Health Care - July 2013

JULY 2013

HEALTH CAREDirectory2013

Part 3

BdaSun Health Directory July 2013 press

Friday, June 14, 2013 1:17:15 PM

TEL 400-8378 FAX 295-9935 Accounts 495-4126Dr. J.J. Soares MB.,BS. (Oxford), B.Sc. Hons. (McGill) 495-5745

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HealtHcare Directorya special advertising supplement of the bermuda sun July 5, 2013 page 1

Inside this supplementHow holistic healing can restore balance to your mind,

body and spirit — an interview with John Fletcher of Peak

Performance Professionals Pages 2-5

How poor air quality can affect your health, and what to do

about, by Stephen Savage of Efftech Page 6

Exert your right to choose, by the Hamilton Medical Centre

Pages 6 and 8

Mosquito Awareness Month: How Government’s Vector

Control team are ‘fighting the bite’ Pages 9 and 16

Seniors’ Month: Long-term care, by Tawanna Wedderburn of

the Bermuda Health Council Page 11

How to deal with panic attacks, by Dr Shawnee Basden of the

Bermuda Hospitals Board Page 13

Why you should cut sugar from your diet, by the Bermuda

Diabetes Association Pages 13 and 15

How to help children avoid asthma attacks, by Michele Smith

of OBMI Bermuda Pages 14 and 16

The importance of taking daily vitamins, by Stephanie Simons

of Lindo’s Pharmacy Page 15

Coppertone beach volleyball tournament raises money to

fight cancer Page 16

Publisher Randy French

President Lisa Beauchamp

Editorial Amanda Dale

Layout Amanda Dale

Advertising Sales Carlita Burgess (deputy advertising manager), Larissa French, Diane Gilbert, Claire James

Creative Services Christina White, Colby Medeiros

Circulation & Distribution Michelle Furbert

Bermuda Sun 19 Elliott Street, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 10

Tel 295-3902 Fax 292-5597 E-mail [email protected]

This special supplement is produced and published by Bermuda Sun Limited and printed in Bermuda by Island Press Limited.

The Bermuda Sun publishes twice weekly and is a subsidiary of MediaHouse Limited. We are members of the Inland Press Association, International Newspaper Marketing Association and the Newspaper Association of America. We are located at: 19 Elliott Street, Hamilton HM 10; P.O. Box HM 1241, Hamilton HM FX Tel: 295-3902 Fax: 292-5597. Visit our website: www.bermudasun.bm

Explore some alternatives this summerAlternative medicine is

growing in popularity in Bermuda, with more and more practitioners offering

various treatments and ser-vices.

But how does it work? In this edi-tion of the Bermuda Sun’s Healthcare

Directory we talk to John Fletcher of Peak Performance Professionals to discuss energy therapy and the benefits it can bring to you.

Mr Fletcher says holistic healing can bring someone back to “wholeness, health and alignment” without any

invasive surgery or side-effects from medicine.

Read about his tech-niques, inside.

Also in this edition, we focus on air quality and improving your home envi-ronment for asthma suffer-ers.

Stephen Savage of Efftech explains how filtering the air in your home can remove particles and con-taminants that trigger the condition.

He recommends Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating Systems to keep your air clean and healthy.

Michele Smith of OBMI Bermuda also gives useful tips and advice on how to help children to breathe easier in the home.

July is ‘Mosquito Awarness Month’ but in

Bermuda we have one of the best prevention pro-grammes in the world, making bites rare for most island residents.

Armell Thomas, pro-gramme manager for Vector Control/Port Health, explains how his team ‘search and destroy’ the tiny bloodsuckers, inside.

ReplenishThis month is also

‘Seniors’ Month’. Tawanna Wedderburn of the Bermuda Health Council explains the ‘what, where and how’ of long-term care, to ensure you get the ser-vice and care you need.

Elsewhere in this supple-ment there is advice on how to handle anxiety attacks.

Did you know that one in 10 people will have a panic

attack in their lifetime?Dr Shawnee Basden of the

Bermuda Hospitals Board explains what causes them and how to get them under control.

We also bring you advice on a healthy diet.

Did you know that most foods labeled ‘low fat’ are much higher in sugar? The Bermuda Diabetes Association offers advice on cutting sugar from your diet, inside.

Stephanie Simons, head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire, also explains the impor-tance of daily vitamins in replenishing our bodies’ nutrients.

Stay healthy this summer with a balanced diet, regu-lar exercise, rehydration and lots of sunscreen. n

aMaNDa DaleBermuda Sun

2 n JuLy 5, 2013 HealtHcare Directory: a special advertising supplement THE BERMuDA SuN

Restore your balance with energy therapyBy AmAndA [email protected]

Increasing numbers of people are turning to alter-native medicine as a means of treating various ailments and issues in their lives.

In Bermuda we are fortu-nate to have a wide variety of practitioners in this field, which ranges from Reiki to Brazilian light energization, to RoHun and Crystal Sonic Rejuvenation.

John Fletcher has been a practitioner of holistic heal-ing, or energy therapy, for four years in Bermuda.

Mr Fletcher has 18 years of training and established his own holistic healing service, Peak Performance Professionals, a year ago.

What is holistic healing?Holistic healing aims

to bring someone back to “wholeness, health and

alignment”, according to Mr Fletcher.

“The basic concept is that our most fundamental foun-dation is actually energy as opposed to matter,” he said.

“Since our core is actu-ally energy, practitioners of holistic healing can use energy to help to transform the mind, body and spirit.

“Holistic healing blends in well with ‘modern medicine. My techniques com-bine psychology, quantum physics and energy manipu-lation.

“Scientists exploring quantum physics have concluded that space itself — the space between atoms and electrons — is actually information and energy. An atom contains protons, elec-trons and neutrons, but also quarks, particles, waves

and the Planck field (named after Professor Max Planck who discovered it). So that is the space itself.

“They also called that Zero Point. What’s inside this ‘nothing’, this space, is actually information and energy.

“The theory is that when dealing with every element — whether physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, physical or physic/empathetic — all of our ailments actually have ener-getic contributions

and causes.“The most powerful gen-

erator of electro-magnetic frequency is the brain, and then the heart. So, physical ailments are also symptoms of energetic distress or blockage.

