As you are all aware , with winter drawing near, symptoms of cough, cold and flu will be the most common ailments we will be increasingly exposed to. Therefore, it is highly essential for us, to not only offer expert advice on treating symptoms, but to also utilise every opportunity to promote good and correct hygiene practice to prevent the spread of these contagious illnesses.
Sore
throat
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and
bring temporary relief. Try a tea spoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four
times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, an astringent gargle, such as
gargling with tea that contains tannin can aid in tight-ending the membranes.
The use of a thick, viscous gargle containing honey could also help relief a
tickly throat – add one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two
cups of hot water; mix one with teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room
temperature before gargling.
Blow
your nose often — and in the right way
It is important to blow your nose
regularly when you have a cold instead of sniffling and accumulating mucus
inside you. How-ever, when you blow hard, pressure can cause an earache. Thus,
the best way to blow your nose is to press a finger over one nostril while you
blow gently to clear the other. Wash your hands
immediately after blowing your nose to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Coughing
and sneezing
Ensure you cover your mouth/nose whilst coughing/sneezing with a tissue. Dispose the tissue and wash your hands immediately to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from winter illnesses such as flu.
Washing hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them spreading to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses such as flu, food poisoning or diarrhea.
In East Berkshire, the NHS provides out of hours clinic for the moments that are not serious and does not require you to go to the sometimes crowded a&e departments.
During the Christmas Period, some GPs tend to close. However, in East Berkshire, clinics here work with the Commissioning Groups. What this means for you is that you have access to urgent care centres. In fact, by simply calling the NHS 111 service, you will be able to visit one of their care services or simply walk in at any of these clinics:
The NHS is committed to providing services at all times. 999 is always an emergency contact that is always running and has fully trained advisers manning the phone service who collaborate with the local service. Minor injuries unit are operational and face to face appointments are still available.
The GP surgeries are open from 8 am to 8 pm and have the qualified health professionals working to answer questions about your symptoms even during the festive period. What you can take from this is that by calling 111, you can get yourself the care you require with hours of service and still have time for Christmas to spend.
Out of hours medicines
If you have a prescription that is about to run out and urgently need it, you can go to any of our chemists to get an emergency supply of your medication apart from Christmas Day. You can call 111 and find the nearest NHS walk-in centre that can prescribe you with a couple of days worth of prescription medicine.
For those who don’t have a prescription, you can get emergency supplies and would prove to be beneficial if you had the old medicine package with you for comparison as to what they can give you. You may be interviewed to find out if you need it immediately and who prescribed it with the amount of dosage in order to decide if they can provide an emergency supply.
As well as this you can have local shops open nearby such as Spar who are open from 10 am to 8 pm. From there you can get yourself the standard medicines such as paracetamols.
If there are any questions that you have for the festive season about our chemist or opening times, feel free to pop in or contact us on:
Apple’s acquisition of the tiny Finnish startup company ‘Beddit’ made headline news around the world. Beddit.com was founded in 2006 and is based in Espoo and Helsinki, Finland. Beddit 3 is an extremely sensitive sleep tracker that you don’t have to wear, and it’s currently the only Finnish product in global Apple Store distribution. The sensor was released to rave reviews worldwide in October 2016 and has since sold out several times over. Beddit was also acknowledged as the most innovative digital service in Finland at the Grand One Awards Ceremony in 2017. With more and more of us using fitness and sleep tracking software, here at PillBox Chemists we’re always interested to learn what the future may hold in terms of the marketplace and to learn of new industry trends.
In May 2017, their company became the first Finnish and only the second ever consumer product company to be acquired by the US Tech Giant Apple(The first being Beats Electronics nearly three years previously in 2014)
It actually took a few years for Beddit to mature as a startup and a company. In 2013, as they first began to develop their innovative product, they raised over $500,000 with pre-orders on crowdfunding platform IndieGoGo.
Beddit uses ballistocardiography through an ultra-thin sensor that you place under your bed sheet, then you can plug it in and forget all about it. There is nothing to wear or charge, which makes it the most innovative and unusual sleep tracker on the market. Every night, the sensor automatically measures your sleep, heart rate, breathing, snoring and bedroom environment, giving you a full picture of the night for you to monitor via the state of the art app that comes in support of the tech.
