#ASKdP March 2016 Issue 2

ISSUE 2

FREE

MARCH 2016

#ASKdP

This is the season to renew those new year's resolutions we failed to keep.

#ASKdP Features

We all make them but majority of us fail. It's not our fault, as we try very hard on our own.

Why not use your local community pharmacy to help you get healthier, and make those resolutions a success.

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There are many services that are available at your local community pharmacy. These include:

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Could you be diabetic?

Check your risk

Quick tips on eye care

∞ Stop Smoking Services ∞ Weight Loss Clinics ∞ Health Checks ∞ and much more

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Don't forget to visit your local community pharmacy today!

Save your community pharmacy

Consultant Pharmacist for dearPHARMACIST.info

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Sunil K. Kochhar

Every care has been taken to put this publication together.

There may be some errors unnoticed. If you see any please be reassured that they were an oversight. Feel free to bring these to our attention as we are always looking at improving this publication. email: ASKdP@dearPHARMACIST.info

What to avoid during pregnancy

You could be diabetic?

Unlike regular glucose tests that are limited to showing your results in that singular moment, measuring your HbA1c levels provides an in-depth look at your sugar levels if you're diabetic or pre-diabetic. These results alert you of two things: what your sugar levels are currently at and how high or low they have been for the past few weeks.

Let’s take a better look at the benefits of measuring your HbA1c and the relationship between the test and your pharmacist.

What is HbA1c?

HbA1c is a blood test you can do every 2-6 months out of the year. There’s a protein (haemoglobin) in red blood cells that attaches to the glucose in your blood stream.

This bonding process is called glycation, which is how the name glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) came into fruition.

Why use HbA1c instead of glucose tests?

HbA1c is important to measure for anyone who is diabetic or pre-diabetic. It also helps your pharmacist inform you of your diabetes status and prepare an action plan to reduce your risks.

As mentioned above, HbA1c is able to measure your sugar levels over a history of time, anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months. Regular glucose testing only measures your sugar levels during the moment you take it. They don’t take in account the history of your levels or whether they’ve been inclining or declining over the past few months.

The reason why you get a long term reading with HbA1c is because your red blood cells live in your system for anywhere from 8-12 weeks before being renewed. When you take a glucose test it only reflects your levels in that moment.

So, for example, if your blood sugar has been abnormally high for the past few weeks but drops to a normal level the night you take the glucose test, you may be mislead to believe you’re in the clear.

With the HbA1c test you’ll see for the past few weeks your sugar levels have been high and it may reflect a larger issue. Without the HbA1c test, you may not have been aware an issue was looming around the corner.

The goal with diabetes treatment is to lower the levels of your HbA1c and that is much easier to do through these tests than a regular glucose test due to its specific measuring system.

HbA1c Target levels The common measuring unit in the UK for HbA1c testing is mmol/mol. There are specific ranges for gauging where your mmol/mmo levels should be if you’re diabetic, nondiabetic, or at a higher risk than others to develop hypoglycaemia (low blow sugar).

•Non-diabetic:20-41mmol/mol (4%-5.9%) •Diabetic:48 mmol/mol (6.5%) •At risk of hypoglycaemia: 59 mmol/mol (7.5%) HbA1c can also lead to the diagnoses of pre-diabetes. If you’re in the 5.7% to 6.4% range, you’re more at risk of developing pre-diabetes.

Diabetes is becoming quite common, especially Type 2 diabetes. Although there are definitive signs that you may have or be developing diabetes, many times these symptoms slowly creep up over the years without warning.

Many factors play a part in developing Type 2 diabetes.

Some of these factors include:

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•Obesity •Eating habits and/or exercise •Ethnic background (African- Caribbean, Black African, Chinese or South Asian are more susceptible) •Family history of diabetes •You’ve previously had high blood pressure, a stroke or heart attack •You’ve previously had gestational diabetes (common with pregnant women)

Testing your blood levels with a standard glucose test won’t provide you with enough information if you’re potentially pre-diabetic. The HbA1c test can provide this information since it measures your sugar levels for a duration of time. It can give you a more thorough and healthier look at where you are with diabetes - whether you’re on the road towards it or in the clear.

