Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious virus which commonly affects children under 10. Symptoms include sores, inside or around the mouth, and a rash or blisters on the hands, feet, legs or buttocks. While not pleasant, the disease is also not serious. There is no cure, and preventative measures are the best hope against the disease. To avoid getting the disease, wash hands regularly with soap and water, especially after changing diapers or going to the bathroom. Clean and disinfect touched surfaces and soiled items, including toys, and avoid kissing, hugging or sharing eating utensils with people with hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Take care and play safe!
Community News
Product Review: Sonya®
If combination, oily, or normal describes your complexion, look no further than the Sonya® daily skincare system. This scientifically-advanced line of synergistic skincare uses a gel delivery system that carries the aloe, moisture, and botanicals directly to your skin. This range boasts a high concentration of aloe and a hydra-infused system that gently targets skin to improve its overall look and feel. The Sonya® daily skincare system has been formulated specifically for combination skin, which is prone to fluctuate between oily and dry. The gel-based formulas have been designed to control shine while also delivering moisture to where it’s needed most.
Trading Screen Time for Fitness
Most teenagers today spend a great deal of their waking hours attached to their smartphones. This can be to the detriment of their health and fitness levels, with postural deviations occurring in their spine (rounded shoulders and forward neck) as well as too much time in a sitting position. It is so important that we encourage our teens to move their bodies so that they are laying the foundation for healthy bones and ensuring a healthy body composition to reduce the chances of obesity into their adult years. Encourage your teen to get a minimum of one hour a day of physical activity!
Hot and Cold
In Traditional Chinese Medical terms, we often describe body types as hot and cold. For example, catching a cold means a coldness has infiltrated the body. Food is also classified as hot or cold, so when you catch a cold, you can remedy it with hot foods. An example of a hot food would be ginger, which can be added to cooking or taken in capsule form for convenience. Eating too many hot foods or too many cold foods can result in an imbalance in the body. If symptoms aren’t alleviated, check in with a health practitioner.
Surgery for ACL Injuries
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is commonly seen in sports such as soccer, rugby, and skiing. Although many individuals initially recover well, the ongoing instability often prevents return to sports and leads to further knee injury, and the risk of developing future osteoarthritis becomes increased. Bracing is rarely sufficient. Surgical reconstruction performed early, within 3-6 weeks, helps to minimize the risk of further injury. ACL surgery should be treated as an urgent matter: assessment, diagnosis, and surgery can usually be completed within a few weeks. The athlete, elite, or weekend-warrior can then start early rehabilitation to maximize the benefits of the knee reconstruction.
10 Things that Happen When You Quit Smoking
According to Cancer.org, after only 8 hours of your last cigarette, the oxygen levels in your blood increase. After 12 hours, your carbon monoxide blood levels drop to normal. After 2 days of not smoking, you’ll have heightened senses of smell and taste. 3 days later, your bronchial tubes relax and breathing may feel less labored than before. During the first 9 months smoke free, your shortness of breath will improve, and the tiny cilia hairs in your lungs will regain function, allowing your body to clean your lungs. After 1 full year, your risk of heart disease is about half compared with a smoker. After 15 years of being smoke-free, your risk of a heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.
Living Life Longer
We are living WAY longer than we used to. Did you know that the average age of death in 1900 was 47? Today it is 87. This means that we really need to take care of ourselves, not only physically, but mentally as well. Being on the planet longer also means that we will go through many more transitions throughout our lifetime: births, deaths, jobs, house moves; the list goes on. Transitions can cause us stress, so make sure you have good outlets and sounding boards as you move through life. A safe, trusting relationship gives us support and perspective in times of change.
Retiring Successfully
People are living longer these days, and sometimes retirement requires supplemental income. Retiring early can mean that what you have saved isn’t enough to cover your costs long-term. Before making the decision to retire early, it’s important that you think carefully about your finances. Having an in-depth conversation about your finances with your advisor can ensure you make the best decision possible about retiring. Semi-retirement could be an option, giving you time to save more money or cover costs while on the road to full retirement. Working with your advisor to understand your situation can ensure you retire successfully.
Painful Ingrown Toenails
Q: What are ingrown toenails? A: These almost always occur on the big toe, and can cause significant pain, as well have the potential for infection. Causes can include tight shoes, poor or improper nail care, and genetic predisposition. Treating ingrown toenails involves clearing up any infection that might be present and removing the part of the nail that is growing into the toe. Having a podiatrist do it, under local anesthesia, if necessary, is the best way. To avoid ingrown toenails, cut your toenails regularly straight across instead of rounding the corners or edges, and wear shoes that have adequate width and depth, and are not too tight.
Learning Difficulties and After-School Programs
Does your child seem to be putting forth more energy at school than their peers are? Is it starting to affect their self-esteem, grades, and social connections? There are programs that can help to strengthen your child’s ability by aiding their brain to change and grow through the principle of neuroplasticity. After-school options can help you and your child to boost their brain power and set them on a path of academic success. If you’re willing to put them in after-school sports programs to help exercise their bodies, why not place them in after-school programs that can help stimulate their minds?
New Addition to the Team
Warmest welcome to our newest addition to the veterinary team – Dr. Hebe Lin of Crescent Beach, BC. Dr. Lin brings years of experience breeding border collies to our team, and has special interest in ophthalmology as well. We have been fortunate enough to have her intern with us and get special training with our specialist referral team. For those of you wanting to communicate in Mandarin, that is Dr. Lin’s native tongue. Please help us welcome her to the practice as we build more relationships with you and your pets.
