HEALTH & WELLNESS by Peter Semchism The Common Cold: Which Drug to Treat your Bug Sponsored by Greenhills Pharmacy by Peter Semchism HEALTH & WELLNESS by Peter Semchism
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To advertise here, please contact Gloria@villagerpublications.com Treatment of dementia may depend on the specific cause. Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease usually involves treating the declining memory and gradually worsening behavioural symptoms with a range of medications Symptoms of dementia can vary depending on the cause. For example, people with Lewy body dementia often have long-lasting visual hallu- cinations. Some forms of dementia also tend to affect people younger than others and progress faster. Treatment and Prevention Another client said, “My wall calendar is a shared communication tool for our household.” We can quickly see who’s busy, when bills are due, or when special events are coming up.” Fair enough; this reduces the chances of miscommunication and makes planning smoother for everyone. To advertise here please contact To be diagnosed with dementia, the symptoms must be severe enough to affect a person’s independence and their ability to perform everyday activities. Gloria@VillagerPublications.com increasing irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, and restlessness increasing communication and language difficulties (forgetting words or substituting incorrect words) changes in personality, behaviour, or mood decreasing ability to focus and pay attention inability to plan and carry out tasks that require multiple steps (e.g. pay - ing bills). Dementia Could Happen to Anyone… Because Everyone Ages. The Facts We can put a man on the moon; we can design a handheld device that holds the entire works of William Shakespeare; we can microwave a dinner in three minutes. Despite all the advances in human history, one advancement still eludes us — the cure for the common cold. Since ancient times, humans have battled runny noses and coughs using a variety of home therapies, herbs and medications. But what is effective? Dementia is not a specific disease, but a general term that describes a gradual decline of mental ability that affects your intellectual and social skills to the point where daily life becomes difficult. Dementia can affect your memory, language skills and decision-making ability; impair your judgment and make you feel disoriented; and it may also affect your personality. Dementia can be caused by many diseases that affect the brain. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Others in- clude vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal and mixed dementia. Types of dementia differ based on underlying causes and can affect specific symptoms and how it progresses. Symptoms and Complications Many of us often experience forgetfulness. We may forget where we put the car keys or repeat the same story to a friend or family member. These behaviours are usually caused by the information overload of our busy, stressful lives – it doesn’t mean that we’re developing dementia. As people age, they may experience memory changes such as slowing of information processing. This type of change is normal and doesn’t interfere with day-to-day functioning. By contrast, dementia is disabling and not a normal part of aging. Although dementia often presents itself differently from person to per- son, common symptoms include: gradual loss of memory of recent events and lack of ability to learn new things increasing tendency to repeat oneself, misplacing objects, becoming confused and lost in familiar places slow disintegration of judgment and reasoning abilities increasing irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, and restlessness increasing communication and language difficulties (forgetting words or substituting incorrect words) changes in personality, behaviour, or mood decreasing ability to focus and pay attention inability to plan and carry out tasks that require multiple steps (e.g. pay - ing bills). To be diagnosed with dementia, the symptoms must be severe enough to affect a person’s independence and their ability to perform everyday activities. Symptoms of dementia can vary depending on the cause. For example, people with Lewy body dementia often have long-lasting visual hallu- cinations. Some forms of dementia also tend to affect people younger than others and progress faster. Treatment and Prevention Many of us often experience forgetfulness. We may forget where we put the car keys or repeat the same story to a friend or family member. These behaviours are usually caused by the information overload of our busy, stressful lives – it doesn’t mean that we’re developing dementia. As people age, they may experience memory changes such as slowing of information processing. This type of change is normal and doesn’t interfere with day-to-day functioning. By contrast, dementia is disabling and not a normal part of aging. Although dementia often presents itself differently from person to per- son, common symptoms include: gradual loss of memory of recent events and lack of ability to learn new things increasing tendency to repeat oneself, misplacing objects, becoming confused and lost in familiar places slow disintegration of judgment and reasoning abilities Dementia is not a specific disease, but a general term that describes a gradual decline of mental ability that affects your intellectual and social skills to the point where daily life becomes difficult. Dementia can affect your memory, language skills and decision-making ability; impair your judgment and make you feel disoriented; and it may also affect your personality. Dementia can be caused by many diseases that affect the brain. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Others in- clude vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal and mixed dementia. Types of dementia differ based on underlying causes and can affect specific symptoms and how it progresses. Symptoms and Complications Treatment of dementia may depend on the specific cause. Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease usually involves treating the declining memory and gradually worsening behavioural symptoms with a range of medications (which may also be used in other forms of dementia), including: cognitive enhancing agents tranquilizers antidepressants antianxiety medications anticonvulsants Health Canada no longer recommends OTC meds for children under six. Instead, consider saline (salt water) drops and a nasal aspirator (snot sucker) for nasal congestion, a spoonful of undiluted honey (in kids over one year) for cough, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever. With this knowledge, you’ll be more prepared when the cold hits. Old-School Calendars: The Original Family Group Chat For weeks before the new year, clients have been asking when our Greenhills Pharmacy calendars will be ready! So, we surveyed a few of them on what they liked about the calendars. One client said, “Oh phooey to these digital reminders and scrolling apps. A traditional calendar hanging on my fridge gives me a refreshing sense of clarity.” Well, you can’t argue that one of its biggest benefits is visibility, making it easier to track upcoming events, appointments, and commitments without unlocking a screen or navigating menus. Peter Semchism Dementia Could Happen to Anyone… Because Everyone Ages. The Facts What is safe to use? Naturally, rest and fluids are the cornerstones for treating a cold. Fluids such as water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey help loosen congestion and prevent dehydration. It is best to avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated beverages, which can make dehydration worse. A variety of over-the-counter (OTC) products exist to treat symptoms. While they do not alter the course of the cold, they may help to relieve symptoms. One of the most common questions asked is “Which product is right for me?” With so many products on the market, wading through the cough and cold aisle may seem like a difficult task. A couple of suggestions: Only treat the symptoms you are experiencing; ask your pharmacist to select a product that is best for you, and let them know about other medical conditions you have, as they may impact product selection.
