Volume 1, Issue 11

It’s Flu Shot Time Again

It is recommended that Canadians get a flu shot each year to protect both themselves and those around them from getting the flu.  Last year’s flu season was harsher than the year before, with 44% more deaths blamed on the flu and 32% more hospitalizations than the year before.  Watch your health region website for information about flu shot clinics this fall.  Learn how to protect yourself from the flu.

Regular Exercise Can Keep People With COPD Out of Hospital

Impact of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness on the Safety and Health of Farmers in Saskatchewan

A new study from California found that people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) who exercised 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week, were less likely to be readmitted to hospital after a lung attack.  Pulmonary rehabilitation programs provide exercise, education and encouragement to people suffering from lung disease.  Find a pulmonary rehab program near you.

The Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, located at the University of Saskatchewan, conducts research and programs aimed at keeping our farmers healthy and safe. Recently, they looked at excessive daytime sleepiness in over 2500 Saskatchewan farmers using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. 

The results showed that excessive daytime sleepiness was common among farmers, especially those aged 60-79.  These farmers were more likely to experience a farm related injury and were more likely to report poorer health than farmers who were not sleepy during the day.  Daytime sleepiness is associated with sleep apnea, a treatable condition.

Saskatchewan's youth smoking rates continue to be the highest in the entire country.  With a statistic like that, forward thinking in the area of lung health is required to protect our future generations.  Saskatoon's City Council is trying to do just that by adding electronic cigarettes to the city's smoking bylaw.  Electronic cigarettes will not be allowed to be used in municipal buildings, bars, restaurants and outdoor patios. In Canada, electronic cigarettes are not approved by Health Canada as an aid to quit smoking.  It is also illegal for electronic cigarettes to be sold in the country that contain nicotine.  The Canadian Lung Association does not at this time recommend electronic cigarettes as a quit aid.  People who use electronic cigarettes inhale unknown, unregulated and potentially harmful substances.  The vapour may also cause worsening of asthma and COPD symptoms. 

The City of Saskatoon is also making outdoor public places such as parks, playgrounds and sports fields smoke-free.  Public patios of restaurants and bars have already been smoke-free in Saskatoon for over a decade.  Warman and Martensville also have bylaws like these in place and we hope that other municipalities will follow their lead. Thank you City of Saskatoon Council from the bottom of our lungs!

Regina asthma and COPD project shows importance of education and spirometry

Between 2006 and 2010, the Lung Association of Saskatchewan conducted a program to provide Certified Respiratory Educator consultations for patients with lung problems in family physician offices in Regina. The consultations included spirometry, which is a breathing test that is used to aid in the diagnosis of asthma and COPD as well as other breathing problems. Pat Smith and Shona Elder, who are pharmacists that were trained by the Lung Association to be Certified Respiratory Educators, provided the services on behalf of the Lung Association, with the support of Canada Safeway and various pharmaceutical companies. An analysis of the impact of their consultations was recently published showing that the combination of a consult with a Certified Respiratory Educator and spirometry was very effective in improving the management of asthma and COPD in the many patients they saw. Read more …

Addition to Professional Education team

We are pleased to announce the hiring of Trent Litzenberger (BSPE, BScPT, CRE) to a full time permanent position with Professional Education. Trent and Jan will be sharing the Vice President of Professional Education position. With his experience in writing RESPTREC™ curriculum, extensive teaching of RESPTREC™ courses and his previous work as Senior Physical Therapist, Chronic Disease Management – Exercise (including Pulmonary Rehabilitation program) for the Saskatoon Health Region, Trent will be an exceptional addition to the department as well as The Lung Association of Saskatchewan. Trent comes with 20 years of professional experience mainly in respiratory health. He has been an invited speaker on many occasions and has often presented with Dr. Darcy Marciniuk in places as far away as India. He is also a master Trainer for GoodLife fitness, so health and physical fitness is an integral part of his life. Please help us welcome trent.litzenberger@sk.lung.ca.

Webinar: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Webinar

Novebmer 17, 2015

https://sk.lung.ca/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=27

RESPTREC™ provides health care professionals with the highest standard of training in asthma, COPD and education. Courses are designed to help learners develop the knowledge, skills and competencies required to empower people and their caregivers to optimally manage their chronic disease. For more information visit: www.resptrec.org.

Get Your Stamp Out Asthma Raffle Tickets!

Did you know that asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease and the leading cause of hospital admissions among children? As many as one in five Canadian children have asthma. Asthma is common, but serious!

Sheri and Mike are the Ambassadors for the Stamp Out Asthma Raffle.  It is near and dear to them because they tragically lost their two year-old son, Emerson, in December 2013 from an asthma attack and want to share Emerson’s story. Sheri and Mike are hoping that some good can come out of their terrible loss and that it never happens to any other child.  Please support asthma care and research in Saskatchewan and purchase your ticket here.

Attention Youth, Teachers and Parents!

If you are looking for ways to fundraise we have a great opportunity for you. The Lung Association, The Regina Pats and The Saskatoon Blades want to team up with you. It's a WIN-WIN-WIN!

Saskatoon Blades game Friday, January 8, 2016

Regina Pats game Friday, January 29, 2016

Sell tickets to the game in your area (Regina and area or Saskatoon and area) @ $15 per ticket:

• $5 for your fundraiser
• $5 for The Lung Association
• $5 for The Regina Pats/The Saskatoon Blades (based on which game you sell tickets for)

You could win a PRE-GAME EXPERIENCE!  If you are a school fundraising, you can also win a SCHOOL PRESENTATION with Regina Pats or Saskatoon Blades players. But hurry, the first six schools in Saskatoon and area and the first ten schools in Regina and area to register will win a school presentation.  Registration opens October 1.

Note: This opportunity is also open to sports teams looking to fundraise for Regina and area.

Dr. Frank Scott receives prestigious Founders Award

Dr. Frank Scott receives the 2015 Founders Award from Karen Davis, Treasurer, Canadian Lung Association

The CLA Founders Award honours individuals who have devoted themselves to the affairs of The Lung Association and to the cause of respiratory health. The award recognizes exemplary innovation or commitment towards lung health. The award is given to an individual who is actively involved in the promotion of lung health and the prevention of lung disease in a health professional role.

Classified Ads

• Resmed S auto CPAP machine along with H5i humidifier.  Also a large nasal mask, tubing and headgear.  If you are interested, call Marjory in High River, Alberta:   587-363-1815.  She will ship to anywhere in Saskatchewan.

The Lung Association of Saskatchewan is not responsible for any product purchased through ads in the Breathe Newsletter.

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