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Column: Advances in managing heart failure

Column: Advances in managing heart failure

The average 75-year-old Canadian lives with five chronic diseases. Heart failure is one of the big five and is a leading cause of illness and death. Its incidence continues to go up. The heart is a pump. When it is damaged, it pumps less well.

Column: Services mean Sudburians can die with dignity

Some patients facing life-threatening illness opt for highly complex technological care hoping to extend life as long as possible. Others choose comfort measures, focusing on the quality of the life that remains.

When it comes to treatment, talking should be the first step

Health Sciences North, with partners, organized two public forums recently on issues concerning care at the end of life. Overall, we attracted a thousand people — a lot of interest. Here are some more facts for your consideration.

Workers and clients are being shortchanged by inefficient system

Ninety-six personal support workers (PSWs) from Sudbury are among 4,500 employees of Red Cross Care Partners (RCCP) who walked off the job Dec. 11, seeking better compensation and benefits.

The obesity issue: It’s about more than weight

I attended a seminar on obesity earlier this month, led by Dr. Arya Sharma, professor of medicine and chair for obesity research at the University of Alberta. I am glad I did, because obesity is a lot more complex than I believed.

The difficulty of saying goodbye: The Hassan Rasouli case

The family of Hassan Rasouli, a retired engineer on life support for the past three years, won its appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The court denied doctors the power to remove the devices keeping him alive against the wishes of his family.
Film provides lesson on dignified dying

Film provides lesson on dignified dying

Did you see “Cas and Dylan” at Cinéfest? Cas is Dr. Cas Pepper who gets bad news — he has a malignant brain tumour. He refuses admission to hospital, surgery and radiation. Instead, he plans the time and place of his passing.
Time to start treating sugar like cocaine

Time to start treating sugar like cocaine

Obesity reached epidemic proportions in the 1970s. Before then, most people were lean. Now, lean folks are in the minority. The awareness of the threat of excess weight to our health and well-being is solid.

A living will just makes things easier

Let me begin with a story. Elaine was a resident at a nursing home in Toronto. She was 91 and lived with severe dementia. It was doubtful she recognized her two daughters, Heather and Susan. The family had authorized DNR (do not resuscitate) orders.

Health spending a hard pill to swallow

What is the scoop on Ontario’s new budget as it relates to health care? Home and community-care services will receive a funding increase of five per cent annually over the next three years.