Another New Pneumonia Vaccine? Nope. Two.

Another New Pneumonia Vaccine? Nope. Two.

Pneumonia vaccines have been in use for years. And they’re very effective at preventing serious illness in people of all ages. But just when we think we’re on top of the best way to vaccinate, experts find new information and change the game. Recommendations for the best use of vaccines of all types change now and then. Guidelines for pneumonia vaccines have already changed in recent years. In 2014, pneumonia

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The Importance of Calcium and Vitamin D for Bone Strength

The Importance of Calcium and Vitamin D for Bone Strength

Calcium and vitamin D are essential for maintaining bone strength. From children all the way on up to the elderly, these vitamins and minerals are important for health. But I’ve found that there’s a fair amount of misunderstanding about just HOW important they are. You’ll find more detail about calcium and vitamin D in some of my previous posts, but here’s a brief refresher. We tend to focus on the

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Grapefruit and Drug Interactions

Grapefruit and Drug Interactions

Are you one of the many people who count grapefruit as one of your favorite fruits or juices? If so, you may have been disappointed if you were told to avoid it because of a medication. It’s even worse if you learn you’ll need to take that medication for the rest of your life. Avoiding one of your favorite fruits forever is a big ask. I was prompted to write

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Improving Doctor-Patient Communication

Improving Doctor-Patient Communication

As a pharmacist, I love helping my patients understand more about how their medications work, how they improve health, and which ones might not be needed anymore. While every patient brings different questions and health concerns to our discussion, there are some common themes. One of the most common concerns I hear from my patients is an inability to communicate effectively with their healthcare providers. (While providers can be doctors,

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