HEALTH & WELLNESS by Peter Semchism Did you know? Pharmacists can Assess & Prescribe for Many Common Health Conditions Sponsored by Greenhills Pharmacy by Peter Semchism What is a common ailment? Dementia Could Happen to Anyone… Because Everyone Ages. The Facts Dementia Could Happen to Anyone… Because Everyone Ages. The Facts Common ailments are uncomplicated, short-term conditions don’t require lab tests or blood work and can often be managed with minimal treatment. They are sometimes referred to as mi- nor ailments, but using the term common ailment helps remind us: these are common conditions that many people experience, and even if they seem minor, they should be assessed and not ignored. In fact, the sooner you treat your common ailment the better, and your pharmacist can help you. 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 Peter Semchism HEALTH & WELLNESS by Peter Semchism Peter Semchism How can my pharmacist help? Your pharmacist can assess your symptoms and recom- mend treatments. Often this means you won’t need a visit to a medical clinic. If it’s a delicate situation or you are embarrassed
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Page 12 Lambeth Villager • October 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 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 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 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 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). increasing irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, and restlessness increasing communication and language difficulties (forgetting words or substituting incorrect words) 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
Issue 45 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. Lambeth Villager Page 7 19. Yeast infection (vaginal) – itching, discharge, or discomfort. To learn more about how your pharmacist can help, speak with your pharmacist. 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. 3. Canker sores – small painful spots inside the mouth. 4. Oral thrush – white patches in the mouth caused by yeast. 5. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) – red, itchy, or goopy eyes (aller- gic, viral, or bacterial). 6. Skin rashes (dermatitis/eczema) – dry, itchy, or inflamed skin. 7. Diaper rash – irritated skin under a baby’s diaper. 8. Menstrual cramps – pain during periods. 9. Heartburn/acid reflux (GERD) – burning feeling in the chest or throat after eating. 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. 12. Impetigo – a common, mild skin infection with yellowish sores. 13. Bug bites and hives – itchy bumps or allergic skin reaction. 14. Tick bites (Lyme disease prevention) – antibiotics if needed after a tick bite. 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. 15. Sprains and strains – mild joint, tendon, or muscle injuries. 16. Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (morning sickness) . 17. Pinworms or threadworms – small worms that cause itch- ing around the bum. 18. Bladder infection (UTI) – uncomplicated – burning or fre- quent peeing in otherwise healthy people. 1. Mild acne – small pimples or blackheads. 2. Seasonal allergies (hay fever) – runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes. A common ailment may be treated with non-drug treatments, over-the-counter medication treatments, and/or prescription medication.Pharmacists are now able to prescribe for a number of different conditions. With their years of experience and exper- tise, our pharmacists are well equipped to provide personalized care and effective treatment options. Ontario Pharmacists Can Now Help With: to talk about it, you can ask for a private consultation, and your pharmacist will discuss it with you in a comfortable and confidential setting. 10. Hemorrhoids – swollen, painful veins around the bum. 11. Cold sores – blisters around the lips or mouth caused by herpes virus.
June 2020 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 re standing, patience, and compassion. Joining an Alzhei caregiver’s support group in your community may be hel Be prepared for the eventuality that your loved one’s cond 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 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 l 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 re much as possible. Help them maintain a healthy lifestyle cise, proper nutrition, and fluid intake. Special diets and 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 reduce and anxiety. speaking slowly and calmly: Present one thought or in time.
To advertise here, please contact Gloria@villagerpublications.com
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