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COVID-19 Q&A: Part 4
If we want to continue to flatten the COVID-19 curve, we need to take as many precautions as we can. While it may sound like a broken record, measures such as physical distancing, limiting our social circles to as few people as possible, washing our hands regularly (or using hand sanitizer when soap and water isn’t readily available), as well as staying home when sick, are all important steps to take in keeping not only ourselves safe, but keeping those around us safe as well. In addition to these measures, face masks are also something to consider wearing, and is, in fact, something that our health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry,…
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COVID-19 Q&A: Part 3
Even though we’ve seen a significant decrease in the number of newly reported cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia (therefore continuing to flatten the curve, which has allowed our province to slowly reopen in phases), people still have many questions surrounding the virus – and rightfully so. While there are still many unknowns about this disease (such as how, exactly, it made the jump from animals to humans, or how long someone who has been previously diagnosed with the virus might be immune to it), there are certain things we do know, and below you will find more answers to some of your commonly asked questions. “How do I know…
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Dangers of Tobacco Use
Nearly one in five Canadians are smokers – which is equal to close to approximately 6 million people – while there are an estimated 1.1 billion people who smoke on a global scale. It is one of the most prevalent (as well as one of the most preventable) causes of disease and premature death worldwide, which is why it’s so crucial to educate people on the dangers that are associated with this dangerous habit. For example, cigarettes contain tobacco and nicotine, as well as a wide range of other harmful ingredients that can do significant damage to your body and overall health in both the short and long-term. One of…
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How to Stay Social While Social Distancing
In a matter of weeks, the lives of Canadians and of those all around the world have changed quite drastically due to the spread of COVID-19. Hanging out with friends, going to the movies, to the park, beaches, or even going grocery shopping were once things we never really thought twice about – we simply went about our daily lives. But we can no longer do that. Now, we have to take extra precautions with almost every move we make, and this can be quite a shock to the system for some. After all, we’re social beings by nature. We thrive on having that social connection with others – and…
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How What You Eat Affects Your Health
Having a healthy diet isn’t just about weight loss – it’s also about improving your overall health and wellbeing, and ultimately allowing you to have an improved quality of life – because the more unhealthy foods you eat, the less nutrients your body is getting, and therefore the more unhealthy you will be, which ultimately increases your risk of developing potentially serious illnesses later on in life (such as heart disease and diabetes, for example.) Having a healthy, nutrient-rich diet is important because those nutrients are what enable our cells to perform indispensable functions – including immune function, the formation and repair of tissues, nerve impulses, and metabolism. One of…
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Lung Cancer Awareness
More than 28,000 Canadians are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Of those 28,000 individuals, nearly 4,000 of them are located right here in British Columbia. Lung cancer is defined as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs; and while there is a well-established association between lung cancer and tobacco use, it can also, surprisingly, affect life-long non-smokers. This article takes an in-depth look at the function of the lungs, the symptoms that are associated with lung cancer, the different causes and risk factors, as well as the treatment options that are used. When you’re breathing, this means that your lungs are functioning. The main role…
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Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids come in many different forms. They can be taken orally, used topically, inhaled, or even injected. Additionally, are also known as being systemic or localized. Systemic steroids are typically delivered orally, via IV, or intramuscularly, and work by moving through the blood; whereas localized steroids target a specific part of the body and are usually applied topically through things like skin creams, eye or ear drops, and inhalers. In many cases, corticosteroids are often only taken for a short-term basis due to their many and sometimes unusual (and even sometimes severe) side effects. However, if your physician has prescribed a corticosteroid to you, then he or she has determined…
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Pneumococcal Pneumonia
There are many different types of pneumonia – a very serious infection affecting the lungs – that individuals can be diagnosed with. These include hospital-acquired pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, walking pneumonia, viral or bacterial pneumonia, and fungal pneumonia. There is also a type of pneumonia known as pneumococcal pneumonia, which is considered to be the most common type of bacterial-related pneumonia that individuals are diagnosed with. It is caused by bacteria living in the upper respiratory tract, and can be spread from something as simple as coughing. Along with invading the lungs, the bacteria can also invade the bloodstream (resulting in a condition known as bactereemia) in addition to invading the…
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What Does a Persisting Cough Mean?
Coughing is something we all do. A cough can be aggravated by things like allergies, the result of swallowing something the wrong way, or it could be due to a health problem such as a viral or bacterial infection (i.e. the common cold, flu, pneumonia.) With the right course of treatment (i.e. avoiding allergens and using a daily puffer or taking cough medicine and/or antibiotics when they are prescribed to you), your cough should eventually dissipate. However, if your cough does not get better or worsens over time, then it could be cause for concern. Aside from the aforementioned issues, below is a look at some of the other reasons…
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Vaccines for Adults
From approximately 2 months to 6 years of age, it is recommended by healthcare professionals that children get a variety of different vaccinations in effort to help protect them against disease. Among some of the most common include chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella, hepatitis (both A and B), whopping cough, pneumococcal, polio, rotavirus, tetanus, and of course influenza. But in today’s day and age, it’s not just the young ones that need to get their immunizations, as many vaccines can also be beneficial to adults, too. Below is a look at some of the vaccines that are recommended for adults, why you need them, and how they work. Influenza This…