Latest news with #UniversityofManitoba
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
Want to prevent a stroke? 5 simple, everyday lifestyle changes you should make, according to a doctor
Nearly 900,000 Canadian adults have experienced a stroke — a disease that affects blood flow to, and within, the brain and damages brain cells. With June being Stroke Month, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is raising awareness about the disease, its risk factors and myths. And, while many factors influence stroke risk — including things you can't change, like genetics, age and sex — certain lifestyle changes can lower your risk of stroke. In fact, 80 per cent of strokes are preventable. However, according to a 2023 poll, 7 in 10 Canadians don't understand the risk factors for stroke and heart disease. It can be hard to fix what you don't understand. With this in mind, Yahoo Canada spoke to Dr. Nishita Singh. She's a stroke neurologist, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba and the Heart and Stroke and Research Manitoba chair in clinical stroke research. Here, Singh shares her advice on how to decrease stroke risk by making lifestyle changes and embracing healthy habits. First, an important reminder: 'Stroke can happen at any age, and the risk of stroke increases as people get older,' Singh says. While 80 per cent of all strokes happen to those over the age of 60, it's important to note that younger people can — and do — have strokes. 'It's really important that you keep your heart and brain healthy,' Singh says. 'That's what would prevent stroke and heart disease, and it all begins with understanding your risk and knowing what you can do to manage them.' The good news is, healthy lifestyle behaviours can be very effective in lowering your stroke risk. 'These simple habits are, of course, easier for some than others," the doctor continues. "But they can make a remarkable difference when it comes to decreasing your risk of stroke and heart disease in the future.' Singh and other doctors advise patients to aim for 10,000 steps per day. If you're not doing any kind of physical activity each day, Singh says you should start — whether you're in your 20s or 60s — or even older. 'It's never too late to start any kind of physical activity,' she says. Can't hit 10,000 steps? That's OK. Any exercise is better than nothing, Singh notes. 'There is a cumulative benefit when it comes to physical activity, so even if you start with 2,000 steps a day or 5,000 steps a day, that's also good,' she explains. As a benchmark, the Heart and Stroke Foundation suggests people get in 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is about 20 minutes each day. And it doesn't have to be hitting the gym or lifting weights. Singh says it can be as simple as walking. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for both heart disease and stroke, Singh says. 'It is also one of the most challenging things to do at a personal level when it comes to quitting.' Smoking causes stickiness in your blood cells, making them clump together more easily — and more likely to form clots. Smoking can also lead to deposition of cholesterol plaques, which can cause narrowing of the arteries in the heart, the brain and throughout your body. 'That can lead to symptoms of heart disease, heart attack or stroke,' Singh explains. The same goes for e-cigarettes and vaping. If you're thinking about quitting, Singh says it doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing' mindset. 'Just start with taking baby steps — there's a cumulative benefit there as well," she says. Experts generally recommend limiting alcohol intake for heart health. In fact, the World Heart Federation says that even moderate alcohol consumption can harm cardiovascular health, and Health Canada's guidelines to limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per week align with this. 'There's a lot of recent data which actually strongly supports that no alcohol is the best way to protect yourself from heart disease or stroke,' Singh says. 'Currently, you should abstain from alcohol completely to prevent any further risk.' It's one of the most commonly asked questions Singh gets: What exactly should I be eating as part of a healthy diet? 'It's really about conscious eating and conscious lifestyle measures,' she says. Generally, Singh tells patients that eating healthy means not getting takeout from fast food joints every day. 'No deep fried foods, no alcohol, no smoking, no ultra-processed foods, and no or minimal red meat,' she adds. Similar to smoking, Singh explains that the extra oil in deep-fried foods deposits in the walls of blood vessels and contributes to the narrowing of arteries. 'It can ultimately lead to decreased blood flow and make these organs unhappy and cause symptoms and heart disease and stroke,' she says. She also says researchers are currently studying how ultra-processed foods can affect your risk of heart disease and stroke. So, what should you eat? 