Walking pneumonia is on the rise in B.C.

B.C. has more cases of walking pneumonia this fall. Many young people are getting it. Doctors call it “walking pneumonia” because it is usually not serious. People can still do things, even if they feel sick. Common symptoms are cough, sore throat, fever, aches and a cough that can last a while. You get walking…

Keep children safe on Halloween

Halloween is on October 31. Children will be going out in costumes at night for candy. B.C. Children’s Hospital has these tips to keep children safe: Safe costumes Use face paint, not masks so children can see better. Costumes should not drag or trip. Stick together An adult should always be with children. Hold hands…

Be prepared

  Winter driving can be dangerous. Roads can be slippery. It can be hard to see the road when it is snowing. Sometimes cars get stuck. You might have to wait for help. A winter emergency kit can help you stay safe and warm. Your winter emergency kit doesn’t have to be big. You can…

Prevent kitchen fires

Many people like to cook during the holidays. Fires in the kitchen often start when people leave the kitchen while cooking. Lorraine Carli, vice-president of outreach and advocacy at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says, “We know cooking fires can be prevented.” Here is how to stay safe in the kitchen: Stay in the…

ShakeOut – Drop, Cover and Hold On

International ShakeOut Day is on October 20. On this day, millions of people around the world practise how to stay safe during an earthquake. In B.C., the Great British Columbia ShakeOut will take place at 10:20 a.m. People from across the province will take part in a “Drop, Cover and Hold On” drill. To join,…

Egg and vegetable scramble

Start your day with a healthy breakfast. A balanced breakfast includes items from the main food groups. This egg and veggie scramble is quick and tasty. It can make four servings. What you need:  6 eggs ¼ cup skim milk (optional) ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon oil 1 ½ cups chopped mixed vegetables…

What to do in a heat wave

A heat wave is a period of very hot weather that lasts for two or more days. To be called a heat wave, the temperatures must be above the historical averages for an area. Staying in the heat for a long time can be dangerous. It can cause heat-related illnesses like heat stroke. What to…

Start running

Summer is a good time to do things outdoors. Running is a fun outdoor thing to do. Running can help improve your health. It is good for your body and mind. Running is free. You can run anywhere. It is also an easy sport to learn. You only need a pair of running shoes! Set…

HealthLink BC 8-1-1

Do you need to talk to someone about a health problem? 8-1-1 is a phone line that is available 24 hours a day. Anyone in B.C. can get free health information and advice over the phone. It is operated by HealthLink BC, a part of the B.C. Ministry of Health. What do I do? Call…

How to use a nutrition facts table

Nutrition facts tables show the calories and important nutrients in foods. This information can help you compare foods.   Adapted from Canada.ca • Photo: Jade Chan

Winter blues

Cold dark days can make you feel sad, sleep too much and overeat. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) says about 15 per cent of people in Canada get the “winter blues.” There are many ways to feel better in the winter: Get light Go outside during the day. Keep your curtains open and spend…

Take a “forest bath”

Some parks in BC offer “forest baths.” You can book a walk in the woods with a guide. The guide teaches you how to relax by enjoying nature. You use your senses to: feel the leaves smell the trees listen to sounds in nature A “forest bath” is meant to reduce stress and improve your…

Frances likes to walk

Frances likes to go on long walks. She walks an average of 12 kilometres per day. We asked Frances why she likes walking. When did you take up walking?  When I was young, I worked on a farm.  I walked between the dairy farm and the sheep farm. It was 10 kilometres a day. Sometimes, I did it twice in a day. Why do you…

Nutrition Month 2021

Nutrition Month 2021 March is Nutrition Month. Healthy eating is different for everyone. Everyone has their own culture and traditions. Everyone has their own preferences and nutritional needs. There is no “one-size-fits-all” for healthy eating. This year’s theme is “Good for you! Dieticians help you find your healthy.”   7 tips to plan meals on…

Heart Month

Keep your heart healthy  February is Heart Month. You can learn tips on how to keep your heart healthy and prevent a heart attack. What is a heart attack? Your heart needs a constant supply of blood to keep beating. If the blood flow gets blocked, the result is a heart attack. Recognize the signs…

Be prepared for winter storms

Are you ready for a winter storm? What will you do if you lose power to your home? There are dozens of winter storms in BC. Most families think they are prepared. They have extra food and toilet paper. But they do not have a plan or an emergency kit. What do you do if the power…

Flu shots during COVID-19

Are you planning to get a flu shot at a pharmacy? Things will be different this year. “Pharmacists will be putting in more time and resources to keep patients and themselves safe during COVID-19,” said Geraldine Vance. Vance is the CEO of the BC Pharmacy Association.  You will need to make an appointment. Pharmacies will…

Concern over hand sanitizers

Not all hand sanitizers are safe to use. More than 50 brands of hand sanitizers have been recalled by Health Canada. Experts say good sanitizers are made with quality-grade ethanol. They are safe to use. If methanol or ethyl acetate are used it can be dangerous. “Methanol and ethanol will look similar and behave similarly….

