The Nova Scotian Health Advocate

03/13/2025

🟦 March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month! 🟦
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, but did you know that lifestyle choices—especially diet—can play a major role in prevention and management?

🔹 Common Symptoms: Abdominal discomfort, changes in bowel habits, fatigue, weight loss, and blood in the stool.

🔹 Prevention Tips: Eat more fruits & vegetables, stay active, avoid smoking & excessive alcohol.
Taking small steps today can make a big difference in your long-term health! Want to learn more about the best dietary choices for colon cancer prevention? Read my latest blog post here:

http://nshealthadvocate.ca/diet-and-colorectal-cancer.../

04/11/2024

Do you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Typical symptoms of IBS include bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

While IBS is unlikely to harm your digestive tract or increase your likelihood for colon cancer, symptoms are often bothersome and distressing when they interfere with your daily life. Pain in the abdomen and cramping are among the most common that people encounter. Constipation, diarrhea, or both are experienced on a regular basis.

Do you know that there are different types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? The way your stools (p**p) appear on days when your symptoms flare up is how experts classify IBS.

It's a chronic (long-term) problem that most people can control with specific medications, behavioural treatment, dietary and lifestyle adjustments.



To know more about symptoms, causes, associated risk factors, and simple strategies you can apply to manage IBS, click:

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? An unpleasant or distressing set of abdominal symptoms is referred to as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS. Typical symptoms of IBS include bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation. IBS is unlikely to harm your digestive tract or increase your likelih...

03/27/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Sandra Kelly Edwin Santos Roselyn Sembrano Defeo Pamela Thibault Roger Galfo Anacleto Mariano Alicia Vengco Bello Cres Hasañon Bert Anthony Añonuevo Lorenia Estor Bigayan Linda Oulton Donald Schwartz Remy Par Susie Devoe

03/20/2024

It's National Poison Prevention Week!

FACTS:
Around 4,000 Canadians die each year due to poisoning.

In 2020, poison centres across Canada received more than 215,000 calls. More than a third of cases were related to children under six.

Poisoning is the third-leading cause of unintentional injury hospitalizations for Canadian children aged 14 and under.

Canada has a toll-free 24/7 number for poison centres. If you suspect a poisoning, call 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669). Or 1-800-565-8161 (within NS, PEI and NL only)

If the person loses consciousness or has difficulty breathing, call 911.



To read the complete article, click

Poisoning claims the lives of almost 4,000 Canadians annually and ranks third among unintentional injury hospital admissions for children in Canada under the age of 14. In 2020, over 215,000 calls were made to poison centres across Canada; of those calls, over one-third involved children under the a...

03/13/2024

Bringing attention to the importance of early recognition and intervention of delirium; and to raise awareness of the latest research, guidelines, and best practices in the field.

03/07/2024

Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building is looking for choir assistant volunteers for our music program.

No experience in Choir or music is required.

ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER POSITION:
Days: Mondays
Shifts: between 1:00- 3:00 pm
Hours per day: 1-2 hours
Volunteers required: unlimited

For more details, interested parties can reach out to Esraa Mahmoud, our Volunteer Coordinator.

Office: 902-473-6658
E-mail: Esraa.mahmoud@nshealth.ca

Support our older veterans!🙂

02/17/2024

Inflation continues to be a burden for Canadians, affecting not just their financial security but also their mental well-being. Canadians are being pushed to the point where they are experiencing stress and social anxiety as more people express concern about their current amount of debt.

It seems like every purchase you make these days serves as a reminder of inflation. The items that the cashier rings up as affordable have all of a sudden become overpriced. You are not alone if you find all of the chatter about inflation to be overwhelming and confusing.

"Inflation isolation" seems to be the result of rising prices and interest rates. In a recent poll, the majority of Canadians said they are staying home more often to save money, and 2 of every 5 said they are cutting back on socializing.

When inflation rises more quickly than anticipated, it is simple to feel overburdened and concerned. It lessens the purchasing power of your money, which might lead to a rise in financial stress. Stress related to money can lead to long-term worry, tiredness, broken relationships with spouses, and the inability to obtain housing, healthcare, or education.

