There are approximately 1 billion people worldwide who have a Vitamin D deficiency.  Many Canadians are not getting enough sun exposure because of the type of climate they live in, concerns of skin exposure and lifestyle.  Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include living in northern latitudes, not getting at least 15 minutes of direct sunlight exposure, being dark-skinned, elderly, overweight or obese.  While rickets and osteomalacia are known diseases of severe vitamin D deficiency, more subtle symptoms include a burning sensation in mouth or throat, vision problems, insomnia, diarrhea, or a loss of appetite.  Too much vitamin D, although rare, can cause a buildup of calcium, which can cause poor appetite, nausea and vomiting. Weakness, frequent urination and kidney problems can also occur in vitamin D toxicity. 

The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) establishes values for Vitamin D, which was established in 1997; this was used to help prevent osteomalacia and rickets.  Currently, the DRIs for vitamin D are based on the assumption of minimal sun exposure, so this takes into account certain sub-populations, for example those with darker skins or those who live in northern latitudes.  The most current information from Health Canada (2012) is in pediatric patients aged 0-12 months, 400 IU (or 10 mcg); children that are aged 1-8, 600IU (or 15 mcg); children and adults aged 9-70, 600IU (15 mcg); adults over 70 years, 800IU (or 20 mcg) and for women who are pregnant or lactating is 600 IU (or 15 mcg).  Health Canada’s existing recommendations on calcium and vitamin D for all Canadians over the age of two, including pregnant and lactating women, should consume 500mL (or 2 cups) of milk or fortified soy beverages every day.  

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to come in and ask one of our pharmacists or friendly pharmacy staff

 Learn more about our programs. 

1. Choose "night-time" products for overnight use. "Daytime" products may contain ingredients, such as pseudoephedrine, that can keep you awake at night. To help you sleep through the night with a cold or allergies, choose a "night-time" product or ask your pharmacist to recommend a product that won't keep you up at night.

 

2. Choose "daytime" products when you can't afford to be drowsy. Some ingredients (especially certain antihistamines such as diphenhydramine) can cause drowsiness. To avoid this, select a "daytime" or "non-drowsy" product to help you power through your day or ask your pharmacist to recommend a product that won't make you drowsy.

 

3. Start your allergy medication before allergy season. If you have seasonal allergies, don't wait until you have symptoms - start your allergy medication just before your allergy season begins, and keep taking it every day during allergy season. This way, the medication will be in your system throughout the allergy season.

 

4. Choose a product that targets your specific cold or allergy symptoms. Ask the pharmacist to recommend a product with ingredients to treat only the symptoms you have.

 

5. Be careful when combining cold remedies. Many cough and cold products have the same ingredients, or ingredients with similar effects, putting you at risk of overmedication. Plus, some cough and cold ingredients, like acetaminophen, are commonly found in other products such as pain relievers. Check with your pharmacist before combining prescription or over-the-counter medications.

 

6. Stay away from your allergy triggers. Keep avoiding your allergy triggers, even when you're on allergy medication. These two strategies work together to give you the best symptom relief.

 

7. Don't use nasal decongestant sprays for more than 3 days. Longer use can cause "rebound" congestion - congestion that gets worse when you stop the medication.

 

8. Go easy on your nose. Frequent nose blowing can leave your nose red and raw. To soothe a sore nose and keep it moisturized, try tissues with lotion. You can also apply a small amount of petroleum jelly under your nose.

 

9. Don't mix herbals and other medications without checking with your pharmacist first. Herbal products may seem safe because they're natural, but many contain powerful ingredients that may not mix well with your other medications.

 

10. Think "safety first." Always read the label and use all cold and allergy products as directed. Take only the recommended dose using a proper utensil for measuring the dose and only for the length of time recommended on the package. If you have questions, ask the pharmacist. Children under 6 years of age should not be given over-the-counter cough and cold products. If your cold symptoms persist and don't get better after 7 to 10 days, see your doctor.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to come in and ask me, or one of our friendly pharmacy staff.

