Extreme Heat And Your Health

While most Canadians enjoy the hot summer weather, extreme heat can prove to be a problem for some. With global climate changes, certain parts of Canada are now experiencing prolonged heat waves. This, combined with exposure to smog, can cause adverse health effects in some people.

Being active outdoors is a great way to get exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, it is important to recognize the effects that extreme heat can cause in order to stay healthy. Your body must work harder in a heat wave in order to maintain it's normal core temperature. Smog can further complicate matters by making it harder to breathe normally. While some people may experience mild unpleasantness, others may be potentially suffer serious and/or life threatening illness.

A heat wave refers to three or more consecutive days with extremely high temperatures, usually combined with high humidity. It is also common for the temperature to remain high even during night time hours. This means that your body is constantly working overtime to keep cool. This pressure can aggravate pre-consisting conditions where the heart and lungs are already strained.

While most people may just experience discomfort in a heat wave, certain groups are more at risk. This includes:

• Seniors
• Infants and pre-school children
• Pregnant women
• Diabetics
• People with heart and/or respiratory disease
• People who play sports, exercise or do strenuous work outdoors for a prolonged period of time
• People who work outdoors, i.e. construction workers
• People who are currently taking anti-depressants, anti-parkinson's drugs, diuretics, sleep medications, anti-diarrhea pills and certain antihistamines
• People who are overweight

Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. These include:

• Heat Cramps: painful spasms usually in the leg and stomach muscles. These are usually accompanied by heavy sweating. If you are experiencing this, move to a cooler place and lightly massage the affected muscles. Sip a half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
• Heat Exhaustion: even though sweating profusely, your skin is cool, pale, and/or flushed. Can be accompanied by a weak pulse rate, dizziness and/or fainting, vomiting, headache and exhaustion. People affected by heat exhaustion should immediately lay down in a cool place, and put on cool wet clothes. Slowly sip a glass of water every half an hour, unless nauseous. If vomiting occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
• Heat Stroke: also known as sun stroke. This occurs when body temperature is high, pulse is strong and rapid, and breathing becomes shallow and rapid. Heat stroke is incredibly dangerous, and can result in death. Symptoms include severe headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and the skin is red, hot and dry, with no sweating. If you suspect you or someone else may be suffering from heat stroke go to the hospital immediately.

It is a good idea to pay attention to daily local forecasts, in order to be aware of any heat and/or smog alerts for your region. If you are susceptible to extreme heat and/or smog, try to remain indoors on those days where extreme heat is predicted. If you do plan on being outdoors on incredibly hot days, try to do so either in the mornings or evenings, when the temperature is not as hot. Dress in loose clothes, and make sure you wear a hat, as well as sunglasses. Remember to hydrate often, and bring water with you wherever you go. If you do not have air conditioning, find out if your city or town has cooling centres, where you can escape the heat if the need arises. You can also go to a mall, public library, etc. Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and beverages that contain large amounts of sugar, and these can cause the body to lose more fluid. Drinking sports beverages is also important if you have been sweating, as sweating causes the body to lose salt and minerals.

Although you may not be unduly affected by the heat, make sure that those in your family such as the elderly, etc. are taken care of. For those with small children, it is important to remember that they may not be able to handle the heat as well as you. Plan activities that you can all enjoy while getting some exercise.

Seniors And Vision Care

As we get older, it is normal to experience change in our eyesight. As you get older, you may notice that you have difficulty reading small print, increased sensitivity to the sunlight, difficulty in seeing colors and contrasts, and loss of depth perception. You may also have physical symptoms, such as dry eyes, or watery eyes. It is important to be aware of these changes, and to have your eyes examined regularly to detect any potential problems early on. With the proper care, most age-related vision loss can be corrected with glasses, medication and/or surgery. For seniors experiencing more serious vision related conditions, vision aids and/or services and support can allow them to maintain their independence and allow them to remain living in their own homes.

