Marla Ahlgrimm | Acne Vulgaris Not As Bad As It Sounds

Women’s health expert and author Marla Ahlgrimm understands all too well how acne can affect a person’s self-esteem. However, teenage girls may be especially affected by acne, and it all has to do with hormones. Acne vulgaris -- the clinical term for blemishes -- sounds scary but, fortunately, the condition is common and normal.

Q: What is acne?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Acne is simply the result of the body overproducing a natural oil, sebum, which prevents the skin from drying out. When there is too much, it causes dead skin to clump together, which can turn into a clogged pore. Another name for these facial blemishes is acne lesion. There are different types of acne lesions including cysts, nodules, papules, and pustules.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Pharmacy Blogs

If you have ever wanted to keep up with pharmaceutical news, you are in luck. You live in the digital age, which means you have access to knowledge any time, anywhere. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there are dozens of blogs online that focus specifically on advances in modern medicine, and specifically medicinal treatments. Here are just a few:

The Honest Apothecary

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the Honest Apothecary blog offers pharmacists and others a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a retail pharmacy. It covers much more than drugs, however, and dives into faith-based leadership, daily operations, and discussions with pharmacists and other pharmacy workers across the country.

The Blonde Pharmacist

Written by Beth Lofgren, Pharm.D., The Blonde Pharmacist is one of the more active blogs in medicine. Lofgren offers insight for professionals looking to take the BCPS exam. But more than that, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that this female pharmacist/entrepreneur offers down to earth advice on everything from career advancement to safety in the pharmacy.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Hormone Depletion and You

If you’re creeping up on the age of menopause, Marla Ahlgrimm says that you should understand how hormone changes are likely to affect you. Keep reading for more information on how your ever-changing chemical messengers can affect everything from your brain to your reproductive system.

Heart health

Your hormones, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, play a significant role in your overall cardiovascular health. However, as estrogen begins to slow, your doctor might discuss with you an elevated risk of heart attack or stroke. Fortunately, diet, lifestyle, age, family history, and other factors play a role in heart health, so listen to your doctor in regards to changes you might make that will help you even out the odds.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Eliminate Itch with Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion is a popular anti-itch remedy in the summer, and Marla Ahlgrimm notes that this pink liquid may be useful in treating poison oak and other skin irritations.

Calamine is an anti-itch medicine that also has a drying effect on eczema; poison oak, ivy, and sumac; and insect bites. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it creates a slight cooling sensation as it dries. Calamine is usually administered via a non-prescription topical ointment, which is suspended in oils. This “lotion” must be shaken well before being applied to the skin.

Allergies

Most people can safely use calamine lotion. However, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that some allergies might preclude certain individuals. If you have ever had an adverse reaction to calamine or to the dyes used in the lotion, then consult with your healthcare provider before use. She also advises speaking with your child’s pediatrician if they have never used calamine before. Check the label for potential allergens, and talk to your pharmacist if you are unfamiliar with the ingredients.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeletal system. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it literally means porous bone. Osteoporosis can cause bones to become so weak and brittle that a fracture can occur with little to no impact. The condition is sometimes referred to as a “silent disease” because there are typically no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss.

While osteoporosis affects men and women of all races, Marla Ahlgrimm points out that Caucasian and Asian women are at the highest risk. Body size, age, and family history are also factors that determine a woman’s risk. Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteoporosi, although it might be preventable for some women. Through a diet and exercise program that replenishes the body’s natural calcium stores, many women can reduce the effects of bone loss throughout their lives.

A lifetime of bone health

Calcium needs change during one’s lifetime. Naturally, the body’s need for calcium is greater during childhood and adolescence, while the skeleton is growing rapidly, and also during pregnancy and breastfeeding. During these times, Marla Ahlgrimm notes that a woman will need between 1000 and 1300 milligrams per day. Women between the ages of 19 and 50 require 1000 milligrams of calcium per day, while women over the age of 70 require 1200 milligrams per day.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Heat Stroke And How to Avoid It

Heat stroke occurs when a person’s body gets too hot, becomes dehydrated, and is unable to cool itself by sweating. When this happens, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that body temperature can rise high enough to make the person sick.

Early symptoms occur when the body temperature rises above average. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and fatigue. In the early stages, this is called heat exhaustion.

If steps are not taken to reduce the body’s temperature, heat exhaustion can lead to a serious, potentially life-threatening form of heat illness known as heat stroke. Once the body’s temperature rises above 105 degrees, neurological changes, such as mental confusion or unconsciousness, may develop. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that the baseline is 98; anything higher than 100 indicates a potential problem. Extreme heat can affect internal organs, causing a breakdown of heart muscle cells and blood vessels, damage to internal organs, and death.

There are two classifications of heat stroke. These are exertional heat stroke and nonexertional heat stroke. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that exertional heat stroke typically strikes young, otherwise healthy people as they are more likely to be less concerned about the effects of heat on their health. Nonexertional heat stroke tends to occur in people who have a diminished ability to regulate body temperature. Older people, young children, and those with chronic illnesses are most at risk.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Your Teen is Changing, too

Women who are coming up on menopause often have children who are getting ready to enter puberty, says Marla Ahlgrimm. With all the hormones flying around, it’s important to understand not only what you’re going through, but what your teenager is experiencing as well. And although we’ve all gone through puberty, it’s easy to forget how the emergence of hormones can make you feel.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, boys and girls alike have hormones that start to kick into high gear as they enter the early teen years. If you have a child anywhere between ages 11 and 14, you may begin to notice physical and emotional changes. Girls, for example, may develop breasts while boys can and will grow seemingly overnight. The growth that takes place during puberty signals both physical maturity and also the last time the body will grow before adulthood. It is not uncommon for children to experience growth spurts of more than 4 inches in a single year.