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

What is Influenza?

Influenza (flu) is a virus that can be easily passed from one person to another by sneezing, coughing or touching a contaminated surface. People with influenza are contagious the day before symptoms appear and up to 5 days after becoming sick with influenza.
Symptoms of influenza typically include:
• fever
• cough
• muscle aches and pain
• extreme tiredness/fatigue
• loss of appetite
• headache
Influenza typically lasts 7-10 days, or longer if you become sick with complications.
How is influenza treated?
Influenza is a virus. Antibiotics will not treat influenza. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. The treatment for influenza includes:
• rest (no school or work)
• drink plenty of fluids
• take medication to treat symptoms, i.e. cough
• time
Influenza can cause other health problems to become worse. The most common complications from influenza are pneumonia, dehydration and ear infections.
The best ways to prevent influenza are:
• Get Immunized.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Eat well, exercise, and get a good amount of sleep.
• Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer.
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

New Year – New Lifestyle

35 Things To Do in January To Begin a New Lifestyle in 2025
By: Morgan Bailee Boggess
1. Write in a journal.
2. Create a new playlist.
3. Clear out your contacts.
4. Go through your closet.
5. Start your spring cleaning early.
6. Make mornings easier with a new routine.
7. Improve your sleep hygiene.
8. Buy a planner.
9. Pick out your first book for the year.
10. Clean out your fridge.
11. Reach out to old friends.
12. Try a new coffee or beverage order.
13. Make meal planning a part of your week.
14. Find the perfect cozy blanket.
15. Schedule breaks.
16. Be kind to yourself.
17. Organize your purse or work bag.
18. Clean out your car.
19. Declutter your desktop.
20. Throw out your nasty pots and pans.
21. Evaluate your habits.
22. Rearrange your room.
23. Start a recipe box (or Pinterest board).
24. Unsubscribe from emails.
25. Evaluate your finances.
26. Change your eating habits.
27. Listen to your body.
28. Schedule your annual physical.
29. Find a therapist in your area.
30. Set professional and personal goals.
31. Make a vision board.
32. Say affirmations.
33. Send handwritten cards.
34. Learn how you learn.
35. Focus on making personal growth a priority.
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Each January, the Alzheimer Society supports and leads Canada’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
During this month, the Society encourage organizations across Canada, to learn more about dementia and its stark impact on Canadians.
By understanding what people living with dementia experience in their day-to-day-lives – their struggles, their successes and their hopes – together we can raise awareness of dementia throughout Canada.
Awareness is the first step to fighting stigma, reinforcing human rights and pushing for policy change, as well as other actions that can lift up Canadians living with dementia.
For this year’s theme, we are pleased to announce a nation-wide campaign reminding people that the Alzheimer Society is the First Link® to Support, Knowledge and Community.
What is First Link®?
When a person is diagnosed with dementia, the Alzheimer Society is the first place to turn – and First Link® is the connection to support, care, knowledge, expertise, and referrals.
First Link® is the Alzheimer Society program offering approved services and information to those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and caregivers. It encompasses the areas of Risk Reduction, Education, Living Well with the Disease, Community, Research, and Advocacy; an umbrella that brings together all aspects of the care and management of dementia in Canada.
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Fireplace Safety Tips

Wood-Burning Fireplace Safety Tips
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on an annual basis.
• Keep the area around the fireplace free from combustible materials. Place a guard or screen in front of the area, to protect children and pets.
• Make sure your fireplace’s damper is open before starting a fire so it can vent properly.
• When starting a fire never use flammable liquids. Only use a match or firelighter.
• Test the function of your fireplace by lighting small pieces of wood to make sure the smoke is exiting vertically from your fireplace. If smoke enters the room, you need to investigate why.
• Only burn dry, seasoned firewood. Lumber, painted or treated wood releases chemicals into your home, compromising air quality. Wet wood can increase creosote buildup, which can lead to chimney fires.
• Never leave an active fireplace unattended. Always fully extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
• A fireplace is not a garbage bin and is designed to only burn firewood.
Gas Fireplace Safety Tips
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on an annual basis.
• Do not move or alter the arrangement of logs in your gas fireplace. You could cover vents which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• The glass front can reach dangerously high temperatures. Place a guard or screen in front of the area, to prevent burns.
• Do not place objects near the air-circulating passageways or fans. Do not put combustible materials near the hot surfaces.
• Unusual odors or flames can indicate it is not operating properly, and you should contact a certified technician to investigate it. Do not use the fireplace until you have it checked.
• If you notice the pilot light or flames go out while it is turned on, wait five minutes or longer before relighting it. This will provide time to clear the fireplace of gas.
• Do not clean the glass of the fireplace while in use and make sure it has completely cooled down to prevent breakage. Do not use the fireplace if the glass is cracked or broken.
Always be diligent when operating a fireplace, in the event of a fire, call 911.
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Gas

