Health News – Riverbend Pharmacy And Medical Clinic

Can You Taste the Fresh, Cool Air? Spring is Here: Get Active! Discover 5 ways your pharmacist can help.

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 12:46:00 GMT

It can be hard to get motivated in the winter when it’s cold, dreary and dark, and that throw blanket is just so comfy! The good news is, spring is here. So, step outside and take a long, deep breath of cool, fresh air.

Now listen closely. Do you hear what your muscles are telling you? That’s right. They are practically yelling at you to get active, get moving, go for a walk or resume your morning runs. Listen to them.

The Government of Canada recommends that adults between the ages of 18 and 64 be active for at least two and a half hours per week. They recommend getting your heart rate up with some aerobic activity (also known as cardio) in spurts of at least 10 minutes at a time.

What are the benefits of aerobic exercise?

Even if you are not an athlete, doing cardio exercises regularly will benefit you in many ways. Regular exercise can improve your overall health and help you better manage any illness and disease. The list of benefits includes but is not limited to:

So to sum it all up, regular exercise will lead to a lighter, happier and healthier you! The best part is that you only need 10 free minutes at a time to reap these rewards.

Need some ideas for cardio activities?

Try any of the following, just remember to put in your best effort at whichever you choose in order to maximize the benefits.

In an article titled “ Health Reports: Ten-year trend in physical fitness among Canadian adults ” Statistics Canada states that “ High physical fitness is associated with many health benefits and is a strong predictor of future morbidity and mortality.”

It is never too late to develop healthy habits and positively impact your health. Start small, start simple, but start!

Great ideas, but when can I find the time?

It can feel impossible to find the time to get active in our busy lives, especially if you have a family to take care of. The key is to remember that you will be better able to care for others if you feel good! Many of the activities in the list above can be done in short bursts of time. Here are some ideas for when you can squeeze in a quick cardio session:

And what about motivation?

There are a million ways to get motivated, the key is to find one that works for you. I can’t list all of the ways here, but here are two of the most common. Try them out, do some research, make some changes and do what works for you. It doesn’t really matter how you get motivated, so long as you are keeping active.

Why you should speak to your pharmacist

Pharmacists can help you be safe while active in a number of ways. Drop by the Riverbend pharmacy and speak to one of our pharmacists for personalized advice on how to be active and live a healthy lifestyle regardless of your medical history and circumstances. We always love to chat with our customers.

Here are some services that we offer that you may want to take advantage of this spring in your efforts to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle.

Pharmacists often see their patients more often than doctors do, and as a result, are in a unique position to be able to help screen and identify at-risk patients. The key is to communicate with your pharmacist how you are feeling and your symptoms whenever you go into the pharmacy.

5. Pregnancy and Healthy, Active Living: You want to be active while pregnant and you understand the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle, especially for the health of your baby, but you are always nauseous or experiencing heartburn and it feels like you’ll never be able to exercise again.

Speak with a pharmacist. They can help you manage your nausea and suggest the appropriate vitamins/minerals and medications to help with nausea and heartburn and to keep you and the baby healthy throughout your pregnancy. They can also double-check that any medications prescribed by your doctor are safe for your baby.

You can get these symptoms under control and live the active lifestyle that you want with the help of your pharmacist.

No matter what your life currently looks like or what obstacles lie in your way, it is possible to become more active and improve your health. Spring is the season of new beginnings, so why not start your new story of healthy, active living right now. Speak to a pharmacist to safely get started, get fit and get active.

Until next time,

Nathalie Jolivet

7 Things Your Pharmacist Can Do Instead of Your Family Doctor That Will Surprise You!

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 15:59:00 GMT

Are you tired of having to wait forever to see your family doctor for every little thing? I know I was, which is why I went on a search to find out what, exactly, a pharmacist is able to do. I was surprised by some of the things that I found, and it turns out that a visit to your pharmacist could save you from having to take time off of work to visit your family doctor.

1) Prescription Renewal

`As of December 11th, 2020 pharmacists are now able to renew a patient’s medication for up to 1 year. This service has made life much easier for those who know that it exists! If you are on regular medications for an ongoing condition and you know that your medications are running low, instead of making that doctor’s appointment, visit your local pharmacist instead and ask if they are able to renew it for you. Sure, you’ll still need to visit your family doctor once per year, but you still need your annual check-up, right?

2) Administering Vaccines and Immunizations

Pharmacists are fully trained and able to administer vaccines and immunizations to individuals 2 years of age and older. These include regular childhood immunizations, travel vaccines, flu shots, and covid-19 vaccines.

Children under the age of 2 still need to visit their family doctor to be immunized, but everyone else can take advantage of this service. Call your local pharmacy today to book your appointment and make sure you keep up to date with your immunizations.

3) Medication Compounding Services

Certain pharmacists, like the ones at Riverbend Pharmacy in London ON, are trained to be able to compound medications specifically for you. What does that mean? Well, let’s say that you are allergic to gluten and the medication that your doctor prescribed contains gluten, the pharmacists at Riverbend can compound (mix) a medication specifically for you that contains the same actual medicine, but no gluten! They can also add flavour to medications to make them easier to give to a baby or a pet. Yes, they compound medications for pets, too.

