Online or Walk-in Pharmacy

You could have several personal reasons for wanting to get your meds online. Read along to discover eight reasons why switching to an online pharmacy is a sensible idea.

1. Save Time and Money
If you have a busy schedule, you have the convenience to save time by buying from a Canadian online pharmacy that you trust. You can get all the meds you need from one pharmacy.

An online pharmacy prevents you from making weekly or monthly trips to your local pharmacy. This helps you to save money on gas and get the prescriptions you need with a click of a mouse.

2. Quality Meds
Using an online pharmacy makes it easier for you to get access to quality meds.

If you’re unable to leave your home, you have the option to receive a wide variety of meds that are also available from your local pharmacy. You can compare prices at online pharmacy from the comfort of your home

3. Safety
During this difficult time of COVID-19 environment, avoiding Face-To-Face interactions will reduce your exposure not only to COVID-19 but also to any infectious disease.

4. Professional Support
The best online pharmacy can provide you with exceptional customer support. Reputable online pharmacies work around the clock to resolve questions about orders.

Regardless of the time of day, you can speak with a polite pharmacy technician. They can inform you about the proper dosing, drug interactions, and other information about your medication.

5. Availability of Medications
A local pharmacy might not have enough room to store enough medications. Some of these medications might also be out of stock.

You have the alternative to use an online pharmacy. ADV-Care Pharmacy has access to all manufacturers & wholesalers to dispense any medication available in Canada. This prevents you from driving around to different local pharmacies to get what you need.

6. It’s Discreet
You might need privacy when you’re getting your medications. Shopping online from an online pharmacy provides you with just that.

Every order you place online will be discreetly shipped on your behalf. This prevents you from worrying about people knowing what medications you’re taking.

7. Speedy Home Delivery
Once you place an order with ADV-Care pharmacy, you can expect a speedy shipment. Depending where it is shipped orders can arrive in 7-15 days with our automated refill reminder, you never run of your medication

8. Large selection of OTC and prescription Meds
Online pharmacies provide a variety of medications. This makes it easier for you to get everything you need from one location.

This is also beneficial if you’re getting medications for your family members. You can get medications for your parents, children, and other members of your family.

Choose the Online Pharmacy That Fits Your Needs
These benefits show that an ADV-Care online pharmacy could be a great solution for you. Nowadays, it’s easier than ever for you to shop for your medicines from the comfort of your home.

Do I Have a Urinary Tract Infection or Something Else?

If you have pain or discomfort when you urinate, it’s possible that you have a urinary tract infection. But what you may not realize is that other conditions can cause similar symptoms. And since these conditions have different treatments, it’s important to know what the actual underlying problem is.

Here we discuss what a urinary tract infection is, how it’s treated, and other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

What is a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection — often called a UTI — is an infection of any part of your urinary system. This includes your:

  • Kidneys (two organs that filter your blood to remove waste and make urine)
  • Ureters (the tubes that carry urine between yours kidneys and bladder)
  • Bladder (the organ that stores urine)
  • Urethra (the tube that carries the urine from the bladder to the outside)

UTIs can be classified as involving the upper tract (the kidneys or ureters) or the lower tract (the bladder or urethra). Since infections usually come into the urethra from the outside, most infections involve the lower tract. UTIs can affect people of all ages, and they tend to be more common in women. In fact, some studies have shown that women are eight times more likely than men to develop a UTI.

The most common cause of a UTI is a bacteria called Escherichia coli (E. coli), which causes more than 80% of infections outside of the hospital. Other types of bacteria (like Staphylococcus or Enterococcus) and certain types of fungi and viruses can also cause UTIs.

What symptoms are associated with a UTI?

Urinary tract infections don’t always have symptoms, and the symptoms can depend on where the infection is.

Some common symptoms associated with a lower tract UTI include:

  • Pain or burning during urination (also called dysuria)
  • Frequent and urgent urination
  • Pain in the pelvic area
  • Waking at night to urinate (nocturia)
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)

When the upper tract is involved, symptoms can include:

  • Pain in your back or side
  • Fevers and chills
  • Nausea or vomiting

What other conditions cause similar symptoms?

Although UTIs are very common, it’s important to know that other conditions can cause similar symptoms to a UTI.

