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January 29 2018 Category: General, Tips & Tricks

Diabetes: understanding the disease

Diabetes is common in Canada, yet few of us know much about it. This chronic disease robs the body of its ability to control blood sugar (glucose) levels, either because it cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. Without insulin, sugar builds up in the blood instead of being used as energy. Over time, this damages organs, blood vessels and nerves. A report by Diabetes Canada in 2015 found the number of people with diabetes more than doubled between 2000 and 2015…
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January 09 2018 Category: General, Tips & Tricks

 

Signs and symptoms of diabetes

Clues your body gives about diabetes By Colleen Seto More than one million Canadians have diabetes and don’t know it. That’s because, for many, diabetes gives no clues or symptoms. If you’re 40 or over, the best way to detect diabetes is to discuss your health and possible risk factors with your healthcare provider. Together, you may also consider getting screened for diabetes even if you display none of the signs of the disease. These include: Unusual thirst Frequent urinati…
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January 06 2018 Category: General, Tips & Tricks

Diabetes support through your Primary Care Network

Each Primary Care Network (PCN) in the Calgary Zone offers help for adults living with or at risk for diabetes. Your medical home team PCN clinicians work with you long-term to help you best reach your health goals. Clinicians answer your questions one-on-one, and connect you with other people who can help you, such as: Family physicians Certified diabetes educators Health management nurses (including weight and chronic disease management) Dietitians Clinical pharmacists …
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December 21 2017 Category: General

After-hours care through Calgary Foothills PCN

Our Access 365 Clinic operates 7-days-a-week. It provides after-hours care and same-day appointments (if appropriate) for patients who need urgent help. WHO CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT? Patients who: Have an urgent need to be seen by a doctor within 24 to 48 hours Can’t get an appointment within that time with their own family doctor Are patients of Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network doctors HOW TO GET AN APPOINTMENT Call your family doctor, if their clinic is open…
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October 13 2017 Category: General

Flu season: How & where to get immunized

As the leaves fall and the temperature continues to drop, flu season is almost upon us. Starting Monday, October 23, all Albertans aged six months and older will be able to do their part to protect themselves and their families from influenza. Ask your family doctor if your clinic is offering immunizations this winter. Pharmacies and some Alberta Health Services clinics are also offering this service on a drop-in basis. Who should get the vaccine? Everyone aged six months and older shoul…
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August 24 2017 Category: General, Tips & Tricks

 

8 things to keep in mind when checking your blood pressure

For a variety of reasons, your doctor or health team may recommend that you regularly check your blood pressure. One in five Canadian adults live with high blood pressure — also referred to as hypertension — so it’s handy to know how to properly check it. When checking your blood pressure, always measure your resting heart rate, which is the number of times your heart beats per minute while at complete rest. Follow these tips to ensure you get the most accurate reading possible, so you …
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July 17 2017 Category: General, Tips & Tricks

 
Prescription To Get Active Patient

Prescription to Get Active

People across Calgary have been filling prescriptions to get active. On the advice of a healthcare professional, they can try a number of fitness facilities around the city for free. “This is a good option for our clients that really want to try something out before they get into it,” says Katie Elgie, kinesiologist at the South Calgary Primary Care Network. “Some people can find the gym intimidating and this lets them get a feel for it before they sign up for anything.” Patients can …
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June 12 2017 Category: General, Tips & Tricks

 

Everything under the sun for summer safety

Advice for enjoying the season's sunny rays   LIMIT SUN: Avoid too much time in the sun between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunburn can happen in as little as 15 minutes. WATCH REFLECTIONS: Ultraviolet (UV) rays can reflect off water, concrete and other surfaces. WEAR A HAT: Protect your eyes, ears, face and neck with a wide brim hat. PROTECT YOUR EYES: Wear sunglasses and prescription glasses with 99 per cent to 100 per cent UV-A/B protection. DRESS UP: Wear loose-fitting clothes over as muc…
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June 02 2017 Category: General

Director vacancy: Public board member

Director Vacancy: Public Board Member The Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group of more than 450 family doctors who work with teams of other health professionals to offer patients the best in primary health care. Our PCN serves more than 379,000 patients in northwest Calgary and Cochrane. Together with Alberta Health Services, we offer round-the-clock care. We work to achieve better health outcomes for our patients. We believe we can make a difference. The Public Board Memb…
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May 15 2017 Category: General, Patient Stories

 
Dennis Christensen (photo by Neil Zeller)

Changing the course of prediabetes

Changing the course of prediabetes Improving your diet can improve your health When Dennis Christensen was diagnosed with prediabetes just over a year ago, he felt sluggish and tired all the time, and weighed 250 pounds. “It scared the heck out of me,” he says. “I know a lot of people with diabetes and I know what it can do to you.” Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates how much sugar is in your blood) or…
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May 08 2017 Category: General, Tips & Tricks

 
Pulse and Barley Salad

Bonus benefits

Bonus benefits Serving up healthy eating Healthy eating can help you reach and stay at a healthy weight, which in turn helps you keep a number of other health problems at bay. It also reduces your risk for a number of chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Karyn Sunohara, a registered dietitian with the South Calgary Primary Care Network says healthy eating also has a number of bonus benefits. They include: When you ea…
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May 01 2017 Category: General, Tips & Tricks

 
Pregnant woman eating a healthy pita

Pregnancy Weight

Pregnancy Weight Gaining the right amount for you and your baby   When you’re pregnant, you need more nourishment than usual. The average weight gain during pregnancy is 11.5 to 16 kilograms (25 to 35 pounds), most of it during the second and third trimesters. About a third (35 per cent) of that extra weight is your baby and your placenta and amniotic fluid. The rest of it is from increased blood and fluids and tissue in the breasts and uterus. Weight gain according to BMI How…
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March 14 2017 Category: General, News Releases

 

Screening for health

Screening for Health PCNs are reminding patients when it’s time for regular tests to detect diseases earlier Life is busy and it can be easy to forget when it’s time for a regular screening test. That’s why Primary Care Networks are tracking your screening tests and giving you a call if you miss one. Screening for diseases, such as breast or colon cancer, heart disease and diabetes, may detect problems earlier. Earlier detection means you can get started on treatments sooner and can…
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March 13 2017 Category: General, Patient Stories, Tips & Tricks

 
Dietitian Carmen Prion-Frank discusses nutrition with patient Cheryl Aitkens

Eating your way to good health

Eating your way to good health By Jennifer Allford Getting the right advice about food Cheryl Aitkens was trying to choose healthy foods and leave less healthy foods on the grocery store shelf. But it was tougher than she expected—what to do about fat-free yogurt that’s loaded with sugar? And some advice she read was confusing. “You read so much and everybody has an opinion,” she says. “I want to take better care of myself and I wanted the truth and I wanted someone to point me i…
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January 03 2017 Category: General, Patient Stories, Tips & Tricks

 

5 tips to a healthy pregnancy weight, and food cravings

Start thinking about healthy eating and your weight well before you decide to have a baby. A healthy weight and eating well makes it easier for you to conceive and sets you up for good eating habits during your pregnancy. The tips and tricks below show you how to consume the ideal amount of food in pregnancy to keep you and your baby healthy. Watch the video (3:08) to get started. 1.      Know Your BMI: The amount of weight you should gain during your pregnancy depends on …
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