Here’s another scenario: Your elderly mother has trouble swallowing pills these days and she has pills that she needs to take every day. You are confused and anxious because you know that she has to take her medicine, but you don’t know how to help. It’s upsetting watching her gag while she tries to get them down.

If you come to a compounding pharmacy like Riverbend, they can change your mother’s pills into a liquid form so that she can take the medication that she needs without the struggle and stress.

4) Counselling Services

A registered pharmacist in Ontario knows more about drugs than your regular family doctor does. It is their job to know all about:

Everyone should speak with their pharmacist and educate themselves about the medications that they are taking. It is important to ensure that our diet and habits aren’t making our medications less effective, or worse, dangerous!

There are a number of ways that your pharmacist can counsel you and make sure that you are getting the most from your medication.

New prescription conference:

The most common way is to have a mini-conference with your pharmacist whenever you are prescribed a new medication. This is very common practice and chances are you’ve had one of these conferences before.

The pharmacist will go over any important information about your new medication including when to take it and warn you of any possible side effects and drug interactions. For most of us who are only on 1 or 2 medications at a time, this is enough, but for those taking 3 or more prescribed medications, it can be tough to remember all of the do’s and don’ts.

MedsCheck:

That’s where MedsCheck comes in. MedsCheck is a service provided by all pharmacies where a person who has a chronic illness and is taking 3 or more prescription drugs is eligible for a yearly consultation with the pharmacist.

This consultation includes a review of all the medications you are currently taking and also any non-prescription drugs or vitamins that you are on. The pharmacist will take you to a separate and private space where you can go over each medication and discuss how to properly take them, what to avoid when taking them (drug interactions), side effects etc… and can answer all of your questions.

This is a great time to voice concerns about how the medication is making you feel if you are having trouble remembering to take it etc…

Make sure to take notes so that you can remember what was said and ensure to get the most from your medication.

5) Change your prescription dose

If you are having issues with your medications you should always tell your pharmacist. In Ontario, a pharmacist can change the dose of your prescription or how often you take it, if needed so that you get the treatment that you need to feel your best. Your pharmacist may decide to change your dose for the following reasons:

Remember that pharmacists are drug experts, and you can feel confident and safe trusting them to help you handle your medications. As mentioned above, they can change the form of your medication, too if needed.

6) Prescribe medications to quit smoking

If you or someone you know wants to quit smoking but is having trouble doing it on their own, they don’t need a visit to the doctor to get help. Pharmacists in Ontario are able to prescribe medications to help individuals quit smoking.

If you live in London, ON come visit Riverbend Pharmacy and speak with one of our professional and trusted pharmacists. They will speak with you about your situation in a confidential setting and tailor a program specifically for you. Quitting smoking is possible, and it is within your reach!

7) Help manage pregnancy symptoms

Pregnancy should be a time to radiate with happiness, not gag at the sight of… well, everything! When you aren’t feeling so hot the last thing you want to do is make another appointment and have to go back to the doctor again just to find relief.

Pharmacists can help you manage your pregnancy symptoms including nausea in ways that are completely safe for you and your baby. Speak to your local pharmacist to find out more details on treatment options and tips for feeling your best while pregnant.

Whenever you are thinking of taking a vitamin, mineral or another drug while pregnant, be sure to ask your pharmacist if it is safe. They will also go over any medications prescribed to you during your pregnancy to ensure that they are safe for you and for your baby.

What’s in the works for the future?

Imagine being able to visit your local pharmacy and get prescription allergy relief instead of having to suffer while you wait for your family doctor to become available? Or, getting antibiotics and pain relief fast when you get a painful UTI?

There is a draft pending approval from the government right now that would allow pharmacists to prescribe medication for certain common illnesses including:

For more information on this and for the complete list of “minor ailments” included under this draft, visit the Ontario College of Pharmacists .

Should this draft be approved, it will have a very positive impact on our healthcare system in Ontario. Not only will it free up our doctors to deal with more complex and/or important issues in a timely fashion, but it will allow us (the patients) to get medical attention more quickly for simple things. I will certainly keep an ear out and let you know if and when it gets approved.

The takeaway from this post is that pharmacists in Ontario are drug experts that are very useful medical professionals. They can help you and your loved ones manage many aspects of your health care and well-being, and they know more about drugs than your family doctor does. Lean on them in times of need, and make sure to utilize all of the wonderful services that they offer instead of having to take time off of work and make appointments with your family doctor.

Until next time, keep safe, keep healthy and enjoy the coming of spring!

Nathalie Jolivet

Planning A Trip Over the March Break? Here’s What You Should Know.

Sat, 26 Feb 2022 12:04:00 GMT

In a normal year, you’d hop from province to province, fly to Florida to enjoy some sun or around the world to visit family. You wouldn’t even think twice. Unfortunately, this is not a normal year and planning a trip can take a little more effort.

We are still in a pandemic, and so there are things that you need to know before hopping on that plane, train or automobile.

Vaccinations and Immunizations

Is your family up to date on all of their regular vaccinations? It is always a good idea to double-check that everyone in the family is up to date with all of their regular vaccines and immunizations when in the beginning stages of planning a trip.

Travel Vaccinations

You should also ask your pharmacy if there are any special immunizations that they would recommend for the area in which you are travelling. You need to get vaccinated 4 weeks before travel to make sure that these vaccines have enough time to take effect and protect you. Speak to a pharmacist for information that is specific to where you are going.

