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The Opioid Crisis in Vancouver
In 2016, there were 922 overdose deaths in British Columbia. In Vancouver, 15 people died from opioid-related overdoses in just one week alone, and the number of opioid deaths in the Province is expected to reach as high as 1,400 by the end of 2017, making it a public health emergency. As a result of the increased number of opioid-related deaths across the Province, new guidelines based on one similar to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were established for physicians and the prescribing of opioids and other highly addictive drugs, making British Columbia the first in Canada to be bound, legally, by such guidelines. Medications such as…
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Discover Vancouver’s Top Spots for Fitness
As a family physician in British Columbia, I not only evaluate and treat patients with everyday common health issues, but also counsel patients on the importance of physical activity, putting an emphasis on the important role it plays in attaining optimal health. The city of Vancouver is known as being one of the most illustrious outdoor regions in Canada, with plenty of easy access and available transportation to several parks, beaches and hiking spots around the Lower Mainland, including but not limited to Stanley Park, False Creek, English Bay, and the Grouse Grind – also commonly referred to as the “Stairmaster of Mother Nature” – a physically challenging 2.9 kilometre…
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Understanding Inflammation
When Canadians think of inflammation, we often think of it as damage to the body that causes pain and swelling, and even infection. While this is true to a certain extent, inflammation is actually the body’s natural response to something it perceives to be harmful. So while infection is oftentimes easily associated with inflammation, inflammation does not necessarily mean an infection is present. Inflammation occurs by releasing chemicals from the white blood cells, which assists in protecting the body from and removing any damaged pathogens, cells or other irritants. A bacterium, fungus or virus causes infection, and inflammation is simply the body’s response to it. When inflammation is present, this…
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Hepatitis B (HBV)
Hepatitis B Virus, also known as HBV, is a potentially life-threatening liver disease that can be either acute or chronic. More infectious than HIV, Hepatitis B is contracted through contact with bodily fluids or blood of a person already infected with the disease. While less than 2% of the Canadian population is infected with HBV, it affects an estimated 1.2 million individuals in the United States and over 300 million individuals worldwide, resulting in the deaths of over 600,000 patients each year due to complications from the disease including cirrhosis – a condition that results in scarring of the liver usually as a result of exorbitant alcohol consumption, viral Hepatitis B…
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Struggling With Mental Health and Addiction in Canada
In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians will experience mental health or addiction problems. While women tend to have an increased rate of mood and anxiety disorders, men tend to have higher addiction rates. However, it is not unusual for mental health and addiction problems to co-occur. Patients who are already suffering from a mental illness are 2x more likely to develop substance abuse problems in comparison to otherwise healthy individuals, while patients already dealing with substance abuse problems are 3x more likely to develop a mental illness. Mental health and addiction problems can cut up to 20 years from ones’ life expectancy, and is a leading cause of…
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Caring for Geriatric Patients in Canada
As of 2014, nearly 16 percent (just over 6 million) of Canadians were made up of geriatric patients aged 65 or older. By 2030, that number is expected to rise by 7 percent to 9.5 million seniors, making them an expeditiously expanding part of Canada’s population. The average life expectancy of elderly patients is 84.2 (women) and 80 (men.) By 2036, the average life expectancy is anticipated to rise to 86.2 (women) and 82.9 (men) due to the fact that seniors are seemingly living healthier, longer lives than ever before. While the Canadian government works to provide a number of different programs and initiatives for elderly patients and their families,…
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Understanding Anxiety
Whether it’s starting a new job, taking care of family matters, or speaking in front of large groups, we all experience anxiety from time to time; and while this kind of anxiety generally does not affect one’s ability to get through their everyday lives, it can be quite debilitating for other individuals and put them at risk of developing further mental illness. Below is a look at some of the common disorders that are associated with anxiety. Phobias The strong, relentless and troublesome feeling of fear around any given situation, person, object or animal. People who suffer from phobias will go out of their way to avoid potential triggers, lessening…
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South Beach Diet
Since 2014, a self-reported 14 million Canadians were estimated to have considered themselves overweight or obese according to a study done by Statistics Canada. This is a rate that continues to rise steadily in Canada predominantly as a result of an increase in overly processed foods, excess calories, and lack of nutrients in diets, in addition to inadequate exercise regimens. For many individuals, weight-loss can be quite a challenge and a true test of self-discipline; and while it can oftentimes be discouraging when weight-loss goals are not met, causing one to fall back into old eating habits, maintaining a healthy weight is vital to your overall health and well-being. Low-carb…
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How Exercise Benefits Your Health
With people in Canada looking for ways to live longer and have more energy, regular exercise is the key to optimal health. Not only does it keep you fit, but it has also been shown to warn off depression, strengthen bones, and improve digestion. People who exercise regularly also have a lower risk of mental decline, Alzheimer’s and mental illness. In addition to treating patients with maladies such as the flu or common cold, Dr. Ali Ghahary, an accomplished family physician at Brentwood Medical Clinic in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, also helps to manage his patients’ health by suggesting various lifestyle changes, including exercise. Just 1.5 hours of exercise per…