Sinks Pharmacy, Author at Medley Pharmacy

Immunization Month – Copy

09/01/2020

Influenza (Flu) is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and the infection can affect everyone differently. Millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. This year, more than ever, it is important for you and your family to receive your annual flu vaccine to help protect against the flu. When you get a flu vaccine you are protecting yourself, children, grandparents, the healthcare system, coworkers, the immunocompromised, your community, and the list goes on.

How Do Flu Vaccines Work?

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are used to make the vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza virus that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. You should get a flu vaccine before flu viruses begins spreading in your community, since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in your body. The CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. Getting vaccinated too early could lead to reduced protection against the flu later in the flu season.

Flu Facts vs. Flu Myths

“People who get a flu shot are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease”

FALSE. Recent studies have indicated that flu and pneumonia vaccines may actually protect people from Alzheimer’s, possibly contributing to the protection of memory, cognition, and overall brain health.

“I should get a flu shot later when there are cases in my area”

FALSE. As stated above, your body needs about two weeks after you receive the flu shot before the antibodies can protect you against the virus. Get your flu vaccine so you are covered before flu viruses begin to circulate, not after.

“The flu shot will give me the flu”

FALSE. The flu vaccination will not give you the flu. The vaccines are made from ‘inactivated’ (killed) flu viruses. Some people experience a fever or body aches for a few days after receiving the vaccine, but this is not the flu. These side effects are a normal reaction and a result from your body creating an immune response to the vaccine.

“I don’t need a flu shot, I got one last year”

FALSE. The vaccine is developed each year specifically for the virus strains predicted to circulate during the upcoming flu season. Also, the body’s immune response gradually decreases over time, so it is important to get a flu shot every year during the recommended time frame to ensure the best possible protection.

“I don’t need to get the flu shot because I have never had the flu before”

FALSE. The flu shot doesn’t just protect you from getting the flu but it also protects those around you. Many healthy people can be infected with the flu virus and spread it to others by coughing, sneezing, talking, or from touched surfaces even if they are not showing symptoms. There are also certain populations such as newborns, immunocompromised, cancer patients that are unable to receive vaccinations or are unable to develop an adequate response to the vaccine, so it is even more important for healthy individuals to be vaccinated to prevent spreading it to those most at risk of severe illness.

“A flu shot isn’t safe while pregnant”

FALSE. Getting the flu shot is safe during all trimesters of the pregnancy and can even pass antibodies along to the baby while protecting the mother. These antibodies can continue to protect the baby several months after birth.

How effective is the flu vaccine?

While vaccine effectiveness can vary, recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% – 60% among the overall population during season when the flu virus circulating is well-matched to the flu vaccine. In general, current flu vaccines tend to work better against influenza B and influenza A (H1N1) viruses. There are multiple strains of flu viruses that circulate every year. Researchers predict and develop vaccines based on the most common circulating strains from the previous year. While the flu vaccine is not able to protect against all the strains, it will reduce the risk of getting the flu and should also lessen the severity if you do get sick.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best time to receive your flu vaccine!

*information provided by the CDC

SEPTEMBER 2020: Health Screening Guidelines

08/28/2020

Many of us know we need to get some health screening tests done at certain times in our lives, but it is often unclear when. These screening tests help detect hidden diseases in healthy people. Many doctors often disagree on when to start having screening tests and how often. With that in mind please communicate to your doctor if you have any concerns regarding your health. Here is a brief chart to help you.

Sources: American Cancer Society, MedlinePlus, Columbia Doctors, and Harvard Health Publishing

About Shima: Shima graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BS in Microbiology in 1997 and worked at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with the Infectious Disease Department on clinical trials for over 4 years. She then pursued a career change and graduated with her Doctorate degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 2007. During her years enrolled in pharmacy school she worked part-time at St. Louis University, where she helped design a laboratory protocol for the BCG Vaccine Study, which received full funding in 2011.