Covid-19 vaccination

Are you all fully vaccinated against covid-19? Many countries around the world are not allowing visitors in unless they are fully vaccinated. This means that the individual has had their 2nd covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the date of travel.

If you’d like to get vaccinated for Covid-19 at Riverbend Pharmacy, fill out our online vaccine registration form .

Booster shots are also available for any Ontario resident that is 18+ who has had their last covid-19 vaccination at least 3 months ago. Visit the same link as above to book your booster shot, today.

Rapid Antigen Testing

No matter where you are going or for how long, it is always a good idea to get a rapid covid test done before you leave, for peace of mind and safety. Many pharmacies in Ontario will do a rapid covid test for you, which takes about 30 minutes of your time.

Even if you aren’t planning to travel, it may still be a good idea to get a rapid antigen test done before you visit friends and family. This will help stop the spread of the virus, and also help to keep you and your family safe.

You can come into Riverbend pharmacy to get your rapid antigen test done if:

International Travel Restrictions

Rules for Re-entry into Canada

If you are travelling outside of Canada this March break, then you should be aware of the re-entry requirements needed to return to Canada . As of today, only those considered fully vaccinated can enter Canada or return to Canada. These requirements change regularly, so keep checking the link above for the most accurate information.

Here’s what you should know:

No matter how you choose to travel this March, when you return to Canada you may be chosen to do a randomized Covid-19 test at the border.

Visit the same Government of Canada link above for more information and a checklist of what you will need to have ready at the border.

Domestic Travel

When travelling around Canada domestically, all individuals over the age of 12 (+4 months) must be fully vaccinated to board a plane or a train. Even if you are driving, you should visit the Provincial and Territorial Restrictions page to find the specific requirements for the province or territory that you would like to visit.

Some provinces have a self-isolation period in effect, while others don’t. Some provinces are asking everyone to self-isolate, while others only make the unvaccinated do so. The period of self-isolation may also differ between the provinces. The main thing to note is that the situation is changing daily and new restrictions are being put into force because of the Omnicron variant, so just keep checking and make sure that you are complying with the provincial and local guidelines.

What’s the Difference Between Rapid Antigen Testing and PCR Testing?

Rapid antigen tests are considered less effective than PCR testing, and they test for protein fragments of the Covid-19 virus. You get your results within 15 minutes too, which means that they are a good option for someone who wants to visit a public venue or be in close contact with individuals outside their household.

Want to grab a latte with a friend over the break? Grab a rapid test first, and then go and enjoy!

PCR which stands for ( polymerase chain reaction) tests are considered much more accurate. These are the type of testing that doctors give you, and that you need to do when you travel.

For this type of test, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to find the genetic material of Covid-19. You can’t get this type of test done everywhere, you have to find a location near you that offers PCR testing.

If you are local to London, Ontario then you can visit Hamilton Pharmacy to get your PCR test today.

Whether you are travelling to visit friends or relatives that you haven’t seen in a while or holing up in the comfort of your own home, I wish you a happy March break. Get outside and enjoy the almost spring air, be safe and have fun.

Until next time,

Nathalie Jolivet

5 New Year’s Resolutions That Your Pharmacist Can Help You Achieve

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 16:46:00 GMT

It’s almost that time again. Can you feel it? The long-awaited anticipation of a brand new year and a brand new start! It’s like breathing in a big, fresh gulp of cool, fall air. It’s also time to make your New Year’s resolutions. What will yours be? Many Canadians are hoping to win the battle over their weight, get some more zzz’s, make exercise a part of their daily lifestyle or even travel more (covid has many of us feeling chained down).

Believe it or not, your pharmacist can assist you in reaching all of these goals.

1. Losing Weight

Did you know that about 1 in 4 adults in Canada are considered obese? Weight management is an issue that hits home for many of us. It can be a constant struggle and involve way more than simply eating right and exercising. Here’s how a pharmacist can help:

A) Medications:

Many medications have side effects and sometimes one of those is weight gain, which you may not know about. You should speak to your pharmacist about the medications that you are currently taking, and see if they can recommend an alternative that may help with your goal of weight loss.

B) Vitamins and Minerals:

There is so much information out there on how to eat right, what vitamins and minerals are most important and which diets are the healthiest that it is overwhelming. Sometimes we just don’t know who to believe, and we need help.

A pharmacist can help speak to you about the vitamins and minerals that may help, and make sure that there are no conflicts between your current medications and the supplements that you wish to take.

Regardless of whether you need help deciding which supplements might be best for you, you should still speak with your pharmacist about the ones you are taking or want to start taking, just to make sure that there are no conflicts.

If you aren’t currently on any medications, then the pharmacist can alert you to potential conflicts that you may face down the road, so that you know ahead of time and can keep safe.

If you wish to have more support on your weight loss journey, visit the Riverbend walk-in clinic and they can refer you to a weight-management specialist that can help you reach your weight loss goals in a healthy and safe way.

2. Quit Smoking

Smoking can be one of the hardest habits to kick, but that doesn’t make it impossible. You will need the support of your family and friends, and the help of a pharmacist to come up with a plan of action.

A) The Plan:

2) Withdrawal Symptoms to Manage

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , common withdrawal symptoms of nicotine include:

Your pharmacist may be able to help you manage some of these withdrawal effects to make them more manageable. They may be able to use nicotine replacement therapies to ease you out of your addiction. These therapies may include patches, chewing gum or lozenges.

