HEALTH & WELLNESS by Peter Semchism Some Questions we Hear at the Pharmacy Sponsored by Greenhills Pharmacy by Peter Semchism
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Peter Semchism
Dementia Could Happen to Anyone… Because Everyone Ages. The Facts Every day, people walk up to the counter with different concerns. Here are some of the most common ones we hear — and the answers. Can I take this with my other medications? This is one of the most frequent and important questions. Many people take prescriptions along with vitamins, herbal products, or over-the-counter remedies. Some combinations can reduce how well your medication works, while others can increase side effects. For example, ibuprofen can raise blood pressure or irritate the stomach, especially if you’re already on heart or blood thinner medications. Even natural products, like St. John’s Wort or ginseng, can interfere with prescriptions. That’s why it is always recommended to keep a complete, updated list of everything you take and share it with your pharmacist. We can check for interactions and suggest safer options when needed. Don’t assume that “natural” means risk-free or that over-the- counter products are automatically safe with prescriptions. A conversation with your pharmacist can prevent problems and give you peace of mind. Do I really need to finish all my antibiotics? Yes. Even if you feel better, stopping early can allow bacteria to survive and cause infection again—sometimes more resistant than before. What’s the difference between brand-name and generic drugs? Both have the same active ingredient and therefore the same safety and effectiveness. The main difference is usually price. What can I take for a cold? There’s no quick cure, but rest, fluids, and over-the-counter relief for symptoms can help. • Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease headache and muscle and joint pains. • Decongestants may relieve sinus pressure and a stuffy nose. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or take other medi- cations, ask before using cold remedies. These products are not always safe for everyone. Are vaccines safe? Looking for a New Shed this Fall? 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 Yes. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing and continue to be monitored for safety. They remain one of the best ways to 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
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Page 12 Lambeth Villager • November 2025 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 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 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). Since 1974 10055 Carter Rd. 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 Let us make the Custom Made, Locally Built Shed Your Back Yard Deserves! Hand Crafted – Custom Built Mini Barns • Work Sheds • Play Houses Pool Change Rooms To be diagnosed with dementia, the symptoms must be severe enough to affect a person’s independence and their ability to perform everyday activities. 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). HEALTH & WELLNESS by Peter Semchism Dementia Could Happen to Anyone… Because Everyone Ages. The Facts Peter Semchism
protect yourself and your community. Speaking of vaccines, flu and COVID vaccines will be available in November. Consider booking an appointment. We’re more than a place to pick up prescriptions—we’re your health partners. 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 diseas medication that can halt or reverse the brain damage cau ever, there are medications that can relieve symptoms the progression of the disease. Medications such as d astigmine, and galantamine may be used to slow down Prevention of stroke is important for vascular dementia. I 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: 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 reduc and anxiety. speaking slowly and calmly: Present one thought or i time. information card: Reduce the risk of wandering and gett viding a pocket card with the person’s name, address, a ber. safety: Make your home environment as safe as possi furniture in the same place, removing clutter, installing cine cabinets, and setting the water heater at a low tempe scalding. 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 he 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 th of the individual and their family. Peter Semchism is a Pharmacist at Greenhills Pharmac Jetter Services
To advertise here, please contact Gloria@villagerpublications.com 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. 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. Servicing Elgin County & All Surrounding Areas Septic Tank Pumping Holding Tanks, Catch Basins, Car Washes, Liquid Waste, Grease Traps 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. SEPTIC TANK PUMPING 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. 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.
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