Shima joined Sinks and Medley Pharmacy in September of 2014 as a pharmacist. She continually strives to focus on improving outcomes and raising the quality of life for patients with all types of medical ailments and conditions.

Immunization Month

08/03/2020

August is National Immunization Month, and it is a time to recognize the importance of staying safe, reducing the spread of diseases, and staying up to date on immunizations for each stage of life. Due to COVID-19, it is more important than ever to ensure everyone in your family is up to date on their immunizations this year. Routine vaccinations prevent illnesses that lead to unnecessary medical visits & hospitalizations, which increase your risk of exposure and further strain our healthcare system.

Why are vaccines important?

A vaccine (or immunization) is a way to help your body build its natural immunity to a disease before contracting the full strain of the disease and possibly getting sick from it. For most vaccines, a weakened form of the disease germ is injected into your body, usually via a shot in the leg or arm. Your body detects the invading germs (antigens) and produces antibodies to fight them. Those antibodies then stay in your body for a long time. In many cases, the antibodies are present for the rest of your life — this means that if you are ever exposed to that disease again, your better will be more equipped to fight it off.*

Vaccines not only help protect yourself but helps protect your loved ones, too. They are an essential part of preventing community spread of diseases, and they help protect those who are unable to get vaccines for one reason or another (allergies, immunocompromised, etc.)

When should I get my vaccine?

Some vaccines should be administered at regular intervals throughout our lives, such as the annual flu shot or the booster tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine received every 10 years. Others, however, are encouraged for administration at particular ages. For example:

Vaccinations given during any trimester provide both mother and baby with protection, even after birth. The first administration of the Tdap vaccine will help protect against whooping cough. It’s safe to receive vaccines during pregnancy and after giving birth, even while breastfeeding – and this includes the flu shot.
Babies receive vaccinations by the age of 2 that help protect them from 14 diseases, including measles and whooping cough.
Pre-teens and teens have a greater risk for diseases like meningitis and HPV, and those vaccines provide more protection at this age.
Vaccines are an essential preventative measure for older adults as they are at higher risk of developing complications if they contract certain illnesses, such as pneumonia or shingles.

Ask your doctor or our team which vaccines are right for you, or find the CDC recommended vaccine schedule here.

*Information provided by familydoctor.org/the-importance-of-vaccinations/ & the CDC.

AUGUST 2020: Tips to Help Reduce or Provide Relief for Headaches and Migraines

07/29/2020

Many people suffer with headaches or migraines on a daily basis, disrupting their daily lives. There are a few natural remedies that may help prevent headaches or get rid of an existing one. The most common headache is a tension headache. They usually cause pain in the middle, top of the head due to a person becoming overstressed, causing the muscle to tense. With sinus headaches, people may feel constant pain on the bridge of the nose, forehead, and cheekbones. Migraines are usually characterized with throbbing pain behind the eyes, and the person may become very sensitive to light, smells, sounds, activity, and movement. They may experience symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Cluster headaches are the most severe. Sufferers may feel a sharp pain or intense burning or stabbing that is in one spot of the head that may occur throughout the day behind or around one eye. On the side of the pain, the eye reddens, the eyelid droops, the pupil gets smaller, the eye tears up, or that side of the nose may get congested or runny.

Here are some tips to help reduce or provide relief for headaches and migraines.

– There are physical reasons for headaches, such as too much pressure on the head. Some examples are wearing a ponytail, a headband, or a tight hat.

– Close your eyes and rest in a dark or dim room if your headache is caused by sensitivity to light or eyestrain. Computer screens, phones, flickering lights, or a bright light can cause migraine headaches. Use an anti-glare screen on computers or phones, change light fixtures to daylight spectrum fluorescent bulbs, and wear sunglasses when outdoors.

– A cold compress to the forehead or neck can temporarily help relieve headaches or migraine pain by reducing inflammation. Place a cold compress on for no longer than 10 minutes.

– A warm compress or heating pad can provide relief to tension headaches by relaxing muscles that are too tight. Using a warm compress for sinus headaches applied to the area that hurts can also help, or taking a steamy shower may help relieve your symptoms.

