vim & vigour

VIGOURFALL 2015

ST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH CARE LONDON – CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY

VIGOURFALL 2015

Tribute Dinner: Comedian Howie Mandel to share his story of mental illness. Details inside.

PLUS Actress and activist Ellen Page on the power of a healthy diet

ChangeMakinga

tips that prove change is easier than you think 83

PARKWOOD INSTITUTE INSPIRES LEE THIBEAULTTO DREAM BIG

TLC for adults with special needs

LAWSON RESEARCH: DOES HOCKEY HOLD A KEY TO MEN’S HEALTH?

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I’m inspired to walk

“Through the support of care teams at Parkwood Institute and new technologies like the Lokomat, I have hope.

because I believe it is possible.”

Paralyzed from the waist down, Lee is inspired by his therapists and technologies like the Lokomat – a robotic machine to regain lower body strength – with the ultimate goal of teaching the brain and nervous system to re-learn how to walk.

Give today. Inspire tomorrow.

Because we all need st. Joseph’s

Be inspired to take the next step

Lee Thibeault

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St. Joseph’s Health CareJOB DESCRIPTION

Inspired to WalkLEE

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RemaRkable attRibutesSt. Joseph’s staff and doctors earn a distinguished award

It’s one of St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s most meaningful traditions— the presentation of the

Sisters of St. Joseph Awards for Excellence. The awards honour staff, physicians and volunteers who share the remarkable attributes of the Sisters of St. Joseph—excellence, positive atti-tude, reliability, honesty, efficiency, creativity, respect, caring, compassion, empathy and appreciation for the work of others. The 2015 recipients are, pic-tured from left:

• Tichelle Schram, therapeutic recre-ation specialist, Veterans Care Program, Parkwood Institute

• Carol Schnarr, registered nurse and unit lead, Forensic Psychiatry Program, Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care

• April Zehr, therapeutic recre-ation specialist, Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, Parkwood Institute

• Cindy Pandke, e-learning instructional designer, Organizational Development and Learning Services

• Team of Dr. Siobhan Telfer, Dr. Marie Dion and Dr. Golnaz Naderkhami, Urology Centre, St. Joseph’s Hospital

Don’t Miss BRA DayIs breast reconstruction post-mastectomy the right choice for you? On Oct. 21 all are invited to BRA (Breast Reconstruction Awareness) Day at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London. Come learn about your options directly from plastic surgeons, hear from women who have undergone the surgery, view real results first-hand in the women’s only “show and tell lounge,” and discover the “Circle of Sharing” support group. (Read about the Circle of Sharing on page 7). Pre-registration is required. Visit sjhc.london.on.ca/breastcare/bra-day-2015-registration for more information and to register.

Allaying FearsSince it’s usually the unknown that causes the most anxiety, St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute is helping patients and families adjust to being in hospi-tal even before they arrive. Videos are now available for those being admitted to the complex care, rehabilitation and veterans care inpatient programs at Parkwood Institute’s Main Building. For outpatients, a video with suggestions about how to prepare for an outpatient visit is also available. To view the videos visit sjhc.london.on.ca/your-visit/parkwood-institute/videos.

Final Issue of Vim & VigourSince 2005, St. Joseph’s has shared its news and stories through Vim & Vigour with more than 55,000 people each issue. This will be our last issue. We hope you have enjoyed the publica-tion and have learned about our chang-ing roles and the many ways our staff, physicians, researchers, volunteers and students contribute to health care in London and far beyond. Through cost-effective opportunities in electronic communication, St. Joseph’s will con-tinue to engage you in our work. We thank you for joining us through the pages of Vim & Vigour. Be sure to stay up to date on happenings across the organization by visiting our websites: sjhc.london.on.ca, sjhcfoundation.org and lawsonresearch.com. Join us, too, on Facebook at facebook.com/stjosephslondon and facebook.com/SJHCFoundation. n

st. joseph’s notebook

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ConneCting with our Community

Earlier this spring, we re-opened the historic chapel at St. Joseph’s Hospital. At any hour of the day or night, patients, families and staff sit quietly in this

tranquil place during times of peaceful solitude or moments of crisis. We were blessed to have strong donor support to assist in the refurbishment of this beloved space to mark its 100th anniversary.

In the coming weeks, we will also celebrate our new Zone A building with an open house. This addi-tion, open since December, brings a long-awaited end to years of construction and hospital renewal for St. Joseph’s. It features an accessible, barrier-free entrance, our Prescription Shop and other services, and is a gateway to some of the most innovative ambulatory ser-vices in Ontario. The journey to complete our hospital transformation has been a long one, but it has led to a bold new future for our organization.

As mentioned in our spring issue, both St. Joseph’s Health Care London and St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation created new strategic plans that focus on earning the complete confidence of our community. The hospital’s plan is cen-tred on our patients, our people, and clinical, education and research excellence. We invite you to read the specifics of the plan and the tracking of its progress at sjhc.london.on.ca. The foundation’s plan is engineered to meet the future needs of patient care, teaching and research at St. Joseph’s.

As we leave construction behind and move firmly into our new future, we are developing new ways of engaging with our community. As a result, this will be our final issue of Vim & Vigour. For the last decade, this publication has been the primary vehicle for communicating the changes occurring across our organization, and the many ways St. Joseph’s contributes to health and healing. The time has come for us to consider other opportunities, including greater use of digital media to communi-cate in a timelier, cost-effective and engaging way.

As we embark on the next chapter of St. Joseph’s, we invite you along. We look forward to sharing with you and hearing from you as we fulfill our mission, with respect, excellence and compassion.

the Next Chaptervigour

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ST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION2015–2016 Board of directorsIan Dantzer, Chair Dr. Gillian Kernaghan

Sally Aarssen Paul Kiteley

Michelle Campbell, President Peter Mastorakos

Lesley Cornelius Joanne McNamara

Michael Dale Theresa Mikula

Dr. Tim Doherty Tania Testa

Dianne Evans Keith Trussler

Mark Farrow Brian Waltham

Stacey Graham Paul Way

ST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH CARE LONDON

2015–2016 Board of directorsPhil Griffin, Chair Brenda Lewis

Jonathan Batch Peter Mastorakos

Brad Beattie Margaret McLaughlin

John Callaghan Rev. Terrence McNamara

Darcy Harris Karen Perkin

Dr. Sarah Jarmain Patricia Pocock

Margaret Kellow Dr. Adam Rahman

Dr. Gillian Kernaghan, President Howard Rundle

Paul Kiteley Bruce Smith

Maria Knowles Dr. Michael Strong

Ron LeClair Bill Wilkinson

CONTRIbUTINg WRITERS

Amanda Jackman, Laura Janecka, Anne Kay, Matthew Overall,

Dahlia Reich

EDITORS IN CHIEF

Kathy Burrill and Michelle Campbell

EDITOR

Dahlia Reich

PRODUCTION

McMURRY/TMG, LLC

Vim & Vigour™, Fall 2015, Volume 31, Number 3, is published quarterly by McMURRY/TMG, LLC, 1-888-626-8779. Vim & Vigour™ is published for the purpose of disseminating health-related infor-mation for the well-being of the general public and its subscribers. The information contained in Vim & Vigour™ is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

550 Wellington Rd.London, ON N6C 0A7

519 646-6085sjhcfoundation.org

If you prefer not to receive Vim & VigourTM from St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, please call 519 646-6085.

Publications Mail Agreement #41661016. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 801 Commissioners Road East, London, ON N6C 5J1.

Dr. Gillian KernaghanPresident and CEOSt. Joseph’s Health Care London

Michelle CampbellPresident and CEOSt. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation

dr. Gillian Kernaghan, left, and Michelle campbell

The year 2015 marks a new era for St. Joseph’s

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ContentsFALL 2015

54 Giving Patients a VoiceAssistive devices

are helping people with disabilities communicate.

55 Howie’s WorldAt St. Joseph’s Tribute Dinner,

Howie Mandel opens up about his struggles with mental illness.

FEATURES4 A Lasting Legacy

Bust a Move for Breast Health™ London goes

out on a high note.

6 Special Needs TLCSt. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute fi lls a long-

standing gap in care.

7 A Special BondSupport for breast reconstruction after

mastectomy.

10 Role ModelEllen

Page’s nutritious diet.

14Making a ChangeAdopting healthier habits is easier than

you might think.

22 Heartbreak High How do habits aff ect

heart health?

28 A Letter from Your ColonWhy get a

colorectal cancer screening? Hear it from the colon itself.

49 Fit FansBoosting men’s health through

hockey.

52 New LifeOne patient’s story of recover-

ing from mental illness.

53 Protecting Kids’ VisionSt. Joseph’s Ivey

Eye Institute’s vision screen-ing program for toddlers.

16 Food MakeoverA healthier diet comes from mindful choices, not sacrifi ce.

You can’t beat the benefi ts of beets. PAGE 46

COVER PHOTO BY GETTY/CBS PHOTO ARCHIVE

THE BIG STORY

16

IN EVERY ISSUE

Do cookies have more calories than wine? PAGE 34

STORYSTORY

With the help of St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute, Lee Thibeault is determined to walk again.PAGE 50

Correction: Poison ivy and poison oak are similar but diff erent plants. The “Freak Out or Chill Out?” article in the Summer 2015 issue misstated that they were the same.

FALL 2015 3

1 St. Joseph’s Notebook 2 Connecting with

Our Community 8 Faces of St. Joseph’s 32 The Quick List 33 This Just In 38 The Truth About Skin 40 How To: Prep for

Pregnancy 42 Quiz: Freak Out or

Chill Out? 44 At a Glance: Risky Business 46 In the Market: Beets 48 Health by the Numbers:

Seasonal Suff ering

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A Legacy THAT LIVES

London’s fi nal Bust a Move event went out on a high note, having reached its fundraising goal

Three years of memorable moments, heart-pounding exercise, life-changing fundraising and the dedication of all those involved culminated

in the third and fi nal Bust a Move for Breast Health™ London in March. The event went out on a high note, allow-ing St. Joseph’s Health Care London to invest in breast care innovation and discovery that would otherwise not be possible.

The 2015 Bust a Move event, pre-sented by Shoppers Drug Mart, raised a remarkable $476,421 towards the Breast Care Clinical Research and Tumour Biobank in the Lawson Health Research Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

The results from the 2015 event, combined with results from previ-ous years, meant this epic fundraiser reached its target of raising more than $2.6 million for breast care at St. Joseph’s. Unveiling of the fi nal tally was greeted with cheers from the hundreds of people who spent the day moving and grooving to fun fi tness sessions designed by Movati Athletic.

Participants were also treated to prizes and surprises, including a spe-cial video message from the 2014 Bust a Move fi tness expert Tommy Europe, congratulating participants on meet-ing their 2015 fundraising goals that secured their spot on the fi tness fl oor. There was also the much-anticipated Bust a Move car raffl e draw for a luxury

Beyond the Fitness Floor

BY LAURA JANECKA, PHOTOS BY SUE BRADNAM

vehicle valued at $40,000, generously sponsored by Finch Auto Group.

At the closing ceremonies, Michelle Campbell, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, recalled the foundation’s lofty dream in 2013 of bringing together hundreds of people, on one day, to exercise for six hours in support of men and women receiving breast care at St. Joseph’s.

“Bust a Move sounded like a wild idea at the time. But today, Bust a Movers have created a legacy that extends far beyond the fi tness fl oor,” says Campbell. “Together, participants, volunteers, donors, sponsors and supporters have made a lasting diff erence to the thou-sands of men and women who come to St. Joseph’s for breast care.” �

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1 Colourful balloons fell on Bust a Movers at the end of the day’s fi tness sessions.

Michelle Campbell (far right) takes a moment to celebrate the grand total of the day—$476,421—and the combined total from the past three years, more than $2.6 million.

2 Shoppers “Jugs” Mart—the team of Bust a Move presenting sponsor Shoppers

Drug Mart—was the event’s largest team with 51 participants.

3 The top fundraising team, “Finch-tastics” from Finch Auto Group, raised

more than $120,000 for Bust a Move. The team poses with a luxury vehicle generously donated by the company to Bust a Move for a raffl e.

4 The “Boo Bees,” made up of staff from St. Joseph’s Breast Care Program,

joined Movati Athletic on stage during one of the six fi tness sessions Movati designed for the event.

5 Jeff Kelly from Virgin Radio, emcee during the afternoon ceremonies, takes

a “selfi e” with more than 200 participants who took part in Bust a Move’s six hours of fun-fi lled fi tness sessions.

6 The Marketing Department’s “Happy Hooters” team takes a break

to re-energize with healthy sandwiches courtesy of Subway Canada, lunch sponsor of the event.

7 St. Joseph’s staff member Andrea Wilkinson, a “50 Shades of Pink”

teammate, enjoys a Starbucks break.

8 The event ran smoothly thanks to more than 100 volunteers who helped with all

the details, such as the Booster Juice break that kept participants refreshed.

9 Thanks to Straight Street’s coordination of the lights, videos and music, Bust

a Movers were kept entertained with Movati’s version of KISS at the London Convention Centre.

