Columnists
Q: I’m starting radiation treatments soon for breast cancer. How can I keep my skin from being burned?
During radiation treatments for cancer, nearly 8 out of 10 people will develop some form of skin irritation called “radiation dermatitis." Radiation can cause redness and warmth, much like having...
Q: Since menopause, I've noticed dryness and itching “down there.” Is there anything besides hormone pills that can help?
Vaginal dryness and discomfort affect over 75% of post-menopausal women. These symptoms also commonly affect women taking anti-estrogen medicines for breast cancer.
Without...
Years ago, while speaking to 120 pharmacy students in an auditorium in Pullman, Washington, I had my first hot flash. I noticed my scalp suddenly feeling hot and prickly. Two heartbeats later, a shower of sweat gushed down my neck and back. In less than 5 seconds, I was soaking wet!
Can...
Make a dessert for a potluck. I had recently purchased an entire box of locally grown peaches from a lady who goes to our church. The fresh fruit was marvelous, but I needed to use the rest of them quickly. One peachy possibility for the potluck was a peach pie. However, I didn’t want to mess with...
Q: Which ear drops remove ear wax best?
Some people (like yours truly) are enthusiastic earwax producers and ask themselves this question frequently.
The medical name for earwax is cerumen, which comes from the Latin word "cera," which means wax. But cerumen isn’t really a “wax” at all. It’s a...
Q: Can I get a COVID-19 and flu vaccine simultaneously?
Yes, with two exceptions. The nasal spray vaccine Flumist® contains live virus, so you should wait 2 weeks between getting COVID and Flumist® vaccinations.
Getting a flu shot helps protect you from some of the severe effects of COVID-19...
Q: I’m taking a medicine that really upsets my stomach. Is there any way to keep it from doing that?
You are not alone if you suspect your medicine is upsetting your stomach. As a pharmacist, I hear this complaint the most: “These pills are making me sick!” In fact, the most common side effect of...
Most consumers assume homeopathic products are “natural” and cannot be harmful, but this is not always true.
Homeopathy comes from the Greek word homoios, which means "similar." Homeopathic physicians believe diseases can be cured by giving a substance that causes similar symptoms in healthy people...
Q: When one of my medicines became available as a generic, my insurance plan forced me to switch. Ever since I haven’t felt the same. My doctor insists that it is the exact same medicine, but if that’s so, why doesn’t it work as well?
Generic medicines are considered equivalent to their brand-name...
Q: My stomach gets upset after I eat meals, sometimes with cramping and diarrhea. When I stopped drinking milk and eating dairy products, I got better. I’ve drank milk all my life without any problems. What’s going on?
Dairy products like milk, ice cream, yogurt, and cheese contain lactose or milk...
NCW Media Newspapers
- The Leavenworth Echo | Leavenworth, WA
- Cashmere Valley Record | Cashmere WA
- Lake Chelan Mirror | Chelan, Manson, Entiat, WA
- Quad City Herald | Brewster, Pateros, Bridgeport, Mansfield, WA
- Wenatchee Business Journal | Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan Counties, WA