Page 33 - RetailPharmacyAssistants-March2021-Updated

James Brown, NSW – Blaxland Day n Night Pharmacy What is your advice to women who may experience issues with their monthly cycle? What can they do to reduce period pain, bloating, cravings and hormonal fluctuations each month? Whenever helping a patient who is experiencing period pain, my first go-to medication is Naprogesic, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory that helps to alleviate the pain associated with period cramps. Another great medication that can help reduce pain is Maxigesic, a paracetamol and ibuprofen combination that provides a good level of pain relief. Supplementary medications I often find myself recommending are magnesium, calcium, vitamin B6 and fish oil supplements. Magnesium is great for cramps and spasms associated with menstruation. A calcium supplement may help assist with cravings and a vitamin B6 supplement may help with bloating. A fish oil supplement may help with symptoms such as bloating, and a heat pack may also help provide relief from pain. If physical symptoms are persisting, speak to your doctor about using hormonal birth control as an option to help reduce cramps. Remember to be kind to yourself in this moment in time. We all slip up, and cravings may get the best of us, but it’s important to remind yourself that you’re trying your best and that we’re only human. What is your advice to someone in terms of healing wounds, cuts, scrapes? What do parents need to have on hand in terms of first aid when out and about with their young ones? In my area, snakes are particularly active, especially in the summer and spring months when the weather tends to warm up a little bit. Having a snake-bite bandage on hand is a strong addition to any first aid kit. For wounds like cuts and scrapes, a spray such as the Dettol wound wash spray is an excellent antiseptic that can be kept on hand for when an emergency does happen and the wound needs to be washed. I always carry around antiseptic wipes as well as bandages in several sizes just in case someone gets into an accident. For when the wound has been cleaned and sanitised, I recommend SoloSite as it’s not too expensive and helps to promote moist wound healing. Our young ones are bound to get into accidents, but having these items will help get them back to tip-top shape in no time. Emma Smallbone, Queensland – Zammit Street Pharmacy, Deception Bay What is your advice to women who may experience issues with their monthly cycle? What can they do to reduce period pain, bloating, cravings and hormonal fluctuations each month? Having your go-to period relief items handy for when those symptoms start. Equip a nice box with a heat pack, preferred effective pain relief, like Maxigesic, sanitary items and some herbal tea that helps digestion and relaxation. There are also some new-to- market TENS \\\\\\\[transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation\\\\\\\] devices that are designed specifically for those ladies suffering with a painful cycle. They’re pocket sized and will sit discreetly under clothing – perfect to keep in your handbag when period pain strikes. antiseptic cream for initial treatment and to follow it with pawpaw ointment to encourage healthy skin growth and repair. Keeping a large toiletries bag stocked is ideal for families on the go. I keep in my family kit a spray-on saline solution, a spray-on burn gel, antiseptic cream, a little bag of assorted dressings (including wound closure strips), a light bandage, and paper tape. It’s always gotten us out of sticky situations when the home first aid kit isn’t nearby. Tori McRae-Field, South Australia – Direct Chemist Outlet, Torrensville What is your advice to women who may experience issues with their monthly cycle? What can they do to reduce period pain, bloating, cravings and hormonal fluctuations each month? As someone who suffers from endometriosis myself, I’m empathetic towards anyone who either has endo or who experiences issues with their monthly cycle. My best suggestion is to try and stick to a balanced diet, especially at that time of the month. Giving in to cravings can wreak havoc on your body and make your symptoms that much worse. Try to keep relatively active, if possible (it helps). Short walks are ideal, as opposed to a gym workout. If all else fails, a wheat bag or hot water bottle can do wonders to help ease the period pain. What is your advice to someone in terms of healing wounds, cuts, scrapes? What do parents need to have on hand in terms of first aid when out and about with their young ones? First aid can be a tricky one. There are so many types of wounds, and treating them can be overwhelming. I think the most important thing to remember is that a wound heals better if it’s a moist environment (try to avoid letting the wound scab). My suggestion for parents would be to keep a couple of key items with you to treat wounds. These would be saline to rinse a wound (really good for knee scrapes, etc), a basic antiseptic cream and a variation of bandaids/ dressings. No need to take a whole medicine cabinet with you. TO PAGE 32 PATY STATE/TERRITORY WINNERS 31 What is your advice to someone in terms of healing wounds, cuts, scrapes? What do parents need to have on hand in terms of First Aid when out and about with their young ones? I recommend to patients looking for wound care management a basic RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAR 2021