Some of these more common conditions include:

  • Sexually transmitted infections: Gonorrhea (N. gonnorrhoeae), chlamydia (C. trachomatis), and mycoplasma (M. genitalium) are common causes of sexually transmitted infections. They can cause painful urination and are sometimes associated with discharge from the urethra. These infections require specific antibiotics in order to be treated.
  • Vaginitis: Vaginal infections can cause symptoms in the vagina and/or vulva, like burning, itching, or discharge. Although they don’t involve the urinary tract, these symptoms can sometimes feel similar to the burning or discomfort associated with a UTI. Common causes of vaginitis include bacteria (like Gardnerella or mycoplasma), yeast (candida), and trichomonas. Skin conditions, like contact dermatitis or lichen planus, can also cause vaginitis. Because the treatment for all of these is different, it’s important to know what is causing your symptoms.

Some less common conditions that can have similar symptoms to a UTI include:

  • Overactive bladder: This can cause the feeling of having to urinate often or suddenly, and can also cause increased urination at night. The main cause of an overactive bladder is when the muscles of the bladder don’t work normally. This can happen as we age, or with certain conditions like diabetes.
  • Pregnancy: Pregnancy can also be associated with lower urinary tract symptoms, such as increased urination at night, and problems with incontinence and incomplete urination. Pregnant women are also more likely to have UTIs than non-pregnant women.
  • Prostatitis: In men, inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) can cause pelvic pain, pain with urination, and an increased frequency of urination. In more severe cases, there can also be fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
  • Kidney stones: Kidney stones (or nephrolithiasis) can affect men and women, and can be associated with chronic kidney disease. They occur when different minerals and salts form deposits that can affect any part of the urinary tract. Symptoms of kidney stones can include pain in the abdomen or side, nausea and vomiting, and blood in the urine.
  • Diabetes: One of the main signs of diabetes is a frequent urination of a large amount of urine (polyuria). This is often associated with an abnormal increase in thirst. This is caused by an increase in sugar in the blood, and is important to diagnose and treat.
  • Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix is a common surgical emergency. Symptoms include pain in the lower right section of the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and fever. These symptoms can happen suddenly and are not usually associated with other urinary symptoms.
  • Cancer: Although not as common, some types of cancer can have similar symptoms as a UTI. Bladder cancer can cause blood in the urine and may not have any other symptoms. Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) can also be associated with blood in the urine and pain in the side.

Is there a test that can tell me if I have a UTI?

Diagnosing a UTI involves testing your urine (also called a urinalysis). This can be done in the doctor’s office or lab, and it looks for bacteria, white blood cells, and red blood cells in the urine.

This test is sometimes followed by a urine culture, which sees what bacteria are actually growing in the urinary tract and helps your healthcare provider select the best treatment.

If you have complicated or frequent UTIs, your healthcare provider may order additional tests. These include a study to see your urinary tract (like an ultrasound or CT scan) or a cystoscopy, which is a small tube to see inside the urethra and bladder.

How are UTIs treated and prevented?

UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics. The specific antibiotic used and how long treatment lasts depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection and if there are any other health complications.

Some common antibiotics used to treat UTIs include:

  • Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
  • Cephalexin (Keflex)
  • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)

There are also some steps you can take that may help prevent UTIs. These include:

  • Practicing good hygiene, including wiping from front to back for women, which helps prevent the spread of bacteria from stool.
  • Drinking plenty of water, which increases urination and can help flush out bacteria.
  • Avoiding some types of birth control, like spermicide, which in some women may increase the risk of UTIs.

Some studies suggest that cranberry juice and probiotics can help prevent UTIs in women, but more research needs to be done to see how helpful they really are.

If you develop symptoms of a UTI, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know right away so that you get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Providing a Convenient and Secure Way to Buy Prescription Medication at the Best Possible Price

The internet has dramatically changed our lives, communication, as well as procurement practices. It has also transformed the way patients receive healthcare by eliminating the geographical boundaries and making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable even in far-flung areas. As a result, today customers expect a convenient healthcare system with all their medications delivered right at their doorstep. They need a reliable, secure, and user-friendly platform to buy prescription medication at a lower cost. Catering to this need of the hour is ADV-Care

Pharmacy Inc, a leading Canadian online mail- order pharmacy that offers a convenient way to order medication with top-notch privacy, data security, and competitive price.

ADV-Care Pharmacy Inc was born in 1998 when a group of engineers and pharmacists saw the potential in emerging internet technology to improve the quality and efficiency of prescription drug delivery services. At that time, only banks were taking full advantage of this technology by introducing their platform online. So, the pioneers decided to harness the technology to provide patients with a convenient and safe way to order their medication. They planned to offer OTC and prescription products online but quickly realized that consumers won’t be able to know how much their prescription medication really cost unless they pay for it in cash. So, they decided to publish the medication prices so that patients can see how much they can save with ADV-Care. To their surprise, an avalanche of orders swamped their system and crashed their phone system. This was a wake- up call that prompted the bases of ADV-Care Pharmacy services, technology, and processes that developed and progressed since the year 2000.