10 Bust a Move volunteer and breast cancer survivor Joanne Barker,

centre, swaps stories with members of the “Ilder Ta Ta Tons”—winners of the Best Dressed Team award—who were busting a move for people in their lives who have also been aff ected by breast cancer.

MEMORABLE BUST A MOVE

MOMENTS FOR

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St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute brings an important focus to adults with special needs By Anne KAy

A new program at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute is filling a gap in rehabilitative care for adults with disorders of

childhood onset such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and developmental delay.

“It is wonderful that the life expec-tancy of those living with complex needs, physical disabilities and other conditions continues to increase,” says Michael Barrett, CEO, South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). “We now need to ensure the health care system is changing to meet the needs of these children as they move into the adult-centred health care system. The South West LHIN is pleased to provide $374,727 in base funding for the cre-ation of the Transitional and Lifelong Care (TLC) Program.”

Leveraging SkillsAt the TLC Program, Dr. Caitlin Cassidy, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, will work with nursing and other allied health care professionals to provide comprehensive, family-centred, rehabilitative care to those with signifi-cant health care needs, explains Dr. Tim Doherty, chair/chief, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, at Parkwood Institute.

“By locating the program at Parkwood Institute we will be leveraging our therapists’ expert rehabilitative skills to enhance the health and quality of life for these patients,” adds Julie Gilvesy, rehabilitation director.

Growing up with a brother with cere-bral palsy sparked Dr. Cassidy’s interest in disorders of childhood onset. “I wit-nessed first-hand the medical successes

the pediatric system can achieve for children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other condi-tions, but I also saw the drop-off of services once these kids

reached adulthood. I’m proud to be part of a new, interdisciplinary program that will provide rehabilitative care so these patients can maximize their potential throughout their adult years.”

Linking Patients and Families to ServicesAmong the patients of the new clinic will be 21-year-old Chris Madden, who has spina bifida.

“We are grateful and relieved our son will be receiving the rehabilitative care he needs through the TLC program,” says Madden’s mom, Jacqueline.

The TLC team also links patients and their families to care services in the community and serves as a resource to these community services so they can best meet patients’ needs. n

Dr. Caitlin Cassidy, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, works with Chris Madden, 21, a patient of the new Transitional and Lifelong Care Program at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute.

Powerful TlC

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At St. Joseph’s, women who have undergone or are considering breast reconstruction post-mastectomy fi nd support at the Circle of Sharing BY DAHLIA REICH

When Lorraine Harvey made the decision to undergo breast reconstruction two years after

a double mastectomy, there was no one to ask what it would be like, how she would look, how she would feel.

Janice DeGroot, Sue LeMoine and Sophia Collin had the same questions and few answers. All had undergone mastectomies and then reconstruction. While a deeply personal journey for each, all yearned for the same thing—someone to share it with, someone who knew.

“I had my doctor but it’s not the same as seeing and hearing from some-one who has lived it, who could tell us we could make it, that we would be all right,” says DeGroot.

‘A Group Like No Other’The four women are founding mem-bers of the Circle of Sharing, a unique support program for women who have undergone breast reconstruc-tion post-mastectomy or are consider-ing reconstruction. Created in 2009 by clinical nurse specialist Margo Bettger Hahn and social worker Colleen Eckert-Denver of the Breast Care Program

at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, the group helps breast cancer survi-vors and others adjust to a changed body image, redefi ne normality, draw strength from others, and celebrate reclaimed wholeness.

Today, about 140 women are part of the Circle of Sharing. “It’s a group like no other,” explains Eckert-Denver. “The generosity of the women, their wisdom, openness and candor are unbelievable. They are so willing to be there for others.”

For Collin, the Circle of Sharing is the “good that came out of a bad situ-ation.” For her, breast reconstruction didn’t go smoothly and resulted in 13 surgeries. “The whole process was lonely and frightening. If I had had sup-port like the Circle of Sharing at the beginning of my journey, it would have made a tremendous diff erence. The group is there for whatever your story is. I would have known that, no matter how bad it gets, you can get through it.”

Personal DecisionWomen share anything and everything at the Circle of Sharing, including show-ing the results of their surgery if asked,

says LeMoine, who had a double mastec-tomy in 2004.

The purpose of the group is to help women make a decision about recon-struction that’s right for them and provide support for those who choose the option.

“It’s so individual, so personal,” DeGroot says of the breast reconstruc-tion decision. “For me, I knew if I got up in the morning and I saw me, it would help me heal.”

Now many years into their journey, all four women fi nd something else in the Circle of Sharing—the satisfaction of helping others and a friendship only the circle can understand.

“There’s a connection and a bond,” says DeGroot. “A very special bond.” �

The Circle of Sharing at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London is a support group

for women by women who have had or who are considering breast

reconstruction post-mastectomy. Four patients were founding members and

instrumental in planning the group, which was created in 2009. They are: front row, Lorraine Harvey, left, and

Janice DeGroot; back row, Sue LeMoine, left, and Sophia Collin.

SPECIAL BOND

A BAND OF WOMEN WITH A

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He may not be a rock star, but Dr. John Denstedt is inspiring audiences around the world, from Brazil to

China, who tune in to live broadcasts to watch the skillful surgeon demonstrate the most advanced urological proce-dures using robotic technology.

Teaching the next wave of surgeons is one of the many perks of his job, but what motivates Dr. Denstedt each day is contributing to the health and well-being of the patients he serves.

The urologist has had an impres-sive career spanning more than 25 years. Now in his role as city-wide chair/chief of surgery for St. Joseph’s Health Care London and London Health Sciences Centre, Dr. Denstedt is inspired to lead—putting London, Ontario, on the map as a leader in urological care, teaching and research.

Here, Dr. Denstedt shares his global goals.

Vim & Vigour: What inspires your work?Dr. John Denstedt: I have a great job, which feels more rewarding than it does like work. Staff at St. Joseph’s are friendly, collegial and collaborative. We all have a common goal to provide the most innovative, compassionate care possible—and I think that’s because St. Joseph’s encourages that environment.

I also get a lot of satisfaction training the next generation. We have medical fellows here from around the world con-tinuing their medical training. They will go back to their countries and serve as physician leaders.

Vim & Vigour: What innovations are making an impact in London and around the world?Dr. Denstedt: St. Joseph’s has a proud legacy of surgical fi rsts, including the use of the holmium laser in the 1990s to treat kidney stones. We were the fi rst to pioneer techniques that are now being

used by tens of thousands of surgeons worldwide. We also lead in minimally invasive surgeries using robotic technol-ogy like the da Vinci Surgical System, and lithotripsy, a non-invasive way to break up kidney stones.

Vim & Vigour: What’s next for surgical care?Dr. Denstedt: As we evolve with our health care practices using state-of-the-art technology, we are looking toward a future of minimally invasive surger-ies in urology, hand and upper limb, ophthalmology, head and neck, and general surgery.

The patient population has changed. People want to have less invasive sur-gery with a quicker recovery time and less time in hospital. St. Joseph’s is well positioned to respond to new innova-tions that provide speedier and more effi cient care.

Vim & Vigour: What role does philanthropy play in advancing care, teaching and research?Dr. Denstedt: All of the changes in mod-ern surgery are fueled by creativity, and, to support that, technology. Philanthropy has been critical to this advancement. For example, the fi rst holmium laser was purchased through donor support, as was the da Vinci robot and the lithotrip-tor. Quite simply, donations have made innovative technologies possible.

Vim & Vigour: What would you tell someone considering a gift to St. Joseph’s?Dr. Denstedt: Donors can be assured their gifts will be deployed in a targeted, thoughtful way to achieve better care for patients by advancing innovation and helping us educate and contribute to new techniques that have an impact here and around the world. �

FACES OF ST. JOSEPH’S

Renowned St. Joseph’s urologist Dr. John Denstedt, citywide chair/chief of surgery in London, plays a leading role in medical education that is reaching around the world.

INSPIRED TO LEADSt. Joseph’s surgical pioneer Dr. John Denstedt is aiming high and inspiring others to follow

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BECAUSE WE ALL NEED ST. JOSEPH’S


because I know I am contributing to the health and wellbeing of patients here and around the world.”

Dr. John Denstedt is inspired to put London, Ontario on the map as a leader in urological care, teaching and research. He is fueling advances with creativity and innovative technology, made possible through philanthropic support.


I’m inspired to lead

“Caregivers at St. Joseph’s have a common goal to provide the most innovative, compassionate care possible.

Dr. John Denstedt Urologist and Chief of Surgery

St. Joseph's Health Care London

CLIENT

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Inspired to Give: DR DENSTEDT

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ROLE MODEL

ELLEN PAGE is an accomplished actress and a dedicated activist—who eats all her veggies

BY AIMEE WELCH

S ince her acting debut in the TV movie Pit Pony, Ellen Page has built an impressive résumé that includes roles as Kitty Pryde in the X-Men series and her 2007 breakout

role in Juno, for which she earned an Oscar nomi-nation and industry-wide praise. The actress, who earned a Gemini Award nomination at age 10 and an Academy Award nomination at 20, has worked with the likes of Halle Berry, Leonardo DiCaprio and Woody Allen.

Although she has walked her share of red car-pets, the 28-year-old Halifax native focuses on goals bigger than Hollywood. Page, a vegan, uses her voice to spread awareness about issues close to her heart, from environmentalism to the impor-tance of good nutrition.

Of the many causes Page supports, wellness is the common thread. Whether it’s wellness for people or the planet, Page believes our actions can make a diff erence, and she does her part to contribute.

Looking to make healthier choices? Read on to fi nd out how Page leads by example.

A SUSTAINABLE LifestylePage’s charitable works read like a list of United Nations initiatives. She was involved in the human-rights group United States Campaign for Burma, did voice-over work for the documentary Vanishing of the Bees, supported a tougher Childhood Nutrition Act and spoke out in the pro-sustainability environ-mental documentary 2012: Time for Change. “It’s about how we can all join forces,” Page told Mother Jones magazine in 2010, addressing a question about her involvement in so many issues-based projects. “Scientists and religious leaders, activists and fi rst nation leaders, CEOs of corporations and actors, all of us need to come together right now, because the planet is in a lot of pain.”

Page practices what she preaches. “I’ve become really interested in permaculture, simplifying my life and doing everything I can to develop more of a sustainable lifestyle,” Page told The Observer, a British newspaper.

That focused vision extends to her dinner plate. As a vegan, Page, in her unassuming, matter-of-fact style, encourages others to make healthier choices.

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“I really used to eat a lot of crap. And now, I don’t, and I feel great and I absolutely love healthy food,” Page said in a 2010 video for TakePart TV.

She’s also a person who makes priori-ties, not excuses. “I fi nd a lot of people say, ‘Oh, organic and local’s expensive and I just don’t have time.’ And I’m like, well, how much TV do you watch? Where are your priorities right now? I always take the time to eat well and eat locally because it’s common sense. It just makes sense to my brain, and why wouldn’t I do it?” Page told Mother Jones.

The Power of FRUITS AND VEGGIESFruits and vegetables contain a powerful combination of vitamins, minerals, fi bre and antioxidants that promote good health. And eating them is much more important than most people realize. Worldwide, 1.7 million deaths (2.9 per cent of all deaths) can be attributed to inadequate vegetable and fruit consumption. “Eating fi ve or more servings of vegetables and fruit a day can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by about 20 per cent,” says Christine Le Grand, a spokeswoman for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. “Eating four or more servings of vegetables and fruit daily can add more than two years to your life.” Yet 60 per cent of Canadian adults do not consume fi ve or more serv-ings each day.

In 2012, an article in the medical journal Canadian Family Physician pro-moted the benefi ts of a plant-based diet, citing research linking the classic North American diet—high in refi ned sugar, animal fat and animal protein—to a long list of chronic conditions, including obe-sity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, hypertension and some cancers. The research showed an oppo-site association with vegetarian and vegan diets, concluding, “Simply put, a whole plant-based diet is healthier.”

Le Grand agrees. “Eating a healthy diet is very important for disease prevention. Vegetarian diets may lead to lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels,

8 THINGS YOU (PROBABLY) DON’T KNOW ABOUT ELLEN PAGE1 At 10, she was nominated for a Gemini Award

for her fi rst acting job in the made-for-television movie Pit Pony.

2 She studied permaculture at an ecovillage in Oregon in 2008. Permaculture is a sustainable form of agriculture focused on working with nature, rather than against it.

3 Drew Barrymore gave her the nickname “Small Newman,” in recognition of her admiration for both Page and Paul Newman.

4 She sometimes sleepwalks or hallucinates in her sleep.

5 She publicly came out as gay in 2014 during a speech at the THRIVE conference in Las Vegas.

6 She is known for renaming other people’s pets on Twitter.

7 She and Jared Leto were named by PETA as the sexiest vegetarians of 2014.

8 She is good at juggling.

Ellen Page with Drew

Barrymore at the Toronto

International Film Festival.

