Your guide to staying healthy, happy, alive
GLOBAL HEALTH
SKIN SAFETY
Protect your skin, at home and in the sun
TRAVEL CYCLE
Why menstruation goes haywire on holiday
HERE FOR COMMUNITY
On the 25th of September we celebrate World Pharmacists Day! A massive shout out to our entire Alive Pharmacy team. I want to thank you all for your contributions this year. We’ve had some major wins in recent times as more of our pharmacists upskill to become Prescribing Pharmacists.
Another special shout out to our soon-to-be Pharmacist from our Westcourt Store: Shylee Pagliari. Shylee recently competed in the Pharmacy Student of the year competition in Sydney and WON! Shylee is excited about becoming a Full Scope Pharmacist during her internship in 2025. Congratulations Shylee!
Did you know our Prescribing Pharmacists are available at many of our Alive Pharmacies for walk-ins and by appointment? This may be useful to you and your family for conditions such as ear infections, skin infections and other minor ailments, especially if you have trouble getting into your GP. You can talk to your local Alive Pharmacy Pharmacist further about this service.
Alive pharmacies welcomed the launch of the Community Pharmacy Hormonal Contraceptive Pilot on the 7th of August by the Queensland Government. Many of our pharmacists have done extra training and are now able to prescribe Hormonal Contraceptives. This is a new service to Australia, something that is commonly available in pharmacies in other countries. This involves a standard consultation with the pharmacist who will highlight the best options available to meet your individual requirements. Appointments can be made at Alive Pharmacies or online through alivepharmacy.com.au.
safety when SHOWERING
Put your hazmat suits on and strap your seatbelts! Did you know there are precautions we should be taking when showering? Like anything, too much of a good thing can have its downfalls. Long showers that are too hot can cause dry, itchy skin.
People with acne-prone skin who notice breakouts around the hairline or on their back should be mindful of their routine. A helpful sequence to follow is shampoo, rinse, conditioner, rinse, wash your body, then a final rinse. This ensures any leftover hair products are washed away.
September is also the last month to get your Queensland Government free flu vaccination for the 2024 season. All Queensland residents over 5 years of age are eligible. Bookings can be made online at www.alivepharmacy.com.au.
In this month’s Live+ Catalogue we touch on some interesting topics like skin safety in the shower and how the menstrual cycles changes when we travel. If you suffer from period pain my recommendations would be to try doing some light exercise or yoga, apply a MediPak or BodiChek heat pack on the lower abdominal for discomfort, a ginger supplement for nausea, or an over-thecounter ibuprofen to help with pain management.
Happy World Pharmacists Day and remember that your Community Pharmacists are here to help with any health-related questions or concerns!
Managing Director
The type of products you use might also contribute to your acne or dry skin. People with acne should opt for oil-free products. Breakouts around the hairline might indicate that your shampoo or conditioner isn’t quite right for you. If you’re dealing with dry skin, look for products containing hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides.
Our skin hosts a balance of bacteria. Not washing the body evenly can disrupt this balance, leading to a build-up of oils and bacteria in certain areas, which can cause breakouts.
As for shaving, leaving it for last allows the hairs to soften from the warm water, making them easier to remove. The proper technique is to shave in the direction the hair grows to minimise irritation.
Showering too often can be tough on our skin. If you have a job that gets you dirty quickly or you exercise often, consider rinsing off and then having a full shower at the end of the day. Dryness alone won’t necessarily cause ageing and wrinkles, but it can be a contributing factor. After showering, apply a moisturiser, as showers can dry out the skin regardless of the water temperature.
Did you know?
PEOPLE WITH OILY SKIN MIGHT SHOW FEWER FINE LINES BECAUSE NATURAL OILS CAN HELP KEEP THE SKIN PLUMP.
GUTTER GUTS
Time to clean out our gut! If you’re anything like us, you might have neglected your gut health a little bit. We’re only human! However, poor gut health can lead to other health challenges. When our gut microbes are out of balance, our digestive health and bowel movements might be affected.
Signs of an unhealthy gut might include:
1. An upset stomach: gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn.
2. Unintended weight changes: gaining or losing weight without intention can indicate an imbalance in your body’s ability to absorb nutrients correctly.
3. Sleep disruptions: poor sleep quality can sometimes be connected to gut health issues.
Let’s break it down. The digestive system converts and breaks down our food. Our bowel movements are unique to our own body’s ‘normal pattern’. Anything that strays too far from this norm could be a sign something is wrong with our gut. A healthy poop is sausage-like in shape, smooth or cracked. Lumpy, separated, mushy, or liquid stools can be signs of constipation or inflammation in the gut.
