NSAIDS, is an acronym meaning Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. This class of medications is a popular choice for pain and discomfort. They are available without prescription and they do work. However, they do have side effects of gastric bleeding, kidney problems and negative effects on the heart especially with overuse. The two main ones are naproxen and ibuprofen but you should be aware that A.S.A is also an NSAID. As well, these drugs are sometimes added to cold medications and this also has to be considered when taking other NSAIDS. Reading the fine print on the medication labels is important in making the right choice. Talk to your pharmacist for advice on what would be appropriate to your needs.
It’s time to check your left over sunscreen from last summer. They usually have a shelf-life of three years so if yours is older, buy a fresh container. Choose one labeled “broad spectrum” to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The beauty of these products is that besides reducing the risk of skin cancer, they also slow down premature aging of the skin due to sun exposure. That’s a good side effect!
There is a link between eating red meat and colorectal cancer but it doesn’t mean you have to cut out red meat altogether. Lean red meat is a good source of iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and protein. Replacing it with poultry or fish and keeping red meat to twice weekly is a good idea. Smoked process meats are also implicated in increased cancer risk. Treating these foods like sugary desserts is a good idea … they’re tasty, but you know they are bad. Keep them to a minimum.
The best dental hygiene is flossing twice daily and brushing with a fluoride tooth paste. Are electric tooth brushes better than regular brushes? Studies show the electric ones do a better job than manual brushes of removing plaque. They are more expensive but brush at thousands of strokes per minute as opposed to manuals at about 200 strokes per minute. They are worth the extra expense.
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
Read more from Bill on the Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy Facebook page.
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