Lehan Drugs Blog

What Are Omega-3’s?

Omega 3’s are a type of fatty acid required by the human body to function properly. Our bodies cannot make Omega 3’s on our own, so humans must consume fish oil through the diet or with supplementation.

There are two types of omega 3’s:  DHA and EPA. Both are found naturally in fish.

The Uses and Dosing of Fish Oil (Omega-3s)

When determining the correct dose of fish oil for omega-3s, you must read the label carefully.  The front label of most products will say “Fish Oil 1,000mg” however this is NOT the amount of omega-3s in the product.  Omega-3s are only a portion of the fish oil capsules and are the ingredient directly responsible for supporting vital health processes.

Fish oil products should have labeling to describe the amounts of omega-3s (DHA + EPA) in the capsules.   The “serving size” may be listed as 1 or 2 capsules, depending on the product selected.  This is important in determining the cost of taking fish oil, as serving size differs from product to product.

*As you can see from this example, although each capsule is 1,000mg, only 300mg are the DHA and EPA!*

The most common uses of fish oil are to support healthy cholesterol (primarily high triglycerides), blood pressure support, prevention of secondary cardiovascular events, cardiovascular support, and support of brain function. The chart below describes how dosing may differ based on medical literature available for each condition.

Summary of Scientific Evidence:

High Cholesterol (primarily triglycerides):   There is strong evidence that omega-3s help in reducing triglyceride levels.  On average, omega-3s reduce triglyceride levels by 27mg/dl.

High Blood Pressure: There is strong evidence that omega-3s support small reductions in blood pressure.

Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention: There is strong evidence that omega-3s reduce the risk of heart attacks and death in patients who have previously had a heart attack or stroke.

Other theoretical (unproven) benefits:

Arthritis/inflammatory disorders

Dementia

Auto-immune disorders

Asthma

If you have additional questions about fish oil, talk to one of our pharmacists today!

Yours in Health,

Jon Lehan, Pharm D

What is Influenza?

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness which presents as a range of symptoms from mild to severe. One common misconception of influenza is that it is synonymous with the stomach flu. Influenza and the stomach flu are two separate, unrelated conditions, and the yearly influenza vaccine does not prevent the stomach flu. Today’s blog will focus on influenza.

How can I contract Influenza?

Influenza is transmitted through droplets of moisture such as from sneezing or coughing. People can contract influenza at any time throughout the year, but it usually occurs between the months of October and May, with the largest number of infections occurring in January and February.

What are the symptoms of Influenza?

The condition can present as a variety of symptoms and can be easily confused with other health conditions. Some of these symptoms include muscle aches, fatigue, sore throat, headache, fever/chills, cough or runny/stuffy nose. Most people recover within a week of becoming ill.

Types of Influenza Vaccines

• Influenza Shot: this is the inactivated vaccine and is what most people will receive when they become vaccinated.
• Influenza Spray: this is the weak, active form of the virus that is administered via a nasal spray.
• High-Dose Vaccine: this is four times the dose of the normal vaccine and is specifically for people age 65 and older, but has an increased incidence of side
  effects.

Who should get the Influenza Vaccine?

The CDC recommends that all people older than 6 months of age should receive the vaccine on a yearly basis. While young children and people over the age of 65 have the highest rate of infection, pregnant women or people with certain health conditions such as a weakened immune system, or lung, kidney, or heart disease can become very sick if they contract the virus.

Why should I get the Influenza Vaccine every year?

Viruses are continuously changing, and as they change, they are classified as different strains. Before the vaccines are made every year, scientists try to match the vaccine to the top three strains they believe will circulate for a given year. Receiving a flu vaccine every year ensures optimal protection from the most recent influenza strains.

When should I get the Influenza Vaccine?

You should receive the influenza vaccine as early as it is available, but it is never too late to receive it. The earlier you receive it, the sooner you are protected from the virus. Once you have been immunized, it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to begin working, and the protection lasts for one year or longer for the included strains.

Who should NOT get the Influenza Vaccine?

• People who are severely allergic to eggs
• People who have had a major allergic reaction to a previous influenza vaccine
• People who have had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
• People who are moderately to severely ill (these people should wait until they are feeling better)

What risks are associated with the Influenza Vaccine?

There are minimal risks associated with the influenza vaccine. The most common complaint is an injection site reaction. This may include pain, soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was administered. Additionally, some people may notice aches, headache or fatigue after receiving the vaccine. These symptoms usually occur soon after receiving the vaccine and subside within 1 to 2 days.

