What is the Pneumonia Vaccine (Pneumovax)?
Pneumococcal Disease (PD) is an infection caused by a type of bacteria (streptococcus pneumonia). When this bug invades the body, it can lead to serious illness, such as pneumonia. But the bacteria can also cause blood poisoning and meningitis, which is inflammation of the tissues around the brain and spinal cord. PD bacteria can travel through the air and spread by close contact, through sneezing, coughing or kissing. It can also be picked up from surfaces and objects. The most common signs and symptoms are fever, chills, sweat, aches and pains, and headaches. Who Should Get the Vaccine? People 65 and older and those with conditions that affect the immune system, such as:
About eight out of 10 cases occur in these high-risk groups. The vaccine protects against 65% of people. Vaccination also makes the disease milder for those who may catch it. Five Tips for Reducing Your Risk of contracting PD: 1. If you are 65 or older or in the risk group noted above, see your primary care provider about getting the vaccine. 2. Wash your hands 3. Be active 4. Get enough sleep, as this can help to keep your immune system strong 5. Have regular follow up visits with your primary care provider. If you are a patient of the Temagami Family Health Team and would like to have the pneumonia vaccine, please call the office to schedule an appointment. Committed to keeping you as healthy as possible! Experts estimate that up to 20% of people aged 50 and older may be low in vitamin B12, with this deficiency becoming more common as people get older.
The Most Common Problems Related to Low Vitamin B12 levels include:
As a result, Vitamin B12 deficiency can impact the quality of life of older adults. Where Do We Get Our Vitamin B12? We get it from eating meats, eggs, and dairy products. Health Canada recommends that anyone over the age of 14 get 2.4 micrograms per day – a tiny but important amount. Studies show that older adults are generally eating enough B12, yet about 1 in 4 have a vitamin B12 deficiency. This could be because as we age, our bodies are less able to absorb the vitamin B12 we eat. This is especially true when certain medications are taken, such as antacids and Metformin (used for diabetes). Why Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Often Missed in Seniors Because the symptoms – fatigue, anemia, neuropathy, memory problems, and walking difficulties – are quite common in older adults and can easily be caused by something else. Also, Vitamin B12 deficiency tends to come on very slowly, so people often go through a long period of being mildly deficient. Vitamin B12 deficiency is quite treatable – you just need to make sure it’s detected and then make sure the treatment plan raises the Vitamin B12 levels and keeps them steady. How Can we Make Sure we are Getting Enough B12? The good news is that it is generally thought that you can’t eat too much Vitamin B12. It’s safe to eat much more than the recommended daily allowance. Besides meat, eggs and dairy products, Vitamin B12 fortified foods are also good sources – for example, cold breakfast cereals, soy milk or other non-dairy milks. Vitamin B12 supplements are also available in drug stores – your health care provider or pharmacist can help you decide on the right dose for you. If you have any of the problems noted above and you’re concerned you might not be getting enough Vitamin B12, ask your health care provider for a blood test to check your B12 level. Committed to keeping you as healthy as possible! We know that Vitamin D builds stronger bones by helping our bodies absorb calcium. But recent research suggests it may have other benefits too, such as protecting against colds and fighting depression. Research is also suggesting that it may lower our risk of breast, prostate, colorectal and pancreatic cancer.
Three Ways to Get Your Vitamin D
The sun is less likely to provide your daily needs at higher latitudes, in the winter, or if you're older or dark skinned (skin pigment blocks light and the process is less efficient with age). During the winter months, when natural sunlight is reduced, light therapy has been proven to improve mood from the ‘winter blues’ and boost Vitamin D. Getting Vitamin D Through Food and Supplements Food sources of vitamin D include fortified foods such as cow’s milk, some orange juices, and soy or rice beverages. Margarine and fish, such as salmon and tuna, are also good sources of vitamin D. It’s very hard to get enough vitamin D simply from what we eat. With supplements, you ensure that you get what you need without short-changing your other nutritional requirements or exceeding your caloric intake. Adults can safely take between 1,000 and 2,000 IUs a day (from food and supplements combined). If you are a patient of the Temagami Family Health Team, call us at (705) 569-3244 to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or with our registered dietitian to see if you could benefit from a daily vitamin D supplement. We also have a light therapy box that our patients are welcome to come in and use free of charge (call the office to reserve your time). Committed to keeping you as healthy as possible! What is Heat Exhaustion?
