: about one-third of asthma patients do not use their inhalers correctly. This means they are not getting the proper dose of medication to help the condition. This applies to both the spray-type and dry powder inhalers. Our pharmacists can check your technique on your asthma inhalers to help you get the most from these drugs. Check with us when you get them refilled.
One of the unsung heroes of medication history is hydrocortisone. It was discovered sixty years ago and has been a wonderful solution to people suffering from itchy and inflamed skin conditions. The drug is found in creams and ointments and is available without a prescription. Our pharmacists can advise you on the proper use of this product.
People over the age of 60 make up a large part of the traveling community. This age group is more susceptible to medical problems while traveling and do well to adhere to preventive measures like: wearing support stockings on long-distance flights; keeping up hydration; washing hands often; using disposable tissues and even using face masks in crowded situations and insect repellents when called for. For fast, courteous and informative prescription service, give Davies Pharmacy a try.
The middle ear contains the smallest bone in the human body. It’s called the stapes (stirrup)and is 0.1 inch long. It is linked by tiny joints to two other bones called the malleus (hammer) and the incus (anvil). The common names in brackets indicate their shape. These three bones are instrumental in conducting sound to our inner ear. They are delicate and fragile. Treat them with respect. Our pharmacists are familiar with all the cough and cold remedies to help you weather the winter season. Drop in soon for top-notch professional advice.
About 30% of patients stop taking their antidepressants within one month. It’s important to continue this type of drug for at least a couple of months for the positive effects to occur. Stopping early may deprive you of these effects.
It’s getting easier for diabetics to manage their disease. There are new blood glucose monitors on the market that allow storage of up to 2000 glucose readings. You can also plug the machines into your computer and with accompanying software, you can more easily monitor the progress of your disease. Talk to our pharmacy staff for more information.
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September is Arthritis Month in Canada. There are many myths surrounding this debilitating disease. Arthritis is not an “old person’s disease”. In fact, 60% of the 4.5 million Canadians with arthritis are under the age of 65. Arthritis is not a single disease. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Arthritis is a costly disease, costing more than $4.4 billion annually in healthcare expenses and lost work days.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition in which a nerve passing through the spaces in the bones in the wrist gets pinched due to inflammation in the area. See your doctor if you have 2 of these 3 symptoms: a tingling in at least 2 of the first 4 fingers; symptoms that are worse during the night or on awakening; symptoms get better when you shake your hand.
If all vaccinations were stopped, many diseases would once again become common. These diseases include polio, measles, mumps, meningitis, whooping cough (pertussis), pneumonia, Hepatitis B and chickenpox. Vaccinations against these diseases have saved much parental heartache and millions of doctor visits.
Tobacco smokers are exposed to first-hand smoke through inhalation and to second-hand smoke by breathing in again what they’ve exhaled. They also have third-hand exposure from the smoke embedding in their clothes, car upholstery and on walls and furniture. Smoking is a real triple threat!