Remembering to take medications can be challenging, especially when dealing with multiple medications and different dosing schedules. In this comprehensive article, we provide expert tips from our Healthwords pharmacists to help you improve medication adherence.

Difflam is a branded version of the anti-inflammatory and pain relief medication benzydamine. It primarily comes in three formulations: mouth spray, mouth rinse and lozenges. It is important that it is taken with food as it can cause stomach irritation. This medication is not available in the US.

Diarrhea is defined as stool, or poop, that is loose or watery and you usually need to go to the toilet more often. It's very common and most cases improve by themselves within a day or two. There are many causes of diarrhea, ranging from infection, allergy, anxiety, medication side-effects or long-term conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

If you have repeated indigestion or acid reflux, you may be at risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a general term, used to describe acid reflux, either with or without inflammation of the gullet (esophagus). In it, the corrosive acid our stomach produces to break down food moves up to the esophagus (the food pipe), where the lining is much more sensitive and so can get damaged over time. If you have GERD you typically experience heartburn, where you may feel a gnawing or burning pain in your central chest that moves up to the throat after eating. While you may have suffered indigestion before, symptoms with GERD may be much more easily triggered, more severe, and last longer after eating or drinking. It can also be the case that the usual treatments you have used before and which worked well may no longer be effective. Regular acid reflux is more common in smokers, pregnant women, heavy drinkers, the overweight or obese and people aged between 35 and 65 years old.

Xerostomia means dry mouth and is due to too little saliva to keep the mouth moist. Saliva is produced from glands in your mouth and helps not only keep your mouth and throat from becoming too dry but also helps with keeping the mouth clean by helping move small bits of food out from the crevices in your mouth and providing some protection against microbes (viruses, bacteria, and fungal infections). A dry mouth is a symptom in itself and can have multiple causes ranging from being dehydrated to a side effect of medication or treatments like radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, can cause it, or even if you breathe through your mouth most of the time rather than through your nose. A dry mouth can go hand-in-hand with a sore throat, bad breath, a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, mouth infections such as thrush, and problems with gums or teeth (this is due to bacteria or plaque building up more when there is less anti-microbial saliva).

Earwax forms naturally inside your ears and acts as a defensive barrier, protecting the ears from harmful substances and bacteria. It usually moves out of the ears gradually by the action of chewing and is harmless. However, sometimes it can build up and block the ears.

It's quite common to get an itchy ear. There can be a number of causes, so if this persists past a few days, it's worth getting checked out. If you suffer from psoriasis, eczema, or dry skin, this can also affect your ear canal, where debris from dead skin cells builds up and irritates. If you've been on holiday, "Mediterranean ear" can develop as a result of sweating and bathing in hot climates. Hard wax can build up and irritate, with some reporting an itch as the primary symptom, and if a good solid blockage of the eardrum, you may also suffer a loss of hearing. Otitis externa describes inflammation in the lining of the ear canal and can be associated with infection - in this case, the ear would be painful (often described as an earache) more than itchy, and you may also have a cough or cold and fever.

Meniere's disease is a long-term condition of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance, and requires a trio of symptoms to make the diagnosis. About 1 in 1,000 people are affected by it, and it most commonly occurs between the ages of 40 and 60, although it can occur at any age. One ear only is usually affected initially, but about 4 in 10 of the cases go on to affect both ears. It is named after the French doctor who first described it in the 1860s. The first symptom is vertigo, where you feel as though the environment is spinning around you, or that you are spinning when you are standing still. The second is tinnitus, a ringing in the ear, and you may also get a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear. The third is hearing loss that comes and goes, usually affecting one ear at a time. Meniere's typically comes on without warning, and episodes can last between 20 minutes and 24 hours - although the average length of an attack is 2-4 hours, causing severe nausea or vomiting. Unfortunately, Meniere's is a progressive disease that gets worse over time. The episodes may happen in clusters in a week or over months, or even years, with most sufferers having 6-10 clusters a year. Some people only have vertigo without any hearing loss but hearing loss without vertigo is uncommon in Meniere’s.

We have all been told sleep is important, but did you realize to what extent? Here are some shocking facts about sleep that may make you want to dive right into bed and get those recommended 7-9 hours!

