General Health
Antihistamines: What Every Canadian Should Know
Antihistamines are drugs that block the effects of histamine in your body. Histamine is a natural chemical your immune system …
Canada Health Journal
General-Health
Evidence-based health articles written and reviewed by licensed Canadian physicians.
General Health
Antibodies: What They Are and How They Protect You
Your body has a remarkable defence system, and antibodies are one of its most powerful tools.
General Health
Sensory Adaptation: How Your Senses Adjust Over Time
Your body is constantly receiving information from the world around you. Your eyes detect light, your ears pick up sound, your …
General Health
Acoustic Nerve: What It Is and Why It Matters
The acoustic nerve — also called the vestibulocochlear nerve or auditory nerve — is one of the most important nerves in your body.
General Health
Anaphylactic Shock: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Anaphylactic shock is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction. It is also called anaphylaxis.
General Health
HIV and AIDS: What Every Canadian Should Know
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. Specifically, it destroys white blood cells called CD4 cells, also known as …
General Health
Dopamine: What It Does and Why It Matters
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter. That means it is a chemical your brain uses to send signals between nerve cells.
General Health
Diethylstilbestrol (DES): Risks, Effects & What You Should Know
Diethylstilbestrol, often called DES, was the first synthetic estrogen ever produced. It was widely prescribed across North …
General Health
Angina Pectoris: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Angina pectoris happens when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. The result is a squeezing, pressing, or …
General Health
Albumin: What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Health
Albumin is a type of protein that dissolves easily in water. It is found in your blood, in egg whites, and in other body fluids.
General Health
Acupuncture: What Every Canadian Should Know
Acupuncture is a treatment rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Practitioners believe that the body has an energy force …
General Health
Acromion: What It Is and Why It Matters
The acromion is a small but important bony structure at the top of your shoulder. It forms the highest point of the shoulder …
General Health
Sebaceous Glands: What They Do and Why They Matter
This article explains what sebaceous glands are, how they work, what can go wrong, and when it is time to talk to your family …
General Health
Pustule on Skin: Causes, Treatments & When to Worry
A pustule is a small, raised bump on the skin that is filled with pus. Pus is a thick, yellowish or whitish fluid made up of dead …
General Health
Depression: Signs, Symptoms & When to Get Help
Depression is a mental health condition marked by deep, lasting sadness and a loss of interest in things you once enjoyed.
General Health
Blindness: Causes, Types, and What You Can Do
Blindness refers to a significant loss of vision that cannot be fully corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
General Health
Adolescence: A Parent’s Guide to Teen Health
The word “adolescence” comes from the Latin word adolescere, meaning “to grow up.” It is much more than just a physical …
General Health
DNA: What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Health
DNA is a long, complex molecule found inside almost every cell in the human body. It acts like a set of instructions, telling your …
General Health
Acrodermatitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Acrodermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin on the extremities — mainly the hands, feet, and sometimes the lower legs and …
General Health
Dry Mouth: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Canada
Dry mouth — known medically as xerostomia or asialia — happens when your salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep your …
General Health
Lumbar Puncture: What Canadians Need to Know
A lumbar puncture, often called a spinal tap, is a medical procedure used to collect or examine the fluid surrounding your brain …
General Health
Polyarthritis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Polyarthritis simply means inflammation of multiple joints. The word comes from the Greek words poly (many) and arthritis (joint …
General Health
Carcinogenesis: How Cancer Starts in the Body
The word carcinogenesis comes from the Greek word for cancer (karkinos) and the Latin word for origin (genesis).
General Health
Calcium: Benefits, Sources & Daily Requirements
Calcium is a chemical element found in nature and inside the human body. Your body stores about one kilogram of calcium — nearly …
General Health
Vulvodynia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Canada
Vulvodynia refers to ongoing vulvar pain that cannot be explained by another medical condition. It most commonly feels like …
General Health
Adhesiolysis: What Canadians Need to Know
Adhesiolysis is the medical term for breaking apart or removing adhesions. Adhesions are fibrous bands of scar tissue that grow …
General Health
Agraphesthesia: What It Means When You Can’t Feel Written Symbols
Agraphesthesia is the inability to recognise symbols — such as letters or numbers — drawn on the skin by touch alone.
General Health
Achondroplasia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Achondroplasia is a condition a person is born with. It affects the way cartilage turns into bone, a process called ossification.
General Health
Aclasis: What You Need to Know About This Bone Condition
The word aclasis comes from Greek roots meaning “without breaking” or “continuous.” In medicine, it describes a pathological …
General Health
Athlete’s Foot: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin, most often found between the toes. The medical term for it is tinea pedis.
