Seborrheic Dermatitis: Common But Frustrating
Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) mainly affects the scalp, face, chest, and eyelids, causing dandruff and eczema. It affects 11% of the population, particularly infants and adults aged 30-60 with naturally oily skin. Factors like regional weather,…
Take the Bed Pill: the Wide-ranging Effects of Insomnia
Many people find the hum of a car engine lulls them to sleep. A Hong Kong travel agency capitalizes on this with a 5-hour bus tour, acknowledging widespread insomnia issues. Sleep deprivation’s impact on productivity,…
The Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths on the Body and Health
Epsom salts are small crystals used for medicinal purposes, despite limited clinical evidence. Their magnesium sulfate compounds are absorbed through the skin during baths, relieving sore muscles and joints, improving sleep and mental health, and…
Hormonal Contraceptives’ Impact on Mood
Hormonal contraception, such as pills and implants, can impact mood, causing mood swings, depression, and anxiety. Factors like age, dosage, delivery method, and continuous use play a role. Different methods have varying effects, with continuous…
Health Risks of the Reusable Menstrual Cup
The article discusses the rising popularity of reusable menstrual products due to environmental and cost considerations. It delves into the potential risks associated with using a reusable menstrual cup, including toxic shock syndrome and the…
Modern vs. Traditional Medicine: A Battle for the Best Treatment
Cassandra Lee emphasizes the individualized response to remedies, supporting a future of combined modern and traditional medicine. While modern advancements have eradicated diseases, they also pose health risks. Natural remedies, like Chinese and Indian practices,…
A Brief History of Antibiotics
Antibiotics have a rich history and have saved countless lives. From ancient practices of using mouldy bread to the modern discovery of penicillin, the impact of antibiotics has been profound. However, the rise of superbugs…
Exploration into Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a respiratory disease that infects the lungs, leading to severe short-term mortality and potential long-term effects, especially in infants and older adults. It is contagious and can have serious implications if not treated,…
Genomics: A New Field of Medicine on the Rise
Author: Rushil Dua What is Genomics Genomics is the study of the human genome — all the genes a person has, their interactions between themselves, and the interaction of the genome with the environment [1].…
The Importance of Ergonomics in the Workplace
Author: Serena Amarakoon What are Ergonomics? Ergonomics can be defined as the modification and adaptation of one’s working environment to fit their needs and eliminate risk of injury and discomfort [1]. The tools in question…
Bulletproof Skin: It Has Been Done!
Author: Alexa Burry The genetic engineering of animals for biomedical and human health applications is an increasingly impressive and promising industry. Transgenic animals have been available for nearly 40 years, having been first reported in…
Toxic Relationships: Definition, Signs, and Advice
Author: Hadeel Alhadi What is a toxic relationship? A toxic relationship, according to professor Lillian Glass, is any relationship between persons who are not supportive of each other and disrespect, undermine, and compete against one…
Impact of Extracurricular Activities on Mental Health
Author: Arpana Wadhwani With the beginning of a new semester year for many students, it is imperative to understand that extracurricular activities, though they may not appear to be at first glance, are an integral…
Caffeine Addiction 101
The Signs and Consequences of Caffeine Addiction Author: Alison MacPhee What is Caffeine? Caffeine is classified as the world’s most popular psychoactive drug [1]. It is legal and unregulated, but is still considered a drug…
The Silent Killer: Ovarian Cancer
Author: Dina Babiker Cancer has become one of the deadliest diseases of our time, and in Canada alone, it is responsible for the death of 30% of the population [1]. Cancer can take on many…
The Bystander Effect
Author: Kaz Shuji We are less likely to offer help to someone when there are other people present [2]. Social psychologists Bibb Latané and John Darley called this phenomenon the bystander effect [3]. The concept…
The Body’s Lifeline: The Impact & Benefits of Donating Blood
Author: Alison MacPhee Blood: Background Information Approximately 50% of Canadians will either be in need of blood components or know someone who will at some point in their lives. However, only 4% of Canadians are…
Exploring Nonverbal Communication
Author: Kaz Shuji “Actions speak louder than words.” What exactly does this mean in the context of interpersonal communication? When we interact with others on a day-to-day basis, we are continuously giving and receiving wordless…
Music and the Brain: Cerebral Activity in Patients with Neurological Disorders
Author: Jasmine Kokkat The number of parents paying for childrens’ music classes in Canada are increasing, and so are the number of studies being done on proving that music helps with cognitive functions and memory.…
Ontario University Students Assisting The Front Lines During COVID-19
Authour: Juliane Feliciano March 13th, 2020 was the last day of in-person classes in universities across Ontario as the province began to implement lockdown procedures during the first wave of COVID-19 [1]. As thousands of…
What happens to your brain when you learn a language?
