Alberta Paramedical Services

01/06/2024

10/13/2023

As we say good-bye to warm sunny days, please keep us in mind for your autumn and winter events too! Our ambulances can go anywhere and our staff are up for all types of events!
When it comes to your health, there is no room for compromise.

09/08/2023

All those fun, back-to-school bugs are coming! Children are more susceptible to tonsilitis than adults, but both can still feel its effects. People who experience these symptoms may benefit from a tonsillectomy:
1) Recurrent or chronic sore throat
2) Frequent tonsillitis
3) Sleep apnea caused by enlarged tonsils
4) Tonsils of different sizes

Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns!

08/24/2023

Heading back to school? Here are some tips to help deal with anxiety in little ones heading back to the classroom!

1) Stay calm and warm with your child. When kids are nervous they often express that through acting up.

2) Try booking a playdate with classmates before the school year starts. Reconnecting with friends after the long summer can feel overwhelming, so having that initial get-together out of the way can be helpful.

3) Avoid avoidance. Deciding that this is too hard for your child, that they can't do it, runs the risk of allowing things to get worse over time.

4) Making sure kids get good, structured sleep, are eating well, limiting screen time and emphasizing physical activities can help kids feel better.

Bonus: Normalize their nervousness. Feeling a combination of nervousness and excitement is totally normal for any change. Put together a plan to help feel prepared, but give space for your little one to process those emotions!

08/19/2023

Tonsils, what even are these things?
The tonsils play an essential role in keeping you healthy. These small, oval-shaped pads at the back of the throat are part of the immune system and make white blood cells. These cells attack and prevent germs that enter your body and make you sick!

08/15/2023

Skin conditions can change when aging or when undergoing medical treatments. It can be important to adapt your skincare to these changes. Daily use of a topical Vitamin C serum or topical retinoid products can help boost the appearance of healthy skin and maintain natural collagen production as we age. Also, with the sunny weather (or what remains of it) don't forget to use mineral based sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher!

08/13/2023

Do you know what's getting old? The phrase "I'm getting old." You know you're more than a number. The fact is, there's a lot you can do to stay sharp no matter your age if you put your mind to it.

3 tips for not acting your age:
#1: Hit the dance floor. Exercise can slow the effects of aging on your brain.

#2: Pick up a ukulele. Or a French class. Or a camera. Learning keeps your brain flexible.

#3: Make a date. Being social prevents the isolation linked to heart and brain diseases.

08/09/2023

Mayo Clinic Minute: What’s the skinny on weight-loss drugs?

Want to lose weight? It's really just basic math. Burn more calories than you take in. The best way to [...]

08/04/2023

What is swimmer's itch?

Swimmer's itch is a rash that can occur after you go swimming or wading outdoors. It's most common after being in freshwater lakes and ponds, but you can get it in saltwater too.

Swimmer's itch is usually caused by a reaction to tiny parasites in the water that burrow into your skin while you're swimming or wading in warm, calm water. These parasites can't survive in people, so they soon die.

Swimmer's itch usually clears on its own within a few days. In the meantime, you can control itching with medicine.

07/31/2023

Having trouble sleeping? Here are a few tips to help you doze off to dreamland:

Drink up: Warm milk, chamomile tea and tart cherry juice are recommended for patients with sleep trouble.

Exercise: Physical activity can improve sleep, though researchers aren’t completely sure why. It’s known that moderate aerobic exercise boosts the amount of nourishing slow wave (deep) sleep you get. But you have to time it right, as aerobic exercise releases endorphins, chemicals that keep people awake. It can also raise core body temperature; this spike signals the body that it’s time to get up and get going. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try to avoid working out within two hours of bedtime.

Use melatonin supplements: Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone. It’s triggered by the body’s response to reduced light exposure, which should naturally happen at night.

Keep cool: The ideal temperature for your thermostat is between 65 and 72 degrees. You can also try wearing cotton or breathable fabrics to bed.

Go dark. It’s known that the light from a smartphone interferes with sleep. But what about your bathroom light? If you have the urge to go at night, try not to flick on the lights, or find a low-light way of lighting up the space like a dim nightlight.

07/26/2023

Planning to hit a lake this summer? Don't forget to check for blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, before you go. If there is a cyanobacteria advisory for a body of water you plan on visiting, take these precautions:

1) Avoid all contact with cyanobacterial blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
2) Do not swim or wade or allow your pets to swim or wade in any areas where cyanobacteria is visible.
3) Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.
4) Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake, as it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. (People can safely consume fish fillets from this lake).
5) Do not use water contaminated with cyanobacteria to water edible plants. This is particularly important for plants with edible parts exposed to the ground surface (such as cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, and other salad vegetables).

07/21/2023

Sometimes people wait for their moods to improve or their lives to become less hectic to enjoy leisure activities. But instead of waiting for your mood to change, taking time for recreation can change your mindset. Skipping enjoyable downtime can lead to a bad mood or low energy. Make leisure a part of your day!