August 15 2023 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

Vaping: learn the risks, get support

Vaping devices draw people in with bright colours as a candy shop and as many flavours as an ice cream parlour — a far cry from traditional cigarettes and their impossible-to-miss warning labels, which will soon be on the cigarettes themselves. But as vaping grows in popularity, it’s hard to ignore the long list of health risks including nicotine addiction and lung disease. Vaping is the act of inhaling an aerosol produced by vape mods, vapourizers, e-cigarettes or vape pens. Vaping p…

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June 19 2023 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

Navigating primary health care: LGBTQ+ patients

For Alberta’s LGBTQ+ population, finding a family doctor who understands and can support their unique primary care needs is easier said than done. With unique health concerns that span sexual health, mental health, screenings, medication and more, it can be a tough system to navigate — especially for those who are just beginning to self-identify. June is Pride Month: a movement that commemorates and celebrates the self-affirmation, dignity, equality and increased visibility of LGBTQ+ peop…

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May 10 2022 Category: Patient Stories, Tips & Tricks

 

Cost-saving tips for healthy eating

According to Statistics Canada, the food inflation rate rose 8.7% in the last year. Skyrocketing food costs make it tough to shop for groceries and budget healthy food into our diets. Calgary Foothills PCN dietitians can teach you how to stretch your meals – from spending less on nutritious food to getting creative with leftovers. Try their money-saving tips to plan nutritious meals and snacks without breaking the bank. 1) Create a grocery list and set a budget Buying only what is on …

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January 13 2022 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

Have COVID-19? These resources can help

Testing positive for COVID-19 can be scary.   Alberta College of Family Physicians, Alberta Medical Association and Primary Care Networks have created a guide to help navigate next steps. Some COVID-19 symptoms can be managed at home and others need medical assistance. This simple red-amber-green chart helps you understand when you can care for yourself or family member at home and when you need to seek further medical attention from your doctor or emergency.   There…

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April 23 2021 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

Answering your COVID-19 vaccine questions

With the COVID-19 vaccination programs underway in Alberta, it’s important to stay informed and ask questions. There is a lot of communication out there about the COVID-19 vaccines – some good and some bad. It’s critical to have the correct information about the vaccines so you can make an informed choice when it comes to getting vaccinated. Here are fact-based answers to some of the questions being circulated about the COVID-19 vaccines: Question: Does the COVID vaccine causes infe…

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March 22 2021 Category: General, Patient Stories, Tips & Tricks

 

March is nutrition month

Nutrition Month is a good time to remember eating a well-balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health. The COVID-19 pandemic had made good nutrition more challenging to many because of reduced income or changes in routines due to physical distancing. Here are some resources to help: Top tips for eating healthy during the COVID pandemic Buying groceries on a budget Making food last longer by using leftovers Top five tips for planning your meals Calgary Foothills PC…

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January 12 2021 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

Simple changes for a healthier 2021

After a difficult year, making positive changes in 2021 may feel overwhelming. But if improving your health and wellness is on your mind, consider some smaller steps to start down the path to a healthier lifestyle this year. Increase your activity Many of us have often thought about adding ‘being more active’ to our New Year’s resolutions list. It may sound easy enough, but we can struggle to achieve it. Here are some tips that can make your resolution more sustainable. Start Sma…

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August 06 2020 Category: General, Patient Stories

World Breastfeeding Week

April 02 2020 Category: Patient Stories

 

Your family doctor is here for you

Whether it is in person, over the phone or via video your family doctor’s clinic is open and here to support you. Your family doctor knows you best and can help get you the care you need. Contact your family doctor to find out if an in-person or virtual appointment is right for you. If you have symptoms related to COVID-19 do the self-assessment at ahs.ca/covid. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

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March 25 2020 Category: Patient Stories

 

Hearts for health care workers

What began as a loving gesture to post hearts on their door to show solidarity and support for her husband, an emergency room doctor in the Boston area, has become a viral movement worldwide. “I wanted to find a way to let health care workers know that we see them, we are here for them and they are supported and loved,” says Tanya Russell who began the Hearts for Healthcare Workers Facebook group. Within weeks the group has grown to over 50,000 members with people posting photos of the…

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August 01 2019 Category: General, Patient Stories

Breastfeeding support helps children thrive

April 08 2019 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

Getting help: Family doctors to provide opioid treatments and support

Family doctors to provide much-needed opioid treatments and support Albertans from every walk of life struggle with opioid dependency. They are your neighbours, your friends and your co-workers. They’re not just those who have struggled with chronic mental health issues or homelessness. It doesn’t matter if opioids are prescription medications or street drugs; opioid use disorder can affect people taking either. Consequences may include strained or broken relationships, injury, dise…

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December 16 2018 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

The importance of continuity of care

Seeing your family doctor regularly can lead to better health and even life-saving care Continuity of care means your family doctor is with you every step of your care journey, working to do what's best for your health. It prevents tests from being duplicated and allows results to be reviewed promptly with your health history in mind. It also means that you commit to seeing your doctor regularly. For 69-year-old Stephen Nichol, continuity of care probably saved his life. In early 2018, he …

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September 07 2018 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

Working together to meet community needs

Sometimes life throws curveballs, and you’re not sure what to do. It could be an aching shoulder, stress from your job, a financial problem—or all of the above. Your medical home can help. A main goal of the Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in the Calgary area is to understand and respond to your needs. Here are some of the community programs and services they offer. Calgary Foothills PCN: Help with housing Calgary West Central PCN: Primary care when you need it Calgary Rural PCN: Providing…

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June 07 2018 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

Living well with pain

We’ve all felt pain and we’ve all felt the relief of its passing. But for people living with chronic pain relief is often brief, if at all. In broad terms, pain is an unpleasant sensation in your body that makes you want to stop or change your behaviour. In the case of chronic pain, the jabs, throbbing and spasms can persist even after the initial injury heals. In some cases, the cause may not be known. The experience of pain is different for everyone, making it difficult to diagnose and …

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