Marla Ahlgrimm Answers Questions About Healthy Habits

For most of us, our days start out the same, says Marla Ahlgrimm. We wake up, have a cup of coffee, and get ready to start our day. This might include eating a quick breakfast on the way out the door and running to Starbucks for one last shot of motivation before work. But if this is your entire routine, you are doing yourself a disservice. Here, Ahlgrimm answers a few quick questions about healthy habits women should adopt every day.

Q: What is the first thing I should do when I wake up in the morning?

Marla Ahlgrimm: I like to begin my days with a long stretch. This gives me a chance to warm my body up for everything that lies ahead. Before ever getting out of bed, it’s a good idea to reach your arms above your head, and flex your feet and ankles. While you’re doing it, think about how you want the next 12 hours to go. If you start your day with a plan and a positive mindset, you’ll have a better experience than if you roll out of bed mumbling a miserable grumble.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Here Comes The Sun

The Beatles famously sang about the sun’s rising, citing that smiles would return along with it. Marla Ahlgrimm says that John, Paul, George, and Ringo were definitely onto something. According to the retired author and women’s healthcare expert, there is an undeniable link between the sunlight and a good mood.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the day and night cycle tells your brains when to release hormones. Specifically, sunlight triggers the production of serotonin. This is a brain chemical that’s associated with focus, calmness, and lightheartedness. When the sun goes down, the body begins to receive melatonin. Anyone who’s ever taken a supplement to help them settle in at night will recognize this is a potent sleep aid -- it’s also a natural hormone.

Happy Accidents: Marla Ahlgrimm On Drugs No One Was Looking For

Sometimes, the greatest advance are those that we didn't know were possible, says Marla Ahlgrimm. The following are a few pharmaceutical discoveries that have changed the world. They are all related in that they were all found by complete accident.

Penicillin

If you don’t know the name Alexander Fleming, Marla Ahlgrimm says that you should. As the scientist that discovered penicillin, Fleming is directly responsible for saving countless lives throughout the years. The discovery was made in the early 1900s during the Spanish flu pandemic. A bit of dust that made its way into the petri dish, where it then molded. An eagle-eyed Fleming noticed that the area around the mold was blissfully bacteria free. The resulting antibiotic was soon being used across the globe.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Flu Remedy To Be Classified OTC

In 2018/19, the flu season took more than 61,000 lives, says Marla Ahlgrimm. This high number of fatalities was largely concentrated in geriatric and pediatric patients. However, the death toll could have been significantly higher if not for Tamiflu and other antiviral medications designed specifically to target the flu virus. And soon, Tamiflu may become an over-the-counter medication.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, Tamiflu manufacturer Sanofi recently signed an agreement with Roche Pharmaceuticals to release the drug as an over-thhundreds of thousands of individuals expe-counter medication. This measure would potentially provide access to this drug osed to the flu virus each year. People without insurance or those who cannot afford their co-pays would no longer require a trip to the doctor.to

If you are a patient, Marla Ahlgrimm says it is important to remember that this antiviral medication is not a substitute for the flu shot. The flu shot works to build your immunity, whereas the antiviral attacks the virus. It’s also important to remember that you can still get the flu and use the antiviral even if you have had a flu shot. It is more likely that you will have a milder illness after the flu shot, and the antiviral can get you through it a bit quicker.

Marla Ahlgrimm | The People In Your Pharmacy

When you pick up your prescription, you might not always have time to say hello to your pharmacist. Chances are, says Marla Ahlgrimm, that you’ll at least speak to a pharmacy tech before you head home with your medications. Keep reading for a quick dose of insight on what, exactly, a pharmacy tech does, and why they are an important part of your medical team.

Q: What is a pharmacy tech?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A pharmacy technician is an individual that assists a pharmacist in many ways. They might work to dispense medications, receive controlled and non-controlled substances, and, in some cases, manually fill prescriptions. A pharmacy assistant might also take inventory of refrigerated and non-refrigerated items, medical supplies, and nutritional supplements.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Types of Pharmacists

If you have ever wanted a career in pharmaceuticals, you are in luck, says Marla Ahlgrimm. The author, entrepreneur, and retired pharmacist says there are many opportunities to work in medicine, no stethoscope required. But more than just counsel at your local pharmacy, pharmacists today have options.

Clinical pharmacist

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, a clinical pharmacist often works in a hospital setting. They walk side-by-side with their patients’ physicians to come up with the most effective treatment option. They determine which drugs have the most acceptable side effects and what medications won’t have negative interactions with one another. A clinical pharmacist typically has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and completes a full two-year residency.

Marla Ahlgrimm | What Is Happiness?

Happiness is generally thought of as feelings of self-contentment. However, it is more complex than that, and happiness does not look the same for everyone. According to women’s health care expert Marla Ahlgrimm, happiness might come in the form of a child’s laughter or a more profound circumstance, such as forming a relationship with a higher power.

The idea of happiness is often molded by society, says Marla Ahlgrimm. In some countries, a woman might feel happy if she survives childbirth – this is simply something we expect in the United States. Other women might believe the source of their happiness is their career or their creativity. The point is that happiness takes many shapes and forms, but there are things that all women can do to enjoy their own version. Here are a few tips: