Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Build Health: Go To School On Suzanne Sommers' Misfortune

Did you see the Larry King Live show where Suzanne Sommers informed us she was a victim of breast cancer?Until then the butt-mastering, thigh-mastering Ms. Sommers was thought to be a model of good health. Not only that, legions of her fans followed the Suzanne Sommers’ Diet.Suzanne acknowledged that as a model of good health she had to set an example and eat the right foods. Well, if she was e. . .

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Simple Self-Help Tips

If you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you will know how difficult it is to treat. Doctors can be dismissive of IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and bloating, and when treatment is offered it may only help for a short while before the distressing symptoms return.Sufferers often find that they have to deal with the symptoms themselves, through self-help method. . .

Exercise: Why YOU Should Do It

Hundreds of Thousands of Americans spend millions of dollars each year on diet pills, “magical” exercise devices, and misrepresented health and fitness products, when in all actuality a good set of dumbbells and a brisk walk may be all you need to get in better shape than you’ve ever been in. What can you do with nothing but a set of dumbbells, you ask? Provide resistance to your body’s movemen. . .

Water...How It Effects Aging

How many times have your heard – drink eight to ten glasses of water everyday? How often do we actually drink that much pure water?Would you believe that as you are reading this page you are dehydrating? We were all born as grapes, but now we are turning into raisins. Your body was once more than 70% water and now, if you’re like most Americans past the age of 40, you are lucky to have a hyd. . .

The Eight Week Cholesterol Challenge

When I first started down this path I was looking for something to reduce my cholesterol levels without giving me a heart attack. My doctor recommended Lipitor, but I had read an article in the American Heart Associations web site that indicated Lipitor and other statin drugs may possibly be worse for me than my high cholesterol. (The article that I read is here: http://www.americanheart.org/pr. . .

The Cholesterol Solution

Is there an alternative to statin drugs such as Lipitor and Pravachol? If yes, does it have any side effects? Physicians are facing these questions each day however, most have bought into the drug companies marketing, and have not done the research for themselves. The truth is that there a number of naturally-occurring compounds that will work as well as, or better than, these multi-million dol. . .

Your Health

How are you? Are you OK? Do you feel all right? These are the simple questions that could be asked in order to determine basic health condition of a person. The lowest level of a good health could be maintained by prevention of simple chronic diseases (like ) and muscle-skeletal injuries. Basic advice is to stay away from sicknesses of any kind, especially the one that are the chronic . . .

Straddling the Science/Magic Line: A Look At Magnetic The...

What's the difference between science and magic? It's our understanding of what makes something happen. If magic is hocus-pocus, science is simply well understood hocus-pocus. Fire? Solar eclipse? Volcanic eruption? Earthquake? Once we can explain it, it becomes science. But sometimes we're stuck straddling that science/magic line. Consider magnets. Remember when you were a kid back in elementa. . .

Are All Dementias Alzheimer’s?

I’m surprised when some patients and caregivers confuse dementia and Alzheimer’s as one and the same. Each time a family member is suffering from memory loss, the conclusion is always Alzheimer’s. Is it reasonable to label all dementias as Alzheimer’s?As a clinician, my answer to queries is that Alzheimer’s dementia is only one type of dementia and that not all dementias are Alzheimer’s. Aside . . .

Your Fitness Success: Just a Phone Call Away

Did you jump out of bed this morning, ready to exercise? Or was it another morning where the snooze button won over your best intentions? Do you have a crazy morning business schedule, but promise yourself you will work out at the end of the day? How many times have you actually followed through with that promise? Most people know they should exercise, and many know how to do it, but simply can. . .

Movement That Matters: Exercise With a Greater Purpose

You've seen the commercials Ive fallen and I cant get up! While this has been a topic of many jokes and late-night comedy skits, the reality is falling is a very real danger for many people. Too often falls can lead to broken bones, hospitalization, and sometimes life-threatening illnesses due to being confined to a bed while recovering. A less extreme, but still real situation is when a person. . .

Red Bull, Does it Give You Wings?

I was driving to work the other day, enjoying my obligatory glass of morning stimulant. This morning it was a can of Red Bull, I didn’t have time to stop at Starbucks, and I noticed that the primary ingredient in Red Bull is Taurine. After hearing their commercial on the radio, I got to thinking. How exactly does Red Bull work, and does it really give you wings? Does it give you more energy? Do. . .

Surfing Your Adrenalin Wave: How To Dissolve--Not Disguis...

Feel that rising tide of anger? Surf's up! Start paddling. Whenever we feel angry or frustrated, we get a blast of adrenalin coursing through our bloodstream. In the fight or flight response to stress, our bodies rely on our appendages. We need to hit, kick, jump or run away, and our bodies help out by sending extra blood to our limbs. If we were living in the wild and had to actually fight off. . .

