Category: Prevention

Can You Make Quitting Smoking Your New Year’s Resolution?

We hope you had a wonderful time ringing in the new year!  Now it’s time to decide on your new year resolutions.  We have one in particular in mind that we can help you with.  So consider taking on this resolution:  Quit smoking.  Or help a loved one quit cigarettes or other tobacco products.  

We all know smoking is bad for our health and the health of those exposed to secondhand smoke too.  Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Californians suffer undue illness and premature death from the use of tobacco products.

Did you know we can help you by prescribing nicotine replacement medications?  Not just the gum, lozenges, and patches.  We can also give you prescription-only nicotine replacement medications like the nasal spray and inhaler.

 You may have tried to quit before, and felt discouraged if you were unable to stay quit. You may wonder what services are available to help you quit, or if you want help to quit.  A new California law allows pharmacists to provide prescription nicotine replacement medications without a doctor’s prescription to help you quit tobacco. This increases access to these medications for you, and makes them more affordable. Counseling and medication options are effective on their own, but are even more effective when combined. When you are ready to quit tobacco, remember to ask your pharmacist for help.

You can book your appointment on our website or give us a call today!

Hope to see you in clinic soon!  

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Tobacco smoke interacts with medications and affects the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or elimination of other drugs, potentially causing an altered pharmacologic response. Any smoker is susceptible to the same degree of interaction. Some of the most significant interactions are with the following medications:

  • Caffeine
  • Coumadin (warfarin)
  • Plavix (clopidogrel)
  • Hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patch, ring)
  • Clozaril (clozapine)
  • Lopressor or Toprol XL (metoprolol)
  • Zyprexa (olanzapine)
  • Insulin
  • Requip (ropinirole)
  • Chemotherapy: Camptosar (irinotecan) and Tarceva (erlotinib)

If you smoke and take any medications, we can review any potential interactions and make sure your dosages are appropriate and monitor for complications.

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Flu Myths and Tips

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You’re probably aware that we’ve officially entered both the holiday season and flu season. This year, we’d like to help you focus on the spirit of giving…except when it comes to giving the flu!

There’s still time to get a flu shot. Flu season lasts through Spring each year. In fact, in June of this year there was a late-season flu-related death here in San Diego County. Regardless of age or health condition, anyone can catch the flu, and get very sick. Even if it’s a mild case, he or she can still spread it to other people, like family, friends and co-workers. People with flu are contagious even before they develop symptoms. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get this important protection.

Our clinic has been full of the holiday spirit as families, couples, children, and adults of all ages have been coming in for their flu shots.  For those of you who have already come in for your flu shot, kudos!  For those of you who haven’t had the time or might be hesitant to get the flu shot, please take a few minutes out of your schedule to squeeze this important preventive health visit in.  We can provide flu vaccines to anyone who is 4 years of age or older.  If you have health insurance, the cost may be covered.  For example, Medicare covers this vaccine.  If you don’t have insurance, we have the lowest prices  (only $25 for the regular flu shot that covers 4 virus strains and $54 for the high dose flu shot if you are over age 65).

You can book your appointment on our website or give us a call today!

Hope to see you in clinic soon!  Happy Holidays!

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In addition to protecting yourself with the flu shot, there are some other things you can do to help avoid getting sick with the flu, colds and other respiratory diseases (and avoid spreading illness to others):

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue or your arm.
  • Wash your hands often, with plenty of soap and warm water.      
  • Stay away from sick people whenever possible.
  • Stay home when you’re sick.
  • Get enough rest, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.

These tips are helpful in protecting your health all year, not just during flu season.

flu-shot-mythsMYTH #1: The flu shot gives you the flu.

The flu shot doesn’t give you the flu, because it can’t. The flu shot contains killed virus. That killed virus can’t infect you and give you the flu. You may have received a flu shot in the past and then become sick after that. But it wasn’t caused by the flu shot. It could be that you were already infected with the flu before you got the shot.  Or it could be that you had become infected with another strain of the flu that wasn’t in the vaccine. Or you may have had a respiratory infection or a cold, and experienced flu-like symptoms. But that doesn’t mean you had the flu.

MYTH #2: I don’t need the flu shot because I never get sick.

Even if you have never been sick, that doesn’t mean you will never get sick. If your loved ones have never been in a car accident, does that mean they shouldn’t have to wear a seat belt? Of course your answer is NO, so why take chances with the flu? The virus doesn’t care how healthy you’ve been. You can still catch the flu and become very ill. You can miss work, school and other important activities in your life. And you can make others sick, too—including people who have health conditions like heart disease or cancer that make them especially vulnerable to flu and its complications like pneumonia. The flu can even be fatal. (For stories about real people whose lives were touched by vaccine preventable diseases like influenza, visit http://www.shotbyshot.org.)

MYTH #3: The flu isn’t a big deal.

We wish that was true! Last year in San Diego County alone, there were nearly 7,000 cases of flu that resulted in 120 hospitalizations in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 68 deaths.

9 Reasons To Get This Year’s Flu Vaccine

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It’s that time of year again!  Time to gear up for the cold and flu season.  The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from flu infection and its potential health consequences.

