Migraines 101

Anyone who suffers from them knows all too well that migraines are more than just headaches. Migraines are a neurological condition that can be debilitating and can have a significant impact on quality of life. Characterized by intense throbbing pain and often accompanied by myriad other symptoms, migraines affect approximately 1 billion people worldwide. Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms, causes, and treatments of migraines and shed some light on this complex condition.

Symptoms

Migraines typically present with a range of symptoms that can vary in severity and duration. While the hallmark symptom is a severe headache, migraines often involve additional sensations such as:

Throbbing or pulsating pain usually felt on one side of the head, although it can affect both sides.

Bright lights can exacerbate migraine symptoms due to photophobia, which is a sensitivity to light.

Loud noises or even normal sounds can feel amplified and painful during a migraine due to sound sensitivity called phonophobia.

Gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea and vomiting during an episode are reported by many migraine sufferers.

Visual auras, such as flashing lights or blind spots before the onset of a migraine may be experienced.

Tingling or numbness can affect the face or extremities and precede the headache phase in some individuals.

Causes

While the exact causes of migraines are not fully understood, they are believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Some potential triggers and contributors to migraines include:

Genetics - Family history plays a significant role, with individuals having a close relative with migraines being more predisposed to developing them.

Hormonal changes - Fluctuations in estrogen levels, particularly in women, can trigger migraines. This is often observed during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.

Environment - Certain stimuli such as bright lights, strong odors, loud noises, and changes in weather patterns can trigger migraines.

Stress - Emotional stress and tension can precipitate migraine attacks or make them more severe.

Diet - Certain foods and drinks, such as aged cheeses, chocolate, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners, have been identified as potential triggers for some migraine sufferers.

Neurological abnormalities - Imbalances in brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and neuropeptides, are thought to play a role in migraine development.

Treatments

Managing migraines involves a multifaceted approach aimed at both preventing attacks and alleviating symptoms when they occur. Treatment strategies may include:

Lifestyle modifications - Identifying and avoiding triggers, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, staying hydrated, and practicing stress-reduction techniques such as yoga or meditation can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

Medication - Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may provide relief for mild to moderate migraines. For more severe or frequent migraines, prescription medications such as triptans or preventive medications like beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, or antidepressants may be prescribed.

Nutritional supplements - Certain supplements such as magnesium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), coenzyme Q10, and feverfew may help prevent migraines.

Medical procedures - In severe cases, procedures such as nerve blocks, Botox injections, or occipital nerve stimulation may be considered.

Managing migraines effectively often requires a personalized approach tailored to the individual's specific triggers and symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider and together you can develop strategies for managing and minimizing the impact of this chronic condition.

About RevanRx

Everyone deserves to have their pharmaceutical needs met without fear or embarrassment. RevanRx is a full-service and compounding pharmacy, specializing in the unique needs of the LGBT+ community in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.

We hope to increase patient adherence and access to care for those who would otherwise not feel comfortable receiving medications or medication counseling in a public setting, avoiding embarrassing public conversations, misgendering, or refusal of service. Visit us at Revanrx.com and like us on Facebook.

Got Dry Skin?

Dry skin is a common concern. It can impact not only skin’s appearance but also overall skin health. Let’s talk about the causes of dry skin and explore effective ways to nurture your skin back to a healthy, hydrated state.

Dry skin can be triggered by various factors, including aging, medications, environmental elements like cold and dry air and pollution, genetics, and lifestyle choices like smoking, all of which can cause dry, flaky, and irritated skin. Identifying these causes can help you pinpoint the best solutions for you.

Moisturization and Hydration

Moisturizing is the cornerstone of any effective skin care routine but there are so many options it can be hard to know which is the right moisturizer for you. Considering factors like your overall skin type and the level of dryness you’re currently experiencing can help you narrow it down. Whether you have oily, combination, or sensitive skin, there's a suitable moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and supple.

Maintaining optimal skin hydration involves more than just applying moisturizer. Staying well-hydrated by drinking water, using humidifiers to combat dry air, and choosing gentle cleansers to avoid stripping your skin of essential oils are all key. Establishing a consistent skincare routine can significantly contribute to preventing and treating dry skin. (And don’t forget the sunscreen!)

Lifestyle Changes for Healthy Skin

Achieving and maintaining healthy skin goes beyond topical treatments. There are some simple lifestyle changes that can positively impact skin health from the inside out, including:

·      adopting a balanced diet rich in skin-friendly nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, keratin, and collagen;

·      quitting smoking;

·      avoiding super long, hot showers;

·      getting enough sleep; and

·      managing stress effectively.

