Do you know that your pharmacist can assess and prescribe medication for certain minor conditions that do not require a doctor’s visit? These include; skin rashes, fungal infections, heartburn, seasonal allergies, shingles, UTIs and vaginal yeast infections. When you have a minor condition, visit your pharmacist for a free assessment. After the assessment, your pharmacist may prescribe medication or refer you to another healthcare provider. If a prescription is issued, a prescription fee applies, just as prescriptions are issued by a physician. Your primary care provider will be notified to support continuity of care and treatment outcomes.
Community News
Words to Live By
“When meditating over a disease, I never think of finding a remedy for it, but, instead, a means of preventing it.” Louis Pasteur
Words to Live By
“There are no limits to what lies ahead of you. You will accomplish great things when you believe in the unlimited potential that exists within you.” Keith Macpherson
Can Your Body Relax?
Can you sit by yourself and just be? Calm your mind, meditate? Go for a leisurely walk? If the answer is “Not without difficulty”, your body could be stuck in “fight or flight”. The Autonomic Nervous System controls involuntary processes in the body including heart rate, blood pressure and digestion. It can get dysregulated with the sympathetic nervous system staying on, often times as a result of chronic stress. Sound is gaining popularity as a gentle, natural and effective way to help our bodies truly relax. Try high-quality meditative music, a sound bath or the Harmonic Egg!
Sports Betting Lingo Confusion
Straight bet? Parlay? Futures? Propositions (prop bets)? Teaser? What do all these terms mean? Puck line? Money line? Run line? What’s going on? Sports betting seems to have taken on a life of its own. If you are confused, overwhelmed or seeking clarity, please reach out to VI Gaming Support. Not only are we here to support people who are negatively impacted by problematic gambling behaviour, we also offer workshops, seminars, and webinars to raise awareness about gambling in its many forms, whether it is online or in person. Contact us today to find out more.
Join the WellnessHub Today
Are you a health care practitioner? Do you have a health and wellness business? If so, you want to get a listing on the WellnessHub – Basic listings are FREE. The WellnessHub is Vancouver Island’s local online health and wellness resource. It features practitioners, businesses, health tips, a monthly contest and much more. Monthly memberships are available for people who want extra exposure. The WellnessHub is supported in print, social media, radio and more. We work with you to get your message out to your potential customers. The Hub attracts thousands of local visitors every month.
Treating Heat-Related Health Problems
Summer is here and so is the heat! While many people enjoy the hot weather, it’s important to be proactive and safe when the temperature starts to rise. Some common heat-related issues include 1) Dehydration – weakness, headache and fainting. Drink more water and electrolytes. 2) Heat stroke – body temp. of 40°C or higher, fast pulse, hot and dry skin. Cool down with shade/AC and water and get medical attention. 3) Heat exhaustion – heavy sweating, weakness, nausea. Cool down with shade/AC and drink plenty of fluids. 4) Heat syncope – fainting caused by high temperatures. Lie down with your feet up and drink plenty of water.
Prevent Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Hearing is a vital sense that allows us to connect with the world around us. However, it’s easy to take it for granted. According to a report by the World Health Organization, hearing loss is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue worldwide, affecting an estimated 1.5 billion people.
There are many factors that can contribute to hearing loss. One of the leading causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noises. Loud noises are encountered everywhere in your daily routine, from the sounds of busy traffic, construction sites, concerts, listening to music and even the TV.
The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable!
Here are some steps you can take to protect your hearing from loud noises:
Wear earplugs or earmuffs:
Sounds are considered harmful when they exceed 85 dB, which is similar to the loudness of heavy traffic.
Exposure to loud noises can damage the sensory hair cells in the cochlea. The cochlea is a shell-like organ in the inner ear where sounds are converted into electrical signals. This damage can lead to both hearing loss and the development of tinnitus, which is characterized by a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears. Wearing earplugs or earmuffs can be a simple yet effective way to protect your ears.
However, it’s important to choose the right type of earplugs or earmuffs for your needs. Make sure they are comfortable to wear, fit well, and provide adequate noise reduction. If you’re not sure which type to choose, consult a hearing healthcare professional or audiologist who can recommend the best option for you.
Turn down the volume:
It’s also important to be mindful of our listening habits. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.1 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to loud music or noise through headphones or earphones.
If you’re someone who enjoys listening to music or podcasts through headphones, try to keep the volume at a reasonable level. As a general rule of thumb, if someone can hear the music coming from your headphones while standing beside you, the volume is too high! A good way to ensure that your volume is at a safe level is to use the 60/60 rule. This rule recommends listening to music at no more than 60% volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. Afterward, give your ears a break for at least 5-10 minutes to recover.
Take breaks:
If you’re exposed to loud noises for extended periods, take breaks in quieter environments to give your ears time to recover. Taking just a five-minute break every hour can significantly reduce the risk of hearing damage from loud noise exposure. So, if you’re in a loud environment for a prolonged period, try to take short breaks regularly to give your ears a chance to recover.
While hearing loss prevention is important, it’s also essential to get regular hearing tests. Many people don’t realize that hearing tests are just as important as regular physical exams or dental checkups.
Hearing tests are essential because they can detect hearing loss early on, which is crucial for effective treatment. The earlier hearing loss is detected, the better the chances are for successful treatment.
It’s worth noting that hearing loss can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Untreated hearing loss can lead to a decline in cognitive function, making it more challenging to perform daily tasks and affecting memory, attention, and decision-making skills.
Research conducted by the National Library of Medicine has demonstrated that individuals who take action to address their hearing loss at an early stage are more likely to experience positive outcomes, such as enhanced communication abilities, improved quality of life, and a lower risk of cognitive decline.
Your ears are essential to your quality of life, and we want to help you LoveYourEars by taking care of them properly.
Book a free hearing test and take the first step towards better hearing today!
Sources: World Health Organization (WHO)
Time to Celebrate You
Summer is here – let’s enjoy it! It is a time to celebrate you and the joy of being alive. Is there something holding you back from really celebrating? Are you carrying a few extra pounds that you are ready to release? When you release trapped emotions around food the result is a lower number on your scale. A Certified Body/Emotion Code Practitioner can help you release those negative emotions that cause you to eat unhealthy foods. Call today for an appointment and make it your best summer yet.
Celebration of Collective Caring
This year, SOS is celebrating 55 years of caring for residents in District 69. As a way of honouring our past and looking forward to the future, we are holding a Legacy Concert. Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Raymond James Qualicum Beach Branch, the concert will feature renowned Canadian actor, musician, activist and Companion of the Order of Canada, Tom Jackson. It will take place Wednesday, June 28 from 7 pm – 8:30 pm at the amazing in-house theatre of our Host Partner – Berwick Parksville Retirement Community. To learn more about this celebration and to purchase tickets, visit our website or contact us.
Seasonal Allergies?
It’s June! Your neighbours are cutting their grass, everything is blooming and you are struggling with seasonal allergies! Allergies can be miserable so here are some preventative measures: *Avoid outdoor activities early in the morning. *Don’t hang laundry out to dry. *Check the weather forecast for pollen counts before heading out. *When you come in from outdoors, take a shower and change your clothes. *Ask for help with lawn care and flower beds or wear a mask. If you have questions or think you may need medication for your allergy symptoms, please speak with your Pharmacist today!
