Drugs

Photo created by DALL*E There are opposing discussions between clinicians, researchers, and stakeholders on the legitimacy and classification of fibromyalgia (FM) as a disease. In addition, because the fibromyalgia symptoms are many and don’t have conclusive diagnostic criteria, there is confusion despite the number of patients suffering.1 This is why myths exist regarding the disease.

Image by Reno Beranger @Pixabay The battle to find an opioid addiction treatment is not going well. Previous to the COVID-19 pandemic, the death rates from opioid overdoses were terrible. Since the pandemic, the number of overdoses has skyrocketed, with the United States recording over 80 000 opioid-related deaths.1 Fentanyl is one of the troublesome

Image by Jenny Friedrichs @Pixabay Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in water, soil, and air.1  Water is a primary source of dietary fluoride. Still, it’s also present in tea, seafood containing bones or shells, and supplements.2  Other sources include oral hygiene products like fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash.1  Fluoride and dental health  Fluoride can lead

Photo by Mike B @Pexels Rosacea (pronounced roh-zAY-shuh) is a condition characterized by facial skin inflammation.1 Rosacea can be quite uncomfortable and aesthetically frustrating. Luckily, there are options available to relieve symptoms. However, treatments are specific to the rosacea symptom meaning you need the right rosacea treatment for the right symptom. Rosacea symptoms Type one

Chris Hemsworth as Thor who recently shared his early detection results publicly. Image by Syaifulptak57 @Pixabay Alzheimer’s disease is a life-threatening illness that affects people all over the world. Early disease detection with genetic tests continue to be developed to address a growing need. With Alzheimer’s, one can experience memory, thinking, and behaviour impairments when

Image by Gerd Altmann @Pixabay Globally, approximately 64.3 million people living with heart failure which is why understanding the symptoms of heart failure and their relationship with mitochondrial dysfunction are crucial.1 The most significant number of people (2% of adults) with heart failure are in developed countries like North America and the UK.1 An important

Photo by Caique Nascimento @Pexels Hair loss affects millions of men and women worldwide.1 One of the most common forms of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia results in receding hairlines and balding. Many individuals seek treatments to help their hair regrow. Still, there is a need for the availability of favourable treatment options.

Image by Hueng Soon @Pixabay Robotics in healthcare is becoming a norm, and a new drug-delivery system called RoboCap is the latest addition to the field. What is robotics? Robotics in healthcare is a branch of engineering that uses technologies and nanotechnologies like machinery and artificial intelligence to support and improve human capabilities. Some of

Photo by CottonBro Studio @Pixabay Is DIY mole and skin tag removal safe? Medical advice would say, “no.”  Skin tags equally affect 50% of men and women.5  Skin tags are medically known as acrochordons and typically appear in adulthood. However, skin tags are now appearing in childhood.5 The rise in children with skin tags may

Image by Mohamed Hassan @Pixabay Cholesterol levels are used to determine certain disease risks during a check-up. Typically, only certain lipids in a lower cholesterol range indicate a healthier patient. But it’s the total cholesterol levels that matter most, especially for people of colour. What is cholesterol?  Cholesterol is a steroid hormone made up of

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio @Pexels Increasing numbers of infants and children are missing school and other critical developmental activities because of the current triple threat. The triple threat comprises COVID-19, the seasonal flu, and a lesser-known virus. This lesser-known virus is the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and used to be a yearly virus floating around.

Image by Ryan McGuire @Pixabay Beauty products, like hair products, may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are “chemicals or a mixture of chemical compounds that interfere with normal hormone actions,” increasing cancer risk.1,2  Certain people have a greater chance of being exposed to these chemicals. Evidence shows who needs the most protection and what products

Photo by Soana [email protected] What is the botulinum toxin? The botulinum toxin is frequently known as the reason behind botulism. Luckily this is a different form of the toxin. The botulinum toxin is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.1 One effect of this toxin’s exposure is reversible muscle paralysis.2 People often know botulism as food

