HealthLink

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 19:18:00 +0000

KW Record: Scientists figure out how a gene glitch makes people fat
KW Record: Medical journal confronts disturbing behaviour in operating rooms

CTV News: Farm dust can help protect kids against allergies, asthma, study suggests
CTV News: High protein foods boost cardiovascular health in women: study

CBC: Quebec doctors can now prescribe exercise
CBC: 'Eating fat makes you fat' idea debunked: dietitian

NY Times: Short Sleepers May Catch More Colds
NY Times: Does Exercise Change Your Brain?

Globe & Mail: British study to train dogs to detect prostate cancer

Globe & Mail: Wrist-worn activity trackers vary greatly in accuracy, study finds

National Post: Medical leaders grapple with new euthanasia dilemma: What to write on the death certificate
National Post: Statins before surgery may cut death risk in half

Toronto Star: Sweat during exercise is good for your health
Toronto Star: You can’t spell ‘nutrition’ without ‘nut’

Region of Waterloo Public Health: International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD)

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41
different news sources from across Canada.

This Week's Health News Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 19:47:00 +0000

KW Record: Kids with cancer get futuristic fertility chance
KW Record: The absurdity of women’s clothing sizes

CBC: Margarita burn and 3 other little-known summer hazards
CBC: Legionnaires' outbreaks linked to bathroom showers

CTV News: Hormone therapy could be the answer to a better post-menopause sex life: study
CTV News:Music during surgery may reduce need for painkillers

NY Times: What Eating 40 Teaspoons of Sugar a Day Can Do to You
NY Times: The Right Dose of Exercise for the Aging Brain

Globe & Mail: Long-term risks of injected tattoo ink remain unknown, researchers say
Globe & Mail: Most older heart-attack patients don’t finish cardiac rehab: study

National Post: Surprise! Coca-Cola-funded research says sugary drinks aren’t all that bad for you
National Post: Butter is alright, but margarine just might kill you, massive Canadian study finds

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Environment Canada has issued a Heat Warning

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41
different news sources from across Canada.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 18:46:00 +0000

KW Record: How to avoid getting Lyme disease
KW Record: Natural healer

CBC: Ebola survivors face joint, eye complications
CBC: Health Canada's new rules for homeopathic products for kids should apply to adults, expert says

CTV News: Refined carbs could be linked to mood in older women: study
CTV News: Life expectancy of HIV-positive Canadians rises to 65 years: study

NY Times: Contraceptives May Lower Endometrial Cancer Risk Long-Term
NY Times: Eating Spicy Food Linked to a Longer Life

Globe & Mail: High vitamin D doses might not strengthen bones after menopause
Globe & Mail: How to spot and deal with speech loss

National Post: Dementia is striking victims earlier and death rates are soaring: international study
National Post: Deferring death can mean a life of suffering

Toronto Star: Want to build lean muscle? Eat these foods

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Laurel Creek Beach - Unsafe to Swim

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41
different news sources from across Canada.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 18:17:00 +0000

KW Record: Phone app promotes mindful eating
KW Record: Nasal balloon therapy helps kids with ear problems

CBC: Ebola vaccine from Canada seems to work in trial in Guinea: WHO
CBC: Nosode homeopathic labels must read 'not vaccines or alternatives to vaccines:' Health Canada

CTV News: 'Health is more than body size': Don't use scale to measure health, expert says
CTV News: Air pollution caused by wildfires could trigger heart problems: study

NY Times: Ask Well: Late Menopause
NY Times: Claustrophobia: More Likely in Women Than Men

Globe & Mail: Exercise during adolescence can have long-lasting benefits for women, says study
Globe & Mail: Skipping breakfast may be bad for diabetics, study finds

National Post: Abortion pill RU-486 approved by Health Canada after 2 1/2 years of review
National Post: Provocative new study finds bullies have highest self esteem, social status, lowest rates of depression

Toronto Star: How North Americans can lose weight without giving up a single calorie

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Coping with Seasonal Allergies

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:50:00 +0000

Summer is in full swing, and that can mean seasonal allergies are also in full swing! If you find the roof of your mouth and your eyes are itchy, your eyes and nose are runny and watery, and you can’t stop sneezing, you may be experiencing seasonal allergies (sometimes called allergy rhinitis or hay fever). Pollen from ragweed, grasses, trees, and other plants fly through the air when the weather is warm and can trigger these uncomfortable symptoms from the Spring thaw until frost hits in the Fall. And if you have asthma, your condition can also be aggravated by these airborne irritants. Visiting your health practitioner is an important first step in getting relief from these difficult symptoms of allergies.

