Community Health Connect  is the Calgary West Central Primary Care Network's newsletter dedicated to providing members of our community with the latest healthcare information.

In this issue:

• Beat the heat with 3 homemade electrolyte drink recipes 
• Summer skin protection with Dr. Wenshuang Nie
• Safety for everyone: National Injury Prevention Day

Beat the heat with 3 homemade electrolyte drink recipes

“Dietitians believe in the power of food to enhance lives and improve health.” – CWC PCN Primary Care Registered Dietitian team. 

Stay hydrated and energized all summer long with these recipes! As temperatures rise, so does our need to stay properly hydrated.

Sweating depletes not only our water levels but also essential electrolytes that are vital for muscle function and overall physical performance. Electrolytes help us rehydrate and recover faster.

 Here are three homemade electrolyte drinks  our dietitian team has crafted to keep you refreshed and rejuvenated.

Orange pineapple: 500 ml (2 cups) cold water, 125 ml (1/2 cup) orange juice, 125 ml (1/2 cup) pineapple juice, 10 - 15 ml (2 - 3 tsp) sugar or honey, and 0.63 - 1.25 ml (1/8 - 1/4 tsp) salt.

Lemon lime: 500 ml (2 cups) cold water, 125 ml (1/2 cup) lemon juice, 125 ml (1/2 cup) lime juice, 10 - 15 ml (2 - 3 tsp) sugar or honey, and 0.63 - 1.25 ml (1/8 - 1/4 tsp) salt.

Orange: 125 ml (1/2 cup) cold water, 125 ml (1/2 cup) orange juice, and 0.63 - 1.25 ml (1/8 - 1/4 tsp) salt.

Mix well to dissolve the salt, top off with a few ice cubes, and enjoy!

Remember, you can easily double or halve these recipes depending on how much you want to make. 

Summer skin protection with Dr. Wenshuang Nie

Summer is here and that means more daylight hours and more need for sun protection. Nobody likes a sunburn, especially when it can be easily avoided.

We spoke with Dr. Wenshuang Nie about the importance of sun protection and her suggestions for enjoying these sunny summer days responsibly. 

Why do you think sun protection is important? During my first week in family medicine training, my teacher caught a melanoma (skin cancer) in a young mom who was at the clinic because her kid had an earache. He saved a life and rescued a whole family. It left a huge impression on me. Sunburn is a huge risk factor for this deadly, preventable cancer. Now I prioritize suncare and skin cancer prevention with my patients.

What are your tips and suggestions when it comes to sun protection? Wear hats, long sleeves or sun protection clothing, and sunglasses. Use SPF 50 sunscreen and apply generously. Use more frequently (approximately every two hours) if you are sweating.

Tell us a bit more about yourself. I have been a doctor for 12 years. I find it the most rewarding when I can help decrease suffering in my patients. Being a member of the CWC PCN helps me with updates to guidelines and workflows. This helps decrease the administrative burden, which ultimately benefits my patients because I can spend more time caring for them!

Our PCN is grateful for the work of the outstanding doctors in our membership and for sharing their expertise with all of you!

If you appreciate this advice, let us know which other topics you’d like to see doctors speak on.

Safety for everyone: National Injury Prevention Day

These are just some of the many small ways we can make everyday life a little bit safer. For full resources on these injury topics and more, check out Parachute Canada’s website.

Most injuries are predictable and preventable but, according to Parachute Canada, injury is the number one cause of death for Canadians aged 1 - 44.

 National Injury Prevention Day  is held on July 5 every year. It is a day to raise awareness about the devastating effects of preventable injuries, not only to those injured but also to our economy and healthcare system. Prevention is the best way to avoid serious injury.

Common injuries you may not think about are ones involving sport and recreation, household products, and falls. How do we prevent these injuries before they happen?

Consider this:

• For sports, does everyone have the proper sports equipment, is it fitted appropriately, and do they know how to use it?
• For the household, are cleaning products or medications within arm’s reach? Do they have child-resistant packaging?
• For falls, can everyone move comfortably around the house? Is there proper lighting in hallways and are stairs free of clutter?

These are just some of the many small ways we can make everyday life a little bit safer. For full resources on these injury topics and more, check out Parachute Canada’s website.

If you have feedback on any health topics you would like to learn or read more about, please contact us directly at hello@cwcpcn.com.

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