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Type 2 Diabetes Prevention
According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, more than 9 million Canadians either have diabetes or pre-diabetes. With only 10% of patients developing type 1 diabetes, the remaining 90% of cases are type 2.
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Detecting dementia
As of 2010, over 500,000 Canadians live with dementia and 70,000 are under 65. As baby boomers reach age 65, cases could jump by 50% in 2015.
We know that early diagnosis is important, yet dementia often remains undetected because diagnosis can be difficult. Be aware of early warning signs of dementia outlined by the Alzheimer Society.
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Alcohol = breast cancer risk
While we may not be able to eliminate all breast cancer risks, new research points to at least one modifiable lifestyle choice we can make to reduce our personal risk: alcohol consumption. Statistically, three to six drinks a week significantly increases breast cancer risk.
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ABC’s of meningitis
Meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges, or the covering of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by both virus and bacteria. Several different bacteria cause meningitis, with Neisseria meningitides having the potential to cause large epidemics. The common subgroups of this bacteria include A, B, C, Y and W135.
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Allergy season 101
Canadians patiently await warmer days, but for many, it heralds the onset of seasonal allergies; triggered by circulating pollen and mould spores. If you have an allergy, your body perceives the pollen as a foreign substance, prompting the immune system to defend itself.
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Video gaming addiction
Kids love their video games, but when does time spent in front of a video game become potentially harmful to your child? While the American Pediatric Association recommends no more than two hours a day in front of a screen for children over two years of age – be it television or computer – it might surprise you that the average child spends up to 20 hours a week.
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Pap test + vaccine = HPV protection
Mortality and incidence rates of cervical cancer have fallen steadily since pap screening began in Canada, but in recent years these rates have reached a plateau. Every day in Canada at least one woman dies of cervical cancer and another four are diagnosed, making new strategies a must.
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Reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s
One new case of Alzheimer Disease (AD) is diagnosed every five minutes in Canada. By 2038, a diagnosis will be made once every two minutes. Without a doubt, dementia is one of the most feared consequences of aging. It’s important to identify and address modifiable risk factors.
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Hepatitis update
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver causing fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, dark urine, extreme fatigue and jaundice. There are viral and non viral causes of hepatitis, the two common viruses are hepatitis A and B.
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The benefits of breast screening
Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. According to research, regular screening in women aged 50-69 can reduce deaths from breast cancer by 30%. Whatever your age, earlier detection means earlier treatment.
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A leading cause of hypertension
The statistics are staggering – 25% of all adults, or about five million Canadians, have hypertension. And, if you live to 80, there’s a 9 in 10 chance that you will too.
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A very important time of life
When it comes to menopause most women can tell you the hallmark signs of hot flashes and night sweats. But for many women, there are a host of other symptoms that begin to manifest in and around the transition of perimenopause and menopause.
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Time to take action
Many patients ask what they can do to avoid cancer. With an estimated one in three Canadians afflicted with cancer, it's clear individually and as a society we need to know what we can do. The reality – through diet and behaviour, we can substantively impact the ‘modifiable risk factors.’
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The #1 killer for women
When it comes to heart health, it’s clear that women underestimate their personal risk and think that heart disease is more likely seen in men. But, the number one killer for women is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Starting at age 75, the prevalence of heart disease is higher in women than men.
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The 101 on STIs
When I was in medical school we learned about STDs – sexually transmitted diseases. Today they’re known as STIs; the ‘I’ stands for infection. Whether bacterial or viral, these diseases are transmitted via the exchange of body fluids. Some, like HIV/AIDS can be life-threatening. Others can be treated with antibiotics.
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Internet Self-diagnosis
There is not a day that a patient doesn’t come into my office with reams of paper printed off an Internet site. Some use it to self diagnose while others bring it in as substantiating proof that they need several investigations. Often physicians are leary of the quality of the information. There’s warranted concern that this information is inaccurate.
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It’s Good For Me
Have you ever wondered why chocolate is often packaged in boxes of red hearts? Is it just marketing? A way to catch your eye? Well, it turns out that chocolate indeed is good for your heart giving new meaning to those packages that seem to call out our names.
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Itchy, Itchy, Scratchy, Scratchy
One of the most common worldwide infections is head lice or pediculosis capitits. A recent study found that head lice infestations affect about 10% of children between ages 5-12 in Canada. While itching is the most common symptom, often there are no symptoms at all.
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Obesity and Pregnancy
Did you know that 23% of Canadian women over the age of 18 are obese? The fastest rate of growing obesity is in the peak years of fertility, ages 25 to 34. Early in 2007 a Canadian study looked at 370,000 women from 1994 to 2000 who underwent maternal serum screening at week 16 of pregnancy, to look for potential fetal defects.
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The Point Behind The Needlle
It seems I’m always getting ready to give yet another vaccination to a young child. As a doctor and parent, it’s important to understand why these vaccinations are being recommended to you.
The offerings:
At 2, 4, 6 and 18 months
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Waist Management
What are your vitals?
For anyone who watches medical shows you’ll be familiar with the term ‘vitals’. Usually in the middle of a dramatic scene when the patient isn’t doing well the doctor asks for the ‘vitals’. This term usually refers to blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate.
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