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Understanding Arthritis
Arthritis is a well-known 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…
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Back-to-School Health and Safety Tips
As parents across British Columbia prepare to send their kids back to school, the return to the classroom can be a mix of emotions – from excitement to see friends again to anxiety over new teachers and the potential spread of germs. While we continue to grapple with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, the importance of keeping kids healthy and safe is paramount. Below are some comprehensive health tips for kids and parents to ensure a smooth and healthy return to school. 1. Adhering to Peanut Allergy Policies Food allergies, especially peanut allergies, can be life-threatening. Many schools in British Columbia have peanut-free policies, and it is important to adhere…
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Benefits of Stretching and Flexibility Exercises
Regular physical exercise is essential for maintaining optimal health and well-being. While many people focus on cardiovascular activities and strength training, the importance of incorporating regular stretching and flexibility exercises into one’s fitness routine should not be overlooked. Stretching helps improve flexibility, joint mobility, and muscle elasticity. In this article, we will explore the numerous benefits of regular stretching and flexibility exercises and how they contribute to overall health. Enhanced Range of Motion Regular stretching and flexibility exercises can significantly improve your range of motion. By increasing the flexibility of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, you can move more freely and comfortably. This increased range of motion promotes better posture, reduces…
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How Sugar Impairs the Immune System
Sugar, despite its sweet and irresistible allure, harbors potential threats to our health. While it’s well known that excessive sugar consumption contributes to obesity and diabetes, an aspect of high sugar intake often overlooked is its detrimental impact on the immune system. This article will delve into how high sugar consumption impairs our immune system, making us more susceptible to diseases. Understanding The Immune System The immune system is our body’s complex defense mechanism against harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses, and other pathogenic organisms. It involves various types of cells and proteins that work synergistically to neutralize and eliminate these harmful substances. Thus, anything that weakens this defense network can…
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Understanding Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects approximately 1 in 100 people worldwide. It is a serious condition in which the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, leads to damage in the small intestine. This damage results in an inability to absorb essential nutrients, causing a wide range of health problems. In this comprehensive article, we will discuss what celiac disease is, its symptoms, and provide a list of foods to avoid and reasons why. What is Celiac Disease? Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. When a person with celiac disease ingests gluten, their immune system mistakenly attacks…
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Controlling the Obesity Epidemic
Obesity is considered to be one of the most common progressive and chronic diseases by various organizations, including the World Health Organization and both the Canadian and American Medical Associations. However, it is also unfortunately one of the most neglected diseases today, therefore making it a global epidemic. Characterized by excessive accumulation of fat, as many as 3 in 5 Canadians say they identify as being either overweight or obese. Obesity can have a wide range of negative effects on your health, including increasing your risk of heart disease or stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer – and it has been directly attributed to the…
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Skin and Stress
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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What are Affective Disorders?
Affective disorders consist of a set of different mood disorders. The main types include anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe (becoming potentially disruptive to your everyday life), and they will affect as many as 1 in 10 Canadians in a given year. Anxiety Disorder More than 25% of Canadians will have at least one anxiety disorder in their lifetime. There are several different classifications of anxiety disorders, which can include social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (more commonly known as PTSD.) The symptoms associated with each of these anxiety disorders can include things like…
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The Symptoms of Depression
As many as 1 in 4 Canadians will develop a form of depression in their lifetime and ultimately require treatment. Depression is one of the most common types of mental health disorders, affecting more than 300 million people globally. Common types of depression include major depression, persistent depressive disorder, manic depression (also known as bipolar disorder), seasonal affective disorder, psychotic depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, as well as postpartum depression. It’s also possible for an individual to develop atypical depression and situational depression, though this isn’t a term that is commonly used in psychiatry. Someone with depression will often feel a combination of emotional and physical symptoms. Emotional symptoms typically include…
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How to Have a Healthy Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a time to reflect and celebrate everything our mom’s have done. Whether it’s with flowers, cards, or a large family gathering. Mothers spend much of their time caring for others, so it’s also a good idea to remind them to take care of themselves. Below are just a few tips from Dr. Ali Ghahary to help your mom live her best life ever. Eat Healthy! Mothers often tell their kids to eat their fruits and vegetables, but that advice is just as good for them, too. If you’re thinking of buying your mom a box of chocolates as part of her mother’s day gift, try something a…