Joydens Wood Pharmacy

Joydens Wood Pharmacy We are an independent NHS Community Pharmacy serving the people of Joyden's Wood and surrounding are

Vaccines 2How Vaccines Work Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. I...
23/09/2025

Vaccines 2

How Vaccines Work

Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. It’s much safer to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can give you lifelong protection.
Having a vaccine also benefits your whole community through “herd immunity”. If enough people are vaccinated, it’s harder for the disease spread to those people who cannot have vaccines i.e. people who are ill, have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or have a weakened immune system.

16/09/2025

Vaccines 1

Why are vaccines important?

Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases but beware of anti-vaccine stories which are spread online through social media and off-line. This information may not be based on scientific evidence and could put your child at risk of a serious illness. All the current evidence tells us that getting vaccinated is safer than not getting vaccinated.

However, if people stop having vaccines, it’s possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again. Measles and mumps are starting to appear again in England, even though the MMR vaccine is the best protection against both diseases.

This is serious, as measles can lead to life-threatening complications and mumps can cause hearing loss. If 95% of children receive the MMR vaccine, this would stop measles spreading completely. However, measles, mumps and rubella can quickly spread again if fewer than 90% of people are vaccinated. Since vaccines were introduced into the UK diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people have gone away or are very rarely seen.

Osteoporosis 5Quiz Q1.   What is osteoporosis?A1.   It is a health condition that weakens bones making them more likely ...
09/09/2025

Osteoporosis 5

Quiz

Q1. What is osteoporosis?
A1. It is a health condition that weakens bones making them more likely to break.
Q2. How many fractures happen in the UK each year?
A2. 549,000.
Q3. How much do these cost the NHS?
A3. More than £4.7bn each year.
Q4. How many people die within the first year of having a broken hip?
A4. 26%.
Q5. How many hospital bed days do hip fractures use each year?
A5. Half a million.
Q6. When are bones thickest and strongest?
A6. Up to your late 20s.
Q7. What are the most common injuries?
A7. Wrist, hip and vertebrae.
Q8. What increases the risk of osteoporosis?
A8. Taking high dose steroids, certain medical conditions, family history of osteoporosis, eating disorders, low BMI, not exercising, heavy drinking and smoking, long periods of inactivity.
Q9. How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
A9. Using an online programme such as FRAX or bone density scan (DEXA).
Q10. What medicines are used to treat osteoporosis?
A10. Bisphosphonates, SERMs, parathyroid hormone, biological medicines, calcium and vitamin D, HRT.

Osteoporosis 4Quiz Q1.   What is osteoporosis?Q2.   How many fractures happen in the UK each year?Q3.   How much do thes...
02/09/2025

Osteoporosis 4

Quiz

Q1. What is osteoporosis?
Q2. How many fractures happen in the UK each year?
Q3. How much do these cost the NHS?
Q4. How many people die within the first year of having a broken hip?
Q5. How many hospital bed days do hip fractures use each year?
Q6. When are bones thickest and strongest?
Q7. What are the most common injuries?
Q8. What increases the risk of osteoporosis?
Q9. How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
Q10. What medicines are used to treat osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis 3Treating Osteoporosis Treating osteoporosis involves treating and preventing fractures and using medicines...
26/08/2025

Osteoporosis 3

Treating Osteoporosis

Treating osteoporosis involves treating and preventing fractures and using medicines to strengthen bones. Although a diagnosis is based on the results of your bone density scan, the decision about what treatment you need if any, is based on a number of other factors including:
• Age
• S*x
• Risk of breaking a bone
• Previous injury history

A number of different medicines can be used to treat osteoporosis.
Bisphosphonates slow the rate that bone is broken down in your body. This maintains bone density and reduces your risk of a broken bone. They are given as a tablet, liquid or an injection.
Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have the same effect on bone as the hormone oestrogen. They help to maintain bone density and reduce the risk of fracture, particularly of the spine.
Parathyroid hormone is produced naturally in the body. It regulates the amount of calcium in the bone. These treatments are used to stimulate cells to create new bone. You take them as an injection once a day.
Biological medicines work by slowing down the rate at which your bones are broken down and speeding up the rate at which your cells build bone. They are given by injection every month or every few months.
Calcium and vitamin D supplements. Calcium is the main mineral found in bone and having enough calcium as part of a healthy balanced diet is important to maintain healthy bones. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.
HRT has been shown to keep bones strong and reduce the risk of breaking a bone. Whether HRT is right for you depends on your age, symptoms and any risk factors you have. Discuss the benefits and risks with your GP.

