HealthConnection CONLIN'S PHARMACY. this month s. Featured Article. Issue 5 Women s Health. May good neighbor pharmacy

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1 May 2014 HealthConnection good neighbor pharmacy Issue 5 Women s Health this month s Featured Article 3 Women s Health Q&A Stress and Your Health. inside Health Connection Remember These Tips for Safely Taking Your Medications Cutting Back on Salt Without Cutting Flavor 10 Things You Can Do TODAY to Improve Your Health What is Shingles? Improve Your Fitness in 20 Minutes per Day Monitoring Your Diabetes When You re Pregnant New Type of Diabetes Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes GoodNeighborPharmacy.com CONLIN'S PHARMACY DBIMPR GN

2 Healthy Lifestyle Your Diet How Working with a Registered Dietitian Can Help Improve Your Health A registered dietitian can serve as your partner in helping you make good food choices for a healthier lifestyle or to better manage a particular health condition. Some examples: You have pre-diabetes and want to stave off diabetes. A registered dietitian can teach you skills that will help you lose and keep off weight and keep diabetes at bay. You want to improve your performance in sports. A registered dietitian can help you set goals to achieve results whether you re running a marathon, skiing or jogging with your dog. You realize you need to feed your family healthier foods but you do not cook very often or feel comfortable with your cooking skills. A registered dietitian who has special culinary skills can teach you how to cook in a simple, convenient way. Your doctor can recommend a registered dietitian in your area. Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics What s Happening at the Pharmacy? Remember These Tips for Safely Taking Your Medications After you pick up your medication, and before you leave the pharmacy, look to be sure you have the correct medicine. The pharmacist can answer any questions you have about your new medication. If you ve used the medicine before, make sure this medicine has the same shape, color, size, markings, and packaging. Anything different? Ask your pharmacist if you see something that looks different than what you expected. If you discover this difference once you arrive at home, call the pharmacist. Be sure you know the right dose for the medicine and you know how to use it. Any questions? Ask your pharmacist. Does the medication have any special storage instructions? Make sure there is a measuring spoon, cup, or syringe included with your prescription for liquid medicine. If the medicine doesn t come with a special measuring tool, ask your pharmacist for one. (Spoons used for eating and cooking may give the wrong dose. Don t use them.) Be sure you have any information the pharmacist can give you about the medicine. Read it and save it. Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2 Women s Health

3 May Featured Article Healthy Lifestyle Healthy Eating Cutting Back on Salt Without Cutting Flavor A great way to cut salt from your diet while maintaining vibrant flavor is to go global. Look to recipes from the Mediterranean, Latin America, Asia and Africa for healthy ideas to transform fruits, vegetables and other wholesome ingredients into exciting flavors for your meals. Because many of these world culinary traditions build up flavor in novel, complex and intriguing ways, cooks are under less pressure to use so much sodium. Women s Health Q&A Q: What are the most common causes of stress? A: Stress occurs when people feel like they don t have the tools they need to manage all of the demands in their lives. It can be short-term or long-term. Missing the bus or arguing with your spouse or partner can cause short-term stress. Money problems or trouble at work can cause long-term stress. Even happy events, like having a baby or getting married, can cause stress. Some of the most common stressful life events include death of a spouse, death of a close family member, divorce, losing your job, major personal illness or injury, marital separation, marriage and pregnancy. Q: What are some common signs of stress? A: Everyone responds to stress a little differently. Here are some of the signs to look for: not eating, eating too much, feeling like you have no control, needing to have too much control, forgetfulness, headaches, lack of energy, lack of focus, trouble getting things done, poor self-esteem, short temper, trouble sleeping, upset stomach, back pain, general aches and pains. Q: Do women react differently to stress than men do? A: Women often cope with stress in different ways than men do. Women tend and befriend, taking care of those closest to them and also drawing support from Stress and Your Health friends and family. Men are more likely to have the fight-or-flight response. They cope by escaping into a relaxing activity or other distraction. Q: How can I help handle my stress? A: Try these tips to help keep stress in check: Become a problem solver. Make a list of the things that cause you stress. Figure out which problems you can solve now and which are beyond your control for the moment. From your list of problems you can solve now, start with the little ones. Learn how to calmly look at a problem, think of possible solutions and take action. Be flexible. Sometimes, it s not worth the stress to argue. Give in now and then or meet people halfway. Relax. Take deep breaths. Stretch. Massage tight muscles. Take the time to read a book, listen to music, or go to a movie. Talk with your doctor. If you are having trouble coping with your stress levels, see your doctor, who may suggest counseling or may prescribe medications to help you through a particularly stressful time. Help others. Volunteering in your community can help you make new friends and feel better about yourself. Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women s Health These traditional cultural approaches to flavor development go way beyond fat, salt and sugar, our all-too-frequent default flavor enhancers in the U.S. Try new recipes from these countries, check out cooking blogs that features these foods, and experiment with a delicious, lower-salt way of cooking! Source: Harvard School of Public Health GoodNeighborPharmacy.com 3

