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Women’s Health: Hormones 101

What are Hormones? ¹
Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers that travel in your bloodstream to tissues or organs. Endocrine glands, which are a special group of cells, make your hormones. The major endocrine glands are pituitary, thymus, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas. Additionally, women produce hormones in their ovaries. Hormones are very powerful and affect many different aspects of your life, including:
  • Growth and development
  • Metabolism
  • Sexual function
  • Reproduction
  • Mood
Too much or too little of a certain hormone, also known as hormone imbalance, can seriously disrupt the way your body functions.
 
Signs of Hormonal Imbalance ²
The symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women can vary depending on which gland is affected. The more common symptoms include:
  • Mood swings
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Irregular menstrual cycle
  • Infertility
  • Abdomen or back pain during menstruation
  • Low sex drive
  • Insomnia
  • Unexplained weight gain or loss
  • Brittle bones
  • Excessive hair growth
  • Rashes or acne
 
Causes of Hormonal Imbalance
There are many medical conditions that can affect hormone production including, but not limited to – diabetes, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, and certain cancers.²
Aside from having a medical condition, there are other factors that could be causing a hormonal imbalance in your body, including: ³
  • Chronic stress
  • Poor diet and nutrition
  • High percentage of body fat
  • Toxins, pollutants, herbicides, and pesticides
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Misuse of anabolic steroid medications
  • Certain medications
  • Puberty
  • Menstruation
  • Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding
  • Menopause
 
Treating Hormonal Imbalance
If you are experiencing new or persistent symptoms that you believe may be caused by hormonal imbalance, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider. Your doctor may evaluate you by blood testing, imaging, or urine testing, depending on what condition they believe is causing your symptoms. There are medical treatment options for women with hormone imbalances, including: birth control medications, hormone replacement medications, anti-androgen medications, vaginal estrogen, clomiphene and letrozole, assisted reproductive technology, metformin, and levothyroxine. ³
There are also natural supplements commonly used to reduce symptoms of hormonal imbalances. Before taking any natural or herbal treatment, it is important to check with your pharmacist to ensure safety and avoid negative interaction with any other medications you are currently taking.
If you believe you’re experiencing hormonal imbalance and would like to make some lifestyle changes to help reduce symptoms, there are some steps you can take to help, including: ²
  • Maintaining a moderate body weight
  • Eating a nutritious and balanced diet
  • Exercising regularly
  • Practicing good personal hygiene
  • Reducing and managing stress
  • Practicing meditation
  • Limiting sugary foods and refined carbohydrates
  • Avoiding packaged foods
  • Restricting the use of cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals
 
In addition to eating a nutritious and balanced diet, it may be beneficial to also shop organic for certain foods, such as those foods found on the “Dirty Dozen” list which are foods that are most affected by pesticides. The EWG analyzed 46 items, and found that the following 12 fruits and vegetables were most contaminated with pesticides: ⁴
  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, collard, and mustard greens
  4. Peaches
  5. Pears
  6. Nectarines
  7. Apples
  8. Grapes
  9. Bell and hot peppers
  10. Cherries
  11. Blueberries
  12. Green beans
 
Most women will experience periods of hormonal imbalance in their lifetime. Imbalances are common during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and aging. But if you experience continual, irregular hormonal imbalances, especially those symptoms that cause pain or discomfort, it is important to talk to a trusted healthcare provider about the symptoms you experience and the best treatment plan.
 
Sources
1. https://medlineplus.gov/hormones.html
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321486#symptoms
3. https://www.baptisthealth.com/care-services/conditions-treatments/hormonal-imbalance#:~:text=Medical%20conditions%20that%20can%20cause,primary%20ovarian%20insufficiency%20(POI).
4. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php

Medley Pharmacy Group Grows with Brown’s Pharmacy Acquisition

May 1, 2023

Ellington, MO – Medley Pharmacy, Inc., a subsidiary of OneroRx, Inc., is excited to announce that Brown’s Pharmacy is now part of their family of community pharmacies! The team is dedicated to making the transition as ownership as smooth as possible so that the care that patients expect and deserve is not disrupted.