Many people today face challenges with sleep due to their busy lives. For those seeking a solution, melatonin has emerged as a popular choice worldwide. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body's pineal gland and is known for regulating sleep patterns. Understanding Melatonin Melatonin may offer hope for those struggling with sleep disorders, providing relief for issues like insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns. It's often called the "sleep hormone" and is a critical player in the rhythm of our body's internal clock, which is known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm acts as our biological timekeeper, regulating various bodily functions, including sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, and metabolism. It orchestrates when we feel sleepy and alert, helping to synchronize our sleep patterns with the day and night cycles. When evening approaches and darkness falls, a signal is sent to our brain's pineal gland, prompting it to ramp up melatonin production. This surge in melatonin levels serves as a biological cue that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. As melatonin levels rise, our bodies feel more relaxed, tired, and ready to transition to rest. External light cues don't just influence melatonin secretion; our internal body clock also influences it. This internal clock helps anticipate when melatonin production should increase daily, ensuring that our sleep-wake cycles remain synchronized with the 24-hour day-night cycle. In addition to its role in promoting sleep, melatonin also plays a part in other essential functions within the body. It acts as a potent antioxidant, helping to scavenge harmful free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage. Moreover, melatonin has been implicated in regulating immune function, supporting cardiovascular health, and modulating mood and cognitive function. Disruptions to our natural melatonin production can occur due to various factors, such as exposure to artificial light at night, irregular sleep schedules, or certain medical conditions. These disruptions can interrupt our circadian rhythm, leading to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and other health issues.

You know when the pollen season has arrived if you suffer from itchy, streaming eyes that look red and puffy. It can be uncomfortable, and you feel desperate for some relief. Our pharmacist has put together some remedies to help soothe your eyes and heal your eye symptoms.

The majority of insect bites/stings can be managed at home and should heal within 3 - 5 days. They tend to cause a round, red, swollen lump that can be painful (typically with insect stings) or itchy (typically with insect bites). Some insects can bite a number of times, causing multiple lumps across an area of the body. There may be a small allergic reaction to the bite or sting, which will be seen as a wider red/swollen ring around the bites. The most common stings are from bees and wasps. In a small number of people, an insect sting can cause a serious and dangerous allergic reaction (known to medical professionals as anaphylaxis). The symptoms of this can be feeling dizzy, sick, or faint, and swelling, particularly in the mouth and face resulting in difficulty breathing. If you suspect this is happening, call 911 immediately.

There are a few common causes of an itchy bottom, and we may find no cause, in which case we call it pruritus ani. Threadworms (pinworms) are very common in children but rare in adults. This is a parasite infection causing intense itching around the anus and possibly the vagina, especially at night. You might notice tiny white worms around your child’s anus or mixed in poop. In adults, hemorrhoids may be to blame. You may be able to feel one lump or more around the anus, and it may be painful when you go for a poop. You may get a few streaks of blood in the toilet bowl or on toilet tissue. These are common, and treatments are available. Infections from a fungus or yeast (thrush) can feel itchy and sore. The area will look pink, perhaps with tiny pink bumps and possibly flaky. Psoriasis can look similar but will likely be more red than pink, with a clear border, and is a more likely cause if you have psoriasis on other parts of the body. Eczema may appear around the bottom, especially if you have a tendency to it or irritation from any cream or treatments you are using, such as perfumed moisturizers, steroid creams, or ointments for anal fissures. Genital warts can appear as hard lumps around the anus and wider genital area and may be itchy. These are sexually transmitted and contagious to intimate partners. Finally, a condition called lichen sclerosus causes the skin to tighten, which can be itchy. You might see some white streaks on the affected area, making it look shiny and taut.

What is sleep? And why is it so important? Well, around a third of your life is spent sleeping, which is as necessary for survival as water and food. We'll explain here about the cycles of sleep and why we need them.

Insomnia occurs in approximately one-third of the US population and can have a significant negative impact on someone’s day-to-day life. This article explores what insomnia is and what to do if you have it.

