Heights Family Pharmacy – Heights Family Pharmacy

Infection Types: What are the Different Types of Infections?

Heights Family Pharmacy — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 02:24:50 +0000

What is an Infection? The Different Types of Infections

The introduction will define what an infection is. It will then go over the different types of infections.

An infection is a term used for an illness that occurs when a person or animal is exposed to bacteria, viruses, parasites, or other infectious agents.

The three main types of infections are bacterial infections, viral infections and parasitic infections. These can be further broken down into many more categories with each category having different signs and symptoms.

What are Bacterial Infections?

Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria that enter the body through a cut, scratch, or burn in the skin. Bacterial infection symptoms can vary depending on which area of the body is affected and include fever, chills, headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, pain and redness at the site of infection.

Types of Bacterial Medications

Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics work by killing or slowing the growth of bacteria and other organisms that cause infection.

Bacterial infections are usually caused by one of the following bacterial strains:

– Staphylococcus aureus

– Streptococcus pyogenes

– Enterococcus faecalis

There are many types of medication to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and these drugs include amoxicillin, cephalexin, erythromycin, and penicillin.

What are Viral Infections?

Viral infections are caused by viruses. They are a global problem for public health and the economy. They can be spread through contact with bodily fluids or droplets. Viruses can also be transmitted to other people, by insects, through infected animals, or in contaminated food and water.

Viral infections have increased in recent years due to globalization and the ease of international travel. The rise in viral infections has been noted to increase during intense pandemics such as HIV/AIDS, SARS and Ebola.

What are Symptoms of a Viral Infection?

Viral infections can cause:

Fever
Sore throat
Cough
Headache
Muscle pain

These symptoms are usually exacerbated by the feeling of tiredness that accompanies a viral infection.

Types of Viral Medications

There are two types of viral infections medication available. One type is prescribed by a doctor and the other is taken as an over-the-counter medication.

Prescribed medications are called antiviral medications and are usually given to patients for a certain amount of time until the virus is gone. Antiviral medications block the virus from multiplying, which stops it from spreading to new cells. Patients on antiviral medications can often feel better in one or two days, but some may need to take them for up to ten days before they start feeling better.

Over-the-counter drugs work by loosening congestion in the nose, throat, and chest so that it becomes easier for people to breathe. These are not antivirals – they do not cure or prevent any diseases but work by relieving symptoms.

What are Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are triggered by various types of fungus that can cause diseases in different parts of the body.

The two most common types of fungal infections are yeast and mold. Yeast is the type that causes thrush, whereas mold can be found in things like bread and cheese as well as other foods.

Some signs or symptoms are fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, diarrhea or constipation, difficulty swallowing or swollen glands. If any of these symptoms persist for a week or more it is important to see a doctor.

Types of Antifungal Medications

These medications are used to treat scalp, nail, and skin fungal infections. These may include clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, tioconazole and more. They come in a variety of different brands under the names

Occasionally you will find that an antifungal cream is combined with another cream to produce the desired effect. For example, you can combine an antifungal cream for a skin rash with a mild steroid like hydrocortisone for healing.

The cranberry cream prevents the infection, and the anti-inflammatory cream reduces inflammation caused by the infection.

Alternatively, these are also offered in separate leaflets which do a deep-dive into individual infections like Candidal Skin Infection (Yeast Infection) or Fungal Scalp Infections (Scalp Ringworm). Alternatively you could go into detail on Fungal Nail Infestations (“Tinea Unguium”).

Antifungal Medicines Can Be Taken as Tablets or Liquids

Miconazole is a gel that can be taken by mouth and nystatin is a liquid that cannot. They are both used to successfully treat thrush of the mouth and throat.

Terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole can be taken as tablets to treat various fungal infections. The type chosen depends on the type of infection you have.

Terbinafine (or Lamisil) is a medication typically used to treat nail infections caused by fungi, like tinea.
Fluconazole is administered for vaginal thrush and also prevents certain fungal infections within the body. It is often used as an alternative to antifungal cream.

There are also other leaflets in this series about athlete’s foot, ringworm & fungal groin infection.

Chronic Illnesses That Cause Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.

The types of infectious diseases can be chronic or acute.

Some examples of chronic infectious diseases are malaria and HIV.

Common signs include fever, fatigue, diarrhea and weight loss.

How to Prevent Different Types of Infections?

One of the most important things to do in order to prevent infections is to wash your hands. However, that might not be enough since you should also make sure you’re washing them for the right amount of time.

If you want to prevent infection, it’s important that you keep your body clean and healthy and maintain good hygiene practices. You should try to avoid touching any open wounds or sharing items with people who have wounds or infections.

Please call Heights Family Pharmacy in Dearborn Heights Michigan to speak with one of our licensed pharmacists today at (313) 724-1111. We can help answer any medication questions that you may have.

What is Shingles?

Heights Family Pharmacy — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 04:03:11 +0000

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The virus is the same one that causes chickenpox–and it can cause shingles if the person’s immune system has been affected and weakened by something else, such as an illness or another disease.

