Newsletter April 2018 Peslléwten snow melts If you would like this QHS newsletter mailed to you every month, please call us at (250) 314-6732 to update your address and we will add you to our list!
Inside this Issue QHS Calendar... 3 Laughter is the best Medicine... 4 Baby Welcome Celebrations... 5 Spring Cleaning your teeth... 6 Mammogram Skeetchestn... 7 April is Cancer Awareness... 8 The Community is the Medicine. 9 Tick Season... 10-11 Reducing Stigma... 12 Seeing Green... 13-15 QHS Resource Numbers... 16 Happy Easter! Q'wemtsín Health Society Staff with Dr. Darien Thira, PhD., Reg. Psych. 2
April 2018 2 MON TUE WED THU FRI QHS OFFICE CLOSED Easter Monday 9 QHS Staff Meeting (8:30am-9:30am) QHS Naturopath QHS Foot Care QHS Mental Wellness 3 QHS Clinic -GP QHS Life Labs SIB Mental Wellness 10 QHS Clinic -GP SIB Mental Wellness QHS Massage Therapy 4 QHS Dental QHS Mental Wellness SIB Naturopath TIB Baby Welcome Celebration 11 QHS Naturopath QHS Mental Wellness QHS Dietitian (10:30am- 2:30pm) SIB Massage Therapy 5 SIB Clinic -NP 12 QHS Massage Therapy QHS Clinic -NP SIB Baby Welcome Celebration 6 QHS Clinic -NP QHS Dental Sealant 13 QHS Massage Therapy QHS Clinic -NP QHS Dental Sealant 16 QHS Naturopath QHS Foot Care QHS Mental Wellness 17 QHS Life Labs SIB Clinic -GP SIB Mental Wellness 18 QHS Mental Wellness QHS Dental SIB Naturopath 19 QHS Dental Hygiene QHS Clinic -NP 20 QHS Dental Hygiene QHS Clinic -NP 23 QHS Staff Meeting (8:30am-9:30am) QHS Naturopath QHS Footcare QHS Mental Wellness day 24 QHS Clinic -GP SIB Mental Wellness WP Massage Therapy 25 WP Naturopath (AM) QHS Naturopath (PM) QHS Mental Wellness SIB Massage Therapy 26 QHS Massage Therapy QHS Clinic -NP 27 QHS Dental Hygiene QHS Clinic -NP QHS Massage Therapy 30 QHS Naturopath QHS Mental Wellness QHS / WP Foot Care Appointments for QHS and WPCIB must be booked through QHS at (250) 314-6732. Appointments for Skeetchestn must be booked through the SIB Health Clinic at (250) 373-2580. 3
Join us for an entertaining and educational luncheon with guest speaker Dr. Art Hister Wednesday, June 6th, 2018 Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference Centre Salon Room Pre-Registration required Stop by the Q'wemtsín Health Society office or call (250) 314-6732 to reserve your seat today! Doors open at 10:00 am Presentation starts at 10:30 am Meet and Greet Lunch with Art Hister 12:00-1:00 pm Dr. Hister is an award winning physician, educator, and media personality. He has developed a trademark way of combining humour and plain language to overcome the often confusing and frightening world of health issues. 4
Everyone is Welcome to Attend... Tk'emlúps te Secwepemc & Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band Baby Welcome Celebration: Date: Wednesday, April 4, 2018 Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Place: Moccasin Square Gardens Skeetchestn Indian Band Baby Welcome Celebration: Date: Thursday, April 12, 2018 Time: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Place: Skeetchestn Gymnasium For more information please call QHS at (250) 314-6732 5
Spring Cleaning for your Teeth Book your new patient dental exam, or 6 month recall exam for March or April 2018 and be entered into a draw to win an Oral-B Genius Electric Toothbrush!! 6
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April is Cancer Awareness Month Recommended cancer screenings can be completed or arranged at QHS by Dr. Shirley van der Merwe or Laura FitzGerald, NP To book an appointment, please call: (250) 314-6732 Screening Recommendations: Cervical Cancer women age 25-69 years, Pap test every 3 years for most women Breast Cancer women age 40-74 years, screening mammogram every 2 years Colon Cancer - men and women age 50-74 years, FIT (stool sample) test every 2 years 8
The Community is the Medicine Workshop QHS hosted a workshop with Dr. Darien Thira, PhD., Reg. Psych on March 26th & 27th. The workshop is designed for First Nations Communities and organizations to learn the skills, knowledge and strategies necessary for community based healing. The interactive workshop allowed for group discussions, questionnaires, role-plays and other exercises; all while encouraging participants to share their experiences and skills with one another. Topics of discussion included traditional values and colonization and its impacts within communities and families. It was a very informative 2 day workshop and we look forward to the final two days in May! Dr. Darien Thira, PhD., Reg. Psych. Workshop participants 9
