Two harmful plants that can be found growing in Durham Region are giant hogweed and wild parsnip. Giant Hogweed An invasive perennial that spreads easily. It grows in moist areas along roadsides, ditches and streams and in open fields and woodlands. Giant hogweed can grow to a height of 2 to 5 ½ metres. The...Read More
With the summer heat now upon us, many people are outside enjoying the weather. In this heat it is important to remember to stay hydrated. Dehydration is when your body loses more fluids than you take in. Those at highest risk of dehydration are the young and the elderly. Drinking alcohol and caffeine can contribute...Read More
Since we are in lockdown and the weather is getting warmer we thought it prudent to have a Tick Talk! People will be taking advantage of the nicer weather to start working on their lawns and gardens, but we need to remember those pesky ticks. Often ticks are found in wooded areas, areas of...Read More
There are many allergy triggers that appear in the spring, the biggest culprit being pollen. Trees, grasses and weeds release pollen into the air in order to fertilize other plants. When a person is allergic to something in the environment, their body reacts by releasing histamine. This extra histamine causes the common symptoms of seasonal...Read More
Diabetes and Driving The main concern with driving for people with diabetes is the presence of hypoglycemia, which is defined as low blood glucose (sugar). People with diabetes have to take extra precautions before driving, especially if they take medications (such as insulin, gliclazide, glyburide) that can cause low blood sugar. Low blood sugar can...Read More
With winter break here, many university and college students will be coming home. This year, more than ever, it is important to check in (even remotely) with your children, friends and loved ones. This year has been unique in so many ways! Students have found themselves isolated because post-secondary schooling has moved primarily online. The...Read More
You have probably heard about the “winter blues.” The “winter blues” may actually be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Picture from: https://www.chicagoathleticclubs.com SAD is a form of depression that is related to changes in seasons. Most often SAD begins in the fall and continues through winter, but it can also occur in the spring and early...Read More
Opioid Overdose – What Can I Do? What are opioids? Are they legal? They are medications that can help relieve pain such as codeine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, morphine, fentanyl, tramadol Legal opioids are prescribed by a health care professional (physician or nurse practitioner) and are most often used to treat pain Illegal opioids are any...Read More
Naloxone: It Can Save a Life There were 16,364 suspected opioid-related deaths in Canada between January 2016 and March 2020, of which 96% were accidental. (https://health-infobase.canada.ca) It can happen to anyone It could happen to you or someone you love The majority of opioid overdoses happen at home when the person is alone...Read More
What is perimenopause? Perimenopause is the time in a woman’s life around menopause. It begins with the onset of irregular menstrual cycles and ends one year after menopause. The average age for menopause is 51 years old and perimenopause typically lasts 4 to 8 years. What is perimenopausal mood dysregulation? Perimenopausal mood dysregulation is depression...Read More