The varicella-zoster virus stays dormant in nerve cells near your spine for many years after you recover from chickenpox. If your immune system becomes weakened, the virus may reactivate and travel along those nerves to the skin surface. A rash of blisters may appear on one side of your body along a strip of cutaneous (skin) nerves. This is called a zoster rash, which can also be called “shingles.”

How to Prevent and Treat Shingles

Shingles can be a very painful condition in which the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, reactivates in the body and causes a blistering rash. The infection typically starts as a blazing red rash that may blister over time. It is important to remember that this is not just a case of sunburn, but instead you have an active case of shingles.

The majority of people who get shingles are 50 years old or older and have already experienced chickenpox. There are ways to prevent and treat shingles though. For example, individuals can get the chickenpox vaccine to reduce their risk or act quickly if they suspect they might have it by taking antiviral drugs like Zovirax or valacyclovir (Valtrex).

There are two types of shingles

1) Zosteriform: This is the most common type of shingles that appears as a single stripe on one side of the spine or face.

Zosteriform is the most common type of shingles. It is a single stripe that appears on one side of the spine or face. Other types of shingles include annular and polycyclic.

2) Varicella-zosteriform: This occurs when a person has both types of shingles at the same time.

Varicella-zosteriform is a rare complication of chickenpox. It can occur when a person has both types of shingles at the same time.

Diagnosing Shingles- How Your Doctor Might Help You Make a Diagnosis of Shingles

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox. It usually affects people who have a weakened immune system.

Shingles is typically characterized by a painful rash with blisters, which are often clustered in one area of the body. The lesions can appear anywhere on the body, but they are most often on the torso or face.

The doctor may take a swab from the affected area to test for varicella-zoster virus DNA or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies to confirm shingles if there is no history of chickenpox in recent years or if there is no rash present at all.

It’s important to note that shingles cannot be spread from one person to another, and it can only be spread by

Risk Factors of Shingles

Shingles is a painful condition that can cause serious complications in the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

Pain treatments for shingles can include:

There are several types of treatments for shingles pain. Some of the most common include:

Pain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve the pain from shingles.
Shingles antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, reduce the severity and duration of a shingles infection.
Antidepressants have been found to be effective in relieving neuropathic pain associated with shingles.
Electrodesiccation is a procedure in which an electric current is applied to the skin to remove damaged nerve tissue from a patient’s arm or leg.

About the Shingles Vaccine

The best way to prevent shingles is to get vaccinated with the Zostavax vaccine when you are first diagnosed with chickenpox or when you are 50 years of age or older. The vaccine can also be given to people who have weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, organ transplantation, or other conditions that weaken the immune system.

Contact Heights Family Pharmacy at (313) 724-1111 to speak with a licensed pharmacist today.

What is Graves’ Disease?

Heights Family Pharmacy — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 00:35:40 +0000

What are Graves’ Disease Symptoms

Graves’ Disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks the thyroid gland. This disorder can be diagnosed by blood tests and gives off certain symptoms.

Some people with Graves’ disease will have no symptoms at all or some typical like a rapid heartbeat, fatigue, weight loss, and irritability. Others will have more severe symptoms like bulging eyes, tremors in muscles, a feeling of being hyperactive, an inability to concentrate for more than five minutes at a time periods of extreme tiredness.

The most common symptom is goiter – an enlargement of the thyroid gland that causes it to stick out from the neck – which can make swallowing difficult and sleep uncomfortable.

Treatment for Graves’ Disease: Surgery, Radioactive Iodine Treatment, Antithyroid Drugs

Graves’ disease is a disorder that causes the body to produce too much thyroid hormone. The disorder can lead to serious problems, including heart attack, high blood pressure, and bone thinning. Treatment for Graves’ disease includes surgery, radioactive iodine treatment, and antithyroid drugs.

Surgery: Graves’ disease is often treated with surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. This operation can be done in a few different ways. One way is through an incision in the neck that exposes the thyroid gland. Another way is through an incision between the voice box and windpipe (called a tracheostomy). The doctor removes all or part of the thyroid gland with either a surgical knife (called an electrocautery) or laser beam (called a laser).

Complications of Graves’ Disease

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Graves’ disease can get complicated because it can affect many different organs in the body, including the eyes, heart and thyroid. Graves’ disease is one of the most common endocrine disorders and affects more women than men.

Complications of Graves’ Disease can include eye muscle inflammation (Graves orbitopathy) or a goiter (enlarged thyroid gland). The goiter needs to be removed surgically, but orbitopathy may not need to be treated. The heart may also be affected by Graves’ disease and it’s important to monitor your blood pressure for any changes. If you have these complications, you may also experience anxiety or depression due to physical effects on mood.

Possible Causes of Graves’ Disease, Including Autoimmune Disorders and Genetic Factors

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that can be caused by a variety of factors.

Autoimmune disorders can cause Graves’ disease. One of the most common symptoms of autoimmune disorders is hyperthyroidism, which is characterized by an overproduction of thyroid hormones. Some people will develop Graves’ disease as a result and it can also lead to other health problems such as heart disease, respiratory issues, and diabetes.

