Top Health Risks for Men

It has been scientifically proven than women tend to be healthier than men. Currently, a man’s life expectancy is around 75 years, while the life expectancy for a woman is around 80 years. Part of this is due to the fact that males make far less visits to their doctor than females do. One reason being that men simply have a much more lax approach when it comes to their health; as well as the fact that there has also been a long cultural understanding that all men are expected to be “macho,” and therefore they don’t like asking for help out of fear that it might make them seem weak or less masculine. Unfortunately, these reasons are only putting men’s health at risk.

According to Dr. Demetrius Porche, Professor and Dean of Louisiana State University Health and Sciences Center, as long as men are working and productive they do not take the time to consider the risks to their health. However, even if you feel healthy, you should always have regular check-ups with your physician, as certain conditions can manifest without any symptoms whatsoever, and that can sometimes make treatment difficult. Below, Dr. Ali Ghahary, a family physician in Vancouver, has compiled together a list of the top threats to men’s health, and what you can do to avoid them.   

Heart Disease

Nearly 3 million Canadians live with heart disease. It’s the leading threat to men’s health, and the second leading cause of death worldwide in both males and females. Heart disease is an umbrella term used to describe many different conditions relating to the heart, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, angina, and arrhythmias. Heart disease can also lead to things like heart attack or stroke. In order to prevent heart disease, Dr. Ali Ghahary recommends having your cholesterol and blood pressure levels checked regularly. You’re also at an increased risk of developing heart disease if you are a smoker, so you should quit. You can find some helpful smoking cessation tips from Dr. Ghahary here. Increasing your physical activity and eating healthier can also reduce the risk of heart disease and improve your overall wellbeing.

Lung Cancer

The incidence of lung cancer is greater in men than women. It can be an aggressive disease, and is usually metastatic – meaning it easily spreads to other parts of the body, sometimes before it even causes symptoms or appears on an x-ray. Because of how advanced lung cancer is, it can be a difficult cancer to cure. Similar to heart disease, smoking puts you at risk of developing lung cancer. In fact, tobacco use is responsible for as many as 90% of all lung cancers that are diagnosed. There are few preventive measures that are as effective as stopping smoking when it comes to reducing the risk of lung cancer. If you’re having trouble quitting smoking despite numerous attempts, reach out to your physician for help.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a male-specific condition, and is the most common form of cancer in men aside from skin cancer. Last year, over 21,000 Canadian men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. On average, 58 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day, while 1 in 29 will die from it. Prostate cancer can be slow-growing and unlikely to spread, or it can be aggressive. During its early stages, prostate cancer often doesn’t present with any symptoms. However, symptoms that can develop include burning or painful urination, difficulty urinating, frequent urges to urinate, loss of bladder control, and blood in urine.

You can find much more information on men’s health by visiting www.alighahary.ca.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (also known as IBS), you’re not alone, as an estimated 5 million Canadians suffer from it, while an estimate 120,000 Canadians are diagnosed with IBS each year, therefore making it one of the more common disorders of the digestive system. In fact, Canada is said to have one of the highest diagnosis rates of IBS in the world.

Most individuals diagnosed with IBS are under the age of 50, though it can affect older adults as well. IBS affects everyone different. It can be a mild inconvenience for some, while for others it can be severely debilitating and have a negative impact on many aspects of their life – from emotional wellbeing, to the ability to socialize, as well as one’s professional life (i.e. work or school.) This is because symptoms of IBS can be unpredictable. One can develop diarrhea, while another may have constipation. These two symptoms may also often alternate. One of the most common symptoms that may be indicative of IBS is abdominal pain…particularly if that pain is relieved after a bowel movement. Symptoms of IBS are generally easily recognizable, so it is not a difficult condition to diagnose. In addition to the symptoms of IBS, it’s also not uncommon for individuals with IBS to also suffer from other chronic health conditions such as fibromyalgia, headaches, dyspepsia, chest pain, urinary or other gynecological symptoms, insomnia, anxiety and depression.

What causes IBS is unknown, though it’s suspected that it is a result of a disturbance in which the way the gut, brain, and nervous system interact with one another.

