The LBD PCN currently does not have any doctors accepting new patients

 

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month! 

Did you know that 1 in 3 Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes? So many lives are touched by this chronic disease, yet so few Canadians know they are at risk for developing diabetes. 

What is Diabetes?

It’s a chronic disease where the body cannot make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps to control blood sugars. A high amount of sugar in the blood can damage organs, blood vessels, and nerves over a long period.  

Are you at risk?

Not much is known about definite risk factors for Type 1 Diabetes, but there are quite a few risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes. Some we can have some control over, but some we cannot. 

Here’s a list of risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes:

• Have a parent, brother, or sister living with diabetes.

• Member of a high-risk group (Indigenous, Hispanic, South Asian, Asian, African descent)

• Have given birth to a baby weighing more than 4kg or 9lb

• Have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)

• Prediabetes diagnosis

• Have high blood pressure

• Have high cholesterol  or high blood fats

• Have extra weight around the abdomen, overweight

• Have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis

• Have acanthosis nigricans diagnosis

• Have obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis

• Have diagnosed psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia, depression

Ask your doctor to test if you have diabetes if you are over 40 years old or if you have several risk factors after taking this risk test: https://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/en/canrisk

Don’t have a doctor?  Find one here: www.albertafindadoctor.ca

Fight the Risk

Here are some healthy habit ideas that can help lower your risk of diabetes:

• Eat a high fibre breakfast every day

• Eat 1 cup of vegetables at each of your meals

• Eat 2-3 servings of fruit each day (1 serving =0.5 cups or tennis ball size piece of fruit)  

• Go for a 10-15 minute walk at lunch every day

• Try deep breathing or visualization technique to manage your stress or check out other stress management techniques at https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/tests-treatments/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=rlxsk&

Your Team

You have a team of Registered Dietitians, an Exercise Specialist, Registered Nurses, Behavioural Health Consultants and Mental Health Therapists that can support your health journey through the Team-Based Care program at the PCN.  You can access this team for support by asking for a referral from your family doctor.  

Rethinking the Annual Physical Exam - by Dr. Keith Barry

In years past, having patients come in for an "Annual Physical" was commonplace in any family medicine practice.  As evidence has evolved, we have realized that the time and cost of this practice can be better used elsewhere. The actual physical examination component of a yearly visit has never been shown to be of utility. What is more debatable, is the need for routine testing or screening. 

Screening is the practice of looking for disease in people without any symptoms. The idea is to find a disease or a modifiable risk factor for disease early on, where early intervention can prevent complications or offer an easier cure. Many screening tests are current recommended in Canada. Examples include but are not limited to: 

• pap smears
• mammograms
• FIT testing (fecal immunochemical test)
• bone density
• PSA (prostate-specific antigen)
• cholesterol testing
• diabetes screening

You may be surprised to learn that for even these commonly recommended tests, the evidence of benefit is often questionable and almost no one needs them yearly.  In this video, Dr. Mike Evans discusses some of these tests along with some others which are generally not recommended. The key with screening is making it individualized, based on your specific history, risk factors and values. This is why it is important to have a good relationship with your family doctor. 

Although an "Annual Physical" may not be necessary, you should touch base regularly with your family physician, who knows you and your health history, to discuss and decide which test's you may benefit from.  How often this discussion or "preventative health exam" should occur needs to be individualized. You can use the same opportunity to work on improving your lifestyle, which is usually much more beneficial to health than any test. 

I see a common practice still occurring in some physician offices, where a receptionist gives a patient a lab requisition as soon as they book for a physical. This is bad medicine. Which tests to do needs to be a discussion between you and your physician. A single list of tests for every patient is not appropriate. This is an unnecessary cost to the system; but more importantly will lead to unnecessary testing, false positives and harm. More information about various screening tests and their indications can be found at choosingwisely.ca. 

Below is information from Towards Optimized Practice about a change in the way we think about Cholesterol/Cardiovascular risk reduction.  No one needs their cholesterol checked every year! (click on image to download/enlarge.)

Do you have hip and/or knee pain? GLA:D Canada may be for you!

 Do you have hip and/or knee pain?

GLA:D Canada is an 8-week education and exercise program for those with stiff and/or painful knees and/or hips or those with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis and was developed from the GLA:D (Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark) program. Research shows participants report less pain, reduced use of pain killers, fewer individuals on sick leave, and being more physically active.

If you think you would benefit from this program, ask your PCN doctor for a referral!

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.

Still here for you

 

Your doctor is here to support your health and wellness and want to make sure your health concerns do not get worse during this time. Appointments are available, they just may look a little different with telephone and virtual care options available at many doctors' offices.