Posting by Samantha Keca, PharmD Candidate, UIC-Chicago

Well, it is hard to believe, but it is that time of year again – vaccinations for the seasonal flu are now available at Lehan Drugs! The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone over 6 months of age receives the flu vaccination as soon as vaccines become available in their community. At Lehan Drugs, we are proud to have been a leader in pharmacy flu vaccinations for the past 12 years and look forward to serving the community once again this flu season!

Vaccinations are available at both Lehan Drugs locations and are available during all normal business hours. We will once again bill each patient’s insurance, if requested, and the vaccination involves no out of pocket cost for all Medicare beneficiaries.  At Lehan Drugs, we are able to vaccinate anyone 14 years of age or older.

In addition, if you know someone who cannot leave their home and would like to receive the flu vaccine, please let us know and we will gladly come to their home to administer the shot.

For any questions about the vaccination, please call us at 815-758-0911 or e-mail us at info@lehandrugs.com

Yours in Health,

The Lehan Family

What is Magnesium?

Magnesium is an important mineral that we need for many biochemical reactions in our bodies.  It is important for good bone health, immune health, and cardiovascular functions to name a few.  When we eat, our intestines absorb magnesium from foods such as green vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. 

Do proton pump inhibitors cause low magnesium?

Recently, a study was released that showed that long-term use of medications in the class of proton pump inhibitors (Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Dexilant, Zergerid, Protonix, AcipHex, Vimovo) used to reduce stomach acid, may be associated with low magnesium levels.  Low blood levels of magnesium can cause arrhythmias, seizures, and muscle spasms, but can also exist without any symptoms.

 So the real question is, should you take a magnesium supplement if you are taking one of these medications?

Unfortunately, there are no studies that can answer this question at this time.  But in the meantime, it may be wise to take a magnesium supplement if you are taking a proton pump inhibitor long-term. 

How much magnesium should I take per day?

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences established the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of magnesium to be 420mg/day for men 31 years of age and older and 320mg/day for women 31 years of age and older.   For adults aged 19 to 30, the RDA of magnesium is 400mg/day for men and 310mg/day for women.  This amount refers to the amount of elemental magnesium that you should obtain from your diet.  Depending on how much magnesium you are getting from your diet, you may require more or less magnesium from a supplement.   It is not recommended to take more magnesium than the established RDA per day.

What magnesium supplement should I take?

The table below compares some different forms of magnesium that are available over-the-counter.  In general, magnesium oxide has a large amount of elemental magnesium per tablet, but it isn’t absorbed well into the body.  Some of the other forms of magnesium listed below contain less elemental magnesium per tablet, but are better absorbed into the body.

For more information, we encourage you to call and speak with one of our pharmacists at 815-758-0911 or 815-217-3890.

Do I need a PRO-biotic when my doctor prescribes an ANTI-biotic?

 What is a Probiotic?

 Probiotics are live, “good” bacteria and yeast that live in your intestine. They help decrease “bad” bacteria and viruses that cause diseases such as diarrhea.

They can help…

Some patients treat or prevent diarrhea including antibiotic associated diarrhea. Also, probiotics can help with some other diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis (UC)  and Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS), and even asthma.

How likely am I to get diarrhea from my antibiotic?

The risk of diarrhea is up to 40% in patients treated with antibiotics, and about 10% of women develop a yeast infection.  The best-studies probiotics reduce your chance of developing these side effects by 50-75%.

Is that the entire story?

Antibiotics reduce the healthy bacteria in your digestive system. Good bacteria have been found to reduce the symptoms and development of auto-immune diseases such as asthma and ulcerative colitis, help create essential nutrients for your health like Vitamin K, and protect your gut from dangerous bacteria like Clostridium Dificile.

Although you may not develop diarrhea from your medication, using a probiotic ensures the medication doesn’t damage your health while clearing your infection!

Not all probiotics are created equal!

Lehan’s only recommends products with the BEST evidence available for preventing antibiotic associated diarrhea and general intestinal and vaginal health.  Less expensive products may not be strong enough, have the correct balance of bacteria, or may not have any LIVING probiotic bacteria.

Still not sure???

Don’t hesitate to ask a Lehan’s pharmacist for recommendations to help you choose the right product for you or your family member.

