From daily pain to daily gain – how accessing the right care changed a life

From daily pain to daily gain – how accessing the right care changed a life

 

Lynn had been dealing with discomfort in her legs and feet for several years and, like many, chalked it up to the joys of ageing. She became used to not sleeping because of the pain running down her legs and feet at night and feeling miserable all day from the pain. As the intensity of the pain grew, it affected every aspect of her life. She stopped doing activities she once enjoyed because the pain was too much. It wasn’t an excuse for not exercising; it was a definite reason not to remain physically active. Like many, she felt like rest would help, when in fact, it did the opposite. “The more I did nothing, the worse the pain was,” remembers Lynn. She was quick to add that doing nothing was the worse thing she could have done.

Lynn lived with this hardship much longer than she needed to. She didn’t want to sit around any longer, watching the pain take over her life. Hoping for relief, she went to a massage therapist. The massage therapist suggested a chiropractor instead. Lynn found herself at the chiropractor’s office three times a week and felt even sorer after each visit. X-rays showed arthritis had set in. She tried the fixes she knew about first, but massage and chiro were not helping. Lynn eventually talked to her family doctor, who recognized the type of support Lynn needed and recommended she see Adrien, the exercise specialist at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network (PCN).

Even though the doctor’s referral was sent to the PCN when COVID-19 first appeared in Alberta, and we faced our first period of business shutdowns and self-quarantine, Lynn was able to see the PCN exercise specialist right away and in-person at the PCN office. Lynn was put through a complete exam of her back, hips, posture, and gait analysis, given coordination and balance tests, as well as manual muscle testing for her lower body. Adrien determined that Lynn’s symptoms were valid, and she was suffering a high level of pain, considering the severity of her symptoms. Following the assessment, Adrien provided Lynn with specific exercises known as the McGill Big 3 for core strengthening and online workout videos, specifically certain ones Adrien has posted on the LBD PCN YouTube channel.

Adrien provided Lynn with the tools she needed to start on the path back to health. Adrien prescribed exercise, and, in Lynn’s words, even though she doesn’t like being told what to do sometimes, she took Adrien’s advice and got to work. Lynn committed to exercising every day, and after only about 6 weeks, she is thrilled to say that the constant pain is gone. If she tweaks something or moves too quickly the wrong way, she can feel it still there, but the daily pain is no longer. Lynn only had to see Adrien at the PCN twice; that’s all it took for Lynn to understand what she needed to do.

Both Lynn and Adrien are happy with her progress and agree that she doesn’t need to continue coming to the PCN, “I’m done with him,” Lynn laughs, referring to Adrien and his expert advice and support. She was prepared with the knowledge and tools Adrien provided, including teaching Lynn to be accountable to herself. “Sometimes things go sideways in life, and we need someone to tell us what to do to get back on track,” Adrien assured Lynn that if she ever needs help again, the PCN door is always open.

Lynn is grateful that her family doctor referred her to see Adrien at the PCN and thrilled he could help her out of a life of pain and misery. “Adrien gave me the tools and a plan for managing my pain. My gains are achieved through exercise and sticking to it. I am grateful for his inspiration and knowledge and will take them forward with me as I continue to grow stronger.”

If you would like to access the Exercise Specialist’s services at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network, please talk to your family doctor, and ask for a referral.

Unlocking the mystery behind type 2 diabetes

Unlocking the mystery behind type 2 diabetes

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a disease caused when the body does not make enough insulin or when the body does not use the insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps control the amount of sugar (or glucose) in the body.  In diabetes, this results in sugar building up in the blood instead of being used up as energy.
Think of insulin as the key that unlocks the cells doors to allow sugar in. When there are not enough keys, or, when the keys are not able to unlock the doors, some doors remain locked and the sugar stays outside.  

Are you at risk for type 2 diabetes?

Anyone who is over the age of 40 should be tested for diabetes every 3 years.
Anyone with one or more of these risk factors below should be screened more often:

• If you are a member of a certain ethnic backgrounds :

o Aboriginal
o Asian
o South Asian
o African
o Hispanic

• Genetics – having immediate family members with diabetes
• Being overweight especially when the excess weight is around the tummy
• Giving birth to a baby over 9lbs or had gestational diabetes while pregnant
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Pre-diabetes
• Certain medical conditions  (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea)

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?

• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Weight change (gain or loss)
• Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
• Blurred vision
• Frequent or recurring infections
• Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Trouble getting or keeping an erection

You’ve been diagnosed with Diabetes.  Now what?

Your family doctor may recommend you start a few lifestyle changes that could help to lower your blood sugar.  These may include:  increasing your level of physical activity, modifying your diet to include more fibre and less sugar, fat and salt, or starting medication.

Cherie deBoer is a Registered Nurse at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.










The Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network has a has a team of healthcare professionals that help people living with various chronic conditions such as diabetes, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and other nutritional concerns. A smoking cessation program is also offered. Our team, which includes registered nurses, a registered psychologist and registered pharmacist, registered dietitians and an exercise specialist, works with patients to help them learn strategies to improve their ability to manage their health. You can access the team through a referral from your family doctor.