#stillhereforyou #healthyab #covid19

Your Body Talks, Listen to it.

The pandemic has changed a lot of things; your family doctor/nurse practitioner wanting to ensure you are taking care of your health and wellbeing is not one of them.

If you have any unexplained, new, worsening or persistent changes in your health or changes in your body: don’t delay. Book an appointment with your family doctor/nurse practitioner right away so they can begin to investigate any changes you are experiencing. 

Your health is important. The healthcare system is prepared and ready to respond to any issues you experience and our facilities and primary care clinics remain safe places to seek care.

Your body talks, listen to it.

Detecting disease early, especially cancer, is important to save lives. There are symptoms you can look for, and if you experience any of them, book an appointment with your family doctor/nurse practitioner or health care team immediately, even during the pandemic. They will work with you to decide what tests you need. Some examples include:  

• An unusual or growing lump

• Blood in your stool, urine, or phlegm, especially if persistent or associated with other symptoms related to your bowels (pain, constipation), urination (pain, frequency, poor stream), or breathing (worse cough or shortness of breath). Also, unusual bleeding from vagina, especially in postmenopausal women  

• Any changes to a mole (size, shape, colour)

• Trouble urinating for men, such as needing to pee right away, more often, with difficulty or pain

• Unexplained significant weight loss (>10%)

For a full list of symptoms: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/cancersymptoms 

For other cancer resources: www.ahs.ca/bodytalk 

If your family doctor/nurse practitioner suspects cancer, they will refer you for testing, such as imaging or biopsy and possibly to a specialist to plan any necessary treatment.

If you do not have a family doctor/nurse practitioner, you can find one by calling 811 Health Link or by visiting www.albertafindadoctor.ca 

Still Here For You

Your family doctor and PCN health care providers are here for you. We work as a team to provide consistent care and are your best source for non-emergent healthcare. #stillhereforyou#StayHealthyAB #AlbertaDoctors #ABdoctors #abhealth #COVID19 #healthheroes #sharethecare

November is Fall Prevention Month

Every year, 1 in 3 Alberta seniors will fall.

Take action to reduce your risk.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults. The older we get, the greater the risk of falling becomes. Our bodies naturally change with age, and these changes affect the way we feel, move, and behave. 

• Older adults with muscle weakness are 4-5 times more likely to fall.
• Try to do 30 minutes or more of physical activity at least 5 days each week.
• Walking, dancing, Tai Chi, and cross-country skiing are a few great ways to be active.
  

A fall can have a devastating and lasting impact on an individual resulting in injury, chronic pain and a reduced quality of life. Even without an injury, a fall can cause a loss in confidence and a reduction in activities for older adults.

• Older adults with low vision are 2.5 times more likely to fall.
  
• A comprehensive eye exam will test your vision and look for issues like glaucoma and cataracts.
  
• Alberta Health Care covers the cost of eye exams for adults 65 and older.
  

Some medications can also put you at risk of a fall.

• Seniors taking more than 3 - 4 medications are at a higher risk of falls.
  
• Some prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements can increase your risk of falling.
  

These actions can help you prevent a fall and stay independent:

• Learn more about how to lower your fall risk to prevent yourself from falling or falling again.
• Talk with a physiotherapist to get the best walking aid for your needs.
• Exercise to improve your strength and balance.
• Talk with a physiotherapist or our PCN Exercise Specialist about exercise to improve your balance.
• Talk to your health care provider if you are worried about falling, especially if it stops you from being active.
• Do 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week strengthening your muscles can reduce your risk of falling - our PCN Exercise Specialist can provide guidance and exercise routines.
• Keep active to improve strength and balance. 
• Talk with your doctor or health care provider about managing the need to rush to the toilet. Rushing could increase your risk of a fall. 
• Talk to your podiatrist or doctor if you have numbness in your feet; numbness can cause a fall.
• Review your medications, vitamins, and supplements with your pharmacist or doctor yearly or if  your prescription changes or new medications are added. 
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medication side effects or causes of light-headedness. Sometimes an adjustment of dosage or type of medication can help.
• Are you sad or have concerns about anxiety or depression? Talk to your health care provider or doctor about how you are feeling.
• Visit an eye doctor yearly to check your eye health. Poor vision or a change in vision can increase the risk of a fall.
• Wear proper shoes, especially outside. Take extra care when walking on snow or ice-covered sidewalks or parking lots. Learn the "Penguin Walk".

Take this online assessment quiz to see if you are at risk of a fall.

Health care providers can print paper copies of this quiz, here.

Learn more at https://www.fallpreventionmonth.ca/

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month! 