4 To Do List 10 Things You Can Do TODAY to Improve Your Health These simple tips can help you get ready to have your healthiest, happiest summer ever: Fill your water bottle at the beginning of the day and drink up! Know your body mass index (BMI), weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood-sugar numbers. Don t know em? Make an appointment with your doctor for that check-up. Clean up your pantry and fridge. Toss those cookies and stock up on fresh fruits and veggies. Go outside for a 20-minute walk. Eat at the table with the TV off. Find a work-out buddy. Keep a food journal for a week. Experiment with spices and herbs and cut the fat and salt in your cooking. Plan your exercise, in advance, for the week. Wear sunscreen when you re out for that walk. Source: Michigan Department of Health s MI Healthier Tomorrow campaign When it comes to taking care of our kids, we follow the doctor s orders, take the kids in for their well-child check-ups and make sure they get their vaccinations. But what about ourselves? When was the last time you had a complete physical? Are your vaccinations up to date? Based on your age, health history, lifestyle and other important issues, you and your doctor can determine how often you need to be examined and screened for certain diseases and conditions. These include high blood pressure; high cholesterol; Did You Know...? Health Q&A What is Shingles? diabetes; sexually transmitted diseases; and cancers of the skin, prostate and colon. When problems are found early, your chances for treatment and cure are better. Routine exams and screenings can help save your life. Adults need vaccinations, too. Some vaccinations are for everyone. Others are recommended if you work in certain jobs, have certain lifestyles, travel to certain places, or have certain health conditions. Protect yourself from illness and disease by keeping up with your vaccinations. Talk with your doctor about which ones you should receive, and how often. Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Q: My uncle has shingles and he says it is quite painful. What is it? Can it be prevented? A: Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters. It is also called Herpes Zoster, or just Zoster. A shingles rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts from two to four weeks. Its main symptom is pain, which can be quite severe. Other symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach. Very rarely, a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitits) or death. For about one person in five, severe pain can continue even long after the rash clears up. Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Only someone who has had chickenpox or, rarely, who has had the chickenpox vaccine can get shingles. The virus stays in your body, and can cause shingles many years later. You can t catch shingles from another person with shingles. However, a person who has never had chickenpox (or the chickenpox vaccine) could get chickenpox from someone with shingles. This is not very common. Shingles is far more common in people 50 years of age and older than in younger people. It is also more common in people whose immune systems are weakened. A single dose of shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 60 years of age and older. There are some people who should not receive the shingles vaccine. Check with your doctor to see if it is recommended for you. Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4 Women s Health

5 Drug Facts Q&A Kids Corner Find the Hidden Healthy Words! Hey kids! Can you find and circle the seven healthy words in this maze? W A L K I N G D A F E A K T R O S W I M M I N G H D V H M H A R I H T P U O P A N D K C S L J P G W R T N M C E H R F F E A W S A P P L E S Q W N A X O U I B E D A E S Y U W R S P R S L E E P Senior Health Update Improve Your Fitness in 20 Minutes per Day Exercise and physical activity are good for just about everyone, including older adults. There are four main types of exercise, and each type does different things to improve your health and fitness. Doing them all will give you more benefits. Endurance, or aerobic, activities increase your breathing and heart rate. Brisk walking or jogging, dancing, swimming and biking are examples. Strength exercises make your muscles stronger. Lifting weights or using a resistance band can build strength. Balance exercises help prevent falls. Flexibility exercises stretch your muscles and can help your body stay limber. For more information, visit Talk with your doctor about the best ways to get each of these types of exercise and about how to do the exercises safely. In as little as 20 minutes per day, you can be on your way to better endurance, flexibility, strength and balance. Source: National Institute on Aging For more information on healthy living, timely health news, and exclusive savings, visit our website at GoodNeighborPharmacy.com. Compliments of: Do you have more questions? Our website has the answers. Visit for more information. GoodNeighborPharmacy.com 5

