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Health & 'Ve il ess 2 7 | Friday, A pril 7 , 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | w w w .insideH A LT O N .com Advertising Section Prevent antibiotic resistance Healthy living: quick tips to Over time bacteria have changed and now they are much stronger and harder to kill. The antibiotics that we have are losing their effectiveness, and some no longer work at all. This is called antibiotic resistance. Anti biotic resistant bacteria are tougher than ever before, meaning the anti biotics we use to treat everyday bac terial infections do not work as well. Antibiotic resistance can happen nat urally, but the major contributor is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistant infections are more difficult to treat and can lead to prolonged illness and the need for more medical procedures. The danger is that treatable illnesses like urinary tract infections, strep throat, or minor infections could become incurable. Fortunately, there are simple ways you can prevent antibiotic resistance and protect yourself and your family. Use these five simple tips to help avoid getting sick, and to do your part to prevent antibiotic resistance. 1. Use antibiotics responsibly. Tak ing antibiotics when they are not need ed can increase their risk of not work ing when you or your loved ones really need them. If you are prescribed an tibiotics by a healthcare professional, take them as directed. Do not share your antibiotics with anyone, and be sure to return unused medicine to the pharmacy for safe disposal. 2. Keep vaccinations up to date. The best defence is a good offence, so stay healthy and make sure all your vaccines are up to date. Adults and children should also stay on top of required and recommended vaccines including the annual flu shot. 3. Practice good hygiene. Basic hy giene is one of the best ways to fight antibiotic resistance. Try not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth because this is where germs enter your body. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue instead of your hand. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alco hol-based hand rub. 4. Practice safer sex. Antibiotic re sistant gonorrhea is on the rise. To protect yourself from gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections, use condoms correctly every time you have sex. 5. Keep common surfaces clean. Resistant infections from contaminat ed food can make people sick. Ensure all shared surfaces in your home are visibly clean. In most cases, plain old soap and water is all you need. In the kitchen, be sure to store, handle, and prepare food safely to avoid food-re lated illness. It is especially important to wash your hands before and after handling raw meat, fish, or seafood and do not forget to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw. Find more information at Canada, ca/antibiotics. (NC) managing type 2 diabetes According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, as men and women age their risk for type 2 diabetes increases. Diabetes develops when the amount of sugar in a person's blood is too high. When a per son has type 2 diabetes, his or her body does not respond to insulin, a hormone that regu lates the amount of glucose, a type of sugar, in the blood. Aging makes the body less ac cepting of sugars, thereby mak ing aging men and women more susceptible to type 2 diabetes. But ju st because aging is an uncontrollable risk factor for type 2 diabetes does not mean men and women over 50 can not take steps to reduce their risk. Routine exercise and a healthy diet that is low in satu rated and trans fat and moder ate in salt and sugar can help men and women stay healthy and lower their risk for type 2 dia betes. A healthy meal plan should include lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and fruit. In addition, men and women young and old who want to decrease their risk for type 2 diabetes should avoid sug ar-sweetened beverages such as soda, sports drinks, sweet tea, and fruit punch. (MCG) jm k v j ft ALL LOCATIONS ARE LOCATED INSIDE LONGOS & ARE OPEN ; 7 DAYS A WEEK m orellfs fT> p h a rm a c y Filling prescriptions. Fulfilling expectations. MORELLISPHARM ACY.COM I ONLINE PRESCRIPTION RENEWAL I C OM POUNDING AVAILABLE I FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED Try the Y G et your FRE o n e -w e e k tria l pass C o m e e x p e rie n c e th e Y M C A o f O a k v ille fo r o n e w e e k , a b s o lu te ly free! T ake a to u r an d disco ver th e b e n e fits o f a Y M C A m e m b e rs h ip ! We have all your Health Care needs H ave you had yo u r flu shot? No a p p o in tm e n t n e c e s s a ry Valid only at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA. Limit of one trial per person, per year. YM CA o f O ak ville Fast, professional services inside your Oakville and Burlington LONGO'S 9 0 5 -8 4 5 -3 4 1 7 ym caofoakville.org