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Preventing Malnutrition in Older Adults
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 malnutrition? Malnutrition is when your body doesn’t get enough nutrients from the foods you eat to work properly. Nutrients include fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals. These substances give your…
Preventing the Flu
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 influenza? Influenza (also called “the flu”) is a viral infection in the nose, throat and lungs. It is estimated that influenza causes approximately 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths in Canada…
Preventive Services for Healthy Living
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. How can my healthcare provider help me stay healthy? In addition to treating you when you are sick, your healthcare provider can follow a program designed to help you stay healthy. This…
Probiotics
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Probiotics are live, healthy microorganisms (bacteria and yeasts) found in your intestines. Probiotics are available in some foods and dietary supplements. Experts believe that these bacteria help you maintain a healthy digestive…
Progestin-Only Contraceptives
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 progestin-only contraceptive? A progestin-only contraceptive is one kind of birth control pill. It is often called the “mini-pill.” Regular birth control pills have 2 female hormones: estrogen and progestin…
Prostate Cancer
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 prostate gland? The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. The prostate makes a fluid that mixes with sperm and other fluids during ejaculation. A normal…
Prostate Cancer – Pros & Cons of PSA Testing
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 prostate cancer screening? A prostate cancer screening is a test that your healthcare provider uses to look for prostate cancer before you have any symptoms. The 2 types of prostate…
Prostate Cancer – Risks and Benefits of Common Prostate Cancer Treatments
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 the risks and benefits of radical prostatectomy? If you’re young and in good health, the short-term risks of this surgery are low. The hospital stay is usually 2 to 3…
Prostatitis
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 prostate gland? The prostate is a gland that lies just below a man’s urinary bladder. It surrounds the urethra and is in front of the rectum. The urethra…
Protecting Your Skin From The Sun
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Path to improved health The sun sends invisible UV rays to Earth. These rays can cause damage to your skin if you don’t protect against them. The safest way to protect yourself…
Proteinuria in Children
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 proteinuria? Proteinuria is when protein is found in the urine. As blood moves through the kidneys, the kidneys filter out waste, excess fluid and salt. These wastes leave the body…
Pruritis
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 pruritis? Pruritis is itchy skin that makes you want to scratch. It can be caused by many things. Normally, itchy skin isn’t serious, but it can make you uncomfortable….
Pseudogout
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 pseudogout? Pseudogout (say: “soo-doh-gowt”) is a type of arthritis. It is sometimes called calcium pyrophosphate (say: “pie-row-fossfate”) dihydrate crystal deposition disease. This condition causes painful swelling in one or…
Psoriasis
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 psoriasis? Psoriasis (say “sor-eye-uh-sus”) is a common chronic condition that causes thick red marks and flaky white patches that look like scales to form on the skin. Is psoriasis…
Pulmonary Hypertension
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 pulmonary hypertension? “Pulmonary” means “in the lungs,” and “hypertension” means “high blood pressure.” Pulmonary hypertension is an increase in blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood to…