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The importance of Flu Vaccinations

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Protecting Public Health: The Importance of Flu Vaccines in South Africa and Vaccination @ Alpha Pharm Pharmacies

With the arrival of winter in South Africa comes the seasonal threat of the influenza virus, commonly known as “The Flu”. Whilst it is often dismissed as a minor inconvenience, the flu can have serious consequences, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying health conditions. One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of influenza, and its associated complications, is through annual flu vaccination campaigns. 

Understanding the Impact of Influenza 

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by mutating strains of influenza viruses. It can lead to a range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and respiratory distress. In severe cases, influenza can result in hospitalization, pneumonia, and even death in extreme cases. Each year, seasonal influenza strains circulate in South Africa, causing illness and placing strain on healthcare resources.

The Role of Flu Vaccines 

Flu vaccines are designed to enhance immunity against specific strains of influenza viruses. By stimulating the body’s immune response, vaccines help protect individuals and reduce the severity of illness if infection occurs. Vaccination not only safeguards individual health but also contributes to community immunity, reducing the overall effects of influenza within the population. 

Benefits of Flu Vaccination 

Risk reduction: Flu vaccines are highly effective in reducing the risk of contracting influenza and experiencing severe symptoms. Vaccination lowers the likelihood of flu-related complications, hospitalizations, and deaths, particularly among high-risk groups. 

Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Immunization is particularly crucial for individuals at higher risk of flu-related complications, including the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. 

Reducing Healthcare Burden: By reducing flu-related complications, vaccines help alleviate the strain on healthcare facilities and resources, especially during peak flu seasons. This enables healthcare providers to focus on treating other medical emergencies and conditions. 

Promoting Public Health: Flu vaccination campaigns play a vital role in promoting public health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. By achieving high vaccination coverage rates, communities can collectively reduce the transmission of influenza viruses and protect vulnerable members of society.  

Accessing Flu Vaccines in South Africa 

Flu vaccines are widely available in South Africa through various channels, including public healthcare facilities, private clinics, pharmacies, and workplace vaccination programs. The South African Department of Health and the private sector typically launches annual flu vaccination campaigns targeting priority groups, such as healthcare workers, elderly individuals, and individuals with underlying health conditions. 

Flu vaccines are a critical tool in safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of influenza in South Africa. By getting vaccinated annually, individuals can protect themselves, their families, and their communities from flu-related illness complications. As we approach flu season, let’s prioritize flu vaccination as part of our commitment to promoting health and well-being for all.  

Remember, prevention is key—protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated against the flu at your nearest Alpha Clin Clinic. 

Health Tips Medicine Pharamcist

Understand The Flu Vaccine 2022

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Every year the influenza or flu vaccine is made available to help protect you and your loved ones from contacting the flu or influenza virus.

The flu vaccine can offer some protection from contacting the flu but does not fully protect you from catching it. The flu vaccine is available to most people under the age of 65 years. In certain instances, certain groups of people are cautioned from getting the flu vaccine and that decision is made by your medical practitioner.  

The group or people include:

  • Children  6 months  and younger 
  • people who have experienced a very bad reaction to the flu vaccine or any of its ingredients 
  • those with egg or mercury allergies 

Vaccination Process

Should you wish to get yourself and family vaccinated, you may do so at selected Alpha Pharm Pharmacies in your community  by making use of our Pharmacy Locator

The pharmacist or Alpha Clin clinic nursing sister will discuss the vaccine, different types of flu vaccines and what the benefits of getting the vaccine are. This is done to ensure you understand the benefits of the vaccine and as to what level of protection you would have.  

Some benefits include:

Flu Prevention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “receiving the influenza vaccine is the most effective way to prevent yourself from becoming sick with the flu.”

Feeling less sick

“It’s still possible to get the flu after vaccination. If you do get sick with the flu, your symptoms may be milder if you got the vaccination.” 

Post Vaccination

Once you have gotten the vaccination, you may experience some pain at the vaccination site and may also experience some flu like symptoms – this varies from person to person. The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to start working and there is a chance you may still get the flu within this period.  

It is also encouraged that in conjunction to the flu vaccine, vitamins and immune boosters offer an additional layer of protection against seasonal flu. You should consult with your Alpha Pharm pharmacist during the vaccination process as to which vitamins and immune boosters you and your family should be taking.

 

Make a booking online today to get vaccinated

Health Tips Pharmacy

Men shouldn’t avoid these symptoms

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Health symptoms men should never ignore!

