Preparing For Your Next Physical

Regular check-ups are just as important as eating healthy, staying active and getting eight hours of sleep every night.  Part of health maintenance is periodically taking a look at your lifestyle, risk factors, and pertinent family history.

Being prepared for an appointment allows you to manage your time efficiently, and enables you to spend more one -on-one time with the doctor.

Here are some basic tips to help you get organized for your next medical appointment:

Always arrive 10 minutes early from your scheduled appointment, so you have time to fill in any paperwork including insurance forms  before you see the doctor.  Patient history forms tend to ask for the same information, so be ready.

Many clinics make these form available on-line so you can fill them in at home and bring them with you to the appointment.

Know your family history. Doctors are looking for whether immediate family members (parents, grandparents, children, and siblings) have had a particular diseases such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer.

Previous medical history / hospitalizations. Know the dates of any surgeries or hospitalizations. You don’t need to go into a lot of detail unless it’s pertinent to your visit. The doctor can always send for your records if needed.

Have a list of treatments  – List the names, treatment types and phone numbers of your other doctors and health care practitioners.

Bring your glasses/aids: Remember to bring your glasses in case you need to fill out forms and bring any items such as orthotics, or braces that you have been using. This can help the doctor assess your condition.

Bring your data. If you’ve been monitoring anything at home like blood pressure, or blood sugars bring your data in with you.

Bring your medications.  If you are taking more than one or two medications you might want to bring a list of all medications, and supplements you are currently taking.  The list should include the name of the drug, the  dosage, and frequency, including any over-the-counter medications.

Write down your questions and concerns. Make a list of what you need to talked to your doctor about.  Some clinic have a strict policy that they will only discuss one health concern per visit.   Start with your most pressing health concern and be prepared to make a follow up visit to discuss the remaining issues.

During the appointment if you don’t understand something ask for clarification. If you know that your memory is not your strong point, ask a friend to attend with you and ask them to take notes.

The most important part of the appointment is to be honest with your doctor. Don’t hide a bad habit like smoking, drinking, or using recreational drugs. It’s important  to  share all aspects of your lifestyle with your doctors so they can give you the best care.

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Natural Remedies for Stomach Discomfort

From time to time we all experience stomach discomfort; whether it is from a night of drinking, the flu, food poisoning, or an upset stomach from eating to much rich food.

Here’s a list of some natural remedies to help soothe your stomach discomfort.

Ginger – Ginger aids in digestion, eases stomach pains, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Peel and grate some fresh ginger, mix it in with some freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice and a tablespoon of honey and hot water for a soothing cup of tea. There are also many ginger teas available that you can use if you don’t want to trouble yourself with preparing the tea.

Peppermint – Peppermint tea can offer relief from almost any stomach ailment or gastrointestinal condition; from heart burn, morning sickness to bloating and gas.

Aloe Vera Juice – Aloe Vera juice is readily available at most health food store and is excellent for treating numerous intestinal problems; it helps with gas, bloating, diarrhea, and cramps.

Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar has long been used to assist with digestion and to treat stomach aches. Just put a few teaspoons up to 1 tablespoon of ACV in a glass of cold water, with a tablespoon or two of honey, and drink.

Chamomile Tea- Chamomile contains fairly strong antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, and is quite effective in treating stomach and intestinal cramps.

Baking Soda – Add one teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to a glass of water, mix well and drink.  This fizzy concoction can help relieve stomach pressure and reduce acidity in the stomach.

Cayenne – Cayenne pepper has immune boosting, and detoxifying properties that stimulates the circulatory system and aids in digestion.  Use 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and place it in a mug, pour hot water  and stir add some lemon and honey to taste.

Raw Honey – Raw honey has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. It promotes digestive health, is a powerful antioxidant, strengthens the immune system. Take a spoonful on its own or add it to your favourite tea.

White Rice – White rice is a starchy food that  is easy to digest and will coat the lining of your stomach, which will make you feel better.

Live Culture Foods/ Probiotics – Eat a bowl of yogurt that contains live probiotic culture. Probiotics are live bacteria that can ease your tummy discomfort.

There are many possible causes for an upset stomach; food and drink, lifestyle choices, and medical reasons. But we all want to feel better faster, so try these home remedies before you reach for an over-the-counter remedy.  If your symptoms persist, please contact your doctor or healthcare practitioner.

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You’ve Gotten A Sunburn – Now What?

sunburn_300x174_479516899You’ve tried to be sun safe….. but on your last outing you got a sunburn. Now what?  To help heal and soothe your damaged, red, sunburned skin, the sooner you start treating the sunburn  the better.

Try these home remedies to help with the discomfort from a sunburn.

Try a soothing bath or compresses dipped in any of the following substances to get relief from your sunburn.

  • Either place a cold damp towel on your skin for 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day as needed; or use an ice pack to provide relief (if the burn is mild), just remember to wrap the ice pack in a damp cloth before you place it on your skin.
  • Mix 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar into a tub of cool water, or soak a cloth in a basin of vinegar and water. Vinegar is great astringent,and it soothes sunburn pain.
  • Wrap dry oatmeal in cheesecloth, and run cold water through it. You can soak compresses in the liquid or leave the oatmeal ouch in the tub while you soak.
  • Add enough water to cornstarch to make a thin paste, and apply directly to the sunburn.
  • Generously sprinkle baking soda into a cool bath, and let the solution dry on your skin ( do not towel dry) the baking soda residue will help soothe the pain.
  •  If your eyelids are burned, apply tea bags soaked in cool water to decrease swelling and help relieve pain.
  • Moisten a cloth with witch hazel. Witch Hazel is a natural astringent and has been long-lasting anti-inflammatory relief. Apply often for temporary relief.
  • Refrigerate the leaves of an aloe Vera plant; peel them open and directly place the gel or juicy part onto the burn.  Because aloe Vera is a natural astringent, if your burn is quite bad, this topical treatment might sting, so mix the aloe Vera juice with a little Vitamin E. You can also buy aloe Vera gel from most health stores.

