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Book of the Month – April 2013

The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra

Kabul under the Taliban, a devastated city ruled by executioners and crows, where laughing in public brings down the wrath of the religious police. This is the world in which Yasmina Khadra – a pseudonym of a former officer in the Algerian army – sets his cauterizing novel of fanaticism and tenderness.

With an implacable eye, Khadra follows two couples: Mohsen and Zunaira are dispirited surviors of Afghanistan’s educated middle class; Atiq is a brutish jailer bound by a debt of gratitude to his dying wife, Musarrat. One day the horrified Mohsen finds himself taking part in the stoning of a condemned prostitute, an action that will impel all four characters toward new destinies. As spare as carved bone and filled with images that explode like bombs, The Swallows of Kabul is a work of haunting power.

“I found this book affected me on 2 different levels. One was in the vast difference between the way we live here in North America and the horrors that people face on a daily basis in other parts of the world. I can’t imagine what it would be like for a woman to live in a place where you have almost no rights at all. I was also struck by how people can overcome their circumstances to show such strength and tenderness for each other. These people are stripped of everything and yet they still try to maintain their sense of human decency.

While this book takes place in a bleak setting the imagery and the gentle writing makes it a difficult book to put down.” – Review by Kelly

The Swallows of Kabul is available at London Drugs.

Fire Prevention Month – Protect your Family from Fire

London Drugs offers Canada’s best smoke and carbon monoxide technology from Kidde to help keep your family safe

On average, residential fires kill six people each week in Canada. And research shows that most families could be doing more to stay safe.

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs reminds us all that Fire Prevention Month (Oct 1-31) is a perfect time to assess your family’s fire readiness and make changes that can help you escape alive if you are ever threatened by fire or carbon monoxide.

Organizing tips for back-to-school

Home organization is the key to keeping things under control throughout a busy school year. From back-to-school shopping to organizing student schedules, Professional Organizer, Jennifer Zagorsky, shares her tips and tricks for making the transition from summer fun to back-to-school routines.

Tip #1: Create a centralized, accessible family activities calendar
The first step to creating a successful routine is having a clear picture of everyone’s new schedules; classes, sporting events and additional extra-curricular activities. With so much going on, you’ll want to create a home base where everyone can see what’s happening at a glance. Using a simple paper wall calendar works well but there are now more high tech options that are particularly useful in households with older children. The Joy Factory Klick Wall Mount ($54.99 at London Drugs) allows you to mount an iPad in a centralized location in the house so family members have easy access to enter their activities. This will also allow you to instantly sync family member’s mobile devices, helping to keep everyone organized, on schedule and in the loop.

A study in 2007 by Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol showed that 78% of those who set New Year’s resolutions fail, and those who succeed have 5 traits in common.* Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

Goals—specifics vs. generalities

Businesses set goals to achieve growth or profitability over time, and competitive athletes set training goals so they’re ready for important competitions. Individuals may have big picture goals, such as eating healthier or becoming more active, but how can you make sure you actually get there?

Setting goals that are specific gives you a long-term vision and short-term motivation. When you set goals that are clearly defined it lets you set milestones and see your progress, giving you the self-confidence to carry on and achieve your objectives.

How to set personal health goals

Think about what your end goal is, and then put it into specific terms. For example, if you want overall health, what does that mean to you? Does it mean you can run five kilometres non-stop, or does it mean you reach a particular measurement such as a lower BMI? Whatever your final goal is, write it down in a journal.

What is a reasonable amount of time to achieve this goal? For health goals, you should check with your doctor or London Drugs personal care pharmacist for guidance. Note in your journal the date by which you want to accomplish your goal.
Set milestones between today (or your start date) and the date you want to achieve the goal. For example, if running five kilometres is your goal, and you’ve given yourself two months to do it, break the five killometres into smaller increments over that time period. That may mean you want to run one kilometre after one and a half weeks, two after three weeks, etc.
There are certain things you know you’ll need to start doing to achieve your goals, and certain things you’ll need to stop doing to be successful. For example, to achieve your five kilometre goal you’ll need to start running on a regular basis. That may mean you’ll need to stop doing other things to make this happen, such as swapping TV watching time in the evening to run. You may also need to change what you’re eating to allow your body to literally fuel your goal. Break down the time between your milestones even further to create a step-by-step blueprint to reach your end goal.
Reward yourself along the way! When you reach milestones, celebrate them. You could buy yourself new running shoes after you run your first full mile, or treat yourself to a deep tissue massage.
Join social groups to help you stay motivated. You could download an app to track and share your results with others who have the same goals. Share your goals with your friends and family and let them know about your success and challenges along the way. Ask their help if you need it—like changing family pizza night to a family swimming night.
Be flexible. Sometimes life can get in the way of achieving your goals. Don’t give up—just re-work your plan to allow for a new schedule. Your goals are important, and worth pursuing. Stay strong and you’ll realize them!

