Island Farmacy

Subject: Learning at Lunch: Understanding the Physical Effects of Anxiety Hello there! Welcome to the "Learning at Lunch" email series for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). In this series, we aim to provide you with valuable insights and knowledge during your lunch break. Today, we will explore the topic of anxiety and its impact on the body. Anxiety is a common experience that many of us face in our everyday lives. It manifests as persistent worry and fear in response to various situations. But did you know that anxiety can also affect us physically? When anxiety strikes, it can result in fast heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, and other bodily responses.  "From head to toes, almost every system in your body can be impacted by anxiety. The physical effects of anxiety are due to activation of the sympathetic (fight-flight) response. This kicks your body into a state of survival and prepares you to protect yourself from perceived danger." Let's take ...

 Low vitamin D levels may increase the risk of long COVID, according to research presented at the 25th European Congress of Endocrinology. Individuals should consider checking their vitamin D levels after COVID-19. The study examined 100 patients, comparing those with and without long COVID. Lower vitamin D levels were found in patients with long COVID, particularly those experiencing "brain fog" symptoms at the six-month follow-up. The study, while controlled, suggests a link between vitamin D deficiency and long COVID. Larger studies are needed to confirm this link, but researchers are now exploring whether vitamin D supplements can reduce the risk or improve symptoms of long COVID. #LongCOVID #VitaminD #COVID19Research https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230513/Long-COVID-risk-may-increase-with-low-levels-of-vitamin-D.aspx

 🌙 Importance of Healthy Sleep in Lowering Alzheimer's Risk 🧠💤 For years, experts have emphasized the significance of quality sleep for good health. However, new research suggests that it may even play a role in lowering the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. A recent study published in BMC Medicine followed 62 older adults without dementia, conducting a sleep study to monitor their sleep waves and measure beta-amyloid deposits in their brains. The findings revealed that participants with high levels of beta-amyloid deposits who experienced higher levels of deep sleep performed better on a memory test compared to those with the same deposits but poorer sleep quality. This suggests that deep sleep may help combat memory impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease, serving as a modifiable risk factor for its development. Lead study author, Zsófia Zavecz, highlights the significance of deep sleep and its impact on cognitive function, even in the presence of brain pa...

Introduction: Welcome to IslandFarmacy's CPD website! We're thrilled to highlight the 10 reasons why our platform stands out and offers exceptional value for your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs. Read on to discover the unique features and benefits that make our website a top choice for healthcare professionals. Diverse and Relevant CPD Content: IslandFarmacy's CPD website offers a diverse range of relevant content tailored specifically for healthcare professionals. From industry updates to cutting-edge research, our platform covers a wide spectrum of topics to keep you informed and inspired. Expert Contributors: We have a team of expert contributors who are industry leaders in their respective fields. They share their expertise and insights through well-crafted articles, ensuring that you receive high-quality, reliable information to enhance your professional development. User-Friendly Interface: Navigating IslandFarmacy's CPD website is a breeze! Our u...

 Today, I want to talk about medication adherence, which is a huge challenge for healthcare providers. As a pharmacist for many years, I have seen firsthand how difficult it can be to get patients to take their routine prescription medications correctly. Hey everyone, welcome back to my Island Farmacy Blog.  One of the biggest hurdles I faced over the years was how to get patients to take their medications as prescribed. Even with all the steps in place, like calling doctors for prescription refills, billing prescriptions and getting them covered by insurance companies, dispensing medications in compliance packaging, billing credit cards for co-pays, and delivering medications to their doorsteps, I could not guarantee patients would remain adherent and compliant. Studies show that between 50-60% of patients either take their medications improperly or not at all, which usually results in unnecessary visits to the emergency room, prolonged hospital stays, and maybe even fataliti...

Sleep is a vital biological function for the human body, playing a crucial role in maintaining overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, sleep disorders are increasingly common, with at least 45% of the world's population being affected by some form of sleep problem. A study showed that the prevalence of poor sleep in young people in Mauritius was 30.7% with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) being the most prevalent disorder globally. OSA is characterised by the intermittent relaxation of throat muscles during sleep, leading to blocked airways and disrupted breathing. It affects over one billion people worldwide, with some countries reporting a prevalence exceeding 50%. Estimates suggest that nearly 1 billion adults aged 30–69 years worldwide could have obstructive sleep apnoea, and the number of people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea, for which treatment is generally recommended, is estimated to be almost 425 million Apart from OSA, other common sleep diso...