Kingsville Times

We write about natural remedies we believe are good for human health. Why this focus? It’s not to encourage avoidance of pharmaceutical drugs when medical care is an imperative. To the contrary, Canadians and Americans have the luxury of the world’s best doctors, medicinal drugs, and healthcare facilities. But health […]

Alcohol in moderation can be good for your health. We have written dozens of articles on the topic and an entire section of our website is dedicated to the topic. In short, there are plenty of good reasons to enjoy a drink at the cocktail hour. But is there a […]

After more than a year leading the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) through the continued COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Executive Officer Nicole Dupuis has announced her resignation for personal and family reasons. Nicole joined the WECHU in January 2014 as Director of Health Promotion and became the Chief Executive Officer in […]

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day, where we remember the lives lost due to an opioid overdose and take collective action to end stigma by creating a more inclusive environment for people who use substances. From 2019 to 2021, our community lost 178 lives to opioid use. The number of opioid-related deaths […]

Cranberries are a superfood. They are known to fight urinary tract infections.  They have anti-inflammatory properties. Cranberries promote heart health. Researchers are even exploring a potential role in reducing cancer risk. But a myopic view that sees only the nutritional value of cranberries misses the larger not-so-pretty picture. It’s a […]

The University of Windsor and Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Announce Strategic Partnership The opportunity allows for expanded collaboration and community benefits The University of Windsor and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) have entered in a strategic partnership that will bring the strengths of both institutions to work collaboratively for the […]

What is the greatest hazard to your longevity? Ask around and you will get a variety of answers: heart disease, cancer, genetics, or humankind’s own folly with warfare and planetary destruction. But it has become taboo to mention obesity. Yet, for decades, this column has stressed that obesity is the […]

Supply chain issues and a higher-than-normal demand for children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen products have resulted in shortages and suppliers are uncertain when they might be back in stock. Earlier this week, SickKids Hospital in Toronto circulated a recommendation about accessing these products to parents and caregivers of children.  The Toronto […]

Weekly Public Health Media Briefings To Resume Starting Thursday, August 18, 2022 As the landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) remains committed to providing timely and credible public health information to the community. With the next school year about to begin, the WECHU […]

Jack London, the American novelist who wrote Call of the Wild in 1903, said, “Show me a man with a tattoo and I’ll show you a man with an interesting past.” But in 2022, with tattoos found on more than a third of North Americans and on nearly one in two young […]

First West Nile Virus positive mosquito pool found in Windsor-Essex County this season Routine monitoring for West Nile Virus (WNV) has identified one positive mosquito pool in our community. This is the first sign of WNV in Windsor and Essex County (WEC) this year. Certain types of mosquitoes spread WNV, […]

How many people realize women’s coronary arteries are understudied, underdiagnosed, and undertreated? The Cleveland Clinic, a leading cardiology centre, says heart disease is seven times deadlier for women than breast cancer. Build up of plaque in the heart’s arteries contributes to the death of one in every three women, more […]

If you’ve ever broken a glass (and who hasn’t?) have you found yourself wondering how you should dispose of it? Chances are you’ve put it in a garbage bag and hoped for the best. But the time for such uncertainty is over. The Municipality of Leamington has spelled out what […]

Helen Keller, the disability rights advocate who lost her sight and hearing at 19 months of age, famously warned of “having sight but no vision.” Hers was a metaphor on living. But what happens to our eyesight as we age?  And how common is it to have sight, but poor […]

Faith Community’s Response to Opioid Crisis Results in 500+ Naloxone Kits Distributed Rising rates of opioid-related overdose and death continue to be a concern for local health and social services leaders working on the Windsor-Essex Community Opioid and Substance Strategy (WECOSS). As part of the response to the growing crisis, […]

People have been swooning for joy since at least the 13th Century when the earliest recorded use of the word can be found. By the 20th Century, losing consciousness for love and rapture was a necessary attribute of a Southern belle. Even today, swooning has a positive connotation, defined as, “a few […]

Food products in stores are changing. Shoppers easily find more processed, attractively packaged, and conveniently prepared meals. With online shopping, the way these products are now selected and put in the cart has changed too. For that, consumers may be paying more than just the price of inflation. Online food […]

A taboo forbids a practice that is deemed unacceptable. Swearing, especially in polite company, is an example. But here’s good news for the foul-mouthed. Swearing can have surprising benefits – including a remarkable effect in reducing pain! Dr. Emma Byrne knows a lot about letting the filth fly. She published […]

Emergency Department and EMS Pressures Continue. Patients Encouraged to Seek Alternatives Where Possible WINDSOR, ON. – Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores HealthCare, in conjunction with Essex-Windsor EMS, are reminding the public about capacity pressures across the acute care system in our region causing longer than normal waits, while underlining […]

Justin Bieber, the mega-successful pop icon, has had better days. His mental health and addiction issues are common to many superstars. He’s had Lyme disease and infectious mononucleosis. COVID infections interrupted concert dates. Now, he is suffering from a viral disease that has affected his speech and made him cancel […]