General Health
Obsessive Thoughts: Causes, Types & Treatment
An obsessive thought is a recurring idea or mental image that forces itself into your awareness.
General Health
Bronchospasm: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your lungs contain thousands of airways called bronchi and bronchioles. These tubes carry air in and out of your lungs with every …
General Health
Atherosclerosis: Causes, Symptoms & Prevention
Atherosclerosis happens when cholesterol, fats, and other substances collect along the inner walls of your arteries.
General Health
Oophorectomy: What Canadian Women Need to Know
An oophorectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both ovaries. It is one of the most common gynaecological surgeries …
General Health
Weight Maintenance After Dieting: What Really Works
Your body mass index (BMI) is a simple tool used to estimate whether your weight is in a healthy range.
General Health
Adenoma: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment
An adenoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour that grows from glandular tissue. It can develop in many parts of the body, …
General Health
Adenocarcinoma: What Canadians Need to Know
Adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumour that grows from epithelial cells. These are the cells that line the surfaces of organs and …
General Health
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Benefits, Sources & Health Effects
Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of essential polyunsaturated fats. The word “essential” means your body cannot produce them, so …
General Health
Acidophilic Cells: What They Are and Why They Matter
The term acidophilic comes from two Latin and Greek roots: acidus (acid) and philos (loving).
General Health
Newborn Baby: What to Expect in the First 28 Days
A newborn baby is a child from the moment of birth up to 28 days of life. These first four weeks are some of the most important — …
General Health
Medication: What Every Canadian Should Know
Understanding medication is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Whether you pick up a prescription at …
General Health
Anticancer Drugs: What Every Canadian Should Know
Anticancer drugs are medicines designed to target and destroy cancer cells in the body. They work by interfering with the way …
General Health
Antiplatelet Drugs: What Canadians Need to Know
Your blood contains tiny cells called platelets. When you get a cut, platelets rush to the injury and stick together.
General Health
Urethra: Function, Conditions & When to Get Help
The urethra is a small but important tube in your body. It carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body.
General Health
Tremors: Types, Causes & When to Get Help
A tremor is an uncontrolled, repetitive shaking of one or more body parts. It is not the same as a muscle twitch or a spasm.
General Health
Sleep Disorders: Causes, Symptoms & Better Sleep Tips
A sleep disorder is any condition that disrupts your normal sleep pattern. Most people have a bad night here and there.
General Health
UV Protection: How to Shield Your Skin This Summer
When summer arrives, UV protection becomes one of the most important steps you can take for your health.
General Health
Addison’s Disease: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands stop producing enough of certain key hormones.
General Health
Acute Illness: What It Means and When to Act Fast
An acute illness is a health condition that comes on suddenly and progresses quickly. Unlike long-term health problems, an acute …
General Health
Alpha Lipoic Acid: Benefits, Uses & What to Know
Unlike many antioxidants, alpha lipoic acid works in both water and fat. This makes it especially versatile inside the body.
General Health
Linoleic Acid: Benefits, Sources & What You Need to Know
Linoleic acid is a type of polyunsaturated fat. It belongs to the omega-6 family of fatty acids.
General Health
Malignant Tumour: What It Means for Your Health
A malignant tumour is a cancerous growth that can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
General Health
White Blood Cells: What They Are and Why They Matter
White blood cells are nucleated cells found in human blood. Unlike red blood cells, which carry oxygen, white blood cells have a …
General Health
Adrenergic Drugs: What They Are and How They Work
Adrenergic drugs are a class of medications that act on your body’s adrenergic system. This system uses adrenaline — also called …
General Health
Adhesions: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Normally, the organs and tissues inside your body have smooth surfaces that allow them to move freely.
General Health
Thyroid Gland: What It Does and Why It Matters
Your thyroid gland is a small but powerful organ that controls much of how your body functions every day.
General Health
Screening Test: What It Is and Why It Matters
A screening test is one of the most powerful tools in preventive health care. It checks for possible health conditions in people …
General Health
Warning Signs of Pain You Should Never Ignore
Your body uses pain to send you a message. Most of the time, a sore back from moving furniture or an upset stomach after a big …
General Health
Natural Sleep & Wellness Remedies: A Complete Guide
Finding effective natural sleep and wellness remedies can feel overwhelming. Whether you are dealing with insomnia, gallstones, …
General Health
ACTH Hormone: What It Does and Why It Matters
The ACTH hormone — short for adrenocorticotropic hormone — is a powerful chemical messenger made in your brain.
