Search Health Information Topics Online

Reliable health information available on this website will help you understand health issues that matter to you, your family and your community. Type the topic or title that you'd like to lookup and then click Search.

Plagiocephaly

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 plagiocephaly? Plagiocephaly is a condition where your baby’s head has a flat spot or is misshapen. There are various levels of severity and can occur during pregnancy or after birth….

View Health Topic

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? Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory condition. It occurs in the plantar fascia, which is a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot….

View Health Topic

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…

View Health Topic

Pneumococcal Vaccines for Seniors

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 a pneumococcal vaccine? A pneumococcal vaccine is an injected medicine that can protect against and often prevent pneumococcal disease.  Pneumococcal disease is caused by a bacterial infection from streptococcus pneumoniae,…

View Health Topic

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…

View Health Topic

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. Poison ivy often grows low to the ground, resembling a weed or shrub. It also…

View Health Topic

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 poisoning? Poison is any substance that is harmful to your body. Many different…

View Health Topic

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. Inherited means it runs in families and is passed down from parents. It causes…

View Health Topic

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…

View Health Topic

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 vera (PV) is a rare disease in which your body makes too many red blood cells. Your blood may become too thick. This causes serious health…

View Health Topic

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,…

View Health Topic

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 mental health condition…

View Health Topic

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 What is postpartum depression? Postpartum depression is a mental health illness that affects women…

View Health Topic

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…

View Health Topic

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? Prediabetes means your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) levels are higher than normal. When your blood glucose levels reach a certain level, you have diabetes. This is…

View Health Topic