It’s a heat related illness that you can experience after having been exposed to high temperatures, and is often accompanied with dehydration. Heat exhaustion is something that should not be taken lightly. Without proper precautions, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can damage the brain and other vital organs, and even cause death. Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
Treatment for Heat Exhaustion If you, or anyone else, has symptoms of heat exhaustion, it's important to immediately get out of the heat and rest, preferably in an air-conditioned room. If you can't get inside, try to find the nearest cool and shady place. Other recommended strategies include:
If, within 15 minutes, you’re not feeling better, you should seek emergency medical help, because untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke. The Temagami Medical Centre and Family Health Team… committed to keeping you as healthy as possible! Vaccines protect an entire population by preventing the spread of disease from one person to another…the more people immunized, the less chance there is for disease to spread. Preventing infection by immunization is a lifelong process that does not stop when you become an adult! Childhood immunization programs have significantly reduced vaccine-preventable diseases among children, but Canada's population has an increasing number of adults who remain vulnerable to these diseases. All adults should be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. As well, adults 65 years of age and older and those with conditions that increase their chances of complications (COPD or Diabetes for example) should receive one dose of pneumococcal vaccine in addition to a yearly Influenza vaccine. What is Seasonal Influenza? It’s a common and highly contagious respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs. In Canada, flu season usually runs from November to April. Most people will recover from influenza within a week or ten days, but some - including those over 65 and adults and children with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cancer - are at greater risk of more severe complications, such as pneumonia. Approximately 3,500 Canadians can die from influenza and its complications annually, depending on the season. Thinking of travelling? Be sure you are protected against illnesses such as hepatitis, typhoid, meningitis, yellow fever or Japanese encephalitis depending on where you are going. If you’re not sure what you might need and have access to a computer, you can go to http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/index-eng.php to learn about any travel advisories that may be applicable. As you grow older, you don’t outgrow your need for immunization. Whether you are a parent, a young adult or a senior, talk to your health care provider about being up-to-date on your immunizations. Preventative Health Care – the Easiest Way to Protect Your Future!
One of the main causes of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, or UV rays. UV rays are invisible, and are produced by the sun and tanning lamps. Most often, skin cancer is the result of overexposure. Most cases of skin cancer are preventable. You can reduce your risk of getting skin cancer by taking some simple but important steps. To avoid the harmful effects of UV rays, everyone should:
Remember that babies and children are at greater risk than adults because of their more sensitive skin. Talk to your health care provider about any changes to your skin like:
Preventative Health Care – the Easiest Way to Protect Your Future!
The disease, which used to kill about 40 to 50 Canadians a year in the 1920s and 30s, is now only rarely reported. But doctors who have seen what tetanus does do not forget it. The bacteria multiply and start producing toxins that force muscles into painful contractions. One of the first places where those contractions take hold is in the muscles of the jaw -- that’s where tetanus’ other name, lockjaw, comes from. Between 10 and 20% of tetanus cases die. The disease is caused by the bacteria Clostridium tetani, which are found in soil all over the world. Because the bacteria are in soil, they are also in dust, so the spores can settle on objects like the thorns of a bush or a fence. Typical tetanus stories involve gardening, which is why health care providers aggressively promote tetanus vaccination in the spring and summer. Tetanus is among the immunizations given in childhood. It’s bundled in vaccines that protect against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio. Any child who has had all of his or her shots will be protected against tetanus. Adults need a tetanus booster shot every 10 years to maintain the needed level of protective antibodies. For adults, the vaccine comes in a serum that also protects against diphtheria and pertussis. Think about tetanus this time of year, especially if you’re a gardener. And make sure your booster is up-to-date! The Temagami Medical Centre and Family Health Team ...
committed to keeping you as healthy as possible! |
AuthorEllen Ibey Archives
August 2022
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