Seniors

Heart Health - Part 1 Heart disease is the leading killer of Canadians. There are some risk factors you can't change, such as family history, age, and race. However, there are many important risk factors that you can work on: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle. Whatever your age, you can work towards a healthier heart.
Your Body on Nicotine: The Inside Story Smoking affects almost every part of your body. It damages you on the inside and ages you on the outside. And, when you light up, people around you are forced to smoke too - whether they want to or not.
Life After Quit Day - Not Always Smooth! So you’ve stopped smoking. Congratulations! But nicotine is very addictive and you will face a lot of temptation in the weeks ahead. You might even succumb to it and light up. Remember that thousands of people - about half of all smokers - have quit once and for all, and you can too! Find out what’s in store once you stop and how to win the long-term battle.
Quitting Smoking - Making the First Move If you smoke, deciding to quit is a big step towards better health. The benefits are both immediate and long-term, for you and your loved ones. But it is not easy! Fortunately, there is a lot of support and information available for people who want to give up smoking.
Mothers helping in the fight to beat osteoporosis Bone mass is critical for maintaining body strength and for mobility. For people with osteoporosis, the loss of bone mass can lead to broken bones, disability and death. Persons with the disease can have bones so brittle and full of holes that even sneezing causes them to break.
Seniors' Health Canada's population is graying, with nearly 4 million seniors - people aged 65 and over - making up 12% of our population. And that number is growing fast as more of us are living longer, healthier lives. Here are some tips for healthy living in your "golden years."
Menopause - Part 3 Whether or not you've decided to take hormone replacement therapy, there are practical ways to staying comfortable during menopause. Learn tips and tactics on being and staying at ease, and learn about some of the latest updates and concerns on living healthy through menopause.
Menopause - Part 2 With all the talk about hormone replacement therapy, how can you tell if it's for you? This section offers information on the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy and to help you decide what's right for you.
Menopause - Part 1 How do you know you're really entering menopause? Learn about the common signs and the difference between menopause and perimenopause.
Andropause: A turning point for men - Part 2 There is a way to deal with the effects of andropause: testosterone replacement therapy. This therapy comes in several forms - which is right for you? While testosterone replacement therapy can provide major benefits, there are other lifestyle changes you can make that can help you feel years younger.
Andropause: A turning point for men - Part 1 Feeling way more tired, fat, and depressed than you did 10 years ago? Low testosterone may be to blame. While andropause is often referred to as "male menopause," this is yet another example where men and women were not created equally.
Healthy Hearing - Part 2 The early signs of hearing loss can be easy to miss. Many people don't realize that they've slowly been adjusting to a worsening hearing loss. Here's how to recognize the early signs of hearing loss so that you can get help. You're not alone, and there are many ways to cope. Find out how.
Healthy Hearing - Part 1 Could you be at risk of hearing loss? Find out what causes hearing loss, how to protect yourself, and how to tell if you're losing your hearing. If you already have a hearing loss, learn more about what you can do to cope.
Organ Donation: The Gift of Life Anywhere from 140 to 250 Canadians die each year while waiting for an organ transplant. Underlying this unfortunate statistic is the fact that Canada has one of the lowest rates of organ donation in the industrialized world. And yet studies show about 50% of Canadians are unaware of what their loved ones wanted regarding organ and tissue donations.
Prostate Cancer: One Man's Story - Part 2 Deciding on a cancer treatment can be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make. The important thing is that you understand the implications of one treatment over another, and that you have made the right decision for yourself. Once the cancer is removed, does life return to normal?
Prostate Cancer: One Man's Story - Part 1 What do Robert De Niro, Nelson Mandela, Rudy Giuliani, and Arnold Palmer have in common? They all overcame battles with prostate cancer, the most common cancer diagnosed in Canadian men. Read one man's story and find out how prostate cancer is prevented, diagnosed, and treated.
