Women's Health and Fertility

This week topic was Women’s Health and Fertility! We talked about women’s health, preconception health, as well as infertility. Did you know that a good women’s health is preconception health? Have you ever wondered when you are supposed to start getting PAP test and breast exams or how regularly you should be getting them once you start? Well we talked about it!

We also talked about some common questions regarding preconception and conceiving as well we touched on some of the types of in vitro fertilization treatments that are out there.

Have a listen to the show and afterward look at the many resources that we used to answer or get any more information that you want. Pass it along to friends and family members as well!!




Podcast:
Listen to the show HERE





Women’s Daily Checks: 
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/daily-self-exams?cat=10409&tip=10418



The Five Steps to a Self-Breast Exam:
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp



Preconception Health:
http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/before-you-get-pregnant/preconception-health.cfm



Women’sWorks Tools for a Healthier You: 
Printable Form to help keep track http://images.agoramedia.com/everydayhealth/gcms/WomensWorks_HealthTrackerJournal_2011.pdf



Pre-conception Health for Women:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/womenpreconception.htm



Folic Acid Fact Sheet: 
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/folic-acid.cfm



Best Start:
http://www.beststart.org/resources/rep_health/Health_Before_pregnancy_2011_FULL.pdf



March of Dimes:
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/prenatalcare_vaccinations.html



American Pregnancy:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/fertilityfaq.html



When My Baby:
http://www.whenmybaby.com/menstrual_cycle_length_calculate.php

Gender and Identity

 Ever wanted to know more about what exactly transgender and intersex mean? On this week's show we explained both topics, talking about where they are similar and different, and explored what life looks like for someone who is intersex, and someone who is transgender. We also had a live in-studio guest who discussed her experiences living as a transgender female. It was a very informative show. You will be sure to learn something. 

You may be wondering why we chose this topic since it can be a sensitive topic for some individuals. Our role in the community is to provide factual and informative health promotion information. When we were approached by our guest speaker about doing the show we thought that a show on gender and identity would be a great way to provide information about a topic that is rarely talked about. Bringing awareness is the first step in removing stigma and providing accurate information. 

So take a listen to the show and I hope you learn something new, I know I did! Thank you so much to our guest Theresa for sharing her story and working with us in a step towards greater awareness about transgender individuals! Below is a link to the podcast as well as some resources we used in our research prior to the show, so check them out! 

Gender And Identity Show

CLICK HERE!

Resources:

Intersex Society of North America- www.isna.org

I am Transgenderd-www.iamtransgendered.com

Human Rights Campaign- http://www.hrc.org/resources/category/transgender

All Mixed Up: http://www.genderpsychology.org/psychology/BSTc.html

GLAAD- http://www.glaad.org/transgender?gclid=CJGCi9KI4q4CFWgaQgodgU6_YA

Gene Linked to Transsexualism- http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/2275/gene-linked-transsexuality

Transsexual.org- www.transsexual.org

Thanks again for your support. Without great listeners like you what would we do??

Podcast!

Finally a link to this weeks show on vitamin deficiencies! Take a listen simply by clicking HERE!


Happy Listening! 

Vitamins!

This week on the show I talked all about Vitamins and Vitamin Deficiencies!


I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Tonia Winchester, a natrophathic physician here in Nanaimo! She talked about the top vitamin deficiencies that she sees in her practice, those being Vitamin A, D, and B12.


Here is a look at each of these vitamins and foods you can eat to increase your vitamin intake. 

The first step in increasing your vitamin intake is to incorporate vitamin rich foods into your diet, so let’s talk about some specific foods you can look for next time you’re at the grocery store.

If your looking for foods rich in Vitamin A head to the produce section and look for sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, celery, tomatoes and winter squash. These vitamin rich veggies are going to support your immune function, day and night vision, as well as cell growth. If you enjoy fruit more then veggies you can also find vitamin A in watermelon, grapefruit, apricots and prunes.

