Your personal pharmacist has the knowledge, training and authority to assess and prescribe for minor ailments and contraception. Minor ailments are health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment. If you have a skin rash, fungal infection, heartburn, seasonal allergies, shingles, UTIs or a vaginal yeast infection, visit your pharmacist for a free assessment. After the assessment, your pharmacist may prescribe medication or refer you to another healthcare provider. If a prescription is issued, a prescription fee applies, just like prescriptions issued by a physician. Your primary care provider will be notified to support continuity of care and treatment outcomes.
Community News
What Causes Tinnitus and How Can I Treat It
Tinnitus
Sufferers of tinnitus often describe it as a loud ringing, whirring, roaring, hissing, clicking, or buzzing sound in the ear or head.
The sound can range from intermittent and annoying to constant and debilitating and can even impede your ability to hear. Researchers have linked tinnitus to a variety of medical conditions, so treatment options are just as variant.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom of a variety of health conditions, so it can be hard to pinpoint the cause. However, a health professional may find a correlation between the onset of one medical issue and the period when your tinnitus began.
One of the most common causes of tinnitus is hearing loss. Excessive noise exposure resulting in permanent damage to the auditory system and hearing loss due to aging are the most common reasons for the onset of tinnitus.
Other tinnitus causes include:
- Wax buildup in the ear canal
- Jaw misalignment
- Head and neck trauma
- Certain types of tumors
- Fatigue
- Certain medications such as aspirin and quinine
Ear or sinus infections
Some diseases and disorders such as Meniere’s disease, hypothyroidism, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease.
Treatment Options
Tinnitus can be such a persistent condition that many people just “learn to live/deal with it,” but going all or most of your life with a compromised hearing experience does not have to be a life sentence.
Two general approaches to treating tinnitus are to reduce the intensity and to reduce the patient’s reaction. These approaches can overlap and include:
- Masking through sound therapy – Uses an external sound source to eliminate or reduce the awareness of the tinnitus
- Relaxation therapy – utilizes progressive muscular relaxation to reduce overall reactions to stress
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – uses attention control, imagery training and relaxation methods to create more positive thinking about tinnitus
- Tinnitus retraining therapy – a combination of directive counselling and sound therapy
- Hearing aids – this solution can be combined with masking treatments, sound therapy, CBT and relaxation therapy. This may be the ideal solution if you also have a hearing loss
Tinnitus Prevention
Since a variety of health conditions can trigger tinnitus, an overall healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk.
- Practice safe listening by wearing noise protection in loud environments and reducing your noise exposure.
- Eat healthy and stay active to reduce your risk for diseases that could trigger tinnitus.
Healthy hearing begins with a hearing test. If you think you may have a tinnitus related hearing loss, or even a hearing loss in general, you can book a free, no obligation hearing appointment at HearingLife today.
Gaming vs Gambling
Once upon a time, gaming and gambling were separate forms of entertainment, vying for their respective market share. In today’s world, now that people of all ages have wide-ranging access to the internet and smartphones, these industries have become powerhouses within their respective worlds. How people gamble has changed. How our youth play video games has changed as well: Never-ending self-contained online worlds, rife with micro-transactions fuel increased spending to simply keep up in the game. If this all sounds foreign to you, please connect with an under-40 gaming enthusiast near you. Gaming and gambling have changed. Now, there is even more reason to make sure we are doing both responsibly.
Health Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture, an ancient healing practice, offers holistic wellness benefits. By stimulating specific points in the body, it promotes energy flow, aiding in pain relief, stress reduction and improved circulation. This technique, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, can alleviate migraines, back pain and even aid in managing chronic conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Acupuncture also supports mental health by reducing anxiety and enhancing relaxation. Incorporating acupuncture as a complementary therapy alongside modern medicine fosters a balanced approach to health. Boost the effectiveness of an acupuncture session by being well-hydrated. Acupuncture is covered by Extended Health Care Plans.
Making Life Accessible – Special Offer
At Motion, our knowledgeable experts enjoy making life accessible for everyone by identifying the unique needs of our clients and selecting solutions that fit their lifestyles. Let us help you make a difference in your life every day with the right mobility and home accessibility solutions. “Because it’s not a place, it’s a partnership.” SPECIAL OFFER at Motion Nanaimo: 20% OFF All In-Stock Mobility Scooters until September 15, 2023. Standard and folding travel options available to support a variety of mobility needs. Contact us today to claim the offer and for a no-obligation quote!
Goal Setting for a New Season
September is a great time of the year to make plans for your health and mental awareness as you prepare for the winter months. It is also a great time to set new goals and reset goals. You may need help to get on the right track with so many other things keeping you busy. A Body Code/Emotion Code session with a Certified Practitioner will assist you to release any emotions that are in the way of you achieving your goals. Call for an appointment today!
Learn a New Skill this Fall
This fall, seniors have a golden opportunity to embrace the joy of learning new skills. Whether it’s mastering digital photography, delving into creative writing or exploring the intricacies of gardening, the season offers a perfect backdrop for growth. With a wealth of online resources and community classes, seniors can engage their minds and passions, fostering a sense of accomplishment and connection. Learning enhances cognitive function and also brings fulfillment and a renewed sense of purpose. Embracing the vibrant hues of autumn, seniors can embark on a rewarding journey, proving that it’s never too late to acquire fresh skills and enrich their lives.
SOS Thrift Store – Community Event
In 1969, a year after SOS was created, the founding members opened the SOS Thrift Shop to provide a secure funding base for its programs. Today, thanks to community support, the Thrift Shop is the primary funder of SOS programs. It offers an affordable place for residents to shop and it provides dozens of meaningful jobs. It has become a community hub where volunteers assist while having fun and becoming more connected to their community. Come celebrate our collective community impact with a free Anniversary and Customer Appreciation event at SOS Thrift Shop on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 10 am to 3 pm. Enjoy cake, hot dogs, popcorn, prizes, special sales and live music.
Should I Buy Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations and interruptions is highly recommended; especially for seniors. A medical emergency in a foreign country is not covered by your provincial health insurance; a hospital stay can easily cost $100,000 or more. If you do get sick and can’t travel home from your destination, trip interruption insurance will cover your costs while you recover. If you become ill before you travel, trip cancellation insurance will reimburse travel costs. Travel insurance buys peace of mind. If you travel several times a year, you may want to consider annual travel insurance.
Keep Fit & Have Fun with Dancing
Dancing is a great way to keep active. Combining cardio, flexibility, creativity and socialization, dancing will help keep you feeling great and connected! Health benefits include improved muscle tone, strength and endurance. It can also result in weight loss and decreased depression. Plus, dancing can help you achieve those sometimes-elusive 10,000 daily steps we all try to take for our health. From ballroom, to tap, to jazz and more, there are lots of great dance styles, allowing you to choose your groove! Check your local recreation guide to find a dance class or event near you.
Caring for the Caregiver
Caregiving is an exhausting and often round-the-clock role that many of us will take on in our lifetime. How do we thrive while providing holistic supportive care to our loved ones? The answer is by caring for ourselves! The best way for both you and your loved ones to flourish is by accepting help and creating a community of support. If a friend or family member offers to give you respite, leave your guilt at the door and enjoy this time away! If you would like to have support from the experts, call Comfort Keepers today.