Along with paying attention to the symptoms in which the patient is experiencing, Dr. Ali Ghahary may also refer them for other diagnostic testing. These may include a blood test, stool test, colonoscopy, barium enema, and other miscellaneous tests – many of which are done to rule out any other gastrointestinal related problems other than IBS.

Once a patient has received a firm diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it’s all about managing the symptoms. Because IBS is a chronic condition, it’s not something that can do away. There are, however, things you can to do relieve the discomfort and improve your quality of life. As abdominal pain is a common symptom associated with IBS, taking an antispasmodic or probiotic prior to meals may provide short-term relief of pain, especially after eating meals. If you suffer from constipation, taking a soluble fibre supplement may help – though in some cases you may also need to take a laxative. Alternatively, if you suffer from diarrhea, a medication known as loperamide will be beneficial. It’s also a good idea to talk with your physician about changing your diet, as this can also help with gas and bloating, both of which are also common in patients with IBS. 

For more information on IBS, visit AboutIBS.org.

What is Gout?

Gout is a medical term that you might hear referenced quite a bit – but what is it, exactly? Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the bloodstream, which then affects the joints, such as those in the foot in addition to other areas and joints in the body including the ankles, knees, hands, wrists, fingers and elbows.

In this article, Dr. Ali Ghahary, a family physician in Vancouver, explains what gout is, what causes it, and what preventative measures you can take against it.

Gout can be caused by a number of different factors. A diet that is rich in purines, for example, can play a significant role in the contribution of gout. Foods that are rich in purines include red meats or organ meats, legumes and shellfish, as well as alcohol. Being overweight or obese can also contribute to gout due to extra stress being placed on the joints as a result, thus making them more susceptible to gout. Individuals with diabetes are also at an increased risk of developing gout as diabetes can cause poor circulation. Certain medications, such as aspirin, as well as having high blood pressure can also contribute to gout.

If you have gout, there are certain things you can do to prevent it from occurring. As with many health conditions, it’s important to know your triggers. If food is the suspected cause of your gout, try to avoid those purine-rich foods as mentioned previously. Instead, include more low-fat dairy products in your diet in addition to fruits and vegetables. By eating a healthy diet, you not only alleviate gout and reduce your risk of developing gout in the future, but you also reduce the risk of many other health problems. For more in-depth information on healthy eating, follow Dr. Ali Ghahary on Twitter and Instagram. You can also find plenty of tips on healthy eating, including low-carb diets, by visiting Dr. Ali Ghahary’s blog on Wordpress. In additional to eating healthy, reducing your weight can also reduce your risk of gout. When it comes to weight loss, healthy eating and physical activity go hand in hand. However, it’s important to not go on a crash diet as these can actually be dangerous and cause your uric acid levels to spike. While we’re on the subject of diet, you should also make sure you’re reducing your sodium intake to alleviate or reduce the risk of high blood pressure – as having high blood pressure has also been linked to gout. If you suspect a medication may be causing gout, do not stop taking the medication without first speaking to your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on the medication, quitting it “cold turkey” could be dangerous to your health, so let your doctor or pharmacist make that decision for you. It may simply be a matter of changing your dose or prescribing you a new medication all-together.

Stomach Ulcers

Stomach pain is a very common symptom that Vancouver physician, Dr. Ali Ghahary, comes across in patients. It can be caused by many different things for different reasons. 

Some of the most common causes of stomach pain include food poisoning, diarrhea, constipation, gas, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, kidney stones, gallstones and appendicitis. While many of these causes can be treated with medication (and in some cases, surgery), there are many other causes of stomach pain, such as stomach ulcers, that one should be aware of.

Along with having a general feeling of stomach discomfort, ulcers can produce symptoms such as a burning sensation between the chest and belly button, bloating, nausea and vomiting, dark or tarry looking stools, burping, heartburn, acid reflux, and anemia.

There is a thick later of mucus in the stomach that is responsible for protecting it against digestive juices. However, when this layer of mucus is reduced, this allows acid to eat at the lining of the stomach, which then results in an ulcer, and can even cause stomach bleeding.