Eyesight Problems and Solutions - Part 1 As we grow older, we are more likely to develop cataracts. Do you know what they are? And what can be done about macular degeneration?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Most people, at some point in their lives, have temporary fascinations, fixations or "obsessions" with people, places or things. But for approximately two percent of Canadians, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) transforms their lives into a constant series of unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours that they cannot control.
Arthritis - Part 2 There's no question that arthritis can get in the way of work and play - but here are ways to enjoy an active life. And contrary to what many people think, arthritis doesn't only target adults or the elderly. Juvenile arthritis can strike children of any age.
Arthritis - Part 1 Over four million Canadians have some form of arthritis. In fact, it's one of the leading causes of long-term disability in Canada today. Appropriate treatment, as well as learning how to manage this chronic condition, can go a long way to help. Find out about the differences between the most common forms of arthritis and what you can do to help manage the symptoms.
Cancer and Chemotherapy - Part 3 Your emotions, like your health, may be shaken up during chemotherapy. But there are things you can do to get back on an even footing.
Cancer and Chemotherapy - Part 2 It is common to experience fatigue during chemotherapy, but there are ways of dealing with it. And along with fatigue, chemotherapy is also commonly associated with hair loss, weight change, and other effects on appearance. Learn more about coping with fatigue and your self image.
Cancer and Chemotherapy - Part 1 If you have cancer, you might be nervous at the thought of having chemotherapy. One of the most common concerns about chemotherapy is the negative side effects. The type of side effects and their severity depend on the type and dose of chemotherapy as well as how an individual reacts to the treatment.
Keep Your Resolutions - Part 4 Relaxation isn't just a matter of flopping down on the couch and doing nothing. In fact, there are several activities that will make you feel more relaxed - and help you get more benefit from your down time.
Keep Your Resolutions - Part 3 You know you need to exercise more. You just don't know when you'll have the time to. Well, you may already have more time to exercise than you think.
Keep Your Resolutions - Part 2 The holiday food binge is over. Now it's time for a crash diet - or is it?
Are You Ready for an Emergency? Part 2 Do you know what to do if you're at a party when someone collapses? Or what if someone is poisoned?You don't have to be helpless in emergency situations. You can equip yourself beforehand - you can save a life.
Are You Ready for an Emergency? Part 1 Do you know what to do if you find yourself at the scene of an accident? Or what if someone is choking?In emergency situations, you don't have to feel helpless, and there are ways for you to be prepared to help someone in need.
Staying Healthy on Medication - Part 2 How well do you know your medication? Here are some tips and information about your medication that you must know in order to use it properly, stick to your treatment, and prevent medication-related problems.
Staying Healthy on Medication - Part 1 About 30% of emergency room visits are caused by not taking medication properly. Don't become a statistic! Find out how to take your medications properly and stick with your treatment plan.
Cutting Your Cancer Risk - Part 2 There are many lifestyle factors that increase the risk of cancer. Some main lifestyle risks include smoking, drinking, and obesity, as well as an unhealthy diet, "unsafe" sex, and air pollution. Here are some strategies to help you fight the battle against cancer from these fronts.
Cutting Your Cancer Risk - Part 1 Does reducing the number of cancer deaths around the world by a third sound like a lofty goal? Nine simple lifestyle changes could do just that and have a dramatic impact on cancer's death toll, according to a recent study. Here's what all of us can do to cut the risk and take control of our health.
Eyesight Problems and Solutions - Part 2 Like the rest of your body, your eyes can deteriorate as you get older - but a problem with your eyesight is no small matter. We take a look at some solutions that can help weakening eyesight.
Travel Bugs - Part 2 Not all travel-related health problems can be avoided with pre-travel planning. What should you do when you meet up with health problems during your travel? Learn how to combat travel bugs when they attack, and make sure you have health insurance and all the contacts you need to help you in a case of emergency.
