Pulse check: A prescription for health

The start of spring and summer means we'll be spending more time outdoors -- what do we need to know about staying healthy?

The summer months bring sunshine, green grass, flowers in bloom and warm nights. Unfortunately, it can also bring sunburns, allergies and bug bites. We all need to protect our skin from the sun's UV rays with a broad spectrum sunscreen to block UVA/UVB rays. Also, look for an SPF with a minimum of 15. For outdoor allergies, use an antihistamine to help keep itchy, watery eyes and runny noses away. For bug bites like mosquitoes, use a topical pain reliever like Campho-Phenique or products like After Bite. Spraying yourself with repellents before going outside will help us avoid mosquito bites as well.

How can we make the most of our pharmacy?

People work hard at many aspects of their lives to streamline processes and schedule out events ... Your pharmacy should be able to help with this as well. Talk to the staff on your next visit to the pharmacy and find out how they can do this for you. For example, at MediCenter Pharmacy, we can line up all of your medications to fill one time each month so you don't have to make multiple trips here. Another way to maximize your pharmacy experience is to periodically ask your pharmacist to review your medications. This helps avoid interactions and possibly taking medicine that could be unnecessary due to you taking something else that works similarly. Also, ask the pharmacy about the extras they provide. Can they fit you or a loved one for diabetic shoes or compound a medication especially for you? Can they flavor medications so that kids will take them easier? Can you ask for refills online? Can they truly work behind the scenes when you are not there to make you and your family's health better? These are questions to ask your pharmacy to help maximize your pharmacy experience.

What are the top questions you hear from clients at the pharmacy? How do you address those concerns?

I get a lot of questions about medications, such as 'Do I take this with food? Will this hurt my stomach? Can I take this with my other medications?' All of these are questions that I get every day and they are very important to the patient. Whether they have taken this medicine for years or are just starting it today, it is important to understand what the medication is for, how to administer it and what the expected outcome and side effects may be. I want to walk people through these questions with clear answers and help them understand what to expect. Also, questions don't have to be asked just while in the pharmacy. They can call the pharmacy back or even email me a question through our website. I am here to help, just like my grandfather taught me.

What is your best overall health advice for women?

I could give a lot of health advice that is very important, but it would all fall under the same category: Taking care of you is extremely important. I know it's hard with everything going on around us these days and the expectations that everyone has for us, and we have for ourselves. Believe me, I get it! I am a wife, a mother of two, a daughter, a soccer coach, active in church, active in charity, and not to mention a pharmacist and business owner. It is tough to balance everything, and when I don't take care of myself I tend to get physically sick. Finding a balance in life with my spiritual walk with God, my family time, my professional time and the expectations I put on myself has been hard. Some days are good and some days need more than 24 hours. I know, however, that taking care of myself is as important as taking care of everything and everyone around me. This includes getting rest, getting my annual screenings done and trying to schedule things ahead of time.