illuminacommunications.com Blog

Congratulations to the Ville de Saint Lazare and to everyone who participated in the Snowfest.  L’Équipe d’intervention médicale enjoyed our participation, too, and we’re happy to report that the outdoor activities saw only a few minor incidents.  It was exhilarating to be part of the crowd of people taking to the great outdoors for some frolicking, playful exercise. 

Would you believe that Canadians spend an estimated 90 per cent of our time indoors?  According to Health Canada, the quality of the air we breath during this time indoors is a big concern:  “It has been shown to cause and/or exacerbate a wide array of health effects: allergies; asthma; lung cancer; respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia; ear, nose, and throat irritation and inflammation; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and many others.”  
Getting out of the stale indoor air and into the outdoors can be a boost to the spirit and a good way to enjoy wintery days.  Unfortunately, the people who spend the most time indoors – and the ones exposed to indoor air pollutants for long periods of time – are often the same people who are most susceptible to pollutants’ effects. They include the young, elderly, and chronically ill, especially those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular disease.
Saint Lazare’s First Responders have been called to people’s aid over the last few weeks for a number of problems related to breathing difficulty.  On top of the challenges of long hours spent inside in the winter and poor indoor air quality, respiratory infections are also partly to account for this.  For people who already have asthma or other respiratory conditions, an infection sometimes becomes a trigger for breathing trouble.  For others with compromised health, a viral infection like a cold can become something much more serious such as pneumonia.
For those who need to stay indoors in the winter, make sure you’re extra attentive to the air quality inside.  If you are one of the lucky ones able to get outside for some fresh air, dress properly, be attentive to slippery conditions, and don’t over do it.  And, all of us can use more often one of the most effective ways to cut down the spread of infections: that is, proper and regular hand-washing.
 

Inside or outside, anyone who experiences difficulty breathing should seek treatment.  If the difficulty is acute or extreme, remember that you can call 911 for emergency medical assistance. 
 

If you’d like to know more, contact L’Équipe d’intervention médicale at 450 455-5824.
 

Did you know that you have some power over keeping your brain healthy?  Think for a moment about how you might go about achieving a healthy brain.
 

It’s Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in Canada, a good time to think about our noggins.  Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that destroys vital brain cells. Alzheimer’s and related diseases affect an estimated 1 in 13 Canadians over the age of 65, or approximately 450,000 people. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s include a gradual onset and continuing decline of memory, changes in judgment or reasoning, and an inability to perform familiar tasks.
 

If you’ve never really thought about the connection between your brain, its health, and your overall health, you’re not alone.  A recent poll conducted by Leger Marketing for the Alzheimer Society showed that while Canadians believe in the importance of a healthy brain, they don’t completely understand what it takes to keep this vital organ at its best. 
 

Scott Dudgeon, chief executive officer of the Alzheimer Society of Canada, says that the things that keep the brain healthy are not what typically come to mind when we think about physical health. 
 

“While almost 80 per cent of people surveyed said that brain health was as important as physical health, when asked to describe a healthy person, the overwhelming majority referred to things like physical fitness and good eating habits,” says Dudgeon.  “Only five per cent associated things like being socially or intellectually active as attributes of a healthy person.”
With this in mind, the Alzheimer Society is recommending the following actions people can take to help improve their brain health.

• Challenge your brain – keep the brain active every day. For example, play games, maintain a hobby, or even try doing everyday activities in a different way, such as brushing your hair with the opposite hand. Be socially active – socializing with others helps you stay connected mentally. The more engaged you are, the better.
  
• Choose a healthy lifestyle – a healthy lifestyle is as important to brain health as it is to the heart and the rest of the body. It is important to make healthy food choices, be physically active, reduce stress, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
  
• Protect your head – use a seatbelt and wear a helmet when participating in sporting activities.
  

If you’d like to know more, visit the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada online at www.alzheimers.ca.  In an emergency, call 911.