Bayfield Medical Clinic

09/04/2026

Back to school can also mean a spike in asthma symptoms for children.

The Lung Health Foundation is highlighting the “September Spike” — the increase in asthma attacks and flare-ups that can happen soon after children and teens return to school. Respiratory viruses, allergies, indoor triggers and inconsistent asthma control over the summer can all contribute.

For families of children with asthma, this is a good time to make sure:

• their Asthma Action Plan is up to date
• controller medication is being taken as prescribed
• a reliever inhaler and spacer are easy to access
• the school knows about their asthma and what to do if symptoms worsen
• everyone knows the signs that asthma may not be well controlled

The Lung Health Foundation has put together an excellent back-to-school resource with practical tips, inhaler videos, Asthma Action Plans and guidance for parents and schools.

Learn more here:
https://lunghealth.ca/asthmakids/

If your child is needing their reliever more often, waking at night with asthma symptoms, or missing activities because of their breathing, connect with your healthcare provider.

— Bayfield Medical Clinic

09/04/2026

Power outages continue to affect parts of Huron and Perth following yesterday’s storms.

Here is the latest food and water safety guidance from Huron Perth Public Health, including what to do with refrigerated and frozen food, and important steps for households using private wells.

Please take a moment to review and share with anyone who may still be without power.

Full guidance:
www.hpph.ca/news

— Bayfield Medical Clinic

Power outages continue to affect residents and businesses throughout Huron and Perth after yesterday's storms. We've got some tips to help prevent food and water borne illnesses.

Food safety tips for individuals and businesses
✔ Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold (at or below 4 C) for about four hours.
✔ A full freezer can maintain freezing temperatures (at or below -18 C) for about 48 hours if the door remains closed. A half-full freezer will keep food frozen for about 24 hours.
✔ Use a thermometer, if available, to check food temperatures.
✔ Discard perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, milk and other dairy products, leftovers, and cut fruits and vegetables if they have been above 4 C for two hours or more.
✔ Never taste food to determine if it is safe.
✔ Frozen foods that still contain ice crystals may be safely refrozen.
✔ When in doubt, throw it out!

Water safety tips for individuals on private wells
✔ Use an alternate safe drinking water source, such as commercially bottled water, or boil water for at least one minute until treatment systems are working properly and water quality is verified.
✔ Once power is restored, run the water for about five minutes to flush the plumbing system.
✔ Test well water as soon as possible after an outage. Testing kits are available at all HPPH offices.
Full release: www.hpph.ca/news

09/04/2026

STIs haven’t gone away — and some have become much more common.

Over the past decade in Ontario:

• Rates of gonorrhea have nearly doubled
• Rates of infectious syphilis have more than doubled
• Chlamydia remains the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in the province

And one of the reasons STIs can spread so easily? Many cause no symptoms at all.

You can feel completely well and still have an infection — which is why knowing when to test matters.

S*x & U, a sexual health resource from the The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada - SOGC, has a clear guide to chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV, herpes and other sexually transmitted infections, including how they spread, possible symptoms, testing, treatment and prevention.

Learn more:
https://www.sexandu.ca/stis/

Wondering about testing?

You can connect with us at Bayfield Medical Clinic, or access confidential sexual health services through Huron Perth Public Health

Huron Perth Public Health offers sexual health clinics in Clinton, Exeter, Goderich, Listowel and Stratford, providing another local option for STI testing, treatment and sexual health support.

Learn more about local sexual health clinics:
https://www.hpph.ca/classes-clinics-services/sexual-health-clinics/

No embarrassment. No judgment. Just health care.

— Bayfield Medical Clinic

09/03/2026

🎒 Back-to-school anxiety can show up in ways that don’t always look like anxiety.

Trouble falling asleep. Stomach aches before school. Irritability. Tears. Avoidance. Suddenly not wanting to go.

Some nervousness is a normal part of starting a new school year — but how do you know when your child may need a little more support?

CAMH Foundation is offering a free webinar and live anonymous Q&A with CAMH child psychiatrist Dr. Darren Courtney for parents and caregivers navigating the back-to-school transition.

The session will cover how to recognize anxiety at different ages, practical ways to help children cope with change and stress, how to start conversations about mental health, and when it may be time to seek additional support.

Whether your child is starting kindergarten, moving to a new school, entering high school, or simply struggling with the return to routine after summer, this is a great opportunity to learn practical strategies you can use at home.

Free to attend. Register here:
https://ow.ly/4nI450ZFpXh

— Bayfield Medical Clinic

Back-to-school nerves or something more?

As the first day approaches, your child may have trouble sleeping, complain of stomach aches or seem more nervous than excited. But how can you tell what’s a normal part of adjusting and when they may need more support?

