“You can’t deal with it by denying it,” says Ron. “It’s important to get real about what’s happening. If you’ve fallen and broken your wrist, you’re not afraid to get help. It is a bit like that. Get real, get help and get ready. Find out how your life is going to evolve. Be prepared, not scared.”

Through his involvement with the Alzheimer’s Society, Ron was introduced to the Driving and Dementia Roadmap (DDR), a free online resource that was developed by researchers at Baycrest, Sunnybrook and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA). Its goal is to empower older adults living with dementia to make informed decisions about when to stop driving.

Ron and his wife, Sandy, were watching one of the video resources about driving, dementia and safety in the community from the DDR website in preparation for a workshop, and that video helped Ron come to a decision.

“I decided right then and there that I was going to stop driving,” he says.

While the decision was swift, it was not insignificant. Ron says he has always loved driving, describing himself as a very active driver who first learned by driving farm equipment when he was young.

“I competed in rally driving early in my 20s; I was an airplane pilot. Driving has always been a large part of my life,” Ron says, adding driving has been part of his and Sandy’s relationship and experiences together as well: they’ve driven across the country several times, and all through Europe.

But Ron has known, since he was diagnosed with dementia, that he was going to have to stop driving eventually.

“To me, it has always been a question of when am I going to stop, not if,” he says. So, when he and Sandy were watching one of the DDR resource videos on how dementia can impact one’s driving and how the risks will inevitably increase, it resonated strongly.

“I decided to stop driving because I couldn’t stand the risk of possibly being responsible for hurting somebody when I was driving,” he says.

Planning Ahead

Doctors say driving is about much more than getting from point “A” to point “B.”

“Driving gives an individual a sense of identity,” says Dr. Mark Rapoport, geriatric psychiatrist, acting head of Geriatric Psychiatry at Sunnybrook and one of the researchers behind the DDR website. “Driving helps a person be more independent, enables them to be a part of social circles, and go to activities they enjoy.”

Dr. Rapoport says the DDR provides strategies that can help individuals and their families plan ahead.

“It may be that a person gets around with the help of family, friends, rideshare, or various transportation support services,” says Dr. Rapoport. “We want people to keep living their best lives, even after they stop driving.”

Ron says one thing that, for him, has made the decision more manageable is that Sandy drives, and he has several friends who live nearby and can drive him places as well. Sandy says it’s required some adjustment to their schedule, but overall, it’s been a smooth transition.

“We had to start thinking, whenever we scheduled things, one driver. Our scheduling has changed considerably — booking appointments so both of us go at the same time, or doing the groceries together instead of Ron doing them alone,” she says. “It’s working out quite well, though. Nothing to worry about, just small changes.”

Dr. Rapoport adds that: “The DDR encourages people with dementia and their families to have a more robust transportation plan that avoids having all the driving taken over by one family member.”

Sandy says she found the DDR resources for family members and loved ones of individuals with dementia an accurate reflection of what individuals and families are going through during this decision to stop driving.

“There are excellent suggestions in the videos for how people can approach this conversation about driving with a loved one who has dementia,” she says. “How a friend can do it, how an adult daughter can do it. And all the frustration that the person with dementia can experience as part of the process — I think that’s good for anyone in the family to see.”

The DDR has also been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a dementia resource on the WHO’s Global Dementia Observatory Knowledge Exchange Platform.

“Among many other topics, the Driving and Dementia Roadmap helps users understand how dementia can impact driving; identify when it becomes unsafe for individuals living with dementia to drive; deal with the emotional aspects of driving cessation; and adjust to life without driving once the decision has been made,” says Dr. Gary Naglie, geriatrician, researcher and Vice-President, Medical Services & Chief of Staff at Baycrest.

Dr. Mark Rapoport says this resource meets a need for patients and families that wasn’t there before.

“In my work in the field of geriatric psychiatry, over time I found that patients and families identified the need for easily accessible and credible information about driving and dementia and driving cessation,” he says, adding the DDR is the first time helpful materials have been curated into a one-stop-shop website that includes resources useful for all provinces and territories in Canada.

Making the decision to stop driving

“Driving is part of my identity, not just in terms of my independence, which is very important, but also, I’ve always thought of myself as a good driver,” says Ron. “I’ve enjoyed driving and it did become part of who I am. That’s a huge issue for me, and for other people.”

