Island Drug Podcast

"If only I had the energy I used to..." We've probably all said these words at some point. In my practice, I'm seeing an increase in the number of people suffering from constant stress that leads to high cortisol levels, adrenal imbalance and, sometimes, complete exhaustion. Please click here for accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/AdrenalImbalance.pdf

As a neighborhood pharmacist, I am frequently asked to recommend a product for "a cold sore in my mouth". People easily confuse cold sores and canker sores. Canker sores are small shallow lesions in the oral mucosa but unlike cold sores they do not occur on the lips and are not contagious. They can be oval or round with a white or yellow center in the middle of a red border. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/CankerSores.pdf

Hormones are fatsoluble steroid molecules that send messages throughout the body. ‘Bioidentical’ means the hormone in the medicine is the same molecule humans naturally make. Bioidentical hormones are created in a laboratory. ‘Synthetic’ hormones are analogs of natural hormones. That is, the molecules that are very similar to natural hormones, but have differences in the molecular structure, also made in a lab. Bioidentical and synthetic hormones have slightly different effects on the body.

Hiccups are a condition we've all experienced but don't know that much about. A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary contraction (spasm) of the diaphragm muscle. When the muscle spasms, the vocal cords snap shut which produces the hiccup sound.

Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/EyeHealth.pdf

With the weather finally warming up, the beautiful scenery surrounding us has begin to come to life, providing not only ideal backdrop for photos but also an abundance of pollen and a variety of other allergens. Each time a person is exposed to an allergen, the immune system builds a response in the form of releasing histamines from protective cells in the body called mast cells. The histamines bind to receptors located in the blood vessels, causing them to increase in size, which in turn leads to physical symptoms of redness, swelling, itching, and changes in secretions. Please click here for accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/OTCAllergy.pdf

It is estimated by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology that 10 to 30% of adults and up to 40% of children in the United States suffer from seasonal “outdoor” or perennial “indoor” allergies. With the variety of medications available over-the-counter to treat allergies it is often difficult to know which one to choose. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/AllergyChoose.pdf

Now the pharmaceutical industry is on the verge of introducing a new class of cholesterol lowering drugs. The class is currently referred to as PCSK9 inhibitors. Rather than limiting production of cholesterol like statins, these drugs increase one's natural ability to remove LDL cholesterol from circulation. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/PCSK9Inhibitors.pdf

On July 28th we will be observing World Hepatitis Day. If you listen to these podcasts regularly, you may remember that in January I talked about various herbs used to support the liver. This time I will focus more on compromised liver health, its causes and treatment. We have become a global society with the convenience of air travel. Unfortunately travel can compromise our health, as can other lifestyle habits and medical interventions. Please click here for accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/LiverDetox.pdf

Many of us often find ourselves, at one time or another, unable to fall asleep at night. Whether it is due to jetlag, stress, or some other temporary reason, there are plenty of over- the- counter options out there for us to try in order to get to sleep. Please click here for accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/OTCSleep.pdf

Bees, hornets and wasps sting approximately 1 million people every year. Generally an insect sting is just a nuisance and does not result in any significant health issue. However stings can cause significant discomfort and in some cases cause serious allergic reactions. The symptoms caused by a bee sting result from its venom being injected into your skin. In general most symptoms are relatively mild, however insect venom can cause a life threatening allergic reaction referred to as anaphylaxis. It is important to understand the difference between a normal reaction to a bee sting and a reaction that requires direct medical attention.

It’s allergy season. For those of you with seasonal allergies, the warming temperatures and blossoming flowers and trees that we await through the dark winter days means itchy, watery eyes, stuffy sinuses, runny nose, irritated throat, or any of a bunch of symptoms that fall under the term “allergies.” An estimated one in every six Americans suffers from seasonal allergies including allergic rhinitis and hay fever. Please click here to view the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/AllergyOTC.pdf

The first step in preventing kidney stones is to understand what's causing them to form. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/KidneyStones.pdf

This is a supplement that is widely promoted for heart disease… increased exercise tolerance…chronic fatigue…and to stimulate the immune system. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/WhatIsCoQ10.pdf

Sunscreen should be worn every day, regardless of the weather or season. Sun exposure occurs all day long, through clouds, through regular glass windows of our homes and cars, and in the time spent walking to the grocery store or driving in the car. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/Sunscreen101.pdf

Recent research suggests that the bacterial content of a person's intestine plays an important role in an individual's weight. This research stems from observations of the popular weight loss surgery commonly referred to as gastric bypass. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/intestinalflora.pdf

May is National Osteoporosis Awareness Month so in this podcast I will be talking about this prevalent, and often, debilitating condition. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/OsteoporosisAwarenessMonth.pdf

Summer is quickly approaching and along with it, vacation time. Some fortunate ones among you may have the opportunity to travel to an exotic location. To make your trip more enjoyable, here are some tips on avoiding traveler's diarrhea.

Fish oils are widely advertised for their health benefits. I will outline their chemistry, some evidence and claims about their health effects, and review the types of supplements available. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/FishOil.pdf

If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or adult onset diabetes there are natural healing approaches to treat these conditions. The goal is to prevent the progression of disease. Studies have shown that lifestyle changes reduced the development of type 2 diabetes by as much as 71% in adults 60 and over. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/DiabetesNatural.pdf