Nova Scotia Health Authority. Halifax Infirmary. Minor Procedures. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0422

Available Online

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This test is sometimes called a spinal tap. There is a space around your spinal cord that is filled with fluid. In a lumbar puncture, a small amount of fluid is taken from this space. The cells in the fluid are studied under a microscope in a lab to check for any problems. This pamphlet explains what a lumbar puncture is, how long it takes, how the test is done, and what will happen after the test. A list of symptoms that require medical attention is included.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Orthopedic Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0203

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This medicine is used to treat discomfort, pain, and/or swelling. Local anesthetic will be injected with the corticosteroid. Tips for handling discomfort at the injection site are given. Some safety points about the use of ice and heat are also provided.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Library Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0228

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Many people look for health information online. Using Google may give you lots of information, but it may not be the best information. The quality of information online varies. This pamphlet includes questions to ask about health-related websites, things to think about, and good starting points for online health information. The internet can be helpful, but it should never replace talking to your health care providers. They are the experts.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0631

Available Online

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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy thickens the heart muscle. It usually affects the wall between the 2 bottom chambers (called the septum). When the muscle thickens, it gets stiff. This makes it hard for the bottom chambers to relax and fill with blood before each heartbeat. Thick heart muscle can cause scar tissue. Scar tissue can put you at a higher risk of dangerous, fast heart rhythms. The pamphlet gives the cause of HCM, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Further resources are also given.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0630

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In arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), some of your heart muscle is replaced by fat and scar tissue. ARVC usually affects the right side of the heart. The fat and scar tissue dilate (stretch) the right side of your heart. This weakens the heart muscle. This makes it harder for your heart to pump blood out to your body. If your ARVC is very bad, it may cause fluid to build up in your lungs (causing shortness of breath), ankles, or belly (causing swelling). ARVC can also chang…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0629

Available Online

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In dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the heart muscle becomes weak. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood out to the body. This causes the bottom chambers to dilate (stretch). A weak heart can also cause fluid to build up in your lungs (causing shortness of breath), ankles, or belly (causing swelling). DCM may also change your heart's electrical activity. This can cause fast heart rhythms. The pamphlet gives the causes of DCM, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Further resources also gi…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1021

Available Online

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LQTS is a rare disease that can change your heart's electrical activity. With LQTS, the channels in your heart cells do not open and close the way they should. This can cause abnormal heart rhythms. These abnormal heart rhythms are dangerous. You heart may beat so fast that it cannot pump blood out to your body. These abnormal heart rhythms can make you collapse (faint). If the rhythm does not stop, they can cause sudden death. The pamphlet provides the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, a…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Nephrology/Dialysis Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0739

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Parathyroidectomy is a surgery that removes your parathyroid glands. Your parathyroid glands are in your neck (usually on the back of the thyroid gland). They help to control your blood calcium and phosporous levels. Hyperparathyroidism is when one or more of the parathyroid glands makes too much parathyroid hormone in your blood. If this happens, you will need a parathyroidectomy. This pamphlet explains what a parathyroidectomy is, the possible complications with this surgery, care after surge…

Nova Scotia Health. Diagnostic Imaging, IWK Health. Diagnostic Imaging. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0456

Available Online

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MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. An MRI machine uses a powerful magnet, radio waves, and a computer. It does not use radiation or X-rays. The MRI machine takes detailed images that show tissues in your body. These images will help your primary health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) or specialist diagnose your condition. An MRI does not hurt. This pamphlet explains how long an MRI takes, how to get ready for your MRI, what to bring to your appointment, and what will…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Nephrology Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1151

Available Online

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Hemodialysis is a treatment that uses a machine to filter your blood and remove waste and extra water from your blood. Topics include: what your kidneys do, what acute kidney failure is, what peritoneal dialysis is, what hemodialysis is, and how to live with kidney disease. A resource list is also given.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Nutrition and Food Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0557

