Weight Loss….

Have you heard these dreaded words from your doctor:   “You’re overweight.  Losing weight would improve your ____________.”  The blank could be filled in with blood sugar, blood pressure, mobility, quality of life, mood, self-esteem, and many other things.  We all know that losing weight will improve our health.  But, how do we do it?  Our lives are busy and we can’t hide in a cave (with a personal trainer and personal cook) for a year as we work to shed those unwanted pounds.  Still, we know it is high-time we took charge of our health. 

At Tiger Town Pharmacy, we can help you take charge of your health and achieve permanent weight loss.  Our weight loss program revolves around weekly meetings with a pharmacist, where you’ll weigh in and learn about healthy nutrition and lifestyle change.  Meal replacement shakes are incorporated for 13 weeks.  During these 13 weeks, your knowledge about healthy nutrition grows.  We’ll track your progress as we watch the pounds, inches and percent body-fat decrease!  At the conclusion of the 13 weeks, you’re ready to build in real, everyday food into your life.  You’ll be well on your way to your weight goal, but more importantly, to a healthy, permanent change of lifestyle.  Your new lifestyle will promote decreases in fatigue, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, while boosting your energy, mood and self-esteem.  Call us today at 706-335-0099 to find out when our next class begins.  The “new you” is just around the corner!    

Test Your Knowledge of the FLU ! ! !

It’s that time of year again.  The flu virus is back in town.  To prevent a return visit to your home, take our true-or-false flu quiz.  Let’s see if you’re smarter than that annoying flu bug:

True or False?

1.       The flu vaccine can give you the flu.

False, so false.  The viruses in the flu-shot formula are either killed or totally inactivated; in the nasal spray vaccine, they’re wimpier than a wet noodle.  Neither form can infect you.

2.       The flu vaccine protects you against only one strain.

False.  There are loads of different flu viruses, and each year, flu experts develop a combo vaccine against the projected top three strains for the next flu season.  So the 2010 – 2011 vaccine protects against the three main strains around now – yes, one of them is H1N1, which could make a repeat appearance.

3.       Flu shots may lower your chances of having a heart attack.

True.  If you’re over 40, a study published this fall underlines what you may have heard us say a while ago:  The flu shot can lower your risk of a heart attack by 19 percent.  Your odds are even better if you get it by mid-November.

4.       Pregnant moms should not get the flu vaccine; it endangers the fetus.

False.  The reverse is true.  A new study confirms that newborns whose moms were smart enough to get immunized are less likely to get the flu in their first six months, when they’re most vulnerable to life-threatening cases of flu.

5.       Healthy kids do not need a flu shot.

False.  Vaccinating healthy kids is one of the best ways to protect them and everyone around them, emphasizes a new Canadian study.  Kids have higher concentrations of the flu virus and carry it longer, making them more infectious.

6.       You must get a flu shot before December.

False.  The sooner the better, but it’s effective any time.  While flu season peaks in February, it can strike as late as May.

7.       I’m an idiot if my family and I don’t get a flu shot this year.

True.  Unless you have an egg allergy, a history of severe reaction or are ill with a high fever, the worst side effect is a sore arm.

*Copied from “The You Docs”, Athens Banner Herald.  11/16/10

So quit stalling. Come by or call Homer Drug Company or Tiger Town Pharmacy for your flu vaccination.

Covered by Medicare and some insurances.

Keeping Your Feet In Good Shape

At Homer Drug and Tiger Town Pharmacy we fit and sell Diabetic Shoes.  These shoes are individualized for your feet.
 
Diabetic Shoes are just one of the many tools you can use to fight issues that occur due to Diabetes. Many doctors recommend patients purchase shoes specifically designed for diabetics. When looking for a pair of shoes, you want to make sure it has proper ventilation, which allows the feet to reduce dampness and heat. Sweat often is an ideal environment for bacteria and infection to grow. You want to make sure the toe and heal curve slightly, forcing your feet to be in balance when you walk. To prevent injury to susceptible and sensitive toes, the shoe’s toe box should be high and durable. The shoe should also be lightweight and seamless to prevent any irritation like calluses, infection or blisters.  (Courtesy of Medical Supply guides)

In an effort to prevent foot ulcers in people with diabetes who are at risk, Medicare will help pay for therapeutic shoes. For those who qualify, Medicare will pay 80 percent of the allowed amount for one pair of shoes and up to three pairs of molded innersoles per year. (The allowed amount varies depending on the kind of footwear you need.) Most secondary insurers will help pay the other 20 percent.  If you have questions about billing or a payment, please call 706-677-3223 and discuss with Marie Webb, CPhT, Certified Fitter of Therapeutic Shoes.

Who Qualifies Medicare Diabetic Shoes and Inserts?

To qualify, you must be under a comprehensive diabetes treatment plan and have one or more of the following:

• history of previous foot ulceration
• history of pre-ulcerative callus
• peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation
• foot deformity
• poor circulation

Your fitting starts one of two ways.  You can print out the physician statement of certification and have your physician sign it or have your physician write a prescription for diabetic shoes.  Also, we can help you complete the paperwork with your primary care physician.

If you need more information concerning our Diabetic Shoe program or your needs in general, don't hesitate to give us a call at Homer Drug Company or Tiger Town Pharmacy.

Diabetes Education Classes

A Diabetes Education Class will be taught in Homer, Ga, at Homer Drug by Kim Bost Pharm D. in November.  If you are interested. please, contact your doctor to be a member of the class.  The class will be a one day class, on a Saturday in November and the patient and Kim will meet need for an hour before the class for an assessment of their diabetic situation.  Please give your doctor a call or call Kim at Homer Drug 706-677-3223 for a spot in the class

BHRT Seminar Tuesday, September 28, 2010 @ 7PM

Tonight Kim Bost Pharm D. will offer an over view of the compounding services that is offered at Tiger Town Pharmacy in Commerce, Georgia.

Topic that will be discussed will be:

·       What is Hormone Replacement Therapy/Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

·       Explanation of the menstrual cycle and female anatomy

·       Hormones – what they are and how they work

·       How Stress, diet and thyroid dysfunction fit into the hormone picture

·       Importance of hormone balance

·       Goals of BHRT

The one hour informational session is open to everyone ! 

See ya there