The Journey of ADV-Care So Far

During 2000 and 2001 ADV-Care continued developing its processes to further improve its services. With a large volume of prescription orders to process daily, the company had to turn to technology and start re-engineering the dispensing process to streamline prescription filling with emphasis on improving efficiency, maintaining a low cost of service, and eliminating any dispensing error while providing the highest MTM (Medication Therapy Management). It offeredasecureplatformwheretheonline patient can fill their complete information regarding their medical profile, medical conditions, allergies, and current medications before they can order their medication for a new prescription or refill.

“This data is collected online or by phone, and each entry has its own first data code that later is automatically analyzed for duplicate therapy, contraindication, appropriate doses, and allergies. The result of the automated analysis is presented to the dispensing pharmacist for final review before counseling and dispensing the medication,” explains NaimOriezi, the Operations Manager of International Pharma Supply Chain at ADV-Care Pharmacy.

“Thanks to low Canadian drug prices, all our patients can afford their exact prescribed medication and they do not skip or choose an unsuitable alternative. Annually, the pharmacy services include a comprehensive medication review (CMR) to identify OTC or prescription medication problems and create an action plan to resolves the issues,” he adds.

Delivering Confidential and Comprehensive Pharmaceutical Services

Today, ADV-Care Pharmacy provides secured personal, confidential, comprehensive, customized pharmaceutical services on a one-to- one basis. With its secured website, new patients can order their new prescriptions online any time 24/7 while its registered patients can get instant access to their prescription history, account information, and more for easy re- ordering. In addition to individual patient’s service, it also offers pharmaceutical, specialty, and orphan drugs to clinics and intermediaries across the world in multiple languages. Privacy and data security of customers are the top priority for ADV-Care. Thus, it provides bank- level security using IBM technology, with stringent privacy protection for all the personal, medical, and financial data of customers. It has also implemented new and improved fulfillment technology for cold-chain medication such as insulin.


Bringing True Value for Clients

Besides its consistent top-notch service, ADV- Care’s key to success also lies in its ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with its clients. The company always keeps the customers’ needs at the forefront and strives to provide seamless services to its clients. It is launching intelligent BOT to answer patients’ questions and provide instant advice and its integrated Telehealth applications are designed to offer at-home medication reminders to improve drug adherence.

“Although the pharmacy does not have any face-to-face relationship with its patient, we keep close contact by using automated refill reminders by phone or email. We also advise our patients with their orders processing status and track the delivery route using transactional email and/or voice messages. Meanwhile, patients can talk directly to our pharmacist any time for any inquiry,” asserts Naim.

Ensuring quality service and delivering customer satisfaction are the core values ingrained within the team of ADV-Care. The company fosters a cooperative culture and family atmosphere where each team member genuinely cares for each other and works together towards a common objective of providing the clients with the best possible service. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is focusing on providing consistent support to its customers by keeping them informed with valuable medical information using blogs and social media.

Continues Pursuing Excellence and Innovation

Placing pharmacy at the fingertips of a patient, ADV-Care is embarked on a mission to transform the way prescription medications are ordered and delivered. To aid this mission, the company is leveraging technology and IBM AI (Artificial Intelligence) to offer its service on any device including mobile app and remote ordering terminals (kiosks) reaching patients anywhere.

Moving into the future, the company plans to continue leveraging innovative technologies to further enhance its customers’ experience. It also aims tobecome the pharmacy of choice for people seeking a trustworthy alternative and the best value for conveniently filling prescriptions to treat their chronic conditions.

Got the COVID-19 Vaccine? Do I still need to wear a mask afterwards?

Around 9 million individuals in the U.S alone, and around 2.5 million individuals in Canada have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Although this is a promising step towards reducing the spread of COVID-19, extra precaution such as wearing masks and washing your hands is still required to prevent spreading the virus.

Is a face mask still required after my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes! You are not fully concerned to be vaccinated until you’ve received your second dose, as it is possible for you to get sick between the two doses.

Is a face mask required after my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes! Although the vaccines are to be highly effective, it can take a few weeks for our body to build immunity after receiving the vaccine. Bottom line is that if you’re vaccinated, you are to be protected from severe illness, but you still have the possibility to carry and pass it along to others.

If you’re not vaccinated, and have had COVID-19, are masks still to be worn?

