January...and getting Back to Basics

Walsh’s Pharmacy has maintained that people within our community deserve the best health care services, programs and advice that we can provide. Sometimes the best medicine is simply a good dose of knowledge.

January has always been a month for fresh starts, renewal and getting back to basics; for committing to lifestyle improvement, and committing to taking better care of ourselves…health-wise, that is. It’s the same at Walsh’s Pharmacy.

As we begin our 62nd year of providing health-related services, Walsh’s Pharmacy will be focusing on delivering even broader health and wellness programs to our patients and customers.

F or example, coming in January, Walsh’s Pharmacy is launching an important product and service addition to our Health & Lifestyle Centre. Call, or visit us in-store for details.

National Non-Smoking Week starts January 19th. If you’re serious about quitting, and are interested in a Smoking Cessation Program, make an appointment with a Walsh’s pharmacist to discuss the options available.

Interested in learning more about your prescription and non-prescription medications? Ask about scheduling a medication MedsCheck with one of our pharmacists.

Need information about your glucometer, or blood pressure monitor?  Check with one of our pharmacy staff members who can provide guidance and proper use instruction.

You can also check your blood pressure regularly using our free in-store Blood Pressure Kiosk; and if you’re interested in learning about some healthy numbers*, ask one of our pharmacists…or your health care practitioner.

Haven’t had your flu shot yet? According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, flu season runs from November to April. Walsh’s Pharmacy provides flu shots…check in-store for schedule.

Sticking to a healthy lifestyle goal can be difficult; life’s activity sometimes gets in the way. Recall those New Year’s resolutions?

If you’re having difficulty living up to those health-related resolutions, or aren’t able to eat a healthy and balanced diet, you might benefit from taking a daily multi-vitamin or additional supplement(s). You also might not be aware, but taking certain medications can also deplete the body of certain nutrients. Ask your Walsh’s Pharmacy pharmacist about the effects of nutrient depletion, and how it might affect you. As with any health regimen, however, you should always check with your health care practitioner. 

When you visit Walsh’s Pharmacy, you’re in good hands. We can answer your questions about the products and services we sell, as well as provide answers about the health and wellness of you and your family…but then, that’s to be expected from a good neighbour- we’ve been a part of the neighbourhood since 1952.

You can be confident that we have the knowledge and expertise you’re looking for, when you’re looking for health-related help and direction. Always check with your healthcare practitioner or your Walsh’s pharmacist before embarking on any health care regimen.

Be sure to visit us in-store, or our website at www.walshspharmacy.ca

February...Invest in your Heart Health

Walsh’s Pharmacy has maintained that people within our community deserve the best health care services, programs and advice that we can provide. Sometimes the best medicine is simply a good dose of knowledge.

February not only features Valentine’s Day, and the Winter Olympics, it is also Heart Month and a perfect time to focus on developing strategies to maintain a healthy heart.

According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, cardiovascular disease affects more lives in Canada than any other illness. But there’s good news. You can protect your heart and reduce your risk by simply adopting a few good habits. Here are just a few which you might undertake:

Be Active. Get a move on to protect your heart. Regular activity helps prevent and control risk factors such as High Blood Pressure, and High Cholesterol. Remember, it’s important to consult with your doctor before beginning any fitness oriented program, especially if you’ve not been active;

Eat Right. Choose a diet which emphasizes vegetables, fruit, whole grains, etc. For guidance, check Canada’s Food Guide and remember to check the label. You can also find the guide on our website: www.walshspharmacy.ca

Watch your Waistline. A nutritious diet and exercise regimen are vital to losing weight and keeping it off, as is portion control. Here’s a suggestion from the Heart & Stroke Foundation: Fill ½ your plate with vegetables, ¼ of your plate with whole grains, and ¼ with lean protein;

Monitor your Blood Pressure. High Blood Pressure affects one in five Canadians and is a major risk factor for heart disease. Yet 43% of people with high blood pressure don’t know they have it, because there are no symptoms. To ensure your blood pressure is maintained within the normal range, take regular readings at various times of day. Use our free in-store Blood Pressure Kiosk, but if you can’t visit Walsh’s regularly, perhaps you should consider a home-use automatic blood pressure monitor. Walsh’s Pharmacy carries a complete line of BIOS Diagnostics Blood Pressure Monitors.

