Health Link Measles Hotline
Health Link introduced a dedicated measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434.
Call to ask about your immunization record and symptoms, or to book an immunization appointment.
Wildfire Smoke and Your Mental Health
Prolonged stretches of poor air quality can be anxiety/ stress inducing.
Having to remain indoors for prolonged periods due to poor air quality can socially isolate people. Social isolation can also impact physical health, potentially worsening pre-existing health conditions and can impact cognitive functioning.
When you have no control over a stressful situation like a disaster or emergency, you still have control over how you understand and respond to it. Learning about and using healthy coping skills to overcome daily challenges in your life is an important step to maintaining good mental health.
Tips:
• Use healthy approaches and skills you typically rely on to cope with stressful situations.
• Breathing techniques can be an effective tool to manage anxiety; take a slow deep breath in and then exhale slowly (repeat 10 times).
• Keep in mind that smoky conditions are temporary and eventually will return to normal.
• Be mindful, gently paying attention to your thoughts and feelings.
• Be sure to rest and try to get enough sleep.
• Spend more time with friends and family indoors; engage in activities that you can do together.
• Although social and family connection is important for mental health; keep in mind that everyone has different needs around the amount of time spent with others.
• Find a way to get physically active with others indoors.
• Try to model good coping skills. Talk about how you feel and how you’re going to cope so your child learns how to do the same.
• Having a strong social support network with healthy social connections is essential in life, but especially important during emergencies and disasters. Get to know your neighbors and connect with your community.
• Health Link 811
•Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642
•The Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Addiction & Mental Health: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/amh.aspx
Responding to a disaster or emergency: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/…/responding-to-disaster…
Recovery from a disaster or emergency: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/…/recovery-after-disaster…
AHS Wellness Article
How to Keep Your Pet Safe
Working and playing in the yard and garden are very popular activities for the entire family – including our pets.
Backyard Plants
Lilies pose a significant risk to both cats and dogs. Cats in particular can suffer fatal kidney damage. Tulips and daffodils are popular garden plants that are also toxic to both cats and dogs. The bulbs are the most poisonous part of the plant and should be stored appropriately if saving for future planting Mushrooms grow quite readily in our province and pet owners should be on the lookout for them Azalea/Rhododendron plants are more toxic to dogs than cats. If you suspect your pet has consumed azalea/rhododendron, seek medical attention immediately. Dieffenbachia is more common as an indoor plant but can be placed outside in warmer weather Philodendron plants, while different from dieffenbachia, have similar toxicity attributes. Philodendrons also are mostly indoor plants in our climate. Dracaena is typically an indoor plant in our climate Cannabis (Marijuana) Intoxication the incidents of cannabis intoxication in pets have increased significantly since marijuana was legalized in Canada in 2018 Chokecherry fruit is not poisonous, but the pits can be if eaten in a great enough quantity. All fruit within the Prunus family of trees and shrubs produce fruit pits that can produce natural cyanide. This includes plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, and apricots Rhubarb stems are not poisonous, but the leaves of the plant are Onions and garlic are common in our kitchens, but they can also be grown in our gardens Tomatoes, when ripe, are not toxic to pets, but unripe tomatoes, as well as the stems and leaves of the plant, can be Potatoes belong to the same nightshade family of vegetables as tomatoes and therefore can be toxic to both cats and dogs if raw. When cooked, the toxicity is reduced Mulch Ensure your mulch is free of any additional additives or chemicals that may be toxic to animalsComplete plant list: https://www.aspca.org/…/anim…/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
Eat Well. Live Well
Healthy eating is more than the foods you eat:
• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits
• Choose whole grain foods
• Eat protein foods
• Make water your drink of choice
• Be mindful of your eating habits
• Cook more often
• Enjoy your food
• Eat meals with others
• Use food labels
• Limit highly processed foods
• Remember marketing can influence your food choices
Additional information can be found here: https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/food-guide-snapshot/
Sun Awareness Month May 1-31, 2025
Sun Safety in the True North, Canada’s diverse landscapes, from Alberta’s summer heat to the snow-covered peaks of the Rockies, may vary, but one thing remains constant: the need for sun protection. No matter the season or location, UV rays never take a day off and can still pose a risk to your skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, but it’s also one of the most preventable.
Living in the True North means enjoying the outdoors, but it also calls for extra attention to sun protection. Practice these sun safety habits to help protect yourself under the Canadian sun, wherever you are.
• Seek shade during peak UV hours, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
• Check your skin regularly and visit a certified dermatologist if you notice anything unusual
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
• Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protective sunglasses
Use this simple 5-step guide to check your skin for unusual moles, spots, or changes. It’s quick, important, and it could save your life: https://dermatology.ca/…/sun-protection/check-your-skin/
Worried about a Buddy?
Men have a suicide rate 3x higher than women
Buddy up for men’s suicide prevention.
In Crisis? Call or text the suicide crisis helpline 988.
If your safety is at risk, call 911 right away
May 17 is World Hypertension Awareness Day
A day to learn about managing blood pressure for better heart health. Hypertension means there is too much pressure in your blood vessels. Over time, this can damage them and can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Managing high blood pressure may include changing what you eat, managing your body weight, being physically active, limiting alcohol, engaging in relaxation practices, reducing/ stopping tobacco use, and can include medication.