Yes! It is possible to get COVID-19 more than once, and it is not known how long you’re protected after being tested for COVID. It is recommended to still get the vaccine even if you’d had COVID-19, and should wait until you’re symptom-free before getting the vaccine.

Mask should be continued to be warn regardless of whether you’ve had the vaccine or not, and whether you’ve already had COVID-19. Although the vaccine is highly effective, it is still better to protect yourself and others by wearing a mask.

Why Is The Covid-19 Vaccine Recommended For Seniors?

Receiving vaccines are recommended, and should be prioritized by senior citizens, as we age our immune system weakens. Older adults are more likely to have chronic illnesses such as heart disease, lung disease or liver disease which puts them at an increased risk if an infection is developed.

One of the best tools to prevent infection, is to get vaccinated, which can help prevent infection for those that are at high risk of getting very sick from an illness. The recommended vaccines for seniors can be found here. As of right now, the COVID-19 and flu vaccine should be prioritized as they have the best chance of preventing serious illnesses. As COVID-19 remains an active pandemic worldwide, risks of dying due to COVID-19 are higher in senior citizens. The vaccine is effective and helps keep people safe from COVID-19, and the only reason it should not be taken is if you had a serious allergic reaction after being exposed to the first dose or if having experienced an allergic reaction to one of the components of the COVID-19 vaccine in the past.

The flu vaccines is recommended to take every year, and there is an extra-strong flu vaccine that is made for seniors specifically, as the other ones used on younger individuals as it makes more antibodies to effectively fight the flu virus.

Side effects for older adults from vaccines vary from individual to individuals, and they can include fever, muscle aches, soreness or redness at the injection site, but research shows that vaccine side effects are worse in young adults in comparison to older adults.

Getting the COVID-19 and flu vaccine should be a top priority for older adults as they are important and can possibly save the lives of older adults!

Organize and Stock Your Medicine Cabinet with These 12 Tips

A well-organized medicine cabinet provides you with a convenient place to stow and access important medications and first-aid supplies when you need them. Although many people keep a medicine cabinet in the bathroom, you can actually install yours anywhere. If you have children, you may want to locate your medicine cabinet in an area they can’t access and place a lock on its door. When you locate medical supplies in one area, you’ll find it easier to keep track of them and order refills when needed. We’ve organized a simple list to help you organize and stock your medicine cabinet so that it supports your household’s needs.

1. Gather All of Your Medications in One Spot

According to Consumer Reports, “Americans take more pills today than at any other time in recent history.” And that relates to prescription drugs. What about all the over-the-counter medicines people take for headaches, scrapes, mild burns, rashes, allergies, etc.? When all of your medications are present and accounted for, you won’t have to search high and low when you need them. When all the items you want to stow in your medicine cabinet are present, you can more easily find the ideal space to keep and organize them.

2. Clean the Space

It’s essential to store your medications and related supplies in a clean space. You may be keeping items like bandages, gauze, and cotton swabs with your medical supplies, and you want to ensure that these items remain clean. Sometimes liquid medications like cough syrups leak, so be sure to clean your cabinets shelving thoroughly before placing any of your supplies inside. If you’re concerned about future messages, you can line your shelves with easy-to-wipe shelf paper, which may provide a more sterile surface than wood.

3. Declutter and Remove Expired Medications

It’s amazing how many items wind up in a medicine cabinet that doesn’t really belong there. You might find any number of misplaced items like an earring back, toothpaste cap, or buttons. To ensure that your medicine cabinet remains a functional space, be sure to remove any unnecessary items and get rid of expired medications. Before you add any medications to your cabinet, review their expiration dates. If you’re running low on prescription medicines, refill them so that you stock your cupboard with your essentials.

4. Find the Ideal Spot

When searching for a spot for your medications and supplies, it’s crucial to choose a space that’s cool and dry. This is one reason why some people opt not to keep their medicines in a full bathroom because of the heat and moisture that fill the room when someone showers. Some people opt to designate one shelf of their linen closet or pantry for medical supplies. However, if children are present, you might purchase a special locking chest to keep your medications safe and secure.

5. Shop Around

The classic mirrored medicine cabinet hung in the bathroom for many households doesn’t provide enough space for their household medications. The problem with stowing some items in this type of cabinet and other items elsewhere is that when someone needs them, they have to search for them in different places, defeating the purpose of a well-organized medicine cabinet. To accommodate your household’s medical supplies storage needs, you might want to shop around for a medicine chest or stand-alone cabinet that can accommodate everything. That way, you can keep all the shared supplies for your home in one convenient space.

