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.

Never too early to take good care of yourself - teen health

According to Statistics Canada and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more people die from heart disease and cancer than any other disease and condition. What's more, these two share a common cause - smoking.

A bad habit like smoking which you pick up mindlessly when you are young might worsen your health and even cost you your life later on (seriously!!! ). The good news is - it is preventable if you start to take care of yourself early.

The key is to

• understand your body (you are its owner!), and know how it works
• foster good behaviour/habits
• adopt a healthy lifestyle suitable for you as early as possible
• talk to your parents or health care provider if you have any concerns

And check out some books from the Toronto Public Library to inform yourself:

    

More free online information for you:

• MedlinePlus: Puberty, Teen Development,  Teen Health, Teen Sexual Health
• HealthyChildren.org: Teen
• TeensHealth.org: For Teens

Green concoctions ...

Happy St. Patty's Day... 

 check out these books for green and healthy ideas.

 

 

             

 

                                     

Common myths about Alzheimer's Disease

Over the years, many myths have evolved about what Alzheimer's disease (AD) is, who gets it and how it affects people who have it. 

 

Common myths include:

• Alzheimer's disease is a disease that only affects older people

           While aging is the most common risk factor, Alzheimer's is not part of normal aging... 

• Because someone in my family has Alzheimer's, I'm going to get it

          Only 7% of cases are associated with early onset inherited Alzheimer's disease...

• There is a cure for Alzheimer's disease

          At present there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease...

• Memory loss means Alzheimer's disease

          Many people have trouble with their memory as they age but that doesn't mean they have  Alzheimer's Disease...

For more common myths or information on AD check out the Alzheimer Society's website. 

 

  

 

The Toronto Public library has also many helpful books on Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. 

                          

 

                           

    

                          




                           

Eating out... the inside scoop on Toronto's DineSafe Program

 
  
                                  

Ever wondered what that sign at the entrace of your favourite hangout really means? Well, here is the inside 'scoop'. All Toronto food premises and there are approximately 18,000 in Toronto and over 10,000 of them are restaurants - are inspected by Public Health Inspectors one to three times per year and issued a report card which has to be displayed prominently for the public to see. A green "PASS" indicates that the premises are in compliance with Ontario's Food Premises Regulation, or only minor infractions were noted. A yellow "CONDITIONAL PASS" on the other hand indicates that significant infractions were noted which have to be rectified within 48 hours. The red "CLOSED" sign means that crucial infractions were observed which pose an immediate health hazard to the public hence necessitating the immediate closing of the establishment.

Today more than 90 percent of restaurants pass the test. But it wasn't always that way. Prior to the DineSafe Program food-safety compliance was a mere 42 percent. A Toronto Star investigation in 2000 found "hundreds of city restaurants had serious food safety violations, from repeated cockroach and mice infestations to food temperature violations that produce bacteria and filthy food preparation surfaces. Yet none of the suspect eateries had been shut down and only a handful had been fined a few hundred dollars. - Worse still, details of those  violations were hidden from the public."

Following the Star's "Dirty Dining" report there was a public outrage which prompted Toronto City Council to amend the Licensing By-Law resulting in the establishment of Toronto's DineSafe Program. Shortly after Toronto began making the results of restaurant inspections public in 2001 cases of food-borne illnesses fell drastically.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Toronto's DineSafe Program has been a great success. Recognizing this success, Toronto's DineSafe Program will be honoured on June 18th 2011 by receiving a highly prestigious award. Other cities in Canada and around the world have adopted similar disclosure models. This is good news for Torontonians and visitors alike but it's important not to get too complacent. If you have concerns about an eatery look for the green pass in the window. Or even better, look up your eatery by name on the City's website or contact the Toronto Public Health Department at: 416-338-FOOD (3663) or e-mail dinesafe@toronto.ca for more information.

 

 

 

Looking for Health Statistics?

Good news! Most health statistics are available online for free. The best sources are health/medical professional organizations and Government agency websites. Here are a few popular ones:

Canadian health statistics

If you are looking for information on certain diseases or conditions the speediest way to go is to the professional organization's websites:

• Allergy/Asthma Information Association: Statistics (Asthma, Food Allergy, and Allergic Rhinitis)
• Asthma Society of Canada: Asthma Action Study, Asthma at school, Asthma Facts and Statistics
• Autism Society of Canada: Prevalence
• Canadian Cancer Society: Cancer Statistics
• Canadian Diabetes Association: The prevalence and costs of diabetes
• Canadian Lung Association: Statistics
• Canadian Mental Health Association: Mental Health Statistics
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board: Health and safety statistics
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada: Statistics

For other topics or greater details visit the following websites:

• Statistics Canada: Health
• Public Health Agency of Canada: Surveillance
• City of Toronto:  Communicable Disease Surveillance: Statistics and Reports

American health statistics

American information is easier to find than Canadian one. The best way to find a particular disease or condition's statistical information is to go to MedlinePlus, choose your topic from Health Topics (either from List of All Topics, or Body Location/System, or Disorders and Conditions, or Demographic Groups), then under this particular disease or condition you will find its statistical information. 

