Esophagitis is inflammation or irritation of the esophagus (the tube through which food passes when we swallow). It is a side effect that you may experience if your radiation therapy treatments are given to the throat, chest, or breast. You may experience heartburn or a “lump” in your esophagus, the feeling that food is stuck in your esophagus, pain, or difficulty swallowing certain foods. This pamphlet gives tips that may help your esophagitis, information about the Esophageal Soft Diet, and h…
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.
A vulvectomy is surgery to remove part of the vulva. The vulva is the fatty folds around the openings to your vagina and bladder. The two types of surgery for the vulva are outlined. What to expect before and after surgery are discussed. Topics in this pamphlet also include breathing, pain, activity, food, blood clots, swelling, care of your incision(s), care at home, sex, and resources. Symptoms that need medical attention right away are listed.
You and your doctor have decided that you need injections to manage your chronic (ongoing) pain. An injection is medication given using a needle. This pamphlet explains how well injections for chronic pain work, if the injections are painful, and common types of injections for chronic pain, including epidural steroids, facet joint injection, sacroiliac (SI joint) injection, and radiofrequency lesioning (RFG). The pamphlet also explains how to get ready for your injections, how an injection for …
Cannabinoids are a group of medications that are sometimes called ‘marijuana analgesics (painkillers)’ or ‘synthetic (artificial) cannabinoids’. This pamphlet explains why you have been prescribed a cannabinoid, how much of this medication to take and how to take it, side effects, and how to stay safe when taking this medication. Information on what to do if you miss a dose and how to store this medication is included. The French version of this pamphlet 1792, "Cannabinoïdes pour le traitement …
This pamphlet explains what to expect after a nerve block for chronic pain. Topics include pain, activities, and medications and blood sugar levels. Symptoms that require emergency medical help are listed. The phone number for the Chronic Pain Service is included.
You have been prescribed a steroid ointment. This medication helps to lower inflammation (redness, swelling, pain) caused by a skin condition on your vulva. This 1-page sheet explains how to apply (put) your steroid ointment on your vulva. A diagram shows exactly where to apply the ointment. Tips to remember are included. The French version of this pamphlet 2111, "Comment appliquer votre onguent stéroïde", is also available.
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.
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation (swelling, redness) of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a long band of fibers that goes from your toes to your heel. It helps support the arch of your foot and absorbs shock. Plantar fasciitis is caused by repeated tears in the plantar fascia. Over time, these small tears cause inflammation (swelling). Topics include: what increases your risk, prevention, heel spurs, and physiotherapy exercises (with images) to increase flexibility and decrease heel pa…
This pamphlet will help you learn about having a coronary intervention. Topics include: what a coronary intervention is and how it is done, what a stent is, risks, how to get ready, taking usual medications, whether you can eat or drink beforehand, what happens the day of the procedure, what to expect during recovery (complete bedrest, preventing bleeding, what you can eat, easing back pain, going to the bathroom, IV's, family visits, getting out of bed, etc.). A list of symptoms to watch for i…
Les cannabinoïdes sont un groupe de médicaments parfois appelés « analgésiques à la marijuana » (antidouleurs) ou « cannabioïdes synthétiques » (artificiels). Ce dépliant explique pourquoi on vous a prescrit un cannabinoïde, la quantité et la façon de prendre ce médicament, les effets secondaires et la manière de rester en sécurité lorsque vous prenez ce médicament. Vous y trouverez également de l'information sur la conservation de ce médicament et sur ce qu'il faut faire en cas d'oubli d'une d…
Pain control is an important part of recovery after surgery. When you are discharged from the hospital, you will have a nerve block. It is attached to a pump filled with pain medicine. This pamphlet explains how a nerve block works. Topics include: what a nerve block is, how a nerve block works, what you need to know about the pump, what to do if the catheter pulls out of your skin, what you need to know about the numbing medicine, what you need to do at home, and how to remove the catheter. A…
This pamphlet explains what to expect after your retina surgery. Topics include anesthetic, managing pain, medication and eye drops, activity, and what to expect after surgery (eye protection and/or glasses, using eye drops or ointments, follow-up appointment). The French version of this pamphlet 1114, "Après votre opération de la rétine ," is also available.
Endophthalmitis is a type of severe (very bad) eye infection. It can lead to permanent vision loss in the infected eye. The amount of vision loss will depend on what caused the infection and how much damage the infection does to the eye. This pamphlet explains the possible treatments for endophthalmitis, and gives information about follow-up and pain.
Kidney stones are hard pieces of salt. They build up over time and can be as small as a grain of sand, up to 3 cm or more across. When the stones get too big to leave the body on their own, they can block the flow of urine (pee). This may cause sudden, severe (very bad) pain. This pamphlet describes your care if you are going to receive extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to target your kidney stones. Care instructions are given and a list of the symptoms that need medical attention ar…
The Pain Self-Management Program (PSMP) is a group program. It helps people with long-term pain learn skills to manage their pain each day. This pamphlet explains what the program is, what topics are talked about, and when and where the PSMP is held. Information on how to sign up for the program is included.
This pamphlet answers questions you may have after breast surgery. The pamphlet explains what to eat and drink, activity guidelines, how to care for your incision, and how to manage pain. The pamphlet describes signs of infection or problems and who to call in case of an emergency.
This pamphlet explains what to watch for at home after having an epidural (medication in the space around your spine) for pain relief. For 30 days (1 month) after your epidural is taken out, there is a small risk that you may develop an infection. This is very rare. A list of symptoms that require you to visit to an Emergency Department is given.
After pregnancy loss, you may experience grief and many other emotions. You may have questions about the reason for your loss. This is normal. Often, health care providers do not know exactly why pregnancy loss happens. This pamphlet includes basic information about pregnancy loss such as: types of pregnancy loss, pain and bleeding, when to expect your next period, a list of symptoms to watch for, tiredness, when to expect your breasts to go back to normal, going back to work, follow-up appoint…
The Opioid Recovery Program (ORP) is for people who are addicted to opioids. We provide: opioid maintenance therapy (methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone), programs in physical health (like the Chronic Pain Clinic, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy) and mental health (like the Recovery Support Program, addictions counselling). This pamphlet explains how to access the ORP, what will happen after you talk to the MHA Intake Service, how to get ready for your first appointment and what to brin…