Health
-
International Overdose Awareness Day 2024
Every year on August 31, communities around the world come together to observe International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), the largest annual campaign dedicated to ending overdose, remembering those who have lost their lives to this epidemic without stigma, and acknowledging the profound grief experienced by the family and friends left behind. The theme for IOAD 2024, “Together we can,” underscores the tremendous power of community when everyone stands united in the face of this ongoing public health crisis. The opioid overdose epidemic has had a devastating impact in Canada, with a staggering 5,975 lives lost in 2023 alone. Tragically, around 30 percent of these deaths occurred among individuals aged 30…
-
Ear Infections
Ear infections are a type of bacterial infection that are most common in children, though they can also affect adults. There are two common types of ear infections, including otitis media (AOM) and otitis externa – also known as swimmer’s ear. It’s also possible to develop otitis media with effusion. Otitis Media When you develop an infection of the middle ear (located just behind the eardrum), this is known as otitis media. It is caused by fluid being trapped behind the eardrum, causing it to swell. Among the most common symptoms associated with otitis media include earache, feeling as though your ears are plugged/full, hearing difficulty, and you may also…
-
Kidney Disease
The number of Canadians living with kidney disease has been steadily increasing over the years. Currently, an estimated 1 in every 10 Canadians have kidney disease, while it affects as many as 850 million people worldwide. The kidneys are responsible for filtering excess water and waste from your blood and converting it to urine. They’re also responsible for balancing salt and minerals in your body, including calcium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, in addition to creating red blood cells, controlling blood pressure, and strengthening bones. However, when you have kidney disease, this means that your kidneys cannot properly filter blood in the way it should be. Over time, this can lead…
-
Preventing Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotics are used to treat different types of bacterial infections. If your doctor has prescribed you an antibiotic, then it’s important that you take it and follow the dosing instructions provided to you. If you fail to take the antibiotic, miss a dose, or do not take it exactly as directed, chances are your infection will remain, worsen, or require you to be on antibiotics for an extended period of time until you’re able to get rid of the infection. Common types of bacterial infections that antibiotics are used to treat include strep throat, ear infections, sinus infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin infections. They work by preventing bacteria…
-
Understanding Cholesterol: LDL vs. HDL
Cholesterol is made by your liver and is a type of fat that is found in your blood. We also get cholesterol from some of the foods we eat, such as high-fat foods, which can lead to health problems – something we’ll talk about more. As we age, it’s important to have your cholesterol levels checked regularly – though trying to interpret what your cholesterol numbers mean can sometimes be confusing, which is why it’s important to know about terms like LDL and HDL, as well as which foods are good and which are bad when it comes to ensuring your cholesterol levels are where they need to be at…
-
Melatonin
Made by the pea-sized pineal gland, melatonin is a type of natural hormone (often referred to as the “sleep hormone”) that helps regulate your circadian rhythm and tells your body when it’s time to go to sleep and when to wake up. While many people don’t have any issue getting to sleep at night, there are other individuals who might have a hard time falling or staying asleep, which is also commonly referred to as insomnia – and if you happen to be one of those people, then your body may need additional melatonin, which can be obtained through taking a melatonin supplement. Aside from treating insomnia, melatonin has also…
-
Recognizing the Need for Rest
As gruelling as the days and weeks can sometimes be, or as energetic as you might even feel, and even as dedicated as you are to working out, our bodies also need time to recuperate. That means setting aside time to allow yourself some rest and relaxation. When you don’t give the body enough rest, it will often give off tell-tale signs to let you know when it’s feeling worn out – from fatigue, to general aches and pains, and other symptoms. Getting regular physical activity is something I recommend, but it’s also possible to overexert yourself when doing so. One of the most common signs of overexertion is a…
-
Differentiating Type I and Type II Diabetes
There are approximately 11 million Canadians currently living with diabetes, and someone new is diagnosed every 3 minutes. As many as 6 million Canadians have yet to be diagnosed with this chronic disease or are living with what’s known as “prediabetes.” During the prediabetes phase, your blood sugar reaches higher than normal levels but not quite high enough to be considered diabetic. However, research has also shown that certain complications linked to diabetes, such as heart disease, can happen as early as the prediabetic phase, therefore it’s important to have regular checkups with your physician and take any precautions that they recommend, such as changing your diet, checking your blood…
-
Medication Safety
The importance of understanding and adhering to medication safety protocols cannot be overstated, regardless of whether you take regular prescription medications or only need the occasional over-the-counter drug. These safety measures are fundamental yet vital, for the more informed you are about each medication you take, the better equipped you will be to manage your health effectively. Although most prescribed medications come with a detailed patient information sheet, it is not uncommon to have lingering questions about their proper usage. You might wonder about the correct way to take the medication, how frequently it should be administered, or if there are any unusual side effects you need to monitor. While…
-
Signs of Dehydration
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, leading to an insufficient amount of water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. This seemingly simple imbalance can have far-reaching consequences on our health and well-being, affecting everything from our physical performance to our cognitive abilities. While often overlooked in our busy day-to-day lives, maintaining proper hydration is crucial for optimal bodily function and overall health. Recognizing the signs of dehydration early on can be the key to preventing more serious health complications and ensuring that our bodies operate at their best. Water is essential for life, making up about 60%…