– Moderate exercise may help reduce the incidence of headaches by promoting better circulation and keeping the body healthy. Some examples are a brisk walk or riding a bike for 30 minutes a day.

– Getting too little, too much, or not sleeping soundly may cause some headaches. It’s best for adults to get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Try going to bed and waking up daily at the same time.

– Many people find that massaging the temples, jaw, or neck can help relieve tension from stress causing the headache. Some other areas to massage include the area between the eyebrows, the two spots at the base of the eyebrow, and on either side of the bridge of the nose. You can also try pinching the top of your nose. All of these spots hold tension and massaging can help relieve the tension.

– Acupuncture may be an effective way to prevent tension headaches or reduce the frequency of migraines. Acupuncture is where the practitioner places a small needle into the top surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s energy or trigger points.

– Relaxation techniques including guided meditation, actively focusing on relaxing the muscles, stretches, yoga, and deep belly breathing, may help reduce headaches, symptoms, stress, and anxiety.

– Noticing a headache or migraine early and starting caffeine in the early stages may help reduce symptoms. Caffeine can help relax the blood vessels and ease the tension. Beverages such as coffee, tea, or soda contain caffeine. Drinking too much caffeine, however, can have the opposite effect.

– Staying hydrated with water can help reduce the severity and may help prevent headaches.

– Drinking herbal teas such as ginger tea may help with migraines. Other teas with calming properties are peppermint, chamomile, lavender.

– Limit or avoid alcoholic beverages. One of the most common side effects of alcohol is dehydration, which can make a headache worse.

– Try eating small frequent meals to help keep your blood sugar more consistent. This in turn may prevent some migraines that are caused by low sugar levels.

– If your headache is caused by grinding your teeth at night when you sleep, try sleeping with a night guard to help your early morning headaches.

– If you experience a headache after meals it may be due to a food intolerance. It’s best to keep a journal of everything you eat each day to help you identify and avoid any foods that may be triggering a headache.

– Supplements such as magnesium, Coenzyme Q10, and B vitamins such as folate, B6, and B12 may help in preventing migraines and reducing headache symptoms.

– For women, vitamin E may relieve headache pain and symptoms from menstrual migraines. The vitamin E helps to balance hormone levels.

– Aromatherapy with essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, frankincense, lemon, rosemary, ylang ylang, or peppermint may help relieve symptoms of headaches.

– Strong smells may trigger migraines. Try avoiding the source of the smell, such as perfume and chemicals from cleaning products.

There are many types of headaches and one natural remedy may work better than others. Do not ignore persistent or severe headaches and seek medical help as there may be an underlying issue.

Sources: Medical News Today, WebMD, Healthline, and Everyday Health

UV Safety

07/01/2020

Did you know that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes? And although some people are at higher risk of getting skin cancer, anyone can get it. People with greater risk include those with lighter natural skin color, skin that burns, freckles, or reddens easily, blue or green eyes, blond or red hair, certain types and large number of moles, family or personal history of skin cancer, and older age. Regardless if you are at high risk or not, reducing your exposure to UV rays and taking proper precautions can help keep your skin healthy and lower your chances of getting skin cancer.

Sunscreen – Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher before you go outside, even on cloudy or cool days. Reapply every two hours if you are outdoors longer than that and make sure your sunscreen is not expired.
Shade – You can reduce risk of skin damage by seeking shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter. Even in the shade, make sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing.
Clothing – When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts to protect from UV rays. Also, to protect your face, ears, and neck wear a wide brimmed hat with tightly woven fabric.
Sunglasses – Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and reduce the risk of cataracts. Sunglasses also protect the skin surrounding your eyes.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. This could be a new growth, a sore that does not heal, or a change in a mole. It is important to know that not all skin cancers look the same, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you notice any changes in your skin. Sun-safe skin is always in! Protect your skin now to help lower your risk of skin cancer in the future.

*information provided by www.cdc.gov