Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Doctor having serious discussion with male patient.

Colorectal cancer refers to the presence of malignant cells in the colon or rectum. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are grouped together because the tissue of the two organs is similar, and there is not a clear demarcation between them.  Changes within the colon or rectum can result in precancerous conditions, including adenomas and hereditary […]

International Women’s Day – Women in Healthcare

Female doctors and nurses smiling at camera

Women’s struggle for gender equality has a long and radical history. In fact, the fight for women’s rights began in the early 1900s, which saw the celebration of the first National Women’s Day in the United States. It was intended to honour the women who bravely raised their voices against unfair employment practices and unsafe […]

Low Iron Levels: Common Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments for Iron Deficiency

Woman getting bloodwork

Humans need iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that enables them to transport oxygen through the blood vessels. If you don’t have sufficient hemoglobin, your muscles and tissues won’t get enough oxygen to function effectively. That leads to a condition known as anemia. How Many People Are Iron Deficient? Iron deficiency […]

Migraine vs Headache: Know the Difference

woman holding head in pain with doctor behind her

Migraine is a common disorder and one of the leading causes of disability globally. Many people experience pain that affects daily living, work, and relationships and will seek advice from their doctor or pharmacist on the best treatment to control the frequency of attacks and improve the quality of life.  Migraine vs. Headache A headache […]

Preventing and Managing Burnout in Healthcare Workers

Exhausted healthcare worker looking through window

Since 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on healthcare systems worldwide. As frontline workers, healthcare providers (HCPs), namely physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, have played key roles in containing this global disaster and fighting to save lives. They’ve been instrumental in combating the virus while often suffering from COVID-19 themselves – since the beginning of […]

Addressing Common COVID-19 Patient Myths in Practice

COVID virus in shape of question mark

Conspiracy theories are not new to the field of medicine, and the advent of social media has only exacerbated this problem. According to research, people have access to a much greater amount of false information, rumours, and hoaxes than trustworthy information. Unfortunately, false information surrounding vaccines is contagious and can lead to many harmful consequences […]

Reducing the Impact of Malnutrition in Your Patients

Array of healthy foods

Despite the association of poor nutritional status with increased morbidity and mortality in a wide range of medical conditions, malnutrition is not well understood. Malnutrition is not based exclusively on the patient’s body mass index (BMI). In fact, there is a high prevalence of malnutrition in older adults with excess weight and obesity.  Malnutrition is […]

Influenza and Older Adults: Vaccine Guidelines

Senior adult male wearing mask getting a flu shot.

Guidance for healthcare professionals on protecting older adults from influenza. Influenza (the flu) is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza A and B viruses. Though influenza is often a mild illness lasting seven to 10 days, adults over 65 are at risk of severe disease and complications. Others at risk of serious disease are […]

What you Need to Know about the Bivalent COVID-19 Booster

Person wearing medical gloves holding bottle labelled COVID-19 Booster shot

Health Canada has recently approved two bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, one produced by Moderna, the other by Pfizer-BioTech. A bivalent vaccine is one which protects against two or more strains of a disease, in this case, the ancestral COVID-19 strain and the more recent Omicron variant. It produces a broader immune response that can help recipients […]

Multiple Sclerosis: Common Symptoms and Treatments

Multiple Sclerosis: Common Symptoms and Treatments

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. While the exact cause is unknown, the leading theory suggests an unknown substance triggers the immune system, causing it to attack myelin, the fatty covering over the nerves. As inflammation and myelin breakdown occur, scarring or sclerosis develops, interrupting nerve […]