Travel Bugs - Part 1 You've decided to take that trip of a lifetime! Travelling to new countries requires research into customs, places to visit, and new languages to tackle. But other countries also have different health risks. Read on for some advice on avoiding health problems when you travel and find out about travel vaccinations.
The Air We Breathe: Is It Safe? Have you ever wondered how clean the air is on a typical, hot smoggy day? Can the air you breathe make you sick? When it gets that uncomfortable, how safe is it to go outside? Find out about the harmful effects of smog and how to protect yourself.
Drug Allergies - Part 3 Drug allergies can be resolved through treatment as well as prevention. Take your drug allergy seriously and learn how to avoid protect yourself, how to treat your drug allergy properly, and when to get medical assistance.
Drug Allergies - Part 2 Drug allergic reactions can range from a rash to arthritis or kidney problems. The body's response can affect many organ systems, but the skin is the most frequent system involved. Learn more about drug allergy types and common signs and symptoms.
Drug Allergies - Part 1 Sometimes a person's health can be threatened by the very processes that are supposed to protect it. The immune system can overreact to a foreign substance, causing anything from a bit of itching to a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Allergies can develop to a wide variety of substances - and sometimes they develop to medications. If you have a drug allergy, taking a medication that should make you feel better may result in your feeling much worse.
Travel Health At last - it's time for that well-deserved sunny vacation. To make sure that illness doesn't spoil your fun, read our practical pointers on taking medication during your trip, preventing motion sickness, and staying healthy.
Smoking Cessation - Part 2 Nicotine is addictive, so many people need more than just will power to get over the craving. Find out more about the medications available and how to avoid relapse regret when the your attempts to quit smoking veers off track.
Smoking Cessation - Part 1 Quitting smoking is an important step towards better health, but it's not easy! Fortunately, there are programs and medications to help. Read on to learn more about smoking cessation.
Medication Management Fitting your medications into a busy lifestyle can be a challenge. Here are some tips on managing your prescription medications by asking the right questions and following your medication schedule.
Eye Health - Part 3 We get most of our information about the world from our sense of sight. However, many people overlook eye health as part of their regular health routine. Learn how to protect yourself from the most common causes of blindness and keep your eyes healthy.
Eye Health - Part 2 Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people under the age of 65. Learn how to reduce your risk of eye damage due to diabetes.
Eye Health - Part 1 The eye is very delicate, and can be injured easily. Some of the causes may surprise you - here's how to protect yourself.
Heart Health - Part 3 Cholesterol is a fat-based substance found in the bloodstream and the body's cells. Cholesterol is essential for good health, but high levels of bad cholesterol and low levels of good cholesterol mean you could be at risk of heart disease.
Heart Health - Part 2 It takes practice and time to quit smoking, but it can be done, and the benefits of stopping smoking are worth the effort. But there are many ways to quit smoking - each person is unique, and different strategies work better for different people.
Allergy and Asthma Millions of Canadians suffer from allergies and asthma. When your immune system identifies a normally harmless material as a threat, it can set off symptoms like sniffles, sneezes, rashes, or breathing problems.
Headaches Everyone knows what it's like to get a headache. Often striking when we're feeling stressed, tired, or emotionally upset, the all-too-familiar throbbing pain and nagging pressure feel like they'll never go away. But there are ways to prevent and relieve headaches. Read on to get the heads up on head pain. And while you're at it, look for our tip on spring cleaning - you probably need to get this off your chest!
Stroke Stroke is the third-largest killer of Canadian adults, after heart disease and cancer. It's also the primary cause of physical disabilities and second only to Alzheimer's disease as a cause of mental disability. In Canada, there are about 55,000 strokes a year. Learn how to prevent a stroke, how to tell if you're having a stroke, and what treatment options are available.
Sleep: Getting a Good Night's Worth - Part 2 Like good nutrition and exercise, adequate sleep is part of a healthy lifestyle. Sleep deprivation is an unrecognized cause of many problems, including accidents, illness, and poor job performance. It affects many people, and it's on the rise. Find out how your sleep habits could be affecting you.
