General Health
Intestines: How Your Digestive System Works
Your intestines are one of the most important parts of your digestive system. They break down food, absorb nutrients, and remove …
Canada Health Journal
General-Health
Evidence-based health articles researched by our editorial team and sourced from trusted Canadian and international health authorities.
General Health
Intertrigo: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Intertrigo is an inflammation of the skin that develops where skin rubs against skin. These warm, moist areas create the perfect …
General Health
Drug Interactions: What Every Canadian Should Know
A drug interaction occurs when a substance — another medication, a food, or even alcohol — changes the effect of a drug in your …
General Health
Kidney Failure: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your kidneys contain millions of tiny filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron has a small structure called a glomerulus, …
General Health
Intravenous Injection: What Canadians Should Know
An intravenous injection is one of the fastest and most effective ways to deliver medication into the body.
General Health
MAO Inhibitors: What Canadians Need to Know
These brain chemicals include adrenaline, noradrenaline, serotonin, and phenylethylamine. Together, they play a major role in …
General Health
Heart Attack: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
A heart attack is a medical emergency that happens when blood flow to part of the heart is suddenly blocked.
General Health
Immunosuppressants: What Canadians Need to Know
Your immune system is your body’s natural defence network. It fights off bacteria, viruses, and other threats.
General Health
Immunodeficiency: Causes, Types & What to Do
Your immune system is your body’s defence network. It fights off bacteria, viruses, and other harmful invaders every single day.
General Health
Impulsivity: Causes, Signs & When to Get Help
Impulsivity means acting on urges or impulses before thinking things through. Most people feel impulsive from time to time — …
General Health
MRI Scan: What Canadians Need to Know
An MRI scan — short for magnetic resonance imaging — is one of the most powerful diagnostic tools available in Canadian healthcare …
General Health
Jaundice: Causes, Symptoms & When to Seek Help
Jaundice gets its name from the French word for yellow, jaune. In everyday language, people sometimes call it “yellowing of the …
General Health
HTLV Virus: What Canadians Need to Know
The HTLV virus — short for Human T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma Virus — is a rare but serious infection that affects the immune system.
General Health
Hormone Therapy for Cancer: What Canadians Should Know
Hormone therapy for cancer is not the same as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used during menopause.
General Health
Parathyroid Hormone: What It Does and Why It Matters
PTH acts like a control switch for calcium in your body. When calcium in your blood drops too low, your parathyroid glands release …
General Health
Growth Hormone: What It Does and Why It Matters
In children, growth hormone is responsible for increasing height and building strong bones.
General Health
Low Muscle Tone: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Muscle tone refers to the tension or resistance in your muscles when they are at rest. Healthy muscles are always slightly active, …
General Health
Low Sodium Levels: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Sodium is an electrolyte — a mineral that carries an electrical charge in your body. It helps regulate how much water your cells …
General Health
Hypodermis: What Your Deepest Skin Layer Does
The hypodermis is the deepest layer of your skin. It sits just below the dermis and above your muscles and bones.
General Health
Low Calcium Levels: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Calcium is one of the most important minerals in your body. It keeps your bones strong, helps your muscles contract, and supports …
General Health
High Uric Acid: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Uric acid is a natural waste product. Your body makes it when it breaks down substances called purines, which are found in many …
General Health
Portal Hypertension: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your portal vein does an important job. It collects blood from your stomach, small intestine, colon, spleen, and pancreas, and …
General Health
Hypersplenism: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
The spleen is a small, fist-sized organ on the left side of your abdomen. It plays an important role in filtering your blood and …
General Health
Hyperemia: What It Means When Blood Rushes to One Area
Hyperemia is the medical term for an excess of blood in the vessels of a particular organ or tissue.
General Health
Hepatobiliary Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body. It filters your blood, produces bile, and helps break down nutrients …
General Health
Hepatitis: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver is one of your body’s most important organs.
General Health
Bleeding: Causes, Types, and First Aid Treatment
Bleeding occurs when a blood vessel — an artery, vein, or small capillary — is damaged or broken. Blood then leaks out of its …
General Health
Eye Bleeding: Types, Causes & When to Worry
Eye bleeding is a broad term for any situation where blood escapes from a blood vessel inside or on the surface of the eye.