'Eat as much natural, organic, green, healthy, leafy greens, vegetables and fruits [as possible] and get all of that in your system while you're exercising and having a smoke-free, alcohol-free life," the doctor says. Maintaining a healthy weight is another way to lower your risk of stroke. It's worth noting, Singh says, that these changes don't have to happen overnight. "Even if you take small, incremental steps, your risk of stroke will lower over time as you pursue a healthier lifestyle," she says. More than three in 10 Canadians cannot name any of the signs of stroke, according to the latest Heart and Stroke poll results. It's important to recognize the signs of stroke so you can act quickly. FAST is a simple way to remember the signs of stroke: Face – is it drooping? Arms – can you raise both? Speech – Is it slurred or jumbled? Time to call 9-1-1 right away.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Want to prevent a stroke? 5 simple, everyday lifestyle changes you should make, according to a doctor
Nearly 900,000 Canadian adults have experienced a stroke — a disease that affects blood flow to, and within, the brain and damages brain cells. With June being Stroke Month, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is raising awareness about the disease, its risk factors and myths. And, while many factors influence stroke risk — including things you can't change, like genetics, age and sex — certain lifestyle changes can lower your risk of stroke. In fact, 80 per cent of strokes are preventable. However, according to a 2023 poll, 7 in 10 Canadians don't understand the risk factors for stroke and heart disease. It can be hard to fix what you don't understand. With this in mind, Yahoo Canada spoke to Dr. Nishita Singh. She's a stroke neurologist, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba and the Heart and Stroke and Research Manitoba chair in clinical stroke research. Here, Singh shares her advice on how to decrease stroke risk by making lifestyle changes and embracing healthy habits. First, an important reminder: 'Stroke can happen at any age, and the risk of stroke increases as people get older,' Singh says. While 80 per cent of all strokes happen to those over the age of 60, it's important to note that younger people can — and do — have strokes. 'It's really important that you keep your heart and brain healthy,' Singh says. 'That's what would prevent stroke and heart disease, and it all begins with understanding your risk and knowing what you can do to manage them.' [Simple habits] can make a remarkable difference when it comes to decreasing your risk of stroke and heart disease in the Nishita Singh The good news is, healthy lifestyle behaviours can be very effective in lowering your stroke risk. 'These simple habits are, of course, easier for some than others," the doctor continues. "But they can make a remarkable difference when it comes to decreasing your risk of stroke and heart disease in the future.' Singh and other doctors advise patients to aim for 10,000 steps per day. If you're not doing any kind of physical activity each day, Singh says you should start — whether you're in your 20s or 60s — or even older. 'It's never too late to start any kind of physical activity,' she says. Can't hit 10,000 steps? That's OK. Any exercise is better than nothing, Singh notes. 'There is a cumulative benefit when it comes to physical activity, so even if you start with 2,000 steps a day or 5,000 steps a day, that's also good,' she explains. As a benchmark, the Heart and Stroke Foundation suggests people get in 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is about 20 minutes each day. And it doesn't have to be hitting the gym or lifting weights. Singh says it can be as simple as walking. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for both heart disease and stroke, Singh says. 'It is also one of the most challenging things to do at a personal level when it comes to quitting.' Smoking causes stickiness in your blood cells, making them clump together more easily — and more likely to form clots. Smoking can also lead to deposition of cholesterol plaques, which can cause narrowing of the arteries in the heart, the brain and throughout your body. 'That can lead to symptoms of heart disease, heart attack or stroke,' Singh explains. The same goes for e-cigarettes and vaping. If you're thinking about quitting, Singh says it doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing' mindset. 'Just start with taking baby steps — there's a cumulative benefit there as well," she says. Experts generally recommend limiting alcohol intake for heart health. In fact, the World Heart Federation says that even moderate alcohol consumption can harm cardiovascular health, and Health Canada's guidelines to limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per week align with this. 'There's a lot of recent data which actually strongly supports that no alcohol is the best way to protect yourself from heart disease or stroke,' Singh says. 'Currently, you should abstain from alcohol completely to prevent any further risk.' It's one of the most commonly asked questions Singh gets: What exactly should I be eating as part of a healthy diet? 'It's really about conscious eating and conscious lifestyle measures,' she says. Generally, Singh tells patients that eating healthy means not getting takeout from fast food joints every day. 