It’s a startling number: More than 100 million Americans have diabetes or high blood sugar levels, a condition called prediabetes. But a quarter of adults with diabetes don’t know they have it. And only about one in 10 know they have prediabetes.
Could you be among this crowd of people?

Heed the warning signs. Diabetes may be “silent” and not cause any signs or symptoms. However, these are common warning signs:

• Increased thirst or hunger
• Frequent peeing or urine infections
• Dry mouth
• Weight loss you can’t explain
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
Know your risks. Discuss any warning signs you have, and ask your doctor about your risk of developing diabetes. For example, even a few extra pounds can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, which goes up 30 percent for every 11 pounds gained. Big weight gains—44 pounds or more—make you 10 times more likely to develop the disease.

You may need a special blood test to confirm whether or not you have diabetes. And this could save your life. In the U.S., diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death, usually from heart problems. In addition to your heart, diabetes may lead to complications that affect everything from your brain and eyes to your kidneys and nerves. And did you know that the dementia risk linked to diabetes is nearly as high as that of a gene that’s a risk factor for Alzheimer’s?
Prevent or manage diabetes. It’s critical to do your best to prevent or manage diabetes. But most American adults with diabetes aren’t meeting recommended guidelines, which may include a combination of lifestyle changes and medication such as statins, aspirin, and drugs that lower blood sugar.
I’m not saying it’s always easy, but you can do it.
If you have prediabetes, you can cut your risk of diabetes in half with exercise and a healthy diet. Here are a few lifestyle changes that can go a long way toward preventing or controlling diabetes.
• Eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, and nonfat dairy. Limit foods high in fat and sugar.
• Shoot for 30 minutes of activity most days of the week—do something that makes you sweat and breathe a bit harder.
• Manage your stress, which can raise blood sugar levels. You know what relaxes you. It may be anything from yoga or meditation to gardening or petting a cat.
• Pitch the cigarettes. If you have diabetes, smoking is like throwing coals on a fire. It increases all the risks you may already have, such as heart and eye disease.
• Go easy on the alcohol. It can tweak your blood sugar level—making it go either too high or too low. If you’re a woman, have no more than a drink a day. If you’re a man, have no more than two.
• And finally, partner with your doctor and me. Whether you have questions about your risks, need tips about lifestyle changes, or want guidance about diabetes medications, you don’t have to go it alone. We’re here to help.
Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.

What To Do If You Get the Flu

The flu isn’t on your top-10 wish list, right? But just in case you get sick this flu season, here’s a list of 10 things you can do to help ease your symptoms—and to stop the flu in its tracks and protect others.

1. Stock up. A few supplies may make it a bit easier to manage the flu. It’s best to have these on hand before you get sick. Otherwise, send a healthy member of your family out on an errand, if you can.

• Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen for reducing fevers and easing achiness

• A thermometer

• Cough syrup or cough drops

• Saline nose drops or sprays

• Drinks such as fruit juices or tea (avoid caffeine)

• Easy-to-eat foods such as clear soups, crackers, or applesauce

2. Stay home! The first day you have symptoms, you may be tempted to venture out to work or school. Please don’t! Not only do you need the rest, but this is also when you’re most contagious. Try to nap—and read or binge-watch your favorite television episodes.

3. Prevent the spread. In addition to staying home, wash your hands often and cover your cough and sneeze into your sleeve.

4. Drink fluids, breathe steam. This is a great way to thin your mucus, making it easier to cough up. This may help prevent a lung infection. Using a humidifier (a cool mist) or breathing in steam from a hot shower may also help ease congestion.

5. Calm your cough. It can be exhausting, I know. Try over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines—an expectorant helps thin mucus. Do not give a child under age 4 any type of cough medicine. Sucking on lozenges may also help your cough or scratchy throat.

6. Ease nose woes. You—or your kids—can try saline nose drops or sprays to ease nasal congestion. First, put a few drops into one nostril. Then gently blow the mucus and saline out. Repeat on the other side.