Join CAMH Foundation for a free webinar and live anonymous Q&A with CAMH child psychiatrist Dr. Darren Courtney. You’ll learn how to:

✅ Recognize signs of anxiety in children and youth at different ages
✅ Help your child cope with change and everyday stress
✅ Start conversations about mental health—even when your child doesn't want to talk
✅ Know when and where to find trusted mental health resources and support

Whether your child is starting kindergarten, moving to a new school, entering high school or simply adjusting after summer break, you'll leave with tools and strategies you can use.

Register for webinar at: https://ow.ly/4nI450ZFpXh

09/01/2026

Living with chronic kidney disease can affect much more than your physical health.

A new diagnosis can bring uncertainty, fear, stress and a lot of questions — for both patients and the people who care about them.

This upcoming free webinar will focus on the emotional side of living with chronic kidney disease, with a panel of healthcare professionals from psychiatry, social work and nursing.

They’ll share practical strategies for coping, supporting emotional well-being, and navigating some of the challenges that can come with a CKD diagnosis. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions live.

📅 September 22, 2026
💻 Free online webinar
🔗 Register here: bit.ly/Webi-22SEP26

Presented in collaboration with University Health Network (UHN) and CAMH and Kidney Foundation of Canada La Fondation canadienne du rein .

A helpful resource for both patients and caregivers.

— Bayfield Medical Clinic

Our next webinar is on its way. Register for free here: bit.ly/Webi-22SEP26

A chronic kidney disease diagnosis can change your life in an instant.

If you're feeling scared, overwhelmed, or unsure of what the future holds, know that these feelings are normal, and help is available.

Join our free webinar to hear from a panel of healthcare professionals specializing in psychiatry, social work, and nursing. They'll provide practical coping strategies for patients and caregivers, discuss emotional well-being, and answer your questions live.

We’re here for you.

This webinar is in collaboration with the University Health Network (UHN) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, CAMH.

-------------------------

Notre prochain webinaire approche à grands pas. Inscrivez-vous gratuitement ici : bit.ly/Webi-22SEP26

Un diagnostic de maladie rénale chronique peut bouleverser votre vie en un instant.
Si vous vous sentez effrayé(e), dépassé(e) ou inquiet(e) quant à l’avenir, sachez que ces sentiments sont normaux et qu’il existe des ressources pour vous aider.

Participez à notre webinaire gratuit pour écouter un panel de professionnels de santé spécialisés en psychiatrie, en travail social et en soins infirmiers. Ils vous proposeront des stratégies pratiques adaptées aux patients et aux aidants, aborderont le bien-être émotionnel et répondront à vos questions en direct.

Nous sommes là pour vous.

Ce webinaire est organisé en collaboration avec le Réseau universitaire de santé (UHN) et Le Centre de toxicomanie et de santé mentale (CAMH).

09/01/2026

Pain can be part of Parkinson’s — but it isn’t always recognized as a Parkinson’s symptom.

Muscle stiffness, nerve-related pain and dystonia — painful, involuntary muscle contractions — can all contribute to discomfort and can have a significant impact on day-to-day life.

A free upcoming webinar will take a closer look at why pain occurs in Parkinson’s and what can help manage it.

🧠 Dr. Veronica Bruno will discuss the causes and treatment of Parkinson’s-related pain, while D.A. Dirks will share lived experience and practical strategies for coping with pain.

📅 Wednesday, September 16
⏰ 2–3 p.m. ET
💻 Free online webinar

If you or someone you care for is living with Parkinson’s, this may be a helpful opportunity to better understand a symptom that can sometimes be overlooked.

🔗 Register here: https://www.parkinson.ca/resources/community-events-and-webinars/

Parkinson Canada
Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario

— Bayfield Medical Clinic

Pain is a common but often overlooked symptom of Parkinson’s. Join our free webinar on Wednesday, September 16, from 2-3 p.m. ET to learn why pain occurs and how it can be managed. From muscle stiffness and nerve-related discomfort to dystonia, painful, involuntary muscle contractions- we’ll explore the different types of pain associated with Parkinson’s and ways to manage this potentially debilitating symptom.

🧠 Hear from Dr. Veronica Bruno about the causes and treatment of Parkinson’s-related pain and D.A. Dirks will also share their lived experience and strategies for managing pain.

🔗 Register today: link in bio
📅 Wednesday, September 16
⏰ 2–3 p.m. ET
💻Zoom

09/01/2026

If arthritis is changing what you can do day to day, you may not have to simply “work around it.”

Pain, stiffness and reduced mobility can slowly start affecting things like walking, stairs, gardening, getting dressed, sleeping comfortably or keeping up with the activities you enjoy.

The Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program (AREP) through Arthritis Society Canada may be able to help.