General Health
Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Gastrointestinal bleeding, often called a GI bleed, is when blood escapes from the lining of the digestive system.
General Health
Cerebral Hemorrhage: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
A cerebral hemorrhage happens when a blood vessel inside the brain bursts and bleeds into the surrounding tissue.
General Health
Hemoglobin: What It Is and Why It Matters
Hemoglobin is a special protein that lives inside red blood cells. Your bone marrow produces it while building new red blood …
General Health
Disability: Types, Causes & Living Well in Canada
A disability is any condition that limits a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities.
General Health
Body Weight: What It Means for Your Health
Your body weight is more than just a number on the scale. It reflects the combined weight of your muscles, bones, fat, and water — …
General Health
Saturated Fat: What Every Canadian Should Know
Fat is an essential nutrient your body needs to function properly. However, not all fats work the same way in your body.
General Health
Blood Glucose: What It Is and Why It Matters
Blood glucose is a type of sugar that travels through your bloodstream to fuel your organs, muscles, and brain.
General Health
Glucocorticoids: What They Are and How They Work
Glucocorticoids are hormones produced by your adrenal glands. You have two adrenal glands, one sitting on top of each kidney.
General Health
Urinary Retention: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Urinary retention occurs when urine builds up inside the bladder and cannot be released properly.
General Health
Genes: What They Are and Why They Matter
A gene is a specific section of DNA that contains instructions for making a protein. Proteins do most of the work inside your …
General Health
FSH Hormone: What It Does and Why It Matters
The FSH hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone, is a key chemical messenger in your body.
General Health
Gut Flora: What It Is and Why It Matters
Your gut flora is a community of billions of bacteria and microorganisms living inside your intestines.
General Health
Herbal Medicine: Types, Uses & Safety in Canada
Herbal medicine — also called phytotherapy — involves using plants or plant extracts for their healing properties.
General Health
Liver Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment in Canada
Liver cancer is a malignant tumour that grows in or on the liver. Doctors place it into two broad categories: primary liver cancer …
General Health
Expectorants: What They Are and How They Work
Expectorants are a type of cough medicine. They work by thinning and loosening mucus in your lower airways.
General Health
Epstein-Barr Virus: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common viruses in the world. It belongs to the herpesvirus family and is best …
General Health
Epispadias: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Epispadias is a structural birth defect that affects the urinary tract. In a typical body, the urethra opens at the tip of the …
General Health
Elastin: What It Is and Why Your Body Needs It
Elastin is a structural protein that makes up the elastic fibres in your body’s connective tissue.
General Health
Edema: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
Edema occurs when the body holds onto more fluid than it should. Normally, fluid moves in and out of tissues in a carefully …
General Health
Shortness of Breath: Causes, Symptoms & When to Act
Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea (say: dis-PEE-nee-ah), is the uncomfortable feeling of not being able to breathe easily.
General Health
Dysarthria: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Dysarthria occurs when there is damage to the nervous system that controls the muscles involved in speech.
General Health
Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms & When to See a Doctor
Diarrhea means passing loose or watery stools three or more times in a single day. It can be a short-term problem lasting just a …
General Health
Dehydration: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Every day, your body loses water through sweat, breathing, and urination. In a temperate climate like most of Canada, these normal …
General Health
Subcorneal Pustular Dermatosis: Symptoms & Treatment
Subcorneal pustular dermatosis is a rare inflammatory skin disease. It was first described in medical literature in the 1950s and …
General Health
ADHD in Children: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it affects how the brain …
General Health
Corticosteroids: What Every Canadian Should Know
Corticosteroids are medicines that mimic hormones your body makes naturally. Your adrenal glands — two small glands that sit just …
General Health
Collagen: What It Is and Why Your Body Needs It
Collagen is a complex structural protein made up of amino acids — mainly glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
General Health
Bladder Infection: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
A bladder infection — also called cystitis — is one of the most common health complaints in Canada.