Vitamin A can contribute to the effective treatment of many health conditions. Some common health conditions that foods rich in vitamin A can help to treat are: Acne, Cataracts, Diabetes, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Osteoarthritis, Ulcers, and Viral Infections. 

Our greatest source of Vitamin D comes from the sun. Our skin cells contain what is call 7-dehydrocholesterol. Ultraviolet B sunlight is needed to convert 7-dehydrocholesterol into cholecalciferol. Cholecalciferol is the preliminary form of vitamin D3. 

Here on Vancouver Island we don’t get a lot of sun in the winter months so it is important that we make sure we are taking in enough vitamin D through our food. Some great foods high in vitamin D are: Salmon, sardines, goat’s milk, shiitake mushrooms, and eggs. Not only does Vitamin D help to prevent seasonal affective disorder, it also aids in regulation of bone and muscle health, boosts the immune system, and helps in the regulation of insulin and blood sugars.

This means it can help prevent health conditions such as depression, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart attack, and asthma.

Vitamin B12 was another vitamin that Dr. Winchester noted as a common deficiency. Vitamin B12 works in the body to help form red blood cells and nerve cells. 

B12 is also required by the body to help in the cycling of proteins, carbohydrates and fats throughout the body. 

Foods rich in Vitamin B12 include: Salmon, sardines, venison, beef, lamb, shrimp, halibut, scallops, and yogurt. It is especially important for vegetarians to include a B12 supplement in their diet as you can see B12 is found mostly in meat. Remember it is important to consult with your family physician before making any drastic changes to your diet. 

So now you can make great vitamin rich meals and take a step towards greater health! 

The podcast from todays show is not yet up but it should be in the near future so keep your eyes on our blog and facebook for a link!

As promised here is a link to the article Lacy found about vitamins and their link to genetics. Very interesting stuff, so take a look!

http://genome.cshlp.org/site/press/gr107920.xhtml

Have a Happy and Healthful Day! 

Travel Health

We are back from reading break and so excited to be back on air! SO excited in fact that Lacy, Olivia, and I got to skip out on a mandatory school conference in order to be on the air with you today!!!


So here a little look at what we talked about today.

On today’s show we spoke about in our opinion, the top 3 preventable illnesses in developing countries that can affect travellers; malaria, typhoid fever, and yellow fever. We discussed these diseases in detail from what causes them, to their signs and symptoms and what you can do to protect yourself, whether that be via vaccine or natural methods. We also spoke about resources here in the community of Nanaimo and general prevention methods to help you avoid getting sick while travelling. Finally, we spoke about the new super bug NDM1, what it is, where it came from and why it is starting to get some media attention. 

Unfortunately the station "recorder" isnt working so well so we do not have a link to the podcast for you at the moment. We are working on this techical difficulty and will upload the podcast if not "chunks" of the podcast ASAP
For now check out these links:

Malaria info:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs094/en/index.html

Typhoid fever:

http://www.who.int/ith/diseases/typhoidfever/en/

Yellow Fever:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs100/en/

Travel Health and Immunizations unit:

www.viha.ca/mho/disease/travel_health 

Dr Clare Craig

http://www.islandoptimal.com/static/craig
Thanks Olivia for a great recap of the show this week. 

Can't wait to be on the air next week where I will be hosting a show on Vitamin Deficiencies. Tomorrow I meet with Dr. Tonia Winchester,ND, CBP, BSc
Naturopathic Physician, Certified BodyTalk Practitioner from the Arbour Wellness Centre for an interview all about vitamins and how to get the best use of them in our bodies! 

Tune in next week and check us out online on Facebook, Twitter and gmail.

We love letters so send your love, comments and ideas.

Comment below or email to asoundconstitution@gmail.com.

Bye for now! 

Does Wheat Hurt You?

Larissa filled us in this week on what Celiac Disease is. A lot of people are throwing around big words like CELIAC, GLUTEN, SPROUTED GRAINS, and other strange things we smile and nod at because we are too afraid to ask. Well let me tell you, us girls are A Sound Constitution are not afraid to ask anything and neither should you! The best way to attain a healthy lifestyle is to educate yourself and apply your knowledge to your life! I hope we can help you in that life long endeavour! 


