Restrictive lung disease (RLD) is a group of disorders that prevent normal expansion of the lung, primarily due to hardening of the lung tissue. RLD can include: pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory distress syndrome, sarcoidosis, and radiation fibrosis, among others. These are rare and often lethal disease that in some instances, like pulmonary fibrosis, require a lung…
Pulmonary fibrosis is a group of diseases that result in fibrosis of the lung causing it to become stiff and making it progressively harder to breath. There can be many causes of pulmonary fibrosis including radiation, severe infection, environmental exposures, or the cause can be unknown in which case it is dubbed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis…
Dementia affects nearly 47 million people worldwide and it is likely that this number will rise to 150 million people worldwide by 2050. In order to prevent a future epidemic, we need to understand the risk factors associated with the disease and come up with new interventions that can treat existing dementia and help prevent…
There was a time in our history that the onset of night meant it was time to stop our daily activities and begin sleeping. With the advent of electricity, we were able to stay up later regardless of how dark it was outside. Many of us have computers, televisions, and smart phones in our bedrooms…
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…
Sleep is something we all enjoy but we likely never get enough. While the amount of recommended sleep varies by age group, with young children needing more, the average adult should be getting around 7-9 hours a night. Getting less than the recommended amount of sleep can cause problems with memory, headaches, and aching muscles…
Obesity is a problem that continues to grow out of hand with more than 29% of Canadians and over 32% of Americans being classified as obese. Far from being just a problem of weight, obesity can put someone at risk for numerous other conditions including: heart disease, type-2 diabetes, stroke, cancer, depression, hypertension, and more.…
Much is known about the negative health consequences of first-hand (direct) and second-hand smoking. This includes an increased risk for cancer, heart disease, lung diseases (asthma and COPD), and an increased risk for lung infections. In infants, second hand smoke is also associated with an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A new…
Historically, women were told to refrain from exercise during pregnancy out of concern for pre-mature birth and fetal stress. Unfortunately, this often led to excessive weight gain during pregnancy and an inability to lose that weight following birth. An increase in a mothers weight is associated with obesity in the offspring later in life. Obesity…
Research overwhelmingly suggests that consumption of sugar sweetened beverages including pop and juice is linked with obesity and type-2 diabetes. Specifically, overconsumption of sugar can lead to excessive weight gain and an increased risk of type-2 diabetes. Many people turn to diet drinks sweetened with artificial sweeteners to cut their consumption of sugar while still enjoying…