A sign of severe sun damage is blistering. If blisters develop, you have a a second-degree sunburn. To treat a blister, simply leave it alone. You’ll have less discomfort and danger of infection if air does not come in contact with the sensitive nerve endings. If you are worried about infection you can use an antibacterial ointment, or  an over-the-counter anesthetic that can relieve pain and itching, such as Bactine.

Although it may seem like a temporary condition, sunburns can cause long-lasting damage to the skin. This damage increases a person’s risk for getting skin cancer, making it critical to protect the skin from the sun all year round.

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Bandages, First Aid Kits & Apps

kitThe best part about summer is all the time we get to spend outside; and spending time outside means that they’ll be accidents, and injuries. Here’s what you’ll need to be ready.

When discussing bandages, many people aren’t sure if it is better to leave the wound uncovered or to use a bandage.  The best thing you can do is: clean, treat and protect.

Cuts that are left uncovered will dry out and form a scab. A scab can slow down the healing process by creating a barrier between the cut and healthy skin cells. The cells have to grow under the scab in order to form new tissue and heal.  If a scab forms, it can be scratch or torn off, which causes a re-injury, and can leave a scare.

Cuts that are covered can prevent a scab from forming, minimizing the chance of scarring, protect from a re-injury, and can prevent exposure to germs and secondary infections.

Whenever you are spending time outside, remember to bring a first aid kit with you. Making a first aid kit is easy, inexpensive and quick – and it could save your life.

Your first aid kit should contain:

  • Sterile gauze pads (dressings) in small and large squares to place over wounds
  • Roller and triangular bandages in various sizes to hold dressings in place or to make an arm sling
  • Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
  • Scissors and tweezers
  • Moistened towelettes
  • Alcohol-based hand cleaner
  • Antiseptic wipes or soap
  • Thermometer
  • Tongue depressors
  • Chemical cold pack/ Instant ice packs
  • Petroleum jelly tube
  • Safety pins
  • Flashlight
  • Pencil and pad
  • Soap
  • Eye patches
  • a pocket mask
  • Emergency blanket
  • Disposable non-latex gloves, such as surgical or examination gloves
  • Sunscreen/bug repellent
  • First aid manual
  • Non-prescription drugs (pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, laxative, activated charcoal)

“The official Canadian Red Cross First Aid app puts lifesaving advice in your hands. This free app helps you maintain your first aid skills and respond to everyday emergencies. By downloading the app on your smartphone or tablet, you get instant access to videos, simple, step-by-step instructions guide you through everyday first aid scenarios.  The preloaded content means you have instant access to all safety information at any time, even without reception or an Internet connection”.

If you are going camping  or hiking to a secluded area, you might want to take a first aid course. Most community centres offer inexpensive 2 day or evening classes.

The major benefits of  knowing first aid are that it affords people with the ability to provide help during various emergency situations, and that the right methods of medical help are provided.

Accidents will always happen, however, trained individuals with the right first aid equipment can ensure safety for everyone. Without the proper first aid, a simple injury can turn into something much more serious.

So enjoy the great outdoors, but be prepared.
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Arthritis and Chiropractic Treatments

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, which in most cases is the result of repetitive trauma of the joints, and can affect  many different parts of the body.

Chiropractic treatments can result in the diminishing of pain by improving ease of movement and decreased fluid build up in the joints that often occurs with arthritic conditions. Chiropractic treatments can also include specialized modalities that help with pain, inflammation and mobility.

Modalities that help with osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease:

Ultrasound therapy –  when applied to soft tissues and joints, sound waves can  produce a massaging effect that helps reduce swelling and decrease pain and stiffness.

Neuromechanical therapy – this therapy applies gentle pressure to a specific area of muscle where a patient experiences pain to alleviate that pain and improved mobility.

Class IV K – Laser therapy –  this technique uses a non-heat producing laser or light that penetrates deep into the tissue, reducing inflammation, improving circulation, reducing swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain.

eTomis –  the eToims devise sends very brief but strong electrical pulses to the areas of irritated nerves, to relaxes nerve fibers, thus relieving muscle pain and restoring function, mobility and quality of life.

Graston Technique  – is an instrument-assisted, soft tissue mobilization therapy that safely removes scar tissues and scar tissue adhesions that have occurred as a result of chronic inflammation, injuries, repetitive motion or from old injuries.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – TENs therapy helps to stimulate pain-inhibiting chemicals in the human body known as endorphins, and block the nerve fibers that are responsible for pain.

Home therapeutic exercises and stretches –  These activities are to be completed at home to promote strength and endurance.

Nutrition and supplement –  providing diet, nutritional advice and supplements to address inflammation.

Chiropractic treatments can help those who are suffering from arthritis, by reducing pain, stiffness, and restoring the range of motion to joints, improving flexibility and increasing muscle tone and strength.

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