Tears are made by the lacrimal gland and other tear glands around the eyes. They drain through each punctum into the lacrimal sac, and then into the nose. The puncta are 2 small openings at the nose end of each eyelid. Small silicone (rubber) plugs can be placed into one or both puncta. The plugs block the openings, letting more moisture stay on your eyes to help with dry eyes. If the plugs have openings, they help your tears to drain better. This pamphlet explains what will happen when the pun…
A PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line is a long intravenous (I.V.) catheter (tube). It is put into a vein in your arm and threaded into a vein above your heart. This pamphlet explains how it will be inserted, risks, taking care of your line, and symptoms to watch for.
This pamphlet lists things to think about before registering for school. Topics include: how you will know when you are ready, looking into what you need to get into or apply for a program, how you will pay for school, what to do if you are worried about being able to do school work or go to classes because of physical or cognitive (attention, memory) problems, and whether to go part time or full time, and in person or online. Information about what to do once you get into a program and possibl…
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.
When you eat, food travels from your mouth to your stomach through a long tube called the esophagus. A muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) joins the esophagus and the stomach. This muscle opens when you swallow to let food and liquids pass into your stomach and stays closed when you are not eating or drinking. If you have GERD, this muscle opens at times when it should be closed, letting small amounts of food and acid from your stomach move back up into your esophagus. This is ca…
Certaines personnes ont des problèmes de déglutition (difficulté à avaler). Cela signifie que certains aliments ou liquides peuvent se retrouver dans les voies respiratoires au lieu d'aller dans l'estomac. C'est ce qu'on appelle l'aspiration de corps étrangers. L'aspiration est le mot utilisé lorsque la nourriture ou le liquide « descend au mauvais endroit ». Ce dépliant fournit une liste de signes qui peuvent indiquer des problèmes de déglutition. Des conseils de sécurité pour éviter l'aspirat…
During this special X-ray test, a colourless dye is injected into your blood vessels so that they can be seen on X-ray. An angiogram can be used to X-ray blood vessels in various parts of the body. This pamphlet describes getting ready for the test, how the test is done, and care after the test.
This test uses sound waves (ultrasound) to take pictures of your heart. During this test, a flexible tube is passed through your mouth, down your throat, and into your esophagus (swallowing tube that connects your mouth and stomach). There is a special probe on the end of the tube. The pamphlet describes getting ready for the test, how the test is done, and care after the test.
Depo-Provera® is a hormone used to prevent pregnancy. It is injected into your hip or arm using a needle. This pamphlet explains how it works, how well it works, how to get it, when it starts working, pros and cons, who should not take it, and things to remember when taking it. The French version of this pamphlet 2016, "Depo-Provera", is also available.
Some people have problems swallowing. This means that some food or liquid may go into the airway. This is called aspiration. This pamphlet lists signs that you may have a swallowing problem, foods that can raise your risk of aspiration, and recommendations from your Swallow Team.
Intermittent catheterization is a way to drain urine (pee) from your bladder at different times. A catheter (thin, hollow tube) is passed through the urethra (short tube where urine from your bladder is moved outside of your body) into the bladder to drain the urine. This pamphlet explains why a catheter may be needed, how to put the catheter in, how to wash your catheter, and things to remember. A list of symptoms that require medical attention is provided.
Therapeutic means a treatment, therapy, or drug. Apheresis (a-fe-ree-sis) is the process of removing blood from your body, filtering (removing) something out of the blood, and putting the filtered blood back into your body. Information about common types of apheresis, how apheresis is done, how to get ready for treatment, what will happen at your appointment, and what will happen after the treatment is given. A list of symptoms to watch for after you go home are provided.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can happen when bacteria (germs) get into the urinary tract. The urinary tract is made up of your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. UTIs are not sexually transmitted (partners do not spread the bacteria (germs) to each other). This pamphlet explains the signs of a UTI, how UTIs are treated, what you can do to help, what you can do for pain, and how to lower your chance of infection in the future. Symptoms that require medical assistance are listed.
An augmentation mammaplasty (breast enlargement) is usually done under general anesthetic. This means you will be put to sleep for the surgery. The surgeon will make a pocket between the chest wall and breast tissue. They will then place a saline or a gel implant into this pocket. This pamphlet explains what will happen after your surgery, including how to care for the incision(s), discomfort, and instructions about activity. A list of symptoms that require immediate medical attention is provid…
A fistulogram is a special X-ray. A colourless contrast (X-ray dye) will be injected into your blood vessels using an IV (intravenous line). This dye will help your health care tream see your dialysis access (fistula). The test will take about 15 to 30 minutes. The pamphlet describes getting ready for the X-ray, how the test is done, and care after. Risks and a list of symptoms to watch for are provided.
Having a kidney transplant is a treatment for kidney failure. Kidney failure is also known as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). A healthy kidney from one person (the donor) is placed (transplanted) into another person (the recipient). Treatment is usually very successful. This pamphlet explains what to expect when you have a kidney transplant. Topics include getting on the kidney transplant wait list, what to do while you wait for a kidney transplant, what to expect when you get called for a kidney…
This pamphlet will help you learn how to care for yourself safely after surgery. This surgery is called a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). It is needed when the tear duct is blocked and tears cannot drain. During the surgery, your surgeon will make a new tear path so that your tears can drain into your nose. The pamphlet explains what will happen before, during, and after your surgery. Topics include pain, how to use a cold compress, your dressing, after care, and follow-up. Symptoms that need medi…
Light is reflected from objects and enters the pupil. It passes through the lens and vitreous (clear jelly-like fluid) onto your retina. Your retina changes light into a message. The optic nerve carries the message to your brain. When the brain receives the message, you have vision. Your retina is as thin as tissue paper. Change or damage to the retina can cause vision loss. This pamphlet explains how you can tell if your retina is damaged, what kinds of damage can happen to the retina, and typ…
The prostate is a gland that makes seminal fluid. Prostate cancer is a disease where cancer cells start to grow in the prostate gland. These cancer cells grow into a tumor and can spread to other parts of the body such as the bones and lymph nodes. This pamphlet explains what causes prostate cancer, what hormones are, what testosterone does, how hormone therapy works for prostate cancer, how long you will be on hormone therapy, and side effects. A list of resources for further information is pr…
This pamphlet lists things to think about when you are going back to work. Topics include: what you should think about when considering going back to work, how you will know when you are ready, what you can do to get ready to go back, and what to do if you are not going back to your job and want to look into other options.