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healthier weight and less incidence of type 2 diabetes, all of which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. There is also evidence that individuals who consume a vegetarian diet have a lower risk of developing certain can-cers,” she says.

Don’t panic, meat lovers. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to reap the rewards of eating fruits and veg-etables. In fact, many experts believe that omnivory is a critical part of our evolutionary heritage and deserves partial credit for our larger brains, smaller guts, bipedalism and language.

Diet alone, however, isn’t likely to make or break your health. “It is diffi -cult to say that one factor alone contrib-utes solely to a large burden of disease,” Le Grand says. “Heart disease and stroke, like many other chronic diseases, are multi-factorial conditions. Diet is one factor that infl uences heart disease and stroke—other factors include smok-ing, being physically inactive, being overweight or obese, having high blood pressure or diabetes.”

So, whether you eat meat or not, do eat your veggies. Fruits and vegetables can help you maintain a healthy weight, look and feel better, and live a longer, healthier life. They’re good for your heart and gastrointestinal health and help protect against cancer. Melons, carrots, citrus fruit, spinach and kale may slow eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. If you need more reasons, it’s not hard to fi nd fruit and vegetables.

Page told TakePart TV, “It’s just something I make a priority in my life. If I know I’m going to be spend-ing a full day fl ying, I pack some veg-etables and some fruit. It’s not like it’s some long, arduous process,” she said. “You can make quick, delicious, healthy meals, and it’s something I’ve just learned to really, really love.”

Love YOUR DIETReady to really, really love your fruits and veggies? For adults, Canada’s Food

TOOL

A Meal Plan Just for YouReady to eat healthier but don’t know where to start? EatRight Ontario’s My Menu Planner will customize a menu plan specifi cally for you, generate a shopping list, provide recipes and more! To get started, visit bit.ly/MyMenuPlanner.

Guide recommends seven to 10 servings a day depending on age and gender. (A serving equals one medium fruit or half a cup of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables.)

Start with small steps, Le Grand rec-ommends. “Individuals should not try to make too much change all at once. Instead, make changes slowly and grad-ually,” she says.

Creating a weekly menu that includes fruits and veggies is a great place to start. Plan meals, fi nd recipes, then go shopping. Block out 30 minutes of time on Sunday nights to wash and prep fruits and veggies so they’re ready for the week. Fitting in your servings is probably easier than you think. Eat a big salad for lunch every day, add sliced fruit to cereal or oatmeal, make fruit smoothies for dessert and keep a stash of bananas or dried fruit at your desk. With just a little extra eff ort, you can transform your health in big ways. �

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

Eat your fruits and vegetables! We’ve heard it a million times. But what if you only like potatoes or bananas. Can you just stick to those to get your seven to 10 daily servings? Not exactly. Health Canada recommends eating at least one dark green and one orange vegetable a day. Each of these fi ve colour groups is uniquely rich in nutrients.• RED: Fruits and veggies like raspberries, tomatoes, cherries, strawberries and beets are rich in antioxidants and can reduce the risk of prostate cancer.• YELLOW/ORANGE: Cantaloupe, carrots, yellow peppers, sweet potatoes and squash are great sources of beta carotene, known to improve vision and the health of your skin, teeth and bones. They also contain folate, an antioxidant known to prevent neural tube defects in unborn infants.

• GREEN: Vegetables like spinach, kale and broccoli are good for your eyes, bones and teeth. They contain vitamin K to help your blood to clot, and vitamins C and E,

which have antioxidant properties that can lower your risk of chronic disease.• BLUE: Blueberries are considered a “superfood” because of antioxidant proper-

ties known to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as cancer-fi ghting fl avonoids and acids that protect the lungs, stomach, breast, pancreas,

esophagus and colon.• WHITE/TAN/BROWN: Apples, pears, bananas, caulifl ower and other

light-coloured produce are high in dietary fi bre, which keeps choles-terol in check, and have benefi cial antioxidant properties.

FALL 2015 13


The key to good health is simple: Eat well, exercise and

take care of yourself, and you’ll lower your risk for practically every health condition there is. Yet most of us struggle to make the adjustments we know we need. Read on to find out how change is easier than you might think. by Connie Midey

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THE BIG STORY

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We all know how we’re supposed to eat, but most people, at least sometimes, struggle to follow that advice.

Pure and SimPle

In the grocery store, focus on the produce aisle, dairy case and butcher’s counter.

FOODMAKEOVER

A simple approach like eating small, frequent meals and controlling portion sizes can yield sustainable results, but “simple” isn’t a synonym for “effortless.” Even baby steps require commitment.

But improving your diet doesn’t require great sacrifice, just consistent attention to the details. Consider the following advice.

It’s not about sacrifice and suffering. A healthier diet

comes from small, mindful choices

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ALLOW FOR INDULGENCES. Registered dietitian Elizabeth

Somer, the author of Eat Your Way to Happiness, maintains that 75 per cent of your diet should consist of “real foods” served as nature intended them: unpro-cessed and low in bad fats, sugar and sodium. That leaves room for foods you crave. Depriving yourself of everything you love sets you up for failure.

SHOP LIKE A EUROPEAN.After a trip to Italy, Somer better

recognized the role larger supermarkets play in undermining good intentions. Italian grocery stores are tiny and carry primarily fruits, vegetables, pasta, cheese and meats. Canadians can duplicate that experience here by concentrating on the produce aisle, dairy case and butcher’s counter—steering clear of the central aisles with snacks and processed foods.

DINE WITH COMPANIONS. Meals with family and friends

make you eat more slowly and boost your emotional health. If you’re dining out with company, you won’t miss the half of your entree that’s set aside for leftovers before you take the fi rst bite from your plate.

CUT 100 CALORIES A DAY. A year later, say goodbye to about

10 pounds.

BUILD A 1-2-3 BREAKFAST.People who eat breakfast have

lasting energy, and lose weight and keep it off , Somer says. Include a whole grain, protein and at least one colourful fruit or vegetable—perhaps a whole-grain waffl e with peanut butter and blueberries.

EAT LIKE OUR ANCESTORS. “We evolved on diets where our

ancestors ate pounds of produce, and now we balk at one serving,” Somer says.

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Fill half your plate with colourful fruits and vegetables. Choose these for half of all snacks, too.

AVOID THE ALLURE OF SUGAR. “If I were going to pick

one thing that people need to watch, it would be sugar,” says Dr. Christiane Northrup, the author of Goddesses Never Age: The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality and Wellbeing. That advice extends beyond sugary desserts and sodas. The body also converts simple carbohydrates such as white bread into sugar. Better choices include whole-wheat bread, beans and vegetables—the “good” carbs that are digested slowly, preventing spikes in blood sugar.

ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE OF A MEAL. “When I make myself

something for lunch, I make it warm,” Dr. Northrup says. “I add spices, listen to music and enjoy my food, and I’m not hungry afterward. When I just grab a bar or something, I’m still hungry. I haven’t fed myself.” �

FALL 2015 17

IS YOUR KITCHEN TEMPTING YOU?If temptation has been winning the battle against willpower, a change of scenery might help you make smarter food choices.

“Most people are unaware of the nearly 200 decisions they make about food every day,” says behavioural scientist Brian Wansink, the author of Slim by Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life.

“There’s 25 to 30 before we even fi nish breakfast—not just whether we want Froot Loops or Rice Krispies, but how much do we pour in the bowl, how much milk do we use, do we have seconds.”

Wansink believes that adapting your environment to support your health goals is more eff ective than

relying on willpower. The natural place to start is in your kitchen.

Set a bowl of fruit on the coun-tertop. Keep unhealthy foods out of sight at the back of the cupboard. Use smaller plates and glasses, and don’t set serving dishes of food on the table.

Wansink’s research team learned that people in a clutter-fi lled kitchen eat about 44 per cent more snacks than people in a clutter-free kitchen. The same snacks were sitting out in both situations.

“There’s something about a messy, out-of-control environment that primes us for messy, out-of-control behaviour,” he says.

WEBSITE

Food Fact or FictionWhat does “multi-grain” really mean? Is gluten-free really healthier? Is all sugar bad for me? To separate food facts from fi ction, watch Dietitians of Canada’s “Busting Myths” video series. Visit tinyurl.com/bustingmythsdc.


Exercise is fun if your dog (or a friend) tags along.

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“Probably the worst (outcome of inactivity) is obesity, which can lead to other conditions like diabetes, heart disease, muscle atrophy and joint dis-ease,” says Dr. Peter MacDonald, sec-ond president-elect of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association.

The benefits of physical activity are equally clear as the consequences. They include not just stronger muscles and better balance and flexibility but also improved mood, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Dr. MacDonald understands that find-ing time and motivation to take care of yourself is difficult. “In many places in Canada it’s cold six months of the year,” he acknowledges, but prioritizing exercise and a healthy diet will be well worth your effort.

You may find yourself in Dr. MacDonald’s camp if you exercise with this advice in mind.

The benefits of exercise are too great, the con-sequences of inactivity too dire to do noth-ing. Yet only 15 per cent of Canadian adults are meeting the country’s physical activ-ity recommendations.

Plan of action

Tips for getting your exercise routine moving

in the right direction

FALL 201518


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MAKE IT FUN. Turn on your favourite music and dance. Play

tag with your kids or keep-away with your dog in the park. “Peer pressure works too,” Macdonald says. “If you’re meeting six buddies at 6 a.m. and you don’t show up … you’ll hear about it.”

KEEP MOVING AT THE OFFICE. “Sitting for long periods is bad

for your posture, your cardiovascular system and pure fi tness level,” says Dr. MacDonald. Short walk breaks throughout the day, a lunchtime work-out or even a stand-up desk can off set the damage.

MIX IT UP. Dr. MacDonald rec-ommends incorporating aerobic

activity, range-of-motion exercises and strength training into your routine. “Mixing things up is easier on your body because you’re not overstressing certain parts of your body.”

INVEST IN NEW SHOES. Cushioned, stable shoes won’t

just make exercise easier. They’ll rein-force your commitment to your health, Dr. MacDonald says, adding that mod-ern workout clothes make it possible to exercise even in extreme temperatures.

THINK LIKE A BOY SCOUT. Keep a backup pair of athletic

shoes in your car or resistance bands in your suitcase. You’ll be prepared for a walk or workout wherever you fi nd yourself.

SHAKE UP COUCH TIME. Stand up and move around between

chapters of the book you’re reading or during every TV commercial. Pace the room or pedal on a stationary bike while on the phone.

KEEP TRACK. Set a goal, then note on a calendar or an elec-

tronic health tracker what you accom-plish toward it. By six weeks, proof will be visible: You’re well on your way to creating a new habit, Dr. MacDonald says, and you can use the peer pressure motivation here too!

DON’T TAKE THE EASY ROUTE. Skip the elevator and

take the stairs. Walk to a colleague’s desk instead of emailing. Park far-ther away from the store entrance. “Being sedentary has health risks,” Dr. MacDonald says, and every step you take helps.

MAKE A DATE: Pick a time and place to meet a friend for a walk

or bike ride. You won’t want to let each other down. Volunteer to walk your kids and the neighbour’s to school two mornings a week. �

FALL 2015 19

A WINNING FORMULA FOR LOSING WEIGHTHere’s a handy formula for los-ing weight: To lose one pound, cut 3,500 calories.

Play with the formula to fi nd a balance that suits your lifestyle. For example, you can choose to eliminate 500 calories from your diet daily or burn an extra 500 calo-ries through exercise.

“We need to change our diets—get away from carbs and eat more veggies—and increase our daily activity. And we need to ingrain it into our daily lives, and our kids’ lives, sooner rather than later,” says Dr. Peter MacDonald, second president-elect of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association.

To cut about 100 calories from your diet:3 Choose diet soda instead of the

sugary kind.3 Skip cheese on your sandwich.3 Toss salad with one tablespoon

of dressing instead of two.3 Substitute a 6-inch (15-centimetre)

corn tortilla for a 10-inch (25-centimetre) fl our tortilla.

To burn about 100 calories through exercise:3 Walk twice around the block.3 Wash your car.3 Dance for about 20 minutes.3 Shop at the mall for 30 minutes.

WEBSITE

Quick-Start Your RoutineNeed workout ideas? The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology pro-vides a booklet—“Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines/Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines”—full of ideas to keep you and your family active every day. Visit tinyurl.com/guidelines4fi tness.


Your family demands your attention. Work worries keep you awake all night. So to deal with the stress, you light up a cigarette.

The often-intertwined behaviours of stress, tobacco use and poor sleep can rob you of qual-ity of life, leave you vulnerable to illness, con-tribute to high blood pressure and more. But a few changes can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

The 3 S-WordS

How to prevent stress, smoking and sleep

deprivation from harming your health

Your bed is for sleeping, not for watching TV and

checking email.

lifestyle Makeover

S leepSleep poorly, and you know your energy, mood and work performance will suffer.

But lack of quality sleep also is associated with health woes including diabetes, high blood pressure, depres-sion and cardiovascular disease, says Dr. Nathaniel Watson, the author of Clinician’s Guide to Sleep Disorders.

