The feeling of grass beneath your feet or strolling barefoot on the beach is a hallmark of summer. But walking shoeless can expose you to a range of injuries. Stepping on a sharp object like a rock or piece of glass could cause a puncture wound or painful cut.
To protect your feet, consider keeping your sandals on in public spaces, or switching to water shoes for a beach day. And, if you do injure your foot, be sure to consult our pharmacist about caring for the wound. They can also advise on when you should seek medical treatment.
There are research-backed benefits to having a green thumb! Whether you’re tending to a vegetable patch, maintaining your flower beds, or mowing the lawn, gardening is good for your health. It can improve your mood, help with your fitness, and much more. Here’s how.
Gardening…
• burns calories. For a roughly 150-pound adult, light gardening can burn up to 330 calories per hour, similar to golfing or dancing.
• builds strength. The repetitive, steady movements like digging and lifting work your major muscle groups, while also improving your balance and stability.
• beats the blues. Community gardening in particular is good for mental health because it counteracts social isolation, reducing stress and boosting mood. (You can join a gardening club online or in your neighbourhood for similar benefits!)
Enjoy all of the benefits that comes from gardening, but it’s important to be prepared. Read these safety tips before getting started to avoid injury:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/lifestyles/garden-safety.html
Summer is a time for picnic’s, street food festivals and indulging in some of your seasonal favourites! Take caution though, because during these warmer months, bacteria multiply faster and the chances of food poisoning increase.
If you think you may have eaten something questionable, and are now experiencing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, you may have a classic case of food poisoning. The good news is that for most people it will resolve within a few days without treatment.
If you are experiencing a case of food poisoning, talk to our pharmacist about oral replacement solutions with electrolytes to manage mild dehydration and other over-the-counter products to treat symptoms from diarrhea to upset stomach. Our pharmacist can also advise you on whether you may need to see a doctor.
Read more about the causes of food poisoning and how to treat it: https://www.phsd.ca/health-topics-programs/food-safety/food-poisoning-illness/
Hot, humid conditions –– and time sitting around in swimsuits at the beach or pool –– can result in vaginal yeast infections . If you know how to spot a yeast infection, you can get it treated right away.
Here are the most common symptoms:
• Itching and irritation in and around the vagina
• A burning sensation, especially when you pee
• Redness and swelling
• Discharge that can be thick and whiteish
Talk to our pharmacist if you think you might have a yeast infection. They can advise on over-the-counter antifungal options to try, and when you should call your doctor.
Hello warm weather, hello sandals! With summer fast approaching, it’s time to pull out your sandals or head out to treat yourself to a new pair. Opting for sandals that fit well, and pairing sneakers and loafers with moisture-wicking socks, can help to prevent those painful blisters that sometimes surface. If you do end up with one, the good news is that most blisters heal naturally after three to seven days.
Talk to our pharmacist if your wound doesn’t appear to be getting better after a week, or if there are any signs of infection (like heat around the area, swelling, or yellow/green discharge). They can also recommend over-the-counter products to assist with healing, including ointments and gel pads, for example.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-blisters/basics/art-20056691
Whether you’re gearing up for a camping trip on the first long weekend of the summer, or just thinking about refreshing your home’s first aid kit for the season, it’s important to be prepared. From campfire burns to tumbles off bicycles, and beyond, there are bound to be a few accidents this season.
Ask our pharmacist for advice on essentials to include in your first aid kit – we can help you get prepared with everything you need!
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/features/tip-sheet-what-to-keep-in-your-first-aid-kit
You may rarely give it much thought, but your liver is one of your most vital organs. It helps to give your body energy, regulate hormones, fight off infections, and so much more.
Some 1 in 4 Canadians may be affected by liver disease, which can begin at birth, or be caused by a virus, exposure to various toxins, or alcohol consumption.
Binge drinking, as well as consuming too much alcohol over many years, can cause permanent damage to your liver.
This winter, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) released new recommendations for alcohol consumption. Read the full report: https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2023-01/Canada%27s%20Guidance%20on%20Alcohol%20and%20Health%20Final%20Report.pdf
#LiverDisease #LiverHealthMonth #CCSAAlcoholGuidelines
Acid reflux is a condition in which the contents of your stomach bubble up into your esophagus and throat. It’s very common, especially after eating spicy or acidic foods.
If you are starting to experience acid reflux, speak to our pharmacist about over-the-counter products and other remedies that can soothe your symptoms.
Is your acid reflux occurring more frequently? Ask us for advice on when to see your doctor.
#GERD #AcidReflux #Heartburn #Dyspepsia
In Canada, women make about 500,000 trips to the doctor’s office each year seeking treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs). And they don’t only affect women: men and children can also experience this common infection of the urinary system.
If you suspect that you have a UTI, call your doctor right away. (Symptoms can include needing to pee more often, feeling pain when urinating and experiencing discomfort in your side or lower back.) UTIs are caused by a bacterial infection and can often be treated with antibiotics. Talk to our pharmacist about any questions or concerns you may have about treating your UTI.