To diagnose a stomach ulcer, your physician may refer you for a series of tests, including tests to rule out a potential H. pylori infection. H. pylori is a type of bacteria that enters the digestive tract which can also lead to peptic ulcers, and even cancer. To rule out H. pylori as the cause of stomach ulcers, you can do a blood test, or may be asked to do a stool or breath test. Another test, such as a barium swallow, is a type of X-ray that is performed when drinking a white liquid known as barium. The barium coats your gastrointestinal tract and allows your doctor and radiologist to see if there are any abnormalities in both the stomach and the esophagus. Another test known as an endoscopy is also sometimes performed, and is done by inserting a thin tube through the mouth and into the stomach. A biopsy may also be performed during the endoscopy so that your stomach tissue can be analyzed in a lab.

Treating a stomach ulcer depends on how severe the symptoms are, though most ulcers are easily treated with over-the-counter acid blocker medications such as Zantac. Your doctor may also write you a prescription for a stronger acid blocker like Nexium (esomeprazole) or Dexilant (dexlansoprazole). Eating a healthy diet can also improve your intestinal tract and give you a better quality of life overall.

Healthy Meal Ideas and Meal Planning Tips from Dr. Ali Ghahary

Eating a well-balanced diet is an important part of your overall health and well-being. When combined with physical activity, healthy eating can provide a wide variety of benefits – including helping with weight loss and reducing the risk of a number of different diseases.

For working adults or for parents who have school-aged children, planning meals isn’t always easy. Certain meals can have long preparation times, while kids may be picky and not always want to eat what’s put on their plate – but meal planning isn’t as hard as you might think. There are many simple, but nevertheless healthy recipes out there to try – and meal planning can actually be a fun family activity that adults and children can participate in together – from choosing what to eat for the week, to cooking together. By planning out your meals, you not only give yourself more time to relax, but will ultimately find that you’re making healthier food choices as a result.

Below, Dr. Ali Ghahary, a family physician from Vancouver, British Columbia, shares some easy-to-make, delicious and healthy recipes.

Breakfast is the most important meal you can eat. Not eating breakfast would be like trying to drive a car that has no fuel. The mornings, however, can also be a busy time for households across Canada – parents are getting ready to go to work, kids are possibly finishing their homework and/or getting ready to go to school – time available to sit down to a meal is limited. The good news is that there are plenty of breakfast options available, requiring little to no preparation at all – and without the use of your stove or oven. Fruit salad, for example, is easy to prepare. Fruits also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals to help keep you feeling energized, and can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and even cancer. The types of fruit you choose to use are entirely up to you. You can also add Greek yogurt for additional texture and flavour. Compared to regular yogurts, Greek yogurt is higher in protein and low in lactose.

Lunch can be challenging. For children and teenagers, many schools offer lunch programs, though sometimes that lunch is also bought from a vending machine. This is neither ideal nor healthy. Instead, try to encourage your child to bring homemade meals with them to school and prepare them the night before. Examples of healthy lunches include: Tuna sandwiches with lettuce on whole-wheat bread, raw baby carrots (or other vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and celery) with low-fat ranch dressing used for dipping, hard boiled eggs, sliced ham or turkey.

Lastly, dinner. If you have a slow cooker, you can often begin dinner preparation first thing in the morning and it will be ready when you arrive home. Things like chicken, beef, soups and stews can all be made in a slow cooker. You can find a variety of slow cooker recipes on Pinterest by clicking here. Other healthy dinner options include hamburgers on whole-wheat buns with oven-cooked yam fries (an alternative to the regular French fry), steak and baked potato with steamed vegetables, and pasta made with egg noodles.

For low-carb meal options or more information on healthy eating in general, follow Dr. Ali Ghahary on Instagram and Twitter.

Infertility in Men and Women

Infertility can affect both males and females. In Canada, infertility accounts for as many as 15% of couples – that’s 1 in every 6 – making it more of a widespread problem than one might think. Infertility is characterized by the inability to achieve pregnancy/conceive after approximately 12 months of unprotected intercourse, and without the use of any oral contraceptives (birth control.) Infertility is more common in women, affecting approximately 40% to 50% percent, while it affects about 20% to 30% of men.

In this article, Dr. Ali Ghahary, a family physician in Vancouver, British Columbia, shares information on some of the most common causes of infertility in both men and women.