If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, using the HbA1c testing can help you create a thorough and active plan to lower your HbA1c percentage and manage your diabetes in a healthier way.

The best person to help you create this plan is your pharmacist. Book in a one to one private consultation today!

In-store screening tests at your pharmacy Quo-Test HbA1c Analyser In the pharmacy there’s a type of technology called the Quo-Test. All it needs is a sample of your blood from your finger and it will analyze your HbA1c quickly and accurately. You’ll have your results in 4 minutes!

From there your pharmacist will explains your results (the mmol/mol and percentage levels) clearly and directly. If you’re a diabetic and your HbA1c levels are high, or you’ve discovered you’re pre-diabetic, this is the time you and your pharmacist will take to create an individual action plan based on your results, your current health, and your future needs.

You’ll be able to have a one-on-one consultation with your pharmacist who will then point you in the right direction for potential medications, prescriptions, and healthy living no matter what your HbA1c results were.

Now you have an accurate reading of how your sugar levels have been doing over the past few weeks (or months) and you have someone with the know-how to get you on the right path to a healthier you.

Remember: It’s ideal for you to go in and take a HbA1c test every few months to have a clear and thorough examination of your blood sugar levels.

If you’re pre-diabetic or thinking you might be, having your HbA1c levels tested is beneficial because it shows your current state of health. If you’re diabetic, you’ll be given the tools (a.k.a your pharmacist) for an in-depth sit down while they help you figure out where to go from here.

Your pharmacist is here to provide you with the best service they can. Go in and ask them about the H1bAc test today — they’ll be happy to assist you!

www.dearPHARMACIST.info #ASKdP PAGE

Your local pharmacy could be in danger of closing down Pharmacists call for your help over NHS cuts

Pharmacists, and pharmacy team members are worried that community pharmacies are under threat as a result of a reduction in the national budget, with further cuts to come in the future.

The Department of Health issued a statement indicating that many community pharmacies are too close together and are expecting to resolve this issue by expecting some to shut as a result of the funding reductions.

What they fail to realise is that many areas that do not have coverage will lose out too. Community pharmacies are independent businesses that rely on their income to continue. Many elderly and vulnerable patients will suffer as non funded activities, such as deliveries of their repeat and urgent medication, will stop. This will cause their health to deteriorate if an alternative means can not be found. Many of you may not realise, but the activities of ordering, collecting and the delivery of repeat medication from a pharmacy are activities community pharmacies do as a goodwill gesture for their patients.

You, the public, will lose out and may end up paying with the reduction of your health and well-being.

Everyone knows that the health service is under considerable strain, and that community pharmacies are recognised in their role of reducing queues at your GP surgery, but the decision of shrinking their budget by 6% will in turn place more demand on GP surgeries and A&E departments.

Many community pharmacies are looking at reducing their staff bill to counteract this fall in income. Many jobs will be lost within the next few months, and new vacancies will be placed on hold.

Soon it may take longer to be seen by your local community pharmacist, and further waiting times for your GP due to community pharmacies trying to survive this funding cut.

It is important to understand that community pharmacies for many years have offered various services for free to benefit their local community.

Community pharmacies are the only healthcare professionals that do not get paid for everyday health enquires and the clinical advice given over the counter to the public. Many of you rely and visit your local community pharmacy for health & well-being advice as you find it very difficult to see your GP due to, what is now a norm, a two week advanced booking delay.

You will now face the fact that for healthcare advice you may have to visit a walk-in clinic, or your nearest A&E, as community pharmacies will be making their own efficiencies to combat the national cuts made to pharmacy.

The reason why many of you use community pharmacies on a regular basis is the convenience of walking in and getting seen immediately without the need of making an appointment. With the action to reduce staffing levels to survive you may not have this privilege in the future. You may even have a time limit to a consultation about your medication and health in a pharmacy.

Further reductions in services offered by community pharmacy is inevitable.

The lack of staffing and the survival need to only offer what is profitable will soon kick in.

