The Dose

With roughly five billion people flying each year, in-flight medical emergencies happen more often than you’d think. One recent study found they occur about once every 212 flights. Dr. Vincent Poirier is an emergency physician and a senior medical advisor for Air Canada and Air Transat. He explains the most common medical incidents, how airlines handle them, and what passengers should know.For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

E-scooter injuries are on the rise in Canada, including in children. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, between 2022 and 2024, hospitalizations involving e-scooters for kids between five and 17 years old increased by 61 per cent. Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician at SickKids, says no one under the age of 16 should ride an e-scooter.For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

A new Health Canada-approved drug called lecanemab has been shown to slow early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Neurologist Dr. Sharon Cohen, who participated in phase three trials for the drug, explains why lecanemab is such a big deal.For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Most Canadians reset their clocks twice a year. We spring forward, fall back and experts say that messes with our body's internal clocks. Rébecca Robillard, University of Ottawa associate professor and co-chair of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium, says we should abolish Daylight Saving Time, in order to protect our sleep and overall health.For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input! 

An estimated one third of Canadian adults are obese, and ultra-processed foods are a major culprit. Leading nutrition scientist Kevin Hall recently co-wrote a new book on how foods nourish and harm us. He says understanding what's in our food is essential for our health, and that not all ultra-processed foods are bad.For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input! 

Bernie Garrett, an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia School of Nursing, explores the controversial world of IV hydration and vitamin therapy. He discusses the rapid rise of wellness clinics and the deceptive health claims surrounding them. Bernie highlights the lack of solid evidence to support these treatments for hangovers and migraines. He also warns about the potential risks, including serious adverse reactions, and stresses the importance of seeking care from licensed professionals. A must-listen for anyone curious about the safety of these popular therapies!

It’s respiratory virus season again, and experts say to look out for the flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Allison McGeer explains what the data shows about how severe this year might be, as well as how Canadians can protect themselves.For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input! 

The Trump administration has claimed Tylenol in pregnancy causes autism, despite no conclusive evidence, and promoted the drug leucovorin as a potential treatment for autism symptoms. Pediatric neurologist Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou breaks down the science and what’s really known about these claims.For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input! 

The internet is full of hype for products claiming to boost mood, reduce fatigue, and enhance sexual performance—including testosterone supplements. Low testosterone can affect both men and women, but OB/GYN Dr. George Arnold says supplements rarely raise hormone levels; only prescribed testosterone can.For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

An estimated 70 per cent of people have experienced computer vision syndrome (CVS), or digital eye strain. It's a condition caused by staring at a digital screen that's too close for too long and can lead to headaches, dry or blurry eyes, and neck, shoulder or back pain. Optometrist Meenal Agarwal says simple habits like taking regular breaks can help prevent CVS.For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.