For more information on seasonal allergies and possible treatment options, please see these reliable resources:

Allergic Living Magazine: The Hay Fever Handbook
Allergy Asthma & Immunology Society of Ontario: Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Mayo Clinic: Hay Fever

MedlinePlus: Hay Fever

Also check Kitchener Public Library’s catalogue for items on allergies and asthma.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 20:42:00 +0000

KW Record: ‘Gluten pill’ to help celiac sufferers
KW Record: How 3D printers will change the way we eat, buy, order and experience food

CBC: Malaria vaccine Mosquirix gets European approval
CBC: Exercise extolled for patients with Alzheimer's, vascular cognitive impairment

CTV News: Hydration myths debunked, in 5 easy sips

NY Times: Ask Well: Catching Up on Lost Sleep
NY Times: Dementia Develops Faster in Women Than in Men, Study Suggests

Globe & Mail: Teen use of morning-after pill up, U.S. survey finds
Globe & Mail: How exercise can deter disease such as dementia and cancer

National Post: Speed-like stimulants prescribed for adult ADHD part of ‘psychiatric fad,’ risk being used for mental edge
National Post: First drug shown to slow down Alzheimer’s disease could be available in less than three years

Toronto Star: Healthgoth trend started with an out-of-shape DJ

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Food Recall Warning - The Healthy Butcher brand smoked fish

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 19:20:00 +0000

KW Record:Waterloo Region sees first case of West Nile virus in 3 years
KW Record: Take precautions to avoid extreme heat this weekend

CBC: Beware menacing mushrooms!
CBC: National brain tumour registry being created by Alberta researcher

CTV News: 'Good bacteria': 4 promising uses for probiotics
CTV News: Canadian men's poor health costs $36.9B a year: study

NY Times: Ask Well: Muscle ‘Knots’
NY Times: Pet Care Can Help Children Manage Type 1 Diabetes

Globe & Mail: Douching may expose women to harmful chemicals, study suggests
Globe & Mail: How antiretroviral drugs can suppress HIV, one pill at a time

National Post: Chickenpox cases plunge in Ontario following public vaccine program: study
National Post: Don’t try the ‘University of Google’ when your kids are sick

Toronto Star: Exercise and a high quality diet is your prescription to good health, says Pan Am Games nutritionist

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Ontarians Reminded to Reduce the Risk of Catching Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Summer Downers: Giant Hogweed

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 18:37:00 +0000

Source: Michael Cowbrough,
Chief Weed Inspector, Province of Ontario

If hiking or biking through trails is an outdoor activity you enjoy, be aware that an invasive species of plant called Giant Hogweed is showing up in Ontario, and can cause serious injury. It is usually found where weeds cluster like vacant lots, along rivers and streams, and on the sides of roads. According to the CBC, the Grand River watershed of the Waterloo Region is an ideal growing spot for this weed.

Giant Hogweed is unique due to it's tall height (8-14 feet tall), purple-tinged stems with coarse, white, hair-like fuzz, and clusters of small white flowers. The sap can cause severe burns that can potentially cause scarring on your skin, and blindness if it gets in your eyes. The toxic sap can transfer by the plant brushing on your skin, or from clothing and pets that have touched the weed.

