Exercising with Osteoarthritis

By Doyin, Pharmacist Osteoarthritis simply means the inflammation or swelling and pain in one or more joints. It is caused by the loss of cartilage that protects the bones where they meet at the joint. Some risk factors...

Let’s Pause and Talk About Menopause 

By Steve Bond, Pharmacist Women make up 50% of the world’s population today (technically it’s 49.75% but close enough). This means that nearly 4 billion people on this earth are likely to experience the change known as menopause....

Holiday Foods and Medication Interactions

Vishal Mehta, BPharm, RPh,Pharmacist As we steam towards the holiday season, for many it will mean fun with lots of friends, family and enjoying plenty of food. But did you know some of the common foods eaten during...

Have You Got Your Dose of the Sunshine Vitamin?

By Leena Thomas, Pharmacist One of the primary sources of vitamin D is sunlight, ultraviolet B exposure. However, absorption of vitamin D in the True North is limited — particularly in winter. In fact, research shows that 70%...

How Chocolate Can Interfere With Your Medications

By Peter Yurek, BSc.Phm Who doesn’t LOVE chocolate? It’s delicious, comforting, and choke-full of healthy compounds that lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and boost brain power. But before you binge ‘in the name of health,’ check your medications!...

Healthy Tips for Christmas Season

By Paula Wang, Pharmacist Christmas is a time of fun and excitement but also a time of overindulgence. According to research, weight added on during the holidays may not be easily lost afterwards; in fact, it often becomes...

One-Stop-Shop for 19 Common Ailments

By Diane Alavie, Pharmacist Since January, Ontario pharmacists have been allowed to treat and prescribe for 13 common illnesses. In October, this program was expanded to include six more ailments. Allowing pharmacists to prescribe for minor conditions has...

Something the Matter with the Bladder

By: By Steve Bond, Pharmacist Incontinence, defined by the involuntary leakage of urine is a common condition affecting up to 30% of Canadians. There are four types of incontinence based on symptoms – Stress, Urge, Overflow and Functional....

Navigating IBD: Understanding Crohn’s and Colitis

By Vishal Mehta, Pharmacist November is Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month. IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) is a group of conditions, including Crohn’s and Colitis, where there is inflammation in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. This results in...

Flu Shots

By: Steve Bond, BScPhm, RPh, CDE, FASCP Because the virus causing influenza or “the flu” changes every year, an annual flu shot is needed. It provides the best protection against becoming ill with the flu. So how effective is...

A Guide to Breast Cancer Screening

Sarah Almasalkhi, RPh October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in Canada. One in eight Canadian women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime; 83% of cases occur in women...

The Dreaded Stomach Bug: A Quick Guide

By Eric Nayup, Pharmacist What is stomach flu? Do you think you have the “stomach flu” or a “stomach bug”? It is probably gastroenteritis, which is an intestinal infection that inflames your stomach and intestinal lining, resulting in...
Leena Thomas, Pharmacist

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: A Parent’s Guide

By Leena Thomas, Pharmacist If you have young kids in school or daycare, you are no stranger to viral infections. Although you’ve likely dealt with the usual suspects like the common cold, tonsillitis, and bronchitis, there is one...