Capsule Comments by Bill Coon, Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy

Protein Pump Inhibitors

There is a class of drugs called protein pump inhibitors (PPIs). They reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach and are usually taken once daily. The best time to take this drug is 20-30 minutes before breakfast. It will be most effective when taken then. You can tell if you are taking this drug by the ending of its generic name: -prazole.

Massage therapy and cancer patients

Patients undergoing cancer treatment may benefit from massage therapy. It can help improve patients’ psychological well-being as well as reducing anxiety in the short-term. The massage should not cause pain but in fact help reduce pain. It is the human touch of a light, relaxing massage that can increase a sense of well-being.

Much To-Do

There is something comforting about making a to-do list. A list of what you want to accomplish the next day is a great anxiety-reducer. It may even help you sleep better at night knowing you won’t forget anything important.

Marijuana

With Health Canada still working on regulations for marijuana sales, it is interesting to look at the South American country of Uruguay’s approach. They have developed three strengths to be available at pharmacies. They have developed plants with a genetic signature to ensure no black market product gets into the system. They have even figured out a cost of $1.40 per gram. Our pharmacists have access to much information about marijuana, its effects and interactions with other drugs. We’d be happy to answer your questions. With the increased interest in marijuana, it bears remembering that smoking the product still exposes the lungs to more than 150 chemical compounds and tar that can irritate the airways.

Cataracts

When the lens in the eye clouds over, cataracts result. Age and your genetic profile contribute to the risk but you can’t do much about those. However, you can do the following: don’t smoke, protect your eyes from the sun, eat a health diet of plenty of vegetables, nuts and whole grains. And keep your blood sugar under control.

Dental Erosion

Dental erosion is more common today with the increase in consumption of acidic soft drinks. Rinsing your mouth after drinking an acidic beverage will help reduce erosion.  If you eat acidic foods, eat them with other foods like dairy products. Using a soft toothbrush and a less abrasive toothpaste will also help. Those whitening toothpastes are more abrasive than regular toothpastes.

It’s important to be an advocate for your own health. Be an active learner about health matters especially about the drugs you take. We can help you.

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

Looking for a pharmacy to feel good about?  Give us a try!

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.