Eating Better for a Healthy Life

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Eating Better for a Healthy Life

In a blog posted earlier this month we talked about how it was Men’s Awareness month and National Health and Fitness Month.   Eating right is such a huge part of our health.  Being cooped up for the past year has allowed for some to decrease their eating out habits, controlling what they put in their mouths better.   Others have went the other direction and ate everything in sight out of pure boredom and/or the stress of the COVID restrictions, job loss or being in close quarters with your family all day, everyday.  For some, this has been a welcome blessing to slow down and enjoy their family time better.  For others, this created stress due to never having a break from each other or stress from the loss of a job. Other reasons might be from an ailment that you have not been able to have treated due to extended delays. 

Eating better at home can be challenging.  When you have nothing else going on to keep you busy, it can keep your mind on a one way path, straight to the refrigerator or pantry.   It can be quite easy to abandon your normal eating routine when you can access food anytime you want.  There are ways to keep this in check and under control.  For instance, set regular meal times and stick to them.  Having the extra time in our day due to the stay at home orders and restrictions allows for meal planning and prep.  Most people don’t normally have the time to do this.  Setting a small amount of time at the beginning of your week to do this, making out your grocery list, and only buying what you need to follow your menu will help you stick to the plan.

Not everyone likes to cook.  If you fall in this category, choose meals that can be made in larger quantities and split them in half.  Eat one for lunch and the other one for dinner that evening or the following night.  You can also freeze the other half and take it out on one of those days you really just don’t feel like cooking.  Doubling the recipe will provide you with 2 meals and doesn’t normally require much more of your time than preparing the same meal twice.  

When things are out of our control due to the pandemic take charge on the one thing you can still control healthy eating.  Keep this as a priority for a better mind and healthy body.  It has more long lasting benefits and  will be worth the time and effort.

Health Vantis

www.healthvantis.ca

info@healthvantis.com

877-344-3544

June 2021 Newsletter : Highlight Earle Miller – Private Ankle Surgery

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My Private Ankle Surgery – Earle Miller

Our customers speak louder than any marketing or advertising. We rely a lot on the word of mouth for our service to Canadians. For this newsletter, we interviewed our past client, Earle Miller, of Truro, NS to bring you his first-hand experience for private surgery. It took place in Toronto, in March 2021

  1. What issues did you experience with your foot and when did they start?

I had severe pain outside of my foot. It was most likely caused by a previous injury. My foot healed at an angle to my leg causing much stress on the outside part of my foot. Eventually, that led to a peroneal tendon tear from a fall in June 2020. My orthopedic surgeon indicated it was one of the worst he had seen. I stopped being active to hope it healed, but, unfortunately, it didn’t.

  1. What were your physical limitations leading up to surgery and how long were you in pain?

I work in the forest industry and could not perform my regular duties even walking through the forest since my foot pained excessively. I had to stop trying to golf in the summer of 2020 due to pain. Lifting heavy objects caused my right foot to swell and pain even worse.

  1. How long did they say the wait would be to see an orthopedic surgeon in NS through the public system?

I contacted my GP in August who referred me to an ortho surgeon in New Glasgow. His office indicated I would be 6 months wait. I called again after 4 months which then they indicated it would be an additional at least 9 months. I then contacted another orthopedic surgeon who performed a stem cell injection a few years ago. He referred me to a Halifax orthopedic surgeon who indicated it would be 20 months wait. I then moved on to try and secure private surgery.

  1. What made you decide to go the private route?

Excessive wait time for the public health system.

  1. What private options did you consider?

Mayo Clinic in Arizona first since I was there in January 2020 for a complete physical and they could do the surgery quickly. Then I was introduced to Leanna at Health Vantis and shortly thereafter forgot about having it done at the Mayo. Health Vantis found a significantly cheaper and closer option with a surgeon that has a great reputation.

  1. What are your thoughts about the whole process of private surgery – professionalism, access to surgery, wait times, service, response time?

Private surgery is a must-have in Canada for those that can afford it. It would decrease wait times for the public system – and we would get to keep our private surgery dollars in Canada. I lucked out with Leanna finding a Canadian surgeon, especially with the Covid situation.

I had a good introduction to private surgery with my stem cell injection as well as laser surgery on my eyes 21 years ago – both of which I’m extremely happy with.

From my experience, private clinics are extremely professional, very accommodating with booking schedule so us other professionals can have procedures completed which meet our needs and schedules and not just the medical professions schedules. I choose to have my surgery completed in March knowing it was a long recovery time and I could have much of that time in when our forest industry is very quiet in the spring of the year.

  1. What are your thoughts about the difficulties of traveling for medical reasons during COVID-19?

I’m glad I was able to travel to Toronto but would have gone to the US if needed to still have the procedure done. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions made it more difficult and inconvenient but it went very smoothly.

  1. What are your thoughts on COVID-19 precautions that the airline (Air Canada), hotel, and the medical center took in order to prevent exposure?

I have all the respect for those institutions and their precautions implemented for COVID-19.

  1. How is your recovery process going so far? (This question was asked back in April 2021)

Recovery is going very well. I haven’t needed any pain medication that was prescribed (if needed). I’m very active so would have to admit boredom by being home and off my feet isn’t great – but a bearable option to having no pain!

