What is Sugar? by PharmD Candidate V. Chyan

Overview          Carbohydrates, or sugars, are made up of molecules that are known as monosaccharides (mono=one, saccharide= sugar compound). These monosaccharides are simple sugars and consist of glucose, fructose, and galactose. The 3 molecules are the building blocks of carbohydrates. Glucose can be found in a variety of food and fruits and is primarily used in […]

Yeast Infections: Treatments and Prevention by Student Guest Blogger

If you’ve ever experienced the uncomfortable symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, you’re not alone: approximately 75% of all women will experience at least one episode throughout their lifetime, and 40-50% of them will have at least one recurrence.  Yeast infections are one of the most common vaginal infections, particularly in women of childbearing age. […]

GERD: The Hell of Heartburn

Some of the medication most prescribed in the United States are to help treat heart burn.  Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs like protonix, omeprazole, aciphex, etc.) and Histamine 2 Blockers (H2Blockers like ranitidine) are part of, what pharmacists call, the Top 200 (the top 200 medications that we dispense each year.  I, myself, take omeprazole.  Chronic […]

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Fighting for a diagnosis

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a disease affecting many women that, I believe, is misdiagnosed or goes undiagnosed.  Much of this can stem from embarrassment or from the fear of “complaining” about “woman problems.”  So lets do something that doesn’t happen often.  Let’s talk about it. PCOS is an endocrine (hormone) dysfunction that can present […]

Fructose vs. Sucrose: Is there a difference between “Corn Sugar” and “Real Sugar”?

So we’ve all seen those commercials where someone is panicking about death and dying because their loved one is trying to feed them a popsicle laced with… high fructose corn syrup *dun dun dun.*  Their loved one then begins to tell them how corn sugar is the same as any other sugar blah, blah, blah. […]

“The Change,” Why Does It Sound So Pleasant When All I Want To Do Is Scream? Non-hormonal Treatment of Menopause Symptoms

We live in a wonderful time where hormones are readily available to women for the treatment of menopause symptoms.  Hot flashes, fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and low libido can all be treated with hormone replacement of estrogens (yes that’s plural), progesterone, and testosterone.  It’s all about balance, but sometimes the hormones cause undesirable side […]

Ideas for Management, Questions to Ask Your Doctor & Pharmacist, and Diabetes Resources

Ideas For Management: Food Journals:  Write down what you ate, when it was, when you took your insulin, how much you took and your blood sugars.  If you do not use insulin a food journal will still be helpful for your doctor and diabetic educator. Use measuring devices:  Humans are HORRIBLE at estimating quantity.  Scales […]

Hypoglycemia: When Low Sugar isn’t Good Sugar

Last blog we talked about hyperglycemia (or high blood sugars) and the risks you take on when you allow your blood sugars to get too high.  Hypoglycemia is low blood sugars.  Patients with Type I diabetes and Type II patients on certain medications are at higher risk for hypoglycemia.  So what’s the big deal?  You […]

Diabetes: Hyperglycemia as the Elephant in the Room

Diabetes is not an easy disease to control.  Your blood sugar will be up, it will be down.  If you’re stressed or sick you could eat a salad for lunch your blood sugar may still be at 300.  It’s annoying and frustrating.  My dad says (and pardon the language, but the honesty is key) that […]

Diabetes: First the Basics

It’s a new year with new resolutions and I’m sure none of us have been perfect, but trying is what matters.  I’m a firm believer that knowledge is power and the best way to succeed is to know as much as you can.  Diabetes is a very big issue.  Projections have showed that 52% of […]