Approximately 2.5% of Canadians over the age of 16 (roughly 525,000 individuals) are diagnosed asthmatics. Characterized by episodic cough, wheeze and breathlessness, asthma impacts the ability of sufferers to function at work, school, or just to carry out simple day-to-day activities.

Calcium is essential for developing and maintaining strong bones throughout our entire lifespan. It keeps bones strong and healthy and is necessary for maintaining bone mass. Bone is the storage site for 99% of the body's total calcium; therefore any increase or decrease in total body calcium affects our overall bone mass.

Cardiovascular disease is caused by a narrowing of arteries to vital body organs. When this narrowing occurs in the coronary arteries - the ones that supply the heart - it is called Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Narrowing is due to atherosclerosis, which is caused when fibrous tissue and lipids (fats), particularly cholesterol, build up on artery walls. Blood clotting occurs more readily on these surfaces. When only narrowing exists, chest pain (angina) may occur with exertion - a possible warning sign of heart attack. When a blood clot forms in the narrowed coronary arteries, a blockage can occur and a heart attack is possible.

Sooner or later almost everyone suffers from an episode of constipation. It is difficult to give one definition of constipation, because regular bowel habits are different for every person: "normal" bowel habits can be anywhere from three bowel movements per day to three per week. It isn't necessary to have one bowel movement a day.

Echinacea is a popular garden plant with beautiful flowers that is a member of the aster/daisy family. There are three species of Echinacea used medicinally: Echinacea Angustifolia, Echinacea Purpurea, and Echinacea Pallida. Echinacea Angustifolia and Purpurea are the most commonly seen today. Also called Purple Coneflower or Rudbekia, the roots and the whole herb are used for medicinal purposes. The most important active ingredient is echinacosides, a glycoside with slight antibiotic properties. In addition, the plant contains volatile oils, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and a whole range of other principles. The action of this herb is based on the combined effect of all its principles. Taken internally, Echinacea enhances resistance and stimulates the lymphatic system and the fibroblasts (cells repairing tissue). It has been proven to be a useful drug in improving the body's resistance to infectious conditions of all kinds, particularly influenza and colds.

Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium, is mainly used in the prevention of migraine headaches. It belongs to the sunflower family, and its flowers are small and daisy-like with yellow disks and 10 to 20 white, toothed rays. It is also known as Chrysanthemum Parthenium, Featherfew or Midsummer Daisy.

Fever describes the increase in body temperature to above normal range. It is the body's reaction to viral or bacterial infections such as ear, bladder or chest infections and pneumonia. Though fever can cause aches and pains, weakness, discomfort and decreased alertness, it is not normally harmful on its own and can be a clue that an infection is developing. The following information describes some steps you can take when your child has a fever.

Your veterinarian may have a suggestion for treating your arthritis! A new therapy for Osteoarthritis, glucosamine, has been used by vets for more than a decade to treat arthritic dogs and horses! The main advantage of glucosamine is that it appears to do more than just treat arthritic symptoms; it seems to address the underlying causes, with minimal side effects.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is not a disease, but is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Other risk factors for cardiovascular disease include diabetes, high cholesterol levels, obesity, smoking, family history of heart disease, age, and being male. Some of these risk factors cannot be changed; therefore it is important to modify the factors you can change in order to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

To many, homeopathy seems like a new approach to health; however, homeopathy's guiding principle - like cures like - dates back to the 5th Century B.C. and the Greek physician Hippocrates. He was the first to advance the theories that illness is not the result of divine intervention but of natural forces, that a person's own power to heal should be encouraged, and that illness can be treated with substances capable of creating symptoms similar to those being experienced.

Homocysteine (HC) is an amino acid (the building block of protein), which is formed as a by-product of protein metabolism. Recently there is strong evidence suggesting that too much homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia [HHC]), is associated with cardiovascular diseases. In healthy individuals, excess homocysteine is excreted. However, high level of homocysteine could result from genetic defects or a deficiency of folic acid (a Vitamin B), vitamin B6 (pyriodoxine) and B12 (cyanocobalamin) which act as cofactors for homocysteine metabolism.

