Health Awareness (Part VI)

Heat or Ice ... When to use which to reduce injury pain


I play tennis and as a result sometimes am very much 'in touch' with the various muscles and joints in my body.  The aches and pains remind us to pay attention to limbs/ muscles when we over use them or exercise in extreme conditions (like the really hot summer days we experienced over this glorious recent summer).


I don't know about you but I tend to get confused about when to use heat or ice to treat what ails me.  So here's a little blurb about it...


Rule of thumb...
Use cold for acute pain or a new swollen/inflamed injury.
Ice helps relieve inflammation or pain after exercising.  One should not ice for more than 20 minutes at a time.  I tend to use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to help reduce swelling at the wrist or elbow after my tennis marathons.


Use heat for chronic pain or an injury that is a day or more old.
Heat helps dilate blood vessels and increase blood circulation.  If you have an ongoing injury apply heat to the area before exercising.  I tend to use a hot water bottle or a hot damp cloth.
http://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/treating-pain-with-heat-and-cold#Heatvs.Cold1


Other suggestions for helping with sports injuries, headaches, arthritis, strains and sprains...
http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/08/should-you-use-ice-or-heat-for-pain-infographic/


Note the above does not replace seeking medical advice for serious injuries or chronic pain.


I hope this helps you make your choice on whether to turn to heat or ice when you are in pain.  Learning what our bodies need helps promote good health.  Here's to enjoying our fun filled active days...


The walk is coming up soon... looking forward to seeing you on September 12th!

Health Awareness (Part V)

Water ... H2O...


This week is world water week so I thought I would focus the health awareness theme around the importance of water in our lives.


First a bit about World Water Week... what is it?
http://www.worldwaterweek.org/
World Water Week is held in Stockholm and focuses on global water issues.  This year is the jubilee year for both the Week and the Stockholm Water Prize. The theme is Water for Development. In 2014, over 3,000 individuals and 270 convening organizations from 143 countries participated in the Week.  It is like a super-hackathon with minds melding together collaboratively to resolve water themed challenges... (something so in line with my DNA)... fun huh...


Back to Health Awareness and Water


We can last without food for weeks... water is different... our bodies can only go a few days without water and then all body functions start to fall apart.  Our bodies are made up of 60 - 70% water... and yes even our bones have water!


Lack of water, or dehydration, reduces the amount of blood in your body, forcing your heart to pump harder to circulate the blood to and from all the organs in the body.  The first signs of dehydration are dizziness, irritability and experiencing headaches... followed by clumsiness and exhaustion.


So how much water should you drink to keep your body healthy....
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256?pg=1
The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly about 13 cups (3 liters) of total beverages a day. The AI for women is about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of total beverages a day.
Of course the above varies with conditions around you.  It is also dependent on the environment you are in, if you are exercising (moderately/ intensely), if you are pregnant, or if you are ill.


Enjoy your Water Week....

Health Awareness (Part IV)

Heart Health


The Heart is an important muscular organ.  It pumps blood through the circulatory system and supplies the cells of our entire body with oxygen and nutrients and enables the removal of metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide from the cells.


In the spirit of heart month, the Ontario Pharmacists Association has put together a list of tips to help keep our hearts healthy...
https://www.opatoday.com/tips-and-common-questions/tip-sheets/tips-for-heart-healthy-families


These include:

• Learn how to do CPR and First Aid together as a family.  
• Cut back on sitting time and try walking to various activities.  
• Take a daily walk with your loved ones - incorporate three 30 min walks per week into your schedule.  
• Make fast food a treat, not a regular occurrence.
  
• Make a commitment to start cooking heart healthier.
  http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3484019/k.6437/HeartHealthy_Recipes.htm
• Try one new vegetable every month. Not many folks know what an artichoke is at the grocery store and when they pick it up have no clue what to do with it... well try googling it!http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_cook_and_eat_an_artichoke/
• Snack healthy.  I am beginning to like those celery sticks (no kidding).
• Put friend/ family exercise time on the schedule.  Scheduling exercise makes it more likely to happen. Tennis, walks, biking, hiking, playground trips...

May your heart stay strong ... enjoy your activities... and see you at the community walk on September 12th!

Health Awareness (Part III)

Creativity ... Simple Solutions Lead To Healing


Anyone who has dislocated or broken a limb knows how debilitating it can be.  Movements that were once taken for granted are limited in function.  The simple action of brushing one's teeth, combing one's hair, and yes even cooking/ eating or writing become next to impossible.  If the limb is a leg or a foot - well then there's a lot of hobbling involved.


Yes I have been through this ordeal (an event very much in the past thank goodness).  Along with the pain, the pain killers, the visits to the doctors and physiotherapists comes the multiple casts and braces.  Braces can be costly so when a creative alternative makes its way to the market as a possible option - I think wow great idea!


I have been fascinated with the whole 3D printer notion.  I think it has tons of potential.  The simplicity of using a tool that can become common mainstay to create the ingenious ideas we can come up with is fabulous.  One such idea is the creation of personalized braces to help heal limbs using 3D printers... see link...  


http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-product-design/3d-printed-casts-broken-arms-bespoke-3d-systems.html


There are endless possibilities to the level of creativity we can bring to the forefront.  Chances to heal humans and animals in a personalized way.

Health Awareness (Part II)

Nutritional Facts...


I am becoming more conscious about what I eat (no I am not quite junk food free yet but am exercising better decisions in what I pick up at the grocery store).  Seeing that we will be visiting Raw Juices on our walk - focusing on the nutritional benefits of fruits and veggies, it seemed fitting to bring up a nutritional green Moringa Oleifera I recently came across in my health related adventures.


