What is continuity of care and why is it important?

Our PCN friends in the Calgary Zone wrote this great article on continuity of care and why it is so important. Take a minute to read it in this month's edition of Apple Magazine.

Beat the seasonal blues

We are in the thick of the winter blahs in Alberta. Check out this great article from Apple Magazine on how to beat the seasonal blues: 

What is SAD?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.

Read more about SAD, it's symptoms and risk factors at the Mayo Clinic website. 

New Year, Healthy You!

Join the Edmonton and area Primary Care Networks for a Health & Wellness Challenge, starting January 7, 2019. 

Each day has a different challenge for you to complete and post a picture on social media, with the hashtag #PCNCHALLENGE. If posting on Twitter or Facebook, tag us and we will be sure to share your posts!

https://www.facebook.com/LeducBeaumontDevonPCN/

https://twitter.com/lbdpcn

Happy Holidays!

December newsletter

Our December newsletter is now available!

December 2018 Newsletter 

Diabetes and the Effectiveness of Regular Physical Activity

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes and the Effectiveness of Regular Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is very beneficial to those living with diabetes. The short-term benefits of increasing physical activity are: 

• Lowers your blood glucose within one hour.
• Increases your energy and strength during the day
• Decreases stress, anxiety and fatigue
• Improves relaxation and sleep
• Improves overall well being    

The long-term benefits if activity is sustained: 

•  Improved blood glucose (sugar) control
•  Helps with maintaining weight management when healthy eating is involved.
•  Lowered blood pressure
•  Stronger bones and muscles
•  Lower risk of diabetes complications such as eye, heart, and kidney disease
•  Improved quality of life

One of the most effective aerobic activities with the lowest dropout rate is walking. It can be as simple as going for a brisk walk in your neighborhood.  Here is an example of a walking plan if you are just starting out:   

Sample Walking Plan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Both aerobic and resistance exercises are important when it comes to decreasing the risk of developing or advancing Type 2 Diabetes as both help to improve the body’s insulin sensitivity. 

Make sure to interrupt sitting at least every 30 minutes by getting up and walking, standing or stretching.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a very effective form of exercise at a higher intensity for shorter durations, as an option for those who are able to tolerate. 

Tracking your activity/steps throughout the day is another way of monitoring the amount of time you are active and for some it is a strategy for reducing sitting time by staying accountable.

Canadian Diabetes Association information: 

www.diabetes.ca

• Low physical fitness is as strong a risk factor for mortality as smoking.
• Higher levels of physical activity and fitness level is one of the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality in people with diabetes.
• Physical activity can be as powerful as glucose-lowering medication… with fewer side effects.
• Regular physical activity, in conjunction with healthy eating and weight control, can reduce type 2 diabetes incidence by 60 per cent.

 

If you require help with getting started on an exercise or physical activity plan, ask your family doctor for a referral to the Exercise Specialist at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.  

It's National Kinesiology Week!

November 12-18 is National Kinesiology Week

Kinesiologists have a background in movement science and are considered human movement specialists. Depending on their credentials, they may also have titles as Exercise Physiologist or Exercise Therapist. Kinesiologists can work independently or part of allied health teams to help improve the health of their patients. Our PCN is fortunate to have an Exercise Specialist on staff; Corinne provides exceptional care to our patients. Happy Kinesiology Week!