Linh's Pharmacy

Just Face -- Hair Dye If you want your hair and brows to have the same color, avoid home dyes. Search for tinted brow gel at your local drug store or coat your brows with a lightweight mascara or eye shadow powder. Home dyes have excessive peroxide that might burn the surrounding skin or even injure your eyes. Very Hot Water Hot water strips your skin of moisture, leading to possible acne breakouts. How? Your skin’s oil glands try to replenish the stripped moisture wit...h even more oil. Hydrocortisone Cream It’s one thing to temporarily use it on bug bites and itchy rashes for a few days. It’s totally a different matter if you smear it on your face for rosacea or similar conditions. This type of steroid cream thins the skin, jeopardizing the integrity (bursting) of the blood vessels. Also, your oil glands may go into override. Steroid Acne occurs. Know Your Cleanser For oily or acne-prone skin: a salicylic gel or benzoyl peroxide wash. For dry or mature skin: moisturizing glycolic or milky cleanser. For brown spots or melisma: brightening wash like an alpha hydroxyl acid cleanser.

Those who are in Phase 1A & 1B may schedule their own vaccine appointments (according to its availability) at this site. Location: Long Beach Convention. https://www.calvax.org/reg/3612929076

What does the face of kindness look like? How does kindness help our immune system? Research has proven that positive effect of kindness on the immune system increases production of serotonin. Serotonin is a naturally occurring substance in our body that makes us feel more comfortable, peaceful and even blissful. In fact, the role of antidepressants is to stimulate the production of serotonin, helping to ease depression. Research has shown that a simple act of kindness direct...ed toward another improves the function of the immune system and stimulates production of serotonin in both the recipient of the kindness and the person extending the kindness. What's more amazing is that persons observing the act of kindness also have similar beneficial results. Imagine this! Kindness extended, received, or observed beneficially impacts the physical health and feelings of everyone involved! (From chapter The Seven Faces of Intention in The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer) #kindnessmatters

UPDATE ON JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S SINGLE-DOSE COVID-19 VACCINE -- An FDA advisory committee voted 22-0 today to recommend that Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine be authorized for emergency use in adults. Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock and Dr. Peter Marks, head of the FDA's vaccine decision, said Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) would come quickly.

A Thanksgiving thought -- What happens between Stuffy Pete, a homeless man in New York, and a generous gentleman raises the question whether givers are always philanthropists. Or do we receive more by giving? You see, as the story was told, every Thanksgiving day for nine straight years, the old gentleman would take Stuffy to a restaurant, order up a lavish meal, and watch Stuffy enjoying it. But, as Stuffy was making his way to the rendezvous last Thanksgiving, he was stopp...ed by two old ladies of ancient family who invited him home and served him a meal that was even more sumptuous than the one he’d get at the eatery. Although stuffed, no pun intended, Stuffy finished the second meal. As the two parted, Stuffy collapsed for over eating, and he was taken to the hospital. An hour later, the Old Gentleman was brought in by an ambulance. He hadn’t eaten for days, saving money to buy Stuffy his traditional Thanksgiving meal. Who is the real gentleman here? And who’s the philanthropist? I was told and believed that self-sacrifice is the highest form of philanthropy. And as we celebrate our Thanksgiving and count our blessings, let us remember to give thanks to the brave men and women in uniforms for doing so much for the nation without asking anything in return. Let us all ask God to continue to look over them and bring them home safely to their families. And while we are on our knees, let us pray for one another and for a world less turmoil. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. <3

We often hear others say that they worry too much. More alarming is that we resonate with this sentiment. "Tips for Managing Worry" is the first series of two presented by our friend, Personal Counselor Jim Swaniger. There are many practical methods for dealing with excessive worry. Here are a few suggestions: Find Connection. When we feel connected to something larger than ourselves (a group of friends, our families, work, a sense of the past, ideas, and religious or tran...Continue reading

