Getting the proper amount of sleep is one of the most important things we can do to maintain or even improve our health. If you have a hard time sleeping, there are many ways to improve the quality of your rest, from improving your sleep habits to trying over-the-counter medications like melatonin or sleep aids (check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter medications).
If you take prescription medications, you may also want to check if they’re affecting your sleep. Some medications can cause drowsiness, and others, like stimulants, can keep you awake. It’s important to know how your medications affect your day-to-day, so you can take them at the correct time.
If you’re worried about the quality or quantity of your sleep, the staff at Hill’s Drug Store and Hill’s Clinic Pharmacy can start by going over all your current prescriptions and making sure you’re taking them at the best time.
However, there are signs your pharmacist may notice that could point to a more serious problem, such as sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep, often without you even knowing. Left untreated, it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and more. Up to 90% of people with sleep apnea go undiagnosed, but a simple at-home sleep test can change that.
The team at Hill’s is excited about their partnership with Careica Health, based in Brandon. The goal of this partnership is to provide accessible sleep studies to Hill’s patients and all of Portage. Careica’s SleepImage Ring testing equipment is small, comfortable, and worn on your finger overnight – no wires, no hassle. Better sleep and better health could be just one night away!
Hill’s Clinic Pharmacy Storefront Manger, Shania Schellenberg, said, “We want to make healthcare accessible to everyone, which is why we’ve partnered with Careica Health to bring at home sleep studies to Portage La Prairie.”
If you think that you or a loved one might benefit from a sleep study, you have a couple of options.
You can book an appointment with your doctor and ask for a referral to Careica in Brandon. You can also take things into your own hands and head to Careica Health’s website and request the sleep study yourself. On the website, you’ll be asked to enter your and your family doctor's information; Careica will then reach out to your doctor and get the referral on your behalf.
After you’ve completed either option, Careica will reach out to book your sleep study appointment and arrange for you to pick up your test from Hill’s Clinic Pharmacy in Portage. It can be that easy!
On the day of your sleep test, all you have to do is stop by Hill’s Clinic Pharmacy to pick up the test equipment. The staff at Hill’s will walk you through the process and show you how to set up the test. The next day, you bring your test back to Hill’s and they’ll handle it from there. Careica will call you with your results when they’re ready, or you can wait for your follow-up appointment.
“Keeping healthcare accessible to Portage and area is something that we truly value here,” said Schellenberg. “With our partnership with Careica Health, our patients can get a sleep study done at home without having to leave the community. Before our partnership, you had to drive to Brandon or Winnipeg to pick up the test, sleep that night with the test on, and drive it back to the city the next day. This makes life so much easier for our patients.”
Schellenberg explained that many people she knows, personally and professionally, have already benefited from sleep studies such as the one available through Careica Health.
“I have quite a few family members that have been diagnosed with sleep apnea after doing a sleep test. Treating their sleep apnea has made a huge difference in their lives. I’ve noticed such an improvement in lifestyle and attitude from my family who are now being treated for sleep apnea. At Hill’s, we truly get to see people change for the better; you don't always realize how badly you sleep until you sleep well for the first time,” she said.
She continued, “Here at Hill’s, we want to help you have the best health possible, and that can start with you getting the best sleep possible.”
Whether you need help taking your medications at the right time, getting a sleep aid recommendation from the pharmacist, or have questions about getting a sleep study, start by calling or visiting Hill’s!
Start sleeping better starting today! To learn more, stop by Hill’s Drug Store or Hill’s Clinic Pharmacy and chat with the pharmacy staff!
Hill's Drug Store Downtown 200 Saskatchewan Ave E Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-6:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-2:00pm; Sunday 12:00pm-3:00pm
Hill's Clinic Pharmacy 103-140 9th St SE Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-6:00pm Phone: (204) 239-1368