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 …
Lichen sclerosus is a life-long condition that creates patchy white areas of the skin. It may affect any part of the body, but it most often involves the skin of the vulva (opening to the vagina) and around the anus. This pamphlet explains the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, and contact information for the Colposcopy Clinic.
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) finds and corrects dangerous fast heart rates that start in the bottom of your heart. The device is also a pacemaker, which can treat slow heart rates. You will need surgery to have the device placed in your body. This pamphlet explains how your heart beats, what happens if you have problems with your heartbeat, what an ICD is, and what will happen after your procedure. Instructions on follow-up, care at home, and when to call your primary health…
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…
Fibre is the part of a plant that your body cannot digest. It is found in whole grain bread and cereal products, nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. By choosing a low fibre eating plan, you will have smaller and fewer bowel movements (poops). This pamphlet includes lists of "Best choices" and "Foods to avoid".
Lactose is the natural sugar found in milk. Some people have trouble digesting lactose. This is called "lactose intolerance". Lactose content of common milk and milk products is listed. Steps to learn how much milk or milk products your body can handle are listed. Tips that may help your body better able to tolerate milk and milk products are given.
Lymphedema is swelling in a part of your body that can occur if your lymphatic system is not working properly. This pamphlet details those who are at risk, the symptoms, and how to manage lymphedema.
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…
Our bodies need fluid to work properly. The kidneys, liver, and heart work to keep fluids in balance. Sometimes, fluid builds up in our bodies. With some medical conditions, you may need to limit your fluid intake. This pamphlet lists signs that fluid may be building up in your body and tips for managing your fluid intake.
This pamphlet explains how to maintain an ideal balance of fluid in your body when managing chronic kidney disease.
ProstinMD est un gel. Il contient un médicament appelé dinoprostone (prostaglandine E2). La dinoprostone PGE2 (ou gel ProstinMD) est comme une substance naturelle produite par votre corps. Elle assouplit le col de l’utérus pour le préparer au travail. Le présent dépliant explique à quoi vous attendre comme suite à l’utilisation du gel ProstinMD, les complications possibles et quand appeler l’hôpital ou y retourner. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "Cervical Ripening with Dinoprostone …
You may need to take medium chain triglycerides (MCT) if your body has trouble digesting or absorbing regular fat in food. This pamphlet explains how to use MCT oil and gives MCT recipes. Information about how to order MCT oil is also included.
Methadone is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It is long-acting, which means it is slowly released in the body over a long time. This pamphlet explains how to take this medication, how fast methadone starts to work, how your health care team will find the right dose for you, and how long you will need to take methadone. Information about interactions with other medications and possible side effects is included.
This pamphlet explains what to expect if you are a patient in The Nova Scotia Home Parenteral Nutrition Program for Adults. This pamphlet explains what home PN (parenteral nutrition) is, who can get it, how it is given, benefits, what your body needs to stay healthy, and how you will learn to do PN at home. It also explains how long you can expect to be on PN, when you can go home from the hospital, emotions, how home PN will affect your lifestyle, possible complications, and how to teach your …
It is important to eat well to help your body heal. When your jaws are wired or you have elastics in place, you will need to make a few changes to the foods you eat to get the nutrition your body needs. This pamphlet gives tips that can help. Topics include a meal plan, how to make eating easier, important things to do at home, how to prevent food poisoning, nutritional drinks, a sample menu, blending ideas and tips, smoothie-making tips, and ways to add calories and protein. Recipes are includ…
Chyle is a fluid that flows through your lymph vessels. Lymph vessels run through your body beside your blood vessels. When chyle leaks from your lymph vessels, your body loses energy, protein, and vitamins. Eating fat-free foods can help close a chyle leak. This pamphlet explains fat-free nutrition guidelines and tips to follow if you have a chyle leak. Meal ideas are included.
One-Alpha® is a medication with the active ingredient alfacalcidol. This is a form of vitamin D. The liver changes alfacalcidol to calcitriol, which is a form of vitamin D that can be used by the body. Alfacalcidol helps your body control your calcium and phosphate levels. Calcium and phosphate are needed to build healthy bones. People get vitamin D from sunlight, and from eating oily fish and milk products. People with kidney disease cannot change enough vitamin D into calcitriol. This can ca…
Your body needs magnesium to keep your bones, muscles, nervous system and immune system healthy. Your health care provider has suggested you take an oral (by mouth) magnesium supplement. Helpful hints and a sample medication schedule are provided.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is when fatty materials called plaque build up in the arteries that supply blood to the brain, organs, and limbs (arms and legs). Over time, the plaque can narrow your arteries. This can lower or stop blood flow. Blocked blood flow can cause leg pain, gangrene (dead body tissue), or amputation (removal) of the foot or leg. If you have PAD, you have a higher chance of having a heart attack or stroke. This pamphlet explains what PAD is, how to find out if you hav…
A phlebotomy is done to lower the amount of blood cells in your body. A needle is placed into your vein to let some of your blood drain through a plastic tube and into a bottle. This will make you feel better. This pamphlet explains how a phlebotomy is done, how to get ready for a phlebotomy, and what will happen after the phlebotomy.