Women's Fitness Focus: The 5 Canons of Resistance Training

Trying to firm and tone? Looking for a bathing suit body? No problem! If you’re resistance training program isn’t performing for you; there’s a solution. Get back to basics: give your routine a face lift by reviewing these 5 fitness canons. Canon 1: Always Exhibit Proper Posture The most important thing to remember when resistance training: proper form will make all the difference. Forget se. . .

Free Weights vs. Exercise Machines

Anyone who has ever been in a gym before is familiar with the gleaming banks of shiny exercise machines. Coming in all shapes and sizes, they are usually cause for the newcomer to the gym to pause and ask, “What IS all of that stuff?” Well, according to the price that the gym paid for any one piece of that equipment, I certainly hope that it not only stimulates your muscles, but also cooks your. . .

Top 5 Exercise Plateau Breakers

Plateau. That dreaded word that you do not want to hear, let alone experience. Especially if you have been diligently exercising in an attempt to get fit or lose weight. We have all experienced a plateau at some time all of a sudden you stop losing weight or you just cant seem to run any faster. When you hit a plateau, dont panic. It doesnt necessarily mean you need to work harder or spend more. . .

My Golden Gym

“Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” -- Ann Landers A year ago, almost to the day, I had an epiphany while exercising at my local gym. I was on a treadmill sweating along with about 30 other people, glued to the latest CNN horrors on the big-screen, when I glanced outside at the absolutely gorgeous spring day. That was the precise moment when I dec. . .

Hot Enough For You? Only The Thermometer Knows

(NC)-When it comes to preparing ground beef, it's not easy to tell if it's properly cooked. Many people guess that their burgers are done when they're brown. However, ground beef can turn brown before disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli O157:H7, are killed. Canada's food is among the safest in the world, but bacteria are everywhere, including in ground beef. If food isn't handled safely, . . .

How To Protect Yourself Against Foodborne Illness

(NC)-Common symptoms of foodborne illness include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, sometimes blood or pus in the stools, headache, vomiting and severe exhaustion. Symptoms will vary according to the type and amount of harmful microorganisms present in the food. Symptoms may come on as early as half-hour after eating the contaminated food or may not develop for several days or weeks. Symptom. . .

Food Safety Tips For Barbecuing

(NC)-When barbecuing, use the following tips from Health Canada to safely prepare, cook, serve and store ground beef:Before cooking Wash hands thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds, with warm water and soap, before and after handling raw meat. Clean and sanitize all utensils and work surfaces with soap and water after preparing each food item and before you move on to the next food. For added pro. . .

Hamburger Safety Tips

(NC)-Here are some hamburger food safety tips from Health Canada: Preparing:Wash hands thoroughly with warm soapy water before and after handling any raw meat.Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator. If you must thaw food quickly, keep the food in its original wrapping and place in a container of cold water. Change the water every half hour to ensure the water remains cold. If raw meat comes in co. . .

Take Folic Acid Before Getting Pregnant

(NC)-Mississauga mother Susan Walsh gives a bottle of multivitamins containing folic acid to the bride-to-be at every wedding shower she attends. This is her way of ensuring that all women take folic acid before getting pregnant, in order to help reduce their risk of having a baby with a birth defect. In 1996, Susan's son Jacob was born with a mild case of spina bifida. He underwent surgery at . . .

Folic Acid Necessary For Preventing Neural Tube Defects

(NC)-With June being National Spina Bifida Awareness Month, it's a great opportunity for Canadians to become educated on the importance of folic acid for healthy infants. In Canada, it is estimated that four out of every 1,000 children born will have a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. Spina bifida occurs when the lower end of the neural tube fails to close resulting in abnormal growth . . .

Brown Burgers May Look Done, But Are They?

(NC)-According to Health Canada, summer chefs who cook ground beef burgers on gas grills could have a food safety problem if they rely solely on colour-rather than an instant-read food thermometer-to determine if their patties are adequately cooked. For example, sometimes previously frozen beef burgers may turn brown in the middle before they reach a temperature high enough to kill harmful E. c. . .

Folic Acid - It's Never Too Early

(NC)-The Folic Acid Alliance of Ontario (FAAO) has launched its first-ever, province-wide campaign to promote the awareness of folic acid and its benefits in helping to prevent birth defects. Folic acid is a B vitamin that is essential for the healthy development of a baby's spine, brain and skull. If taken prior to conception, it can reduce the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect (. . .

Foodborne Illness: Did You Know?