Insomnia means low-quality sleep. It is very common, with around one-third of people in the US suffering from it. Insomnia can occur in many different forms, from difficulties falling to sleep, staying asleep, waking up too early without being able to get back to sleep, or not feeling refreshed from sleep. It leads to significant symptoms in the daytime, such as tiredness, difficulties concentrating, and sometimes problems controlling your emotions. Because everyone is unique, the amount of sleep someone requires to function their best varies from person to person and also tends to decrease with age, so there are no set criteria to diagnose insomnia. The diagnosis is made from what a patient describes, the symptoms they experience, and their doctor's expertise and opinion. The majority of adults need between 6 and 9 hours of sleep per night in order to function well in the daytime, and the average range of time taken to fall asleep is between 10 to 30 minutes. It is normal to wake up from time to time at night, so don't worry if you do, and try not to look at a clock, as worrying and clock-watching can make getting back to sleep harder. Insomnia is more common in women and older people. The main causes are: Poor sleep routines or habits (known as sleep hygiene). A loud or bright sleeping environment. Stress. Substance abuse. Caffeine or alcohol use. Certain mental health or physical health conditions that can affect sleep.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the gastrointestinal system. It causes abdominal discomfort or pain along with bloating or changes in bowel habits. Certain symptoms like bloating, trapped gas, and abdominal cramps can prove embarrassing, particularly if you have diarrhea or need to rush to the bathroom several times a day. Many suffer in silence, reluctant to go to their doctor or pharmacist to discuss such personal issues. There is no specific test to confirm IBS. Doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, persisting for at least 6 months, and in the absence of other gastrointestinal conditions that could account for symptoms. Bowel habits must be altered more than a quarter of the time to meet the criteria for diagnosis. IBS is a common condition that isn’t life-threatening and that doesn’t put you at higher risk of serious conditions like bowel cancer. However, it’s a long-term condition that can be debilitating and cause significant impact on work, study, social activities, and daily tasks. It can take its toll on your mood and quality of life. Symptoms may be continuous or intermittent, with a chronic waxing-and-waning cycle that can last for years. IBS is a common condition, affecting 10 to 15% of the US population. That’s likely an underestimate, as many people don’t seek medical help. Symptoms usually start before the age of 40 years and it more often occurs in women.

Lactulose is an oral solution used to treat constipation on prescription only. It comes as a sugar-like syrup and is suitable for adults and children.

Blood tests have many different uses. Some of these include being used to diagnose a condition, to monitor a particular organ in the body such as the kidney or liver, and they can also be used to give measurements of bodily processes such as sugar levels in the blood or for levels of inflammation such as a CRP or ESR blood test.

Vomiting is common in children and can happen for a number of reasons. It’s usually due to an infection in the gut – gastroenteritis – and will clear in a day or two. Occasionally, it can indicate something serious, but other signs also guide you to recognize this. Gastroenteritis can also cause diarrhea – this may appear a few hours or a day after vomiting starts – and abdominal pain or cramps. Children usually have little appetite, and they may have a mild fever. If it lasts longer than a couple of days or they are struggling to keep fluids down, it’s time to contact your doctor.

Head injuries are fairly common, especially in children, but they can happen to anyone, from trips and falls, to traffic collisions and sporting injuries. It may be obvious from the injury that someone needs professional medical attention, but sometimes signs take a while to manifest. Let's talk you through when to seek help immediately, and what to look out for in the hours and days afterward. It's important to stress that most head injuries are minor and do not result in serious or lasting injury, but it's important to be aware of when an injury could be significant.

The prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test relates to a man's risk of prostate cancer but unlike other cancers like breast and bowel, there is no routine screening program for prostate cancer in the US. This is because it’s not as straightforward as having a blood test and getting a black-and-white answer: it doesn’t tell you if you have prostate cancer or not. Instead, men over the age of 50 can ask their doctor for a test (or tests every so often) after discussion about how difficult the result is to interpret. A PSA result can be normal and you can still have prostate cancer, or it can be abnormal but you don’t have prostate cancer. A positive test, however, does usually mean you need further investigations, and these can be uncomfortable and carry risks. Let’s talk you through what makes a good screening test, and how this can be applied to PSA screening.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the US. Early detection gives a good chance for treatment to work, and to help prevent the cancer from spreading, not only through the bowel but also to other parts of the body, which carries a risk of death. The chance of bowel cancer increases as we get older, so guidelines recommend to start screening from 45-50 years old.

There are many different types of eye drops available both over the counter and via prescription. Eye drops are used to treat a myriad of eye conditions, including hay fever, dry eyes, infections, glaucoma, and more. While they cover a variety of treatments, they all are instilled using the same technique. Below we have a step-by-step guide to help you instill your eye drops effectively!

Much like how a walking stick helps someone to walk independently, medication aids help individuals take their medications independently and easily. Medication aids can help you to remember when to take medicines and help with dexterity issues that affect your ability to use your inhaler, for example.