Photo credit Pexels: Matilda Wormwood Commonly considered a haven, hospitals can sometimes be where an infection is acquired. Whether it is a primary care, surgical, or emergency room visit, there may be a risk of pathogen exposure.  One metric that measures this phenomenon is a Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI).1 It’s a means of judging overall

Photo Credit: Jacob Colvin. Genetics is the code of life. Genetics can reveal a myriad of information about our bodies. Genetic wellness testing is a powerful tool with medical and non-medical applications.  Genetic testing can tell us whether we’ve inherited specific genes from our parents. Some of these genes make us more susceptible to developing

Pixabay Photo Credit: Mohamed Hassan. Aromatherapy for sleep and relaxation has been used for centuries. Despite this, we are still overly stressed and sleep-deprived. Our sleep duration needs can vary throughout our lives. An infant’s needs range from 10-16 hours.1 Children and young adults come in a close second with a need for 8-12 hours,

In recent years, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been alarming. The World Health Organization predicts a diabetes surge of 39% between 2000 and 2030, or an estimated 366 million people being affected.1  With diabetes, cardiovascular risks add to the complexity and need for interventions. The question at hand is the effectiveness

It’s time to mind the wealth vs health gap. You haven’t been paying attention if you’ve never heard the term “inflammation” concerning general health. However, inflammation has been a hot topic in the wellness world over the past few years as it relates to almost every chronic condition.  But can social determinants like social status,

With an estimated global prevalence of 240 million people, Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis.1 As a degenerative joint disease, OA can lead to decreased mobility, quality of life, pain, and loss of productivity.1,2 It is also associated with a heavy societal burden concerning social expenditure and an increased reliance on healthcare

Photo credit: Mikhail Nilov Exercise helps to nourish skin cells by increasing blood flow that carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Besides the conventional benefits, studies have revealed a link between skin health and exercise. Deep skin benefits of exercise At a molecular level, skin cells contain mitochondria. Mitochondria are organelles that produce the

Be careful what you drink New recommendations on alcohol consumption were published in August of 2022. It is now recommended to drink no more than two drinks weekly to minimize alcohol-related injuries.1 This recommendation is significantly lower than past guidelines.  For comparison, a 2011-updated report from Health Canada recommended that men consume three or fewer

An abstract representation of the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is a virus within the Poxviridae family. Monkeypox has clinical presentations similar to smallpox, though usually with a much smaller fatality rate (~10%).1 In 1958, the monkeypox virus was first identified in monkeys transported from Africa to Denmark.  The virus has been documented in other mammals, misleading

Booster vaccines Multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 were identified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus’ genetic material can mutate whenever viruses replicate inside a host cell. Since SARS-CoV-2 is a rapidly spreading virus with a high replication rate, it has many opportunities to evolve and change.1 A new study investigates the differences between the Omicron variant

Fighting monkeypox with vaccinia vaccines Monkeypox is a painful and debilitating viral infection. Cases have been rising rapidly since April, causing the World Health Organization to declare the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency as of July 20221. Thankfully, science is on our side and vaccinia-based vaccines may be the key to stopping another pandemic.

A new study shows that engaging in solitary drinking during young adulthood can greatly increase the risk of developing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Drinking alcohol has become an integral part of most social events and gatherings and is particularly prevalent amongst adolescents. However, while most adults drink while in the company of others, studies show

Recent evidence has shown that a person’s lifestyle contributes more to dementia risk than aging. Risk factors, including smoking and diabetes, have been found to have a more significant effect on acquiring this disease than the aging process.1 Studies looked at participants from 18-89 years old and found that identifying and modifying these risk factors

Air pollution is estimated to have caused 6.7 million deaths around the world in 2019.  As the leading environmental cause of premature death, air pollution has been linked to several health conditions, including stillbirths, asthma, neurological and mental health disorders, strokes, and lung cancer.  These consequences are more prevalent in marginalized populations.1 Some advancements have

Iodine is instrumental in the creation of thyroid hormones, which normalize metabolism, development, and growth, from birth right up to the end of life.  Accordingly, iodine deficiency can have negative effects on brain function, fertility, and child development.  This nutrient can be found in foods such as seaweed, fish, iodized salt, dairy products, and some