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Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness

Common health concerns

All of the resources below have been vetted by the Health Services team! If you do not see the health topic you would like to know more about in the list below, search for it on a reliable health website such as Mayo Clinic, MedlinePlus or WebMD.

See Addiction and substance-use resources for information and resources.

 

Learn about when antibiotics may be appropriate — and when they are not.

Overviews of back pain and neck pain from Mayo Clinic, including information about causes, risk factors, treatments, and prevention.

Exercises for back pain

Exercises to prevent back pain

Exercises for neck and shoulders

Resources at Concordia

Overview of Bacterial Vaginosis in English, French. 

Also included in several languages; Chinese, Farsi, Punjabi, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese which you will find under HealthLink BC.

Learn about body image issues and take steps to improve your own body image.

Being breast aware means being familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, and knowing what changes you should discuss with a health care provider. Learn more about breast awareness from KnowYourGirls.org, especially the Know Your Normal section and also from Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Consult Health Services' cannabis page for information on cannabis including what it is, how it is used, its effects, consequences of use, signs of problematic use and resources to cut back or quit.

  • The Mayo Clinic website provides information on concussion that includes symptoms and causes and treatment.
  • Return to Play Guidelines [PDF] has information about returning to normal activities, including sports participation.
  • Action Sport Physio offers a complete concussion management from initial baseline testing to concussion treatment and rehabilitation to help patients and athletes safely return to learn, work, and play.

  • Constipation: information on causes, symptoms and constipation management strategies from Medline Plus.
  • Increasing fiber in the diet is one lifestyle treatment approach.  Learn more about fiber.
  • Yakima fruit paste is a "constipation jam" that is served in hospitals and hospices to help patients with their severe constipation. However, you can easily make it at home and get the same benefits.

You can divide this recipe in half if you want, as it makes a large amount. The fruit paste stays fresh in freezer indefinitely.

Ingredients
½ pound (225 grams) prunes            
½ pound (225 grams) raisins      
½ pound (225 grams) dried figs    
½ cup (125 ml) brown sugar (optional; don't use or use less)
2 ounces (60 grams) senna tea leaves or enough tea bags to be close enough (close enough is good enough)
½ cup lemon juice

Instructions
1. Prepare tea. Use about 1½ cups boiled water added to tea and steep five minutes.
2. Strain tea to remove tea leaves. Add 1 cup of tea to a pan and then add fruit.
3. Boil fruit and tea for five minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add sugar and lemon juice. Allow to cool.
5. Use hand mixer or food processor to stir fruit mixture into smooth paste. Use leftover tea to loosen it up as needed.
6. Place in plastic container and place in freezer (paste will not harden).
7. Spoon out what you require each day.


Dose: 1 to 2 tablespoons per day for a few days while you implement the other constipation management strategies listed above. Enjoy eating fruit paste straight off the spoon, spread it on toast or add hot water and make a drink.

If the fruit paste is not working (no bowel movements), then increase the amount of fruit paste each day.

If the fruit paste induces very loose stools, cut down on the amount of fruit paste intake. Consider taking it every other day.

See Health Services' Where to get contraception in Montreal page for lots of information about the different types of contraception options, including emergency contraception, what to do if you missed a pill, and more.

Concordia is monitoring developments. Learn more. | L’Université Concordia surveille les développements. En savoir plus.

Diabetes Canada has comprehensive information on diabetes including information to understand the different types of diabetes, signs and symptoms, and treatments and medications.

Are you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

In many cases, type 2 diabetes can be prevented. It starts with knowing your risks. Complete the Diabetes Canada Risk Questionnaire to identify your level of risk. If you learn that your risk is moderate or high, drop in to see a nurse at Health Services to learn about strategies that can help lower your risk.

The CSU/GSA student health insurance plans at Concordia offer a network of dentists and other professionals who offer discounted prices to students covered by Studentcare. Check with your insurance to learn more.

In addition, Quebec’s network of independent dental hygienists-run clinics offer prices that are often more affordable than those provided in traditional dentist-run clinics. Use their search engine to find a clinic near you (website in French only, so use your browser extension to translate as needed).

Learn more about disordered eating and explore resources.

Learn when to go to the ER.

Portail Santé Québec has all the information you need on symptoms, treatments and prevention of gastroenteritis. Includes instructions for rehydrating when you have diarrhea or vomiting, including a recipe for homemade rehydration solution.

It's important to wash your hands regularly. Learn the proper way to wash your hands.

The Hepatitis B Foundation has plenty of information about Hepatitis B, including information on preventing transmission to others for those who have been diagnosed with it.

