SnowbirdAlert BEWARE: Tick season is here! The Public Health Agency of Canada advises that the population of black-legged ticks is increasing across Canada. While there are various types of blood-sucking ticks (a.k.a. deer ticks), it is the black-legged tick that is the primary carrier of Lyme disease – a serious illness that, when transmitted to people, can lead to health issues such as arthritis, neurological problems and even paralysis. When caught early, however, the disease is easily preventable and highly treatable. The most active season for ticks is April through September when they are typically found in wooded areas and tall grasses. These tiny arachnids need blood to survive and consequently, they attach themselves to people and pets by burrowing under the skin. A Lyme-infected tick must usually attach and feed for at least 24 hours before its bacteria is transmitted. Their bites are typically painless, so human hosts may not be aware that they have been bitten. Early signs and symptoms of the disease are flu-like symptoms, with some experiencing more serious reactions: rash, fever, chills, headache, fatigue and muscle and joint aches. If left untreated, even more severe symptoms may occur and can last from months to years. If symptoms of Lyme develop, people are urged to consult a health-care provider immediately. Prevention, of course, is the best defence. The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation lists its top five tick habitat precautions: •• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. •• Frequently check your body for tick bites. •• Walk on pathways and trails, avoiding low-lying brush and long grass. •• Apply insect repellent to your skin and clothing. Go to the doctor Get those pre-existing medical conditions under control and work with your doctor tomake any necessary adjustments to your medication as soon as possible. Get followup tests and procedures scheduled so that you have a clear 90-day stability period before you head south in the fall. Update your Personal Health Record When you or your spouse are dealing with a medical emergency either away or at home, you don’t want to run around looking for prescription medication bottles or be concerned with an accurate recollection of what year or instance in which either of you receivedmedical treatment. Write it down now, while you have time and presence of mind, and keep it in a handy spot – such as on your fridge – for quick and easy access should the time ever come at which you need to answer medical questions quickly. Renew your CSA Membership Support the only organization that actively lobbies governments in Canada and the United States to protect and defend the snowbird lifestyle. SNOWBIRD CHECKLIST Skin cancer is on the rise. The statistics are sobering. Skin cancer continues to trend upward year by year in spite of the fact that it’s one of the most preventable forms of the disease. Numbers provided by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) exemplify the disturbing rise by comparing 2014 incidence and mortality projections to those of 2017. In 2014, it was estimated that 6,500 new cases of malignant melanoma (skin cancer) would be diagnosed with 1,050 expected to die from the disease. Comparatively, 2017 estimates scaled upward. It was projected that 7,200 Canadians would be diagnosed and, of those stricken, 1,250 would die. While death rates for cancers in general have been going down since 1988, melanoma has not followed suit even though – if caught early – it is highly treatable. In spite of prevention and treatment factors, there are currently more new cases of skin cancer each year than the number of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers COMBINED. It bears repeating that malignant melanoma is not only preventable, but can oftentimes be successfully treated…especially in its early stages. Skin cancer is caused by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light and the CCS advocates two main lines of defence against the disease: the regular use of sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30 and, no less important, early identification. There’s an important saying worth heeding: “If you can spot it, you can stop it.” More details about skin cancer and its treatment and prevention are online at www.cancer.ca or by calling toll-free 1-888-939-3333. 6 | www.snowbirds.org
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