Genetic factors can also cause Graves’ disease. One study found that people who have one or two copies of the HLA-DR3 gene are 40% more likely to develop the condition than those without the gene. Other studies have found similar results with HLA-DR4 and HLA-DQ2 genes as well.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448195/

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Heights Family Pharmacy — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 19:27:57 +0000

What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. It is named after the Japanese scientist Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto who discovered it in 1912.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by an inflammation of the thyroid gland, which results in the destruction of healthy tissue and can ultimately lead to a reduction in hormone production.

The thyroid is located at the front of your neck just below your Adam’s apple and it consists of two lobes connected by a thin bridge called the isthmus. These lobes produce three main hormones: thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and calcitonin, which together regulate many aspects of your metabolism, including heart rate, body weight and

Hashimoto’s Causes and Risk Factors

This article is about Hashimoto’s disease, more specifically, it discusses the most common causes and risk factors of the disease.

Hashimoto’s disease is a condition characterized by an underactive or destroyed thyroid gland. It is usually caused by an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland, which can also affect the function of other organs in your body.

Hashimotos is a chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. It mostly affects women than men because it’s caused by an autoimmune response, which attacks and destroys healthy tissue in your thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s also affects other organs in your body like heart, brain, and kidneys because it causes inflammation elsewhere too.

Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.

The symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis are not clear-cut, as patients may present different symptoms at different times, and some may not show any symptoms at all. One of the most common signs is a swollen or enlarged thyroid gland that can be felt in the neck region. Other than this, there are many other signs that can be experienced by patients, such as:

-Anxiety

-Depression

-Fatigue

-Dry skin

-Constipation

-Weight gain or loss

Hashimoto’s Treatment Options – Diet and Medication

Hashimoto’s is a disease that affects about 1 in every 100 people. There are two ways to treat it. The first is a diet plan and the second is medication. A diet plan should include a low dose of thyroid hormone to help reduce the symptoms of Hashimoto’s.

The thyroid gland controls how quickly an individual’s body and brain metabolizes energy from food and other substances. In some cases, the thyroid gland can stop working properly or become overactive (hyperthyroidism). Hyperthyroidism can cause rapid weight loss, irritability, anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia, tremors, sweating and increased heart rate among other symptoms. This condition is called Hashimoto’s disease or hypothyroidism when the body produces too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism).

6 Health Trends in 2021

Heights Family Pharmacy — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 23:29:34 +0000

1. The benefits of using Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils in existence and has been used for centuries to improve overall health and provide considerable benefits for people.

In this section, I will explore what makes coconut oil so good for us, how it is made, and the general benefits that come from it.

Beyond being a natural wonderfully smelling carrier oil that can be added to our food or even bath water, coconut oil has a plethora of other uses. On top of being an excellent moisturizer for skin and hair care products that can also be used as a conditioner or leave-in treatment, coconut oil is also a great addition to household cleaners.

2. Benefits of Meatless burgers and other vegan food trends

In the past few years, more and more people have been eating vegan and vegetarian food which is partly due to the benefits of a plant-based diet.

Some people choose to be vegan either for health or ethical reasons. And they have different reasons for it. For example, some people are vegan because they believe that there is no moral difference between humans and animals, so they don’t want to eat meat or other animal products. Others are vegetarian because they believe that eating meat can cause health problems such as obesity or heart disease. But some are just becoming vegan or vegetarian because of the environment impact of producing meat – such as methane emissions and deforestation .

I think many people choose a plant-based diet because it seems like a healthier option than a diet that includes animal products.

3. Benefits of Superfoods for better health and fitness

Superfoods are a great way to get more nutrients in your diet. They have been shown to improve overall health and fitness for the human body.

A number of studies have shown that there are many benefits of superfoods. One study showed that eating three servings of broccoli per week could lower your risk of developing cancer by 50%. Another study found that blueberries can help prevent heart disease and even diabetes.

4. Millennials are drinking less alcohol than Generation X and Baby Boomers – so what is the new drink trend?

Millennials are not drinking as much alcohol as older generations. They are more health conscious and consume other beverages that they feel are healthier for them.

Millennials have also grown up in the digital age and have access to a lot of information at their fingertips. They can find out about the harmful effects of alcohol, but they also know about all the other products they can consume that will give them a similar feeling to the alcohol.

5. Yes, we’re all scared of death, but these are the top 3 fears that keep Millennials up at night

Millennials are more likely to have fear of death than other generations. It is also true that they are more likely to avoid the topic or situation that causes them anxiety. This is often why they refuse to think about their future and the inevitable.

The three fears of Millennials are:

1) Death – They have a fear of death, which can affect their life in many ways as they are scared to lead a normal life or take risks because they know that death could happen at any time.

2) Debt – They want everything now, so when debt starts to accumulate, it can be scary because they know it will take time for them to pay it off.

3) Fulfilling Potential – They want to do something with their lives but don’t understand how and why.

