Recent Health, Science and Medical Video Talk Interviews

sponsored advertisement	Edmonton, Alberta Syphilis Alert! Conversation Video with Ameeta Singh Sexuality Transmitted Disease Talk With rates of syphilis and other STDs rising in Edmonton and across Alberta, the medical director of Capital Health's STD Centre discusses possible causes and solutions.
	Identify & Prevent Eating Disorders Conversation Video with Dianne Drummond Diet, Food & Eating Disorder Talk Dianne Drummond describes the origins and symptoms of these mental illnesses and why prevention is the best defence against them.
Alberta's Registered Nurses' Future Conversation Video with Sheila A. McKay, RN MN Health Care Delivery & Governance Talk Sheila A. McKay, RN, MN, feels the time is ripe with opportunities. The CARNA President is optimistic about the future of the nursing practice and the quality of patient care.	Nutrition Labels: Knowledge is Power Conversation Video with Ruth West, Dietitian Diet, Food & Eating Disorder Talk Eating right can be a challenge. Community Dietitian Ruth West unveils the new nutrition label format and offers many valuable tips on how to lead a healthier life.
Alberta Chiropractic Care Conversation Video with Dr. Wes Shaw, ACAC Pain Management & Chiropractic Talk Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors (ACAC) discuss health and injury prevention in the workplace. Your chiropractor's speciality is getting rid of bad backs.	Indications of Mental Illness Conversation Video with Dr. Neil Mulholland Mental Health Talk Psychologist Dr. Neil Mulholland, explains causes of mental illness, symptoms and treatments for psychological problems specific to children and youth.

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Syphilis Alert: Edmonton Experiencing Outbreak Of Syphilis and Other STDs

Edmonton -- Many things might come to mind when people think of Edmonton – West Edmonton Mall, North America ’s largest Fringe festival, perhaps even the Oilers’ headline-grabbing Stanley Cup run in 2006. But a syphilis outbreak? The unfortunate reality is that syphilis, one of the oldest diseases around, has come back with a vengeance in the last couple of years. There were 216 cases in Alberta last year, with 75 percent of those in Edmonton . This compares to zero cases in 1996, which Dr. Ameeta Singh, director of Capital Health’s STD Centre, calls the “expected normal” rate (in fact, Health Canada in 1996 set a goal of eliminating syphilis completely). Although final numbers are not yet available for 2007, the number of cases is expected to be up from 2006.

With the syphilis outbreak also comes an increase in the rates of other sexually transmitted diseases. Dr. Singh explains that “what happens is that if you have one STD, it breaks down your normal skin barriers, basically. Your skin, including the skin on the genital area, is actually a pretty good barrier against getting infections. But if you have one infection already, that barrier is broken down.” This could explain why along with higher rates of syphilis, Alberta is also seeing increased rates of gonorrhoea and chlamydia. The provincial rates of all three infections are higher than the national average. More disturbingly, because one of the first symptoms of syphilis is an open sore on the genitals or mouth, having syphilis triples one’s risk of contracting HIV. While the outbreak has affected marginalized populations, including sex-trade workers and the homeless, it is being seen in all socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, and age groups – the youngest victim was a 15-year-old, and the oldest an 81-year-old.

There are 3 STD centres that provide testing, information, and free condoms in Alberta ; one in Edmonton , one in Calgary , and one in Fort McMurray . To find one near you, call 1-800-772-2437.