The benefits of vitamin

We recommend ALL of our patients take vitamin D.Dosage is minimum 1000 units daily, but check with

the doc.

Benefits:Reduces Mortality by 0.5%

Prevents FallsMay reduce breast and colon cancer

Improves bone health

Flu shots every fall/winter!

•Every year, 5-15% of the population will get the influenza virus

•Most people may get over the symptoms without issue, but....

•For some the virus can lead to hospitalization or death

Flu shots every fall/winter!

•When we get vaccinated, it’s not to protect ourselves, but to protect the frail and children in our lives...plus Dr. Elia and Komar both get it!

Screening for breast cancer

•Mammograms are recommended for all women age 50-70

•Most women are telling us the mammograms are not as uncomfortable as they used to be

•Ask us for info!

Screening for breast cancer

•Mammograms are recommended for all women age 50-70

•Should be done at least every 2 years, or more often if a previous family history of breast cancer

•Ask us for info!

Are you into menopause?

•If you have gone more than a year without a period, you are considered to be in menopause

•If you are menopausal and have any vaginal bleeding whatsoever, you have to let the doctor know

Trouble with sinuses?

•We often recommend a saline sinus rinse to patients with sinus infections

•Keep the sinus rinse bottle for next time...save some money

•How to make your own saline:

•Boil one cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt for 15 minutes in a pot (with lid on pot)

•Let the water cool, then empty into a washed bottle

Home safety!•Make sure your smoke detectors and

carbon monoxide detectors are up to date!

•Both are recommended for all residences

•Keep medications safely away from children

•Make sure your home hot water maximum is set at 49 degrees C

Does your child have troublesome

acne?

•Speak to Dr. Elia or Dr. Komar about potential solutions!

•Most kids assume nothing can be done, and tend not to bring it up on their own

Travelling soon?

•Dr. Komar and Dr. Elia only give simple advice regarding hepatitis vaccination for travellers

•If you are travelling to a rural or remote area, you want the most up to date advice from an expert

•Call the London Travel Clinic to make an appointment!

Remember to stretch!•One of the best ways to prevent

injuries is to stretch daily, even if you do not do strenuous physical activity

•If you want advice regarding stretching, talk to Dr. Elia or Dr. Komar!

Long-standing moles?•Even if your moles have been

there “forever”, it might be a good idea to take a picture of it with a ruler and digital camera

•In case it changes, we’ll have a comparison!

Specialist have concerns?

•If your specialist has questions about your medical history or any previous tests, always encourage them to contact our office

•With our new EMR, much of your medical information is very easily accessible!

No Q-tips!

•We strongly advise AGAINST using Q-tips for any ear care

•They have been known to increase risk of perforation and ear infection

Have you arranged a power of attorney?

•Regardless of age, we recommend that you appoint a POA for finances and personal care

•Speak to Dr. Elia or Komar if you are unsure what this means

Big Brothers/Big Sisters•This is an important program for

children and teens to have an older mentor in their lives

•Visit their website to see whether this program would be a good fit for you!

“Rare earth magnets”

•Keep these away from children!

•If ingested, they can cause irreversible damage to the intestines

“Safety Never Hurts”•This is a great newsletter available

online for parents through the Health Unit

•It details specific safety issues for parents to be aware of!

Prescribed antibiotics?

•These are only to be used during the illness they were prescribed for

•Keeping them for later “just in case” can be quite harmful to your health, and can increase antibiotic resistance

Getting cataracts done?

•The cataracts that are provided by OHIP are good quality, and will give you a good result

•Don’t feel pressured to buy a more expensive product, unless the ophthalmologist recommends it specifically because of your eye structure

Did you know...•A study found that using non-

vehicle methods to get around improved high blood pressure, diabetes and weight

•Cycling, walking, or even taking public transit all improved outcomes!

Fish for memory?•Eating two servings of fish per

week has been shown to improve memory in seniors

•Just avoid fried fish, as this is not as healthy as other types of fish

Mosquitos on vacation•Most warm destinations have

mosquitos that transmit diseases like malaria and dengue

•They bite both day and night!

•Apply DEET twice daily over your sunscreen