What Your Heart Rate Can Indicate About Your Health

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A person’s heart rate can say a lot about them. Heart rate can indicate if you’re physically active, under a lot of stress, or are suffering from an illness.

At Saenz Pharmacy, your McAllen pharmacists will share what your heart rate can tell you about your health and what could be causing abnormalities in that rate.

What To Know About Your Resting Heart Rate

When resting, your body does not need as much oxygen, so the heart is pumping less blood. This is what is known as your resting heart rate (RHR). According to Harvard Health, healthy men and women should have a resting heart rate between 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Those with an RHR below 60 are likely very active and physically fit, therefore their heart functions more efficiently. If your RHR is above 100, it may be due to high amounts of stress, an excessive intake of caffeine, or a possible illness.

It is recommended that you see your doctor if your RHR is below 50 or above 100 without being explained by obvious factors, such as a rigorous exercise program.

What To Know About Your Maximum Heart Rate

Your maximum heart rate is when your heart is working the hardest to meet your body’s need for oxygen. This is the highest pulse your body will have.

If you want to roughly know what a healthy maximum heart rate is for yourself, subtract your current age from the number 220. As always, it is best to consult your doctor, as numbers differ in every individual.

What Could Cause Your Heart Rate To Be Off?

1.You Are Dealing With A Great Amount Of Stress

Large amounts of stress can raise your blood pressure and cause your heart to beat at a faster rate. If this becomes a chronic issue, your heart will be in a constant state of high alert, putting you at risk for a heart attack or stroke.

2.You May Have Diabetes

Although studies are ongoing, a high heart rate and diabetes are linked, but the exact relation is still uncertain. What we do know is that those who have diabetes are less active than they should be, putting a bigger strain on their heart.

3.Your Heart’s Electrical System Has A Short

Did you know that your heart has its own electrical system? It consists of a network of signals that make sure the heart is beating as it should. Those that have this issue often have a slower heartbeat, causing them to feel dizzy and lightheaded. The good news is that your doctor should be able to find the point of malfunction with a routine EKG.

4.You’re Not Physically Active

Your heart is a muscle, and muscles need to be exercised regularly to perform at their best. Those who are not physically active put a lot of strain on the heart, causing it to beat at a higher rate.

5.You’re Not Taking In Enough Water or Too Much

Your body chemistry is made up of a ratio of water to electrolytes. When you take in too little or too much water, it throws off that ratio and can result in abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias. These rhythms often result in a higher heart rate.

6.Your Medication Is Off

The medication you are taking could be resetting your heart to a new normal rate. Certain medications, like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, have been known to lower your heart rate. Caffeine, on the other hand, can raise your heart rate quickly. This is found in many headache medications, coffee, tea, and chocolate.

If you’re concerned about the effect your medication is having on your heart rate, give your local pharmacist a call.

Get Your Heart Beating At The Perfect Rate With The Help Of Your McAllen Pharmacists!

The human heart rate can tell you a lot about your health, and that is why it is so important to listen to your body.

If you have any questions about your medication and how it is affecting your heart rate, stop by Saenz Pharmacy. Our friendly pharmacists will be happy to walk you through your medication and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Your Guide To Common Asthma Medications

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Navigating all the asthma medication options out there can seem very daunting at first. But you don’t have to go at it alone.

At Saenz Pharmacy, your dedicated McAllen pharmacists are here to walk you through all the common asthma medications available so you can make the best choices for you and your family.

Different Categories

When it comes to asthma medications, there are four main categories to choose from:

  • Long-term medication: Taken on a consistent basis to treat chronic asthma and to prevent possible asthma attacks. This medication is the most important for someone suffering from asthma.
  • Quick-relief medication (also known as rescue medications): These are used to prevent or treat asthma attacks. Quick-relief medication provides fast and short-term relief for your symptoms.
  • Allergy-induced asthma medication: This is taken to reduce sensitivity to allergy-producing substances (allergens).
  • Biologics: When used in conjunction with control medications, this will stop underlying biological responses that cause inflammation of the lungs.

Types

For each category, there are generally three or four different types of medication to choose from. Understanding the different types will help you to make the best choice for you or a loved one.