Sleep: Getting a Good Night's Worth - Part 1 Have you tried everything and still don't seem to be getting enough sleep? You may be suffering from a sleep disorder. Find out how you can tell, and what you can do to get a good night's sleep.
Cancer: Coping Tips - Part 2 No one should have to go through a diagnosis of cancer alone. Support groups can help you get through cancer - and so can your family. Remember: Cancer doesn't just affect the person diagnosed, it also touches families, friends and loved ones.
Cancer: Coping Tips - Part 1 There's no doubt about it: a cancer diagnosis and your therapy affect you in many ways. But the more you know about cancer, the better you'll be able to understand what's happening to your body and the available treatments.
Pain - Part 2 Your head's killing you, and all you can think about is wishing the pain would stop. And you're not alone: headache is one of the most common pain conditions known to humanity. But it can be treated. And, as effective as drugs can be, you don't always need them to kill the pain.
Pain - Part 1 Arthritis and back problems are more widespread than you may think. But neither of them has to be just lived with - there are ways of easing the pain.
How to Talk to Your Doctor - Part 2 You can get the most out of your visit with the doctor by preparing in advance and knowing how to talk to your doctor.
How to Talk to Your Doctor - Part 1 If you're like many Canadians, you consider your family doctor to be one of the most valuable resources you have when it comes to managing your health. But knowing how to talk to your doctor can help you get the most out of this vital relationship.
Caring for Aging Parents - Part 2 A time will come when you'll need to be involved directly in your parents' care. Be prepared for it. But also be prepared to take care of yourself so you can continue to fulfill your obligations as parent, spouse, and employee.
Caring for Aging Parents - Part 1 No one knows your parents as well as you do and no one cares for them as much. But caring for an aging family member can be frustrating, emotional, tiring, and scary, both for you and for the person you're caring for. Find out how you can best prepare yourself, your family, and your parent for some of the changes that may be in the future.
Osteoporosis - Part 2 While osteoporosis can't be cured yet, there are treatments to help reverse bone loss or prevent further bone thinning. And if osteoporosis has begun to affect your life, you can still keep busy.
Osteoporosis - Part 1 Find out what osteoporosis is and how you can fight it.
Colorectal Cancer: Cutting the Risks Although colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Canada and takes the lives of more than 8,400 Canadians a year, it is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Find out how lifestyle choices and regular screening tests can significantly cut the risks of this disease.
Yoga: Stretch for Your Health Yoga: the word may bring to mind pictures of people holding seemingly impossible poses - but it's about more than just flexibility. The ancient art of yoga endures in our modern world for many good reasons.
Meditation Meditation is often recommended as a way of reducing stress and even improving health. Find out what it involves.
Keep Your Resolutions - Part 1 What's your resolution this New Year? Do you want to exercise more, eat better, perhaps quit smoking - or do you just want to try to relax more? Whatever the resolution may be, many people find it hard to stick to it. We look at some things you can do to make a healthy resolution a part of your life, rather than an interruption or burden.
Diabetes: Managing Your Condition - Part 1 Diabetes is a serious condition that affects the body's ability to control its blood sugar levels. The good news is that it also responds to your efforts: you can do a lot to combat diabetes by eating right, watching your health, and listening to your doctor.
Diabetes: Managing Your Condition - Part 2 Having diabetes certainly doesn't mean giving up enjoying life. Diabetes can be managed with medications as well as with proper diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Flu and Cold Develop a battle plan against the flu this year. Know what you will be up against, get the facts on prevention, learn tips for a quick recovery, and find out when it is appropriate to seek further medical attention.
Seasonal Affective Disorder An estimated two to three percent of Canadians suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that seems to be related to the amount of sunlight that you are exposed to. If you have episodes of depression that recur at the same time every year, for more than two years, you may have SAD, and not just the occasional winter blues.