Digestive Health - Cornerstone Pharmacycornerstonepharmacy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/COUNSELOR-… · Digestive Health When it comes to bowel movements, we’d all like to be

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Digestion is the processof breaking down food into micro-molecules so your body can absorbthe nutrients it needsand eliminate what it doesn’t. Whether it’s occasional heartburnfrom bolting down that burger or the chronic misery of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, digestive problems are our number one complaint. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat them.

Digestive Health

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This document is intended to be a reliable source of information. However, it is not a substitute for professional advice. We recommend that you consult a physician or a pharmacist to understand how this information applies to any specific case.

www.family-healthcare.com

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Following Your Gut Bowel Health

When Things Go Wrong

FINAL PROOF

Ulcers

Digestive Health

When it comes to bowel movements, we’d all like to be “regular” — thatis, not blocked up or rushing to the bathroom more often than we’d like. But what’s normal for one person may not be normal for another.

Not everyone has a bowel movement every day for example. You canhave a bowel movement only 3 times a week and still be considered regular, as long as that’s your normal pattern. Symptoms of constipation include not having a bowel movement for more than 3 days and having hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass.

With the other extreme, diarrhea, stools are loose and watery, and cancause painful gas and cramping. Fortunately, most bouts of diarrhea onlylast a few days and go away on their own without treatment.

What about colon-cleansing detox therapies to keep your bowels healthy? Be skeptical about any overpromising claims. The vast majority of them are simply not backed by credible scientific data. Moreover, some therapies — which include enemas and colonics, as well as laxatives,juices and herbal remedies — can upset the balance of the “good” bacteria in your colon. When this happens, there’s more room for the bad bacteria to move in and cause problems such as painful diarrhea. Moreover, some colon cleansing products contain cayenne pepper, which can irritate the colon. This could be a concern for people with sensitive digestive systems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Bottom line?If you are considering going on a detox, talk to your doctor first.

The gut is enjoying a moment of glory in scientific circles. From developing research into the microbes that can balance gut flora, to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between appetite hormones, science is uncovering breakthrough solutions to many digestive ailments.

What causes digestive problems? Many things, including the foods we eat (and overeat), food allergies, certain medications, and inheriting a medical condition from your family. Even sitting for too long and not getting enough exercise can make for a sluggish gut, which can cause gas and constipation.

Your moods, too, can influence your digestion. Here’s why: your gastrointestinal tract is directly linked to the neurotransmitters in your brain, sending signals from your stomach to your mind. This explains why your stomach literally starts to clench or rumble when you’re anxious or upset causing diarrhea and gas. What works for the brain will work for the belly. Stress relievers such as yoga, exercise andmeditation can help soothe it down.

Most digestive problems aren’t cause for serious concern. Eating a wide variety of nutritious foods with fibre and probiotics can promote digestive health and alleviate problems such as constipation. As well, getting enough exercise stimulates your digestive system and makes your colon muscles work better. Restful sleep is important too. Not getting enough can increase your appetite-stimulating hormones, which can make you crave high-sugar, salty and starchy foods that can lead to tummy aches.

That said, don’t ignore symptoms if they go on for too long. Although gas, bloating and constipation can be touchy topics to talk about, never let embarrassment get in the way of a proper diagnosis. You should also see your doctor if you are losing weight, seeing blood in your stool,have trouble eating or swallowing or have family history of cancer.

Fortunately, there are a large number of medications to treat digestive problems. But just because a chewable antacid has a pleasant taste doesn’t mean you can pop it like candy. All medications, even thoseyou buy over-the-counter, have to be taken as directed by your doctor or according to the package label. Overdosing or overusing antacidscan cause serious side effects.

Another potential concern is drug interactions. Oral fibre supplements, for example, may decrease the absorption of other medications you are taking. Plus, some medications have gluten in their filler ingredients which can be a problem if you’re gluten intolerant. That’s where your FHCP pharmacist comes in. He or she can help you read confusing labels, understand what’s in a particular drug, and whether it’s rightfor you. Remember, FHCP pharmacists are knowledgeable in all classes of drugs and are always happy to share their gut wisdom.

Feeling a burning pain in your stomach that often wakes you up in the middle of the night or early in the morning? It may be an ulcer, which occurs when the protective lining of your stomach gets eroded and damaged. Often confused with heartburn where symptoms can come and go, ulcer symptoms tend to remain constant. One common misconception is that it’s caused by stress. Although anxiety can definitely make your stomach feel worse, most ulcers are causedby a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, (H. pylori). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, which irritate your stomach lining are another common cause of ulcers. Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can also increase the amount of stomach acid you produce, worsening symptoms.