Here is what Larissa would like to tell you about her show. 

Have you been wondering what all the buzz is about celiac disease? Or why gluten-free labels have been showing up all over your grocery store?

In this week’s show, we will be discussing the what, why, where, how and when of celiac disease. We’ll cover what celiac disease is, where it affects the body, why the prevalence is increasing and how to live a happy, healthy gluten-free life. 

Included is an interview with Will Langlands and Nicole Narbonne, a couple from Powell River who, for the past four years, have proved that a gluten free diet doesn’t need to be boring or anything short of delicious! Recipes are available on their blog at farmgirl.skeenastreetstudio.ca.

We’ll also cover the difference between gluten sensitivity and celiac disease, the meaning behind “silent” celiac disease, the contributing factors that should encourage you to get tested, the challenges faced in a gluten-free diet and suggestions to counteract them. 

If you have celiac disease, know someone who does or simply want to learn more – tune in to A Sound Constitution on CHLY 101.7FM in Nanaimo on Thursday, February 16^th from 10-11am where we will demystify celiac disease, separate fact from fiction and provide you with information about your health care options!

If you missed the show click HERE to listen! Enjoy. 

Stay tuned for a poll that is being created to ask for your input into show topics for our next semester. We would love to here from you. We appreciate feedback, encouragement, and ideas from our listeners.

I have noticed we have a lot of blog viewers but no followers, so I am giving you a nudge to push that button on the right side of the screen, follow our blog and show us your support because without fans like you our show just would be the same!

Ashley Out! 

Ever Consider Donating Blood?

Have you ever considered giving blood? Did you donate blood ages ago and still haven’t made another appointment? Or are you someone who’s just looking for more information about blood and blood donation?


Well, this may just be the show for you. This week we will be looking at blood and blood donation. We cover basic facts about blood: its roles such as oxygen and nutrition transport, removing wastes and helping our immune system. The basic components of blood: Red Blood Cells (which paired with haemoglobin help carry oxygen to tissues), Plasma (liquid portion) and Platelets (what makes blood clot).
If you are an adult male you have 5-6 litres of blood currently circulating through your body, if you are female you have 4-5. When you donate blood they take approximately 450 mL of this blood which your body will reproduce within 56 days after donation. Not only are you able to donate whole blood, but the individual components (plasma and platelets) can also be taken from blood and donated.


This show features an interview with Chris Baron, the Canadian Blood Services partnership specialist for North Vancouver Island. He discusses:


Who can donate: Just about anybody between the ages of 17-61, as long as you are healthy, well hydrated and 110 pounds 
Where can people donate: Vancouver Island’s permanent clinic is in Victoria, however there are always mobile clinics travelling through multiple areas of the island. These clinics can be found through the Canadian Blood Services website: blood.ca or call them at: 1-888-236-6283
We also discuss when people cannot donate: after surgery, dental work, a recent tattoo or travel to certain areas – However, this does not mean you can never donate. After a waiting period of 6-12 months most people are again eligible to donate


If you cannot donate, the Canadian Blood Services are always looking for new community volunteers to help spread the word about the continuing need for more blood donors and donation!


We also discuss the different beliefs related to blood donation: for example, people belonging to the Jehovah’s Witness’ faith choose not to donate blood due to prohibition by the Bible to ingesting blood by any means, whether it’s in the form of food, like blood sausage, or in the form of a blood transfusion. Those belonging to Rastafarianism are also hesitant about receiving blood donations.


If you are at all interested – either in donating, volunteering or just wish to learn more about blood and blood donation, please visit: www.blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283! Also, feel free to let us know any questions or concern you may have and we will do our best to find the answer. Our goal is to demystify health care issues, separate fact from fiction, and provide you with the information about your health care options.




Thanks Nikki for a great summary of todays show! Tune in at 10 am to catch it live this morning on 101.7 FM in Nanaimo. Or hang in there for a post later today that will include the podcast from todays show!