Health
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Early Psychosis and Schizophrenia Awareness
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition marked by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. One of the key phases in the onset of schizophrenia is the early psychosis stage, a critical period during which initial symptoms of the condition start to appear. Understanding both early psychosis and schizophrenia can shed light on the complex nature of these disorders and highlight the importance of early intervention. What is Early Psychosis? Early psychosis, also known as the prodromal phase, refers to the initial phase of illness before the disease fully manifests. This phase usually occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood, a developmental period when individuals are…
-
The Interplay between Speech and Hearing
The relationship between speech and hearing is an essential foundation for human communication. Our ability to understand each other, convey emotions, share ideas, and collaborate on endeavors all depend on this complex interplay. Disruptions in either of these processes can lead to various communication disorders. Let’s dive deep into how speech and hearing are connected and explore some common types of communication disorders. The Art of Communication The process of communication involves at least two parties: the speaker and the listener. As the speaker forms and expresses ideas, the listener perceives and interprets the speaker’s messages. Speech production is an intricate process involving the precise coordination of different parts of…
-
IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, is a group of chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The two primary types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. While both conditions involve chronic inflammation and share some common symptoms, they differ in the areas of the digestive system they affect and the nature of the inflammation. Understanding the fundamentals of IBD, its symptoms, who it affects, and how to manage it can help provide support for those living with this often debilitating condition. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly involves the small intestine and…
-
Living with MS
Multiple sclerosis, commonly known as MS, is a complex and chronic neurological disease that has an impact on the lives of millions of people worldwide. Characterised by a wide range of symptoms and varying degrees of severity, MS affects not only the individuals diagnosed with the condition but also their families and friends. Understanding the nature of the disease, the groups it affects, and how to manage it effectively can be an essential part of supporting those who live with MS daily. At its core, MS is an autoimmune disease that targets the central nervous system, comprising the brain and spinal cord. The immune system mistakenly attacks the protective layer…
-
Understanding and Managing Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue instead of foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. This immune response can cause inflammation, swelling, pain, and damage to various organs and tissues in the body. Although the exact cause of lupus is not yet fully understood, researchers believe that a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors may contribute to the development of the disease. There are four main types of lupus: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): This is the most common form of lupus, affecting multiple organs and systems in the body. Approximately 70% of all lupus cases are SLE. Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE):…