6. Top 5 common sense ways to save money on your grocery bill for work-day breakfast& lunch-time meals

The following are five of the most common sense ways to save money on your grocery bill:

#1: Buying in Bulk

#2: Meal Planning

#3: Substituting Ingredients

#4: Buying Generic Brands

#5: Learning to Cook from Scratch

Understanding the Different Types of Heart Medications

Heights Family Pharmacy — Fri, 28 May 2021 19:31:24 +0000

Types of Heart Disease Medications

Killing more than 17.9 million people each year, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are considered the deadliest in the world, according to the World Health Organization. These group of disorders affect the heart and blood vessels, and they can affect people from all ages, races and economic status.

Cardiovascular diseases cover different types of heart conditions:

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease among Americans. Also called ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease, CAD occurs when there is plaque buildup in the arterial walls that supplies blood to the heart.

Over time, the accumulation of plaque causes the blood vessels to narrow, which could result in a partial or total blockage of blood flow.

This is called atherosclerosis. CAD is considered the first sign of an impending heart attack, which means that it’s very important to assess this risk and treat it early with the right heart disease medications to prevent a debilitating or deadly attack.

Signs and symptoms

Angina or chest pain is the most common symptom of CAD and it happens because of the increased plaque buildup within the arterial walls causing them to narrow.
Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulders
Light-headedness, weakness and nausea
Shortness of breath

Risk factors

Poor eating habits
Physical inactivity and obesity
Smoking and alcoholism
Family history of heart disease

Medications

This is a blood thinner that’s prescribed to allow blood to flow even in narrow blood vessels and prevent any clots that could cause further obstruction to the coronary arteries. Aspirin also helps to prevent any future heart attacks for those patients who already have a history of heart attack.
Calcium channel blockers. Prescribed to address chest pain, these drugs can be used alone or in combination with beta blockers.
Beta blockers. These drugs help reduce blood pressure levels and slows down the heart rate to reduce the chances of future attacks, especially for people with a history of heart attack.
ACE inhibitors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are drugs that help prevent the progression of coronary artery disease and reduce blood pressure.

Arrhythmia

Any abnormality in heart rhythm is referred to as an arrhythmia. This means that your heart could beat too slow, too fast or at irregular intervals and it could result to more serious complications if not treated with the right heart medication right away. The types of arrhythmia include:

Known as fast heart rhythm, this refers to a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute.
Known as slow heart rhythm, this refers to a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.
Ventricular arrhythmia. This is a type of arrhythmia that begins in ventricles or the lower chambers of the heart.
Supraventricular arrhythmia. This is a type of arrhythmia that begins in the atria or the upper chambers of the heart.
This is a slow heart rhythm that’s caused by a condition in the conduction system of the heart such as the atrioventricular (AV) node, sinoatrial (SA) node or the HIS-Purkinje network.

Signs and symptoms

Palpitations or the feeling that your heart is fluttering or that you are skipping heartbeats.
Pounding and discomfort in the chest area
Light-headedness
Fatigue or weakness
Shortness of breath

Risk factors

Age
Family history and genetics
Exposure to certain air pollutants
Ethnicity
Smoking, alcoholism and drug abuse
History of surgery in the esophagus, heart or lungs

Medications

This drug is prescribed primarily to treat bradycardia or slow heart rate.
This drug works by slowing down the electrical signals that causes the heart to beat fast.
Beta blockers. These drugs are prescribed for people with high blood pressure or tachycardia to prevent any further arrhythmias that could trigger more serious complications.
This drug is prescribed for tachycardia or fast heart rate.
Calcium channel blockers. These drugs help to slow down a fast heart rate, especially for arrhythmias that occur in the upper chambers of the heart.
Potassium channel blockers. These drugs work by stretches the time it takes for the heart cells to recover after firing, which causes the heart rate to slow.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is essentially the narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup. Also known as the hardening of the arteries, this heart condition occurs when there is too much buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries, which is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium and other substances in the blood.

Without proper heart medication, atherosclerosis could easily lead to stroke, a heart attack or even death. The different types of heart disease related to atherosclerosis include:

Carotid artery disease where plaque buildup occurs in the carotid arteries located on each side of the neck.
Coronary artery disease where plaque buildup occurs in the coronary arteries.
Peripheral artery disease where plaque buildup occurs in the major arteries that supply blood to the extremities such as the arms, legs and pelvis.
Chronic kidney disease where plaque buildup occurs in the renal arteries that supply blood to the kidneys.

