All Blogs
Does Running Cause Osteoarthritis?
What is Osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis, or OA, is a degenerative joint disease that affects many Canadians. The joints in our bodies contain cartilage that protects bones during joint movement. Osteoarthritis is when this cartilage breaks down or becomes damaged. This leads to pain, swelling and stiffness in the joint and loss of normal joint function. Once cartilage
Hair Tourniquet
I lost so much hair postpartum after Madi and George. With my increased shedding of hair, there were loose strands of hair not only all over the floors of our house, but also on my babes. Loose strands of hair on babies can be dangerous as it can lead to a hair tourniquet. What is
Reading Books to Your Child Helps Them Learn to Read and Improves Language Abilities Later in Life
As a young child, I did not like to read. At bedtime, I remember asking my parents to make up a story or sing me a song instead reading me a book. My teachers were very concerned about my ability to learn to read and asked my parents to enrol me into a supportive learning
Blocked Tear Duct
Blocked tear ducts are a relatively common occurrence in newborn babies. It is one of the most common reasons for a baby to have persistent tearing and discharge from the eyes. One study found that up to 20% of babies will have problems with tear drainage in the first year of life. Causes of Blocked Tear Ducts The most
What to Pack in Your Maternity Hospital Bag?
Searching the internet or Pinterest, you will find hundreds of “lists” of things that you should pack in your hospital bag. These lists vary from including music play lists to beauty products for your hospital stay. This list was compiled with the help of friends and family for our must haves at the hospital! Items for mom
What is Menopause and What are the Treatment Options?
Menopause is a natural part of aging for all women. It begins when you go a full year with no menstrual period. For 2 to 8 years leading up to menopause, your period may have more irregular timing. On average, menopause happens around 51 years old, but this varies. Genetics play a major role in
Constipation in Children
I struggled with constipation as a toddler. Constipation is a very common problem in childhood and is a frequent reason children see the doctor. In majority of children with constipation, there is no medical cause identified, and is called functional constipation. Your doctor will diagnose constipation based on the history of symptoms, physical examination of your child
Myths about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Children
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD, or Autism) is a disorder that begins in the child developmental period. Its hallmark is problems with of social communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviours, and restrictive interests. The disorder affects every child differently. Some children have mild difficulties in social interactions, which was formerly known as “Aspergers Disorder.” Other children may
The Stomach Flu in Children: Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as “gastro” or “stomach flu” is a viral infection that may cause fever, stomach ache, vomiting and/or diarrhea. It occurs more commonly during fall and winter months. What can I expect from my child when they have the stomach flu? • Gastro infections can last 7 – 10 days! • Vomiting
Toxoplasmosis and Pregnancy
Yes, it’s true. You really are off the hook for cleaning the cat litter box while you are pregnant! While the risk of acquiring a toxoplasmosis infection from a cat litter box is very low, it makes sense to avoid the task if possible while pregnant. What is Toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the
When Should I Give my Baby Peanuts?
Introducing solid foods to your baby’s diet is an exciting time for many parents. But with that also comes some worries about potential food allergies. Some foods are a higher risk for allergies than others. Peanuts, milk and eggs are some of the more common culprits. Before starting medical school, I remember being told by relatives that we
Signs That Your Child May Have a Speech or Language Delay
When Madi was 15 months old, we were at a play area and we met a little girl who was 16 months old. This little girl was speaking at a 3 year old level! She was speaking in almost full sentences and knew her first and last name. At 15 months, Madi could only say