5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) is a medication often used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It helps to controll active ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s colitis and keep mild to moderate ulcerative colitis in remission (period of recovery). Topics include: what does 5-ASA do, which 5-ASA you should take, how to take 5-ASA, what other medications you can take, and how 5-ASA will help. The pamphlet also describes side effects and how long you will need to take 5-ASA.
Your doctor or nurse practitioner has decided that you need the care of a cardiologist (heart doctor). You need a test called a cardiac catheterization (dye test). This pamphlet explains what to expect when you are taken to the Halifax Infirmary (HI) to have this test done. It explains what to expect while you are waiting to be transferred, before your transfer, and when you arrive at the HI. What to expect after you are discharged is also reviewed.
The abdomen is the area from the bottom of your rib cage to your pelvic (hip) bones. Abdominal pain can be caused by many things, including: indigestion, constipation (not being able to poop), gas, infection (either bacterial or viral), food poisoning, ulcers, appendicitis, gallbladder or liver disease, kidney stones, bladder infections, menstrual pain, and muscle spasms (muscle movements you cannot control). Most abdominal pain goes away without treatment. This pamphlet gives instructions for …
Acamprosate is a medication used to help manage alcohol dependence. It works best for people who would like to stop drinking alcohol fully, not just drink less. This pamphlet explains how to take this medication, whether acamprosate interacts with other medications, what will happen if you drink alcohol while taking acamprosate, how long you will need to take acamprosate, possible side effects, and how much acamprosate costs.
This pamphlet explains what the Adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Program is and what to expect at the CF Clinic. It includes information about medications, common tests, respiratory equipment and supplies, intravenous (I.V.) antibiotics, and hospital stays. A list of symptoms that need medical attention is included.
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 explains how having a liver transplant may affect your mental health. Topics include: When will my life be back to normal? Are my feelings normal? When should I get help? How do I get help? If you need mental health help right away, important phone numbers are listed.
What to expect after ear surgery, how to care for yourself at home, and an explanation of the different types of ear surgery are given. This pamphlet also shows a detailed image of the ear and middle ear. A list of symptoms that need Emergency Department attention are noted.
If the pressure inside your eye stays too high after using drops and/or laser treatments, you will need surgery to treat your glaucoma. You may have a trabeculectomy or a shunt procedure. This pamphlet explains what a trabeculectomy and a shunt procedure are, and what will happen after the surgery. Instructions for your care at home are provided, including discomfort, wearing an eye shield, using eye drops, and activity. A list of symptoms that require immediate medical attention is provided. T…
After your hand surgery, you will need to learn how to care for your incision. A list of things to watch is given in case you have any problems.
This pamphlet answers common questions about care at home after surgery. Topics include: how you will feel, activities, what to eat, managing pain, dressing(s) care, driving, etc. Specific instructions are given for patients with sleep apnea, and patients who use CPAP machines. The pamphlet includes a list of symptoms that need medical attention right away.
This pamphlet will answer some of your questions about your care at home after orthopedic day surgery. Topics include: how you will feel, things you can do to help yourself, what you can eat, pain, driving, returning to work, having sex again, and activity instructions. Specific instructions are given for patients with sleep apnea and patients who use CPAP machines. It offers a checklist of activities and specific instructions for dressing care and stitches or staples. Instructions for bleeding…
After pregnancy loss, you may experience grief and many other emotions. You may have questions about the reason for your loss. This is common. Often, health care providers do not know exactly why pregnancy loss happens. This pamphlet gives basic information about pregnancy loss. You may need a different treatment (like medication and/or surgery) depending on your type of loss.
This pamphlet explains what to expect after rectal surgery. Topics include how to care for your incision (cut), how to control your pain after surgery, what you should eat and drink after surgery, what you can do to prevent constipation (not being able to poop), when you can go back to your usual activities, and follow-up. A list of symptoms that need medical attention is included.
Incision care, pain management, how to position your bed after surgery, and instructions for activity and diet are listed. A list of symptoms that need the attention of your surgeon, a list of important phone numbers, and information about your post-operative appointment are also provided. The French version of this pamphlet 2184, "Après votre opération de la thyroïde à l’hôpital général de Dartmouth", is also available.
This pamphlet explains what to do after having urological surgery at Dartmouth General Hospital. Topics include food and drink, using the washroom, activity after surgery, driving, sex, and managing pain. A list of signs of complications is also included.
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.
L'angioplastie des artères de jambe (également appelée intervention par ballonnet) est une intervention destinée à ouvrir les artères rétrécies de votre jambe. Elle peut être pratiquée pour ralentir ou empêcher la nécessité d'un pontage (opération visant à aider le sang à franchir un blocage). Le présent dépliant explique pourquoi vous avez besoin de cette intervention, les étapes de l’intervention, ce qu’est une endoprothèse (un « stent »), les risques de l’angioplastie, les façons de se prépa…
Angioplasty of the leg (also called a balloon procedure) is a procedure done to open narrowed arteries in your leg. It may be done to slow or stop you from having bypass surgery (surgery to help blood get past a blockage). This pamphlet explains: why you need this procedure, steps of the procedure, what a stent is, risks, how to prepare for surgery, and what recovery will be like after surgery. The French version of this pamphlet 1791, "Angioplastie des artères de jambe (intervention par ballon…
Your surgeon has arranged for you to have your appendix removed. This surgery is called an appendectomy. This pamphlet gives information about what will happen to you after surgery and how you can take part in your care. This pamphlet explains what your appendix is, what will happen after your surgery, where your incisions will be, when you can shower/bathe, and if you can eat and get up and move around after surgery. The pamphlet also explains when you can go home, drive, return to work, and h…