Signs and symptoms

Angina or chest pain
Shortness of breath
Fatigue and confusion
Pain in the arm leg or the part of the body where there is blockage
Weakness in the muscles

Since atherosclerosis could lead to heart attack or stroke, it is also very important to know their different signs and symptoms including:

Heart attack
Pain in the neck, back, arms, shoulders and jaw
Chest pain or discomfort
Shortness of breath
Perspiration
Abdominal pain
Nausea or vomiting
Lightheadedness
A feeling of impending doom
Stroke
Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
Weakness or numbness in the face or extremities
Loss of balance
Vision problems
Sudden, severe headache

Risk factors

Obesity and lack of physical activity
High LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels and low HDL or “good” cholesterol levels
Blood pressure that stays above 140/90mmHg
Diabetes or insulin resistance
Smoking
Age
Unhealthy diet
Family history of heart disease

Medications

Blood thinners. These drugs are prescribed to reduce the risks of clotting in the narrowed arteries to prevent further blockage and allow blood to flow freely even in a smaller passage. Most doctors choose Aspirin as their preferred blood thinner.
Statins and fibrates. These are types of medications that help lower bad cholesterol significantly to prevent further plaque buildup in the blood vessels.
Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. These drugs can be prescribed separately or together to help lower blood pressure levels.
ACE inhibitors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are prescribed to prevent further narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup.
These drugs are prescribed in some patients with water retention, which causes high blood pressure.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a type of heart disease that causes the heart muscle to weaken, making it harder to pump blood. There are two common types of cardiomyopathy:

Dilated cardiomyopathy. This condition begins in the left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber of the heart. Here, the ventricle usually dilates affecting its ability to pump blood to the rest of the body.

If not treated with heart medication right away, both ventricles could be affected increasing the risk for a heart attack or heart failure.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This condition occurs when the heart muscles undergo hypertrophy or becomes thicker than usual. This causes difficulty for the heart to pump blood.

Although hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is not as serious as other heart conditions, some patients could still experience symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, and it could cause arrhythmias or sudden death in a few cases.

Signs and symptoms

Shortness of breath, whether you’re resting or during activity
Bloating in the abdomen due to fluid buildup
Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet
Difficulty in lying flat when sleeping
Fatigue and weakness
Coughing when lying down
Pounding, flattering or rapid heartbeats
Lightheadedness
Chest discomfort

Risk factors

Family history of cardiac arrest, heart failure or cardiomyopathy
Hypertension
Obesity
Alcoholism and use of illegal drugs
Pre-existing heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attack or infection of the heart
Some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy for cancer

Patients with diabetes, hemochromatosis, thyroid disease, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis and connective tissue disorders are also at a higher risk for developing cardiomyopathy.

Medications

ACE inhibitors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are prescribed to improve blood flow and take off the heart’s workload by dilating the blood vessels. It also helps improve heart function and lowers blood pressure.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers. ARBs are prescribed for people who can’t tolerate ACE inhibitors.
This helps strengthen the contractions of the heart muscles while slowing down the heartbeat to reduce the symptoms of heart failure.
Valsartan/Sacubitril. A combination of ARB and another type of medication, this drug is prescribed to support the heart’s ability to pump blood to the rest of the body.
This drug is prescribed to help restore the heart’s normal rhythm.
These drugs are prescribed to remove any excess salt and fluid from the body to decrease the workload of the heart and improve the function of the lungs.

Heart attack

In the United States alone, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, according to the CDC. Every year, at least 805,000 Americans get a heart attack with 1 in 5 of those attacks causing significant damage to the heart without the person even knowing it. This makes heart attack one of the deadliest heart conditions in the world today.

Also called a myocardial infarction, a heart attack occurs when a part of the heart muscle isn’t getting enough blood supply. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the primary cause of a heart attack, but it can also be a result of different heart conditions that were not treated with the right heart disease medications.

Signs and symptoms

Angina or chest pain. A heart attack usually begins with a discomfort in the middle or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes and doesn’t go away with rest or medication. Some patients also feel squeezing or uncomfortable pressure in the chest area.
Pain or discomfort in the neck, jaw or back
Light-headedness, weakness or fainting
Shortness of breath
Pain or discomfort in one or more of the upper extremities

Risk factors

Age and gender
High blood pressure, especially with other pre-existing conditions
Smoking or long-term exposure to secondhand smoke
High bad cholesterol levels
Family history of heart attacks
Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Obesity and lack of physical activity
Stress
Autoimmune conditions
A history of pre-eclampsia

Medications

This is the first drug given to a patient going through a heart attack because it helps maintain blood flow to the heart and reduces the chances of blood clotting.
Beta blockers. These drugs are prescribed to help reduce blood pressure, relax the heart muscle and slow down the heartbeat.
This is used to treat chest pain and dilates the blood vessels to promote better blood flow.
Also called clotbusters, these drugs are prescribed to help dissolve blood clots that are causing the blockage of blood flow to the heart. If given as early as possible, these heart disease medications prevent further damage to the heart and help patients increase their survival rates.
Antiplatelet agents. These drugs are prescribed to help prevent the occurrence of new clots and keep any existing clots from increasing to stop any future heart attacks.
ACE inhibitors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are prescribed to reduce stress on the heart and lower blood pressure levels.

Cardiovascular disease medications don’t only help increase the survival rates for patients suffering from cardiovascular conditions, but they also allow these patients to live a normal life for a longer time.

Heights Family Pharmacy ensures that these drugs are always accessible to patients in the Dearborn Heights and Dearborn areas with free delivery for a minimum of two prescriptions. Get in touch with one of our specialists for advice on your heart disease drugs.

