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.
VIH signifie virus de l’immunodéficience humaine. Contrairement à d’autres virus, le corps ne peut pas se débarrasser du VIH. Le SIDA (syndrome d’immunodéficience acquise) survient lorsque le VIH détruit le système immunitaire, ce qui entraîne des infections et des cancers graves et potentiellement mortels. Le test de dépistage détecte uniquement le VIH, pas le SIDA. Ce dépliant explique ce qui suit : mode de propagation du VIH, avantages et inconvénients du test de dépistage, procédure du test…
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV. This means that once you have HIV, you will have it for life. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) happens when HIV destroys your immune system, leading to serious and life-threatening infections and cancers. An HIV test only checks for HIV. It does not test for AIDS. This pamphlet explains how HIV is spread, the pros and cons of being tested for HIV, how an HIV test is done, and w…
A bone scan measures how much calcium and other types of minerals are in an area of your bone. The scan may help your health care provider determine your future fracture risk and measure your response to treatment. It is important to be aware of specific conditions that may interfere with the scan (such as other tests you had done recently, whether you think you may be pregnant, etc.). This pamphlet outlines how the scan is done, how to get ready, and what to do during the test.
Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It is long-acting, which means it is slowly released in the body over a longer time. This pamphlet explains how to take this medication, how fast buprenorphine starts to work, how your health care team will find the right dose for you, and how long you will need to take buprenorphine. Information on whether buprenorphine interacts with any other medications and possible side effects is included.
Diagnostic imaging tests take pictures of the inside of your body. These tests include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, nuclear medicine scans, ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Topics include: why you may need to have a test, whether you can have a different test that does not use radiation, how much radiation is safe during pregnancy, who will do your test, asking questions, what to do if you refuse to have the test, and what to do if you find out you are pregnant afte…
A cardiac event recorder (loop recorder) records the electrical activity of your heart. You can use a loop recorder while you are at home and doing your usual activities. It will only record your heart activity when you press a button. A cardiac technologist will show you how to use the recorder. This pamphlet explains how to use the loop recorder, whether you can bathe or shower with the loop recorder, and what to do if you have problems with the recorder. Information on how to return the reco…
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…
As a person living with cancer, you may have questions about whether you will need a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. All vaccinations should only be considered after careful assessment of the risks and benefits. This pamphlet explains whether you will need a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine if you have had 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your cancer care team if you have questions about the vaccine, boosters, and your unique situation.
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.
This pamphlet will help you learn about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). You must be able to recognize certain symptoms so you can get medical care right away. This pamphlet explains what DVTs and PEs are and whether they are dangerous, the symptoms and treatment for each, why blood clots form, and how to lower your risk of another DVT or PE. Information about what to do if you think you are having another DVT or PE is included.
Disulfiram is a medication used to help manage alcohol dependence. It works best for people who would like to stop drinking alcohol completely, not just drink less. This pamphlet explains how to take this medication, what will happen if you drink alcohol while taking disulfiram, how well disulfiram works, whether disulfiram interacts with other medications or foods, and how long you will need to take this medication. Possible side effects are included.
Processus à suivre pour dépister le diabète après la grossesse. Les sujets sont les suivants : besoin ou non de passer un test de dépistage, meilleur moment pour le dépistage, pourquoi le dépistage est utile, ce qu’il faut faire si vous ne voulez pas passer un test de dépistage, tests administrés et raisons pour lesquelles l’épreuve d’hyperglycémie provoquée par voie orale et l’analyse de la glycémie à jeun sont très importantes, façon dont les dispositions liées à ces deux épreuves sont prises…
Getting sick can be stressful in many ways. For some people, being sick has a big impact on their finances. Knowing your options and understanding how they work can help. This pamphlet explains what Short Term Illness (STI) and Long Term Disability (LTD) are, whether you can get help from Employment Insurance (EI), what the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit is, and what Income Assistance (IA) is. If you feel you have tried all options and are still having trouble meeting your financi…
Patients currently on treatment for cancer should have the flu shot with an inactive (not live) vaccine. They should not have live vaccines, like the nasal spray flu vaccine. This pamphlet explains whether the flu shot will protect you from getting the flu, when flu season is, when you should have the flu shot, and what else you can do to protect yourself. It also gives a list of flu symptoms and explains what to do if you have symptoms. Websites for more information are listed.
An elastomeric infusion pump is a lightweight disposable pump that may be used to give you medications. It is made of very hard plastic and looks like a baby bottle. This pump lets you receive medications safely and comfortably in your own home. This pamphlet explains what types of drugs can be given by an infusion pump, how an infusion pump works, whether you will still have to come to the hospital, how to carry and take care of the pump, whether you can bathe or shower with the pump, and how …
Getting between home and cancer treatment can be hard. In Nova Scotia, there are a few resources that can help. This pamphlet explains where you can get help if you are going to have trouble getting to treatment, what to do if you need accessible transportation, and whether you can claim your expenses on your income taxes. A list of resources is provided. Contact information for more information or help for travel concerns is included.
This pamphlet explains what to expect if you are going home with a ureteral stent inserted. It explains how long you will have the stent, how it is put in, care instructions, removal, and possible side effects. It lists what to do if your stent moves out of place, how it may affect daily activities, and whether it will increase your risk of urinary track infections (UTIs). A list of symptoms that need emergency medical attention is listed.
Pregnancy information for people with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) are given. Topics include: will your baby be healthy, what to do if you are already pregnant, how to keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy, your health care team, healthy blood glucose targets when planning pregnancy, how to get ready for pregnancy, and what to do if you do not want to have a baby right now. Possible risks to you and the baby are listed. Information on what to expect during pregnancy is listed. Informat…
This is an Arabic translation of the English pamphlet 2301. Pregnancy information for people with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) are given. Topics include: will your baby be healthy, what to do if you are already pregnant, how to keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy, your health care team, healthy blood glucose targets when planning pregnancy, how to get ready for pregnancy, and what to do if you do not want to have a baby right now. Possible risks to you and the baby are listed. Inform…