“When someone takes some medicine, herbs or

food, every single atom of this has a frequency.

“Molecules, cells, tissues and organs; our bodies, and everything we sense with our five senses; the reason we can sense them is because they have a fre-quency.

“The physical things we can sense are actually slow-moving energy. This is the basis behind energy thera-py/holistic healing.”

“My techniques combine psychology, quantum phys-ics and energy manipula-tion.”

Mr Fletcher employs two techniques — EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and the Midas Touch Method.

EFT is a combination or Shiatsu (acu-pressure) and psychology, which “helps to identify and release the

n AlternAtIve medIcIne / Holistic healing

fletcHer

See energy, page 3

THE BERMuDA SuN HealtHcare Directory: a special advertising supplement JuLy 5, 2013 n 3

emotional causes of symp-toms”.

The Midas Touch Method combines chi or qi energy (energy used in martial arts such as Tai chi or Chi-gong).

“I also use a combination of the Yuen Method, NLP and Law of Attraction tech-niques,” said Mr Fletcher.

Benefits“The benefits of holistic

healing/energy therapy are that, first of all, it gets to the true source of the symptoms of an illness, and the second thing is, it brings the body back to wholeness and bal-ance. The third thing is, there are no side effects,” he said.

“When the mind, body and spirit are in align-ment, people are completely whole. This also has to do with the Law of Attraction.

“If someone is not in alignment, even though they are taking physi-cal actions, they will not achieve their goal. They are not in the right vibration on a consistent basis.”

He explained being ‘not in alignment’ as, “when a per-son has a higher quantity and intensity of negative thoughts or mental pictures about what they are trying to accomplish”.

Mr Fletcher also runs a carpet cleaning business, Abu’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning. He grew up in Houston, Texas, and said his mother also had a keen interest in psychology and sociology.

“At a very young age she was teaching the family all about psychology, medita-tion and self-help,” he said.

“I then enjoyed psychol-ogy in high school and start-ed reading books on how to achieve your goals, on body language and the basics of psychology, including Sigmund Freud.

“In college I was introduced to a field called Neuro-Linguistic Programming, or NLP, popularized by Anthony Robbins.

“That was an eye-opener for me because with it I could decode my own pat-terns and habits, both men-tally and physically, and help others to decode and change their habits.

“The other important thing was that I also learned how to ‘model’ other people. Once you decode someone’s habits you then have a ‘rec-ipe’ and can then modify it to create similar results.”

He explained modeling behaviours as, “finding out a person’s ‘recipe’ of thoughts, mental pictures, words, steps and actions, as they perform the behaviour you want to emulate”.

“It is putting yourself completely in someone else’s shoes, as if you were them. By doing so and

adjusting the ‘recipe’ to suit your own personal style, you can quickly produce similar results,” he said.

After college Mr Fletcher continued to study the field of psychology and NLP.

He said: “In 2008 in Houston I met a master practitioner of NLP, Victor Escalante. He was a life coach and inspired me to become a life coach.

“NLP, to the best of my knowledge, is the fastest and most comprehensive way to change identity and ‘model’ behaviour.

“It’s one of the fastest resistance removal tech-niques and is excellent with helping to overcome phobias, addictions, recur-ring physical ailments, self-esteem issues and even

relationship problems.“But to bring instant heal-

ing to someone’s mind, body and spirit, you need years of application and study with a master practitioner.”

Mr Fletcher added: “NLP led me to discover something called the Yuen Method, that utilizes chi energy.

“I began using this in early 2010, with phenom-enal results. I’ve helped pregnant women get over morning sickness, healed migraines within 15 min-utes and I’ve helped to bring resolution and forgiveness to many people troubled by issues from the past.

“I’ve helped to cure back problems, reduce high-blood pressure and help clients’ metabolism. I’ve relieved anger issues and removed phobias and addictions, such as smoking, alcohol and chocolate.

“Phobias can be anything from a fear of spiders to fear of success or failure.

“One of my clients had an incredible fear of cock-roaches. Since part of her house was under construc-tion, roaches were getting inside and flying around, and she wouldn’t go home.

“But I managed to remove the phobia and helped to empower her.

Continued from page 2

EnERgy: How natural therapies can relieve your ailments

n Photo suPPlied

consultation: John Fletcher and a client discuss addressing issues with energy therapy.

See energy, page 4

‘Since our core is actually energy, practitioners of holistic healing can use energy to help to transform the mind, body and spirit.’

John fletcherHolistic healer


“Now she is comfortable at home and doesn’t flee when she sees a cockroach.”

Mr Fletcher started practicing energy therapy in Bermuda in 2009. He is certified in EFT and has also taken holistic healing training courses such as Reiki.

“I help to remove people’s energy ‘blocks’ and ‘limiting beliefs’. This can lead them to manifest money, new jobs, careers and opportuni-ties, and so on.”

Although Bermuda is a religious country, most peo-ple are open to the concept of energy therapy, said Mr Fletcher.

“My holistic healing tech-niques integrate well into religious beliefs,” he said.

“Occasionally I will receive a concern or objec-tion, but my general answer is that this is just another tool to employ in order to help someone to become the best person they can be.

“I help to remove the road blocks, whether they are mental, physical, emotional, spiritual or other.

Mr Fletcher said he believes most illnesses are a result of negative energy/emotions, such as hate, anger, stress or depression.

“Once these issues are resolved and the person for-gives, or moves on, then the body recalibrates itself from its fighting state,” he said.

He has also treated people with cancer, and believes holistic healing brings more benefits than traditional medicine, as there are “no side effects”.

“Every time someone has surgery, the body interprets the surgery as a trauma, and reacts with ‘protective measures’ such as swell-ing and inflammation. Pharmaceutical medicines can also have potential side effects, and sometimes the body has to recuperate from the medicines themselves.

“I hope the general public will become more aware of the amazing alternative healing techniques that are

available here in Bermuda. “Once people have had a

session they are usually so amazed with the results that they tell their friends and family members.”