Stop Smoking.  Using tobacco products, or merely being exposed to second hand smoke, increase the risk of developing heart disease. Consult your doctor, or a Walsh’s Pharmacy pharmacist, about an appropriate Smoking Cessation program that’s right for you. Attend a blood pressure clinic, or have your blood pressure monitored regularly. Check in-store for details about our smoking cessation programs.

When you visit Walsh’s Pharmacy, you’re in good hands. We can answer your questions about the products and services we sell, as well as provide answers about the health and wellness of you and your family…but then, that’s to be expected from a good neighbour who’s been a part of your neighbourhood since 1952. 

Be sure to visit us in-store, or our website at: www.walshspharmacy.ca

March is Pharmacist Awareness Month

Walsh’s Pharmacy has maintained that people in our community deserve the best health support services, programs and advice that we can provide. And sometimes the best medicine is simply a good dose of knowledge.

Among the many other national health awareness events and programs planned for and which take place in Canada during March, Pharmacist Awareness Month is a key recognition program. Our March in-store plans, together with a regional agenda provide the perfect opportunity to also learn about the many health and wellness products and services available at Walsh’s Pharmacy. It is generally conceded that pharmacists are at the forefront of main stream health care practitioners, covering the professional care and treatment of patients; at Walsh’s we pride ourselves in continually delivering on that expectation.

We are your medication experts, and the best equipped health care provider to help you understand and apply the best use of your medications. As has been supported by numerous surveys, pharmacists are also among the most trusted of health care providers within the health care network. 

Whether it’s conducting a one-on-one annual MedsCheck for those taking a minimum of three medications, or providing consultation for a planned hospital admission, or managing medications after being discharged from the hospital, Walsh’s pharmacists provide all the necessary guidance you should expect. It may also simply be to provide support information related to vitamin/nutrition supplements, every effort is made to ensure that we have knowledgeable patients.

In addition to providing prescription medication counselling, we also provide important information associated with nutrition-related health issues, as well as suggest supplements to augment any diet deficiencies. We can discuss common food-drug interactions, recommend ways to boost fibre intake, and even advise on special nutrient needs for older adults.

With the development of our Health and Lifestyle Centre, together with our expanded home health care product and service presentation, Walsh’s Pharmacy can also offer a broadened customer support program which also helps our patients and customers live both an improved quality of life and the ability to maintain an in-home independent lifestyle.

The first day of Spring is next week (March 20th), and you’re probably starting to think about getting outdoors soon; think of Walsh’s first if mobility or exercise therapy are considerations for helping your transition into Spring and Summer; and did you remember to set all your clocks forward one hour on Sunday, March 9th. At this time, it’s also recommended you change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.   

And, to serve as an additional reminder, with children out of school this week, enjoying their mid-winter break, be extra alert on the road; they might not be watching out for you- be sure you’re watching out for them.

Be sure to visit us in-store, or our website at: www.walshspharmacy.ca

April is Mobility Month

Walsh’s Pharmacy maintains that people in our community deserve the best health support services, programs and advice that health care providers can make available. These columns help to provide that sometimes the best medicine can simply be a good dose of knowledge.

We’ve all heard the expression, “April showers bring May flowers”. April does bring showers, and May certainly the flowers. April also signals the start of the outdoor season when the days seem warmer, the scent of Spring is in the air, and many of us simply have had enough of Winter and want to get started on our outdoor activities.

For those with mobility issues, however, getting around can be quite a challenge. And you don’t have to be a senior to experience these day-to-day challenges. Fortunately, there are a number of organizations, as well as various ways or means to help maintain an independent lifestyle and, at the same time, living a healthier, more active everyday life.