For information on proper disposal, treatment if exposed, and other information about this toxic plant, please see the following websites:

CBC: 5 things to know about giant hogweed
Government of Maine: Plant Identification Card (.PDF)
Halton Region Public Health: Giant Hogweed
Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program: Giant Hogweed

Looking to do spend time on the trails this summer? Visit Kitchener Public Library's catalogue to see our resources on hiking and mountain biking.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 20:33:00 +0000

KW Record: Your summertime guide to mosquitos
KW Record: Be careful out there cycling

CBC: NSAID pain relievers' heart warnings boosted in U.S.
CBC: Online symptom checkers far from accurate

CTV News: Fecal transplants often cure C. diff. but can they help ulcerative colitis?
CTV News: Study says healthy lifestyle can halve risk of heart failure after 65

NY Times: Naps May Improve Our Frustration Tolerance
NY Times: Diabetes Takes a Toll on the Brain

Globe & Mail: End-of-life care conversations benefit everyone, including doctors
Globe & Mail: Circumcised or not, it matters little to sexual partners, study shows

Toronto Star: Doctors' Notes: Proceed with caution on painkillers
Toronto Star: Breathe in. Breathe out. But breathe efficiently

National Post: ‘Sandwich generation’ worries about own care as they age
National Post: You may be older than you think: Study of 1,000 38-year-olds shows ‘biological age’ ranges from 30 to 60

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Public Health Reminder - Lyme Disease

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Travel and Your Health: Motion Sickness

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 19:01:00 +0000

Photo Source: WikiHow

Summer is a time for travelling adventures, which means spending time in a car, boat or airplane. However, travelling can be an unpleasant experience for some people since the movement of travel can trigger motion sickness. Motion sickness (or car sickness/sea sickness/air sickness), happens when your body's balance-sensing system gets mixed signals. For example, your eyes may see the scenery zooming past while riding in a car, but inner ears feel your body moving in a different direction, so your sensory signals become confused which can cause nausea, sweating, and even vomiting.

For more information on motion sickness, including tips on how to manage it, take a look at the following websites:

HealthLink BC: Motion Sickness
MedlinePlus: Motion Sickness

If you need information to help planning your travels, visit Kitchener Public Library's catalogue, then type in "description and travel" along with the name of your destination.

Health Apps: Canadian Red Cross’ First Aid App

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 17:18:00 +0000

First Aid and CPR are skills that everyone hopes they will never need to use. Even if you've received expert training in these techniques, you might worry about whether or not the details will come back to you in an actual emergency.

A useful app for such a situation is the Canadian Red Cross’ First Aid App. This free, easy-to-use app will take you step-by-step through injury assessment and gives clear steps for what to do depending on the scenario. Instructional videos, safety tips, and FAQs help clarify any questions you might have about what you are experiencing. The app even fully integrates with 911 so you can call directly from the app if the situation requires it. The content is downloaded to your phone, so you don’t need access to Wifi or worry about data reception in order to access the information.

It's available for both Apple and Android devices.

If you’re interested in learning more about emergency measures, check Kitchener Public Library's catalogue for resources on First Aid and CPR.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 20:36:00 +0000

KW Record: Doctors urged to look for eating disorder in young kids
KW Record: Common kidney tests found useful in predicting heart disease

CBC: Canadian Ebola drug trial stopped
CBC: Human breast milk sold online for adults may be hazardous

CTV News: Canadian men's poor health costs $36.9B a year: study
CTV News: As U.S. cuts trans fats, still no ban in Canada

NY Times: Ask Well: Can You Drink Too Much Water?
NY Times: Science Weighs In on High-Heels

Globe & Mail: Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ could expand popular understanding of human emotions
Globe & Mail: Lung transplants can add years to lives of cystic fibrosis patients: study

National Post: Doctor to parents: Kids shouldn’t be heavier than I am
National Post: House of Commons committee warns of dangers posed by cellphone signals, though the scientific evidence is mixed

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Enjoy the Sun Safely - The EWG's 2015 Guide to Sunscreens

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 14:20:00 +0000

Summer is almost officially here, and that means spending time a lot of time outside in the sun. It's important to properly protect yourself from the sun's potentially harmful rays to avoid skin cancer. Staying in the shade, limiting time in the sun, and covering up with SPF protective clothing including a hat and sunglasses can help, but sunscreen can also help protect you outdoors.

If you are concerned about potentially harmful chemicals in sunscreens, take a look at the 2015 edition of the Environmental Working Group's annual Guide to Sunscreens, as well as their Tips on Choosing a Good Sunscreen. It offers a lists for the best:

They also include a "hall of shame" for products containing dangerous ingredients or with protection that doesn't live up to the company's claims.