General Health
Acroosteolysis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Acroosteolysis is the medical term for the destruction or resorption of the distal phalanges — the small bones at the very tips of …
General Health
Benzoic Acid: Uses, Safety & Health Effects
Benzoic acid is a simple organic acid that occurs naturally in many plants and foods. You can find it naturally in berries, …
General Health
Nitric Acid: Health Risks, Exposure & First Aid
In its concentrated form, nitric acid releases toxic fumes. These fumes can irritate and damage the respiratory tract even without …
General Health
Lethal: What It Means for Your Health
The word lethal means something that causes death. In medicine and everyday health discussions, this term describes anything — a …
General Health
Arcuate Keratotomy: What Canadians Should Know
Arcuate keratotomy is a surgical technique that corrects astigmatism by making precise curved incisions in the cornea.
General Health
Adenosine: What It Is and How It Helps Your Heart
Adenosine is a nucleoside, which means it is a molecule made up of a sugar and a nitrogen-containing base. In this case, the base …
General Health
Adenomatosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Adenomatosis refers to the abnormal overgrowth of glandular tissue, either in the outer lining or the inner working tissue of a …
General Health
Spirometry Test: What It Is and What to Expect
A spirometry test is one of the most common and useful ways to check how well your lungs are working.
General Health
Sinusitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment in Canada
Your sinuses are small, air-filled cavities located in your face and skull. They are lined with a soft tissue called mucosa, which …
General Health
Muscle Pain: Causes, Treatment & When to See a Doctor
Muscle pain can affect any part of your body — your neck, back, legs, arms, or hands. The pain may feel like a dull ache, a sharp …
General Health
Pain Management: Steps to Understand and Control Pain
Nobody enjoys being in pain. However, pain is one of your body’s most important communication tools.
General Health
Acrodynia: Mercury Poisoning in Young Children
Acrodynia is a vasomotor disorder of the extremities. This means it affects blood vessel function in the hands and feet.
General Health
Acrocentric Chromosomes: What They Mean for Your Health
An acrocentric chromosome is a chromosome where the centromere — the point that holds the two arms of the chromosome together — …
General Health
Aspirin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Safety
The dose you take changes what aspirin actually does in your body. At low doses, it acts as a blood thinner.
General Health
Acetylcholine: What It Does and Why It Matters
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter — a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other.
General Health
Keratitis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Canada
Keratitis refers to any inflammation of the cornea, regardless of the cause. The cornea plays a vital role in helping your eye …
General Health
Irritability: Causes, Symptoms & When to Get Help
Irritability is the tendency to react quickly and strongly to stimulation — whether emotional, physical, or environmental.
General Health
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia: Causes, Types & Treatment
Multiple endocrine neoplasia is also called pluriglandular adenomatosis or multiple endocrine adenomatosis.
General Health
Adenofibroma: What You Need to Know
An adenofibroma is a benign, non-cancerous tumour made up of two types of tissue: glandular tissue and fibrous connective tissue.
General Health
Retina: What It Is, How It Works & Eye Diseases
The retina is one of the most important parts of your eye. It is a thin layer of tissue that lines the inside back wall of the …
General Health
Free Radicals: What They Are and How They Harm You
A free radical is a molecule with an unpaired electron on its outer edge. This makes it highly unstable and reactive.
General Health
Sunscreen UVA UVB Protection: What Canadians Need to Know
Choosing the right broad-spectrum sunscreen is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your skin.
General Health
Zenker’s Diverticulum: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
A diverticulum is a medical term for an abnormal, sac-shaped pouch that forms in the wall of a hollow organ.
General Health
Achondroplasia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Achondroplasia is a genetic condition that affects bone growth, particularly the long bones of the arms and legs.
General Health
Acne: Causes, Types, and Treatment Options
Acne is a skin condition that affects the hair follicles and oil glands beneath your skin. When these glands produce too much oil, …
General Health
Acentric Chromosome: What It Means for Your Health
An acentric chromosome is a chromosome that is missing its centromere — the region that holds a chromosome together and guides it …
General Health
Acatalasia: Causes, Symptoms & Oral Health Effects
Acatalasia, also called acatalasemia, is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CAT gene.
General Health
Insulinoma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
An insulinoma is a rare tumour that grows in the pancreas and produces too much insulin. Most insulinomas are benign, meaning they …
General Health
Drug-Induced Liver Damage: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your liver acts like a powerful filter. It breaks down nearly everything you eat, drink, or absorb — including medications, …
General Health
Adduction: What This Body Movement Means for You
Adduction describes any movement that pulls a body part toward the midline of your body. The midline is an imaginary vertical line …
General Health
Adam’s Apple: What It Is and Why It Matters
The Adam’s apple is the small, firm bump you can see and feel at the front of your throat. It is made of thyroid cartilage, which …
General Health
Localized Itching: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
Localized itching means the urge to scratch is limited to one area. It does not spread across your whole body.