  1. Do you have any advice for anyone in need of surgery and considering private options?

Absolutely, the way to go for all elective surgeries which seem to be on the back burner publicly – even at the best of times (before Covid). A small price to pay for one’s health!!

  1. Do you feel like the price you paid out of pocket justified the results?

Great value with Health Vantis at a fraction of the cost I thought I was going to have to pay to go to Mayo Clinic.

  1. Would you do it again?

Absolutely! I look forward to knowing Health Vantis is going to hopefully be around as I age further and possibly need them again. I will certainly be making my friends aware of their existence.

If you or anyone close to you would like to speak to Earle regarding his private surgery experience, he kindly agreed to talk to our prospective clients. Give us a call toll-free 877 344 3544 and we will connect you.

 

Summer is Here

As we go through the summer months, a great reminder is to pay attention to your joints and movements. It is a great time for walks, hikes, and swimming. Many of you will be enjoying watching your kids or grandkids’ summer sports or even taking an active part such as coaching or organizing a team. Move through all the motions mindfully, paying attention to the surroundings around you to avoid falls or sprains.

If you are a runner, remember to stretch after each run – your body will thank you. Ensure you be hydrated before your run, to avoid headaches that can occur from dehydration. Alternate cardio and weights exercises days to get your whole body working and moving. Incorporate yoga into your workout schedule.

If you are experiencing pain while moving, see your family doctor. If surgery is recommended and the waitlist is too long, we are here to help you find your private options in the US and Canada. If you have a close one put on a long medical waitlist, we would much appreciate your mentioning us to them.

We hope you have an amazing summer, and we will be back with a newsletter in the Fall!

So Many Delays

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We Are In Trouble

This pandemic has put so many strains and challenges in just about every aspect of our lives.  I don’t think there is one person world wide it has not affected.  In Canada, the health care system has taken a huge hit.  National health care can be great in theory, but when problems already exist and something like this happens, well, the light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t even seem possible.   

All of the provinces have been struggling to keep up but Ontario has really been hit.  The Financial Accountability Office (FAO) is estimating it will need $1.3 billion and 3.5 years just to clear the massive backlog for diagnostic procedures and elective surgeries.  The report also found a $3.7 billion hole in the health budget for 2023-24 which would grow to a cumulative $61.9 billion by 2023-2030 without additional spending.  Due to the halt to elective surgeries to open up critical care floors, it is projected to grow to 410,200 postponed elective surgeries and almost 2.5 million delayed diagnostic procedures by the end of September of this year.  

The FAO estimates the cost to clear the cancer surgery alone backlog to be $57 million and total surgery backlog to be $1.06 billion.   An additional $241 million is needed to eliminate the screenings such as CT and MRI scans.  

The budget for 2021 has already put $610 million into addressing the backlog.  There is a shortfall of another $700 million needed to get things caught back up.  

It’s not a position anyone wants to be placed in, especially if they have or are facing something like a cancer diagnosis.  The mental anguish that would have on a person not knowing if the cancer is spreading while they wait for treatment is a feeling I wouldn’t wish on anyone. 

If you have been subjected to another delay and would like to explore private options, give Health Vantis a call and we’d be happy to find a solution for you.  We can be reached at info@healthvantis.com or 877-344-3544.

Health Vantis

www.healthvantis.ca

877-344-3544

info@healthvantis.com

Preventing Injury in Playing a Sport

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Preventing Injury in Playing a Sport

Playing a sport is one of the best ways to get exercise.  Although, the most conditioned and fit person can still get injured, even in protective gear.  Some common injuries can be strains, sprains, joint and muscle injuries, dislocations, fractures, and tears to ligaments.  The top causes for injuries mainly happen due to improper or poor training practices, not wearing appropriate gear, being in poor health or not warming up or stretching prior to practicing.   

What are some ways to prevent injury?  You’d be surprised to know it can be done with some basic steps listed below:

  • Incorporate a fitness plan that includes cardio, strength training and flexibility.  
  • Alternate your exercise with different muscle groups every other day to allow the ones just worked to recover.
  • Stretch and/or warm up prior to starting your activity.  Stretching will release any tension in the muscles and get them warmed up for the work.  The stretching should not be to the point that it is painful.  Hold each stretch for at least 20 seconds.
  • Stay hydrated!  Preventing dehydration keeps your muscles healthy and decreases the chance of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  
  • Learn the right techniques for your sport or activity.  If you are brand new to it, work with a trainer a couple of times to make sure your form is accurate.
  • Utilize the appropriate equipment or gear.  This is to include the right kind of shoes that will provide the right kind of support your activity warrants.
  • Rest if you need a break.  
  • Do not participate if you are extremely tired, ill or are having pain.
  • If you do get an injury, be fully recovered before returning to your sport.

Athletes and people who enjoy intramural sports do so because it’s usually a passion or hobby of theirs.  The last thing you want is to endure an injury to where you are out for a few days, weeks or worse yet, for good.  Keep these tips in mind to keep on top of your game and of course, always talk to your doctor before starting a new activity.   

Health Vantis

www.healthvantis.ca

877-344-3544

info@healthvantis.com