Brown’s Pharmacy has been in operation for 45 years, proudly offering essential healthcare services to several south-central Missouri communities. It will now join a family of 14 other community pharmacy locations and one long-term-care pharmacy across central Missouri. Patients can continue to enjoy a variety of services that they are used to, including deliver, durable medical equipment, a convenient drive-thru, and more. In addition, Medley Pharmacy, Inc. is planning to introduce new services to benefit their patients in Ellington, such as vaccinations, SelectCare medication synchronization, and their myMedPack custom packaging program.

“Brown’s Pharmacy has been an important part of Ellington as a business and as a health resource for decades. We are proud to be able to continue serving these communities,” said Amy Mitchell, regional president of OneroRx, the owner of Medley Pharmacy, Inc. “Our plan is to continue providing the same high-quality service to the local community that we are known for at our other community pharmacies across central Missouri.”

Medley Pharmacy, Inc. has long stood for delivering quality healthcare to patients in a friendly, professional manner. Their other 15 locations have more than 140 employees that are local citizens of the communities they serve; they are proud to continue that local service for Ellington with Brown’s Pharmacy.

Medley Pharmacy, Inc. is a subsidiary of OneroRx, which is a leading regional provider of pharmacy and telepharmacy services, pharmaceutical products, supplements, and medical supplies to patients in underserved communities. OneroRx operates 56 pharmacies across five states, including eight telepharmacies, two long term care pharmacies, and a regional compounding pharmacy.

 

To learn more, visit: www.sinkspharmacy.com or www.onerorx.com

Your Immunization Questions—Answered

Immunizations: They help keep us healthy and protect us from contracting preventable diseases. However, many people don’t know what how vaccines work or why they should get vaccinated. We’ll answer the most common immunization questions to help you understand the science behind vaccinations and the importance of staying up to date.

 

What Are Immunizations?

According to the CDC, immunizations are “a process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination.” (1) These are typically administered through shots but can be in the form of a pill or nasal spray. Immunization prevents anywhere from 3.5 to 5 million deaths each year from life-threatening diseases such as cervical cancer, COVID-19, pneumonia, measles, mumps, yellow fever, hepatitis B, and much more (2).

 

How Do Immunizations Work?

Vaccinations work by exposing your immune system to a safe version of a disease in the form of: (3)

  • A protein or sugar from a pathogen
  • A dead or inactivated form of a pathogen
  • A modified toxin from a pathogen
  • A live but weakened form pathogen

The versions of a disease used in vaccinations cannot give you the disease you are being vaccinated for. The most common side effects of a vaccination are mild, such as pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given. Some people may experience a low fever or fatigue.

Vaccines teach the immune system to recognize and eliminate harmful microbes if you are ever exposed to the real disease. (3).   Vaccinations give your body a head start making antigens for pathogens. Allowing the immune system to react faster if it encounters the actual disease in the future.

 

Why Should I get Vaccinated?

Getting vaccinated has many benefits. Here are some to consider: (3)

  • They help prevent diseases that can be life-threatening. They also help prevent future complications that may result from contracting those preventable diseases.
  • Vaccines are thoroughly investigated and researched before being presented to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval. Then, they are carefully reviewed before being recommended to the public. Once approved they are continually monitored for safety.
  • Some vaccines can help prevent infections that cause cancer, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B.
  • They can help save you time and money by reducing the number of sick days you would have to take from work or school and help avoid unnecessary medical bills.
  • They can sometimes eliminate the disease entirely. For example, the smallpox vaccine eradicated smallpox.
  • Vaccines are highly effective. Some vaccinations can lower the risk of infection by 40-60% while others are as effective as 97%. (3)
  • Getting vaccinated helps protect yourself and avoid spreading preventable diseases to other people, especially those close to you. Certain people are unable to get vaccinated due to age restrictions, weakened immune systems, or other serious health conditions.
  • Vaccination side effects are often mild and typically go away on their own within a few days.
  • If you are planning to travel, send your children to school, or get a new job, you may be required to have certain vaccinations. For example, students, military personnel, and residents of rehabilitation or care centers are required to be vaccinated against diseases that spread in close quarters.

