The Dose

A once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse is right on the horizon, but don't forget to protect your eyes. Ophthalmologist Dr. Yi Ning Strube explains how staring at a solar eclipse can damage our eyes, while offering advice on how we can protect our vision and still enjoy a natural wonder.  For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made availa...

Anecdotally, nicotine pouches are becoming more popular with young people in Canada — despite the potentially harmful health effects. Dr. Nicholas Chadi, a pediatrician and researcher in adolescent and addiction medicine, explains how these pouches are being marketed and how they could be harming youth.  For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts . Transcripts of each episo...

Evidence shows there are health benefits to stretching as its own physical activity, not just before or after a workout. Human kinetics and recreation professor David Behm explains the health benefits of stretching, saying that doing it even for a few minutes a day can improve our overall physical wellness. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each epi...

We all face stresses in our lives, from getting stuck in traffic to arguing with our partner to losing a loved one. What is all that stress doing to our bodies, and what can we do to manage it? Dr. Zindel Segal, distinguished professor of psychology and mood disorders at the University of Toronto Scarborough, shares what you need to know.  For transcripts of The Dose, please visit:  lnk.to/dose-tr...

Box breathing is a way of focusing on sensations by breathing in a particular way, says Dr. Zindel Segal, distinguished professor of psychology and mood disorders at the University of Toronto Scarborough. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 12,347 listeners this week. [Claim your free resources →]( freehealth.ca/ ) [Don't leave yours on the table.]( freehealth.ca/) [👇 Join them in 3 seconds.]( freehealth.ca/...

If someone near you goes into cardiac arrest, your quick actions could help save their life. Dr. Roopinder Sandhu, professor in cardiac sciences at the University of Calgary, shares what you need to know about basic life support and how to prevent cardiac arrest.  For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next work...

Measles cases are on the rise around the world — including countries with ready access to vaccines. Here in Canada, several cases have been reported, with public health officials encouraging residents to get vaccinated if they aren't already. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Zain Chagla explains the dangers of measles and provides insight into why a disease thought to be eradicated in some count...

Most of us assume that our memories get worse as we grow older, but it's not as simple as that. Natasha Rajah, a TMU psychology professor who conducts neuroscience research, helps explain why some of our memories often remain just as strong in old age as when we're younger, as well as how changes in our brain as we get older influence our ability to retain and retrieve information. For transcripts...

Sleep apnea is a medical condition in which breathing stops and restarts many times during sleep. Despite being a fairly common condition, an estimated eight out of 10 Canadians living with sleep apnea are undiagnosed. Sleep physician Dr. Sachin Pendharkar explains how sleep apnea works, as well the options available for diagnosing and treating the disorder. For transcripts of The Dose, please vis...

Dopamine is often associated with helping us feel pleasure, though its role in the body is far more complex. The neurotransmitter is essential for memory and learning, as well as reward-related behaviours. But some of those behaviours can be problematic. Patricia Di Ciano, a scientist with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, breaks down how dopamine functions, and whether dopamine fasting...

Millions of people around the world suffer from chronic back pain everyday, often not knowing if they'll ever recover. Pain specialist Dr. Brenda Lau offers advice on how you can manage chronic back pain, as well as some of the newer treatment options that can offer relief. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the...

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder – or ADHD – is a common diagnosis in children. But more and more adults are also being diagnosed with ADHD. Family physician Dr. Ainslie Gray explains some of the tell-tale signs you might be living with undiagnosed ADHD, as well as some of the ways you might be unknowingly coping with the condition. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-tr...

Everyone knows that physical exercise is necessary for a healthier life, but recommendations for how much exercise seem to vary from person to person. Sport medicine physician Dr. Jane Thornton outlines global exercise guidelines, while explaining why short bursts of physical activity are often enough to help us keep active. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Trans...

Many of us ring in the new year, pledging to live healthier and better lives. Unfortunately, new year's resolutions often fail. Clinical psychologist Taslim Alani-Verjee tells us how we can structure our resolutions for success — and make sure we actually accomplish our goals. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by...

It's the time of year when many people like to raise a glass. But Canada's new guidelines say more than two drinks a week can raise your risk of some very common types of cancer. Addiction medicine specialist physician and UBC professor of medicine Dr. Evan Wood tells us what we should know about how alcohol can affect our health. (Guidelines here: https://www.ccsa.ca/canadas-guidance-alcohol-and-...

The menstrual cycle can cause many physical, mental and emotional changes — from cramps and bloating to mood changes and more severe symptoms. Dr. Alison Shea, an obstetrician gynecologist and reproductive mental health specialist, shares information about the cycle and how people who menstruate can handle those shifts. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcript...

Nearly a quarter of Canadians have hearing loss — and many others may not be aware that they have it. Young people are increasingly at risk of hearing loss because of unsafe listening practices. Audiologist Emma LeBlanc talks about how to prevent and treat hearing loss. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the nex...

Respiratory viruses are circulating in Canada, and hospitals are starting to fill up with young children and older adults. Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious diseases doctor and researcher at Dalhousie University, shares what you need to know, and tips for how to stay healthy. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the...

It's that time of year when sunlight is hard to come by. If you're prone to seasonal depression or the winter blues, this can be a tough time of year. But there are ways to deal with, and maybe even prevent the symptoms. This week, we speak with Dr. Raymond Lam is a professor of psychiatry at UBC, and an expert and researcher in seasonal mood disorders. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: l...

Regular Pap tests will soon be a thing of the past in Canada, as they get replaced by more effective HPV tests to screen for cervical cancer. And soon, there will also be the option in some provinces to do your own free HPV test at home. Obstetrician gynecologist Dr. Kim Alexander explains why the switch is happening and how the at-home test will work. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: ln...

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and save lives when used appropriately, but when they aren’t needed, they can cause adverse effects and other harms — including antibiotic resistance, a growing global health threat. Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, explains what conditions antibiotics do — and don’t — treat, why new ant...

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, sleep and a lack of exercise. But what role does food play when it comes to blood glucose? This week on The Dose, registered dietitian Anar Allidina talks about the role diet plays, how eating certain foods can help regulate your blood sugar and when to know it's time to see a doctor. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts....

Oral cold and cough medicine containing a popular decongestant was pulled from some U.S. pharmacy shelves this week. This comes after a panel of experts said phenylephrine is no better than a dummy pill at relieving congestion. But what actually works to treat cold symptoms? Family doctor and CBC Radio house doctor Dr. Peter Lin provides tips on how best to treat a cold or cough, and weighs in on...

It's RSV season and this year, seniors have the option to get a newly approved vaccine to protect against the respiratory virus. But the new vaccine comes at a cost to most seniors in Canada. Nurses and doctors are worried that cost will prohibit people from getting the RSV vaccine. This week on The Dose, we hear from Anne Summach, a nurse practitioner and assistant teaching professor in the Unive...

Some countries are moving towards stopping the next generation from ever legally being sold cigarettes. The British government recently proposed a ban on selling cigarettes to anyone currently 14 or younger, in hopes of creating the first "smoke free generation." New Zealand has passed a similar law. Michael Chaiton, senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, weighs...