Medicine…… So many of us find ourselves taking medicine. Almost three-quarters of Americans take at least one medication, and 20% of us take five or more. The older we get, the more likely we are to have health problems. And medications are the mainstay of treatment for chronic health problems like heart disease and diabetes. That’s because so much research shows they work well to keep people with health problems
For a long time, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been a topic of debate among healthcare professionals and women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. While HRT can provide significant relief from disruptive symptoms, it also carries some risks. If you’re a woman approaching, in the middle of, or even post menopause, you may be wondering if you should consider HRT. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and risks of
Maintaining good health takes a fair amount of effort. We depend on information we learn about diet, physical activity, air quality, infectious diseases, and more. For those of us who take prescription medications, our health also depends on knowledge about those meds. Pharmacist-Provided Counseling Many of you have heard me speak publicly (or privately) about the importance of pharmacist-provided education and counseling. Research has shown that meeting regularly with your
In our fall post about the 24-25 flu and Covid-19 vaccines, I pointed out that guidelines change, and to stay tuned for updated information. Well, here it is! The CDC published new guidelines for both pneumococcal and Covid-19 vaccines a couple of months ago. (No changes to guidelines for the current influenza season, at least so far.) Pneumococcal vaccine We call it the pneumonia vaccine because it protects us from
The holiday season always feels special. We get so busy with preparations, gatherings, shopping, all while trying to keep up with normal daily activities. It can be exhausting, even stressful. But somehow, the holidays from Thanksgiving all the way through to the New Year always fill me with gratitude. My husband, Bruce, and I have had a busy year. From his trip out west last holiday season to witness the