Ramadan is a yearly event in the Islamic calendar, a holy month of prayer, reflection, and sacrifice, and fasting is an important part of this. A strict fast means nothing to pass the lips during daylight hours – so no food, drink, or smoking. Some guidelines include medications in this, but the Qur’an teaches that you should not act in a way that harms your health, which may leave you feeling in doubt about what to do. Guidelines can be found online, developed in collaboration with national groups representing Muslims to protect your health during Ramadan. It’s important to remember that this is guidance. Your health and beliefs are individual to you, so if you have doubts about the right path forward, seek advice. You can speak to your healthcare team – your doctor or nurse practitioner if you have one – and you can speak to your local Imam or any other Muslim leader you trust.

Ensuring adequate hydration to help our bodies remain healthy can be a tough task, especially in hot conditions, and during strenuous activities or exercise. Hot temperatures and increased water and salt losses can lead to dehydration. Mild dehydration may be felt as thirst, headache, mild dizziness, reduced need to urinate, and dry skin. In its more severe form, dehydration can result in reduced alertness, fatigue, muscle cramps, loss of consciousness, and long-term damage to your kidneys.

Ear infections are prevalent in children and most likely come with a viral cold. Your child might feel unwell with a fever, sickness, and loss of appetite. Ear infections usually affect the middle ear, which we call otitis media. The pain comes as a result of infection and inflammation build-up behind the eardrum. They may complain that hearing comes and goes, or they may feel pain on the cheek side of the ear or under it, which might be worse when eating. It’s usually just one ear affected. Sometimes infections affect the outer part of the ear. This may be the case if you have symptoms of wetness with white or yellow discharge, and the ear may feel itchy or sore just inside. This points more towards otitis externa, where the ear canal leading to the eardrum is infected.

Quality sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, playing a crucial role in physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning. However, for millions of people worldwide, achieving restful sleep can be challenging due to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. In this article, we will delve into the complexities of sleep apnea, exploring its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Xailin Night is an eye ointment for treating dry eye conditions, corneal erosion, and lubricating the eyes before or after eye surgery. It contains paraffin and wool alcohols (lanolin) which all serve to lubricate and protect water loss from the eyes. This, in turn, relieves symptoms of dry eyes and forms a protective barrier on the surface of the eye.

An ear infection can affect the middle ear, just beyond the eardrum, causing inflammation and pain, and this is called acute otitis media. Bacteria or viruses can cause the infection, but either way, it usually gets better by itself after about 3 days. The middle ear can fill with pus, and the pressure can cause pain. Children can get ear infections due to a cold, flu, letting too much water in the ear after bathing or swimming, or constant allergies

Ear infections are common and most likely the result of a virus. You might feel unwell with a fever and a low appetite. Ear infections often affect the middle ear, which we term otitis media. The pain comes as infection and debris from our own inflammatory response build up behind the eardrum, pushing it. This gives a feeling of fullness, earache, and hearing may come and go. You may feel pain on the cheek side of the ear or under it, and it might be worse when eating. It's usually just one ear that is affected. Sometimes infections affect the outer part of the ear. This may be the case if you have symptoms of wetness with white or yellow discharge, and the ear may feel itchy or sore just inside. This points more towards otitis externa, where the ear canal leading to the eardrum is infected.

Sleep is very important and can have a direct impact on your health. Getting a good "night’s" sleep during the day can be challenging for anyone working night shifts. Here at Healthwords we've done a fair amount of night shifts ourselves, with one team member racking up more than a year’s worth of night shifts over the last 6 years of work in the hospital. So here are our top tips on how to give yourself the best chance of getting some good rest during the day.

Blood tests have many different uses. They can help diagnose a condition, monitor a particular organ in the body such as the kidney or liver, and they can also be used to give measurements of bodily processes such as blood sugar or current levels of inflammation.

Most minor cuts can be managed at home and should heal within three to five days. A superficial cut, or surface laceration, breaks the topmost layer of skin but doesn’t go deep enough to reach the fat or muscle layer underneath. 

Why is sleep important? Well, around 1/3 of your time is spent sleeping, which is as necessary for survival as water and food. Optimizing sleep can help you exercise better, improve your self-control and be all-around healthier. Here are our top tips for getting a great night's rest.

Hemorrhoids are common, and many refer to them as piles. They are enlarged blood vessels just inside or outside the anus and look like small red or purple lumps. You might find blood after you go for a poop (this will be bright red blood, seen on wiping or on the stool), or you can get pain and itching around the anus. For the majority of people, they cause no symptoms at all. Sometimes hemorrhoids can become thrombosed, which means they have no blood flow due to a blood clot. These are very painful and tender to touch. Hemorrhoids are not contagious and cannot be passed on.