When he thinks of advice that he would offer about how to make the decision to stop driving, he says there isn’t an easy answer, but he does say individuals with dementia need to acknowledge that it’s “when, not if” they will have to stop driving.

Ron says part of what makes the DDR website such a “phenomenal resource” is that it’s helping people understand and make personal choices about their own driving ability in a way that’s non-threatening and supportive.

And he says, in addition to the DDR website, the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada provides excellent support for people with dementia as they navigate their diagnosis. 

Where to find more information on the DDR website resource

People with dementia, as well as family members or other loved ones, can access the resources available on the DDR website for free, but should also be in contact with their healthcare provider for guidance, advice and support in making the decision about driving and their overall dementia journey, as the website is for educational and informational purposes.

Ron and Sandy are grateful to the team of researchers who created the resource and helped them come to the decision that it was time for Ron to stop driving.

The Posnos add they continue to enjoy life and their daily activities. Ron says, they simply plan ahead.

“What we do now is focused on what we can do.”

To learn more about the DDR website resource: drivinganddementia.ca

Read: Driving and dementia: How to know when it’s time to stop driving

The post How the Driving & Dementia Roadmap helped Ron make an important decision appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Below are several tips from the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OFAC), on everything from hanging lights safely to making sure you know how to put out a grease fire.

Happy — and safe — holidays!

Holiday lights

We all love the look and feel of twinkly lights. Here are a few tips so you can enjoy them safely.

Make sure to check the cords on light sets closely and discard any that are frayed or damaged.

If you’re using an extension cord, don’t plug any more than three standard-sized light sets into one extension cord.

It’s important to turn off all lights at night or when you leave the house.

Candles

Candles can add atmosphere and cozy light to dim rooms during early evenings. But when not used safely, they can pose a significant fire hazard.

The most important rule when lighting candles is to never leave them unattended — blow them out before you leave a room or go to bed at night.

Keep candles away from children, pets and anything that could be flammable: curtains, upholstery or holiday decorations.

Christmas trees

Whether you’re using a real or artificial tree, keep the following fire safety tips in mind:

If you’re using a real tree, place it away from heaters, fireplaces or candles.

Water your tree once a week — real trees dry out quickly indoors and that increases the fire risk.

Artificial trees should be “fire-resistant,” which won’t prevent them from catching on fire, but they won’t burn as quickly and will be easier to extinguish.

Cooking safety

There’s a lot of cooking and baking over the holidays, and in the busyness of the season, it’s easy to get distracted when cooking. But staying focused in the kitchen will help keep you and your loved ones safe.

If you’re frying, broiling or grilling, stay in the kitchen. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove. For simmering, roasting, boiling or baking, stay in the home while cooking, check on the food regularly and use a cooking timer.

Grease and fat fires are a leading cause of house fires in Canada, according to the OFAC. If a pot or pan catches fire, here’s what to do:

• Smother any flames by covering the pot with a lid. Don’t remove the lid until it has cooled completely.
• Turn off the heat immediately
• Use baking soda (not flour; it can be explosive) on shallow grease fires
• Don’t turn on the overhead exhaust fan; it can spread the fire
• Never throw water on a grease fire

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

The holidays are a great opportunity to check that your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order. There should working smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Test your smoke alarms regularly (every six months).

Carbon monoxide is an odourless, invisible gas that can become deadly very quickly. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas in your home.

There is more information available on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on the OFAC website.

The post Tips to fireproof your holidays appeared first on Your Health Matters.

But she says that never crossed her mind when she was deciding on her specialty.

“I didn’t ever really think about it that way. I was just interested in the specialty and persisted and had lots of people help me out along the way,” she says. “It’s such an incredible field to be in and I feel so privileged to be able to do this work.”

Neurovascular intervention is the procedural side of caring for patients with diseases involving the head, neck and spinal cord.

“It’s usually done in a minimally invasive way, with small tubes that go in through the artery in the leg or the wrist and then we perform procedures to try and help patients with a variety of problems,” Dr. Hawkes says.