Outdoor activities involving any sort of recreational pastime such as short walks, gardening, even shopping, combined with other moderate exercise and supplement programs can add a sense of well-being as well as personal sense of satisfaction that can be so important to a health maintenance agenda. Walsh’s Pharmacy, through our health and lifestyle centre offers a broad based assistive device, safety products and exercise therapy programs to help get started.

We also have accredited staff members who can also assist in helping to make an effective choice related to blood pressure, circulation, and compression needs; as well we can provide professional guidance on the selection of a cane, walker-rollator, and even a lift chair. 

While many of today’s seniors are generally healthier and more physically fit than seniors of previous generations, many older Canadians still experience limitations on their activities. In part, these limitations can be associated with the normal course of aging- from arthritis to reduced vision. Activity for most people can be compromised if a person has difficulty hearing, seeing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, reaching, or doing similar activities. And these limitations don’t necessarily, and only, apply to seniors; they can affect people of any age.

Just recently, our home health care division, Walsh’s health & lifestyle centre, launched its newest health initiative- a health and lifestyle catalogue containing well over 3,000 home healthcare products covering categories from special needs household helpers to water bottles which can be specially ordered and delivered directly to a purchaser’s home. With this addition to our customer programs, we are even more confident in meeting the health-related needs of our community. This 240 page catalogue is available in-store, free for the asking. 

Always check with your health care provider to ensure that any exercise regimen that you embark on, in any form, is right for you.  

Summer…Outdoor Activities and Mobility

Walsh’s maintains that our community deserves the best health support services, programs and advice that we as health care providers can make available. These columns help to provide some insights, as well as communicate that sometimes the best medicine can simply be a good dose of knowledge.

 While the April-June period signals the start Spring and Summer, July is really when summer activities really “kick in” with the start of summer vacations, doing more outdoor grilling, tending to one’s garden(s), enjoying the warmth (if not too hot, that is).

For those with mobility issues, getting around to doing some of these activities can be quite a challenge. And you don’t have to be a senior to experience these day-to-day mobility challenges.

Fortunately, there are a number of organizations, as well as various means of maintaining an independent lifestyle and, at the same time, living a healthier, more active everyday life.

Outdoor activities of any sort, such as short walks or gardening, combined with any moderate exercise and supplement program can add a sense of personal well-being. As a pharmacist and health care practioner, any personal sense of satisfaction can be so important to any health maintenance program. Walsh’s Pharmacy, through our health and lifestyle centre offers a broad range of mobility devices; safety products as well as exercise therapy programs to help get started on a more enjoyable summer.

We also have accredited staff members who can also assist in helping to make a knowledgeable choice related to blood pressure, circulation, and compression needs; as well we can provide professional guidance on the selection of a cane, a walker-rollator, or even a lift chair. 

While many of today’s seniors are generally healthier and more physically fit than seniors of previous generations, some older Canadians still experience limitations on their activities. In part, these limitations can be associated with the normal course of aging- from arthritis to reduced vision. Activity for many can be difficult if a person has difficulty hearing, seeing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, reaching, or doing similar activities. These difficulties can prevent the enjoyment of leisure interests. And these limitations don’t necessarily apply to just seniors; they can affect people of any age.

Just recently, our home health care division, Walsh’s Health & Lifestyle Centre, launched its newest health initiative- a Virtual Store, as well as a health and lifestyle catalogue containing well over 3,000 home healthcare products. With these additions to our customer programs, we are even more confident in meeting the health-related needs of our community, and contributing to a better you. The Virtual Store is available for viewing in-store; the 240 page catalogue is free for the asking- why not pick up your free copy today. 

Remember to always check with your health care provider to ensure that any exercise regimen is right for you.

Some Insights into Nutrient Depletion...

Since 1952, Walsh’s Pharmacy has maintained that those living in our community, deserve the best health care services and advice that we can provide. With this core belief in mind, Walsh’s has committed to providing programs, products, services and advice which help to meet the demands of a busy life and lifestyle. Visit Walsh’s Pharmacy and Walsh’s Health & Lifestyle Centre today, and let’s talk…

Millions of Canadians take prescription medications every year to help manage health and wellness concerns. Many of those taking any number of medicines don’t realize that some of the medications they take can also adversely affect the amount of nutrient levels stored in their body. As a general rule, most medications actually deplete specific vitamins and minerals, and can cause any number of additional health-related problems.