General Health
Pneumocystis Pneumonia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Pneumocystis pneumonia — often shortened to PCP — is an opportunistic infection. That means it takes advantage of a weakened …
General Health
Unexpected Pain Causes: What Your Body Is Telling You
Sometimes pain shows up without an obvious reason. You have not fallen, lifted anything heavy, or been injured — yet something …
General Health
Oral Infections and Systemic Disease: What Your Mouth Reveals
Most Canadians know that brushing and flossing keep cavities away. But research now shows that oral infections and systemic …
General Health
Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Benefits, Sources & Daily Needs
Omega-6 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat. That means they have more than one double bond in their chemical structure, …
General Health
Acinar Cells: What They Are and Why They Matter
An acinus is a small, rounded sac or cavity surrounded by glandular cells. Think of it like a tiny hollow berry, with the cells …
General Health
Acanthosis Nigricans: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Acanthosis nigricans is not a disease by itself. Instead, it is usually a visible sign that something else is happening inside …
General Health
Acanthion: What This Facial Landmark Means for Your Health
The acanthion is a small but important point on the human skull. It sits at the tip of the anterior nasal spine — the tiny bony …
General Health
Chronic Fatigue: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Chronic fatigue is a persistent state of exhaustion that does not go away with rest. It can cut your normal daily activity by at …
General Health
Dermis: What This Skin Layer Does for Your Body
The dermis is the middle layer of your skin, and it does far more than most people realize.
General Health
Actinic Reticuloid: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Actinic reticuloid is a long-term skin disorder. It belongs to a broader group of conditions called chronic actinic dermatitis, …
General Health
Acrosclerosis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Acrosclerosis is a form of systemic sclerosis, which means it affects the body’s connective tissue.
General Health
Heart Palpitations: Causes, Symptoms & When to Worry
Heart palpitations are sensations where your heart feels like it is pounding, fluttering, or skipping a beat.
General Health
Pale Skin: Causes, Symptoms & When to Worry
Pale skin, also called pallor, happens when the skin loses some of its normal colour. This often occurs when less blood flows …
General Health
Viral Infections: What Every Canadian Should Know
A virus is an incredibly tiny infectious agent — far too small to see under a regular microscope.
General Health
Tetany: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Canada
Tetany refers to episodes of strong, prolonged muscle contractions. These contractions most often affect the hands, feet, and …
General Health
Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a form of metabolic acidosis. That means the blood becomes too acidic because of a build-up of substances …
General Health
Stomach Acid: What It Is and How to Manage It
Your stomach lining contains special cells that produce gastric juice. This juice is made up of several important components that …
General Health
Abulia: What It Is and How to Get Help
Abulia comes from the Greek word meaning “lack of will.” It is a neurological and psychological symptom that reduces a person’s …
General Health
DEXA Scan: What Is a Bone Density Test?
A DEXA scan is a quick, painless test that measures how strong and dense your bones are. It stands for dual-energy X-ray …
General Health
Hereditary Traits: What Your Genes Say About You
Your body is shaped by thousands of hereditary traits passed down from your parents and grandparents.
General Health
Burkitt Lymphoma: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Burkitt lymphoma is a malignant tumour that starts in the lymph nodes. It is classified as a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, meaning …
General Health
Acromegaly: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment in Canada
Acromegaly happens when a small, non-cancerous tumour on the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone.
General Health
Acrocyanosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Acrocyanosis is a chronic condition where the skin on your hands, feet, and ears turns blue or violet.
General Health
Orgasm: What Happens in Your Body and Why It Matters
An orgasm is the peak of sexual excitement. It brings intense physical sensations and marks the climax of the sexual response …
General Health
Nystagmus: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options
Nystagmus refers to uncontrolled eye movements that a person cannot stop on their own. The word comes from the Greek word for …
General Health
IQ Test: What It Measures and What It Means
An IQ test is a standardised tool used to measure a person’s intellectual abilities. It compares your results to the average …
General Health
Scalp Health: What Every Canadian Should Know
Your scalp health matters more than most people realize. The scalp is the layer of soft tissue that covers the skull and is …
General Health
Sulfuric Acid: Health Risks, Exposure & Safety
In pure form, sulfuric acid is extremely dense and will absorb water rapidly from its surroundings.
General Health
Salicylic Acid: Uses, Benefits & Skin Care Guide
Salicylic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound. It belongs to a group of chemicals called beta-hydroxy acids, which …
General Health
Ablepharia: What Canadians Need to Know
Ablepharia — sometimes spelled ablepharon — refers to the total or partial absence of the eyelids at birth.
General Health
Abductor Muscles: Function, Types & Exercises
Your abductor muscles are some of the hardest-working muscles in your body. They control the movement of pulling a limb away from …
General Health
Biopsy: What It Is, Why It’s Done & What to Expect
A biopsy is a medical procedure where a small sample of tissue or cells is removed from your body and examined under a microscope.