Long-Term Medication Types

Inhaled corticosteroids

These anti-inflammatory drugs reduce tightening and swelling in the airways. These medications work best as a long-term solution and may take many months before results are seen.

Examples of inhaled corticosteroids include:

  • Fluticasone (Flovent HFA)
  • Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler)
  • Mometasone (Asmanex Twisthaler)
  • Beclomethasone (Qvar RediHaler)
  • Ciclesonide (Alvesco)

Possible side effects include irritation of the mouth and throat, as well as oral yeast infections. Although these side effects are possible, corticosteroids are not known to cause serious side effects.
Leukotriene modifiers

Used to block the effects of immune system chemicals called leukotrienes, these medications can prevent symptoms for up to 24 hours. Leukotriene modifiers include:

  • Montelukast (Singulair)
  • Zafirlukast (Accolate)
  • Zileuton (Zyflo)

Although rare, possible side effects include agitation, aggression, hallucinations, depression, and suicidal thinking.

Long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs)

The purpose of these medications is to open the airways and reduce swelling for twelve or more hours. LABAs have been found to contribute to severe asthma attacks so they are often used in conjunction with an inhaled corticosteroid.

Salmeterol (Serevent) is the LABA most typically used.

Theophylline

Theophylline relaxes the airways and limits the lung’s response to irritants. It is taken in pill form and used to treat mild and nighttime asthma.

The side effects linked to this drug are insomnia and gastroesophageal reflux.

Combination inhalers

Combination inhalers contain both a corticosteroid and bronchodilator, and some examples include:

  • Fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair Diskus)
  • Budesonide and formoterol (Symbicort)
  • Mometasone and formoterol (Dulera)
  • Fluticasone and vilanterol (Breo)

Quick-Relief Medications

Ipratropium
This medication is a fast-acting bronchodilator. It can be used to treat emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and severe asthma attacks.
Oral corticosteroids
Used to treat severe asthma attacks, the main two that can be taken are:

  • Prednisone
  • Methylprednisolone

Side effects that can occur from long-term use include cataracts, osteoporosis (thinning of your bones), muscle weakness, high blood pressure, and below-average growth in children.

Medications for Asthma Triggered by Allergies

Allergy shots (Immunotherapy)
This is an option for treating allergic asthma. You’ll take a skin test to find out which allergens bring about your asthma symptoms. Once you’ve taken this test, you’ll receive a series of injections that carry small doses of those allergens.
Eventually, your sensitivity to those allergens will decrease or disappear altogether.
Allergy medications
This medication comes in the form of oral and nasal spray decongestants and antihistamines. You can buy them over-the-counter or get a prescription written by your doctor.

Biologics

Omalizumab
Taken by injection every two to four weeks, this medication is used to treat asthma that is caused by airborne allergens. When you have allergies, your immune system will produce antibodies to attack substances that generally cause no harm—these substances actually produce allergies.
Omalizumab blocks allergy-producing antibodies, reducing asthma and allergy symptoms. Some examples of Biologic medications include:

  • Mepolizumab (Nucala)
  • Benralizumab (Fasenra)
  • Reslizumab (Cinqair)

It is important to know that the FDA has issued a warning about a slightly increased risk of heart and brain blood vessel problems while taking this drug.
Find the Perfect Asthma Medication for You With the Help of Saenz Pharmacy!
The use of asthma medications can vary due to age, the severity of asthma conditions, and the symptoms you have. Because of this, your McAllen pharmacists will work to find the best asthma medication for you!

Understanding the Connection Between Heart And Brain Health?

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With every beat, the heart pumps twenty to twenty five percent of the blood to the head, where the brain then uses this to function. If the heart is not working at its best, the brain won’t be able to either.

At Saenz Pharmacy, your devoted McAllen pharmacists will share how heart and brain health are intricately connected.

How Heart Function Impacts Brain Function

Your blood vessels are responsible for blood flow and oxygen to all the organs in your body. When these vessels become clogged, you have artery damage that can result in heart attacks, strokes, and dementia.

To simplify it, your heart is responsible for blood flow, and the brain needs good blood flow to function properly. If the heart is functioning poorly, it is likely your brain will start to as well.