(NC)-Although most recover completely from it, some people who get food poisoning (foodborne illness) may develop long-term health problems as a result. Illnesses such as chronic arthritis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which leads to kidney failure, affect not only those afflicted, but also society and the economy at large. Health Canada estimates that the costs associated with these il. . .

Fuel For Active Lifestyles

(NC)-To many Canadians, the hot summer months represent a time for getting fit, having fun and engaging in lots of outdoor physical activity. The following tips will help you gain the essential fuel needed for an active lifestyle:Drink lots of water. Always be sure to have a bottle of water on hand in the event that you become dehydrated in the warm weather.Eat a nutritious diet according to Ca. . .

Hot Summer Safety Tips

(NC)-Summer's here and with it comes beach days, relaxation, family trips and special safety concerns. According to Susan Brunt, a Toronto based family physician, safety starts in your home, which may play host to many types of illness-causing germs and odor-producing bacteria. "Most people don't realize that germs don't go on vacation during the summer months. If anything, people need to be ev. . .

When Lifestyle Changes Are Not Enough: High Cholesterol M...

(NC)-High cholesterol affects more than 10 million Canadians and is a modifiable risk factor for heart disease, the number one killer of Canadians. If you have recently been told that you have high cholesterol, you may have been very surprised. High cholesterol has no symptoms and anyone can develop it regardless of age, weight, gender, race or ethnic background. It is important to understand t. . .

Living with Hearing Loss

(NC)-Hearing loss is a significant issue in the lives of many Canadians, but one study suggests that stigmas about hearing aids still persist. In a recent survey conducted by The Canadian Hearing Society, nearly one in four respondents reported personally experiencing some hearing loss. But one in six people polled responded that they would rather live with some hearing loss than wear a hearing. . .

Use Food Thermometer When Cooking Ground Beef

(NC)-According to Health Canada, colour is not a reliable indicator that ground beef has been cooked to the temperature necessary to destroy harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7. The only way to be sure a hamburger patty is cooked properly and safely is to use an instant-read food thermometer.Studies show that the colour of cooked ground beef patties can vary considerably. At 71°C (160°F) a. . .

Do You Know Where Your Food Thermometer Is?

(NC)-Consumers have long been advised to use food thermometers to measure the internal temperature of foods, such as meat and poultry, to verify that a safe temperature is reached and that harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 are destroyed. There are many good reasons to use a food thermometer. Food thermometers help you to: cook food to a safe temperature prevent overcooking an. . .

Food Safety Begins In The Home

(NC)-More than 200 known diseases are transmitted through food, and Health Canada estimates that every year approximately two million Canadians suffer from illness caused by foodborne bacteria. While the majority of these cases are mild, Health Canada reports that 2 to 3 percent of all cases will lead to chronic health problems and as many as 30 will die from complications due to food poisoning. . .

Don't Let Foodborne Illness Spoil Your Summer Fun

(NC)-With the warm days of summer upon us, most of us are eager to spend time outside barbequing and picnicking with family and friends. Although outdoor summer meals can be great fun, the heat and humidity of the season can facilitate the spoilage of foods and the proliferation of harmful bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella, which can often lead to food poisoning. According to Toronto based. . .

Facts About Organ And Tissue Transplants

There is a chronic shortage of most organs needed for transplant in Canada. More than 3,500 Canadians are currently awaiting organ transplants.In Canada, up to 30 per cent of people in need of a solid organ transplant die on the waiting list.Only one per cent of all deaths in Canada, in any year, are suitable for possible organ donation.Demand for transplants is increasing while the number of o. . .

Allergy Season Alert: How To Avoid Seasonal Allergy Triggers

(NC)-While there is unfortunately no cure for allergies, you may be able to prevent the onset of allergic symptoms by avoiding the things that can set off an allergic reaction. Seasonal allergy "triggers" include pollen and sometimes mold spores. Airborne pollen, which is responsible for seasonal allergy symptoms in the millions of Canadians who suffer from "hay fever", is very hard to avoid. T. . .

How To Weed Out Allergy Attacks While Gardening

(NC)-Did you know that gardening is the second most popular physical activity for Canadians? According to the experts, all that pulling and digging makes your heart, lungs and muscles strong. Stretching and bending increases your flexibility. It's good for the soul. There's no better feeling than watching a seedling burst from a tiny seed. Gardening can give you constant rewards such as fresh v. . .

What Is Hay Fever?

(NC)-Well, it's not caused by hay, and it isn't a fever. In fact, " hay fever" is a complete misnomer. The term was first used by English doctors over a hundred years ago when they noticed that during the hay-cutting season, some people suffered sneezing fits, runny noses and itchy eyes.The more accurate name for hay fever is seasonal allergic rhinitis. It's an allergic reaction that may cause . . .

