Recently Asked Questions

Most sore throats are not serious and go away within three to seven days without the need for medicines.

You may consider the use of lozenges for your sore throat, with the following lozenges available in NHG Pharmacy.

Apart from lozenges, the following tips may also help your sore throat feel better:

-          Drink more fluids to ensure your body gets enough water. Warm water or tea can help soothe the throat. Drinking cold liquids or sucking on ice chips can help to relieve the pain, swelling and inflammation at the throat area.

-          Gargle a few times a day with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt mixed in 1 cup of warm water)

-          Using a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier can moisten and soothe a dry and painful throat.

As I do not get to see you in person, I would not be able to assess the severity and extent of involvement of your condition. Thus, I would advise you to consult a doctor if the following happens:

-          You develop a sore throat that is very serious and lasts for more than a week

-          You have a high fever

-          The area near your neck and below your ears are swollen

-          You develop a rash

-          You have trouble breathing or having difficulty swallowing

Yasmin is not available in NHG Pharmacy. You may wish to contact the hospital or retail pharmacies to enquire on its availability. Do note that a valid prescription is required for the purchase of this medicine.

Epipen injections are not available in NHG Pharmacy. You may wish to contact the hospital or retail pharmacies to enquire on its availability. Do note that a valid prescription is needed for the purchase of this medicine.

Selenium sulfur may be purchased over the counter without a prescription. Do note that a prescription from a locally registered doctor is required for the purchase of oral anti-fungal medicines.

As you had described your condition to be the worst in 10 years, I would advise you to consult a doctor for appropriate treatment and advice as soon as possible.

Monacol is a supplement containing red yeast rice and coenzyme Q10. Monacol is not available in NHG Pharmacy. You may wish to contact the hospital or retail pharmacies to enquire on its availability.

 Alternatively, you may wish to refer to our website regarding other supplements that contain red yeast rice:

• Hypocol
• Ocean Health Red Yeast Rice

 If you are currently taking any medication to lower cholesterol, do check with your doctor or pharmacist first before starting on the supplement.

Although high doses of aspirin may affect hearing and cause tinnitus in some people, it is unlikely that Cardiprin (100mg of aspirin) caused tinnitus. It is very rare for losartan, omeprazole and terazosin to cause tinnitus. If you notice any change in your hearing after you are started on these medicines, you should see your doctor for further checks.

Tinnitus is usually caused by another condition such as hearing loss, ear injury and blood vessel diseases. Treating the identified cause may help with tinnitus. You may also try the following:

• Protection from loud noise and sounds
• Lower the volume
• Move away from sources of loud noise
• Wear ear-protection equipment such as ear plugs when working in an environment with loud noise
• Do not use cotton buds to clean your ears. It may push the ear wax further in and may injure the ear.
• Use a hearing aid to help you hear better
• Smoking can worsen tinnitus and hearing loss. Quit smoking if you are a smoker.
• Add soothing sounds in a quiet environment. Tinnitus may be more obvious when it is quiet. Distract yourself by adding soft music in the background or by switching on the fan.
• Get enough sleep as fatigue may worsen symptoms.
• Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet to prevent tinnitus that is linked to blood vessel diseases.

Calcium is important for maintaining bone health and will help to  prevent diseases such as osteoporosis which causes bones to become weak and fragile.  The Health Promotion Board recommends consuming 800mg of calcium daily. This may be obtained by eating a variety of calcium-rich food such as milk, yoghurt, tofu and green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin D is also important as it helps your body absorb calcium. To allow your body to produce enough Vitamin D, allow the sun to shine on your arms and legs twice a week, for 5 to 30 minutes.

If you are unable to obtain enough calcium and vitamin D from food and sun exposure, you may wish to consider supplements which contain up to 800mg of calcium and up to 200 IU of vitamin D.

Do note that joint discomfort or pain may be caused by different conditions such as arthritis, gout or bursitis. As I am not aware of your medical history or any long term medicines that you may be taking, I would not be able to recommend an appropriate treatment. Please consult a doctor for more advice.

Calcium supplements may not be useful for preventing or treating torn ligaments. Knee ligament injuries usually occur as a result of excessive strain during sports or fitness activities. The risk of such injuries can be reduced through muscle strengthening exercises and warming up before physical activity. You may wish to consult a physiotherapist for more advice on how to prevent such injuries from recurring.

As I am not aware of your son’s condition and whether the dilution will be suitable for him, I am unable to make any recommendation. You may wish to contact KKH at 62255554 or 63941500 for further advice.

Minoxidil scalp lotion may be used in the treatment of hair loss. It is available in NHG Pharmacy and may be bought over the counter without a prescription.

Oral medicine such as finasteride is used in treatment of hair loss and is available in NHG Pharmacy. Do note that a prescription is required for the purchase of this medication. The doctor will assess your condition and prescribe the most suitable treatment for you.

You may wish to find out more about hair loss from our website.