Moye's Health Blog

Got Allergies? Global Warming May Be To Blame

2010-03-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

< Mar. 03, 2010 > -- There may be yet another problem resulting from global climate change: more sneezing and sniffling. Rising temperatures are increasing the pollen season for some plants and trees. As a result, people may be suffering more from seasonal allergies.

The increase in pollen may even be causing additional people who are susceptible to develop pollen allergies, says Renato Ariano, M.D., author of a new study on the topic. Ariano presented the findings in New Orleans at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Longer Pollen Season, More Allergy Problems

Dr. Ariano and his colleagues have been recording pollen counts, the length of pollen seasons, and the prevalence of people sensitive to five major pollens in an area of Italy on the Mediterranean Sea for nearly 30 years.

Between 1981 and 2007, the researchers noted an increasingly earlier start to the pollen season. During this same time, when researchers tested area residents for allergic reaction to five regional pollens, they found more and more people were sensitive to those pollens.

That makes sense to Estelle Levetin, a professor of biology at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, who says, "the data already show that pollen seasons could be longer and pollen levels could be higher." As a result, people with allergies may need to start taking allergy medications earlier and continue them longer, Levetin says.

Pollen allergy affects about one out of 10 Americans, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. For some, symptoms can be controlled by using over-the-counter medicine. Others may have serious reactions. Allergies can trigger or worsen asthma, and lead to health problems like sinus and ear infections.
Get Help for Your Allergy Symptoms

People with pollen allergies often notice a seasonal pattern to their symptoms, but some need allergy tests to discover that pollen is the source of the problem.

You should see your doctor you experience any of the following allergy problems:

* You are experiencing allergies for the first time
* Symptoms interfere with your daily life
* Over-the-counter allergy medications don't ease symptoms
* You experience allergy symptoms over a long period
* You feel your allergies are starting earlier in the season

Tips for Tackling Seasonal Allergies

People with seasonal allergies should try to avoid pollen as much as possible and stay indoors when pollen levels are high. For example, ragweed pollen levels highest in the morning in late summer and early fall. Grass pollen levels are highest in evening in during spring and summer.

Sunny, windy days can be especially troublesome. Pay attention to the pollen count levels, which are often included in the local weather forecast.

Here are some other tips for dealing with seasonal allergies, especially on high pollen count days:

* Run an air conditioner and keep windows closed in the house.
* Avoid yard work and mowing grass.
* Wear a mask to filter pollen out of the air you breathe if you work outside.

Always consult your physician for more information.

Article courtesy of Health Mart Pharmacy.

How to Prevent the Flu

2010-01-12T06:06:00.001-08:00

What you can do to prevent the flu:

· Get vaccinated against seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu. Vaccination is the best protection we have against flu. CDC is now encouraging everyone to get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1. The vaccines to protect against 2009 H1N1 are widely available. Get your H1N1 vaccine at any Moye’s Pharmacy for just $10.

· Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

· Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
· Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

· Stay informed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for up the minute news. Check our blog regularly for new flu updates. Visit the CDC’s website for extensive flu resources.

Moye's Mom

2009-08-26T06:19:00.000-07:00

Are you a Moye’s Mom? If not, you’re missing out on a great community of other moms just like you! Visit http://www.moyespharmacy.com/moyesmom.html for more info.

Check out the Moye's Charity Program

2009-08-19T06:13:00.000-07:00

Support your local charity by shopping at Moye’s! When you participate in the Moye’s Charity Program, 3% of your purchase total will be donated to a non-profit of your choice. How does it work? Ask your favorite charity to complete a registration form – over 30 already have! Then shop at Moye’s for prescriptions, toiletries, gifts and more… and encourage your friends and family to do the same. When you check out, let the Moye’s staff know which charity you’d like to support. It’s that easy!

Moye's Better Health Club

2009-08-11T07:47:00.001-07:00

Did you know that you can get hundreds of medications at Moye’s for as little as 13¢ a day? Join the Moye’s Better Health Club and save money on many of the prescriptions that you use most. Visit http://www.moyespharmacy.com/betterhealth.html for more information or ask your Moye’s pharmacist.