Ulcers rarely go away by themselves, and need a doctor’s attention. Treatment may include antibiotic treatment to eradicate the ulcer-causing bacteria and drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs),that reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. If you need totake NSAIDs regularly, take them with an antacid or food to bufferthe stomach. Your FHCP pharmacist can advise you on the proper ways to take your medications.

digestive system and makes your colon muscles work

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Food Safety Probiotics

Fibre Facts

Probiotics are the latest trend in the food industry, turning up in everything from bread to chocolate. These are living microbes, such as bacteria or yeast, that can promote the growth of good bugs in your gut, doing everything from keeping bowel function regular, strengthening your immune system, and even improving your mood. Big claims—but can they be backed up?

Not in all cases. Despite all the hype, probiotics are still in the early stage of research. That means only a small percentage of probiotic foods and supplements are backed by peer-reviewed studies.

The big challenge is keeping the microbes alive so they can do their good work once they get to the gut. That means getting them past the harsh, acidic environment of the stomach where most are killed by gastric acid. Once in the gut, they must compete effectively with the bugs already present. Another problem is that live microbes are heat-sensitive and have to be handled correctly so they aren’t killed during processing or storage.

So what’s good for your gut? Go for dairy. Experts say that the microbes that turn milk into yogurt and kefir are among the most beneficial. That’s because most dairy products are only mildly acidic and are also kept chilled, which is good for the good bacteria. Look for products that say “live and active cultures” and which contain strains of L. acidophilus.

Although probiotics are available in many supplements, not all are equally effective. Look for labels that include the number of CFUs (“colony-forming units”) and expiration date, plus directions on how to handle the product at home. Understandably this can get overwhelming, so be sure to ask your FHCP pharmacist to help you find the bacterial strain and dosage that are right for you.

While Canada has one of the safest food supplies in the world, it still doesn’t make you totally exempt from food contamination. Symptoms include upset stomach, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and dehydration. Most people will have a mild case of food poisoning. But for young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, the effects can be serious, even deadly.What are foods to watch out for? Potato salad is a big culprit, particularly in restaurants and delis where cross-contamination has occurred. Tainted cantaloupe is another, especially since the listeria bug thrives in cold temperatures such as your refrigerator. Leafy greens, such as spinach, are also one of the most consistently contaminated foods when they’re not washed properly. And eggs that are too soft or runny may harbour salmonella bacteria.

The best way to protect yourself is with the 4 C’s: clean, cook, combat cross-contamination and chill. Also be sure to cookand store food properly and use separate cutting boardsand serving utensils for produce and meat. IMPORTANT: Salmonella can cause kidney failure and even death, so get medical help immediately if severe crampsand diarrhea occur.

Fibre is crucial to a smoothly running digestive system. Along with creating soft, mobile stools to help move it along, it also feeds healthy bacteria in your gut.

How much should you be getting? About 20 to 35 grams of fibre each day. Aim to get two or more ½-cup servings of fibre-rich produce at every meal by piling half your dish with fruits and vegetables. Beans, lentils, whole grains, broccoli, pears andapples are good choices.

That said, you should take it easy in the beginning. Getting too much fibre too fast can cause gas, bloating and even constipation if you don’t drink enough fluids. This is because fibre uses up a lot of water in your system, leaving your body dehydrated. So if you want to bump up your fibre intake, do it gradually while increasing your fluid intake as well.

Also keep in mind that all fibre isn’t created equal. If you have a condition such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which causes diarrhea, try soluble fibre found in apples and oatmeal, instead of the insoluble fibre found in wheat bran. This type of fibre can actually absorb excess fluid in the bowel and act to firm up a loose stool.

While it’s best to get your fibre from your food, fibre supplements are a safe and easy alternative. These come in a wide variety of forms including powders, wafers, capsules and chewable tablets. Be sure to ask FHCP pharmacist which types are right for you.

Digestive Health

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Check-Up ChallengeStress has a huge effect on your digestive health causing abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. Taking care ofyour emotional well-being is important. Even building a few 10-minute mini relaxation breaks into your daily routinecan help improve digestive function.