One of the most common conditions treated by neuro-interventionalists is large-vessel ischemic strokes, which are strokes that cause a large blood clot somewhere in the body, blocking a major artery. Patients suffering from hemorrhagic strokes, which result from bleeding in the brain, can also be treated by a neuro-interventionalist.

Dr. Hawkes says this kind of treatment has “changed the game” for these stroke patients.

“Their outcomes are much better. We see patients come in unable to move one side of their body, not able to speak, and then they walk out of the hospital and go back to their regular lives,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding.”

Taking care of her patients is one of the many reasons Dr. Hawkes loves the work she does.

“They come in very sick and it’s the worst day of their lives. Their families are devastated and sometimes, we’re really able to help them,” she says, adding it’s also exciting to see how treatments continue to develop for patients. “This field is changing so fast. There’s a lot of new technology and new devices that make these procedures quicker so patients can have more benefit and fewer problems related to the procedure. It makes it really interesting and something you can continue to enjoy for your whole career.”

Dr. Hawkes says one of the things that makes working at Sunnybrook special is it’s one of the few places that has all three disciplines — neurologist, neuroradiologist and two neurosurgeons — represented in the neurovascular surgery department.

“It’s a dream job for me,” she says. “Being able to talk to my colleagues from neurosurgery or neuroradiology, to ask their opinions — it really helps patients and it helps me continue to grow. I’m new to the field, and I want to keep learning and advancing my skills, and I can do that at Sunnybrook.”

As someone working in a field with few women, Dr. Hawkes knows it isn’t always easy to be in rooms where you don’t see anyone else who looks like you. But for anyone interested in pursuing a specialty like neuro-intervention, she hopes they won’t be deterred by that.

“You’re in the right place. You made it. There’s a reason you’re there,” she says. “There may not be someone who looks like you in that room in particular, but you can find your community and find mentorship.”

The post ‘It’s a dream job for me’: Dr. Christine Hawkes on breaking barriers & finding her place at Sunnybrook appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Today, though, Nikki and her husband have a son, and she says her treatment at Sunnybrook’s Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre, combined with medication and ongoing therapy, helped to make it happen.

“Without Sunnybrook, I never would have become a mother,” Nikki says.

OCD is a psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 2.5 per cent of the population. It is characterized by obsessions or intrusive, unwanted thoughts, as well as images or impulses that are disturbing and persistent, despite efforts to resist them. Obsessions tend to be accompanied by compulsions or rituals, which are repetitive behaviours or mental acts an individual feels compelled to perform.

Living life despite fear

Nikki says her OCD behaviours and compulsions often made her feel as though she wasn’t present in her own life.

“I would always look like I was in the room, but mentally I wasn’t,” she says. “I was just trying to keep everyone safe and avoid all negative intrusive thoughts. I travelled around Europe, but I feel like I was never truly there.”

She began inpatient treatment at the Thompson Centre in January 2019, where she started immersive treatment, including one of the key treatments used for patients with OCD: exposure and response prevention (ERP). It’s a method that, in small steps, exposes patients to their fears and compulsions in order to help them manage them. Nikki says it was one of the most impactful parts of her treatment, even when it was extremely challenging.

“I can’t even explain the intensity of the fear,” she says. “Even though logically I understood it was irrational, the OCD had truly convinced me that pointing a finger at one of my family members would mean I was the reason [harm would come to them]. The fears can be so convincing; it’s unimaginable.”

But she started small, and with the support and therapy from the doctors at Sunnybrook’s Thompson Centre, Nikki began to make progress. Not because she stopped being afraid, but because she learned she could live her life despite the fear

“The Thompson Centre taught me that although life is full of risks, that is no reason to stop living the life you’ve dreamed of. You can still live your value-based life despite the fears,” she says.

Managing symptoms with a supportive community

It’s been more than three years since Nikki left the Thompson Centre, and she says although OCD is a chronic condition, she has tools and support and a community to help her manage her daily symptoms.

“OCD is forever. I face the urge to compulse daily, but I have the tools to handle it now. I can make up an ERP on the fly,” she says. “I’m doing things I’m afraid of every day, which means I’m constantly progressing.”

She says that happened in part because staff at the Thompson Centre compassionately pushed her past her limits, and now she can do the things a typical parent does with their children, things that wouldn’t have been possible for her before the Thompson Centre.