The American poet Emily Dickinson understood the profound gifts of nature. She wrote, “The lovely flowers embarrass me, They make me regret I am not a bee –” If bees could speak, they might add, “Let me do my work, so that you may live.” Bees are vital pollinators, ensuring […]

“Why shoot a mouse with an elephant gun?” It’s a good question to ask those suffering from osteoarthritis (the wear-and-tear type of arthritis). Why is it that so many of these people have never been advised to try natural approaches before using strong drugs which can cause major side effects […]

WINDSOR – Windsor Regional Hospital wants to continue its ongoing public communication by providing an update to the community regarding a continued backlog of surgical procedures and our challenges in addressing the issue. Please note that although the backlog at WRH has been reduced – as of May 19th, 2022, […]

No beaches are closed this week. Swimming is not recommended at Mettawas Beach. Please visit our Beach Safety page for information about planning a safe day at the beach.  Please visit our blue-green algae page for instructions on how to stay safe if there is a bloom present. The bacterial counts given reflect the […]

Today, the Federal Government announced that it will suspend vaccination requirements for domestic and outbound travel, federally regulated transportation sectors and federal government employees. As of June 20, 2022, at 00:01 EDT, evidence of vaccination will no longer be a requirement to board a plane or train in Canada. However […]

How ironic that Québec, the most Roman Catholic province in Canada, is proposing progressive legislation for Alzheimer’s patients. It’s time for other Canadian provinces and American states to show similar humanity. Québec’s Health Minister, Christian Dubé, has tabled Bill 38 that would allow patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease to receive […]

Scheduled Maintenance Our network will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m. which will include www.wechu.org. All network resources should be back up and running at 9 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The short answer is yes – cancer and other health problems too. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a game-changer. Not only can this rapidly advancing technology improve the speed and accuracy of disease diagnosis and treatment, it has enormous potential to predict health problems, allowing for far more effective prevention programs […]

As previously released on May 28th, 2022, Windsor Regional Hospital is monitoring an international shortage of a solution known as iodinated contrast dye used in diagnostic imaging scans that will result in the postponement of non-emergency CT, cardiac angiograms and diagnostic studies requiring contrast dye until at least the end […]

Emergency Department Pressures at Local Hospitals; Longer Waits for Care Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores HealthCare, in conjunction with Essex-Windsor EMS, are once again alerting the public about capacity pressures across the acute care system in our region. On April 13, a news release was issued noting that hospitals […]

Getting older takes a toll. Weakening bones, increasing aches and pains, and failing balance, flexibility and strength can make the body feel like worn-out baggage. But there’s a curious truth in an ancient Hindu text that states, “Everyone else is conquered by the body, but the body is conquered by […]

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient found in citrus fruits and as a dietary supplement. Now, a reader asks, “How do I know if I have a deficiency of vitamin C?” It’s a good question, as studies show that 14 percent of North Americans aren’t getting even the meagre recommended […]

The global formula milk industry is huge and growing rapidly, at about US$55 billion and projected to reach US$110B by 2026. Aggressive and deceptive marketing by manufacturers is driving this growth. The World Health Organization (WHO) is ringing alarms. It charges the industry with using new digital marketing tactics to […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) launched their active tick surveillance program on Friday, May 13, 2022. This involves the identification and testing of ticks that are collected by public health staff. The field surveillance is conducted at public parks and trails that are frequently used by residents to retrieve local […]

John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John sang about romance in “Summer Nights”, the opening song in the hit movie, Grease. But now, at 68, he, more so than she, may want to watch out for a different kind of summer heat. New research shows that warm summer nights increase the risk of […]

WINDSOR, ON _ Windsor Regional Hospital and the University of Windsor are exploring a potential partnership around a new health and innovation park on lands purchased for the new future Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital. “Research and Education has always been one of the main drivers behind the need for a […]

Tracing the medical history of nostalgia involves a sharp U-turn. Centuries ago, it was considered a psychopathological disorder. Still today, nostalgia can be associated with negative feelings and sadness. But researchers are reaching new conclusions about the health benefits of wistful affection for the past. We recently witnessed the medicinal […]

The French existentialist, Gabriel Marcel, asserted “Life is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be experienced.” Nevertheless, scientists remain intent on figuring it out. The cells in our bodies are susceptible to damage. A sunburn is a visible example. Ultraviolet rays scorch skin cells, causing rapid death. Damage occurs at […]

WINDSOR, ON. – Lucy Di Pietro, Technical Coordinator in the Microbiology Department at Windsor Regional Hospital, has been named a 2022 Lerners Healthcare Champion honouring her work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards are given out each year recognizing hardworking individuals and organizations that go above and beyond the call […]