  • Overview of HPV from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC).
  • Information pamphlet offering overview of HPV and prevention from HPV Global Action in English, French.
    • Also included in several languages; Spanish, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Malayalam, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, German, Hindi, Urdu, Portuguese, Armenian, and Japanese.
  • Video guide to help you understand HPV; from Precare. The video provides subtitles in many different languages.
  • Information on the FREE HPV Vaccine for men age 26 or under who have sex with men [PDF] (pamphlet from the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec)
  • Information on colposcopy; this test may be prescibed by your doctor following an abnormal Pap test result
  • Video with practical information to help you prepare for your upcoming examination in the colposcopy clinic; from Precare. The video provides subtitles in many different languages.

Overview of H. pylori from WebMD.

Find LGBTQ+ resources in Montreal.

Overview of head lice from Mayo Clinic.

When to seek medical help

Testing

If you have symptoms similar to those of monkeypox and would like to be tested, please call: 

  • 514-766-3974, option 3
    • Testing is subject to a fee for those who don’t have Quebec (RAMQ) health insurance.

Vaccination

  • For eligibility criteria and to book an appointment, visit Clic Santé

Overview of mononucleosis from Mayo Clinic.

Consult the healthy eating pages in the health topics section of our website.

Learn which services your pharmacist can provide you with.

Consult the physical activity pages in the health topics section of our website.

Overview of plantar fasciitis from WebMD.

Overview of PCOS from Mayo Clinic. Scroll down the page: lots of useful information on both medication and lifestyle treatments, questions to ask your doctor, and more.

  • Health Services nurses can help support you through your pregnancy, from the first pregnancy test to healthy lifestyle counselling.
  • You do not need a referral to see a midwife or general practitioner for your pregnancy. However, if you want to see an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) you will need a referral from your physician.
  • The Ma grossesse support service helps pregnant women living in Quebec access the information and professionals they need during their pregnancy:
    • If you have not been able to find a professional for the monitoring of your pregnancy;
    • If you are living in a difficult situation and need help;
    • If you need food coupons during your pregnancy;
    • If you want information about free services offered close to your home.
    • Available in 11 languages.
  • Becoming a Parent provides an overview of government programs and services available to new and future parents in Quebec.
  • From Tiny Tot to Toddler: A practical guide for parents from pregnancy to age two (PDF) from the Institut national de la santé publique.
  • The Sensible Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy from the Government of Canada
  • Pregnancy Info: The facts on pregnancy and childbirth from Canada's experts from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
  • A series of videos “to accompany you through your pregnacy” from Precare. Video topics include: Pre-conception, 1st Trimester, 2nd & 3rd Trimester, Delivery & Postpartum, and Life at Home. The videos provide subtitles in many different languages.

Read our information on miscarriages, including what to do if you are pregnant and begin bleeding.

Where to get PReP and PEP in Montreal.

Consult the sleep pages in the health topics section of our website.

Learn what causes a sore throat and how to find relief.

For information on healthy travel consult the following resources:

Montreal travel clinics

The Santé Montréal portal lists clinics in Montreal that provide consultation and travel vaccines.

One clinic that we recommend is:

You can also book appointments for Travel Consultation and Vaccination through Clic Santé: select Travel health and put in your postal code. Note that fees are typically associated with travel consultations.

Learn about the vaccines that are recommended to keep you healthy all year long.

  • Do you need help with violence issues at home (physical, mental or emotional)? Contact SOS violence conjugale at 1-800-363-9010 (Montreal area: 514-873-9010). A crisis worker can listen and refer you to appropriate resources. Services are bilingual and available 24/7.
  • The domestic violence website from the Government of Quebec has a lot of useful information for people who are experiencing violence, want to help someone who is experiencing violence or simply want to learn more about the issue.
  • Concordia's Sexual Assault Resource Centre provides confidential and non-judgmental support and services to Concordia University students, staff and faculty of all genders and orientations who have been affected by sexual violence and/or harassment. The Get Help section provides information for those who have been victims of sexual assault, as well as resources within Concordia and in the community.
  • ShelterSafe is an online resource that helps women and their children who are seeking safety from violence and abuse. The clickable map will serve as a quick resource to connect women with the nearest shelter that can offer safety, hope and support.

  • If you have experienced sexual abuse or assault call the Sexual Violence Helpline at 514-933-9007 (Montreal) or 1-888-933-9007 (Quebec wide). The helpline receives your call, finds out what you need and tells you what to do next. With a list of provincial services, they can guide you to the nearest help and protection available. Services are bilingual, confidential and available 24/7.
  • Concordia's Sexual Assault Resource Center has information on what to do in case of a sexual assault that includes a variety of Concordia and community resources.

Information on yeast infections, including symptoms, what increases your risk and when to see a health professional, from WebMD.

 
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