 Pro-Biotic Product Choices

March is DVT Awareness Month, so once again we want to emphasize the importance of taking steps to prevent a blood clot, such as a deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deep vein), which could lead to a pulmonary embolism (the lodging of a blood clot in the main artery of the lung).  According to the National Blood Clot Alliance, between 350,000-600,000 venous blood clots occur every year in the U.S, and about one third of all blood clots are fatal.

Serena Williams’ recent scare with a pulmonary embolism inadvertently brought attention to this dangerous condition and its ability to affect anyone, including athletes!  In fact, athletes are often at a higher risk of developing a DVT because of their lower resting heart rates and slower blood flow rates, especially when they are traveling long distances.  Williams’ ankle injury combined with immobilization in a walking boot and a long airline flight across the country most likely caused the DVT, resulting in a pulmonary embolism. 

Warning signs of a DVT include swelling (usually of one leg), leg pain/tenderness, leg warm to touch, and/or reddish or bluish skin discoloration.

Warning signs of  PE include sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain that may worsen with a deep breath, rapid heart rate, and/or unexplained cough, sometimes with bloody mucus.

To help prevent blood clots:

• When traveling or sitting/standing for long periods, wear compression socks, take breaks, and stretch your legs often
• Stay well hydrated
• Move around as soon as possible after surgery/illness/injury – compression socks will help in these times as well
• As always, exercise regularly, eat healthy, and don’t smoke
• Know the risk factors for blood clots and the signs and symptoms of DVTs and PEs

As we noted last year around this time, risk factors include:

• Major surgery
• Recent trauma (fall, broken bone)
• Family history of blood clots
• Sit or stand for long periods of time
• Overweight or obese
• Pregnancy
• Varicose veins
• Oral contraceptives
• Confined to a bed

It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about DVT prophylactic measures, especially if you have a family history of blood clots, following major surgery, or if you exhibit any of the above risk factors and will be traveling long distances.

In support of DVT Awareness Month, we’re offering our online followers some excellent sales on all compression socks (excluding insurance sales) through April 15th.  Our certified fitters will make sure you find just the right style and size to meet your lifestyle needs (dressy/casual/athletic performance) and maximize your DVT prophylaxis.  Mention “DVT Awareness Month” at the register and receive:

• 10% off one pair
• 15% off 2 pairs
• 20% off 3+ pairs

Please feel free to call us at 815-758-0911 or email info@lehandrugs.com if you have any questions at all!  We are always more than happy to help.

Changes to FSA Plans (for 2011)

OTC’s requires Prescription : If you use your FSA to pay for over the counter medications (any cold medicine, allergies, motion sickness) then you are in for some significant changes beginning January 1, 2011. Your over the counter (OTC) drugs now require a prescription to be reimbursed from your FSA.  There are a few exceptions to this (like insulin, contact lens solution) which are listed below.

Know your documentation :  According to the IRS, you should be able to provide proof of purchase and proof of prescription. For example you can provide either

1. A customer receipt issued by Lehan Drugs that reflects the date of sale and the amount of the charge, along with a copy of the prescription OR
2. A customer receipt that identifies the name of the purchaser (or the name of the person for whom the prescription applies), the date and amount of the purchase and an Rx number

What about grace periods? Some companies provide a grace period to use up all the money, so if your grace period extends into 2011, you would have to follow the new rule for whatever you are buying after Jan 1, 2011. Even if the money comes from 2010 fund. For example, if your company provides a 2 ½ month grace period to use your 2010 fund, the cost of over-the-counter medicines and drugs purchased without a prescription during the first 2 ½ months of 2011 will not be eligible to be reimbursed by a health FSA.

List of eligible medications that do not require a prescription

This change impacts only medication. This means any medical equipment and other medical supplies that are covered by your plan will not require any extra documentation. Here is a sample of stuff that doesn’t require any prescription.

List of eligible medications that require prescription

Unfortunately a lot of medications, over the counter medications, now require a prescription. Some examples include -

List of eligible medications that will require a prescription and a letter of necessity

There is no change in this category. Some medications always required an extra letter of necessity from the doctor, like the following.

Now you have to get a prescription too.

What can you do to prepare and use your money wisely

All the changes are going into effect only on Jan 1, 2011. So there is plenty of time to prepare and plan.

Stock up now : You can still buy OTC medications without a prescription until Dec 2010. So stop by Lehan Drugs and stock up on things you might need before the changes take place on 1/1/2011!

*Compression socks/stockings will not require a prescription going forward but a letter of medical necessity will be needed to purchase compression products with FSA funds! 

