COVID-19 Variants Genetic variations of viruses, such as the one that causes COVID-19, are common and expected. Viruses mutate as they reproduce in the body. These changes to the genetic material of the virus can create newer versions of viruses that differ substantially from the original, known as variants. Scientists use methods such as genetic sequencing [...]
COVID-19 Testing During the COVID-19 pandemic, waking up with a cough or fever can send your mind racing. Should I take a test for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19)? Was I in contact with someone with COVID-19? Do I need to see a doctor? It can be confusing to navigate what to do [...]
COVID-19 Prevention The prime way to prevent an infection with the respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 is vaccination, as directed by your local health authority. There is also one prevention therapy for use in those who are immunocompromised and unlikely to mount an adequate immune response to COVID‐19 vaccination, or in [...]
COVID-19 Treatments in Canada Did you know that there are several treatments for COVID-19? There are now treatments for COVID-19 that can help prevent hospitalizations and death, especially in those who are at greater risk for severe complications. They are most beneficial taken within 5 to 7 days of the onset of mild or [...]
Lyme Disease the spread of ticks in Canada and what you should know When you hear the term Lyme disease, the first thing that likely comes to mind is the image of a blacklegged, blood-sucking tick. Ticks themselves do not cause Lyme disease, but rather can carry certain species of bacteria that do. The primary [...]
Product Review koena™ Probiotic Pronounced koh-eh-na, which means ‘balance’ in Hawaiian, this multi-strain probiotic is designed to support gastrointestinal health in adults and adolescents 14 years of age and older. It consists of 15 different probiotic strains and has 300 billion colony-forming units (CFU) per sachet. It is a unique probiotic supplement with its combination [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
Medication Supply Chain From research on a single drug molecule to clinical trials and a final product ready for patients to use, medicines take a very long time to develop. Studies estimate that this can take about 12 to 15 years, with an average per-drug cost of USD 900 million to 2 billion [...]
Evolution of the Human Gut Microbiota Throughout time, we have adopted changes to our diets, environments, and lifestyle behaviours. Do you ever wonder if we’ve experienced major changes to our gut microbiota as well? Using paleomicrobiology, which is the study of ancient microorganisms, researchers have examined Neanderthal feces to further understand the evolution of the [...]
Patient-Focused Health Policy We need change There has been a lot of attention lately in the media about the Canada Health Transfer (CHT), which is the mechanism under the Canada Heath Act that ensures that the provinces and territories have sufficient funds to operate healthcare services in their [...]
Brain-Gut Connection and IBS If you’re one of the millions of people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may be aware that stress and anxiety can deeply affect your gut and sense of wellbeing. IBS is categorized as a disorder of the gut-brain interaction (DGBI),1 which means that there’s a disconnection between how your [...]
Can Medications Help Treat Obesity? A Review of Medications Used (On- and Off-Label) to Manage Obesity Obesity is a multi-factorial chronic disease that occurs when a person has an excessive amount of body fat, which can increase the individual’s risk of health complications, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, liver issues, arthritis, [...]
How to Choose the Right Probiotics Are you wondering how to use probiotics for your digestive health? Look no further, as a trusted group of experts has created an evidence-based guide on probiotic products available in Canada that can support you in your care. Probiotics are specific strains and quantities of bacteria that research shows [...]
Gut↔Brain Axis Does the Microbiota Affect Brain Health? Have you ever experienced that moment where your gut feels uneasy before a final exam, a date, or an important job interview? This physiological response is not entirely random and suggests that the brain and gut are connected. There is constant bidirectional communication between the gut and [...]
IBS and Food Avoidance Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea. These symptoms can be persistent and greatly impact quality of life. There are three distinct subtypes: IBS-C, in which the person primarily experiences constipation; IBS-D, in which they primarily experience diarrhea; and [...]
Ostomies, Stomas, and Colostomies This series of articles are authored by Jo Hoeflok, RN, BSN, MA, CETN(C), CGN(C), who is a Registered Nurse specializing in enterostomal therapy care. She currently is an Advanced Practice Nurse for the Gastroenterology and General Surgery Unit at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. What is an Ostomy? The term ostomy [...]
Product Reviews There are many products on the market that claim to help people with gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. We review some of these products in our newsletter, the Inside Tract®. If you would like to see our review of a specific product, choose one from the list below. The GI Society receives [...]
Health & Nutrition On this page you will find links to many articles about good health and proper nutrition. Many of our nutrition pages are written by registered dietitians. Click the links below to see the articles we have available. Image Credit: © marctran | 123rf.com
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