Incontinence is the involuntary or uncontrollable leakage of urine or poop. It is called urinary, bowel, or double incontinence if both peeing and pooping are affected. It can occur because of weakening of the muscles that control these functions or from illness such as stroke, which can affect the nerves that control them. Urinary incontinence may be brought on by coughing or laughing (stress incontinence) or when you feel the urge to urinate (urge incontinence). Incontinence is diagnosed when it has happened regularly, not just once. Muscle exercises may help train the muscles to reduce incontinence. Medication may also help control symptoms of urinary incontinence.

Snoring is often described as a loud sound that occurs when you sleep. As you breathe in and out air flows past the relaxed tissues in your throat. These relaxed tissues can partially block the airway and cause vibrations. Snoring is very common and not often related to anything more serious. The biggest complaint about snoring is often from the person’s partner. Snoring is more common in men than women and occurs commonly in people who are overweight. Being overweight or having larger tonsils can cause narrowing of the airways which also can lead to snoring. If you have any nasal problems, like congestion or a family history of the medical condition obstructive sleep apnea, or you drink alcohol, you are also at higher risk of snoring.

Halitosis, known to most as bad breath, is when an unpleasant or foul odor comes from your mouth. It's very common and can affect anyone, from children to adults. In many cases, it does not last long, and there is no serious underlying cause. However, chronic (long-term) halitosis can cause a negative impact on the mental health and social well-being of people who suffer from it. Fortunately, there are some simple steps to help with bad breath, so let's talk you through them.

Glaucoma is a condition where there is damage to the optic nerve. This nerve sits at the back of your eye and transports the images your eyes see to your brain for processing. Glaucoma can threaten your vision, either by direct damage to the optic nerve, or by an increase in pressure in the fluid filling the eye, and thereby squeezing the optic nerve. It can ultimately lead to a loss of vision, so it's important it's detected and treated early. There are two usual types of glaucoma, based on whether pressure increases slowly or quickly. Chronic open-angle glaucoma - the most common type - is where pressure inside the eye builds slowly, so the loss of vision occurs gradually. You might not even notice changes early on, but you're most likely to lose vision in the outer edges of your vision (the periphery) first. It's often picked up on a routine check-up with your optician, where they check eye pressure by blowing a puff of air on your eyeball. This type of glaucoma usually affects both eyes and is painless.  About 3 million people in the US have chronic open-angle glaucoma. Acute angle glaucoma is much less common. Pressure builds rapidly inside the eye and threatens vision if not treated urgently. You might feel severe pain in or around your eye or in the head, the eye may feel tight or full, lights may appear to have halos around them and you might complain of blurred vision. You may even feel unwell and be vomiting. This is an emergency and you should seek medical attention urgently. Other possible types of glaucoma include secondary glaucoma – caused by an eye injury or inflammation of the middle layer of the eye – and congenital glaucoma which is rare but present at birth.

Screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm is extremely important. Doctors refer to this as AAA (pronounced "triple-A") screening. It looks for any weakness in the aorta, the biggest blood vessel in your body. This runs from your heart to the center of your chest and your abdomen, delivering oxygenated blood to your tissues and organs. Any weakness (aneurysm) can lead to rupture, which causes a life-threatening bleed into your tummy within seconds. Screening is aimed at detecting disease in those most at risk. Men are at higher risk of developing an AAA, and this increases with age, so men aged 65 and over may be encouraged to get a test. Owing to the risk profile, this screening is not offered routinely to women, men under 65, or if you’ve already received treatment for an AAA.

Did you know that a consistent lack of sleep can make your decision-making similar to that as if you were drunk? Whether you need to perform for exams, your job, be alert for lectures, or nail those meetings, we've got you covered here at Healthwords with tips on how to perform at your best. Read on to find out why you need at least 7 hours to perform your best and how to stay awake and alert when you need to.

If you find yourself pregnant and do not wish to keep the baby or have it adopted for any reason, you can seek an abortion to bring the pregnancy to an end, otherwise known as a termination of pregnancy. Abortion laws vary greatly from state to state. If you find yourself with a positive pregnancy test and are unsure of your decision, you do not need to rush into things. You can turn to your partner, trusted friends or family. You might wish to discuss with someone outside your circle, so your doctor can be a good source of guidance and can refer you for maternity or abortion services. Alternatively, you can refer yourself to abortion services, and they will have counselors to talk through your options and the strong emotions it can bring up. An abortion carries less risk the earlier it is carried out. Earlier discussions also allow for more time to think about the right option for you.