Set aside the correct amount : When planning how much money to set aside for your 2011 health spending, you should take the new changes into account. If you don’t spend the entire amount because you didn’t get a prescription for over-the-counter medicine you figured into your reimbursements, then you’ll most likely lose the money left at the end of the plan year, or pay a penalty depending on the type of account.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask a Lehan Drugs pharmacist!

Lehan Drugs cordially invites you to join us on Sunday, December 5th from 11am-4pm for our annual Holiday Open House!  We will have refreshments, great savings on holiday cards and gifts, and other discounts throughout the store!  Check out the details below and we hope to see you there!

Yours in Health,

The Lehan Family

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the official grand opening of our Women’s Health Department and Boutique last week!  We all had a great time and it was fantastic to see so many wonderful people throughout the events.  Whether it was the Ugly Bra Contest, our Leg Health Day or the Ladies Night with Sherry Lebed Davis, it was a week to remember and we couldn’t have done it without you!

We are so pleased to be able to offer these services to the women of our community and we look forward to being able to serve you even better within our new department!  We have expanded our line of post-mastectomy products, added two fabulous dressing rooms for fittings, introduced a fantastic new line of skin care called Lindi Skin, and above all else, created a department that we feel will better meet the unique needs of our patients.  Enjoy the pictures from the week and if you have any comments or suggestions, just let us know.  We’d love to hear from you!

Yours in Health,

The Lehan Family

You can also see more pictures on our facebook page HERE.  Become a fan if you aren’t already!

When it comes to running, cycling or training for a triathlon, whether you are a weekend warrior or a serious competitor, it seems we are all looking for an edge to help us train harder and recover more quickly.  It may be the latest shoe design, recovery drink or training program, but there is always something new to try to gain that edge.

In the past couple of years more and more runners, triathletes and cyclists have been turning to compression socks to help their performances and recovery times.  But people want to know, do compression socks actually work or are they just the latest fad?   To answer that question, let’s first take a look at the basic effect that compression has on the circulatory system. 

1. Artery musculature:  The arteries in your body have muscular walls.  The musculature of these arterial walls reacts to changes in pressure.

2. Ambient pressure and expansion of the arterial diameter: The special compression profile of compression sport socks increases the ambient pressure on the arterial walls (in effect helping to equalize the pressure inside and outside the artery walls).  As a result, the musculature in the arterial wall relaxes and the relaxed musculature increases the arterial diameter and consequently the blood flow through the arteries.

* Artery without compression                            * Artery with compression *

This increased blood flow seems to have various positive effects on athletes.  A study from 2007 found an 85% decrease in the number of athletes suffering from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)¹ post-recovery when wearing compression socks.  In theory the increased blood flow and graduated compression helps to remove lactic acid from muscles in the lower legs more quickly and consequently reduces soreness in athletes to help them recover more quickly.

Another study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning in 2009 by Dr. Wolfgang Kemmler of the Institute of Medical Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg,Germany concluded that runners using CEP compression sport socks had 5% faster running times while using 6% less energy².

These studies show that both recovery and performance may be increased by using athletic compression socks during and after workouts.  It should be noted, though, that the benefits of compression socks are pre-conditioned on wearing a correctly fitted sock.  If a sock that is worn is too tight or worn incorrectly, the sock can actually have the opposite of the desired effect and decrease blood flow to the muscles.  It is extremely important to see a certified fitter to be measured for socks to ensure a proper fit!

Other benefits of athletic compression socks include:

1) Muscle support – the pressure exerted by the socks decreases vibration trauma to muscles due to the pounding of running. 

2) Shin splint relief – the pressure from compression socks supports the shin muscles and reduces the severity of muscle tearing away from the shin that results in shin splints

3) Achilles heal support – CEP athletic socks have special support for the achilles heal helping to reduce soreness

At the end of the day, although the science of athletic compression socks is relatively new, it appears that they may have an impact on athletic training both in increased performance and decreased recovery times.  If you have any questions about compression athletic socks or compression in general, stop in, give us a call or e-mail us at info@lehandrugs.com!

¹Ali, A., M.P. Caine, B.G. Snow. 2007. Graduated Compression Stockings: Physiological and Perceptual Responses During and After Exercise. J Sports Sci 25(4): 413-419.

²Kemmler, Wolfgang; Stengel, Simon von; Köckritz, Christina; Mayhew, Jerry; Wassermann, Alfred; Zapf, Jürgen Effect of Compression Stockings on Running Performance in Men Runners. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 23(1):101-105, January 2009.