The science behind Beddit’s sleep tracking and scoring system was developed in partnership with Helsinki Sleep Clinic, VitalMed Research Center and professor Markku Partinen, MD, a leading authority on sleep research. Beddit’s data accuracy and patented sleep tracking methodology have been clinically validated and published in peer-reviewed scientific articles, and it’s these scientific endorsements that have helped it to outsell all projections since its inception.
But what would Apple do with the technology long-term, as the device was already being sold on their website, surely there was some other long-term plan for the revolutionary sleep tracking technology?
There was no further news on this front for the last two years. Until recently that is, when Apple announced that it was to be testing a sleep monitor for a future version of its smartwatch, a feature that would bolster the company in the health- and fitness-tracking market and widely believed to be derived from the Beddit technology.
We could see the new Apple Watch with the enhanced sleep tracking functionality on the open market as early as 2020. Sleep tracking on the Apple Watch would reduce a competitive advantage that longtime fitness-wearable developer Fitbit Inc. has had on the market, and we can only presume they are currently developing this innovative tech even further to take a bite out of the Fitbit market place.
A new Apple Watch would be the first new product to be launched as a result of the acquisition of Finnish company Beddit and is highly likely to have been developed as a joint product.
As sales growth of its signature product, the iPhone, has slowed, Apple has pointed investors to its plethora of other devices, including the Apple Watch. Since the Watch went on sale in April 2015, it has become one of the most popular smartwatches on the market, and new sleep tracking software is expected to be available soon.
Apple hasn’t disclosed how many Apple Watches have been sold, but Strategy Analytics estimated the company shipped 4.5 million units in the third quarter, accounting for 45 per cent of the market. The analyst firm said Apple lost some share last year to Fitbit, and it’s undoubtedly this news which has caused Apple to push the boundaries even further on its product developments.
Any new product launch will only renew interest in the tiny Finnish tech startup that began this journey, with analysts expecting to see further announcements later in 2019.
Pillbox Chemists have launched a new website to sit alongside their main site dedicated to Pharmacy Services offering a full range of services from MURS/NMS to Travel Vaccinations. The website is at a early stage with development underway to offer a Online Booking System Q1 2020
Patients will be able to book a Pharmacy Service through the website at any one of the companies 23 pharmacies visit www.health-clinic.co.uk
Pillbox Chemists are offering a range of Private Health Checks. Which gives you an opportunity to get your health checked in no waiting time.
Wellness Health Checks help to measure your risk of developing certain health problems and can help spot any early signs of conditions such as; stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other potential health issues.
Our most in-depth assessment will give you a clear picture of your general health and wellbeing, with an extra focus on cardiovascular health with a Heart Rhythm Check. Developed with a team of Cardiologists and using the latest health testing technology the team at the pharmacy will guide you through a comprehensive range of tests, with plenty of time to discuss and explain your results.
Have you or anyone else you know got any cholesterol issues? Are you unable to check yours or someone else’s levels? Well, you’ve asked for it and we are now delivering. You can have your cholesterol levels checked at any of our Pharmacies.
Simply ask, and one of our trained Pharmacists or Pharmacy Assistants will conduct a simple fingertip ‘pinprick’ test for you. Our skilled professionals will accommodate you to one of our GPhC certified consultation room. What does that mean for you exactly?
Our GPhC consultation rooms are approved by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) which ensures that our standards meet the standards set by our bodies ensuring you get the best care possible in a looked after, well-managed environment to get your cholesterol levels checked.
Image Source: wellbeingpeople.com
We will take a small blood sample just from your fingertip without you having to worry about pain or giving lots of blood. Just one small prick and you’ll have your results present and have the Pharmacist to go through your results and discuss what to do from there. There are no needles for you to worry about.
Now you may have some questions about this so we collected some most frequently asked Q&A’s (Questions and Answers) about cholesterol and cholesterol testing to help reassure you about the process and its importance in tracking your overall health.
Why should I get my cholesterol checked?
Getting your cholesterol levels checked is an important part of staying healthy. High cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in UK adults. This is why getting your cholesterol levels checked is vital.
The higher your cholesterol, the higher your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Therefore it is crucial for you to check your cholesterol levels.
How often should cholesterol be checked?
It’s generally recommended by the NHS and other bodies, that every UK adult aged 20 or older should have their cholesterol and other traditional risk factors checked every four to six years. After the age of 40, your health care provider will then want to use an equation to calculate your 10-year risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease or stroke.
