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

Men’s Health Week is observed every year leading up to Father’s Day as a reminder for men to take steps to live a healthier life. 12% of men ages 18 and older are considered in fair or poor health in the US. Men are more likely than women to smoke and drink, make unhealthy or risky choices, and put off regular checkups and medical care. You can help support the men in your life, or yourself, by making healthier decisions and creating healthier habits.  These habits include:

• Eating healthy and including a lot of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Be sure to eat foods rich in vitamins and nutrients that may help protect from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in fats, sugars, calories, salt, and alcohol.
• Practice regular physical activity. Adults should aim for at least 2.5 hours of activity a week. This can help regulate weight, reduce risk of heart disease and some cancers, and improve your mood and energy levels.
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. You will lower your risk of cancers and will no longer expose others to second-hand smoke. And if you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. High levels of alcohol can increase blood pressure which increases chances of heart attack or stroke.
• Stay up to date on regular doctor checkups and seek medical care. Certain diseases and conditions may not have obvious symptoms, so it is important to have regular checkups to help identify issues early on. It is important for men (and women) to understand their family history and inform their doctors.
• Reduce and manage stress. If you or the men in your life are constantly on edge or feel under pressure, their lifestyle habits may suffer and so may their immune system. Take steps to reduce stress or learn how to manage it in a healthier way.

Understanding health risks is one thing but taking action to reduce those risks is another. Start today by making healthier choices for a healthier life!

 

*information provided by www.cdc.gov and www.medlineplus.gov

Whether you frequently visit the pharmacy for a prescription drug or are just now needing medication for yourself or a loved one, Sinks Pharmacy, Medley Pharmacy, Towne Pharmacy, and Steelville Drug are here to care for you. Even in a global pandemic, pharmacies are one of the only places that will remain open, although our operations may look a little different during this time. Here is a pharmacist’s guide on navigating your medications during the pandemic to help yourself, your pharmacy, and your community:

• Do Not Stockpile. It is good to have a short-term supply of medications on hand in case of an emergency, but you do NOT need a year’s supply of medication. Attempting to stockpile large quantities can cause supply chain issues and leave other patients without necessary medication.
• Ask About Delivery. In order to stay operating, we need as few people as possible contributing to foot traffic and the possible spread of viruses throughout the pharmacy. Talk with our team about getting your medications delivered to your door.
• Do Not Skip Doses. Skipping medications could put you at risk for needing other types of medical care, which takes up preventable medical resources and could expose you to viruses circulating in medical facilities. Stick to your medication regime as directed. Additionally, sign up for our myMedPack program to get all your medications filled in easy, presorted, packs. Click here for more details.
• Plan Your Refills. If you are close to being due for a refill, check to see if you can get a 90-day supply filled. Many insurances are allowing overrides so that patients can fill medication earlier or in larger quantities. *There will be numerous exceptions to this. Listen to what your pharmacy says about whether your meds qualify for an early 90-day supply refill and whether YOU need to contact your insurance company.
• How You Can Help. If your pharmacy tells you that you need authorization from your insurance company to refill early, please consider calling the Member Services line yourself. Pharmacies across the US are all working to ensure everyone is getting their medications on time, and if you can help by calling on your own behalf it can help ensure our ability to fill your prescriptions in a timely manner.
• Think of Your Community. We understand the fear behind stockpiling, but we need to think about others in our community. If someone takes all the hygiene and cleaning products for themselves, there won’t be any left for the rest of the community – which will only hurt everyone in the long run and put everyone at an increased risk. Alternatively, it is important to remember that everyone has their own reasons for being worried or not. Please be considerate to others and use the proper precautions recommended by the CDC.

The Sinks Pharmacy team are to help answer any questions or concerns you may have during this time. It’s important to remain calm and follow proper precautions to help slow the spread of viruses and ensure your community remains safe and healthy. Please call the nearest Sinks Pharmacy location with any questions or concerns, or visit www.cdc.gov for the latest COVID-19 information.

It’s a world of technology and accessibility. With online shopping, fast shipping, and one-click purchases available at our fingertips, it’s tempting to think about using this same type of service for your healthcare needs. If you take several medications, having a box of pills show up at your doorstep sounds nice, but is it really the most beneficial for your overall health? What many don’t know is that their local pharmacy offers that same great convenience but with quality care to back it up. Here are some benefits of knowing your pharmacist and packaging your medications at a local pharmacy.

• Face-to-Face Medication Counseling: We discuss reasons for specific medication(s) prescribed, doses, directions and any questions our patients may have. Dispensing errors are often averted when we counsel patients about the medications. This offers the patients the opportunity to ask questions and bring up any concerns they may have.

 

• Communicated Refills: Your local pharmacist will proactively communicate with your doctor to ensure they know when changes are made to your medications. They don’t auto send refills for a medication you no longer take or give an excess supply.

 

• Medication Changes: If you do have a change in one of your medications, your local pharmacy will update your medication packaging, simply bring back your current pack to the pharmacy. No calling a 1-800 number or having to go online to request the change.

 

• Personalized Pharmacy Care: We don’t just put pills in a bottle or a medication pack and send you on your way. We offer personalized services and follow-up to make sure that the medications are working properly to help you reach your treatment goals without causing any side effects.

 

• We do MORE: We provide disease state education, have resources & educational materials, provide wellness services, talk to you about medication safety, suggest ways to help you take your medication, help you manage other health conditions, and much more.

 

Your pharmacist may be the health professional you see most often and talk with about your health. It’s important to take advantage of the many ways your pharmacist can help you manage your health and medications. Pharmacists work closely with your doctor or nurse to give you expert information and guidance about your health and any conditions you may have. All this information & all these services are available at your local pharmacy… now that sounds like convenience!

Medication adherence, or taking medications correctly, involves factors such as getting prescriptions filled, remembering to take medications on time, and understanding and following the directions of the medication. Medication adherence can affect quality and length of life, health outcomes, and overall healthcare costs. The failure to take medications as prescribed (or non-adherence) is as dangerous and costly as many illnesses. According to the APhA Foundation, 75% of adults are non-adherent in one or more ways, and 10-25% of hospital visits or nursing home admissions are due to non-adherent behavior*. If you find yourself forgetting to take medication on time, tired of carrying multiple pill bottles around, or just want to find a more convenient way to take your medication: medication packaging may benefit you!

Medication packaging is a versatile program that allows your medications to be packaged down to time of day, helping you take the right medications at the right time. The packaging includes a detailed description with the patient’s name, the date and time the medications are to be taken, and which medications to take at that time. Benefits of medication packaging include being easy to open, eliminating missed and double doses, and it is a convenient alternative to pill boxes.

Who could benefit from medication packaging? EVERYONE! Seniors can stay independent longer by letting the pharmacy manage their multiple daily medications, and students get a jump start on learning healthy habits they will carry with them their whole lives. Daycares and school nurses love the ease of strip packaging, too! Finally, travelers can easily pack their meds for just the days they will be gone.

Do you or a loved one often forget to take certain medications at the right time? Are you tired of carrying around multiple pill bottles every time you travel? We now offer a NEW medication packaging program called myMedPack. Talk with one of our staff members at Sinks Pharmacy today or call 888-269-8404!

*Source: https://www.aphafoundation.org/align-my-refills/benefits