It’s not unusual to feel really tired and a bit anxious or blue in the weeks after giving birth.1 With the sleepless nights, extra responsibilities, and physical changes—who wouldn’t be on a bit of a roller coaster? Remember: This won’t last forever. Plus, you can ease your recovery by taking steps like these:

1. Sleep when baby sleeps. Sneak a quick nap when you can. Shut the blinds and silence your phone, television, and all other electronic devices.
2. Nix household chores. Right now, your main job is to take good care of yourself and your baby. No one really cares about those lurking dust bunnies. If it really bothers you and your budget allows, then hire some temporary help. Also, remember to share parenting tasks such as diaper changes and feedings when possible.
3. Limit visitors. But ask any guests to help out. If not now, when? Swallow your pride and ask for a hand with the dishes, laundry, or shopping. Or take advantage of a visitor to watch your baby while you nap.
4. Eat healthy. Healthy food choices can give you more energy. But planning and cooking meals may be a challenge right now. Ask friends and family to help with this. Don’t forget to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. But avoid caffeine and sugary drinks.
5. Be active—within limits. Exercise can also increase your energy and reduce constipation. Get clearance from your doctor before you:
   Take the stairs or lift objects.
   Drive, although this is usually okay when you can wear a seat belt comfortably and are able to make sudden movements.
   Hit the gym or become really active.
   Have sex. Your doctor may ask you to wait several weeks after birth.
6. Get emotional support. You might be surprised by feeling irritable, sad, or anxious right now. But many new moms experience a wide range of feelings in the days following delivery. Part of this is related to changing hormones or fatigue and part of it is simply a response to a major life transition. These baby blues will subside soon.

   If you have extreme feelings that really last, seek professional help, especially if you have a history of depression. You may be experiencing postpartum depression. Up to one in seven new moms go through this—but no one should go through it alone. Some women need therapy or medication.

7. Set aside time to relax. Chances are no one will put this on the calendar for you, so you’ll need to do it for yourself. Listen to some relaxing music, read a book, or meditate. Even just a few minutes can make a difference. And try to carve out a few minutes each day to touch base with your partner or husband.
8. Seek out other new moms. There’s nothing like sharing tips and support with people who are going through similar life changes. Maybe you can even start up an informal support group in your neighborhood or among your friends.

Your doctor and I are good resources for answering your questions. Some say it takes a village to raise a child—just think of us as your well-informed neighbors.

Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.

Sources

1. March of Dimes: “Your body after baby.” Available at: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/afterbaby_fatigue.html Accessed March 6, 2013.
2. Nemours Foundation: “Recovering From Delivery.” Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/childbirth/recovering_delivery.html?tracking=P_RelatedArticle Accessed March 6, 2013.
3. Wisner K, et al. JAMA Psychiatry. 2013;()1–9. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.87. Available at: http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1666651 Accessed March 24, 2013.

What’s the worst thing that can happen if you take a medication that is past its expiration date? The medicine will just be a little bit weak, right? Wrong. Although that’s true in most cases, some outdated medications can become toxic and actually make you sick.

Knowing how to store medications, as well as when and where to dispose of them safely, is just as important as knowing how and when to take your medications. Follow these tips and you’ll be on the right track.

When your pharmacist sends you home with a new medication, keep it in its original container, which has your name and dosing information on it. Be sure to re-lock bottles with child-resistant packaging. Many medications—especially those harmful to children—are put in foil packaging. If you find these difficult to open, talk with your pharmacist. For each medication, the law provides for one type of package without child-resistant features. If you don’t have children in your home, these might work best for you (although consider whether young children ever visit your home). But whatever you do, don’t transfer your medications into an empty bottle. Someone else may take them, not knowing they belong to you. It’s been known to happen.

If you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist about the best place to store your medications. To keep children and pets safe, store medications in a high, locked cabinet. If that’s not possible, find a place that’s difficult for children to see and reach. Remember: A young child has no idea that these colorful objects are not candy. And even over-the-counter medications and vitamins—particularly those containing iron—can be dangerous, especially if taken in large amounts by children.

To keep a medication safe and potent, keep it out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. Some medications are affected by humidity, so the bathroom medicine cabinet isn’t always best. Other medications require refrigeration, but don’t keep medications there unless instructed to do so by your doctor or pharmacist.

It may be wise to keep a reserve supply of medications, in the event of an emergency. For example, if you need medications for a chronic condition, such as diabetes, asthma, HIV, or a psychiatric condition, carry at least a three to five day supply with you in a purse or briefcase in labeled containers. Make sure these are in child-resistant containers and that your purse or briefcase is kept out of the reach of children.

As for medication disposal, make it a part of your spring (and fall) cleaning ritual. Check expiration dates, but even if the medication is not dated, think of it as expired at six months after purchase. Also, dispose of a medication if it has changed colors or developed an unusual order—even if it’s not past its expiration date. Don’t put medications or vitamins into open trash containers or down the toilet. Instead, take all expired medications to your pharmacist for proper disposal. This is the best way to protect family pets, children, people who might scrounge through your trash—and the environment.

Medications are expensive, so it may be tempting to use them, even when they’ve expired. If this is your thinking, just remember the greater potential cost to you: your health and safety.

Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes airways to become inflamed. Does your child have this disease? If so, you’re no doubt familiar with symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing. Today, a whopping nine million children under age 18 have asthma – or have had it in the past.1

But with rates of childhood obesity climbing faster than a ten-year-old scrambling up a tree, this number could quickly skyrocket. Why? Because children who are overweight or obese are more likely to have asthma than children of a healthy weight. The strength of this link varies by race and ethnicity. It hurts Hispanic children the most.2

Extra weight isn’t considered a cause of asthma, simply a contributor. But what, then, accounts for the connection between the two ? One theory is that a hormone found in fat tissue increases the body’s chronic inflammation. And this may increase the risk of asthma. 3,4

Overweight or obese children have double the risk of asthma as their normal-weight peers if they become or remain heavy in their early school years. But, parents, listen up. Here’s the good news: If children slim down by age seven, they may wipe out that increased risk. It’s not quite as easy as erasing a string of numbers from a blackboard. But it’s way more powerful. That’s especially true given that childhood obesity is not only linked to asthma, but to a whole host of other health problems, including diabetes and high cholesterol.4

Extra weight also sends kids with asthma to the doctor and emergency room more often and requires higher doses of asthma medications.2 In fact, a recent small study found that overweight and obese children needed about twice as much of a commonly used asthma medication (an inhaled corticosteroid) as healthy-weight kids. These findings are similar to those reported on earlier in adults. The response to the medication decreased as weight and body mass index (BMI) rose, according to study researcher Pia Hauk, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at National Jewish Health in Denver, CO.3

If your child has asthma, don’t forget that I’m here to help you and your child manage this condition as well as you can. Remember that your child’s asthma management plan may be different than another child’s. I can help guide you in understanding how and when to use asthma medications. Getting the right care by a knowledgeable allergist is also key. This is someone who has special training and experience in figuring out whether a child has asthma, what is triggering it, and how to move forward to treat it effectively. Together, we can form an awesome team!5

Sources

1. MedlinePlus: “Asthma in Children.” Available at: www.nlm.nih.gov Accessed March 5, 2012.
2. MedlinePlus: “Obesity Linked to Asthma in Children.” Available at: www.nlm.nih.gov Accessed March 5, 2012.
3. MedlinePlus: “Heavy Kids May Not Respond as Well to Asthma Meds.” Available at: www.nlm.nih.gov Accessed March 5, 2012.
4. MedlinePlus: “Overweight 7-Year-Olds Face Higher Risk of Asthma.” Available at: www.nlm.nih.gov Accessed March 5, 2012.
5. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: “Childhood Asthma: Tips to Remember.” Available at: www.aaai.prg

Scientists in Germany have accomplished a new study that indicates people with a good level of Vitamin D have lowered risk of Type 2 diabetes development. The research was conducted in collaboration with the German Diabetes Center at the University of Ulm in Dusseldorf and was published in the October, 2011 edition of the Diabetes Care journal. The study shows that people with good vitamin D status have a lowered risk of developing Type 2 diabetes; and inversely, those with too low of vitamin D levels in the blood have a more elevated risk. It is believed that the effect may be partially due to the anti-inflammatory effects that vitamin D offers.

The research was conducted in Germany because vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in that country due to the factors of modern lifestyle and the geography. In winter months, vitamin D levels are low due to lack of sunlight. The number of diagnosed cases of Type 2 diabetes in Germany is around 6 million people; with a potential of higher numbers with those that are undiagnosed.

Source: Pharmacist Online, Living Naturally, 12/9/11

An industry study was conducted by Hamacher Resource Group, Inc. (HRG) a retail consumer healthcare industry’s marketing and research firm, on the topic of the relationship within suppliers, distributors and independent pharmacy entitled “Supply Chain Collaboration: Maximizing Health, Beauty and Wellness Product Sales in Independent Pharmacy.” This white paper has revealed that six health, beauty and wellness (HBW) categories are selling better within the independent pharmacy arena than chain drug retail stores.

The HRG exclusive data opens up opportunities and trends that independent pharmacies can most profit and capitalize on. This information allows independent pharmacies to increase front-end sales and encourage better communication.

Fall has finally arrived, and has brought with it the beautiful colors and smells that we look forward to every year. We sure hope that you’re making plans with your family to go apple picking, visit a pumpkin patch, or take that extra long drive this weekend and enjoy all of the beautiful colors. Or maybe you’ll be at home watching the big games this weekend!

No matter where you’ll be this fall, we want to make sure that you and your family are protected from the flu this year. At T&F Drugs, we promote happy and healthy families, and that’s why all three of our locations offer flu shot vaccinations on-site. No appointment is necessary and walk-ins are encouraged! Our pharmacists are licensed top administer both the flu and H1Ni vaccines to anyone over the age of 18. We also carry flumist for anyone ages 2-49! Read more.

Maybe you’re planning a trip this winter and you want to make sure that you and your family are safe from meningitis, typhoid or hepatitis? You’re in luck! Stop into any of our stores to receive and of these vaccinations before you leave:

• Meningitis
• Typhoid Oral
• Typhoid Injectable
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hep A & B Combo

For more tips on how to vaccinate before your trip, visit the CDC website.

And, of course, don’t forget to grab those last minute items for you trip from our great selection of travel items.

HAPPY FALL!