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Exercise-induced Urticaria
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW Exercise-induced urticaria is an allergic skin reaction brought on by exercise. It generally produces hives and other allergic symptoms. The hives, or welts, are large, raised bumps on the skin. They…
Exercising Your Finger After an Injury
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. The human hand has 27 bones—3 in each finger except the thumb, which has 2. When you hurt a finger, you may have injured one of the bones, your joints, connective tissues,…
Eye Injuries in Sports
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Sports cause many eye injuries each year. Most of these occur in kids, and about 90% of them can be avoided. In Canada, the sports that cause the most eye injuries are…
Fainting
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 fainting? Fainting happens when your brain does not get enough oxygen. You lose consciousness, or “pass out,” for a brief time (usually just a few seconds or minutes). SYMPTOMS…
Falls – How to Lower Your Risk
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. People fall at every age. This is especially true of young babies learning to walk. However, as we age, we become more concerned about falling. A fall at an older age can…
Febrile Seizures
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 a febrile seizure? Seizures can sometimes occur when a child has a fever. These are called “fever seizures” or “febrile seizures.” Febrile seizures can occur in children ages 6…
Fecal Incontinence
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 fecal incontinence? Fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements. This leads to stool (feces) leaking from the rectum at unexpected times. It is more common in women…
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
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 fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)? Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a group of problems that can happen in a baby when the fetus is exposed to alcohol in…
Fever in Infants and Children
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 a normal temperature? A normal temperature is about 37°C (98.6°F) when taken orally (in your child’s mouth) and 37.5°C (99.5°F) when taken rectally (in your child’s bottom). Measurement method…
Fibre – How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Fibre is a substance found in plants. Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate we eat. Eating the right amount of fibre has been shown to have a wide range of health…
Fibromyalgia
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 fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that causes muscle pain and general fatigue. People who have fibromyalgia often have a heightened sensitivity to pain or experience chronic pain. This means…
Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)
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 fifth disease? Fifth disease is a mild viral infection that is more common in children. It is caused by human parvovirus B19. The medical name for fifth disease is erythema…
First Aid – Burns
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What causes burns? You can get burned by heat, fire, radiation, sunlight, electricity, chemicals or hot or boiling water. There are 3 degrees of burns: First-degree burns are red and painful. They…
First Aid – Cuts, Scrapes, and Stitches
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. How should I clean a wound? The best way to clean a cut, scrape or puncture wound (such as a wound from a nail) is with cool water. You can hold the…
First Aid Kit Essentials – What do I need in My First Aid Kit?
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. First aid is important for a number of situations that don’t require a trip to the hospital or emergency room. These situations include minor falls, bee stings, burns, allergic reactions, and other…