A Rainbow of Urine... What does it mean to you?

The picture above was taken by Heather West at Tacoma General Hospital in Tacoma, Washington. Heather was one of the scientists in the lab that gathered all of the urine samples, which only took a week to complete. As perfectly picturesque as these pristine pee portions are, the important thing to take from this photo is what colors raise a red flag when it comes to your urine.

Red

Red urine can be caused by a variety of things, and the color can vary from a pale pink to a deep red. From increased red blood cells from strenuous exercise, to blood in the urine. It can be increased by a number reasons from bladder cancer to eating too many beets. The best thing to do when you see your urine is red or suspect blood in the urine would be to contact your physician immediately.

Orange

Many medications can cause your urine to turn to a tint of orange. An increase in B-Vitamins, Rifampin or other medications used to treat TB, and Pyridium (for pain relief during urination) can cause the urine to turn a tinge of orange. Also, an increased amount of carrots or carrot juice can have a similar effect.

Yellow

Yellow is the natural color of urine. For someone that is properly hydrated, the urine should be a straw color. If your urine is darker yellow, it may mean that you are dehydrated and should try to drink extra water.

Green

Green urine is an indication that there is something blue mixing with the natural color in your urine. A few medications can cause green urine like Tagamet (heartburn), Elavil (amitriptyline), and Michael Jackson's drug of choice propofol. Asparagus can also cause the urine to turn a tinge of green. Green urine is usually just a harmless side effect.

Blue

Blue urine is usually only caused by the drug methylene blue, which was first used as a cure for Malaria during WWII. Today it is used commonly in procedures, usually in a dentist office.

Purple

Purple is the only urine color that has a syndrome named after it: purple urine bag syndrome. It occurs when someone has a urinary catheter. Bacteria colonizing the catheter, the collection bag, or both produce a substance called indirubin, which is red, and indigo, which is blue, and they combine to make a bright purple color.

White

Urinary tract infections sometimes turn urine a milky-white color because they provoke an immune response that unleashes a flood of white blood cells. Other causes of whitish urine include uric acid crystals from eating purine-rich foods, such as anchovies, herring, and red meat (lamb, beef, and pork), and phosphate crystals from excess parathyroid hormone.

Brown

If the red of red urine is dark, it may look brown or even black. In such cases, the causes of brown or black urine may be the same as those of red urine. But urine can turn truly brown. Bilirubin, another breakdown product of hemoglobin, sometimes builds up in the blood because of liver conditions, like hepatitis and cirrhosis, or a bile duct blocked by gallstones, a tumor, or some other obstacle. If some of that excess bilirubin gets into the urine, the urine can turn a brownish color. Hemolytic anemia, when too many red blood cells get broken down at the same time, also produces a bilirubin surplus that may taint urine. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, can, in rare instances, put melanin, the pigment that darkens skin, in circulation, and some of that pigment may wind up in the urine. Foods that may turn urine brown include fava beans and rhubarb.
 
If you have any questions or concerns about urine, your first call should be to your doctor, but the second should be to The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy of Largo to answer any questions you may have. 727-501-0188.

How To Test Your Glucose

Check out this awesome video I did that gives you a step by step instruction on how to test your glucose level. If you need assistance with your meter, please bring it in and we can go through the specifics to make sure you fully understand how to test your glucose, store your readings, and be able to access all of your readings in your monitor.

Seven New Sunscreens To Fight Skin Cancer this Summer

Whether your goal is a healthy looking tan, fighting skin cancer, or covering your tattoos, there is a new sunscreen available this summer for you to try. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 3.5 million skin cancers in over 2 million people are diagnosed annually. One in every five persons will develop some type of skin cancer in their lifetime. The sad thing is, 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are caused by over exposure to UV rays, which shows why protecting yourself in the sun is such an important thing to do. Check out these 7 new sunscreens to help protect yourself from skin cancer during these hot summer months.