General Health
Antipsychotic Medications: What Canadians Should Know
These medications do not cure mental illness. However, they help reduce or control symptoms so that people can function better in …
General Health
Acoria: Missing Pupil Condition Explained
Acoria is classified as a congenital malformation. This means a person is born with it — it is not something that develops later …
General Health
Aclasis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options
The word aclasis comes from medical terminology meaning a “pathological continuity” of a structure.
General Health
Keratin: What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Skin
Keratin is the most important structural protein found in the epidermis — the outermost layer of your skin.
General Health
Insulin: What It Does and Why It Matters
Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas, a gland that sits behind your stomach. It plays a key role in keeping your blood sugar …
General Health
Pterygium: What Canadians Need to Know
A pterygium is a non-cancerous growth on the eye that can look alarming but is often manageable.
General Health
Mucous Membranes: What They Are and Why They Matter
Your body is lined from head to toe by a remarkable tissue called mucous membranes. These thin, moist layers coat the inside of …
General Health
Acephaly: What This Rare Birth Defect Means
Acephaly comes from the Greek words meaning “without a head.” It describes a congenital malformation where the entire head, …
General Health
Accessory Nerve: Function, Damage & When to Worry
The accessory nerve is the eleventh of twelve cranial nerves in the human body. It plays a vital role in controlling key muscles …
General Health
Abduction Movement: What It Means for Your Body
In simple terms, abduction movement means moving a body part away from the centre of your body.
General Health
Abducens Nerve: What It Does and Why It Matters
The abducens nerve is the sixth of twelve cranial nerves in your body. It plays a key role in controlling eye movement.
General Health
Anticholinergic Drugs: What Canadians Need to Know
Your body runs on a network of automatic signals. One major branch of that network is called the parasympathetic nervous system.
General Health
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: What You Need to Know
Your heart beats because of tiny electrical impulses. These impulses travel through your heart muscle in a very precise order.
General Health
Lactic Acidosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your body produces lactic acid naturally during normal activity. Usually, your liver breaks it down quickly and removes it from …
General Health
GABA: What This Brain Chemical Does for You
Think of your nervous system like a busy highway. Excitatory neurotransmitters, like glutamate, press the gas pedal. GABA presses …
General Health
Gonorrhea: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment in Canada
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a Gram-negative bacterium.
General Health
Hormones: What They Are and How They Work
A hormone is a substance produced by an endocrine gland. Once released into the blood, it travels to one or more “target organs” — …
General Health
Minoxidil for Hair Loss: What Canadians Should Know
Minoxidil is a medication that was originally developed to treat high blood pressure. Doctors noticed that patients using it began …
General Health
Low White Blood Cell Count: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
A low white blood cell count — known medically as leukopenia — happens when the number of white blood cells in your blood drops …
General Health
Acardiac Twin: Causes, Risks & What to Expect
An acardiac twin is one of the rarest and most serious birth defects known to medicine. It occurs when one twin develops without a …
General Health
Acanthosis Nigricans: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that affects the outer layer of the skin called the epidermis.
General Health
Abdomen: What It Is and How It Works
Your abdomen is one of the most important parts of your body. It is the lower section of your trunk, and it holds most of your …
General Health
Abscess: Causes, Symptoms & When to Get Help
An abscess is a painful pocket of pus that forms when your body fights a bacterial infection. It can appear almost anywhere on or …
General Health
Helping Someone with Depression: A Canadian Guide
Depression is not simply feeling sad or having a bad week. It is a complex mental health condition that affects how a person …
General Health
Muscle Weakness and Fatigue: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Muscle weakness and fatigue refer to a general loss of physical energy and reduced muscle strength. It goes beyond simply feeling …
General Health
Arachidonic Acid: What It Does in Your Body
Arachidonic acid is a long-chain omega-6 fatty acid. Your body produces some of it on its own, but you also get it from the foods …
General Health
Achylia: What Happens When Digestion Slows Down
Achylia refers to the significant reduction — or complete absence — of digestive juices produced by the stomach.
General Health
Histamine: What It Does and Why It Matters
Histamine is a chemical compound made from an amino acid called histidine. Your body produces it naturally in many tissues, …
General Health
Hydration: Why Water Is Essential for Your Health
Your body is made up of roughly 60% water. Every cell, tissue, and organ depends on water to function.
General Health
Infection: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Canada
An infection happens when harmful microorganisms — such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi — enter your body and start multiplying.
General Health
Ringworm: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment in Canada
Ringworm is a skin infection caused by fungi called dermatophytes. The medical term for the condition is tinea corporis.