Consume more of:
– Vegetables and Fruits: They are packed with fibre and nutrients that can help lower blood pressure. Fresh, frozen or canned varieties can all help lower your risk. At meals, try to fill half your plate with vegetables and fruits.
– Whole grains: Whole grain foods include all parts of the grain and have important nutrients like fibre, vitamins, and minerals. If choosing a bread or a cereal, look for “whole” or “100% whole grain”.
– Beans, peas, and lentils: Replace meat with beans, peas, or lentils at some meals. Add kidney beans, chickpeas, and lentils to soups, casseroles, salads, and pasta sauce.
– Foods with calcium: Try to have at least 2 servings daily of calcium-rich foods like milk, yogurt, fortified plant-based beverages.
Eat or drink less off:
– Refined grains: Refined grains have parts of the grain removed when they are being processed, so they have less fibre and sometimes fewer vitamins.
– Added sugar: Sugar, syrup, or honey added to food and drinks.
– Added salt, packaged or processed food: Salt contains a mineral called sodium. Your body needs small amounts of sodium to work properly. Most Canadians eat almost 2 times the sodium they need.
– Caffeine: Caffeine is found in coffee and coffee-based drinks, tea, sodas and energy drinks. Limit caffeine to no more than 400 mg a day. This is equal to 2-3 cups or 500-750 mL of coffee.
When you start with small changes, eating what you eat or drink seems more manageable—your heart will thank you for it.
Visit: ahs.ca/nutritionhandouts and search “Nutrition and Lifestyle Choices to Manage Blood Pressure”.
AHS Wellness Article
Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 11-17
Raise awareness by sharing “Food Allergy Myths and Facts”
Myth: Food allergies are not that serious.
Fact: Food allergies can be a life-threatening disease.
Myth: Eating a little bit of a food that you are allergic to won’t hurt you.
Fact: Even a trace amount of a food allergen can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis in some people.
The food a person is allergic to must be completely removed from their diet for them to stay safe and live well.
Myth: Each reaction will get worse and worse.
Fact: Food allergy reactions are unpredictable.
Myth: Food allergies are the same as food intolerances.
Fact: Food intolerance does not involve an immune system reaction.
Myth: If a food allergy test is positive, you have a food allergy.
Fact: Positive skin prick or blood test results for a food allergy are not always accurate and can sometimes give “false positive” results.
Myth: Peanut allergy is the most dangerous food allergy.
Fact: No single food allergy poses a greater threat than another.
Myth: A food allergy always develops in childhood.
Fact: A food allergy can occur at any age, well into adulthood.
Myth: Antihistamines will stop an allergic reaction.
Fact: Antihistamines can help relieve some symptoms like an itchy mouth or skin, but they DO NOT stop anaphylaxis.
Myth: Once you develop a food allergy, you cannot outgrow it.
Fact: It is possible to outgrow your food allergies with age.
However, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are less likely to be outgrown.
Myth: If you don’t have an allergic reaction within 30 minutes of being exposed to your allergen, you won’t have one.
Fact: Symptoms can start within a few seconds of eating a food allergen, but it can take up to 2 hours for symptoms to appear.
Myth: If a food doesn’t traditionally contain an allergen, or you don’t see the allergen listed in the description, it’s safe to eat.
Fact: Allergens can appear in unexpected places.
Answers for the Hearing Aid Consumer: Fictions and Frontiers
On May 8th, 2025 become a wise consumer of the hearing aid industry!
Call H & H Optical and Hearing Centre to RSVP for this event (403) 823-2020
Thursday May 8th, 2025 at 1pm – The Pioneer Trail Senior Centre
Understanding Prediabetes
Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but are not yet high enough to be classified as Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). T2D is a chronic condition where the body is unable to use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar that may result in other complications like heart disease or nerve damage.
What causes prediabetes?
Our body uses blood sugar (glucose) for energy. The hormone insulin helps move the glucose into our cells to be used for energy. In prediabetes, insulin does not work as well as it used to.
For people with prediabetes, it is important to know that blood sugar levels are affected by what and when you eat. Tips for eating to manage blood sugars include:
1. Limit juices and drinks with added sugar: Choose whole fruit or flavor water with lemon or lime.
2. Eat 3 meals a day, with about 4 to 6 hours between meals. This can manage blood sugar and feelings of hunger.
3. Build your plate according to Diabetes Canada: Cover ½ your plate with vegetables. Cover ¼ of your plate with whole grain products or starchy vegetables. Put protein foods on the remaining ¼. Visit diabetes.ca/nutrition to find the healthy eating section with additional tips.
4. Choose foods with fibre: Aim for 30 grams or more per day.
Fibre slows down digestion and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
5. Choose unsaturated fats: Prediabetes increases the risk of developing heart disease. Replacing saturated fat in the diet with unsaturated fat can help decrease this risk.
Getting active to prevent prediabetes
Physical activity helps your body use insulin to lower blood sugar levels. Start slowly and build up to 30 minutes each day, 5 to 7 days a week. Brisk walking, swimming, cycling, or resistance training. Even a brief 10-minute walk after a meal has been shown to improve blood sugar levels
Excess body weight is a factor that may contribute to having prediabetes and the development of T2D. A reduction as little as 5% of initial weight can greatly reduce the risk of developing T2D.
Set achievable goals and take small, gradual steps to ensure that your approach is sustainable.