Did you know that 1 in 3 Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes? So many lives are touched by this chronic disease, yet so few Canadians know they are at risk for developing diabetes. 

What is Diabetes?

It’s a chronic disease where the body cannot make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps to control blood sugars. A high amount of sugar in the blood over a long period of time can damage organs, blood vessels, and nerves.  

Are you at risk?

Not much is known about definite risk factors for Type 1 Diabetes, but there are quite a few risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes. Some we can have some control over, but some we cannot. 

Here’s a list of risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes:

• Have a parent, brother, or sister living with diabetes.

• Member of high-risk group (Indigenous, Hispanic, South Asian, Asian, African descent)

• Have given birth to a baby weighing more than 4kg or 9lb

• Have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)

• Prediabetes diagnosis

• Have high blood pressure

• Have high cholesterol  or high blood fats

• Have extra weight around abdomen, overweight

• Have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis

• Have acanthosis nigricans diagnosis

• Have obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis

• Have diagnosed psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia, depression

Ask your doctor to test if you have diabetes if you are over 40 years old or if you have several risk factors after taking this risk test: https://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/en/canrisk

Don’t have a doctor?  Find one here: www.albertafindadoctor.ca

Fight the Risk

Here are some healthy habit ideas that can help lower your risk of diabetes:

• Eat a high fibre breakfast everyday

• Eat 1 cup of vegetables at each of your meals

• Eat 2-3 servings of fruit each day (1 serving =0.5 cup or tennis ball size piece of fruit)  

• Go for a 10-15 minute walk at lunch everyday

• Try deep breathing or visualization technique to manage your stress or check out other stress management techniques at https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/tests-treatments/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=rlxsk&

Your Team

You have a team of Registered Dietitians, Exercise Specialist, Registered Nurses, Behavioural Health Consultants and Mental Health Therapists that can support your health journey through the Team-Based Care program at the PCN.  You can access this team for support by asking for a referral from your family doctor.  

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.

How can the Leduc After-Hours Clinic support you?

PCN Provincial Awareness Campaign

Understand your health, don't just take it for granted.If you don't have a family physician, find one at www.pcnpmo.ca/findadoctor

Family Doctor Week

The College of Family Physicians of Canada proudly acknowledges the outstanding contributions of Canadian Family Doctors for their dedication to their patients and the delivery of high-quality health care. 

Family Doctor Week video

During this week, the Alberta College of Family Physicians asks patients to share why their Family Docs Rock. Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network member physician, Dr. Robert Simard, was recognized by one of his patients with these kind words:

Truly Lucky

We are truly lucky to have Dr. Robert Simard as our family physician. He is a knowledgeable, perceptive gentleman who is always open to new research, and a wonderful listener who never makes us feel rushed during appointments.

Dr. Simard has become a trusted, vital support to our family!

Wendy, Leduc

Read more stories on why Albertans think their Family Doc Rocks, here. 

Leduc After-Hours Clinic to be open Friday evenings!

New FREE class offered at the PCN!

A new class is now being offered - Getting Started: your Best Weight. This 2 part class will focus on identifying the medical, psychological, social and lifestyle factors that contribute to weight. Participants will learn essential tools and skills for making lifestyle changes. Participants will also discuss the role of motivation, thoughts and emotions in long term behaviour change and will learn how to problem solve and develop a personalized plan for change. 

Getting Started: Your Best Weight (2 part class)

September 16 & 23, 1:00 - 3:30
October 2 & 9, 1:00 - 3:30
November 6 & 13, 1:00 - 3:30

To register, participants can call the PCN office at 780-986-6624.

**All PCN classes and workshops are now open to the public; a referral from the family doctor is no longer required. All classes have been added to the public calendar on our website. Our website will soon be updated to a new template and this template will allow the public to reserve a spot at any of these classes and workshops with a click of the mouse. We will keep you updated on the progress of this update.**

You are attached to our PCN!

Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network member physicians include all doctors from these clinics:

Leduc

Corinthia Park Clinic
Griffiths Medical Clinic
Leduc Medical Arts Clinic
Rimrock Medical Clinic
Smyth Associate Clinic
LA Medical

Beaumont

Stewart Medical

Devon

Devon Medical Clinic
Associated Medical Clinic
Hospital Medical Clinic

Calmar

Calmar Medical Clinic

If your doctor works at one of these clinics, he or she is a member of the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network (PCN). This means you are part of the Leduc Beaumont Devon PCN, where a team of doctors, nurses and other professionals will help you improve your health.

Exciting news!

We are hoping to have your support for a very exciting initiative that we are involved in.

