Frequently Asked Health Questions
Cold winter weather doesn't cause colds, but it does tend to keep us indoors, making more people susceptible to catching viruses from one another.
To avoid getting sick from cold, flu, or other viral infections, wash your hands often with soap and warm water, and avoid rubbing your eyes or nose. If you get cold or flu drink plenty of fluids to help losen mucus. Chicken soup and warm tea with honey and lemon can help to loosen nasal congestion. Check our tips...
Yes. Some drugs that are available over the counter without a prescription can interact with supplements. For example a variety of herbs may interact with aspirin to increase the risk of bleeding. Concentrated green tea supplements interact with pseudoephedrine. St. John’s wort interacts with fexofenadine (Allegra). Read more...
Researchers have identified some major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) that can be changed: tobaco use, high blood pressure, poor eating habits, excess weight or obesity, stress, diabetes, elevated blood cholesterol, excess use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of exercise. Read more...
Alternative medicine are products or practices developed outside of mainstream medicine, but used instead of conventional medicine.
Learn more about alternative medicine...
When it comes to medicine, there is no official definition for use of the term natural. And it’s important to know that a medicinal product labeled natural does not always mean safe. For example, the herbs comfrey and kava may be considered natural products, but they can cause serious harm to the liver. An herbal or botanical supplement labeled natural may contain dozens of chemical compounds and all of its individual components may not be known.
"Statistically significant" clinical study means the finding in the difference between the study groups is not likely to be due to chance. "Clinically significant" is a measure of the size of the effects observed in the study. For example, a study can find statistically significant differences between two treatment groups, but the differences are so small that they do not have clinical significance in terms of usefulness for patients or safety.
Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory infection caused by several flu viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. People infected with the seasonal flu virus feel miserable with fever, chills, muscle aches, coughing, congestion, headache and fatigue for a week or so. Read more...
Symptoms of the flu usually come on suddenly and may include: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (tiredness). Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. This is more common in children.
Some types of arthritis may be caused by virus or bacterium: others may be brought on by a biochemical defect. Still others may have their roots in the genetic code. Sometimes, joints also may be strained simply by having to support an overweight body. Find out more...
"We often unintentionally prolong colds and flu by giving germs the opportunity to linger." ~ Maya Gavric
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Prevent the Spread of Infectious Disease
The cheapest and most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious disease is by washing hands. Yet it is estimated that one of every three people does not wash up hands after using the washroom. Washing your hands thoroughly and often may reduce your chance of getting sick. Use soap and warm running water and...
Refocus on You
After a full month of being constantly on the go, this is the perfect time to refocus on you. Everything you set your sights on doing in the coming year should have a built-in measure of pleasure, and that will help you stay on track without struggle. Here are some great ideas to build new habits guaranteed to nourish your body, mind and soul...
Red & Processed Meat and Cancer
WCRF UK recommends limiting consumption of red meat (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoiding processed meats. To reduce your cancer risk, eat no more than 500g (cooked weight) per week of red meats, like beef, pork and lamb, and avoid processed meats such as ham, bacon, salami, hot dogs and some sausages.
Satisfying relationships are basic to both physical and emotional health.
