Ridgeview & Spring Creek Integrated Health

08/01/2025

07/05/2025

💙 Let’s Talk About Colon Cancer Screening

This might not be the easiest topic to bring up... but it’s one of the most important. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in Alberta — but it’s also one of the most preventable.

The truth is, many people don’t have any symptoms until it’s more serious. That’s why regular screening is so important, even if you feel totally fine.

👉 If you’re between 50 and 74, it’s recommended you get screened every 1–2 years.
The good news? Screening is simple — it’s called the FIT test, and you do it right at home.

🧪 It’s just a small stool sample you collect with a little brush, put in the provided tube, and drop off at the lab. That’s it.

This small test could save your life. And if you’re not sure how to get started, reach out — or visit us at Ridgeview or Spring Creek Integrated Health. We’re here to help!

Please don’t wait for symptoms. Early detection makes all the difference. 💛

📍 Learn more: screeningforlife.ca/colorectal/get-screened

07/01/2025

Happy Canada Day from our team at Ridgeview & Spring Creek Integrated Health! 🍁

06/28/2025

☀️ SUN SAFETY REMINDER – Especially for Us Albertans! ☀️

It’s no secret that we get a lot of sunshine here in Alberta — over 300 sunny days a year! That’s amazing… but it also means our skin is exposed to a lot of UV rays — even on windy, cold, or cloudy days.

Here’s what we try to do to stay sun safe (and maybe it’ll help you too!):

✅ Wear SPF 50+ every day — yes, even in the winter!
✅ Take extra precautions in the mountains — UV is stronger at higher altitudes
✅ Hats, sunglasses, and long sleeves are your best hiking buddies
✅ Try to find shade between 10AM and 4PM
✅ Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours (especially after swimming or sweating)
✅ Don’t forget spots like your ears, scalp, neck, lips, and feet!
✅ Snow, sand, and water reflect UV rays — you can get burned even in the shade

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancer in Alberta, but it’s also preventable. So let’s take care of our skin — every day.

📚 More info here:
myhealth.alberta.ca
UV Index - canada.ca

06/24/2025

STI Prevention & What Happens If You Test Positive

How to reduce your risk:
🛑 Use condoms
💬 Communicate with your partner(s)
📅 Get tested regularly
💉 Consider HPV and Hep B vaccines
🧼 Clean shared items like s*x toys

If you test positive — you are not alone.
✔️ We provide treatment (many STIs are curable!)
✔️ Support & education
✔️ Test of cure & follow-up care
✔️ 100% confidentiality

📍 Visit Ridgeview Medical Clinic or Spring Creek Integrated Health — inclusive, respectful care for all genders and orientations.
📍 Sexual health clinics every Tuesday and Friday during walk-in clinic hours, at our Ridgeview Integrated Health location.

You deserve care that supports your whole self. 💙

06/21/2025

💛 This Could Save a Life — Maybe Even Someone You Know 💉

I know this isn’t always an easy topic to talk about, but it’s an important one: Naloxone (also known as Narcan) is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose in minutes. You don’t need to be a doctor or nurse — anyone can use it.

You might be thinking, “I don’t need one of those.” But here’s the thing:

➡️ Opioid overdoses can happen quickly and silently
➡️ They often happen around friends, family, or coworkers
➡️ Naloxone restores breathing and gives time for emergency help to arrive

Having a kit doesn’t mean you expect the worst — it means you care enough to be prepared.

Who should consider carrying one?
✔️ People who use opioids (prescribed or not)
✔️ Friends & family of those at risk
✔️ First responders, outreach workers, and everyday community members
✔️ Anyone who just wants to be ready to help in a crisis

You can pick up a kit at most pharmacies. Let’s look out for each other. 💛

06/15/2025

Happy Father's Day from our team at Ridgeview & Spring Creek Integrated Health! 💙

06/14/2025

Feeling Anxious? 😰

We all have moments where anxiety creeps in — sometimes out of nowhere. When that happens, grounding exercises can be a total game-changer. 🧘‍♀️

Here are a few that work well for many people.

1️⃣ 5-4-3-2-1 Method

Notice:
5 things you can see
4 things you can feel
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste

2️⃣ Deep Breathing:
Inhale 4 sec → Hold 4 sec → Exhale 4 sec → Hold 4 sec → Repeat.

3️⃣ Body Scan
Start at your toes and slowly relax each body part. It helps bring you back to your body and calm your mind.

4️⃣ Hold Something Cold or Textured
Try an ice cube or textured object — it really helps anchor you to the present.

5️⃣ Name Categories
Pick a category (like animals or cities) and name as many as you can. It distracts and redirects your thoughts.

These may seem simple, but they really help bring your brain out of panic mode.

You’re not alone. 💛