How does holistic healing work?

Mr Fletcher’s treatment sessions can last from just 10 minutes to up to three-and-a-half hours, but are an hour in length on average.

He gave an example of how one of his techniques, EFT, works.

“With EFT, a client will give me a ‘target’ of what they want to work on, for example, a phobia of spi-ders.

“They will have stronger subconscious and conscious negative thoughts of spiders than positive ones, and their subconscious mind tells their conscious mind to recognize that this issue or phobia needs a resolution, by producing the feeling of fear.

“Once I know the target I ask the client to tell me on

a scale of 0 to 10 — 10 being the highest level — how strong the phobia is.

“I then get them to visual-ize where in the body they feel the discomfort, because this may be different for everyone.

“I then get them to visual-ize the discomfort by giving it a colour, size and shape. This brings their subcon-scious references to the con-scious mind.

“Then I start ‘tapping’ on their (physical) meridians, while telling them to repeat ‘reminder phrases’ such as, ‘I completely release and let go of this fear of spiders’.”

Tapping involves using his hand to tap, or pat, someone on the head or another part of the body where key meridians are located. At the same time the person is encouraged to think of how the ‘target’ makes them feel, and to repeat the reminder phrase.

“As I tap I ask the client to repeat after me the phrase ‘ I release and let go of this

EnERgyContinued from page 3

See energy, page 5


phobia’, and ‘It’s safe to let it go now’,” he said.

“The tapping helps to move toxins and ‘blocks’ from the body. When some-one is opposed to, or in conflict with something, they produce chemicals that have receptor sites on cells. This gives the person a physiological effect which the brain perceives of as an emotion.

“Meridians are connected to the nervous system and subconscious mind,” said Mr Fletcher.

“As the person ‘feels’ their phobia and generates nega-tive bio-electrical distress, we tap on the meridians to send positive energy through their body.

“The vibration over a par-ticular issue changes from negative to positive and this leads to the person’s mani-festations changing, such as money, health and relation-ships.

“If someone is no longer

angry at their spouse or partner, or another person connected to an issue, then they will no longer gener-ate negative energy. This therefore leads to more posi-tive energy, and improved health and manifestations.”

Mr Fletcher said: “I use the ‘reminder’ phrases in the hope that the positive energy will start to displace the negative. When it does have an impact, the person physically feels the differ-ence.

“Because their subcon-scious references have changed, their conscious

ones will also change in intensity, in colour, shape and size.”

He will describe another scenario involving the person’s phobia or issue and then ask them how they feel about it on a scale of 0-10. After the tapping, usually the number given in response is lower in strength relating to the fear or anxiety.

“Once the phobia or manifestation is changed, it doesn’t come back at the same intensity,” he said.

“If it does come back it will be a weaker level of

intensity and duration.“Once the negative energy

is reduced to a scale of three or less, the body and mind are now ready to accept and replace the phobia with a positive mental construct instead.”

The brain recalibrates to a new balance.

Mr Fletcher said: “Many medical experts agree that most of our physical ail-ments are caused by stress, depression or low self-esteem.

“There’s a Bible phrase which states, ‘As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he’.

“The subconscious mind focuses your beliefs, and manifests accordingly.” n

ConTACT Mr FLETCHEr on 531-1001 or e-mail [email protected]. He also works with groups and companies to lower stress levels, decrease sick days and increase pro-ductivity. Website www.peakperformanceprofs.com or ‘John holistichealer’ on Facebook.

EnERgyContinued from page 4

‘Once the phobia or manifestation is changed, it doesn’t come back at the same intensity.’

John fletcherHolistic healer


How air quality can affect your health By Stephen SAvAgeEfftech

Home sweet home isn’t so sweet when poor air quality affects your health.

And since air quality inside our homes is often worse than the air outside, this happens more frequent-ly than many people realize.

Poor air quality inside the home can be caused by chemical vapours from things such as carpets and furniture, and from dust, mould (often made worse by Bermuda’s humid climate) and animal dander.

Common physical signs of poor indoor air quality include headaches, fatigue, congestion, coughing and sneezing, dizziness, nausea and for allergy and asthma sufferers, worsening symp-toms.

Filtration And that is a big concern.

According to Open Airways, Bermuda has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world, affecting 9,000 people.

It is the most common long-term condition on the island and Bermuda Hospitals Board reports that up to 2,000 people a year are treated in Accident & Emergency at KEMH (King Edward VII Memorial Hospital) for breathing diffi-culties related to asthma.

The airways in a person with asthma are sensitive and react to a variety of ‘triggers’.

This can vary from person to person but they

include infections, exercise, weather, and allergens such as dust, dust mites, pollens, pets and mould spores.

Thousands of us also suffer from allergies, an abnormal response of the immune system, which can be worsened by the same allergens, many of which are regularly found in our homes.

So many of us suffer from reactions to the air at home, but this can be managed by addressing the source of the trigger or allergen, and through the effective use of filtration and ventilation.

Have carpets and rugs professionally cleaned a few times a year so that mould and dust don’t settle on the fibres.

Keep the rest of your house clean, especially the shelves and closets where dust and mould can linger. Clean under beds regularly

and air out bedding. Filtering the air in your

home to remove airborne particles and contaminants is also a significant step in reducing asthma symptoms and allergic reactions.

Fortunately this is easy; most homes in Bermuda use air conditioning to keep the environment cool and to reduce humidity. Many of today’s air conditioning systems provide advanced filtration systems.

Popular options, such as Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating Systems, offer sophisticated multi-stage filter systems to trap dust, pollen, mites and other par-ticles, and to reduce germs, bacteria and viruses. These units use continuous fan operation which ensures good air circulation and ventilation.

Beyond the filter, air con-ditioning units can attract

and grow moulds on and near the cooling coils and blowers inside the machine.

Ultra-violet light, a well-proven weapon against germs and moulds, is avail-able in Mitsubishi split air conditioning systems.

This adds an additional layer of protection against allergens and asthma-induc-ing particles, by attacking them in these hard to reach places, so all of the air com-ing out of your air condi-tioner and heating system is clean and healthy.

