Colorectal cancer isn’t just a concern for older adults anymore. Recent data show an alarming rise in cases among people under 50, making it the top cancer killer in this age group. High-profile cases, such as the untimely deaths of James Van Der Beek at 48 and Chadwick Boseman at 43, underscore that younger adults are not immune.
A cough is one of the most common reasons patients seek primary care medical attention. However, when a cough persists for weeks or months, it transitions from a temporary annoyance to a debilitating clinical issue. Chronic cough—defined as a cough lasting eight weeks or longer—affects approximately 16% of Canadian adults between the ages of 45 and 85. Beyond the physical discomfort, it frequently causes profound social, emotional, and psychological impairment, disrupting sleep, work, and overall quality of life.
World Hunger Day is May 28, and for a family health clinic, it is a day to acknowledge something that is easy to overlook in clinical practice: hunger is not an issue confined to distant places or emergency headlines. It is present in primary care waiting rooms across Canada, including ours.
Preventive care is a vital aspect of maintaining overall health and well-being. Regular screenings such as Pap smears, Fecal Immunochemical Tests (FITs), and mammograms are key components of this proactive approach, helping detect potential health issues early when they are most treatable. By incorporating these screenings into your routine healthcare, you can significantly reduce the risk of serious health problems, including cancer.
If you have spent any time on social media recently, you have likely seen warnings about “cortisol face,” 3:00 a.m. wake-ups, and the supposed necessity of expensive supplements to “balance your hormones.” While the internet has labeled cortisol the latest health villain, the clinical reality is far more nuanced. At the Orleans Family Health Clinic (OFHC), we believe in empowering patients with evidence-based information to distinguish between lifestyle stress and clinical endocrine disorders.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly common part of everyday life, from chatbots that provide conversation to algorithms that influence what we see online. But as generative AI (genAI) tools become more conversational, emotionally responsive, and immersive, mental health clinicians are asking an important question: can AI interactions trigger or worsen psychosis in vulnerable individuals?
When we think of heart failure, we often picture it as a condition exclusively affecting the elderly. However, recent data released for the eighth annual National Heart Failure Awareness Week reveals a concerning shift: heart failure is one of the fastest-growing cardiovascular diseases in Canada, and it is increasingly appearing in younger adults.
Antipsychotic medications are important for managing mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. However, they can also affect the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar (glucose). Many people assume this only happens because these medications may cause weight gain. But recent research shows that blood sugar changes can happen even without weight gain.
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the strength, care, and love that mothers bring into our lives every day. Whether you’re a mom, stepmom, grandmother, or mother figure, your presence makes a difference. Thank you for all that you do — today and always.
Sleep, that sweet elixir of life, is something we all crave—but for many, it’s often sabotaged by one culprit: a snoring partner.
Historians blame the light bulb. Sociologists blame screens. But those who have ever lain awake at 3 a.m. know the truth: it’s the person lying next to you, snoring like a freight train.