#UTI #UrinaryTractInfection #WomensHealth
Cold sores are small blisters on or around the lips that can be itchy, tingly, uncomfortable, and unsightly.
They are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus and passed from person to person by close contact, like kissing.
Outbreaks typically clear up without treatment, but you can get symptom relief with over-the-counter products, or prescription antiviral ointments.
Ask our pharmacy team if you need help finding the right treatment option for you.
#ColdSores #Herpes
If you catch a cold, that probably spells the sniffles, possibly a fever, body aches, and just generally being under the weather.
You should feel better in one to two weeks. In the meantime, there are a number of nasal drops and sprays, mild pain relievers and cough and cold medications that might help with your symptoms. Ask our pharmacist about over-the-counter options that may be right for you.
#ColdRemedies #ColdSeason #CoughandCold
New year, new habits! Did you know that as soon you as you stop smoking, your risk of cancer, heart disease and lung problems drop, and your overall health improves?
Have you tried to quit before? That’s ok! You can use what you’ve learned in the past to make this attempt work better for you. Ask our pharmacist for advice on nicotine replacement therapy and other medications that can help you become smoke-free.
#QuitSmoking #ButtOut
Generic medicines contain the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts and must meet certain federal requirements to prove they are equivalent. In fact, all brand-name drugs have a generic name, which often appears next to the list of active ingredients(s) in the medication.
Ask our pharmacist to talk you through all your options.
Learn more about generic medicines, and have many of your questions answered: https://www.tevacanada.com/en/canada/healthcare-professionals/facts-generic-medicines/
#Medications #GenericMedicines
Travelling this month? A medications and health supplies checklist will ensure you have everything you’ll need while you’re away.
Your checklist should include:
• Medical supplies, like diabetes testing materials, inhalers, and/or epinephrine auto-injectors if you have a severe allergy.
• Items you keep in your medicine cupboard at home, like diarrhea medication, antihistamines, motion sickness medicine, and a decongestant.
• All daily prescription medications, including extra doses in case your return home is delayed.
Read more about traveling safely with prescription medications:
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/medication
Talk with our pharmacist to ensure you have everything you need for a healthy trip!
#TravelHealthChecklist #FirstAidKit #Travel
Travelling this month? A medications and health supplies checklist will ensure you have everything you’ll need while you’re away.
Your checklist should include:
• Medical supplies, like diabetes testing materials, inhalers, and/or epinephrine auto-injectors if you have a severe allergy.
• Items you keep in your medicine cupboard at home, like diarrhea medication, antihistamines, motion sickness medicine, and a decongestant.
• All daily prescription medications, including extra doses in case your return home is delayed.
Read more about traveling safely with prescription medications:
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/medication
Talk with our pharmacist to ensure you have everything you need for a healthy trip!
#TravelHealthChecklist #FirstAidKit #Travel
When the temperatures dip during the fall and winter months, asthma attacks are more likely to occur as a person breathes in the cold, dry air.
Life Effects offers tips from people living with asthma to help you manage your symptoms and identify some that you might not recognize. Read more here: https://www.tevacanada.com/en/canada/life-effects/asthma
Talk with our pharmacist about your asthma action plan and how you can prevent and manage asthma attacks at this time of year.
#Asthma
With the weather getting colder it’s a good time to talk about safe winter walking. Here are some tips for navigating slippery sidewalks and icy parking lots this winter:
• Choose warm, stable footwear with a non-slip sole.
• If you are unsteady on your feet, consider using a cane or walking poles, or use ice grippers on footwear.
• Watch for uneven or changing surfaces.
• Walk with your hands out of your pockets, for balance.
Did you know that some medications can increase your risk of falling? Be sure to ask our pharmacist if you have any concerns.
#WinterWalking #FallPreventionMonth
Occasionally, even the most organized person misses a dose of their medication.
Sometimes a skipped dose isn’t a big deal, but many medications won’t work right if they’re not taken exactly as prescribed. In some cases, if you don’t take the medicine at the right time, your symptoms might become more difficult to manage.
If you’re unsure about what to do if you miss your meds, contact our pharmacist.
#medicationreminders
Accidents can happen in the kitchen, the garage, the garden, and beyond. Be prepared for the next time you slice yourself with a paring knife, or your hand slips on a garden trowel.
Come into the pharmacy and talk to us about which products you should have ready in your first aid kit, in case of a minor cut.
When an accident happens, follow these steps to care for a minor cut at home:
Wash your hands.
Stop the bleeding, using gentle pressure with a clean bandage, if needed.
Rinse the wound with water and wash the skin around it with soap (but don’t get soap in your cut).
Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment.
Cover with a bandage or rolled gauze.
Read more about caring for minor cuts and scrapes: https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cuts/basics/art-20056711
#CutsandScrapes #FirstAid