However, your system will only keep your air clean if you keep it clean.

Again, this is easy with the popular models in Bermuda, such as the Mr Slim split units, because they feature easy-to-clean filters.

Clean once a month and service as recommended and these systems will keep you breathing easy for years.

Managing the air qual-ity in your home to reduce allergic reactions and asth-ma symptoms is easy with today’s technology and a few simple steps, and it can make time spent at home significantly more comfort-able, healthy — and sweet, as it should be. n

STEPHEn SAvAgE is the sales and marketing man-ager at Efftech. He has more than 23 years’ experience in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and in refrigeration. For more information call 249-3570 or e-mail [email protected].

n Photo suPPlied

protection: ultra-violet light can destroy mould and is available in Mitsubishi air conditioning systems.

Exert your choice at the Hamilton Medical CentreSupplIed By the hAmIlton medIcAl centre

The motto of the Hamilton Medical Centre is service, service, service!

The centre is dedicated to bringing both convenience and confidence to blood test-ing.

We believe patients

should have some degree of autonomy and insist on the right to choose when and where they wish to have their blood testing done, on the basis of what is conve-nient for them.

Traditionally, when the average patient in Bermuda is told to have a blood test by their doctor, they are essentially given no choice

as to where that test can be taken.

Typically they are direct-ed to the hospital or to their doctor’s own laboratory.

The Hamilton Medical Centre strives to create a pleasant environment with a North American feel.

We believe the choice on where to have a blood test or any medical investiga-

tion should be yours.The Hamilton Medical

Centre is situated in the centre of Hamilton (behind City Hall car park) and no appointment is necessary — just pop by with a blood request form from your doc-tor.

You will be seen quickly

See Blood, page 8


How to Drink responsiblySubmitted by the Research Unit, Department for National Drug Control In Bermuda, alcohol has become engrained into our social culture. For those who enjoy drinking, it is essential to understand how to drink responsibly and stay within your alcohol tolerance level. Maintaining a level of self-control and staying responsible while drinking alcohol is within everyone’s ability, whether at a party, at the bar, or elsewhere. Drinking responsibly is about enjoying alcohol rather than letting it take control of you.

Hints to Help you drink responsibly:1. Know your limit.2. Eat food while you drink. 3. Sip your drink. 4. Accept a drink only when you really want one. 5. Cultivate taste. Choose quality rather than quantity. 6. Skip a drink now and then. 7. When drinking out, if you must drive home, have your drinks with a meal, not afterwards. 8. Beware of unfamiliar drinks. 9. Make sure that drinking improves social relationships rather than impairs them. 10. Appoint a designated driver. 11. Avoid drinking mixed drinks on an empty stomach on a hot day. 12. If you know that you will have to drive after consuming alcohol, limit your consumption to no more than one drink an hour. 13. Upper limit of drinks for males is 21 and for females is 14 drinks per week. Most studies suggest that these limits are safe for your health. In older individuals, moderate drinking may help prevent against heart disease. This amount, of course, is spread out over a week’s period. This means for males no more than 2 to 3 drinks and for females 1 to 2 drinks per day, preferably with meals.

When it comes to drinking alcohol, the key is doing so responsibly and in moderation. Certainly, you do not have to drink any alcohol, and if you currently do not drink, do not start!

Enjoy the Summer and as you celebrate the Cup Match holiday; remember, if you drink, drink responsibly!

Suite 304 Melbourne House | 11 Parliament St. | Hamilton | HM 12

292-3049 | www.dndc.gov.bm

FACts 9 in 10 adults 16 – 65 years drank alcohol in their lifetime and 6 in 10 reported drinking alcohol in the 30 days prior to the survey.National Household Survey, 2009

2 in 3 adults 16 – 65 years said NO to having felt like decreasing the amount of alcohol that you drank.National Household Survey, 2009

7.6 million litres of alcohol and alcoholic beverages were in circulation for home consumption, whether from imports or removed from bonded warehouses; valued at $28.9 million.H.M. Customs, 2012

72 of 106 emergency room drug-related cases were primarily diagnosed as alcohol abuse and 11 as acute alcoholic intoxication.KEMH VII, 2012

About 1 in 5 reception inmates at the West-gate Correctional Facility said alcohol was connected to their current offence(s) and 1 in 4 said it was connected to previous offence(s).Drug Abuse Monitoring Survey, 2012

179 of 205 persons, who gave a brethalyser sample, when stopped, failed the brethalyser test. 63 persons were one to two times above limit, 96 persons, were two to three times above limit, and 19 persons were three to four times above limit. Brethalyser readings were as high as 330 vs. the legal limit of 80 (mg/100 dl).Bermuda Police Service, 2012


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by one of our highly-skilled phlebotomists (technicians).

At our lab you won’t be a ‘pin cushion’! Our highly-trained staff know that a blood test can be a stressful experience. That is why it was a priority for us to select only the most skilled phlebotomists to do the job.

The Hamilton Medical Center is open from 6:45am to 5:30pm, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Your blood tests are com-pletely covered by medical

insurance, including HIP and Future Care (with only a few exceptions).

You won’t be required to pay anything out of pocket above what your insurance covers.

We charge less to your insurance company than other laboratories, thereby providing a cost saving to the Bermuda healthcare system.

When it comes to results, the centre will confidential-ly fax your results to your doctor within two to three hours on average.

Our laboratory is fully accredited by COLA

(Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation), one of the most respected laboratory accreditation bodies worldwide.

We also have Portuguese-speaking staff and walk-in TCD (Transport Control Department) physical exam-inations.

No more waiting until next week for an appoint-ment with your doctor; just walk in. The Hamilton Medical Centre has TCD forms on hand and will do your TCD medical instantly.

The Hamilton Medical Centre also performs drug screening, STD (sexually

transmitted disease) testing, paternity testing, immigra-tion physicals, as well as life insurance and health insurance medicals.

The next time you have to do a blood test why not try out this new way of doing medicine?

