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Halloween Health & Safety
Halloween is a time filled with excitement, creativity, and the thrill of spooky festivities. However, it’s essential to balance the fun with a strong focus on health and safety, especially when it comes to children and families. As trick-or-treaters gear up with costumes and treat bags, parents and caregivers must consider both physical safety and general well-being to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone. This comprehensive guide provides health and safety tips that range from safe costumes and candy considerations to navigating neighbourhoods and managing sugar consumption. First and foremost, costume safety plays a critical role in keeping children safe on Halloween night. Costumes should fit well to prevent tripping…
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Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a common learning disorder that affects the brain’s ability to process language and reading. It is estimated that between 10-20% of the population may have some form of dyslexia, making it one of the most widespread learning disabilities worldwide, including in Canada. Despite its prevalence, dyslexia is often misunderstood. It is a lifelong condition that does not indicate a lack of intelligence or effort but rather results from differences in how the brain handles language-based tasks. Dyslexia is believed to be linked to genetic factors that affect how the brain processes reading and language. It tends to run in families, suggesting a hereditary component that can be passed…
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ADHD
ADHD, also more commonly known as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders affecting children in Canada today. It is characterized by a wide variety of behavioural problems, including impulsiveness, inattention, and in some cases, even hyperactivity. It can also occur in conjecture with other health problems such as dyslexia, insomnia, and issues with anger management. There are three main behavioural changes that parents of young children should watch for. Those are restlessness, distractibility, and as mentioned previously, impulsivity. Children with ADHD are often easily distracted by things they hear, see or think, fidget and cannot sit still for long periods of time, and also tend to…
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What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Fatigue is something that all of us experience – particularly when we lead busy lives and have multiple things to juggle such as work, school, family, and other commitments. As a result, it’s not uncommon to have poor sleep quality – with 1 in 2 Canadian adults reporting they have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep, 1 in 3 having difficulty staying awake, and 1 in 5 finding they don’t feel refreshed after sleeping. Fatigue and poor sleep can also be precipitated several other health-related factors, including poor mental health and chronic stress or anxiety, anemia, inflammation, concussions, thyroid disease, and kidney disease…just to name a few. Certain medications…
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COVID-19: Four Years of Learning in Canada
Since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in Canada on January 25, 2020, our understanding of the virus, its transmission, prevention, and treatment has evolved significantly, shaped by extensive scientific research, public health efforts, and real-world experience. Initially, COVID-19 was perceived primarily as a respiratory illness with symptoms resembling those of the common cold or flu, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. However, as time went on and more cases were documented, it became clear that the disease was not limited to the respiratory system but could affect various parts of the body, including the cardiovascular system, kidneys, liver, and even the brain. This broader understanding…
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Abscessed Tooth: Stages and Treatment
An abscessed tooth is a dental condition that occurs when a pocket of pus forms due to a bacterial infection. This infection can develop in different areas of the tooth, leading to pain, swelling, and potentially serious complications if left untreated. Understanding the stages of an abscessed tooth can help individuals recognize the signs early and seek timely dental care, potentially preventing the issue from worsening. In this article, we will explore the progression of an abscessed tooth, from initial infection to potential complications, and discuss the possible treatments that may be required to restore oral health. In the initial stage, an abscessed tooth often begins as a mild infection.…
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Reducing Stress for a Stronger Heart
As many as 75% of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 report that they are living with some level of stress in their lives, therefore making it one of the biggest threats to our health and wellbeing. Stress can not only lead to further problems with mental health, such as depression and anxiety, but it can also have an impact on personal relationships as well as productivity at work or in school. Research has also shown that excessive or chronic stress can be just as bad for your heart health as having an unhealthy diet and being physically inactive. For example, this research showed that there was an…
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Breast Cancer Awareness
In Canada, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. It is estimated that as many as 28,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Fortunately, due to advancements in research that have helped to improve things like early detection and diagnosis, the current 5-year survival rate of breast cancer is 87% — and the death rate has dropped by 44% since the 1980s. However, because breast cancer continues to be one of the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death among Canadian women, there’s still a lot more that can be done when it comes to raising awareness. It’s…
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Children’s Vision
Children’s vision develops and functions quite differently from that of adults, and understanding these differences is crucial for ensuring their long-term eye health. Unlike adults, whose visual systems have fully matured, children’s eyes are in a constant state of growth and development. This ongoing development of vision in childhood makes regular eye exams incredibly important, as any issues that arise during these formative years can have a lasting impact on their ability to see clearly and function effectively in both educational and social settings. Vision is a critical component of learning, and any undiagnosed or untreated vision problems can lead to difficulties in school, delayed developmental milestones, and even potential…
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Arthritis: Types, Symptoms, and Management
Arthritis is a medical term that represents a broad category of joint disorders. It involves inflammation of one or more joints, leading to pain and limited mobility. However, there is much more to arthritis than its common perception. In this article, we’ll explore the various types of arthritis, who can be affected, its symptoms, treatment options, and some important tips for managing this condition. What is Arthritis? Arthritis is a term that encompasses over 100 distinct types of joint disorders, each of which can affect individuals differently. The primary feature of arthritis is inflammation in the joints, which can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced joint mobility. While it is…