Being constipated is not a nice feeling! Some people poop several times a day, while others only once or twice. To help out our poor guts, we can eat more fibre, drink more water, and exercise to get things flowing. If constipation persists, medications might be advised by a healthcare professional to help loosen up the stools and provide relief.
On the other hand, if you are experiencing stomach upset, heartburn, and indigestion, this might indicate a different challenge. Something in your digestive process isn’t working right. Maybe you ate something that doesn’t agree with you or ate too fast.
Other symptoms might include bloating, gas, nausea, or burping. Antacids can help calm the stomach quickly, and walking after meals can aid digestion, steady blood sugar, and increase circulation.
Interesting facts
When we’re constipated, the large intestine absorbs too much water from our poop, making it drier and harder to push out of the body.
Increasing your fibre intake helps regulate bowel movements.
A conversation could save a life. You don’t need to be an expert to reach outjust a good friend and a great listener.
Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:
1) Ask R U OK?
2) Listen
3) Encourage action
4) Check in
R U OK Day is on the 12th of September
GLOBAL HEALTH
Bosistos Sprays, Oils and Solutions
Nutra Organics Bone Broths
GLOBAL HEALTH
GLOBAL HEALTH
GLOBAL HEALTH
OFF BALANCE
Have you ever gone on a holiday or a weekend away and noticed your cycles changed? Sometimes it’s delayed, and sometimes it comes early! Let’s uncover the link between travel and your period.
Natural disturbances in our lives such as stress, lack of sleep, dietary changes, and exercise can affect our hormones. When our hormones become out of balance, it can cause an irregular cycle. It’s something many people might experience in their lifetime. If you start to feel concerned or unsure about your menstrual cycle length, see a specialist. They might be able to ease your worries. Signs to look out for include: an irregular period, heavy or painful periods, mood swings, skin problems, and unexplained weight gain.
TRAVEL STRESS
Travel stress is common. There’s a lot of planning that goes into a holiday, worrying about packing, and making it to the airport on time. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can affect our mood and motivation. Both good and bad stress can affect our menstrual cycle. This could be the excitement leading up to the holiday or the thrill from new experiences. It’s interesting how our mood plays such an important role in our body’s health. In most cases, stress is linked to late periods, but it can also sometimes cause your flow to start earlier.
SLEEP SCHEDULE CHANGES
Changing our sleep schedule for an early morning flight, different time zones, or overnight flights can contribute to hormonal imbalance. When we’re catching flights, the body is fighting to regulate our circadian rhythm. Our circadian rhythm is a natural pattern that repeats every 24 hours. Traveling to a location in a different time zone, even just an hour difference, can make our body work to regulate back to a normal cycle. Physical activity during the daytime and limiting our caffeine intake can help reset our circadian rhythm.
ALTITUDE CHANGES
Natural disturbances in our lives such as stress, lack Changes in altitude are believed to have an influence on our period. It can sometimes make it lighter for a short amount of time due to altitude and cabin pressure. The effect on your body is usually minimal, so you might not even notice. Our hormones are sensitive to change, so it’s like our body is adjusting to the new environment. 6
FORGETTING YOUR BIRTH CONTROL
Forgetting to take your birth control can disrupt your cycle. With everything else going on while you’re travelling, it’s easy to occasionally forget. This can cause unpredictable cycles until your hormones regulate or you go back on the pill. Missing more than one pill can have complications, so make sure to talk to your pharmacist if you’re unsure.
TEMPERATURE CHANGES
Changing our sleep schedule for an early morning flight, different time zones, or overnight flights can contribute to hormonal imbalance. When we’re catching flights, the body is fighting to regulate our circadian rhythm. Our circadian rhythm is a natural pattern that repeats every 24 hours. Traveling to a location in a different time zone, even just an hour difference, can make our body work to regulate back to a normal cycle. Physical activity during the daytime and limiting our caffeine intake can help reset our circadian rhythm.
CHANGES IN DIET AND EXERCISE
Engaging in new cultures often involves trying new foods and perhaps neglecting your usual diet and exercise regime. A break from routine can be healthy and beneficial for mental health. While indulging in treats for a few days won’t impact your cycle, a sustained poor diet can affect your period over time. If your nutrition is poor or you’re not eating enough, your periods might become irregular. Once your routine is back, your cycle tends to self-regulate.
If you’re going on holidays, we’re totally envious! Did you know that Alive Pharmacy pharmacists can consult with you about your hormonal contraception needs and help you determine the best management plan for you? All thanks to the Community Pharmacy Hormonal Contraception Pilot. See you in-store!