The Edmonton and area Primary Care Networks, surrounding municipalities, the City of Edmonton, the YMCA and Alberta Health Services are proud partners in a ground-breaking collaborative initiative in the Edmonton area known as “Prescription To Get Active”.  This program brings primary care providers and local wellness organizations together to increase the physical activity levels in our population using a “prescription” for physical activity.

We received great news this fall that “Prescription To Get Active” is one of six finalists across Canada for the Play Exchange grant!  The Play Exchange is a national challenge to find and support schools, students, families, not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises, and businesses that are promoting active living across Canada. “Prescription To Get Active was chosen as one of the top six entries out of over 400 submissions - and now we are looking to our partners for help!

All six finalists will be featured on a television special for the Play Exchange on CBC to air on Friday, January 9^th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday January 10th at 4:00 p.m.  During the week that follows, Canadians will select the winning idea by voting online. The winner of the Play Exchange will receive an investment of up to $1-million from the Government of Canada. 

Help us rally support by voting and spreading the word!   

Here’s some ways you can help:

1.    Vote! It’s easy, and only takes a minute: http://www.vote.playexchange.ca (link will be live once the CBC special airs)

2.    Share our website, story, video, photos on Twitter and Facebook! 

3.    Follow Prescription To Get Active on Facebook and Twitter:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescriptionToGetActive

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RxToGetActive

Thank you in advance for all of your support.  We hope that our strong community, partnerships and networks will help us gain the support we need for “Prescription To Get Active” to become the successful finalist when the votes are tallied in February!

www.prescriptiontogetactive.com

Be a Diabetes Detective

Be a Detective to Manage your Diabetes

Managing your diabetes can often feel like trying to solve a mystery.  Questions that always arise up are:

How does my food effect my blood sugars?

Are my medications working? 

What does physical activity do to my blood sugars?

How come I don’t feel any different even though I am making changes?  

Diabetes is very individualized, so when it comes to figuring out how best to manage it you need to become your own detective.  The best way to do this is through Self-Monitoring your Blood Glucose (SMBG) or checking your own blood sugars!

Collect the Evidence

Checking your own blood sugars or SMBG helps you:

• -         Determine your blood sugars in that exact moment (after a meal, after activity, first thing in the morning).
• -         Determine if your blood sugars are high, low or within target.
• -         Show you in that exact moment what your food, activity and medications are doing for you.
• -         Work with your health care team to help put the puzzle pieces together with any adjustments needed for either lifestyle or medication.

I don’t like to poke my fingers so how often would I need to check?

-          As mentioned before, diabetes is very individualized, so SMBG is also individualized.  How frequent you test is dependent on your medications, your lab results, you current health status: sick, hospitalized, pregnant or even starting a new medication

What do I use to check my blood sugars?

-          You check your blood sugars through use of a portable blood glucose machine.  These devices are available through your community pharmacies or health teams.  Talk to your pharmacist or team members about what meter is right for you and coverage that is available for you

Interpreting the Evidence

Recommended blood glucose (sugar) targets for most people with diabetes*

(Your target may not be the same as the examples in this blood sugar levels chart. Yours should be specific to you.)

	A1C**	Fasting blood glucose/ blood glucose before meals (mmol/L)	Blood glucose two hours after eating (mmol/L)
Target for most people with diabetes	7.0% or less	4.0 to 7.0	5.0 to 10.0 (5.0 – 8.0 if A1C** targets not being met)

* This information is based on the Canadian Diabetes Association 2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada and is a guide.
** A1C is a measurement of your average blood glucose (sugar) control for the last two to three months and approximately 50 per cent of the value comes from the last 30 days.

- See more at: http://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/healthy-living-resources/blood-glucose-insulin/managing-your-blood-glucose#sthash.JOnq46Ax.dpuf

Putting the Puzzle pieces together

Now that I have tested what do I do with the information?

-     Record your blood sugar readings in a log book or journal. This is a great way to start seeing trends and patterns.  Depending on how in-depth you want to go you can record your food, activity, medications and your blood sugar readings to get the whole picture.

-     

      Take this log book with you to your medical appointments to be able to discuss the best management options for you when it comes to managing your diabetes.

-     Look at the information you have collected. You can interpret the readings to determine whether or not it’s the food, activity or medications that needs to be reviewed.

Click on the links to see the samples of how to log your blood glucose readings:

Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Tool

Weely Blood Glucose Log sheet (printable)

Solve the Mystery!

The more you know about diabetes and how it affects your body the better able you are to start managing it! 

If you are newly diagnosed or have question about help to manage your diabetes please ask your PCN doctor for a referral to the SMILE team, where a team of detectives can also help you out!

Please visit the CDA website for more information.

Andrea Shackel is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.