Most men feel discouraged from talking about changes to their health in case they’re perceived as making a fuss, but the health consequences can be serious.

 

Here are some health symptoms men should never ignore:

 

Erectile Dysfunction: 

Most men feel uncomfortable or don’t want to talk about erectile dysfunction.

When symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, book an AlphaDoc Nurse-led Virtual Doctor Consultation www.alphacarebookings.co.za

 

Frequent Constipation:

Constipation is a common condition amongst most people. However, for some people, constipation can be a long-term or chronic condition which may lead to pain or discomfort.

Continued or long term constipation can lead to other conditions such as:

  • Rectal bleeding
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Diverticulitis – where pouches in the lining of the colon develop and become inflamed.

Constipation that lasts for more than a few days and the feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that’s not relieved by having one are also potential warning signs of colon cancer.

Up your daily intake of fibre, make sure you drink plenty of fluids, and try to get more exercise. If these changes don’t help and the problem continues, book an AlphaDoc Nurse-led Virtual Doctor Consultation www.alphacarebookings.co.za

 

 

 

Testicle lumps

For many men, a painless lump in the testicle is the most common sign of testicular cancer.

  • Other symptoms may include:
  • The feeling of extra weight in the scrotum.
  • A swelling of the testicle (with or without pain).
  • Pain or a dull ache in the testicle, scrotum, or groin.

You should make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any lumps, swelling, or pain in your testicles. You will also be able to find these changes early if you regularly self-examine your testicles.

 

Preventive measures

Keeping a keen eye out for early signs of health and wellbeing symptoms is important, but there are also steps you can take to protect yourself both now and in the future. These include:

  • Eat a healthy diet that includes all of the major food groups and watch your portion sizes.
  • Try to get 30 minutes or more exercise a day.
  • Conduct regular self examination of your testicles.
  • Look after your bones by taking regular vitamins and supplementation such as Alpha Calmag and Alpha MSN, which are available at an Alpha Pharm Pharmacy in your community>>> https://www.alphapharmacies.co.za/locationfinder/
  • Get regular health screenings and wellness checks at an Alpha Clin clinic.
  • Take time out for yourself. Around 30 minutes a day is ideal for you. Make it a time when you do something just for yourself. Like; reading, working in the garden, chatting online with friends, meditation or whatever relieves your stress!

 

Health Tips Medicine

Should men Supplement ?

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To Supplement or Not to Supplement

 

To power your body, men need a wide range of nutrients in the right balance. Vitamins are essential to your overall health. They perform many critical roles in your body, from producing energy to ensuring proper function of bodily systems.

Not getting enough of certain nutrients can negatively impact your health and even result in chronic diseases.

Here are essential vitamin supplements men need:

Vitamin C

Alpha C, also known as ascorbic acid is a water soluble vitamin found in various foods and is also sold as a dietary health supplement. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and a strong antioxidant that may reduce the risk of certain diseases.

Benefits of Vitamin C:

  • Boosts immunity.
  • Enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) is common in older men and causes problems with urination. Vitamin C may help reduce your risk of developing an enlarged prostate.
  • Vitamin C helps produce collagen, a connective tissue that holds muscles, bones and other tissues together.
  • It assists in protecting you from bruising by keeping capillary walls and blood vessels firm.
  • It helps your body absorb iron and folate from plant food sources.
  • Helps heal cuts and wounds and works as an antioxidant to inhibit damage to body cells.

Vitamin D

Alpha D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin which helps maintain healthy blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. It also enhances the absorption of calcium, helping to build and maintain strong bones.

 

Benefits of Alpha Vitamin D:

  • Vitamin D plays an essential role in the development of skeletal muscle, which is the muscle attached to bones that help move the body. Adequate vitamin D is also instrumental in optimising muscle strength and performance.
  • Vitamin D may assist in improving testosterone levels. Testosterone plays a crucial role in bone mass, muscle strength, fat distribution, and even sex drive.

Zinc

Men who are vegetarian often come up short on zinc. Zinc is needed for the proper growth and maintenance of the human body. It is f needed for immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function, and much more. Alpha Zinc is a combination of Zinc, selenium and Vitamin A.

Benefits of Alpha Zinc:

  • Increases your immune system and helps fights colds
  • Zinc is an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. It  helps fight oxidative stress and decreases the chance for disease development.
  • Zinc is needed to balance most hormones, including insulin, the main hormone involved in the regulation of blood sugar.
  • Helps maintain heart health by supporting blood vessels within the cardiovascular system, while also lowering inflammation and oxidative stress.
  • Zinc plays an important role in fertility, especially modulating serum testosterone levels in men, which impacts fertility and libido.
  • Helps the body to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins .
  • Helps with muscle growth and repair.