You may have to persuade your doctor a little, but remember, the choice is yours. n

HAMiLTon MEDiCAL CEnTrE, 9 Victoria Street, Hamilton. Telephone 400-8378. Website www.hamil-tonmedicalcenter.bm

bloodContinued from page 7

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Taking the sting out of mosquitoesBy AmAndA [email protected]

July is Mosquito Awareness Month but in Bermuda you could be forgiven for asking, “What mosquitoes?”

The island has one of the most proactive prevention programmes in the world and bites are rare fo resi-dents.

Armell Thomas, the man in charge of keeping the mosquito at bay, told the Bermuda Sun: “Bermuda is unique in terms of our people and culture, and also when it comes to vector con-trol — especially mosquito control.

“We have one of the best control systems in the world, something many peo-ple have tried to duplicate.”

The size of Bermuda is also an advantage in keep-ing the tiny bloodsuckers under control.

deterrent“Because the island is

only 21 square miles in size, it is just the right size to capture and handle any mosquitoes,” said Mr Thomas.

“In Bermuda we are not considered a Third World country. Mosquitoes are a bigger problem in some of the Caribbean islands which are a little less devel-oped and which don’t have screens on their windows.”

Mr Thomas, programme manager for Vector Control/Port Health, said the Government of Bermuda also placed an emphasis on education.

“We educate the public constantly; my team go into all the schools and speak to the children,” he said.

The main weapon how-ever, in deterring any outbreaks is the 600 or so ovi-traps placed around the island.

The traps contain stag-nant water and ‘paddles’, on which female mosquitoes lay their eggs.

Each week, Mr Thomas’ team go around collecting the paddles from inside the

traps in order to remove them from the water.

Mr Thomas said: “These traps are 12 ounce cups which are very dark and filled halfway with water. The paddles placed inside create an environment for the mosquitoes to grow.

“Once we take the paddles out we can see what kind of mosquito is present, from their eggs. And once they are removed from the water, the eggs will die.

“We do this every week to prevent the eggs from hatch-ing. We change the ovi-trap system every Friday throughout the island.

“We can have up to 60 traps in each parish.”

Success in deterring mos-quito outbreaks is down to being proactive rather than reactive, said Mr Thomas.

“We don’t wait for people to complain about getting mosquito bites, we seek out these pests.

“But if we have a serious outbreak, with a number of different eggs on a paddle, then we will bring in a team and go from house to house,

asking people to get rid of any standing water.”

The Vector Control team are mainly concerned about the presence of aedes aegyp-ti, the yellow fever mosquito which carries dengue fever.

“This is very dangerous and so we try to ensure it is not breeding in Bermuda,” said Mr Thomas.

“However, the last time we found an example of it was in 1998 in Pembroke. We have not come across it since.

“The ovi-trap system lets us see what’s coming here, and how many eggs are growing in each particular area.”

In addition to the weekly checks, the team of 20 staff will “comb the whole island” once a year, said Mr Thomas.

They look for areas of potential problems, such as standing water and bro-meliad plants, which hold rainwater.

“These plants hold a lot of water in the stem and so mosquitoes breed inside them,” said Mr Thomas.

“We drill holes in the bot-tom of the plants so that if it rains, the water will then just then drain out.

“We also try to get the public to keep their proper-ties free of any outside con-tainers that may hold water, such as buckets, old tyres and plant pots.

“Even a discarded (card-board) chip bag will collect water and can then cause issues, so that’s another rea-son why people shouldn’t litter.”

He said: “A homeowner can take the following steps to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

“Dispose of outside plastic sheeting, containers, buck-ets and anything that holds water.

“Don’t let water accumu-late in your plant pots for more than two days.

“Clean rain gutters of debris and remove any standing water in and around flat roofs and fau-cets. Also check for any leaks.

“You should also change your bird bath, wading pool or ornamental pool water once a week, and drain pud-dles in swampy areas.

“Without water, mosqui-toes can’t survive.”

Mr Thomas said his team avoids using chemical sprays due to Bermuda’s system of harvesting rain-water from roofs and down into water tanks.

“We do have an insecti-cide we can use if there is an outbreak but I keep it in my ‘backpocket’ as a last resort,” he said.

“Bermuda is unique in our prevention methods; that’s why we don’t do too much spraying,” he said.

“We will only spray in certain areas, such as at a marsh, because of protect-ing local wildlife such as the tree frogs and to avoid chemicals from getting into people’s water tanks.

“We are very eco-con-scious and also have to avoid the possibility of any chemicals reaching the

n July / Fight the Bite — Mosquito Awareness Month

n mct graPhic by laurie mcadam

protection: Mosquitoes are not a big problem in Bermuda but space sprays and repellent will help to keep you bite-free.

See moSquItoeS, page 16



By tAwAnnA wedderBurnBermuda Health Council

Long-term care (LTC) refers to a variety of ser-vices which help to meet the medical and non-med-ical needs of people with a chronic disease or dis-ability, who cannot care for themselves for long periods of time.

In Bermuda, long-term care is primarily focused on seniors. According to the 2010 census, seniors repre-sent 14 per cent of the popu-lation, or 8,683 people.

Long-term care can be provided at home, within the hospital, in the commu-nity, or in assisted living or nursing care facilities.

Services range from skilled level nursing and medical care, to low-level intermittent care, where nursing and other care services are available for shorter periods.

Available services include residential and nursing care, respite, home care, day care, seniors clubs and centres, caregiver support groups, food and meal pro-grammes, transportation and personal care services.

Responsibility for these services and the delivery of care is shared by several Government departments, private agencies and chari-ties.

What services are available?Bermuda has 18 residen-

tial care homes that cater mainly to seniors, including the Continuing Care Units at KEMH (King Edward VII Memorial Hospital), Lefroy House Care Community, Sylvia Richardson Care Facility, Summerhaven and private care homes.

There are several group homes operated by the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute that provide long-term care for persons with cognitive disabilities.

Bermuda Housing Trust manages facilities such as Ferguson Park and Elizabeth Hills, which allow independent living with supportive services.

The Department of Health offers day, respite, residen-tial, nursing, recreational and environmental care and services through two multi-level care homes (Lefroy House and Sylvia Richardson).

If you are at home, the Department has community nurses and home resource aides who deliver personal and nursing care services.