 

Who Needs What Vaccines and When?

From infancy to late adulthood, the timeline below shows the CDC’s recommended vaccination order. (3)


As you can see, many childhood vaccines are administered in groups or series. This might mean that if you are in the process of getting your children vaccinated, it might seem like they are receiving a lot of shots all at once. It is important to note that this is necessary in order to protect your child from potential illness or complications, as delaying a child’s vaccinations can do more harm than good.  If you missed a childhood vaccine, you might be able to get them as an adult depending on the vaccine. (3)

Even as adults we need to get certain vaccinations. Some adulthood vaccinations include the shingles vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, your yearly flu vaccine, tetanus boosters, and the COVID-19 vaccine. It is also possible to receive boosters for many vaccines based on your sexual activity, health history, personal hobbies, and other factors. (3)

If you plan on traveling, it is also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your vaccines and double check which vaccines are required for where you are traveling to. You can always check the CDC’s destination pages for travel health information. (7) Here is a quick list of possible vaccinations you may need before you travel: (5)

  • COVID-19
  • Chickenpox
  • Cholera
  • Flu
  • Hepatitis A & B
  • Japanese encephalitis
  • MMR
  • Meningococcal
  • Pneumococcal
  • Polio
  • Rabies
  • Shingles
  • Tdap
  • Typhoid
  • Yellow fever

 

Will I Have to Pay?

Most health insurance plans cover vaccines at little to no cost to you. However, if your insurance does not cover vaccines, or you are without insurance, there are alternatives that you may qualify for. These include community health organizations, Vaccines for Children Program (8), and state health departments. (3)

If you do have insurance, here is a list of immunizations that are typically covered depending on your insurance provider. (7)

  • Hepatitis A & B
  • Herpes Zoster (shingles vaccine)
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Influenza (flu)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Meningococcal
  • Pneumococcal
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
  • Varicella

Be sure to check with your insurance provider to see what vaccines are covered under your plan. You can also schedule a Medicare Review with us to find out what you have covered and determine which Medicare plan is right for you.

 

No matter what stage of life you are in, it is important to stay up to date on your immunizations to ensure you are protecting yourself and those around you. If you have any additional questions about how vaccines work, vaccine effectiveness, or scheduling an immunization appointment, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

 

Sources

(1) https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/imz-basics.htm

(2) https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1

(3) https://www.healthline.com/health/vaccinations

(4) https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/reasons-to-vaccinate.html

(5) https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-vaccines

(6) https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/pay-for-vaccines.html

(7) https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list

(8) https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/index.html

Become a Healthier You with Better Sleep

We all love getting a good night’s rest, but have you considered sleep as an essential factor in your physical and mental health? While sleep is vital for a person’s well-being, many of us struggle to fall asleep when our head hits the pillow or wake up without getting any quality sleep. This struggle can leave us feeling tired during the day.

 
Sleep deficiency (lack of quality sleep) can lead to physical and mental health problems; chronic health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity; and interfere with daily functions.¹ Not only is better sleep crucial to avoid sleep deficiency and many of its negative effects, but also your brain performance, mood, overall health, and quality of life will greatly benefit from getting better-quality sleep.
 

