Featured
This is the third blog in a new series that introduces the major systems in the human body. In this blog, we’ll cover the immune system. The immune system consists of innate defences and adaptive defences. Innate defences are nonspecific and involve surface barriers and internal defences. Adaptive defences
Featured
This is the second blog in a new series that introduces the major systems in the human body. In this blog, we’ll cover the cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels. It transports oxygen and nutrients to the body’s organs so they can
Featured
This is the first blog in a new series that introduces the major systems in the human body. In this blog, we’ll cover the nervous system. The central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) make up the nervous system. The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord
Health and Fitness
Inflammation is a response of vascularized tissues (contain vessels) that delivers leukocytes (white blood cells) and molecules of host defense from the circulation to the sites of infection and cell damage in order to eliminate the offending agents. It can be classified as acute or chronic depending on how long
Aging
Hormones are chemical products that are transported by the blood or body fluids. They have a specific regulatory effect on cells remote from their origin. Peptide (protein) hormones require intracellular secondary messengers to evoke a physiological response. On the other hand, steroid hormones bind to receptors in the nucleus, affecting
Aging
Stress is the psychological and physiological response to an event that one perceives as a threat or challenge. It can affect sensory perception, metabolism, mobility, emotional regulation, cognition, immunity, oxygenation, and perfusion. The perception or anticipation of a threat activates 3 major physiological systems: the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the sympathetic
Health and Fitness
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that lie on the posterior aspect of the abdominal cavity. They function to clear waste products of metabolism and regulate the concentrations of many constituents of body fluids. In functional units of the kidney called nephrons, blood undergoes ultrafiltration and reabsorption. Below is a list
Home Care
Today is National Caregiver Day, which is a special day to honour and recognize the dedication and hard work of caregivers who provide support to various people. There are thousands of acronyms in the healthcare industry. You may have heard of some of the more common ones such as PSW,
Aging
Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the body behind calcium. It is found naturally in many foods and is available as a supplement. Since it is highly reactive, it is not found as a free element on Earth. The main function of phosphorus is bone and teeth formation.
Aging
Your body needs to be hydrated to function properly. Water is critical as it delivers nutrients to cells, regulates body temperature, keeps joints lubricated, and prevents infections. Staying hydrated can improve sleep quality, mood, and cognition. Health experts recommend that everyone should consume approximately 2 liters of water each day.
Aging
Vitamins and minerals are especially important nutrients that seniors need to stay healthy. They boost the immune system, help cells and organs function, and support growth and development. Vitamins are organic substances, meaning they’re made by animals or plants. On the other hand, minerals are inorganic substances, which means
Health and Fitness
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain gets blocked or ruptures. As a result, parts of the brain become damaged or die. This can cause long-term disability, brain damage, and even death. Common symptoms of stroke include numbness, confusion, difficulty seeing and walking,