In the News: Free Support for K-W Smokers Who Want to Kick the Habit

An article in today's Waterloo Region Record reports that, as part of the "Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients" study (STOP)," residents of the Waterloo Region may be eligible to receive counselling, nicotine gum, patches or inhalers for free of charge to support their efforts in giving up nicotine.

Study participants will be given "a free five-week supply of medication, as well as written materials, to help them conquer their addiction." This medication usually costs more than $100. In return, participants will be required to complete surveys during the year so researchers can monitor their progress.

To qualify for this study, smokers must be at least 18 and complete a qualification questionnaire.

For more information, read the article or visit the STOP website.

In the News: No Cough or Cold Medications for Kids Under 6

This month, Health Canada announced that children under the age of 6 should not use non-prescription cough or cold medications.

According to the Health Canada website, their analysis of available information revealed that that the ingredients in these medicines react differently in children's bodies than those of adults, and because of this "misuse, overdose and rare but serious side-effects" can occur. Health Canada recommends that "parents or caregivers should consult a pharmacist or a health care practitioner when buying or using these products."


For more information, view the video clip from a Health Canada spokesperson or read the backgrounder and frequently asked questions.

Programs @ KPL: Believe in You - A Documentary About Turner Syndrome, Mon. Jan. 5

Believe in You: A Documentary About Living With Turner Syndrome

with

Christine Pellerin,

Turner Syndrome Society Canada Member

Monday, January 5th
6:30 PM

Auditorium, Main Library

Turner Syndrome is a chromosome abnormality that affects one in every 2,500 females. If you, your daughter, or someone you know has this condition, this film will both inform and inspire. Members of the Turner Syndrome Society of Canada will be on hand to answer your questions following the presentation.

Happy Holidays from KPL HealthLink!

KPL HealthLink wishes you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Health: Celebrating Safely

The holidays can be challenging when it comes to taking care of your health, so over the next few weeks KPL HealthLink will offer resources to help you take care of your physical and emotional health this holiday season.

In this post, we will focus on staying safe. The holidays can be filled with fun activities, but as with anything there can also be potential hazards to your health and safety. Health Canada has a wealth of information on safety measures you can take during the holidays to protect your health, including:

1. Safely handling fires and lights. Making sure you have a functioning smoke detector and never leaving burning candles or a fire unattended are just a few of the important precautions.

2. Drink alcohol responsibly. Limit the amount you drink, alternate with non-alcoholic drinks, and always plan for a designated driver to get you home safely. If you are hosting, remember that you are liable for your guests if alcohol is served at your party. Mothers Against Drunk Driving offers tips for hosts to ensure their guests arrive home safely.

3. Properly handle food to minimize the risk for food poisoning. Remember, if prepared or served improperly, even food can be hazardous to your health (and not just Aunt Myrtle's fruit cake!) Thoroughly washing your hands and preparation surfaces, and keeping food at the proper temperature are just a few of the many ways you can help prevent foodborne illness.

4. Make sure that your children's toys are safe. Health Canada gives a checklist on how to select safe toys. Also be sure to inspect them on a regular basis for damage such as loose parts, broken pieces or sharp edges which could hurt a child. Check out the Canadian Toy Testing Council for toy reports, recall information and lists of safe "Best Bet" toys.

Finally, to keep you safe in cold, wintery conditions, the CBC has a fun, interactive guide to teach you about winter safety. The Waterloo Regional Police Service also has valuable tips on driving safely this winter.

Have you and your family taken any measures to stay safe this season? Share your stories by clicking on "Comments" below this post.

Healthy Holidays: Stress Management

The holidays can be a challenging time when it comes to taking care of your health, so over the next few weeks KPL HealthLink will offer resources to help you look after your physical and emotional health this holiday season.

In this post, we will focus on stress management and mental health. The demands of travelling, finding that perfect present, and paying off that holiday credit card bill can make this season very challenging for some people. Fortunately, there are many online resources to help you manage holiday pressures.

