Drugs

The American Heart Association recently released their ‘2021 dietary guidance to improve cardiovascular health’.  Within the article, they covered ten features of a heart-healthy eating pattern, that emphasizes the importance of overall dietary pattern rather than individual foods or nutrients and underscores the critical role of nutrition in all stages of life. Instead of looking

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that obesity affects more than 40% of American adults. Obesity leads to a significant increase in the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.   The current obesity epidemic is considered to be largely driven by environmental factors.

A new study investigates the potential effects of low-quality sleep on brain development in early adolescence. It’s no secret that sleep is crucial for optimal health and well-being.  Many different functions occur during periods of sleep, and the body takes that time to repair, rest, and rejuvenate itself.1  Research shows that sleep may play an important role

In an effort to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2, widespread lockdowns have often been used in many countries. These lockdowns not only reduced the spread of the virus, but have also saved lives. These types of restrictions, however, are not a long-term solution and can have far reaching effects not only on the economy, but

A Western diet has been associated with a variety of negative health consequences, could chronic pain be the next?  Omega-6 fatty acids are typically high in Western high-fat diets, compared to omega-3 fatty acids. A diet high in omega-6 fatty acids has been linked with inflammation and disease.  A research group from The University of

Adding spices and herbs not only adds flavour to your food but may also help improve 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, according to a new study. Published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study shows that consuming a diet high in herbs and spices may benefit those with cardiometabolic diseases.1  Are herbs and spices healthy? 

Spending time in greenspace may contribute to early childhood development due to reduced pollution and noise exposure. This finding has emerged from a Vancouver-based study that followed 27,000+ children born between 2000 and 2005.1  The study, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and conducted by the University of British Columbia (UBC), set out

A recently published study has discovered that COVID-19 may infect the inner ear. The study provides a promising explanation for why some COVID-19 patients have hearing loss post-infection.  SARS-CoV-2 may target the cochlea The study, published in Nature’s Communications Medicine journal, studied why some people experience hearing loss, ringing of the ears – or “tinnitus”,

The coronavirus disease began to spread around the world in 2019. COVID-19 is caused by a SARS-CoV-2 infection that affects the respiratory system.1 COVID-19 can cause asymptomatic or severe pneumonia, acute respiratory injury, or acute respiratory distress syndrome. These diseases caused 20% of COVID-19 patients to be hospitalized and under intensive care.1 The World Health

Emotional dysregulation can be defined as the limited ability to initiate and regulate one’s emotional reaction and response in a manner that is consistent with the situation. It has also been noted that emotional dysregulation is a common feature of several different health and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and oppositional defiant

Vaccine hesitancy can be defined as the ‘delay in acceptance or refusal of [the] vaccine despite the availability of vaccine services’.1 This was the focus of a recent study – perception and willingness of people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The study included the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The four major

During the first year of the pandemic, ‘lockdowns’ were a common public health strategy to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This disruption to daily life may have both long-term positive and negative consequences for individuals. A recent article – ‘Understanding changes to children’s connection to nature during the COVID-19 pandemic and implications for

Hallux valgus or bunions occur when the big toe slants towards the second toe causing inflammation and pain.1 The development of this condition occurs slowly and sometimes without any painful symptoms.1,3 In extreme cases, the big toe may overlap the second toe. The rotation of the toe causes the nail of the big toe to

Researchers in Sweden evaluated the effects of being pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the scheme of monumental life changes, giving birth ranks towards the top of the list. New mothers often feel excitement and look forward to the day they meet their new baby. However, pregnancy can be a time of uncertainty for mothers-to-be.

A new study investigates whether UV light can inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2, which is the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, has had a significant global impact throughout the pandemic.  In order to reduce the risk of future adverse events related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to know how the

Restylane is an injection that acts to “fill in” wrinkles. Restylane contains Hyaluronic Acid, a compound naturally found in connective tissues, around joints, and cartilage.1 Injection of Hyaluronic Acid promotes the formation of collagen – a connective tissue – on the skin, which bridges the gaps between skin to fill in wrinkles. Juvéderm and Perlane

A new study investigates whether depression in parents around the time of pregnancy is associated with increased rates of depression in their children.  Major depressive disorder, or clinical depression, is a mental health condition that can often affect mood, concentration, sleep, and eating habits.1  In 2017, over seven percent of U.S. adults experienced at least

A new research study, published in the journal Brain, explores the occasional link between SARS-CoV-2 and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Following SARS-COV-2 infection, doctors have reported over 90 cases of patients with central and peripheral neurological disorders, including Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). GBS is a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the nerves, causing muscle weakness

While Botox is most commonly associated with cosmetic procedures, it is also one of the most common preventive treatments for chronic migraine. Clinical trials have found Botox treatment to be effective at reducing the number of migraine days and reducing the severity of migraine attacks in patients with chronic migraine. But what do patients think

Having too much time can be as bad as having too little time. People are often busy and are looking for more free time to contribute to their sense of well-being.1 But how much free time do you need to be happy? Free time is often associated with a higher sense of well-being, but we

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common heel conditions in adults. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick tissues of the heel are inflamed.1 Plantar fasciitis is mainly caused by collagen degeneration in the plantar fascia.2 Its symptoms include pain in the heel during the morning and in the afternoon due to more activity.1 Ten

A recent study from the University of Georgia suggests a common gout medicine could be used to fight COVID-19 infection.1  The medicine, probenecid, is available commercially and has a relatively safe history in clinical use.2  This history is an advantage compared to newly developed drugs because the risk of experiencing adverse effects may be lower.

Eating a handful of walnuts each day may promote cardiovascular health and reduce cardiovascular disease risk, according to a new study. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is known as “bad” cholesterol since high levels significantly increase the risk of heart disease and strokes. A

A recent study suggests pharmacists may be a good fit to help people with type 2 diabetes implement dietary changes. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition caused when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to lower blood sugar (2). The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has steadily increased since the 1980s, causing an

Vicoprofen is the brand name for an oral analgesic medication. It is prescribed for short-term management of acute pain, such as post-surgical pain or active cancer treatment, generally for less than ten days.1 Vicoprofen is a fixed-dose combination of hydrocodone bitartrate and ibuprofen. Hydrocodone bitartrate is a semi-synthetic opioid.2 Its immediate-release (IR) form is commercially

Chemical peels are a widely used procedure for the management of acne scars. Also known as chemexfoliation, chemical peels for acne scars involve applying one or more chemical agents, of variable strength, to the skin’s surface. The process creates a controlled chemical-induced injury to the skin. Wounding promotes epidermal and dermal regeneration and tissue remodelling

The term ‘morning sickness’ has been the phrase used to describe nausea and vomiting that is associated with pregnancy for roughly the past 200 years,1 but can be misleading, because ‘morning sickness’ can also occur at night, or any time of the day. Nausea and vomiting occur in up to 74% of pregnancies, with 50%