It's that time of year again when the mosquitoes start biting. And that brings the issue of West Nile virus into the forefront of people's minds yet again.HistoryThe West Nile virus was discovered in the West Nile area of Uganda in 1937 and then spread to the...
Some of the smelliest and less socially-acceptable vegetables we could eat actually have amazing health benefits and they are all members of the allium family. Specifically speaking, these vegetables include garlic, onions, chives, leeks, and shallots. For example,...
Introduction The term "diabetes" is often used collectively to refer to several forms of the condition in which high blood sugar features as the central issue. Sugar is always present in the blood. As the body breaks down the foods we eat, glucose is produced and our...
Introduction Sodium is a mineral and necessary to our body's health. Unfortunately, sodium has been vilified and become synonymous with salt, which is not entirely correct. Table salt is only 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Sodium has also been given a bad rap when...
Introduction From the time they are born, children are exposed to the same infectious pathogens as we are. The main difference between a newborn and an adult is the baby's underdeveloped immune system, which does not fully develop until the baby is approximately six...
Pregnancy is possibly one of the biggest changes a woman's body will encounter, before and after the baby is born. For that reason, it is important that you take care of yourself in order to, by extension, take care of your baby. It's a good idea to make an...
Most of the time, when it comes to health conditions, it doesn't matter whether you're a man or a woman; you have an equal chance of having to live with things such as failing eyesight or digestive issues. However, when it comes to osteoporosis, depression, certain...
Introduction If an alien life form were to look at a human brain, it might dismiss it as so much useless tissue, simply there as filler. But the unimpressive appearance of a human brain belies its myriad of remarkable abilities. The brain is the "grand central...
At times, we've all encountered fatigue, bone or joint pain, anxiety and/or abdominal bloating and it's common for us to go to the doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen. There may be temporary measures prescribed to lessen or stop your symptoms but if they become...
In Canada, flu season usually runs from November to April and an estimated 10-25% of Canadians may get the flu each year. When most people think of flu symptoms, they think of body aches, fatigue, and maybe a cough. However, influenza, or the flu, actually begins as a...