Easy as 4-7-8 Doc, I couldn’t sleep last night. It’s just insomnia. Don’t lose sleep over it. ... Silliness aside, researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania presented their study on insomnia at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLS (APSS) in that acute insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep for as few as three nights per week for at least two consecutive weeks, and up to three months. Those who suffer the same condition for more than three months will be considered of having chronic insomnia. The report also reveals that about 25 percent of Americans experience acute insomnia each year. But about 75 percent of these individuals recover without developing persistent poor sleep or chronic insomnia. Should you have symptoms of insomnia, please consult your health professionals. And depending on your situation, your doctor may prescribe: a physical exam, sleep habit review or sleep study. If your insomnia is caused by stress, relaxing breathing may help. This article introduces the 4-7-8 breathing technique that Dr. Andrew Weil, a celebrity doctor and the founder and director of the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, teaches. He believes it can: reduce anxiety help a person get to sleep manage cravings control or reduce anger responses While there’s limited data to support the effectiveness of this method, many claim that the method helps them get to sleep in 1 minute. How do you practice 4-7-8? 1. Find somewhere comfortable to sit or lie down. Close your eyes and place the tip of the tongue on the tissue right behind the top front teeth. Empty out the lungs. 2. Breathe in quietly through your nose to the count of four (One. Two. Three. Four) 3. Hold the breath to the count of seven (One. Two Seven) 4. Exhale forcefully through your mouth, purse your lips and make a whoosh sound, to the count of eight (One. Two Seven. Eight) 5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 up to 4 times. Dr. Weil recommends using the technique at least twice a day, but no more than four repetitions in a row until you have mastered the technique. Never exceed eight repetitions at one time. Note-- a. You may feel lightheaded at first. Try this technique sitting or lying down to prevent dizziness or fall. b. If you cannot hold your breath for seven seconds, try a shorter pattern instead, such as: breathe in through the nose for 2 seconds hold the breath for a count of 3.5 seconds exhale through the mouth for 4 seconds As long as you maintain the correct ratio, you may notice benefits in a few days or weeks. Namaste, TL.

To chew or not to chew is the question for the ages. There have been numerous articles for and against this innocent practice. But if you ask any pregnant woman, chances are she will tell you ice chewing is her best friend. This article takes a closer look at its benefits, potential underlying issues and the concerns about chewing ice. In medical terms, the desire to consume ice is defined as Pagophagia. We know that the term Pica is used in reference to cravings for s...Continue reading

Apple Cider Vinegar -- For centuries, apple vinegar has been used medicinally. But in 2017, apple cider vinegar (ACV) weight loss diet was among the fastest-rising health topics for Google. What’s ACV? What’s the scientific evidence of its benefits? Is there a downside to the AVC diet? If you are or you are thinking about consuming ACV, please consult your doctor and always follow the instructions indicated on the label. Apple cider vinegar comes from crushed apples, dist...Continue reading

I did an unscientific poll on pushups and learned that a majority of the people who responded equate this exercise to the joy of watching paint dry. What about you? What comes to your mind? Whatever feelings pushups evoke, this total-body calisthenics move is a staple in many workouts. I like pushup because you can practically do it whenever and wherever you are. All you need is determination. In this post, I’ll highlight a handful of pushups’ benefits and what to look out fo...Continue reading

Food for Thoughts-- As we’re getting ready for a weekend filled with love, family, friends (near and far) and a cornucopia of culinary delights, I can’t help to reflect on President Lincoln’s words at Gettysburg, A nation, conceived in liberty. Free to worship. Free to be who I am. Free to do what I like within our democratic laws and society. Over the years, I’m blessed to have known so many people from different ethnicities and backgrounds. We are all unique. Yet we live... in harmony, respecting and learning from our differences. So I want to thank God for crossing our paths. In this spirit of eat, drink and be merry celebration and gratefulness, I’d like to share a recipe I received from my friend. I hope it finds its way into your kitchen. Happy birthday, America! Fireball Whisky Chicken Wings Hot, sticky, sweet and spicy and a touch of tangy cinnamon flavor. --Ingredients: Serves 4 6 6 pounds chicken wings (25 30) 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon black pepper 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon brown sugar --For the Fireball Whisky Barbecue Sauce 1 cup of ketchup 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup Fireball Cinnamon Whisky 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder --Directions (Prep: 20 minutes, Cook: 60 Minutes) a) Indirect grilling at 350 F (Food is placed on the cooler side of the grill away from the heat source) OR Air fry at 350 for 12 minutes each side. Then add 3 more minutes for each side. Please closely keep an eye on the wings while air frying. Lightly spray or coat the pans with olive oil to prevent chicken from sticking. b) In a large bowl, combine the chicken wings with olive oil and mix to give an equal coating. c) Combine the kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, brown sugar in a separate bowl. Then sprinkle over the wings and mix to season evenly. d) Place the chicken wings on the grill grates over indirect heat and close the lid. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 F on an instant read thermometer, about 45 minutes to an hour. Or air frying as instructed above. e) While the chicken wings are cooking, combine ketchup, brown sugar, whisky, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, pepper and cayenne powder in a saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes. f) When the wings are fully cooked, brush the on both sides with Fireball Whisky Barbecue Sauce. Move them to the other side of the grill and cook over direct heat for 15 seconds per side. Air frying: do this step right before you remove the wings to serve. g) Enjoy!

