Health and Wellness Blog

Where to find reliable health information in other languages?

Living in an information explosion age like today, our challenge is not having limited access to information, but "separating the wheat from the chaff". For example, googling "diabetes", yields up 333 millions hits (as of May 3rd, 2012). So which ones can you trust?  If you are looking for a recipe for banana cake, it is ok to just take a look at the first couple of them. But if it's your health, you can't take it so lightly. Fortunately, there is help! Sites like MedlinePlus, and the Medical Library Association's website_ tell you how to find and evaluate health information on the web.

As for reliable free online health information in other languages than English, here are some useful sites:

• Canadian Cancer Society: Cancer information in other languages
• Heart and Stroke Foundation: Multilingual resources
• MedlinePlus: Health Information in Multiple Languages
• nnlm.gov: Consumer Health Information in Many Lanugages Resources
• NSW Multicultural Communication Services: Resources by language
• Stanford Health Library: Multilingual Health Information
• Tufts University: Selected Patient Information Resources in Asian Languages (SPIRAL)
• University Health Network: Resources in Other Languages - Multilingual

Moreover, don't forget your Toronto Public Library! To find out which branches have your language collection, click here.

Or you can search our catalogue and order the materials you want before you go. Here is how to search the Toronto Public Library website for multilingual materials.

There are two different ways to search.

The easiest way is to search in your own language. For example, to find some Chinese diabetes materials, _ simply type Hanyu Pinyin Tang Niao Bing in the search box from our library home page, and click Search. 20 results turn up (as of May 3rd, 2012).

Another way is to search in English for materials in your language, here is how to:

1. click Advanced search (it's on top of our home page, right next to the Search button)
2. type keywords/subject in the search box (leave All fields unchanged),
3. select Type of material that you prefer (books, movies & video, audiobooks, etc.)
4. select Language 
5. select appropriate branch from At library branch (we have 98 branches) You can select any one from the list but since we have limited multilingual materials, it's better not to limit this at all. If an item is not available in your branch, _ it can be transferred to your local branch for pick-up. So it's best to select any branch
6. select Age level (children/Teen/Adult)
7. select Include [Reference Materials (in-library only)/Circulating Materials (take-home)/Fiction-Books/ Non-Fiction Books]
8. click Search

Here is an example: a customer wants to find some Chinese materials on diabetes in the Toronto Public Library that she/ he can borrow.

Go to Advanced search, type "diabetes" (leave All fields unchanged), choose "any type" from Type, choose "Chinese" from Language, choose "any branch" from At library branch,  choose "Adult+Teen+Children" from Age level, choose "Circulating Materials (take-home)+Non-Fiction Books", then click Search. Viola! 17 items (as of May 3rd, 2012) show up.

Look through the 17 items and choose the one you want to borrow. Then click the green button Place Hold under each item to reserve them (If you didn't log in to your account before the search, you will be asked for your library and PIN number), then choose the branch from which you want to pick up the materials, finally click Place Hold again.

Then just relax and wait for the Library's notification (phone/email). Normally it takes 4-5 business days for the material to be transferred from branch to branch (if the material is available in the branch). Upon the notification, you got 7 days to pick-up your items.

Workplace Health: What to Do When Work Hurts

 

Does your hand, wrist, neck or back ache at work?  Do you feel stressed at work?  You are not alone.

 

 The hand or wrist is the body part most often injured on the job, office and computer workers suffer the highest incidence of neck problems, and men in blue collar jobs are four times more likely to experience an injury than those working in business according to the (2009) Environmental Scan on Workplace Health in Canada.

 

 

There are many factors that make up a healthy workplace including the physical conditions such as noise, air quality and light and the quality of equipment.  Social and personal conditions such as relations with co-workers and supervisors also play a role in the health of employees.   

Preventing workplace injuries is the responsibility of employers and employees.  Read Your Protection, a series of short, informative documents about protecting your hands, back, ears, eyes, feet, head, lungs and skin from Labour Canada.

Repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis and tendonitis are common injuries in many occupations.  The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario (WSIB) has produced a short booklet with recommendations called Repetitive Strain Injuries.

Office workers sitting for long periods at desks and computers should take short stretching breaks to avoid injury.  The Mayo Clinic has produced a slide show on Office stretches as well as videos for Seated stretches for the office, Standing stretches for the office, Neck stretches for the office, Upper body stretches for the office, and Forearm stretches for the office.  Check to see if your work space is arranged for comfort with Office ergonomics: Your how-to guide

Pressure at work often results in stress-related illnesses.  The work load may be too much or too little, the hours too long and unsociable, the pay and chances of promotion are low and supervisors may be unsupportive.  The World Health Organization (WHO) has produced a short booklet outlining the cause, effects and prevention of workplace stress, Work Organization & Stress.

Check out the Library's recent books about ergonomics for more information about organizing the workplace to prevent injury and for workplace health.  To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the title or cover link;

Ergonomics for Beginners	Fitting the Human	Office Ergonomics

 

Unhealthy Work	Work Makes Me Nervous

 

The following books provide information about exercises to prevent or treat injuries.

