It is important to ask any questions you have when you meet with your health care team or any hospital staff. This guide includes some common questions about having surgery. Question topics include: understanding your surgery, getting ready for your surgery, what to expect during and right after your surgery, and what to expect as you recover. Write down your questions, and bring a pen or pencil to make notes when you meet with your surgeon. The French version of this pamphlet 1677, "Questions …
This is an Arabic translation of pamphlet 1667. This guide includes some common questions about having surgery. Question topics include: understanding your surgery, getting ready for your surgery, understanding what to expect during and right after surgery, and what to expect from the recovery process. We hope these questions will help you think about your own questions about your surgery. Please use the spaces in this guide to make notes about your own questions. The French version of this pam…
People with kidney disease often take many medications. These medications can help with your kidney disease and other medical conditions (like high blood pressure [hypertension] or diabetes). It is important to take your medications regularly and as told by your health care provider. This pamphlet explains what you need to know about your medications and non-prescription medications, how you can make sure your medications are OK for your level of kidney function, and what will happen if a medic…
This guide explains what to do if you think your child or adolescent (teen) may have an eating disorder. Your support is very important in helping your child or adolescent. A list of resources is included.
This is an Arabic translation of the English pamphlet 2301. Pregnancy information for people with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) are given. Topics include: will your baby be healthy, what to do if you are already pregnant, how to keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy, your health care team, healthy blood glucose targets when planning pregnancy, how to get ready for pregnancy, and what to do if you do not want to have a baby right now. Possible risks to you and the baby are listed. Inform…
Pregnancy information for people with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) are given. Topics include: will your baby be healthy, what to do if you are already pregnant, how to keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy, your health care team, healthy blood glucose targets when planning pregnancy, how to get ready for pregnancy, and what to do if you do not want to have a baby right now. Possible risks to you and the baby are listed. Information on what to expect during pregnancy is listed. Informat…
Diagnostic imaging tests take pictures of the inside of your body. These tests include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, nuclear medicine scans, ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Topics include: why you may need to have a test, whether you can have a different test that does not use radiation, how much radiation is safe during pregnancy, who will do your test, asking questions, what to do if you refuse to have the test, and what to do if you find out you are pregnant afte…
When a person has an eating disorder, they have trouble choosing foods that will help them live a good life. An eating disorder needs to be treated as soon as possible. Not having enough nutrition can cause serious medical problems. Parents play an important role in their child or adolescent’s (teen’s) recovery. This pamphlet explains how parents can help their child or adolescent during meals.
After spinal cord injury (SCI), you may have a lot of questions about your sexual health. Your rehabilitation (rehab) team is available to talk with you about any questions or concerns you may have. This pamphlet answers common questions, like whether you can still have sex, whether you will be able to have an erection or have vaginal lubrication (vagina becomes slippery to get ready for sex), whether you can still have an orgasm, how to manage bladder and/or bowel issues during sex, whether yo…
If you do not have enough iron in your blood, your red blood cells will not have enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout your body. When you do not have enough hemoglobin, your body may have trouble getting enough oxygen. This may cause you to feel tired or short of breath. This is called anemia. Iron sucrose (Venofer®) is an injectable (given by a needle in your arm) form of iron that helps your body make hemoglobin. This pamphlet explains how to take Venofer®, possible side ef…
Patients currently on treatment for cancer should have the flu shot with an inactive (not live) vaccine. They should not have live vaccines, like the nasal spray flu vaccine. This pamphlet explains whether the flu shot will protect you from getting the flu, when flu season is, when you should have the flu shot, and what else you can do to protect yourself. It also gives a list of flu symptoms and explains what to do if you have symptoms. Websites for more information are listed.
All fruits and vegetables have potassium. This pamphlet provides a list of foods that are high in potassium. If you have high blood potassium levels, you should avoid these foods. If you have low blood potassium levels, you should choose more of these foods daily. The French version of this pamphlet 2181, "Aliments riches en potassium," is also available.
Relapse means that the symptoms you had before being treated have come back or gotten worse. It can also mean you are not able to do as many of your everyday activities. Relapse is common for people who have a mental illness or a substance use disorder. It is even more common for people who have both. This pamphlet explains what you can do to prevent relapse. Information about common triggers and early warning signs of relapse is provided.
The retina is the lining at the back of your eye. Your retina must be healthy for you to see well. The Retinal Acuity Meter (RAM) is a test used to measure how much vision you have in your retina. The test shows how much vision is possible even if you have blurred vision. For example, the RAM can show how much vision you will have after a cataract is removed. This pamphlet explains getting ready for the test, how the RAM is done, and what to expect after the test. The French version of this pa…
As a person living with cancer, you may have questions about whether you will need a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. All vaccinations should only be considered after careful assessment of the risks and benefits. This pamphlet explains whether you will need a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine if you have had 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your cancer care team if you have questions about the vaccine, boosters, and your unique situation.
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…
An acquired brain injury (ABI) causes you to lose brain cells. This means that the brain cells you have left need to work harder to do the same kinds of activities you did before your injury. Using alcohol and recreational drugs affects how your brain works. If you have an ABI, using alcohol and drugs can have a serious effect on you and your recovery. This pamphlet explains how alcohol and drug use will affect you after an ABI and lists resources for getting help.
Being diagnosed with advanced liver disease can be confusing and scary. You will need to make changes in your life and think about difficult treatment options. You and your loved ones may have many emotions during this time. For example, you may feel scared, upset, or anxious. This is normal. This pamphlet explains what quality of life is. It lists common physical, social, mental, and emotional changes that can happen when you have advanced liver disease, as well as common worries you may have.…
This pamphlet lists medications you should not take if you get very sick with diarrhea (loose, watery poop), or you are vomiting (throwing up). These medications keep your blood pressure down, and protect your kidneys and heart. They can also harm you if you do not have enough fluids in your body. Diarrhea and vomiting can make you dehydrated (not have enough fluids in your body). Information about what to do if you have not taken your medication(s) for more than 1 day (24 hours) and/or cannot …
Tous les fruits et légumes contiennent du potassium. Ce dépliant fournit une liste d'aliments à forte teneur en potassium. Si vous avez un taux de potassium élevé dans le sang, vous devez éviter ces aliments. Si vous avez un faible taux de potassium dans le sang, vous devriez choisir un plus grand nombre de ces aliments chaque jour. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "Foods High in Potassium" pamphlet 0610. All fruits and vegetables have potassium. This pamphlet provides a list of foods…