6. Organization

How you choose to organize your medicine cabinet is a personal choice. For instance, if you take daily medications, you may want to group these even though they may be different types of drugs. Some people organize their medicines by class (i.e., allergy medications, cold remedies, anti-fungal creams, etc.) just as a pharmacy does. Suppose you don’t wish to organize your pills by categories or your schedule. In that case, you can manage them alphabetically so that you or anyone else in your household can easily retrieve them when needed.

7. Pill Organizers

Pill organizers are ideal for people who take daily/weekly medications. You can organize your weekly doses in one convenient organizer and then place them in your cabinet. Pill organizers are labeled by day, which is especially helpful for people who might forget whether or not they took their medication that day. It’s surprisingly easy to forget when you take medications daily. You can find pill organizers in many different sizes. If more than one individual in your household uses them, be sure to label your pill organizers with the names of the people they belong to.

8. Storage Features

Many items may be loose and require some storage receptacle like glass jars, small baskets, or plastic containers. Glass jars are ideal because you can see exactly what’s inside of them (i.e., cotton balls, cotton swabs, or bandages). If you don’t use clear boxes, be sure to label your storage bins so that there’s no need to rummage through several when you’re searching for dental floss or antibiotic ointment. Remember that some items are best stowed in protective containers. For instance, you’ll want to keep things like gauze free from dirt, so be sure to store it in a jar or covered basket where it won’t be contaminated.

9. Use the Cabinet Door

The cabinet door of your medicine cabinet may be lined with shelves to help you organize items. You can use these shelves for stowing the items you reach for daily or regularly. These items might be vitamins, daily prescription medications, tweezers, or nail clippers. You definitely don’t want to overload these shelves with too much clutter, or it will prove cumbersome to retrieve your must-have items.

10. Call the Pharmacy to Clarify

If you have medications that you have been hanging onto, you may not remember details about their use. Be sure to contact your pharmacy to clarify what these drugs do and when you should take them. If you no longer need them, you may wish to dispose of them. If you aren’t sure if you may need them in the future, call your healthcare provider. Having too many miscellaneous drugs in your cabinet will unnecessarily add clutter to your space, especially if you no longer use these items.

11. Add a First Aid Kit

Every home should have a first aid kit. These are basic medical emergency items that you hope never to need. However, minor accidents around the house are often inevitable.Some first aid kit essentials include:
• Disposable non-latex gloves (the kind that healthcare providers wear)
• Bandages of different sizes
• Adhesive tape for fastening bandages
• Roller gauze
• Antibiotic ointment
• Tweezers
• Antiseptic solution
• Eyewash solution
• Hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting
• Thermometer
• Finger splints
• Cotton balls
• Instant cold pack

When putting together your first aid kit for home, be sure to make a travel first aid kit to take with you when you go on long drives. If you have kids, you may want to bring your first aid kit along to sporting events or even the park to contend with any small medical issues that may arise.

12. Stock It

When stocking your medicine cabinet or chest, you’ll want to include your prescription medications. Still, many over-the-counter items may prove useful for you or members of your household. We’ve mentioned several items in the course of the article, but here’s a handy list with a few helpful additions that will round out your supplies, ensuring that you have essential OTC items that most people need at one time or another:
• Aloe vera gel
• Antifungal cream
• Calamine lotion
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antacids
• Pain relievers
• Cough syrups/cough drops
• Petroleum jelly
• Antihistamines
• Sunscreen
These are just a few ideas. Naturally, you’ll want to customize your medicine cabinet to suit your household needs. Plus, if you have children, you’ll want to have children’s cold/fever medications on hand.

Keep Track of It

Be sure that you keep track of all the supplies in your medicine cabinet. It helps to check it every 3-6 months to discard any expired medications and order refills as needed. Make a list of items you’re running low on, like aspirin or ibuprofen, to ensure that your medicine cabinet is always well-stocked and able to supply your household’s needs.

When you have a well-organized and maintained medicine cabinet, you’ll appreciate the hard work you put into creating it. The items stored in your cabinet are likely going to be extremely useful and vital. When you need them, you’ll probably need them right away. An organized cabinet ensures that you can access these items immediately. 

Can You Be Reinfected With COVID-19?

With so many people affected by COVID-19 and an increasing number of people who have been vaccinated, many are wondering if they can be reinfected with COVID-19 after an initial infection or after a vaccine. The short answer is yes — second cases of COVID-19 do occur. However, right now they are rare. Here’s what we currently know about reinfection.

How many people have been reinfected with COVID-19?