Scheduled maintenance on Friday, April 22 at 8 p.m. Our network will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Friday, April 22 at 8 p.m. which will include www.wechu.org. All network resources should be back up and running at 9 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The headline of a prestigious health and nutrition publication reads, “Do we need to limit dietary cholesterol?” For decades, the answer was yes. We were told to limit our intake of cholesterol to 300 milligrams (mg) or less daily to decrease the risk of heart attack. Was it just a […]

There are two days during the Easter weekend when Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed to the public. Those dates are Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18. Regular hours of operation from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. will resume on Tuesday, April 19. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit […]

Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores HealthCare, in conjunction with Essex-Windsor EMS, are cautioning the public about intensifying capacity pressures across the acute care system in our region. We are asking patients to seek care where possible, for non-emergency needs, at community settings, such as their family doctor or local […]

Few findings cause women as much fear as discovering a breast lump and wonder if it’s cancer. But what about men who notice a mass and pain in the breast? Male breast lumps are not commonly discussed in the locker room. But confusion and embarrassment can delay diagnosis of a […]

Some women say, “You only know a place well if you know where the restrooms are located.” They’re suffering from urinary incontinence (UI). They know if they delay too long, there’ll be an accident. But there are ways to correct this nerve-racking problem. A report from the University of California […]

WINDSOR, ON. – The services offered at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Paediatric Urgent Medical Assessment or PUMA Clinic are moving inside the Met Campus building. The clinic has been located inside a temporary facility adjacent to the Emergency Department parking lot since late August 2021. Volumes at the PUMA clinic have […]

Catch-Up Immunization Clinics for Students in Grades 7-12 Are Coming to a Location Near You! The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) began offering clinics at Devonshire Mall (former Sears building) on March 8th for eligible students to receive their vaccine series for Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Meningococcal disease. As […]

Few want to think about it. But there are choices to be made about death. Doing nothing is one option. Life will, inevitably, one way or another, come to an end. But making common sense decisions about personal preferences for end-of-life should not be taboo or disallowed. And politicians should […]

ESSEX COUNTY – A new online scheduling tool will allow Essex County residents to schedule their own x-ray appointments at the Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC) Diagnostic Imaging Department. The new tool allows patients to schedule their x-ray conveniently, with same-day appointments available Monday through Saturday.  In order to booking an […]

The Migrant Worker Community Program is a non-profit organization. It is our mission to provide a positive balance to the lives of the migrant worker community by offering educational, social, cultural, recreational, and communication opportunities to help them better integrate into their new community. Our focus is on supporting agricultural […]

What’s one of the worst errors that young people make early in life?  It’s the failure to practice preventive medicine. So, let’s have a talk with young people about how to protect their bones for a lifetime. We know that kids of all ages break bones playing sports. It’s annoying […]

Scheduled Maintenance Our online inspection reporting system will be undergoing scheduled maintenance Thursday, March 17 at 8:30 a.m. This will impact https://www.wechu.org/inspections. The services should be back up and running at 10 a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Building Blocks for Better Babies (BBBB) in collaboration with the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is offering free monthly virtual Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: Call the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Healthy Families Hotline at 519-258-2146 ext. 1350 All prenatal families are welcome to join to learn the basics of […]

Music may be the world’s greatest medicine. From infants to centenarians, people love music and the way it makes them feel good. In tribute to its universal qualities, Hans Christian Andersen said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” Even without lyrics, songs certainly convey feelings. Among healthy people, researchers have shown […]

Last week we wrote about the environmental disaster of plastics choking the world’s oceans and the consequences for human health through the food chain. This week let’s look through a different lens at another environmental disaster of our own making – the carbon footprint of healthcare itself. Here’s something you […]

Why is humankind so bent on destruction? Why so apathetic in the face of annihilating warfare, repeated massive oil spills and choking urban smog? Equally awful is the “Plastic Soup” in our oceans. A picture of a Hawaiian beach reveals the folly of humans. It shows a huge amount of […]

A day five years in the making happened on February 23, 2022 as the laboratory at Erie Shores HealthCare joined colleagues in Windsor and London launching a new integrated lab testing platform. It means faster and more standardized results for patients across the region. The new equipment in the Erie […]

Diana Gifford-Jones: You are starting your 99th year. To what do you attribute your good health? Gifford-Jones, MD: I’ve been fortunate, but it nearly didn’t happen. I suffered a major heart attack when I was 74. My cardiologists insisted on cholesterol-lowering drugs to fight heart disease. But I knew of two-time Nobel […]

Scheduled Maintenance Our network will be undergoing scheduled maintenance Thursday, February 24 at 4:30 p.m. which will include wechu.org. All network resources should be back up and running at 5 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Chronic inflammation is unlike what happens with a cut or an invading germ when the immune system mounts a fight and then stands down. In such cases, inflammation is part of the healing response. But when lifestyle issues have the immune system active all the time, there may be no […]

The provincial government is partnering with Ontario Health to create a new Ontario Health Team in Windsor-Essex and providing up to $1.1 million to help it “seamlessly integrate health care services for patients and support the region’s continued response to COVID-19.” The Windsor Essex Ontario Health Team “will break down […]