Withdrawal symptoms will fade over time so long as you are able to avoid nicotine.

What You Can Look Forward To:

According to the Canadian Lung Association , the benefits of quitting smoking start as soon as 8 hours after your last puff! Here is a breakdown:

The benefits of quitting continue up to 15 years after you’ve quit, but you get the picture right? Quitting improves your quality of life immediately, so contact the Riverbend pharmac y and get started on your plan to quit, today.

3. Getting Better Sleep

Adults between the ages of 18-64 need between 7-9 hours of sleep each night, but many of us aren’t getting even close. According to Statistics Canada , one-third of Canadian adults aren’t getting enough sleep each night.

Maybe you are one of the many that have decided to make sleep a priority in 2022. I’d say that is a great decision considering sleep has been linked to many, many parts of your overall health including weight gain, mental health, ability to learn and stress.

So how can a pharmacist help?

At the end of the day, the small changes will be up to you. Turn off your phone 1 hour before bedtime, go to bed at a decent time to allow for between 7-9 hours of sleep and keep on top of daily stress to help yourself sleep better.

When you are doing these things and still not finding results, then a pharmacist can help you improve the quality of your sleep. Still have questions? Give us a call at Riverbend pharmacy.

Regular Exercise

Heart & Stroke recommends at least 150 minutes of intense activity per week. You can break that up however you like, as long as it’s for a minimum of 10 minutes at a time. For some of us, that seems like no big deal, we walk the dog almost every day anyway, right? For others, this is impossible.

When it feels impossible, start small and set little goals that increase each week, until you are hitting the 150 minute mark. Want an example?

Week 1: You could start with a 10 minute walk each lunch hour, around the building or even inside if it’s not nice outside. That’s 50 minutes of activity for the week.

Week 2: Add on a 20 minute walk Saturday and Sunday and you are at 90 minutes.

Week 3: Shoot some hoops with your kids for 20 minutes after school on Tuesday and Thursday. That’s 130 minutes.

Week 4: Have a 10 minute dance party in your living room on Monday and again on Friday! Disclaimer: you may get more than the recommended 150 minutes if you try this, as you could become addicted.

How Can A Pharmacist Help?

Getting enough exercise can promote energy and help you sleep better. In fact, exercise and sleep work so well together, that you may consider making 2 New Year’s Resolutions instead of 1.

Travel

The pandemic has left many of us feeling tied to our homes this past few years. Maybe your New Year’s Resolution is to get out and travel more, whether it’s local, domestic or international. Maybe your goal is to just get outside, see new things and experience new adventures.

There are many things that you can still do during the pandemic now that we have the technology and knowledge to keep ahead of the spread. Just keep an eye on local regulations and make sure that you aren’t breaking any rules with your plans.

How a Pharmacist Can Help

1) Rapid covid testing:

Consider coming into the pharmacy and getting a rapid antigen test done right before you head out. It takes only 30 minutes of your time and will give you peace of mind before you begin your adventure.

2) Covid-19 Vaccinations and booster shots:

All Ontarians who are 5 years old and up are eligible to get their covid-19 vaccine. Contact the pharmacy to inquire about pediatric shots if you would like your children to be vaccinated.

The covid-19 booster shot is now open and available to all Ontarians who are 18 years old or older. Book yours today with the online booking form and stay on top of your covid-19 vaccinations.

If you aren’t fully vaccinated but would like to be, fill out the booking form and they can help you with that, too.

All covid-19 vaccinations should be administered at least 14 days before you plan to leave.

3) Travel Immunizations

Depending on where you are going, there may be illnesses and diseases that can be prevented with the proper immunization. Some of these preventable illnesses can be quite serious and possibly lead to death. Talk to a pharmacist about where you’re going to find out if they recommend that you get any immunizations.

You need to do this at least 4 weeks before you leave so that the immunizations have enough time to take effect and keep you protected while you are away.

4) Medications:

There are some common travel ailments like motion sickness, diarrhea and upset stomach that every traveller should be prepared to face. Stop into the pharmacy and ask them what they would recommend that you have handy on your trip so that you can spend your days enjoying the views instead of in the hotel bathroom.

They can also help you organize your current medications to make things super easy to keep track of while you are away. Ask them about their Compliance Packaging service and how it may be of help to you.

As you can see, a pharmacist is a very versatile professional who can help you out with many, many things from quitting smoking to travelling. They are medication experts that can help tailor your medications specifically to suit your needs, and they are more than happy to share their knowledge and skills with you. They can help you get you started on the right path towards achieving your 2022 New Year’s Resolutions.

I hope you ring in the New Year surrounded (maybe virtually) by friendly faces and family and have a very Happy New Year.

Until next time,

Nathalie Jolivet

Discover the Benefits of Compounding Medications

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 13:43:00 GMT

What Are the Benefits of Compounding Medications ?

Medical compounding is the process of mixing more than one medication together to meet the exact needs of a patient. In order for a pharmacy to be able to provide this service, the pharmacist must be licensed in compounding medications. Because of this, there aren’t many pharmacies that offer this service.

What Can A Pharmacist Do When Compounding Medications?

A pharmacist can:

1) Change the form of the medication. Different forms include but are not limited to:

2) Change the ingredients in a medication.

