A Public Health Emergency?

 That’s what the Canadian government calls it, yet they have known about it for years. Since October 2013 the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) has offered free training and kit supplies to many agencies including Public Health Units throughout the province.

This app could save your life!

This app and training can save lives!

Dr. Cheskes reminds us that cardiac arrest can happen 

anywhere and at anytime

Golden Locks with a Golden Tongue?

Part 2…

I had a feeling some new revelations would occur since my last article and boy is there more news. Like, did you hear Ryan is a star dancer from the 23rd season of “Dancing with the Stars”. But more about that later because there are still a few questions to be answered like:

Does he believe his status as an Olympic swimmer and television star will protect him?
Do his lies have anything to do with the hope of not losing endorsements and money?

Golden Locks with a Golden Tongue?

Four young men went out on the town high from an Olympic gold medal win and lots of alcohol. These men used poor judgement. But one of these men turned that poor decision into an international controversy.

The story about the American swimmers being robbed at gunpoint while bar hopping created an international incident. Ryan Lochte, 32, went public with what he now admits was an exaggerated story that grabbed world sympathy.

Horsing Around?

I have fond memories of summers as a young teen horseback riding at a local stable. Looking back at those memories I have to smile. Never did I imagine that I would ever see dogs or cats in nursing homes or hospitals; I certainly never imagined the value of horseback riding as therapeutic.

Equestrian therapy has proved to help adults and children with physical and mental disabilities in three main ways. Horse riding has improved not only their physical abilities but their mental and social abilities.

What is a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock)?

A severe allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis, occurs in some people when they are exposed to a usually harmless substance, called an allergy trigger.


The body overreacts to allergy triggers and releases chemicals to protect itself. In severe cases, this reaction produces life-threatening symptoms.
Common triggers that can lead to a severe allergic reaction include:

• Food
• Insect stings and bites
• Medication
• Latex
• Exercise

...Read more...

Oh Canada Eh!

With Canada Day here, I thought a great way to celebrate our 149th birthday is to share some strange but true facts that will make you proud to say “I’m a Canuck eh!”

1. Winnipeg is the Garter snake capital of the world. Every spring tens of thousands of these guys emerge from their dens
2. We have a SNOLAB. Yep, a snow lab. Where is it located? Well, it’s in a 2 km

Pick Your Perfect Avatar

What does that mean? All really I’m asking is, what does your ideal client look like? What industry are they from, how old are they, what level of education do they have, really it’s their demographics.

You Don't Want This Bulls-eye

This bull’s – eye is caused by Lyme Disease. Blacklegged ticks (also known as Deer ticks) can transmit the Lyme disease bacteria. These ticks can be found in areas with long grass and wooded areas. This tick is also found in south western and southern Ontario as well as northern Michigan and New York States.

Hands Up

Women in top management or executive positions are rare. Statistics Canada reported in 1999 women in senior management and professional finance (both terms undefined) accounted for 3.5% of the workforce (Women in Canada at a Glance, 2012). In 2015, 8.5% of women held executive level jobs in the top 100 companies of the nation. This means is, 45 women in CEO or CFO positions in Canada’s business world (Comas, 2015)

Don't Be Fooled

How many times have you said, “Oh that’s to expensive,” either as a consumer or client? As a business owner, how many times have you heard your clients say that to you? In the ten years

Is it legal or moral?

Last week I wrote about the hesitation of assisting a stranger on the street and some of the causes. Often when instructing first aid courses participants tell me there are many more reasons that cross their mind.

So, do I help or not?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? Have you ever asked that question when you pass by an car accident or a person lying on the sidewalk?

Many people have asked themselves the same question and their answer was NO. This is called the Bystander Effect.

Choking: It takes yout breath away

It only can take a second. When the eyes of your loved one are begging you to help, do you know what to do? 

Whom To Trust?

There has been long standing disagreement regarding the link between MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) vaccinations and increased risk of ASD (Autism Syndrome Disorder). Some believe this controversy has been going on for as many as 30 years. The one thing I can tell you for sure is the controversy has no end in sight; in fact, it has hit a fever pitch with the much-anticipated release of an independent film Vaxxed.

Ready to Learn?

The answer is no. Many educators believe we all learn the same and they would be wrong. Some people are visual learners and others are oral learners. Adult learners pose even greater challenges to educators.

First Aid Training, Why Bother.

Definition of Fist Aid: “Emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained.” Merriam-Webster

Training is one of those experiences that many of us put off as long as we can

A Bad Taste

What do these three items have in common you ask? Nothing right? WRONG! These three items are some of the most common causes of anaphylaxis reaction or better known as severe allergic reaction.

So Sorry

My husband and I have been passing a stubborn cold between us for the last week or so. The kind of cold that makes you want to sleep the minute you finish work until the alarm goes off the next morning. Having said that I hope to be back by Monday. Wish me luck!!!!

The Shocking Truth

Automated External Defibrillators (AED) save lives every day. Whether you realize it or not they really do. Yet AED’s are not mandatory in public and work places. But when they are there AED’s save people’s lives. It’s as simple as that.

We Can Fix It

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada has some exciting news. This week they released information regarding cardiac regenerative tissue research. I know that was a mouthful. So here we go and I will break it down.

Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke

Act FAST

F – Facial droop, confusion or vision problems

8 Wonders of the World

I usually write about medical advances or discoveries but when I saw an article titled “Eight discoveries you didn’t know…”

Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

 

Pass It On

Questions?

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." — Albert Einstein



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Little by Bite

A new threat has developed in the southern hemisphere. Mosquitos are that threat. They have survived
by adapting over and over again through the years. For much of history mosquitoes have been able to transmit horrible diseases to humans.

There was Malaria then, Yellow Fever, West Nile, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and now the latest, Zika all from the sting of infected mosquitos.

#BellLetsTalk

Please help out this worthy cause!

11 people will commit suicide today in Canada – Canadian Association for Suicide prevention

49% of Canadians say they would socialize with a friend with serious mental health – Canadian Medical Association

1 of 5 people will have a form of mental health illness at some point in their life – Canadian Health Institute

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Help out today

A Brain is worth(less)?

Dr. Bennet Omula M.D., MBA, MPH, CPE, DABP-AP, CP, is my muse. Hey, I liked the word muse, okay. Well he certainly gave me the motivation to finish this article.

Pumpkin-hazelnut tea cake

If pumpkins are in season, roast a small pie pumpkin and puree the flesh

Daily Dose of Humour

On those cold winter days.

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Children Helping Children

Edmonton teens are helping citizens in their own backyard as well as

Measles Still Possible?

Peel Region residence beware there is a “possible measles case” that has been all over Pearson International Airport, Brampton Civic Hospital and a few walk in clinics since January 1, 2016. If you believe you may have been in contact with this person get more information from Peel Public Health Unit 905-799-7700.

Daily Dose of Humour

State of Healthcare

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Question of the Week

What is the Foundation's position on Hands only CPR?

Compression only CPR is recommended for adults, children and infants when the rescuer is untrained in conventional CPR or is trained and not proficient in being able to provide coordinated ventilations. 

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Learn more Heart and Stroke Canada

Frigid Times

Today was our city’s first cold alert of the winter. I was surprised we even received a cold alert with the winter we’ve been having. What surprised me even more was the fact that last year the first winter cold alert was January 7, 2015! Really, I’m not kidding.

So this is a good time to remember to layer up to hold off the wind chill of -21^o C.