Alpha C, D3 and Zinc are now available at an Alpha Pharm Pharmacy in your community>>> https://www.alphapharmacies.co.za/location-finder/

Flu Vaccination Blog Cover
Health Tips Medicine

2021 Flu Vaccinations

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The power to prevent the flu begins with YOU



Every year, the influenza virus causes epidemics of flu in communities throughout the country. This year may be especially burdensome due to the COVID-19 pandemic happening at the same time.


The flu shot, also known as the influenza vaccine, is a safe and effective way that helps prevent you from getting seasonal flu. Symptoms of the flu can range from mild to life-threatening.


Typical cases of the flu can last from three to five days with a cough lingering for up to three weeks.Flu symptoms include the following:

● A quick onset of feeling ill

● Fever/chills

● Fatigue

● Muscle/body aches

● Sore throat

● Cough

● Headache


Some people (often children) may also experience a stuffy nose, vomiting or diarrhoea. Also, it's important to note that not everyone will necessarily experience a fever with the flu.Who should get the Flu Vaccine?The annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months or older. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of influenza complications, including:

● Pregnant women

● Older adults



● Young children


Chronic medical conditions also can increase your risk of influenza complications. Examples include:

● Asthma

● Cancer or cancer treatment

● Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

● Cystic fibrosis

● Diabetes

● HIV/AIDS

● Kidney or liver disease

● Obesity


Anyone with a chronic medical condition should get the flu vaccine.Who shouldn't get the Flu Vaccine?The influenza vaccine is very safe, although there are some groups of people that shouldn’t get it. They include:

● children less than 6 months of age

● people who have had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine or any of its ingredients

● those with egg or mercury allergies

● those with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)


Other Benefits of Flu Vaccine



Influenza is associated with higher rates of complications, hospitalisations and even death in individuals living with non-communicable diseases compared to the general population.





For example, people with asthma and COPD suffer from more severe breathing problems if they contract a respiratory infection such as influenza; those with diabetes–and pregnant women–are more likely than others to be hospitalised when they have flu; while the risk of stroke and heart attacks is increased three-and five-fold. Flu shots also allow the development of community immunity. If enough people get the vaccine, the flu is unable to spread rapidly through communities. As a result, people in high risk groups are less likely to get the flu. Flu shots are, therefore, important for protecting others from severe illnesses.


Protect the circle of life and the moments that matter the most by getting the flu vaccine today! Flu vaccines now available at a trusted Alpha Pharm Pharmacy in your community. Visit Our Facebook page @AlphaPharmOfficial or www.alphapharmacies.co.za for more info.


Alpha Pharm united through the generations for a healthier South Africa! Vaccinate! It's your best shot!

Health Tips

Keeping your heart healthy

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Keeping your heart-health in check and always on its everyday A-game

Written by Palesa Mbatha

As we approach salt awareness month annually observed in March, we can collectively agree that our heart is the most hardworking organ in our bodies. Our hearts beat every second, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no rest. Medical Professionals all around the world encourage us to take care of our hearts from an early stage so that our hearts can continue to take care of us until the later stages of our lives.

The hard reality still remains a fact that we are all prone to heart-related conditions whether we inherit them from our family history or we attract them through the unhealthy lifestyle choices we make.

To date, health statistics reveal that heart-related diseases and strokes are among the top causes of death, that are commonly influenced or aggravated by conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) and maintaining higher than medically acceptable cholesterol levels. There are other underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes) and other unhealthy habits (such as excessive sodium intake and smoking tobacco) that put us at risk of developing heart-related diseases, which unfortunately may lead to death if not treated timeously.

Fortunately, with the correct attitude and mindset we can control our food and lifestyle choices, inclusive of our sodium (salt) intake. It is important to know that too much sodium causes the body to retain water that causes an increase in hypertension and in-return puts a strain on our blood vessels, kidneys and heart.

What you put on your plate has a significant influence on every aspect of your heart health. A healthy nutritious diet with moderate sodium intake plays a major role in your heart health and can help reduce the risk of Heart-related diseases.

What happens when you put your ‘’heart-health’’ at risk:

  • Compromised Circulatory Disorders, such as fatigue or in extreme cases, chest pains.
  • The heart serves as a power supply for your whole body, therefore without the power supply other organs cannot function to their optimal capacity which increases the risk of the entire body system deteriorating and eventually shutting down if it is not treated in time.

