self care

When Did Mental Health Become Sexist?

I’ll be honest – it took me quite some time to write this article, because I feel like mental health is a very intimate and personal conversation. I began to feel like maybe it would be too intrusive and I would be making too many over-generalizations and assumptions (which, I’ll admit, I do for the purposes of getting my point across. Also, I apologize for the excessive use of quotes around words). However, I wanted to write this because I feel so strongly in my heart that men deserve the same care and respect as females, and shame, guilt, silence – these are words that should never be linked with mental health, regardless of sex.

I decided to go ahead with it anyway, because I am grateful. Grateful that I have found my voice, and am able to share it with those who will listen. Grateful, because I know that not everyone is so lucky.

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By Dr. Priscilla Tang, Naturopathic Doctor, ago

Leaking, Dribbling, Start-Stop Stream.. Fellas, I’m Not Talking About Your Facets

Sometimes, you’ve just got to get the awkward stuff out in the open. I’m more of a “rip-the-bandaid-off” sort of gal, so let’s get right to it. As men get older, sometimes you have less control of things in your nether regions than you want to, and maybe you pee your pants sometimes. Let me start off by saying this is VERY common, and nothing to be ashamed of. If this is the right comparison (which it definitely isn’t), women have periods and menopause, men have erectile dysfunction and a prostate. It’s a fact of life – let’s accept it, and move on.

While doing research for my previous article on tomatoes being a men’s health superfood, I came across a study that basically said men have no idea what a prostate is. So, let’s start there.

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By Dr. Priscilla Tang, Naturopathic Doctor, ago

Pap Smears, Breast Screening, STIs, and More – Female Screening Guide

A screening test is defined as: “The examination of a group of usually asymptomatic individuals to detect those with a high probability of having or developing a given disease”. In other words, screening tests are done to assess risk, NOT for already symptomatic individuals.

A good screening test has the following attributes:

  • Investigates an important health problem
  • Effective and acceptable treatment is available
  • The screening test itself is accurate and acceptable to patients
  • Natural history of the condition should be adequately understood
  • Overall benefits of screening outweigh harm
  • Ensures informed choice, confidentiality and respect for autonomy for the patient
 
Naturopathic medicine is all about prevention and being pro-active in your health. Screening tests are a big part of this, and while not all are worthwhile to do (e.g. for some, the cons outweigh the pros), there are some that you should be including as part of your routine check-ups.

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By Dr. Priscilla Tang, Naturopathic Doctor, ago

Periods – What’s “Normal” Anyway?

While I’m not particularly a big fan of the word “normal” in medicine, it does seem to be a word thrown around a lot as a level to attain. However, even being in the “normal” range in your blood work doesn’t mean you are in the clear. That’s why I prefer using the word “optimal” – optimal levels, optimal symptoms, optimal health, and so forth. While a “normal” period doesn’t actually exist (our bodies are incredibly complex and beautiful), there is optimal measures for your menses (short form for menstruation aka your period).

Now, I want you to keep in mind that just because your menses doesn’t follow all of these criteria, it doesn’t mean there’s reason for concern. As always, the definition of health and optimal is individual to you. It is advised to speak to a naturopathic doctor before jumping to any conclusions and to discuss your healthcare concerns.

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By Dr. Priscilla Tang, Naturopathic Doctor, ago

Gut Health in Athletes – The Missing Link to Optimizing Performance

Gastrointestinal (GI) complaints in athletes can include vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, and everything in between. These are very common during training and competitions – but why? Athletes work hard to fine tune their “machine” of a body, so they should be “stronger” than the average population, right? It is exactly because of the hard work they put into their goals that makes them more susceptible to gut issues. Strenuous exercise and dehydration influence muscle glycogen depletion and puts the athlete at risk for gut ischemia (reduced blood flow to the intestines) [1]. This is because there is a redistribution of blood flow from your viscera to your skeletal muscle, brain, heart and lungs [1].

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By Dr. Priscilla Tang, Naturopathic Doctor, ago