“We know that about one-third of individuals sleep six hours or less on a regular basis,” he says. “And we know that’s not enough for most people to maintain physiological homeosta-sis,” a reference to the body’s ability to maintain equilibrium as external factors fluctuate.

In a world dominated by crowded schedules and electronic gadgets, it takes effort to get the seven to nine hours of sleep we need. Try these tips:

Ignore the clock. Worrying about the time, how little you’ve

slept or how soon your alarm will ring “is not conducive to sleep,” he says.

enhance your sleep envI-ronment. “Sleep is something

that happens when (the body is) provided the right circumstances,” Dr. Watson says. Preserve your bedroom for sleep, not for TV viewing or Internet browsing.

embrace routIne. Having a rhythm to your life indicates to

your body when sleep is imminent.

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S mokingSixteen per cent of adults smoke regularly, down from 50 per cent in 1965, according

to Health Canada. That’s the good news.And while the rate of new lung cancer

cases has begun to level out and even decline over the past 10 years, can-cer continues to be the leading cause of death in Canada. More than 76,600 Canadians died of cancer in 2014, with lung cancer making up the majority of those cases. One out of every 12 Canadians will develop lung cancer within their lifetime and, of those diag-nosed, one out of 13 will die from the disease, making it the most likely cause of cancer death in Canada.

Worldwide, tobacco use is respon-sible for almost 25 per cent of cancer deaths. It is the single most avoidable risk factor for cancer. The facts speak for themselves.

These tried-and-true tricks of suc-cessful quitters may help break your tobacco habit:

DOCUMENT YOUR COMMIT-MENT. List reasons for wanting

to quit, and pick a quit date. Two weeks in the future gives you time to prepare.

TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST. Tobacco

cessation products can help you reach your goal.

ELIMINATE TEMPTATIONS. Rid your house, car and work-

space of tobacco products. Clean your house and clothes to remove lingering tobacco smells.

VISIT YOUR DENTIST. You won’t want to stain those newly

cleaned teeth.

DON’T TOUGH IT OUT ALONE. Tell family and friends about

your plan and invite them to smoke-free nights out.

S tressStress isn’t always a villain. It plays a critical role in keep-ing us alert and safe. Too

much, though, and our immune, diges-tive and reproductive systems suff er the consequences.

“Every measure of health is aff ected by stressful situations,” says licensed psychotherapist Wendy Boorn, the author of I Thought I’d Be Done by Now: Hope and Help for Mothers of Adult Children Searching for Peace.

Stress compromises sleep, contributes to addictive behaviours like smoking and detracts from physical and mental well-being.

The body can absorb short periods of stress, Boorn says. But chronic stress requires coping strategies like these:

TAKE A MEDITATION BREAK.Sit quietly for 10 minutes while

focusing on your breath. “It helps you learn how to be self-contained, how to create a sense of calmness within your-self, even when there’s a storm raging around you,” Boorn says.

S tress

LET IT GO. Most circumstances are not inherently stressful.

“People create their own stress by how they react to situations,” Boorn says. “Traffi c is a great example. I say (silently to the off ending driver), ‘OK, have the road.’�”

SET LIMITS. You want to lose weight, exercise more, be a better

person. But start with one small habit and practice it daily. “People try to do too much, too quickly and underestimate how diffi cult it can be,” Boorn says. “Then they’re stressed and disappointed in themselves, and they give up.” �

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FALL 2015 21

SURGERY AND SLEEPFor many, the underlying cause of poor sleep is sleep apnea, but there’s some good news on the sleep front. Research now shows that surgery is a solution, even a cure, for some people with the condition.

Continuous positive airway pres-sure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for sleep apnea but, while the method is eff ective, many indi-viduals fi nd CPAP machines so noisy and uncomfortable they stop using the device.

For some, however, throat sur-gery is a promising alternative, says Dr. Brian Rotenberg, otolar-yngologist – head & neck surgeon and director of the Sleep Surgery Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in

London. In particular, the surgery is an eff ective option for patients with enlarged tonsils, a low body mass index and the right kind of anatomy in their airway.

The surgery can, in some cases, cure patients of sleep apnea as long as they maintain a healthy body weight afterwards, adds Dr. Rotenberg. “What’s more, recovery time is short, allowing people to move on with their lives.”

TOOL

How Stress Takes Its TollTo see how stress aff ectsyour brain, watch thisvideo from the Canadian Association for Neuro-science. Visit can-acn.org/videos and watch “Max Cyander explains how stress aff ects your brain.”


ILLUSTRATIO

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HEARTBREAKHIGH

You might recognize this cast of characters from

your graduating class. But do you see the habits that

aff ect heart health? BY STEPHANIE R. CONNER

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FALL 2015 23


Y our high school class may have had some characters, but in a lot of ways,

it was probably like everyone else’s. There were the jocks, the cheerleaders, the partiers, the scholars.

Back then, youth may have protected us from some unhealthy habits. But because time is the great equalizer, every class reunion may reveal that a few more of your classmates have a diagnosis of one of Canada’s leading causes of death: heart disease. More than 1.4 million Canadians already have it, and the risk increases with age.

About 90 per cent of Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke, and some of the earli-est habits we form contribute to our risk.

If you think about your high school class, you can identify some of those bad habits. So read on and, if you see your-self, take note of steps you can take to graduate to a heart-healthier future.

CLASSMATE:

THE COOL GUYHeartbreaking habit: Smoking

This guy was too cool for school, ditching class for a smoke in the parking lot.

If your classmate is still lighting up, he has a higher risk of heart disease and can-cer today—and his skin prob-ably hasn’t aged well, either.

The chemicals in tobacco smoke aff ect the functioning of the heart and blood ves-sels. This damage drives up the risk for atherosclerosis, the process by which plaque accumulates and hardens in the arteries. Atherosclerosis leads to narrowed arteries and reduced blood fl ow.

Smoking aff ects other risk factors, as well. For example, it decreases exer-cise tolerance and increases blood pressure.

“Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do” for your heart, says Dr. James Underberg, an editorial board member for the Journal of Clinical Lipidology. If you have heart disease and you smoke, quitting smoking cuts your risk of heart attack and stroke by 50 per cent. “It’s the single most modifi able risk factor with the biggest bang for the buck,” he says.

FALL 201524


WEBSITE

Heart HelpThe Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London helps those with known heart disease improve their heart health, reduce the risk of more heart problems and return to normal daily activities. Learn more at sjhc.london.on.ca/cardiacrehabilitation.

STAYING MOTIVATED, STAYING HEALTHYWith far-reaching progress in diagnosis and treatment, more people than ever before in Canada are surviving heart attacks. Yet many Canadians are not making the changes needed to stay healthy. According to the latest report by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, it’s now well understood which behaviours increase risk, but gains have not been made in helping people make the nec-essary lifestyle changes to reduce their risk.

At St. Joseph’s Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Program, regu-lar exercise and eating well is a key focus in helping patients recover from a heart event. But the team recognizes that staying motivated can be a challenge. The expert team off ers valuable tips to stay on track during recovery and to reduce the risk of suff ering more heart trouble. There are helpful suggestions for everyone—those just starting out, those starting over, and those who have been at it for months. Visit sjhc.london.on.ca/our-stories/staying-motivated-staying-healthy.

CLASSMATE:

THE OVERACHIEVERHeartbreaking habit: Stress

You remember the straight-A student who skipped hockey games and dances to study. She’s probably successful today, but her heart might need some TLC.

“When patients come into my offi ce, I say, ‘How are you doing?’�” Dr. Underberg says. “The fi rst sentence often has ‘stress’ in it.”

He continues, “The impact on cardiovascular health is not insignifi cant. Increased stress is related to increased risk of heart disease.”

Researchers are work-ing to better understand the link between heart dis-ease and stress, but they

know that stress drives up blood pressure. Other lifestyle factors also come into play, Dr. Underberg notes.

“What do people do when they’re under stress? They eat more. They smoke,” he says. And these habits, as we know, put additional strain on the heart.

Talking to friends or seek-ing professional therapy works for some. Others might make changes in their lives, such as cutting back on hours at work or asking a spouse to pitch in more at home.

Here’s some good news for the multitaskers among us: “One of the best ways to reduce stress is to exer-cise,” Dr. Underberg says. So

whether you want to tone up with yoga, go for a walk

or take some swings at a punching bag, your heart will thank you—

for many reasons.

FALL 2015 25


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CLASSMATE:

THE PARTIERHeartbreaking habit: Excessive drinking

To be clear, any alcohol consumption before age 21 is considered exces-sive, but every high school has its partiers. The ques-tion is how drinking aff ects health long term.

First, the good news: “Having a glass of red wine a day may help to increase HDL cholesterol, a healthy type of cholesterol that is linked to lower risk of heart disease,” says registered dietitian Christy Brissette, a spokeswoman for Dietitians of Canada. But don’t cel-ebrate just yet. “This link

might be because the people in these studies who had a glass of red wine a day were also more physically active and ate more vegetables and fruits.

The moderation part is also tricky—no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two per day for men. A “drink” is a 12-ounce (354 mL) beer, 5 ounces (147 mL) of wine or a 1.5-ounce shot (44 mL) of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor.

Excessive alcohol con-sumption can drive up blood pressure, and binge drinking can lead to heart problems, stroke and other serious health problems.

can lead to heart problems, stroke and other serious health problems.

CLASSMATE:

THE CHUBBY KIDHeartbreaking habits: Skipping gym, overeating

Your friend who cut gym class and dined at the vend-ing machine was seriously hurting his heart.

Those ingrained habits can be hard to change, but one of the best ways to help the heart, Brissette says, is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. “It is the most important thing you can do to take charge of your health. Health benefi ts of preventing being overweight or obese include lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer.”

Where to start? Avoid sug-ary drinks and watch por-tion sizes, Brissette says.

Satisfy your thirst with water to stay hydrated and keep hunger at bay. Try eating on smaller plates to help keep portion sizes small. She also recommends eating every four hours to keep your blood sugar stable and help manage cravings.

Next, she says, fi ll your plate half full with vegeta-bles, one quarter with fi bre-rich whole grains such as millet, barley, brown rice or starches such as sweet pota-toes, and the last quarter with a lean protein source.

And don’t forget exercise. The key isn’t necessarily training for a marathon; it’s moving throughout the day. Just walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes (splitting it up into three 10-minute ses-sions counts!) a day will do wonders, along with little

things like taking the stairs and

parking far-ther away. �

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Heart CalculusDoes your heart health make the grade? Start with 100, adding or subtracting points as you check each true statement, then total the numbers to see how your heart scores.

I have a family history of heart disease. (-5)

You can’t change your parents, but if you know you have an elevated risk for heart disease, you can pay closer attention to those things you can change.

I get my blood pressure checked at least every two

years and my cholesterol tested at least every four to six years. (+10)

Without these important tests, you won’t know whether you have two risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

I smoke. (-20)

If you smoke, your heart dis-ease risk is two to four times that of a non-smoker.

I fi ll half my plate with fruits and vegetables. (+10)

Following a nutritious diet will help you manage your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure.

I have high cholesterol. (-10)

With higher cholesterol numbers comes higher heart disease risk. “Normal” cholesterol levels vary greatly based on age, gender, history and individual risk fac-tors for heart disease. Your doctor can tell you what’s normal for you.

I have high blood pressure. (-15)

High blood pressure, which makes the heart work harder, is a serious risk factor. Blood pressure should be 120/80 mmHg or lower.

I exercise for at least 150 min-utes each week. (+10)

Regular exercise—even just walking—is key to keeping the heart healthy. Exercise is also a great tool for relieving stress and lowering blood pressure.

I consume more than one (for women) or two (for men)

alcoholic drinks per day. (-5)

Higher levels of alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure, which aff ects heart disease risk.

I’m overweight or obese. (-10, overweight; -20, obese)

If you’re carrying excess weight, your risk for high blood pressure, high choles-terol and diabetes increases. Losing just 10 per cent of your current weight can make a diff erence.

I have diabetes. (-15 if well-controlled; -25 if not)

If you have diabetes, your risk for heart disease or stroke is two to four times higher than for adults who don’t have diabetes. And the risks increase even further when blood sugar levels are not well controlled.

YOUR GRADE90 or higher: A. You’re doing a good job of keeping risk factors at bay and managing your health. Keep it up!

80–89: B. You’re managing your risk fac-tors, but there’s room for improvement.

70–79: C. You’re getting by, but you’re letting a few things slip. It’s time to take a closer look at your risk factors and make some changes.

60–69: D. You’re in dangerous territory. It’s time to rethink several of your life-style habits.

59 and below. You’re running a high risk for heart disease. Talk to your doctor today about your heart-health concerns.

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Why get a colorectal cancer screening? Hear it from the colon itself BY ALLISON MANNING

FROMYOUR

COLON

A LETTER

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FALL 2015 29


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Dear Brain,

Are you there? It’s me, your colon. You probably don’t think about me much. Don’t

worry. I’m not offended. Nobody much notices me unless something goes wrong.