The Cerave brand's first extension into sunscreen includes eight different face and body products in SPF 30 and 50. Their “Invisible Zinc” technology features a micro-fine zinc oxide that has a dry and clear finish (instead of zinc’s signature white goop). The lotion also contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help repair and moisturize the skin barrier.

This unique dab stick from Ocean Potion is non-greasy and fragrance-free, making it an ideal method of protecting the areas that are a little tougher to tackle with normal lotion, such as the nose, ears and scalp. The liquid absorbs quickly and leaves a matte finish, so you don’t need to worry about your hair or face looking greasy.

While aiming all of your sun protection efforts on easily burnt areas, it’s easy to forget that your lips need some love, too. Formulated with vitamin E, aloe and cocoa butter, these lip balms by Sun Bum come in six different fruity flavors, all with SPF 30.

Protect your tattoos from sun-induced fading and blurring with a moisturizing sunscreen stick by Coppertone. Also available in a lotion, this stick is good for targeting specific areas and making sure you get the right coverage and protection across your ink. The formula offers photostable, broad spectrum protection, and contains vitamins C and E to nourish and protect the skin.

Aveeno’s “Active Natural” oat ingredient keeps skin supple by protecting against dehydration cause by chlorine, sun, sweat and salt water. Plus, it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, so you can freely apply to your face without worrying about a nasty breakout.

Neutrogena’s “Helioplex” formulation is a photostable combination of avobenzone and oxybenzone, which reduces the amount of sunscreen degradation—meaning, UV protection lasts longer. This water and sweat resistant sunscreen has a light, fresh scent and is available in SPF 30 and 70.

If you’re looking for a sun-kissed glow on your face without the dreaded threat of skin damage and wrinkles, this sunscreen with built-in self-tanner by Australian Gold is the way to go. Kakadu plum, with high levels of vitamin C, provides antioxidant benefits and protection from damage. A gradual tan builds in two to three days, bronzing skin while simultaneously protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays.

For more sunscreen options contact The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy of Largo at 727-501-0188.

Product information from youbeauty.com

The Six Best Razor Burn Remedies You Can Do At Home

The last few blog posts have been summer oriented, so I had to touch on razor burn. Nothing is less fun than the sting from sun screen on your razor burned areas. Not to mention, it's beach season, and what guy or girl wants to get in their bathing suit to show off their razor burned bodies. Razor burn is inflammation caused by frequent shaving. Here are a few ways to help reduce pain associated with razor burn, and speed up the healing process.

- Aspirin- Not only is it one of your first options when having a headache, but aspirin also helps temper some of those nasty razor burn bumps. Let some tablets dissolve in water (The enteric coated aspirin will not work for this) and create a paste or slushy like substance. Spread the mixture on razor burned areas to reduce red bumps.

- Vitamin C- Vitamin C taken orally can also reduce some of the symptoms of razor burn. You can take an oral supplement of 500 mgs per day, or try foods rich in vitamin c like kiwis, oranges, tomatoes, or leafy greens,

-Petroleum Jelly - Nothing combats razor burn quite like moisture, and nothing moisturizes better than petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Apply a thin layer of jelly to irritated spots after shaving. It can be greasy, so if your clothes usually cover your affected areas, you may want to lot some of e excess away before getting dressed.  

- Oatmeal Bath - This can be an extremely valuable tool for combating razor burn. Next time your bumps or irritation get really bad, mix a packet (avoid flavored oatmeal) in your bath and stew for 20 minutes.

- Strawberry And Sour Cream - This is a great way to reduce any type of facial bumps. Strawberries have similar properties to salicylic acid, which is available in most topical acne medicines (also aspirin). The bump reducing affect of the strawberries and the moisture of the sour cream work fantastic on razor burn. If you want to do this, mash room temperature strawberries with 1/4 cup of sour cream and apply as a mask for about 15 minutes then rinse.

- Tea Tree Oil - Tea Tree Oil can work wonders for razor burn. It has antiseptic properties so it may burn slightly when applied. You should apply it one to two times with a cotton ball to affected areas after shaving. If you have sensitive skin, you can mix it with Aloe Vera Gel to make it more tolerable. 