What are the symptoms of cholesterol problems?
The most common symptoms include:
angina, chest pain.
nausea.
extreme fatigue.
shortness of breath.
pain in the neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or back.
numbness or coldness in your extremities.
Now although they do not serious they can lead to to a number of serious health conditions. It doesn’t matter if you’re slim or even active. Cholesterol can affect anyone and lead to serious symptoms such as:
Heart attacks
Coronary heart disease
Heart failure
Stroke
This is why it is important to get your cholesterol levels checked.
What is the best drink to lower cholesterol?
High Cholesterol as mentioned before can increase the risk of heart conditions. Although there are medications that you can take to improve and lower your cholesterol, simply changing your lifestyle can make a huge impact. Beverages. Adding drinks onto your diets can help and these are the drinks you should look out for
Green tea:
Hot green tea, or a green tea supplement, can naturally help to reduce cholesterol. Teas have been known as a drink that is soothing for the mind and the body. It has many healing properties and green tea may be the answer for you. The antioxidants found in the tea is what makes this a good cup of tea.
Montmorency Tart cherry juice:
A study published in Food & Function found that Montmorency tart cherry juice helps both cholesterol levels as well as respiratory conditions such as cardiovascular health. This type of cherry juice adds a lot of nutritional benefits from the fruit to your diet.
Citrus juice:
For those who like their fruits, bitter or sweet, drinking hot water with lemon juice has been found to lower your cholesterol levels. A lot of dieticians recommend kickstarting your body functions by drinking this first thing every morning as it also contains antioxidants proving to be helpful to your heart. It also has an added benefit of feeling active early in the morning.
Cranberry juice:
Cranberries have the same benefit just like the citrus juice does. There is a lot of nutrients within the juice which helps the body fight off infections as well as the bad cholesterol that we have in our body. Having cranberry on its own is more beneficial but having it as a beverage still helps.
Having these drinks for your daily lifestyle has been in the past proved to be beneficial for not just your heart but also your body. It helps with fighting the flu as well as get rid of those toxins we are exposed to when eating some food.
How can I lower my cholesterol quickly?
By eating heart-healthy foods like fruit and vegetables, it is proved to be good for not only a balanced diet but reducing the risk of cholesterol that leads to heart conditions. This is one of the reasons as to why they say having your 5 a day. This also has an added benefit if you suffer from vitamin deficiency as fruit and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals.
By reducing your saturated fats intake, you can significantly lower your cholesterol quickly. Saturated fats are found mainly in red meat and full-fat dairy products. These products although may be tasty are the ones that contribute to your cholesterol levels. Instead, snack on pretzels or have a lush salad box. These have all the flavours and tastes you may have been missing all this long.
Eliminate your trans fats completely. Trans fats are listed most of the times as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. They are mostly found in cakes and cookies and although they may be tasty it is good to check the ingredients to be on the safe side. It should be noted that The Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils by the start of 2021.
Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fish. Omega-3 fatty acids don’t affect your cholesterol and instead have heart-healthy benefits including the reduction of blood pressure. Foods such as salmon, herring and walnuts have Omega 3.
Increasing soluble fibre accounts to the reduction of cholesterol into the bloodstream. Foods such as oatmeals, Brussels sprouts, pears and apples are the ones that you should keep an eye for.
One more thing you could do is add whey protein to your diet. This is a necessity as it attributes towards your dairy intake whilst not having the fatty side to it. This helps in the reduction of increasing your cholesterol levels.
Do eggs raise cholesterol?
It is stated by scientists that having up to 3 whole eggs per day is perfectly safe for healthy people to consume and that doing so will raise your HDL levels (the “good”) cholesterol.
Does lack of sleep affect my cholesterol levels?
There have been several studies which seem to clearly show that too little sleep has a negative impact on lipid levels. Usually, when you’re not sleeping within the period you aren’t sleeping and should be sleeping, you eat something which you may not need to eat. This adds on your cholesterol levels depending on what you eat.
In addition to this, It’s also been proven that sleeping less than five hours at night raised the risk of high triglycerides and low HDL levels in women. What this means is that you will have more bad levels of cholesterol levels that good. This increases the chance of getting a heart condition.
If I feel healthy, should I still get my cholesterol checked?