Osteoporosis 2Causes of Osteoporosis Bones are thickest and strongest in your early adult life until your late 20s. You ...
19/08/2025

Osteoporosis 2

Causes of Osteoporosis

Bones are thickest and strongest in your early adult life until your late 20s. You start losing bone from around the age of 35. Losing bone is a normal part of ageing but some people lose it much faster than normal.
This can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of broken bones. Women lose bone rapidly in the first few years after menopause, particularly if menopause begins early (before 45) or they have their ovaries removed and hence are prone to osteoporosis.
Many other factors also increase the risk of developing osteoporosis including:
• Taking high dose steroid tablets for more than 3 months
• Other medical conditions such as inflammatory conditions, hormone related conditions or malabsorption problems
• A family history of osteoporosis, particularly a hip fracture in a parent
• Long term use of certain medicines can affect bone strength or hormone levels such as anti-oestrogen tablets that women take after breast cancer
• Having or having had an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
• Having a low BMI
• Not exercising regularly
• Heavy drinking and smoking
• Long periods of inactivity
If your GP suspects you have osteoporosis, they can work out your future risk of breaking a bone using an online programme such as FRAX. They may also refer you for a bone density scan. This is a short painless procedure that takes 10 to 20 minutes. Your scan can be compared to that of a healthy young adult.
The difference is calculated as a standard deviation (SD) and is called a T-score. A T-score above -1 SD is normal, between -1 and-2.5 shows bone loss and is defined as osteopenia and below -2.5 is bone loss and is defined as osteoporosis.

Photo by Laboritoires Servier – Creative Commons License

Osteoporosis 1What is Osteoporosis? It is a health condition that weakens your bones, making them fragile and more likel...
12/08/2025

Osteoporosis 1

What is Osteoporosis?

It is a health condition that weakens your bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break (fracture).
Currently in the UK 549,000 fractures happen each year, including 105,000 hip, 86,000 vertebrae and 358,000 other fractures (pelvis, ribs, arms, clavicle etc). These cause severe pain, disability and reduction in quality of life.
Fragility fractures are estimated to account for 579,722 DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years) lost annually, which is about the same as those lost from dementia. The cost to the NHS exceeds £4.7 billion each year, of which £2.6 billon occurs directly after a fracture and £1.7 billion for institutional care costs.
Hip fracture is the most common cause of emergency anaesthesia and surgery in older people. The mean hospital stay is 20 days accounting for half a million hospital bed days used each year with 3,600 hospital beds occupied at any one time by patients recovering from hip fractures. Loss of independence is common following a hip fracture with only 52% living at home after 120 days and 26% will die within 12 months of their fracture.

Photo by BruceBlaus – Creative Commons License

Whooping Cough & RSV 6QuizQ1.   What is pertussis?A1.   It is also called whooping cough and is an infection that mainly...
05/08/2025

Whooping Cough & RSV 6

Quiz

Q1. What is pertussis?
A1. It is also called whooping cough and is an infection that mainly effects infants and children.
Q2. What causes it?
A2. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
Q3. What are the symptoms?
A3. Violent coughing, thick mucus, sore throat, may turn blue during coughing spells.
Q4. How long does whooping cough last?
A4. Several weeks or months.
Q5. How many cases of whooping cough were reported in the UK in 2024?
A5. 14,905.
Q6. What is RSV?
A6. Respiratory syncytial virus and is a common cause of coughs and colds.
Q7. How common is it?
A7. Almost all children get them at least once before they’re two years old.
Q8. Can it be dangerous?
A8. Yes for babies born prematurely, children under 2, people with chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease or weak immune system, adults over 75.
Q9. How is RSV spread?
A9. In coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus.
Q10. What are the symptoms?
A10. Runny or blocked nose, a cough, sneezing, tiredness and a high temperature.