There is also a comple-ment of allied health ser-vices such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

In addition, the Department’s care homes allow seniors living in the community and their care-givers to attend the recre-ational programmes.

The National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged (NOSPC) offers a case management and

referral service that assists seniors to identify the ser-vices they need.

Age Concern offers infor-mation and advice about long-term care resources that are available to fami-lies and their caregivers.

Hardship support is offered for groceries, elec-tricity, home repairs, pre-scriptions and food.

Private community homes offer respite care, day care, nursing care and residential care. They are categorized into rest, semi-nursing and skilled nursing homes.

Home care agencies pro-vide professional healthcare services, personal care services (eg. bathing and grooming) and homemaker services such as housekeep-ing and meal preparation.

A list of long-term care facilities and home care

agencies is available at our Healthcare Directory, at www.bhec.bm.

How do I access services?Physician referral is

required for access to some day care, residential and respite services.

Your physician will make a referral to the Geriatric Assessment Planning and Placement (GAPP) team.

The GAPP team serves as a single point of entry for care, and provides a com-prehensive assessment.

The assessment deter-mines the level and type of services required and identifies suitable provider options.

Assessments can occur in the patient’s home, hospital or any other setting the patient may be in.

The Department of Health offers a range of free servic-es that are also accessible via physician referral.

Patients may access pri-vate facilities and agencies directly for all other types of long-term care such as day care, respite, home care, and support groups.

Some agencies will require additional informa-tion from your physician to process the referral.

How do I pay for services?Many patients absorb the

costs of care themselves; some benefit from Financial Assistance, limited health insurance benefits that cover skilled professional care in the home.

The services offered by the Department of Health and the Bermuda Hospitals Board are paid for by the Government.

Day care, respite care and residential care for war veterans or their wid-ows may be covered by the Department of Social Insurance. n

TAwAnnA wEDDErBurn is the director of health regulations for the Bermuda Health Council. For more information contact 292-6420 or see www.bhec.bm

The what, where and how of long-term caren July / Seniors’ Month

n Photo suPPlied

support: A variety of care options is available for seniors.



What to do when a panic attack strikesBy dr ShAwnée BASden Bermuda Hospitals Board

We’ve all experienced it — a sudden feeling that your heart is pounding so much it might leap out of your chest, along with feel-ing hot, dizzy and nauseous.

You may write it off as being stressed, as something you ate, or feeling nervous about a presentation or social event, but when this happens more than once, you may worry that you are experiencing a heart attack or a nervous breakdown.

Many people will go to Accident and Emergency (A&E) when experiencing these symptoms.

Doctors will determine if you are having a heart attack. If this is ruled out, then they may conclude you have had a panic attack.

Panic attacks often occur in the context of anxiety disorders and may occur randomly, without an obvi-ous trigger.

In fact one out of 10 people will experience a panic attack in their lifetime. Panic attacks account for more emergency room vis-its than any other psychiat-ric illness. Despite this, few people will go on to develop an actual anxiety disorder.

When experiencing anxi-ety for the first time, it is important to assess if there may be any obvious causes, such as medications or a

medical condition. For instance, caffeine

found in tea or coffee, as well as some tobacco prod-ucts, can cause anxiety symptoms.

Additionally, some prescription and non-pre-scription drugs, including steroids, asthma medica-tions and some cough/cold remedies, can cause anxiety symptoms.

Anxiety may also be asso-ciated with medical condi-tions, such as having an overactive thyroid (hyper-thyroidism) or hormonal changes associated with the menopause.

PhobiasAs a result, it is always

important when you are experiencing anxiety to speak with your doctor about your concerns. A complete and full assess-ment will rule out any medi-cal or medication causes of anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are the most commonly-occurring psychiatric conditions, and include panic disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and specific pho-bias.

Panic disorder is char-acterized by having panic attacks that can be triggered by situations or sensations or that may occur out of the

blue. As a result of these attacks, an individual may learn to avoid certain situ-ations, such as crowds, to prevent an attack from occurring.

Specific phobias involve anxiety related to triggers, such as flying, spiders or enclosed spaces.

Social phobia is character-ized by feeling fearful and sometimes avoiding social situations.

Generalized anxiety dis-order is characterized by excessive worry and associ-ated agitation.

PTSD is less common and perhaps the most compli-cated. It is associated with the experience of a signifi-cant trauma such as war, rape, or any situation where one’s life feels threatened. In the past this was referred to as shell shock or battle fatigue.

Although anxiety disor-ders may look very different in their presentation, treat-ments for these conditions are typically the same.

Your doctor or psychia-trist may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication or a psychoactive drug such as valium.

However, it is important to only take these in the short-term as they can be very addictive and can worsen anxiety in the long-term.

The best medications for

anxiety are the same that a doctor would give for depression; a class of medi-cations called SSRI’s (selec-tive serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Prozac.

These are taken daily and after a two-week period, can lessen the experience of anxiety considerably.

Psychotherapies, espe-cially cognitive-behavioural therapy, have been shown to be the most effective long-term treatments for anxiety disorders.

This treatment often involves facing anxiety-provoking situations and altering thoughts that might act to increase feelings of anxiety.

It is important to note that not all anxiety is bad for us. We’ve all experienced anxi-ety, and in some ways it can help us to achieve more.

Anxiety can save you from a speeding car by help-ing you to get out of the way quicker, and it can help you at work by encouraging you to make the extra effort.

In the end, anxiety is a human experience. However, when it becomes persistent or starts to impact your life in a signifi-cant way, it is best to seek professional help. n

Dr SHAwnéE BASDEn is a clinical psychologist at Bermuda Hospitals Board.

n AnxIety dISorderS

Sugar is sweet but can ruin your healthSupplIed By the BermudA dIABeteS ASSocIAtIon

There are few things everyone agrees on, but a love of sugar is one of them.

However, when 25 per cent of your population may have diabetes, this sweet tooth is a big problem.

According to US medical expert Dr Robert Lustig, the amount of sugar hidden in

processed food and people’s everyday diets has increased significant-ly since the 1980’s and, in Bermuda, it’s causing a diabetes epidemic.

