Bacteria, Viruses, and Antimicrobial Resistance Bacteria and viruses are extremely small organisms, also known as microorganisms, that can live on our skin, in our body fluids, and throughout our digestive tract. They are different from one another, from their biological makeup, how they develop into an infection or disease (pathogenic), and the types of treatments [...]
Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach to Treating Long COVID This is my personal experience managing patients with long COVID, or post-COVID syndrome, as a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor. As if getting sick with COVID-19 wasn’t bad enough, some people continue to suffer symptoms more than a month after their infection, earning the unwanted label of long-hauler. [...]
IBS Updates 2021 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common digestive condition in the world, yet many people who have symptoms do not seek help. Defined by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits, including constipation and diarrhea, IBS can greatly affect quality of life and be an isolating experience. Those affected might find [...]
Review of the Canadian Pain Task Force Report Background Pain, according to the International Association for the Study of Pain, is “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage.” As covered in our Science of Pain article, pain serves a vital purpose for [...]
Ethical Dilemmas in Rare Diseases Scientists continue to make research advancements by creating specialized and highly effective therapies for many diseases and disorders, moving the population toward a better quality of life. It was fourteen years ago that Gail Attara, our president and chief executive officer, wrote about the advent of biologic medicines for Crohn’s [...]
The History of Toilet Paper While grocery stores with fully stocked rows of toilet paper have made most of us take the product for granted, the widespread shortages that occurred during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic made the world realize how much we rely on this necessity. For people with digestive conditions, having [...]
Western Herbal Medicines and IBS For decades, we’ve written about complementary and alternative therapies, such as herbal products and Traditional Chinese Medicine, for management of digestive ailments. There are still questions surrounding their safety and efficacy, but a recent meta-analysis on Western herbal medicines,1 found that peppermint essential oil, aloe vera, and asafoetida – a [...]
Paying for Healthcare in Canada Canada’s healthcare system is popularly known as ‘free’ among global audiences. It is universal coverage for medically necessary healthcare services provided on the basis of need, rather than the ability to pay. However, we have a myriad of systems and they aren’t truly free. To capture a high-level picture of [...]
Pancreatitis: What’s fibre got to do with it? Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. There are two main types of pancreatitis: acute (abrupt onset) and chronic (long-standing disease). The inflammation can damage pancreatic tissue and cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, diabetes, and malabsorption. You may have already heard about the role [...]
Advances in Diverticular Disease and Diet New evidence is shedding light on the ways diet influences diverticular disease and is reinforcing some of the Gastrointestinal Society’s long-held positions, such as how nuts and seeds are safe to eat. This article will focus on the latest research and how that influences recommendations on what you can [...]
