Island Drug Podcast

Self-treatment is an option for many people with common warts and plantar warts. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/wart.pdf

Nail fungus is a fungal infection in and around 1 or more of the nails. It is called onychomycosis. An infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of fingernail or toenail. As the infection spreads deeper into the nail, it will cause discoloration and thickening and perhaps crumbling edges of nail and even be painful. Additional symptoms are nails that are dull with no luster, distorted shape or a dark color. Infected nails can separate from the nail bed, you may feel pain and/or detect a slightly foul odor. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/Onychomycosis.pdf

April is Parkinson's Awareness month, so today we will be discussing Parkinson's disease from diagnosis to treatment. Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects your movement. It belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Please click here to download; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/Parkinsons.pdf

A heavily prescribed antibiotic, azithromycin, was in the news a couple weeks ago as the FDA took steps to strengthen warnings that the drug could cause heart arrhythmias. The FDA's action was prompted by a 2012 study in the New England Journal of Medicine which compared the likelihood of fatal cardiovascular events in patients during short courses of a few commonly prescribed antibiotics. The study found a small but statistically significant increase in cardiovascular death in patients with heart disease who were prescribed azithromycin. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/azithro.pdf

Well, here we are again. Watery eyes, sneezing, maybe congestion and headache. Yes, the pollens are in full force and our bodies are reacting. Allergies are getting worse year after year. In addition to a longer allergy season the pollens seem to be getting stronger, according to some recent studies. In this podcast I will give you some ideas about how to minimize the effects of those seasonal allergies. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/AllergyNatural.pdf

This week's podcast will present information about Zostavax, the vaccine for shingles. This podcast was originally written by Kit Worley, Pharm.D. back in September 2009. This current version has been revised and updated with new information and recommendations from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/ZostavaxUpdate.pdf

Aspirin is one of the oldest medicines, useful as a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, fever reducer, and blood clot preventing agent. Many folks say you are 'supposed' to take it for heart health. It is a powerfully effective and affordable preventative measure, for some people. But it isn't worth while for everyone. This podcast is intended for people who have not had recent surgery or have been diagnosed with a clotting disorder of any sort. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/asa.pdf

Part of our new series focusing on diabetes; The Sweet Spot". This week we will be talking about losing weight the healthy way. We are doing this in both standard sound only podcast as well as a video version which can be found here; http://www.islanddrug.com/video.aspx?v=7 along with the accompanying text.

Our podcast this week deals with a very common topic, Hypertension. We hear a lot about hypertension, or high blood pressure, but we can't stress the importance of blood pressure control enough. High blood pressure is a killer, it's a significant risk factor for developing Coronary Artery Disease, the leading cause of death in the United States! It's also considered a huge risk for stroke, heart failure and kidney failure. Anyone with poorly treated hypertension at least doubles his or her risk of developing all of these conditions. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the danger. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/HTN.pdf

Is sugar addiction real? Possibly, the craving is real, and even though scientists agree sugar influences a rise in "feel good" chemicals in the brain. Researchers are not willing to lump it into the same category as addictive medication or other substances. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/TameThatSweetTooth.pdf

Today we are going to talk about the medications that many of you are taking right now to help get your high blood pressure under control! This is an audio track from a video presentation, to view the video, head to http://islanddrug.com/youtube and/or download the accompanying text here; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/HeartMeds.pdf

Today I'll be discussing the hemoglobin A1c lab test. Hemoglobin A1c (HA1c) is an extremely valuable diagnostic test for monitoring blood sugars and a person's management of diabetes. It is a blood test that provides an average glucose level for the two to three months prior to testing. It is one of several lab tests that we perform here at Island Drug. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/ha1c.pdf

In my last podcast I gave you a medicine chest for cough, cold, and flu. This time I would like to focus specifically on flu prevention. As you certainly know by now, we are in an early and aggressive flu season in our country and around the globe. These tips will hopefully help you avoid being part of the epidemic. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/FluPrevention.pdf

Pharmacist answer many questions about emergency contraception; what it is; how does it work; who is it for and how effective is it. This podcast will address the most frequently asked questions. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/PlanB.pdf

Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Seasonal affective disorder can cause depression in the spring or early summer but it happens much less often. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/SAD.pdf

Insomnia is an extremely common problem. It has been reported that 29% of American adults suffer from insomnia almost every night. Approximately 6 percent use prescription sleep aids and a similar percentage use OTC products. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/OTCSleepAids.pdf

Every year the CDC designates a week of outreach to the nation urging all those recommended to take a flu vaccine to do so. This year it is December 2-8, 2012. As always Island Drug & LaConner Drug remains committed to being your most convenient vaccination destination by offering vaccinations every hour we are open and keeping the flu vaccine in stock past spring of the New Year.

Today I'll be discussing Heliobacter pylori (H. pylori) the infamous bacteria that frequently causes stomach ulcers and gastritis. H. pylori is present in more than 50 percent of the world's population. Infection rates vary country to country, trending down to 30% in developed countries like the US and up to 80% in developing countries. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/hpylori.pdf