Articles

People experiencing adverse reactions to antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin, Sulfadiazine, or other sulfa-containing drugs should consider test for Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene that encodes for an essential enzyme responsible for protecting cells from oxidative stress. G6PD...

As we age, the fear of accidental falls is understandable since they can quickly lead to loss of independence and an urgent need for institutional care. According to the Canadian Community Health Survey, approximately a third of seniors...

Are benzodiazepines safe? The answer is yes; benzodiazepines are safe when taken as directed over a short period of time. Benzodiazepines are a commonly prescribed type of tranquilizer. They help with moderating insomnia, panic, and anxiety or before...

It may come as no surprise that up to 80% of women experience nausea during pregnancy, especially in the early stages. Severe nausea and vomiting is a reason for higher rates of pregnancy termination. So, it follows that...

The treatment and diagnosis of mental health conditions is posing challenges for family physicians. Patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression frequently do not respond to antidepressants leading to multiple trials with different drugs. Only when a patient...

Antidepressant use in psychiatry: Nowadays, physicians have an arsenal of drugs to combat psychiatric disorders: Anxiolytics, Antidepressants, Anti-psychotics, and Mood stabilizers. However, as with most other drugs, one dosage does NOT apply to all patients. A certain amount...

By enhancing the ability of doctors to select prescription drugs that better interact with an individual’s inherited genetic variations, pharmacogenetics may hold a key to improving medical experiences for members and reducing plan costs. See the full article...

Reduced thyroid function or hypothyroidism frequently develops unnoticed until more severe symptoms manifest themselves. It is estimated that 12% of the population in North America have abnormal thyroid function, and 60% of these individuals are unaware they have...

About half of all prescription medications are ineffective. You read that right. HALF of us are taking meds that don’t work for us for a variety of reasons. People respond to medications differently. In fact, 95% of us...

Ancestry genetic testing is a great introduction to genetics for many people. Direct-to-consumer ancestry tests can predict how much Neanderthal DNA you’ve inherited or that your eyes are blue rather than brown. These tests are entertaining, affordable and...

Hypertension is a risk factor for developing dementia later in life.  Effective blood pressure control and prevention of age-related hyper and hypotension, or high and low blood pressure, is vital for reducing dementia risk.  Several medications might be...

Optimizing medications for older patients Prescribing for older patients can be challenging. Studies have shown that the elderly are more unpredictable in their response to both the benefits and adverse effects of medications. There are many biological processes...

Seasonal Affective Disorder Many people find themselves feeling down during the dark and dreary winter months. For some, the winter blues become serious depression. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a pattern of major depressive episodes, with symptoms typically...

As humans continue to evolve on Earth, so will our impact on the Earth’s resources. One example of such evolution was recently highlighted in a study which reports a novel genetic component associated with vegetarian diet choices. Basically,...

Millennials, Mental Health, and the Modern Labor Market Western medicine has become much better at detecting mental illness. Decades ago, far too many people went undiagnosed. Their problems are much more likely to be recognized today. More than...

Many people worry from time to time. For example, feeling stressed or anxious before a big test is normal and helps us face challenges. But when worries and fear are prolonged and intense, it can disrupt daily life....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive autoimmune disease affecting the brain and spinal cord, leading to weakness of limb muscles, tremors, poor coordination and electric shock sensation from certain movements. MS also causes chronic fatigue and can affect...

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a complex chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Multiple factors are known to influence predisposition to UC, including genetics, gut microbiota composition, and diet. A recent genetic analysis of gut epithelial cells in UC...

By Manoja Eswara When the doctor prescribes a medicine, the first thing a pharmacist explains is when and how to take the medication with respect to your meals. Food plays an important role in the way drugs are...

Rapid advances in DNA technology now allow us the opportunity to peak inside our genes, glimpsing information that reaches beyond what is outward apparent in eye colour, height, or the ability to form blood clots. A plethora of...