Please help your local community survive, and help us fight these cuts. There is a national on-line petition that requires 100,000 signatures. Take action now and please sign the on-line petition. (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/116943)

Pharmacy

On behalf of all the community pharmacies, #ASKdP would like to thank everyone supporting this petition

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What conditions affect my eyes?

Care for eyes There are several conditions that can the quality of your eyes, either daily: Quick Tips harm directly to the eyes or through illnesses It's not wise to forget about the condition of our eyes.

The condition of our skin, hair, and joints take precedence because we see and feel when they begin to decline, but the decline of our eyes can be so subtle the only time we realise something is wrong is when it’s too late to reverse the damage.

Here we’ll discuss the importance of eye care, methods to strengthen our eyes, the specific conditions and diseases that harm our eyesight, and how to improve the condition with small steps and supplements.

which will later affect your eyes if not managed correctly.

Cataracts Cataracts blur and inhibit vision through clouding of the lens of your eye.

Cataracts usually occur for men and women aged 65+.

Symptoms for developing cataracts include: • Blurry vision • Clouded vision and • Bright lights causing sensory overload

Anything else I can do to keep my eyes moisturised and healthy?

On top of using eye drops, eye sprays, eye gels, additional supplements for healthy eyes, and seeing a doctor about the condition of your eyes on a regular basis, there are lifestyle changes you can make to keep your eyes healthier, longer.

Protect eyes from UV rays Our eyes are especially sensitive to UV rays. They hurt your eyes more than your skin. Protect your eyes and the eyes of your children from UV rays with protective glasses.

Cataracts can be treated through surgery.

The symptoms and appearance of Protect eyes from blue light cataracts in the eye can be found early by Our eyes are extremely delicate. It an eye-care professional.

Blue light can come from our takes little to cause irritation or electronic devices (tablets, blindness from inadequate care. They Diabetes computers, phones). Some blue need an abundance of moisture to light is necessary for the function optimally.

Undiagnosed or poorly managed development of your eyes, but diabetes can lead to damage of the retina others can cause strain and lead Naturally, our eyes are covered by a because of retina damage. If left to eye problems later. Limit the tear film — a layer that prevents untreated, this could lead to blindness. amount of bad blue light as often evaporation of moisture. But it can be as you can. damaged. If it is ripped even a little, You should get your eyes checked the moisture in our eyes will evaporate annually if you have type 1 or type 2 Stop smoking and lack of moisture causes irritation diabetes. Besides checking for retina and discomfort. damage, burst blood vessels in the eyes Quitting smoking is beneficial to Our eyes can be strained easily due to could mean there are blocked and/or your health in a number of ways: simple things such as lack of sleep or burst blood vessels elsewhere in the saving money, reducing the bigger problems such as chronic body. chance of smoke-related cancers, illnesses. second-hand smoke to others, Glaucoma and making eyesight worse when How do I moisturise my eyes? associated with diabetes. On top Glaucoma can damage your retina, of that, smoking is closely linked You can moisturise your eye with a where the optic nerve carries information to age-related Macular wide variety of eye drops, depending to the brain. If the retina connected to Degeneration. on the condition of your eyes. Eye the optic nerve and the brain becomes drops help minimise dryness and damaged, it can lead to blindness.

Eating a colourful diet irritation effective immediately.

Unfortunately, there are no signs in the There're plenty of different eye drops early stages of glaucoma, but it does Include foods into your meals depending on your needs. develop slowly. If your eye doctor is able that are specifically beneficial for Additionally, if you have trouble using to see issues with your vision early, your eyes, and the rest of your eyedrops, there are also eye sprays treatment can begin to help manage body. Some types of foods to and eye gels to apply instead. Eye glaucoma. focus on include eggs, dairy sprays are best for someone who is products, nuts, vitamins (A, E, C constantly on the move; while gels are Macular degeneration are best), and carrots for better for bedtime use. carotene.