3) Add or change the flavour of the medication.

4) Add or remove colouring from the medication.

5) Individualize the dosage of medication for a specific patient.

Why Would Anyone Need This?

There are many reasons why people need their medication to be compounded:

1) If you have an allergy to something in the medication, then a licenced pharmacist can remove it and mix you a different medication that has the same dosages that you need, but without the ingredient that you are allergic to.

2) If you need a specific dose of medicine that isn’t produced by manufacturers, then a compounding pharmacy like Riverbend Pharmacy can mix the medication for you in exactly the dosage that you need it. They make it specific to each patient’s needs.

3) If a patient has trouble swallowing pills (elderly or pediatric), then the pharmacist can create a syrup version of the same medicine to make it easier for the patient to take.

4) Compounding medications is also a great way to change the flavour and colour of a medicine for a baby or young child to make it more appealing and hopefully taste good for them.

5) It is also used for veterinary services and animal medications.

Did you know that….

Compounding Medications to Help With Pregnancy Challenges

Pregnancy is the best of times, and it can be the worst of times. It is different for everyone, and some get the yucky side effects more than others, but all pregnant women have challenges to deal with.

For many, one of those challenges is nausea. The doctor can prescribe a pill, but some pregnant ladies can’t even think about swallowing a pill or they’ll vomit. Others can, but the medications aren’t working for them.

How can a compounding pharmacy help?

A few months later, POP there they are…a whole bunch of stretch marks. Now what? Speak to a pharmacist who specializes in compounding medications and see what solutions they can offer you.

They should be able to mix a prescription from your doctor with other natural remedies to create something that actually works. They will also make sure that whatever they create for you will be completely safe for you and for your baby.

Don’t see your need on this list? Don’t get discouraged, talk to your compounding pharmacy to see if there’s something that they can suggest for you.

Make sure to mention the medications that you are taking, how far along you are, any allergies, and anything else that you feel is important for them to know before they formulate a medicine for you.

Veterinary Compounding

We love our pets, and when our pets get sick it can be a terrifying time for your family. Trying to give them their medications can be next to impossible, but they need these medications to get better. What can you do? You can talk to a pharmacist who is qualified in compounding medications.

Veterinary Compounding is the same thing as compounding medication for humans, only it is specifically for animals. Maybe you have a dog that hates taking his pills, or your guinea pig is too small for the manufactured dose of a specific medication.

Sometimes veterinarians compound their own medications, but there are also pharmacies that deal with veterinary compounding. It can be easier than you think to give your pet their medication, you just have to figure out what works for your pet. Maybe it’s a gel to rub into their skin or a liquid that you can mix in with their wet cat food. Maybe it’s adding a yummy flavour to the medication that makes them think they are getting a treat!

Speak to your compounding pharmacist and see what suggestions they have for keeping your pet healthy and administering their medications.

Conclusion

There are countless reasons why you should consider making a pharmacy that has the ability of compounding medications your family’s pharmacy. They can even care for your pets with their veterinary compounding services.

Even if medication compounding isn’t a service that you need right now, life happens quickly and there may come a day when you need this type of service. Why wait until then? If you are located in London, ON drop by Riverbend Pharmacy and Clinic, or visit their website and let their family serve your family.

Until next time,

Nathalie Jolivet

Tired of Waiting For Hours For Care Because of Long Emergency Room Wait Times? Learn How to Keep Away From the ER This Cold and Flu Season

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 10:05:00 GMT

Understanding Ontario’s Healthcare System

The healthcare system in Ontario can get overcrowded during the cold and flu season. It becomes hard to see your family doctor, and walk-in clinics can get so busy that they stop taking patients, which leaves you to deal with long emergency room wait times… for HOURS .

Isn’t there a better way? I believe that understanding the healthcare options available to you, and making use of them at appropriate times will help relieve the burden on hospital emergency rooms. It will help our healthcare system function smoothly and also allow you to get the care you need when you need it without waiting forever in a crowded waiting room.

There are 4 levels of healthcare in Ontario which include:

Each level should be used for different reasons and has a different purpose, though they all overlap in places. They also share the common purpose of keeping Ontarians healthy. If you’d like to check out more information on this topic, check out the Ministry Of Health website or the Government of Canada website which is where my information came from.

1) Primary Care

Who Is Your Primary Healthcare Provider?

Your family doctor is your primary care provider. They are your first contact, so to speak. They know your medical history and follow any long-term health issues to ensure consistent and effective treatment. You visit them for annual exams, check-ups, and they can recommend you to a specialist if you need to see one. They also know your family medical history and can help you be on the lookout for symptoms so that you can catch things early.

When Should I Use Primary Healthcare Services?

You would visit your family doctor for ongoing issues that aren’t urgent. According to the Government of Canada website , you would use primary healthcare services for:

You would also go to them for annual check-ups, and long-term health management. You would use them when you have a concern about symptoms, or when you need to be referred to a specialist. You should also visit them after receiving care from a walk-in or urgent care clinic, to update them on what’s going on.

Primary care providers are most able to prescribe medication to you as they know your history and current medications. You will also develop a relationship with them over time, which will make you feel more comfortable and safe to tell them about what may be affecting your physical and mental health.

