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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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Food allergies occur when the body has an adverse or abnormal response to food. An allergic reaction can be immediate and life-threatening, such as with peanuts. Or it can be delayed, taking three to five days to show up, causing hay fever-like symptoms, tummy troubles, eczema or other skin irritation, or even changes in behaviour […]
We love skin. It is such an important marker of your overall health, and as compounders, we work with many dermatologists and physicians to support healthy skin.Your skin is the window to your gastrointestinal, hormonal and nutritional health. Being the largest organ in the body, it has some significant responsibilities.Elimination and detoxifyingMaking vitamin DProtecting our body […]
There is growing evidence that a healthy gut microbiome may be your best immune defence.What is a “gut microbiome”? The gut microbiome is the collection of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi found within the gut and their overall genetic information. It plays a vital role in maintaining health and preventing developing disease.Within the last decade, […]
Have you been told you snore like a tractor? It could be more than just snoring. You might have sleep apnea.What Is Sleep Apnea?Sleep apnea is a severe disorder that causes your breathing to stop repeatedly while you sleep. These breathing pauses or "apneas" usually last 10 to 30 seconds and can happen many times […]
For many people, taking medication is a regular part of their daily routines and essential for staying healthy. According to the CDD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), nearly 49% of Americans used at least one prescription drug during 30 days. In the USA and Canada, for adults ages 40 to 79, roughly 70% take at least […]
The month of November has been observed across Canada as Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Month and we want to do our part to raise awareness and educate the public about a new promising treatment option for Crohn’s and Colitis.Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is a drug that can provide therapeutic benefits for many chronic conditions. LDN […]
WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?Osteoporosis is a disease that slowly weakens bones, often going undiagnosed, even when it breaks them. Osteoporosis is caused by low bone mass and the weakening of bone, leading to an increased risk of fracture. The disease often progresses without any symptoms or pain.Osteoporosis is often not discovered until weakened bones cause painful fractures, usually […]
We all know that alcohol consumption can reduce the communication between your brain and your body. This, of course, makes coordination more complex, you may have a hard time balancing yourself, and your reaction time is slowed. This is why drinking and driving are not a good combination. But do you ever wonder what is happening in your […]
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in the production of your red blood cells and DNA, as well as the proper functioning of your nervous system.Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal foods, including meats, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy. However, it can also be […]
Fat is NOT a bad word, but we should understand why we need it and the healthy way to get it.Dietary fats help our bodies absorb fat-soluble nutrients and help protect our organs, produce energy and keep the body warm. We need to take in a regular amount of fats to stay healthy and vibrant; […]
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that can affect multiple joints in the body. RA is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system—which usually functions to protect us against infections—mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis is most often associated with chronic inflammation. This inflammation in the joints causes pain, stiffness and […]
September is World Alzheimer's Month so, it makes sense to talk about a healthy brain.The brain is one of our body's largest and most complex organs. It controls everything from breathing, digesting to conversing, playing, understanding and strategizing. The brain controls your body's everyday functions and allows you to interact with the world around you. Though […]
Yup. Acne can continue well into adulthood (the '40s and beyond) and have severe consequences, especially for women.A recent U.S. study examined "the lived experience" of acne and its treatment among a cohort of adult women with moderate to severe acne. Women consistently described acne-related concerns about their appearance, which affected their social, personal and professional […]
It's next to impossible to avoid. Today you will find it in bowls, wraps, bottles and bags used to store various foods and beverages, but is it safe?Studies have found that certain chemicals in the plastic can leach out of the plastic and into the food and drinks we consume. Some of these chemicals have […]
If your goal is to trim down then yes, walking 20 minutes a day can be a healthy addition to a healthy weight loss plan. Adding walking to a reduced-calorie diet, will increase the number of calories that you burn each day. Add all of those up each day and if there is a deficit then you […]
First, what is Naltrexone?Naltrexone is a drug that was approved in 1997 by Health Canada (1984 by the FDA in the US) in a 50mg dose for the purpose of reducing the euphoric effects of alcohol. Naltrexone not only helps patients achieve abstinence, but it is also a very competitive antagonist of opioid receptors thus having the ability to rescue […]
Hormones are chemical messengers that manage many bodily functions. Production increases during puberty reaches a peak in our 20s and early 30s and, like it or not, then begins to decline from our mid-30s to early 40s. The drop in hormone levels is natural and sadly, unavoidable in many ways. BHRT can help control how rapidly or […]
A one-size-fits-all approach to medications doesn’t always work, and this is where we can help!Sometimes you need a prescription tailored to your personal health needs. Perhaps you need a different form of the medication or have an allergy to an ingredient in the standard formulation. That’s where compounding comes in. A compounding pharmacy gives you options […]
What is Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder affecting the intestine. IBS involves problems with motility (movement of digested food through the intestines) and sensitivity (how the brain interprets signals from the intestinal nerves), leading to abdominal pain, changes in bowel patterns, and other symptoms. So, it's a mix of belly discomfort, […]
What is Pulmonary Hypertension?Well the words themselves describe it:Pulmonary = LungHypertension = High Blood PressurePulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in your lungs and the right side of your heart. PH is a serious illness, and in some people, pulmonary hypertension slowly gets worse and can be life-threatening. Although […]
What Is Rhinitis?The word rhinitis means “inflammation of the nose.” The nose produces a fluid called mucus. This fluid is normally thin and clear. It helps to keep dust, debris, and allergens out of the lungs. Mucus traps particles like dust and pollen, as well as bacteria and viruses.Mucus usually drains down the back of your throat. […]
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is located in the front of the neck below your Adam’s apple and is wrapped around the trachea (the windpipe).An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) makes you sweat more, feel hot, lose weight, or makes your heart beat faster. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) does the opposite. You might feel cold, […]
Andropause. Essentially, it is the male version of menopause. Male menopause involves a drop in testosterone production in men who are age 50 or older. It’s often affiliated with hypogonadism, and both conditions mean lowered testosterone levels and similar symptoms.Male menopause differs from female menopause in several ways. For one thing, not all men experience it. […]
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects over three million Canadians.The central face is the most commonly affected area.Rosacea usually develops in adults between ages 30 and 50. It affects both men and women, although it seems to affect more women. It tends to affect people with fair skin, such as those of […]