Whichever method you choose, Macular degeneration is a disorder where whether it’s eye drops, eye sprays, or your vision slowly declines, causing the Remember: eye gels, they each work to elevate edges of your vision to become blurry. irritation and discomfort immediately Eventually, it can lead to difficulty The health of our eyes should not and easily. identifying faces, watching shows, and be neglected. They need reading. It can also worsen as you age. additional moisture to relieve dry, What else can I do to moisturise my Lifestyle changes can slow down the itchy, and discomfort through eye eyes? process of glaucoma, and products can drops, eye sprays, and eye gels. help your vision, like magnifying glasses, They need to be checked On top of eye drops, eye sprays, and or reading lights. (preferably annually) for any eye gels, you can use health vitamins, degenerative conditions such as supplements and eye washes to Flashes (floaters) cataracts, burst blood vessels eliminate dry eyes and irritation. links to diabetes, and macular Supplements with important fatty Lights that flash in front of your eyes, or degeneration. acids including DHA, GLA, EPA, and dark spots that appear in your vision Additionally, adding in capsule Omega-3 and Omega-6 are important (floaters) sometimes occur when supplements and lifestyle to enhance and maintain the healthy collagen from your eyes show up in your changes will help keep your eyes condition of your eyes. As a bonus, vision and cause shadows to appear. they’re also great for the look and feel Usually, flashes and floaters are harmless healthier longer. of skin and hair. and common, but in some instances they Eyesight is precious and difficult These type of supplements come in can hint to a bigger problem. Ask your (if not impossible) to regain once the form of capsules, usually one per eye doctor about them if you’re lost, so do these tips above to day. Read the bottle to confirm concerned. keep them working as they directions. should.

Pharmacy Heroes ...

"There is more to us than medicines!" says Sunil Kochhar, consultant pharmacist for dearPHARMACIST.info Most of us consider community pharmacies as a place to get our medication, purchase health products, or some over the counter recommendations to help us cope better with common conditions, such as the cold, hay fever, pain and more!

A pharmacist undergoes a total of five years training in medicines & health, four years in university and one year preregistration training under an experienced registered pharmacist. They are the 'experts' in medicines. Pharmacists make sure that the medication that you have been prescribed are safe for you. They are there to answer any questions you have about your medication such as side effects, interactions and discuss any difficulties you may have with your medication. You can sit down one to one, with your pharmacist to review your medication, or discuss a new medication you have been prescribed.

The pharmacy team, who are under supervision of the responsible pharmacist, undergo vigorous training in all aspects of your care. They must complete and pass a medicines counter assistant course, this enables them to help you select the correct treatments, over the counter, for your health & well-being. A pharmacist is always at hand, & makes sure their team continue with their development, so they are up to date with any relevant information that will help your health, and for your safety.

You may not know but pharmacies offer a vast range of services within private consultation rooms. You can seek advice, as well as getting help with quitting smoking, losing weight, checking your height & weight, having a cholesterol reading done, screen for diabetes, get your travel vaccines & immunisations, get a flu jab, sexual health services & emergency contraception, get your moles checked, atrial fibrillation & heart checks, ECGs, INR readings, screening for asthma & other respiratory issues, throat infection swabs, pregnancy testing, hormonal checks, blood tests and much more ... so you can see that pharmacy is more than just medicines. It's a place to help you with all aspects of health & well-being.

In every community pharmacy there are health heroes. We interviewed a few to see what difference they made to their community.

Christabelle DonBosco from Regent Pharmacy, Gravesend Although Christabelle only works on a Saturday, she has made a great impact to the local community. Spending just over four years in this pharmacy, she has been accredited and trained as a Health Champion, delivering Stop Smoking Services, Health Checks, Weight Management and Screening for Diabetes.

She has managed to change the lives of many with her health care skills.

Her record hits of helping 28 people who successfully quit smoking, helped 5 people lose an average of 1 stone in a month using the Lipotrim Programme and has been able to detect 5 people who were unaware that they had Type 2 diabetes. She can, with a simple 4 minute blood test, tell you your diabetic status.

We #ASKed Christabelle why she is so passionate about her role...

"I love going through the journey with each patient from their first consultation and until they achieve their health goals!"