Family doctors and primary healthcare providers are more likely to be the ones to catch and diagnose long-term illnesses like arthritis, as they can monitor your symptoms over time.

2) Non-Urgent Care

Your family doctor is a non-urgent care provider, but if you aren’t able to reach them you still have options. For all non-urgent reasons, meaning it isn’t necessary to be seen within 24 hours, you can visit a walk-in clinic to be seen.

Some examples of non-urgent issues could be:

Many walk-in clinics also provide primary care options for those who don’t have a family doctor. Some can refer you to a specialist, perform annual check-ups and many other services. Click to view a list of the services offered at the Riverbend walk-in clinic.

During the pandemic, things may operate a bit differently, so you should check out the clinic website to make sure that they are accepting patients with your symptoms. For example, Riverbend Pharmacy and Medical clinic and Deveron clinic are not accepting any patients who have covid symptoms. If you need care and do not have covid symptoms, you can visit the Riverbend walk-in clinic .

3) Urgent Care

The third level of healthcare in Ontario is urgent care. These are health issues that should be seen within 24 hours or may require specialized tests like an ultrasound. Sometimes it is things like more severe infections or sprains/fractures that your primary care provider could handle, but if you can’t get a same-day appointment, then you really should go to an urgent care clinic to get looked at as soon as possible. Sometimes these things happen when your family doctor’s office is closed, too.

Most often an urgent care clinic is named as such, for example, the St.Joseph’s Hospital Urgent Care Centre which is located in London, Ontario, and they are often open in the evenings and on weekends so that there is an option available to you besides the emergency room most of the time.

Urgent care clinics often have labs and/or imaging equipment to provide x-rays, ultrasounds, blood work etc… They help to keep the emergency room wait times down to a minimum because they can offer these medical services and technology.

Be sure to do a quick Google search to get a list of walk-in clinics and urgent care clinics near you. If you are located in London, Ontario then be sure to visit our Riverbend Walk-In Clinic the next time you need non-urgent care but can’t get in to see your family doctor.

4) Emergency Care

The final tier of healthcare in Ontario is emergency care. This is the highest level of healthcare available. It includes paramedic services and hospital emergency rooms.

According to the Ministry of Health , emergency care should only be used in potentially life-threatening situations.

Some possible reasons to need emergency care are:

Please note that this list is not exhaustive. There are many life-threatening situations out there, if you feel that you need emergency care, go to the closest hospital right away.

It’s always a good idea to plan out which hospital is the closest and how you’d get there before an emergency happens so that you can access it as quickly as possible in the event of an actual emergency. You can also call 911 or the paramedics if an ambulance is needed.

Many people will go to the emergency room for issues that are urgent, but not life-threatening simply because they don’t know where else to go. This is what causes long emergency room wait times and overwhelms our healthcare system.

That’s why it’s so important to understand Ontario’s healthcare system and the options that are available to you to get the proper care without all the wait times.

It is also a good idea to get vaccinated for the flu every season to keep you and your family safe and healthy. You can book your flu vaccine appointment at Riverbend Pharmacy now to do your part in keeping our community safe, and keeping you away from the emergency room this flu season.

Keeping Healthy At Home

Another piece to this puzzle is what you can do on your own to better your health and save yourself from having to use the healthcare system as often as possible!

Making sure that you are getting enough vitamins and minerals, keeping stress levels low, and exercising often are all ways to help keep you healthy and out of the already overwhelmed healthcare system.

1) Supplements That Boost the Immune System

In my last blog, I talked about which foods help to boost the immune system . The problem is that not everyone has time to cook and other people are picky eaters. What can they do to ensure that they are getting the vitamins and minerals that they need if they can’t or won’t eat them?

Well, they can take supplements. The problem is that there are so many options it can be overwhelming.

Which supplements help boost the immune system?

According to Healthline , several supplements have been scientifically proven to boost our immune systems which include: Vitamin D, Zinc, Vitamin C, Elderberry, Curcumin and garlic.

Vitamin D which is sometimes called the sunshine vitamin, helps your white blood cells fight off the bad stuff. It also reduces swelling (known as inflammation) in the body. Many people are vitamin D deficient and would benefit from taking a supplement.

Research has shown that taking a vitamin D supplement may prevent you from getting a respiratory tract infection. It’s also good for mental health, your bones and can help prevent some cancers and diabetes.

You can buy Vitamin D at most pharmacies including Riverbend Pharmacy or you can purchase it online from the Pond Mills Pharmacy online store.

Zinc reduces inflammation like Vitamin D but it is also essential for the development of immune cells. If you are zinc deficient then you’ll be more likely to get respiratory infections. If you take zinc while already sick, it can reduce the amount of time that you are sick. You can buy zinc from the online store if you are too busy to come into the pharmacy.

Vitamin C increases your body’s ability to fight off infections, it is an antioxidant and it helps your immune system clear out the dead cells to make way for new healthy immune cells.

According to scientific studies, taking vitamin C regularly can reduce the length of time that you are sick with a cold and also help you heal more quickly from a respiratory infection.

Buy it online here

Elderberry supplements often come in liquid form like cough syrup and can be purchased from health food stores. They have antibacterial and antiviral properties and have been proven to reduce the length of symptoms experienced by individuals who have influenza and upper respiratory infections.

