Seniors

The term arthritis comes from the Greek words “arthron” meaning joint and “itis” meaning inflammation. It is a broad term that refers to a wide range of different medical conditions (gout, rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, etc.). In the past, the term “rheumatism” was used to describe the full range of disorders involving the joints.

Alzheimer’s disease, as you may know, is a degenerative disease of the brain for which there is still no cure. It generally develops in people over the age of 65, but can also affect younger adults. Here are a few Canadian statistics on the disease. •In 2010, approximately 500,000 Canadians were living with Alzheimer’s disease or a similar form of dementia. •Within a generation, the number of cases is expected to double to 1.1 million. •There were 110,000 new cases in 2010, or one new case every five minutes.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women. If it is diagnosed early, however, it can be successfully treated and even eliminated. Many women are alive and well because their cancer was caught and treated quickly.

The word 'arthritis' is a generic term that refers to more than one hundred different conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Their common feature is pain that affects the joints, tendons, ligaments or bones. Although arthritis generally affects seniors, it does not spare any age group.

When summer hits, heat waves are never far behind! If you see the thermometer hovering around 30°C, you know it is time to take extra precautions to avoid heatstroke.

Did you know that calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body? It accounts for 2 percent of total body mass and can be found almost entirely (99 percent) in bones and teeth.

Did you know that hypertension is the leading risk factor for death in developed countries, ranking ahead of smoking. In Canada, nearly 25% of adults suffer from hypertension. In those over 60, the number reaches 50%.

In Canada, a stroke occurs every 10 minutes; and, every year, 50,000 people die or are left severely disabled following a stroke.

In Northern countries like Canada, many people are deficient in vitamin D. Why is this? In fall, and even more so in winter, the rays of the sun are less intense in these parts of the world. Since the body manufactures vitamin D3 – or cholecalciferol – upon exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays (hence its nickname, “sunshine vitamin”), it goes without saying that less sun means less vitamin D.

When the body is exposed to cold for an extended period of time, the blood vessels constrict and circulation slows. As a result, the extremities (ears, nose, hands and feet) begin to freeze.

At important dinners, parties and other celebrations, we sometimes tend to overeat. For some of us, this leads to “heartburn.” In fact, an estimated 29 percent of Canadians suffer from occasional episodes of gastric reflux.

Many health problems – from simple strains to serious osteoarthritis of the knee – can limit your mobility or even cause you to lose it altogether. Fortunately, today, there are solutions to facilitate your day-to-day life!

According to the Arthritis Society, approximately 1 in 6 Canadian adults suffers from some form of arthritis. Are you among them? Read our series of articles to learn more about arthritis and perhaps find a bit of relief through our advice!

March is Pharmacy Awareness Month. When it comes to medication , pharmacists are THE leading expert on the subject.

January is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. This illness currently affects 1 in 11 seniors in Canada.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can manifest itself in many ways, including difficulty falling asleep and frequent awakenings. Insomniacs might also tend to wake up too early and feel tired upon awakening. When it comes to defining insomnia, however, there are no general criteria. The frequency of episodes is what matters.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes disruptions in the normal electric functions of the brain. In Canada, one person out of 100 has epilepsy. It is therefore a relatively prevalent health problem, whose exact causes remain unknown.

The heart is the major organ of the circulatory system. It is a muscle that pumps blood throughout the body by rhythmic, involuntary contractions. But what happens when it is no longer up to this important job?

Only when we lose our voice do we realize just how valuable the ability to speak really is. In fact, every day, this fragile organ allows us to communicate information and convey our emotions. Yet, almost everyone has experienced voice loss at some point or other.

Every year, tuberculosis kills nearly 2 million people worldwide. In fact, when it comes to infectious diseases, only AIDS is more lethal! While cases of tuberculosis are relatively rare in North America today, the disease is nevertheless a major challenge around the globe.

Nearly half of people aged 75 and over have cataracts. In most cases, this age-related vision problem can be surgically corrected.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome characterized by an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion and generalized pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Venous insufficiency involves the impaired functioning of the superficial and/or deep venous systems. It is characterized by a decrease in the return of blood to the heart caused by a change in the vein wall. This health problem, especially common among women – 70 percent of women over the age of 80 – can develop at any age, but mainly strikes seniors.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative disease that causes brain lesions. Memory loss is the most recognized symptom. At this time, there is no cure for AD. However, progress currently being made in research is helping to enhance the quality of life of those affected.

Constipation is a frequent problem that is usually minor and temporary. It affects people of all ages, but is more common among children and seniors. In addition, women are three times more likely than men to experience constipation.

Certain diseases and conditions can lead to blood clots that can block arteries, veins or the heart. In such cases, anticoagulant therapy is required to thin out the blood. Warfarin is the most frequently prescribed oral medication used to prevent such clots.

Parkinson’s is known as a degenerative disease. It occurs when the neurons that control movement slowly and gradually die.

Often associated with age, osteoporosis is a condition that, with time, causes a gradual loss of bone mass. Becoming more porous and therefore more fragile, bones develop a greater risk of fracturing.

Incontinence can be defined as the inability to control one’s urge to urinate. Even today, this condition remains taboo. In fact, people rarely tell anyone – even their doctors – that they suffer from it. Yet there are many solutions to this problem!

Glaucoma, which is generally caused by an increase in pressure within the eye, leads to a loss of the visual field. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to a complete loss of sight. This condition is, in fact, one of the main causes of blindness in Canada.

Essential to the human body, cholesterol is a fat-like substance produced mainly by the liver, but also taken from the food we eat. Too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to problems.

Commonly referred to as “high blood pressure,” hypertension is characterized by elevated arterial pressure. It occurs when the arteries shrink or harden; the heart then has to work harder to keep blood circulating throughout the body.

Menopause is not an illness, but a natural process that occurs with age. It can be explained simply by a hormonal change, which leads to the end of menstruation. It usually happens between the ages of 40 and 60.