We highly recommend that all adults should get a cholesterol check – no matter what your age or how healthy you feel. As mentioned before, no matter how healthy you may think you are or slim, we all have a chance of getting a heart condition if we don’t have one at the moment. It all matters about your dietary, how healthy you etc.
Is it just what I eat that affects my cholesterol levels?
Your cholesterol levels depend on your genes as well as your lifestyle, so the only way to know your cholesterol numbers is to get a check.
What does a cholesterol check actually entail?
A cholesterol check involves a simple blood test administered by means of a ‘pinprick’ into your fingertip. No long needles are administered and only takes a couple of moments and you can be on your way after your results have been explained and explored to what measures you may need to take.
Does a cholesterol check show you anything else?
When you get a check, your doctor or pharmacist should also check your levels of triglycerides – another type of blood fat. As well as this, you can get a total synopsis on your VLDL levels. These are very-low-density lipoprotein which is another type of bad cholesterol. It tells you the development of plaque (if any) on the arteries. The result is based on your triglycerides.
What can a cholesterol test tell you?
A cholesterol test can be used along with some other simple tests to give a good idea of your heart health. These include a blood pressure test and find out your BMI and waist measurement. This can tell you if you really are healthy or not.
Do I have to fast before I have my cholesterol levels checked?
You can eat and drink normally before the test unless your doctor or pharmacist asks you not to. The benefit of not having to fast is that you can identify your cholesterol levels with the food that you are having in your daily life. Therefore you would be able to identify if there are any necessary action needed in the changing of your dietary.
Will I get my results explained to me?
When you have a cholesterol test, it is really important that your healthcare professional explains the results to you, to prevent unnecessary worry and confusion about the results. At PillBox Chemists, we never let you leave without ensuring that you’ve fully understood your results.
What are the different types of cholesterol readings?
Total cholesterol:
This is sometimes written as ‘serum cholesterol’ or TC and refers to the overall level of cholesterol. But it’s not just the total cholesterol that’s important
Non-HDL cholesterol:
Your non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL cholesterol. It’s the LDL and all the other bad cholesterol added together and ideally should be as low as possible.
HDL cholesterol:
Your HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) helps clear the cholesterol out of your arteries, while your LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) can clog them up. So your HDL cholesterol should be above 1mmol/L in men and above 1.2mmol/L in women, ideally around 1.5-1.6mmol/L.
TC: HDL ratio:
You might be given a ratio of HDL compared to the total cholesterol, written as TC: HDL ratio. You can work it out from your HDL and total cholesterol numbers. This should be as low as possible; above six is considered high.
What might the pharmacist recommend after my cholesterol test?
The interpretation of your cholesterol results should be made in relation to any other risk factors you may have, and any other health conditions. Because of other risk factors or medical conditions that you may have, your doctor may recommend lowering your cholesterol level.
There’s no need to book an appointment to have your cholesterol levels checked, just head into your nearest PillBox Pharmacy branch and speak to the duty Pharmacist, who’ll be happy to help you from there.
To find the nearest PillBox Pharmacy to you, use our handy branch locator https://www.pillboxchemists.com/your-nearest-pharmacy/ – remember, no appointments needed, let us help you get your cholesterol levels checked at a time that’s convenient to you.
Trying to reach and maintain a healthy weight can prove to be a difficult task. We’ve consulted with all of our resident pharmaceutical teams to collect the best tips for you, and here we have picked out the best 15 tips to help manage your weight.
1. Drink Enough Water, Especially Before Meals!
Drinking enough water can increase the metabolism rate by 24-30% over the course of 1-1.5 hours, helping you be eligible to burn off more calories than normal.
A study conveyed that drinking just half a litre, (or 19oz) of water, within a time frame of half an hour before meals, actually helped eat fewer calories along with losing 44% of more weight compared to the people who didn’t drink that amount of water before a meal.
2. Eating Eggs For Breakfast
Eating an entire egg can have more benefits than you think, including helping you lose the weight you want to. Many studies show that swapping a grain-based breakfast with eggs can aid you in eating less calories for the next 36 hours, as well as losing weight and body fat.