How To Ensure You Have Good Heart And Brain Health

The key to heart and brain health starts with the heart. That being said, many of these lifestyle changes will deal with the heart:

1. Maintain Good Blood Pressure

When your blood pressure is high, it puts an extra strain on your heart, resulting many times in heart disease or a stroke. By maintaining a good blood pressure, you are allowing your heart, arteries, and kidneys to function at their best.

2. Lower Your Cholesterol

Having high cholesterol can clog your arteries with the extra plaque that has built up. This in turn can cause heart disease or even a stroke. By lowering your cholesterol, you are keeping your arteries clear and allowing blood to flow effortlessly through them.

3. Lower Your Blood Sugar Levels

When your body has the right amount of blood sugar, it gives your cells and organs the energy they need. If your blood sugar is too high, it can damage your hearts, kidneys, and nerves. You can lower your blood sugar levels by increasing your fiber intake, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly.

4. Get And Stay Active

Regular exercise also helps maintain low blood pressure and cholesterol levels. By being active, you are once again reducing the strain put on the heart and lungs. You will also be surprised at how much energy you have!

5. Eat A Well-Balanced Diet

Eating heart healthy foods can greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease; however, these foods are also excellent for fueling your brain. Some examples of these foods include whole grains and fiber, raisins, oranges, kale, spinach, lean meats, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

6. Put A Stop To Your Smoking

Smokers have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). When you inhale cigarette smoke, the chemicals contaminate your blood, damaging your heart and blood vessels. Not only does this negatively impact your heart health, but it also can poorly affect your brain health.

7. Maintain A Healthy Weight

When you maintain a healthy weight and keep those unnecessary pounds off, you are reducing the stress put on the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Having extra fat causes plaque to form and build up, which can clog your arteries and make it difficult for blood to flow through.

8. Take Medication As Prescribed

Your physician may have prescribed medication for you and your heart health, and in instances like these, it is vital that you properly follow your medication adherence plan.

Your pharmacists can assist you in following this plan, tracking your progress with the medication, and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Get Your Heart and Brain Health On Track With The Help Of Your Trusted McAllen Pharmacy.

If your heart is functioning at its best, then it is likely your brain will be as well. Take your health into your own hands and stop by Saenz Pharmacy today!
Remember to set up your prescriptions to be refilled at our pharmacies through our app.

National Immunization Awareness Month: Why You Should Consider Getting Vaccinated

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August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and in response to that, we want to give you all the reasons to consider getting vaccinated.

At Saenz Pharmacy, your trustworthy McAllen pharmacists care about your health and getting vaccinated plays a big role in that. Today, we will go over ten reasons why it would be worth your while to get vaccinated.

10 Reasons Why You and Your Loved Ones Should Get Vaccinated

1.Vaccines are Safe to Get

The nation’s long-standing vaccine safety system ensures that vaccines are as safe as possible. All vaccines go through three phases of approval — many even going through a fourth phase to monitor any additional symptoms that may arise.

2.Deadly Diseases Have Not Gone Away

Every day, various bacteria and viruses are being passed from person to person. This can be life-threatening to many who have not received their vaccinations. Even if you have not traveled outside of the country, many who do bring these back with them.

3.Regular Vaccinations Will Keep You Healthy

It is recommended by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that you get regularly vaccinated to protect yourself from different diseases and infections. Without regular vaccinations, you can become susceptible to illnesses such as the flu, shingles, pneumococcal disease, and HPV.

4.Getting Vaccinated Could Save Your Life

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, approximately 50,000 adults die every year in the United States from vaccine-preventable diseases. Keep in mind that this was before the COVID-19 pandemic. By keeping up with regular vaccinations, you could save your own life along with others you come in contact with.

5.You Put Others at Risk When You Get Sick

When you choose to get vaccinated, you not only protect yourself from illness, but also those with who you come into contact. This is critical now more than ever with the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for older folks.

6.Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Can Cost You a Lot of Money

Getting sick means missed days of work and for many, a lower paycheck. On average, 8% of the U.S. population gets sick from the flu each season. The typical flu can last up to 15 days, resulting in a week or two of work being missed. On top of that, there is the cost of over-the-counter medicine to help alleviate the flu symptoms.