"It's an amazing feeling to reach that accomplishment together, knowing I have helped them improve their health & well-being" #CDB

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heart of your community Pharmacist, Alan McIntyre, from Blooms Pharmacy in St Leonards says "As a pharmacist I am here to keep my patients, as well as my local community, healthy & well"

Pharmacy teams all over go beyond their call of duty to help their local community. Alan, and his delivery driver, Chris Chapman, both have demonstrated this level of care for the public.

Many patients, who are socially isolated , depend on their community pharmacy to make sure they get their medication. Chris says "Many of my clients only get to see me all day", he adds "If our pharmacy didn't provide this free service, many would be left stranded and without any medication". On such a delivery one day Chris had more than medication to deliver. When he got to one regular patient he said "I know her well as I regularly deliver to her.

She's normally chatty and friendly." However, this time, Chris noticed a change in her behaviour. He explains that she was holding a phone in her hand and wasn't as engaging as before. Most would assume she was in the middle of a call, or for those who didn't know her would think that all is normal. Chris then mentioned "As I was at the door she dropped her phone, and it just didn't feel right".

Chris spoke to Alan, the responsible pharmacist for the day, and voiced his concerns. Both Alan and Chris knew something wasn't right.

Immediately the pharmacist knew this elderly lady was having a stroke. He called emergency services, who later on confirmed she was having a stroke.

It was certain that without the pharmacy giving this level of care to their community, this elderly lady would not have survived. Many live on their own, without any outside contact, and only the pharmacy as their regular contact.

With the new plans for the government to reduce funding to local community pharmacies, Alan fears that this level of commitment and service cannot continue.

"Many don't realise that this is a free service we provide without any payments from the government". Alan mentioned his concerns for his community, "It's a service that may need to be reviewed once the cuts are forced on us this year".

This could affect Chris too. His job will be unstable in the future. He has dedicated himself to help patients after he lost his job many years ago from a factory that closed down locally.

The pharmacy team at Blooms Pharmacy have certainly shown excellence in care to their community. One particular afternoon, a vulnerable adult with autism came in, not to purchase anything, but just to have a chat. Pharmacy teams are trained in behavioural support skills through their on-going training. Alan, the responsible pharmacist, overheard the conversation, and soon the team realised that it had elements of a 'cry for help'. The staff called the pharmacist out, who then took this client in a private consultation room, available in most pharmacies. Alan says "He didn't say he was suicidal, but that's what came across in the conversation" "He said that he had a problem in the home he was living in, and that they didn't give him his breakfast" "I made him a cup of tea and spoke to him for a few more minutes". Alan soon realised that he was beyond his skills and asked the client if he was happy to speak to someone on the phone. The gentlemen agreed to this. Alan phoned the samaritans, explained the situation, and then gave the phone to the client.

Alan popped back out to the dispensary. He forgot that even when helping someone the rest of the pharmacy work carries on. The workload had built up, patients waiting for their medication and several others wanting to speak to the pharmacist. Luckily the team did all they could to keep the work flow going. Alan completed what he could before going back in to the consultation room to check up on his gentleman. Alan was glad that professional help is available on the phone from the samaritans. The gentleman felt much better after the call, and since then he has popped in to the pharmacy several times to thank everyone. He wrote a personal thank you note to Alan. Who knows what would happen if Alan and his team ignored this cry for help.

Alan says "My worry is the future. With my team I am able to give this care to my community, however if the funding cuts get worse, my team will reduce in numbers. I work for a company who care for their patients, but need to make sure their business is still viable. Unfortunately drastic savings can only be made by making redundancies and reducing recruitment". He adds "My fear is that if this gentleman came in after the cuts are made, he would not have received the same quality of care from us. We are the heart of this community". #AM

Mole Scanning Service Due to the increase in the number of cases of skin cancer (malignant melanoma) and the lack of awareness of both the risks of skin cancer or how to detect suspicious moles, Alphega Pharmacy is now offering a mole scanning service within its pharmacies. Find your nearest Alphega Pharmacy : http://www.alphega-pharmacy.co.uk/our-services/molescanning-service This will help people to become more informed of the dangers of skin cancer, while providing patients who wish to have their moles checked easy access to a professional and friendly Mole Scanning Service.