Tips for Better Sleep

Implement a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Better sleep over time comes down to consistency, so the first step to getting better sleep is getting accustomed to a regular sleep schedule. Go with a schedule that works with your biological clock and allows for enough sleep time. Start taking control of your sleep by trying these better sleep tips:
  • Wake up at the same time every day. Yes, even on the weekends. Being consistent reinforces the body’s sleep-wake cycle, and waking up at different times every day will throw off that cycle.² Make sure that your chosen wake-up time is achievable. Our biological clock shifts over our lifetime, so older adults are more likely to wake up early while teenagers tend to fall asleep and sleep in later due to a delayed sleep-wake rhythm. Choose a wake-up time that works with your individual biological clock.³
  • Get enough sleep. The recommended amount of sleep is 7-8 hours per night, but some individuals may need at least 9 hours of sleep every night. Allow for that time in your sleep schedule by going to bed early enough to still wake up at your chosen wake-up time.⁴
  • Ease into your target sleep schedule. If you are making larger changes to your sleep schedule, make small adjustments over time. This will help your sleep schedule be more sustainable in the long run.
 

Create the Optimal Sleep Environment

Even though you might be able to go to sleep in a bright and loud room, it doesn’t mean you should. Creating the right sleeping environment is crucial to getting quality rest. To fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night, it is important to focus on making your bedroom space comfortable and remove distractions.
  • Keep your room cool, dark, and quiet. No one finds it easy to get a good night’s rest when it’s too warm or when light is still peeking through the window. Turn down the temperature and invest in some room-darkening shades. Keep noise to a minimum to avoid unwanted disturbances once you’ve fallen asleep. When noise is inevitable (or you find that you can’t fall asleep if it’s too quiet), try using a fan, white noise machine, earplugs, or even headphones.⁵
  • Keep the bed a sleep-only zone. Our brains associate activities with where they occur. If you tend to watch television or work from bed, sleep can become hard to achieve in that space. Keep the bed separate from other daily activities to keep it a restful environment—that includes putting the electronic devices away when it is time for bed.
  • Promote relaxation before bed. Stress is inevitable and it’s really good at keeping us up at night. Try to check stress at the bedroom door by resolving any stress or worries you have before bedtime. If it can’t be resolved before bed, write it down for tomorrow so you don’t keep thinking about it. Before bed, try engaging in activities you find relaxing: read a book, listen to soothing music, take a hot bath, or maybe journal about your day.
 

Develop Healthy Eating Habits

Developing healthy sleep habits isn’t just about sleep itself. Your diet leading up to bedtime can heavily influence how long it takes you to fall asleep and the quality of your sleep.
  • Keep it light at night. Avoid eating large meals before bedtime. Falling asleep can be difficult if your body is still digesting a big meal, especially high-protein meals since protein takes longer to digest. Eating too late can also bring heart burn and acid reflux to bed with you, especially if you are eating spicy foods. This can lead to discomfort and a hard time falling asleep. Try to also limit fluids in the evening to avoid making unwanted trips to the bathroom overnight.
  • Be careful of hidden caffeine sources. While it is more obvious to not consume energy drinks and coffee before bed, there are other sources of caffeine that are less obvious and will leave you laying awake at night. Avoid snacking on chocolate and ice cream or sipping on non-cola sodas and decaffeinated coffee. Yes, contrary to its name, decaffeinated coffee often contains caffeine.⁶
  • Skip the alcohol for a better night’s sleep. While alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, the alcohol wearing off can wake you up in the middle of important stages of sleep, damaging your quality of sleep. In addition, alcohol can worsen sleep apnea symptoms and increase chances of sleep walking and sleep talking.⁶
 

Develop Healthy Habits During the Day

Incorporating a few small habits into your everyday daytime routine can help ensure a better night’s sleep each and every night.
  • Avoid daytime naps. Keep naps short (no more than one hour) to avoid interfering with your nighttime sleep.⁵
  • Incorporate physical activity. Physical activity promotes better sleep by helping us fall asleep faster and alleviating daytime sleepiness. Avoid exercising too close to bedtime though as it can give you an extra boost of energy and leave you lying awake.³
  • Get some light! Our internal clocks are regulated by our exposure to light, so it is important to expose ourselves to daylight early in the day.
 
No one likes lying awake at night and waking up exhausted. Incorporate these tips to promote better sleep habits and stay well rested!
 