3. Drink Coffee! (Preferably Black Coffee)
The quality of coffee has a bunch of antioxidants that can have multiple health benefits compared to what you think. Studies show that caffeine in coffee can help increase your metabolism rate by 3-11% AND increase weight loss / fat burning by up to 10-29%. The only downside to this is that you must make sure to not add plenty of cream, sugar or any other high-calorie ingredients into your coffee, as that’s when it will negatively affect any benefits.
Image Source: www.forbes.com
4. Drink Green Tea
Similar to coffee, green tea can also have many benefits for weight loss. However, green tea does contain little amounts of caffeine, it has a load of powerful antioxidants called ‘catechins’ which is believed to work alongside with the caffeine to increase the fat-burning rate. On the other hand, when the evidence is mixed, there is enough displayed evidence to say that overall, if you regularly have an intake of green tea, (whether it is a beverage of a supplement) it can help you with your weight loss.
5. Cut Back on Added Sugar
‘Added Sugar’ is single-handedly one of the worst ingredients to be consumed within the modern diet. Most people consume too much. Sugar (along with high-fructose corn syrup) consumption is highly associated with the risk of obesity increases, as well as certain health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
To lose weight, you must cut back on added sugar.
Make sure that you read all of your food and drink labels, even if they are ‘so-called healthy’, they can still be loaded with sugar.
6. Eat Less Refined Carbohydrate
Refined carbohydrates that include sugar and grains that have been stripped of its nutritious parts and fibrous. This also can include certain things such as white bread and pasta amongst the chief culprits. Refined carbohydrates can cause blood sugar to spike, leading to feeling hunger and increased food intake for a few hours, which has a significant link to obesity. If you are going to eat carbohydrates, make sure you eat them with their natural fibres!
7. Go on a Low-Carbohydrate Diet
If you are wanting to receive all of the benefits of carbohydrate restriction, then make sure you go all out into committing to a low carbohydrate diet. Multiple studies show that having a regimen can aid you to lose up to 3 times the amount of weight compared to a standard low-fat diet, whilst also improving your health.
8. Exercise Portion Control or Count Calories
Portion control is important! Simply eating less, or keep track of your calorie intake is proven to be useful, for fairly obvious reasons. Keeping track by using a food diary, or taking pictures of your meals, or even simple things can help in losing weight. Doing anything that has an increase in your awareness of what you’re consuming, allows you to be on top of your daily food intake and is likely to help.
Image Source: www.health.harvard.edu
9. Keep Healthy Food Around in Case You Get Hungry
Having accessibility to healthy food nearby can aid to prevent you from eating unhealthy substances when you become very hungry. Any small snacks that are easily portable are good to take. Anything with whole fruits, nuts, baby carrots, yoghurt and are handy and easy to take around. Make sure you look at the snack in case there are any allergies you could be vulnerable to, and avoid added sugar within those snacks.
10. Eat Spicy Foods
Chili peppers tend to contain ‘capsaicin’, which is a compound that is spicy but can also increase your metabolism rate and decrease your appetite, but only slightly. Although, it is important to know that people may develop tolerance when dealing with the effects of capsaicin over time unless you boost the amount of spice every so often to compensate for the drop-off.
11. Do Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise is known as cardio. It is an efficient and a great way to burn calories along with improving your physical and mental health. Aerobic exercise seems to me typically effective when it comes to losing belly fat. The unhealthy fat builds up around your organs and has a high chance of causing a metabolic disease.
12. Eat More Vegetables and Fruits
Fruits and vegetables have many properties that can make the extremely effective for weight loss. They have fewer calories, but a lot more fiber. The content that is filled with high water, gives them low density and energy, making it feel more filling. They’re also very nutritious, so eating them is important for your overall health.
13. Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep is single handedly one of the most underrated things that people overlook .
when attempting a diet, or simply being healthy and exercising. Poor sleep is one of the strongest factors that aid the risk of obesity, and is linked to 90% of increased risk of obesity in children, along with 55% in adults. If your sleep schedule, or at anypoint you are getting less than 6 hours of sleep, then you are at a much greater risk of falling to obesity than someone getting 8 hours of sleep. To sleep better, try exercising before bed, having you last used your mobile, computer, tablet etc an hour before getting into bed.
14. Eat More Protein
Protein is the most important nutrient when it comes to weight loss.
Consuming a high-protein diet has been proven time and time again that it increases your metabolism rate by up to 100 calories per day, whilst also cutting off another 400 calories per day.