HAVE you ever wondered whose idea it was that made fireworks an integral component of our Independence Day celebration? I’ll take you back to 1776. But first, some safety tips for us and for our pets to help keep this day fun and memorable. * If it’s a pool party, bring disinfectant wipes for chairs, pool toys, etc. Avoid swimming too close to other swimmers. When you are not in the water, wear a face mask. After a big meal, wait 30 minutes before swimming because blood rus...Continue reading

I'm not telling you that -- I’m always fascinated by how people would do the opposite of what they are told to do. Remind a colleague to drink less, and he pours himself a drink. Discourage a friend from going out, and she is out and about. Tell a child not to touch a hot stove, and the next thing you do is applying ice on his fingers. So what am I to do to suggest family and friends to avoid touching their faces especially in this COVID-19 time? ... As we go through our day, we touch a lot of things. Then we touch our face. That's the route of infection. But when a behavior is discouraged, people tend to become intrigued. The last thing for me to do is to remind everyone it is critical to leave their faces alone. See? You are itching to scratch your nose, aren’t you? The great news is that there are few simple steps we may take to mitigate the risk when avoiding our faces are nearly impossible and hand washing is not an option: * Giving our hands a thorough rub-down with hand sanitizer, especially under the fingernails. * Use tissue instead of fingers. * Sleeve may work better. * Look at the root cause of our frequent face touching. For example, dry eyes may urge us to rub our eyes. Use moisturizing drops. Wear glasses instead of contact lenses. Some finds comforts in adjusting their hair when they are nervous. Be aware of that. * Apply scented lotion often. It is not only keeping our hands from drying but its smell may make us aware of our intention when our hands are close to our face. * Keep our hands busy. For example: stress ball. Remember to sanitize it more often than required. These are just a handful of steps that may minimize the risk of infection. Twenty-second hand wash and refraining from touching our faces are still the preferred way. But I am not telling you that.

Health does not always come from medicine. Most of the time, it comes from peace of mind, peace in the heart, and peace in the soul. Let laughters and love be your daily regimen.

Greetings - Somewhere in my notebook is the recipe for happiness. The ingredients are: One large smile. Two cups of sweetness. A large helping of forgiveness. A good sense of humor. A cup of sharing. Two spoonful of faith. One dash of goodwill. Two pinches of easy-going. A pint of courage. A gallon of hope. And a heart full of love. Mix together and share with family and friends. And somewhere in this little note book is also a mouth-watering recipe of Chicken Lettuce wrap... that the chef (whose name I wish I remembered) claims that it is as tasty as that of the P.F. Chang, if not tastier. So to my good friends and family, let us celebrate life by breaking lettuces. Happy eating! YIELD: 4 - ChickenLettuce Wraps Prep time 5 minutes -- Cook time 15 minutes. INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 pound ground chicken (I’ve also used ground turkey with good results) 1 medium/large sweet Vidalia or yellow onion, diced small 1/3 cup hoisin sauce 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Asian chili garlic sauce, or to taste (sriracha may be substituted) 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed 1 teaspoon ground ginger or 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger, or to taste One 8-ounce can water chestnut, drained and diced small 2 to 3 green onions, sliced into thin rounds 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste Butter lettuce leaves, for serving Sriracha (Optional but highly recommended) INSTRUCTIONS. Step 1: In a large skillet , add the oils, chicken, and cook over medium-high heat until chicken is cooked through; stir intermittently to crumbly while cooking. Step 2: Add the onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, chili garlic sauce, stir to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until onion is soft and translucent and most of the liquid has been absorbed; stir intermittently. Step 3: Add the garlic, ginger, stir to combine. Cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Step 4: Add the water chest nuts, green onions, salt and pepper to taste, and cook for about 2 minutes, or until tender. Taste filling and make any necessary flavor adjustments, i.e. more soy sauce, hoisin, pepper, etc. Step 5. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the mixture into the lettuce leaves to serve. Optional: Spice up your leaves by adding Sriracha right before enjoying. But you can definitely leave it out if you like--although, we like to add a little extra