7. Treat other symptoms. Sure, a fever—along with chills and achiness—is a sign your body is fighting off the virus. But that doesn’t mean you need to suffer in silence. Ask our pharmacist if you have any questions about which fever reducer to take. But don’t forget: Never give aspirin to someone younger than 19—it can lead to a serious illness.

8. Ask about antivirals. Your health care provider may advise you to take one. If you do this within 48 hours of when symptoms begin, you have a fighting chance of reducing their impact.

9. Know when to seek medical help. If you or a loved one has any of these symptoms, call the doctor:

• Dark urine

• Dizziness

• Fever of 100 degrees F for 3 or more days

• Returning fever or sore throat after feeling better

More serious symptoms require immediate medical care:

• Wheezing or shortness of breath

• Coughing up blood

• Chest pain or pressure

• Balance problems or confusion

10. Talk to our pharmacist! And of course it goes without saying: If you need guidance about any products—or any questions whatsoever—let us know, and we’ll try to steer you in the right direction.

Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.

Overweight? All Is Not Lost!

Need to shed 15 or 25 pounds? Try this trick: Pick up a 15- or 25-pound turkey in the grocery store (or a bag of soil at the nursery). Then carry it around for a few minutes. Did you find it tough to do? Extra pounds take a toll, don’t they? But weight gain is often such a gradual process that you might not even realize it’s happening.

Sadly, more and more people are dying from weight-related health problems. This includes high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other conditions. In 2015, 40 percent of 4 million deaths linked to weight were in people who weren’t even considered obese, just overweight. And for those who gain more, the risks are even greater. For example, 44 extra pounds in midlife increases your risk of type 2 diabetes by 10 times. There’s an emotional toll as well. A recent study found that heavy kids faced three times the risk of depression in adulthood.

Okay, enough of the scary statistics. Even small changes can make a big difference. For example, did you know that losing just 7 percent of your body weight can cut your risk of diabetes by 60 percent?

So what can you do? As I’m sure you’re aware, there’s no shortage of weight-loss tips out there. Here are a few backed by recent research:

• Weigh yourself regularly, especially during times of life transition, such as pregnancy or marriage. See the number going up? Nip that trend in the bud before it gets even harder to do.
• Down water instead of other drinks. Following 16,000 adults, researchers found that drinking a glass of water instead of a beer every day reduced the risk of obesity by 20 percent. Substituting water for sugar-sweetened drinks lowered the risk by 15 percent.
• Be wary of artificially sweetened drinks, though. Among 1,000 subjects in seven clinical trials, aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose showed no major weight-loss benefits. In fact, data from 30 observational studies involving 400,000 people showed a link between artificial sweeteners and obesity. These kinds of studies, however, can’t prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
• “Keep on walking, keep on walking,” to paraphrase Dory from Finding Nemo. A global study looked at “activity gaps” and found that waistlines have widened in places where walking rates have declined. The great thing about this activity is that nearly everyone can do it. And it doesn’t cost much, just the price of a good pair of shoes. On your walks, you can also try a few quick bursts of fast walking or running to burn extra calories.
• Get enough sleep. This link might be something you don’t think much about. But studies have shown a lack of sleep may contribute to obesity.

Of course, it goes without saying that you need to focus on healthy food choices, too. Eat more vegetables, fruits, lean meats, fish, and nonfat dairy products. And don’t tempt fate. Keep sugary, starchy foods out of your house, if you can.

If lifestyle changes aren’t quite enough to be effective, your doctor may prescribe a medication or other measures. Ask one of our pharmacists if you have any questions!

Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice.  You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.

What happens when your kid doesn’t get enough sleep? Does he or she turn into Oscar the Grouch? Not a surprise, really. But moodiness isn’t the only downside of a lack of shuteye.

Sleep is critical for mental and physical development. In fact, a lack of sleep can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, injuries, diabetes, and obesity in kids, as well as depression in teens (and adults).

Sleep guidelines for kids. About a year ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with new sleep guidelines for kids. In case you missed it, here’s what they now recommend:

• Infants 4 to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours (including naps)
• Kids 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours (including naps)
• Kids 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours (including naps)
• Kids 6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours
• Teens: 8 to 10 hours

Guidelines are more challenging to devise for infants younger than four months. That’s because there is so much variation among young infants as they begin to develop regular sleep-wake cycles.