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, silent, odorless toxic gas. In an enclosed space, such as a home or garage, CO exposure can lead to serious illness or death. What makes this gas so dangerous is that when you breathe it, it replaces the oxygen in your blood.
SIGNS OF CO EXPOSURE
• Headache and dizziness
• Fatigue and weakness
• Watering and burning eyes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of muscle control
If you have symptoms that you think could be caused by CO poisoning, leave the area right away, and call 911 or go to the emergency room.
WHERE DOES CO COME FROM?
Carbon monoxide is a gas produced by burning any type of fuel – gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal:
• Furnace
• Hot water heater
• Dryer
• Range
• Fireplace
• Kerosene Space Heaters
EXHAUST FROM
• Gas and diesel vehicles
• Gas-powered machines
• Wood-burning fireplaces
PREVENT CO IN YOUR HOME BY:
• Have your fuel-burning appliances checked by a qualified technician regularly according to manufacturers’ specifications
• Install CO detectors in your home near sleeping areas, regularly test the alarm.
• Follow the directions closely and know what to do if the alarm sounds.
• CO detectors are a backup safety measure. They do not replace the need to check appliances regularly and use them safely.
HOW IS CARBON MONIOXIDE POISONING TREATED?
The best treatment is oxygen therapy. Breathing pure oxygen can bring the oxygen level in the blood back to normal. There are two kinds of oxygen therapy:
• 100% oxygen therapy. For this treatment, you breathe oxygen through a mask. This is the most common treatment.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. For this treatment, you lie inside a chamber that delivers oxygen under high pressure. This quickly reduces carbon monoxide levels in the blood. With quick treatment, most people recover within a few days.
Long-term problems can show up later. Be sure to tell your doctor about any changes in vision, coordination, or behavior that occur in the weeks after treatment.
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Holiday Meals

Food plays an important role during holidays and events.
Use these 5 strategies to help make healthier food choices during the holidays or other social events.
1. Choose and offer healthier foods
As much as possible, stick to healthy foods you would normally choose. This applies when you are: hosting an event, attending a gathering or preparing a dish to share.
Try to: choose whole grain foods, make water your drink of choice and have plenty of vegetables and fruits.
Preparing dishes with these foods can help ensure you are providing and making a healthier choice.
Special holiday versions of highly processed foods are often available, where possible, limit these. If you choose these foods, choose them in smaller amounts.
2. Be mindful
Usually during celebrations or events there is a lot going on. It is easy to get distracted while eating. Remember to:
o Take time to eat – Find space where you can sit down and focus on what you are eating
o Pay attention to your food choices – When there is lots of food available or served throughout an event, it can be hard to keep track. Where possible, choose healthy foods and drinks.
o Notice your feelings of hunger and fullness – There are many reasons you may feel the need to eat or drink during a party. Make your food choices based on your hunger level.
3. Enjoy your food
It’s important that you enjoy your food. This is especially true during holidays and events when the food that’s offered or served may serve a cultural or traditional purpose.
Instead of feeling like you are missing out when it comes to less healthy food choices, have a smaller portion and take the time to savor it.
4. Think about your drink
Drinks can add additional calories, sodium, sugars or saturated fat to your meal. This is true for non-alcoholic as well as alcoholic drinks.
Enjoy carbonated water with added flavor from fruit. Plain coffee and tea can also be an option.
5. Think beyond food to celebrate
Celebrate with an activity. Try:
o going for a hike
o playing your favorite game
o taking part in an outdoor activity like skating or biking
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Holiday Pet Safety Tips

The holidays are a very hectic time of year with all sorts of new ways for your pet to find potential trouble.

Here are a few tips to help keep your pets safe and happy throughout the holiday season:


1. Christmas Plants: Keep Christmas plants out of your pet’s reach. Many, including poinsettias, mistletoe berries, holly and amaryllis can cause your pet to become ill.

2. Decorations: Be aware of decorations that could be dangerous to your animal. Watch for hooks on tree ornaments, tinsel or ribbon that is easily swallowed, and glass decorations that are prone to breaking.

3. Lights: Use caution with electrical cords; unplug your lights when you’re not around to supervise your pet. Before plugging cords back in, check to make sure your pet has not chewed them.

4. Christmas Trees: Secure your tree to the wall or ceiling with hooks and sturdy fishing line to prevent your tree from being toppled by climbing cats and curious dogs.