  1. This year’s vaccine should be more EFFECTIVE than last year’s.  Last year, there were two strains — one Influenza A and one Influenza B — that evolved after the vaccine was made.  So the vaccine was only effective in 20-25% of cases.  In the few years before last year, the vaccine was effective in around 50% of cases.  We expect to go back to that this year.  We wish it was 100% effective of course.  But wouldn’t you rather prevent 50% of cases of a potentially deadly infection than none?
  2. Young and old most VULNERABLE.  Children and young adults below age 20, along with older adults above age 80, have the highest rates of the flu.Flu Vaccine Young Old Choose Control
  3. Flu KILLS.  People who die from the flu almost always have an underlying medical condition.  Women may be more likely to die from the flu than men.
  4. Everyone 6 months old and older SHOULD get the flu vaccine every year.  This hasn’t always been the case since recommendations have changed.  Infants younger than 6 months will be protected if everyone they have contact with is vaccinated.  The immunity you got from last year’s vaccine has faded over time and you have to get a vaccine again this year.  The vaccine usually changes every year.  There are new flu strains added to the vaccine every year based on what is most likely to be spread that year.  Not enough people are getting this vaccine.  Only 50% of American children and 70% of American adults age 65 and older got the vaccine last year.Flu Vaccine
  5. The vaccine does NOT cause the flu.  It can cause some side effects, like soreness where the injection was given, a fever, coughing, headache, or fatigue.  A severe allergic reaction is very rare — about 1 in 1,000,000 doses — and warrants immediate medical attention.  It takes about 2 weeks for your immune system to respond to the vaccine and fully protect you, so get the vaccine as soon as you can — ideally by October.
  6. Very FEW people should not get the vaccine.  If you have ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, you should not get the flu vaccine.  If you’ve had a severe allergy to any component of the flu vaccine, you shouldn’t get it.  Otherwise, get it!  If you have a fever or aren’t feeling well, wait until you’re feeling better to get it.  Some of the vaccines have a small amount of egg protein, so if you are allergic to eggs let your healthcare prover know so they can be sure to give you a vaccine that is safe for you.  People who can’t get the vaccine for safety reasons rely on everyone else to get it and keep them protected.
  7. PREGNANT women should get the vaccine.  Pregnant women have a higher risk of serious illness due to the flu.  The flu vaccine is an essential element of preconception, prenatal, and postpartum care, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  The vaccine not only protects the mother, but also protects the newborn baby in the first months of life.Flu Vaccine Pregnant Pregnancy Choose Control
  8. Vaccines do NOT cause autism.  I’m not going to get into this issue because you can read all about it from the experts: CDC summary, CDC studies, and American Academy of Pediatrics recent statement.
  9. You have OPTIONS when it comes to the flu vaccines.  There are many different products available, ranging from shots to nasal mists.  You can also visit your doctor’s office or local pharmacy at your convenience to get your flu shot.  The vaccine is typically free with your insurance or from a community-based program.  Worst case, you may have to pay a small fee of about $20 for the vaccine.Flu Vaccine Nasal Flumist

For more information, check out the CDC website for this year’s flu season.

Photos by Seth Capitulo, Anil Jadhav, Tobias Lindman, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District via Flickr

Let’s All Scream for Sunscreen! 5 Sun Safety Reminders

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As we all gear up for a weekend in the sun celebrating our country’s independence, don’t forget about keeping your skin safe from sun damage.  We all know that sun damage can lead to skin cancer in the long term and some painful burns in the short term.  Here are 5 quick sun safety reminders to keep in mind:

Sunscreen Safety Sally Rafie Summer Tips Choose Control - The Pill Shoppe

(photo credit: Bryan via Flickr)

1. How to Pick a Sunscreen

It’s important to pick a product that provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays.  Generally, an SPF of 30 or greater should be used.  SPF 30 means 97% of rays will be blocked.  Higher SPFs may block slightly more rays, but it’ll never be 100%.

During the summer, it’s a good idea to use a water-resistant sunscreen so it keeps work even after you sweat, jump in the pool, or dip in the ocean.

2. How to Use Sunscreen

Use enough sunscreen to generously coat all areas of exposed skin.  It’s a good idea to take the bottle along in case you are out for more than a couple hours and need to re-apply.  Re-apply after getting wet, even with a water-resistant product.

3. Don’t Rely on Sun Exposure for Your Vitamin D

While it’s true that the sun helps our bodies get Vitamin D, which is then necessary for calcium absorption and bone health.  Do not get more sun to get more Vitamin D.  If your Vitamin D levels are low, then you should increase intake of foods with vitamin D or take supplements.  The risk of skin cancer outweighs the benefit of Vitamin D when it comes to sun exposure.

4. Sunscreen Pills

The sunscreen pills contain an active ingredient that may play a role in protecting cells from damage from UV rays.  The active ingredient is an extract from a fern plant.  We’re not sure exactly how it works, but it appears to serve as an antioxidant that increases the skin’s threshold for sun exposure before sunburn and damage.  The benefit is not enough on its own though.  The pills don’t have an SPF rating because they are not applied topically, but we think it provides about as much protection as a topical sunscreen with SPF 3 to 5.

Topical sunblock that protects against both UVA and UVB rays should still be used.  The pills can be used as a supplement for added benefit, but should not be used in place of topical sunblock.  Read more about sunscreen pills from A Girl’s Gotta Spa.

5. Cover Up

Keep your skin covered with clothing and hats whenever possible.  Stay out of the sun as much as possible — find shade or use an umbrella.  Don’t forget sunglasses to protect your eyes too!