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Pharmacy Corner
Table of Contents
Overview
Resort Travel – What Patients Should Know
What is Travellers’ Diarrhea?
What is Hepatitis A and B?
What is typhoid fever?
What is Zika?
Tips for Travelling
References
All About Gout
What is gout?
What are the symptoms?
Who gets gout?
What can trigger a gout attack?
How is gout diagnosed?
Does gout come back after an attack?
What are my treatment options for during an attack?
Are there treatments to prevent future attacks?
What are some lifestyle tips to follow?
Can gout damage other parts of my body?
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
References
Common STIs – Anywhere but there!
Herpes
What happens when I get herpes?
Common Questions - Herpes
Genital Warts
What happens when I get genital warts?
Common Questions - Genital Warts
Chlamydia
What happens when I get chlamydia?
Common Questions - Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
What happens when I get gonorrhea?
Common Questions - Gonorrhea
Syphilis
What happens when I get syphilis?
Common Questions - Syphilis
References
Let's Talk About Your Period
Let's Talk About Your Period
What Is a Period?
What Do I Need to buy for My Period?
I Have Painful Periods. Is That Normal? What Can I Do About the Pain?
Who gets period cramps?
How Do I Treat My Period Cramps?
Who Should Not Use Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers?
When Should I See My Doctor?
What is PMS and What Can I Do to Feel Better?
PMS Symptoms
How Do I Treat PMS?
Prescription Medications
When Should I See My Doctor?
Other Common Questions About Your Period/Cycle
Can I Have Sex While I'm on My Period?
How do I Clean Down There While I'm On My Period?
What Happens During Menopause?
Where Can I Find More Information?
References
Heartburn: A Burning Sensation
What is heartburn?
What causes heartburn?
Who gets heartburn?
Why is heartburn important?
What makes heartburn worse?
Why does my heartburn get worse at night?
How bad is my heartburn?
How should I treat my heartburn?
Are medications always necessary?
What can I do to prevent or treat my heartburn?
When should I see a doctor?
Where you can find more information
References
When Every Breath Matters: Asthma in Children
What is asthma?
Who gets asthma?
What are signs and symptoms that my child may have asthma?
What can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms?
How is asthma treated
What medications are commonly prescribed for children with asthma?
Is my child using his/her puffers correctly?
What are spacers and chambers?
Why does my child need 2 puffers?
What are the benefits of using corticosteroids?
Are steroid puffers dangerous?
Can my child participate in gym class at school or play sports?
What is the 30 second asthma test?
Can asthma be cured? Will my child outgrow asthma?
Useful resources
References
Fancy Feet: Caring for Plantar Warts, Athlete’s Foot and Fungal Toenail Infections
Plantar Warts: The Basics
Plantar Warts: Signs and Symptoms
Plantar Warts: When Should I See a Doctor?
Plantar Warts: Treatments
Plantar Warts: Prevention
Plantar Warts: Patient Resources
Athlete’s Foot: The Basics
Athlete’s Foot: Signs and Symptoms
Athlete’s Foot: When Should I See a Doctor?
Athlete’s Foot: Treatments
Athlete’s Foot: Prevention
Athlete’s Foot: Patient Resources
Fungal Toenail Infection: The Basics
Fungal Toenail Infection: Signs and Symptoms
Fungal Toenail Infection: When Should I See a Doctor?
Fungal Toenail Infection: Treatments and Prevention
Fungal Toenail Infection: Patient Resources
References
Colic and Teething: Irritable, crying, fussy baby and it’s not a fever!
Reasons babies cry
Colic – Signs and Symptoms
Colic - Causes and Risk Factors
Colic - Referral to Doctor
Colic - Management Strategies
Colic - Treatment Options
Teething - Signs and Symptoms
Teething - Referral to Dentist/Doctor
Teething - Management Strategies
Teething – Treatment Options
Resources and References
Diaper Rash: A Pain in the Bum!
Signs and symptoms
Causes
Prevention
Treatment
Products to avoid
When to see the doctor
Resources and References
Sunscreen: Stay Safe in the Sun
Why do we use sunscreen?
Why do we need to protect our skin from the sun?
Does sunscreen protect against skin cancer?
What is Sun Protection Factor (SPF)?
How do I properly apply sunscreen?
Other tips to protect yourself
Is indoor tanning safe?
What about vitamin D and natural sunscreens?
What if I get sunburned?
References
Shingles: Protect yourself
What is shingles?
Can I get shingles?
What happens when a person has shingles?
How is shingles treated?
Is the rash contagious?
What can I do to prevent Shingles?
References
Diabetes: self-monitoring blood glucose & things to watch out for
What is diabetes?
Monitoring your blood sugars at home
A1C
Diabetes nerve problems
Diabetes nerve problems (cont.)
Diabetes nerve problems (cont.)
Diabetic Eye Problems
Diabetic Eye Problems (cont.)
Diabetic Kidney Damage
Diabetic Kidney Damage (cont.)
Other conditions that can affect your diabetes control
Additional help
Resources
References
Middle ear infections: what parents should know
What is an ear infection?