 

Healthy Shoulder Handbook	Solid to the Neck	Yoga for Computer Users

Don't Let Injuries Get You Down: Safety In and Around the Home

Injuries are the main cause of long and short-term disability for Canadians. 

Injuries due to accidents can be prevented.  Key prevention tips include:

• Wearing protective gear for outdoor recreational activities
• Making living areas safe by removing tripping hazards and installing handrails or grab bars.
• Practice skills, stay fit

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website provides fact sheets and tip sheets.  Read Protect the Ones You Love: Sports Injuries and What Can I do to Help Prevent Concussion and other forms of TBI?

 

Read How to create a child-friendly home for tips on how to keep your child safe from falls, choking hazards, burns and poisoning from Safe Kids Canada.  Toronto Emergency Medical Services provides an excellent list of Child Home Safety tips.

Tips on how to prevent scooter, skateboard and inline skating injuries are available through The Public Health Agency of Canada  or the Health Canada site.

Injuries among seniors are significant.  Falls account for over 87% of accidental injuries requiring hospitalization.  For an overview of the issue including key considerations and interventions, go to the Public Health Agency of Canada site.

Check out the Library's recent books about injury prevention for more information.  To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the cover or title link;

 

From Crib to Kindergarten: the Essential Child Safety Guide		Falls in Older People

Fit for Summer

Summer is a terrific time to become more physically active.  There are so many activities that you can participate in to help you get in shape.

People who exercise regularly live longer and healthier lives. 

How much physical activity should you get? Read the guidelines by the Canadian Society for Exercise  Physiology (CSEP) For Children - 5 -- 11 Years, For Youth - 12 -- 17 years, For Adults - 18 -- 64 Years, For Older Adults - 65 Years & Older.

You don't have to take up a sport to be physically active.  Even everyday activities such as gardening, bike riding, a brisk walk after dinner, and mowing the lawn can bring some health benefits.

For more tips for summer time fun visit Fun Tips by ParticipACTION.

Check out the Library's recent books about physical activities you can do in the summer for more information.  To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the cover or title link; 

Walking: a Complete Guide to Walking for Fitness, Health and Weight Loss	Garden Your Way to Health and Fitness	Get Fit Through Gardening

Fantastic Water Workouts	Ride Your Way Lean	One-Hour Workouts

Kid-Friendly Food: Nutrition for Children

  March is Nutrition Month! 

Children can be picky eaters, but it is important to establish healthy eating habits at an early age.  What you buy and what you serve at mealtimes influences the kinds of foods children end up eating later in life.

Children need nourishing food to help them perform better at school and provide the energy they need to carry out their daily activities.

Canada's Food Guide for children from Health Canada provides recommendations and suggestions for portion size and nutritious foods including snacks.

Having trouble getting your kids to eat vegetables?  The Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sports provides some suggestions in Help! My Kids Won't Eat Enough Vegetables and Fruits.

March break is right around the corner.  Why not let the kids cook!  For some healthy, fun and kid-tested recipes go to KidsHealth -- Recipes for Kids or Recipes for Kids from toronto4kids.

Check out the Library's recent books about children's nutrition for more information and recipes. To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the cover or title link;

 

Healthy Eating for Kids	Food Fights	Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right

Eat This, Not That! for Kids!	The Sneaky Chef to the Rescue	Whining & Dining

Healthy Lunchboxes for Kids	Ready, Steady, Spaghetti

Herbal Remedies and Supplements

Do you feel you would benefit from an herbal remedy or supplement?  But how do you know if it is safe or effective? And will it interact with your medications?

 

 According to a 2005 Ipsos-Reid Survey (Baseline Natural Health Products Survey Among Consumers, March 2005), 15% of Canadians have taken Echinacea and 11% have taken other herbal remedies in order to maintain health or treat disease.

 

 Herbal supplements are regulated in Canada under the Natural Health Products Regulations.  A product licence as well as an 8-digit Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) is issued if the product is deemed safe, effective and of high quality.

Do you want to know if a particular product is licensed by Health Canada?  Visit Welcome to the Licensed Natural Health Products Database where you can search by product name or ingredient.  Be sure to read the user guide first in order to better perform your search.

Read Herbal Products and Supplements from FamilyDoctor.org for a discussion of the possible problems associated with herbal products.

Fact sheets about individual Herbs and Supplements are available through MedlinePlus.

Check out the Library's recent books about herbs and herbal remedies for more information.  To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the cover or title link; 

55 Most Common Medicinal Herbs	The New Healing Herbs	Prescription or Poison?: the Benefits and Dangers of Herbal Remedies

The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs	The Beginner's Guide to Edible Herbs	Cooking Well: Healing Herbs

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and  blindness. It's the second most common cause of vision loss in seniors in Canada.

There are different types of glaucoma. The most common one is open-angle glaucoma (more than 250,000 Canadians have it). Most glaucomas involve the drainage system within the eye: the fluid drains too slowly out of the eye - when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises glaucoma occurs. If the pressure isn't controlled, it may cause damage to the optic nerve and other parts of the eye.

