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Vaping
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 vaping? Vaping uses electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes) to simulate traditional cigarette smoking. E-cigarettes are battery-powered or chargeable smoking devices. Some look like traditional cigarettes or pipes. Others are designed to…
Varicose Veins
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 varicose veins? Varicose veins are veins that are swollen and bulge above the surface of the skin. They may be twisted and are often blue or dark purple. Varicose…
Vascular Disease – How to Prevent Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Attack & Stroke
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 vascular disease? Vascular disease is a general term for a group of problems that affect your blood vessels, such as those that move blood through your heart and brain. People…
Vasectomy – What to Expect
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 vasectomy? A vasectomy is an operation that makes a man permanently unable to get a woman pregnant. It involves cutting the 2 tubes called vas deferens so that sperm…
Vegan Diet – How to Get the Nutrients You Need
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 vegan diet? People who follow a vegan diet avoid eating all animal products, including meat, eggs and dairy. They also don’t eat food products that have an animal source,…
Vegetarian Diet – How to Get the Nutrients You Need
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. What does being a vegetarian mean? A vegetarian diet limits or excludes consuming animal flesh or products that come from animals. But there isn’t just one vegetarian diet. Diet choices are personal,…
Viral Infections During Pregnancy
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 viral respiratory infection? A viral respiratory infection is a contagious illness that can affect your respiratory tract (breathing) and cause other symptoms. The flu and the common cold are…
Vision Loss
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. OVERVIEW How can I tell if I’m losing my vision? You might have vision problems if you have trouble with normal activities, such as reading mail, watching television, signing your name, paying…
Vitamin B-12
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 vitamin B-12? Vitamin B-12 is an important vitamin that you usually get from your food. It is mainly found in fish, shellfish, meat, eggs, dairy products and special fortified foods….
Vitamin D
If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day. Vitamin D is an important nutrient. It helps your body build strong bones and teeth. Maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D is important for all stages of life. It is especially…
Vitamins and Minerals – How to Get What You Need
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 micronutrients? Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals found in food that nourish your body and help keep you healthy. According to Health Canada, many adult Canadians do not typically get…
Vomiting and Diarrhea
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 vomiting and diarrhea? Vomiting (throwing up) and diarrhea (frequent, watery bowel movements) are common symptoms of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation and irritation of the stomach and intestines. Vomiting…
Vulvar 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 vulvar cancer? The vulva is the skin and fatty tissue between the upper thighs of women, from the area of the anus to about an inch below the pubic…
Vulvodynia
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 vulvodynia? Vulvodynia (say: “vul-vo-din-ee-a”) is the word that describes pain and discomfort in the vulva. The vulva is a woman’s external genital area, or the area around the opening…
Warts
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 warts? Warts are small growths on the skin that normally don’t cause pain. Some warts itch and may hurt, especially if they’re on your feet. There are five kinds…