Specialty Conditions

Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract. Inflammation can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people. Symptoms include:

• Severe diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Stomach pain
• Weight loss

While there is no known cure for Crohn’s Disease, some meds can reduce its signs and symptoms and bring about long-term remission. With treatment, many people can function well.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and affect your liver’s ability to function. HAV is contracted through:

• Contaminated food or water
• Close contact with someone who has HAV

Mild cases of HAV do not require meds. Most people can recover with no lasting harm to their liver. Washing hands often is one of the best ways to protect yourself against HAV. People most at risk may get a vaccine.

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Depending on the type of infection, HBV can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). HBV can be transmitted by blood, semen, or bodily fluid from an infected person.

Hepatitis B is spread through:

• Sexual contact
• Sharing of needles and syringes
• Sharing of razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
• Infected mother to her baby at birth

Signs and symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored bowel movements
• Jaundice
• Joint pain

Chronic infections can be treated with antiviral meds. Routine lab monitoring should occur in order to evaluate liver damage.

Hepatitis C (HCV) is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver and leads to inflammation. Most people infected with HCV have no symptoms. In fact, most people don’t know they have the HCV infection until liver damage shows up many years later during routine medical tests. HCV is one of several hepatitis viruses and is generally considered to be among the most serious. HCV is passed through contact with contaminated blood – most commonly shared through needles during drug use.

Cirrhosis is a late-stage scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. The liver carries out several necessary functions, including detoxifying harmful substances in your body, cleaning your blood, and making vital nutrients. Cirrhosis occurs in response to damage to your liver. Each time your liver is injured, it tries to repair itself. In the process, scar tissue forms. As cirrhosis progresses, more and more scar tissue forms, making it difficult for the liver to function. The liver damage done by cirrhosis generally can’t be undone. But if liver cirrhosis is diagnosed early and the cause is treated, further damage can be limited and, rarely reversed.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body’s ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection. It can also be spread by contact with infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Without medication, it may take years before HIV weakens your immune system to the point that you have AIDS. There’s no cure for HIV/AIDS. There are medications that can suppress the virus to help you stay healthy and protect your partners from HIV transmission.

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that changes the life cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin. The extra skin cells form thick, silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches that are sometimes painful. Psoriasis is a persistent, long-lasting (chronic) disease. There may be times when your psoriasis symptoms get better and times when your psoriasis worsens. The primary goal of treatment is to stop the skin cells from growing so quickly. While there isn’t a cure, psoriasis treatments may offer significant relief. Lifestyle choices, such as using a nonprescription cortisone cream and exposing your skin to small amounts of natural sunlight, may also improve your psoriasis symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition also can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.

At Equitas Health, we know how vital it is for you to start and stay on all of your cancer meds. Equitas Health Pharmacy can fill any prescriptions for cancer meds that you put on your skin (also called topical treatments) or take as a pill.

Our pharmacy staff will do all they can to:

• Help lower the cost of your meds
• Answer any questions you may have about your meds
• Make sure your meds are on hand when you need them

Living with donated organs or stem cells, such as bone marrow, can be complex. Equitas Health Pharmacy gives you access to the meds that will help your body get used to donated organs or stem cells. These meds are known as anti-rejection drugs.

Our pharmacy staff will do all they can to:

• Help lower the cost of your meds
• Answer any questions you may have about your meds
• Make sure your meds are on hand when you need them