Signs of sleeplessness. How can you tell if your child isn’t getting enough sleep? Here are some telltale signs. Your child may:

• Have trouble waking up and getting moving within 15 minutes.
• Sleep at least two hours longer during weekends or vacations than during the school week.
• Fall asleep during short car trips or at school.
• Have trouble remembering, paying attention, and learning.
• Be irritable or hyperactive.

About that hyperactivity—that’s counterintuitive and can really throw parents. When you’re tired, you probably slow down. But kids can really wind up when they haven’t gotten enough sleep, and will resist going bedtime, even if they’re bone-tired. This sign can look a lot like attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.

What you can do. Yes, I know: Getting kids to bed at night is easier said than done. But it’s worth the effort, because quality sleep is not a luxury. You can make a difference in a number of ways.

For example, help your child learn how to prioritize and focus on the activities he or she really enjoys—maybe not three sports all at the same time! Limit your child’s access to caffeine—remember it’s in chocolate, too. Make sure the bedroom is cool and dark. Set a regular, relaxing nighttime routine. Most important, keep TV and computers out of the bedroom, and turn off all screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Whether it comes from a bulb or a smartphone, light promotes wakefulness.

If your child isn’t getting enough sleep, it’s also important to rule out a sleep disorder or other medical condition. Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea in kids, not just in adults. I’d be glad to talk over your concerns or maybe its time to make an appointment with the pediatrician.

Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice.  You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.

Did you know that skin cancer rates are on the rise in the U.S., where it is the most common type of cancer? It’s no wonder. Just in the past year alone, one-third of the adult population has been sunburned at least once. And that lobster-red look is a clear sign of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays—a known cause of skin cancer, which can impact any age, gender, or race.

Risks of tanning. But you’re not off the hook if you stop at tanning. That’s your body’s response to
sun injury. When you tan—either outdoors or indoors—you increase your risk of melanoma—the deadliest
form of skin cancer. You also increase your risk of:
• Premature skin aging—wrinkles and age spots
• Damaged skin texture
• Potentially blinding eye diseases

Here’s the silver lining in this gloomy cloud: Avoiding the sun’s UV rays is one of the best ways to
prevent skin cancer. General guidelines. You probably know the drill, but it bears repeating:
1. Seek shade and stay out of the sun, if you can, when UV rays are strongest—from 10 am to 4 pm.
2. Be extra careful at higher altitudes where skin burns faster.
3. Limit exposure to water, sand, snow, and concrete—surfaces that reflect light.
4. Use sun protection even on cloudy days, when certain types of UV rays can be stronger.
5. Rely on diet and supplements to get your vitamin D, not the sun.

Sunscreen. Don’t use a product that combines sunscreen and insect repellant. Reapplying it will expose you to too much of the repellent’s ingredients. Also, avoid spray tans and bronzers—they won’t protect your skin from UV rays.

Do choose sunscreens that:
• Block both UVA and UVB rays.
• Are labeled with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher.
• Are water resistant—they’re more protective when you sweat.
• Are products you will use consistently. Generally, creams are best for dry skin and the face, gels
work well for hairy areas, and sticks are easier to apply near eyes. Mineral-based sunscreens—such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide—work well if you have sensitive skin.

Wear sunscreen every day, even if you plan to be outside a short time. For best results, apply it generously 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside to all exposed areas—don’t forget your feet and ears. (A lip balm works best for your lips.) Always reapply after swimming or sweating and about every two hours or as often as the package suggests.

Sun-protective clothing. In addition to sunscreen, wear clothing that can better protect you such as:
• A hat with a wide brim. This works better than a baseball cap or visor for shielding your whole face from the sun.
• Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
• Long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Loose-fitting, unbleached, tightly woven fabrics.
• Special clothing that absorbs UV rays.

Don’t forget to protect those parts of your body that may be in constant sunlight— your nose, forehead, and eyes. Questions about sun-protection products or other ways to protect your family in the sun? Remember, your pharmacist is right here—your ready resource.

Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.