Did you know that you can have cardiovascular disease without experiencing any symptoms? Many people are not diagnosed until the condition worsens to the point where they have angina, stroke, or heart failure. That’s why it is important to start taking steps towards a healthy heart and arteries today. A good screening test for early signs of disease is Digital Pulsewave Analysis (DPA). This Health Canada approved, non-invasive method will show you how your cardiovascular system is working. This information can then be used to devise a specific program to improve your cardiovascular health before symptoms occur.
Get Your Mouth Checked!
An oral health exam is critical to the maintenance of your overall wellbeing. You should have your mouth checked at least once a year for prevention and treatment of any ailments. Even if you don’t have any live teeth, it’s important to make sure there are no signs of infections or early signs of cancer, growths, or cysts, and that your dentures are fitting you well. Leaving problems untreated usually leads to pain, periodontal disease, or tooth loss, and could make treatment more difficult, so it’s best to deal with problems early, or, if possible, prevent them.
Keep Your Hair During Chemotherapy
I am having chemotherapy; do I have to lose my hair? The simple answer is no. In many cases, scalp cooling can help you keep your hair. Scalp cooling has been around for over 50 years, and for the past 20 years, it has been widely used in Europe, where it is now the standard of care for the majority of cancer patients. Recently, the USA and most of the world have adopted the technology. It is also available across Canada. The success of scalp cooling depends on the type of chemotherapy, the dosage, and the individual patient. Ask your doctor if scalp cooling is right for you.
Teen Hearing Loss
Portable music players are great devices. But did you know they can produce sound loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss? Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is steadily growing amongst young adults. NIHL results from loud and prolonged exposure to noise greater than 85 decibels. The damage is permanent, but often goes ignored because it is painless and occurs gradually over time, before people notice they are having hearing difficulties. Individual MP3 players, and the ones used by cell phones, can easily reach between 100 and 115 decibels. This means permanent damage to your hearing begins after only a few minutes. When using these devices, turn down the volume and protect your hearing.
Serrapeptase, the Little Miracle Enzyme!
Serrapeptase has been proven to be a safe and effective alternative to NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen) and should be taken on an empty stomach. The capsule must be a special DRcap (Delayed Release capsule) which allows the Serrapeptase to pass through the stomach to the small intestine, where the enzyme is then released. Serrapeptase is an enzyme that breaks down long protein chains into amino acids that the body needs. These enzymes roam through the bloodstream, seeking to break down hard protein (non-living tissue), fibrin surfaces, scar tissue, and granuloma, and even thin out mucous to ease conditions such as chronic sinusitis.
Community Event
Self-Love & Acceptance Group. Eight sessions (once/week), dates and times will be based on registrants’ interest and availability. Sparham Counselling 204-806-9777
A New Perspective?
Spirituality is a broad concept. It includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for life’s purpose. Not everyone belongs to a religion. Many people are not in any way religious. But everyone is spiritual because at our core, we are spiritual beings. Crime statistics show that not all of us have come into contact with this higher aspect of ourselves, but that does not mean it’s not there. The spirituality of humankind is a universal experience. It’s our common denominator. Consider that your life’s purpose is to discover your own connection.
Is Cardio Just a Myth?
Cardiovascular exercise is any exercise that raises your heart rate. One myth in today’s fitness world is that increasing cardio can only be achieved through lengthy steady state activities such as running or using an elliptical machine for extended periods of time. These exercises improve the body’s aerobic system exclusively, but ignore your anaerobic system. The most efficient and effective way to target both your anaerobic and aerobic systems is through intense muscular efforts (resistance training). Using a resistance platform that adapts to the user will target both systems and increase metabolic conditioning in a fraction of the time compared to traditional “cardio” methods.
Quit Smoking with Laser Therapy
Is quitting smoking on your ‘New Years Resolution List’? Have you tried just about everything, with little success? Laser Therapy is clinically proven to help to control cravings and withdrawal symptoms. In clinical studies, patients report a noticeable reduction in cravings, and have a higher chance of success in quitting. The benefits of quitting smoking with laser over other interventions include no medications with unpleasant side effects, no unhealthy nicotine in your system in the form of patches, and pleasant side effects of relaxation which are a result of the endorphins released in response to the laser. Start the New Year as a nonsmoker, and making smoking a habit of the past. SmartChoice Laser Centre, SmartChoiceLaser.com
Communication Tips for Dementia
1. Set a positive mood. Use warm facial expressions and tone of voice to help convey your message and show your feelings of affection.
2. Listen with your ears, eyes, and heart. Be patient in waiting for your loved one’s reply. Watch for nonverbal cues and respond appropriately.
3. Remember the good ol’ days. Reminiscing is a soothing activity. Many people with dementia may not remember what happened 30 minutes ago, but they can clearly recall their lives 30 years earlier.
4. Laugh a little or a lot! Use humour whenever possible. People with dementia tend to retain their social skills and are usually delighted to laugh along with you.
Alevtina (Alia) Tuhari, Reliable Home Care Agency Inc., ReliableHomeCare.ca
RAPID Adhesion Release Technique
RAPID Adhesion Release is a new soft tissue movement-based therapeutic technique that addresses the central nervous system’s role in releasing tension and restrictions within muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Over-used muscles from acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc.), accumulation of small tears (micro traumas), and not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia) can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue, which binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. Muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped, causing reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain, as well as tingling, numbness, and weakness. Brent Konantz, Ortho., RMT LCSP C PED (C), HealthWest Prothotics, MyHealthWest.com


