Community News
Ask The Expert

Q: I have glaucoma and dry eyes. My eye doctor says I should do warm compresses for my dryness, but won’t this raise my eye pressure?
A: You don’t have to worry. Problems with eye pressure come from within the eye, not from occasionally pressing a heating pad on the eyelids. Warm compresses usually work very well for dry eyes, but don’t affect the state of glaucoma one way or the other.

Acupuncture for Infertility

Roughly 16% of couples in Canada experience infertility. This number has doubled since the 1980s, Traditional Chinese Medicine can help to reverse these numbers. Some studies have found that acupuncture may help with things like sperm quality, motility and counts in men, and increased blood flow to the uterus, with an impact in their quality of their eggs and regulation of hormones in women. Acupuncture has been used as a protocol all over the world when couples going through IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment, as it may increase the number of follicles produced and studies showed that the patients who received acupuncture before and after IVF transfer increased significantly their outcomes.

February Brain Teasers

Q. Where do boats with coronavirus go to get healthy? Q. I can’t be bought, but I can be stolen with a glance. I’m worthless to one, but priceless to two. What am I? Q. What is harder to catch the faster you run? Q. What can be seen once in a minute, twice in a moment, and never in a thousand years?

Happy (and HEALTHY) New Year!

Happy 2022! Let’s make this our healthiest year yet! If you feel overwhelmed with where to start, it turns out even small daily adjustments can have a surprisingly big impact on your health! Here are a few ways you can help yourself feel good and age well: Eat more nutrient-dense foods. You need fewer calories with aging, but twice as many nutrients. Get active. Indoor walking, swimming, and doing yoga are all great activities to ease yourself into. Stay connected and make new friends. Social engagement and participation are especially important for older adults. These are linked to better cognition and overall health, and lower risk of depression and disability.

New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors

The new year is always a good time to consider some positive changes you’d like to make to set you on the path to a happier, healthier you! These New Year’s resolutions for older adults are a great place to start. 1) Give your brain a boost – keeping mentally fit can be done by joining clubs or even doing a crossword puzzle each day. 2) Eat more veggies – sticking to a healthier diet is important as we age. 3) Move more – sign up for exercise classes or work out with a friend. 4) Spend more time with loved ones!

Ask The Expert

Q: I’m 75 years old and for the last year or so, I can see really well up close without my reading glasses! I suppose this is good, eh?

A: It is indeed nice to not have to wear reading glasses. But you should have your eyes checked: your far vision is likely going blurry, and a common cause of newly-developed nearsightedness in seniors is cataracts.

Dental New Year’s Resolutions

The new year is a great time to make positive resolutions to improve your health. Here are three dental-related resolutions you can make this year: 1) Get a new toothbrush – It’s important to replace your toothbrush every three months to ensure effective cleaning and avoid bacteria build-up. 2) Start flossing more – Flossing is an important way to keep your gums healthy and avoid cavities, gum disease, and gingivitis. 3) See your dentist – Make it a habit to book regular cleaning appointments to catch problems early.

Exercise Helps Depression, Anxiety & Stress

During these times we must take care of our emotional health. Strength training provides similar improvements in depression as anti-depressant medications. Currently, it is not known if this is because people feel better when they are stronger or if strength training produces a helpful biochemical change to the brain. It is most likely a combination of the two. Strength training helps to ease stress and anxiety by reducing stress, it helps sharpen brain-power and increasing self-esteem. Lifting your mood can help relieve depression, boost your energy level helping you cope better with whatever comes your way in the run of a day.

Community Spotlight: Willow Medical Aesthetics

Willow Medical Aesthetics is a medical clinic specializing in women’s wellness and needs. Aging, combined with lifestyle and stress factors, brings unwanted visible effects, but with some help it is possible to retain a youthful appearance. The team at Willow Medical Aesthetics is committed to providing clinical treatments with excellent aftercare. Using only quality products and established procedures, with expert skincare and supplements, they can advise on your skin and feminine needs. Complimentary consultations allow clients to learn how the clinic’s Medical Aesthetics, Laser, and Spa treatments, can help them look and feel their best at any age.

Healthy New Year

If you find yourself considering a new year resolution but worry about follow-through, might I suggest exploring something you already love from a new angle? Anyone considered a professional in their field will say that it takes constant practice for refinement. Like to walk? Let’s look at how well your body moves throughout your gait. Find more ease, fluidity, speed and strength in your walk! Like to dance? Let’s break things down to the basics and make sure your different joints are moving well and in good coordination so that when you dance, you have the most grace and expression available to you! Any activity can benefit from refinement.