What are ticks? It s Tick Season. Ticks are bugs that are the size of a sesame seed. Different ticks prefer feeding from different types of animals. Sometimes, a tick will bite a person instead of biting an animal. While most tick bites do not result in disease some do. Ticks live in tall grass and wooded areas. They are easiest to spot on a person when they are actually sucking blood. Ticks burrow part way into the skin, bite, draw blood, and then drop off. When they are full of blood they are usually blue-grey. If you find a tick on your skin you should: Remove it as soon as possible Check your entire body and clothing, do not stop when you find one tick. There may be more. Be sure to check for ticks on your pets and children. When to see a health care professional to have tick removed? If the tick has buried itself deep in your skin. This happens when the tick has been on you for several hours or even a day or two. It hard to remove the tick if it has been burrowed deep into your skin. How to remove the tick yourself? To remove the tick yourself, follow these steps: 1. Use tweezers to gently to get a hold of the tick as close to the mouth as possible. The body of the tick will be above the skin. Do not touch the tick with your bare hands. Wear gloves if possible. 2. Lift the tick straight off the skin. Do not squeeze tick because this can force its stomach contents into the wound and increase the chance of infection. It s very important to make sure that all of the tick, including the mouth parts buried in your skin, is removed. 3. Once the tick is removed, clean the area with soap and water. Place a small amount of antibiotic ointment on the area and re-wash your hands with soap and water. 4. Dispose of the tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers. 5. You may wish to speak with your health care provider as soon as possible to see if they want to submit to the BC Centre for Disease Control for testing. You cannot remove a tick by covering it with grease or gasoline, or by holding a match or cigarette against the skin. This will not work and may increase your chance of getting an infection. 10
How do you avoid getting bitten by a tick? You can protect yourself and your family against tick bites by following these tips when you spend time in an area where ticks may be: Walk in cleared trails wherever possible when walking in tall grass or woods Wear light colored clothing, tuck your top into your pants, and tuck your pants into your boots or socks. Use an insect repellant containing DEET on your clothes and on all uncovered skin. Reapply as it is directed on the container. Check clothing and scalp when leaving an area where ticks may live. Check in folds of skin. Have someone help you check young children. Regularly check household pets which go into tall grass and wooded areas. Which diseases can be spread by ticks? Several diseases can be passed to humans from tick bites. The most well-known is Lyme Disease. Borrelia burgdorferi, the organism that causes Lyme disease, has been found in ticks collected from many areas in BC. Dozens of Lyme disease cases have been identified in the past 15 years. Many people with Lyme disease have not travelled outside of the province, and it is likely they contracted the disease in BC. Not all ticks carry the bacteria for Lyme disease and there is only a very small chance of contracting it from ticks. However, since Lyme disease is such a serious disease, it is worth taking steps to avoid being bitten. It s Tick Season. What are the Symptoms of tick-related Lyme Disease? If you have the following symptoms within days or weeks following being bitten by a tick, report them to your health care provider right away. Tell your health care provider when and where a tick bit you. General symptoms of fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, or weakness of the muscles of the face. Skin rash, especially one that looks like a bulls-eye, which may not be in the area of the bite. In very rare cases, paralysis may occur. The paralysis usually starts with the feet and legs and works its way up to the upper body, arms and head. The paralysis usually starts within a few hours to a day or two days after a bite. What is the treatment? There are currently no vaccines licensed in Canada for any diseases passed on by tick bites. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications. 11
