Deaths by overdose are at a record high In the United States, overdose deaths increased by 30% between 2019 and 2020. The number grew again, by 15%, into 2021. According to the CDC, there were approximately 107,000 overdose deaths recorded in America last year. And it’s not just the states. In 2021, The Public Health … Continued
Say no to bugs: The deets on bug spray Summer days are finally here. And, if you’ve been out at all, you’ve probably noticed so are the bugs. Biting insects like ticks, mosquitos, and flies don’t just wreck a good time fast. They also transmit deadly diseases. But before you stock up on bug spray, … Continued
When I was very young, I had a friend who frequently became faint and dizzy. Every time she mentioned these symptoms, she received delicious treats from her mother — apple juice, fruity candies, chocolate milk. I may have been a little jealous of this mysterious sickness that caused you to live with an abundance of … Continued
What to eat for bone health So far in our November bone health series, we’ve covered osteoporosis and how you can help prevent it through supplements and exercise. Last, but not least: foods for bone health. As you may remember from our supplement focus, optimal bone health requires a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, … Continued
Thanks to the skeleton decor of the last month, we’re thinking about bones this November. In light of that, welcome to the first of our four-part series on bone health, starting with osteoporosis! What is Osteoporosis? “Osteoporosis” means porous bone, and it’s a condition that causes bone loss, making bones brittle and weak. The bones … Continued
What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer humans, especially women, experience. And, while having an immediate relative diagnosed with breast cancer nearly doubles a woman’s chances for diagnosis, most cases are a result of the natural aging process and life circumstances, not genetics. … Continued
Immune Health Begins in the Gut There’s no denying it: “immune health” is now a trending topic around the world. In the past, most of us would focus our “immune-boosting” efforts around cold and flu season, or perhaps before traveling. But between a global pandemic and a general desire to become healthier, people are wondering, … Continued
October 10 is World Mental Health Day Millions of Americans deal with mental health issues. About 1 in 5 Americans experience mental illness in a year, and 1 in twenty-five live with a serious mental illness — to say nothing of those who struggle with undiagnosed mental health concerns. This is why we’re observing World … Continued
How to Handle Flu Season: What to Take & How to Clean It’s flu season, and as we’ve covered before, keeping your immune system strong can help prevent you and your family from being susceptible to infection by the influenza (flu) virus. If you’re able, it’s also recommended that you get a flu shot at … Continued
3 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Brain Your brain is the command center of your body. A healthy brain is key to a happy life. Your brain’s in charge of what you do deliberately (like speaking, decision-making, and exercising), and it’s in charge of the things you do without thinking (like breathing, digestion, and, of … Continued
You want to stay safe in the sun but you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of the choices in front of you: what sunscreen is best and safest to use? At the end of the day, it comes down to preference. Both chemical and mineral (also known as “physical”) sunscreens work and any sunscreen is better … Continued
As more disease-specific treatments emerge on the pharmaceutical scene, specialty medications continue to be one of the fastest-growing areas of drug therapy. In fact, many specialty medications have now been developed that do not require sole prescribing by a certain kind of specialist. While once seen as almost impossible to obtain for patients, the widespread … Continued
October is a very meaningful month for me and my family: Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My mom was only 31-years old when she found what turned out to be a cancerous lump in her own breast while doing a self-exam in the shower. Since my mom was so far below the usual age range for … Continued
Probably. It’s estimated that 35-61% of the United States adult population is deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D has a huge impact on the health and function of our cells and regulates over 200 of our genes! When we don’t get enough it impacts nearly every area of our body. Deficiency in Vitamin D can … Continued
Pharmacy A Sona pharmacist will greet you from our concierge desk right when you walk in because our guiding principle is to build personal relationships with customers to better their health. When you walk into the store, you’ll see that healthcare can be inviting. A lot of people ask why a pharmacist would be staffing … Continued
Our Pharmacist Manager, Scott Henson, shares an in-depth look at the best ways to treat poison ivy: TREATMENT OF POISON IVY DERMATITIS Summertime is now in full swing in Western North Carolina and a welcome time it is after an unusual spring season enduring COVID-19 lockdown. Like many other folks, I decided to take on … Continued
The News: On April 1, 2020 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced their request for all over-the-counter and prescription ranitidine products to be removed from the market. Background: Since the summer of 2019, the FDA has been conducting an ongoing investigation of ranitidine products due to the presence of a chemical impurity. Ranitidine (also … Continued
While our natural instinct is usually to protect ourselves in times of stress, the 828 has shown how great it really is. People have continued to find creative and powerful ways to support our local community during these economically and personally uncertain times. Through the efforts of our own community, you can stay home, stay … Continued
Chances are high that by now you’ve heard of CBD. But what do you really know about it? At Sona Pharmacy, we believe it’s our responsibility to educate our community about all things health, from sharing tips about sleep and immunity to updates about critical medications, and even describing the function of a system … Continued
2020 Update: In order to meet the needs of our community during COVID-19, Sona is offering a curbside flu clinic now through October. Book your curbside or in-store flu shot with the link below! ONLINE FLU FORM Flu season is right around the corner, and the Sona team is busy vaccinating! While we are believers … Continued