Call us today at 313-724-1111 to speak with a licensed pharmacist.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350619

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/coronary_ad.htm

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16749-arrhythmia

https://www.healthline.com/health/atherosclerosis#treatment

Medical Declaimer:

This article provides general information and discussions about health and related topics. The information and other content provided in this article, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This article does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this article or website.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read in this article, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.

Erectile Dysfunction Medications

Heights Family Pharmacy — Thu, 27 May 2021 23:52:34 +0000

Medications For Erectile Dysfunction

Although some erectile dysfunction issues are temporary and would be gone without any treatment, patients who consistently experience difficulty in getting and maintaining an erection may be advised to take one or more of these medications:

More popularly known as Viagra, this medication is the most popular treatment for erectile dysfunction. As a PDE-5 inhibitor drug, it works by promoting better blood flow to the penis to help with erection and its effect could last for up to five hours.
Taken one to two hours before sex, tadalafil works exactly the same with sildenafil since they’re both PDE-5 inhibitors. But tadalafil is prescribed for men who want a long-lasting medication because its effects could last up to 36 hours.
Also known as Levitra, vardenafil also works similarly to tadalafil, although some studies suggest that this drug causes lesser side effects than its older counterparts. This medication also lasts between 4 and 5 hours, but it should be taken at least an hour before sex to give it time to take effect and cause an erection.
More popularly known as Stendra, this erectile dysfunction medication is another type of PDE-5 inhibitor that works by increasing blood flow to the penis. Avanafil needs to be taken at least 15 minutes before sex and its effects could last for up to 30 minutes.

Patients who are looking for an affordable medication for erectile dysfunction could go for the generic Sildenafil that lasts for up to five hours. Those who want fewer side effects could choose vardenafil while patients who don’t want to take medication often could opt for tadalafil, which can last for an entire weekend.

Other medications for erectile dysfunction include:

Ginseng
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Propionyl-L-carnitine
L-arginine
Yohimbe

Since erectile dysfunction is closely related to different lifestyle factors, it’s also very important for patients to follow these lifestyle changes to ensure full recovery:

Try to lose weight. Obesity is a known risk factor for erectile dysfunction so losing weight could help deal with the problem or prevent it from getting worse.
Stop smoking. The use of tobacco causes the blood vessels to narrow further, which makes poor blood flow worse for people with erectile dysfunction. Smoking also reduces nitric oxide levels, which affects the body’s response to sexual stimulation.
Cut down on alcohol. Alcoholism is known to be one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction.

According to experts, healthy older adults aged 65 and up should only drink one glass of alcohol a day and up to two glasses a day for men aged 65 and under.

Eat healthy. A proper diet is a great way to not only help deal with erectile dysfunction. Combined with exercise, eating healthy keeps the body strong and healthy to promote better blood flow to the penis.

You just need to get in touch with a medical expert to know exactly what you’re experiencing and make sure that you only get your erectile dysfunction medications from a trusted supplier.

Heights Family Pharmacy in Dearborn Heights Michigan specializes in a wide variety of medications for erectile dysfunction. This pharmacy has been a go-to for many locals in this area because it offers these medications at a much affordable price than other pharmacies.

Heights Family Pharmacy is also composed of talented professionals who don’t only dispense the right medications but also give you valuable advice to ensure that you achieve the goals of your treatment.

Call us today at (313) 724-1111 if you have any questions. We are here to help.

Medical Declaimer:

About Diabetes Medication

Heights Family Pharmacy — Thu, 27 May 2021 19:35:59 +0000

About Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is still one of the deadliest chronic medical conditions in the world today. According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report 2020, 1 in 10 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes and 1 in 3 have pre-diabetes.

More than 422 million people also suffer from this condition around the world, most of whom live in low and middle-income areas. Although the number of cases may have decreased significantly within the last 10 years, the statistic is still alarming as it is.

Defining Diabetes

The World Health Organization defines diabetes as “a chronic, metabolic diseases characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.”

The types of diabetes

Occurring in about 88 million American adults, prediabetes usually occurs when the patient’s blood glucose level is higher than normal for a period.

But it’s not high enough to produce a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. 84% of people who have prediabetes don’t actually know they have it and it puts them at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Gestational diabetes. This usually occurs in women who develop high blood sugar levels while they are pregnant but were never diagnosed with diabetes before. Gestational diabetes is caused by an increased level of insulin-blocking hormones that are produced by the placenta.

Although this condition usually goes away after the baby is born, it could put the mother at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. There is also a higher risk for the baby to be obese during childhood and to develop type 2 diabetes during young adulthood.

Type 1 diabetes. Affecting about 10% of people with diabetes, this is an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack the cells in the pancreas, which affects insulin production significantly.

Most patients with type 1 diabetes are children, teenagers and young adults, and they need to take insulin every day for the rest of their lives in order to survive.

Type 2 diabetes. This is the most common form of diabetes affecting 90% of patients. With type 2 diabetes, the body becomes incapable of utilizing insulin properly, which causes an accumulation of blood sugar in the body due to insulin resistance.

This condition is usually diagnosed in adults and it can be prevented through proper lifestyle changes.