In women, infertility can be due to a number of different factors, such as irregular menstrual cycles, hormonal imbalances, a history of any STIs or STDs, fibroids in the uterus, blockages in the fallopian tubes, and developing early menopause. The ability to conceive also decreases after the age of 35. In men, infertility can also be the result of hormonal imbalances and a history of sexually transmitted diseases/sexually transmitted infections, as well as having a low sperm count or a poor quality of sperm. Other common, combined factors of infertility in both men and women include the use of alcohol and tobacco, being over or under weight, as well as certain chronic illnesses and treatment for cancer (such as radiation or chemotherapy.)

In order to reduce the risk of infertility and increase the chance of being able to conceive, women should check with their physician or OBGYN to make sure that a hormonal imbalance is not the cause. It’s also important that you avoid drinking alcohol or smoking, eat a healthy diet, and get regular exercise. It’s also quite common to experience a constant emotional roller coaster whenever you are dealing with fertility issues; you may feel a sense of loss, hopelessness, and social isolation. If you are experiencing these kinds of emotions or stress, it is important to speak with someone you trust. This can, again, be a medical professional, such as a family doctor, a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, friends, or family members that you trust and have a close bond with. For couples that are struggling through infertility, it is also important to do different activities together that will help to divert from the stress you’re experiencing.

To check for infertility, certain tests – such as blood tests and urine samples – may be done. Depending on your test results, those responsible for your care will decide upon the best options for fertility treatments – which can include drugs to induce ovulation, intrauterine insemination – also known as IUI, and IVF – also known as in-vitro fertilization. 

Overactive Bladder and Urinary Incontinence

Overactive bladder is a common condition that affects every 1 in 5 Canadians, males and females, between the ages of 35 and 65. Overactive bladder occurs when the muscles of the bladder, known as the detrusors, start to contract more frequently/involuntarily, which results in the urge to urinate.

In some cases you may also develop a condition that is known as urinary incontinence – which is characterized by an involuntary loss of urine and is a component of overactive bladder. There are three main classifications of urinary incontinence. Urge incontinence, stress incontinence, or mixed symptoms where overactive bladder and urinary incontinence are combined. 

Similar to overactive bladder, urge incontinence also occurs as a result of involuntary contraction of the bladder muscles, leading to the uncontrollable urge to urinate. It can result in accidental wetting, and is also more likely to happen in the evening while you are sleeping. In cases of stress continence, the bladder muscles become weak. Something as simple as coughing or sneezing can result in urine leakage. Stress incontinence is more common after childbirth as well as during menopause. It’s also important to remember that stress incontinence and overactive bladder are two different conditions with different causes.

How family physicians like Dr. Ali Ghahary treat overactive bladder and urinary incontinence depends on the severity of the symptoms. In cases where the symptoms are minor and non-disruptive to the patient’s everyday routine, Dr. Ghahary recommends trying pelvic muscle exercises and using absorbent pads. In severe cases of overactive bladder and incontinence, or if it becomes disruptive to your daily life or your ability to get a good night’s rest, medications to help relax the bladder muscles may need to be prescribed.

You can also try some simple at-home remedies to try to relive the symptoms of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence. For example, reduce your intake of caffeine, avoid alcohol, and stay away from artificial sweeteners and spicy foods as these can all aggravate the symptoms. Obesity can also increase symptoms of urinary incontinence, so it is important to reduce your weight. This will also be helpful in other areas of you health in the long-term.

If all of these treatment methods try without success, speak to your GP about being referred to a specialist. A specialist may be able to offer you with alternative treatment options, and in some cases may even suggest surgery.

Preterm Labour / Premature Birth

Typically, a pregnancy is supposed to last up to 9 months. However, when a birth occurs more than 3 weeks (or prior to the start of the 37th week of pregnancy) before your due date, this is known as premature birth (preterm labour.) Preterm labour happens when the contractions of the uterine causes the cervix to open earlier than it should. In most cases, babies that are born prematurely go on to grow and develop as normal; this is due, in part, to the advances that have been made in health care over the years. However, not all premature births are without risk.

