Healthy thoughts & industry news Thoughts, inspiration, and stories about healthcare in Canada and beyond, brought to you by Maple Most recent Living & wellness Health heroes News Industry pulse What is a COVID-19 variant? For over a year now, you’ve been taking necessary precautions to avoid getting sick from COVID-19. Wearing a mask, social distancing, enduring lockdowns, the whole nine yards. While you’ve worked hard to protect yourself from COVID-19, the virus became even more contagious, mutating into what’s known as COVID-19 variants. So, what makes a variant different…Read more Why you need a caregiver coach Caregiving refers to the practice of helping someone who has some care needs because of a physical or mental health condition. For family caregivers, this caregiving is unpaid. You may be helping a partner or spouse, an aging parent, a child with special needs, a relative, a friend, or a neighbour. What does caregiving look…Read more When is a mental illness serious enough to go to the ER? It’s no secret that support for mental illness isn’t as timely as it should be. In some parts of the country, it can take weeks or even months to see a mental health professional. When you’re in crisis, you need help immediately. There’s no time to browse through doctors who are taking new patients. If…Read more How does smoking during pregnancy impact a child’s health? Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the world. Everyone knows that you shouldn’t smoke, especially while pregnant. However, how exactly maternal smoking affects your unborn child isn’t always as clear. After all, babies live in your womb, not your lungs. So, what are the risks of smoking while pregnant, and are…Read more Can I have a half-glass of wine with dinner if I’m pregnant? You know you’re not supposed to drink alcohol while pregnant. But, chances are you’ve also heard that the occasional glass of wine during pregnancy won’t hurt. You may even know women who’ve done it, and gone on to have perfectly healthy children. Though it may seem unlikely that a small amount of alcohol could cause…Read more How many sexual partners is “too many”? Sex is a personal thing. Everyone has different tastes, desires, and hangups. Some have one sexual partner for their entire lives, while others see lovers come and go. Despite this wide range of “normal,” many feel like they have to lie, deny, or exaggerate when it comes to how many people they’ve slept with. But,…Read more What should I do if I test positive for an STI? Learning that you’ve tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection can be a gut punch. There’s lots of stigma around having an STI, and it can seem like getting one is the end of the world — or at least the end of your sex life. The pleasant upside is that STIs are treatable. Here’s…Read more Is it ok to talk to myself? Many of us have an inner monologue. You know, the one that runs through your to-do list or practices conversations you’re never going to have with your ex. But not everyone’s inner monologue takes place inside their heads. We all know someone whose self-talk isn’t so internal — someone who talks to themselves. It may…Read more Endocrinologists: heroes for our hormone system Sometimes when we’re experiencing unexpected symptoms that we can’t explain, it can be frustrating or make you feel helpless. These symptoms can feel like a consequence of our daily habits or busy lifestyles, such as insomnia or a low sex drive. Others may come on without warning or noticeable triggers, like hot flashes or night…Read more How companies can support employees with chronic illnesses How much of your workforce struggles with chronic illness? If you don’t have a clear idea, you’re not alone. According to a 2020 survey of plan sponsors, employers believe that only 34% of their employees suffer from a chronic condition. In reality, a staggering 58% of employees actually do. This gap may be startling, but…Read more Understanding food intolerances and how they can affect you Is there a specific food you love that seems to wreak havoc on your stomach every time you eat it? Do you find that eating certain types of foods makes you feel uncomfortable, bloated, or causes you to suddenly experience headaches? You could be experiencing a food intolerance — an incredibly common, and often unpleasant…Read more Load More
