Health
Doctor Game: Sure the view is great, but will it kill you?
By Medicine Hat News on February 26th, 2018
What is the greatest threat to having a heart attack, the nation’s number one killer? Ask this question and most people will answer it’s having high blood cholesterol. Or they respond, it’s due to hypertension, obesity, diabetes, or a stressful lifestyle. But suppose you ask what things will improve the chance of surviving coronary attack? ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Doctor Gamer: What I learned watching my wife’s cataract surgery
By Medicine Hat News on February 19th, 2018
As a surgeon, giving medical advice to a family member, particularly to your wife, is a difficult task. Moreover, since she’s also my editor, Susan is well aware of my advice to readers. Namely, that it’s prudent never to agree to surgery for a painful hip or any chronic condition until it affects your quality ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!To Your Health: Good posture beneath the covers can aid in sleep
By Gillian Slade on February 19th, 2018
To sleep, per chance to dream. We don’t often realize the value of a good sleep until we are deprived of it. While we can’t control all aspects of sleep, our posture in bed can make a difference. Most of us will spend a third of our life asleep and therefore it may as well ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Doctor Game: The right answers about flu could save your life
By Medicine Hat News on February 12th, 2018
“Get the shot,” is the message now the flu season is here. But how effective is the vaccine? What is the chance of a mismatch? Are there serious complications? Should you get your shot at the local pharmacy? Or treat yourself with over-the-counter products? Should you rely on natural remedies? The right answers could save ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!To Your Health: Music is a powerful tool for better health
By Gillian Slade on February 12th, 2018
If you use headphones to feed music to your ears while exercising physically you already know the benefits of music distracting you from the effort your body is enduring. If your eyes have spilled tears of emotion while you watched a parade and listened to a military band you understand the power of music. There ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Doctor Game: The nitric oxide key to prevent heart attack
By Medicine Hat News on February 5th, 2018
Ask anyone what causes a sudden coronary attack and they will say it’s the result of high blood cholesterol, lack of exercise, obesity or smoking. Now, a report in the publication “LifeExtension” says doctors must start thinking “endothelium.” I’d bet few readers could even spell this word. So why is it so vital? And what ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!To Your Health: Germs are hiding in plain sight all around your home
By Gillian Slade on February 5th, 2018
Dish cloths can be a breeding ground for 4 billion germs. It is very hard to keep up with cleaning our homes and none of us have time to take cleaning routines to what they were in our grandparents’ day. However, it is good to be reminded of standards to strive for and cleaning some ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!To Your Health: You are your own best advocate for your health
By Gillian Slade on January 29th, 2018
Even if you have had the same family doctor for years and years you should be compiling your own health record file. It can be difficult to trace your really old medical records and a test result that may not have seemed very important at the time may be very useful later. You are your ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Doctor Game: Readers say cancer patients deserve better
By Medicine Hat News on January 29th, 2018
Several weeks ago I wrote that Canada’s federal minister of health had announced $100 million would be available to fight the opioid crisis. In addition, it would now be easier for addicts in treatment centres to obtain heroin. But I argued there was no such easy access to heroin for terminal cancer patients in agony. ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!To Your Health: Now hear this good news on hearing loss research
By Gillian Slade on January 22nd, 2018
If you or someone you love has issues with hearing there is some exciting research news about reversing the cause of hearing loss. Several really big clinical trials are underway in the U.K. A medication is injected into the ear to stimulate the growth of the “hair” cells in the ear. In a well functioning ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Doctor Game: My Scottish father would roll over in his grave
By Medicine Hat News on January 22nd, 2018
Most people know that obesity is a health issue. But how many know that it’s responsible for 95 per cent of Type 2 diabetes? Or that 50 per cent of diabetes patients die of heart attack? How many readers know how obesity affects surgery? And what would make my father roll over in his grave? ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!
