Health

Researchers from the University of Alberta have found that opioids are best used for acute pain relief for four weeks or less, and may cause more harm than good when used for chronic pain for more than 12 weeks. In a recently published paper in the British Journal of General Practice, the team did a systematic review of 27 randomized controlled trials comparing opioids with non-opioid pain management for the treatment of osteoarthritis or chronic low back pain. The trials examined the ability of opioids such as oxycodone, buprenorphine, oxymorphone, hydromorphone and morphine to produce clinically meaningful pain relief defined as 30 per cent or more over time.

Polypharmacy involving prescription medications affected more than one-third of older adults in 2021 to 2023. HealthDay News — Polypharmacy involving prescription medications affected more than one-third of older adults in 2021 to 2023, according to a research letter published online Sept. 24 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

You thought you had a run-of-the-mill cold, but suddenly you feel much sicker — one of the many signs of pneumonia that begins with a whimper instead of a bang. Many people expect pneumonia to trigger a high fever and severe cough from the get-go. But the lung infection — which kills 50,000 American adults annually — sometimes shows up more quietly, making diagnosis difficult.

Among medically underserved adults referred for lung cancer screening, the rates of sustained tobacco abstinence are higher with financial incentives versus usual care with or without free pharmacotherapy. HealthDay News — Among medically underserved adults referred for lung cancer screening, the rates of sustained tobacco abstinence are higher with financial incentives versus usual care with or without free pharmacotherapy, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Three hospital foundations from Langley, South Surrey, and Delta, have joined forces to advocate to Victoria for more health care funding for the fast growing region. The South Fraser Healthcare Alliance was announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13. It’s composed of the foundations that support Delta Hospital, Peace Arch Hospital, and Langley Memorial Hospital.

AtlanticNova ScotiaNew BrunswickPrince Edward Island Newfoundland and LabradorCalgaryLethbridgeKitchenerGuelphNorthern OntarioSudburyNorth BaySault Ste. MarieTimminsOttawaKingstonBrockvillePembrokeReginaYorktonSaskatoonPrince AlbertTorontoWatchWeatherPeelHamiltonDurhamYorkHaltonNiagaraQueen's ParkToronto City HallIn PicturesVancouverVancouver IslandCanadaLocal SpotlightRoyal FamilyPoliticsNanosPower PlayQuestion PeriodFederal Election 2025WorldMideast ConflictRussia-Ukraine WarWatchLatestCaptured on CameraPoliticsLifestyleConsumerHealthExplainedEntertainmentTechnologyDeception DecodedAutosEnvironmentBusinessInflationReal EstateAutos

Seasonal depression often surfaces in the fall and winter, but therapists say proactive measures can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is brought on by the changing seasons. It can be an overwhelming, jarring type of depression. Most people, when first dealing with it, aren’t sure how to cope with seasonal depression. They begin feeling sapped of energy and interest during the fall, and their condition continues to worsen as winter progresses. The depressive symptoms typically self-resolve during the springtime and remain minimal throughout the summer months. It is also important to remember that winter depression or winter blues is a lesser form of SAD.

B. C. MLA Elenore Sturko listens during a news conference in Richmond, B. C., on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Health care remains a key focus in campaigning for the British Columbia election on Oct. 24.

Health workers carry out disinfection work at an Ebola treatment center in Bunia, capital of Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Oct. 12, 2026. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recorded more than 9,000 confirmed cases of Ebola since the outbreak was declared on May 15, with the death toll rising to 4,381, according to the latest situation report released Tuesday. No vaccine or treatment has yet been specifically approved for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, although clinical trials are underway. (Xinhua) KINSHASA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recorded more than 9,000 confirmed Ebola cases since May, as preparations for a vaccine trial near completion.

Night vision often fades first, followed by a narrowing of peripheral vision. In retinitis pigmentosa, this progressive loss can eventually lead to blindness. An experimental treatment has now helped some patients recover limited visual abilities. The approach combines a gene injection with special goggles. In a small trial involving 10 people with profound vision loss in both eyes, some participants became better able to detect objects, locate them, and reach toward them while using the device. The study in The New England Journal of Medicine was coauthored by ophthalmologist José-Alain Sahel at the University of Pittsburgh and vision researcher Botond Roska at the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel in Switzerland. Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited disorders in which genetic changes damage the retina's photoreceptors, the cells that normally detect light. Symptoms can begin in childhood or later, and progression varies. People without known affected relatives can also develop the disease. Variants in more than 100 genes can cause it, complicating efforts to develop treatments for each genetic cause.

ADVERTISEMENTVancouver WatchThe upstart political party is promising to solve some of the problems plaguing the health care system, including ensuring access to a family doctor. October 13, 2026 at 9:25p.m. EDT

The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences held its annual White Coat Ceremony on September 16, 2026 at the McGill Faculty Club. It is both a celebration and a rite of passage - it welcomes third year dental students into the professional community and emphasizes the moral and ethical responsibilities that come with wearing the white coat. Many speakers at the ceremony reflected on common themes. Keynote speaker Dr. Melvin Schwartz, DDS’77, Assistant Professor, Site Director of the General Practice Residency Program at the Jewish General Hospital, and Director of the Special Care Dental Medicine Residency Program, encouraged the Class of 2028 to recognize their role as stewards of their patients’ oral health. He emphasized the importance of placing patients’ needs at the center of their practice and ensuring those needs guide every clinical decision.

October 13NewsDuration 2:07closed captionHealth experts in Baker Lake, Nunavut, are raising awareness about diabetes. Diabetes significantly affects the body: from the nerves, to the heart, and even the eyes. The CBC's Carl Cardinal tells us what the community is doing to prevent the disease.

Skip to mainWed, October 14, 2026 at 12:57 a.m. UTCHealth experts in Baker Lake, Nunavut, are raising awareness about diabetes. Diabetes significantly affects the body: from the nerves, to the heart, and even the eyes. The CBC's Carl Cardinal tells us what the community is doing to prevent the disease.

Aztec AI Health Ltd. has withdrawn its application to amend the Valley View concept plan to build an AI data centre. The withdrawal was presented to city council last night. City council previously considered the application during executive committee on June 9.