How To Protect Allergy Sufferers In Your Home

(NC)-For those who suffer from allergies the spring season comes much too soon. It's a time when allergy symptoms can be at their worst. Pollen levels rise during the spring as trees and flowers begin to bloom causing sneezing, runny nose, itchy watery eyes and nasal congestion.Thankfully, there's no place like home to escape from these airborne allergens. Or is there? Dust, mold and other alle. . .

Clean, Treat & Protect - The 3 'Musts' Of Wound Care

(NC)-A recent Ipsos-Reid survey indicated that an overwhelming majority of Canadians have a lot to learn when it comes to treating minor wounds. A staggering 88 per cent of Canadians incorrectly believe that a wound heals best when left uncovered to 'breathe' or air out, and 92 per cent mistakenly think scabs are a healthy part of the healing process. "The best way to protect a wound is to cove. . .

What Causes Mental Illness?

(NC)-Lots of myths surround mental illness. For instance, many still think that it's something that can be cured simply by 'toughening up' or by adopting a better outlook on life. In fact, mental illness is not caused by 'moral' weakness, and it's clearly not something that people 'choose' to have. Mental illness is a diagnosable illness that requires treatment, just like diabetes.While the cau. . .

Facts About Allergies For Parents

(NC)-Did you know that more than 20 percent of school-age children suffer from allergies. A condition that, if not diagnosed properly, can interfere with a child's ability to concentrate. In fact, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, allergies account for 2 million missed school days each year, and on any given day more than 10,000 children are absent from school due to troubles. . .

Ask the Expert: Allergy Q & A with Dr. Harold Kim

(NC)- What is an allergy?An allergy is a super-sensitivity to a substance that is not harmful to most other people. These substances are called allergens. The common allergens include pollen, mould, dust mites, cockroaches and pet dander. Some people also have food allergies. Some people have symptoms with strong chemical fumes, odours (including perfumes, fragrances in household cleaners and d. . .

Allergies Can Now Be Diagnosed With A Simple Blood Test

(NC)-Do you think you have allergies? Do you have dark circles under your eyes, itchy rashes, or feel like you have a cold? If you do, you are not alone. More than 9 million Canadians suffer from some form of allergy. Allergic reactions can mimic cold and flu symptoms so it is easy for people to mistake one condition for the other. To determine if you have allergies your doctor will often use s. . .

Eight Tips For A Bug-Free Summer

(NC)-With approximately 42,000 mosquitoes for every person in Ontario, most of us spend a great deal of our summers swatting away these pesky insects. Protecting yourself against mosquitoes will not only make your summer more enjoyable, it will help prevent you and your family from getting annoying and sometimes dangerous bug bites.As a family physician, I recommend the following tips for a bug. . .

Beat The Bugs… Use Repellent!

(NC)-With approximately 42,000 mosquitoes for every person in Ontario, most of us spend a great deal of our summers swatting away these pesky insects. Protecting yourself against mosquitoes will not only make your summer more enjoyable, it will help prevent you and your family from getting annoying and sometimes dangerous bug bites.As a family physician, I recommend that my patients take the fo. . .

Does It Cost Anything To Donate?

(NC)-No, the donor's family doesn't pay, or receive payment, for organ and tissue donation. All costs related to donation are paid by local organ procurement programs or transplant centers through provincial health plans. Hospital expenses incurred before the donation of organs, and funeral expenses, remain the responsibility of the donor's family. Organ transplants, especially kidney transplan. . .

Keep The Bugs At Bay

(NC)-With approximately 42,000 mosquitoes for every person in Ontario, most of us spend a great deal of our summers swatting away these pesky insects. Protecting yourself against mosquitoes will not only make your summer more enjoyable, it will help prevent you and your family from getting annoying and sometimes dangerous bug bites.As a family physician, I recommend the following tips for a bug. . .

The Impact Of Allergies In The Workplace

(NC)-In the spring allergy sufferers try hard to make it through their work day as they deal with a variety of symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, and sniffles.Their heads may feel clogged up and their symptoms may make it hard to think, not to mention the drowsiness they may be combating if they are taking sedating medication to deal with their allergies. An American study found that employee. . .

Safe Driving Tips For Allergy Sufferers

(NC)-Did you know that some medications can cause drowsiness which could affect your ability to drive your vehicle safely?In particular, sedating antihistamines commonly used in the treatment of allergy symptoms can cause drowsiness at the wheel. If a medication does not say non-drowsy on the box then it usually means it is sedating. An allergy medication that is sedating could do any of the fo. . .