I’m important, especially for our digestive system. I’m also known as the large

bowel or large intestine. I’m the last place food goes before it goes, well, out.

A lot can go wrong if you’re not having me checked on a regular basis,

especially now that you’re getting, ahem, mature.

I know the thought of examining me can make our friend the heart pump

pretty fast. Maybe our skin gets a little sweaty just thinking about the dreaded

me-cancer screening.

The real thing to sweat is that every year, about 24,400 new cases of colorectal

cancer (CRC) are diagnosed in Canada, and more than a third of that number

of people will die from it. In fact, it’s the second leading cause of cancer death

for men and women. They’ll die! Because of me! That hurts.

But you’re also to blame, Brain, for not getting me screened. Some brains think

that colorectal cancer can’t be prevented, so why look for it at all? That’s just

not true.

It’s a highly preventable and curable disease, says Dr. Barry D. Stein, president

of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, but many times people wait for

a sign or symptoms before they get screened.

Cancer down here starts out as a little tiny thing called a polyp.

Polyps are mushroom-like growths found in your colon and may turn into cancer.

Found and removed early, cancer can be prevented in me even before it starts.

Sad thing is, a 2008 health survey indicated that only 32 per cent of Canadians

ages 50 to 74 got the medical tests necessary to get a diagnosis at that stage.

Have I persuaded you to get a screening yet? How about this—about 30 per

cent of middle-aged (that’s you!) or elderly people have colonic polyps. And here’s

the thing: If you have polyps, you probably won’t even realize it. Most people who

have them show no symptoms. If anything, you’ll experience rectal bleeding, iron

deficiency anemia, or maybe diarrhea or constipation. But not always.

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Learn MoreThe Endoscopy Clinic at St. Joseph’s Hospital is the designated site in London to provide high-quality colonoscopies for the ColonCancerCheck screening program of Cancer Care Ontario. For more infor-mation, visit sjhc.london.on.ca/gastroenterology.

Don’t wait for the screening until your doctor brings me up. People of aver-age risk between the ages of 50 and 74 should register in their provincial CRC screening program to receive free home-based fecal tests, advises Dr. Stein. The kit comes to your home, you provide a sample and send it back in for testing. It’s pretty simple. “If the results are negative, the person goes back into the program and gets another fecal test in two years. If it’s positive, a colonoscopy is the next step,” he says.

For screenings, you have options:• The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is the fi rst step for most people. It’s used to fi nd blood in your stool that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Every prov-ince is diff erent, but each provides free screening kits for people ages 50 to 74. All you have to do is collect the stool sample at home, then deliver or mail it to a lab. Doctors recommend repeat-ing this test every one to two years (depending on your province) if you have average risk, meaning no signs or symptoms or personal or family risk factors. If it comes back negative, there is no need for any other kind of test. If your FOBT comes back positive, your doctor will recommend a colonoscopy.• With a colonoscopy, the inside of the rectum and the entire colon are exam-ined using a long, lighted tube called a colonoscope. If you go for the colonos-copy, you’ll probably only have to think about me every 10 years after age 50.

Other screening tests may include the fl exible sigmoidoscopy, during which your rectum and the lower part of me are checked with a sigmoidoscope, a lighted tube, or a virtual colonoscopyin which X-rays and a computer are used to take two- or three-dimensional images of me and the rectum. Other new blood and DNA-based tests are also being developed, Dr. Stein says. So, what is the best test? “It’s the one you actually do!” he says.

Still, although 90 per cent of colorec-tal cancers are preventable if detected early, nearly 50 per cent of people

diagnosed fi nd out too late. “Don’t wait for a symptom … that’s already too late,” urges Dr. Stein. “The one reason why people should get screened is that it could save your life,” he adds.

Getting ready for a screening isn’t a beach vacation. For colonoscopy prep, solids need to be out of the stomach and bowels in time for the procedure. You’ll follow a clear liquid diet for at least 24 hours before the exam.

Avoid drinks that use red or purple dye. Instead, consume fat-free broth, strained fruit juice, water, plain coff ee or tea, sports drinks and gelatin. The day before the colonoscopy, you will take a prescription laxative, usually a liquid, that cleanses the bowels. This is the most unpleasant part of the process, some say. It’s important to follow our doctor’s prep instructions to ensure that the colonoscopy can be performed safely and successfully. If I’m not clean, our doctor might not be able to see polyps—and that’s the whole point, remember?

You won’t remember much about the colonoscopy. You’ll be lightly sedated and maybe given pain medication to help you fully relax—make sure you get a ride home. A tube will then be inserted inside the anus, through the rectum and then through me, the colon. A camera on the scope will provide a picture to the doctor.

When the tube gets to the small intes-tine, the doctor will start to remove the device and take a second look on the way out. This whole process takes 15 minutes to an hour. Any polyps that are found can be removed right then and there, then sent to be biopsied for cancer cells. Any weird-looking tissues in me can be looked at, too.

You know, 90 per cent of colorectal cancers are found in guys and gals over 50. Start getting me checked then. The young’uns aren’t off the hook, though. If there’s a history of colon or rectal can-cer in their families, getting screened at an earlier age isn’t a bad idea.

Get signed up for your colorectal cancer screenings. Doctor’s orders! �

FALL 2015 31

PREVENTING COLON CANCERAdvances in endoscopic procedures are dramatically reducing the risk of colon cancer, making it one of few cancers that specialists are increasingly able to prevent, says gastroenterologist Dr. Nadeem Hussain, a leading expert at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London.

With leading-edge minimally invasive techniques, the ability for an endosco-pist to see and then remove polyps has signifi cantly increased, which is reducing the risk of colon cancer by 50 to 70 per cent, says Dr. Hussain.

Among advances in colonoscopy technology has been the shift from fi bre optic colonoscopes to video endoscopes that are easier to manoeuver and can be intricately navigated through the colon, he explains. These have improved optic imaging, allowing for high-defi nition viewing inside the colon. “We are able to fi nd very early, subtle and small lesions that were previously not detectable. Once found, what used to require sur-gery to remove can now be done with a colonscope as an outpatient.”

At St. Joseph’s Endoscopy Clinic, the interdisciplinary team of experts is excelling in the most advanced endo-scopic procedures, says Dr. Hussain.


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10 SIMPLE CHANGES THAT IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

THE QUICK LISTPH

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2To reduce your risk of heart disease, watch the alcohol. Limit

intake to no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two for men.

Keep a pair of athletic shoes in your car so that you can squeeze an impromptu workout into your day.

10Hold the cheese on your sandwich: Cutting 100 calo-ries daily for a year results in a 4.5 kilo-gram weight loss.

5 Set a bowl of fruit on your kitchen counter, and stash unhealthy

snacks in the back of the cup-board. Out of sight, out of mind.

1 If you can’t control what’s stressing you out—like a traffi c jam—let it go. Your

health will be better for it.

8 Preserve your bed-room for

bedtime. You’ll sleep better if you save watch-ing TV and surfi ng the Internet for other rooms.

6After your 50th birthday, start scheduling colorec-tal cancer screen-ings. Colon cancer is the second lead-

ing cause of cancer death in men and the third in women. It’s highly curable if found early.

9 Add some action to

your couch time. Move around during TV com-mercials or between chap-ters of a book.

7 If you can’t trust your willpower, ask your server to place half of

your meal in a takeout box—before it reaches the table.

4 Identify a clear objective for a health goal, like los-ing weight to fi t into a new

dress. Once you form an emotional connection, you’ll make decisions with that goal in mind.

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THIS JUST INGOOD-FOR-YOU NEWS, CUES AND REVIEWS

EXERCISE YOUR WAY TO STRONGER BONESMore than half of all injuries among Canadians over age 65 are caused by falls, and 20 per cent of deaths related to injury can be traced back to an earlier fall. Seniors who are afraid of falling often reduce their physical activity, which perpetuates the problem. In 2014, Osteoporosis Canada released “Too Fit to Fracture,” a report outlining new exercise recommendations for people with osteoporosis, or with a high risk of developing it.

Physical therapists can use the guide-lines to customize exercise programs that help patients reduce their risk of falling—and sustaining subsequent fractures—through a combination of aerobic activity, muscle strengthening and balance train-ing exercises that help build muscle and prevent bone loss.

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WEBSITE

Expert ResourceVisit the new online resource for individuals struggling with con-cussion or mild traumatic brain injury. Created by the acquired brain injury team at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute, the web-pages provide a variety of helpful information. Visit sjhc.london.on.ca/concussion-mtbi.

WINE COOKIESWhich has more calories?

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CONCUSSION EDUCATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPSHelp is close at hand for those with persistent symptoms from a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). New webpages created by the acquired brain injury team at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute improve access to concus-sion/mTBI educational information for patients, their families and clinicians.

“These webpages provide information patients need to self-manage their symptoms,” says phys-iotherapist and project lead Laura Graham.

The Web content includes videos with topics focusing on strategies for improving organization, concentration/attention, vision and balance, as well as relaxation techniques. You’ll also fi nd help-ful links to community resources and research.

ANSWER: WINE. Wine lov-ers are giddy about research extolling the heart-healthy implications of imbibing. But what about the toll that wine takes on our waists?

Calorie-conscious con-sumers, take note: A 5-ounce glass (148 mL) of merlot has 122 calo-ries, compared with 78 calories in a chocolate chip cookie from a popu-lar, store-bought brand.

Alcohol’s empty calories can cause you to pack on the pounds. If you need to lose weight, think before you drink.

FALL 201534


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MAMMOGRAM MOJO

35%

42%

88%

Mammography has helped cut breast cancer

deaths by more than a

third since the late 1980s.

More women are getting

mammograms and fewer are

dying from breast cancer. Breast cancer deaths

have decreased 42 per cent

since the peak in 1986 due to

earlier detection, advances in screening

techniques and improved

treatments.

The fi ve-year survival rate for people

diagnosed with breast cancer is 88 per cent, and that percentage increases with

diagnosis in earlier stages.

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IS THE ‘FRESHMAN 15’ REAL?The widely held belief that university and college students gain 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) in their fi rst year is an exaggeration, according to most scientifi c studies. Among studies that did fi nd consistent weight gain among students during this time period, the average gain was closer to 4.4 pounds (2 kg), which is not far off from their non-university or non-college bound counterparts.

One recent study, however, expanded the parameters beyond the fi rst year. Researchers tracked 131 students in North America through four years of post-secondary education and found that, from the fi rst day of school to the last, 70 per cent of the students gained weight—averaging somewhere around 12 pounds (5.4 kg).

Regardless of the specifi c numbers, just about every study does show that university and college seems to be a criti-cal juncture for weight man-agement.

GERM ALERTHand dryers might not be a good way to avoid bathroom germs, after all.

A study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection found that air-blown hand dryers spread more germs than paper towel dispensers. In fact, high-powered jet dryers created bac-terial levels in the air that were 27 times higher than bacteria levels around paper towel dispensers. Ew.

TRUE OR FALSE E-cigarettes are a safe alternative to smoking.

FALSE. While researchers fast and furiously study the health eff ects of “vaping,” red fl ags are emerging.

For example, there are no formal safety requirements regarding product development, ingredient disclosure, infor-mation on nicotine levels and risk of use, and some testing has found that e-cigarette products labelled “nicotine-free” often contain nicotine, according to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation (CHSF). There is also a lack of research on the long-term health impact of inhaling propylene glycol and other ingredients found in e-cigarettes. Consumers have no way of knowing which harmful chemicals—and at what doses—they are inhaling.

Furthermore, the CHSF warns that e-cigarettes can increase nicotine addiction among young people and encourage them to try real cigarettes. A 2014 study by the Canadian Cancer Society showed that 18 per cent of non-tobacco-smoking stu-dents had tried e-cigarettes and 31 per cent are interested in trying them.

FALL 2015 35


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WORKOUTS THAT WORK: YOGAIt’s time to stop calling yoga a fad. With its combination of physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation, yoga has carved its way into our mind-body consciousness. Yoga helps:3THE BACK. Recent studies show that carefully adapted yoga

poses reduce pain and improve function for suff erers of chronic low-back pain.3THE HIPS. The “tree pose,” for example, targets hip abductors

and likely increases balance, according to a study of yoga in seniors.3THE HEART. Research shows a link between yoga and reduced

blood pressure.3THE HEAD. A small number of studies suggest that yoga can be

helpful in treating migraines.

Say namaste for yoga, a great workout for body and mind. SMOKING

AND DRINKING:

DOUBLE TROUBLEIt’s often said that smoking and drinking go hand in hand—a problem for those seeking treatment for alcoholism.

A recent study examined data from more than 21,000 adults who sought treatment for alco-hol abuse. Smokers had less success meeting alcohol-related goals than their non-smoking counterparts. This eff ect was seen more sharply in women,

according to study results published

in the journal Substance Use and Misuse.

TOOL

The Cigs Costs More Than Just Your HealthAny idea how much money you spent on cigarettes last year? Over the last 10 years? Visit tinyurl.com/costcalculatorsmokes to fi nd out how the smokes aff ect your budget. You might exhale pretty sharply.