Too many people fall victim to easily avoidable hazards of buying and selling property.It is worth the effort to learn about the home buying and selling process; doing so can save you time, stress and money. Think about hiring the right sales person. It is a good idea to meet with a few different representatives before you decide on which to hire. It is important that you feel comfortable and confident that this is the right person for the job of helping you to find or sell a home. Working with a real estate professional is a partnership. Make sure you communicate your expectations clearly. It is important that you have a mutual understanding of what you are looking for, what elements are deal-breakers and what services the Brokerage is responsible for. Take the time to read and understand the forms you are signing. Nobody likes to read the fine print, but taking the time to understand what you are signing can avoid many problems later on. Make sure all the blanks in the forms are filled in and you get a copy of everything you’ve signed.  Don’t let emotions overtake your common sense when you fall in love with a property. Stick with your budget and be aware of the risk of not having a home inspection, just to win a bidding war. There may be underlying problems which a qualified inspector can identify and save you costly problems in the end. Don’t assume everything is included. The seller may want to take all the appliances with them. The hot water tank or heating system may be rentals that you have to take over. Make sure all the items you expect to be included are detailed as chattels. You can also include a clause asking the seller to pay out any outstanding rental contracts. This is the best way to protect yourself from any surprises in the end. Don’t forget about what is inside and outside the walls. Ask your real estate professional to look into the age of the wiring, plumbing, and heating systems. Ask about extensive renovations and if permits were issued. Spend some time exploring the neighborhood and researching location of schools and amenities. A simple internet search can be very helpful or asking neighbors when you’re concerned about a home with a troubled past. Don’t rely on a verbal agreement. Putting everything in writing forces all parties to be clear about their expectations and can prevent disputes later. It is important not to underestimate closing costs. Land Transfer taxes, title insurance, home inspections and lawyer costs can all add up. You may want to touch up some things such as paint, window coverings, or new appliances. All these things can take a big chunk out of your budget. These tips will certainly help, but the most important advice is to work with a registered real estate professional. They can provide a great deal of knowledge and expertise about the buying and selling process, as well as specific knowledge about neighborhoods and local issues. To help avoid hazards like these, talk to a registered real estate professional.

Adele Youssef, ASA

Real estate sales representative

Manor Windsor Realty Ltd. Brokerage

519-250-8800 / 519-566-6514 

www.sellwithadele.com

adele@sellwithadele.com

It is important for parents and educators to develop a better understanding of the challenges a child may experience at school or home with reading, comprehension, double vision, headaches or eye strain. If the information that is sent to the brain is compromised in some way, it can make learning very difficult. A study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders’ November 2013 issue states that “attention and internalizing problems improved significantly following treatment for convergence insufficiency.” Convergence insufficiency is an eye coordination disorder which can make reading difficult and cause symptoms such as eye strain, double vision, loss of concentration, and frequent loss of place when reading and working up close. All these can play a negative role in learning. If your child isn’t performing up to his or her potential in school or sports, poor vision may be to blame - even if she or he has perfect eye sight. Several visual problems that prevent children from doing well in the classroom can go undetected in traditional eye tests. Some of the common signs of vision problems include headaches associated with using eyes, burning and itching of eyes, nausea after reading, double vision, holding books very close to their eyes, use of finger to keep place, taking a long time in completing homework, and skipping or re-reading of lines. “Good eye sight means you can see the books’ content, but poor vision means you can’t organize the information available to you, and you can’t picture the stories and their events” explains Dr. Moussa.  Successful patients of vision therapy demonstrate enhanced functioning on tasks and develop the visual skills needed to achieve more effectively at school, work, and play. “You should consult your primary-care eye doctor.” advises Dr. Moussa, “preferably someone who has a lot of experience dealing with children.” 

Everyone knows that omega 3's and fish oil is great for the body, that it helps when babies are developing and contributes to an over all health, body and mind.  But can they also be good for our oral health?

To understand why these essential oils could possibly be good for our oral health we need to understand a little bit about what omega 3's are. An omega three and fish oils are forms dietary fats. There are three main types of fats in our diet, they are saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. saturated fats are fats that come from animals or dairy and are contributors to heart disease, these are considered the "bad" fats.  Monounsaturated fats are fats that come from plants and olive oil these are good forms of fats like omega 9. polyunsaturated fats are fats that come from plants oils dairy and some animals depending on the animals diet, these fats are omega 3 and 6's and are all good for you.

monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are often referred to as fatty acids. these fatty acids are key in developing parts of the cell that send messages to other cells telling them to help with anti inflammatory responses. Many adults suffer from gingivitis or periodontal disease. 