5. Real Trees: Cover the water at the base of the tree. Pine sap mixed with water can cause diarrhea, mouth sores, vomiting and loss of appetite. Additionally, pine needles can get lodged in an animal’s throat, causing difficulty swallowing or choking.

6. Safe Place: Visitors can make pets feel anxious. Be sure your pets have a quiet place to escape the bustle of holiday guests.

7. Identification: Be sure your pets have proper identification. The increased number of guests visiting your home provides more opportunities for your pet to slip outside.

8. Table Scraps & People Food: There are a number of foods that we enjoy that can be fatal to pets. Stick to your pet’s normal food and treats and be sure to ask your guests not to feed your pets.

9. Presents: Be aware of what you’re putting under your tree. Keep gifts out of your pet’s reach unless you know it’s pet safe. A box of chocolates ingested by your curious animal can be life threatening.

10. Wrapping Paper & Ribbons: After presents are unwrapped, be sure to promptly dispose, recycle or store away paper and ribbons as they make for dangerous choking hazards for your animal.

https://www.albertaspca.org/…/caring…/pets-the-holidays/

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

Protecting Your Mental Health During The Holidays

While the holiday season may be a time of joy for many, for others it can actually make depression and anxiety worse
Holidays aren’t magical for everyone. That’s because the “most wonderful time of the year” can be fraught with challenges and situations that affect our mental health.
Here are five ways to protect your mental health over the holidays:
1. (Too) great expectations
• You are not obliged to celebrate the holidays.
• Say no or setting boundaries.
• Ask yourself what you love about the holidays.
2. Merriment to the max
• You don’t have to buy things to show others that you care.
• Budget.
• Remind yourself of pitfalls or triggers when it comes to over-indulging.
• Don’t lose sight of exercise and sleep.
3. Trying to be the “perfect host”
• Delegate to others: ask others to help.
• Take a break from hosting, ask someone else to host this year.
4. Too much togetherness
• Remember that only you can choose what makes you happy.
• If you don’t want to stay, you’re allowed to leave.
• If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.
5. Feeling left out in the cold
• Do something special for yourself: cook yourself your favorite foods or go to a movie.
• Volunteer. By helping others, you also boost your own mental health.
• Write letters and holiday cards with invitations to connect by phone.
If you are struggling, know that there is help and hope.
If, despite your best efforts, you feel overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety or sadness, or if your negative feelings are persistent or get in the way of your daily life, you should reach out for mental health support:
• Talk Suicide Canada call – 1-833-456-4566, text – 45645
• Suicide Crisis Helpline – 988
• Mental Health Helpline – Call 1-877-303-2642
• Addiction Helpline – Call 1-866-332-2322
• Crisis Text Line – Text CONNECT to 741741
• Family Violence – Find Supports – 310-1818 (call/text, online chat)
• Income Supports – 1-866-644-5135
• Indigenous Support Line – 1-844-944-4744
• Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
Health, Home, Image, Medical, Mental Health, Posts with image, Research, standard, Text posts Jamie Gerlinger

Healthy Travel Abroad

The best way to stay healthy on your trip is to plan ahead. Talk with your doctor several months before you travel to another country.
Get needed vaccines
• Make sure you are up to date with your routine shots. They can protect you from diseases such as polio, diphtheria, and measles.
• Get other vaccines you need, here are some examples:
– Hepatitis A vaccine, traveling to developing countries.
– Yellow fever vaccine, traveling to South America and Africa.
– Typhoid fever vaccine, traveling to Central and South America, Africa and some areas of Asia.
Bring medicines with you
• If you take medicines, bring a supply that will last the length of your trip. Get a letter from your doctor that lists your medical conditions and the medicines you take. Also bring any medical supplies you may need such as blood sugar testing supplies or insulin needles.
• If you are going to an area where malaria is a risk, ask your doctor or health clinic for a prescription to help prevent infection.
• You may want to bring medicine for travelers diarrhea. Over-the-counter medicines include Pepto-Bismol & Imodium.
Make safer choices as you travel
• Purchase travel insurance before you travel.
• Practice safe sex. Using condoms can prevent sexually transmitted infections.
• In areas where mosquito-borne illnesses are found, use DEET insect repellent. Use mosquito netting to protect yourself while sleeping.
• Have drinks made with boiled water, such as tea and coffee. Canned or bottled carbonated drinks, such as soda, beer, wine, or water, are usually safe. Don’t use ice if you don’t know what kind of water was used to make it. Don’t use tap water to brush your teeth.
• Air pollution in some large cities can be a problem if you have asthma or other breathing problems.
• Be careful around dogs and other animals. Dogs in developing countries are often not tame and may bite.
• If you’re going to a place that’s much higher above sea level than you’re used to, ask your doctor how to avoid altitude sickness.
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