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Plantar Fasciitis

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 the plantar fascia? The plantar fascia is a band of tissue, much like a tendon, that starts at your heel and goes along the bottom of your foot. It…

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Pleurisy (Pleuritis)

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 pleurisy? Pleurisy is a medical condition. It affects the lining of your lungs and chest. The lining can become inflamed or irritated. This happens when excessive fluid collects in the…

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Pneumonia

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 pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It causes the air  sacs (alveoli)  of the lungs  to get inflamed (irritated and swollen). They may fill up with fluid…

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Poison Ivy

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 poison ivy? Poison ivy can be found in every province except Newfoundland and Labrador. It has 2 forms. One form grows low to the ground. It is usually found…

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Poisoning

If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or harming others. What is poison? A poison is any substance that is harmful to your body. There…

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Polycystic Kidney 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 polycystic kidney disease? Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disease that affects the kidneys. Sacs of fluid (called cysts) grow in the kidneys. If too many cysts grow…

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

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 polycystic ovary syndrome? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that occurs when an imbalance of hormone levels in a woman’s body causes cysts (say: “sists”) to form in…

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Polycythemia Vera

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 polycythemia vera? Polycythemia (say: “polly-sigh-thee-me-ah”) vera (PV) is a rare disease in which your body makes too many red blood cells. Your blood may become too thick. This causes…

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Polyps

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 are polyps? Polyps are abnormal growths of tissue. They are small and can be shaped like a raised bump or a stalk with a stem. Polyps latch onto the walls,…

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or harming others. OVERVIEW What is post-traumatic stress disorder? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety…

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Postpartum Depression

If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or harming others. OVERVIEW Are mood changes common after childbirth? Yes. After having a baby, many women have…

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Postpartum Preeclampsia

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 postpartum preeclampsia? Postpartum preeclampsia is high blood pressure in a woman who has recently had a baby. It can happen as early as a few days afterwards, or up to…

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Prediabetes

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 prediabetes? Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they usually have prediabetes. In people who have prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to say…

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Preeclampsia

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 preeclampsia? Preeclampsia is a rare condition that women can get during pregnancy. It is sometimes called toxemia or gestational hypertension. It occurs when pregnant women experience a sudden rise…

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Pregnancy – Should I Use a Seat Belt?

If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Should I wear a seat belt while I’m pregnant? Yes, you should always wear a seat belt. Wearing your seat belt protects you and your baby from injury or death in the…

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