For more information on skin cancer, please take a look at some of Kitchener Public Library's resources in our catalogue.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 14:57:00 +0000

KW Record: Loblaw to cut micro beads, other ingredients from beauty products by 2018

CTV News: Dad treating epileptic daughter with marijuana oil relieved by SCC ruling
CTV News: Doctor dog: Pet therapy piloted at Edmonton children's hospital

CBC: South Korea's MERS outbreak should be wake-up call, WHO expert says
CBC: Sexual-assault prevention program cut rape rate nearly in half

NY Times: Heartburn Drugs Linked to Heart Attacks
NY Times: Ask Well: Exercise and Heart Damage

Globe & Mail: Proposed nutrition labels would highlight sugar, standardize serving sizes
Globe & Mail: HPV vaccine could work with just one dose, study finds

National Post: Years of eating human brains protected Papua New Guinea tribe from diseases including dementia, mad cow
National Post: Male infertility remains taboo subject despite high prevalence, advances in treatment

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Cervical Cancer

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 19:22:00 +0000

KW Record: Don’t take a seat: Panel says workers should stand for about 2 hours a day, even with exercise
KW Record: Five ways you’re doing pushups wrong

CTV News: Walking, gardening, yoga can all improve your sleep: study
CTV News: Screening cuts risk of breast cancer death almost in half

CBC: Are you a hoarder? Check these 5 signs
CBC: Placenta eating offers no benefit to mom, review finds

NY Times: Every Virus a Person Has Had Can Be Seen in a Drop of Blood, Researchers Find
NY Times: New Tactics for Battling Head Lice

Globe & Mail: ‘Female Viagra’ won’t help many, but that’s not stopping the drug company
Globe & Mail: Modern cancer treatments for kids reducing later-life complications

National Post: Doctors perform world’s first skull-scalp transplant on cancer patient
National Post: Miracle-cure hype fuels the modern quest for immortality

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Workplace Health

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Meet the Dirty Dozen

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 29 May 2015 20:58:00 +0000

We are all aware of the need to reduce pesticides in our diet. There are human health issues that are directly related to the exposure of pesticides. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Among the various health issues that this group addresses, food safety is significant. The group has created a list known as the Dirty Dozen, a list of 12 foods, that carry the heaviest concentrations of pesticides and should therefore be eaten from an organic source whenever possible. These 12 include:
1. apples
2. peaches
3. nectarines
4. strawberries
5. grapes
6. celery
7. spinach
8. sweet bell peppers
9. cucumbers
10. cherry tomatoes
11. snap peas, imported
12. potatoes
The EWA also has a list known as the Clean Fifteen, which is a list of foods with a lower pesticide load, and are safer to eat even from a non-organic source. These fifteen include:
1. avocadoes
2. sweet corn.
3. pineapples
4. cabbage
5. sweet peas, frozen
6. onions
7. asparagus
8. mangoes
9. papaya
10. kiwi
11. eggplant
12. grapefruit
13. cantaloupe
14. cauliflower
15. sweet potatoes

Check out our library catalogue for books about pesticides and their effects on humans.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 29 May 2015 20:37:00 +0000

KW Record: Movement-based warmup beats static stretching
KW Record: Toddler Talk: When it comes to potty training, a lot depends upon the child

CTV News: Not enough sleep? Your brain may be paying the price: study
CTV News: Skipping meals could lead to fat gain, research suggests

CBC: Flavoured tobacco ban celebrated in Nova Scotia, despite lawsuit
CBC: Loblaws recalling several President's Choice hummus products

NY Times: Slushies vs. Frozen Underwear for Hot-Weather Workouts
NY Times: Living at High Altitude Is Linked to Higher SIDS Risk

Globe & Mail: Delayed cutting of umbilical cord tied to better motor, social skills
Globe & Mail: Canada to see a 40 per cent increase in cancer patients by 2030: report

National Post: Canadian pediatricians recommend letting 22-week-old preemies die. Should doctors try to save the tiny newborns?
National Post: Genetically modified herpes virus has been shown to ‘cure’ patients of skin cancer by attacking tumours: study