Combating dry skin is a journey that requires patience and consistency. By understanding the causes, finding the right moisturizer, and making positive lifestyle changes, you can nurture your skin back to health. Embrace the process, and let your radiant, hydrated skin be the testament to your commitment to self-care.

About RevanRx

Everyone deserves to have their pharmaceutical needs met without fear or embarrassment. RevanRx is a full-service and compounding pharmacy, specializing in the unique needs of the LGBT+ community in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.

We hope to increase patient adherence and access to care for those who would otherwise not feel comfortable receiving medications or medication counseling in a public setting, avoiding embarrassing public conversations, misgendering, or refusal of service. Visit us at Revanrx.com and like us on Facebook.

Vitamin B12 101

Vitamin B12 is one of those vitamins that gets a lot of buzz but what does it really do? Let’s learn all about this powerhouse.

Vitamin B12 supports your nervous system and red blood cells but it is not naturally produced by the human body. While it’s mostly found in foods that come from animals, there are also many foods that are fortified with it. If you have a deficiency due to things like pernicious anemia or celiac or Crohn’s disease, your healthcare provider may want you to take oral supplements or injections as well.

Many people can get enough vitamin B12 from the foods they eat each day. But because vitamin B12 is not present naturally in plant-based foods, vegans and vegetarians may need to consume foods that are fortified with it.

Foods with high levels of Vitamin B12 include:

·      fish and seafood such as salmon, clams, and oysters,

·      lean red meat and chicken,

·      fortified breakfast cereals,

·      eggs, and

·      dairy products.

Vitamin B12 is necessary for many processes in your body, such:

·      maintaining your ability to think,

·      regulating and creating DNA,

·      producing energy, and

·      keeping your brain and nervous system healthy.

In the United States, about 6% of people under age 60 and 20% of people over 60 have a vitamin B12 deficiency. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia and serious nervous system problems. Your liver stores extra vitamin B12 for times when you may not be consuming enough. But if those stores run out, you may experience negative health effects like the following:

·      tingling in your hands and feet;

·      difficulty walking;

·      confusion and memory loss;

·      depression and irritability;

·      problems with smell, taste, or vision;

·      heart palpitations;

·      fatigue;

·      headaches;

·      weight loss; or

·      glossitis (a painful, smooth, red tongue).

For most adults, the recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 is 2.4 micrograms (mcg) and slightly higher for people who are pregnant or nursing, at 2.6 mcg per day. Your body can store it for two to five years and any extra B12 will pass through your urine.

About RevanRx

Everyone deserves to have their pharmaceutical needs met without fear or embarrassment. RevanRx is a full-service and compounding pharmacy, specializing in the unique needs of the LGBT+ community in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.

We hope to increase patient adherence and access to care for those who would otherwise not feel comfortable receiving medications or medication counseling in a public setting, avoiding embarrassing public conversations, misgendering, or refusal of service. Visit us at Revanrx.com and like us on Facebook.

Menopause 101

It can be kind of a taboo subject, but menopause is a natural part of aging and it’s time to open up the dialogue surrounding so that no one has to suffer alone or in silence. Menopause is the transition that occurs when menstrual periods have ceased for a full year. It's caused by a naturally occurring decline in ovarian function and estrogen levels. Perimenopause is the amount of time before that year without periods has occurred and is when most menopausal symptoms begin. During perimenopause menstrual periods may get longer or shorter, flow may be heavier or lighter and start occurring less frequently and usually starts sometime in the 40s. Menopause usually comes on gradually and lasts roughly between the ages of 45 and 55. Most people notice when they unexpectedly miss a period and are not pregnant. 

Menopause/perimenopause can be associated with a variety of symptoms, which may all last for years, including:

·      Anxiety

·      Depression

·      Decreased libido

·      Vaginal dryness

·      Insomnia

·      Difficulty concentrating

·      Hot flashes and night sweats

·      Mood changes

·      Weight gain and slowing metabolism

·      Thinning hair and dryer skin

Some things that may help with menopause/perimenopause symptoms include:

·      Exercising regularly

·      Taking a cool shower

·      Using a fan

·      Having a cold drink

·      Cutting back on alcohol

·      Quitting smoking

·      Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

It’s normal to feel confused, angry, sad, and/or frustrated during the menopause transition but many people report feelings of great relief once they come out on the other side of it. There is freedom in not having to worry about having a period every month and keeping up with cycles, and the added benefit of not having to worry about accidental pregnancy.

Talking to your friends and loved ones about menopause, especially those who are going through or have already gone through menopause, can open up that dialogue and help remove the stigma around menopause. Talk therapy is also a great way to help make it through this huge life transition. If you are struggling with the menopause transition, reach out to your healthcare provider and see what your treatment options are.