7.Vaccines Give You a Stronger Defense Against the Disease

There is a preconceived notion from many that if you get vaccinated, it will give you the disease. Although there are mild symptoms that can accompany a vaccine, you will never get the disease itself. Why is this? The vaccine contains a dead or weakened version of the disease, making it almost impossible for you to get it.

8.Young and Healthy People Are Not Immune to Sickness

Many young people think that they are not susceptible to illness because they have a stronger immune system than children and older adults. Although complications can be more serious for those age groups, young and healthy adults can still get hit with serious diseases.

9.You Can Travel Safely

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting vaccinated at least a month before you travel. This gives your body the chance to build up immunity and get additional rounds if required. By doing this, you are protecting yourself from diseases like yellow fever, malaria, and typhoid.

10.Support Health Service Workers

A lot of time and money go into the care of those with infectious diseases. By getting vaccinated, those resources can go towards the treatment of non-preventable illnesses. This relieves a lot of pressure from the health service workers and allows them to give better care to everyone they treat.

Stop By Your Friendly McAllen Pharmacy Today to Get Vaccinated!

There can be a lot of questions that come with being vaccinated. At Saenz Pharmacy, your pharmacists want you to know that no question or concern is too small!

There are several diseases that are preventable with a vaccine. Take care of yourself and your loved ones and get vaccinated today!

How To Use Medication Safely in the Summer: Tips from Your Local McAllen Pharmacist

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Summer is meant to be a carefree time. Most days are spent soaking up the sun, at the pool, or on vacation with the family. During this time, it’s important not to forget your medication and how to safely use it in the summer.

Today, your caring McAllen pharmacists at Saenz Pharmacy will list the top four tips for using medication safely in the summertime.

1.Spend Less Time Out in the Sun

A side effect that many medications have is an increased sensitivity to the sun. Because of this, you are more likely to get sunburned, which could eventually lead to skin cancer.

Medications that cause this include:

  • Doxycycline: used to treat bacterial infections in the urinary tract, respiratory and intestinal system, along with Lyme disease, malaria, and acne.
  • Tetracycline: used to treat bacterial infections in various tracts of the body including respiratory, urinary, intestinal, as well as sexually transmitted diseases, acne and rosacea.
  • Pennsaid solution: intended to take care of pain from osteoarthritis in the knee.
  • Solaraze gel: intended to help with swelling, pain, and sensitivity to light after eye surgery.

If you are unable to limit your time in the sun, here are a few tips to protect your skin:

  • Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Remember to reapply often.
  • Cover yourself with an umbrella.
  • Use clothing to protect your skin such as long pants, long sleeves, hats, and sunglasses.

2.Give Yourself Reminders to Take Medications

Time seems to travel at a different speed during the summer months, and taking your medication can get lost in all the coming and going. For that reason, we recommend giving yourself reminders to take your medication.

Some ways to set reminders include:

  • Setting a daily alarm on your phone.
  • Using a weekly pillbox or container for your medication.
  • Taking your medication at the same time every day to make it a habit, either with your morning coffee, before dinner or bed, etc.

3.Correctly Store Your Medications

Summer is the time for traveling. Whether you’re flying, driving, or hiking, it is critical to correctly store your medication so that it does not get lost or damaged by the heat and humidity.

A few tips to keep your medication safe would be:

  • Ask your pharmacist for specific instructions on storing the medication.
  • Read the instructions that come with the medication insert.
  • Avoid keeping it in the car for an extended period of time.

4.Have the Necessary Medications for Emergencies

In the event of a medical emergency for yourself or your children, it is best to have the necessary medication close by. Taking the extra time to bring this with you or create an emergency medication box could save a life.

A couple of examples of necessary medications include:

  • An epinephrine auto-injector: Allergic reactions can happen quite frequently, and in some cases can become life-threatening. For that reason, it is wise to have an EpiPen handy.
  • An asthma inhaler: This hand-held device delivers medication to the lungs for those suffering from an asthma attack. Whether for yourself or a family member, it is always worth having one close by.
  • Nitroglycerin: This oral medication is used to prevent chest pain (angina) in people with coronary artery disease. It allows blood to flow more easily to the heart by relaxing and widening the blood vessels.
  • Glucagon: This medication is used to reverse the effects of low blood sugar levels. If you or a loved one have Type 1 diabetes, this drug can greatly reduce the risk of complications from low blood sugar.
  • Diastat or Nayzilam: This drug is a short-term treatment for severe seizure episodes.

