Busting the myths around IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) The fact is, there are a lot of misconceptions around medically diagnosed IBS. For one, it’s much more common than you think. Read on as we bust the most prevalent medically diagnosed IBS myths.   Myth 1: IBS is uncommon False. Medically diagnosed IBS is a common condition, and up to 30% of Australians may experience symptoms at some point in their lifetime. The good news is, you’re not alone, and while medically diagnosed IBS and related symptoms might be something you’d prefer to keep private, there are ways to help manage flare-up ..read more

Written by Saema – Resident Naturopath at Choice Pharmacy    Navigating Menopause with Confidence Menopause is a natural transition in a woman’s life that can come with a host of changes. From hot flushes to fatigue and mood swings, the experience can be challenging. However, menopause doesn’t have to be a struggle. With the right support, you can reclaim your radiance and embrace this new chapter with confidence.   Understanding the Changes During menopause, your body undergoes significant changes. Your hormones fluctuate, which may impact sleep, bone health, and energy levels ..read more

Written by Laura – Resident Baby Nurse at Choice Pharmacy    13 Fun Facts about Newborns Newborns are born without kneecaps! Newborns have a cartilage covering that develops into kneecaps around 6 months of age. Newborn babies don’t cry tears. Babies will cry and howl but theoretically, they don’t cry tears. Around 3 weeks of age babies start to cry tears. Occasionally the tear ducts can become blocked and might need you to massage the corner of the eye. Refer to the Baby Blocked Tear Duct blog post. Newborns have 300 bones! At birth, babies have more bones than their parents. They ..read more

Written by Laura – Resident Baby Nurse at Choice Pharmacy    What is the 4 Month Sleep regression? A sleep regression is when a baby’s sleep pattern changes and they wake more frequently during the night. They often find it difficult to re-settle. Sleep regression is usually a sign that the baby is going through a growth spurt or that their brain is developing. The baby’s brain is constantly evolving and developing. They are learning new skills, such as rolling and even sitting. This development can be frustrating for the new baby and therefore their sleep might be affected. This reg ..read more

Written by Prue – Resident Naturopath at Choice Pharmacy Cameron Park   Menopause is the second puberty a female’s body will undergo in her lifetime. Rather than new beginnings into Womanhood, Menopause is the closing chapter to our fertility, as we embark on our new journey into our Wise Woman years, where we are faced with a new responsibility to bestow guidance and wisdom to the new generations to come. However, this new biochemical transition to a Woman’s life isn’t always smooth sailing. Menopause arises from the cessation of ovarian follicular function, which is crucial for producin ..read more

Written by Laura – Resident Baby Nurse at Choice Pharmacy    Antenatal Anxiety- What is it? During pregnancy, experiencing anxiety is a natural occurrence, but for some individuals, it can escalate into a significant issue. Fortunately, support is readily accessible, and the initial step is reaching out for assistance. Antenatal anxiety, defined as anxiety during pregnancy, can affect either one or both parents. This condition arises when stress and worry start to influence one’s daily life. Without proper intervention, anxiety has the potential to become overwhelming, adversely impa ..read more

Written by Prue – Resident Naturopath at Choice Pharmacy Cameron Park   We’ve all heard of them, and we all despise them just the same—varicose veins. About 30% of Australians have experienced varicose veins to some degree. Often the result of poor circulation in the lower extremities, these veins are usually “knobby” or “twisted” in appearance and protrude out from the skin giving a textured-like appearance. Within our legs, we have an intricate network of veins that are responsible for transporting the flow of blood through the larger channels of deep veins that contain one-way valves t ..read more

Written by Prue – Resident Naturopath at Choice Pharmacy Cameron Park   On May 2nd, 2023, Australia’s Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler, announced stricter laws for distributing Vape devices across the country. This move is expected to eventually lead to a complete ban on these products. There’s speculation that vapes might require a prescription for personal use, but it’s unclear who will be eligible for such prescriptions. While the ban aims to improve the quality of life for Australians struggling with nicotine addiction, the question remains: who will support those facing withdrawa ..read more

Written by Chantel – Resident Naturopath at Choice Pharmacy    Life is busy, it doesn’t stop. These everyday pressures can lead to stress and anxiety. Daily activities can be harder to tackle if you are feeling stressed, tired, overworked and anxious.  Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. It is a natural response to feeling ‘in danger’. What happens when we have a perceived threat, our body goes into fight or flight mode (sympathetic nervous system dominance). Our body releases hormones such as cortisol, which prepare us to fight or ‘run away from the tiger’. During t ..read more

Written by Chantel – Resident Naturopath at Choice Pharmacy    Are you feeling tired? Brain fog? Digestive upsets? These are just some of the symptoms of Candida overgrowth.     What is Candida?  Candida is a type of fungus (yeast) that is naturally found in the human body.  It is usually found on the skin, in the mouth and digestive system in small amounts, which doesn’t usually cause any issues in healthy people. In fact, it is one of the most common causes of fungal infections in people. Candidiasis occurs when the candida begins to grow out of control and ..read more