Protect your heart: lowering cholesterol and blood pressure How does cholesterol form? Atherosclerosis refers to clogging of the arteries, which is the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease (which still remains the #1 cause of death in North America).  The clogging begins with damage or dysfunction to the walls of the ...

The festive season is a time of celebrating with loved ones. Unfortunately, holiday mingling brings together people AND germs. At this time of year it is not unusual for health facilities to experience outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness (GI) and respiratory infections. Both are highly contagious and common in the community...

We have more fatal crashes than any other region. Are more drivers in the Southern Interior region of BC notably more stupid than drivers elsewhere in BC? Do so many of us here just not have a clue about winter driving? Or are we so much unhealthier that we have that many more medical crises causing car crashes? The statistics...

Thursday, Interior Health announced they are offering immunization clinics throughout the Okanagan for individuals in grades 9-12 and persons aged 15-19 years old who do not attend school.  During the past six months, Interior Health has seen an increasing number of cases of meningococcal disease in this age group, and as a result is declaring […]

A plea for civility in the law, politics and our everyday lives Mid-winter is approaching, with our various seasonal celebrations:  Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and maybe even Festivus? We celebrate our religious and / or ethnic affiliations; we celebrate the return of the sun for longer periods of time each...

Why am I peeing so much? There are many causes for urinary frequency, and this article will focus on the two that are often difficult to treat after all other causes are ruled out.  Urinary frequency can be caused by many problems, such as diabetes mellitus and blood sugar dysregulation, diabetes insipidus, endometriosis (on...

There are some new signs beside the road leading to the new parking lot up at Strawberry Pass, alerting drivers not to block it.  The signs are not professional -- they were made by volunteers, out of donated scrap material, hand-lettered with a felt pen, and stuck into the snowbanks on Saturday morning, November 18th....

Experts agree the fentanyl crisis in British Columbia is an unprecedented multi-faceted societal catastrophe that’s not going away anytime soon. Those on the frontlines are also united in recognizing that solutions will only be possible through education and conversation. As health care professionals, emergency responders, ...

By Dr. Amanda Chay, ND What is the difference between a cold and flu? Colds and flus are both viral infections that occur yearly during the fall and winter seasons.  The most important step in preventing colds and flus is to wash your hands and cough into your arm, not your hand. Since they are viral infections, it is important...

First, the cannabis news:  as readers of the "Council Matters" column already know, the provincial government is seeking input from municipal governments to help guide provincial policy on the decriminalization of cannabis.  The federal government is preparing to pass Bill C-45 and Bill C-46.  There are questions to be...