There are many risk factors that can lead to premature birth. While some of those risk factors can be decreased, others cannot. For example, certain lifestyle habits can play a significant role in whether or not a pregnancy will last full-term. Doing illegal drugs, smoking or drinking alcohol not only put the mother at risk of going into preterm labour, but also put the baby at risk of health problems. Stress, too, can also lead to premature birth. In order to protect not only your own health, but the health of your child, it is important to make positive, healthy changes to your lifestyle. For help on making those changes, reach out to your family physician. 

If you do not have a family physician, Dr. Ali Ghahary is available to provide care to patients on a walk-in basis at Brentwood Medical Clinic. You can find his walk-in schedule by visiting the clinic’s website at brentwoodwalk-inclinic.com. You can also find Dr. Ali Ghahary’s schedule on his own website at alighahary.ca. 

Women who have previously experienced preterm labour are also at a higher risk of experiencing it with future pregnancies. Studies have also shown that multiple gestations (such as being pregnant with twins or triplets, etc.) also put the mother at a higher risk of preterm labour – in fact, as many as 50% of premature births occur with multiple gestations, whereas that number is significantly lower with the birth of a single infant – at just 10%.

There are also certain medical conditions that can lead to preterm labour. Some of these medical conditions include having high blood pressure, a history of UTI’s (urinary tract infections), STI’s (sexually transmitted infections), being under or overweight, diabetes, IVF (in vitro fertilization), and more. Mothers of certain ages and ethnicities are also more likely to go into preterm labour.

As mentioned previously, not all premature births are without risk. Babies that are both prematurely are at risk of developing respiratory problems, heart problems, brain problems, jaundice, and anemia – though the list of risks is much longer. Premature babies are also at a much greater risk of developing infections, such as pneumonia or sepsis, due to their immune systems not yet being fully formed.

In order to ensure that your baby receives the best care possible, they may be required to stay in-hospital for an extended period of time. This is to ensure that they are able to breathe on their own, are at a healthy weight (at least 4 pounds) and can gain weight steadily, can keep warm on their own without the use of an incubator, and are able to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

For more information on how to reduce the risk of preterm labour and to avoid pregnancy complications, visit the B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Centre website at www.bcwomens.ca and HeathLink BC.

Cognitive Impairment

There are currently thousands of Canadians living with some form of a cognitive impairment. A cognitive impairment is a type of  disorder that affects an individual’s perception and memory, as well as their ability to learn and problem solve, and may lead to disability.

Typically, cognitive impairments are separated into three different kinds of classifications. These classifications include dementia, amnesia, and delirium. Dr. Ali Ghahary, a physician from the city of Vancouver, shares more information on these disorders below.

Dementia

Dementia is a disorder that can occur genetically or as a result of brain trauma, causing a decline in the patient’s memory. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for more than half of all cases of dementia and is the most common form of dementia to have, while vascular dementia (the result of a stroke) is the second most common form.

Individuals with dementia may experience short-term memory loss. For example, difficulty keeping track of where you put things (keys, purse, wallet, etc.), paying bills and remembering appointments. Other signs and symptoms of dementia include lack of concentration; reasoning and judgement may also be affected.

According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, there over 560,000 Canadians living with dementia. In 15 years from now, that number is expected to grow exponentially to 937,000.

Amnesia

Unlike dementia, which affects your short-term memory, amnesia affects long-term memory. Memory loss in patients with amnesia can be partial or total. Along with memory loss, confusion is also a common sign/symptom of amnesia. 

Amnesia can be caused by head injuries, traumatic events, certain medications, and alcohol. Medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease can also lead to amnesia.

Delirium

Delirium is a temporary disorder that alters an individual’s state of mind, resulting in confusion and reduced awareness. Onset of delirium typically happens quite quickly – within minutes to hours – and can last a few hours to as long as a few weeks. Delirium can be accompanied with mood swings, agitation, anxiety, fear, depression, irritability, and in some cases, euphoria. It can be caused by severe infections such as pneumonia, as well as medications, drug abuse, alcohol withdrawal, and other poisonous substances.

Treating delirium depends on the underlying cause. However, medications such as antipsychotics may be used to treat the emotional symptoms that are associated with the disorder. Quetiapine, for example, is commonly prescribed to relieve these symptoms.

