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Why 10,000 Steps?
Walking is one of the simplest and most accessible forms of physical activity, and it can bring a wide range of health benefits.
The Science of Sunscreen: Debunking Myths and Embracing Protection
Sunscreen is vital in our skincare routine, offering protection against the sun's harmful UV rays.
Forest Bathing? Really?
In today's world, where most of us lead busy, stressful lives, finding time outdoors can be challenging.
I Already Had My Shingles Series. Do I Need A Booster?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful and often debilitating condition affecting many individuals each year.
There Is Smoke In The Air: Be Cautious
Forest fires can significantly impact air quality, posing potential health risks to communities across Canada.
Can One Take Too Much of Stomach Medications?
PPIs are a group of medications commonly used to treat acid-related digestive disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
What is a “Compounding Pharmacy”?
A compounding pharmacy is a pharmacy that specializes in compounding medications..we make stuff up from scratch!
The Growing Problem of Drug-Resistant UTI’s
Are you going to the bathroom every 5 minutes, and it feels like peeing razor blades?
What Is Diverticulitis?
Sometimes tiny, bulging pouches (called diverticula) form in parts of the colon and this condition is called diverticulosis.
Managing Medications During Ramadan
For 30 days in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, many individuals worldwide who practise the Muslim faith refrain from eating or drinking from dawn until dusk in observance of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
Daylight Savings Time, That Time of Year Again?!
This Sunday, March 12th, we “spring ahead” and set our clocks an hour ahead to gain an extra 60 minutes of sunlight……and lose an hour of sleep.
Daylight Savings Time, That Time of Year Again?
This Sunday, March 12th, we “spring ahead” and set our clocks an hour ahead to gain an extra 60 minutes of sunlight……and lose an hour of sleep.
Compound Solutions for Feet!
Your feet take a pounding every day, literally. It’s essential to care for those aches, pains, nicks, scratches or infections as they arise but unfortunately, there is no one size fits all solution.
Warning Signs of Early Heart Failure & SmHeart Card
he earliest symptoms of heart failure are often very subtle, but it's dangerous to ignore them.
What is Pharmacogenomics and Why Are We Talking About It?
Ever wonder why acetaminophen never works for you, but your spouse touts it as the best for their headaches?
Understanding Sleep Aids and Their Risk
You've spent the past few nights staring at the ceiling, thinking about your grocery list, lining up your tasks for the next day, the rest of the week, or obsessing about your problem of the day — but what you want to be doing is sleeping soundly.
Is Your Pill Box Overflowing? We Can Help
More than 1 out of 4 Canadians (27%) over 65 take at least ten prescription medications.
Bio-Identical Hormones: Progesterone and Estrogen
Hormones regulate various biological activities, including growth, development, reproduction, energy use and storage, and water and electrolyte balance. They are molecules that act as chemical messengers in the body's endocrine system. Hormones are produced by specific organs and glands and are secreted into the blood or other bodily fluids. Most hormones are carried by the circulatory system to different areas, influencing particular cells and organs. ProgesteroneProgesterone is a steroid […]
Vitamin D, What’s the Hype?
We always seem to hear more about it in the winter months. Well there is a lot to share, year round actually.Vitamin D is both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our bodies make. Yes, it’s now understood to be and behave as a hormone.Few foods naturally contain vitamin D, though some foods are fortified, such […]
Flu Season: 5 Facts
1. The FLU is much worse than a bad cold.Commonly known as "Flu," influenza is an airways infection caused by the influenza virus. It is easily caught, and spread, and the symptoms are much more serious than cold symptoms.2. Immunization is the most effective preventionThe National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends the flu vaccine for all […]
What is the difference between hemoglobin testing and iron testing?
A hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to your body's organs and tissues and transports carbon dioxide from your organs and tissues back to your lungs.The main difference between iron and hemoglobin is that iron is the metal ion […]
What Makes LUMIFY Different From Other OTC Drops?
This low-dose ophthalmic solution (Lumify 0.025%) will be the first OTC (over-the-counter) brimonidine eye drop available to help relieve red, irritated eyes without a prescription in Canada.Brimonidine is not a new drug, it has been available by prescription for quite some time. It has been used in higher concentrations as a drop/gel for glaucoma or rosacea […]
Monkeypox, Keeping You Informed
We have experienced our first full-on global pandemic, so people are prone to panic or to pass along false information when a new infectious disease pops up. Let’s not panic about monkeypox but make sure we are informed.The world is currently experiencing the largest outbreak of the disease known as monkeypox outside of the countries where […]
What Can Pharmacists Do For Minor Ailments?
First, let's ask, what are minor ailments?Also known as common ailments, they are conditions that do not require lab work and some may consider it recurrent, inconvenient or too minor for medical clinics to handle.Typically a minor ailment means:It can be self-diagnosed.No lab or blood tests are required.Treatments should not be hiding any underlying conditions. Your follow-ups […]
Managing Kidney Stones
Kidney stones (renal calculi, nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis) are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys.Diet, excess body weight, some medical conditions, and certain supplements and medications are among the many causes of kidney stones. Kidney stones can affect any part of your urinary tract — from your kidneys to your […]
What exactly is a “strawberry mark”?
By Betty Dolman (pharmacist West Block)Infantile Hemangiomas (IH) are a type of birthmark commonly known as a “strawberry mark”. It is an overgrowth of blood vessels on or underneath the baby's skin. It occurs in about 5% of babies and usually appears from a few days to a few weeks after birth. We are not […]
Using your Emergency Medicines to Treat Asthma & Allergies
May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month in Canada. Spring has sprung. And with it… allergy and asthma season! When you have asthma or allergies, you must know how and when to use your medicines before a medical emergency. You may have more than one medicine to prevent and treat asthma emergencies when you have asthma.You can develop an action […]
Pain Is Inevitable. Suffering Doesn’t Have to Be.
Pain is the most common symptom for which people seek medical help. Acute pain (short-term pain) can quickly turn into chronic pain (long-term pain), which can be challenging to treat. Managing this pain effectively is crucial because even when the underlying disease is stable if someone is experiencing uncontrolled pain, it keeps them from working, enjoying […]
Sitting IS The New Smoking
For many people, work means hours and hours of sitting, with a few pauses scattered throughout the day for a walk around the block or even down the hall. We sit and drive to work; we sit at work; we sit and go home, get dinner ready and then sit and decompress watching TV (often […]
What Can I Do With My Old and Expired Medications?
Disposing of medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, appropriately is essential. Expired medicines can change and may not work as expected, or their effects may have been affected by time, temperature, or exposure to light. A few drugs may even be harmful if taken past the expiry date.What are some options for medication disposal? Bring your expired medications […]