Methotrexate (MTX) may help you manage your over-active immune response caused by your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This pamphlet gives information about what MTX is, combination therapy in IBD, who should not take MTX, how MTX is given, and possible side effects, and what you can do to lower the chance of side effects.
A corticosteroid medication may help you manage your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This pamphlet explains what corticosteroids are, how well they work, and how they are given. Information about precautions, possible side effects, and what to expect after your treatment is included.
This pamphlet outlines why having a full bladder is needed for cancer treatments and simulation marking appointments. It provides instructions on how to make sure you have a full bladder for every appointment. A list of questions you may want to ask your Cancer Care Team is also given.
This pamphlet answers common questions about HDR brachytherapy (vault procedure) given for gynecological cancers. It explains what it is, what will happen on the day of treatment, how is the treatment done, and what happens after.
Cystitis is an irritation and inflammation of the bladder lining. This is a common side effect when radiation treatment is given to the pelvis. This pamphlet describes symptoms of cystitis, when it can happen, and what to do if you think you have it.
This pamphlet explains what will happen when you are discharged from the Nova Scotia Health Cancer Care Program. Information about what to do if you do not have a primary care provider is given. A list of resources is included.
After early pregnancy loss, you may wait for the tissue to pass on its own (expectant management), take medication called misoprostol (medical management), or be scheduled for a surgery called a dilation and curettage (D and C). This pamphlet explains what will happen with each of the 3 options. Possible complications, discharge instructions, and what to do in an emergency are listed. A list of local resources is given.
Hand and Foot Syndrome is a side-effect of some chemotherapy treatments that affects the skin on your hands and the bottom of your feet. This pamphlet explains the symptoms of this syndrome and how to manage them. A list of symptoms that need the attention of your cancer care team is given.
A list of cancer screening resources is given.
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.
This pamphlet answers questions you may have after having a heart attack. Lowering your risk factors for heart disease, heart healthy eating, coping with stress, activity, exercises, checking your heart rate, warning signs you are doing too much, medications and how to use nitro spray are covered. Directions for managing chest pain or discomfort at home are given.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Your health care provider has talked with you about why your eye or the contents of your eye must be removed. This pamphlet will help you learn how to safely care for yourself after your procedure. The medical term for eye removal is enucleation. The medical term for removing the contents of the eye and leaving the outer coat (sclera) behind is evisceration. Both procedures mean permanent loss of the eye. This pamphlet explains what will happen before and after your surgery, including wearing a…
This pamphlet will help you learn how to care for yourself safely after surgery. It explains why you may need eyelid surgery, medications to tell your surgeon's office you are taking before surgery, and what will happen during and after your surgery. Information on your dressing, how to use a cold compress, pain, and your follow-up appointment is included. A list of symptoms that need medical attention right away is also given. The French version of this pamphlet 2101, "Opération de la paupière…
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.
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.