For more information on this and other disabilities, follow Dr. Ali Ghahary’s blog all week long. Additional information can also be discovered by following Dr. Ali Ghahary on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Visual Impairment

Visual impairment is a term that is used in the medical industry to describe vision loss. There are over 5 million Canadians that live with an eye disease that either affects their vision or could lead to vision loss in the future – with nearly 65,000 of those individuals being right here in British Columbia, where Dr. Ali Ghahary works as a family physician. 

To be visually impaired means that your eyesight cannot be corrected to what would be deemed as a “normal” level by medical professionals. Vision loss can mean that you are partially sighted or blind, in addition to having a visual field that is narrowed, declined visual acuity, as well as other forms of visual impairment. Certain types of visual impairment are also considered a disability.

In Canada, the number one cause of visual impairment is a condition that is known as age-related macular degeneration, also known as AMD, which affects individuals aged 50 and older. It occurs as a result of damage to the macula – the area in the centre of your eye that is responsible for seeing objects that are straight ahead of you. In many cases, age-related macular degeneration advances very slowly and you will only notice symptoms as the condition progresses over time. When the macula is damaged, your vision becomes distorted. A few examples of distorted vision include blurriness or shadowy areas. You are at an increased risk of developing AMD if you are a smoker or if there is history of it in your family. You can help to reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration by avoiding smoking (Dr. Ali Ghahary offers smoking cessation tips here), getting regular exercise, eating healthy and maintaining normal levels of cholesterol and blood pressure.

Glaucoma is another condition that can cause visual impairment. It is a condition that causes increased pressure/fluid build-up within the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for transferring visual information to the brain via electrical impulses. Similar to age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma usually does not become bothersome until later in life. If can be treated with eye drops, medication that you take orally, surgery, or a combination of all of these methods. If left untreated, however, glaucoma can lead to permanent loss of vision, so it is important to make an appointment with your physician or with your optometrist at the first sight of symptoms – which include blurred or distorted vision and eye pain.

There are also different types of blindness that an individual can be diagnosed with. These include colour blindness – where the individual is unable to tell the difference between certain colours, night blindness – which occurs in the evening or when in dimmer light and tends to make night-driving difficult, and complete blindness – where the individual has total vision loss.

If you develop sudden visual disturbances or sudden vision loss, this could be a medical emergency. Common medical causes of sudden vision loss include artery occlusion, vitreous hemorrhage, in addition to strokes or brain tumours. Dr. Ali Ghahary urges anyone who experiences sudden disturbances with their vision to seek immediate medical attention.

A Few Tips from Dr. Ali Ghahary for First Time Dieters

Dr. Ali Ghahary

Dieting can be a challenge for anyone. However, if you’re a first time dieter, that challenge can be even greater. What should you eat? What should you drink? And what should your calorie intake be? Figuring all of that out can be difficult. First and foremost, know that in order for your diet to be effective, you need to have a healthy lifestyle overall. Weight loss doesn’t just mean changing your eating habits. It also means regular exercise, and sticking to a plan, as pointed out by Vancouver physician Dr. Ali Ghahary in his previous article on the many health benefits of combined diet and exercise.

An individual’s reasons for wanting to lose weight vary. From obesity, to losing baby weight, to simply wanting to live a life as healthy as possible. Millions of people work towards weight loss every day, and there are many different choices to be made – especially when it comes to meal planning. The most important part of weight loss is to cut back on sugar and have a low-carb diet. One diet Dr. Ali Ghahary recommends to patients is the Paleo diet. Unlike certain fad diets out there, Paleo diet is designed as a long-term diet. Eating low-carb has many health benefits including decreasing cholesterol, decreasing the risk of diabetes, decreasing the risk of osteoporosis, and even decreases the risk of certain cancers. In addition, the Paleo diet can also help improve digestion and reduce inflammation. You may also notice an increase in energy.

A low-carb diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables.