Visit Saenz Pharmacy for More Tips on How to Safely Handle Your Medication!

At Saenz Pharmacy, we understand that there’s no such thing as having too many questions when it comes to your medication, especially during the summer months.

Your McAllen pharmacists are happy to answer these and more concerns!

Remember to set up your prescriptions to be refilled at our pharmacies through our app.

Why Are Drugs Named the Way They Are?

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Why do drugs have such complicated names?

Believe it or not, there is a technique behind the naming of the prescription drugs that keep us healthy. Today, your friendly McAllen pharmacists at Saenz Pharmacy will help to unravel the mystery of drug names and how they come into existence.

The U.S. Pharmacopeia

For over 200 years, the U.S. Pharmacopeia, known as USP, has set quality standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and foods.

The USP is an independent, scientific, nonprofit organization focused on building trust in the supply of safe, quality medicines. They work in strengthening the global supply chain so that the medicines people require are available when they are needed.

The Compendial Nomenclature

In the United States, unless the FDA has designated an official nonproprietary name for a drug, then the compendial/USP name will apply. 

Normally, the name comes from a written document explaining the qualities and attributes of the medicine. Sometimes, however, there is no such document created yet. In such cases, the interim official nonproprietary name is that provided in the FDA marketing license. The FDA generally defers to the USP to create official nonproprietary names for drugs. 

Generic names are partly based on the medication’s formula. The suffix in a drug’s name provides a key piece of information to health care professionals about how the drug affects the body. 

The creation of the prefix is a tad more creative. There are a number of rules that apply:

  • Prefix must have two syllables.
  • Some letters are prohibited. The generic drug name is created using the Roman alphabet. Because the letters Y, H, K, J, and W aren’t used in certain languages, they aren’t used in the creation of the prefix of the name.
  • It can’t be part of the marketing.
  • It doesn’t involve medical terminology. You don’t want to imply that a drug is intended only for one particular function.

Once the team has created a handful of approved names, these names are then submitted to the USAN Council, which is made up of representatives from the American Medical Association (AMA), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). 

Sometimes, the meeting goes well and a name is chosen for the medication. Other times, the USAN declines to accept any of the names, and counter proposes a name of its choosing.

Get All the Information You Need About Your Medication at Your Caring McAllen Pharmacy

Many times we may find ourselves apprehensive over our newest prescription. They have a weird and daunting name – but don’t let that intimidate you.

At Saenz Pharmacy, our pharmaceutical team is ready to provide you with all the information you need to be at peace and take your drug safely.

Remember to set up your prescription to be refilled at our pharmacies through our app.

 

The History of Vaccines & How They Work

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Vaccines have been a topic of debate for some good time now, and this has only increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the controversy, vaccines are truly some of the greatest health advances in human history.

The use of vaccines has allowed us to eliminate smallpox and suppress the wild poliovirus. Vaccines have also decreased the number of people who end up suffering from terrible, yet preventable illnesses like measles, diphtheria, and whooping cough.

At Saenz Pharmacy, we believe that it is best to prevent the illness before requiring a long and difficult treatment. That is why, today, your McAllen pharmacists will take a closer look at the inner workings of vaccines.

History & Overview

Vaccines work by imitating the disease they are meant to protect you from. This way, our bodies learn that any outside invader that “looks like” the vaccine is a danger.

Because vaccines stimulate our immune systems, this leads our bodies to produce antibodies as if they were being attacked by the disease. Think of it as a training session for your antibodies; now your body knows how to react to the disease.

This process is called immunization.

Surprisingly, this practice goes back hundreds of years. Buddhist monks drank snake venom to confer immunity to snake bites, for example.

Edward Jenner is known as the founder of vaccinology in Western society. In 1796, Jenner inoculated a 13 year-old-boy with vaccinia virus, (cowpox), which resulted in the child being immune to smallpox.

Thanks to this discovery, in 1798, the first smallpox vaccine was developed.

