HEALTH & WELLNESS by Peter Semchism Assorted Health Topics by Peter Semchism Even when you have been taking a prescription drug for a long time, it’s good to talk to your pharmacist about it. The pharmacist can provide a good review on how the drug works, review basic instructions for use and discuss any side effects that may be occurring. As we age, sometimes a lower dose is necessary as the body changes over time. Perhaps a different medication is a better choice. In some cases, a medication is no longer required. Your pharmacist will work with your physician to optimize your drug therapy. Remember to ask any questions you might have regarding any aspect of your drug therapy. “CAM” is an acronym for complementary and alternative medicines. These include vitamins, oils, and herbal products. It is estimated that about one-third of North Americans have used a CAM in the past year. If you are one of them, share this information with your family doctor and pharmacist so they have the whole picture of what you are taking for your health. Dementia Could Happen to Anyone… Because Everyone Ages. The Facts 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 Colon cancer represents about 12 per cent of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in Canada. Six symptoms to watch for include: unexplained weight loss, blood in the stools, changes in bowel habits, thin, loose stools with diarrhea or constipation, abdominal swelling and pain and fatigue. To reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, stop smoking, eat less red meat (to twice per week), increase fruit and vegetable consumption and exercise daily. Since the legalization of marijuana in Canada in 2018, there have been more reports of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This syndrome has recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting and generalized abdominal pain experienced by chronic users of cannabis products. The simple solution is to stop using cannabis or, at the very least, reduce the usage. 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 With the various ways available to use marijuana, smoking is the worst for your health. Exposing toxic smoke to the delicate linings Peter Semchism A study done in Britain confirmed that people who eat little or no meat have lower rates of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers. The lowest rates of these cancers were found among vegetarians. Fish-eaters (pescatarians) were the next lowest, then came those who minimally ate meat (twice weekly). It’s not confirmed whether these results were entirely due to diet, but they do constitute “food for thought”. Having normal, regular bowel movements can be one of life’s joys. The appearance of your stool is important to notice if your movements are not normal. If you want a picture chart on the appearance of stools showing what is normal and what isn’t, do a search for the Bristol Stool Chart.
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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. There is a theory that learning another language helps develop the brain’s cognitive reserve through increased blood flow and enhancement of the activity of brain cells. The jury is still out on this one, but learning another language is a positive skill. It’s easier to learn another language when you’re young, but it’s never too late. Did you know that laughter is good for your health and well- being? It can boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. Try to laugh every day. 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. of the lungs is certainly not good for them. If one is a heavy smoker of marijuana, it affects the levels of dopamine in the brain, which in turn can affect memory and judgment, often resulting in impulsive behaviour. In youths, heavy marijuana smoking affects the full development of the brain, which reaches maturity at about age 25. A common complaint that women express against quitting smoking is the possibility of weight gain. Weight gain can happen but doesn’t last forever. The act of quitting smoking is a good health decision that will continue to give benefits for a lifetime. Remember, cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of death and illness. There aren’t too many products on pharmacy shelves today that were around 150 years ago, but Vaseline is one of them. It was discovered by an American chemist, Robert Chesebrough, in 1870. Its origin is a distillation product from petroleum, and it is still in use today. 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.
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