Available Online

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You may need a low fat eating plan if you have trouble digesting fat. This guide can help you make low fat food choices. Lists of "Best choices" and "Foods to avoid" are given. Tips for reading food labels, cooking methods, and serving sizes are included.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. DaRT Program. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0662

Available Online

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This pamphlet outlines what to expect during the 6-week DaRT Program. This group meets online using Zoom for Healthcare. Topics include: what number to call for help 24/7, technical requirements, intake process, treatment, medication, research, and what is expected of participants entering the program. An outline of the various groups offered within the program is listed.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Nutrition and Food Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0628

Available Online

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Your eating habits can be an important way to manage your health, especially if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD). You may need to change your eating habits, depending on how well your kidneys are working. Healthy kidneys remove waste products and fluids from your body. With CKD, your kidneys no longer do this. Following your nutrition guidelines are an important part of your treatment. Each person’s nutrition guidelines are different. Your guidelines are made just for you. Your guidelines …

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Unit 8.2. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1297

Available Online

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Unit 8.2 a 37-bed medical teaching unit for people with a range of conditions. This pamphlet includes information on Home First and discharge planning, having a family spokesperson, your health care team, planning for going home, visitors, important times, help from your support persons, services while you are in the hospital, medication safety in the hospital and at home, infection control, and how to give feedback and suggestions.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Unit 7.4. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1295

Available Online

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Unit 7.4 is a 33-bed unit caring for people with stroke and other problems of the brain and nervous system. Basic information is given about the unit for you and your loved ones. Topics include: Home First and discharge planning, important telephone numbers, your health care team, visitors, parking, food and drink, personal belongings, waiting rooms, and places to stay in Halifax. Space is provided at the end of the pamphlet for you to write down the names of important members of your health ca…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Neurosurgery. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1348

Available Online

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This pamphlet is a guide for at home after brain tumour (tumor) surgery. Topics include: staples or stitches, activity, driving, taking care of your incision, washing your hair, eating and drinking, alcohol, and medication. Things to watch for (emergency symptoms) are listed. The pamphlet also includes information about recovery.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Stroke Program. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1455

Available Online

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A stroke happens when there is a loss of blood flow to the brain. This causes brain cells to die. Your symptoms after a stroke will depend on where your brain was damaged and the size of the damaged area. The blood supply to the brain can be cut off in 2 ways. When a blood clot forms on or in the wall of a blood vessel and stops blood from getting to part of the brain, it is called an ischemic stroke (or brain infarct). When a blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding in and/or around the brain, it…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Renal Program. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1466

Available Online

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Lanthanum (LAN-tha-num) is a medication used to lower the amount of phosphorus (a mineral that builds strong bones and teeth) in your blood. Lanthanum binds (attaches) to the phosphorus in the foods you eat and stops your body from taking it in. A person with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less able to remove phosphorus from their body. When there is too much phosphorus in your blood, it pushes calcium out of your bones. This makes your bones weaker. Hemodialysis can remove some of the extra …

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Renal Program. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1465

Available Online

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Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a condition that can be caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD). It happens when your kidneys cannot filter out waste products the right way. This leads to too much parathyroid hormone in your blood. Cinacalcet (sin-a-KAL-cet) is a medication that lowers the amount of parathyroid hormone in your blood. This will help to balance the amount of calcium and phosphorous in your blood. Sensipar® is the brand name for cinacalcet. This pamphlet explains how to take cinac…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Renal Program. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1464

Available Online

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Sevelamer (se-VEL-a-mer) is a medication that lowers the amount of phosphorus (a mineral that builds strong bones and teeth) in your blood. Sevelamer binds (attaches) to the phosphorus in the foods you eat and stops your body from taking it in. A person with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less able to remove phosphorus from their body. When there is too much phosphorus in your blood, it pushes calcium out of your bones. This makes your bones weaker. Hemodialysis can remove some of the extra ph…