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Students stressed, desperate for help
One of the more difficult aspects of answering teen questions is the degree of angst and pain that spills from them. Although the majority of our teenage children progress through adolescence to become well-adjusted, productive adults, a substantial minority is desperate for help during life’s stressful events.
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Survey shows youth drug use up in past decade
In this continuing series based on teens’ questions asked at Canterbury High School, today’s column looks at the drug issue, which is all too often intertwined with the issue of sex among teenagers.
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How do you get herpes?
How have society’s changing attitudes about sexual activity and responsibility affected our teenage children? The Medical Institute for Sexual Health, a U.S. non-profit group promoting sexual abstinence outside marriage, lists the devastating toll laissez-faire attitudes have had on our teens.
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Women should worry more about cardiovascular risks
Perception is everything. Not only does it apply to the political arena but to the public’s perception of health risks. A survey by the American Heart Association done in 2000 asked women what disease they thought was the major threat to their lives. Eight per cent said heart disease compared to 50 per cent citing…
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Sugars are not created equal
Last week’s column reviewed how what we eat can influence blood insulin levels. Diets high in carbohydrates (sugar) result in elevated insulin levels or hyperinsulinemia. This in turn may lead to obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
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How a low-carb, high-protein diet affects your body
Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen February 26, 2003 Original Title: A Mars bar a day, pack those pounds away Increasing numbers of people are adopting low sugar (carbohydrate) high protein diets. Some want to lose weight, others wish to avoid further weight gain as they age. How does this change in dietary habits influence…
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Sleep apnea solutions range from tennis balls to surgery
Last week’s column reviewed how obstructive sleep apnea is more than just a problem of poor sleep. More than 90 per cent of obstructive sleep apnea sufferers remain undiagnosed and face real health risks.
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Why snoring can be hazardous to your health
Aside from the jokes and a partner’s resignation to a lifetime of disrupted sleep, snoring is not an issue that gets much airplay. Snorers, including the “I-don’t-snore” crowd, may have more than just a problem of annoying those within their noise radius.
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Microbiology 101: Why antibiotics don't kill viruses
Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen January 28, 2003 Original Title: Oh I do so like squeezing bubblewrap The problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics remains a major public health concern. Last week’s column reviewed several measures to reverse this trend. Yet despite public education, there remains an expectation at times that antibiotics will eliminate…
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