General Health
Acalculia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options
Acalculia is the complete loss of the ability to use numbers or do arithmetic. A person with acalculia cannot add, subtract, …
General Health
Achalasia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options
The esophagus normally works by squeezing food downward using a series of coordinated muscle contractions called peristalsis.
General Health
Abandonment: Effects on Mental Health and Well-Being
In everyday language, abandonment means being left behind or deserted. In a psychiatric context, abandonment refers to the …
General Health
Adie Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Adie syndrome is a rare condition of the nervous system. It mainly affects the pupil of the eye, causing it to stay dilated (wide …
General Health
ADH Hormone: What It Does and Why It Matters
The ADH hormone — also called antidiuretic hormone or vasopressin — plays a critical role in keeping your body’s water balance in …
General Health
Achilles Tendon: Symptoms, Rupture & Recovery
The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the human body. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone, …
General Health
Acetazolamide: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Acetazolamide is a diuretic — a medicine that helps your body get rid of excess fluid. It does this by blocking an enzyme called …
General Health
Genital Herpes: Symptoms, Treatment & What to Know
Genital herpes is a viral infection spread through sexual contact. The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) causes most cases.
General Health
Congenital Galactosemia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Galactosemia means “galactose in the blood.” Galactose is a type of sugar found naturally in milk and many dairy products.
General Health
Premature Ejaculation: Causes, Treatments & When to Get Help
Premature ejaculation (PE) occurs when ejaculation happens earlier than desired during sexual activity.
General Health
Spine Health: Your Complete Guide to the Spinal Column
Your spine health affects nearly every movement you make. The spinal column is one of the most important structures in your body.
General Health
Absence Seizures: Signs, Causes & What to Do
Absence seizures are a form of epilepsy. They cause a short interruption in consciousness, usually lasting between 5 and 30 …
General Health
Abrasion: Skin & Tooth Abrasion Explained
The word abrasion comes from the Latin word meaning “to scrape away.” In everyday health terms, it simply means the wearing away …
General Health
Adenomyosis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment in Canada
The uterus has two main layers. The inner layer is called the endometrium, which is the lining that sheds each month during a …
General Health
Breast Fibroadenoma: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
A breast fibroadenoma is a benign (non-cancerous) breast lump that most often appears in women in their teens and twenties.
General Health
Transient Ischemic Attack: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a sudden, temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain.
General Health
Spinous Process: What It Is and Why It Matters
The spinous process is a small but important bony projection found on each vertebra of your spine.
General Health
Fibrosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Canada
Fibrosis occurs when the body’s normal healing process goes into overdrive. When tissue is damaged — by injury, infection, or …
General Health
Pulmonary Fibrosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Pulmonary fibrosis happens when the lung tissue becomes thick, stiff, and scarred. Healthy lung tissue is soft and flexible, …
General Health
Transient Ischemic Attack: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often called a “mini-stroke” — and for good reason. It happens when blood flow to part of the …
General Health
Swollen Lymph Nodes: Causes, Symptoms & When to Act
Lymph nodes are tiny, bean-shaped glands found throughout your body. They are part of your lymphatic system, which plays a key …
General Health
Ablepharon: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options
Ablepharon — also spelled ablepharia — comes from the Greek word meaning “without eyelids.” It describes the total or partial …
General Health
Abiotrophy: What It Means for Your Health
Abiotrophy describes a process where cells or tissues lose their ability to function and survive over time.
General Health
Enlarged Adenoids in Children: Symptoms & Treatment
Adenoids are part of the immune system. They help fight off germs that enter through the nose and mouth.
General Health
Adenoid Removal Surgery: What Canadians Should Know
Adenoids are small lumps of tissue that sit at the back of the throat, high up behind the nose.
General Health
Chromosomal Abnormalities: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
Chromosomes are tiny thread-like structures found inside almost every cell in your body. They carry your genes — the instructions …
General Health
PMS Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment in Canada
Premenstrual syndrome is a pattern of symptoms that appears during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
General Health
Cystic Fibrosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition passed down through families. It causes abnormally thick mucus to build up in the lungs, …
General Health
Excretion: How Your Body Removes Waste
Excretion is the removal of metabolic waste from the body. These are substances your body has either made or processed and no …
General Health
Lymph Node Biopsy: What Canadians Need to Know
A lymph node biopsy is a medical test that examines cells and bacteria found in your superficial lymph nodes — the small, …
General Health
Juvenile Acne: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Tips
Juvenile acne is a skin condition that causes inflammation in the hair follicles and oil glands.
General Health
Rhinoplasty for Teens: What Parents Should Know
The nose sits right in the centre of the face, making it one of the first things people notice.
