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Cataracts
The human eye, a highly intricate and delicate organ, plays a crucial role in our everyday experiences. It enables us to connect with our surroundings and perceive the world in the most vivid and colourful way possible. However, like any other part of the human body, it is susceptible to various ailments. One of these is cataracts, a prevalent eye condition that affects millions worldwide. A cataract is an ocular condition that clouds the lens of the eye, which can lead to a decrease in vision. This happens because the proteins in the eye’s lens start to clump together, distorting the light that hits the retina and leads to impaired…
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Navigating Prostate Cancer Conversations
Prostate cancer is a significant health issue affecting men worldwide. In Canada, it represents one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in men. However, despite its prevalence, discussing prostate cancer can prove to be a difficult subject for many men due to a combination of cultural, societal, and psychological factors. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, approximately one in eight men is expected to develop prostate cancer during his lifetime. By the end of 2023, an estimated 24,700 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 4,700 will die from it. This makes it the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Canadian men and the third-leading cause of…
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Canadian Men’s Health Month
June marks Canadian Men’s Health Month, a dedicated period to spread awareness about the health issues commonly faced by men and to encourage proactive measures towards preventive care and early detection. This month-long initiative seeks to motivate men to live healthier lives, take care of their mental health, get regular check-ups, and understand their risk factors for various diseases. Health Issues Men Face Cardiovascular Disease: In Canada, cardiovascular disease is one of the most prominent health issues men face. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, men are more likely than women to suffer from heart disease, including heart attacks. Regular exercise, healthy eating, avoiding smoking, and managing stress are…
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A Practical Guide to Quitting Smoking
Smoking is a notoriously difficult habit to break, with both physical and psychological hurdles to overcome. However, with the right plan and resources, you can quit smoking and begin a healthier chapter in your life. This article provides an in-depth guide on how to quit smoking, including strategies, helpful tips, and resources. Understand Why You Want to Quit The first step in quitting smoking is understanding why you want to quit. For some, the motivation may come from health concerns like lung cancer, heart disease, or stroke. Others might be influenced by their desire to protect their family from secondhand smoke, or maybe they simply don’t want their clothes and…
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Choosing the Right SPF
The importance of protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays cannot be overstated. These rays are a major cause of skin cancer, including melanoma, and they also accelerate skin aging, leading to premature wrinkles, sunspots, and loss of elasticity. One crucial measure you can take to guard your skin is by using sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor, or SPF. This rating indicates how well a sunscreen can shield your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays. While it’s essential to wear sunscreen, the SPF value you need isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. It varies based on several factors such as skin type, geographic location, and the…
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Human Metapneumovirus
According to the US CDC, cases of human metapneumovirus – also known as hMPV – spiked this spring. In comparison to pre-pandemic figures, nearly 11% of tested specimens were positive for hMPV at its peak in mid-March – a number that is about 36% higher than the average pre-pandemic seasonal peak of 7% test positivity. This surge in cases has health professionals and researchers on keeping a close eye on the virus through continued surveillance and concerted research into this widespread respiratory pathogen. What is hMPV? First identified in the Netherlands in 2001, hMPV has since been recognized as a common and significant cause of respiratory illness. Belonging to the…
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Causes of Insomnia and Strategies for Better Sleep
When the quiet hush of the night falls and most of us embrace the soothing respite of sleep, there are countless others who lay awake, restless, unable to succumb to slumber. These people struggle with insomnia, a sleep disorder that creates substantial difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Insomnia has a profound impact on daily life and overall well-being, and understanding its causes is the first step towards managing it. At its core, insomnia often arises as a symptom of another issue. Stress and anxiety frequently play a significant role, with worrisome thoughts about work, school, health, finances, or family life keeping the mind active when it should…
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Common Health Ailments in the Summer
Now is a good time to remind everyone that the summer season comes with its unique set of health concerns. In this article, we will delve into several common summer health ailments, exploring their causes, effects, and prevention measures. Heat-related illnesses stand at the forefront of summer health issues, with dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke being the most common. Dehydration is often the precursor to these other two conditions, as it arises when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. This may happen due to increased sweating from the heat, insufficient water intake, or engaging in strenuous physical activities. Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, fatigue, and…
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Why Quitting Smoking Is Crucial For Your Health
Every year, millions of Canadians make resolutions to quit smoking, one of the most dangerous habits affecting our health. Smoking is responsible for a significant proportion of preventable diseases and premature deaths in the country. Despite the well-established risks associated with smoking, many people find it extremely challenging to quit. The Impact of Smoking on Health Smoking is a leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in Canada and globally. Smoking-related illnesses account for nearly one-third of all deaths in the country, and that’s not considering the impact on quality of life for those living with smoking-related diseases. Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are harmful…
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Cool Summer Eats: Oven-Free Healthy Foods
As the temperatures rise, it’s time to rethink our approach to cooking and embrace lighter, refreshing foods that keep us cool and nourished during the warmer spring and summer months. To avoid heating up our kitchens, we can explore alternative cooking methods and focus on seasonal ingredients that provide optimal nutrition while helping us beat the summer heat. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of healthy summer foods and share tips on how to avoid using your oven to stay cool and refreshed. Emphasize Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Summer is the season for an abundance of fresh, vibrant produce. Fill your plate with a colorful assortment of fruits and…