Henry County Employees

2009-08-05T08:58:00.001-07:00

Attention Henry County employees… Moye’s Pharmacy now accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield! Drop by today and fill out a customer information card and start enjoying the Moye’s difference. At Moye’s, you’ll get a fresh approach to service from pharmacists and staff who know and care about you. You’ll also enjoy less wait and the same co-pay as other pharmacies, all from a pharmacy who cares about this community as much as you do.

Back to School!

2009-07-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

It’s back to school time! Want to start off the school year right with the teacher? Visit Moye’s Gift Shop at 62 Keys Ferry Street in McDonough for lots of great gift ideas in every price range. A monogrammed key chain or insulated tumbler might be the perfect way to welcome a new teacher or say thanks to a summer caregiver.
And, welcome to all of our new teachers! For the month of August, all educators who can present a current school employee ID will receive 10% off their entire Gift Shop purchase. Offer valid at Moye’s Gift Shop location (62 Keys Ferry Street) only.

Calling All Brides

2009-07-01T08:55:00.001-07:00

Calling all brides! Visit our Moye's Pharmacy & Gift Shop at 62 Keys Ferry Street in McDonough for wedding gifts you'll treasure for years. At Moye's, you'll find beautiful items for home and entertaining from Mariposa, Arthur Court, Tervis, Vietri, Fenton Glass and more... plus the special service that all brides deserve and an extra discount just for you after you tie the knot.

The preparation for a wedding can be, at time, both exciting and overwhelming. With the Moye's Bridal Registry, we offer an approach that is enjoyable, relaxed and local! Be sure to check out some of our great bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts too!

Moye's Medication Management Program

2009-06-25T06:54:00.000-07:00

Let Moye's take the guesswork out of taking medication.

One pill twice a day, two pills once a day... How do you make sure that you or your loved one is getting the correct medication at the right time? Moye's Medicine Management program can help. Whether you are caring for your loved one at home or they are a patient in an assisted living or long term care home, our innovative personal prescription system takes the daily hassle and risk out of taking medicine.

The Moye's Medication Management program is a patented prescription dispensing system that packages your daily medication in individual packs clearly labeled with the patient's name, contents and time/date to be taken. No more jugging pill bottles. No more guesswork about dosages and times. You may never miss a pill again!

To learn more about the Moye's Medication Management program, ask your caregiver or call us at (770) 507-1559 to learn more.

Are You Smarter than a College Student?

2009-06-23T06:17:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Tony Moye for a stellar performance in this year’s “Are You Smarter Than A College Student” competition hosted by the Henry County High School Foundation. While the community leaders lost by a not-so-small margin, the evening certainly provided plenty of entertainment for all and supported a great cause!

Father's Day

2009-06-17T07:54:00.001-07:00

Have you finished your Father’s Day shopping yet? Our Moye’s Pharmacy and Gift Shop at 62 Key’s Ferry Street in downtown McDonough has great gift ideas that will be perfect for all of the important guys in your life. Be sure to check out glassware by Tervis and the logoed collegiate items.

Moye's Better Health Club

2009-06-11T07:07:00.000-07:00

Are You Smarter Than a College Student?

2009-06-08T06:25:00.000-07:00

The Henry County High Schools Foundation's annual fundraiser "Are You Smarter Than a College Student?!" will be on June 20, in the Henry County Performing Arts Center. Our own Tony Moye will be one of the contestants on the “Community Leaders Team!”

Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts promptly at 7:00. Tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance at any Moye's Pharmacy or $12 at the door. Other members of the Community Leaders Team are: Kenyatta Bush, Greg Hammonds, Dr. Winnie Johnson, Kay Pippin, and Joyce Rodgers.

Which Pharmacy is best for you?

2009-06-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of pharmacies out there. How do you pick the best one for you and your family? At Moye’s, you’ll get a fresh approach to customer service from a trained staff that you know and trust. Our co-pays are the same as the “big” pharmacies, and with seven Henry County locations to serve you, you’ll be in and out in less time. All from a pharmacy that cares about this community as much as you do. Transferring your prescriptions is easy too. Just ask your Moye’s pharmacist how!