Just as we replenish the nutrients in our gardens and lawns every Spring and Fall, those taking prescription, as well as some over-the-counter, medications need to replenish the nutrient levels in their body. It’s important to know that Vitamins and minerals play a vital role in everyday body function- including cellular processes; this role may also include other important body activities such as maintaining the immune system, or digestive functions, as well as many others.

Depending upon the medications, or class of medicines taken, different nutrients can automatically be depleted from the body. For instance, anti-inflammatory drugs which are used for chronic pain relief, like arthritis for example can deplete Calcium, Potassium, Vitamins B6, C, D, and Folic Acid, as well as several other minerals needed for a healthier lifestyle.

At Walsh’s we recommend, for example, that if you are taking any of the following medication categories to manage or control certain conditions such as:



         Antibiotics                         Anti-Seizure Medications              Anti-Ulcer

        Birth Control                     Blood Pressure/Heart                      Cholesterol

        Chronic Pain Relievers      Diabetes                                          Diuretics


…then you should at least be taking an appropriate supplement and/or a Multivitamin to counteract any of the nutrient depletion effects that many of these medications can cause. While this list is by no means complete, we recommend you see your Walsh’s Pharmacy pharmacist for additional details.

And you should always check with your health care practitioner before embarking on any change to your health-related regimen, particularly when it involves prescription medications. Remember to ask your Walsh’s Pharmacy pharmacist for advice about your medications and how to counteract the effects of nutrient depletion.

As we begin to head into the Fall season, most people step up their Vitamin and supplement in-take.

It’s always best to speak with your Walsh’s Pharmacy pharmacist to determine what specific supplement program is right for you. See us first for all your health-related needs.

We can help you stay healthy.

Back to School... and some things you should know

Walsh’s Pharmacy has maintained that people within our community, deserve the best health care services that we can provide.

The information provided is for those in our community with school-aged children, or those attending child care, what to do, and why you should get to know the facts about head lice. See your Walsh’s pharmacist to learn more about treatment options.

Visit us today, and Let’s Talk…

One of the concerns, and often to the embarrassment, of many parents at this time of year is that their child will come in contact with head lice, which can be highly contagious and spread quickly. Lice are tiny, wingless parasitic insects that live among human hair, and feed on small amounts of blood drawn from the scalp. Although there might be a “Yuck Factor”, head lice are a very common problem, especially for kids aged 3-12 years (girls more often than boys).

Contrary to what some think, it’s not true that cleanliness, skipped baths/showers, or any other personal hygiene issue is a cause. Children who live in close quarters may have more of a problem, as are those who come in direct contact with one another. In school, that close contact could be direct, like head-to-head, or sharing personal accessories like hats/scarves, combs/brushes- even headphones.

What do head lice look like? There are 3 stages: egg (or nit); nymph and adult. Nits are whitish-grey, tan or yellow ovals about the size of a grain of sand. They stick to the hair close to the scalp, and can look like dandruff. Nymphs are baby lice, and look like adults, only smaller. Adults are about the size of a sesame seed, and can live for up to 30 days on the scalp.
How do you know your child has head lice? Well, very simply, the “Itch Factor”. The first sign of head lice is an itchy scalp, but it is possible to not have any symptoms. However, if you think your child may have head lice, check for nits, then again after 1 week, and again after 2.

To confirm a case of head lice, you need to find live lice; usually children will have no more than 20-30. Head lice move very fast and are hard to see, but are found close to the scalp, the bottom of the neck, or behind the ears.

So what about treatment? Home remedies hardly ever work, and disinfecting your home is totally unnecessary. There a several treatments approved in Canada to treat head lice. If your child has head lice, be sure to deal with it immediately. Check with your family doctor or your Walsh’s pharmacist to determine the best treatment remedy.