Who is Most at Risk?

People with fair skin who burn easily, have lots of moles or freckles, have red or fair hair, were frequently sunburnt as a child or have a family history of skin cancer are most at risk. However, everyone should check their moles regularly for changes in appearance.

What to Look For? It is advised that you check your moles every few months so that you are aware of any that change. You should be on the lookout for moles that are different from others you have on your body or the appearance of a new mole or any noticeable change to an existing mole.

Areas of the body exposed to the sun are most at risk, with the most common places for a melanoma to develop being on a woman's lower leg and on the back for men.

One of the best methods for checking your moles is to use the ABCDE rule: A - Asymmetry Irregular shape – the two halves should be symmetrical.

B - Borders Unclear, irregular or ragged boundaries against normal skin.

C - Colour Changes in colour – especially if it is black or blue or uneven.

D - Diameter More than 5-6mm in diameter and changing in size.

E - Evolving Change in shape, size, colour, itching or bleeding of an existing mole or if a new mole/spot appears.

The Mole Scanning Service – What’s Involved?

If you are concerned about any of your moles, the mole scanning service is a very quick and painless way to check your moles for peace of mind.

Any mole causing concern are scanned in the pharmacy using the latest imaging technology, to capture the depth and shape of the mole. The images are then sent for analysis by a private dermatologist and you'll then receive the results within 2 weeks.

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What to avoid when pregnant?

"Being pregnant was one of the most thrilling, fascinating and exhausting experiences for me. I marvelled at the changes going on in my body as each new phase came along. Most of it is very well documented, but as a ‘first-timer’ I was sometimes oblivious to the basics."

Carol Smillie, Managing Director of www.diarydoll.com I vividly remember, as a reporter on BBC1’s Holiday, being asked to cover a late filming date in the north of Scotland.

I was heavily pregnant with my first child, and although I wasn’t able to fly, I could be driven to the job.

One of the filming set-ups, involved me sitting down to a table laden with their world famous shellfish, and sampling as much as possible.

In my naivety, I wolfed down the delicious fayre, and retired to bed, full, but happy.

Around 2am, it all started. By dawn, I had spent the entire night retching, and had nothing left to give, but still had a day’s filming ahead of me!

I spent the next few hours vomiting into a bucket, just off-camera, and eventually had to be driven to the local hospital to be put on a drip, desperately worried I had done permanent damage to my unborn child.

Luckily, after a few days of rest and fluids, everything was fine, thankfully. Strangely enough, I was invited, a few years later, to front a tv advert for a smoking cessation helpline, which focussed on pregnancy.

My opening line was“when you’re pregnant, you have to give up these…” and the camera focussed on me dropping high heels, a glass of wine. a packet of prawns and a huge wedge of camembert into a bin!

I’ll never look at seafood the same way again, and I learned the hard way that shellfish, soft cheese and alcohol are to be avoided at all costs for pregnant women.

It’s a small price to pay….

Pregnancy can be a very exciting time, but it can also be riddled with stress and worry. We understand the pregnancy information out there can be overwhelming or lead to more questions than answers.

Which is why we’ve provided a list of the major things you, as a pregnant woman, should avoid throughout your trimesters. But, if you can’t avoid them, there are alternatives to keep you and your baby very healthy.

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Smoking of any kind Smoking while pregnant can lead to many different problems for you and the baby including: premature birth, respiratory problems for the baby, low birth weight, potential miscarriage, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Surprisingly, when you’re pregnant smoking could become a huge turn-off. The smell could lead you to become nauseous and irritable. This can help make quitting easier.

But if you’re still struggling to kick the habit, discuss what options you have with your local pharmacist. They can point you in the right (pregnancy-safe) direction.

Drinking Drinking alcohol while pregnant has become a big topic of debate over several years. Allow us to clear up any misconceptions.

It’s strongly recommended to not drink during the first three months of your pregnancy. The baby is in prime development and this can be a fragile state for both you and your child. Drinking could lead to harm to the baby or, in worst case scenario, miscarriage.

The common belief is having a bit of alcohol here and there will not hurt you or the baby’s health (past the three-month mark).