If the berries aren’t cooked properly, or if you take too much then it could potentially damage healthy cells. They are still researching to determine if the benefits outweigh the risks of taking elderberry but in the meanwhile, they suggest only using elderberry for short periods, like when you are sick.

Curcumin which is found in turmeric is a very powerful anti-inflammatory. This means that it is very effective at reducing swelling in the body. According to some tests performed on animals, it may also help boost the immune system.

You can purchase curcumin from Riverbend Pharmacy or online from Pond Mills pharmacy

Garlic is an anti-inflammatory and an anti-viral. It helps to boost the immune system by increasing the production of some white blood cells. It hasn’t been researched on humans much, though and needs more research to determine how effective it is.

2) Reducing Stress Levels and Excercise

Our lives are always stressful to a degree, but during the pandemic the average person’s stress levels have sky-rocketed. Human beings weren’t meant to be isolated, we were designed to live together in communities and socialize. This has been tough for everyone.

Many people used to reduce their stress by participating in a community group or playing sports for fun. These people have had to find other ways of dealing with their stress, and it has been tough.

For some quick stress-relieving tricks that you can use throughout your day, read my last blog . You should also consider a meditation app like Headspace or moving your exercise routine from the gym into your home for the winter.

If you are feeling very stressed, overwhelmed or may suffer from depression, you should reach out to your family doctor or visit the Riverbend walk-in clinic and we can put you in touch with the right professionals to get your mental health back on track and get you feeling like yourself again.

By understanding how the healthcare system in Ontario works, knowing the different healthcare options available to you, providing your body the right vitamins and minerals, keeping stress levels in check and exercising regularly, you should be on track to keeping healthy and avoiding long emergency room wait times this flu season. You will also be a part of the solution to reducing those long ER wait times, so give yourself a pat on the back.

Until next time stay safe, healthy and happy,

Nathalie Jolivet

3 Ways to Keep Safe and Healthy This Flu Season

Sun, 28 Nov 2021 19:19:00 GMT

‘Tis the season to be sniffly! I’m not sure about your household, but my family gets sick every flu season. It starts with our youngest and works its way around to each of us, without fail.

This year I decided to take preventative action! I decided to do everything in my power to help stop the flu from entering our homes and disrupting our lives. I mean, our lives are JUST starting to get back to normal, and many flu symptoms are also covid symptoms which would mean missing more work, school, and fun. So where did I start?

1. Foods To Boost Your Immunity This Flu Season

I did some research on foods that are good for our immune systems and respiratory systems first. Then I went on the search for healthy, quick, and tasty meals that I could whip up after work.

According to https://www.healthline.com , any food that is high in Vitamin C helps to build your immune system. These include citrus fruits and red bell peppers among others. Did you know that red bell peppers contain almost 3x the amount of vitamin C as an orange?

Another food that was high on the list was broccoli . Broccoli is one of the healthiest veggies out there as it contains fibre, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and E. If you can eat it raw or steamed, it will keep most of its nutrients. If you cook it too much, then it will lose them.

Garlic and ginger made the cut, too. I love garlic and I’m very happy it made the list. You can put it in everything! It is good at fighting infections because of the high levels of sulphur that it contains.

Ginger helps fight inflammation, which is why it is known to help with sore throats. It can also help fight nausea and general pain, too.

You don’t have to wait until you are sick, make ginger tea a part of your daily routine now. It’s super easy to make: peel, cut, and boil a few chunks of ginger for 10 minutes or so, add in some local raw honey, and voila! It makes your kitchen smell nice, too.

I knew about many of the foods I mentioned above already, but one that surprised me was yogurt . I knew that it was healthy, but I had no idea that the kind with live cultures helps boost your immune system.

And get this, there are clinical trials happening right now to study the effects of yogurt on covid-19! This one is already a daily part of my and my toddler’s diet. My teenagers usually stick with cereal for breakfast, but if I nag them enough, they’ll eat yogurt as a snack:)

The last food that caught my eye from this list was poultry. It contains vitamin B6 which helps with the production of red blood cells and helps to reduce inflammation in the body. If you boil the bones for broth, then you are also getting nutrients that will help heal your gut and boost your immune system .

Recipes

Who doesn’t love a nice, hot, tasty bowl of chicken noodle soup on a cold, winter’s day? Chicken is an ingredient that the whole family loves, and if I make soup with it, then I can add in those healthy veggies for a super immune-boosting meal!

Need an easy chicken noodle soup recipe? If you have an instant pot, just throw in a whole chicken, 12 cups of chicken broth (or water and bouillon cubes), and as many veggies as you’d like. I use celery, carrots, onions and sometimes I throw in some broccoli, too. Add in some parsley, basil and oregano, and 1 bay leaf, and close the lid.

Click the button for poultry (35mins high pressure) and let it do its thing. Quick-release the pressure once it’s finished and open the lid.

Remove the chicken (I put in the insert first so I only have to pull out the insert afterward). Shred however much chicken you’d like and add it back into the soup. Press the saute button and add in some egg noodles. Boil for 5 minutes, and enjoy!

Use the rest of the chicken however you’d like. I usually make chicken salad sandwiches and have chicken salads over the next few days to use it up.

For other kid-friendly, healthy recipes that I found online, visit 30 Best Kid-Friendly Recipes . My favourites included Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Kale , Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas and Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

There are other immune-boosting, healthy foods, but they don’t fit well with my family. I need to make sure that my efforts don’t increase my stress levels, and trying to figure out recipes to use turmeric after a long, hard day’s work would definitely increase my stress.

