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…
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…
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 …
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…
Unit 8.1 is for people who have a health condition that needs to be treated right away. Topics include: Home First and discharge planning, what to expect on the unit, who makes up your health care team, visiting, how your loved ones can help you in the hospital, rights and privacy, TV service, helpful information (parking, personal belongings, conveniences, accomodations for visitors, wi-fi). Important phone numbers are also provided.
The Society for Vascular Surgery's Vascular Quality Initiative was developed by surgeons to improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of surgical care. The program makes hospitals aware of issues you may have during or after surgery. It also uses information from your 1-year follow-up visit to check for long-term complications.
A highly sensitized patient has a high amount of antibodies. This makes them more likely to reject an organ after transplant. This pamphlet explains how to know if you are highly sensitized, and how the Highly Sensitized Patient Program works.
This pamphlet explains what a callus is and what causes it. A list of what makes some people at a higher risk for a callus is given. Treatment is also explained.
This pamphlet explains what a corn is and what causes it. A list of what makes some people at a higher risk for a corn is given. Treatment is also explained.
This pamphlet explains what a plantar wart is and what causes it. A list of what makes some people at a higher risk for a plantar wart is given. Treatment is also explained.
This pamphlet explains what a thick nail is and what causes it. A list of what makes some people at a higher risk for a thick nail is given. Treatment is also explained.
This pamphlet explains what hemosiderin staining is and its causes. A list of what makes some people at a higher risk for hemosiderin staining is given. Treatment is also explained.
This pamphlet explains what a seed corn is and what causes it. A list of what makes some people at a higher risk for a seed corn is given. Treatment is also explained.
A type of bacteria called Legionella pneumophilia (Legionella) is commonly found in water. This bacteria rarely makes healthy people sick. Water rules do not apply to all patients. Depending on your medical condition or illness, your nurses will tell you if you need to follow these Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) water rules. The French version of this pamphlet 1716, "Règles de sécurité liées à l’eau", is also available.
Asthma is inflammation (irritation, reddening, and swelling) of the airways (breathing passages) in the lungs. This makes it hard for air to flow in and out of the lungs. This pamphlet explains how asthma is diagnosed and managed. It covers what you will learn in asthma education sessions. The French version of this pamphlet 2106, "Asthme", is also available.
Une bactérie appelée legionella pneumophilia est fréquemment trouvée dans l’eau. Il est rare que cette bactérie rende malades les personnes en santé. Les règles se rattachant à l’eau ne s’appliquent pas à tou·te·s les patient·e·s. Selon votre état de santé ou votre maladie, un membre du personnel infirmier vous informera si vous devez suivre les règles de prévention et de contrôle des infections liées à l’eau. ; This is a French translation of pamphlet "Water Rules" pamphlet 0057. A type of bac…
Warfarin sodium is a type of medication called an oral (by mouth) anticoagulant. An anticoagulant makes your blood less likely to clot (thicken into a clump). This medication helps to prevent and treat abnormal blood clotting. This pamphlet explains what warfarin sodium is, why you may need it, how to take it, and what to do if you miss a dose. Information about INR blood tests, drug and food interactions, possible side effects, and safety precautions is included. Contact information for the An…
A Patient Care Needs Assessment (PCNA) helps us find out the health needs of all East Coast Forensic Hospital rehabilitation (rehab) patients. A PCNA considers many things (such as your physiology, psychology, social support, behaviour, and development) that may affect your health and recovery. A PCNA makes sure that the services you may need for your rehabilitation and recovery are available to you. Information about how the assessment will help and how you will be involved is provided.