Community News
Medication Review with Your Pharmacist

Taking your medication properly is one of the most effective ways to manage chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Up to 25% of Canadians are admitted to the hospital annually because they don’t take their medications as prescribed. Schedule a Medication Review with your Pharmasave Pharmacist to discuss how to take your medications and for how long, understand if your medications are working properly, manage potential side effects and help you stay on track. Get the most from your medications with a Medication Review. To find out more Speak with your Pharmasave pharmacist.

Take to the Trails

Hiking is a great way to stay active and to connect with nature. The terrain on hiking trails can be novel and unpredictable, which is why regular strengthening and balance exercises play an important role in injury prevention. If carrying a backpack, don’t lean or slouch forward, and tighten the straps so that the pack is close to your body. A loose backpack can move around and impair your balance. Trekking poles, of appropriate height, can assist with balance and can alleviate some of the stress placed on your lower body, as your upper body is more engaged. Happy hiking!

Home Remedy for Denture Pain

Sometimes dentures can cause pain or discomfort, especially if your dentures are old or ill-fitting. An effective home remedy you could try is using black tea bags! Black Tea is full of tannic acid, an astringent that helps reduce pain, as well as, reduces swelling of the gums. Tannic acid also repels harmful bacteria. Steep a black tea bag in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and set aside to cool off. Hold it on the affected gum area for 10-15 minutes then rinse your mouth with warm water. Repeat 1-2 times daily. (Note: not intended to replace consultation with a medical professional.)

Treating Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that only affects diabetics. It occurs when the fragile vascular network that supplies the retina – the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that helps us see – begins to swell or leak. During the beginning stages of the disease, there may be no noticeable symptoms, so it’s important to have your eyes checked at least once a year, if you have diabetes. Once symptoms of diabetic retinopathy do develop, they can include dark or black spots in your visual field, or blurry vision, and it increases over time.

Smoking, Vaping and COVID-19

If you smoke or vape, are you at a higher risk of getting COVID-19? This is a common question, and since there is strong evidence that smoking can increase your risk of viral and bacterial infections (like colds and flus), it’s possible that it could increase your risk of getting COVID-19 as well. Smoking can weaken your body’s immune cells over time, making it harder to fight infections, and also negatively impacts your lung function. Quitting smoking with the aid of treatments like laser therapy is a good way to help limit your risk of experiencing complications from COVID-19.

Print vs. Digital for Reading Comprehension

Research shows that students learn more effectively from print textbooks than computer or tablet screens. While students overwhelmingly preferred digital text over paper, one study clearly found that comprehension was significantly better when the student read a paper text. When the student was reading for general understanding like grasping the main idea, and details weren’t critical, digital was OK. However, comprehension was significantly improved when reading printed texts. Therefore, it would be a good idea to print any reading assignments for your children as much as possible, so they aren’t staring at the computer or digital device so much throughout the day.

Employment & Mental Illness

Everyone wants meaning and purpose in life and that can include having employment with financial stability. Productive work has been identified as a leading factor in supporting positive mental health and in paving the way for a rich and fulfilling life in the community. For many individuals who struggle with mental health, obtaining employment or maintaining employment can be difficult, even though they have talents and skills. Fact is that employers hiring individuals with mental health concerns report good attendance, punctuality, motivation, and good work on par or greater than those of other employees.

Benefits of High-Quality Home Filters

The quality of the air inside our homes can have an effect on our allergies, illnesses, and long-term health. Almost all of the airborne particles in our living spaces are less than 1 micron in size and are invisible, which is why it’s so important to use a high-quality filter in our homes. These filters can remove common indoor air contaminants like viruses, bacteria, mold, harmful chemicals, pet dander, smoke, and dust, which can make us feel unwell. They also help prevent wear and tear on your HVAC system, helping you save money on operating costs and avoid unnecessary repairs.

Ask The Pharmacist

Q. What is Medication Non-Adherence?
A. Medication non-adherence is when a patient doesn’t take a medication, either willfully or inadvertently, as prescribed by their healthcare provider. Studies have shown that 50% of Canadians do not take their prescription medications exactly as prescribed. The reasons for this vary from a lack of information, to being afraid to take medication or believing it doesn’t work, to an inability to follow instructions that may be too complex. Each year, medication non-adherence results in many hospital admissions. Your pharmacist can help provide you with the information you need to make the right decisions about when and how to take your medications.

Get Too Much Sun?

If you have a sunburn, applying Aloe Vera is a great way to promote healing and get respite from the pain and swelling. Aloe Vera is a tropical medicinal plant that has been used for thousands of years to treat skin conditions, such as wounds and burns. It is so effective at soothing burns that it’s sometimes referred to as the “burn plant.” To treat a sunburn, spread a layer of pure gel extracted from the inside of an Aloe Vera leaf over the burnt skin. You can grow your own plants at home, or you can use a store-bough product, as long as it is 100% Aloe Vera gel.