D is unDEBATAble A research team lead by Northwestern University has discovered a positive correlation between vitamin D deficiency and mortality rates from... the coronavirus. After studying the data collected from hospitals and clinics across China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, the researchers found that patients in countries with lower levels of vitamin D (Italy, Spain, and the UK) have the highest COVID-19 mortality rate. In a growing list of studies on vitamin D and its link with COVID-19 disease, British researchers have found the same result: lower D, higher death rates, across twenty European countries. "We found a significant crude relationship between average vitamin D levels and the number COVID-19 cases, and particularly COVID-19 mortality rates, per head of population across the 20 European countries," said study researcher Dr Lee Smith from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK. Vitamin D regulates the response of white blood cells, preventing them from releasing large number of inflammatory cytokines. Why is this interesting? It is because the COVID-19 virus is known to cause an excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines that, according to Ali Daneshkhah, a postdoctoral research associate in Backman's laboratory at Northwestern University, can severely damage lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in patients. This is what seems to kill a majority of COVID-19 patients, not the destruction of the lungs by the virus itself. It is the complications from the misdirected fire form the immune system. Backman believes that not only does vitamin D enhance our innate immune systems, it also prevents our immune systems from becoming dangerously overactive. This means that having healthy levels of vitamin D could protect patients against severe complications that could lead to death. Meanwhile, other study shows that Scandinavian nations are among the countries with the lowest number of COVID-19 cases and mortality rates per head of population in Europe. Some suggest that the blue sky and blazing sun in northern Europe, coupled with the consumption of cod liver oil and vitamin D supplements may explain this phenomenon. While all these studies seem to highlight the promising role vitamin D plays in the fight against COVID-19, these researches are limited in scopes and premature. There need to be a lot more data before any conclusion may be made. Still, we know that 75 per cent of the population are deficient in vitamin D. And we also know that, insufficiency of vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Together with calcium, vitamin D helps protect mature adults from osteomalacia. That is good enough a reason for us to speak with our health professionals about meeting and maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day filled with health, love and laughter. ***************** ||||||| *************** |||||||||||| ***************** ||||||| Disclaimer: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

I’m Deeply Grateful -- Every now and then, people asked me if I’m worried about contracting coronavirus at work. The truth is as a wife and a mother of two daughters, the answer to this question does cross my mind. But when I put on the white coat, I’m reminded of the Oath of the Pharmacist. No matter how turbulent the time is, I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns. What also helps make my responsibilities joyful is that I get... to connect with everyone who walks in the pharmacy in a deeper level, beyond the mere fact that they are my patients. Each bag of medicine across the counter has a story richer than the illness. Each bag of medicine delivered is an anecdote to remember. Each happy story carries fond memories. Each sad story is often ended with hope. And in each story, there is at least one heroan ordinary individual doing extraordinary things to make the world a better place, or someone who lives a humble life yet gives much to everyone around him or her. What I am about to share with you is a mini photo essay that tells an aspect of my profession I love dearly. While our patients are in all different age groups, there is something extra special about the elderly. Perhaps, I know they appreciate me and my home visit as much as I appreciate them and cherish the memories they share with me. Perhaps, being with these seniors has helped me realize that life is about Live it, learn it, love it." Perhaps, listening to them helps end my day on a stress-free note. I hope that you will find these elders utterly infectious, infecting you with a sense of sweetness and vulnerability, and with the faces you will not soon forget. As you are going through the story, you will find one thing in common: all enjoys posing with our blue bag. It’s their own way to show the extra love to a friendship years in the making. I am so grateful. But let me begin by thanking Vy àm for donating the masks to those in need so that this pandemic can be stopped soon. Special thanks to Jackie for connecting us with the Masketeers to secure fifty masks for senior patients of the pharmacy. Thank you both for your generosity with these protective gears so that I may deliver them. I wish you could see, hear and feel their reactions when I handed them your present. For that, this is our story. We are all in it together. Love, Thuy-Linh Nguyen

To run or not to run -- Even with the shelter-in-place mandate, health experts aren’t advising against exercising outside. As more people turn to running, questions arise: Should people run? Should runners wear mask? Are there other exercises we can do at home? In an interview with Runner’s World, David Nieman, Dr.PH., Health Professor at Appalachian State University and Director of the Human Performance Lab at the North Carolina Research Campus, said that, in general, runne...Continue reading

Stress & Overeating I saw a post on social media that says something like wearing a mask inside of the home is now mandatory to prevent overeating. I laughed but stress eating is real. Our emotions dictate the quantity, the quality and the frequency of our eating. When we feel stressed, our body’s nervous system signals to the adrenal glands to produce hormone epinephrine (also known as adrenaline), triggering a fight-or-flight response. This suppresses our appetite. B...Continue reading

A Time for Self Compassion 4-minute read For many, when it comes to compassion, Thou shalt love thy neighbor stops there, leaving as thyself out, as if compassion for self and compassion for others are two different things. The point is, to ascertain true happiness, we must nurture self-compassion in misery and express gratitude in happiness. How we view ourselves when we make a mistake, or when things don’t go our way, or when someone rejects us, will determine whether...Continue reading