Sleep Apnoea And Poor Sleeping Patterns

Getting a good nights rest is tantamount to being 'well'. Our emotional and physical well being depends on quality of our rest. Poor quality of our sleep leads to poor concentration, drowsiness and retardation of the senses and prolonged sleeping problems can even be attributed to depression. To root out these problems relating to sleep we must first find the cause and then learn to manage it.

Depending on age, most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Teenagers need about 9.5 and infants need almost 16 hours a day! The quality of our sleep may be depleted by the following issues:

1. Insomnia - which is when it is difficult to get to sleep or you continually wake up and can not get back to sleep.
2. Obstructive sleep apnoea - which is when you stop breathing whilst you are asleep for periods of time.
3. Restless legs syndrome, a condition which causes multiple movements of our legs meaning that we cannot find comfort and therefore stay awake. 
4. Bad dreams, nightmares, sleep walking and other emotional feelings caused by depression or stress.
5. Restless sleep from temperature changes during the night.
6. Poor prostate which causes us to urinate frequently during the night.
7. Bladder problems.
8. Hypertension related to stress in our daily lives and the ability to relax before bed time.

If these things are causing you some angst then you need to consider seeing a physician to find out how to manage the causes of your sleeping problems as the long term affects on your life and lifestyle can be enormous. Sleeping problems can affect both your professional and private life if left unchecked.

Cat Naps

Whilst there are varying opinions on the benefit of cat naps, if you are not getting enough sleep during the night, consider having a cap nap during the day. Cat naps are considered to be excellent re-charge sleeps that help us get through a long day.

Meditation

We always recommend meditation. A proven technique, meditation helps lower our stress levels and gives us more adaptation energy to relax to the changing pace of our lives through each day. One thing that many businessmen complain about with relation to sleep is the idea of switching off between day time activity and night time rest. We thoroughly recommend trying meditation as a way to break up the day between professional  life and home life. http://doublebaymeditation.blogspot.com/

Yoga
Yoga can be a great way to stretch, relax and unwind the physical stresses of the working day. To find out more about yoga, click here http://www.yogaindailylife.org.au/

Some of the other issues that could be causing sleep problems are:

• Not enough exercise
• Pain from injury
• Snoring
• Smoking cigarettes and the bodies cravings for nicotine.
• Using recreational drugs
• Changing time zones on a regular basis
• Uncomfortable sleeping conditions including the temperature of the room, style of bed and lack of fresh air

The best thing you can do is sit down and write a list of what things are causing you stress, what things may cause you discomfort during your sleep and what kinds of activities you are doing before and after you get up in the morning. By making a list we can identify what may be causing the problem and focus upon a solution. Sometimes it is simply a matter of having a comfortable routine before bed which will make all the difference to creating a relaxed environment for sleep. In other cases it may simply be a case of find a source for fresh air and the right kind of pillows to support our body. 

If none of these things help, consult your physician or else contact the Australasian Sleep Association www.sleep.org.au or else Sleep Disorders Australia on www.sleepoz.org.au

Genital Herpes - Know What It Is And What Can Be Done

We won't post any graphic images on this blog, but if you wish to see in detail what genital herpes is, you can log onto Wikipedia for more content. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genital_herpes

Gential herpes is one of the most commonly sexually transmitted infections in Australia. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus, the very same virus which can cause sold cores on the face. Anti viral medicines may relieve symptoms, speed healing and limit further outbreaks of symptoms and protect against the spread of others.

Herpes is broken down into two types - HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is a more common cause of cold sores whereas HSV-2 tends to affect the genitals.

Unfortunately with herpes, once the disease has been transmitted, it remains in the body of that person for life. After the first episode of an infection, the virus lies inactive in nerve cells and lies dormant until a period of stress  on the body may reactivate the infection.

Most people who contract genital herpes would never know that they have the disease. Some people can have one initial outbreak of the disease and then no future episodes, it just depends on your body. Some of the reasons why you may get an outbreak can be attirbuted to the following:

• High Levels of Stress
• Excessive exercise and exhaustion
• Increases in alcohol intake
• Infections from bacteria or other viruses
• Friction during sexual intercourse

The main way we combat this disease is through anti-viral medicines such as famciclovir, valaciclovir and aciclovir. 

To relieve some of the symptoms, here is a list of common remedies which you may or may not attempt:

1. Bathe the lesions in a warm saline solution
2. Drink plenty of water
3. Urinate whilst the genitals are submerged in warm water
4. Wear loose clothing
5. Use condoms
6. Avoid sexual contact if possible
7. Wash your hands well and keep the body clean.

For more information see the Australian Herpes Management Forum on www.ahmf.com.au

A Happy Customer Walks Out With A Pasotti Umbrella Just As It Starts To Rain

What a rainy summer it has been here in Sydney. Rain rain, go away, or not, since we are selling a new range of Pasotti Umbrellas which have just arrived.