HRT for the treatment of menopause is not without controversy. Some people say treating menopause classifies it as a disease; others say treatment is a good example of preventative medicine. Who to treat, benefits and risks of treatment, and how to treat (dosing schedules, etc.), are questions that don't have easy, all-encompassing answers. The following article will shed some light on all these issues.

Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. Influenza viruses are often divided into three types: A, B and C. Type A is a constantly changing virus that is generally responsible for the large outbreaks. New strains of Type A virus develop regularly, with outbreaks occurring in most years. Type B outbreaks occur at intervals of several years, while Type C is considered relatively insignificant.

Why does menstruation stop? Menstruation is directly connected to the production of the female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) by the ovaries. During the pre-menopausal years, generally between ages 40 and 50, the ovaries gradually reduce production and secretion of these two hormones. By the end of this 5 to 10 year period, ovarian function - as well as menstruation - has stopped altogether. After being menstruation free for 12 months, a woman is considered menopausal.

Osteoporosis is a gradual thinning and weakening of the bones resulting from excessive loss of bone mass. Bone thinning generally begins in the mid-thirties and continues into old age. The process tends to be slow, painless and can take many years before it is detected. Often, Osteoporosis is only noticed when a bone breaks with very little trauma.

The number of pain relief medications available without a prescription can be very confusing for consumers. With all the different brand names out there - each claiming superiority over the other - no wonder it is difficult to sort out which product might be best for your needs.

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. A person will usually develop chickenpox the first time they are infected with varicella-zoster. After recovery, the virus lays dormant in the nervous system for decades and then reappears at a later time as shingles. Everyone who has had chickenpox (9 out of 10 adults) is at risk of developing an attack of shingles, and the risk of contracting them increases with age.

Approximately 85% of all smokers want to stop but have been unsuccessful in their attempts. It is generally accepted that it takes an average of 4 to 5 attempts before a smoker can quit for life.

The plant Hypericum perforatum is native to Europe, the U.S.A. and parts of Canada. It grows aggressively in dry ground, usually to a height of one to two feet, but can grow as high as five feet on the Pacific Coast. A perennial, its bright yellow blossoms appear around the birthday of St. John the Baptist (June 24th), which explains its common name, St. John's Wort.

Lately we've become more aware of the hazards of excessive exposure to the sun, the leading cause of skin cancer. In addition to skin cancer, the sun can cause photoaging (premature aging of the skin), which causes wrinkles and a dry, coarse appearance. Unfortunately, increased awareness is not enough - it must also be accompanied with a modification in the way we play and work in the sun.

Australian Tea Tree Oil is commercially available in a variety of products including lotions, creams, liniments, soaps, shampoos and toothpastes. The most common forms are oils of 8% and aqueous solutions of up to 40%; oils are more potent than aqueous solutions, which make the use of lower strengths possible. These are usually applied full-strength, two to three times a day, but if sensitivity is still a problem, it can be further diluted

Any woman who has suffered the discomforts of vaginitis is aware of the myriad of products available, each proclaiming to be the best. However, before attempting self-treatment, it helps to familiarize oneself with both normal and abnormal vaginal physiology, safe and effective therapies, and the circumstances that necessitate a visit to a physician.

Compression Therapy is the mechanical treatment of venous and lymphatic problems using pressure provided by an elastic bandage, medical compression stockings, socks, hosiery and arm-sleeves. It is the basic treatment for chronic venous insufficiency and lymph edema. Medical stockings are prescribed by physicians and delivered by specialists.

Compression stockings are often the first line of defence in treating varicose veins or in slowing their progress. Proper fit is essential. Talk with your doctor about which type of stocking and what compression level would best suit your needs. The stockings are tighter at the ankle and looser as they progress up the leg. They promote circulation and help limit gravity's downward pull. Daily wear is important — from the time you get out of bed until you retire at night.

Traveler’s Thrombosis is actually Deep Vein Thrombosis (or DVT). DVT is a blood clot that forms in a leg vein, often after a person has been sitting for a long time, a typical situation during long-distance travel. A DVT can flow through the bloodstream and lodge in the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism, and it has the potential to cause death. Symptoms can include: