Health
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Summer Hydration
With the arrival of the summer comes the rising temperatures, extended daylight hours, and increased outdoor activities. Among the many health concerns that can arise during the summer, dehydration tops the list. As the mercury soars, it becomes increasingly important to focus on hydration, as a well-hydrated body is crucial for maintaining optimal health and overall wellbeing. Understanding Dehydration Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in. Water is essential for maintaining various body functions, including regulating body temperature, ensuring the proper circulation of blood, removing waste, and aiding in digestion. During the summer months, the body tends to lose more water due to increased sweating…
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Summer Water Safety
During the summer months, the allure of water-based activities becomes irresistibly captivating, drawing individuals and families alike to the myriad lakes, rivers, pools, and coastal areas. The significance of water safety cannot be overstated, especially given the inherent risks associated with swimming, boating, and other aquatic pursuits. Ensuring a safe and enjoyable summer necessitates a thorough understanding of water safety practices, vigilance in implementing precautionary measures, and a collective commitment to fostering a culture of safety and awareness within our communities. The Importance of Water Safety Education Water safety education serves as the foundational pillar upon which safe aquatic practices are built. By instilling a comprehensive understanding of potential hazards,…
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Healthy Summer Grilling Guide
Welcome to the much-anticipated summer BBQ season, a time of year that brings about a sense of excitement and joy as the days get longer, the weather becomes warmer, and the grills are fired up, creating an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie among friends and family. This season is synonymous with outdoor gatherings where the delicious aroma of grilled food fills the air, enticing everyone to indulge in a feast. However, it’s no secret that BBQs are often associated with heavy, calorie-laden dishes that can leave you feeling sluggish and guilty. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be the case. With some mindful choices, a bit of…
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Home Health and Safety
Your home can be a place of comfort, but it can also be a place of things such as stress, indoor air pollution, germs, and other health hazards. In this article, you’ll find information on how to give your house the healthiest makeover possible, and how making just a few simple changes can benefit you and your family’s overall health and wellness in the long-run. The Kitchen There are many different hazards in the kitchen that we don’t often think about. Everything from how to handle and cook our food, to cleaning the dishes. When it comes to cooking things such as meat and poultry, we need to be extra…
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Joint Health: Common Disorders and Prevention
The joints are what form the connections between your bones and provide your body with support as well as help you move. When your joints become damaged, that movement is interfered and can result in pain. As for what causes damage to the joints, there are a number of reasons – though the most common include disease or injury. Below we take a look at a few of the specific joint-related diseases and injuries in depth, and what you can do to prevent them or find relief. Osteoarthritis OA is one of the most common disorders of the joints that people are diagnosed with. It occurs when the cartilage between…
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Stress and its Impact on Our Skin
If you’ve noticed recent acne breakouts or other abnormalities with the skin on your face (such as increased redness, psoriasis or eczema) that you don’t normally experience, there is a strong possibility that those breakouts could actually be caused by stress. This is because when you are stressed, two specific hormones known as cortisol and adrenaline increase, causing inflammation as well as contributing to the aggravation of many of the aforementioned skin conditions – in addition to decreased elasticity of the skin and an increase in lines and wrinkles. In general, stress can wreak havoc on the body, but there are certain things you can do to find relief and…
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Anxiety Disorders in Canada
In 2022, data revealed that over 5 million Canadians aged 18 or older met the diagnostic criteria for a mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder, a staggering number that highlights the pressing mental health challenges facing the nation. This statistic underscores the pervasive nature of mental health disorders in Canada and the urgent need for comprehensive understanding, effective treatment, and robust support systems to address these issues. The prevalence of these disorders can be attributed to a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and societal factors, each contributing to the overall mental health landscape in Canada. It is essential to delve deeper into the most common forms of anxiety disorders, their…
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Choosing the Right Footwear
With summer just a couple of weeks away, Vancouver residents are starting to spend more and more time outdoors – especially when it pertains to their physical activity. Regardless of what it is you’re doing to stay fit (whether it’s running, jogging, walking, or partaking in outdoor sports), it’s important to ensure that you have good footwear…because what’s on your feet plays a much bigger role in your health than you might realize. Aside from the obvious (sore feet and blisters), lack of good footwear can also lead to problems with posture and your back. When it comes to choosing the right shoes (especially running shoes), there are some common…
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Eye Exams Key to Early Cataract Detection
Cataracts, a condition characterized by the clouding of the lens in the eye, affects more than 2.5 million Canadians. This number is projected to rise to an estimated 5 million by the year 2031. Cataracts are currently the second leading cause of blindness in Canada, surpassed only by age-related macular degeneration. Cataract development is generally a slow and progressive process, often leading to a gradual and painless decrease in vision. This slow progression can make it difficult for individuals to notice changes in their vision immediately, which underscores the necessity of regular eye check-ups to detect and treat cataracts at an early stage. One of the most common initial symptoms…
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Brain Injuries in Canada
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents one of the most significant public health concerns in Canada. By 2031, TBI is expected to be among the most prevalent neurological conditions affecting Canadians, alongside Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias, and epilepsy. The impact of TBI on individuals and society is profound, given its role as a leading cause of disability both globally and domestically. In Canada, approximately 2% of the population lives with a TBI, leading to about 18,000 hospitalizations annually. One-third of these individuals are women, with a notable prevalence of TBI during the early reproductive years (15-24 years), primarily due to intimate partner violence and accidents. Women with TBI are also more…