Preventing age-related disease and disabilities
“The Canadian population is aging. People over 65 are part of the most rapidly growing age demographic. In 2010, it was estimated there were 4.8 million Canadians age 65 and over, and this number is expected to double over the next -25 years, reaching 10.4 million by 2036. By 2051, about one in four Canadians will fall into this age category.” As the body ages, it becomes more prone to the
The role of the pharmacist in 2012
Pharmacists occupy an important place in our health system. As the medication specialists, they ensure that members of the general public use drugs appropriately. At the drugstore counter, pharmacists are there to answer your questions on how to take a specific prescription or over-the-counter drug. Under current legislation, pharmacists can perform certain tasks that no other health professional can. For instance, they study patient files to check whether selected drugs are
The Zen program: Clinically proven to help reduce the effects of tinnitus
Do you hear a noise in your ears? If so, you’re not alone. Tinnitus is a condition characterized by constant or intermittent sounds such as ringing, whistling or buzzing. It is a common problem that is unrelated to age or hearing ability, such as whether or not the sufferer has a hearing loss. Over 70% of hearing-impaired individuals report some degree of tinnitus without it necessarily posing a problem. Of that
Tinnitus in a nutshell
If you frequently hear a noise in your ears or in your head for more than five minutes, when there is no actual sound to be heard, you may have tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition that affects 10% to 15% of the population. That rate is four times higher among people who work in noisy environments. In over 90% of cases, only the person with tinnitus can hear it; the sound
Tinnitus in children: Myth or reality?
Tinnitus is a condition whose existence is well established in adults. Regardless whether it is continuous or intermittent, whether the sound is low-pitched or high, or whether it is heard in just one ear or both, it can have a major impact on the quality of life of many adults. So it’s worth asking: do children have tinnitus too? For many years, it was believed that children were unaffected by tinnitus. Yet
The use of Ritalin® in the treatment of ADD/ADHD
Ritalin® is one of the best-known medications used to treat cases of Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD) in both children and adults alike. The active ingredient in Ritalin® is called methylphenidate. Many concerns have been raised with respect to the use of the drug, which has increased dramatically over the last 20 years. Methylphenidate, first synthesized by the chemist Leandro Panizzon, was named after his wife, Rita, and
Deafblindness: deaf and blind?
Deafblindness does not necessarily describe persons who are completely blind and deaf; there are varying degrees of severity. For example, a person with a hearing impairment who also has a severe visual impairment may possess very good visual acuity when looking straight ahead but have restricted visual fields that make it difficult to move around and have access to visual communication information, such as speechreading. Tips for communicating with persons suffering
Macular degeneration
One of the causes of vision loss in people over the age of 50 is macular degeneration, a condition that attacks a person’s central vision while peripheral vision remains intact. Approximately one million Canadians have some form of macular degeneration, and with an aging population, that number is likely to continue to rise. Age is the leading cause of the disease. Adults under the age of 50 are rarely diagnosed with macular
Ménière’s disease
Ménière’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that is characterized by a triad of symptoms: episodes of vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. Ménière’s disease is caused by an increase in pressure of the fluid in the inner ear. The quantity of fluid in the membranous labyrinth becomes excessive due to the overproduction or under absorption of endolymphatic fluid. Abnormal ion homeostasis in the inner ear may also be the
Scuba Diving: Listen to Your Ears; They’ve Got Something to Say!
Scuba diving is gaining in popularity across Québec, and more and more people are getting their feet wet. While this water sport is not without its risks, they can be avoided or minimized by taking proper precautions. Just listen to what your ears are telling you! Before you jump in feet first, it’s important to understand that scuba diving is contraindicated for some people. Make sure you heed your doctor’s recommendations.
Smoking and its adverse effects on hearing
Smoking has devastating effects on health. The nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive, creating a dependency that is very difficult to kick. The negative consequences of smoking on health are well known. In addition to an increased risk of lung and oral cancer, smoking is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, etc.) and a greater risk of suffering from respiratory infection. The adverse effects of smoking have
Health care and residences for the elderly
In Québec, seniors’ residences offer the elderly a wide range of services geared to providing comfort and security; they guarantee an attentive, friendly and dedicated staff. The benefits and services provided by these residences are showcased in their advertisements. The Regulation* respecting the conditions for obtaining a certificate of compliance for a residence for the elderly has applied since 2007, and compliance is verified by the Conseil québécois d’agrément. The certificate
Turner Syndrome
Turner Syndrome is a genetic condition affecting between 1 in 1800 and 1 and 5000 girls and women. It is estimated that 3% of female embryos are affected, but few survive to full term. The syndrome affects the 23rd pair of chromosomes, and involves the complete or partial absence of the second sex chromosome. Turner Syndrome is the most prevalent sex chromosome disorder in Canada, currently affecting 6000 Canadian girls
Tinnitus
Rare are the people who have never, at one time or another, experienced a ringing or buzzing sound inside their ears. This is called tinnitus, a symptom which is commonplace and quickly forgotten when it occurs only occasionally. But with certain persons, tinnitus is permanent and can become a real nightmare. In fact, hearing noise 24 hours a day is enough to drive even the sanest of individuals crazy! This phenomenon affects roughly
