Author: Caitlin Nichols

About Compounded Medications What is compounding?  Compounding is the pharmaceutical process of making a custom medication through mixing, combining or altering certain ingredients. What is a compounded medication? Compounded medication is a tool doctors can use to address a patient’s individual needs when a standard drug preparation wouldn’t be as appropriate or effective. Reasons for … Continued

About Specialty Drugs + Specialty Pharmacies Specialty medications, specialty drugs, and specialty pharmaceuticals are three different ways to talk about the kinds of prescription you can only get through a — surprise — specialty pharmacy. What is a specialty medication? So, what makes specialty medications different from standard medications? While the specialty drug market is … Continued

A quick guide to gut health “Listen to your gut.” It’s common advice. Usually, it suggests there’s value in your sense of intuition. But it’s practical, too. Even if you haven’t got a strong sense of intuition, your gut health probably has a lot to say. Consider this post your crash course in gut health. … Continued

Family Caregivers: Unsung Heroes Family caregivers have existed for as long as families have existed, caring for disabled, ill, and aging relatives.  But their burden and sacrifice has only been recognized formally since 1997. Since then, the Presidents of the United States have honored our country’s family caregivers by way of the National Family Caregivers … Continued

Have you ever had a medication review?  If you’re like most adults in the U.S., you probably take one or more prescription medications. From birth control to blood pressure to bacterial infections to fighting disease, there are countless reasons why you might take a prescription medication. Prescription use fast facts: 66% of the U.S. population … Continued

3 Easy Ways to Support Your Bones Per the United States Bone and Joint Initiative, Bone and Joint Action Week occurs annually October 12th-20th to raise awareness for several common bone and joint disorders: Arthritis Back pain Trauma Pediatric conditions Osteoporosis Bone and joint (or musculoskeletal) conditions are the leading global cause of severe, long-term … Continued

Flu season is almost here.  That time of year between October and May is when the year’s new influenza, or flu, cases appear. They peak between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, then wane as the weather warms back up. Flu season happens around the same time every year. Unfortunately, the annual illness will never go away. … Continued

How to Reduce Lung Cancer Risk Earlier this month, the world recognized lung cancer awareness day, August 1st.  Lung cancer is devastating. It’s the most deadly form of cancer, accounting for roughly a quarter of all cancer deaths. Nearly two million people died worldwide from lung cancer in 2020.  As public awareness has grown around … Continued

3 Ways to Stay Safely Hydrated In the Summer Heat Staying safe in the summer is about more than sunscreen and protective gear. Hydration is essential for a healthy summer of fun. Together, heat and dehydration can lead to dizziness and cramps on the mild end of the spectrum to confusion and even seizures on … Continued

June is a busy month. You have graduations, the onset of summer, Father’s day, and — not coincidentally — National Men’s Health Month. June is Men’s Health Month This month in observation of men’s health concerns is an extension of what began in 1994 as National Men’s Health Week, June 13-20. You’re already thinking about … Continued

Midlife, for women, means menopause. Your changing body, round two. Some look forward to it; most fear it (due to its reputation for miserable symptoms like mood swings and hot flashes).  Let’s shed a little light on what menopause really means. Literally, it means “the monthly” (meno) “stops” (pause). Pretty self-explanatory. But let’s take things … Continued