Smokers have a higher risk for asthma and children exposed to cigarette smoke at home are at a higher risk of having or developing asthma. Mothers who have a child with asthma eventually may quit smoking in order to prevent their children from having asthma attacks that require hospitalization. What we don’t know is if…
Dementia is a worldwide problem with more than 50 million people affected and 10 million more new cases every year. It causes significant impairments in memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to perform daily activities. In the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, genetic factors only account for between 1-5% of the cases with…
Atherosclerosis is a disease in which cholesterol rich plaques build up inside your arteries and limits the flow of blood, and therefore oxygen, to your tissues. Blockage of vessels leading to the heart leads to heart disease (and heart attacks) and blockage of the vessels leading to the brain leads to strokes. Heart disease kills…
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that results in damage to the airways (Bronchitis) and destruction of the small air sacs, called alveoli (Emphysema). Traditionally considered a smoker’s disease, COPD can also appear in people exposed to indoor air pollution (wood burning stoves) and air pollution. Not everyone who smokes will…
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide killing over 8 million people in 2015. At the same time, lower respiratory infections including influenza are a major problem causing 3 million deaths worldwide per year. Typically, the young and elderly and at greatest risk of influenza related death or disability. Annual flu…
With obesity and type-2 diabetes on the rise, many jurisdictions have suggested that a tax on sugary drinks and food with excessive sugar added might be a way to curb our overeating and promote healthy choices. Hungary, Finland, France, Belgium, Portugal, Mexico, Chile, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates are some of the countries…
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting 39 million people worldwide. It is estimated that 1% of the population will be affected by the age of 20 and 3% by the age of 75. The random nature of seizures in people with epilepsy can make planning for daily life difficult. Although short…
Respiratory infections affect hundreds of millions of people annually and account for nearly 4 million deaths world wide. Treatment plans will depend on the type of infection, with bacterial infections needing antibiotics and viral infections needing antivirals. Prescribing antibiotics to someone with a viral infection wont help them get better and it will add to…
Air pollution is a major health concern that is linked with lung and cardiovascular damage and is known to aggravate existing conditions like asthma and COPD. Extreme levels of pollution has also been linked to an increased risk for developing certain chronic diseases. Even low levels of air pollution found within cities can be problematic…
Obesity among the younger population is on the rise worldwide with more than 340 children and adolescents overweight or obese in 2016. Complications of overweight and obesity include and increased risk for type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer. Additionally, new research is showing that obesity may impair normal immune function in response to…
