The 1918-20 flu pandemic affected a half billion people worldwide and killed 50 million. If it had happened today, the death rate would be much, much lower. Then, many people died from pneumonia infections. Today we have antibiotics to treat upper respiratory tract infections. Plus medical science has a greater understanding of viruses and how they spread and can develop vaccines relatively quickly. Witness the many COVID-19 vaccines available today.
Vitamin D is more difficult to absorb in older people. It is recommended that individuals over the age of 70 should take a higher amount of D. Older people often don’t make enough vitamin D naturally through sun exposure and being indoors more often brings the same result.
The number of people over the age of 60 is increasing by three per cent per year. Worldwide there are about 962 million people over 65 and that number is expected to double by 2050 and the number over 80 will triple. But with old age comes chronic illness so taking care of our bodies now will give us a healthier life as we age.
And in keeping with that line of thinking, do you want to reduce your chances of getting Type 2 diabetes? Here are five things you can do today to make that goal a reality. Keep your A1c blood result below seven and your LDL cholesterol levels less than two. Keep your blood pressure down. Check your urine for protein (could indicate kidney damage) Don’t smoke. Paying attention to these will reduce your risk of diabetes and heart and stroke.
Women who are breast-feeding and taking medications including herbals, check with your doctor and pharmacist to see if the medications pass over into the breastmilk. There is information on most drugs and some herbals but it’s good to check the safety of the product before breastfeeding.
There are prebiotics (fibre-containing food for the gut’s good bacteria to feed on like onions, leeks, bananas, asparagus), probiotics (living strains of good bacteria to supplement the bacteria in the gut), and lately there is talk of postbiotics. These are substances created when the “good bacteria” in the gut feed on the prebiotics. Some people say that fermented foods and drinks are good postbiotics products to maintain a healthy gut.
The phrase “herd immunity” is popular. This occurs when most of the population is immune to a disease. A good example is measles where we have herd immunity due to the success of measles vaccination programs over the years and are still going on. Haven’t had your COVID-19 shot yet? Decide to get it soon. You are helping yourself and your whole community.
One of the compelling reasons to get your COVID-19 vaccine jab is that you don’t want to get the virus then suffer from “PASC”. This acronym was coined by Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to the White House on COVID response. PASC stands for Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It describes symptoms lingering after the virus disappears from the body. Symptoms can include brain fog, depression, anxiety sleep difficulties.
Here’s another acronym: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) encourages reducing the sodium in one’s diet and eating foods high in grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. As well, 4-5 servings of nuts, seeds, and legumes per week. The “no-no” is alcohol, and caffeine and sweets should be limited. This diet is also good if you have gout because uric acid levels drop to reduce gout symptoms.
Did you know that laughter is good for your health and well-being? It can boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Try to laugh every day.
Please check out our new location at 39 Campus Trail, in the Campus Trails Wellness Centre off Muskoka Rd 3 N beside The Tom condominiums.
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.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news
Recent Comments