But the facts remain: any amount of drinking can cause problems for the liver of your developing baby. And heavy amounts of drinking can lead to irreparable damage or miscarriage. Or low birth weight, heart defects, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

To ensure absolutely no problems arise with you or your baby, it’s better to not drink during your pregnancy. If you plan to have a glass here or there, understand the potential risks before engaging.

High activity exercise Any sort of exercise that puts a strain on your body could harm the baby. Intense exercise could lead to: Dehydration, Fatigue, Joint pain and other problems During birth, this could cause some complications. Of course, we want to avoid that at any cost.

It is encouraged to continue walking or to partake in extremely light exercises (such as yoga) while pregnant. It’s important to adjust the amount and duration of exercise as your pregnancy continues.

Avoid any and all heavy lifting and/or awkward body angles so you don’t become uncomfortable or in pain.

Cleaning the kitty litter box This seems a bit odd, but this is important to note if you have a kitten or cat that regularly uses the litter box.

The cat’s faeces may lead to toxoplasmosis because it has the chance of carrying the corresponding parasite. This parasite can also be carried by other animals (like birds) or found in raw meats.

The reason it can end up within the kitty faeces is because when a cat eats raw meat or even dirt, they may accidentally become a host to the parasite.

If you can’t avoid: If you can’t avoid cleaning the litter box, use gloves and be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water thoroughly before and after cleaning. Granted the odds of contracting the parasite or toxoplasmosis is quite low, but it’s still important to be aware.

It’s always better to be safe in these situations.

Direct sunlight without protection When pregnant, heatstroke can be extremely dangerous to a fetus. It can lead to complications during pregnancy, after, or even possible miscarriage if it’s an intense case.

Whenever you go out (and especially if you can’t find shade) you need to apply SPF to every part of the skin the sun touches. It should also be SPF 50.

Remember to keep hydrated as often as possible, seek shade whenever possible, or wear light but protective clothing when under the heat of the sun.

Hair dyeing at home Dyeing your hair is okay when pregnant. The chemicals will not enter the body and cause harm to your baby.

However, the take-home hair dyeing kits could lead to problems.

The chemicals in these kits are very potent - you can probably tell by the scent the moment you start mixing.

This is why if you do plan to dye your hair from home, you need to keep the windows open for appropriate circulation.

If you can’t avoid: Use gloves when you use the kit and be sure to do a test, even if you’ve been dyeing your hair for years, or have used the product several times. When pregnant your hormones can become hostile and you may have an unusual allergic reaction to the dye and chemicals.

A test on a small section will let you know if you’ll have a reaction or not. The reaction itself may harm the baby depending on the severity.

Remember…

Pregnancy is such a critical time in a woman’s life. You want it to go as smoothly as possible, and so do we. It’s important to research what you and your baby will need throughout the pregnancy. But also, what to avoid while pregnant to ensure the health of your developing baby and yourself.

Any questions you have are not silly or trivial. Your pharmacist is more than willing to accompany you with anything you need. It’s always better to ask a professional and be given their guidance. Never hesitate to contact us to discuss your needs! #ASKdP

www.dearPHARMACIST.info #ASKdP PAGE 16

ITH A FULL RANGE W U O Y S E ID V O R NED OPTREX P ECIFICALLY DESIGN P S TS C U D O R P F O EYE CONDITIO TO TARGET A DRY

*Use as needed only, consult your doctor if symptoms persist. Discard 28 days after opening.

*Dry and irritated eyes due to disturbed lipid layer of the tear film, approx. 80% of dry eye cases.

Dry eye is a common condition.

*Sodium hyaluronate (HA 0.15 or 0.18%) show a longer residence time on the ocular surface when compared to 0.3% hypromellose (HPMC).

Do you know everything about your eyes?

Go online now and take the free, quick and easy Optrex Blink Test.

www.optrex.co.uk/dry-eye-blink-test/

*Sodium hyaluronate (HA 0.15 or 0.18%) show a longer residence time on the ocular surface when compared to 0.3% hypromellose (HPMC).

Think you have dry eye?

