Guildview Pharmacy Blogs
Keep up to date on our current topics and stay informed through reading our blogs.
Obesity is a growing chronic condition which impacted 26% (7.3 million people) of Canadians over the age of 18 were classified as obese and 36% (9.9 million people) were considered overweight in 2018. It can be caused by various factors and is treatable through different methods.
Glioblastoma is one of the most common yet aggressive cancerous brain tumors. The tumors consist of different cells including astrocyte which is a cell that is a part of the nervous system. The glioblastoma is very cancerous as the cells reproduce rapidly while they have a bundle of blood vessels supporting them. Majority of the tumors are in the brain but they can develop in the spinal cord as well. In addition, this form of tumor is more common in older individuals and more common in men compared to women.
Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder indicated by short pauses of abnormal breathing while sleeping. These pauses, also known as “apneas” or “apnea events”, typically happen multiple times throughout the night, lasting for around 10 to 30 seconds each time. Statistics Canada have found sleep apnea is associated with many diseases, such as heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia, obesity, and diabetes. Furthermore, if sleep apnea is left untreated, it is possible to develop other health conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. Both men and women can be diagnosed with sleep apnea, however, men are two times more likely.
Diabetes affects about 3.8 million Canadians and about 200,000 more are diagnosed annually. It is a chronic condition affecting one’s blood sugar levels due to the body’s inability to regulate insulin. The most common type of diabetes in Canadians is type 2. Diabetes is associated with many other health conditions, such as, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, stroke, and blindness. Thus, it is crucial to keep your blood sugar levels under control.
Coping Stress during the COVID Pandemic
Over the past year and a half, COVID has changed the way we live. It has definitely been a hard time for everyone trying to adapt to the new “normal” lifestyle of wearing masks everywhere we go, to staying at home to limit the curve, to limiting our contact with others through social distancing. This has led many of us to feel isolated and alone due to the great reduction in physical interactions, which inevitably reduces the majority of social interactions as well. Especially during these harsh times, it is important to take care of your mental health.
People are often quick to say they have OCD when they just like arranging things in a certain way, when in reality, OCD is a more serious condition and should not be thrown around like a synonym for “likes to organize”. OCD, short for “obsessive-compulsive disorder”, is a condition characterized by a combination of unwanted fears (obsessions), leading to repetitive (compulsive) behaviours. Although it is found that only about 1% of Canadians will experience OCD, this can be due to the fact that it is harder to diagnose and people may not find a reason to get diagnosed. For example, some people only experience obsessions or only compulsions, while others experience both.
What is Hypoglycemia and How to Prevent it
Hypoglycemia is a condition where one’s blood sugar is lower than normal (around 3.0 to 3.9 mmol/L). This condition usually happens when people with diabetes do not regulate the amount of sugar in the blood while taking their medication. Diabetic patients take medication specifically to help control the insulin in their body, which is a hormone that is responsible for managing the sugar, also known as glucose, in the blood. For example, when there is too much glucose in your blood, insulin is released to initiate the process of storing the excess glucose in the liver.
Hepatitis is a disease that impacts the liver which can be caused by consuming contaminated water or food, using dirty needles or syringes or practicing unsafe sex. The people who become infected may experience effects such as a mild illness that can range to serious liver damage.
Alzheimer’s disease – Causes, Stages, Symptoms and Treatments
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder is the most common form of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60% – 80% of cases. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.
Cervical Cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment
In 2020, about 1422 Canadian women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and an estimated 637 died from it. It is the third most gynecologic cancer in Canada after corpus uteri and ovary cancer.
Cervical Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms and Prevention
Cervical cancer is also known as cervix uteri is the fourth common cancer among women worldwide with an estimated 604,127 new cases and 341,831 deaths in 2020. It is the third most gynecologic cancer in Canada.