Facebook

2009-05-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Are you on Facebook (www.facebook.com)? If you are, become a member of our Moye’s Mom Club! It’s a great place to meet other local moms who care about the health and well-being of their families. Whether you're a new mother with lots of questions or a more experienced mom to an active family, the Moye's Mom Club includes something for everyone. Plus, you’ll get special offers especially for Moye’s Moms!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41382588340&ref=mf

Charity

2009-05-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

Is your charity participating in the Moye’s Charity Program? Check to see if your favorite non-profit is listed at http://www.moyespharmacy.com/charity.html. If they are, next time you shop at Moye’s, tell the staff that you’d like to participate in the Charity Program and Moye’s will donate 3% of your total purchase to the charity of your choice.

If your charity isn’t on the list, have the charity complete and return the registration form at http://www.moyespharmacy.com/charity.html. Once they’re registered, they can begin earning 3% on all purchases made by customers who designate that charity when they check out.

Congratulations Taylor

2009-05-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Moye’s pharmacist Taylor Rice was honored this month at the 9th Annual Henry County Volunteer Recognition organized by United Way and presented by Henry Medical Center. Taylor was recognized for his work with Leadership Henry (www.leadershiphenry.com). Congratulations Taylor!

The Geranium Festival

2009-05-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

The Geranium Festival hosted by the McDonough Lions Club is this Saturday, May 16 in downtown McDonough. Over 300 vendors will be on hand with a variety of handcrafted items for sale. Moye’s Pharmacy and Gift Shop at 62 Key’s Ferry Street will be open all day on Saturday. If you haven’t visited our new Gift Shop, this is the perfect opportunity to shop our great selection of teacher, wedding and graduation gifts – plus, it’s a great place to escape the heat and enjoy the air conditioning for a while!

To find out more about the gift lines available in the Moye’s Gift Shop, visit http://www.moyespharmacy.com/gift.html. For more information on the Geranium Festival, visit http://www.geraniumfestival.com/.

Flu threat averted?

2009-05-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

The CDC released a new statement today concerning the outbreak:
“CDC expects that more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and weeks.” According to the CDC there are now 1639 confirmed cases in the United States.

The CDC has confirmed that the virus is now in the community-at-large. What does this mean for you? Since we know it’s here there is no need to continue confirming new cases. The CDC will, however, continue to monitor the area through its surveillance program and will watch for any signs of mutation in the virus. At this point physicians and other health care providers have been educated on the current treatment of the virus and should proceed with the appropriate protocol to match the symptoms displayed.

While it looks like the predictions of deadly flu disease may not have developed as once thought, it is still important to be responsible with your daily health decisions. I know you have heard this a million times since kindergarten but washing your hands regularly will, in fact, prevent many infections from ever even getting a chance to enter your body. Limit your contact with those that you know are sick. Whether it be the flu, a cold, or strep throat keeping your distance will greatly decrease your chances of contracting the illness.

How can you prepare? Health officials have confirmed that a vaccine is currently being developed to combat further swine flu infections when the flu season rolls around again. As with any vaccine the earlier to you get it the more time your body has to build up the needed immunological responses to fight the virus when you actually encounter the pathogen. The typical flu vaccine should be administered 4-6 weeks before expected exposure. At Moye’s we usually begin administering the flu vaccine in late August or early September. It is also important to note that those with chronic medical conditions should get the flu shot as early as possible since these people are at the greatest risk for developing complications from flu related illness.

Will the Swine Flu return and will it be worse than before? Health officials the world over are debating this very issue as we speak. The general consensus seems to be that it is likely that this strain of the flu virus will reemerge in the future. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention will be conducting many epidemiological studies to better understand how this virus was first contracted by humans and subsequently spread through out the globe. While we can never predict every new outbreak, we can be as prepared as possible when one occurs. To this end Moye’s is working closely with the county and regional Health Departments as well as the local medical community. We believe that your health is priority number one and we are continually striving to help you make better healthcare decisions. If you would like more information or simply have questions please post a comment to this blog and one of our knowledgeable pharmacists will make every effort to accommodate your inquiry.

Welcome to the Moye's Flu Blog!

2009-05-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

Do you have a question about the H1N1 virus? Want to know more about how to protect your family from all types of flu? Post a question below and our Moye's Blogger will try to answer it as quickly as possible.