* Blame It on the Brain: The latest neuroscience research suggests spreading resolutions out over time is the best approach, Wall Street Journal, December 26, 2009

How to maintain your diet & exercise regime

So you’ve gone through a London Drugs Nutrition Clinic, and you’re armed with information about your current physical metrics, about healthy nutrition, and about some personal health goals you’d like to achieve. But how do you make sure that you can maintain the enthusiasm you have today and see your goals through? Here are some tips that can help you stay on track.

Steps to Maintaining your Regime

If becoming more active is one of your goals, choose an activity you enjoy. You’re less likely to put off doing something you find fun. Even better—plan the activity with a friend or group. You’re less likely to put off something other people depend on your to participate in.
If eating healthier is part of your health plan, make it easier by preparing meals in advance. If you’re cooking for the entire family, cook in batches and freeze meals.
To keep your new routine top of mind, try to read something about nutrition or fitness every other day. Continuous learning will give your overall goal importance and priority over the long run.
If you’re making many changes at once, try setting reminders on your computer or phone for things like taking a walk or preparing your grocery list. Program a few “way to go” messages for yourself while you’re at it. You deserve the recognition!

We love pets too!

Whether you have a cat or a dog, a companion bird or something more exotic, the chances are, you consider your pet a much-loved member of the family. Pets enhance our well being and entrust us with theirs.

We’d like to help you provide your furred, feathered or scaly friend/s with the healthiest and longest life possible…

Do you know that London Drugs pharmacists can also fill your pet’s prescription?
Our knowledgeable pharmacists are medication experts who provide counselling services and confer with your doctor when necessary. And we’ll do the same for your pet! We fill many pet prescriptions, such as antibiotics, antihistamines, painkillers and heart medications and will contact your veterinarian if needed. Our pharmacies provide insulin, needles, and other diabetic supplies for companion animals and offer the same everyday value for pet prescriptions as for human prescriptions.

We know how important your non-human family members are to you and will work with you to help them stay healthy and well cared-for.

Health Insurance for Cats & Dogs
When Lindy went for a bike ride through the park with Digger, her 7-month-old Schnauzer pup, the last thing on her mind that bright spring day was an accident.

“I wouldn’t normally exercise my dog while riding my bike, but I was pressed for time,” she explains. “I was all geared up to prevent injury to myself, but I never thought that Digger might get hurt.”

As it happened, Digger’s back leg was fractured in 2 places when he was startled by a larger dog that chased Lindy’s bike. His leash became caught in her back wheel, and he was thrown, catching his leg in the spokes.

“I learned two big lessons that day,” says Lindy. “One, Make sure you have a proper leash unit for your bike and two, spending that little bit extra each month for pet insurance is well worth it!”

Since Digger had a complicated fracture, his x-rays, surgery and pain medication totalled just under $5000.

“I would have had to take out a loan if my brother hadn’t advised me to buy pet insurance,” Lindy continues. “It certainly isn’t something I would have considered on my own, but it’s already proven well worth the monthly investment.”

Why we need Pet Insurance
In Canada, we have the benefit of having our basic medical care paid for by our provincial health plans. When anyone in our family is sick or injured, we go to the doctor or emergency room. Fortunately we don’t have to worry about the cost of treatment. We do what is necessary to get better, as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, the four-legged members of our families are not afforded the same luxury. With recent advances in veterinary medicine, pets can have most of the treatment options that we do, including chemotherapy, MRIs, advanced diagnostics and specialized medications – but these treatments are not covered by the same plans that cover us.

This means that for some beloved pets, it’s the end of the road as their owners can no longer afford medical care. (For senior pets, this can run in the $1000s annually.) Others choose to give their pet whatever is needed, often putting themselves and their families into a state of financial hardship.

This is where pet insurance comes in.

To provide affordable insurance for cats and dogs, London Drugs has teamed with Petsecure, Canada’s number one pet health insurance provider. Petsecure pet health insurance is Canadian owned and has been providing insurance for furry family members since 1989.

Petsecure offers four plans, covering accidents and illnesses to various degrees, and also offers coverage for annual preventive care and dental plans.

Pet owners can be sure to find coverage that meets their needs at an affordable cost.

With one in three pets requiring medical attention every year and the cost of veterinary care rising, health insurance for pets makes as much sense as dental insurance and extended healthcare benefits for people.

For more information on Petsecure pet health insurance programs, please call 1-800-268-1169 or visit Londondrugs.com. You can also visit any of our 8 locations.

London Drugs bettercare – First Aid & Medication Safety

Being in charge of your family’s health is a full-time job. There are always scrapes, stings, minor burns, and other emergencies that need to be addressed. The best way to tackle these problems is to prepare for them before they occur by investing the time to learn about first aid techniques and medication safety to make your home a safe haven.

Dangerous situations can happen anytime and virtually anywhere. In Canada, in most areas emergency assistance can by reached by dialling 911 on any telephone, including pay phones and cellular phones. Everyone in your household, even young children, should be instructed to call 911 in case of emergency. If 911 service is not available in your area, find out the number to call in emergencies and post it—along with other emergency information, such as doctor’s name and phone number—near your telephone for easy reference. Also keep your London Drugs pharmacy number by the phone. Our pharmacists are medication experts who can answer your questions whenever you have them—not just in emergencies.