“I couldn’t touch my family before. I couldn’t dress myself, or even eat dinner with my loved ones. Now, I hug my son, we sit as a family to eat dinner. I bathe him, read him a bedtime story and get his onesie on,” Nikki says. “I give him a kiss, tell him I love him and I put him to bed. Not without anxiety, but the goal wasn’t to rid us of the anxiety. It was to prove we could live a value-based life despite the anxiety.”

Nikki says she is more present in her life now, which was one of her biggest goals when she returned home because she felt as though she had missed out on so many things in her life. One way she does this is through mindfulness practices she learned at the Thompson Centre.

A beautiful life with OCD

Parenting with OCD raises unique challenges, but the tools Nikki gained at the Thompson Centre continue to help her succeed.

“I am stronger than my OCD,” she says. “I’ve learned the importance of pulling apart the typical fears parents face from the OCD fears, and tackle each with the knowledge and compassion that the staff at the Thompson Centre instilled in me.”

It’s tough to find a moment as the mom of a busy toddler, but when Nikki does have time to reflect on what it means to be a mom while also having OCD, she says her focus is on maintaining treatment, medication and therapy to ensure her family thrives.

“My goal is to give my son a fulfilling life where he is free and comfortable to be exactly who he is,” she says. “This is my focus because it’s also my personal goal. For me, being a mom means that despite having a chronic disorder, I can live a beautiful and gratifying life.”

The post How Nikki Murphy is learning to live a ‘beautiful and gratifying’ life with OCD appeared first on Your Health Matters.

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, a progressive disease of the whole joint that leads to the breakdown of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. When there is too much breakdown in the cartilage, it can result in bones rubbing together, which causes swelling and pain.

Andrea Nunn is a physiotherapist at Sunnybrook’s Holland Centre, where she works with patients who have osteoarthritis in the hip or knee, providing exercises and education through the GLA:D Canada program. She also helps patients rehabilitate following joint replacement surgery. Andrea shares some insights into how to reduce your risk of osteoarthritis. Read those tips below, as well as information on signs, symptoms and treatment options from GLA:D Canada and the Arthritis Society of Canada.

Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis

While osteoarthritis can occur in any cartilage-covered joint, it is especially common in the knees, hips and lower spine because of the load these joints bear on a daily basis.

Typically, symptoms may begin with pain, either in the knee when it is bearing weight (standing, walking, climbing), or in the hip joint. In the hands, osteoarthritis is most common in the ends of the fingers and base of the thumb, leaving them feeling stiff and tender.

People with arthritis may notice that daily tasks become more challenging, such as putting on socks, getting into a car or even clenching a fist.

Symptoms may begin slowly, starting as pain with movement and, as the arthritis progresses, the pain will likely become more constant. Most people will see progression slow, sometimes even stop completely, but others will experience rapid deterioration.

If you are experiencing new pain or stiffness in your joints, or reduced mobility that is making it difficult to do daily tasks you could do before, reach out to your family physician.

Treatment

Since every patient will experience arthritis differently, doctors can’t predict how the disease will progress for an individual. It’s also why, even though a patient may get X-rays to see if there are any changes to the cartilage surrounding the joint, diagnosis is made based on symptoms because oftentimes, a patient is experiencing more severe symptoms than might be indicated in an X-ray.

There is no known cure for cartilage loss, so any treatments for arthritis are designed to reduce symptoms and improve joint function.

Exercise 

Osteoarthritis often causes pain, which can lead to people reducing their physical activity to accommodate the discomfort. According to GLA:D Canada, research has shown that reduced strength in the muscles can worsen arthritis symptoms, so maintaining consistent physical activity is important for patients with arthritis. Exercise can also improve overall health and wellness and quality of life.

People with arthritis can find benefit from improving strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness, but before beginning a new exercise program, speak with your family doctor.

Other treatment options

Other treatment options for arthritis can include referrals to healthcare professionals such physical therapists or occupational therapists. Medication is an option for pain management, and if arthritis becomes severe, surgery may be required. It’s important to stay in contact with your family physician who can help develop a plan of care based on Health Quality Ontario’s Quality Standards for Osteoarthritis. They can connect you with any other appropriate healthcare professionals to help manage arthritis symptoms and make a referral to a Rapid Access Clinic for assessment for surgery, if required.