It’s hard to say how many people have been reinfected with COVID-19, because you need special testing to determine if you were really reinfected. It’s possible that you could have a COVID-19 infection where you get sick, feel better for a period of time, and then get symptoms again as part of the same infection. This would really be a continuation of the same infection, and not a true reinfection. Also, people can continue to test positive for COVID-19 for many weeks after the initial illness, which can confuse things, too. 

To truly determine that a reinfection has occurred, a genetic analysis of the virus from each illness would be needed to prove that the two illnesses were caused by two different COVID-19 infections. 

If it’s a number you’re after, a study of people in Denmark showed that of people who had COVID-19 during the first wave of infections in the country, only about 1 in 150 tested positive during the second wave of infections. The people who tested positive twice could have had reinfections, but it’s hard to say for sure because studies like this one don’t always have all the information they need about each case of infection. While this is a small number, keep in mind that COVID-19 is still new to us, and this number might increase as time passes and we learn more about the virus.

Are the symptoms of reinfection the same?

Like most things about COVID-19, we are still learning more about it. When scientists have looked at confirmed cases of reinfection, most cases had similar symptoms and similar severity to the first COVID-19 infection, with some infections being milder and some infections being more serious and potentially life-threatening.

Are you only at risk of reinfection due to new variants of COVID-19?

New variants are a big concern for reinfection. Scientists are finding new variants that your immune system might not recognize. Worse, many of the new variants are more infectious than the initial COVID-19 virus. So there are definitely reasons to be concerned about new variants.

The question of whether you can be reinfected by the same strain of COVID-19, and how likely it is, is up in the air. COVID-19 is a coronavirus, and other types of coronaviruses that infect humans exist, usually causing mild cold-like illnesses. These other types of coronaviruses circulate throughout the population. Once you get infected, you are only immune for a year or two. After that, you can be reinfected.

It’s not clear if the COVID-19 virus will be the same — it will take time for us to know for sure. It’s possible that we will see more cases of reinfection as time passes, because the protective immune response people get after the first infection with COVID-19 might disappear.

If you’re not vaccinated, are you at higher risk of reinfection?

The COVID-19 vaccines are an important part of the fight against the pandemic. They are 85% to 95% effective at preventing COVID-19 infections, and you reach full immunity 1 to 4 weeks after you finish your vaccination, depending on which vaccine you get.

So, the vaccines prevent COVID-19 infections. But if you already had COVID, does getting vaccinated help prevent a second COVID-19 infection? We don’t have exact data for this yet because not only are COVID-19 reinfections rare, so are infections after being vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation is to get the COVID-19 vaccine even if you’ve had an infection, because getting vaccinated creates a stronger immune response than natural immunity. Getting vaccinated can also help protect other vulnerable people who might not get fully protected from a COVID-19 vaccine, because you are less likely to spread COVID-19 to them.

Are new strains of COVID-19 resistant to the current vaccines?

For a lot of the COVID-19 variants that are out there, it looks like being fully vaccinated will protect you from them. However, new variants might arise in the future that could evade the protection provided by current vaccines. There have been cases of COVID-19 infection with new variants after people have been vaccinated, so it’s clearly possible.

Keeping up with booster vaccines when they become available, or future new vaccines that could target multiple parts of the virus, will be important to stay ahead of new COVID variants.

The bottom line

COVID-19 reinfections are rare so far, but possible. We may see more cases of reinfection start to happen after some time passes, as our immune response to the virus and vaccination fades, or because new variants of the virus may appear. Remember that vaccines and other public health measures can go a long way to keep you and others safe, and are still necessary even if you’ve recovered from COVID-19.

How often should I be taking my allergy medications?

Seasonal allergies are right around the start of September. They are a very common problem that tend to arise during the fall and spring season when there is a high concentration of pollen in the air. One of the most effective ways to tackle seasonal allergies is to take medications to prevent the symptoms a few weeks before the beginning of the season. Taking antihistamines help provide fast relief of allergy symptoms which include: sneezing, itchiness, runny nose and watery eyes.

Over 60-million Americans are aggravated by seasonal changes resulting in seasonal allergies that at times make it difficult to perform daily tasks. Many individuals take over-the-counter medications to help prevent seasonal allergy symptoms, but if they aren’t working for you, one of the reasons may be allergy medication not being taken effectively.

Medications that provide fast relief include taking decongestants or antihistamines. With decongestants, they provide the fastest relief to allergy symptoms by relieving stuffy noses through taking oral tablets or nasal sprays. These options provide immediate relief within 30 minutes, and are available without prescription. Although decongestants are not recommended to those who suffer from heart problems, or are pregnant or nursing. Decongestants are best to be used for immediate relief and used periodically.