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How To Close Your Pasotti Umbrella From Pasotti HQ

Pasotti Umbrellas Finally Arrive In Store Just Before Christmas!!

Just in, our new Pasotti umbrellas. They are durable, beautifully made and well worth a visit just to see them and a perfect Christmas for this rainy December. Come in and see us at 247 King Street, Newtown, Sydney. Or call us on +612 9557 1712

We Are Going To Be Bringing In Some Fancy Umbrellas For This Rainy Summer.... Pasotti

We apologise for the weather if you are visiting Sydney. We have a current weather pattern which alternates between El Nino and Elle Nina - spelling? I am not sure... But it means we're either having too little rain or too much rain. So we decided with the current weather to bring in some fancy umbrellas since you won't be needing as much sunscreen this summer. They are from the famous Italian brand Pasotti. They should be in store by Wednesday. Warning, they are not cheap! Regards from the team at Fords Pharmacy. If you like what you see, call us on +612 9557 1712

Now In Stock - McArthur Natural Products

We have recently taken on McArthur Natural Products in the store www.mcarthurnaturalproducts.com  . We have been surprised at how fast people have been buying this brand. It has been selling extraordinarily well. Please watch the video located below that explains why the McArthur cream works and what makes up this extraordinary paw paw cream. It is changing people's lives and we hope it changes yours.

We Are Making Some Changes To Our Store...

We are undergoing some new branding as we modernise the shop. Although we have been in Newtown since 1908, we believe that, like everything in this world, you have to adapt and change with the times. We hope you like our new signage. 

Asthma

Asthma is when the airways of the lungs become inflamed and cause difficulty in breathing. More than 2 million Australians suffer from Asthma. Asthma cannot be cured but it can be contained and controlled with medicines allowing an individual to live a normal and active life free of symptoms.

Most commonly, people who suffer from asthma feel tight, weezy and suffer from shortness of breath. They may also cough and bring up extra mucus.

Some of the most notable symptoms are: dry cough, wheezing, whistling in your breath, breathlessness, constriction in your chest.

Whilst there are many things that can trigger asthma, some of the most known causes are:

• The inhalation of allergens (dust, pollen, moulds, animal hair)
• Colds and flus
• Physical activity
• Cold air and inclement weather
• Pollution in the air
• Emotional stress, anxiety
• Foods
• Preservatives

How do we go about getting some help? 

If you think you suffer from asthma, consult your local physician first. It is always essential that you take your initial diagnosis to your local GP. You will need to be assessed on your symptoms, any allergic reactions you might have, ascertain a management plan for your asthma and document an action plan to make changes in the management of your health.

What kind of drugs are there?

Asthma drugs are usually broken into three categories: Relievers, Preventers and Symptom Controllers. The most commonly used reliever is Ventolin.

How Do I Monitor My Asthma?

One of the most common measuring systems used is 'The Peak Flow Meter'. This measures the capacity of your lungs and his available in all pharmacies.

For more information, see the Asthma Foundations Australia website on www.asthmaaustralia.org.au

Vitamin D Plays A Part In Reducing Your Risk To Dementia

Vitamin D has been shown through recent scientific research to be related to high risks associated with dementia.  Severe Vitamin D deficiency is shown to correlate by up to 60% with cognitive decline.

Other studies have linked Vitamin D insufficiency with dementia, Alzheimers and stroke.

In Japan, scientists have hypothesised that Vitamin D helps to break down amyloid plaques, the build up of amyloid plaques is considered to be a major aetiological factor in Alzheimers disease.

Furthermore, Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, helps maintain the immune and helps in the defence of respiratory tract infections.

Source: Andrew Whitfield-Cook, Technical Research Writer For Fit Bioceuticals.

Just Arrived! Nature's Own Fish Oil In Liquid Mango Formula!

Omega 3 improves brain power as well as helping the heart and looking after your joint function. Nature's own now has it in a liquid form with a mango peach flavour. It has all the usual Omega 3 goodness but in a liquid form. 

Just Arrived! Blackmores Super Fruit Smoothie For Weight Loss

This weight loss super fruit smoothie is a meal replacement with a low GI formula coupled with Luralean to help you to feel fuller for a longer period of time. It also has superfruit extracts which are rich in antioxidants and it contains no artificial sweeteners or colours.

Yoga For Health And Lifestyle

Yoga is a great way to get fit, stay flexible and to clear up the mind. Yoga is often a precursor or acts as a physical pathway towards meditation. Mediation has been proven by many scientific studies to lower blood pressure, stave off the effects of depression and anxiety and in some cases is more restful than sleep for the body.

We thought we might therefore recommend a few places to go in order to get meditation advice:

1. The Double Bay Meditation Centre: http://doublebaymeditation.blogspot.com/
2. The Subtle Science In Avalon: http://www.thesubtlescience.com/ggbio.php

And we decided to bring in some Yoga mats if you want to take up some yoga too. And if you are looking for a yoga studio in the area:
Yoga Synergy Newtown 

196 Australia Street, Newtown NSW 2042

(02) 9389 7399 ‎yogasynergy.com

Fibre and Bowel Health

You know, fibre is so necessary for healthy digestion of the food we eat and keeping a healthy bowel. But there are more reasons that just this, did you know it can help control your weight, lower blood cholesterol, sugar levels and lower you risk of bowel cancer?

You can get fibre by eating things such as wholegrain breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seeds and of course husk fibre drinks such as Metamucil. 

What is fibre? That's easy, it's just the part of a complex carbohydrate that is not digested or processed by the stomach or intestines during digestions. Some types of fibre cause gas (let's be frank... farts!) and can make you feel bloated. But over time your body usually adjusts to this intake.

One of the best intakes of fibre that you can have is lentils -  and we recommend these for sure. To learn about lentils, click here. They are rated by some world health authorities as being one of the top 5 foods in the world to eat for their rich intake of vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates.

Okay, so what are the benefits of a better functioning system via fibre:

• Increase the bulk of faeces and allow more water to be absorbed so that faces are softer and come out easier (yippeee)
• Helps control weight  because they are quite filling and slow to digest as they need to be chewed more.
• Fibre slows down the absorption rate of sugar - which may even stave off diabetes.
• It can reduce the risk of bowel cancer by cleaning out the system and getting more movement through the bowel.
• It can provide you with vitamins and minerals you may not be getting enough of.

What could happen if I don't look after myself? Any of the following: 

• Constipation
• Haemorrhoids
• Bowel Cancer
• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• Always tired
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes

So what are we saying? Look after your self by taking lots of fibre in your diet and if you can't get enough, come in an see us at Fords Pharmacy Newtown, 247 King Street, Newtown, Sydney - and we will find a supplement to get you back at your best. 

Metamucil, another way to get fibre back into your diet. 

Lentils, part of the pulse family of Legumes, an ideal source of dietary fibre.

Gout - Don't Play With It

If you have ever had a bout of gout you will know that it is a disease not to be messed with. Gout is when you have high amounts of uric acid in your blood stream which eventually form into needle like crystals that form around the joints and where there are bottle neck constraints in the circulation system. This disease is usually only exhibited in men and women (only after menopause), but mostly men after their thirties, and tends to be something we see in men that carry more weight around their stomach area. There are a number of remedies that are prescribed but you really need to see the doctor before you attempt to medicate yourself. Some of the most commonly used drugs are:


1. Colgout - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicine - which is usually used to combat the effects of an attack of gout but it also used when moving onto a longer term treatment of allopurinol.


2.Zyloprim - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allopurinol - From Wikipedia:


Allopurinol is a purine analog; it is a structural isomer of hypoxanthine (a naturally occurring purine in the body) and is an inhibitor of the enzyme xanthine oxidase.^[1] Xanthine oxidase is responsible for the successive oxidation of hypoxanthine andxanthine, resulting in the production of uric acid, the product of human purine metabolism.^[1] In addition to blocking uric acid production, inhibition of xanthine oxidase causes an increase in hypoxanthine and xanthine, which are converted to closely related purine ribotides adenosine and guanosine monophosphates. Increased levels of these ribotides causes feedback inhibition of amidophosphoribosyl transferase, the first and rate-limiting enzyme of purine biosynthesis. Allopurinol, therefore, decreases both uric acid formation and purine synthesis.


3. NSAID - Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs - such as Indocid. These are useful for short term treatment of accute attacks of gout to reduce inflammation and soreness around the problem area.


4. Increasing your daily intake of water.


Whatever you choose, don't be afraid to come and see us at Ford's, 247 King Street, Newtown. 

Welcome to Fords Pharmacy's Blog, We Are An Old Pharmacy Being Re-Born

Ford's Pharmacy was established in 1908. The original owner was Noel P Ford who was the chief examiner in pharmacy and optometry at Sydney University. After Noel P Ford retired his own children took over the building. Noel P Ford had made his way to the South Coast of NSW at Tarthra where he grew certain pharmaceutical drugs during World War 2 since there was no availability of certain drugs during this period.

Dennis Ford, a pharmacist, and his other son, Peter Ford, who was an optometrist, ran the pharmacy until 1968 when they sold the business to Anastasios Atgemis who has run the business to this day.

Fords has always been a pharmacy about caring for our customers. It is a place where we receive and impart the latest knowledge on lifestyle, health and well-being. We are still here, we will always lend you an ear, so why not come and visit us at our grand old establishment at 247 King Street Newtown.