Reducing Stigma around Substance Use Treating people who use substances with respect improves health outcomes and helps save lives. Language matters Encourage the use of respectful non-stigmatizing language when describing substance use disorders, addiction and people who use drugs. Whether it is used in a healthcare setting or in the news media, negative and stigmatizing language discredits people who use drugs and can result in discrimination. Stigmatization contributes to isolation and means people who use drugs will be less likely to access services. This has a direct, detrimental impact on the health of people who use drugs. Every person has the right to health care and should be treated with dignity and respect no matter what their lifestyle. Its time for everyone to change the conversation regarding Substance use and Stigma around Substance Use! Do you know where your Naloxone Kit is?? If not, this is just a reminder to always keep your Naloxone kits handy and readily available. If you would like more information about Naloxone kits or training on how to use them please call anyone of our Community Health Nurses a either QHS (250) 314-6732 or SIB Clinic (250) 373-2580. 12
SEEING GREEN By: Melissa Bradwell, ND We all know that we should eat our green leafy vegetables. Some of us are great vegetable eaters while others could use a little more incentive. Knowing why these vegetables are beneficial might help motivate us to eat more. And what better month than April, the first full month of spring, to reach that goal! Start your garden planning and bring on the green! Top 10 List of Greens from most nutritious to least: 1.Kale: This nutrition powerhouse offers everything you want in a leafy green. It's an excellent source of vitamins A C, and K, has a good amount of calcium for a vegetable, and also supplies folate and potassium. Kale's ruffle-edged leaves may range in color from cream to purple to black depending on the variety. Great in soups as it holds its shape and texture and also delicious tossed in olive oil, baked and enjoyed as chips. 2.Collards: Collard greens are similar in nutrition to kale. But they have a heartier and chewier texture and a stronger cabbage-like taste. They are versatile and can be eaten lightly cooked or raw and, with their wide leaves, are often used as a wrapper instead of tortillas or bread. 3.Turnip greens: More tender than other greens and needing less cooking, this sharp-flavored leaf is low in calories yet loaded with vitamins A, C, and K as well as calcium. 13
SEEING GREEN 4. Swiss chard: With red stems, stalks, and veins on its leaves, Swiss chard is a good source of vitamins A and C and has a beet-like taste and soft texture that's perfect for sautéing. Both Swiss chard and spinach contain oxalates, which are slightly reduced by cooking and can bind to calcium, a concern for people prone to kidney stones. 5. Spinach: Same with Swiss chard, heat reduces the green's oxalate content, freeing up its dietary calcium, therefore, cooked spinach gives you more nutrition than raw. This mild-flavored vegetable can be eaten raw in salads or added to soups, pasta dishes, and casseroles. 6. Mustard greens: With a similar nutrition profile to turnip leaves and collards, mustard greens have scalloped edges and come in red and green varieties. They have a peppery taste and give off a mustardy smell during cooking. Their spiciness can be toned down by adding an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, toward the end of the cooking process. 7. Broccoli: Rich in vitamin C and also a good source of vitamin A, potassium, and folate. Its stalks and florets add both crunch and color to stir-fries. Best served raw or slightly steamed. A good tip is adding fresh broccoli into your pasta or stir-fry dish during the last three minutes of cooking so both are ready at the same time. 8. Red and Green Leaf and Romaine Lettuce: A familiar sight in salad bowls, these lettuces are high in vitamin A and offer some folate. Leaf lettuces have a softer texture than romaine, a crunchy variety used in Caesar salads. Fans of Iceberg lettuce may go for romaine, a crispy green that's better for you. When choos- Preparation Tips: ing a lettuce remember, the darker the lettuce leaf, the more nutrition it has, making red leaf slightly healthier than green. 9. Cabbage: Although paler in color than other leafy greens, this cruciferous vegetable is a great source of cancer-fighting compounds and vitamin C. Available in purple and green varieties, cabbage can be cooked, added raw to salads or stir fries, or shredded into a slaw. 10. Iceberg Lettuce: This bland-tasting head lettuce is mostly water. While it tops the list in consumption as the country's most popular leafy green, it's last on the list for its health benefits. It is however, a great starting point and can be used to draw people into a broader array of salad greens. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins. Therefore, when preparing these vegetables, the addition of a small amount of oil or fat is recommended in order to facilitate absorption of these vitamins. Whenever possible, eat your leafy greens raw so that you can obtain the maximum benefits of them, as cooking or any kind of high heat will destroy the vital nutrients that they have to offer. 14