General Health
Adductor Muscles: Function, Injuries & Recovery
Your adductor muscles are a group of powerful muscles located in your inner thigh. They pull your legs toward the centre of your …
General Health
Adams-Stokes Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Adams-Stokes syndrome is a neurological event triggered by a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain.
General Health
Electrolytes: What They Are and Why They Matter
Electrolytes are minerals that break into tiny charged particles called ions when dissolved in water. These ions carry electrical …
General Health
Double Vision: Causes, Types & Treatments
Double vision occurs when your eyes or brain cannot properly combine what each eye sees into one clear image. Instead of seeing …
General Health
Respiratory Acidosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your body works hard to keep your blood at a stable pH level — a measure of how acidic or alkaline it is. Healthy blood has a pH …
General Health
Nucleic Acids: What They Are and Why They Matter
Nucleic acids are large, naturally occurring molecules made up of smaller units called nucleotides.
General Health
Tinnitus: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options
Tinnitus is not a disease on its own. Instead, it is a symptom — a signal that something else may be happening in your ear or …
General Health
Orthodontic Activator: What It Is and How It Works
An orthodontic activator is a removable dental appliance used to guide the growth of the jaw and move teeth into a better …
General Health
Digestion: How Your Body Breaks Down Food
Digestion is both a mechanical and a biochemical process. Mechanically, your body physically breaks food into smaller pieces.
General Health
Dermatomyositis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Dermatomyositis belongs to a group of diseases called inflammatory myopathies. These are conditions where the immune system causes …
General Health
Lactic Acid: What It Is and Why It Matters
Lactic acid is a substance your cells make during a process called anaerobic metabolism. “Anaerobic” simply means without oxygen.
General Health
Hyaluronic Acid: Benefits, Uses & What to Know
Hyaluronic acid is a type of molecule called a mucopolysaccharide. In simpler terms, it is a long chain of sugar molecules that …
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Actinomycetes: What Canadians Need to Know
Actinomycetes are a type of bacteria that share features with both bacteria and fungi. They form thread-like filaments, which once …
General Health
Multiple Exostoses: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Multiple exostoses — also called hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) or diaphyseal aclasis — is a condition where several bony …
General Health
Blood Disorders: Types, Symptoms & Treatment
Blood is a thick, red fluid that circulates through your body’s network of arteries and veins.
General Health
Systemic Disease: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
A systemic disease is any condition that causes widespread inflammation and immune-related damage throughout the body.
General Health
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia: Symptoms & Treatment
Your body has several glands that produce hormones. These include the thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary, adrenal glands, and the …
General Health
PMS: Symptoms, Causes & When to Get Help
Premenstrual syndrome is a pattern of symptoms that appears during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
General Health
Metabolic Acidosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your blood has a natural balance between acids and bases. Doctors measure this balance using something called pH.
General Health
Retinoic Acid: What It Does and Why It Matters
Retinoic acid is a metabolite of vitamin A. That means your body produces it by breaking vitamin A down into a more active form.
General Health
Polycythemia Vera: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Polycythemia vera is a type of blood cancer, though it progresses very slowly. The bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside your …
General Health
Hereditary Multiple Exostoses: Symptoms & Treatment
Hereditary multiple exostoses is a congenital bone disorder. This means a person is born with the genetic changes that cause the …
General Health
RNA: What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Health
RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. It is a molecule found in every cell of your body. Think of it as a chemical messenger that …
General Health
Hydrogen Cyanide Poisoning: Symptoms, Risks & Safety
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a colourless gas or liquid with a faint smell sometimes described as bitter almonds. However, not …
General Health
Electron Acceptor: What It Means for Your Health
An electron acceptor is a substance that gains electrons during a chemical reaction called reduction.
General Health
Brain Sand: What Is Acervulus Cerebri?
These calcium granules are not a disease. They are a normal finding in many adults, and they become more common as people age.
General Health
Mites: What Every Canadian Should Know
Mites are microscopic arthropods — the same broad group that includes insects, spiders, and ticks.
General Health
Granular Cell Tumour: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
A granular cell tumour is a rare, usually benign growth that can appear almost anywhere in the body.
General Health
Hypercalcemia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Your body depends on calcium every day. It keeps your bones strong, helps your muscles contract, supports nerve signals, and helps …
General Health
Gynaecological Exam: When Do You Need One?