Why not chat with your pharmacy team They'll give you great advice

YOUR ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION

Only available from your pharmacist Alw ays read t he leaflet

www.dearPHARMACIST.info #ASKdP PAGE

P C 1 6 8 2 0 1 5 D a t e o f P r e p e r a t i o n - December 2015.

Is Your Cough Irritating You? Allergies, Side Effects, or Something Else?

Coughs can develop for a few reasons, but most happen during cold or flu. In actuality, a cough can be the result of allergies, side effects of medications, or be hinting at something more serious.

There are two common coughs, and both may be a result of a deeper health problem. The best ways to know whether your irritating cough is simple or a sign of something more, is to read the following, and then discuss your cough with your pharmacist as soon as you’re able.

Coughs from allergies

The two major types of coughs

Allergies can cause other symptoms such as running nose or sneezing; similar symptoms of a cold. Which means you may believe your cough is caused by a sickness but it’s actually something you may or may not be aware you’re allergic to.

There are two major types of coughs we contract: dry coughs and chesty coughs.

Allergies can cause coughs. If you inhale airborne irritants, dust, or pollen you might develop a cough from the irritation.

Dry coughs develop in a few ways. Commonly, it’s leftover Coughs from medications after experiencing a cold. The coughing can cause a ‘ticklish’ feeling in your throat, and your chest doesn’t build Some medications you’ve been prescribed may cause up with mucus. you to develop a dry or a chesty cough while you use them. It may come on suddenly or slowly over time. If Chesty coughs develop during or before a cold. They can it happens suddenly while you just began using this serve as a warning before other cold symptoms begin. medication, it can be easier to see the link.

Unlike dry coughs, chesty coughs build up mucus in the chest. It can feel ‘heavier’ in your chest and when you But if it comes over time, or you’ve used this cough, sometimes phlegm or mucus happens. medication before and never had a similar reaction, it may be difficult to understand this medication is What causes coughs? causing the cough and harm to your body.

As we stated above, coughs can develop before or during a Or if you’re taking multiple medications, they may be cold or flu. Often they clear up when other sickness causing a negative reaction in your body (the cough). symptoms disappear. However, they can stick around for On your own, it can be difficult to see the connection awhile longer or require additional medications to rid or even suspect the medication is the problem. completely.

But they can also be caused by non-sickness reasons as well. In fact, coughs can appear via allergies, medications, side effects, and smoking. The coughs that develop for those reasons could mean there are bigger issues at play, or that your body needs additional assistance to heal.

That’s why it’s best to talk to a professional about what medication(s) you’re taking, any or all reactions you’ve had, and how you’ve been feeling over time while using the prescription. Those professionals can find the link easier than you because they’re trained to spot them.

Coughs from smoking It’s 2016 and smoking is still just as deadly and harmful as it has ever been. And by quitting you can significantly lower your risk of: Cancers - Pneumonia - Stroke - Blindness - Diabetes - Rheumatoid arthritis - Aneurysms - Hip fractures; And that’s only half of it!

But among those very harmful health complications, a cough that develops while smoking can be a signal something far worse is going on. Specifically, it can be related to asthma or even lung cancer. Smoking with a cough may cause further damage.

The best way to rid yourself of a cough connected to smoking is to stop smoking completely. That includes chewing tobacco.

We understand quitting isn’t easy. It’s extremely difficult to do on your own. If you are not sure where to start or what products can assist you on this journey, have a quick chat with your pharmacist. Explain how long you’ve been smoking and ask them what they’d recommend for quitting. They’ll be more than happy to assist you.

Do remember…

Your cough could be triggered by a number of things. Whether it’s a chesty cough or a dry cough, the cause might not always be a harmless cold. Allergies, medications, smoking or side effects from medications could cause you to develop a cough. It could become chronic and lead to respiratory problems as it continues.

For the sake of your health, it’s very beneficial to consult your pharmacist. Tell them how long you’ve been experiencing the cough, any other symptoms alongside it, if you’ve taken new medications and of any allergies you have.

We’re here to help you feel the best you can. And with our expertise, we can help lead you towards a solution to your cough problem. Just ask!

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