FALL 201536


When a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart, doctors call this myocardial infarction. Translation, please? The everyday term is heart attack.

Jargon Watch

If you’re the gambling type, you won’t like

these odds. Seasonal flu severity varies so greatly

from year to year that your odds of getting the

flu range from

1 in 5

to 1 in 20.

Hedge your bet by scheduling a flu shot now. Flu season starts in the fall, peaking in

January or February.

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What are the Odds

of getting the flu this season?

Tucking Teenagers InJust because your “baby” is growing up, doesn’t mean he doesn’t need a bedtime routine. in fact, although they’d never admit it, teenagers need more sleep than adults because their bodies and minds are still grow-ing very quickly, according to the canadian Paediatric Society’s (cPS) consumer website, cps.ca.

cPS says many teenagers report being “always tired,” which is likely due to the fact they aren’t getting the recommended nine to 10 hours of sleep each night. teenagers who don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis are more likely to feel depressed, struggle in school, lack motivation and concentration, have trouble remembering things, and to be involved in accidents. a late night here and there won’t hurt but

teenagers who regularly have trouble waking up in the morn-ing, fall asleep or tune out during class, or are more moody than usual may just need more sleep.

the cPS offers these tips to help get your teen tucked in, and keep him rested:3�Keep electronics out of the

bedroom3�follow a relaxing bedtime rou-

tine at the same time each night3�Exercise every day (early in the

day whenever possible)3�avoid caffeine after

mid-afternoon3�on weekends, wake up within

two to four hours of the week-day routine3�clear your head before bed—

make a list for the next day, but put worries away before hitting the pillow

teenagers think school should start later—and so do researchers.

FALL 2015 37


The TruTh By Shelley Flannery

The TruTh AbouT

SkinWhat’s the difference between UVA and UVB rays? How much SPF is needed? Learn fact from fiction to care for your body’s largest organ

There’s more to preventing acne than washing your face.

Skin is the ultimate organ, not only because of its size. It’s one of the most

adaptive, vital organs we have, and most of us take it for granted. Show your skin some love by learning the truth about how to best care for it.

True or false:Dirt causes acne and blackheads.

False. Blackheads may look like tiny buckets of dirt, but cleansing isn’t the problem.

“Blackheads are actually clogged pores,” says Dr. Shannon Humphrey, a dermatologist on the board of direc-tors of the Canadian Dermatology Association. “Dirt absolutely does not cause blackheads. It’s a combination of natural oils and dead skin.” pH

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Therefore, rubbing and scrubbing with soap won’t help. Instead, you need to use a product that will clear the pores of dead skin cells and oil—try prod-ucts with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. If you have dry skin, choose a cream or lotion. Oily skin? Look for a gel or solution.

If you don’t find a fix with an over-the-counter product, talk to a dermatologist. Almost all cases of acne are treatable.

True or false:The majority of damage to the skin is done in childhood.

False. It sounds rational. After all, kids are more likely than adults to be out playing in the sun. But this one is a myth. “Damage is cumulative over the life-time,” Dr. Humphrey says, adding that it’s never too late to make a difference. “We know that when you start protect-ing your skin from the sun there is immediately a repair mechanism and we see a reduction in the development of wrinkles, pigmentation and skin can-cer.” In short, there’s still time to save your skin, Dr. Humphrey says. “Even if you’re an adult and you’ve had lots of sun exposure, the science supports practicing sun avoidance and protec-tion regardless of your age.”

True or false:self-tanners are safe.

True. Self-tanners don’t have the same effect on your skin as the sun or a tanning bed.

“It’s simply an oxidation reaction of a fruit-derived substance that causes browning only on the dead skin layer, and they have been shown to be safe,” says Dr. Humphrey. Keep in mind that they don’t provide protection from the sun, she notes, but they are a great alternative to sun tanning.

True or false:The higher the sPF, the better.

True, To a PoinT. The sun pro-tection factor, or SPF, of a sunscreen correlates to the amount of protection it offers. A sunscreen with SPF 2 blocks about 50 per cent of the sun’s UVB rays. SPF 15 blocks 93 per cent, while SPF 30 blocks nearly 97 per cent.

But SPF isn’t the only part of a sun-screen label you should pay attention to.

“The sunscreen aisle can be over-whelming. You want to look for an SPF of 30 or higher,” says Dr. Humphrey. “You want to look for the terminology ‘broad spectrum,’ and you want to see that there is both UVA and UVB cover-age.” To keep things simple, she adds, look for the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) logo. “Evidence for these [brands] have been reviewed by the CDA and then endorsed so the pub-lic knows which ones are effective and safe to use.” n

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FALL 2015 39

Wound CareAt St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute, the chronic wound and skin health team serves inpatients and outpatients with chronic or complex wounds. Led by Dr. David Keast, the team includes experts from nursing, nutrition, physio-therapy, and occupational therapy as well as the amputee, spinal cord and seating programs.

Taking a holistic approach to preventing and managing wounds, the team uses evidence-based literature to translate research into practice. It also conducts wound care research in conjunction with the Aging, Rehabilitation and geriatric Care Research Centre.

For outpatients, the team works with home care, consultants and community physicians to provide ongoing management of complex wounds. Developing educational initiatives, addressing challenging cases and working in partnership with the regional wound care program are also part of the expert team’s role.

DOWNLOAD

Monthly skin Checks save livesChecking your skin at least monthly can make the differ-ence between life and death. The Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation website illustrates how to check yourself, what to look for, and an opt-in for a monthly reminder. Visit canadianskincancer foundation.com/early-detection.html today.

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how to By EllEn Ranta OlsOn

1 Talk about it. “When you are con-sidering having a baby, you need to think about the impact for you and your partner on your life-style, finances, career, living space and long-term planning,” Dore says. “It is important to have an open discussion with each other—how do each of you feel and what steps might you need to take before actually becoming preg-nant.” Dore says it’s also important to talk to your physician about topics such as heavy physical activity and exercise, smoking, recreational drug use and other health-related issues.

HOW TO

PreP for Pregnancy5 steps to help you get ready, mentally and physically, to have a baby

You say you want to have a baby? a crying, pooping, life-disrupting baby?

If you’re still with us, then congratulations! While you may never be 100 per cent ready for the chal-lenges that a baby brings, you can make sure your body and your relationship are healthy, strong and ready for pregnancy.

Sharon Dore, Rn, PhD, a spokeswoman for the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, offers these pre-pregnancy tips to give you a healthy start to parenthood.

Having a baby should involve more

than nine months of preparation.

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4 Hit the vitamin store. although most nutrients come from the foods you eat, experts recommend taking a prenatal vitamin before you attempt to get pregnant. “not only does this [taking prenatal vitamins] make you generally healthy, but the folic acid helps prevent some neural tube defects in the baby,” Dore says. Because the first eight weeks of pregnancy are criti-cal for the baby’s development, it’s important to start tak-ing these before concep-tion to ensure your system is well stocked.

5 Make over your meals—and maybe other habits, too. If you drink alcohol or smoke, now’s the time to stop. Evaluate your caffeine intake and increase fruits, veggies, fibre and water in your diet. Talk to your doctor about the best way to reach a weight that’s healthy for you and the baby. Excess weight during pregnancy is associated with complications including high blood pressure, preeclampsia,

preterm birth and gesta-tional diabetes, while

being underweight increases the risk of having a low-birth-weight baby.

2 Check the family tree. Do you have underlying medi-cal conditions like diabetes, seizures or thyroid disease? are there genetic conditions like Huntington’s disease or hemo-philia in the family history? “If you have a family illness that might be inherited through chromosomes, you can speak to a genetic counsellor to determine your degree of risk,” Dore advises. “It is also helpful to ask if your sister or mother experienced any difficulties in their pregnancies—sometimes family history of such things as twins, repeated pregnancy losses or high blood pressure in pregnancy can be important for your health care provider to know.”

3 Get off the pill. If you’ve been on birth control, it can take a few months for your body to reset for pregnancy. Dore adds that you should also speak with your doctor about discontinuing other methods of birth control, and review every medication and vitamin that you’re taking to deter-mine whether it might affect your pregnancy.

FALL 2015 41

EvaluatE Your EnvironmEntPregnancy means you’ll need to tune

your antenna to potential hazards. While toxins aren’t necessar-

ily lurking in most homes and offices, extra caution during pregnancy may be worthwhile. avoid solvents, such as oven cleaners and paint thinners (who wants to clean their

oven or paint when pregnant, anyway?). and be mindful when

dining at a seafood restaurant: Swordfish, shark and king mackerel are off-limits because of their high mercury levels.

The silver lining? You get a free pass from cleaning the cat’s litter box for nine months, thanks to a parasite called toxoplasmosis that can be spread through the feces of cats. While it’s not typically harmful to adults and kids, the parasite can cause birth defects. So feel free to add litter box duty to someone else’s to-do list.

TOOL

Track Your CycleUp your chances of getting pregnant by using an ovulation calendar. Visit babycenter.ca/ovulation-calculator.

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What’s bothering you in the bathroom? The answer can be tricky.

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QUIZ by Meredith heagney

We love to talk about eating. Just consider the popularity of cooking shows, diet blogs and Instagram shots of food. but we rarely discuss

what happens after we swallow. because that’s when it gets gross, right?

but digestion is a critical part of your health—and a con-fusing one, too. Dr. roshini rajapaksa, a gastroenterologist and the author of What the Yuck?! The Freaky and Fabulous Truth About Your Body, encourages patients to get over their shyness when discussing digestive symptoms.

to get started, she’ll help us decode stomach problems with similar symptoms.

Freak Out Or Chill Out?Put your stomach smarts to the test with these digestive dilemmas

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Q you had to rush out of your pre-sentation to book it to the wash-room. you’ve had a lot of these

bouts of diarrhea lately, but some-times when you feel the urge to go, nothing happens. IS IT: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?

IBD. Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, shares some symptoms with irri-table bowel syndrome, including diar-rhea and stomach cramping. unlike Ibs, however, IbD can lead to more seri-ous complications and even cancer. a good distinguishing symptom between the two, Dr. rajapaksa says, is feeling a strong urge to go but only passing gas or a small stool. “that’s actually a sign there’s inflammation in the colon,” she says. “It’s that swelling that makes you feel like something needs to come out.”

Q Lately, your meals never seem to agree with you. after you eat, you often feel a burning pain in your

chest and throat.IS IT: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or an ulcer?

GERD. people often confuse GerD and ulcer symptoms, but there are key dif-ferences. ulcer pain tends to be gnaw-ing and doesn’t travel toward the throat the way the effects of GerD do. GerD can also leave you with a sour taste in your mouth and a sore throat, thanks to acid. “Generally speaking, ulcers you feel more when you’re hungry, acid reflux you feel more after you’ve eaten,” Dr. rajapaksa explains.

Q You can’t go No. 2. At all. It’s been four days, and you’re quite uncomfortable. you can pass gas,

but that’s about it. IS IT: Constipation or an intestinal obstruction?

CoNSTIpATIoN. the ability to pass gas indicates constipation, which can be relieved with fibre, stool softeners and exercise. an intestinal obstruction prevents even gas from getting through, and nausea, vomiting and a distended abdomen usually accompany the con-dition. an obstruction is very serious because of the risk of the bowel burst-ing, potentially causing a life-threatening infection, Dr. rajapaksa says.

Q your daughter is freaked out by her latest washroom visit, when she noticed bright red blood

on the toilet paper. she’s frequently constipated, and now she’s worried her “insides” are bleeding. IS IT: An anal fissure or intestinal bleeding?

ANAl fISSuRE. your daughter can calm down. bright red blood on the toilet paper, rather than dark or tarry blood mixed in with stool, usually has a benign cause. anal fissures are tiny tears in or around the anus, typically

the result of straining to go. “Look at the bowel habits of your child and start with simple measures like more fibre and prune juice, things that will help them go more smoothly,” Dr. rajapaksa says. “certainly, if it persists, it’s a rea-son to go to the pediatrician.”

Q It’s your anniversary, and you cele-brate with a delicious—and fatty—steak at your favourite restaurant.

by bedtime, you’re battling diarrhea that’s oily and foul-smelling. Lately, you’ve felt sick after meals. IS IT: Celiac disease or a pancreas problem?

A pANCREAS pRoBlEm. exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (epI) is less known than celiac disease, but both cause digestive distress and nutritional deficiencies. With epI, your pancreas does not produce the enzymes you need to digest food properly. the symp-toms are especially bad after consum-ing fatty foods, whereas celiac disease sufferers feel the worst after eating gluten, Dr. rajapaksa says. Whatever your symptoms, be patient and cooper-ate with your doctor’s orders while you both determine what’s wrong, she says. “When it comes to the GI tract, it’s not often clear from day one.” n

QUIZ

Gut TalkWant to get a general rating of your digestive health status? Visit cdhf.ca/en/tummy/id/54 and take this quiz from the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation.