'No deep fried foods, no alcohol, no smoking, no ultra-processed foods, and no or minimal red meat,' she adds. Similar to smoking, Singh explains that the extra oil in deep-fried foods deposits in the walls of blood vessels and contributes to the narrowing of arteries. 'It can ultimately lead to decreased blood flow and make these organs unhappy and cause symptoms and heart disease and stroke,' she says. She also says researchers are currently studying how ultra-processed foods can affect your risk of heart disease and stroke. So, what should you eat? 'Eat as much natural, organic, green, healthy, leafy greens, vegetables and fruits [as possible] and get all of that in your system while you're exercising and having a smoke-free, alcohol-free life," the doctor says. Maintaining a healthy weight is another way to lower your risk of stroke. It's worth noting, Singh says, that these changes don't have to happen overnight. "Even if you take small, incremental steps, your risk of stroke will lower over time as you pursue a healthier lifestyle," she says. More than three in 10 Canadians cannot name any of the signs of stroke, according to the latest Heart and Stroke poll results. It's important to recognize the signs of stroke so you can act quickly. FAST is a simple way to remember the signs of stroke: Face – is it drooping? Arms – can you raise both? Speech – Is it slurred or jumbled? Time to call 9-1-1 right away.
Global News
a day ago
- Climate
- Global News
A look back at Winnipeg's flood of 1950, 75 years later
As emergency crews fight wildfires across the province this year, three-quarters of a century ago, Winnipeg and Manitoba were dealing with a much different natural disaster. It was 75 years ago this spring that Winnipeg was in crisis mode, surrounded and submerged by floodwaters. View image in full screen An aerial view of Winnipeg during the flood of 1950. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives View image in full screen A cornerstore surrounded by floodwaters. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives View image in full screen Annabella Street in Winnipeg underwater during the flood of 1950. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives The flood of 1950 marked one of the most devastating natural disasters within city limits, triggered by the melting of heavy spring snow and then heavy rainfall. The Red River peaked at 9.2 metres at James Avenue in Winnipeg in May 1950. It was the worst flood in the Red River Valley since 1861. Story continues below advertisement 'That particular April there was two times as much snow as we normally had, and it was also warm,' said Greg Agnew, the president of Heritage Winnipeg. 'It hit St. Norbert and Fort Garry first, so the University of Manitoba ended up being under water.' View image in full screen The University of Manitoba's Fort Garry campus during the flood of 1950. Credit / University of Manitoba Digital Archives Floodwaters reached up to the second storey of homes, the rush hour commute through city streets saw boats and canoes replace vehicles, and downtown Winnipeg landmarks, power stations, schools and hospitals were surrounded by rising water levels, dikes and causeways. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It's kind of surreal to think of people just paddling around,' Agnew said. View image in full screen Winnipeg's flood of 1950. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives View image in full screen The causeway to the Rover Street station during the flood of 1950. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives View image in full screen Flooded downtown Winnipeg streets near the Manitoba legislative building. Courtesy / Province of Manitoba Archives View image in full screen People fleeing their homes via a raft. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives Those moments are carefully documented at the City of Winnipeg Archives through newspaper clippings, minutes of emergency council and committee meetings, and countless photos, many of which have been recently digitized. Story continues below advertisement 'The ones that most people are interested in are the ones that kind of show water absolutely everywhere. About one-eighth of the city was underwater during that time,' said Jarad Buckwold, a digital archivist for the City of Winnipeg. View image in full screen A man wades through a flooded greenhouse. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives View image in full screen A group of men work to get a fence out of the propeller of a piece of flood-fighting equipment. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives View image in full screen Residents get into a boat to leave their Wellington Crescent home. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives A state of emergency was declared and the Red Cross and the military were brought in to assist with evacuations. Story continues below advertisement 'The Red Cross set up in the civic auditorium on Vaughan Street and they sort of turned that into their flood relief HQ,' Buckwold said. 'Approximately 100,000 people evacuated during the flood, which was about a third of the size of Winnipeg at the time.' View image in full screen A young evacuee with a puppy in the Red Cross's evacuee headquarters during the flood of 1950. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives View image in full screen The Red Cross hands out packs of cigarettes to workers building dikes during Winnipeg's flood of 1950. Courtesy / City of Winnipeg Archives The flood, which lasted 51 days, destroyed approximately 10,000 homes and damaged 5,000 buildings. Four of the city's 11 bridges were also damaged beyond repair and needed to be replaced. It's estimated the flood caused about $125.5 million in damages, which would be about $1 billion today. Story continues below advertisement The flood prompted the construction of the floodway during the 1960s, then known as 'Duff's Ditch' in recognition of then-premier Duff Roblin. The province estimates that since 1968, the floodway has prevented tens of billions of dollars in flood damage. Buckwold says it's important to keep these events well-documented, as the response is something that can be learned from for decades to come. 'Flooding will happen again, it always has, it probably always will,' Buckwold said. 'And by getting a sense of how it was dealt with, it will help us in the future to better prepare and hopefully prevent any sort of disaster on that scale from happening.'
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Province kills city's sulfur gas ground squirrel extermination plans
The City of Winnipeg won't be allowed to carry out its controversial plan to use a lethal pesticide on ground squirrels. In a Thursday letter to Mayor Scott Gillingham, Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes advised the city it won't receive a permit to use the sulfur gas product known as 'Giant Destroyer.' 'I write to encourage the City of Winnipeg to explore alternative options that prioritize the safety and well-being of Manitobans… I recognize the challenge involved in balancing the safety of park visitors, environmental protection and public access,' wrote Moyes. A provincial spokesperson said the minister wasn't available for an interview Friday, due to the province's ongoing response to wildfires. In an email, Moyes said the decision followed a 'careful and thorough review.' 'The department consulted with experts in health, environment, and wildlife to inform the decision not to proceed with the application. Additionally, the department received nearly 6,300 public submissions expressing concern about the proposed control program,' the statement said. Moyes also 'strongly' recommended the city devote some of its provincial funding to fill in ground squirrel holes. The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer to euthanize animals at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20, but the program was delayed due to the wait for a provincial permit. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun files) The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer to euthanize animals at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20, but the program was delayed due to the wait for a provincial permit. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun files) The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer to euthanize animals at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20 but the program was delayed due to the wait for a provincial permit. If no treatment occurs, city officials have warned ground squirrels can create deep holes in athletic fields where people and pets can trip and hurt themselves. A request to interview a city official was not granted Friday. In an email, a spokeswoman said the province noted public concern and 'insufficient consideration of alternative methods' as reasons for denying the permit. 'We do not have any other feasible options… The public safety risk of deep, exposed holes in parks and playing fields is already significant and will only grow without control,' wrote spokeswoman Julie Horbal Dooley. By contrast, an opponent of the treatment plan welcomed the province's choice. 'I'm actually very pleased with that decision … First and foremost, the proposed method of euthanasia (was) neither humane nor efficient,' said James Hare, a University of Manitoba professor emeritus in biological sciences. Hare said the sulfur gas poisoning would cause a painful death. 'If you place these gas bombs in a burrowing system… you are going to have individual (animals) that are going to be exposed, in many cases, minimally to that gas, so they will suffer but not die. You will also have individuals who are exposed to even a moderate concentration… who will suffer an incredibly painful and slow death, sometimes taking over an hour,' he said. Hare said trapping ground squirrels between mid-March and early April, when adults are emerging from hibernation and have not yet started breeding, would offer much more effective population control. The animals could then be given an anesthetic and euthanized with a fast-acting drug, he said. Hare said the city's concern with the hazard posed by ground squirrel holes is valid, though he expects the level of field damage has already reached its peak for this year. 