Health
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Physical and Mental Effects of Technology
On average, Canadians can spend upwards of 6 to 8 hours (sometimes longer) sitting in front of computer screens. Additionally, screen time usage can also increase with things like smartphones, tablets, televisions and other electronic devices. It is this overuse that can cause significant eye strain, as well as have other physical and mental tolls on our bodies. One of the most common complaints of sitting for long periods of time is lower back and neck pain. Sitting for a prolonged amount of time can cause the muscles to become strained and inflamed, and the spine may also become unaligned, resulting in pain. To prevent this, it’s important that you…
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How Stress Impacts the Skin
When you’re under a lot of stress, it can have a major impact on your health. Most notably, stress often causes an increase in anxiety. However, stress can also impact you and your health in ways you may not even realize. For example, it can contribute to fatigue, insomnia, body aches and pains (such as muscle and joint pain), headaches, upset stomach, chest pain, overeating lack of appetite, alcohol or drug abuse, and even a decreased sex drive. Stress can also contribute to some serious skin problems. When you’re stressed, there is a rise in cortisol, which is your body’s main stress hormone. If your cortisol levels are high, this…
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Digestive System Disorders
The digestive system is a collection of organs that work together in getting food in and out of your body. These organs include the mouth, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, liver, colon, rectum and anus. Symptoms associated with the digestive system include the occasional nausea, upset stomach and heartburn, to more severe, life-threatening disorders. Such disorders usually have unknown causes and are complex with subtle symptoms. While some may be generic, they may also develop due to a number of different factors including fatigue, stress, diet, smoking and alcohol abuse. Diagnostic testing, including laboratory tests, medical imaging and endoscopic procedures may be necessary to diagnose certain disorders.…
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Body Temperature
On average, the normal body temperature is typically around 37°C (98.6°F). However, this can slightly differ from person to person. The average body temperature can also vary depending on age. For example, the average body temperature in babies and children typically ranges from 36.6°C to 37.2°C. As you get older, the body’s ability to regulate temperature will change and you may have difficulty conserving heat, therefore your body temperature is likely to be lower. If you are over the age of 65, the average body temperature is usually below 36.2°C. Body temperature works through the widening or narrowing of blood vessels. When you’re too cold, your blood vessels narrow and…
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Relieving a Persistent Cough
A sore throat and cough are usually the first sign of a common cold. While a sore throat will usually taper off after a few days (it usually precedes other symptoms, such as a runny nose or nasal congestion, headache, fever and/or chills, and fatigue), the cough itself can persist. There are two types of coughs that are most common when you have a cold: A wet cough or a dry cough. When you have a wet cough, you often produce mucus. When the mucus is clear in colour, it’s not normally something to be alarmed about. However, if the mucus you’re bringing up as a result of coughing is…
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Celebrating the Season While Sustaining Your Health
With the arrival of December, it’s a pivotal time to prioritize our health. With the holiday season fast approaching, striking a balance between festive indulgences and maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes crucial. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed 5-point checklist to help you navigate the winter months with vitality and joy. Staying Flu-Free: A Proactive Approach The winter season coincides with a rise in flu cases, making it imperative to adopt preventive measures. Vaccination remains the most effective defense against influenza. The flu shot, widely available across Canada, is tailored annually to combat the most prevalent strains. Besides vaccination, simple yet effective hygiene practices can significantly reduce the risk of…
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Holiday Health Hazards
While this is the time of year for cheer and celebration, there are also certain things about the holidays that can pose serious risks to your health. As mentioned in a previous article, during the holidays we tend to overindulge – whether it’s on sweet treats or going for second or third servings of that ham or turkey dinner, the holiday season usually tends to be the most common time of year when people might pack on a few extra pounds. Hence, it’s also the most common time of year for people to make weight loss one of their New Year’s resolutions. While it’s okay to have the odd chocolate…
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Managing Holiday Stress and Depression
The first step to coping with holiday stress, anxiety, or depression is to acknowledge your feelings. It’s perfectly okay not to feel okay. Bottling up emotions can often intensify feelings of stress or sadness. If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one during the holidays, remember that it’s a natural response. Grief is personal, and you’re not alone—many others are navigating similar feelings. Recognizing and validating your emotions is a critical part of the healing process. Holidays often bring families together, which can sometimes lead to tension or conflict. If family dynamics are adding to your stress, try to minimize negative interactions. Save sensitive conversations for another time, and…
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Men’s Mental Health
There have been many discussions surrounding mental health, mental illness, and the need for increased awareness. However, as many as 40% of men will avoid discussions about their mental health. In Canada alone, 75% of all suicides are men. Globally, a man will die from suicide every minute. As for why men won’t talk about mental health, the reasons vary. Some want to try to deal with it on their own, they don’t want to be a burden on anyone else, while others say they’re simply too embarrassed and afraid to admit they need the help. In addition, there’s also the negative stigma that still surrounds mental illness to this…
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Preterm Birth: What to Know
An estimated 390,000 babies are born each year across Canada. While the average gestation period that is required in order for a baby to fully grow and develop is 40 weeks, there are cases where babies are born at less than 37 weeks. This is referred to as premature or preterm birth, which accounts for approximately 7.8% of births in the country. On a global scale, an estimated 15 million babies are born prematurely, with over a million of them not surviving. While there have been many strides made over the years in terms of survival rates in babies born under 37 weeks and with doctors being able to do…