FALL 2015 43

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At A GlAnce By Laurie Davies

Risky Business

When it comes to dangerous jobs, loggers, fishermen and pilots top the list. but your desk job could be

harming your health, too.canadian adults spend 69 per cent of their

waking hours in sedentary pursuits, typically their jobs. and canadians now work an average of 36.6 hours a week. For most of us, that means sitting, sitting and more sitting.

confront the constraints of your cubicle by standing when talking on the phone, scheduling “walking meetings” and setting an alarm every hour to remind you to stretch.

in the meantime, keep in mind these dangers of desk jobs.

A head-to-toe look at how sitting at your desk can harm your health

minimized gluteus: sitting all day weakens your body’s butt muscles, the glutes. this means the biggest muscle group in your body is no longer as good at doing what it does best—burn-ing fat. and that means, well, a bigger butt.

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Get a Move On“Sneak It In Week” is an annual effort from Canada’s ParticipACTION to get work-ers up and moving during the workday. For tools, resources and motivation to help you form some healthier habits between 9 and 5, visit tinyurl.com/sneakitinweek2016.

eyesore: Fifty to 90 per cent of computer users complain about eye problems. to avoid eyestrain, use proper lighting (avoiding excessively bright or overhead fluorescent lights), minimize glare and use an lcD monitor.

Lethargic Legs: sitting for long stretches slows blood circula-tion, which can lead to swollen ankles, varicose veins and a serious condition called deep vein thrombosis. n

pain in the neck: slumping forward toward a computer monitor or cradling a phone can lead to sore muscles, pinched nerves and stress on your neck. a study among sedentary workers showed that a sit-stand workstation reduced upper back and neck pain by 54 per cent.

hardened heart: sitting at work all day—not to mention during your commute, dinner and favourite tV shows—increases just about every major risk for heart attack, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

aching back: office employees are more likely to have chronic back pain than those with physically demanding jobs. Make sure your chair reinforces the natural curve of your spine with lumbar support. and try sitting on a stability ball. Even 30 minutes on the ball daily can help strengthen your core.

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ck-1598 In the Market By Lexi Dwyer

this vegetable is a stun-ning specimen. but an array of nutrients and

satisfying sweetness are the real reasons you shouldn’t skip a beet.

“beets are nutrition superstars,” says registered dietitian christy brissette, a spokeswoman for dietitians of canada. “they contain unique plant nutrients called beta-lains that are powerful antioxidants, reduce overall inflammation, and may reduce heart disease risk.”

If you’re training for a 5k, con-sider this: A study at st. Louis university showed that after eating baked beets, runners increased their speed by 3 per cent. beets’ benefits can also vary by colour, brissette explains. “yellow or golden beets are higher in lutein, a phytochemical that helps protect eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration, and beet greens are an excellent source of vitamin k, which plays an important role in blood clotting.”

though they tend to peak in spring and fall, these hearty veggies grow year-round in mild climates. try these three ways to prepare them:

1 ROAST THEMthis is the best way to coax out beets’ inher-

ent sweetness. slice off the green tops, leaving about a 2½-centimetre stem. Wrap each beet in foil and bake at 400 F (204 c) for about 50 min-utes (until they can be easily pierced with a fork). Allow beets to cool, then remove skins with paper towels. slice, then toss with balsamic vinaigrette and toasted walnuts.

2 ADD THEM TO SALAD Follow the directions for roasting, through the

step in which skins are removed. slice beets thinly and toss them with arugula (or another green), mandarin oranges, goat cheese and a homemade vinaigrette (try sherry vinegar, dijon mustard, olive oil and honey). the key to a successful beet salad is the balance of sweet, sharp and sour flavours.

3 MAKE BEET CHIPSdo your kids wrinkle their noses at beets? try

transforming beets into something fun and familiar. thinly slice them to slightly more than 1½ millime-tres thick using a mandoline and toss with olive oil. cook them at 350 F (177 c) for about 30 minutes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. After 20 minutes, watch carefully—chips are done when edges start to dry and curl and the colour lightens. n

Three Ways To

PREPARE BEETSFor a sweet vegetable that contains antioxidants, potassium and many other nutrients, just beet it

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RECIPE

Nothing Beets a Good SaladFor a nutrient-packed and delicious side dish (with only 68 calories per serving!), try out the Beet, Orange and Jicama Salad recipe from Dietitians of Canada. Visit dietitians.ca and search “beet salad.”

Beet BasicsQ I ate a huge helping of beets and now my

urine is red. Yikes! Why does this happen?this temporary condition, called beeturia, is caused by unmetabolized pigments found in beets that can turn both urine and stool red or pink. Its occur-rence depends on factors such as the type of beet consumed and what else you’ve eaten, which will affect your stomach’s acidity level.

Q How should I choose beets?Look for vegetables that are firm (not soft)

and free of dents and bruises. If the greens are attached, they should be crisp, sturdy and brightly coloured.

Q Are frozen beets as healthy as fresh ones?most frozen vegetables are preserved at the

peak of ripeness, so they have almost the same nutritional profile as their fresh counterparts. packaged beets can be especially helpful if you’re making something in a large quantity, like borscht (beet soup).

Q I’ve heard beets have a lot of sugar. Does that mean I shouldn’t eat them?

Although beets score 64 of 100 on the glycemic index (a measure of how fast a food causes blood sugar to rise), you’d have to eat four cups (600 g) of them on an empty stomach to see a significant spike. mixing them with protein- and fibre-rich foods, such as salmon and broccoli, will help lower the glycemic effect.

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HEALTH BY THE NUMBERS BY LAURIE DAVIES

Sources: American Heart Association, Heart Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Heart Federation, American College of Cardiology

38,227 Between Aug. 24, 2014, and June 6, 2015, there were 38,227 confi rmed cases of infl uenza in Canada.

33%Colds and fl u

make an impact year-round. In any given month, more than one-third of Canadians report

having a sore throat, the fl u or

a cold.

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Up to one in fi ve schoolchildren may

carry the streptococ-cus bacteria (the

cause of strep throat) without showing

symptoms. Regardless, they can still spread

the infection.

5 to 7 DAYS

Beware of the co-worker who was out with a “24-hour bug.” Adults are con-tagious up to fi ve to seven

days after com-ing down with

the fl u.

160 KPH

Cover that sneeze: Travelling

at 160 kph, a sneeze can

reach others 1.5 metres away.

SEASONAL SUFFERING 200+

More than 200 diff erent viruses cause

colds. Rhinovirus is the most common,

accounting for up to 50 per cent of colds.

FALL 201548

Across St. Joseph’s Health Care London, the safety and protection of patients and residents are a priority.

Staff and physician vaccination, in conjunction with proper hand hygiene, is a vital part of the overall strategy to decrease the incidence of infl uenza from entering St. Joseph’s facilities and spreading infl uenza to the vulnerable indi-viduals receiving care. Being immunized also protects staff and their families.

This past infl uenza season was signifi -cant with the Middlesex-London Health Unit reporting 40 infl uenza outbreaks, 329 confi rmed infl uenza A cases and 51 infl uenza B cases between Sept. 1, 2014,

and May 26, 2015. Of those cases, 160 individuals were hospitalized, and 14 died.

Infl uenza can be especially danger-ous for young children and older adults. Vaccination combined with proper infection control practices, such as good hand hygiene and the masking of non-immunized staff and visitors, has helped make a diff erence at St. Joseph’s in caring for more susceptible patients and residents.

Visitors are reminded to clean their hands frequently when at St. Joseph’s, not visit if they feel unwell, and wear a mask if not vaccinated and visiting between Dec. 1 and March 31, which is the fl u season.

COMMITMENT AND CARINGWEBSITE

Prevention InformationFor more on how St. Joseph’s Health Care London works to prevent the spread of infl uenza, visit sjhc.london.on.ca/infl uenza.

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A FIT FANA Lawson Health Research Institute scientist is leading a unique program to boost men’s health by appealing to their love of hockey BY JULIA CAPALDI

I t may sound surprising, but sports fans, especially men, are more likely to be overweight than their non-team cheering male

counterparts. So in an eff ort to boost men’s health, an innovative new pro-gram called Hockey Fans In Training (HockeyFIT) is targeting enthusiasts of Canada’s favourite winter sport. Not those who play but rather those who sit on the couch and watch.

“Fans tend to be less healthy. They tend to lose their connection to being active,” says Dr. Rob Petrella, a scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute and lead researcher on the HockeyFIT program. Since it’s also diffi cult to get men to participate in health studies, Dr. Petrella and his colleagues looked for a unique avenue to get men more involved in their health.

PARTNERING with TeamsStudies have shown that in many Canadian centres, the local rink is the community hub. “We know that men already spend a lot of time at places like Budweiser Gardens. This is where they feel comfortable and where they tend to congregate,” says Dr. Petrella. “We also know that men feel better about work-ing out with other men to get healthy.”

The solution? Piggyback on the popu-larity of local sports clubs to get men out and involved in an exercise program.

“We know that hockey is the bread and butter of the male psyche in Canada, so we are looking forward to partnering with Ontario Hockey League (OHL) teams to bring this program to Southwestern Ontario,” says Dr. Petrella. “Participants will have the opportunity to be trained by qualifi ed coaches and go behind the scenes at their team’s home rink. Maybe even bump into their favourite player!”

HockeyFIT attracted the interest of the London Knights and Sarnia Sting. Both OHL clubs launched HockeyFIT programs in the spring. Participants hang out in the team’s dressing room and train using its facilities. Coaches create personalized health and nutrition plans and lead them through sports-based training exercises.

SUCCESS with Soccer FansPart of Dr. Petrella’s inspiration came from a Scottish program called Football Fans in Training, which has had great success using local soccer teams to help boost men’s participation in healthy activities.

HockeyFIT is funded through a Men’s Health & Wellbeing Challenge Grant from the Movember Foundation. The Movember Challenge called upon Canadians to submit their creative and innovative ideas to get men more inter-ested and active in their health. �

Dr. Rob Petrella, a scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute, is the lead researcher on the HockeyFIT program, an innovative approach to get men exercising.

EMAIL

Join InMen 35–65 years old who need to lose weight are eligible to participate in Hockey Fans In Training (HockeyFIT). For more information, visit hockeyfansintraining.org/ or email [email protected].

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Lee Thibeault’s imagination is unbounded even by the wheelchair he sits in—because he believes he will walk again

L ee Thibeault is inspired when asked for his favourite quote. Delighted to share what a neu-roscientist has said, he states:

“We’re only as big as our imagination.”Motivational words for this young

man. Just 18 months earlier, the fit boxer and outgoing 26-year-old aircraft struc-tural engineer had a fateful encounter that would almost end his life. Today, his imagination is unbounded even by the wheelchair he sits in. He is inspired by the belief that he will walk again.

Thibeault’s imagination springs from the knowledge that advances in medical science, in which he’s an active partici-pant at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute, can dramatically change his future.

His story begins in the summer of 2013, when he awoke in a hospital room filled with family from across the coun-try. The previous evening, less than 50 metres from home while return-ing from a leisurely motorcycle ride, Thibeault was thrown from his bike trying to avoid a driver going the wrong way on a one-way street. His last mem-ory was lying on the ground looking at his fingers and feeling no pain.

At Parkwood Institute, the Locomotor Training program has Lee Thibeault back on his feet. The program includes a robotic system that automatically moves his legs while he’s on the treadmill, which is training his body to do the work on its own.

Hope is Here

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For the first 72 hours he was para-lyzed from the neck down. He had suf-fered a high-level neck break. His jaw, ribs, hand and six vertebrae were frac-tured. He also had a serious foot wound that became infected and resulted in a below-knee amputation. When feeling began to return, Thibeault was hopeful. Then the sensations stopped. He would remain paralyzed from the chest down.

Kindred SpiritsFor the vibrant and gregarious young man who was known to his friends as a health-conscious athlete, life suddenly appeared terrifying and hopeless.

After several weeks of intensive care, Thibeault was sent to Parkwood Institute for further recovery and the rehabilitation that would prepare him for life as a paraplegic. It was there his innate passion for life was reignited. Thibeault found kindred spirits in the nurses, doctors and therapists.

“My mom says that Parkwood only hires angels,” says Thibeault. “The nurses were incredible. They provided amazing care and always kept my spirits up. They made wonderful comments about my future. The hospital is sup-posed to be the toughest part, but it was more like home at Parkwood.”

Knowing it’s Possible Despite not being able to control his core muscles that help him stay upright, Thibeault has discovered para-athletic events and now competes in shot put and discus throwing. He also joined the London Blizzards sledge hockey team and hopes to get his glider-pilot license. Chatting animatedly about his passions, Thibeault says he’s inspired to walk again because he knows it’s possible.