General Health
Cisplatin: What Cancer Patients Need to Know
Cisplatin belongs to a group of drugs called platinum-based chemotherapy agents. It was one of the first chemotherapy drugs ever …
General Health
Chiropractic Care: What Every Canadian Should Know
Chiropractic care is a regulated health profession in Canada. Chiropractors are trained to assess and treat conditions that affect …
General Health
Visual Field: What It Is and Why It Matters
Your visual field is the full area you can see when your eyes are still and looking straight ahead.
General Health
Joint Pain: Causes, Symptoms & When to Get Help
Joint pain is discomfort that originates in a joint. Joints include your knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, ankles, and …
General Health
Swollen Lymph Nodes: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your body has hundreds of small, bean-shaped structures called lymph nodes. They are part of your lymphatic system, which helps …
General Health
Ulceromutilating Acropathy: Symptoms & Care
Ulceromutilating acropathy is a syndrome that damages the extremities — mainly the feet, but also the hands.
General Health
Stomach Acid: What It Is and Why It Matters
In its natural state inside your stomach, this acid is highly concentrated. However, it is carefully managed by your body so it …
General Health
Rhinoplasty: What Canadians Need to Know
There are many reasons someone might consider rhinoplasty. Some people want to change the size or shape of their nose.
General Health
Blood Sugar Levels: What They Mean for Your Health
Your blood sugar levels tell you how much glucose is circulating in your bloodstream at any given time.
General Health
Heredity: How Genetic Traits Are Passed to Your Children
Heredity refers to the transfer of genetic information from one generation to the next. The study of heredity as a science began …
General Health
NSAIDs: What Every Canadian Should Know
NSAIDs are a group of medications that reduce pain, swelling, and fever. They work by blocking certain chemicals in the body …
General Health
Esophagus: Function, Conditions & When to See a Doctor
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach. It plays a key role every time you eat or drink.
General Health
Skin Redness: Causes, Types & When to See a Doctor
Skin redness, also called erythema by doctors, is a blush or flush of red on the skin that fades when you press on it.
General Health
Temporal Arteritis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Temporal arteritis happens when one or both of the temporal arteries become swollen and inflamed. These arteries carry blood to …
General Health
Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Anxiety is an emotional state marked by a sense of dread or nervousness, often without a clear cause.
General Health
Digital Health Records: How Apps Are Changing Patient Care
Managing your digital health records has never been more important — or more possible. New smartphone apps now allow Canadians to …
General Health
Artificial Nutrition and Hydration: Benefits and Risks
Artificial nutrition and hydration means giving a person food and fluids through a tube or an intravenous (IV) line, rather than …
General Health
Benzodiazepines: What Canadians Need to Know
Benzodiazepines are a class of prescription drugs that slow down activity in the brain and nervous system.
General Health
Bacteria: Types, Infections & When to See a Doctor
Bacteria are among the simplest living things on the planet. They are single-celled organisms that do not have a true nucleus.
General Health
Menstrual Cycle: What Every Canadian Should Know
The menstrual cycle is a natural part of life for most women and people with a uterus, from puberty through to menopause.
General Health
Bone Marrow: What It Is and Why It Matters
Your bone marrow is one of the hardest-working tissues in your entire body. It sits inside your bones and produces billions of …
General Health
Epidermis: What Your Skin’s Outer Layer Does
The epidermis is the outermost layer of your skin. It acts as your body’s first line of defence against the outside world.
General Health
Cancer: Causes, Types, and What Canadians Should Know
Cancer is a disease where the body’s normal cell growth goes wrong. Healthy cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly way.
General Health
Lymph Node Abscess: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
A lymph node abscess is a serious infection that causes a pocket of pus to form in or around a lymph node.
General Health
Infantile Acropustulosis: Symptoms, Causes & Care
Infantile acropustulosis is a recurring skin condition seen in babies during the first few months of life.
General Health
EEG Test: What Is an Electroencephalogram?
An EEG test, short for electroencephalogram, is a safe and painless procedure that records the electrical activity of your brain.
General Health
Headaches: Types, Causes & Relief Tips
A headache is one of the most common health complaints in Canada. Almost everyone gets one at some point.
