The Power of a Smile 😊
A smile is one of the simplest tools we carry, yet it holds remarkable power. Connection rarely begins with grand gestures — it starts with acknowledgement. A smile says, “I see you,” before a single word is spoken....
Preventing Accidental Poisoning
Responsible use of medication significantly benefits our health and wellbeing. However, if not taken carefully, there can be fatal outcomes such as poisoning. Poisoning occurs when a harmful substance is swallowed, inhaled, injected or absorbed into the body....
Feathered Friends, Fitter Minds
From a young age, my son (now in university) was fascinated by all wildlife — including birds. His favourite bedtime stories involved animals and, as a result, I became far more knowledgeable about them too. Recently, I came...
The Wig Showdown: Synthetic versus Human
Curious about the difference between a human hair wig compared to a synthetic wig? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The following is a breakdown of the differences between the two in order to help you find the...
Two Minutes on Brain Rot
Across Canada, from the lecture halls of the University of Toronto, where my son is a student, to St. Joseph’s High School in St. Thomas, where I was a student, a new term is dominating the cultural conversation:...
Running on Empty: What Is Sleepcation?
Whether it’s the demands of parenting, the temptation to binge-watch a new series, or the weight of stress and anxiety, many of us are sleep deprived. Research shows that roughly one in three adults don’t get enough rest,...
One Size Fits Most, or One Size Fits You? Navigating the Compression Aisle
Curious about how custom compression garments compare to off-the-shelf compression garments? We've compiled some pointers that explain the differences between the two. For custom compression garments, you can get garments tailored specifically to your measurements (and preferences!) While...
Puddles, Paw Prints, and Peace of Mind: The Surprising Perks of Rainy Dog Duty
I love walking my dog, especially in the spring. The weather is warmer, birds are out, and flowers are in bloom. However, with spring flowers come rain showers. While the rain can put a damper on your afternoon...
Trust Your Gut: The Science Behind That Good Feeling
My Dad used to say, “trust your gut”. Essentially, he meant that we should trust our instincts when making important decisions. Normally we associate decision-making with our brains, not our stomach. However, did you know that our brains...
30% of Seniors Have Difficulty Swallowing?!
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, and it affects about 30% of adults over 65 (according to McMaster University). It is not a disease itself, but a symptom of other health problems such as stroke, dementia,...
Many Colours, One Community: Marking World Rare Disease Day
Disease is a part of the human condition. Some diseases are rarer than others. You might be wondering: what specifically classifies as a rare disease? In Canada, we usually refer to the European definition, which states that a...
From Swelling to Stress Relief: How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Is Trending in Wellness
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has gained popularity among holistic-leaning celebrities like Mayim Bialik, LeAnn Rimes, and LeBron James, who use it to address various health issues such as inflammation, anxiety, and swelling. The therapy involves breathing pure oxygen...
Breast Health Proactive and Detect Early
As a female pharmacist, I want to share how important it is for women to stay proactive about their breast health. A breast self-exam is an easy way to check for early signs of cancer by examining your...
Understanding Pulmonary Fibrosis: Every Breath Matters
When we breathe in, our lungs expand like a balloon. Now imagine trying to blow up a balloon covered in glue - that’s exactly how breathing with Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) feels like. Breathlessness is sometimes a sign of...
I Scream, You Scream: Are There Health Benefits to Ice Cream?
Recently, a friend sent me a post where the author was suggesting that ice cream may reduce the incidence of heart disease in diabetic patients. My first thought was, “Who are the authors of this study? Ben and...