Sources:
¹ https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation
² https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html
³ https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/your-guide-healthy-sleep
⁴ https://sleepeducation.org/healthy-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits/
⁵ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379
⁶ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/better-sleep-3-simple-diet-tweaks

Blood Pressure and the Importance of Knowing Your Numbers.

What is Blood Pressure?
When your heart pumps blood through your arteries, the blood puts pressure on the artery walls, which is what is known as blood pressure. Arteries then carry the blood from your heart throughout your body (1). Blood pressure does fluctuate throughout the day, but having unusual high or low blood pressure can negatively affect your health in the long run which is why it’s important to know and understand your blood pressure numbers.
What do Blood Pressure Numbers Mean?
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:
  1. Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats
  2. Diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats
The numbers are then read with the systolic number over the diastolic number, or written as systolic/diastolic mmHg. For example, if your systolic blood pressure is 120 and your diastolic blood pressure is 80 it would be written as 120/80 mmHg (1).
The only way to know what your blood pressure numbers are is to get your blood pressure tested with a blood pressure monitor. Knowing and understanding your results is key to controlling unusual high blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Categories
The chart and information below is provided from the American Heart Association and explains the different categories of blood pressure numbers (2).
blood pressure categories
  1. Normal: Blood pressure is considered in the normal category when the numbers are less than 120/80 mmHg.
  2. Elevated: Blood pressure is considered elevated when readings consistently range from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic. If you fall in this category, you are likely to develop high blood pressure if no steps are taken to control the condition.
  3. Hypertension Stage 1: This stage is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130-139 systolic over 80 mmHg diastolic. At this stage, you will likely be advised to make some lifestyle changes and may be prescribed blood pressure medication.
  4. Hypertension Stage 2: This stage is when blood pressure consistently ranges at 140/90 mmHg or higher. At this stage, you will likely be prescribed blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes.
  5. Hypertensive Crisis: The hypertensive crisis requires medical attention. If your blood pressure readings suddenly exceed 180/120 mmHg, you could be experiencing a hypertensive crisis and should contact your doctor immediately.
If your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and you are also experiencing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking, do not wait to see if your pressure comes down on its own. Call 911.
What Number is More Important?
Typically, the systolic blood pressure number is given more attention due to it being a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over the age of 50. However, an elevation of either number may be used to make a high blood pressure diagnosis (2).
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure typically develops over time. One may develop high blood pressure due to reasons like unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, or alcohol and tobacco use. Blood pressure can also be caused by genetics and family history, so it’s important to let your doctor know if high blood pressure runs in your family (3).
What Problems does High Blood Pressure Cause?
High Blood Pressure can damage your health in many ways, especially if it’s left untreated. It can hurt important organs like your heart, brain, kidney, and eyes (1).
  • Heart Attack and Heart Disease: High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart.
  • Stroke and Brain Problems: High blood pressure can also block the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain, or cause those arteries to burst, which causes a stroke. Brain cells die during a stroke because they do not get enough oxygen, which can then cause disabilities in speech, movement, and other basic activities. A stroke can also be deadly.
  • Kidney Disease: Adults with diabetes, high blood pressure, or both have a higher risk of developing kidney disease, which is when the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should (4).
What Can You Do to Prevent or Manage High Blood Pressure?
Many people can manage to keep their blood pressure in a healthy range by making some positive lifestyle changes, such as:
  • Getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week
  • Avoid tobacco use
  • Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet which limits sodium (salt) and alcohol
  • Keeping a healthy weight
  • Managing stress in a healthy way
In addition to making these changes, some people with high blood pressure may need to take medications to manage their blood pressure (1). And as always, talk to your pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns regarding blood pressure medications or managing your blood pressure numbers. Talk to your pharmacist today about if adding a supplement can help you, and ask us about our free blood pressure monitoring!
 
Sources
  1. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm#whatdo
  2. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings
  3. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/risk_factors.htm
  4. https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html
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