Gingivitis is characterized by inflammation of the gums, bleeding and redness. when this is not taken care of it can progress in to periodontal disease. periodontal disease is when the gums become unattached, bone loss occurs which allows teeth to move freely in the mouth and possibly come out. so how are these essential fatty acids a benefits to our mouth? when taken regularly these fatty acids help reduce the inflammation of the gums and help keep the gums attached. this in turn helps reduce the amount of bone loss so patients can have there teeth for longer.

To see the benefits of these essential fatty acids patients should consume two tablespoons of flax seeds, walnuts, soybean oil or canola oil and at least two servings of a fatty fish a week.

By Steven Raheb

When people think about retirement planning, they tend only to focus on retirement savings often in their RRSPs. This is not surprising because it's hard to imagine what life might be like in 20 or 30 years. But there's more to retirement planning than just saving money. For example, some new retirees are caught off guard when they realize that they are no longer covered by their group insurance coverage. One way to avoid these types of surprises is by thinking about what your values and lifestyle may be at that stage of your life, then finding the financial tools that will help you make it happen. 

Life insurance

Most retirees don't require basic life insurance because the children have grown, they are likely debt-free and have some savings. However, there are life insurance products that are ideal for estate and tax planning as protection for inheritance amounts.  

Converting group life insurance

New retirees may have the option of converting their group life insurance into permanent individual coverage. This option is usually available during the first 30 days following the end of employment, before the retiree turns 65. While this is an ideal solution because an insurability evaluation isn't necessary, the policy premiums may be expensive because they are based on the new retiree's age.

Health insurance 

Health and accident insurance becomes increasingly important during retirement. Some provinces have implemented public drug insurance plans, but they may include a large annual deductible or may only be available to low-income participants. By contrast, there are a wide variety of private supplemental health insurance providers. Since each policy offering is different, it's important to do your research. 

Now more than ever, planning ahead will ensure that you have a happy and financially secure retirement. Also, some of these options may offer a beneficial tax treatment. Take the time to get the facts by speaking with me. 

For more information, contact me:

Steven Raheb

Life and Health Insurance Advisor

Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network

Phone: (519) 890-9598

Steven.Raheb@dfsin.ca

Windsor, ON – Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) will be celebrating our annual International Women’s Day Gala on Sunday March 8th, 2015 at St. Clair Centre for the Arts. 

For more than 26 years, WEST has been providing training to visible minority and immigrant women who are trying to champion their situational barriers and reach their employment goals. Each year WEST provides training and support to approximately 2,000 women and their families within the Windsor & Essex County area.

On Sunday March 8th, 2015 WEST’s IWD Gala will be an opportunity to commemorate our participants, businesses and community partners within the Windsor & Essex County area, who demonstrate a commitment to embracing diversity in our community. This year theme is “Working Towards Women’s Equality Today and in the Future.” The event will highlight the accomplishments achieved by women in the past, present, and future; advancing women further towards equality.  

During the event, WEST will recognize Journey Towards Success Recipients. The Recipients are WEST clients, who have gone on a challenging journey and been successful in achieving their goals, as well as Community Partners that have demonstrated a belief in the WEST mission and continue to actively support women on their journeys toward success.

WEST is pleased to announce Saadia Muzaffar as the Keynote Speaker for our IWD Gala 2015.

Saadia is the founder of TechGirls Canada (TGC), a national organization focused on building community and amplifying ideas around women’s leadership in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. TGC provides leadership and community to hundreds of non-profit and industry groups working to engage more girls to pursue a career in Technology. The organization is continuously working to break down silos; advocate for resources, funding, private and public sector partnerships opportunities along with catalyze joint programs.

In addition Saadia is the Senior Director of Marketing for AudienceView. AudienceView has been providing business solutions to the entertainment industry for more than 10 years. “It is a complete

 e-commerce solution that enables organizations to offer a true shopping experience.” 

