Capsule Comments by Bill Coon, Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy

The 19th century was full of patent medicine peddlers. Anyone could make up a formula with whatever ingredients then make any claim for what it would do. Many contained opium, alcohol or really nothing at all. This was brought to a halt in 1907 with the introduction of the U.S. Federal Pure Food and Drug Act which forced these salespeople to list all their ingredients on the label. However, it took until the 1950s for these “medicines” to disappear….the last one being Hadacol, a mixture of vitamin B, honey and alcohol.

A breath test is being developed to detect stomach and esophageal cancers. The test is based on the idea that cancer cells produce a mixture of chemicals that is different from those with stomach complaints without cancer. It’s non-invasive and so far, results have shown an 85 per cent accuracy rate. It might be available in about three years after further trials are conducted.

Hydrogen peroxide is sometimes touted as a treatment for everything from arthritis to cancer. There is no truth that drinking, inhaling, injecting or applying it rectally will cure anything. In fact, it can be dangerous. It is used for wound care but otherwise stay away from it.

There is some evidence that cannabis is effective in chronic pain in adults and for lessening the nausea associated with chemotherapy. However, there are numerous negative aspects of the drug: increased risk of car accidents and impairment in learning and memory. If smoked it can increase or worsen lung problems. Talk to your doctor before embarking on cannabis use.

Ever wonder why our skin changes as we age? It is because we lose more skin cell and the replacement of old cells with new ones slows down blood flow to the skin. Slower blood flow also leads to easier bruising and slower healing. There is a loss of fat under the top layer of skin which makes it harder to absorb shocks and keep heat in. The sun is a great enemy of the skin and over-exposure can cause more rapid aging and possible future skin cancers.

Orthostatic hypotension is a medical term to describe dizziness occurring when moving from a sitting or lying position to standing. This is caused by a drop in blood pressure. Medications like some antidepressants, muscle relaxants, antipsychotic and Parkinson’s medications may contribute. If this is a problem for you, discuss it with your doctor. Your pharmacist can discuss your medication profile with you and note any drugs you are taking that might cause this problem.

It’s hard to believe that there was a time when food packages contained no nutrition facts on the label at all. It became mandatory in Canada in Dec. 2007 although some food companies were doing it earlier. The information is valuable because it states average serving size, calories in that portion and the percentage of daily value (%DV) which helps consumers calculate the total nutrients eaten in a day. It’s important to know what is in the food we eat. Reading these labels is a good way of making more healthy food choices.

Be sure to visit Penny at Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy in the Home Health Care department for your compression stocking, mastectomy or ostomy needs.

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. The understanding that medications are only part of the health solution has lead 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 ~ 348 Muskoka Road 3 North, Huntsville Phone:(705) 789-1785

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