I know my first reaction was 'what', 'ehm who'?


Here are some facts on Moringa Oleifera:
* Moringa leaves have been used as traditional medicine and in the Ayurvedic System of medicine have been said to cure ~ 300 diseases!
* A tropical tree with leaves that are rich in protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin C and Vitamin A
* 1 gram of Moringa (green powder) = 2 x Protein of yogurt
                                                            = 4 x Vitamin A of carrots
                                                            = 3 x Potassium of banana
                                                            = 4 x Calcium of milk
                                                            = 7 x Vitamin C of oranges
https://www.kulikulifoods.com/moringa
http://idealbite.com/do-not-try-moringa-oleifera-until-you-read-the-facts-about-it/
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/11/12/healing-powers-moringa/




There are some side effects linked to Moringa....
* The Moringa fruit, leaves and seeds are thought to be safe to eat - however the Moringa root may contain a toxic substance that can cause miscarriage, paralysis (click on side effects tab on link below)
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1242-moringa.aspx?activeingredientid=1242&activeingredientname=moringa


* Always check if Moringa will interact with any medications you are on before intake
* Like all things - take Moringa in moderation and keep a balanced diet (click on dosing tab on link below)
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1242-moringa.aspx?activeingredientid=1242&activeingredientname=moringa

Health Awareness (Part I)

I attended an amazing event celebrating the International Year of Light** this week hosted by the Impact Centre ...
http://www.impactcentre.ca/event/industry-day-light-based-technologies-for-healthtech


The event showcased companies within the healthcare sector that are striving to make (and are making) a difference.  Topics ranged from...
* Shining a Light on Clinical Diagnostics
* Porphysome Nanotechnology: Road to Clinical Translation
to ...
* The Canary System - A Commercialization Story of an early tooth decay detecting system (earlier than current x-ray machines)
... and more....
http://www.impactcentre.ca/light2015/jul21


What I walked away with from the session...
There are people in our society that have vast knowledge and expertise - take a look at the talent of the speakers that presented at this event.  Are we aware of their products, are we aware of the new technologies that are coming up and the applications and research that needs funding/ collaboration to bring it to the next step, can we work together with groups like Impact Centre or OBIO to take strides forward... just some food for thought...


** What is The International Year of Light about
The International Year of Light is a global initiative which will highlight to the citizens of the world the importance of light and optical technologies in their lives, for their futures, and for the development of society. It is a unique opportunity to inspire, educate, and connect on a global scale.


On 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly 68th Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015).  In proclaiming an International Year focusing on the topic of light science and its applications, the UN has recognized the importance of raising global awareness about how light-based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health. Light plays a vital role in our daily lives and is an imperative cross-cutting discipline of science in the 21st century. It has revolutionized medicine, opened up international communication via the Internet, and continues to be central to linking cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society.


Source:  http://www.light2015.org/Home.html

INFORMATION ON WALK SITES

Yonge Street Health Walk Sites
Community health services
September 12th 2015

Meeting Place – start of walk:  Yonge Blvd Parkette 3444 Yonge Str

9:30am – 9:40am

•Continuum Wellness:  3402 Yonge Street  (9:45am to 10:05am)

            We are the largest, fully integrated natural health care centre in the neighborhood, staffing 16 Registered Therapists and Licensed Health Care Professionals. The clinic is open 7 days a week with flexible and convenient appointment times for Registered Massage Therapy, Chiropractic Care, Nutrition, Acupuncture, Reflexology and Psychotherapy services

ØCommon injuries and therapies used to treat those injuries – what you need to do to help you heal and maintain good health

•The Raw Juice Company:  3345 Yonge Street  (10:20am – 10:35am)

            Have fresh juice for purchase – nutritional benefit, vitamin/ mineral intake (walkers will be given a free sample to taste)

ØVitamins / minerals found within different juices – figure out which one you may need more

•Lawrence Park Animal Hospital:  3158 Yonge Street (10:50am – 11:05am)

A veterinary hospital serving clients and patients in the Lawrence Park and neighbouring area for over fifty years. In 1992, Dr. Larry Wilder renovated the previous hospital and renamed it “Lawrence Park Animal Hospital”.

We pride ourselves in our friendly and helpful staff members and provide top notch customer service care for you and your pets. Our doctors and staff are always involving themselves in continuing education courses and keeping up-to-date with the newest and latest in veterinary medicine to be able to provide the greatest care.

Our services include boarding, diagnostic imaging, laser therapy, medicine, microchipping, nutrition counselling, surgery and wellness and prevention.  We are also part of the Potcake Rescue Group (we help find homes for Potcake puppies), they travel to us from Turk’s and Caicos, we examine them and provide any care of treatment before finding them a forever home. 

ØExtension of Love and Care – what treatments are available for your pets so that you know where to go and what to ask for

•Locke Library:  3083 Yonge Street  (11:20am – noon)

            At the neighborhood library , our keynote speaker shares his passion for transforming communities from a health perspective.

Dr. James Maskalyk  currently practices emergency medicine  and is an assistant professor at University of Toronto.  He will talk about the profound experiences he had as part of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF/Doctors Without Borders) while in Sudan, experiences shared in his book Six Months in Sudan , and his current work partnering with Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa University to develop a program that will train the country’s emergency physicians.

Over the next few weeks I plan to post general information on health related questions based on interest and what I find in my research... stay tuned!