“It is possible,” asserts physiothera-pist Janelle Wittig. She started working with Thibeault in September 2014 in the groundbreaking Locomotor Training (LT) program at Parkwood Institute. The program helps people with a spinal

cord or acquired brain injury regain lower body strength and, in some cases, even walk again. It uses a body weight support treadmill that has a harness to hold the patient upright. Parkwood

Institute is the first hospital in Canada to have purchased the equipment, which now includes the Lokomat—a robotic system that automatically moves the patient’s legs while he or she is on the treadmill.

initiating MovementBefore the Lokomat, it was difficult for therapists and clinicians to manu-ally work with people like Thibeault on the treadmill because of the per-son’s size and lack of sensory control. The robotic system solves this problem by doing the initial work. The harness holds the person up while the robotic legs initiate the movement needed on the treadmill. The hope is that the individual will initiate his own

movement, decreasing the amount of the work the robot does.

“Studies have proven there is an automatic circuitry that is built into us for walking and that is independent of the brain,” explains Wittig. “Evidence proves that the important elements required to awaken these circuits are speed, normal gait pattern and loading of the limbs—sensory input.”

Intensity is the fourth element. The program includes 90-minute ses-sions four times a week for a total of 44 sessions.

‘the Future is here’Thibeault was all smiles the first time he used the Lokomat, recalls Wittig. “You can imagine how it must feel so good to be on your feet. As tall as everyone else. Eye-to-eye with people, and that feel-ing of loading the legs. Because he can feel, he has a sense of the deep pressure. And his trunk has to work pretty hard to keep himself upright in that machine.”

It also bolsters the imagination.“Look, I have a robot walking me on a

treadmill, I have travelled to Switzerland six times and I also had the chance to meet an astronaut,” says Thibeault, referring to Chris Hadfield’s recent visit to Parkwood Institute. “The future is here. The question is: What are we going to do about it? Are we going to grab hold of it and be optimistic and be proactive? I want people to be just as happy as I am. I want people to have hope.” n`

After a devastating injury, Lee Thibeault is inspired to walk again thanks to the care and support he receives at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute.

GIVE

How to HelpYou can contribute to new‑ frontiers in rehabilitation at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute. Learn more by visit‑ing sjhcfoundation.org.

Hope is Here

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NEAR DEATH

Faith, friends and her St. Joseph’s care team keep Tiena Fraser focused on recovery from mental illness BY AMANDA JACKMAN

Climbing back from the brink has not been an easy task for Tiena Fraser. After a traumatic childhood of sexual,

emotional and physical abuse, a diag-nosis of bipolar disorder, and a struggle with an eating disorder, she has fi nally found happiness.

At age 16, Fraser suff ered a nervous breakdown and was admitted to hospi-tal. There, she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of her abusive childhood. From the ages of 16 to 30 she would self-harm and attempt suicide.

“I must have tried to commit suicide a hundred times,” she states. “I almost died twice. I was in a coma for days. I just wanted someone to pay attention and tell me they cared.”

FRIENDS and CommunityFraser’s rehabilitation from the depths of PTSD, bipolar disorder and bulimia has been an almost lifelong journey,

yet, despite the dark and diffi cult times, she can wholeheartedly say, “Right now is the happiest I have ever been.”

Research has shown that healthy community interaction and support through friends and family can aid people in their rehabilitation as they live with mental illness. Fraser understands that importance fi rst-hand. She now lives in a townhouse with roommates who share her interests and belief sys-tem. They like the same television pro-grams and attend Bible study classes together, says Fraser. After more than two decades being cared for by mental health care practitioners, she has dis-covered the value of friends and the sense of community.

Throughout her numerous stays in hospital Fraser found the connec-tion forged with her care providers at St. Joseph’s Health Care London to be invaluable. “Being able to sit and talk to someone helped me so much, and it still helps me today.”

“I have seen her at her worst and

at her best,” says Heather Cohen, a social worker at St. Joseph’s. “She has defi nitely come a long way. She has moved from much longer stays in hos-pital to short-term tune-ups to liv-ing in the community with outpatient appointments. She is doing very well. She knows who to call and what to do if she feels a relapse.”

HELPING OthersFraser credits her faith, friends and care teams for her success. She should also credit her tenacity. Enjoying her new-found life, she proudly confi des that she is experiencing her longest stay outside of hospital. “I am proactive with my medication and I keep busy with volun-teer opportunities.”

Fraser hopes to help others on a mental health journey by telling her story. “I’ve been through so much, some really terrible and trying times. If I can help anyone reach out and fi nd help by telling my story I would be achieving a life-goal.” �

For Tiena Fraser, rehabilitation for mental illness has been an almost lifelong journey. Here, she enjoys a quiet moment with a member of her care team, Dr. Robbie Campbell, a psychiatrist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London.

TO NEW LIFE

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Preventing

Kids’

St. Joseph’s Ivey Eye Institute has launched an innovative vision screening program for toddlersBy AmAndA JAckmAn

I t’s an eye-opening fact: As many as 10 per cent of preschoolers don’t see clearly. A scary statistic considering vision plays a critical

role in how a child learns.But a new London-wide screen-

ing program of St. Joseph’s Ivey Eye Institute aims to spot problems early.

Amblyopia, known generally as “lazy eye,” is the leading cause of decreased vision among children. Resulting from abnormal visual devel-opment in infancy and early child-hood, it’s fairly easy to treat early in life but becomes difficult to treat after the age of six—vision may never recover to its full potential.

“Early detection is key with amblyo-pia,” says Dr. Inas Makar, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Ivey Eye Institute. “The decrease in vision results when one or both eyes send a blurry image to the brain. The brain then learns to only see blurry with that eye, even when glasses are used later in life. Without early detection and treatment, amblyopia may result in permanent vision impairment.”

The main risk factors for amblyopia include long or short sightedness, astig-matism, eye turns and drooping eyelids.

Knowing the importance of early treatment, clinicians at Ivey Eye iden-tified the need to screen children between the ages of two and 3½ and developed an innovative program called Ivey Special Eye Exam (iSee) Vision Screening.

“Those preschool years are impera-tive,” says program coordinator Afua Oteng-Amoako. “According to research, 80 per cent of what a child learns in the first 12 years is through what they see. So if we can catch them before they go to school, children will have fewer learning difficulties.”

The screening process takes only a few seconds and is as easy as taking a picture. Using special automated digi-tal cameras, children have a “photo” taken. The camera makes sounds to get the child’s attention. No eye drops or puffs of air are necessary. The camera automatically detects issues or con-cerns requiring further testing by an eye care professional.

“iSee will provide an immedi-ate referral report if a risk factor for amblyopia is detected,” says Dr. Makar. “Parents and guardians receive the report and instructions to guide them on next steps.” n

iSee is a clinical and research-based program of St. Joseph’s Ivey Eye Institute made possible by dona-tions to St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation. London Central Lions Club provides philanthropic and volunteer support for this important community program.

vision Loss

CALL

Does Your Toddler See Clearly?In London, free vision screening is available for children between the ages two and 3½. Contact the iSee program at 519 646-6000, ext. 65101 or email [email protected]. For more information, including screen-ing locations and times, visit iseevision.ca.

Dr. Inas Makar, left, iSee program director, and Afua Oteng-Amoako, program coordinator, are leading the new screening program for toddlers in London that uses a special camera that can quickly detect vision problems.

By AmAndA JAckmAn

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Giving Patients a VoiceAt St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute, assistive devices are a key to successful therapy for people with disabilities By Anne KAy

After a brainstem stroke struck David Crew in his 50s, life came to a halt. He couldn’t walk, talk, swallow or care for

himself. But with just slight movement in two fingers, Crew would eventually tap into a whole new world.

In Canada, more than 440,000 Canadians are living with communication disabilities affecting their speech, hear-ing, and/or ability to understand what is said to them. At St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute, patients with these challenges are recovering from stroke and brain injuries or have degenerative diseases, such as dementia and Parkinson’s.

For example, while about 10 per cent of Canadians have a hearing impair-ment, the prevalence of hearing loss in patients at Parkwood Institute could be more than 80 per cent, explains audi-ologist Pattie Hinton. “It is important care providers know hearing loss and dementia can have similar signs and symptoms—it is difficult to remember accurately if you don’t hear clearly.”

Life-Changing DiscoveryTo help people with communication dis-abilities, speech language pathologists

and audiologists often use assistive devices ranging from simple pen and paper to advanced voice output devices.

For Crew, life turned around when a Parkwood Institute occupational thera-pist discovered that Crew could move his thumb and index finger, allowing him to operate a switch control for a high-tech assistive communication device.

Using this device Crew is now very social and active and an outspoken self-advocate. He communicates his care needs, makes personal decisions, tells jokes, participates in recreational activi-ties, and helps with presentations to medical students.

StrengthS UnmaskedOther assistive devices include FM systems that work like a radio station with voice transmitters and receiv-ers; voice and telephone amplifiers; communication boards and books; and electronic tablets with applica-tions for speaking, reading, writing and listening.

“The assistive device gave David a voice,” says speech language patholo-gist Penny Welch-West. “Without it his strengths in communication, memory

and capability would surely have been masked.”

Through his device Crew controls his TV, DVD player and power wheel-chair, sends email and surfs the Web. The difference it made in his life is “night and day,” he says. “Thank you for giving me a voice so I can touch others’ lives.” n

An assistive device helped David Crew open his world to others. He is shown here with speech language pathologists Julie Hughes and Penny Welch-West.

website

Talk It UpTo see how David Crew communicates using his device, visit sjhc.london.on.ca/our-stories/hear-me.

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Howie’s worldCanadian comedian, actor and author Howie Mandel balances a successful career with—at times—crippling mental illness. He will share his story at St. Joseph’s Tribute Dinner By Laura Janecka

A t the best of times, Howie Mandel has a crowd in stitches with never-ending laughter. But at the worst

of times, he has spent anxiety-ridden hours in never-ending repetition to ensure his front door is locked.

The 59-year-old Toronto native has lived more than 30 years in the lime-light and almost twice that long strug-gling with a range of mental illnesses, including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactive dis-order (ADHD) and depression. Thanks to his quick wit and celebrity, Mandel has been able to make light of a dark sit-uation and inspire thousands of others.

Nervous EnergyStarting out as a “manic young comic” on the Canadian comedy scene, Mandel was known for his zany shows. His first headlining act featured his name and tagline “Borderline Psychotic”—a refer-ence, he says, to his hyperkinetic ner-vous energy on stage. Though he used his quirky behaviour to draw laughs from the crowd, Mandel wasn’t ready or willing to open up about his personal struggles with mental illness.

Mandel’s career got a kick-start when a producer saw him at the leg-endary Comedy Store in Los Angeles and gave him a role on the game-show Make Me Laugh. His appearance led to other talk shows, a reoccurring role as a doctor in the award-winning series St. Elsewhere, and his own creation, Bobby’s World, an animated children’s show inspired by his own childhood experiences. He also hosted the popu-lar game shows Deal or No Deal and Deal with It.

Positive ReactionAs his star rose, behind the scenes Mandel continued to be plagued by doorknobs he couldn’t open, hotel rooms that required a path of clean tow-els to walk on and hands he couldn’t shake for fear of germs. It wasn’t until he appeared on the famed Howard Stern Show on radio that his personal strug-gles became public. After the show had wrapped, Mandel couldn’t bring himself to touch the doorknob to let himself out of the studio. Despite requesting assis-tance, nobody would open the door. As

his anxiety grew he exclaimed that he was in therapy for his OCD. He was let out but would discover that he was still live on-air. Mandel was embarrassed, but the public’s reaction was positive.

Realizing that people could relate, Mandel was inspired to write his 2009 memoir Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me.

Since then, he’s joined other Canadian icons as a spokesperson for Bell Let’s Talk Day, unabashedly shar-ing his experiences with the hope of promoting mental health care and reducing stigma. n

Canadian comedian, actor and author Howie Mandel is the featured guest at St. Joseph’s Tribute Dinner on Oct. 7.

EVENT

Hear HowieOn Oct. 7, St. Joseph’s Tribute Dinner will feature Howie Mandel, who will share his story of mental illness. To find out more about this event, visit sjhcfoundation.org.

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We’re inspired to give

Kathy and Frank LongoBECAUSE WE ALL NEED ST. JOSEPH’S


“Giving feels good.

to give to givebecause we know we are improving the lives of people touched by St. Joseph’s care, teaching and research.”

Kathy and Frank Longo are inspired to be part of a healthy community. They support medical breakthroughs that make a difference to the health and wellbeing of people in our community, region and beyond.


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OC

T7RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOWsjhcfoundation.org519 646-6085

LONDON CONVENTION CENTRE2015

JOIN US for a special evening with tv host/comedian HOWIE MANDEL who will share his story of mental illness.

PERPERSON

$195

2 0 1 5 S T. J O S E P H ’ S T R I B U T E D I N N E R

HONOURING

THE COMMUNITY

CONTRIBUTIONS OF

MARJIE AND

JEFF MACOUNwho will share his story of mental illness. MARJIE AND

MARJIE AND

JEFF MACOUNJEFF MACOUN

MODERATED BY HEATHER HISCOXHOST | CBC NEWS NETWORK

A CONVERSATION WITH

HOWIEMANDEL

CLIENT

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SJHC FoundationJOB DESCRIPTION

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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation 268 Grosvenor StreetLondon, ONN6A 4V2Please return Canadian Addresses to above address

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