A recent study revealed that the so-called “feel good” hormone in the brain, chemically known as dopamine can be influenced and manipulated at will. Imagine the excitement when you hear the bell of the ice cream truck or the feeling of sipping that perfect sip of wine after achieving a great result at work. These

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%

Bone mineral density is typically associated with conditions such as osteopenia and osteoporosis, but not many people would link bone mineral density to changes in the microbiome. Osteopenia – occurs when bones lose calcium and become brittle. It is a common condition that is typically associated with aging and not often associated with any symptoms.

COVID-19 viral particles have been detected in the heart muscles of people with COVID-19 as well as in autopsy samples. Heart damage is also thought to contribute to the symptoms of “long haul” COVID-19. As of August 2021, there were 201.75 million cases of COVID-19 worldwide and 4.28 million deaths associated with the virus (1).

The skin covering the body is divided into an outermost layer called the epidermis and an inner layer called the dermis. Heel fissures occur when the epidermis skin layer is dry and cracked.1 Dermal heel fissures can develop from continuous epidermal stress on the heel. They are often deep in the dermal layer and obstruct

Strep throat is a common and highly contagious bacterial infection that is caused by the bacteria known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS).1 Doctors can easily test for strep throat via a rapid test.4 This means that the doctor takes a gentle swab from the back of the throat with a cotton swab and tests it

Hogweed is a poisonous plant originating from Asia that can be dangerous, causing what is known as Hogweed rash. Before becoming an invasive species, it is likely that this exotic plant was introduced to North America as a decorative plant for gardens. Hogweed is one of the very few plants in North America that can

Physical activity can have countless health benefits. From maintaining a healthy body weight to reducing the risk of bone fractures, physical fitness can reduce the risk of developing many illnesses such as high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, and even cancer, to name a few.6 Here are some reasons why physical fitness can also

Mineral sunscreens provide a convenient and reliable way of reducing your exposure to harmful UV radiation.  What are mineral sunscreens, what kinds of mineral sunscreens are available, and how do they work? What are mineral sunscreens? Most sunscreens sold today can be classified as either mineral sunscreen or chemical sunscreen.  Mineral sunscreens are topical skincare

A promising malaria vaccine is being developed based on mRNA technology. Malaria is an infectious, life-threatening disease that is spread by mosquitoes. It is a global health threat: there were 228,000,000 clinical cases of malaria and 405,000 deaths worldwide in 2018. People who are at the highest risk of severe disease include pregnant women, children,

People who are overweight or obese tend to have higher levels of inflammation, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Researchers set out to find out whether eating apples regularly can reduce inflammation. To do this, the researchers measured markers of inflammation in the blood, as well as markers of cardiovascular health. The randomized

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation – known as TENS – is a method of pain relief, commonly used as a treatment for a variety of pain conditions. The advantages of TENS machines are that they are small, portable devices, that are easily used for at-home treatment, and are relatively inexpensive. People may also use TENS machines

Alpha-hydroxy acids are chemical compounds that are sometimes added to skincare products and in-office facial treatments.  What are alpha-hydroxy acids, what do they do, and what are their associated benefits and side effects? What are alpha-hydroxy acids? Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are molecules that have a relatively acidic pH and a specific chemical structure.  They are

Azelaic acid is an ingredient that is sometimes found in prescription and over-the-counter skin care products, and it is used to treat a variety of skin concerns. In Canada, azelaic acid is only approved as a prescription medication. How does azelaic acid work, what is it used for, and what are the common benefits and side

One of the incredible things people start to realize during rehab is the roots of their addictions. Most people are not even aware of why they are making the choices they are making. This can contribute to increased feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Understanding why you make the choices you make can help you get

The skin is as vital as any part of the body. Despite being the largest organ, it may be easy to overlook it sometimes. There are instances when people don’t think about their skin much unless they encounter a problem. However, the skin serves a critical purpose as it constantly provides protection. One reason you

With the growing demand placed on the healthcare system, some patients are falling through the cracks. This is placing a massive strain on medical care overall, shaking the faith that a lot of patients once had in our healthcare system. As a result, there are a lot of people who wonder what they can do to ensure a consistent patient

America’s Health Rankings reports that almost 50% of pregnant women in the U.S. did not originally intend to conceive. Furthermore, it states that over half of the nation’s female population will experience an unexpected pregnancy by the time they are 45 years old. The unintended conception rate (and birthrate in the U.S. in general) has actually