This pamphlet gives information about the members of your Acute Stroke Team. It will also help you learn what to expect during your stay at the Halifax Infirmary. This pamphlet defines what a stroke is, what a stroke might look like, and what a stroke can cause. Other topics include admission to hospital, rehabilitation, getting back to normal, and your discharge plan. Space at the back of the pamphlet is given to help you write down your questions and to list the tests you have had. The French…
Ce livret explique ce qu’est un AVC, ce à quoi l’AVC peut ressembler et ce qu’il peut entraîner. On y traite aussi de l’admission à l’hôpital, de la réadaptation, du retour à la normale et de votre plan de congé. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "After Your Stroke" pamphlet 0729. This pamphlet explains what a stroke is, what a stroke might look like, and what a stroke can cause. Other topics include admission to hospital, rehabilitation, getting back to normal, and your discharge plan.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is used to help treat conditions like movement disorders and neurological (brain) disorders. This pamphlet explains whether DBS may be right for you, the 3 steps of DBS surgery, what to expect after your surgery, and symptoms that need medical attention right away.
An EMG is a test that uses electricity to check how your nerves and muscles are working. This pamphlet explains how to get ready for an EMG, how an EMG is done, how long it will take, and when you will get the results.
The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) provides safe evaluation and treatment of episodes, seizures, or epilepsy. The goal of admission to the EMU is to record your seizures to help us better understand your seizure disorder. This pamphlet gives details about being admitted, how to prepare for your stay, how video-EEG works, and what you can expect during your time in the hospital.
A seizure happens when the nerve cells (neurons) in the brain don’t discharge (fire) the right way. A seizure can cause abnormal movements, sensations, or mental function, depending on which part(s) of the brain is involved. This pamphlet explains why seizures happen, what unprovoked and provoked seizures are, what will happen after your first seizure, and what epilepsy is. Info about the First Unprovoked Seizure Clinic is provided, including the clinic location, what to expect at your first ap…
Initiation is the ability to start an activity. Motivation is the desire to do an activity. Many people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) have trouble doing tasks or taking part in activities. This is often caused by a problem with initiation, not because you are not motivated. This pamphlet explains how problems with initiation may affect you and what you can do to help with initiation.
This test is sometimes called a spinal tap. There is a space around your spinal cord that is filled with fluid. In a lumbar puncture, a small amount of fluid is taken from this space. The cells in the fluid are studied under a microscope in a lab to check for any problems. This pamphlet explains what a lumbar puncture is, how long it takes, how the test is done, and what will happen after the test. A list of symptoms that require medical attention is included.
Nova Scotia Health staff are offering a 2-part education session for people who have recently experienced a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion. Each session is 60 mins (1 hour) long. This session is being offered online using Zoom for Healthcare. This pamphlet explains who the session is for and how you can sign up.
This pamphlets describes the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) sometimes caused by cancer treatment, and outlines treatment and coping strategies.
A stroke happens when there is a loss of blood flow to the brain. This causes brain cells to die. Your symptoms after a stroke will depend on where your brain was damaged and the size of the damaged area. The blood supply to the brain can be cut off in 2 ways. When a blood clot forms on or in the wall of a blood vessel and stops blood from getting to part of the brain, it is called an ischemic stroke (or brain infarct). When a blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding in and/or around the brain, it…
Une commotion cérébrale est une lésion cérébrale traumatique (LCT). Le présent guide contient de l'information sur la durée des symptômes, sur les symptômes à surveiller et sur ce à quoi s'attendre au cours des premières semaines. Une liste détaillée des symptômes courants et des moyens d'y remédier, ainsi qu'une foire aux questions (FAQ) sont également incluses. The English version of this pamphlet 0395, "Concussion Recovery", is also available. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "Conc…
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…
This pamphlet gives information about a method of pain control called spinal cord stimulation. It explains the 3 steps of spinal cord stimulation, what to expect before and after your surgery, care at home, and signs of infection.
A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is taken from your body for testing. A stereotactic biopsy helps to diagnose and/or treat brain conditions (like movement disorders, pain syndromes, and tumours). This pamphlet explains how the biopsy is taken and what will happen during your surgery.
The brain is protected by a tough outer covering called the dura. Around the dura, there are many blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. If a blood vessel (usually a vein) is torn below the dura, blood collects between the dura and the brain. This is called a subdural hematoma. This pamphlet explains the different types of subdural hematomas, causes, symptoms, possible tests, treatment, surgery, what will happen after surgery, special situations, possible complications, discharge plannin…
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colourless fluid. It cushions the brain and spinal cord to protect them from injury. As new fluid is made, the old fluid is absorbed (taken in). A ventricular drain may be inserted (put in) to measure the pressure of CSF inside your head or to help blocked CSF flow. This pamphlet explains how the drain is inserted, what will happen when the drain is in place, the possible risks of a ventricular drain, and how the drain is taken out.
The Neurosurgery Unit is for people with brain and/or spinal cord injury or disease. Our goal is to give the best possible care to you using a team approach. We have different levels of care to support your recovery. This pamphlet explains the 2 levels of care: the Neurosurgery Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) and the Neurosurgery floor. It also gives information about transitioning from the ICU, Home First and discharge planning, visiting, information for your loved ones, places for your loved on…
This pamphlet will help you learn about your halo brace. A halo brace is worn so that your neck fracture heals properly. This is similar to how a plaster cast protects a broken arm or leg while it is healing. This pamphlet gives information about balance and movement, hygiene, best options for clothing and shoes, and pin sites care. Information about halo vests, loose nuts and bolts, common concerns, activity while wearing a halo brace, and how long you will need to wear the halo brace is inclu…