Eating 25% of your calorie intake daily as a protein tremendously reduces obsessive cravings / thoughts about food up to 60% whilst also reducing the late night snack factor by half!
The simplest, easiest and effective way to help your weight loss is my just adding protein to your diet.
15. Don’t Do Sugary Drinks, Including Fizzy Drinks and Fruit Juice
Sugar of course, is bad, however, sugar in the form of a liquid makes it even worse. Many studies convey that calories taken from liquid sugar may be the most fattening to the modern diet. As an example, a study showed that sugar-sweetened liquids are matched up to 60% increased risk of obesity in children for each daily serving.
Bare in mind that it applies to things you won’t expect as well, such as fruit juice, which contains almost the same amount as a sugary drink like Coke.
Eat fruit whole, but avoid the fruit juice altogether, or as little as possible.
So there we have our team’s top tips! Hopefully this will help inspire you to begin your weight loss journey!
Our Blood Pressure Checking Service is administered within all of our branches by the trained pharmacy team located within each branch. You aren’t needed to make an appointment on most occasions. You can just walk in and ask for a Blood Pressure Checking Service. However, if you’re busy and don’t want to be kept waiting, we advise you to pre-book this free service at your convenience and we will make sure that you are prioritised for that time by one of our professional staff team.
Once you arrive for your blood pressure check, our trained professionals will take you to one of our GPhC approved consultation rooms, where you’ll be asked to rest and relax for 5 minutes; that way, that we can then measure your blood pressure in a relaxed and comfortable environment, and without you feeling under any stress.
All blood pressure readings are presented in the form of two readings; systolic pressure and diastolic pressure (mmHg) – the diagram below shows what each of those means.
Image source: bloodpressureuk.org
Why do I need my blood pressure checking?
A blood pressure check is important because the higher your blood pressure is, the higher your risk of health problems in the future. If your blood pressure is high, it is putting extra strain on your arteries and on your heart. This may eventually cause a heart attack or stroke as your heart is trying to regulate your blood at the time you’re in most commonly in stress. This causes your heart to work faster than normal hence the reason as to why you may have heart-related issues in the near future if it isn’t looked at and monitored.
How often should I have my blood pressure checked?
You should get your blood pressure checked at least once every five years. However, as you get older your blood pressure is likely to increase and you should be checked more often. It is recommended for the people aged forty and over to get their blood pressure checked at least once every year.
For those who have high blood pressure or even on the high side of a normal blood pressure reading. It would be advised to go once every year at the least.
Your doctor or pharmacist may advise you to have it checked more often than that if you are deemed to be at a high risk of developing cardiac or stroke problems. Therefore you should always keep on top of your health and if you feel any changes it would be worthwhile talking to your doctor.
What are the early warning signs of high blood pressure?
If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for which is quite noticeable. They could be:
Severe headache
Fatigue or confusion
Vision problems
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Irregular heartbeat
Blood in the urine
Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears
Although they could sound like times where you generally feel tired or have a headache. Times, where you feel like you shouldn’t be tired, is where you stay cautious about your activities and note them down and get some advice from your doctor.
How much does anxiety raise Blood Pressure?
If you are anxious, your arteries will begin to restrict itself and tighten. This causes your blood to be flowing around at a much irregular rate. As a result of this, your heart is then needed to work harder to pump blood through your body. Due to this stress is one such cause of anxiety, and stress that can then lead to high blood pressure (hypertension).
Anxiety doesn’t cause long term high blood pressure. Anxiety technically causes fluctuations in your blood pressure resulting in a temporary change. However, having it every day can cause damage to your blood vessels as the arterioles contract more forcefully at a longer period of time. Due to this, you may even be tempted to start smoking or drinking more as a result of this which can result in a rise of blood pressure.
Can you feel when your blood pressure is high?
Most people who have high blood pressure do not have symptoms. In some cases, people with high blood pressure may feel more sluggish. There are no real symptoms and there are different conditions for people. In fact, High Blood Pressure is known as a silent killer. If you have any headaches that are painful or notice a change it is best to call a doctor.
Do bananas lower blood pressure?
Studies have shown that having a banana a day can help lower blood pressure. The fruit is filled with potassium which is best known for lowering blood pressure. Potassium is a mineral that is needed for our body to balance out the effects that salt can have on our body and help the kidney function well. This is done by controlling the amount of fluid stored. The more fluid there is stored in your body, the higher your blood pressure.
