“To revive, strengthen and protect members’ treaty rights to health and to enhance the quality of life of members’ and others living in Bigstone Traditional lands.”

NEWSLETTER May 2014 What The Health Is Going On?!

Box 1020 Wabasca, Alberta

T0G 2K0 Phone: 780-891-2000

Fax: 780-891-2623 Toll Free Number:

1-877-767-7060

www.Bigstonehealth.ca ~MOTHERS DAY~

Sunday May 11th 2014 Let Apple Drugs take care of the stress of what to get

MOM this Mothers Day! Apple Drugs will be taking flower bouquet orders for

customers in Wabasca, the bouquet orders will be delivered by Frankly Flowers to the store for

customer pick up. We will also be selling custom-made Mothers Day

gift baskets. Apple Drug staff are ready to help you find that

special gift, you can stop by the store during regular business hours or call 780-891-2750.

We also have a variety of items in stock for you to choose from

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Alberta Health Services is highlighting the importance of immunization as a means of protecting vulnerable individuals from exposure to potentially deadly illnesses, such as measles. Health experts are concerned the recent outbreak of measles in the province is partly due to dropping immunization rates.

Measles is a very contagious (easily spread) infection that causes a rash all over your body. It is also called rubeola or red measles. The measles vaccine protects against the illness. This vaccine is part of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella [chickenpox]) vaccines. Most children get the vaccine as part of their regular shots. This is why measles is rare in Canada and the United States. Measles is caused by a virus. It is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares food or drinks. The measles virus can travel through the air. This means that you can get measles if you are near someone who has the virus even if that person doesn't cough or sneeze directly on you. You can spread the virus to others from 4 days before the rash starts until 4 days after the rash appeared. The virus is most often spread when people first get sick, before they know they have it. If you have had measles, you can't get it again.

What are the symptoms? The first symptoms of measles are like a bad cold—a high fever, a runny

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nose and a hacking cough. The lymph nodes in your neck may swell. You also may feel very tired and red, sore eyes. You may develop white spots inside your mouth. These symptoms are followed by a red blotchy rash , beginning behind your ears and spreading downwards, all over your body. Children under 5 years of age and adults are more likely to get very sick with measles.

It usually takes about 7 to 18 days, but rarely as long as 21 days, to get symptoms after you have been around someone who has measles. But it may take as long as 18 days for the first symptoms to appear. This is called the incubation period. The measles rash usually appears about 14 days you have been around someone with measles. But it could take as long as 21 days before you see the rash. Getting your child vaccinated is important, because measles can sometimes cause serious problems. False claims

in the news have made some parents concerned about a link between autism and vaccines. But studies have found no link between vaccines and autism.

Please call our Community Health nurse 780-891-2000 to see if you and your family is

up to date with their vaccinations.

Don’t Procrastinate, Vaccinate!

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New Dentist & Hygienist at Bigstone Dental

With the addition of the new staff we now have 2 full time Dentists and 2 full time Hygienists that are committed to providing excellent dental care to all our patients.

To book an appointment call: 780-891-2722

Office hours are Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

New Doctor at Bigstone Medical Clinic

We are excited to announce that Dr. Ephraim Mahlase will be joining Dr. Hassen at the Bigstone Medical Clinic. Dr. Mahlase is from South Africa and has been living in Canada for the past 10 years.

His clinic hours will be Monday – Friday, 9:00am- 5:00pm.

To book an appointment, please call 780-891-3839.

Mental illnesses can take many forms, just as physical illnesses do. Mental illnesses are still feared and misunderstood by many people, but the fear will disappear as people learn more about them. If you, or someone you know, has a mental illness, there is good news: all mental illnesses can be treated. (http://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/understanding-mental-illness/)

There’s no sure way to prevent mental illness. However, if you do have a mental illness, taking steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and to boost low self-esteem may help keep your symptoms under control. To raise awareness for the various types of mental illness we will be hosting information sessions throughout the moth. Events will be posted in the community.

If you have questions or concerns please

call Bigstone Community Wellness 780-891-3777

May is Mental Health Month!

What The Health Newsletter Customer Survey

Bigstone Health Commission would like to know you a little better; we are conducting a customer survey to determine how effective our newsletter has been in

getting essential information out to the public. Please answer the questions below for a chance to win a family gift basket that

includes: A 6-month family (4 family members) pass to the pool & field house, 18 holes for two

at the Eagle Point Golf Course, and a $100 gift certificate for E&M Foods.

Tell us about yourself, just mark an X next to your answer.

Are You: Working Student Training Stay at home parent

Retired

Age: 16-21 22-27 28-33 34-39 40 and up Sex: Female Male Are you BCN Member: Yes No Do you live On or Off reserve:

On Off

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Please cut this portion off and submit into the draw box, to enter for a chance to win a family gift basket.

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