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Atrial Fibrillation
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What is atrial fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation (pronounced: ay-tree-all fib-rill-ay-shun) is an irregular heartbeat that is typically very fast. Your heart has 4 compartments called chambers. The top 2 chambers are called the…
Athletes – The Importance of Good Hydration
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Whether you’re a serious athlete or a recreational exerciser, it’s important to make sure you get the right amount of water before, during, and after exercise. Water regulates your body temperature and…
Atherosclerosis
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis causes plaque to collect in your arteries. (Plaque is made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other things naturally found in your blood. Arteries are blood vessels that…
Asthma Action Plan
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What is an asthma action plan? Ask your healthcare provider for written directions about how to prevent and treat asthma attacks at home. These written instructions are called your “asthma action plan.”…
Asthma – Dust Mites in the Home
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What are dust mites? Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in your home. They measure about 1/100th of an inch in length. That is smaller than the period at the end…
Lyme Disease
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread by ticks. Lyme disease is carried by black-legged ticks (sometimes called deer ticks). In Nova Scotia and PEI,…
Bike Safety Tips
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Is bicycling a good exercise? Yes, riding a bicycle is great exercise. It can help you get in shape and lose weight, and it can reduce the risk of health problems such…
Diabetes: Helping a Family Member Who Has Diabetes
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. It isn’t easy for people to hear that they have diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that cannot be cured. It has to be taken care of every day. People who have diabetes…
Colds and the Flu – Enterovirus D68
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of more than 100 non-polio enteroviruses. This virus was first identified in California in 1962. What are the symptoms of EV-D68 infection? EV-D68 can cause mild…
Clostridium Difficile (C. diff.) Infection
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW What is Clostridium difficile? Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that lives in many people’s intestines. C. diff. is part of the normal balance of bacteria in your…