Anyone can develop glaucoma, although some people are at higher risk than others. Glaucoma risk factors include:

• Elevated internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure)
• Age
• Ethnic background
• Family history of glaucoma
• Medical conditions
• Other eye conditions
• Nearsightedness
• Prolonged corticosteroid use

Glaucoma has no symptoms at first. People with open-angle glaucoma will slowly lose their peripheral (side) vision without treatment - they seem to be looking through a tunnel (tunnel vision). Over time, straight-ahead vision may decrease until no vision remains.

There is no cure for glaucoma. If it is detected early, glaucoma can be managed before irreversible vison loss occurs. For high risk people after age 35, it is recommended to have eye exam every year or two. Glaucoma treatments include medicines, laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery, or a combination of any of these.

Check out some books and DVD from the Toronto Public Library on your topic:

 

More information on your topic:

• CNIB: Glaucoma
• MedlinePlus: Glaucoma
• National Eye Institute: Facts About Glaucoma
• Glaucoma Research Foundation: Diagnostic Tests, Alternative Medicine
• Glaucoma Foundation: Doctor I Have a Question about Glaucoma: A Guide for Patients and Their Families, How Glaucoma is Treated
  
  

Toxic Cosmetics

Do you know what's in your cosmetics?

Beauty products and grooming aids are used daily by almost everyone.

 Some very common ingredients found in cosmetics are known health hazards including petroleum waxes and lead in lipstick, formaldehyde in nail products,and coal tar dyes in hair dyes.  Using these products over a long period of time can build up in your body.

For an introduction to toxic ingredients found in cosmetics go to The Beast of Beauty: Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics, a pamplet produced by HEAP (Health and Environment Awareness Project, a joint project of Breast Cancer Action Montreal and The McGill Centre for Research and Teaching on Women).

Cosmetics sold in Canada are regulated by Health Canada under the Food and Drugs Act.  Manufacturers must provide a list of the ingredients in their products.  Health Canada maintains a List of Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients (The Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist).

The David Suzuki Foundation webside includes a list of 'Dirty Dozen' cosmetic chemicals to avoid.

Learn about  What's in Your Products? from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website.

Check out the Guide to Less Toxic Products from the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia for a list of the best and good product lines. 

Check out some of the Library's recent books about the toxic ingredients found in cosmetics.  To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the title link; 

Toxic Beauty	No More Dirty Looks	Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me

Bedwetting

Children are usually ready to use a potty around 12-24 months. Most are fully toilet trained by age 4, but  there's no target date for developing complete bladder control. Bed-wetting remains a problem for only about 15 percent of children by age 5.

What causes bedwetting? No expert knows the answer yet. A mix of the following factors may play a role:

• A small bladder
• Inability to recognize a full bladder
• A hormone imbalance
• Stress
• Urinary tract infection
• Sleep apnea
• Diabetes
• Chronic constipation
• Anatomical defect

How to help your child? Keep in mind that your child's bedwetting isn't voluntary - don't punish him or her. Help your child with some simple steps: skipping drink before bedtime, using the washroom before bed, etc.

If your child is 7 years old or older and wets the bed more than two or three times in a week, a doctor may be able to help. If both day and night wetting occur after age 5, your child should see a doctor before age 7.

Treatments include waiting (many children overcome bedwetting naturally without treatment as they grow older), dietary modification, moisture alarms, medications, and bladder training.

Borrow some books from the Toronto Public Library on your topic:

 

      

More information on bedwetting:

• familydoctor.org: Enuresis (Bed-Wetting)
• KidsHealth: Bedwetting
• MedBroadcast: Bedwetting
• MedlinePlus: Bedwetting
• National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I need to know about My Child’s Bedwetting

The Health Benefits of Tai Chi and Yoga

Both Tai chi (sometimes spelled Taiji) also called Tai chi chuan and yoga are ancient practices. Tai Chi was developed in China while yoga was developed in India.

 There are several styles or schools of Tai chi, the most popular being Yang, Wu and Chen. There are several styles of yoga, the most popular being Hatha, Ashtanga, Bikram, Kundalini, and Iyengar.

 Different Styles of Tai Chi & Qigong are explained in the World Tai Chi & Qigong Day site.

For a good description of yoga styles go to The Yoga Site, Yoga Styles Guide.

Both Tai chi and yoga are recognized by health professionals for providing health benefits such as relieving stress and chronic health conditions as well as improving balance and your overall sense of well-being.

 For a good introduction to the health benefits of Tai chi check out The MayoClinic.com Tai Chi: Discover the many possible health benefits.

For a good introduction to the health benefits of yoga check out The MayoClinic.com Yoga: Tap into the many health benefits of yoga.

Though you can learn the basics of either Tai chi or yoga from books or DVDs, it is advisable to seek out a good instructor who can teach you how to practice properly and safely.  Toronto has several excellent instructors for both Tai chi and yoga.
 

Check out some of the Library's many books about Tai Chi and yoga. To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the title link;

Find Peace with Tai Chi	Tai Chi for Staying Young	Tai Chi, Health for Life

Yoga as Medicine	Yoga: the Path to Holistic Health. Rev. ed.	Yoga for Anxiety