Whooping Cough & RSV 5QuizQ1.   What is pertussis?Q2.   What causes it?Q3.   What are the symptoms?Q4.   How long does w...
29/07/2025

Whooping Cough & RSV 5

Quiz

Q1. What is pertussis?
Q2. What causes it?
Q3. What are the symptoms?
Q4. How long does whooping cough last?
Q5. How many cases of whooping cough were reported in the UK in 2024?
Q6. What is RSV?
Q7. How common is it?
Q8. Can it be dangerous?
Q9. How is RSV spread?
Q10. What are the symptoms?

Whooping Cough & RSV 4Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)There is no specific treatment for the RSV infection. It often ge...
22/07/2025

Whooping Cough & RSV 4

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

There is no specific treatment for the RSV infection. It often gets better on its own in 1-2 weeks and you can usually look after yourself or your child at home. Children and adults who get a more serious infection may need to be treated in hospital. This may include being given fluids to avoid dehydration or oxygen to help you breathe.

The NHS has been rolling out a new vaccination for RSV to protect older people 75-79 and newborn babies all year round. Older people will need just one dose for protection that will last multiple years while women should get the vaccine every time they get pregnant to protect each baby.

Recent analysis suggests that with an uptake of 60%, the maternal programme could result in 70,000 fewer RSV illnesses in infants, 20,000 fewer GP consultations and avoid more than 200 infants being admitted to intensive care.

It also suggests that the first season of the older adult’s catch-up programme could prevent around 2,500 hospital admissions, 15,000 GP visits and 60,000 illnesses in adults.

Whooping Cough & RSV 3Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)This is a common cause of coughs and colds. Almost all children u...
15/07/2025

Whooping Cough & RSV 3

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

This is a common cause of coughs and colds. Almost all children under 2 get it at least once. People usually get better by themselves, but it can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults. Those who are at a higher risk of getting ill include:
• Babies under 6 months old
• Young children who were born prematurely
• Adults over 75
• Babies, children and adults with a weakened immune system, or long -term, lung or heart conditions
• People who smoke to***co and babies exposed to to***co smoke.
RSV is spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus. The symptoms of an RSV infection usually start within a few days of getting infected. Most people only get cold like symptoms such as:
• A runny or blocked nose
• A cough
• Sneezing
• Tiredness
• A high temperature - signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering
Babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual. If RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause:
• A cough that gets worse
• Shortness of breath
• Faster breathing or long gasp between breaths
• Difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite
• Noisy breathing
• Confusion in older adults.

NIAID, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Whooping Cough & RSV 2Whooping cough (pertussis)Treatment for whooping cough depends on your age and how long you’ve had...
08/07/2025

Whooping Cough & RSV 2

Whooping cough (pertussis)

Treatment for whooping cough depends on your age and how long you’ve had the infection. Hospital treatment is needed if you have severe whooping cough, or if your baby is under 6 months old and has whooping cough. If whooping cough is diagnosed within two weeks of your cough starting, you will be given antibiotics to help stop it spreading to others, but these may not reduce the symptoms. It is important to stay off school, work or nursery until 48 hours after starting antibiotics or 2 weeks after your cough started if you’ve not had antibiotics.

The cough may last several weeks or months. A study of 5,222,860 people aged 50 and over between 2009 and 2018 found that there was an increase of direct medical costs of £318 with those diagnosed with pertussis compared to those who were not. This highlights the need for increased awareness of whooping cough infection in the older population.

Address

2 Birchwood Parade, Woodside Drive
London
DA27NJ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 1pm
2pm - 6:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 1pm
2pm - 6:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
2pm - 6:30pm
Thursday 9am - 1pm
2pm - 6:30pm
Friday 9am - 1pm
2pm - 6:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

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Joydens Wood Pharmacy

We are an independent NHS Pharmacy serving the people of Joyden’s Wood. Download our app today and sign up for our electronic prescription service to start getting your prescription delivered for free. T&C’s apply.