Example:  after you choose  cancer, you will find "Statistics" under Reference Shelf (MedlinePlus organizes each disease/condition under 6 categories: Basics, Learn More, Multimedia & Cool Tools, Research, Reference Shelf, and For You). For cancer, it includes 6 links from different Government agencies (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute) and the American Cancer Society which is a professional organization.

You can also start with MedlinePlus' Health Statistics, or go directly to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for Data & Statistics.

International health statistics

• WHO: Data and statistics
• UNICEF: Childinfo: Statistics
• European Commission: Eurostat: Health
• Office for National Statistics (UK): Health
• Cancer Research UK: CancerStats
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW): Australia's national agency for health and welfare statistics and information
• New Zealand Health Information Service: Health Statistics

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

Menopause

Menopause is a normal stop in a woman’s menstrual period and fertility. It usually occurs after age 45 because the woman's ovary stops producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The average age of a woman having her last period is 51. However some women have their last period in their forties, and some have it later in their fifties.

Some common changes and symptoms of menopause include:

• Changes in periods (they may be shorter or longer, heavier or lighter, or have more or less time in between)
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Trouble sleeping through the night
• Vaginal dryness
• Mood changes
• Hair loss or thinning on the head, more hair growth on the face

The 4 stages of menopause transition are:

• Premenopause
• Perimenopause
• Menopause
• Postmenopause

Treatment options are:

• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Menopause Drugs
• Alternative Therapy: Menopausal symptoms and CAM, Bio-Identicals: sorting myths from facts, Black cohosh

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

    
  

More information on menopause:

• Health Canada: The Safe Use of Natural Health Products During Menopause
• MedlinePlus: Menopause
• New York Times: Times Health Guide - Menopause
• North American Menopause Society: Information for Consumers
• Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada: menopauseandu.ca

Infertility

Canada's fertility rate (the average number of children per woman) is 1.66 - well below the replacement level fertility rate of 2.1 (the level of fertility the population needs to replace itself from one generation to the next).

Some people choose to be childless due to their lifestyle, others just can't get pregnant naturally or even with medical assistance - that is infertility. In a nutshell, infertility means not being able to become pregnant after a year of trying. It isn't uncommon: there are about 7% Canadian and 10% American having difficulty to get pregnant.

There are various causes of infertility.

• In about 20 percent of cases, infertility is due to a cause involving only the male partner.
• In about 30 to 40 percent of cases, infertility is due to causes involving both the male and female.
• In the remaining 40 to 50 percent of cases, infertility is due entirely to a cause involving the female.

See more details in Merck Manual.

Although Infertility isn't life threatening like cancer, it can be very emotional, and take a toll on your family relationships. Take a deep breath, calm down and check out what options are available out there: treatment or adoption.

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

      

More information on infertility:

• Infertility Awareness Association of Canada: Adoption
• MedBroadcast: Infertility
• MedlinePlus: Infertility
• New York Online Access to Health: Infertility

Ahh-choo...sorry, it's allergy!

 “Aaaaaaaahh-choo!”

“You OK?”

“Emm… It's only my allergy!”

We are all familiar with this kind of scenario. A survey commissioned by Johnson & Johnson suggests that as many as 10 million Canadians (1 in 3 Canadians) may suffer allergy symptoms. Canadians are not alone: 50 million Americans (1 in 5 Americans) also suffer from various types of allergies.

Allergy is so common, so what exactly is it? An allergy is a reaction of your immune system to something (allergen) that does not bother most other people, for example: pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, food, insect stings, and medicines, etc.

If you are genetically predisposed for allergy, your immune system misidentifies one of these harmless foreign substances as an invader when you are first time exposed to it, and produces large numbers of IgE antibodies to attack the allergen. These antibodies attach to mast cells which are scattered throughout the skin and respiratory tract. Now you have become sensitized to this particular allergen.

Next time, when you encounter the same allergen again, it binds directly to the IgE antibody stuck to the outside of mast cells. This causes the mast cells to release chemicals called histamines - Histamines are responsible for causing many of the symptoms associated with allergies: runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling, etc.

While most allergies won't kill you except the life-threatening severe reaction called anaphylaxis, they sure can make you feel bad. Allergies aren't curable, so prevention is the key. Check out these simple things that you can do to avoid the allergens at home, work, school, and outdoors. Or, when you can't avoid the unavoidable, you still have other options: use medications or allergy shots (immunotherapy)  to relieve or control your symptoms.

Borrow some books from the Toronto Public Library to educate yourself:

      

 

More Information on allergy:

• MedlinePlus: Allergy
• New York Online Access Health (NOAH): Allergies
• Allergy/Asthma Information Association: Allergy
• The Weather Network: Pollen Forecast