Top 5 tips to help take better care of your heart-health:

  1. Reduce your sodium (salt) intake
  2. Eat a nutritious heart-healthy balanced diet
  3. Exercise
  4. Manage stress
  5. Go for routine wellness check-ups at an Alpha Clin Clinic in your community. Book your wellness checkup at AlphaCare bookings

Immediately seek help or visit an Alpha Pharm Pharmacy in your community when you experience any of the following signs:

  • Chest or back pain
  • Difficulty breathing or speaking
  • A rise in hypertension (blood pressure)
  • Loss of vision
  • Numbness or weakness

 

Health Tips Holiday

Christmas Parties without Pandemics

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Suggestions on how to maintain an exciting intimate friends and family Pandemic-Christmas gathering

If you do celebrate Christmas-day then you might agree with us that it will definitely be a whole lot different this year. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has left a bitter taste in our mouths we have no choice but to adjust and make most of the situation we are currently faced with.

We continuously find ourselves tightening our financial belts by ensuring that every penny goes a long way for us. The good news is, even if our Christmas family traditions might not be the same as the previous years, we just need to make the necessary changes that are in accordance with Covid-19 regulations, one of them being limiting the number of people at gatherings. Despite all that is happening around us here are a few suggestions on how to maintain an exciting yet intimate friends and family Pandemic-Christmas gathering while making it memorable.

Limit invitations: We all know no amount of people can be stopped from joining their friends and family on such a pleasant day. This time around the host will have to carry the big and necessary responsibility of ensuring that there is adequate space to accommodate all members invited to the Christmas gathering. There should be enough space to accommodate people while still being able to maintain social distancing. If the Christmas feast will be served in a table setting then there should be enough seating space maintaining sufficient space between the seats around the table.

Modern Solutions: If any family members need to be excluded for their safety or the volume constraints, a great idea is to split the party up and have video calls set up so everyone can eat together from separate locations.

Retro family recipes: If not every family member will be able to attend the Christmas gathering as per family tradition then you might want to consider preparing your retro family recipes. Retro family recipes always have a way of keeping the spirit alive to a point of bringing back wonderful family memories to share with everyone around you. Trust us when we say- you will be surprised what funny and good memories your guests would love share over these wonderful heart-warming meals.

Christmas carol karaoke: Once everybody is full and people have feasted with seconds and thirds a Christmas carol karaoke challenge can certainly serve as a collective entertainment tool. You can take it as far as purchasing a microphone and dressing up to make it more invigorating. Children can have their own karaoke challenge which can be turned into a mini competition where the winner gets a prize for being the best singer. Remember: this is meant to be innocent fun that will bring everyone together so everyone has to participate.

Get people involved: No need to drown yourself with all the preparations for the big day- it will only leave you feeling exhausted and drained. The host is also allowed to enjoy the Christmas gathering like everyone else. By getting people involved you build the spirit of unity which always leaves everyone satisfied and geared to have more fun.

Stick to your budget: Overspending for a gathering of any nature is almost one the easiest things to do. In all honesty Christmas is just valid for 24 hours. Therefore, it is advisable to be cautious of your spending especially because the next month will be January where all responsibilities and expenses will be on the rise.

Share with us in the comment box below on how you are planning to spend your Pandemic-Christmas day.

Health Tips

New Years Health Resolutions

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New Year Health Resolutions that are beneficial for your health and easy to keep

 

While setting-up New Year Health resolutions can mean getting back to your health A-game goals, by means of starting an exercise routine, weight-loss programme, hydrating yourself by increasing your water consumption and more. In someone else’s world it may mean something totally different.

Setting realistic goals is imperative and will assist you with reaching both your short and long-term goals. That is why you should take time to decide what would you like to achieve in terms of your health resolutions. Setting unrealistic expectations has been proven to be the root cause why most people are unable to achieve and see their goals through to the end. Make a decision and encourage yourself not to give-up or give-in should things not go as planned. At the end of it all you are own cheerleader and will only have yourself to appreciate once you see the results you have been working hard to achieve within your own unique time frame.

Here are some New Year Health Resolutions you can use as guidelines to set your own. Plus, they are beneficial for your health and easy to keep.

1. Focus on physical activity that you enjoy: If you enjoy something then it shouldn’t be hard or dreadful for you to do that specific thing. The same principle applies when doing physical activity that you enjoy. It is also imperative to choose physical activities that will fit in with your time schedule.

