Community News
Support for Excessive Gambling – Service Profile

Has excessive gambling become an issue for you or someone you love? The BC Government provides British Columbians with free information and resources to support informed choices and healthy behaviours with respect to gambling participation. BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program provides services that are confidential and free of charge, funded by the Government of British Columbia. This includes *24/7 Gambling Support Line, *Outreach Support and *Personal and Group treatment. Call 1-888-795-6111 or go to BCRresponsibleGambling.ca for more information.

Avoiding Medication Mistakes

Medications play an important role in maintaining health and longevity for many of us as we get older. Taking multiple medications can be challenging. Here are some helpful hints to manage your medications effectively: Follow the instructions for each medication carefully, shake bottles of liquid medications before use, take all medications as prescribed, use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, report any unusual symptoms to your doctor, never stop taking a medications suddenly without checking with your doctor and most importantly, conduct annual medication reviews with your doctor or pharmacist.

February – Take Heart

Eating a natural whole foods diet and exercising regularly are both vital for your heart and whole health. In addition there are some key supplements to consider. *Garlic- along with eating it, enteric-coated capsules of garlic can give you a good daily dose of circulatory and immune support *Cayenne- along with seasoning food, is available in capsules gives a good circulatory boost and metabolic aid *Hawthorn- lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and prevents arteriosclerosis *CoQ10- ATP are an energy powerhouse *Omega 3 are essential fatty acids for healthy blood cholesterol and fluidity. See your health food store for more information.

Small Steps, Big Rewards

Small changes when you’re working to better your overall health and wellbeing can really add up! This year, consider some simple habit shifts like these: If you frequently find yourself reaching for junk foods, make healthy snacks like fruit and nuts available at all times to curb your cravings. Practice simple deep breathing exercises throughout the day. Count to five as you breathe in, hold your breath while you count to five again, and slowly breathe out while counting to five once more. Take a break from sitting throughout the day by taking brisk walks inside or outdoors!

Why Am I So Sensitive to Loud Sounds?

People who have hearing loss will often say that despite not being able to hear well, louder sounds still irritate them. This sensation is called recruitment. As we age, the fragile hair cells in our inner ears start to degrade, but they don’t degrade evenly. Some of them remain functional and can still detect sound waves. These healthy cells get “recruited” to work in place of dying cells and respond forcefully, resulting in the sound feeling painful and uncomfortable. Visit our hearing clinic to get an assessment today!

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical, short-term form of psychotherapy. CBT focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and the development of personal coping strategies that target current problems. CBT is “problem focused” (undertaken for specific problems) and “action-oriented” (therapist tries to assist the client in selecting specific strategies to help address those problems). This type of therapy has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders and severe mental illness.

Dentures & Dental Implants

Many denture users develop habits to hold their dentures in place when eating, speaking or laughing. These habits may lead to muscle strain, bruxism and mouth tissue sensitivity. Dental implants can be used to hold the denture in place to allow normal movement and facial muscles to relax. Patients often remark on how similar the dental implant feels to their own natural teeth because they are now able to eat, laugh and speak with confidence. Dental implants have a long demonstrated rate of clinical success. Your denturist can refer you to a qualified dentist for implant placement.

Natural Foot and Back Pain Relief

Did you know that lack of stability and balance account for a large portion of foot and back pain issues? Today, wellness consumers want products to enhance their quality of life and are asking for natural, safe solutions for more energy, pain relief and enhanced mobility. VoxxLife socks and insoles with HPT optimize the user’s stability and balance at the nervous system level and provide relief from aches and pains with drug free proven technology. Voxx Human Performance Technology (HPT) is based on 45 Years of research in Neuromuscular Science, Chiropractic Neurology and Reflexology. Come see a balance demo at the Wellnessnews Women’s Expo on February 8th at the VI Conference Centre.

Keep Skin Hydrated This Winter

Winter weather can bring uncomfortable dryness to the skin all over your body. As soon as you turn on the heat inside your house, be it electric, wood or natural gas, your skin begins to dry out. During this time, it is very important to use skincare products that hydrate, nourish and pamper the skin. If not hydrated, skin can get so dry that it begins to flake or crack. Use skin products made with pure organic essential oils and natural ingredients to nourish and repair your skin – naturally.

Your Brain

Your brain is constantly monitoring and fine-tuning what is going on in your body. Consciousness emerges from the frontal lobes of your brain. The right and left hemispheres of your brain are connected by 50 million neurons. The consistency of a brain is very much like warm butter. The fuel used to keep you moving and functioning is glucose, which comes from the carbohydrates you eat. Your brain is 85 percent water. Getting dehydrated can have bad effects on your brain, including a decrease in your ability to concentrate. Be sure to drink 8 glasses of water a day to stay healthy and alert.

Missing Teeth Can Affect Your Health

Did you know that missing some of your teeth can affect your general health and appearance and may be the reason for depression and low self-esteem? Social embarrassment is a very real problem related to worrying about missing teeth and poorly fitting dentures which may result in people avoiding social interactions. Don’t let tooth loss or improperly fitting dentures affect the quality of your life. Your denturist can explain the best ways to restore the function and appearance of your smile. Properly fitting dentures can restore your self-esteem and bring back your smile.