Once diagnosed with osteoarthritis, you will have it for life, says Andrea, but symptoms will vary depending on the person and can be managed with treatment.

Reducing Risk

Andrea says there are several ways for people to reduce their risk of osteoarthritis.

“Preventing joint injury earlier in life can reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis,” she says. “We’re seeing more joint injury prevention programs for young people playing sports now because there can be long-term consequences if you have traumatic injury to a joint, even as young as teenage years.”

Andrea says people who work in industries such as construction and are putting a lot of load on their joints on a daily basis should be aware of their risk of developing osteoarthritis and can take steps to reduce that likelihood.

“Trying to use ideal body mechanics is important—alignment of hip, knee and foot,” she says. “Being balanced in your whole posture and body will help too.”

Maintaining an optimal body weight can help prevent osteoarthritis. Andrea says two pounds of extra weight can increase the joint load by three to five times, which means that losing weight can improve symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Finally, Andrea says consistent movement and physical activity is important for healthy cartilage and strong muscles, both of which can reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.

“Muscles help absorb some of the load the joints would normally take,” she says. “They also help to improve stability of the joint.”

And she says cartilage needs “dynamic load” to stimulate it, so regular movement means the joints are loaded on a regular basis and that encourages cartilage to regenerate.

Living well with arthritis

Andrea emphasizes that an arthritis diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean a lifetime of pain and discomfort. Symptoms can be managed, and with some simple adaptations (e.g. jar openers or sitting to put on socks and shoes), many patients will live healthy, active lives with arthritis.

The post Osteoarthritis: symptoms, treatment & reducing risk appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Why teens get acne

Puberty causes a surge in hormones that can lead to acne in teenagers.

“Adolescents start to have increased androgen production and that stimulates sebum formation, which in turn leads to the development of acne,” says Dr. Tran, adding it is important to know that other factors do play a role in acne and its severity.

And it’s not just something high school students face: Dermatology Canada says 80 per cent of those struggling with acne are between the ages of 12 and 24, and 25 per cent of teenagers will still have acne at 25.

Treating acne

Dr. Tran says adolescents (and their families) shouldn’t feel as though acne needs to be severe before reaching out to their family doctor for a referral to a dermatologist.

“[Dermatologists] are happy to help our patients manage all types of acne, regardless of severity,” she says.

Treating acne is a personal decision, and every patient is different, says Dr. Tran. It is common and normal and doesn’t necessarily require treatment, but everyone will have a different tolerance.

“What might seem mild or inconsequential to others may in fact be having a big impact on a patient’s self-esteem,” she says. “Generally speaking, I think if your acne is bothering you, it’s worth a visit to your doctor to discuss options.”

Keep the skin care simple

For adolescents who are looking for ways to care for their skin, Dr. Tran keeps the recommendations simple.

“I usually recommend a cleanser once daily, a moisturizer and —if necessary— a prescription-grade topical treatment to start,” she says, adding there are many options for these that patients can explore with their family doctor or dermatologist.

And for those who might be concerned that their acne is caused by not washing their face enough, Dr. Tran says that’s a myth.

“Acne is not caused by poor hygiene or not washing your face enough. In fact, acne can sometimes be worsened by excessive cleansing.”

The post Dealing with adolescent acne: A Sunnybrook dermatologist shares insight and advice appeared first on Your Health Matters.

“I loved writing her letters,” he says. “Just telling her how much I loved her.”

But, until November 2020, Andy hadn’t written Kim a note in years.

Diagnosed with essential tremor

Andy has had a tremor since he was young; his first memory of it is his lip shaking when he was 14. It got progressively worse as he got older, when his hands would start to shake and some simple tasks such as eating or writing became difficult. He was eventually diagnosed with an essential tremor in his early 20s.

“It’s scary, somebody telling you there’s something wrong with you. And then telling you it’s going to get worse; that the best you have it is right now. And there’s no cure,” says Andy.

It was difficult for Andy. He felt uncomfortable talking about the tremor and hid it from everyone but family and close friends.