Toronto Star: Brace yourself: ‘Spring’ allergies are not over yet

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

This Week's Health News Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 22 May 2015 19:09:00 +0000

KW Record: Partner exercise routines can be more fun than going it alone
KW Record: Don’t let anger derail your health goals

CTV: New program aims to help hard-to-match kidney transplant patients
CTV: Service dogs that sniff out seizures can improve kids' lives

CBC: 4 strategies to stick with your health goals
CBC: Cold deemed deadlier than heat when it comes to weather deaths

NY Times: Depression Tied to Increased Risk of Parkinson’s Disease
NY Times: Lack of Exercise Can Disrupt the Body’s Rhythms

Globe & Mail: UBC students’ invention can warn parents of autistic meltdowns
Globe & Mail: Healthy diet tied to lower risk of cognitive decline

National Post: Canada’s Food Guide has been around for 73 years — critics say it’s due for a much-needed overhaul
National Post: Molecules in mother’s milk could fight travellers’ diarrhea, C. difficile, scientists say

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Emergency Medical Services

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 08 May 2015 19:28:00 +0000

KW Record: Study’s food swap confirms risks of colon cancer
KW Record: Get off the couch, potatoes

CTV News: Ebola found in doctor's eye months after disappearing from blood
CTV News: Folate biofortified rice could reduce birth defects: study

CBC: Poverty linked to future high health-care costs
CBC: Pollen allergies may be aggravated with spring's arrival

NY Times: Ask Well: Is 99 Degrees a Fever?
NY Times: Treadmill May Be Riskiest Machine, but Injuries From It Still Rare

Globe & Mail: People with early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s often lack peer support
Globe & Mail: Immunotherapy helping make stem-cell recipients safer

National Post: No country for old doctors: Growing number of senior citizen MDs fighting regulators’ calls for them to retire
National Post: ‘Tumour humour and chemo emo': Why this Canadian actor with terminal cancer plans to die laughing

Toronto Star: Four things to keep in mind before, during and after your workout

Region of Waterloo Public Health: It’s Emergency Preparedness Week

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Mental Health Week

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Thu, 07 May 2015 21:18:00 +0000

May 4 -10 is Mental Health Week. This year, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is asking people to GET LOUD about mental health. Everyone is encouraged to reach out to a co-worker, family member, or write the government. There are 8 ways you can #getloud this week.
1. Talk about your mental health (with friends, family).
2. Talk about their mental health (friends, family).
3. Write to your elected officials and ask them to address mental health issues in Canada.
4. Take action at work (promote mental health in the workplace).
5. Make a donation (donate at MentalHealthWeek.ca or text GETLOUD to 20222).
6. Host an event to increase awareness.
7. Get creative. Compose a song, paint a picture, write a poem, build a sculpture, or do anything creative to promote mental health awareness and share it on your social media.
8. Share the website.

Locally, the CMHA-Waterloo Wellington Dufferin provides services to those with addictions, mental health, or developmental needs. There are many programs designed to assist those in the community who are struggling with these issues. They can also be reached at any time at the Here 24/7 Line at 1-844-437-3247 (1-844-Here247).

Check out our library catalogue for books about mental health.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 01 May 2015 20:47:00 +0000

KW Record: Boys with severe autism learn to communicate with special letter board
KW Record: Has the gluten-free food trend peaked?

CTV News: Ebola spread via sex, 5 months after infection: report
CTV News: Breathe easy after baby: Study suggests elevating torso during sleep

CBC: Canadian hearing-test app for Third World finding new uses here
CBC: 5 spring vegetables to boost meals and health

NY Times: Easing Diabetes Risk, One Beverage at a Time
NY Times: Rubella Has Been Eliminated From the Americas, Health Officials Say

Globe & Mail: Going dairy-free? What does the microbiome say?
Globe & Mail: Chemicals in urine offer clues to obesity

National Post: Test can predict with ‘100% accuracy’ if someone will develop cancer up to 13 years in the future, scientists say
National Post: Penile pumps: Men face gender bias in ‘surgical erectile restoration’ after cancer, surgeon says

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Food Recall Warning

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 19:58:00 +0000

KW Record: Relax, you may have ASMR
KW Record: A hard look at sugar

CBC: Diet Pepsi drops aspartame in U.S., but not in Canada
CBC: Cancer survival rates on the rise, U.S. analysis finds