Consider taking a first aid course from an organization such as St. John’s Ambulance or the Red Cross. This will give you the opportunity to practice your first aid skills in a calm environment so that you’ll be better prepared if an emergency does occur. You may also want to stop by your local bookstore and pick up a good first aid manual for your home and car.

Most first aid situations around the home aren’t emergencies and don’t require a 911 call. They are usually the minor cuts, bruises, and burns that are part of everyday life. Here are some tips for dealing with some of the more common situations.

Burns
Minor, or first-degree, burns usually turn the skin red and can sometimes cause swelling and pain. In the event of a minor burn, take the following steps:

Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under lukewarm running water for 15 to 30 minutes. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by taking the heat away from the skin. Don’t put ice on the burn, as this may cause frostbite, further damaging the skin.
Apply lotion. Once a burn is completely cooled, apply an aloe vera lotion, an antibiotic ointment, or a moisturizer to prevent dryness and make the injury feel more comfortable. However, do not coat the burn with butter or a thick ointment such as petroleum jelly, because this traps the heat in the skin.
Cover the burn. Wrap a sterile gauze bandage loosely around the burned area. Bandaging keeps air off the area, reduces pain, and protects blistered skin.

Minor burns usually heal in about one to two weeks. Watch for signs of infection such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling, or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help immediately.

Cuts and Scrapes
Most small cuts and scrapes don’t require a trip to the emergency room, but it is important to care for them properly to avoid infection and other complications. The following guidelines can help you treat simple wounds:

Stop the bleeding. Use gentle pressure applied over a clean cloth or bandage.
Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with clear water; soap may irritate the injury.
Apply an antibiotic. After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of antibiotic
cream to help keep the surface moist and kill bacteria that could cause infection.
Cover the wound. Bandages help the wound stay clean, keeping harmful
bacteria out.
Change the dressing. Change the bandage at least once daily to keep it clean
and prevent infection.
Get medical treatment for deep wounds. A wound that cuts deeply through the skin may require stitches. If in doubt, see your doctor immediately.
Watch for signs of infection. Visit your doctor if the wound doesn’t heal properly or if you notice any redness, warmth, or swelling.
Get a tetanus shot. Doctors recommend getting one every ten years.

Poisoning
Keeping dangerous substances locked away is the best way to prevent poisoning. However, if you suspect someone has been poisoned, look for the following signs:

Burns or redness around the mouth and lips.
Breath that smells like chemicals such as gasoline or paint thinner.
Burns, stains, and odours on or around the person.
Vomiting, difficulty breathing, sleepiness, confusion, or other unexpected signs.

If you believe someone in your family has been poisoned, follow these steps:

Call your local poison control centre and follow their instructions. Directions on the product label telling you what to do may be inaccurate or out of date.
If the victim is unconscious or has swallowed a substance that is acidic, caustic, or has a petroleum base (such as gasoline or household cleaners), get the victim to the hospital immediately. Do not induce vomiting.
If the victim has not passed out and if the substance is something that is normally swallowed (such as medicine), the poison control centre may tell you to induce vomiting.
Get medical attention immediately. If you have identified the poison, bring the container with you. If you don’t know what the poison is but the person has vomited, bring a sample of the vomit with you for analysis.

Medication Safety

Chances are your family has a cabinet full of medications—from over-the-counter products to prescription drugs. Lurking in the back corner of your medicine cabinet may be some expired medications, and perhaps some prescription drugs you no longer use.

An important step in the proper use of medications is to educate yourself about the specific drugs you and your family are taking. All of your family’s medications need to be carefully organized to avoid dangerous mistakes. Here are a few tips to help keep you and your family safe:

Storage: Ask your doctor or pharmacist for directions on how to store your medications. Certain medications need to be refrigerated and others should be kept in a cool, dry place. Make sure that all medications are in child-proof containers and are stored well out of your children’s reach.
Drug interactions: If you’re taking more than one medication, ask your pharmacist to check for any possible drug interactions.
Side effects: If you develop what you think is a side effect, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately. There may be another medication with fewer side effects that can be substituted.
Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions from medications may include difficulty breathing, skin rashes, itching, swelling, racing heartbeat, nausea, severe diarrhea, and feeling faint. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any of these symptoms after taking a new medicine. If the reaction involves difficulty breathing, call for emergency assistance immediately.
Expiry dates: Unused and expired medications can be dangerous. Do a yearly inventory of your medicine cabinet and dispose of outdated or unused medications.
Never share: The medications prescribed by your doctor were meant to treat your particular medical problem. Never share your medication with anyone else.
Follow directions: Read the labels carefully and follow the directions to the letter. Be sure to finish the full course of your medication. Stopping a medication too early can cause the illness to return or make it more difficult to treat.

Book of the Month – April 2013

Fire Prevention Month – Protect your Family from Fire

Organizing tips for back-to-school