Chemist or Pharmacist: What’s The Difference?

Many young students interested in a career in science and medicine often choose between chemistry or pharmaceuticals. But what, exactly, is the difference between a chemist and a pharmacist? Marla Ahlgrimm explains.

Q: What is a chemist?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A chemist is an individual who has gone to school to study chemicals, chemical compositions, and how they affect the world around them. They are required to have exceptional mathematics and research skills.

Fun Facts About The History of Pharmaceuticals With Marla Ahlgrimm

When you look at the pharmacy, you likely think it’s one of the most boring places in town. However, according to retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, the history of your local pharmacy is filled with lots of fun facts that might make you change your perspective. For example:

Paracelsus (A Swiss alchemist born in the 15th century) was originally named Philippus.

This pre-pharmacy-era professional changed his name because “Paracelsus” roughly translates to “better than Celsus.” Celsus was a then-famous Roman doctor who Paracelsus wanted to overshadow.

Marla Ahlgrimm | What Is HPV?

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted infection. Although it rarely causes significant health problems, a lingering infection can lead to genital warts and, even more alarming, cancer. Keep reading as Marla Ahlgrimm answers a few questions about this uncomfortable subject.

Q: What is HPV?

Marla Ahlgrimm: HPV is a virus. Like HIV and the herpes virus, it is spread through sexual contact. Thankfully, unlike its more alarming counterparts, HPV infection usually clears on its own. It is the most common STD, with nearly 80 million people currently infected.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Too Much Food?

Humans need around 2000 calories each day to maintain their overall health. This is actually quite a bit of food, says Marla Ahlgrimm. However, we often eat the wrong ones, and during the holidays, we might consume four times this amount of calories in just a few hours.

But what happens to the body when we overeat? According to Marla Ahlgrimm, one of the first things is that your stomach expands well beyond its normal size. As your belly gets bigger, it can push against other organs, which is what makes you feel uncomfortable after a large Christmas dinner, for example. Many people also report feeling tired or just plain lazy after eating more than their fill.

Marla Ahlgrimm: It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Flu Season

Halloween has come and gone, and now Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the horizon. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, this is a joyful time of year, but it is also when you must be the most diligent about your health. With cooler temperatures and festive holiday cheer brings an increase in the flu virus.

What is the flu?

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the flu is a virus that causes a high fever and body aches, among other things. It typically lasts around a week, although healthy individuals may recover within just days while young children, the elderly, and those with a weakened immune system may take two weeks or more to feel better.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Diabetes, Food Safety, & You

Food safety is something all Americans should take seriously. But, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, if you have diabetes, you must pay extra attention to what you put into your body. This includes being careful to avoid parasites and food poisoning. Keep reading as the women’s health author and entrepreneur explains why food safety is so important when you have diabetes.

Q: My immune system isn’t affected by diabetes, right?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Actually, anytime you have a chronic illness, your immune system may be compromised. In non-diabetic adults, ingesting a few pathogens may only cause a small stomach upset. However, people with diabetes can experience serious side-effects when ingesting bacteria, viruses, or other unintentional microorganisms. This can lead to a serious and systemic infection that can put your life at risk.

Marla Ahlgrimm: How Does Coffee Affect Health?

Throughout the ages, coffee has been both lauded and lamented for its perceived benefits and risks. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, coffee, like most everything else, is best consumed in moderation. The retired pharmacist and author explains that high doses of caffeine, the pep-you-up chemical found in your favorite warm brew, may actually damage the neuroendocrine system.

The neuroendocrine system, Marla Ahlgrimm explains, is a series of internal processes that make up the immune, endocrine, and nervous system. Long-term, over-exposure to caffeine can force the neuroendocrine system off balance. An excess of coffee or energy drinks can cause stress on the body, which, in turn, tells the brain to release cortisol.

That is not to say that coffee is completely bad, as, in small doses, it does have some subjective benefits. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that one cup of coffee in the morning can serve as both a physical and emotional boost. Caffeine alters the effect of serotonin receptors, which can result in an elevated mood. Further, caffeine suppresses the release of GABA, a hormone that triggers sleepiness. This is partially why people feel so alert after a latte.