It is important for people as they age to become aware of any changes in their sight. You or someone else may notice changes that are symptoms of vision deterioration. These symptoms include:

• Squinting, greater sensitivity to light
• Choosing bright objects over dull colored, because it's easier to see
• Spilling food or drinks because you misjudge where it is
• Difficulty copying from written text
• Clumsiness due to not being able to see what you are doing, i.e. buttoning a shirt
• Experiencing flashes of light or rapid movement from the corners of your eyes
• Difficulty with night driving, as well as problems seeing street signs or traffic signs
• Experiencing uncontrolled eye movements
• Falling due to not being able to see objects in your path

In addition to normal vision changes due to aging, several diseases or conditions can also affect eyesight. Common illnesses include:

• Glaucoma: occurs when pressure within the eye begins to destroy the nerve fibres in the retina. Early detection and treatment includes eye drops, medication and/or surgery. Because most people do not experience early symptoms, regular eye exams are imperative in order to prevent vision loss and/or blindness.
• Diabetic retinopathy: diabetes can cause changes to the blood vessels, starving the retina of oxygen, causing cloudy vision, seeing spots, and blindness. People with diabetes need to make their eye specialist aware of their condition in order to prevent possible blindness.
• Cataracts: gradual clouding of the lens of the eye, which prevents light from successfully reaching the retina, making tasks such as driving or reading incredibly difficult and/or impossible. Can be successful treated with surgery.
• Age-related macular degeneration: occurs when the macula is damaged or impaired due to aging. It can cause permanent loss of central vision. Early detection and laser surgery can vastly slow down vision loss.
• Floaters: tiny spots that float across your field of vision. While this is normal, and can  be shifted out of your central vision by moving the eye around, it can also be symptomatic of a more serious eye disease. Obtain immediate treatment if there is a sudden change in the amount or type of spots, or if you experience light flashes.

As most seniors will experience some vision related problems at some time in their life, it is important to have coverage that will help cover these expenses. Most of these expenses are usually covered through employee benefits, which normally cease after retirement. HealthQuotes.ca offers a FollowMe coverage package, which requires no medical examination if applied for within 60 days of discontinued group insurance. This coverage can help defray the costs of vision related treatment, laser surgery, and/or glasses. As your vision is essential to your well-being, happiness, and continued independence, make sure you have the coverage you need to ensure that you are getting the care and treatment you need.

Canadian Mumps Outbreak

Ontario is the latest province to have reported cases of the mumps. 3 cases have  been reported in Toronto, with 6 other cases being reported in other parts of the province. Toronto health officials have issued a warning, due to the highly contagious nature of this disease. The outbreak originated in Nova Scotia, with over 200 people contracting the virus, which has also spread to New Brunswick, which has 40 reported cases. The cases in Toronto have been directly linked to a student from the Maritimes visiting the city without knowing he was carrying the disease, with 300 people reportedly being exposed to the virus.

This recent outbreak seems to have started with the student population in New Brunswick. 95% of the cases are attributed to university students. Due to the close living quarters, and social settings, i.e. classes, dining halls, etc. the virus has quickly spread. Any students traveling to or from New Brunswick need to aware of their health and any symptoms they might be exhibiting in order to stop the spread of mumps. While the mumps is typically not a serious illness, it can cause meningitis, hearing loss and inflammation of the testicles or ovaries, and inflammation of the pancreas. Pregnant women who contract the mumps are also at risk of miscarriage. For anyone who has a compromised immune system, the mumps can pose a potentially fatal health risk.

While Eastern Canada experienced a mumps outbreak in 2005-2006, Ontario has not been exposed to the mumps in recent years. Therefore, many people may not be aware of the symptoms, and how it is spread. The mumps is a highly contagious virus that is spread through saliva. It is spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, and also through the sharing of food, cigarettes and drinks or contact with any surface that has been contaminated with the virus. Therefore, it is important to not share these items, or any other items that would put you in contact with another person's saliva. The symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, loss of appetite and tenderness of the salivary glands. If you are experiencing these symptoms, and suspect you may have been exposed to the mumps virus, it is advised that you self-isolate yourself for a period of 9 days (other than to obtain medical care) in order to stop the spread of the virus.

It is assumed that people approximately of 40 years of age have a natural immunity to the virus. Depending on the province in which you reside, people between 12-17 have already had 2 doses of the mumps vaccine. It is important that you check with your health care provider to see whether or not your children have received both doses of the vaccine in order to prevent them from contracting the mumps virus. For the people that do not fall into these categories, consult with your physician to see if you have been vaccinated, and whether or not you should receive another. For the areas that are experiencing current outbreaks, you may be advised to receive another vaccination, especially students and people who work in the healthcare industry. For more information on the mumps virus outbreak, and for updates on current statistics, go to http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/mumps-oreillons/prof_e.html.

