Community News
Brain Injury – Plan for Recovery

Recovery from a brain injury takes positive reinforcement. Celebrate the small successes. Make recovery a social activity. Your success can be fostered with the help of others, even if they do not have a brain injury or stroke. Look for intensity of experience during recovery. The intensity of the experience will help ingrain what is being learned. Fall in love with the process of recovery. Have a recovery plan that includes measurable goals. Success should be measured. Make recovery efforts a part of your everyday schedule. Don’t do the recovery journey by yourself. Let Cowichan Brain Injury help you on this journey.

Support for Your Immune System

Today, more than ever, it is important to take steps to support your immune system. Eat a whole foods diet to support gut health and intestinal cleansing, making sure to include extra fruit and vegetables. Exercise and spending time outdoors can help minimize stress which in turn helps keep your immune system strong. Make sure to get adequate sleep. Herbal supplements can be helpful when needed; Filling in missing gaps with necessary vitamins and superfoods can be essential. Valuable supplements include: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, probiotics, elderberry, quercetin, oregano oil and colloidal silver. Take extra good care and be safe!

Make Your Home Safer

Things you can do to make your home safer and reduce the risk of falling:
Remove tripping hazards like clutter, small throw rugs • Keep items you use the most easily accessible • Improve lighting to ensure you can see your path when walking, especially at night • Install grab bars in the bathroom and ensure your home has handrails on all staircases • Wear non-slip shoes both inside and outside of the house • Get a Home Safety Assessment if you are at risk of falling; an Occupational Therapist can help to advise you on making your home safer.

Product Review: WELLNESS TINCTURE

ACTIVE RELEAF aims to encourage active wellness through the use of nature’s most powerful ingredients. Offering a collection of plant-based wellness products, ACTIVE RELEAF’s WELLNESS TINCTURE is their strongest remedy. Used as a natural plant-based alternative for people experiencing anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation and other ailments. The WELLNESS TINCTURE is formulated with a high concentration of broad spectrum cannabinoid-rich hemp plant extract, paired with coconut MCT oil to help deliver cannabinoids and increase bioavailability. Taken sublingually (under the tongue) or mixed into your favourite beverage. With three different concentration options (400mg, 1000mg & 2000mg) and measured droppers, dosing is accurate and flexible for your needs.

Skin Protection for Frequent Hand Washing

Covid-19 has brought to the forefront the importance of proper handwashing. One of the effects of frequent washing is dry hands. Unlike most soap bars and liquid soaps, Feisty Ferdy Silky Soap with organic beeswax and essential oils is gentle and will not strip the natural oils from your skin. Restore balance by rubbing nourishing Farmer’s Friend Hand Balm into your hands after washing. Organic beeswax is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. It provides a protective barrier, promotes healing, soothes and moisturizes, leaving your hands smooth and soft. It also helps heal split fingertips, dry cuticles, cuts, scrapes, burns, blisters and more.

Coronavirus & Your Mental Health

What should you do if your mental health is suffering during self-isolation? Here are some tips: 1. Maintain routine. It helps to manage anxiety and will help you to adapt more quickly to this current reality. 2. Engage with Nature. Make the most of any private outdoor space you have. Getting sunshine is imperative for a healthy mind. 3. Try something new. Now is a great time to learn how to sew or tackle a DIY project. 4. Limit your news intake. A near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel distressed. 5. Stay connected. Download a video chat app and have fun chatting with friends and family.

Coming to the Pharmacy?

Retail pharmacists are the most accessible and most frequently visited health professionals. We are on the frontlines of this pandemic. We are committed to protecting our patients & minimizing the spread of this virus. Please DO NOT come into the pharmacy if you are sick or have a fever. Send a family member or friend inside to pick up prescriptions or utilize our free delivery service. Order your Prescription refills through our Diem Health-Remedy’s Rx App and limit trips to the pharmacy. Download the free app on your device today.

Product Review: RELEAF Stick

ACTIVE RELEAF aims to encourage active wellness through the use of nature’s most powerful ingredients. With a synergistic blend of coconut oil, shea butter, essential oils, and broad spectrum cannabinoid-rich hemp plant extract, ACTIVE RELEAF’s topicals offer a natural alternative for pain relief. Try the Original Formula RELEAF Stick as a reliable remedy to soothe everyday aches and pains. For extra stubborn discomfort associated with joint stiffness, and inflammation, the Extra Strength RELEAF+ Stick is specially formulated to soothe quickly and be long lasting. Apply liberally to affected areas 3 – 4 times a day or as needed.

Digestive Health

Today we recognize the importance of having the right kind of bacteria in our gut. Probiotics are a certain type of bacteria that provides health benefits when eaten. The use of probiotics have been shown to reduce overall symptoms and abdominal pain. Clinical trials showed that probiotics are overall effective treatments for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Probiotics may also reduce the amount of H. pylori bacteria in the gut, speeding up the healing process of peptic ulcers. Experts agree that the benefits of probiotics are strain-specific. Speak to your pharmacist to determine which probiotic is right for you.

Related Fall Risks

In addition to decreased mobility, there are other risk factors that can lead to falling: Sensory Deficits; problems with sensation, whether it be with the eyes, ears or feeling in the feet, can increase your risk of falling. Have your eyesight and hearing checked regularly and talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing numbness in your feet. Low Blood Pressure; when we quickly go from lying or sitting to standing, our blood pressure drops, this can interfere with balance, vision and coordination. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded when standing, sit down until your head clears, stand up slowly and ensure you have good footing before taking a step.

Caregivers – Take Care

Recovery from a brain injury takes a long time. Caregivers need to be prepared for the hard work and long road ahead. Dedicated practice means millions of attempts to change the brain and allow the arm, leg or speech to recover. Be patient and supportive, but don’t do too much. Encourage independence. Don’t let yourself get to the end of your rope and burned out. Find ways to cope. Recognize when you need help and ask for it. Relationships evolve and change after a brain injury. Roles and personalities may change. Talk about it. Focus on the good in your life. Find support.