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms may vary depending on the type of diabetes a patient has. But if you experience these common symptoms, you might need to see your doctor to get tested for diabetes:

Frequent thirst and hunger
Blurry vision
Frequent urination, especially at night
Sudden weight loss
Dry skin
Tingling sensation or numbness in the hands or feet
Slow healing sores or wounds

Patients with type 1 diabetes also experience stomach pains and nausea and vomiting, and these symptoms could get worst fast, which means that prompt treatment using diabetes medications is required for patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes patients, on the other hand, will barely experience any symptoms, especially since this could take several years to fully develop. This is when it matters to learn about the different risk factors for type 2 diabetes to make it easier to determine if a patient has this condition.

Pregnant women don’t also experience any symptoms and the only way to diagnose for gestational diabetes is through a test that’s done between week 24 and 28 of pregnancy.

Risk factors

Like its signs and symptoms, the risk factors for diabetes may also vary depending on its type.

Prediabetes

People who weigh more than their ideal body weight are likely to develop prediabetes.
Family history. Having an immediate family member with prediabetes increases a patient’s risk for the same condition.

Gestational diabetes

Women who are more than 25 years when they get pregnant are at a higher risk for gestational diabetes.
Family history. Having a family history of type 2 diabetes increases the chances of developing this condition.
Pre-existing condition. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.
Birth history. Women who previously had gestational diabetes or those who gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds are at a higher risk for developing the condition.

Type 1 diabetes

This condition is more likely to develop in children, teenagers or young adults, although it can occur at any age.
Family history. Having an immediate family member with type 1 diabetes increases a patient’s risk for the same condition.

Type 2 diabetes

People who weigh more than their ideal body weight are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Patients with prediabetes could develop type 2 diabetes without proper lifestyle changes.
Family history. Having an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes increases a patient’s risk for the same condition.
People who are 45 years and older are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes. Women who’ve had gestational diabetes or have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Diabetes medications

The treatment for diabetes will depend on the type and the severity of a patient’s condition. In most cases, these are the top medications used by doctors for patients suffering from diabetes:

This is commonly used for treating type 1 diabetes since the body isn’t capable of producing its own insulin. Patients need to maintain a daily dose of insulin across their lifetime to survive. IN some instances, insulin may also be prescribed temporarily to patients with type 2 diabetes.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Prescribed to lower blood sugar levels, this medication works by breaking down table sugar and starch in food.
The most popular variant being metformin, biguanides are prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes to help reduce sugar production in the liver. It also aides the muscles to absorb more glucose while reducing sugar absorption in the intestines.
DPP-4 inhibitors. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors work by supporting the body’s insulin production while reducing blood glucose levels without causing hypoglycemia.
SGLT-2 inhibitors. Sodium-glucose transporter (SGLT) 2 inhibitors are responsible for allowing the body to get rid of glucose through the urine.

Other medications for diabetes include:

Acarbose
Bromocriptine mesylate
Canaglifozin
Dulaglutide
Empagliflozin
Glimepiride
Linaglipitin
Miglitol
Nateglinide
Pramlintide
Repaglinide
Saxagliptin

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html

https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes#causes

https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/vod/vod216/vodspr0703.htm

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-medications

https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/medications-list#type-2-diabetes

Medical Declaimer:

What You Know About Vitamin C and the Common Cold Is Wrong

Heights Family Pharmacy — Mon, 10 May 2021 09:13:00 +0000

Are you overdosing on Vitamin C?

News flash, neither of what you’re doing is the solution to your nasty, sometimes mucus-laden problem.

Surprised?

Well, you’re not the only one.

It has been a popular belief that Vitamin C is what you need to protect and cure yourself of a common cold. But medical experts revealed that it does not prevent or help reduce cold symptoms.

The only time that Vitamin C is useful and effective is “when taken daily by those exposed to periods of high stress, such as marathon runners, that is can reduce the risk of catching a cold”, according to research.

And they say vitamins are good for your health.

True. But you can easily get Vitamin C from the foods you eat not necessarily from supplements.

The only time that Vitamin C is useful and effective is “when taken daily by those exposed to periods of high stress, such as marathon runners, that is can reduce the risk of catching a cold”, according to research.

So who started the myths about Vitamin C?

Also known as The Vitamin C Man, Linus Pauling was the most famous forerunner of using high doses of Vitamin C as a treatment for colds and other diseases, including cancer.

According to the physical chemist, 1,000 mg of Vitamin C and higher can cure scurvy, colds, cancer, and heart disease. His discoveries, which was widely rebuffed by the medical community, was detailed in a series of books:

Vitamin C and the Common Cold (1970)
Vitamin C, the Common Cold and the Flu (1976)
Vitamin C and Cancer (1979)
How to Feel Better and Live Longer (1986)

The physicist, himself, takes 12,000 mg of Vitamin C daily, which was based on the dose of Vitamin C that veterinarians recommend for primates which is higher than what was recommended for people.