For more information about Saadia Muzaffar visit: 

TechGirls Canada at http://www.techgirls.ca/ , or AudienceView at http://www.audienceview.com/

All proceeds will go towards providing training to women in Windsor & Essex County, as a result ‘investing in our community’.  

Tickets are $85 person and includes a full dinner. If you would like to purchase a ticket, please contact us at 519.256.6621, or via email at iwd@westofwindsor.com. Also, tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite at

 http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-womens-day-gala-2015-tickets-15137721332?aff=es2&rank=190

We look forward to you joining us at this year’s celebration! 

Media Contact & for more information, please contact:

Rose Anguiano Hurst, Executive Director

Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST)

Phone: (519) 256-6621, ext. 222

Fax: (519) 256-3963

Email: rose@westofwindsor.com

Website: www.westofwindsor.com

Many of you will likely experience a Cold or the Flu during this winter season. There are certain symptoms unique to the Common Cold and the Flu. If you are experiencing the Common Cold you likely have a runny nose with clear mucous at the start of your cold that changes to a yellow-greenish colour towards the end. You may also have a stuffy nose. You may also have a mild sore throat and a mild to moderate dry cough. Your cough may become productive, meaning that you are coughing up mucous as your cold progresses. Your cold usually lasts 5 to 7 days but may last up to 2 weeks. 

If you have the Flu, you will be experiencing some similar symptoms as a cold but with some differences. You will likely have a runny nose without any congestion. You may have a sore throat and will likely have a dry cough. With the Flu, you will have a fever, body/headaches and will also feel very tired. Your symptoms will last for 10 days.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for the Common Cold or the Flu. Once you catch the virus you’ll be stuck with it until it runs its course. However, there are medications that can be used to treat the symptoms and help you feel better. Your Pharmacist can provide you with medications to treat these symptoms. There are certain things you can do to prevent catching the Common Cold or Flu. Hand-washing is one of the most important and effective prevention methods. Always wash your hands after touching door handles, public telephones etc. You should also carry around a bottle of alcohol sanitizer to use after you wash your hands or if you cannot get to a washroom.  The most effective way of NOT catching the Flu is to get your Flu shot. Although you may hear that the flu shot will actually make you sick (there is a small percentage of people that do experience this), the flu shot works. It is safe and effective. Speak with your pharmacist if you have questions regarding the Flu shot. If you already have a cold or the Flu, make sure you take precautions to prevent spreading.  Use the same precautions as you would to PREVENT catching a cold or flu. Sneeze and cough into your sleeve or elbow. Avoid public places so take a sick day from school or work. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water.

No matter what your age, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily and seeing your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups. Enforcing good oral hygiene habits early in a child’s life is essential for his overall well-being. According to a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cavities in children between the ages of two and five has escalated by 15 percent. Proper oral hygiene habits in kids must start as early as the child begins to bottle feed. This is when babies are prone to baby bottle carries. Baby bottle carries are cavities that are a result of drinking formula breast milk or juice from a baby bottle. Baby teeth should be cleaned using a washcloth, young babies should eventually have their teeth and tongues brushed using soft brushes on a regular schedule. It is important for parents to teach children the proper way to brush their teeth with toothpaste that has fluoride in it, to take them for regular dental check-ups, and to serve food that will maintain optimal health. Kids should eat foods that will strengthen their teeth, such as milk, cheese, and vegetables. Good oral hygiene starts at a young age but must be maintained for a life time. As children get older they should be encouraged to take good care of there teeth. Teenagers care a lot about how they look. Help your teen understand that bad oral hygiene can lead to stains, bad breath , missing teeth and many other dental problems. As we get older it becomes more important that we floss regularly to remove plaque from under the gum line. If we don't take special care to remove this plaque it can harden into tartar and will only be able to be removed with a professional dental cleaning. Tartar under the gum line can also lead to problems such as gingivitis which is an early stage of gum disease. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen or tender gums that tend to bleed when you brush them. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your dentist before serious problems develop. Advanced stages of gum disease may lead to tooth loss but in the early stages can be reversed. A beautiful healthy smile can last a life time with these simple guidelines.