Phone:

(403) 823-3345

Address:

140 Riverside Dr E, Drumheller, AB, T0J 0Y4

Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but are not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Although not everyone with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes, many people will.
Understanding prediabetes
Symptoms, treatment, and complications from prediabetes may vary from person to person. Managing your blood sugar can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. The key is a healthy lifestyle.
The most common signs and symptoms of diabetes are:
• unusual thirst
• frequent urination
• weight change (gain or loss)
• extreme fatigue or lack of energy
• blurred vision
• frequent or recurring infections
• cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• trouble getting or maintaining an erection
Prediabetes is a precursor for type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your body can’t make enough insulin, or your body is unable to properly use the insulin it makes. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body to control the level of sugar in your blood.
If your body can’t use its insulin properly, glucose (sugar) builds up in your blood instead of being used for energy. This excess sugar in your blood causes problems and can lead to serious health complications.
It’s important to take a prediabetes diagnosis seriously because some long-term complications associated with diabetes—such as heart disease—may begin during prediabetes.
Preventing type 2 diabetes
The good news is that more than half of people with prediabetes can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Taking steps now to improve your lifestyle can make a huge difference and lead to a healthier future.
If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by:
– Follow a health-promoting diet such as Canada’s Food Guide
– Exercise regularly, start with a 10-minute walk three times a week and start slowly increase to 150 minutes per week
– Discuss weight management with your healthcare provider
– Add more vegetables to your plate
– Cook meals at home more often
– Choose whole-grain foods
– Drink water instead of soda or juice
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

We’re Hiring!

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
21 hours a week – Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9am – 5pm
For a full job description please see our news page: https://drumhellerassociatedphysicians.ca/news/
Please submit a cover letter with your resume via Indeed: https://ca.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=18c848d153038aa9…
or email to: [email protected]
Only successful applicants will be contacted
Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

1) Reduce your risk
Decreasing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes involves making lifestyles changes. Eating healthy, moving more, and losing weight if you live with overweight or obesity are the most effective things you can do to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Even if you’ve already been told that you have prediabetes or that you have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you can still make changes that can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.
2) A healthy eating plan
Diet is the most important part of lifestyle change. Small changes can make a big difference and help you take those first few steps to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
A good first step is to include more vegetables, more plant-based protein such as beans and lentils, whole grains, dairy, lean meat, oily fish, nuts and healthy oils such as olive oil. You can also reduce consumption of highly processed foods, refined grains such as white bread, sugary food and sugary drinks.
3) Movement and exercise
Movement and exercise can also help you prevent diabetes. Just a little extra activity each day can go a long way.
Start with limiting the amount of time spent sitting. Interrupt your sitting time by standing up and moving around briefly every 20 to 30 minutes.
Another goal could be to get at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week (like walking, bicycling or jogging). Smaller amounts of activity can still have healthy benefits.
4) Weight management
If you have pre-diabetes, an eating and exercise plan that helps with weight management can help to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. Research shows that if you live with obesity, losing just 5% of your initial body weight can prevent type 2 diabetes from developing. Speak to your healthcare provider about a plan that can work for you.
Start by changing one thing at a time and try to set realistic goals. Too many changes can be overwhelming, small changes can build lasting habits over time.
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

November is Diabetes Awareness Month – Let’s Make Time to Learn More

Living with diabetes can feel like a full-time job, but many people don’t understand the challenges that come with managing this complex, often invisible condition. Let’s change that.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas.
Insulin’s role is to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Blood sugar must be carefully regulated to ensure that the body functions properly. Too much blood sugar can cause damage to organs, blood vessels, and nerves. Your body also needs insulin to use sugar for energy.
Types of diabetes
There are three major types of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common diagnosis, followed by type 1 diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is usually temporary. In addition, prediabetes is another important diagnosis that indicates an elevated risk of developing diabetes.
Type 1
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes aren’t able to produce their own insulin (and can’t regulate their blood sugar) because their body is attacking the pancreas. Roughly 10 percent of people living with diabetes have type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes. It generally develops in childhood or adolescence but can also develop in adulthood. People with type 1 need to inject insulin or use an insulin pump to ensure their bodies have the right amount of insulin.
Type 2
People with type 2 diabetes can’t properly use the insulin made by their bodies, or their bodies aren’t able to produce enough insulin. Roughly 90 percent of people living with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It is most commonly developed in adulthood, although it can also occur in childhood, it can sometimes be managed with healthy eating and regular exercise alone, but may also require medications or insulin therapy.
If you think you or someone you know may have type 2 diabetes, please speak to a doctor or health-care provider.
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

We’re Hiring

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Part-Time Position

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Clinic Nurse is responsible for supporting patient care in the clinic in accordance with established clinical guidelines.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES

  • Set up room and instrument trays for procedures as appropriate (e.g. mole removal, PAP, competes, etc.)
  • Greet and escort patient to exam room; provide instructions to prepare patient for visit (e.g. disrobing)
  • Complete driver medicals and aviation medicals as scheduled (training will be provided, if needed)
  • Assist physician with medical procedures as needed, including dressings, suture removal, and PAP test
  • Monitor exam room occupancy to ensure exam rooms are filled
  • Take patient vitals (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure) and conduct any pre-work as appropriate to patients’ symptoms, attributes or reasons for visit (e.g. glucose test, urinalysis, temperature, vision, lung capacity, etc.)
  • Complete medical forms with patient demographics
  • Patient injections, as scheduled
  • Patient ear irrigation, as scheduled
  • Complete vaccine reconciliation reporting
  • Clean and restock exam rooms
  • Autoclaving – Clean, sterilize and repackage medical instruments (training will be provided, if needed)
  • Record medical fridge temperatures
  • Provide patient education to support patient wellness
  • Receive incoming phone calls from pharmacy, Home Care, patients, and other physicians; take messages or consult physician
  • Book tests and referrals for urgent referrals and patients who need assistance
  • Check EMR on an ongoing basis for instructions from physician
  • Chart all assistant’s actions into the EMR in patient charts e.g. record faxes sent, Rx refills, immunizations, allergy injections
  • Ensure sharps and biohazard waste is disposed of appropriately
  • Monitor general clinic medical supply inventory, re-order, and stock supplies
  • Perform other related duties, as required

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

  • Able to prioritize and manage multiple processes and tasks
  • Maintain focus on the patient needs
  • Perform tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment
  • Proficient computer skills or ability to learn computer skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Able to remain calm with difficult patients
  • Maintain confidentiality of patient information
  • Willing to learn new skills

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Certification/Fully licensed by CLPNA

Designations

  • Fully qualified LPN

Education / Experience

  • Several years clinic experience is an asset

Job Type: Part Time – 21 hours per week

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

Work Location: In person

Job Type: Part-time: 21 per week

 

Please submit a cover letter with your resume via Indeed or email to: [email protected]

 

Only successful applicants will be contacted

 

Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

National Child Day

November 20 is National Child Day in Canada.
There are 8 million kids in Canada, and they all have something in common—their rights!
This year’s theme, #8MillionEmpowered, highlights our collective goal to empower all 8 million kids in Canada by defending their rights and ensuring they have the support to thrive. Children and youth are not merely future dreamers, but present-day innovators, leaders and changemakers. They are setting the stage for a brighter, more inclusive Canada with compassion, courage and conviction. Empowered young people can make a difference now, not just someday.
Did You Know?
There are 4 groups of rights for children:
1. Survival rights
2. Development rights
3. Protection rights
4. Participation rights
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