Extrapolating the dosage given to monkeys, Pauling determined that humans are likely to need 200 times more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for Vitamin C or a minimum of 6 grams per day. The established RDA was at 40 to 60 mg per day.

The biggest sign that Pauling had it wrong is when he died of prostate cancer in 1994, which is one of the diseases he claimed that Vitamin C can cure.

Vitamin C is not for everybody

People with kidney diseases should avoid taking Vitamin C in large doses as it can cause a build-up of oxalate, a molecule that can prevent the absorption of calcium. The oxalate may stay in soft tissues and bones that could lead to other health issues and pain over time.

Pregnant women should not take large doses of Vitamin C supplements that may increase the risk of pre-term birth. They should only take the recommended daily dose of 85 mg for expectant mothers at age 19 and older and 80 mg for ages 14 to 18.

High doses of Vitamin C may also cause chest pain, dental erosion, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, heartburn, increased risk of Parkinson’s Disease, urinary complications, and other side effects.

Linus Pauling definitely got it wrong with Vitamin C in large doses. Clearly, too much of anything, including Vitamin C is bad for your health.

If you have questions about your vitamin regimen please call (313) 724-1111 to speak with a licensed pharmacist at Heights Family Pharmacy located in Dearborn Heights.

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002145.htm

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/11/23/vitamin-c-curative-power.aspx

https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/vitamineral

https://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-take-vitamin-c-during-pregnancy_1246889.bc

Medical Declaimer:

Treat High Blood Pressure with Lisinopril

Heights Family Pharmacy — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 19:40:02 +0000

The Ways to Treat High Blood Pressure with Lisinopril

All around the world, more than 1.13 billion are suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension, two-thirds of which are residents of low- and middle-income countries.

In fact, this is one of the most serious medical conditions in the world because of how it can trigger chronic diseases like stroke, heart attack and even kidney failure.

Hypertension is also a major cause of premature death, especially since only 1 in 5 people with this condition are seeking treatment. Learn how to treat high blood pressure with Lisinopril.

Treat high blood pressure with Lisinopril

Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) is a type of ACE inhibitor drug that’s primarily prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure in adults and children 6 years and older.

It is also prescribed to patients with diabetic kidney disease and those who suffered from a heart attack or heart failure to improve their survival rate. When you treat high blood pressure with Lisinopril becomes also effective in preventing strokes and heart attacks in the future.

How Lisinopril works to treat high blood pressure

Lisinopril belongs to the family of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors that work by relaxing the veins and arteries to lower blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors have been prescribed to patients for hypertension since 1981 because they are well-tolerated compared to other anti-hypertensive drugs. Lisinopril may also be prescribed with calcium channel blockers or diuretics, especially in treating other medical conditions.

ACE inhibitors works primarily by blocking the production of the angiotensin II hormone that causes narrowing of the blood vessels. This promotes better blood flow to the vessels so they can expand better and reduce blood pressure.

These classifications of drugs also work by reducing sodium retention in the kidneys. This makes Lisinopril effective in slowing down the progression of atherosclerosis and chronic kidney disease, especially in patients suffering from diabetes.

The proper way of taking Lisinopril to treat high blood pressure

Lisinopril is usually prescribed to be taken orally once a day. Since the drug can make some patients dizzy during the first dose, doctors usually have their patients take the first dose before bedtime.

After that, Lisinopril can be taken any time of the day, although doctors advise that it should be taken at the same time to reduce the possibility of skipping the medication.

The dosage for Lisinopril depends on the medical condition of the patient and the purpose of the doctor for prescribing the medication.

In general, the starting dose will be between 2.5mg and 10mg once daily. The doctor will also usually ask the patient to monitor his blood pressure to see if the dose is right or if there are any side effects. Before the dosage is adjusted, the doctor may request blood tests to determine potassium levels and kidney function.

Once everything is clear, the dose will usually be increased gradually to 10mg once daily after a heart attack, 10mg to 20mg once daily for diabetic kidney disease, 20mg once daily for high blood pressure or 20mg to 35mg once daily for heart failure.

The side effects of taking Lisinopril are very light and rare that they only happen to 1 in 100 patients.

Some of its most common side effects include dry cough, headache, diarrhea, lightheadedness, vomiting, blurred vision and skin rash.

Adverse effects rarely happen in patients taking Lisinopril, especially since doctors monitor their patients during the first few days of taking the drug and have them discontinue it or adjust the dosage if they experience anything out of the ordinary while using it.

With high blood pressure being one of the most common causes of death around the world, Lisinopril helps reduce these mortality rates and give patients the chance to recover and prevent further attacks.

Contact Family Heights Pharmacy located in Dearborn Heights Michigan at (313) 724-1111.

See how much you can save on your prescription meds today!

Medical Declaimer:

References:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension

https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lisinopril/

https://www.healthline.com/health/lisinopril-oral-tablet

https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_lisinopril_zestoretic/drugs-condition.htm

https://www.medicinenet.com/lisinopril/article.htm#what_are_the_side_effects_of_lisinopril

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/ace-inhibitors/art-20047480

https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/ACE-inhibitors#takeaway