An article by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMCHA) reveals Canadians’ mental health is worsening due to rising cost of living. Inflation-affected Canadians report greater levels of perceived anxiety (33%) and depression (32%), as well as a greater incidence of recent mood disorder diagnosis (14%), su***de ideation (31%), and other mental health issues.

Each person will be affected by inflation differently, so it's important to be gentle with yourself as you navigate this and to be honest with loved ones about the negative impacts of inflation's effects on you.

For helpful tips on maintaining your mental wellness throughout inflation related hardships, read: http://nshealthadvocate.ca/building-resilience-mental-health-practices-for-dealing-with-inflation/

The Nova Scotian Health Advocate Advocating for Health and Wellness in the Maritimes A remarkable capacity for healing comes from the most basic choices, and the ordinary actions we take every day. -Michelle Gabata-Thibault, M.D. We need to reshape our own perception of health and wellness. Serving....

02/07/2024

Some people tend to overindulge more than others, or they don't seem to be able to say "no" or "enough already."

The phrase "addictive personality" may be used to characterize someone who feels that there can never be enough of a good thing.

People with addictive tendencies occasionally develop drug and alcohol problems. Some people could get addicted to particular activities or behaviours.

Internet addiction, pathological gambling, obsessive sexual behaviour, compulsive shopping, exercise dependence, food addiction, and work addiction are examples of non-substance related behavioural addictions.

Addictive personality is not formally classified as a mental health diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the reference for mental health diagnoses.

Nonetheless, certain character traits increase an individual's risk of addiction. Not everyone who exhibits these qualities will become addicted. Having any or all of these does not guarantee your fate. Various genetic and environmental factors, support systems, and individual choices influence the risk of developing an addiction.

Let’s take a closer look at common traits and their associated risk for addictive behaviours:

Reckless or looking for thrills
Diagnosis with attention deficit disorder
Comfortable lying or keeping secrets
A desire for quick gratification
Having trouble taking responsibility
Inability to maintain self-control
Displays risk-taking habits
Trauma in early childhood
Drug and alcohol use
Addiction in the family history
Impulsiveness
Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety
Excessive sensitivity or anxiety,
Compulsive and obsessive actions

If you suspect you’re at risk of addiction, being proactive is important. To know more about the steps you can take to minimize your risk for addictive behaviour, click below: http://nshealthadvocate.ca/the-truth-behind-addictive-personality-traits-and-coping-strategies/

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which is the American Psychiatric Association’s guide for mental health diagnoses, does not include addictive personality. Although there are many distinct kinds of addictions and obsessive behaviours, psychologists ...

02/03/2024

Is there a difference between Hyperthyroidism, Thyrotoxicosis and Grave's Disease?

All of these conditions are characterized by higher-than-normal levels of thyroid hormones in the body. But there's a slight difference among these terms.

Hyperthyroidism refers to your thyroid gland’s physical overproduction of hormones.

Thyrotoxicosis is a broader term which refers to the presence of too much thyroid hormone in your body, regardless of whether it came from the gland, medication, or other outside factors.

Graves’ disease, is an autoimmune disorder and the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. In Graves’ disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid gland with antibodies, resulting in the release of too much hormone.

Too much thyroid hormone in the body can exhibit a group of symptoms indicating that you need to consult a doctor. These are:
Neck mass
Weight loss
Palpitations
Chest pain
Menstrual irregularity
Confusion
Tremors
Nervousness, anxiety, or emotional lability
Excessive Sweating
Heat intolerance
Fatigue
Weakness
Edema
Difficulty of breathing
Diarrhea

To know more about the next steps such as diagnosis, treatment, and symptom management, when experiencing these symptoms, click http://nshealthadvocate.ca/decoding-high-thyroid-hormones-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/

The Nova Scotian Health Advocate Advocating for Health and Wellness in the Maritimes A remarkable capacity for healing comes from the most basic choices, and the ordinary actions we take every day. -Michelle Gabata-Thibault, M.D. We need to reshape our own perception of health and wellness. Serving....

