Capsule Comments by Bill Coon, Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy

Organ Donation

The first kidney transplant was performed in 1954. It was a real milestone in medicine. Today it is a very common procedure which saves the lives of many and gives them back a regular life. The only problem is that there are not enough people signing up to be an organ donor so the demand always outpaces the supply. If you aren’t already an organ donor, consider signing up today.

Cool new procedure the may be used for earlier diagnosis of esophageal cancer

Oh the ingenuity of medical researchers…..In England they have developed a capsule which contains a spongey material. The patient swallows the capsule which has a string attached. The capsule dissolves and releases an expanding sponge which is then pulled back up the esophagus and it takes cell samples on the way up. It might provide an earlier diagnosis for esophageal cancer.

Shingles and Chicken pox – not fun

If you have ever had shingles, you know it’s no fun. If you have shingles, you cannot give them to another person. However, the virus causing shingles, varicella zoster, can be spread to another person who has never had chicken pox and actually give that person chicken pox. Just a reminder, a person is not infectious before the shingle blisters occur or after the blisters have crusted over.

Chickenpox was just part of growing up in the 20th Century. It caused a lot of misery for children and parents alike. Today we have a chickenpox vaccine and we also have a vaccine for shingles.

For information about vaccines for your child or you, talk to our pharmacists. We’d be happy to tell you what is available and how they work.

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.