Reading Time: 3 minutes Although nearly half of adults in Canada have cholesterol or lipid levels that are higher than recommended and that can contribute to cardiovascular disease, there’s every chance that you don’t know what your own cholesterol level is, and that you won’t know until you actually experience a problem. The accumulation of cholesterol in blood vessels […] Read more
Cholesterol Is Everyone’s Concern
Don’t Ignore Bowel Health
Reading Time: 3 minutes There is a reason why bowel health isn’t often mentioned in “polite” company — it’s an unpleasant topic. But whenever you feel too embarrassed to discuss bowel habits, remember this. You won’t die of embarrassment, but you could die of bowel cancer. Your bowel is responsible for digestion of the food that provides the energy […] Read more
Your Sense Of Smell
Reading Time: 3 minutes Historically, our sense of smell helped our ancestors find food and avoid predators, as well as seek receptive mates. But the sense of smell is important today too. Without a sense of smell, food wouldn’t taste the same to you and there’d be no reason to wear perfume, and that’s just the beginning. Smell is […] Read more
Vitamin D
Reading Time: 3 minutes If recent news reports are to be believed, many Canadians are not getting enough vitamin D, and yet if you eat a well-balanced diet, you may wonder how this is possible. You definitely need vitamin D to maintain good calcium levels and healthy bones and teeth. Without it, osteoporosis and broken bones can occur. Vitamins […] Read more
Sore Throats Can Be A Pain
Reading Time: 3 minutes Everyone has probably experienced a sore throat (i. e. pharyngitis) at one time. After all, sore throats account for about 10 per cent of doctor visits. Sore throats are characterized by redness, swelling and irritation as well as pain which makes swallowing difficult. Often, sore throats are caused by bacterial or viral infections, but they […] Read more
Acetaminophen It’s Everywhere!
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s more than just a headache pill. In fact, acetaminophen and compounds containing it are the pain relievers that doctors most commonly prescribe, accounting for three per cent of all prescriptions in North America. It’s also the most common ingredient for aches and pains in non-prescription analgesics. As an analgesic, it is used in cough, […] Read more
10 Safety Tips
Reading Time: 3 minutes In Canada, a child is exposed to a potentially toxic substance every 15 seconds, including potential allergens, metals such as lead, and air pollutants. Accidental poisoning with medications is a major concern, especially for children five and under who tend to put most things they can grab into their mouths and who do not understand […] Read more
Children And Poisons10 Safety Tips
Reading Time: 3 minutes In Canada, a child is exposed to a potentially toxic substance every 15 seconds, including potential allergens, metals such as lead, and air pollutants. Accidental poisoning with medications is a major concern, especially for children five and under who tend to put most things they can grab into their mouths and who do not understand […] Read more
Infections that may be skin deep
Reading Time: 3 minutes Skin infections can occur in hospitals, nursing homes and even the community, and they are regularly in the news. You often think of skin infections as something minor, such as an infected cut, but more recently the microorganisms that cause these infections are becoming more deadly. Serious wounds, chronic problems, and even surgery to remove […] Read more
Hair Today — Gone Tomorrow?
Reading Time: 3 minutes Hair is an important part of anyone’s appearance. Your hair style can reflect your social, sexual or even spiritual attitudes. Just think of a movie star, a rock musician, or even Samson from the Bible story. And, keeping your hair in tip-top condition is a billion dollar business in Canada. You have about 100,000 hairs […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