SEEING GREEN Benefits of Eating Dark Green Vegetables Weight Management-The low-calorie and high-fiber contents of these foods allow you to consume a lot of them, be satisfied and full and avoid weight gain at the same time. Reduce Heart Disease Risk- They have low-fat and highnutrient contents that protect the heart and support healthy cholesterol levels. Help Prevent Cancer- The nutrients they provide are rich in anti-oxidants, which can help facilitate the body s repair mechanisms and help protect the body against free radicals, which are said to contribute to aging and to the formation of cancers. Help Prevent Diabetes and Manage Blood Sugar Levels- Eating a serving of green vegetables everyday can help decrease the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Strong Bones- Green vegetables contain calcium and Vitamin K which can help prevent fractures. Alkalinizing- The typical Western diet is made up of too many acidic foods. To combat the negative health effects this has upon the body, it is suggested we consume alkaline foods, in particular organic green vegetables. These nutrient-packed vegetables work to neutralize the harmful effects of too many acid foods. Protect your eyes- They have lutein and zeaxanthin that protects the eye from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration that sometimes results in blindness among the older population. Healthy Babies- Folate is also known as vitamin B9. It helps with the reproduction of the DNA and RNA cell structures, which in turn can prevent birth defects. Therefore, it is essential that you consume enough folate (about 400 mcg daily), especially if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. 15
Resource Numbers for Kamloops Area Emergency Assistance Ambulance/Fire/Police... 911 Children's Hotline... 310-1234 Kids Helpline... 1 (800) 668-6868 Interior Crisis Line Network... 1 (888) 353-2273 (depression, poverty, abuse, homelessness, suicide) Kamloops Urgent Response Team... (250) 377-0088 Kamloops Mental Health Intake... (250) 377-6500 Kamloops Street Services... (250) 314-9771 Kamloops RCMP Victim Services... (250) 828-3223 Kamloops Y Emergency Services Y Women's Emergency Shelter... (250) 374-6162 Children Who Witness Abuse... (250) 376-7800 Outreach Service... (250) 320-3110 (Mobile service for women and children who have experienced abuse) Native Court Worker... (778) 375-3289 Aboriginal Services Q'wemtsín Health Society... (250) 314-6732 Urban Native Health Clinic... (250) 376-1991 Secwépemc Child and Family Services 300 Chilcotin Road... (250) 314-9669 285 Seymour Street... (250) 461-7237 Toll Free number... 1 (866) 314-9669 Interior Indian Friendship Society... (250) 376-1296 White Buffalo Aboriginal and Metis Society... (250) 554-1176 Secwépemc Cultural Educ. Society.. (778) 471-5789 Native Youth Awareness Centre... (250) 376-1617 Aboriginal Training & Employment Centre... (250) 554-4556 Kamloops Native Housing Society... (250) 374-7643 Secwépemc HUB... (250) 571-1000 Shuswap Training and Employment Program... (778) 471-8201 Q'wemtsín Health Society 130 Chilcotin Road Kamloops BC, V2H1G3 Phone: (250) 314-6732 Fax: (250) 314-6742 Hours of Operation Monday to Thursday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed for lunch between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm) Friday: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm RCMP Tk'emlúps Detachment... (250) 314-1800 Kamloops City Detachment... (250) 828-3000 (Complaints General inquiries) Downtown Community Policing... (250) 851-9213 North Shore Community Policing... (250) 376-5099 Southeast District... (250) 828-3111 TRU Law Legal Clinic (Free Legal Advice)... (778) 471-8490 Addictions Narcotics Anonymous... 1 (800) 414-0296 Al-Anon/Alcoholics Anonymous... (250) 374-2456 Phoenix Centre... (250) 374-4684 Raven Program... (250) 374-4634 Sage Health Centre... (250) 374-6551 Smokers Health Line... 1 (877) 455-2233 Alcohol & Drug Information & Referral Services... 1 (800) 663-1441 Kamloops Walk-in Clinics Summit Medical Clinic... (250) 374-9800 Kamloops Kinetic Energy... (250) 828-6637 Kamloops Urgent Care... (250) 371-4905 North Shore Health Science Centre... (250) 312-3280 Royal Inland Hospital Information... (250) 374-5111 Admitting... (250) 314-2450 Emergency... (250) 314-2289 Aboriginal Patient Navigator (RIH) Deb Donald... (250) 314-2100 (ext. 3109) Cassie Michelle... (250) 314-2100 (ext. 3109) Skeetchestn Health Clinic 333 Main Drive Savona, BC V0K 2J0 Phone: (250) 373-2580 Fax: (250) 373-2590 Hours of Operation Tuesday to Thursday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm 16