“He didn’t want to do things like going out for dinner,” Kim says. “Even when we first started dating, we didn’t go out with other people that much. He didn’t want to eat in front of people because his hand shook.”

Andy, a grade 7 and 8 teacher, says he would eat lunch in his classroom instead of the staff room, would go out for drinks with co-workers on a Friday night but not eat anything — even though he was hungry — because he didn’t want people to see his hand shaking.

Finding hope with focused ultrasound

And then one day while he and Kim were watching the news, there was a segment about a procedure being performed at Sunnybrook that could help patients with essential tremor.

“I almost cried,” Andy says. “Here was something, maybe, something for me.”

Andy reached out to his family doctor, who helped Andy enroll in a focused ultrasound trial at Sunnybrook. Focused ultrasound is a non-invasive, image-guided surgical technology that uses ultrasound energy to target specific areas of the brain and body in the treatment. For treatment of essential tremor, high-intensity focused ultrasound waves lesion the brain cells responsible for the tremor, which can significantly improve symptoms for patients.

Sunnybrook is a global leader in focused ultrasound research and clinical trials.

“In May 2012, Sunnybrook was the first centre in Canada to perform a focused ultrasound procedure for essential tremor,” says Dr. Nir Lipsman, neurosurgeon and director of Sunnybrook’s Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation. “Ten years later, we’re more committed than ever to this breakthrough technology. We have expanded our clinical and research program and are investigating focused in ultrasound in several other brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, major depression, ALS, and brain cancer.”

Seeing the video about a possible treatment for essential tremor was the first time Andy had thought there might be a way to stop his tremor, but it wasn’t until he got a phone call from Sunnybrook that he’d been accepted into a clinical trial that it felt real. He excitedly told Kim, who wasn’t quite as excited as he was just yet.

“He did the excitement, I did the worrying,” Kim says. She was nervous about the possible side effects of having the surgery, but Andy kept telling her it didn’t matter.

“I won the lottery that day,” Andy says. “Up until that point, there had been nothing I could do. I was tired, I was exhausted. And, suddenly, there’s hope.”

Andy had his focused ultrasound procedure on Nov. 16, 2020—he was the 200^th focused ultrasound patient at Sunnybrook—and he walked out of the operating room with a steady hand.

“After the operation finished, [Dr. Nir Lipsman] hands me a glass of water,” Andy says. “I haven’t held a glass of water with one hand in 20 years. I remember that moment because I was frightened, thinking if I move it and find out the operation didn’t work, then this is it.”

But Andy was able to drink the glass of water with one hand.

“I don’t know how to describe it,” he says. “I was back.”

Writing love notes again

It was a few weeks later, while he was home recovering, that he picked up a pen to write a note to Kim for the first time in many years. He texted it to her so she could read it at work.

“I get this ‘ding’ and I’m thinking something’s wrong because he’s home by himself after having brain surgery,” Kim says. “So I pick up my phone, see the note, and I almost cried. It was so nice because the old Andy was back, and you could just tell he was so happy.”

Andy’s note to Kim following his first FUS procedure.

As part of a clinical trial exploring focused ultrasound for bilateral essential tremor, Andy has since received treatment for his right hand as well (his non-dominant side), which was also successful. He says he has some rebound tremor, which is quite normal, but it’s minimal compared to what it was before the procedure, unnoticeable to most people.

And now, Andy says he’s much more comfortable telling his story.

“The team at Sunnybrook, the different neurosurgeons and neurologists—they’ve given me the words, the understanding that it’s not my fault,” Andy says.

He says he doesn’t mind if someone notices the tremor and asks about it. He wants to talk about it in the hopes that maybe someone else who needs it will hear about focused ultrasound.

“I love sharing my story. I want them to know, if they know somebody or it happens to them, talk to your doctor,” he says. “There’s hope.”

Following treatment, Andy can eat soup without spilling now; he’s experimenting with new baking recipes and he’s writing all the notes he wants. He doesn’t feel like he has to hide anymore, thanks to focused ultrasound and Sunnybrook.

“I owe them so much,” he says. “They’re my heroes.”