General Health
Antifungal Medication: What Canadians Need to Know
Antifungal medication is designed to kill fungi or stop them from growing. Fungi are different from bacteria and viruses, so …
General Health
Antibiotics: What Every Canadian Should Know
Antibiotics are substances — either natural or synthetic — that target and destroy harmful bacteria in the body.
General Health
Gangrene: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Gangrene occurs when blood supply to a part of the body is cut off or severely reduced. Without blood, tissue cannot survive.
General Health
Germ Theory: How Microbes Were Discovered
The story of germ theory is one of the most important chapters in medical history. For thousands of years, people had no idea that …
General Health
Blood Thinners: What Every Canadian Should Know
Blood thinners are drugs or natural substances that reduce your blood’s ability to clot. Despite the name, they do not actually …
General Health
Hearing Test: What Is Acumetry and How Does It Work?
A hearing test is one of the most important tools a doctor has for understanding how well your ears are working.
General Health
Lymphocytes: What They Are and Why They Matter
Lymphocytes are small white blood cells that belong to a larger family called leukocytes. Your body makes them in the bone marrow, …
General Health
Fainting: Causes, Symptoms & What to Do
Fainting — also called syncope (pronounced SIN-koh-pee) — is a temporary loss of consciousness.
General Health
Ectopic Growth: What It Means for Your Health
The word “ectopic” comes from the Greek word meaning “out of place.” In medicine, ectopic growth refers to any tissue, organ, or …
General Health
Rosacea: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
Rosacea (sometimes called acne rosacea) is a long-term skin condition. It mainly affects the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin.
General Health
Essential Fatty Acids: What They Are and Why You Need Them
Essential fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fat that your body needs to function properly. Unlike other fats, your body cannot …
General Health
Glucuronic Acid: What It Does in Your Body
Glucuronic acid is a sugar acid derived from glucose. Your liver and other tissues produce it naturally as part of normal body …
General Health
Medical Diagnosis: What It Is and How It Works
A medical diagnosis is one of the most important steps in healthcare. It is the process your doctor uses to identify what is …
General Health
Eye Lens: Function, Conditions & Eye Health
The eye lens is a small but vital part of your eye. It sits just behind the pupil and helps focus light onto the back of your eye …
General Health
Aggressive Behaviour: Causes, Types & When to Get Help
Aggressive behaviour refers to any action aimed at opposing, threatening, or harming another person — whether that harm is real or …
General Health
Canker Sores: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
A canker sore is a shallow, open sore that develops on the soft tissues inside your mouth. You might notice them on the inside of …
General Health
Probiotics and Antibiotics: What Canadians Should Know
Taking probiotics and antibiotics together is a topic many Canadians ask their family doctors about.
General Health
Pelvic Pain: 10 Common Causes in Women
Pelvic pain refers to any pain or pressure felt in the lowest part of your abdomen or pelvis. It can be sharp or dull, constant or …
General Health
Light Therapy: How It Works and Who Can Benefit
Light therapy, also called phototherapy or actinotherapy, uses controlled exposure to light to treat specific medical conditions.
General Health
Skin Depigmentation: Causes, Types & Treatments
Your skin gets its colour from a pigment called melanin. Melanin is made by special cells called melanocytes.
General Health
Iridocyclitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Iridocyclitis is a form of eye inflammation. It affects two specific structures inside the eye: the iris (the coloured ring around …
General Health
Respiratory Failure: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your lungs work like a gas exchange station. They pull oxygen from the air you breathe and pass it into your bloodstream.
General Health
Multiple Hereditary Exostoses: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Multiple hereditary exostoses — also known as diaphyseal aclasis or hereditary multiple exostoses — is a congenital condition.