For antihistamines, it is another fast allergy treatment that helps calm the symptoms of allergies. They are available in oral tablet form or through nasal sprays. There are different over-the-counter options such as the common use of Benadryl which lasts for 4-6 hours but causes drowsiness. An alternative is Claritin or Allegra which do not cause drowsiness and last up to 24 hours with a single intake.

Now what is the best time to be taking allergy medications? It is best to start your allergy medications approximately 2 weeks before the time you normally experience allergy symptoms. By doing so, it allows your body to take time to adjust to the medication.

Living with a chronic illness can be challenging!

Perhaps you’ve been newly diagnosed with a chronic illness. Perhaps you’ve been living with one for some time and you’re now experiencing changes with your illness and its symptoms. In any case, living with a chronic illness comes with its share of challenges! Here, we’ll look at some strategies for managing your condition and getting the most out of life.

First, what is a chronic disease? 

A chronic disease is a physical or mental condition that affects your health and well-being for more than three months. Some chronic diseases you may have heard of include Alzheimer’s, depression, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. 

Some of the things you can do to manage your chronic illness effectively include:

∙    Learning about your illness

∙    Incorporating lifestyle changes to help reduce the impact of your chronic disease

∙    Taking your medications properly. 

∙    Keeping key people in the loop about your medications and your health in general.

Learning about your illness gives you control. 

After all, knowledge is power! It’s worth taking the time to become familiar with the management, progression and treatment of your chronic disease. Some patients read online articles; your online pharmacy may link you to websites it has vetted for accuracy and reliability. Some people attend information sessions at their clinic or hospital. Some even become their own experts by learning to read medical journals. Choose the level of learning that’s most comfortable for you.

As well, some illnesses require regular tracking, which is another form of learning, this time from your own body. For instance, controlling diabetes requires that you track your medication and test your blood sugar levels. For other illnesses, you may have to track symptoms by severity and frequency. 

The more you know, the better you’ll be able to signal changes and challenges to your doctor, who can then best advise you on any changes to make to your lifestyle or medications.

Healthy lifestyle practices can help reduce or improve your symptoms. 

Many of us know the positive benefits of eating well, being active, and living smoke-free or scent-free. 

Diabetics, for example, benefit from a low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. Other illnesses, like heart disease or hypertension (high blood pressure) can be managed with a low-sodium diet.

Physical activity can be incredibly helpful. For example, if you’re diabetic, regular physical exercise helps your body process sugars more efficiently and can also help your medication work better. People living with heart disease can improve their heart health by implementing a heart-healthy diet and a regular walking program. 

Gentle forms of exercise such as yoga, tai chi and aqua-fit (pool-based exercise programs) can help people living with arthritis maintain flexibility. Research has found that people living with Parkinson’s disease can improve their mobility, balance and stability with regular exercise.

We can also help maintain our physical and mental health through activities like meditation, good sleep habits and keeping up to date with our immunizations. For example, influenza and shingles are two preventable illnesses that can pose a high risk to people living with chronic diseases. 

Some people find it helps to participate in a support group with other individuals who share the same chronic disease. Peer support coupled with expert guidance from a health provider can help you manage your symptoms, your treatment protocols and your medications in a safe and consistent manner. 

Don’t forget to take your medication regularly and properly. 

If caught early, some chronic diseases, such as pre-diabetes and mild hypertension, can be managed with significant lifestyle changes. 

But what happens when you require greater interventions? With many chronic diseases, managing medications is a key part of staying well after diagnosis. You may find creating a schedule helpful, especially if you have medications that need to be taken with meals or at a particular time of day. 

If you, or a loved one, is growing older, you may have to manage multiple medications. Don’t leave it to chance! Find a system that works well for you. In a worst-case scenario, forgetting your medication could lead to a health crisis. Schedules and reminders may be tedious, but they can prevent you from ending up in the hospital. 

Always share information with your health providers. 

Let all your doctors know what medications you’re taking to avoid contraindications. If you source your prescriptions from both online pharmacies and brick-and-mortar operations locally, you should let all your pharmacists know about your full list of medications as well. 

As of course you know, your care doesn’t end when you leave the doctor’s office. As such, your physicians and pharmacists aren’t the only ones who need to know how you’re doing. You may want to give a loved one a list of your conditions and medications, too. If you do have a health crisis, having someone at hand who can explain your chronic disease and list your prescriptions can be critical to ensuring you get the right treatment and support. 

It can be scary to receive a chronic diagnosis, but you have lots of tools at hand to help you live a healthy, happy life. Use them and reap the benefits!