Healthy skin is a huge concern for the summer, especially in Florida. We want to make sure not only your skin is health, but it's baby soft and beautiful. With that said, if you print this blog post and bring it into The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Largo, we will give you a free bottle of aspirin, for all your headache and razor burn needs. For any questions pease call 727-501-0188. 

THE MEDICINE SHOPPE PHARMACY TO HOST COMMUNITY HEALTH TALK TO EDUCATE ABOUT STROKE

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. In order to help the community understand the risk factors and symptoms of stroke, a leading cause of death and serious long-term disability in the United States, The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy of Largo is presenting a Community Health Presentation at The Palms of Largo to launch a community awareness initiative on the risk factors and prevention of stroke.

 

The presentation will be held on the first floor of Cypress Palms on Tuesday June 25^th at noon. Attendance is free and lunch will be provided. Cypress Palms is located at 400 Lake Ave NE, Largo, FL 33771. The event will offer free blood pressure and cholesterol screening, stroke awareness materials, and a presentation by guest speaker E.J. Thompson, who has been in pharmacy for 10 years and is in EMS. Please contact Leah Einboden at 727-559-7888 to reserve your spot for the presentation.

 

“Time is crucial in the treatment of stroke, as on average, every 40 second someone in the United States has a stroke and roughly every four minutes someone dies from a stroke,” said E.J., who lost a relative to stroke at age 31. “The earlier a stroke is recognized and the patient receives medical attention, the greater chance of recovery.”

 

Strokes occur when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and vital nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. When this occurs, part of the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, destroying millions of valuable nerve cells within minutes.

 

“If you suspect a stroke, remember the word FAST- F-A-S-T,” said Dr. George Liristis, pharmacy director of The Medicine Shoppe of Largo. “F is for face- is your face drooping? A is for arms- can you lift both arms? S is for speech- are you slurring your words and T is for time, call 9-1-1 immediately because with stroke, time is brain.”

The primary stroke symptoms include:

·         Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face or facial drooping

·         Sudden numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

·         Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech

·         Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

·         Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

·         Sudden severe headache with no known cause

 

About Stroke

 

Stroke is a leading cause of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States. According to the American Stroke Association, approximately 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke each year, and 87 percent of these are ischemic strokes. An acute ischemic stroke occurs when an obstruction, such as a blood clot, blocks blood flow to the brain. The obstruction deprives the brain of blood and oxygen, destroying valuable nerve cells in the affected area within minutes. The resulting damage can lead to significant disability including paralysis, speech problems and emotional difficulties.

 

Treatment may be available if you get to the emergency room immediately upon recognition of stroke symptoms. Leading a healthy lifestyle, including lowering risk factors like high blood pressure and weight, can also help reduce your stroke risk.

 

For more information about stroke, visit www.strokeawareness.com

Why You Get A Hangover and How to Prevent or Cure Them

Everyone has had a hangover. Well statistically it's only 75% of people who drink alcohol will have a hangover. So, I guess I need to rephrase my first statement, everyone I know has had a hang over. It is interesting to see how easy to prevent a hangover is when you understand the science behind them. 

The formal name for a hangover is veisalgia, from the Norwegian word for "uneasiness following debauchery" (kveis) and the Greek word for "pain" (algia) -- an appropriate title considering the uncomfortable symptoms experienced by the average drinker. The common hangover includes some or all of the following:

- Sensitivity to light and sound

- Diarrhea

- Loss of appetite

- Trembling

- Nausea

- Fatigue

- Increased heart rate and blood pressure

- Dehydration(dry mouth, extreme thirst, dry eyes)

- Trouble concentrating

- Anxiety

- Difficulty sleeping

- Weakness

- Headache

- Poor Sense of Overall Well-being

Now for the important part... WHY DO I GET A HANGOVER? 

