Pharmacogenomics, a mixture of the pharmaceutical and genetic sciences, holds vast potential for health care
Pharmacogenomics is a long word that describes an area of health research with vast potential for future medicine. Now part of most new clinical trials, it's a mixture of the pharmaceutical and genetic sciences. It involves the study of how a person’s genes affect the way the body responds to drugs. The hope is that we…
We use all of our brain, not just 10%; educational toys don't work; preferred learning styles ineffective in performance
In spite of easy access to information in this technological age – or perhaps because of it – myths about the human brain abound. You have likely heard people say that we use a fraction of our brain. The theory goes something like this: Imagine how much smarter we would be if we could figure out a…
As research continues, it is likely that more and more effective treatments will be developed
One of the first questions to arise after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease almost always deals with treatment. People want to know what treatments are available, how they work, what they will mean in terms of symptom improvement and the length of time left for the patient to live independently. Three medications available for Alzheimer’s…
The more prepared and open you are as a patient, the more you will get out of an appointment
It’s not easy to get an appointment to see a psychiatrist, who are in short supply. Patients often face wait times of many months, which can feel like a very long time when struggling with a mental health issue. So when you do get an appointment with a psychiatrist, its essential that you be prepared. Here…
Following these simple guidelines and your doctor’s treatment advice should help you to be safe on the roads
Pretty much everyone remembers learning how to drive. What exhilarating freedom there is to get behind the wheel and be the one to decide on the destination and to no longer need parents as chauffeurs! Yes, learning to drive is a memorable time. Of course, with freedom comes responsibility and driving can be dangerous as…
The key is to think ahead and make sure the necessary resources and support are in place
Deciding to have children is a big step for any couple and those who have a history of mental illness have a few added difficulties to surmount along the way. Today I would like to discuss some of the important questions a couple should ask themselves when they decide whether or not to have children…
Further research is needed to discover all the genetic and environmental factors involved in depression
For many years, researchers have suspected the existence of specific genes that make certain individuals more susceptible to depression than others. The suspicion arose when it became obvious through observation that some people seem to be more sensitive to stress than others and some develop depression regardless of the events in their lives. There are…
Developing interests and setting goals is the first step to leading a more fulfilling and rewarding life
If I were to ask you what motivates you to get up in the morning, would you have some specific answers for me? Would you list your job, your family, some particularly enjoyable activity or a goal you are working toward? Frequently, my patients tell me they have no reason to get up in the…
Studies show that higher levels of education increase the likelihood of being happy and healthy in later years, and improve self-esteem
Research has provided another reason to stay in school, pursue post-secondary education and continue learning – education is good for our mental health. In earlier columns, I have highlighted the importance of keeping the mind fit in order to prevent Alzheimer’s as we age. Education (formal and informal) is a good way to do this.…
Early sexual activity puts children at risk of pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases – and it can damage them emotionally
The sexual behaviour of teenagers can strike fear in the hearts of most parents. Media reports and documentaries routinely tell us that today's teenagers are more sexually active, at younger ages, than ever. It's not uncommon for 13- and 14-year-old kids to experiment sexually. But what does this mean and what are the implications, if any,…