When do you need emergency care vs. outpatient care in a clinic or a house call?
Many patients end up in emergency frustrated by the wait. The main reasons are that there are many other people who are also very sick, or your symptoms and condition are not necessarily considered emergent. When your condition is not emergent, you will generally wait a very long time in order to see a doctor.
Try looking for care in the best setting that will serve your needs – walk-in, family doctor, emergency, or house call.
Community News
Medication: Take with Questions!
Medication mix-ups can and do happen. Asking questions is a powerful action that can improve medication safety. It’s easy for even the average person to lose track of what they are taking and how often they are taking it. Ask your pharmacist and other members of your healthcare team about your medications. Be sure to ask questions every time a new medication is prescribed, given, or purchased. And finally, ask questions in the hospital, at the pharmacy, and during healthcare appointments. Questions save lives; it’s safe to ask.
Catching Your Breath
Because breathing is an involuntary action, we rarely pay attention to the process. But did you know that how you breathe impacts your health? Deep nasal breathing can reduce stress, help you fall asleep faster, aid toxin removal, and lower blood pressure to a greater extent than mouth breathing can.
And did you know that your nasal passage serves as a biological air filter, humidifier, and air conditioner to cool the brain? So the next time you’re catching your breath, try deep breathing through your nose and note how much better you feel while going about your day.
Boost Immunity with Echinacea
Many of Echinacea’s chemical constituents are powerful immune system stimulants that can provide significant therapeutic value. How does Echinacea help with colds? The University of Connecticut performed a meta-analysis study that determined that Echinacea cuts the chances of catching a common cold by 58%. It also reduces the duration of the common cold by almost one-and-a-half days. Craig Coleman, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and lead author of the study, added that, “The take home message from our study is that Echinacea does indeed have powerful cold prevention and cold treatment benefits.” It can be used as one of several effective natural cold remedies.
How’s Your Sleep Posture?
You spend nearly 1/3 of our lifetime sleeping, making your sleep posture extremely important to your daily wellbeing. Ideally, your head should remain in a neutral position. When side sleeping, if the pillow is too thick or thin, the neck becomes side flexed with one side being compressed while the other side is stretched; this can lead to compressed nerves. “Head forward posture” which is a jutting forward of the chin, is becoming more prominent with increased cell phone usage. Add to that a back sleeper with more than one pillow, the neck muscles are in a constant state of contraction trying to return to their normal length. Being pro-active could save you from a real “pain in the neck” later.
Digestive Problems?
Treat the cause, not the symptoms. More than 20 million Canadians suffer from digestive disorders every year. Whether it’s heartburn, reflux, indigestion, abdominal pain, bloating, irritable bowel, or colitis, those suffering seldom find long-term solutions. Conventional medicines offer temporary relief, but rarely address the cause. If you do not find the cause, the symptoms will continue to worsen. One of the best ways to determine the cause of your condition is with nutritional testing. This non-invasive testing will let you know if you are lacking specific nutrients essential for proper digestion. If deficiencies are found, specific nutritional formulations can be given to address the cause and heal the area.
Dopamine and Mental Health
Dopamine(DA) is a neurotransmitter related with diseases, symptoms, and addiction. The impact of DA in the body is serious and should be talked about more. For instance, hyperactivity of DA can cause schizophrenia. If your brain doesn’t produce enough DA or is not sensitive enough to DA, it can cause Parkinson’s Disease, Restless Leg Syndrome, ADHD, sugar craving, depression, an inability to focus, low energy, low libido, brain fog, and aches/pains. Some people try to solve this deficiency problem with caffeine, but this creates a mineral imbalance that aggravates the symptoms. However, there are natural ways of promoting dopaminergic action in your brain without adverse effects.
Choosing Healthier Transportation
The world of cars is changing fast these days. We are seeing eco-friendlier cars that come with battery electric motor gas engines (hybrids) more frequently on the road every day. What people are starting to choose with increasing frequency are plug-in battery electric motor gas engines (plug-in hybrids) and fully electric motor cars that do not use any gasoline at all! Can you imagine never having to drive to a gas station for fuel again? There is a healthier choice for yourself, your family, and our environment. Toyota produces the majority of the hybrids on the road globally today to show a real commitment to everyone’s health.
Keeping Cold & Flu Bugs at Bay
At this time of year, I’m sure you know it’s important to get rest, eat healthy, and exercise so your immune system can function at its highest potential. However, life gets busy and the next thing we know, we’re under the weather with a cold or flu bug. For moments like these a little help to fight those bugs can provide your body much needed welcome relief. Consider a high-quality cold-pressed oregano oil and black seed oil. Look for a combination with vitamins A & D added to give your immune system the best tools to beat the bugs and jumpstart your immune system!
Ocean Jasper
Ocean Jasper draws its soothing power from the element of Water. It is a stone of strength and renewal with a slow, steady frequency and a deep circular energy that embodies the interconnectedness of all things. Its patterns are a reminder of how thoughts, words, and actions interact in our world and flow in a circular direction – what you give out, will return. It cultivates patience, coping with change, and giving service to others. Also known as, The Atlantis Stone, it holds mystic knowledge of the ancient city. It is highly beneficial for reclaiming spiritual wisdom, being centered, and gaining insight into one’s past lives.
Asking WHY Does Not Matter
Why asking why does not matter
When something significant happens in our lives or in the lives of those we love, we tend to focus on why did this happened; why me and why now? It’s easy to dwell and obsess looking for the why, but it doesn’t really matter. It doesn’t change the outcome or what just happened. Instead it often keeps us stuck and wrapped in our heads not getting to the more helpful questions like: what can I learn from this, where am I getting stuck and what do I need? What is the gift behind this experience? How can I best be supported and what is in my power to change? What must I surrender and release? As long as we get to the root of what’s needed to shift, transition and move forward that is what’s most important. Once we’ve moved beyond and learned the lesson, then the why is sometimes revealed.