General Health
Uric Acid: What It Is and Why It Matters
Uric acid is a chemical compound that contains nitrogen. Your body produces it every day as it breaks down purines — building …
General Health
GABA: What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Brain
GABA is an amino acid that your brain makes on its own. It works as a neurotransmitter, which means it carries messages between …
General Health
DNA: What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Health
The full name, deoxyribonucleic acid, sounds complicated. However, the basic idea is simple. DNA is a chemical that carries …
General Health
Calcitonin: What It Does and Why It Matters
Think of calcitonin as a traffic controller for calcium. It directs calcium out of the bloodstream and into your bones, where it …
General Health
Bronchodilator: What It Is and How It Works
A bronchodilator is a medication that opens up the airways in your lungs. It works by relaxing the muscles around the bronchial …
General Health
Adipocere: What Happens to the Body After Death
Adipocere is sometimes called “corpse wax” or “grave wax.” It forms primarily from the fatty acids found in body tissue.
General Health
Addiction: Signs, Causes & Treatment in Canada
Addiction is more than a bad habit or a lack of willpower. It is a medical condition that changes how the brain works.
General Health
Fatty Acids: What They Are and Why They Matter
Fatty acids are a type of organic acid. They are the main building blocks of lipids, which are the fats found in food and in your …
General Health
Folic Acid: Benefits, Sources & Deficiency Signs
The natural form found in food is called folate. The synthetic form — used in supplements and fortified foods — is called folic …
General Health
Liver Cell Failure: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
The liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body. It filters toxins from your blood, helps with digestion, controls …
General Health
Heart: How Your Heart Works and Why It Matters
Your heart health affects every part of your body. The heart is a vital organ that pumps blood to your organs and tissues around …
General Health
Pantothenic Acid: Benefits, Sources & Daily Needs
Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin. Your body cannot store it in large amounts, so you need to get it regularly from …
General Health
Stroke: Causes, Symptoms & Recovery in Canada
A stroke is a serious medical emergency that happens when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off or when a blood vessel in the …
General Health
Carbolic Acid (Phenol): Uses, Risks & Safety Guide
Carbolic acid is another name for phenol, a naturally occurring organic compound. It comes from coal tar but can also be made …
General Health
Autoimmune Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
An autoimmune disease happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body. Instead of fighting germs and viruses, it …
General Health
Sodium Bicarbonate: Uses, Risks & What Canadians Should Know
When you swallow sodium bicarbonate, it reacts with the acid in your stomach. This reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, which is …
General Health
Adenoid Tissue: What It Is and Why It Matters
Adenoid tissue refers to a mass of lymphoid tissue sitting at the top of the throat, behind the nose.
General Health
Heart Ventricles: Function, Problems & Warning Signs
Your heart ventricles are two powerful pumping chambers that keep blood moving through your entire body.
General Health
Uric Acid Levels: What Your Blood Test Results Mean
Uric acid is a natural waste product that forms when your body breaks down substances called purines.
General Health
Ketones in the Body: What They Are and Why They Matter
Ketones are a type of chemical called ketone bodies. Your liver produces them when your body breaks down fat for fuel.
General Health
Bone Density Scan: What Canadians Need to Know
A bone density scan is a simple, painless test that measures how strong and solid your bones are.
General Health
Inflammation: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Inflammation is how your immune system reacts to a threat. When your body detects a harmful agent — such as bacteria, a virus, or …
General Health
Risk Factors for Disease: What You Need to Know
Understanding risk factors for disease is one of the most powerful steps you can take for your long-term health.
General Health
Ischemic Stroke: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
An ischemic stroke happens when a blocked artery cuts off blood flow to part of the brain. Without blood, brain tissue begins to …
General Health
Surgical Ablation: What It Is and What to Expect
The word “ablation” comes from the Latin word meaning “to remove.” In medicine, surgical ablation refers to the removal of body …
General Health
Rigid Abdomen: Causes, Symptoms & Emergency Signs
A rigid abdomen is one of the most serious warning signs the human body can send. It happens when the muscles of the abdominal …
General Health
Beta Blockers: What Canadians Need to Know
Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of certain natural chemicals in your body. These chemicals — adrenaline (epinephrine), …
General Health
Joint Health: Types, Conditions & When to Get Help
A joint is the place where two or more bones meet. Joints allow your bones to move against each other smoothly and safely.
General Health
Anterior Pituitary Gland: What It Does and Why It Matters
The anterior pituitary gland is one of the most important structures in your entire body. It is a small, pea-sized gland at the …
General Health
Blood Pressure: What Your Numbers Really Mean
Your heart beats roughly once every second. Each beat creates a wave of pressure that pushes blood through every artery in your …
General Health
Tummy Tuck Surgery: What Canadians Should Know
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen.