Later on, scientist Louis Pasteur spearheaded the creation of a cholera vaccine and inactivated anthrax vaccine in humans. Nowadays, the future of vaccines is in molecular genetics. This opens doors to the development of new vaccine delivery systems, new adjuvants, and the development of more effective vaccines.

How They Work

Vaccines not only merely mimic the disease, but can also contain the same germs that cause the disease. This may seem scary, but the germs have been either killed or weakened and are unable to make you sick. In some cases, the vaccine has only a part of the diseased germ.

Unfortunately, some people believe that the different components in vaccines are dangerous or poisonous. But that could not be further from the truth. All ingredients of vaccines are safe and play necessary roles either in making the vaccine, triggering your immune system, or ensuring that the final product is safe and effective.

Some of the most common ingredients used in vaccines include:

  • Adjuvants – These help your body react to the vaccine. They can also be found in antacid medication or antiperspirants.
  • Stabilizers – Not only are stabilizers found naturally in our body, but they are also found in many of the foods we eat. Stabilizers help keep the vaccine effective and safe for use after being manufactured.
  • Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde is incredibly important to make sure the vaccine does not suffer contamination as it is being made. Though it does have an intimidating name, formaldehyde can be found in your body and food preservatives.
  • Thimerosal – Though it is no longer in use other than when manufacturing multi-dose vials of the flu vaccine, this ingredient has been accused of causing autism in children who receive the vaccine. It is worth noting, however, that no reputable scientific studies have found an association between this vaccine ingredient and autism.

The Safety of Vaccines

Vaccines cannot just be created by whomever. Before a vaccine is ever given to people or even manufactured, the FDA requires extensive lab testing of the vaccine. This process takes many years of research before testing even begins.

After testing in the lab, human testing must take place. Not only does this take a handful of years as well, but also many times, (regardless of the vaccine’s effectiveness), the vaccine will not be released to the public due to side effects.

Until a vaccine formulation has passed all these safety tests and trials, it cannot be licensed.

Like any medication, it is possible to experience side effects from vaccines. Mild reactions such as a low-grade fever, pain, or redness at the injection site go away within a few days on their own.
Severe, long-lasting side effects are extremely rare and almost unheard of. If they do happen, it may be due to a rare and obscure allergy to one of the vaccine’s ingredients, not necessarily from the vaccine itself.

Get Vaccinated at Your Friendly McAllen Pharmacy

Many illnesses are preventable but could potentially put you and your loved ones at health risk if you are not protected from them.

At Saenz Pharmacy, our pharmaceutical team is ready to provide the vaccinations you need to help you build a defense against serious illnesses. For more information about the immunizations we offer, contact us today.

Should I Try Melatonin For My Insomnia?

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When we suffer from insomnia and sleeping problems, many are quick to recommend melatonin. The name might sound daunting and sleeping medication has a bad reputation, but melatonin can normally be found in our body.

Today your amicable McAllen pharmacists at Saenz Pharmacy will help give you a better understanding of melatonin and how it may help you get a restful night of sleep.

An Overview of Melatonin

Melatonin based sleep aids have been growing in popularity. As of 2012, three million Americans reported to be using melatonin according to a nationwide survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a pea-sized gland found right above the middle point in your brain. It allows your body to tell when it’s time to go to sleep, and when to wake up.

Your body makes more melatonin at night, causing you to become sleepy. As the sun rises, and night becomes morning, your levels of melatonin drop, telling your body it is time to wake up.

The amount of light you let yourself receive helps your body to adjust its own bodily clock, which sets how much melatonin your body makes. Melatonin’s main job in the body is to regulate your sleep-wake cycles.

Reasons To Take It

Sleep issues are the main reasons to take melatonin without fail. There are several sleep disorders that can be treated with melatonin and your doctor is very likely to suggest it to you.

People use melatonin when they have occasional insomnia — trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. They also take it for some other sleep problems. Trouble falling asleep at a conventional bedtime (delayed sleep phase syndrome) is one of the more common conditions.

This could include something called delayed sleep phase disorder. If you suffer from delayed sleep phase disorder, going to bed at an appropriate hour must be proving to be extremely difficult. As well, waking up and falling asleep before 2 a.m. is tough. So getting up in the morning becomes even more difficult and leaves you feeling unrested.
Melatonin is also useful to treat or prevent jet lag. A common condition frequent flyers may get when they’re traveling across time zones.