A third client said: “there’s also something grounding about writing things down by hand. Handwriting helps me remember important dates better than relying on digital alerts. Plus, crossing off completed tasks gives me a sense of accomplishment.” We’re honoured that you put us on your fridge or wall, year after year and we’re happy to bring organization and connection—no charging cable required. It is already January, but if you need a free calendar, we still have some in stock. Always keep in mind that we are here for you and your needs. Please feel free to give us a call. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your health or medications, you can reach us at 519-652-9066. Peter Semchism is a Pharmacist at Greenhills Pharmacy in Lambeth.
There is no treatment that can “cure” Alzheimer’s disease, nor are there medication that can halt or reverse the brain damage caused by it. How- ever, there are medications that can relieve symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. Medications such as donepezil*, riv- astigmine, and galantamine may be used to slow down memory loss. Prevention of stroke is important for vascular dementia. If you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or have had a stroke, you should seek continued treatment for these conditions to prevent future strokes. The key to caring for and helping people with dementia is to focus on the many activities the person can still do safely. Encourage a person with dementia to continue daily routines and maintain social relationships as much as possible. Help them maintain a healthy lifestyle through exer- cise, proper nutrition, and fluid intake. Special diets and supplements are generally unnecessary. If you are caring for someone with dementia, the following may be help- ful: reminders: Provide written lists of things to do including times, places, and phone numbers to help the person complete the task. structure and stability: Minimize undue noise and disturbances to re- duce anxiety. establish routines: Daily and bedtime routines can reduce disorientation and anxiety. speaking slowly and calmly: Present one thought or instruction at a time. information card: Reduce the risk of wandering and getting lost by pro- viding a pocket card with the person’s name, address, and phone num- ber. safety: Make your home environment as safe as possible by keeping furniture in the same place, removing clutter, installing locks on medi- cine cabinets, and setting the water heater at a low temperature to avoid scalding. driving: Don’t allow someone with dementia to drive a vehicle. Drive them or arrange for rides wherever they need to go. Caring for someone with dementia can be difficult. It requires under - standing, patience, and compassion. Joining an Alzheimer’s disease caregiver’s support group in your community may be helpful. Be prepared for the eventuality that your loved one’s condition will dete- riorate over time and additional full-time personal care may be needed. In some situations, placement in a nursing home is in the best interests of the individual and their family. Peter Semchism is a Pharmacist at Greenhills Pharmacy in Lambeth.
Lambeth Villager • Jan-Feb 2026 • Page 11 driving: Don’t allow someone with dementia to drive a them or arrange for rides wherever they need to go. Caring for someone with dementia can be difficult. It r standing, patience, and compassion. Joining an Alzhe caregiver’s support group in your community may be hel Be prepared for the eventuality that your loved one’s con riorate over time and additional full-time personal care m In some situations, placement in a nursing home is in the of the individual and their family. Peter Semchism is a Pharmacist at Greenhills Pharmacy Issue 45 June 2020 Lambeth Villager Page 7 reminders: Provide written lists of things to do including and phone numbers to help the person complete the tas structure and stability: Minimize undue noise and distu duce anxiety. establish routines: Daily and bedtime routines can reduce and anxiety. speaking slowly and calmly: Present one thought or in time. information card: Reduce the risk of wandering and getti viding a pocket card with the person’s name, address, an ber. safety: Make your home environment as safe as possib furniture in the same place, removing clutter, installing cine cabinets, and setting the water heater at a low tempe scalding. There is no treatment that can “cure” Alzheimer’s disease medication that can halt or reverse the brain damage cau ever, there are medications that can relieve symptoms a the progression of the disease. Medications such as d astigmine, and galantamine may be used to slow down m Prevention of stroke is important for vascular dementia. If blood pressure or cholesterol, transient ischemic attacks had a stroke, you should seek continued treatment for th to prevent future strokes. The key to caring for and helping people with dementia is many activities the person can still do safely. Encourage dementia to continue daily routines and maintain social r much as possible. Help them maintain a healthy lifestyle cise, proper nutrition, and fluid intake. Special diets an are generally unnecessary. If you are caring for someone with dementia, the followin ful: Back in the Day Talbot Road Lambeth between 1910-1920 Since 1974 10055 Carter Rd.
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