Author: Rushil Dua Language is a crucial part of the human experience — our shared innate nature. It provides us with a frame of reference on our life perspective, a way to express ourselves, and…
How to Care for Your Mental Health During Remote Learning: A Student’s Advice
By: Hadeel Alhadi As protective measures during COVID-19 persist, many students have transitioned to virtual learning. From an increased workload to adapting to new online learning tools, virtual education is adding to the stress caused…
The Impact of COVID-19 on Elective Procedures in Ontario
Author: Grace Gillis To safely meet the demand for surgeries during a pandemic, hospitals have implemented policies in mandating masks/face coverings, conducting pre-operation appointments virtually, ensuring only necessary people (i.e. only the patient and medical…
The Shocking Truth About “The Father of Gynecology”
Author: Hadeel Alhadi. “You may have heard of James Marion Sims with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, especially since conversations surrounding racism in medicine are coming to light. Let’s take a look…
The End of All-Nighters
Author: Alison MacPhee.
“We all do them, we know they’re outrageous, and we know these eye-bags are our battle scars as students — all-nighters behold! This article will go over the importance of sleep, and…
COVID-19: Transmission and Operation
Author: Rushil Dua. “The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease that has defined 2020, turning what we had all imagined this year to be on its head. This disease is caused by a…
Modern Day Vaccinations and the Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine
Author: Cassandra Lee.
“As the world is plagued by COVID-19, scientists around the world are scrambling to find a vaccination for this deadly virus. While delving into the chemistry behind how vaccines really work, this…
How Oral Health is Just as Important as Overall Health
Author: Farah Farhat “Have you ever gone a year without visiting a general practitioner? If so, you’re part of the 7% of Canadians that don’t [1]! However if you’ve gone a year without visiting a…
The Challenges of being a Visible Minority in Medicine: An Interview with Dr. Nahla
By: Dina Babiker. “Dr. Nahla is an aspiring psychiatrist beginning her residency this year. She is passionate about mental health and has recently started using social media platforms to share her experiences as a Muslim…
The Future of Artificial Intelligence
Author: Jasmine Kokkat. “There have been many technological advancements in various aspects of healthcare particularly with respect to artificial intelligence. From cancer diagnosis to image analysis, artificial intelligence uses complex algorithms and pattern recognition methods…
Cultural Influences on Mental Health
Author: Arpana Wadhwani. “This article focuses on the persisting influence of culture, on an individual’s or a group’s mental health. Specifically, this article focuses on the nuances that shape the perception of mental health from…
Fine Tuning Melodies into Medicine
Author: Juliane Feliciano. “With music therapy becoming an increasingly known method for improving health outcomes for patients of various physical and mental ailments, the hope for the future is to explore the full potential of…
A Conversation with Dr. Tsang
Author: Janna Radi. “Dr. Tsang highlighted his view of training of the mind over training of the skills”
Chicken Soup
Author: Farah Farhat. “There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly in every approach we take in healthcare and medicine, but don’t you ever wonder what life would have been like if we just…
Admissions Stories: Delving Into An Occupational Therapy School Admissions Journey
Author: Rahat Sheikh. “Sarina Chu is a University of Ottawa student starting her Masters in Occupational Therapy in the fall 2020 semester. Sarina has always had an avid interest in the visual arts, badminton, bullet…
Understanding Internet Gaming Disorder
Author: Rhea Verma. “There have been hundreds of international studies on the impacts of videogames on human psychology and wellbeing. In this article, let’s break down some statistics and findings from such studies, and educate…
The Relationship Between Empathy and Burnout in Physicians and Medical Students
Author: Hadeel Alhadi
COVID-19 Antibodies and Immunity
Author: Alison MacPhee. “With the COVID-19 curve starting to flatten, and more people recovering from the virus, many are wondering what that means for the future. Does having had the virus protect you from future…
Hands On Health Magazine 