6 Diabetes Health Get Fit Choosing the Right Shoes (Don t Forget the Socks!) Your Pregnancy Monitoring Your Diabetes When You re Pregnant When you have diabetes, proper foot care will help prevent problems with your feet and will help ensure prompt medical care when problems occur. And that applies to choosing the right shoes and socks for exercise and for your daily activities as well. To prevent injury to your feet, don t go barefoot, even around the house. Buy shoes that fit properly. Buy comfortable shoes that do not fit tightly and that provide support and cushioning for the heel, arch and ball of the foot. Avoid narrow shoes that crowd your toes. If one foot is bigger than the other, buy shoes in the larger size. Your doctor may recommend specially designed shoes (orthopedic shoes) that fit the exact shape of your feet, cushion your feet and evenly distribute weight on your feet. Wear clean, dry socks. Wear socks made of fibers that pull (wick) sweat away from your skin, such as cotton and special acrylic fibers not nylon. Avoid socks with tight elastic bands that reduce circulation, as well as thick, bulky socks that often fit poorly and irritate your skin. Schedule regular foot checkups. Your doctor or podiatrist can inspect your feet for early signs of nerve damage, poor circulation or other foot problems. Schedule foot exams at least once a year or more often if recommended by your doctor. Take foot injuries seriously. Contact your doctor if you have a foot sore that doesn t begin to heal within a few days or other persistent problems with your feet. Your doctor will inspect your foot to make a diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate course of treatment. Source: Mayo Clinic During your pregnancy, you ll check your blood-glucose levels using a blood-glucose meter several times a day. Most doctors recommend testing at least four times per day when you are pregnant. Talk with your doctor about when you should test and keep a written record of your levels each time so you can share it with him or her at appointments. Another way to make sure you are meeting your blood-glucose targets during pregnancy is to have an A1C blood test. Results will reflect you average blood-glucose levels during the past three months. The American Diabetes Association now recommends that most women with diabetes should aim for an A1C target as close to normal as possible below 7 percent, and ideally below 6 percent before getting pregnant and during pregnancy. Your doctor can help you set an A1C target that is best for you. Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 6 Women s Health

7 Diabetes in the News New Type of Diabetes Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Living with Diabetes Professionals Who Can Help You Live (Well!) With Diabetes A new class of medications, called SGLT-2 inhibitors, may help those with type 2 diabetes achieve better blood-glucose control. Two SGLT-2 inhibitors have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration so far: Invokana (canaglifozin) and Farxiga (dapagliflozin). The drugs work in the kidneys to prevent re-absorption of glucose into the blood, thereby lowering blood-glucose levels. The excess glucose is excreted into the urine. These drugs have been studied in combination with all classes of diabetes medications and appear to contribute to overall blood-glucose control. The advantages of SGLT-2 inhibitors are that they generally don t cause low blood sugar by themselves and they also help with weight loss. Some of the side effects are due to higher glucose levels in the urine, which may cause urinary tract infections and vaginal yeast infections. Because these drugs work in the kidneys, they should not be given to patients with poor kidney function. Sources: DiabetesInControl.com; Kathleen Kaddis, B.S., Pharm.D. You may see your regular doctor for diabetes care or you may see someone who has special training in caring for people with diabetes, such as an endocrinologist. You ll talk with your doctor about what kind of medicines you need and how much you should take. You ll also agree on a target blood-glucose range and blood pressure and cholesterol targets. Your doctor will do tests to be sure your blood glucose, blood pressure, kidney function and cholesterol are staying on track and you re staying healthy. A certified diabetes educator (CDE) may also be an important part of your healthcare team. This could be a nurse, a dietitian or another kind of healthcare professional. Diabetes educators teach about meal planning, diabetes medicines, physical activity, how to check your blood glucose and how to fit diabetes care into your everyday life. Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases This newsletter is not intended to replace or substitute for the medical advice provided by a healthcare provider. The content of the newsletter is to be used as a reference tool. While Good Neighbor Pharmacy uses commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the content, it does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content and specifically disclaims all responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the material contained in the newsletter unless such liability is due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Good Neighbor Pharmacy. The content is not intended to be relied upon by any person or entity for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment. GoodNeighborPharmacy.com 7

8 You take care of everyone else. Let Good Neighbor Pharmacy take care of you. Women have their own unique health needs... from fitness and well-being, to stress relief and motherhood, and everything in between. At Good Neighbor Pharmacy, you can find affordable, effective products to help keep you feeling and looking your best. Talk to your pharmacist about what products are right for you or visit GoodNeighborPharmacy.com/WomensHealth Good Neighbor Pharmacy features affordable, high-quality products with many of the same ingredients found in the top name brands. All items may not be available in every Good Neighbor Pharmacy location. 8 Women s Health