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Is it Hot in here or is it me?

Topic: Menopause: “Is it Hot in here, or is it me?”
Location: BioPro Biologics Pharmacy (845 West Broadway)
Date and time: April 15, 2019 at 5:30pm (dinner and refreshments starting at 5pm)
Admission: Complimentary  
Expert Speaker: Amy Ku is a Registered Pharmacist and Functional Medicine Health Consultant with over 30 years of experience in health care and the pharmaceutical industry. As a Functional Medicine Health Consultant, Amy works mostly with healthy individuals who want to further optimize their health, as well as people with chronic issues and want to gain better control of their biology. Amy also holds a Fellowship in Metabolic and Functional Medicine, and is a Board Certified Anti-Aging Health Practitioner through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Amy Ku will discuss how you can gain control of menopause and continue to thrive by addressing the root causes. Come and learn more about this natural progression that all women go through, and how we can take control of our biology to work with these changes and continue to thrive!

We would love to have you join us for this event. For more details, please see our attached invitation. You can RSVP by replying to this email or by calling 778-379-8161. Please let us know if you have any questions!April 15 Invitation

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Measles Outbreak in Vancouver

UPDATE – As of Feb 28, 2019, there are 15 cases of measles in Vancouver.

 

[Original size] MEASLES VACCINE

WHAT IS MEASLES?

Measles is a very contagious viral infection. Measles can spread through the air when when an infected individual breathes, coughs or sneezes. or through their saliva. Measles can lead to infections of the ear or lungs (pneumonia). About 1 in 1000 infected individuals may develop serious complications such as encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain that can then lead to seizures, deafness or permanent brain damage.

The best protection against measles is by vaccination with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine.


AM I PROTECTED AGAINST MEASLES?

If you were born before 1970, you are generally assumed to have acquired immunity to measles from natural infection, and therefore MMR vaccine is not recommended. However, the BC Centre For Disease Control (BCCDC) recommends that health care workers born between 1957 and 1969 have two doses of the MMR vaccine

If you were born after 1970 (1957 for healthcare workers), 2 doses of the MMR vaccine is recommended for protection. Typically, children born after 1970 in Canada received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.

  • First dose: 12 months old (85-95% protection)
  • Second dose: 4 to 6 years old (nearly 100% protection)

I’M NOT SURE IF I’VE BEEN VACCINATED?

If you are unable to find a record of immunization, you would be considered unimmunized and unprotected and should be vaccinated to ensure protection. It is safe to repeat vaccines.

For measles, you can also have your blood tested for antibodies to determine your immunity. This would include a simple lab test. Talk to your family doctor to find out more.


WHERE CAN I FIND MY IMMUNIZATION RECORDS?

There are several places to look to find your immunization records.

  1. Check your home for your paper immunization records. Try looking through baby books or other saved documents from your childhood.
  2. Check with your parents or other caregivers to see if they have a record of your immunizations.
  3. Check with your current and previous family doctors. However, immunization records may be kept at doctors’ offices for a limited time.
  4. Check with your local/public health unit if you were immunized at your local/public health unit or in school.


WHERE CAN I RECEIVE THE MMR VACCINE?

 The MMR vaccine is publicly funded (free of cost) for adults who have not been vaccinated. You can get the vaccine from a pharmacy, a walk-in clinic, doctors’ offices, or your local public health unit. The vaccine is still available at BioBro Biologics Pharmacy

 

Other helpful resources:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/measles
https://immunizebc.ca/tips-locating-immunization-records
https://immunizebc.ca/finderhttp://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/immunization-vaccines/vaccines-in-bc/measles-vaccine
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/hlbc/files/documents/healthfiles/hfile14a.pdf

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Polypharmacy and Deprescribing

Polypharmacy is defined as taking at least 5 medications concurrently, and it is associated with increased hospitalization, functional and cognitive impairment, poor adherence and more. About 30% of patients from 65 to 79 years old are on multiple medications, Deprescribing is a method to eliminate any unnecessary medications and reduce polypharmacy, but evidenced-based guidelines and full medication and medical history are needed.

Contact BioPro for a deprescribing consult!

https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/…/…/20205686.article…