A gynaecological exam is one of the most important health appointments a woman can make. It helps catch problems early — before …
General Health
Vulvodynia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options
Vulvodynia means long-lasting pain or discomfort in the vulva. The vulva includes the labia, the clitoris, and the opening of the …
General Health
Immune Thrombocytopenia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Platelets are small blood cells that your body uses to form clots and stop bleeding. In a healthy person, platelets last about 7 …
General Health
Neutropenia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Canada
Neutrophils are white blood cells made in your bone marrow. They act as your body’s first line of defence against bacteria, …
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Microplastics in Blood: What Canadians Should Know
Scientists have confirmed something alarming: microplastics in blood are real. A landmark study found tiny plastic particles …
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Lyme Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
A tick bite might seem minor at first — but in Canada, it can sometimes lead to Lyme disease, a serious bacterial infection that …
General Health
Sjögren’s Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease. In people with this condition, white blood cells called lymphocytes mistakenly …
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Blood Clots: Causes, Symptoms & When to Act
Your blood travels constantly through your veins and arteries. It delivers nutrients to your cells and carries away waste products …
General Health
Thalassemia Canada: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment (2025)
Thalassemia Canada patients and families should understand is an inherited blood disorder in which the body does not produce …
General Health
Arteries in the Body: Major Types & Functions (Canada)
The arteries in the body are the essential blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to every organ and tissue, …
General Health
Dietary Fibre Canada: Choose the Right Type for You
Most Canadians do not get enough dietary fibre Canada health experts recommend each day, making it one of the most overlooked …
General Health
Complete Blood Count: What Your CBC Results Mean (2025)
A complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most frequently ordered blood tests by doctors across Canada, providing a detailed …
General Health
Penicillin Allergy: Symptoms, Risks & Care in Canada
Penicillin allergy is the most commonly reported drug allergy in Canada, affecting an estimated 10% of the population — yet …
General Health
Red Blood Cell Count: What Your Results Mean (Canada)
Your red blood cell count is one of the most important numbers on a routine blood test, and understanding it can help you take …
General Health
Kyphosis Treatment: Causes, Types & Care in Canada
Kyphosis treatment starts with understanding the condition — and recognizing when your posture may signal something more serious.
General Health
Pituitary Tumours: Symptoms, Types & Treatment Canada
Pituitary tumours are abnormal growths that develop in the pituitary gland, a small pea-sized organ located deep at the base of …
General Health
Pituitary Adenoma: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Canada
A pituitary adenoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour that develops on the pituitary gland, a small but powerful gland located at …
General Health
Rheumatoid Foot: Symptoms, Deformities & Treatment Canada
Rheumatoid foot is a painful and progressive condition that affects thousands of Canadians living with rheumatoid arthritis, …
General Health
Leg Pain Causes: Symptoms & When to Act (Canada 2025)
Leg pain causes range from simple muscle strain to serious conditions like blood clots — and it is one of the most common …
General Health
Patellofemoral Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Patellofemoral syndrome is one of the most common knee conditions affecting Canadians, from teenage athletes to active adults and …
General Health
Hyperlordosis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment in Canada
Hyperlordosis is a spinal condition where the lower back curves too far inward, creating an exaggerated C-shape that can lead to …
General Health
Allergies in Canada: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment (2025)
Allergies in Canada affect approximately one in five people, making them one of the most common chronic health conditions across …
General Health
Extended Health Benefits in Canada: What Is Covered & How to Claim (2026)
Extended health benefits (also called supplemental health benefits or group benefits) are additional health coverage beyond what …
General Health
RAMQ in Quebec: What Is Covered and How the System Works (2026)
RAMQ stands for Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec — the Quebec Health Insurance Board.
General Health
Private Health Insurance in Canada: Plans, Costs & How to Choose (2026)
Private health insurance in Canada — also called supplemental or extended health insurance — covers services that provincial and …
General Health
Telehealth Counseling in Canada: How to Access Online Therapy (2026)
Telehealth counseling is mental health therapy delivered remotely through video calls, phone calls, or secure messaging platforms.
General Health
Lung Anatomy: Complete Guide to How Lungs Work (2025)
Understanding lung anatomy is one of the best steps you can take to make sense of your breathing, your overall health, and the …
General Health
Hand Anatomy: Bones, Nerves & Muscles Guide (Canada)
Hand anatomy is one of the most complex and remarkable systems in the human body, with 27 bones, dozens of muscles, three major …
General Health
Brain Structures: Functions Explained Simply (Canada)
Brain structures are the building blocks behind everything you think, feel, and do — from breathing to forming memories.
General Health
Brain Anatomy: Key Structures & Functions (Canada)
Brain anatomy is the foundation for understanding how this remarkable organ controls every function in your body.
General Health
Kidney Anatomy: Structure, Location & Function (Canada)
Kidney anatomy is the foundation for understanding how your body filters blood, balances fluids, and removes waste every single …
General Health
Hangover Symptoms: Causes, Remedies & When to See a Doctor
Hangover symptoms are the unpleasant physical and mental effects that follow a night of heavy drinking, and most Canadians have …