This information is intended to help educate readers about health and drug topics. It is not intended to replace advice from a health professional. It should NOT be used forpersonal health advice. No changes permitted. Permission to photocopy this document in its entirety is required. © McKesson Canada 2015

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Q & A

Ask About Our Preferred® Private Label Products

Ask Your Helpful FHCP Pharmacist

Q. Are generics as safe asbrand names?

A. For the most part, yes. Generics go through stringent regulatory controls to ensure they have the same active ingredients as the brand name. Where they differ is in the inactive ingredients such as binders, fillers, flavours and dyes, which are used to keep a pill together or distinguish it from other drugs. These ingredients — which include gluten, sulfitesor Yellow 5 — can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you think you could be allergic to any ingredients that may be in your medication.

Q. Can painkillers cause constipation?

A. Yes, some can, especially prescription-only narcotics, also known as opioids. The reason is the gut-brain connection; many of the receptors for the narcotic class of drugs are in the digestive tract so it tends to slow things down. In addition, these drugs reduce digestive secretions and decrease the urge to defecate. If you’re taking one of these drugs, it’s generally a good idea to also take agentle laxative like a stool softener.

Q. How can I tell if I have afood intolerance?

A. If you suspect a certain food is bothering you, try eliminating it from your diet for a few weeks, then slowly introduce that food back and monitor your symptoms for a possible reaction (e.g., cramping and bloating). Ignoring a food intolerance isn’t a good idea because it can weaken your body’s abilityto properly digest and absorb essential nutrients. You can also ask your doctorabout a new blood test that checks your reactions to certain foods.

A Healthy PositionDon’t Ignore These Belly PainsYou shouldn’t stress about every cramp and belly-ache.But here are some signs that it could be more serious:

Sudden pain around your navel. When it’s accompaniedby nausea, fever, vomiting and loss of appetite it could be appendicitis. Appendicitis must be treated quickly or the appendix will rupture and leak infected fluid into the otherparts of the abdomen. So get to the hospital immediately.

Sudden pain on your right side. Gallstones or gallbladder inflammation are possible causes. If the pain persists aftereating greasy foods, see your doctor.

Sudden pain below your navel. This could indicate a colon disorder, a urinary tract infection or pelvic inflammatory disease. If the pain worsens, call your doctor who may advise you to goto the emergency department.

Sudden sharp pain near your lower ribs that radiates down your groin. Kidney stones could be a cause, as well as a kidney or bladder infection if the pain is accompanied by fever. Increase your water intake and call your doctor, especially if you alsohave a fever. Most kidney stones eventually pass on their own, although in rare cases surgery may be necessary.

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Prices effective December 1st to December 31st, Prices effective December 1st to December 31st, Prices effective December 1st to December 31st, 202020151515

DECEMBER 2015

PREFERREDPrenatal & PostpartumVitamins and MineralsTablets 100's

BIO-KProbioticCapsules 15'sSelected Types

TYLENOL Arthritis 170's,Extra StrengtheZTabs 200's,Muscle Aches &Body Pain 110's,Back Pain 40'sBody Pain Night40's or EZ OpenUltra Relief 120's 1699

ea.

DULCOLAX StimulantLaxative5mg 60's orWomen's 50's

VOLTARENEmulgel Topical Analgesic 50g

1199

25%OFFregular retail

TYLENOL Cold, Flu orSinus eZTabsor Caplets 20's

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GAVISCON FoamTabs 60's-100's orFruit or Mint Liquid 600mL

1199ea.

ALKA-SELTZER Relief Fruit Chews36's

599ea.

599ea.

BEANO Tablets 30's

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PREFERREDIbuprofen 200mg Caplets 200's 899

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599ea. 599

ea.

BIO-KProbioticCapsules 15'sSelected Types

25

PREFERRED

ASPIRIN81mg Low DoseASA Tablets 120'sor Quick Chews 100's 1299

ea.

BUCKLEY'S Cold & Sinus, Mucous Relief,Complete Liquid Gels 24'sor Complete Extra Strength Caplets 40's

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All taxes will be added where applicable. Due to space limitations, not all items available in all locations. Stores reserve the right to limit quantities. Text prevails when photo does not correspond to description of advertised item. Where advertisement indicates ‘assorted’ or ‘selected’, all items may not be available. Bonus sizes may not be available in all locations. Products/prices subject to change without notice.

WEBBER NATURALS Coenzyme Q10 60's-120'sSelected Types

PREFERRED Antidiarrheal orLaxative ProductsSelected Typesand Sizes

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LIFESTYLES Condoms12's-14'sAssorted Types

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Digestive Health - Cornerstone Pharmacycornerstonepharmacy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/COUNSELOR-… · Digestive Health When it comes to bowel movements, we’d all like to be