It is not uncommon for dieters to be unsuccessful at their first, second, and even third attempts – sometimes more. Without motivation and dedication, a healthy diet can be difficult to stick to. Rather than thinking of a diet as something to dread, try making it fun. Social media sites like Pinterest offer thousands of unique, healthy recipes – some of which you can find shared on Dr. Ali Ghahary’s Pinterest page, too, as well as on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. If you’re more focused on staying fit, rather than exercising alone you can always grab a buddy to go with you. Having a friend tag along often helps in keeping you motivated and can make exercise more fun.

Click here for more great tips on diet and exercise!

Sore Throat or Epiglottitis?

Sore throats are a prevalent symptom of the common cold or flu. A sore throat can also be caused by tonsillitis, laryngitis, post-nasal drip and even ear pain. Vancouver physician Dr. Ali Ghahary also notes that patients with sore throats will often complain of secondary symptoms such as a cough, and can sometimes have difficulty swallowing foods and liquids. Typically, a sore throat will go away within a week – either on its own or with a course of antibiotics depending on whether or not it is caused by a bacterial infection (such as strep throat.) 

Epiglottitis seen in x-ray imaging

Normally, a sore throat is not something to worry about. However, if your pain is extreme, you have a hoarse voice, a high temperature, and are in severe discomfort when swallowing, you may have a condition known as epiglottitis. Epiglottitis occurs when the epiglottis itself becomes inflamed. The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flat that sits just behind your tongue and is responsible for keeping food from entering your windpipe, and also allows air to pass from your mouth and into your lungs. With epiglottitis, the epiglottis can become so inflamed that your breathing can be affected due to the airway becoming obstructed, which can lead to death.

While epiglottitis can affect individuals of all ages, it most commonly affects children between the ages of 2 and 5. However, developing epiglottitis is extremely rare. Still, Dr. Ali Ghahary urges all individuals to seek immediate medical attention at the first signs of an unusually sore throat or any symptoms that are associated with epiglottitis as mentioned above.

In confirmed cases of epiglottitis, a patient will usually be given oxygen via a mask. If you need more help with breathing, you may need to be hospitalized so that a ventilator may be inserted to better maintain the flow of oxygen into the lungs. In severe cases, if the epiglottis becomes completely blocked, a procedure known as a tracheotomy will need to be performed. A tracheotomy is when a small cut is made into the windpipe, which then allows a tube to be passed underneath the swollen area so enough oxygen can be given. In addition, antibiotics are also commonly used to fight epiglottitis and treat the underlying infection, as well as steroids to help reduce inflammation. If treated quickly, the prognosis is generally good. Rarely does the infection related to epiglottitis spread to other parts of the body, and the likelihood of epiglottitis recurring is very low.

Social Anxiety

Anxiety and other mental health disorders affect millions of individuals worldwide. In Canada alone, anxiety affects at least five percent of households. Dr. Ali Ghahary, a physician in Vancouver, treats many patients living with mental illness, including social anxiety. 

Social anxiety is one of many common anxiety disorders affecting individuals today. It Is characterized by fear of social situations and interactions with others, often resulting in the patient worrying that they may be judged, talked about or humiliated – even when that worry is unjust. It can be a debilitating disorder to live with and affect many aspects of one’s life, including personal relationships, school and/or work attendance, and the ability to perform normal, basic, everyday activities, such as grocery shopping, banking, attending doctor’s appointments, etcetera.

While people with social anxiety do want to participate in social activities, make friends, and live a normal life, the fear that comes with the disorder almost always makes it difficult for them to feel comfortable enough to do that. As a result, others usually describe individuals living with social anxiety as seeming withdrawn, disinterested, and unfriendly – albeit not by choice.

Varying scenarios, including being introduced to others, having to speak in public, and making phone calls, can trigger social anxiety. The symptoms that often accompany society anxiety are feelings of nervousness, heart palpitations, trembling, facial flushing, dry mouth, and panic attacks. Individuals with social anxiety can also develop dysmorphia – a condition in which they perceive themselves in a negative light. 

Individuals with social anxiety almost always realize that their thoughts and feelings are abnormal, though without proper treatment they are usually unable to control it. In order to properly diagnose and alleviate the symptoms of social anxiety, Dr. Ali Ghahary will often recommend that patients be on medication (such as Ativan or other anti-anxiety drugs) in combination with attending counselling sessions with the primary focus being cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy works by changing the patient’s way of thinking, in turn making them feel more comfortable, over time, in social situations.