Ontario residents with arthritis can access support from arthritis-trained health professionals, including physiotherapists and occupational therapists, who can help with:

• Safe exercises to improve strength and movement
• Managing pain and stiffness
• Protecting painful joints
• Walking and mobility concerns
• Making daily activities easier
• Advice about braces, splints or mobility aids
• Finding practical ways to stay active without aggravating symptoms

Best of all, the program is FREE for eligible Ontario residents with a valid health card, and you can self-refer.

Sometimes a few practical changes can make everyday life with arthritis much easier.

📞 Arthritis Society Canada : call 1-800-321-1433 ext. 3307 or email [email protected]. Arthritis Society Canada also has an online self-referral form. No physician referral is required.

— Bayfield Medical Clinic

09/01/2026

Sometimes the best kind of exercise is the kind that doesn’t really feel like exercise. 🚶☕

Beginning Wednesday, September 16, the Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre is bringing its Walk, Talk & Coffee group to the Hensall Arena every Wednesday from 10:00–11:00 a.m.

It’s free, open to everyone, and designed to be easy to join: walk at your own pace, enjoy some conversation, meet a few new people, and stay for coffee and refreshments.

We love programs like this because good health is not only about appointments, medications, and numbers. It is also about movement, routine, connection, and having somewhere welcoming to go.

If you or someone you know could use a little more activity or a little more company during the week, this is a lovely local option.

Every Wednesday | 10:00–11:00 a.m. | Hensall Arena
Free — everyone is welcome.

Thank you to Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre for creating another accessible way for people in our area to stay active and connected.

— Bayfield Medical Clinic

Come out and join us at the Hensall Walk, Talk & Coffee group every Wednesday, beginning Wednesday September 16th at the Hensall Arena! This is a free opportunity to meet new people and get some exercise - anyone and everyone is welcome! 🚶‍♂️☕️👥

08/31/2026

Parenting Teens: Before you call it lazy…

Sometimes a teenager who looks unmotivated is actually struggling with the skills needed to get from “I know what I need to do” to “I can actually do it.”

Executive functions are the brain skills that help us start tasks, remember instructions, manage time, stay organized, resist distractions, regulate emotions and work through things that feel overwhelming. These skills continue developing throughout adolescence.

So what can executive-function difficulty look like at home?

Putting off a task they genuinely intend to do
Forgetting instructions almost immediately
Becoming overwhelmed when there are too many steps
Leaving assignments until the last minute
Losing track of time
Struggling to switch gears when plans change
Knowing there will be consequences… and still acting impulsively

None of this means expectations disappear.

But sometimes the most helpful question is not:

“Why won’t you just do it?”

It is:

“What part of getting this done is getting you stuck?”

Maybe the first step needs to be smaller.
Maybe the instructions need to be written down.
Maybe the phone needs to go somewhere else for 20 minutes.
Maybe they need help figuring out what to do first.

And then — let’s practise these skills with them.

Planning. Starting. Breaking a big task into smaller pieces. Managing distractions. Recovering when something does not go as planned.

Because independence does not suddenly appear at 16 or 18.

It is something we help young people practise until they can carry more of it on their own.

At Bayfield Medical Clinic, we believe understanding what is happening beneath a behaviour can help us respond in ways that build skills, confidence and independence.

08/30/2026

𝟱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿.

Because many important changes in our health happen quietly — and knowing about them earlier gives us more opportunity to do something about them.

1️⃣ 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲.
It can progress silently from fat buildup to inflammation, scarring, cirrhosis and liver failure. MASH has become one of the leading reasons for liver transplantation — accounting for about 𝟮𝟴% 𝗼𝗳 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. The earlier liver disease is recognized, the more opportunity there is to reduce risk and slow progression.

2️⃣ 𝗪𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸.
Beginning around age 30, we naturally lose approximately 𝟯–𝟱% 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲. Over time, that can affect strength, balance, mobility and independence. Building and maintaining muscle now really can pay off later.

3️⃣ 𝗢𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀.
At least 𝟭 𝗶𝗻 𝟯 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭 𝗶𝗻 𝟱 𝗺𝗲𝗻 will experience an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. Bone loss happens without symptoms, which is why protecting bone health — and screening when appropriate — matters before that first fracture.

4️⃣ 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.
A large analysis involving almost 𝟭.𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 found that those with the highest levels of sedentary time had about a 𝟯𝟬% 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 compared with those who sat the least. Even simply breaking up long stretches of sitting with movement can help.

5️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹.
Statistics Canada found that about 𝟰% 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝟮𝟬–𝟳𝟵 had prediabetes based on measured blood sugar testing. Because it often causes no symptoms, people may not know their blood sugar is rising. Finding it earlier gives you an opportunity to make changes before it progresses to type 2 diabetes.

And there is something these five things have in common:

𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Walking. Gardening. Swimming. Taking the stairs. Carrying groceries. Getting up from your desk. Strength training.

It doesn’t have to be extreme, and it doesn’t have to be perfect.

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿. 💛

— Bayfield Medical Clinic