One study, in particular, said just two bananas a day can reduce your blood pressure by 10 per cent! Other potassium-rich foods include potatoes, dates, and avocados.
Can Apple cider vinegar lower blood pressure immediately?
It also soothes sore throats, cures hiccups instantly, and lowers cholesterol. Three teaspoons per day of apple cider vinegar can lower your blood pressure significantly within a week.
Can lack of sleep cause high blood pressure?
Over time, a lack of sleep could hurt your body’s ability to regulate stress hormones, leading to high blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea may be the cause, and it can increase your risk of high blood pressure, as well as heart problems and other health issues.
Can dehydration cause high blood pressure?
Hypertension- High blood pressure is common in people who are chronically dehydrated. When the body’s cells lack water, the brain sends a signal to the pituitary gland to secrete vasopressin, a chemical that causes constriction of the blood vessels. This causes blood pressure to increase, which leads to hypertension.
What foods can I eat to lower my blood pressure?
Porridge.
Low fat, natural yoghurt.
Fruits, especially strawberries and bananas.
Seeds.
Kale.
Do apples lower blood pressure?
Apples lower blood pressure. That’s because apples are a great source of quercetin, a flavonoid that is quickly absorbed into your system and attacks free radicals, supports veins, and lowers blood pressure naturally.
Is cucumber good for high blood pressure?
Cucumbers contain a lot of fiber, potassium and magnesium. These nutrients work effectively for regulating blood pressure. That is why cucumber is good for treating both high blood pressure and low blood pressure.
What will bring blood pressure down quickly?
Here are 8 simple lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it down.
Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline.
Exercise regularly.
Eat a healthy diet.
Reduce sodium in your diet.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Quit smoking.
Cut back on caffeine.
Reduce your stress.
Can drinking lots of water lower blood pressure?
Staying adequately hydrated is one of the simplest ways to lower your blood pressure naturally – try to drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day.
What is the best drink for high blood pressure?
Pomegranate Juice.
Loaded with potassium and other heart-healthy nutrients, pomegranate juice has three times the antioxidant activity of green tea or red wine. It’s no surprise, then, that a 2017 review of clinically sound studies found that regularly drinking pomegranate juice can significantly reduce blood pressure.
What snacks are good for high blood pressure?
These Snacks Can Help You Avoid High Blood Pressure: –
Carrots and hummous.
Greek yogurt with berries.
Apple slices and peanut butter.
Whole wheat crackers with tuna.
Dark chocolate covered bananas.
Avoid salty snacks, such as chips and salsa, salted nuts, etc.
What vitamins help with blood pressure?
Folic acid.
Vitamin D.
Magnesium.
Potassium.
CoQ10.
Fiber.
Acetyl-L-carnitine.
Garlic.
Simply pop along to the nearest PillBox pharmacy to you, and ask our in-branch team to make you an appointment. If the branch isn’t busy, we’ll be able to see you there and then to conduct your blood pressure test. Once your readings have been taken, you will be able to speak at length to the pharmacist who took your test so that you can understand what the readings mean. You can also discuss a diet and exercise plan with our pharmacy team if you need advice on lowering or controlling your blood pressure.
Pillbox Chemist is one of the leading UK Chemists and they have a highly skilled team of qualified pharmacists. Offering a wide range of high quality tailored NHS and private pharmacy services.
What services does Pillbox Chemist offer?
They offer tons of different tests which include Allergy Test, Blood Pressure Check, Blood Sugar Test, Cannabis Clinic, Cholesterol Test, Emergency Contraception, Lung Age Test, Medicine Use Review, Now Medicine Service, Winter Flu Jabs, Health Check, Health Check Plus, Heart Rhythm, Pulse + 0.2 Saturation, Travel Clinic, Weight Management,
Who are Pillbox Chemists?
An independent private healthcare business aiming to provide personalised Medical care of the highest quality; available to all local residents under one roof. PillBox Chemists sites open 5 days a week and offer same day appointments for most procedures, giving you unbeatable access to affordable and instant private care. Beat the NHS waiting times by servicing your health needs at one of our sites. Our highly competitive pay-as-you-go prices and unrivalled membership plans ensure we can meet every patient’s needs, whether you prefer one-off appointments or ongoing membership.
