When stuff breaks

STROKE What is a stroke? In a healthy brain, blood vessels carry blood to all the brain’s cells, supplying nutrients and oxygen. A stroke occurs when this blood supply to one area of brain tissue is interrupted. It can occur in any part of the brain. How does a stroke occur? There are two types [...]

SLEEP DISTURBANCE What is sleep? Sleep is a complex process that is controlled by a number of the body’s systems. The “master” of these systems when it comes to sleep is known as the circadian rhythm. This is the body’s internal alarm clock that, when working well, wakes us up after a good night sleep [...]

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE What is Coronary artery disease? Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), also known as Ischemic Heart Disease or Coronary Heart Disease, is a type of heart disease that affects the blood vessels that feed the heart, known as coronary arteries. Arteries are just like highways. When these arteries harden or become clogged less nutrients [...]

HELICOBACTER PYLORI What is Helicobacter pylori? Helicobacter pylori (H.Pylori for short) is a type of bacteria that lives inside the stomach. H.Pylori can live in the stomach by protecting themselves from stomach acid. They cause irritation in the stomach and left untreated can occasionally cause open sores or ulcers to form.   Why do we [...]

GALLSTONES What is a gallstone and how do they form? Gallstones form just like snowballs... The gallstone begins with a small piece of debris Lots of extra cholesterol in the gallbladder is added to the small piece of debris Not moving. When the gallbladder doesn't move or contract it allows cholesterol to add onto the gallstone [...]

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE What is peripheral arterial disease? It is the result of poor blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the legs and feet. What causes peripheral arterial disease? Hardening and narrowing of the arteries in the legs leads to poor blood flow. This narrowing is the same process of hardening that happens in the [...]

ASTHMA By: Yashoda Valliere M3, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry What is asthma? Asthma is a long-term disease involving inflammation of the airways. During an asthma attack, the airways become narrowed (“bronchospasm”), making it difficult to breathe. This is reversible and goes away after the end of the asthma attack. Who gets asthma? Asthma [...]

HIGH CHOLESTEROL WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL? Cholesterol is not all bad, helps our body function normally, and help form:  Hormones like testosterone and estrogen Vitamin D Hormones that help digest food (in particular foods containing fat) WHY DO WE TREAT HIGH CHOLESTEROL? To reduce your risk of hardened arteries which can cause a heart attack, stroke, and [...]

DIABETES What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that is due to insulin in your body not working well. It's often a bit confusing but the easiest way to think about it is that diabetes is due to: Your body not making insulin: This is called Type 1 Diabetes Your body is not responding properly to insulin: This is [...]

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION What is atrial fibrillation? An abnormal heart rhythm Why do we treat atrial fibrillation? We treat atrial fibrillation to reduce the risk of a stroke How is atrial fibrillation treated? It is usually treated with two types or classes of medications: Blood thinners -- by making the blood 'thin' it is less likely [...]