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SnowbirdAlert What’s the first sign of glaucoma? Producing few symptoms until it has seriously progressed, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 60, and can lead to permanent vision damage if le untreated. at’s why it’s a disease about which everyone needs to be aware. A survey conducted by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society found that 61 per cent of people are unaware of the signs and symptoms of glaucoma. When symptoms occur, blind spots develop in the eld of vision. Many don’t notice these blank spots until the optic nerve is signi cantly damaged and these spots become large. It is crucial to schedule regular eye exams to catch the disease before any serious damage is done. Some people have a higher risk of developing glaucoma. ese include those who are over 40, have a family history of glaucoma, have high intraocular pressure, or have diabetes or high blood pressure. Learn more about glaucoma and what you can do to detect and prevent this disease at cos-sco.ca. Online shopping can be bad for your feet Online shopping is soaring in popularity in Canada, as more and more of us discover the convenience of having our purchases delivered directly to our door. However, when it comes to footwear, foot experts say that you need to approach online shopping with caution. “To be e ective and comfortable, footwear needs to t properly,” explains Anthony Harper, a Canadian certi ed pedorthist and president of the Pedorthic Association of Canada. “Ill- tting shoes can cause numerous problems including bunions, hammertoes, blisters and ulcerations, as well as balance issues. Only a professional shoe- tter who is able to see and measure your foot can accurately recommend the most appropriate type and size of footwear for you.” Although some online retailers provide a sizing guide, Harper says that these guides tend to be very general and can vary greatly from one shoe company to another. Evaluating how one manufacturer ts compared to another is valuable when choosing the right shoe. As dealing with returns is a time-consuming nuisance, some shoppers keep the footwear even when it doesn’t t properly, causing them to squeeze into shoes that are too tight or use insoles or thick socks to improve the t of shoes that are too large. “If shoes don’t t comfortably, you shouldn’t wear them,” warns Harper. “In my clinic, I’ve seen many patients who are dealing with painful conditions that have been caused or exacerbated by inappropriate or ill- tting footwear. Although we are usually able to help ease their pain, in some cases, the pain could have been avoided entirely.” When it comes to footwear, he advises saving online shopping for shoes that you’ve already had success with and would like to order another pair. For your everyday needs, visit a local shoe retailer in your community and have your feet properly measured. If you are experiencing ongoing foot pain, he recommends consulting with a Canadian certi ed pedorthist. More information can be found at pedorthic.ca. Is this side-effect normal? We’re all familiar with the possibility of side-e ects when we take prescription pills. But did you know that other health-care tools can also cause concerns? For example, medical devices − everything from pacemakers to prosthetics to bandages − have also been linked to adverse reactions. Canadians rely onmedical devices tomaintain and improve their health and well-being. Canada has one of the best regulatory systems in the world for medical device safety. But, while all medical devices and medications have bene ts, they can also have risks and potentially serious side-e ects. e more you know about your medical device and the more you talk to your health-care professionals, the easier it is to avoid problems. It is important to go to all of your medical appointments and to talk to your team of care professionals − including doctors, pharmacists, nurses or physician assistants − about your medical conditions, the medications that you take, the medical devices that you use and any health concerns that you have. It may help to make a list of comments, questions or concerns before your visit (or your call). Also, think about having a close friend or relative accompany you to your appointment if you are unsure, or if you would like someone to help you understand or remember answers to your questions. It’s important to report any adverse reactions or side-e ects, as reporting can help identify problems so that these can be addressed. Any incidents related to medical devices should be reported to your health-care provider, Health Canada and the device’s manufacturer. Source: www.newscanada.com 6 | www.snowbirds.org

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