Signs and Symptoms
Who gets ear infections?
What is swimmer’s ear?
Treating Ear Infections
Why not antibiotics?
Giving antibiotics
What about the ear pain?
Should I buy ear drops?
Preventing ear infection
When to see my doctor?
What if my child gets it all the time?
Complications
Alternative products
References
Lactose Intolerance
What is lactose?
Signs and Symptoms
How much lactose do I need to have before I start feeling bad?
Causes
Diagnosis
Management
Alternatives
References
Migraines: What a Pain!
What is a migraine?
What causes a migraine?
What is a migraine aura?
Treating a migraine
Can taking too much pain medication actually cause a migraine?
What are the medications that prevent migraines?
Lifestyle changes to reduce the frequency of migraines
When should I go see my doctor about my migraines?
Resources
References
Smoking Cessation: The Road to Quitting with NRT
Why Quit?
What are my options for quitting?
How do I begin?
What is nicotine?
Patches
Gums, lozenges, inhalers and sprays
Side effects of NRT
Choosing a product
Other medications
Resources
References
Head Lice: A Lousy Situation!
What exactly are head lice?
Who gets head lice and how?
How do I know if my child or I have head lice?
What can I do to prevent it?
What can I use to treat it?
What can I use to treat it...continued
Why isn’t the medication working?
Where can I get more information?
Cold Sores: What You Need to Know
What is a cold sore?
How did I get the virus?
How do I know if I have one?
What can I do to prevent them?
What treatments are available?
What treatments are available? (continued)
When should I see a doctor?
Resources and References
Low Back Pain
What is low back pain and what puts me at risk?
When should I see a doctor?
Commonly used medications for low back pain
Frequently asked questions about back pain medications
Are there herbal/natural options for back pain?
Are there non-medication options for low back pain?
How to prevent low back pain
Resources and References
Fever in Children: Sorting Facts From Myths
Fever and its Causes
Can a fever hurt my child?
When should I be concerned about fever?
What does this temperature mean?
How do I measure my child’s temperature?
How do I measure my child’s temperature? continued
When and how should fever be treated?
What fever medications are recommended for children?
How do I give fever medications?
How do I give fever medications? continued
Fever and Medications
References
Constipation: Time Goes Slow When You Can’t Go
Constipation: Time goes slow when you can’t go
What causes constipation?
What lifestyle changes help with constipation?
What medications can be used for constipation?
Can I use laxatives if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
When should I see my doctor?
References and Resources
Counting Sheep Is Not Working: Insomnia
What is insomnia?
What does “REM sleep” mean?
How many hours of sleep should I be getting?
What medications can cause insomnia?
What else causes of insomnia?
What can I do to help me sleep?
When should I talk to my doctor about sleep problems?
Are over-the-counter sleep medications a good option?
Can I take Melatonin?
Are there prescription medications that work for insomnia?
References and Resources
Seasonal Allergies
Can you pass me a tissue? I’m about to sneeze!
What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?
Can I take anything to reduce the symptoms?
How can seasonal allergies be prevented?
What can I give my child if he/she has allergies?
References and Resources
Pills, Patches & Rings
Birth control to prevent unintended pregnancies
General – Hormonal contraception
Birth control pill
Patch
Vaginal ring
Resources
References
Resort Travel – What Patients Should Know
What is Travellers’ Diarrhea?
Travellers’ diarrhea is one of the most common travel-related illnesses. As little up to 7 out of 10 people will get diarrhea when travelling.
Your risk of travellers’ diarrhea depends on where you travel and what you eat and drink. Young children and older adults, and those with health conditions have a higher risk of having severe diarrhea or having problems from the diarrhea.
2
Common vacation destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean have a higher risk of travellers’ diarrhea.
How do I get it?
Travellers’ Diarrhea is spread by eating food or having a drink contaminated with a bug that can cause diarrhea.
2
How do I know if I have it?
2
People with travellers’ diarrhea will have diarrhea and will commonly have:
Cramps
Stomach pain
Fever
Vomiting
If you have bloody diarrhea or if it doesn’t get better in 3 days, you should seek medical attention.
How do I prevent it?
1
The best way to prevent travellers’ diarrhea is watching what you eat and drink.
See the food and beverage tab for recommendations
.
Antibiotics and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol
®
) are occasionally used to prevent travellers’ diarrhea. Before taking any of these, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
There is a vaccine called Dukoral
®
that can help to prevent the most common cause of travellers’ diarrhea. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are interested in learning if this is a good option for your next trip.
What do I do if I have it?
1,2
Traveller’s Diarrhea normally goes away on its own in a few days.
Preventing dehydration is the most important thing to do if you have travellers’ diarrhea. You should drink plenty of fluids to replace what is lost during diarrhea. Your pharmacy has packets that can be used to make oral rehydration solutions (ORS).
Loperamide (Imodium
®
) may help with your travellers’ diarrhea. You should never take them if you have bloody diarrhea or a fever.
Antibiotics are sometimes used if you have moderate or severe diarrhea. Before travelling, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best options to take with you to treat your diarrhea when you are planning your next trip.
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