Medication management for seniors: Making sure the cure isn’t worse than the disease

According to recent data collected by Health Canada, seniors represent 17% of the population but are more than 40% of prescription users. 

The numbers are similar for the United States: people older than 65 represent 12% of the US population but they account for 34% of prescription medications and 30% of over-the-counter medication use. 

That’s a lot of medications, and we need to take seriously the potential risks. Several medication-related issues affect seniors in particular. These are side effects, drug interactions, and management challenges. Let’s take a look at how to handle these challenges!

Some drugs can make balance and thinking worse. 

As we age, our ability to digest and absorb medications can change too. Some people may see big differences in how well drugs work as they get older; others may not. How quickly we absorb a drug can affect how strongly we feel its side effects. This means if you’re a person whose absorption rate or speed has changed a lot over time, you may find yourself with unexpectedly strong side effects, even if taking a drug you’ve used before.

Two kinds of side effects are especially important to watch for. The first is balance. If you’re taking a medication that affects your balance, it can have serious consequences, such as falling and breaking a hip. Seniors who break a hip face higher rates of death in the first year after a hip fracture (between 14 and 58%).

Some medications can also affect brain function. We also call this cognition. Medication side effects can negatively affect how we learn, think, understand, plan, and remember. Seniors may experience memory loss leading to confusion. A number of over-the-counter sleep aids and painkillers can also contribute to altered brain function. 

Two groups of drugs to watch out for are medications used to lower blood pressure and those used to reduce blood sugar. If these drugs are absorbed too quickly, or the dosage is too high, the drugs may work too well and lead to balance or cognition trouble. 

Other drugs to be careful of include those given to manage overactive bladders, anxiety and sleeplessness. Many specialists in seniors’ health recommend reviewing a person’s medications on a regular basis and reducing or eliminating them whenever possible to avoid troubling or dangerous side effects.

What you can do: Talk to your pharmacist about any changes you notice as a result of taking a new medication or a change in dosage for a long-term prescription. 

Drug interactions are unpleasant and dangerous.

Although we don’t require a prescription for over-the-counter-medications, they are still real drugs, and we need to use caution, especially if we are taking them in combination with one or more prescription medications. The biggest concern here is how drugs interact with each other. Some drugs can reduce or nullify the effects of another drug’s performance while others can make side effects worse. 

Drug interactions can also occur with certain foods or beverages. For instance, alcohol can cause dizziness or drowsiness, and it can also change your heart rate—speeding it up or slowing it down. 

These interactions can affect how a senior manages their daily activities such as driving, walking, or cooking, leading to increased risk of injury or other harm, sometimes quite serious. 

What you can do: Your pharmacist can guide you in what to avoid when taking a medication that can interact poorly with food or other medications. Don’t hesitate ask questions about contraindications anytime you fill a new prescription or consider a new over-the-counter medication!

Make a list of all the drugs you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, and keep a copy with you at all times. Include notes for each item on your list about any contraindicated drugs or foods so you never forget what to avoid. 

You may also find it useful, as much as possible, to buy all your medications from a single pharmacy. You can ask your pharmacist to look at your prescription record to see if there’s anything you need to watch out for. 

Juggling lots of different medications can lead to mistakes.

Most seniors are dealing with at least one chronic condition and many may be dealing with two or more. Managing multiple prescriptions is a chore for most of us, but for seniors, declining brain function or deteriorating memories can increase the risk of taking too little or too much of the medication. If you miss a dose often, it may also affect how your condition responds to treatment. If you take too much, you may change how other drugs work.

What you can do: Talk to your pharmacist about managing your prescriptions safely. They may be able to provide you with special blister packs organized by day and week so you can keep track of when and how much of each drug you have to take.

In short, be proactive about your pharmacare! 

It’s okay to ask your health provider questions about the medications you’re prescribed. If you are a senior, or if you’re helping a senior manage their care, here are some other things you can do to manage medications properly: 

  1. Understand why you are taking the medication, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements. What conditions do you have? Are there alternatives to managing your health issues? 
  2. Keep track of how you’re doing. Are your symptoms better or worse? Do you have new symptoms? How and when will your doctor reassess your medication? 
  3. Don’t make changes in how you take your prescriptions (frequency, dosage and so forth) without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. If you are worried about the cost of certain medications, ask your pharmacist if a generic, cheaper version is available. 

Prescription and over-the-counter medications are intended to make our lives easier and our health better. But they’re strong substances that have serious effects on our bodies. With a little care and management, you can make sure you get all their benefits while minimizing the specific issues that are most likely to arise for seniors.