Health & Wellness

Shift work is a necessary part of business. Health care, resource industries, policing, and other services require a 24-hour schedule.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2005 roughly 28 percent, or 4.1 million of the 14.6 million Canadians employed, worked something other than a typical day shift of 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
But while this shift work is necessary, it also can have a variety of adverse physical and psychological health effects.

There’s been a big turnout for the Northwestern Health Unit’s public ’flu shot clinics so far.
Of the three walk-in clinics held by the health unit in Fort Frances, more than 300 people attended the one at Robert Moore School while close to 300 were at the one at St. Francis, said public health nurse Myrna Kraynyk-Cooper.
The last walk-in clinic here was held yesterday at the Memorial Sports Arena. Others took place at Donald Young School (Emo), Mine Centre School, the Nestor Falls rec centre, and Crossroads School (Devlin) earlier this month.

Wednesday (Nov. 19) marks the seventh-annual World COPD Day—an event held each November to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worldwide.
COPD is a devastating lung disease that progressively robs sufferers of breath. According to the World Health Organization, COPD is the fourth-leading cause of death worldwide, causing more than three million deaths every year.
Moreover, recent studies indicate 25-50 percent of people with clinically-significant COPD don’t know they have the disease.

Given only a few households showed up with levels of lead in their tap water above the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standard in the most recent round of testing, the town may be able to reduce its sampling program down the road.
A recent report from Environmental and Facilities superintendent Doug Herr indicated water samples were taken at 40 residences and four non-residential sites, as well as eight fire hydrants, between Sept. 24-Oct. 2.

The weather may be cooling down, but it’s been nothing but a warm reception for the two students from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine doing their placements in Fort Frances for the academic year.
“It’s been excellent. We’ve been here almost two months now, and the town has been very, very welcoming,” said Andrea Haner.
“It’s been a great experience for me here, too,” echoed Elizabeth Cooper. “We found when we came in the beginning that people were very welcoming. Getting oriented to the clinic and to the hospital was very easy.

Energy drinks like Red Bull, Rockstar, and Monster swiftly have become the drink of choice for many people, especially teens.
Bolstered by company claims like “it will combat mental and physical fatigue,” “it will add to your athletic performance,” “it vitalizes the body and mind,” “it will unleash the beast within,” “it will give you wings,” and so forth, many turn to these “energizing” drinks quite often just to get through the day.

The last few months have seen an upswing in food safety issues, including some with deadly consequences.
Listeriosis, a food-borne illness which originated at a Maple Leaf plant in Toronto, is blamed for 20 deaths, with others still under investigation, and 52 cases of infection confirmed as of Oct. 1.
Melamine, a chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers, has been found in milk in China, sickening more than 54,000 Chinese children and causing four deaths.
The tainted milk also was used in some products exported around the world, including Canada.

FORT FRANCES—While some people may be celebrating the countdown to the holiday season, another less-popular season also is just getting started: ’flu season.
But protecting yourself against the ’flu is not complex, said Donna Stanley, manager of controls of infectious disease for the Northwestern Health Unit.
“Really, the best defence is combination of getting the ’flu shot and hand-washing,” she said. “It’s pretty simple.
“Our hands are basically how the virus spreads,” Stanley explained.

In support of the battle against breast cancer, Curves for Women here held an information fundraiser last Wednesday evening, with all proceeds going to the Rainy River District Breast Health Network.
Sponsored by several community businesses and groups, the three-hour event was aimed at raising awareness of breast health in the community.
“It’s kind of a personal thing for us,” said Curves employee Jennifer Green, noting many of the people involved with the fundraiser have family and friends who have been affected by breast cancer.

While some people may be celebrating the countdown to the holiday season, another less-popular season also is just getting started: ’flu season.
But protecting yourself against the ’flu is not complex, said Donna Stanley, manager of controls of infectious disease for the Northwestern Health Unit.
“Really, the best defence is combination of getting the ’flu shot and hand-washing,” she said. “It’s pretty simple.
“Our hands are basically how the virus spreads,” Stanley explained.