General Health
Deviated Septum: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
A deviated septum is one of the most common nasal conditions in Canada, affecting roughly 80% of people to some degree.
General Health
E. coli Infection: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
An E. coli infection is one of the most common bacterial infections in Canada. E. coli — short for Escherichia coli — is a …
General Health
Pulmonary Emphysema: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Your lungs contain millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. These sacs expand and contract with every breath, allowing oxygen to …
General Health
Skin Abscess: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
A skin abscess is a tender, swollen lump filled with pus that forms when bacteria get trapped under your skin.
General Health
Vaginal Agenesis Surgery: What You Need to Know
Vaginal agenesis is a condition where the vagina does not develop properly before birth. In some cases, the vagina is completely …
General Health
Arterioles: What They Are and Why They Matter
Arterioles are very small blood vessels. They branch off from arteries and lead directly into capillaries, which are the smallest …
General Health
NSAIDs: What Canadians Need to Know
NSAIDs are a large group of medications that reduce inflammation without using steroids. They are available over the counter at …
General Health
Kidney Cancer: Symptoms, Treatment & Outlook
Kidney cancer — also called renal cell carcinoma, hypernephroma, or renal adenocarcinoma — begins when cells in the kidney start …
General Health
Adenine (Vitamin B4): What It Does for Your Health
Adenine is a chemical compound found in every living cell. It belongs to a group of molecules called purine bases, which act as …
General Health
Ankylosing Spondylitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term form of inflammatory arthritis. It mainly affects the sacroiliac joints — the joints …
General Health
Spleen: What It Does and Why It Matters
Your spleen is a small but powerful organ that plays a big role in keeping you healthy. Tucked in the upper left side of your …
General Health
Electrical Stimulation: Benefits, Uses & What to Expect
Electrical stimulation — sometimes called electrostimulation or e-stim — is a procedure where controlled electrical pulses are …
General Health
Pain: Types, Causes, and Treatment Options
Pain is your body’s alarm system. It signals that something may be wrong inside or outside your body.
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 …
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
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
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
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
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 …
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Atherosclerosis: Causes, Symptoms & Prevention
Atherosclerosis happens when cholesterol, fats, and other substances collect along the inner walls of your arteries.
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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 …
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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.
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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, …
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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 …
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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 …
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Acidophilic Cells: What They Are and Why They Matter
The term acidophilic comes from two Latin and Greek roots: acidus (acid) and philos (loving).
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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 — …
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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 …
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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 …
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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.
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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.
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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
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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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Adhesions: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Normally, the organs and tissues inside your body have smooth surfaces that allow them to move freely.
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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 …
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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 …
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Natural Sleep & Wellness Remedies: A Complete Guide
Finding effective natural sleep and wellness remedies can feel overwhelming. Whether you are dealing with insomnia, gallstones, …
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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 …
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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, …
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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 …
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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 …
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Arcuate Keratotomy: What Canadians Should Know
Arcuate keratotomy is a surgical technique that corrects astigmatism by making precise curved incisions in the cornea.
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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 …
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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.
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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 …
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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 …
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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 — …
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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.
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Acetylcholine: What It Does and Why It Matters
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter — a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other.
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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 …
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Irritability: Causes, Symptoms & When to Get Help
Irritability is the tendency to react quickly and strongly to stimulation — whether emotional, physical, or environmental.
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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.
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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 …
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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.
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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, …
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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.
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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 …
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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, …
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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 …
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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 …
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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.
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Pneumocystis Pneumonia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Pneumocystis pneumonia — often shortened to PCP — is an opportunistic infection. That means it takes advantage of a weakened …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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.
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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, …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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
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 …
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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 …
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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
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
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 …
General Health
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
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, …
General Health
Microplastics in Blood: What Canadians Should Know
Scientists have confirmed something alarming: microplastics in blood are real. A landmark study found tiny plastic particles …
General Health
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 …
General Health
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 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 …