The Canadian Mental Health Association shares techniques to help you maintain peace-of-mind during the holidays. The Mayo Clinic also offers useful tips on how to deal with stress, and the Windsor Star has a great Holiday Guide that features many articles on preserving your mental wellness.

If you are celebrating the holidays in a cold climate, the Canadian Automobile Association lists steps to make winter driving less stressful, and more safe. Keeping your car properly maintained and giving yourself a lot of time to reach your destination can make a big difference!

Times of celebration can be especially difficult if you have experienced loss or change in the previous year; the Mayo Clinic offers advice on how to cope and heal.

Finally, be sure to check KPL's catalogue to access a wide range of useful resources to help you manage stress.

Remember: getting enough sleep, finding time for physical activity, eating healthy portions of food, and taking time to relax can help lower your stress levels and keep you healthy this holiday season!

Healthy Holidays: Eating Right

The holidays can be a challenging time when it comes to taking care of your health, so over the next few weeks KPL HealthLink will offer resources to help you take care of your physical and emotional health this holiday season.

This week, we will focus on nutrition and eating properly. Family gatherings and various holiday parties mean lots of food (and lots of temptations!) Thankfully, there are many resources to help you make healthy choices.

The Mayo Clinic offers healthy recipes that you can prepare for your friends and family; the Clinic also has a listing of the calories in your favorite holiday drinks to show the impact that beverages have on your diet. The Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Dietitians of Canada also offer eating and exercise tips to help you avoid holiday weight gain.

Whether you are hosting an event or are attending as a guest, food safety is important. Health Canada has prepared a list of tips so you can prevent food-borne diseases when you prepare and serve your food.

With the struggling economy this year, many people need assistance to put food on the table. According to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region's website, 47,000 people in the Waterloo Region live below the poverty line; visit the Food Bank of Waterloo Region's website to find out how to get assistance or to make a donation.

Kitchener Public Library has a variety of low calorie and low-fat cookbooks to help you plan healthy holiday meals, as well as diet therapy recipes to help manage health conditions.

In the News: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The recent media coverage of the tragic carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning deaths of Woodstock OPP Constable Laurie Hawkins and her family have made us all too aware of the dangers of this silent killer. To help protect you and your family, consider the following information:

Causes of CO Poisoning
According to MedLine Plus, "Carbon monoxide is a gas that has no odour or color. But it is very dangerous. It can cause sudden illness and death. CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those made by cars and trucks, lanterns, stoves, gas ranges and heating systems. CO from these fumes can build up in places that don't have a good flow of fresh air. You can be poisoned by breathing them in."

Symptoms
Canada Safety Council website lists the various symptoms of CO poisoning, which vary depending on how much CO is in the air:

Low Amounts of CO - shortage of breath on moderate exertion; slight headache; nausea; dizziness.

Higher Amounts of CO - severe headache; mental confusion, dizziness; impairment of vision and hearing; collapse or fainting on exertion.

Extreme Amounts of CO - unconsciousness, coma; death.

Prevention
Safe Kids Canada recommends the following steps to help prevent CO poisoning:
1. Install carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure to check the labels of all your CO detectors to make sure they meet standards such as CSA, CGA, ULC or UL. Install CO detectors on all levels of a home, particularly near sleeping areas and the home's heating source. (Consumer Reports has a listing of it's top-rated CO detectors available in Canada).

2. Check your home appliances. Annual maintenance on all fuel-burning appliance and furnaces is important to minimize the risk of carbon monoxide poisonings. Be sure that wood-burning stoves and fireplace vents are clear.

What if there is carbon monoxide in my home?
If your CO detector goes off or if someone in your house is exhibiting symptoms of CO poisoning the City of Kitchener recommends that you leave your home, call 911 and ask for the fire department.

For more information on carbon monoxide safety, visit the Kitchener Utilities and City of Kitchener websites, or contact KPL HealthLink.