'I understand, begrudgingly, how ground squirrels do have to be controlled. But if you're going to do it, do it right,' he said. Mayor Scott Gillingham said Thursday he believes some treatment is needed to protect people using city sports fields. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files) Mayor Scott Gillingham said Thursday he believes some treatment is needed to protect people using city sports fields. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files) Mayor Scott Gillingham said Thursday he believes some treatment is needed to protect people using city sports fields. 'Right now, when you've got a soccer field or a baseball diamond that's riddled with gopher holes, it's dangerous for everyone that's using it,' he said. 'I, for one, am open to any solution that can assist us in getting rid of these ground squirrels so that we can make our fields playable again.' The mayor expressed concern about the province's rejection of the permit on Friday. 'I'm disappointed in this decision. These sports fields are heavily used and keeping them in safe condition for kids and adults should be a priority,' he said in a written statement. The city had planned to use the pesticide at Charleswood Place, Beryl Watts Park/Vince Leah Community Centre, Fairgrove Bay Park, Woodsworth Park, Shaughnessy Park, Weston Memorial Community Centre, Theodore Niitzhotay Fontaine Park and St. James Memorial Sports Park. The decision came after mounting opposition directed at city hall, where protesters gathered Thursday morning. 'For the ground squirrels, specifically, it's a very cruel method of getting rid of them. They die a very slow, agonizing death … And then (there are) also the broader (affects) on non-target species (and) wildlife,' said Danae Tonge, an organizer with Manitoba Animal Save. Those concerns include putting predators, pets and people at risk of exposure to sulfur gas, she said. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
7 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Former student says U of Manitoba failed to protect her from dorm room attack by convicted sex offender
WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it. A former University of Manitoba student is suing the school, alleging it failed to protect her last October, when a convicted sex offender snuck into her on-campus residence and assaulted her as she slept. In a statement of claim filed with Manitoba's Court of the King's Bench earlier this month, the woman said the university's lack of adequate safety measures and enforcement made it possible for her to be attacked by a stranger on school property while she was vulnerable. On Oct. 25, 2024, the woman, who was then a U of M student, was living in the Arthur V. Mauro Residence at the university's south Winnipeg campus. At 4:45 a.m., 46-year-old Garry Junior Edwards — who had been convicted of two violent sexual assaults in 2013 — gained access to the residence, broke into a secured area and broke into the victim's room, according to police. Police said the woman fought him off during the assault and was later treated for injuries. Edwards is facing charges for sexual assault, robbery, breaking and entering, and attempting to overcome resistance by choking, suffocating or strangling a person. The statement of claim alleges the school's lack of security measures "created conditions that allowed … [Edwards] to encounter the plaintiff" and harm her. The attacker was able to "exploit the … [university's] lack of adequate safety measures, rules and enforcement to gain access to the plaintiff and further his abuse," and the university is therefore "liable for the wrongful actions of the perpetrator," according to the lawsuit. The university, named as the defendant in the suit, owes a duty of care to students enrolled there, and those who are living on campus rely on university administration to keep them safe when they are asleep and vulnerable, the statement of claim says. The lawsuit also alleges that the school did not provide adequate counselling or assistance after the assault. "The conduct of the defendant … was harsh, high-handed and malicious, and, as such, should be punished," according to the lawsuit. As a result of the attack, the woman said she has experienced physical pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, insomnia and night terrors. After the attack, she also withdrew from the university, the claim said. She is seeking general damages, special damages, punitive damages and aggravated damages. The statement of claim, which does not include a specific cost figure, also seeks coverage for past and future health-care services. None of the allegations in the lawsuit have been tested in court. No statement of claim has been filed. University of Manitoba administration told CBC News in a statement the school is aware of the lawsuit and "will respond as required in due course." "Student safety is a top priority," and the U of M has "a number of safety initiatives and measures on campus," the emailed statement said, adding the university held several safety sessions in March. CBC News reached out to the former student's Vancouver-based lawyer on Tuesday afternoon but did not receive a reply before publication. For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
