When it comes to losing weight these days, everyone seems to be in a rush. Some of today’s most popular weight loss programs promise significant weight loss in as little as 30 days or less. While many folks will succeed in losing weight initially, sustaining that weight loss over time is a different challenge entirely....
Category: <span>Patient Education</span>
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Why getting the new shingles vaccine is a good idea—even if you got the old one
It’s a good idea for most Canadians 50 and older to get the newest vaccine to prevent shingles—even if they’ve already had Zostavax, the only previously available option, says a University of Alberta pharmacist. People who’ve received Zostavax to avoid the misery of shingles may have noticed the arrival of Shingrix, a new vaccine that...
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Expert consensus finds that higher protein intake benefits adult bone health
A new expert consensus endorsed by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) and the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has reviewed the benefits and safety of dietary protein for bone health, based on analyses of major research studies. The review, published in Osteoporosis International, found that a protein-rich...
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Which allergy medication is the best? It’s complicated.
Despite affecting some 50 million Americans, allergies aren’t super well understood. The sparks that ignite your immune system can range from sunlight to onions, and symptoms of an attack are just as varied. For that reason, we’re spending several weeks writing about allergies—what they are, how they manifest, and how we can find relief. This...
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VR Opens Up Classic Theme Park Rides to those with Disabilities
Netherlands-based theme park Efteling has created a VR experience of one of their popular non-accessible attractions — allowing disabled visitors to experience the roller coaster as their friends and family do. Droomvlucht, meaning “dream flight” in English, is a magical journey through the mystical realm of fairies and woodland creatures. The attraction is a dark,...
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Lightening is dangerous for those with brain implants
“Try not to get shocked by lightning” is generally sound advice for anyone. But we now know it’s particularly important for one group of people: those with brain implants. Five years ago, doctors implanted electrodes into a Slovenian woman’s brain. These electrodes connected to a device in her chest known as an implantable pulse generator...
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Using diet to stave off diabetes
(HealthDay)—Diabetes has become a worldwide epidemic, but you can protect yourself with a healthier diet. And the same type of diet can help you manage diabetes if you already have it. According to experts at Boston’s Joslin Diabetes Center and the Harvard School of Public Health, specific foods that help reduce your risk include green leafy...
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Drinking more water does not slow decline of kidney function for kidney disease
A new study, published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) by researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University, found that coaching patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to drink more water does not slow down the decline of their kidney function. “Despite widespread beliefs, little scientific data exists on the optimal amount of...
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Is integrative medicine right for you?
(HealthDay)—Any approach that differs from conventional—or Western—medicine is typically considered complementary and alternative, or CAM. But these practices have become much more mainstream, leading to growth in the health care approach called integrative medicine, which draws on traditional and non-traditional systems tailored to each individual’s needs. The U.S. National Institutes of Health agency that reports on CAM therapies...
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Fancy gyms aren’t always best – here’s why
If you want to get stronger and feel better after exercising – which is important because it encourages you to keep exercising – you don’t need a fancy gym, our recent study shows. Earlier studies have shown that a pleasant hospital environment, with large windows that look out over nature, can speed a patient’s recovery, so we were...