Why should you use Pillbox Chemist?
You should use Pillbox Chemist because they are experts in your field and they are affordable for everyone to be able to pay for their healthcare. Not to mention the staff are very professional and they are experts in what they do which range from all types of medicines. There’s something for everyone and they’re an expert in that field as well, so don’t hesitate to shop at a family friendly place.
Can you shop online with pillbox chemist?
You can shop online, which will save you from having to go out to the shops!
What branches does Pillbox Chemist have?
They currently have 23 branches over England so if you wanted to go to any of these you will be able to get the high service that you deserve and within one of these branches you be able to be served with the most professionalism that you’ve ever had.
Is my information safe with Pillbox Chemist?
Your private information is safe with Pillbox chemist we understand that you might feel unsure especially when we’ve not been around as long as some of the others. However we take your privacy very seriously and we will do whatever we must to keep it safe and protected behind our high-tech firewalls.
What days are we open & closed?
Monday 9am-6:30pm
Tuesday 9am-6:30pm
Wednesday 9am-6:30pm
Thursday 9am-6:30pm
Friday 9am-6:30pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Is Pillbox Chemist busy during work-days?
We are a very busy company but we have enough time for everyone so if you would like to come in on a work-day, we would be with you very quickly and if you don’t want to wait you can always order online. This saves the hassle of doing it in person, instead you can do it online and it saves you time lining up and paying. The average waiting time when it’s busy is only 5-10 minutes wait. Which might sound long but in reality it’s actually very fast for a Chemist due to all the paperwork, but our staff are great at keeping the waiting time down.
If I shop online how long will it take for delivery?
If you bought online and if they have it in stock it should only take a couple of working days, or if it’s not in stock then it can take up to a week so think to yourself do you need it urgently or can you wait a bit. We also have the option of next day delivery if you don’t want to have to wait for it for too long.
Can I get my Flu Jab done in-store?
You can get your Flu Jab done in-store if you would like if it’s busy then you might be waiting around for a qualified staff member. However if it’s not busy then you should be served quickly and effectively.
Can I get an Allergy Test done in-store?
If you’re in need of an Allergy Test then you can have one done in store. You may need to book an appointment for us to get all the paperwork and samples in order and you should hear from them within 2-4 weeks as obviously the tests have to be processed once done.
Do you follow all the regulations NHS has provided?
We follow NHS regulations to the letter, as we understand that medicine is very dangerous if you use it incorrectly.
What if you don’t have some medicine in, how long will it take for re-supply?
The average waiting time for re-supply should usually take 1-3 working days and if they had delays it could be up to 5 working days, but you can also order online.
28-day national stop smoking campaign from 1st of October every year.
Helps participants attempt quitting by providing support and resources
Provides motivation to make a major change in their life.
Stoptober offers support through many methods such as online chats and communities, free online personal quit plan, Stoptober app, stop smoking medicines and face to face support.
Reasons to take part in Stoptober
Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable illnesses and premature death causing over 80 thousand deaths per year in the UK.
If smokers can quit for 28 days, they are 5 times more likely to quit for good
Quit with support – people are four times more likely to quit if they identify the right quit plan and support for them. OSS and similar local SSS present the most effective route to stop smoking.
Most smokers in England want to quit the habit (6 in 10) – normalise quitting and non‐smoking.
Thousands of smokers have already made successful quit attempts using Stoptober as a springboard. These examples/role models show that quitting is possible. The campaign has helped over 1.7 million people start their quitting journey.
Target specific disadvantaged communities and groups e.g. routine and manual jobs etc.
Use motivators for quitting e.g. money and savings- especially for people with low income.
Treatment
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is available to combat one of the issues of smoking which is nicotine dependence.
NRT increases the chance of quitting by 50-70%
Most products can be used from the age of 12 years onwards
Adult dose can be recommended for adolescents (12-18 years old) unless treatment is required > 12 weeks
Side effects with NRT are rare and are either normally limited to Gastrointestinal (GI) problems associated with accidental ingestion of certain NRT formulations such gum. Local skin irritation and vivid dreams with patches. In some cases headache, nausea and diarrhoea have been reported.
NRT appears to have no significant interaction with other medicines
Visit your local Pillbox Chemist, our Pharmacist can advice you which option is most appropriate to individual case.