The Bermuda Diabetes Association wants to give you tools and informa-tion to prevent diabetes and to nurture

healthy lifestyle choices. Sugar may taste good but it offers no nutritional benefits. Unfortunately, diets that are high in sugar cause prob-lems in the liver because there is a limit to how much our bodies can pro-cess, like alcohol.

This liver disease causes

insulin resistance, a key factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes.

The addition of sugar to 80 per cent of our foods makes them taste sweeter.

Many foods that are labelled ‘low fat’ are much higher in sugar. Removing the fat reduces the flavour, so sugar is added to make

n food And dIet

See dIABeteS, page 15

Dr lustig


ARCHITECTURE • INTERIOR DESIGN • LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

obm international • T +1.441.278.3561 • [email protected] • obmi.com

How to help your children breathe easierBy mIchele SmIthOBMI Bermuda

The Oxford English Dictionary says asthma is “a disease of respiration, marked by intermittent par-oxysms of difficulty breath-ing with a wheezing sound, cough and expectoration”.

That sounds awful. I do wish they would mention that it is treatable and that no one need suffer with such awful symptoms.

One in five children in Bermuda have asthma – one of the highest rates of child-hood asthma in the world. In the US, one in 10 has the condition.

The first signs of asthma usually appear in child-hood, and about 45 per cent of all children will cough and wheeze and be pre-scribed an inhaler.

They do not all have

asthma but they do have asthma symptoms, because their air-ways are tiny.

How do we know which children will go on to have asthma? There is no simple test for children and that is why your doctor may keep say-ing, ‘Let’s wait and see.’

Children at riskThose more likely to

develop asthma are:n Children with a family

history of asthma and aller-gies.

n Children with other signs of sensitivity such as eczema.

n Children with food aller-gies.

n Children who cough and wheeze with colds and viruses, and also in between in response to cigarette smoke, pets, cold air, etc. (Known as multiple trigger wheeze).

n Children exposed to cigarette smoke especially before birth and in the first few months of life as their tiny airways develop.

The triggersThere are five groups of

triggers:n Allergens — including

mould, dust-mites, pet dan-der, pollen, etc.

n Irritants — household sprays, aerosols, cleaning products, fresh air sprays and plug-in air fresheners and perfume.

n Infection — colds and flu viruses.

n The weather.

n Emotions/stress.You can avoid some aller-

gens by stopping the use of perfume, household sprays and chemicals.

Keep seasonal allergens outside by having a ‘shoes-off’ policy to avoid tracking pollen into living spaces.

Making sure that your windows and doors are properly sealed will go a long way to keeping the out-side allergens outside.

Make sure any venting to outdoors from the kitchen, dryer or bathroom vents have a screening cover to keep pests like mice and cockroaches from coming in. Their droppings can cause breathing irritations.

Banish mould and mildewMost major mould prob-

lems start in the basement

See ASthmA, page 16

n ASthmA

sMitH


Why you need to take your daily vitamins

these foods more palatable. This completely deletes

the potential health ben-efits of reduced dietary fat. Because these foods taste sweet, we like them and buy more and eat more of them.

You don’t have to be obese to get diabetes. Obesity in Bermuda is similar to US levels, likely because of our food environment where everything is imported.

“In a Bermuda supermar-

ket it’s cheaper to buy a bag of chips than a mango,” notes Dr Lustig.

“This is exactly the pric-ing structure that foments diabetes.”

ExerciseType 2 diabetes is often

preventable, so aware-ness and education is key. Diabetes management for seniors can be challenging due to many issues.

A not insignificant factor is the cost of fresh foods compared with the pro-cessed varieties. Factoring

this cost into a budget which is already stretched due to the cost of medica-tions, health insurance, etc, can be a strain.

Taking a walk after meals may lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes in seniors by helping to reduce spikes in blood sugar that occur after eating.

A healthy diet and regular exercise not only helps to manage or prevent diabetes, but also helps to prevent common health problems associated with ageing.

“The best way to avoid

diabetes is to eat real food,” says Dr Lustig.

“What makes Bermuda unique is that most of the food is imported and highly-processed. Since Bermuda’s food goes through distribu-tors, unhealthy food is pro-moted because it’s cheaper and easier to sell.”

While everyone may love the taste of those sugary foods, it’s safe to say we’re all looking for a healthier and happier life. n

For MorE inForMATion visit www.diabetes.bm

diabEtEsContinued from page 13

By StephAnIe SImonSLindo’s Pharmacy

The human body needs to be replenished every day with a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Conveniently, these nutri-ents are found in the foods we eat. A diet that includes vegetables and fruit, whole grain, lower fat dairy prod-ucts, meat and alternatives will provide your body with all the vitamins and miner-als it needs.

The problem is that many of us still don’t eat enough nutrient-rich foods, and we may not even realize it.

By taking note of the vita-mins and nutrients your diet may be missing, you can adjust what you are eat-ing, or enhance your diet with vitamin supplements.

MultivitaminsTaking a daily multivi-

tamin is an easy way to be sure you are getting the vitamins and minerals you need. Many basic multivita-mins contain the 13 essen-tials: A, C, D, E, K, B1 (thia-mine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12, and folate and minerals such as iron.

Brands include One-A-Day Women’s and Men’s multivitamins, Centrum and Centrum Silver, Seven Seas Multibionta and Nature’s Bounty ABC Plus.

Calcium and vitamin DAlthough most people

drink lots of milk as chil-

dren, it’s a habit you may have grown out of as you became an adult.

As a result, many adults lack sufficient calcium in their diet. In fact, you may be losing calcium. This is because the body needs a certain blood calcium level to stay healthy.

When it drops below an acceptable level, the blood borrows it from the bones.

Calcium contributes to bone and teeth strength and density. It keeps you from developing bone problems like osteoporosis and osteo-penia.

Some of the vitamin D you need comes from the food you eat, but most of it is made by your body after exposure to sun.

Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and the two nutrients are often

combined into one supple-ment. Viactiv, Caltrate and Citracal are popular brands that offer both nutrients.