01/12/2024

Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is also called Underactive thyroid.

This may be caused by a diet deficient in Iodine, or an auto-immune disease like Hashimoto's Thyroidytis. Other causes that may lead to Hypothyroidism include pregnancy, a medical history of type 1 diabetes, other autoimmune diseases, or radiotherapy.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroids):
Neck mass (goiter)
Tiredness
Sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Dry skin
Weight gain
Sluggishness
Menstrual irregularities
Sleep Disorders
Memory problems.

If you have these symptoms, see a doctor to get tested . This is commonly referred to as a Thyroid Function Test.
If you are Hypothyroid, you may be prescribed Levothyroxine (LT4) (Synthroid), and a regular daily dose is sufficient to treat your symptoms.

You can also manage your Hypothyroid symptoms by changing your lifestyle and nutrition. There are key nutrients you can supplement to maintain a healthy thyroid function so you can prevent bothersome symptoms such as low energy, sleep problems, and weight gain.

To know more click,

Inadequate production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland results in Hypothyroidism. Another name for this condition is Underactive Thyroid. At first, hypothyroidism might not show any symptoms at all. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can eventually cause heart disease and high cholesterol, amo...

01/02/2024

According to Alzheimer Society of Canada, researchers project that nearly 1 million Canadians will be living with dementia by 2030. Furthermore, they predict that by 2050, more than 1.7 million Canadians would suffer from dementia. But if we take action together, we may succeed on changing what lies ahead.

Basic facts on dementia
More than 25 different conditions and illnesses can cause dementia.
Dementia is most commonly caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Other prevalent types include Lewy body dementia, fronto-temporal dementia, and vascular dementia, which is seen in stroke patients.
Different ailments can affect brain function at the same time, resulting in mixed dementia. This type is also common.
There remains no cure for most forms of dementia globally and in Canada.

Lowering the Risk of Dementia
Keeping yourself socially active, being physically fit, challenging your thinking, and developing a sense of purpose — all of these and more can help boost brain health in virtually any stage of life.

In comparison to individuals who lived alone without a pet, pet owners in the United Kingdom experienced less decline in verbal fluency and verbal memory, according to a study conducted on adults 50 years of age and above.

According to the study, having a pet in old age helps lower stress, loneliness, and isolation, all of which can lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

To learn more, click http://nshealthadvocate.ca/pets-as-lifelong-companions-a-key-to-cognitive-well-being-in-older-adults/

The Nova Scotian Health Advocate Advocating for Health and Wellness in the Maritimes A remarkable capacity for healing comes from the most basic choices, and the ordinary actions we take every day. -Michelle Gabata-Thibault, M.D. We need to reshape our own perception of health and wellness. Serving....

12/25/2023

The Holiday season often evokes feelings of nostalgia because it is a time associated with cherished memories with family, friends, and loved ones from previous years.

Nostalgia can be considered healthy and productive. Thinking back on enjoyable experiences from the past can lift your spirits and inspire and motivate you.

According to experts, nostalgia can bring you a deeper sense of purpose in life. Through encouraging empathy, compassion, and goodwill, as well as making you feel more connected to others, it can improve your relationships and promote social growth.

Recent studies have shown that when people feel nostalgic, they may also focus on painful memories. It's possible to leave out the good parts of the same recollections. Thinking that things were better in the past than they are now might also cause emotional distress.

This may then lead to signs of depression.

What are the warning signs of Nostalgic Depression?

Nostalgic depression shares many of the same symptoms as other types of depression.

In addition to nostalgic despair, there may be:

• Regret, hopelessness, or sadness
• Sentiments of loss, being alone or social isolation
• Loss of enthusiasm for things you used to enjoy
• Feelings of negativity or lack of hope

To know more about nostalgia, the risks of nostalgic depression, and strategies to help you cope with distressing thoughts and emotions, read:

Feelings of nostalgia are frequently positive. Scientists have discovered that it can also result in negative feelings, which have been termed to as nostalgic depression. Nostalgia includes feelings of sentimental yearning or attachment to the past. When people think back on and recollect important....