Cervical Cancer and its prevalence
Cervical cancer also called cancer of the uterine cervix is the malignant neoplasm originating in the cells of the cervix. Cancer of the cervix uteri is the fourth common cancer among women worldwide with an estimated 604,127 new cases and 341,831 deaths in 2020.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and how HPV infection causes cervical cancer
Human Papillomavirus also known as HPV is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection. Essentially every person who is sexually active will contract HPV at some point in their life.
The Underlying Reality of Parkinson’s Disease
Along with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Parkinson occurs when…
Getting to Know Canada’s Food Guide
Everyone knows that eating well-balanced meals is important for individuals’ physical and mental health as good nutrition allows you…
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It often has an impact on the aging population. Osteoarthritis is…
The 10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
As part of the aging cycle, Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia that affects individuals’ memory and cognition…
As we grow older, dementia is something we typically encounter. Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease that is progressive and irreversible. Dementia involves alterations…
Mental health is a big aspect of our lives that many individuals do not consider. As with the pandemic, mental health has had a larger focus. In particular, mental health tends to be…
The different forms of thyroid disease can affect 1 in 10 Canadians as about 50% of the population may even be undiagnosed. The thyroid is…
Supporting Seniors’ Physical Activity
As the baby boomers are a large part of the aging population, it is important to be physically active to…
Learning to Read Blood Pressure and Treat Hypertension
Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure which can result in damage to your blood vessels, heart and kidneys. Hypertension is one of the…
Breaking the Silence in Mental Health
When people hear mental health, many people being to think of depression, disorders or psychiatry but these words are often related to mental illness. Many people…
Managing Different Forms of Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders and yet the most treatable one. It is estimated that 1 in 4 Canadians faces…
We all face anxiety at some point in our life and it is a normal process in how we react to stress. Stress can be…
Rosacea
Good health is something we all strive for. Fortunately, with appropriate care and concern, it can be achieved for most people. The same is true for skin health…
Hemophilia is a form of inherited bleeding disorder which occurs when the blood is unable to clot sufficiently resulting in continuous bleeding. This occurs due to…
Hemophilia is a form of inherited bleeding disorder which occurs when the blood is unable to clot sufficiently resulting in…
The Factors Impacting Our Health
April 7th marks World Health Day where each year it is aimed to promote awareness regarding various health issues including…
As it was marked World Autism Day, it is important to understand and spread awareness of this condition. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a…
Last week we talked about why the liver is such an essential organ of our body. We also talked about the different functions it has and how liver impairment…
Why is Liver Health so Important?
The liver is one of the vital organs of our body. It works like an engine and a filtration system that runs the body and…
Women’s Health: Bones and Joints
When it comes to women’s health, the health of bones and joints is an important subject to discuss. Osteoporosis, characterized by the development of…
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Management with Lifestyle Measures
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the stomach and intestines, which mainly manifests as abdominal pain on defecation…
Getting to Know Your Health Insurance
In Ontario, there are different forms of health insurance that are available to you based on your eligibility. It is important to know…
Use of Recreation Therapy to Achieve a Good Quality of Life
We all want to live a healthy lifestyle and spend our leisure time the way we want. However, sometimes there may be limitations…
Reducing your Risk of Cancer
Cancer is a genetic disease characterized by abnormal cell growth that may spread to other parts of the body. There are several…
February 4 is recognized as the world’s cancer day. Cancer has a significant impact on society in Canada and across the world. Every year…
Previously in our blog posts, we have talked about diabetes and its management through different modalities. Diet control, perhaps, is…
Iron Deficiency: Symptoms, Effects, and Treatment
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional disorder and is prevalent primarily in women and preschool children. Iron is one…
Managing Sleep Issues
Most of us know how it feels to not be able to fall asleep, especially when there is a long day ahead. For many, the problem resolves in …
Home Testing Devices
Several health conditions require testing for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. Most of these tests are done in a lab setting by qualif…
4 Techniques That Will Help Improve the Quality of Your Sleep
Having difficulties with sleep can be frighteningly distressing, especially when it becomes an ongoing issue. With compromised sleep, it …