Touchwood Pharmacy

  Vitamin B-12 is an important vitamin as it helps in carrying out many bodily functions. From maintaining brain health to blood cell production to helping nerve function properly, the list goes on and on. There are several ways to get your B12 blood testing done. You can get your blood drawn for a blood test or settle down for a non-invasive test like that of a home urine test. These tests will help your physician determine the levels of various aspects of your health and body as stated below:   ● overall vitamin B-12 count of the body. ● methylmalonic acid (MMA) ● homocysteine holotranscobalamin (holoTC)   There are a variety of health complications that can be caused due to low B-12 levels. Some of which are as listed below:   ● permanent nerve damage which poses an irreversible threat. ● deteriorating brain functions and lack of coordination. ● memory loss ● temporary infertility in women and inability to convenience.   Peopl...

    For children and adults alike, the pandemic has pushed us more into the zone of virtual reality. The norms have meant virtual school, holidays over Zoom and for some this extended beyond academic activities. There has been a steady hype on being able to take appointments from doctors from the very comfort of a kid's own home.   From being a less intimidating first meet to having the comfort of your surroundings, more and more children have shown a steady inclination towards choosing an online clinic for their consultation.   There has been a greater acceptance of virtual health visits over the past couple of years instead of the pandemic. Whether it be check-ups, minor illnesses, stress, any other health-related issues or simply a follow-up – the virtual spaces have seen a marked increase in remote care for children. The Travel Clinic and other such special clinics have also found their base online. Appointments for Flu vaccination and allergy testing an...

  Influenza (flu) and the common cold are very similar making it hard to differentiate. They are both contagious and are respiratory illnesses. But the mark of demarcation comes from the fact that they are both caused by different viruses.  The flu is caused by influenza viruses only. Whereas on the other hand the common cold can be caused by several viruses of varied origins. Some of the viruses include the likes of rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, seasonal coronaviruses and so on. It is also to be kept in mind that the Seasonal coronaviruses should not be confused with SARS-COV-2 as they are very different variants. The virus that causes COVID-19 is of a different variant. Also, take a test for typhoid fever if needed as at times this can be another confusing factor as well.   Because flu and the common cold have so many symptoms in common, it can often be a difficult and cumbersome task to differentiate the two. Also, it may be hard to just know either of them bas...

  If you have had shingles before, there are high chances that you won't have them ever again. That doesn't solidify the fact that it can never happen but it just comes out as unlikely. Also named as herpes zoster or shingles, they can come back a second or even rarely at times, a third time. But if you are careful and can take steps to help prevent it, it can be at ease the next time it attacks you.   Things to know given your immunity is healthy:   In the first several years, your chances of having herpes zoster or shingles are way lower than the people who have never been previously exposed to it.   Over time, your chances of a shingles second time shoot up.   When are you most likely to get shingles again? You're more likely to get it again if you have a plethora of complications or conditions as mentioned below:   If you had severe pain from shingles that later lasted for more than 30 days, then there's an increased chance. Also, this is...

  Bacterial meningitis, septicaemia and meningitis disease are very serious diseases and can affect individuals almost at any age. The underlying causes mainly involve the spread of the two major bacterial causes - meningococcal infections, pneumococcal infections   These infections or the United Kingdom meningitis Disease is known to increase during the months of winter. Let's dive into various factors as to why there is a sudden increase in meningococcal and United Kingdom during the winter season.   Know why it happens Over winter many of us, unfortunately, become very prone to catching a cold or even the flu. The flu works by suppressing our immune system and as such the flu may play a vital role in increasing one's risk for contracting meningitis . Multiple incidents have also solidified the fact that there can also be the occurrence of co-infection with wintertime respiratory viruses. This combination can also increase the overall risk by enabling the bacte...