Taking melatonin by mouth has proved to reduce the length of time needed to fall asleep in young adults and children who have trouble falling asleep. However, within one year of stopping treatment, the sleeping issue may return without proper medical attention.

Regardless, melatonin can’t take the place of a doctor’s care and treatment for serious sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or long-term insomnia.

Safety

Melatonin is a quite safe supplement to use to treat your occasional insomnia, or sleeping issues while waiting to get proper treatment from your primary care provider.

While melatonin rarely causes any side effects compared to other sleep medications, you could still find yourself with the following side effects:

  • Drowsiness during the day
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Anxiety
  • Crankiness
  • A “stuffy head” sensation
  • Short and temporary depression

Melatonin is very safe, but it is worth keeping in mind that it might cause problems if you consume it along with certain medications like:

  • Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants)
  • Drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants)
  • Diabetes drugs
  • Birth control pills

Make sure to tell your doctor if you’re thinking about taking any supplement, especially if you have a current prescription or have a health condition.

In rare cases, the natural form of melatonin supplements might be flawed and contain a virus or other issues. If you decide to use melatonin, it is in your best interest to pick a synthetic type.

Stop By Saenz Pharmacy To Put Your Sleeping Issues to Rest

Making sure to get the right supplement for you is of utmost importance if you want to benefit from it. That is why your McAllen pharmacists at Saenz Pharmacy are ready to provide you with all the necessary recommendations and information. Your local pharmacist can help you choose the supplement you need and instruct you on its proper use.

Compounding 101: What You Should Know

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Sometimes, healthcare providers need to prescribe medicine at strengths that are not manufactured by drug companies, or need to create products with a different method of ingestion.

Pharmaceutical compounding provides a way for physicians and compounding pharmacists to customize a prescription to meet the specific needs of a patient. From combining multiple medications into a single convenient dosage for hospice patients to making children’s cough medicine flavored, compounding can help to make the medication-taking process much easier.

At Saenz Medical, we specialize in compounding. We understand that there are some patients who don’t respond to traditional methods of treatment and need alternatives.

Allow your McAllen pharmacists at Saenz Pharmacy to help you learn more about pharmaceutical compounding.

The Basics Of Compounding

The formal definition of compounding is:

The preparation, mixing, assembling, altering, packaging, and labeling of a drug, drug-delivery device, or device in accordance with a licensed practitioner’s prescription, medication order, or initiative based on the practitioner/patient/ pharmacist/compounder relationship in the course of professional practice.

Compounded medications are ordered by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, veterinarian or another prescriber, and mixed by licensed compounding pharmacists in a safe and carefully controlled environment.

Most often, a physician will provide the recipe and your compounding pharmacist will check the recipe against standard drug information for accuracy.

Uses And Examples of Pharmaceutical Compounding

There are many varying reasons why a healthcare provider might prescribe a compounded medication. Some of which include:

  • Different Manner Of Delivery

From flavor to consistency, some patients will need their medication modified to make it easier for them to take.

Others may be elderly or have a condition that won’t allow them to swallow a pill, so a powder or syrup would be a better option in these instances. Oftentimes for children, adding a flavor and/or color to their medication makes it easier to administer.

  • Custom Dose

In certain cases, brand-name medication may not be available in the right dose a patient needs. So, instead of forcing a patient to cut up a pill into small irregular pieces, a doctor may prescribe a compound drug. This way, the medication will be provided in pills of the right dose.

  • Combining Medications

This does not mean the medications are mixed, but, similarly to changing the way of delivery, allows a patient to take more than one medication at once.

This can be convenient for forgetful patients or patients with a large number of prescribed medications.

  • Allergies

Sometimes, patients have allergies not related to the active ingredient of a medication, but to dyes, coatings, preservatives, or binders.

This means they need these inactive ingredients removed from their medication. Allergies to artificial dyes, wheat, or lactose can merit a compounded drug.

Safety and Benefits

Pharmacy compounding is regulated on a state-by-state basis, but the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) sets the standards that are also integrated into the practice of drug compounding.