About RevanRx

Everyone deserves to have their pharmaceutical needs met without fear or embarrassment. RevanRx is a full-service and compounding pharmacy, specializing in the unique needs of the LGBT+ community in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.

We hope to increase patient adherence and access to care for those who would otherwise not feel comfortable receiving medications or medication counseling in a public setting, avoiding embarrassing public conversations, misgendering, or refusal of service. Visit us at Revanrx.com and like us on Facebook.

More sitting correlated to higher dementia risk

We all know that being sedentary isn’t good for us, but recent studies have shown that it also puts you at increased risk for dementia. Even for people who exercise regularly, sitting for extended periods can increase dementia risk.

We’ve known for a while that extended periods of sitting can lead to increased risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and a host of other illnesses, but until now the risks to the brain were less clear. A recent UK study found a high correlation between sitting for more than 10 hours a day and risk for developing dementia later in life. The risks are even higher for those who sit 12 or more hours a day.

“Sitting in the office all day, then in front of the TV and in the car and all the other ways we find to sit, it adds up,” said David Raichlen, a professor of biological sciences and anthropology at the University of Southern California, who led the new study. “These extreme levels of sedentary behavior are where we see a much higher risk” for cognitive and memory decline.

While we should still make time to exercise and to take regular breaks to stand and move around, it is still better in the long run to spend way less time sitting than most of us currently do. Raichlen said that people who sat fewer than 9.5 hours a day had zero increased risk of developing dementia.

If your job requires a lot of desk time, look for opportunities during the day to be in motion. Take a walk around the office or head outside and walk when you have to take a call. Schedule walking meetings. Pick up your lunch instead of having it delivered, even better: walk to lunch! Find more reasons to move and fewer reasons to sit. Try to keep track of how many hours you’re spending stationary. If you’re hitting more than 10, it’s time to reassess your day.  

About RevanRx

Everyone deserves to have their pharmaceutical needs met without fear or embarrassment. RevanRx is a full-service and compounding pharmacy, specializing in the unique needs of the LGBT+ community in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.

We hope to increase patient adherence and access to care for those who would otherwise not feel comfortable receiving medications or medication counseling in a public setting, avoiding embarrassing public conversations, misgendering, or refusal of service. Visit us at Revanrx.com and like us on Facebook.

Stress Management 101

Stress is an unintentional physical, mental, and emotional response when we’re feeling challenged and a pretty normal part of being a human. While a bit of stress can sometimes be an opportunity to grow and change, in the long term, negative stress can not only lessen your quality of life, but it can also adversely affect your health.

When your brain is stressed, it tells your body to release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure, inducing the fight-or-flight response. While that’s great if you’re dealing with an imminent threat, sometimes our brains and bodies don’t get the message that the threat isn’t imminent or that the perceived threat has passed.

Resilience is key to training your body and brain to reset when you feel stressed out. Improving the following skills can help you manage stress:

• Time management – Whether at work or in your personal life, time management is key to preventing stress and overwhelm. This could be an entire blog post by itself but in short it can mean setting up systems to help you be more efficient, eliminating distractions to stay focused, and setting boundaries to limit interruptions.

• Task prioritization – Make time for the things that matter most and are urgent. Then categorize other tasks by schedule, delegate, or eliminate based on urgency and importance. (Pro tip: Learn how to say “no”.)

• Emotional awareness – Learning to recognize when you’re starting to feel stressed is incredibly important. Check in with yourself. Often.

Unfortunately, stress can lead a lot of us to fall into some bad habits or unhealthy coping mechanisms. Following is a list of healthy ways to cope when you feel overstressed:

• Yoga

• Tai chi

• Meditation

• Spend time with friends and loved ones.

• Exercise - sometimes even just taking a short walk can lessen your stressin’. 

 We all get stressed from time to time. The way we handle it is what matters for our health in the long run. Don’t wait until your health is affected to adopt some of these stress-busting measures. Today is a great time to start!

About RevanRx

Everyone deserves to have their pharmaceutical needs met without fear or embarrassment. RevanRx is a full-service and compounding pharmacy, specializing in the unique needs of the LGBT+ community in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.

We hope to increase patient adherence and access to care for those who would otherwise not feel comfortable receiving medications or medication counseling in a public setting, avoiding embarrassing public conversations, misgendering, or refusal of service. Visit us at Revanrx.com and like us on Facebook.

Signs and Causes of GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into your esophagus, which is the tube that connects your mouth and stomach. This acid reflux can irritate the lining of your esophagus.

Many people experience acid reflux from time to time. However, when acid reflux happens often over a period of time, it can cause GERD.

Most people can manage the symptoms of GERD with lifestyle changes and/or medications.

Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

·      Heartburn, which is a burning sensation in your throat or chest, typically after eating. It can worsen when you lie down.

·      Regurgitation of food or sour liquid

·      Upper abdominal or chest pain

·      Trouble swallowing

·      Sensation of a lump in your throat

If you have nighttime acid reflux, you might also experience:

 ·      A recurring cough

·      Laryngitis caused by acid irritating the vocal cords.

·      New or worsening asthma

Things that can cause or make GERD worse:

·      Smoking

·      Eating large meals or eating late at night

·      Trigger foods like fatty, fried, or spicy things

·      Drinking alcohol or coffee

If left untreated, GERD can have long-term consequences including inflammation and bleeding in the esophagus, scar tissue in the esophagus causing it to narrow, damage to esophageal tissue leading to an increased risk for esophageal cancer.

If you have frequent symptoms and often take over-the-counter remedies, it’s time to make a visit with your healthcare provider. They can offer you medications and treatments that provide more long-term relief than OTC options.

About RevanRx

Everyone deserves to have their pharmaceutical needs met without fear or embarrassment. RevanRx is a full-service and compounding pharmacy, specializing in the unique needs of the LGBT+ community in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.

We hope to increase patient adherence and access to care for those who would otherwise not feel comfortable receiving medications or medication counseling in a public setting, avoiding embarrassing public conversations, misgendering, or refusal of service. Visit us at Revanrx.com and like us on Facebook.

Psoriasis 101

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, usually affecting knees, elbows, torso, and scalp. Psoriasis affects 7.5 million adults in the United States with symptoms usually starting between the ages of 15 and 25. It can affect anyone of any age and any skin color. It is not contagious.  

Psoriasis is caused by an overly active immune system that speeds up the growth of skin cells. So instead of the usual process of growing and shedding over the course of a month or so like regular skin cells would, the psoriatic cells grow faster and start to pile up on the top layer of skin causing plaque patches or scales.

Unfortunately, psoriasis is chronic and there is no cure. For some people it is painful, sometimes causing blisters or pustules, which can interfere with sleep and make it difficult to concentrate when you are awake. It tends to go through cycles, flaring for weeks or months at a time, then going away for a while. People who have it are usually genetically predisposed. Triggers vary from person to person but common triggers include skin injuries (like sunburns, bug bites, and even vaccinations), stress, weather changes, and illness.

People who have psoriasis may also suffer from related health problems. One in three will suffer from psoriatic arthritis and people with psoriasis are at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Psoriasis can also be detrimental to mental and emotional health, often leading to depression and other mental health conditions.

Fortunately, there are treatments and numerous medications to help manage symptoms. Some treatments like creams, light therapy, and oral meds or injections limit skin cells from growing too quickly and help remove scales. People who suffer from psoriasis can also try some lifestyle changes to help avoid flareups.

·      Try to avoid stress – Easier said than done, right? But with some practice, managing stress can turn into a no brainer. Things like meditation, exercise and talking to your healthcare provider or a mental healthcare provider can all help.

·      Clothes and fabrics – There are certain types of fabrics that can help moisturize the skin and ease the symptoms of psoriasis.

·      Talk about it with friends and loved ones – Psoriasis can be embarrassing and talking about it can be even more so. But turning to those who love you can really help. Knowing there are folks in your corner can be a huge stress reliever.

·      Wrap up in winter – Cold dry conditions may make flareups worse so really bundle up during winter.

·      Keep skin well hydrated – Dry skin triggers the scaling that can cause flareups so keep body and scalp well moisturized.

·      Get a humidifier – Keeping the air in your home moist will help keep your skin moist.

·      Get some sun but avoid getting burnt – Studies have shown that short bursts of UV light can help suppress symptoms of psoriasis. Just avoid being out too long because sunburns can trigger a flareup.

·      Try an elimination diet – Some people are triggered by certain foods that can cause inflammation. An elimination diet can help you pinpoint if there are certain foods like dairy or gluten that may be triggering for you.

While there may be no cure for psoriasis, it is not hopeless and there are numerous strategies out there to help those who suffer find some relief. Your healthcare provider can help you figure out which medication or possibly a combination of medications and lifestyle strategies will work best for your psoriasis.

About RevanRx

Everyone deserves to have their pharmaceutical needs met without fear or embarrassment. RevanRx is a full-service and compounding pharmacy, specializing in the unique needs of the LGBT+ community in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.

We hope to increase patient adherence and access to care for those who would otherwise not feel comfortable receiving medications or medication counseling in a public setting, avoiding embarrassing public conversations, misgendering, or refusal of service. Visit us at Revanrx.com and like us on Facebook.