Learn more about FUS

Learn about the 10 years of FUS in Brain Sciences at Sunnybrook

The post ‘I won the lottery that day’: How focused ultrasound changed Andy Hodgson’s life appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Dr. Carolyn Boulos, Youth Psychiatrist at Sunnybrook, shares five tips for truly practicing self-care while on vacation so you can return feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Disconnect (seriously)

Dr. Boulos says disconnecting from emails and work demands is important to being able to recharge.

“Allow yourself to put aside any worries or concerns about work or other obligations to give your mind a full rest,” she says.

If worries pop up while you’re off and you find yourself ruminating on them?

“Ask yourself—can I do anything about it?” Dr. Boulos says. “And then remind yourself that you deserve a break, and you need a break.”

Fully disconnecting also removes those “triggers” to ruminating, she says, since you won’t see the emails or messages coming in until you’re back and ready to address them.

And before you leave, make sure you have any prescription medication you’ll need, along with some over-the-counter medicine for potential medical concerns such as stomach issues. Don’t forget to check expiry dates!

Prioritize movement and in-person connection

Dr. Boulos recommends making time for movement, outside if you can. It doesn’t need to be intense workouts; it could be exploring a new neighbourhood or park, even close to where you live if you aren’t going away.

“You could set a café or museum as a destination in a maps app, and walk there,” says Dr. Boulos. “Take in your surroundings as you walk. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.”

Vacation is also a great time to catch up with friends, and Dr. Boulos says you can make time for social connection and movement by going for a walk or bike ride with a friend, or making plans to visit a local festival or museum together.

“Make a point to meet in person and be unplugged,” Dr. Boulos says. 

Get good sleep

It might be tempting to abandon a typical sleep routine on vacation, but maintaining good sleep habits is an important part of self-care.

“It’s a good time to make sure you get enough sleep to have energy to enjoy each day,” says Dr. Boulos.

She also encourages a gratitude practice before going to bed.

“Take a moment to reflect on what you enjoyed about the day. Maybe you had a lovely meal or got the chance to revisit a favourite hobby you haven’t had time for lately,” Dr. Boulos says. 

Explore new cuisines

One way to enjoy vacation eating while maintaining healthy habits is to “take your tastebuds on vacation” by visiting local markets in international cities, says Dr. Boulos.

“Smell the spices and herbs, enjoy all of the wonderful colours and varieties of fruits and vegetables,” she says. “It may inspire you to try a new cuisine.”

If you’re staying close to home, there are likely international markets or restaurants that can provide the opportunity to experience new ingredients and dishes.

When vacation is over 

Without a little forethought, it could be easy to return from vacation and find yourself immediately feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Dr. Boulos says one way to avoid this feeling is to plan for your return before you leave.

“Before your vacation, decide when you’re going to open your emails when you get back,” she says. “Set that boundary—whether it’s the night before you return, or at a certain time on your first day back—and stick to it.”

She also says you can make a list of some things you’d like to “take back” with you from vacation, whether it’s a gratitude habit, a sleep routine. It could also be a souvenir: new spices, a new tea or even a postcard or small memento from a trip. These habits or items can remind you of how you felt, and how you want to continue feeling now that you’re back to your typical routine.

“Ask yourself what felt good, what worked, what [habits] you want to take away from this experience,” says Dr. Boulos.

The post Five tips to make sure your vacation is truly relaxing appeared first on Your Health Matters.

How should parents approach a discussion about a violent event with their children? 

First, check in on yourself. How are you doing? Having a calm frame of mind can help make it easier to discuss the topic. It’s okay if you’re not ready immediately following news of the event. If you find you’re not in the right frame of mind, wait until you are. That’s always step number one.

Find the space and time for the discussion. It’s easier without the pressure of running out the door before school, or rushing between events or appointments. Find a time when everyone can focus. It’s also important to talk in a calm environment.

If a child asks you about the violent event at a time when you’re not ready, or you are rushing out the door, you can say, “Let’s find another time to talk about this.” Having said that, it’s important that the conversation actually happens because not discussing the topic could potentially lead to increased anxiety for the child.

How can parents keep their composure while discussing these events? Do they have to?

Parents don’t need to keep their composure all the time. Strong emotions are normal, especially when the discussion is about violent or tragic events. Showing emotion lets your children know it’s okay for them to have emotions, and it fosters connection between parent and the child. It also validates how they’re feeling.

