Patients often report knowing exactly what lifestyle changes they need to make for improved health, but find their good intentions all too often give way to entrenched behaviours and lifelong habits. Physicians, meanwhile, struggle with the time intensity involved in lifestyle counselling, wondering what more they can do to bridge the gap between what’s agreed…
Don Kupina isn’t ashamed to admit that he’s an addict. It’s an addiction he’s been struggling with for most of his life. “If I was a drug addict, I would stop taking drugs and that’s it. If I was a smoker, I would stop smoking. If I was a drinker, I would stop drinking. But…
Before improving his health, Don Siddons loved slathering butter on everything he ate and needed a cane to walk.He was suffering from pain in his hips and his family doctor, Dr. Don Korzenowski, at Mill Woods Family Clinic first suggested taking cortisone injections. When the injections didn’t work, Dr. Korzenowski recommended physical therapy and that…
Christenna Weimann’s health journey started long before she was referred to Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network. She realized she’s had an unhealthy weight since she was seven-years-old and has been struggling with how she eats since then. Through her family doctor at Dominion Medical Centres Parsons, she was referred to a dietitian. The dietitian provided…
Every weekday morning at 8:15, Dr. Brian Ritchie starts his day at the Ermineskin Medical Clinic in southwest Edmonton. By the time his first patient arrives 45 minutes later, Dr. Ritchie has met with the clinic staff, studied his list of patients, and is ready to take on any surprises a new day can bring….
Some people would give up on exercise if they were faced with limited mobility or a disability. Agnes Leonhardt has been finding ways to keep fit while waiting for a hip replacement. At first, Agnes did give up on exercising because she can’t walk. Once she was connected to Sandra Pelchat, an exercise specialist with…
Jim McLaws pulls out his laptop and inserts a USB stick. This is not an ordinary USB stick. It allows him to input his blood glucose measurements directly into the computer, resulting in a much better quality of life for a diabetic who is constantly on the road for his job. The results are sent…
Lee Johnson believes she would have died if her diabetes hadn’t been diagnosed six years ago. “I was not eating properly. Finding out I had diabetes was the best thing that happened to me,” says Lee. Her health deteriorated about 10 years ago when she hurt her back and became housebound, not able to exercise…