-
Maintaining Your Oral Health
Did you know that your oral health can also have a significant impact on all other aspects of your health? For example, oral diseases don’t just stop at the mouth. There has been a growing body of evidence that has linked oral health problems to several types of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke – while in pregnant women, poor oral health has also been linked to premature births and low birth weights of newborns. Among the most common oral diseases linked to other health problems include: • Periodontal (gum) disease • Dental caries (cavities) • Cleft lip/palate • Oral/facial pain • Oral and pharyngeal (mouth and throat)…
-
Common Causes of Dry Mouth
Everyone experiences a dry mouth from time to time. You can develop a dry mouth due to a number of reasons – with two of the most common causes being stress and dehydration. Dry mouth happens when the salivary glands fail to make enough saliva. If you’re a smoker, abuse drugs and/or alcohol, or are undergoing cancer treatment (such as radiation and/or chemotherapy), it is not uncommon to develop dry mouth. Certain autoimmune disorders, like Sjogren’s syndrome, can also cause a dry mouth, as can certain medications. In fact, there are over 500 medications known to cause dry mouth, including but not limited to antihistamines, antidepressants, antiemetics, medications used to…
-
Why You Should Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods aren’t known for their health benefits. They contain little nutritional value, if any, and they are also high in additives and preservatives in order to improve appearance and prolong shelf-life. This is known as chemical processing. One thing processed foods are commonly known for is their sugar content, and as you know, when consumed in excess amounts, can do a number on your health. Sugar is not only bad for the waistline (with the potential to lead to obesity), but it also increases your risk of developing diabetes, and also increases your risk of developing cavities (tooth decay) and therefore requiring dental procedures such as fillings or root…
-
What Causes Acne?
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions affecting teenagers and young adults in Canada between the ages of 13 and 30. It occurs when the body produces an excess amount of an oily substance known as sebum, causing the hair follicles of the skin to become plugged. Once these follicles become plugged, bacteria then begins to thrive which results in inflammation and the formation of pimples – known as acne. Certain factors, as outlined below, can also contribute to acne. Hormones This is due to the increase in androgens that cause the sebaceous glands to become enlarged and produce too much sebum. Hormonal changes as a result of…
-
Heart Month
Heart Month, created by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, is a campaign that raises awareness on heart disease and promotes positive lifestyle changes to lessen the risk of patients developing heart disease or suffering from a stroke. At least 9 in 10 Canadians over the age of 20 have at least one risk factor for developing heart disease, and an estimated 600,000 Canadians are currently living with heart failure. While there is no cure for heart failure, there are many steps a person can take to manage the condition, and other changes one can make to avoid the development of heart failure later in life, as 8 in 10 cases…
-
Choosing the Best Yogurt for Your Health
Yogurt is something that can be incorporated into your diet in a variety of ways – whether you consume it plain, or add fruits, berries and nuts for an extra nutritional boost and flavour. However, there are also many different types of yogurts to choose from – and, depending on your health circumstances, certain yogurts may be better suited for you than others. PROBIOTIC Yogurts that contain probiotics are one of the most popular kinds of yogurts people buy; however, most store-bought yogurts already have probiotics in them. Just look for “live/active cultures” on the ingredients list to ensure that you are reaping the benefits from the yogurt you’re eating.…
-
Tips to Living a Happy, Healthy Life
We all want to live the happiest, healthiest life possible. As a physician, I encourage people to make healthy lifestyle choices; including healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and smoking cessation. By not eating healthy, not staying fit, and smoking, you are not taking care of your body – and in order to be happy, we also need to be healthy. When we think of the word “diet” we often correlate that to weight loss. However, weight loss and weight management are not the only benefits of healthy eating. While it is definitely part of it, the food you eat can also play a significant role in other aspects of…
-
What Causes Hair Loss?
When it comes to hair thinning and hair loss, it isn’t just a natural part of the aging process – it’s also a natural cycle of our hair growth, rest, shedding and replacement process. In fact, we can shed anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs in a single day. That being said, there are certain medical conditions that can also attribute to the loss of hair, including hormonal changes (i.e., pregnancy, childbirth and menopause), certain medical conditions (i.e. thyroid disease, alopecia areata, scalp infections, lichen planus, stress/anxiety, vitamin deficiencies, dandruff/eczema), and medications (such as those used to treat cancer, high blood pressure, heart problems, arthritis, and depression.) Hair loss can cause…
-
Health Benefits of Eating Breakfast
If you’re thinking about skipping breakfast this morning, you might want to reconsider! According to a study conducted by Mayo Clinic researchers, findings suggested that eating meals in the mornings may actually help keep you slimmer and promote weight loss, as those who ate breakfast compared to those who didn’t were less likely to gain weight and accumulate belly fat. The study, which analyzed the breakfast habits of approximately 350 individuals, found that those who ate breakfast on a regular basis gained an average of 3 pounds in a year, while those who only ate breakfast occasionally gained approximately 5 pounds, and those who skipped breakfast all together gained 8 to…
-
How Sitting Contributes to Back Pain
Whether you’re at work, at school, or live a sedentary lifestyle, research has shown that sitting for extended amounts of time has been linked to a number of health concerns, including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar levels. According to a series of studies, those who sat for longer than 8 hours per day without any kind of physical activity were at as high a risk of dying compared to those who died from obesity and smoking-related illness (such as lung cancer.) Data from that same study, however, also showed that getting as little as 60 minutes of moderate exercise per day actually countered the effects…