The PCN also offers workshops and classes that are free to the public, a referral is not needed. Check our website for upcoming classes that might interest you.

www.lbdpcn.com

Frostbite – How To Avoid Getting Bitten And What To Do If You Are

When the temperature drops below 0ºC, blood vessels directly below the skin constrict to protect the core body temperature. When your skin is exposed to the cold for an extended period of time, blood flow to your hands, feet, nose, and ears can be severely restricted. The combination of poor circulation and extreme cold can damage the skin and underlying tissues, which is known as frostbite.

Mild frostbite (frostnip) makes your skin look yellowish or white but it is still soft to the touch. Your skin might turn red during the warming process, but normal colour returns once the area is warmed.

Symptoms of advanced frostbite:

• pins and needles feeling followed by numbness;
• hard, pale, and cold skin that has been exposed to the cold for too long;
• the area may ache or throb;
• lack of sensation; you may not feel it if someone touches you there.

Severe frostbite can cause permanent damage to body tissue if it is not treated immediately. Nerve damage occurs and frostbitten skin becomes discoloured and turns black. After some time, nerve damage becomes so severe that you lose feeling in the affected area and blisters occur. If the skin is broken and becomes infected, gangrene can set in which can result in loss of limbs.

Frostbite may affect any part of the body. The hands, feet, nose, and ears are the most vulnerable.

• If the frostbite did not affect your blood vessels, a complete recovery is possible.
• If the frostbite affected the blood vessels, the damage is permanent. Gangrene may occur. This may require removal of the affected part (amputation).

First Aid for the Person Bitten by frost bite:

Mild frostbite (frostnip) can be treated in two ways:

Passive warming:

·         Shelter the person from the cold and move him or her to a warmer place. Remove any constricting jewellery and wet clothing.  Wrap the person in blankets or reheat by skin-to-skin contact with another person.

·         If immediate medical help is available, it is usually best to wrap the affected areas in sterile dressings (remember to separate affected fingers and toes) and transport the person to an emergency department for further care.

Active warming:

·         This can be done along with passive warming. Soak the affected areas in warm (never hot) water -- or repeatedly apply warm cloths to affected ears, nose, or cheeks -- for 20 to 30 minutes. The recommended water temperature is just above body temperature (40- 42 °C). Keep circulating the water to aid the warming process. Severe burning pain, swelling, and color changes may occur during warming. Warming is complete when the skin is soft and sensation returns.

Once the area is thawed:

·         Apply dry, sterile dressings to the frostbitten areas. Put dressings between frostbitten fingers or toes to keep them separated.

·         Move thawed areas as little as possible.

·         Refreezing of thawed extremities can cause more severe damage. Prevent refreezing by wrapping the thawed areas and keeping the person warm. If protection from refreezing cannot be guaranteed, it may be better to delay the initial rewarming process until a warm, safe location is reached.

·         If the frostbite is extensive, give warm drinks to the person in order to replace lost fluids.

Severe frostbite requires immediate medical attention. While you are waiting for help to arrive begin treating it with passive and active warming.

What not to do:

• Do NOT thaw out a frostbitten area if it cannot be kept thawed. Refreezing may make tissue damage even worse.
• Do NOT use direct dry heat (such as a radiator, campfire, heating pad, or hair dryer) to thaw the frostbitten areas. Direct heat can burn the tissues that are already damaged.
• Do NOT rub or massage the affected area.
• Do NOT disturb blisters on frostbitten skin.
• Do NOT smoke or drink alcoholic beverages during recovery as both can interfere with blood circulation.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor or nurse if: 

• you had severe frostbite;
• normal feeling and color do not return promptly after home treatment for mild frostbite;
• frostbite has occurred recently and new symptoms develop, such as fever, general ill-feeling, skin discoloration, or drainage from the affected body part.

Prevention

Be aware of factors that can contribute to frostbite, such as extreme cold, wet clothes, high winds, and poor circulation. Poor circulation can be caused by tight clothing or boots, cramped positions, fatigue, certain medications, or diseases that affect the blood vessels, such as diabetes.

If you expect to be exposed to the cold for a long period of time, don't drink alcohol or smoke.  Consuming alcohol before you go out in the cold may increase your risk of hypothermia because it increases blood flow to the extremities of the body. You may actually feel warm even though you are losing heat.  Smoking constricts your blood vessels, impairing blood circulation.

Wear suitable clothing in cold temperatures and protect exposed areas. In cold weather, wear mittens (not gloves); wind-proof, water-resistant, layered clothing; two pairs of socks; and a hat to avoid heat loss through the scalp.  Wearing a scarf that covers the ears and nose is also recommended.  Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry and further reduce your risk.  If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you're wet.

When wearing layers of clothing, remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.

If caught in a severe snowstorm, find shelter early or increase physical activity to maintain body warmth.

Cherie deBoer is a Registered Nurse at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.

References;

Health Canada. (2013). It’s your Health: Extreme Cold. Accessed Nov 29, 2013 @ http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/environ/cold-extreme-froid-eng.php

Heller, Jacob. (2012). Frostbite.  Accessed Nov 28, 2013 @ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000057.htm