 

2. Lead a balanced lifestyle: Eating your greens and other healthy food products unfortunately does not mean that you are completely leading a balanced lifestyle. Leading a balanced lifestyle has other elements to it that can assist an individual to try and lead a balanced lifestyle. These elements comprise of taking good care of yourself-inclusive of giving your body sufficient rest. Being organised is another element that greatly reduces stress and anxiety. Having a clear objective from the onset helps you to plan accordingly and in advance.

 

3. Cutting down on sugar: If you have a sweet tooth, then it might be time for you to keep it in check by reducing sugary foods and drinks. A high consumption of sugary food and drinks can increase your risk of obesity, insulin resistance and other health related diseases. Try to substitute sugary foods and drinks with naturally sweet foods such as fruit and other foods you enjoy.

 

4. Be mindful of what you eat: From time to time, we immerse ourselves with food that we know is not the best for our bodies and general health. It is important to be mindful of what we take into our bodies. Migrating to healthier foods that can still be taken in moderation such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, poultry and carbohydrates are more beneficial to our bodies and keep it in optimum health.

 

5. Make a visit to your Medical Practitioner: Vitality health check-ups play a pivotal role in saving lives. A vitality health check-up helps detect early health concerns that you might not even be aware of. Various healthcare facilities offer different vitality health check-up programmes. Most vitality health check-ups consist of running tests for high-blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and more.

Health Tips

Survive the Holidays With These Tips

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Helpful tips for everyone to successfully make it through the festive season hassle-free!

It is probably safe to say the silly season, commonly known as the festive season has officially arrived. Our public spaces and malls are already screaming ‘it’s the festive season’ with their bright jingly Christmas trees and decorations, that will keep your eyes glued to them, in admiration of this wonderful and joyous harmony.

Even though the year 2020 has been a different and tragic year for most of us, almost nothing can keep the festive season bug at bay and in control.

By now we know that during every festive season people become healthcare experts, giving advice to everyone around them.

Now it is time to allow us Alpha healthcare professionals to share with you these festive season tips that are sure to safely carry you through to next year.

Arrive Alive: Over the past years It has been inevitable that the rate of car accidents that have occurred during the festive season are on the rise. It is all of our personal responsibility to ensure that we arrive alive everywhere we go. Make sure that your vehicle has passed its roadworthy test, all passengers should buckle-up inclusive of double-checking that all baby carseats are safely installed. Please remember to Rest! If you have been travelling for more than 3 hours it is important to keep yourself refreshed and alert for your destination and that can be achieved by getting sufficient rest. Repeat after us: ‘Rather arrive late than to not arrive at all. Keep that in mind whenever you refuse to rest when you travel to long-distance destinations.’

Healthy eating: The silly season doesn’t mean that you should still maintain a silly-eating habit or better yet pick-up unhealthy eating habits. Although most of us are probably going to binge on our special occasion foods and be best friends with our fridges over holidays. However, it is important to eat in moderation and be mindful of what we supply our bodies with and to ensure that children have balanced nutritional foods to keep their metabolisms balanced and fuller for longer periods of time.

Practice safety Covid-19 precautions: We are officially embracing the summer-season in the Southern himosphere and wearing a cloth mask is becoming a painful and dragging exercise. Budget and invest in 3ply face masks, and washable face masks that are breathable and have breathing valves that will prevent you from sweating and feeling hot under the mask.

Quick tip: Avoid putting your mask under your chin. Practice the healthy habit of completely removing your mask and putting it on whenever you are ready to wear it, along with maintaining social distancing, carrying hand-sanitisers and anti-bacterial wet wipes on-standby available at Alpha Pharm Pharmacies in your community.

Alcohol intake: Avoid letting the festive season rush put you at risk of developing alcohol-related diseases such as cancer. Limit your alcohol intake especially if you know you will be behind the wheel. The best advice is to match your drink to a glass of water, for every alcoholic drink consumed you drink a glass of water. Plus, this will save your life the following morning.

Vacation: Travelling during the Covid-19 is sure going to be a whole different ball-game this year. Planning your trip will not be the same as the last minute you have been getting up-to throughout the years! If you are guilty as charged, no need to worry just ensure that prioritising getting a Covid-19 certified property should be at the top of your list and follow all the safety Covid-19 precautions and you will be good to go.

Spending time with loved ones: If there was one lesson taught over the past few months is that the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us is to be appreciative of what we have in life and most importantly to rejoice in the gift of life. Unleash the spirit of giving and spreading joy to everyone around you by showering them with your love while still giving elbow bumps and maintaining social distancing effortlessly.

© Alpha Pharm | 2022

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