Breast health is a core pilar in women’s health. While in the past, the focus has been centered largely around early detection and management of cancerous lumps, it is important to help people with breasts understand their function, normal changes, and some risks that may arise. To best assess for abnormal changes, it is important for women to understand their normal, also known as “breast awareness” . Hormones, specifically estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin and oxytocin, can influence breast size, fullness, tenderness, and function. In puberty several hormonal changes lead to the rapid development of breast tissue. In menstruating women breast

Sex in your sixties… It’s a topic that is often overlooked and underrepresented but numerous studies have demonstrated just how beneficial a healthy sex life can be. Benefits for both physical and mental health have been described by researchers. And several large-scale surveys describe a significant desire for older adults to retain sexual expression. However, it is important to note that while desire is still present over half of the respondents in a 2009 survey of 57 to 85 year-olds reported that there was at least one bothersome sexual concern. Meaning that there are some very important considerations that need

If you’ve ever found yourself in a state of panic or anxiety and tried slowing your breathing, controlling and lengthening the exhales, you know that it’s possible to use that breath to slow a quickened heart rate and calm the nervous system. Our brain controls the cardiovascular (CV) system, but how we react when we feel stress can also instruct the heart and blood vessels on how to respond. Long-term when we don’t cope well, when chronic stress or anxiety cause the sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight”) to stay turned on all the time it changes how the CV

One of the biggest health concerns as we age is a decline in cognitive function associated with dementia. A condition that describes changes in cognitive function without a change in consciousness and is the result of underlying neurodegenerative diseases. Dementia can be classified as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), vascular dementia (VD), dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s associated dementia (PD). With each type of dementia there is a distinct pathophysiology with different genetic, metabolic and lifestyle risk factors. While dementia is difficult to treat once symptoms begin to appear it is important to consider preventative measures and

Our 20s are often a time for self-exploration, growth, career and social development. Often considered our physiologic peak, our 20s are often overlooked as a time to actively engage in self-care and develop healthy practices, not only to help us thrive during this time but also in the future. In fact, major predictors of health in your 60s and 70s are initiated decades earlier. These decades-long observational studies can help guide young adults by establishing the clear correlations between health behaviours and future outcomes. Some of these common correlations include low calcium intake and risk of osteoporosis, toxin exposure and

Have you ever felt backed up and received the advice to eat a banana or perhaps, some well-meaning friend tells you to avoid bananas at all costs when constipated? The truth, of course, lies in the details. You see, the regular functioning and regulation of our bowel movements is a multifactorial complex process. Constipation is defined as any difficult, incomplete, or unsatisfactory and/or infrequent defecation. Meaning that there can be many causes and many treatments – therefore, a banana may make good sense for some and not for others. Since constipation can be acute or chronic it’s important to note

The chaos and challenges presented over the last two years have certainly shifted the norm in many ways both expected and unexpected. We are seeing a mental health crisis sweeping across nations and generations. An interesting phenomenon over the last year has been the radical reassessments of how society values time- what, who and how are we experiencing stress in our lives? And more importantly how do we move ourselves towards a more content and purposeful life? For some it may have been re-evaluating their personal relationships or living situations, their health, environment and certainly in their work. Sociologists have also described a growing dissatisfaction brewing in workplaces across North America, known as “the great resignation.” This mass movement to resign is apparent in corporate, retail and

Weighty Matters Dear readers the topic of weight loss is a deeply personal and challenging topic for me both personally and professionally. So please note that the purpose of this blog is to bring greater awareness and understanding to the public regarding how our bodies regulate and store energy. While the tone is strictly academic, please remember that reality is much more complex and multifactorial. At the core of any weight discussion are humans who are multifaceted, as is our relationship with health. Always discuss with YOUR healthcare practitioner what long-term health considerations are best for you. A reductionist approach

There are many curious and complex occurrences that take place during menopause as any post-menopausal woman can attest. Most of these changes occur because of the changes in estrogen production1. Menopause marks the natural progression from reproductive to non-reproductive phase of life. This transition is initiated by the gradual reduction of ovarian estrogen output1,2. This has a systemic effect, and these changes can come with certain challenges such as unexpected hot flashes, alterations in libido, and mood changes2. An area that often goes overlooked are the changes in the cardiovascular system that accompany the drop in estrogen1-3. Interestingly, while men

What is Arthritis? Arthritis is a term that refers to an inflammation of the joint spaces. The type and cause of arthritis will determine which joints are affected, how they are affected and how the symptoms are likely to progress. You likely have heard of the most common types of arthritis: osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.  Osteoarthritis is one of the most common degenerative joint disorders and arises from trauma to the joint space from over/misuse, injury or even infection. It is a chronic condition characterized by joint pain of specific affected joints, reduced functionality of the joint, reduced mobility and