This leads me to my second bit of research; how to reduce stress.

2. 5 Quick Stress-Relieving Strategies

What I was most interested in finding was very quick and easy stress-relieving strategies that my whole family could use. Our immune systems find it hard to work properly when we are under too much stress, so managing stress is a very important thing to learn, for everyone in the family.

There are many things that we can do throughout the day, whether at school or work, that can help keep our stress levels manageable:

1. Music

For some people, listening to music works very quickly to relax and calm the body/mind. Teenagers find this especially helpful in my experience as a high school teacher.

2. Deep breathing

Take 1 minute to close your eyes and purposefully breathe in deeply (try counting to 3 or 4), hold for 2 seconds and then exhale for around 5 seconds. Repeat this for the full minute. This has been scientifically proven to help reduce your blood pressure and heart rate. I promise you will feel refreshed and relaxed after the minute is over.

There are other ways of deep breathing, too. So, if this one doesn’t appeal to you, search for another option.

3. Laughter

Take a minute to laugh. Watch a “Just For Laughs” clip or that cat video that always makes you smile. Read a joke or listen to a funny tv show clip. Whatever makes you laugh is perfect. Just make sure that it can make you laugh quickly or you’ll be wasting your time.

Do you think this one is a joke? Think again. The science behind this shows that laughter can help to give your immune system a boost! Don’t believe me? Read this.

Just in case you don’t have the time, I’ll give you a quick summary. Laughter has positive effects both short-term and long-term. In the short term, laughter stimulates blood flow which can help with muscle tension, increases then decreases your stress levels which leaves you feeling relaxed, and stimulates organs like the heart, lungs and muscles. It also helps your brain to release endorphins.

In the long-term, it can help with pain, your mood and help to improve your immune system.

Laughter is some powerful medicine!

4. Chew gum

Just a few minutes of chewing any gum, of any flavour, can help lower anxiety and calm you down. It also decreases cortisol levels in the body.

5. Organize

I have personal experience with this one.
Every day when entering our home, I’d come face to face with a very cluttered mudroom. It was jam-packed with boxes, bags, shoes (how DO we collect so many?), bags, laundry and long-forgotten toys. It looked more like a storage room than a mudroom. I never thought anything of it, and I was usually too busy to pay attention to the mess anyway. I’d come in, drop my bags and off I’d go!

Then one day my husband cleaned out the whole room. He must’ve spent 2 hours in there organizing. Later that day when we came back from grocery shopping I stepped into the mudroom and stopped in my tracks. I took a long, deep breath in and out, and I looked at him and said simply, “Thank you.” My whole body relaxed. It was incredible.

I had NO idea how much stress and tension that cluttered room was causing me until it wasn’t there anymore. I am now making it my mission to declutter everything that I possibly can around the house to try and help keep us feeling relaxed.

There are many, many other possibilities as well. A quick Google search will get you a ton of results, so if you’re not a fan of any of the stress-relieving strategies listed here then do your own research. You’ll be happy that you did.

The final part of my pro-active “beat the flu before we get it” plan requires a visit to our local, pharmacy.

3. The Flu Vaccine

Every year our local pharmacy, like Riverbend Pharmacy & Clinic in London, Ontario, offers the updated flu vaccine which is formulated specifically to protect against the flu virus going around in that year. Many pharmacies across Ontario offer this same service.

Many of us are aware of this, but what do we really know about the flu vaccine? Why is it so important to vaccinate our families against the flu? I decided to do some research to find out so that I had an answer in case any of the kids decided to fight with me about it. Here’s what I found out:

Who should get it?

According to canada.ca , everyone older than 6 months should get the flu vaccine. I didn’t realize that babies could get it, too! I thought it would be for 1 or 2 yrs old and older, but I was wrong. There are certain people who are at a higher risk of developing serious complications or even dying from the flu. I have quoted the list from the same link as above.

People with health conditions, such as:

It is especially important for the people in this group to get vaccinated against the flu each year. It is equally important for those who are in direct contact with people from this group to also get vaccinated. We need to help protect each other and not only ourselves.

You should not get the vaccine if:

Check out this link to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on who should and shouldn’t get vaccinated against the flu.

If you are located in London, Ontario and would like to book a flu shot at Riverbend Pharmacy & Clinic, click here to be taken to the online registration form.

Why Should We Get It?

You are less likely to catch the flu if you are vaccinated against it. Even if you do catch it, your symptoms are more likely to be less severe than those who are unvaccinated. You are also less likely to spread it to others, which is great news for those individuals who can’t get vaccinated, including our precious babies.

Did you know that you can contract Covid-19 and the flu at the same time? That wouldn’t be good. Becoming vaccinated against the flu, or both will help prevent this from happening.

The Final Frontier

Even after having done all of this research and putting into practice my findings, I’m still going to stock up on cold & flu medicines, Vicks, vitamins, throat lozenges and other things available at Riverbend Pharmacy & Clinic that may help if we do catch a bug this flu season. Stay tuned on more about natural health products in my next blog.

I hope that my research and words have helped you and your family better prepare and protect against the flu this season. Enjoy your family and the holidays safely. Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and a Happy New Year! Until next time,

Nathalie Jolivet