Take a look at the group of people below. While they may appear the picture of health, individual risk factors play a significant role in determining each individual’s future well being.
Statistically, two of the women in this group will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, 26 men and women will develop osteoarthritis by the age of 60, and 11 will die of some form of heart disease. Among the men, three will develop prostate cancer before they reach age 75. Eight of these 31 people will also develop diabetes in their lifetime. (This estimate is, of course, based on the population as a whole, but it will give you an idea of the risks we all run in terms of our health.)
All these diseases are largely dependent on lifestyle for their development. Take our lifestyle assessment quiz today to determine your personal risk factors and learn more about what London Drugs pharmacists can do to help you stay as healthy as possible.
1. Do You Smoke?
For Smoking Cessation Products: Click Here
It’s the lifestyle factor most often implicated in the development or acceleration of many serious diseases, including heart disease, many cancers, and the development of type 2 diabetes. Yet smoking is the most easily controlled lifestyle factor.
Three tips for successful quitting
i) Buy yourself an appealing notebook or binder (the more you invest in it, the more committed you will feel), and establish a “quit by” date. Decorate the cover with a photograph or other image of something you will treat yourself to when you have successfully quit. This could be a weekend away with your family, a yoga course, even a new car. Continually remind yourself of your goal and your gift to yourself, as you write each day in your personal success journal.
ii) Get rid of everything in your house or briefcase/purse that encourages smoking. (Don’t keep cigarettes around because it is a “waste of money” to throw them out.) If you cannot enjoy a cup of coffee or a beer without lighting up, try switching to tea or another enjoyable beverage. Successful quitting depends on breaking the links to your smoking habit.
iii) Remember that a trouble shared is a trouble halved. Enlist a “support buddy” who is also in the process of quitting, or join a support group. Although they may sound a little boring, these groups are often a lot of fun and, if professionally run, can really help you through the times when you feel desperate to light up.
How our pharmacists can help:
London Drugs Patient Care Pharmacists can help you develop a customized plan of action to lose the smoking habit permanently. (A nominal fee is charged for this service.) Alternatively, your pharmacist can recommend a smoking cessation product or products best suited to your specific needs. To help you get started on a successful quit smoking program, we host a number of smoking cessation clinics in the New Year (please see pages 8 - 9 for 2009 clinic dates). A supportive follow-up program is also available.
2. How Active Are You?
For Fitness Products: Click Here
Regular physical activity that you enjoy keeps the magnificent machine that is your body in good working order. To stay in tip-top shape and reduce the risk of “aging” diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease and many cancers, you need a variety of physical activities.
These include aerobic activity such as running, brisk walking, hiking, swimming or dancing; weight-bearing exercise such as walking, running or weight/resistance training, and flexibility exercises such as stretching, yoga and Pilates.
Aerobic activity should be carried out for half an hour, a minimum three times a week. A brisk half-hour walk should do it if you’re not into strenuous activity like running or swimming. Weight-bearing exercise (preferably weight training) should be performed two or three times a week, allowing at least two days for the muscles to rest and grow.
Stretching (flexibility exercise) should be done a minimum three times a week, preferably after strength training or aerobic activity, when the muscles will be warm. Slowly stretch into the desired position, as far as possible without pain, and hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds.
How our pharmacists can help:
The pharmacy team at London Drugs can help you select fitness aids that will help keep you motivated. In our stores you can find yoga and Pilates equipment, scales that measure your BMI (body mass index), free weights, pedometers, heart rate monitors, and a number of fitness supplements and bars that help you get the most from your workout.
We even have a Fitness Management Log Book that you can pick up free of charge from the pharmacy. And if you tend to overdo it, we’ve got you covered with knee, ankle, wrist and back supports!