CTV News: Transgender advocates decry dangerous wait times for surgery
CTV News: Some food items could be good 18 months after expiration date: USDA

NY Times: Inducing Labor at Full Term May Have Benefits
NY Times: Ebola Drug Works Against West African Strain in Study of Monkeys

Globe & Mail: Why traditional healing has a place in modern health care
Globe & Mail: Follow the MIND diet to stave off Alzheimer’s

National Post: Meditation as good as anti-depressants for treating depression, Oxford study finds
National Post: ‘A new era’ of medicine: British doctors cure children of deadly inherited disorder using a stem cell treatment

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Lyme Disease

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:42:00 +0000

Avril Lavigne recently disclosed her months-long battle with Lyme disease. According to People Magazine, the singer was so ill over a period of several months, she thought she was dying. CBC News reported that she felt unable to breathe, talk or move. Bedridden for several months, Lavigne was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease, which she believes came from a tick bite in Spring 2014.

The Region of Waterloo Public Health says that Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria carried by the black legged tick in Ontario. The disease spreads when an infected tick bites a person. If you are bitten by a tick, it is important to remove it carefully with tweezers as soon as possible and seek medical attention.

How can you protect yourself? Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has these tips to avoid ticks:

Wear light-coloured clothing. It makes ticks easier to see and remove before they can attach to feed.
Wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt.
Wear closed footwear and socks.
Tuck your pants into your socks.
Use a tick repellent that has "DEET" (following the manufacturer's directions for use). Apply it to your skin and outer clothing. Avoid your eyes and mouth, as well as cuts and scrapes.
Put a tick and flea collar on your pet and check them for ticks periodically.
If you frequent the areas where blacklegged ticks are established, examine yourself thoroughly for ticks. It is important to do this each day. Pay special attention to areas such as groin, scalp and armpits. Use a mirror to check the back of your body or have someone else check it

Check out these FAQs about Lyme disease from the Ministry.

The library has some resources about Lyme disease. Check out our books, articles and health databases to learn more.

This Week's Health News in Brief

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 20:58:00 +0000

KW Record: Anti-vax mom changes her tune as all her 7 kids get whooping cough

CBC: Puppy love hormone boosts Fido's bond to owner
CBC: E-cigarette use soared, cigarette use fell among U.S. teens

CTV News: Can maple syrup help fight infection-causing bacteria?
CTV News: Intersex surgeries look to move away from drastic treatments

NY Times: A Swim Team for Teens With Autism
NY Times: Divorce May Be Bad for the Heart, Especially for Women

Globe & Mail: Health officials increase testing for potentially fatal Powassan virus
Globe & Mail: Middle-age women who lose weight could be losing bone density, too

National Post: Doctors warned not to encourage young women to freeze their eggs in new medical journal article
National Post: Dr. Oz should be fired from Columbia for ‘promoting quack treatments’: top physicians in letter

Toronto Star: Strengthen your ankles to avoid injury
Toronto Star: Yoga class focuses on a new level of relaxation

Region of Waterloo Public Health: Workplace Health

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full-text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

World Autism Awareness Day

noreply@blogger.com (KPL-HealthLink) — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 00:16:00 +0000

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. Designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, this day was created "to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of children and adults, who are affected by autism, so they can lead full and meaningful lives." The UN's Call to Action challenges employers to hire individuals who fall on the autism spectrum. Every year, the UN hosts events with health and business experts from around the world to discuss and educate around issues that directly affect those who fall on the autism spectrum.

Locally, the Waterloo Wellington Autism Services (WWAS) and Autism Services of Waterloo Region (ASWR) provide support and education for individuals affected by autism and their families. ASWR.

The vision and financial generosity of the WWAS helped create the Autism Collection at the Kitchener Public Library. This is a special collection of books and audiovisual materials about the autism spectrum of disorders and related issues. Anyone can borrow these books, either in person at the Kitchener Public Library's Central Branch, or by request via branch delivery or Interlibrary Loan to other library systems. To search the collection, use the term "autism collection", with the quotation marks included.