And if they tell you or show you they’re scared, validate those feelings. It’s to be expected in moments like these.

How do you talk about these topics in an age-appropriate way? 

Every developmental stage and child is different, so try to cater to that individual age and child. For younger children, it can be helpful to provide concrete information rather than abstract explanations which may be more difficult for this age group to comprehend. When it comes to having the conversation with teenagers, parents can consider speaking with them like adults. They’ve likely seen or heard the most recent headlines and have a good understanding of the issue.

Parents may want to ask children and youth what they know and listen to their answers. You don’t need to give them any more information than they ask for because it could be too overwhelming, but don’t feel you need to protect them from information either. The truth is always best.

Avoiding the truth can perpetuate anxiety. Imaginations can run wild, and they will sense they don’t know the truth. Children can be very astute, and what they don’t know can cause anxiety.

Be prepared for the conversation to come up again. Children will likely have more questions that may come up at unexpected times.

How can parents gauge when issues are bothering their child(ren) and when it might be time to seek professional help?

For the most part, children are quite resilient and can cope with the support and help of their loved ones. Some children may feel more distress, though, so it’s important to be aware of some warning signs. If a child is not eating, sleeping or talking, needs constant reassurance or is withdrawing —and these behaviours are persistent— you should reach out to your family doctor.

If you’re feeling like you’re in crisis or need somebody to talk to, please know that help is also available through community resources:

• Find a local crisis resource at sunnybrook.ca/gethelp
• Crisis Services Canada
  • Phone: 24-hour, toll-free 1-833-456-4566
  • Text: 45645 (4:00 p.m. – midnight Eastern Time)
• Kids Help Phone
  • Phone: 24-hour, toll-free, 1-800-668-6868
  • Text: 686868 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

The post How to talk to children about a violent event: Q & A with Dr. Rachel Mitchell appeared first on Your Health Matters.

“It would be disingenuous to just focus on the celebration. It wouldn’t reflect the lived experiences of Jewish people,” says Dr. Kuper, a general internist at Sunnybrook and the Senior Advisor on Antisemitism in the Office of Inclusion and Diversity at the University of Toronto. “We need to do both. Let’s celebrate what it means to be Jewish at Sunnybrook, but let’s also be real about what it means to be Jewish.”

Part of that reality has been increasing violence toward the Jewish community in 2021, both in Toronto and across the country. In Canada, violent incidents toward Jewish people rose to 75 in 2021 from nine in 2020, according to Jewish advocacy group B’Nai Brith.

“Over the past year or so, it really has reached a crisis point,” says Dr. Kuper. “It has become almost socially acceptable to be antisemitic.”

In her role as Senior Advisor on Antisemitism, Dr. Kuper provides education to medical students, residents, faculty and leaders around Jewish issues on campus, including antisemitism.

“This includes examining its impact, and looking at the current, recent and historical lived experiences of Jewish faculty, staff and learners,” she says, adding it includes many people who work at Sunnybrook because the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

Dr. Kuper says Sunnybrook’s legacy of being a welcoming place for Jewish people is something the hospital should be proud of, and it’s also why it’s important to recognize Jewish Heritage Month across the organization.

“I think Jewish people at Sunnybrook like to know that — at a time when there is an increase in violence toward the Jewish community across the city, province and country — the organization is still committed to being a welcoming, inclusive place for Jewish staff, physicians and learners,” she says.

And it is also an opportunity to celebrate Jewish heritage.

“Despite a lot of adversity, despite deliberate exclusion from faculties of medicine and teaching hospitals, Jewish people have made incredible contributions to our faculties, to our hospitals and to health care in Toronto, and in Canada,” she says.

And when she thinks of Jewish health-care professionals, she often thinks of the Jewish concept of tikkun olam that means “to heal the world.” Dr. Kuper says it is a fundamental Jewish value that pairs with another precept, which states that a person who saves a life has saved an entire world because every person has the potential within them to change the future.

“I am proud of my colleagues who bring those core principles of Judaism to their work every day,” she says.

The post Reflections on Jewish Heritage Month from Dr. Ayelet Kuper appeared first on Your Health Matters.