Fish oilYou may think that add-

ing fat to your diet is a weight loss disaster, but omega-3 fatty acids play a big part in keeping the body healthy.

They help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke as well as lowering blood pressure and choles-terol.

Good, natural sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are found in coldwater fish such as salmon, herring, macker-el, sturgeon and anchovies, as well as in flax, walnuts and pecans. You could also consider an Omega-3 supple-ment, such as fish oil or flaxseed oil.

ProbioticsFoods like yogurt and

fermented foods naturally contain bacteria called probiotics. These bacteria are similar to the friendly bacteria normally found in your digestive system.

Probiotics are also avail-able as dietary supplements and may be beneficial for people with irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhoea.

They are also useful to help restore the friendly bacteria in your digestive tract after a course of anti-biotics.

Dietary supplement safetyIn general, dietary supple-

ments are safe. However, multivitamins and other supplements will not replace an unhealthy diet.

Focus on eating healthy first. Also, ‘more is better’ does not apply to vitamins.

Taking more than the recommended amount is ineffective and can even be harmful.

Speak with your physi-cian or pharmacist to choose the right formula-tion of vitamins that will help you achieve the best health outcomes. Don’t for-get to tell them about all the supplements and medica-tions you take, to avoid any adverse reactions. n

STEPHAniE SiMonS is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. For more information visit Lindo’s at www.lindos.bm.

n Photo suPPlied

boost: Supplements can replenish your body with nutrients.


Players have a ball for charity

or crawlspace and are caused by excessive mois-ture that wicks its way up through the house, feeding mould and mildew along the way. So you will want to take steps to prevent damp areas.

Cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces regularly and using bath exhaust fans to remove the water vapour that can settle and create a breeding ground for mould and mildew will help.

Also, launder kitchen and bath linens frequently, and be attentive to plumbing leaks that can lead to hid-den mould issues.

Closet heaters will help keep leather shoes form growing mould as the humidity rises.

Cut out carpetFor allergy sufferers, car-

pet is just about the worst choice for floor covering.

Carpeting tends to trap and hold allergens of all kinds, and is especially wel-coming to dust mites.

Wherever possible, replace carpet with wood or tile and use washable throw rugs. By doing so, you will banish 90 per cent of dust mites from a space.

For children, keep the stuffed animals to a mini-mum or throw them in the freezer now and then to kill the mites and then wash them in cold water.

Clean the airThose soothing spring-

time breezes also carry allergens, so if you are lucky enough to have cen-

tral air conditioning, use it.Keeping windows closed

and attic fans off minimizes the amount of pollens that can float into your house.

You can also prevent the development of other indoor allergens like mould by keeping home humidity at about 55 per cent with the help of whole home dehu-midifiers and inexpensive at-home humidity monitors.

In Bermuda the cost of keeping air conditioning on all the time can be prohibi-tive so a good general clean of the house once a week and AC filter cleaning twice a year will keep your aller-gens down.

Choose dust-free décorJust like carpet, the pres-

ence of upholstered furnish-ings, fabric-heavy window treatments and ornate, dust-

grabbing accents can all contribute to your allergy misery.

Instead of filling your home with those materials, select washable slip-covers and pillow shams, clean-lined décor and a clutter-free design.

Consider using Sunbrella fabric or an equivalent fab-ric on upholstered furniture as an alternative.

While trying to eliminate dust and mould in Bermuda homes can seem practically impossible, paying attention to these tips for a cleaner home will be helpful in keeping your family breath-ing easy. n

MiCHELE SMiTH is the managing director and interior designer of OBM International/Bermuda. Contact 278-3550.

asthmaContinued from page 14

By AmAndA [email protected]

This year’s Coppertone Co-ed Beach Volleyball Tournament raised more than $3,000 for the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.

The annual event, orga-nized by Coppertone and the Bermuda Volleyball Association is now in its fifth year.

It is sponsored by the sun-screen brand to raise aware-ness of protecting your skin from the sun.

Up to 80 players took part, each paying $40 to register. This included lunch, bever-ages and giveaways.

Coppertone representa-tives Avarie Graham and Yannick Dill sprayed the players at Horseshoe Bay with sunscreen.

Jenika McKinnie, brand manager, health and beauty, for BGA distribu-tors, said: “The players look forward to this event every year. It’s a nice day out and is all for a good cause.

“Coppertone is a broad spectrum sun block that protects you from harmful UVA and UVB rays which can cause sunburn, skin ageing and cancer.” n

For ADviCE on skin protec-tion see www.coppertone.com

ocean. But the key to mos-quito control is to seek and destroy, using traps. We try to eradicate the mosquito at the larvae stage.”

The five species of mos-quito found in Bermuda are: The aedes aegypti; the aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian or tiger mosquito; the culex, or house mosqui-to — the most common vari-ety; the eastern salt marsh mosquito; and the black salt marsh mosquito.

Only a female mosquito will bite, as she needs blood to provide the nutrients for her eggs. Mosquitoes will target animals first, fol-lowed by humans, said Mr Thomas.

“There are 2,500 different species of mosquito around the world and in Bermuda we have five of them. You can tell which type they are from their bites.”

If you do get bitten, Mr Thomas recommends apply-ing baby oil or alcohol to the area to remove the itch.

“There are all sorts of different products you can apply,” he added.

Mosquito sprays and repellents are available at pharmacies, grocery and hardware stores across the island.

“You can use space sprays

to kill mosquitoes or repel-lents to prevent bites, and several products are effec-tive,” said Mr Thomas.

“All the insect repellents have to have an active ingredient, such as citronel-la oil, or you can try Avon (Skin-So-Soft) lotion.

“If anyone has a water fountain at home, I also have some Aquataine I can give you to help to kill off any mosquitoes.

“This is an oil-based prod-uct which spreads across the water, and it is safe for pets and children.” n

For MorE inForMATion contact Vector Control on 278-5397.

mosquitoEsContinued from page 9

‘... the key to mosquito control is to seek and destroy, using traps.’

armell thomasProgramme manager, Vector

Control/Port Healthn Photo suPPlied

cover up: Coppertone protects your skin from the sun.

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