Anxiety does not have to ruin your life. If you have concerns about your mental health, do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Ali Ghahary at Brentwood Medical Clinic. He takes a compassionate, gentle approach when dealing with vulnerable patients. You can find Dr. Ghahary’s walk-in schedule by clicking here.

Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

The orange ribbon signifies Multiple Sclerosis awareness

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic condition that affects the central nervous system such as the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. While MS affects everyone differently, below are some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with the disease.

• Fatigue
• Numbness or tingling
• Muscle spasms, stiffness and weakness
• Pain
• Vision problems
• Mobility problems
• Lack of concentration
• Depression and anxiety
• Speech problems
• Bladder and bowel problems

For more information on MS, visit Dr. Ali Ghahary's website at http://alighaharyvancouver.ca.

Spring Allergies

Visit Dr. Ali Ghahary's website at http://www.alighaharyvancouver.ca for information on how you can fight spring allergies!

Mental Health Week

Visit Dr. Ali Ghahary's blog on Wordpress where you can find out more information on mental health & addiction in Canada.

http://alighahary.wordpress.com

World Meningitis Day

World Meningitis Day is this Monday, April 24th. Learn about the signs and symptoms of meningitis on Dr. Ali Ghahary's website at http://AliGhaharyVancouver.ca.

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month in Canada

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month in Canada. For more information on Parkinson's disease and how you can get involved in the campaign, visit Dr. Ali Ghahary's website at http://www.alighaharyvancouver.ca/blog.

Vancouver Physician Dr. Ali Ghahary Meets Dr. Oz

Ali Ghahary, a family doctor from Vancouver, recently had the opportunity to meet surgeon, author and TV personality Dr. Oz. Read all about it at http://alighaharyvancouver.ca!

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation (also referred to as AFib or AF) is a common but debilitating heart disorder that results in an irregular heartbeat, also known as arrhythmia, affecting over 300,000 Canadians with a prevalence of 2.3% adults over the age of 40, and 5.9% of adults over the age of 65. 70% of individuals diagnosed with AFib are between the ages of 65 and 85, with men having an increased incidence than women.

As a physician in Greater Vancouver, Dr. Ali Ghahary is able to treat the aforementioned conditions and symptoms in effort to avoid the development of Atrial Fibrillation and its complications. 

As the risk of being diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation can increase with age, it is also important to be aware of other risk factors and underlying conditions that can cause this disorder, i.e. high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and sleep apnea. Individuals who have been diagnosed with an underlying heart disease are also at an increased risk of developing AF – such as heart valve problems, previous history of heart attack, congenital heart disease and congenital heart failure, in addition to family history. Those with AF are also five times more likely to have a stroke in comparison to someone without this condition. Complications such as blood clots can also arise, and if traveled through the blood stream can cause a blockage, which can sometimes be fatal.

Those with Atrial Fibrillation may not always experience symptoms. However, manifestations of AFib can include heart palpitations, dizziness, fainting and shortness of breath. If you experience any alarming, sudden symptoms such as chest pain, a feeling of pressure in your chest, or have difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention immediately by calling 9-1-1.

Patients are almost always referred for further non-invasive testing which may include an electrocardiogram to check the heart’s electrical activity, an echocardiogram to take images of the heart, and a holter test – a portable ECG machine that you wear for several days to closely monitor your heart’s rhythm. Blood tests may also be ordered. Dr. Ali Ghahary may also refer patients to Vancouver’s Atrial Fibrillation Clinic for assessment by a Cardiologist. The Vancouver AFib Clinic is an initiative designed to help educate patients on their condition and improve their quality of life by providing treatment plans, referrals to other services if necessary, and follow-up appointments.

The fundamental objective in treating Atrial Fibrillation is to prevent blood clots from forming. The most commonly prescribed meds to ensure that blood clots do not form is Warfarin and Aspirin. Patients may also require other medications like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers in effort to stabilize their heart rate. Patients diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation should also ensure that they are maintaining a diet that is heart-healthy, exercise regularly, and don’t smoke.