A pharmacy compounding large amounts of medication must be accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB).

The standards and accreditations set by the organization are what render compounding safe and effective. Every pharmacist must be trained extensively before being allowed to practice compounding. Compounding is not something done carelessly or completed by any regular pharmacist.

The safe process of compounding allows a major percentage of the patient population to safely consume their vital medications.

Get the Compounded Medication You Need When You Visit Your Local McAllen Pharmacy!

At Saenz Pharmacy, we understand the path to health is not the same for everyone. Get your medications refilled and make sure to ask your McAllen pharmacist all the questions you have about your compounded medication.

National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

Posted on , updated on by saenzwordpress

As the end of month grows near, it’s important to remember June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MAHM).

Though migraines and headaches may seem trivial to many, MAHM has been observed since 2011 for good reason. The National Headache Foundation (NHF) wants to raise awareness of the prevalence of migraines throughout the nation; about 16 million people deal with undiagnosed migraines.

This year, MHAM’s focus is on a new era for healthcare and how people suffering from headaches and migraines have navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic. In observance of MHAM, your friendly McAllen pharmacists at Saenz Pharmacy will explore how healthcare has changed for those with migraines and headaches through the pandemic, and how to identify if your headache is more than just a headache.

Migraines, Headaches, and Telemedicine Through the Pandemic

It wasn’t easy for anyone with chronic health conditions to get the care they needed during the pandemic. For a time, many clinics and doctor offices were closed, and everyday procedures and checkups were considered to be too risky.

Migraine and headache sufferers were among this part of the population. Managing their conditions became stressful and difficult, which led to an increase in migraine and headache attacks. It has been reported that 61% of migraine and headache patients were afraid of visiting their doctors. However, their insurance companies still required them to have regular checkups.

Thankfully, when telemedicine appointments became regularly available, their situation went from difficult to convenient. According to a survey by The Headache & Migraine Policy Forum, a whopping 78% of migraine and headache patients used telemedicine after the start of the pandemic, in comparison to just 22% before the pandemic.

The ease of access made telemedicine essential. According to research from the American Headache Society, even before the pandemic, telemedicine care had shown it “saves money and time, improves quality of care, builds patient satisfaction.”

Telemedicine appointments have been so effective, 83% of the population who made use of telemedicine appointments hope their provider continues to offer this option.

Should I See a Doctor?

Oftentimes, we dismiss our headaches as non-critical, especially when they are a constant in our lives. However, paying attention to our bodies, and what it is attempting to tell us is important to remaining healthy, and avoiding bigger health issues.

Constantly suffering from migraines and headaches is not normal. However, though chronic sufferers will need treatment, not all will require a lifetime of constant medication.

There are three main types of headaches and each has a different treatment:

    • Tension Headaches

These happen slowly and the pain is not sharp. It slowly expands and it can be described as a dull constant pain. They tend to affect booths sides of the head and can spread to the back of the head and/or neck.
Regular over-the-counter medication can help mitigate tension headaches, however, it is important to talk to your doctor about what could be causing this tension, as in some cases, depression or anxiety can be the cause and will require additional treatment to help with these other issues.

    • Migraines

Migraines are known for being quite debilitating. They present throbbing pain from either both or only one side of the head, and can often affect the eyes and face. Vomiting, nausea, and hypersensitivity are also common symptoms. Migraines can last for hours or even days, and they can be inherited from generation to generation.
If migraines become debilitating and render you unable to lead your daily activities, you should visit your doctor immediately.

    • Cluster Headaches

Uncommon, but the most painful of the three, cluster headaches are sudden and tend to be located behind the eye. They happen in different phases, each lasting one to three hours throughout the day.
There is no known cure for cluster headaches, however, your doctor can provide ways to mitigate the pain.

If your headaches and migraines are constant, and/or they have been increasing in frequency and intensity talk to your primary care provider.

Require Migraine Medication? Your Pharmacist At Your Local McAllen Pharmacy Can Help!

At Saenz Pharmacy, we understand starting a new treatment can be scary, but we are here to help you put your doubts to rest! Get your medications refilled at your local Saenz Pharmacy and make sure to ask your McAllen pharmacist all your questions about your headache medication.