Immunization For Canadians

For most Canadians, vaccinations are something we receive as children, and then forget about. There’s a tendency to mistakenly assume that certain diseases are no longer a risk, as outbreaks rarely, if ever, have occurred in our lifetime. However, travelers can unknowingly bring these diseases into Canada when traveling to countries that have not yet eradicated these diseases. For those who have not been vaccinated, this means that they are at risk of becoming infected and becoming ill. Therefore, being current in your vaccination schedule is extremely important in order to maintain good health and to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Immunization is not just for infants and children. Adults need to be aware of their current immunization status, as maintenance vaccinations are required for certain illnesses. People in certain occupations, such as health care, child care workers, etc. are at a higher risk of exposure. For adults traveling to foreign countries, they need to be aware of any required vaccinations as well as any current outbreaks of communicable diseases. For the elderly, being immunized against such illnesses as influenza and pneumonia are essential as these diseases can be fatal for those whose immune systems may be compromised.

It is important for Canadians to realize that many countries do not benefit from the high level of quality medical care that we take for granted. Certain diseases, such as cholera and typhoid are still a serious health concern in other parts of the world. Without being vaccinated for these diseases, travelers risk being exposed and contracting these diseases. Diseases such as Hepatitis A can be contracted through contaminated water and/or unsafe food handling. Countries that do not have adequate sanitation and clean water are especially high risk for Hepatitis A. As well, some countries may require proof of vaccinations before you are allowed entry.

When making your travel plans, it is important to research whether or not you will need to get specific vaccinations, and how long in advance they need to be done. Some vaccinations require a series of shots that are spaced out over several months. Consult with your physician before finalizing any travel plans in order to ensure that you have enough time to be properly vaccinated. If you do not have a family physician, you can find a Travel Health Clinic that can provide you with the necessary information.

It is recommended that Canadians traveling outside of the country have travel insurance. An accident or unexpected illness can cost thousands of dollars in unexpected medical expenses. As well as covering hospital and doctor bills, travel insurance covers such expenses as medical transportation back to Canada, trip cancellation and/or interruption, and baggage loss. HealthQuotes.ca also offers coverage for group travel, as well as adventure travel. Discuss your travel plans with a qualified agent and find the coverage that suits your specific needs.

Workplace Safety

How Stress At Work And Home Can Increase Accident Risk

Recent studies have shown that the rate of stress experienced by Canadians has greatly increased in the past 10 years. A major cause of this elevated stress stems from working longer hours while trying to also maintain a family. Many Canadians are either currently raising a family, or actively caring for elder family members, or both. With a large percent of families consisting of either single parents or with both parents working full time, demands on time, energy and concentration can be overwhelming.

A 2001 National Work-Life Conflict study showed that over half of the employees surveyed were either caring for children, the elderly, or a disabled person. 70% were active parents, 60% were caring for an elder, 13% were caring for a disabled person, and 13% were caring for both children and elders.  The survey also indicated that these employees are working longer hours with heavier workloads than those surveyed in 1991. Unpaid overtime rose substantially, as well as employees bringing extra work home. With the globalization of some companies, work-related travel has increased, as well as work hours in order to accommodate time zones. As well, one-third of employed Canadians do not take a vacation, or reduce their allotted vacation time by an average of 8 days, thereby not allowing themselves time for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Both of these factors greatly contribute to fatigue and stress, which in turn, elevate the risk of accidents. People who are fatigued and/or mentally focused on other tasks can create an unsafe environment, especially when driving or working in an environment where mental alertness is required. A study conducted by the University of North Carolina concluded that sleep-deprived drivers are comparable to drinking drivers in regards to the probability of being involved in a car accident.

As well as the higher risk of accidents, prolonged high levels of stress can be detrimental to one’s health. People who experience a high stress level for long periods of time are at risk for physical symptoms such as high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, increased levels of blood sugar and fatty acids, and increased stomach acids. These physical symptoms, if left untreated, can pose serious health risks.

This elevated likelihood of accidents on the road and in the workplace poses a risk for all. This increased risk also poses certain financial concerns. Many people would be unable to meet their financial obligations if they were suddenly injured and unable to work. Disability insurance may be one way to ensure that if you are ever unable to work due to injury or illness you will not be left without a monthly income. This coverage can be up to two-thirds of your current earnings, paid out monthly. Premiums are variable, depending on your occupation; for those in jobs considered dangerous, the premiums may be higher. Disability insurance is available either for short term or long term; discuss these options with an insurance broker to see which option is more suited for your needs.