The human head weighs about 12 lbs. Posture is really important in keeping the head from migrating forward and putting undue pressure on the spine. It is said that for every inch forward that your head moves out of alignment with the spine, it can add 10 lbs more stress on the spine. So for people who sit in front of a computer for hours on end, a good sitting posture is very important
The inhalation of nicotine into the lungs via vaping is a powerful addiction. It seems that more young people are taking up the habit. Some are using it to help them stop smoking but others who have never smoked are using it regularly. Vaping is not the first line of treatment for quitting smoking. See your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
People who decide to quit smoking should set a date for quitting, making sure there is no crisis in their lives at that time. Quitting is hard….it’s like losing a friend. A good place to start is with nicotine replacement therapy in the form of lozenges or patches to replace the nicotine not taken in by smoking.
Obesity continues to be a problem in Canada. Statistics from 2019 show that 36 per cent of people class themselves as overweight (defined as a Body Mass Index, or BMI, between 25-29.9) and 27 per cent are obese (BMI over 30). These numbers are expected to rise during the pandemic. It’s a serious problem due to the negative effects on personal health and Canada’s healthcare system. Comparatively, in Japan only 3.6 per cent of residents have a BMI over 30.
Research is moving ahead in the field of high cholesterol. There is a product in phase 3 trials that will be able to treat this medical problem with a twice-yearly subcutaneous injection which is purported to lower LDL (the so called “bad” cholesterol) by at least 50 per cent. No more taking a pill daily.
Napping between 2 and 3 p.m. can be a good thing. Usually around that time, the body experiences a slight drop in temperature that may produce a sleepy feeling. A nap may be the boost you need to get through the rest of the day. Be sure to keep the nap to 30-60 minutes, otherwise you won’t feel refreshed and end up feeling groggy.
Since 2016, there has been an exponential increase in the number of oral cancer drugs. These drugs are very welcome especially if patients can use them instead of having to undergo IV therapy. Most of these new oral treatments are classed as “targeted therapies”, acting on specific genetic or molecular characteristics of the individual patient. The cure for cancer is still out there but the treatments are getting better.
Some stroke symptoms like one-sided weakness, sudden slurring of speech, and facial drooping are common to men and women. Women may sometimes experience other symptoms. These include: memory loss, fatigue, malaise and nausea, dizziness, balance problems, and sleepiness or confusion. Since recovery from a stroke depends on the speed of treatment, call 911 immediately.
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Bill Coon graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto in 1984, and was the Faculty’s Centennial Scholar that same year. Bill and his pharmacist wife, Barbara, along with Paul Whitehead, opened Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy in 1990. Bill and Barbara, along with their business partner Jenna Whitehead, opened Campus Trail Pharmacy in 2020. The understanding that medications are only part of the health solution has led to Bill’s interest in fitness and health, both personally and professionally. Bill’s Capsule Comments provide a full range of up-to-date health information.
Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy is conveniently located in the Huntsville Professional Building at 348 Muskoka Road 3 North. Phone: (705) 789-1785.
The Campus Trail Pharmacy is at 39 Campus Trail, in the new Campus Trails Wellness Centre off Muskoka Rd 3 N beside The Tom condominiums. Phone: (705) 789-5331.
Read more from Bill on the Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy Facebook page.
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