When alcohol is consumed, it enters the bloodstream and causes the pituitary gland in the brain to block the creation of vasopressin (also known as the antidiuretic hormone). Without this chemical, the kidneys send water directly to the bladder instead of reabsorbing it into the body. This is why drinkers have to make frequent trips to the bathroom after urinating for the first time after drinking. (This is known to drinkers as "breaking the seal")

According to studies, drinking about 250 milliliters of an alcoholic beverage causes the body to expel 800 to 1,000 milliliters of water; that's four times as much liquid lost as gained. This diuretic effect decreases as the alcohol in the bloodstream decreases, but the aftereffects help create a hangover. Partaking in additional activities that could assist in dehydration (dancing or sun exposure) could make matters worse.

The morning after heavy drinking, the body sends a desperate message to replenish its water supply -- usually manifested in the form of an extremely dry mouth. Headaches result from dehydration because the body's organs try to make up for their own water loss by stealing water from the brain, causing the brain to decrease in size and pull on the membranes that connect the brain to the skull, resulting in pain.

The frequent urination also expels salts and potassium that are necessary for proper nerve and muscle function; when sodium and potassium levels get too low, headaches, fatigue and nausea can result. Alcohol also breaks down the body's store of glycogen in the liver, turning the chemical into glucose and sending it out of the body in the urine. Lack of this key energy source is partly responsible for the weakness, fatigue and lack of coordination the next morning. In addition, the diuretic effect expels vital electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium, which are necessary for proper cell function.

WHAT CAN HELP PREVENT A HANGOVER?

To prevent a hangover, the three things you can do prior to beginning drinking is drink water, eat, and take a multivitamin.

The food will slow down the absorption of the alcohol, giving the body more time to process the toxins. Having food in the stomach will also decrease stomach irritation, making it less likely for the drinker to vomit.

The water will make it less likely to become dehydrated, and the multivitamin will equip your body with all the vitamins and minerals it needs, so when the alcohol starts to deplete your vitamin levels, you're not as adversely affected.

WHAT IF I HAVE ALREADY STARTED DRINKING BEFORE I READ THIS?

Well, the first thing you need to do is start drinking water, and stop drinking alcohol. The second step would be to eat something fatty and high in carbohydrates. (My personal preference is Taco Bell) And finally, take two Aspirin (NO TYLENOL) and maybe a vitamin.

When you wake up in the morning, you need to have a nice breakfast with fruit juice, eggs, and a banana or Gatorade. Why you ask?

Eating eggs the morning after provides energy like any other food, which is the primary benefit. But eggs do also contain large amounts of cysteine, the substance that breaks down the hangover-causing toxin acetaldehyde in the liver's easily depleted glutathione. Therefore, eggs can potentially help mop up the left-over toxins.

Eating bananas the morning after a night of heavy drinking provides lost electrolytes like any food would, but it also specifically replenishes the potassium lost to alcohol's diuretic effect. Other potassium-rich foods such as kiwi fruit or sports drinks work just as well.

The fructose, fruit sugar,  in fruit juice helps to naturally increase the body's energy. Studies have proven that it also increases the rate at which the body gets rid of toxins such as those left over from alcohol metabolism. Fruit juice is also a good idea the morning after because it's high in vitamins and nutrients that were depleted the night before because of alcohol's diuretic effect. Vitamin supplements high in vitamins C and B are also effective.

I hope this helps out, but please take heed when you drink. The only true hangover remedy is to abstain from drinking, and never drink and drive. Have a safe summer!

How to enjoy your summer and avoid poison ivy.

Summer is a great time of year to enjoy outside activities, but avoiding some of the harmful environmental elements like poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac can be a job in itself. The oil that causes the rash in all three plants is the same, it is called urushiol. If you come in contact with this oil, the key is getting it off with in the time it binds to your skin, which is about 10-15 minutes. Knowing what the plants look like, how to treat the oil, and eventually the rash is the easiest way to avoid any miserable days during the summer months. Check out this awesome video on poison ivy and its treatment to find out more.

To find out more about poison ivy or to ask about the best way to treat your rash, please call The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy of Largo at 727-501-0188.