Mental Health Week

Mental Health Week is from May 4 to May 10. Mental health is the way we think and feel about ourselves. It is the way we think and feel about the world around us. Good mental health makes it easier to handle stress and other problems. Here are some ways to practise good mental health:…

COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 11. The announcement was made by the World Health Organization (WHO). What is a pandemic? A pandemic is the “worldwide spread of a new disease,” said the WHO. COVID-19 is a  new virus and disease. It spread to many countries around the world at the same time. After…

COVID-19

COVID-19 is a new virus. It is also known as novel coronavirus. The virus appeared in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It has infected over 110,000 people in countries around the world. Close to 4,000 people have died worldwide. What are the risks? Most people can recover at home. The risk is greater for older people…

Vaping

Vaping is similar to smoking.  When someone vapes, they use a small device to breathe in a liquid. The device is called an e-cigarette. The e-cigarette heats up the liquid and turns it into vapour. What is the liquid made of? The liquid inside an e-cigarette is called e-liquid or vaping juice. Often, vaping juice…

Cold remedies

You can catch a cold at any time of the year. Some people try to fight the cold before it starts. If they can’t, people want to get rid of the illness as quickly as possible. Remedies to fight a cold before it starts Some people try to fight a cold as soon as they…

Backpack the right way

Choose the right fit of backpack for your child. Do not make the backpack too heavy. The wrong fit and a heavy backpack can give your child “back pain, neck pain and headaches,” says Julia Brooks. Brooks is a physiotherapist at Alberta Children’s Hospital.  The right fit   The right backpack for your child should:   be a size that is…

Summer sun safety

Summer sun safety Story adapted from HealthLink BC by Patti-Lea Ryan Edited by Nila Gopaul Level 2 It is fun to sit or play in the sun. But, too much sun can be harmful. We can get sunburned on cloudy days, too. Too much heat can lead to health problems. People can get stroke, heat exhaustion, skin…

Protect yourself from colds and the flu

Level 3 In Canada, many people get colds and the flu (influenza) in the winter. Viruses cause colds and the flu. These viruses pass easily from person to person. Learn more about colds and the flu: How to protect yourself How to protect others What to do if you have a cold or the flu…

Signs of a stroke

Signs of a stroke, Level 3 Adapted from The Vancouver Sun, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Statistics Canada, 2012, by Nila Gopaul Illustrations by Nola Johnston Most strokes happen when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood going to the brain. Both children and adults can have strokes. Each year, there are 50,000…

Ride for a good life

Adapted from The Vancouver Sun by Patty Bossort. Level 2 Bicycling is good for your health. It is good for the economy. It is good for the environment. Six good reasons to bicycle: It is good exercise. A fit body is a healthy body. Children learn better after a walk or bike ride to school. A…

You can text 911 for help

Adapted from The Province by Patty Bossort Level 3 Are you deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech impaired? Now you can text for help. The new service is called T911. You can text police, ambulance and fire emergency services for help. The service is available in: •  Southwestern BC •  Metro Vancouver •  Squamish •  Whistler •  Pemberton •…

Helpers are happier

Adapted from The Province Level 3 Are happy people healthier? Are all happy people the same?

Thousands of Canadians live to be 100 years old

Level 3 Almost 6000 Canadians are 100 years old. Most of them are women. Three people tell us their secrets. Shu-Wing Mak volunteers in Chinatown. He says his active life keeps him healthy. He visits seniors at a retirement home regularly. He listens to Chinese opera and writes for the newspaper. He received the Queen…

Hypothermia

Adapted from Healthlink BC by Nila Gopaul Level 2 May/June 2012 Normal body temperature in adults is 34.4 °C to 37.8 °C. People can get hypothermia when the inside of the body drops below 35 °C. If not treated, hypothermia can lead to death. Read the PDF.  Try the exercise. Hypothermia-PDF Here are some ways…

Sitting is a pain

Level 2 Adapted from The Edmonton Journal October 2011 Ginette Biro is a personal trainer. She teaches people how to exercise. Biro also trains students to stretch. Read the PDF. Sitting is a pain-PDF Sitting for a long time can be hard on the body, especially the back. Biro says it is very important to…

New lungs, new life

Adapted from The Vancouver Sun Level 2 Colleen Kohse, 53, lives in Vancouver. When she was in her 20s she received new lungs. At that time, Kohse was very ill. She had cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a disease. CF affects the lungs. People with CF have a hard time breathing. They also get infections…

Stand-up bike puts runners on wheels

  Adapted from The Vancouver Sun Level 2 It has no seat. So, you cannot sit down. You must stand up to ride it. It has no pedals. So, you have to push or pump the foot platforms up and down. Then the bike moves. People look at Christy Lynn on the bike. They are…