Before You Call the Doctor Safe, Effective Self-Care for Over 300 Common Medical Problems

by Hasselbring, Bobbie; Castleman, Michael; Simons, Anne

• ISBN13: 9780449007426
• ISBN10: 0449007421
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-02-07
• Publisher: Fawcett

Summary

An A-to-Z reference to the essentials of good home health care for more than 300 ailments, symptoms, and health-related concerns

Before You Call the Doctor is easy to follow, and it’s organized to get you the information you need—quickly.
 
Does someone in your family have a headache?
• Find headache listed alphabetically in Chapter 7, “The Head and Nervous System.” There, you’ll learn about the three most common kinds of headaches and their causes in the section called “What’s Going On.”
• Under “Before You Call the Doctor,” you’ll find a range of home-treatment suggestions, from common over-the-counter medications, wet towels, and ice packs to the techniques of massage, acupressure, nasal decongestion, and headache prevention.
• “When to Call the Doctor” tells you what to do—and what to expect—when self-care strategies don’t work.
• Finally, there are six “Red Flags”—special signs to watch for that indicate a headache needs immediate expert attention.

This indispensable guidebook contains detailed, practical information on every page to help you achieve greater medical self-reliance.

Author Biography

Bobbie Hasselbring is a health and medical writer whose work has appeared in Glamour, Women’s Sports and Fitness, Pacific Northwest, and many other publications. She is a health and fitness columnist for the Portland Oregonian newspaper and Northwest magazine. Her books include: Aching for Love: The Sexual Drama of Adult Children of Alcoholics (Harper and Row, with Mary Ann Klausner); The Medical Self-Care Book of Women’s Health *(Doubleday, with Sadja Greenwod, M.D., and Michael Castleman); and Pregnancy and Childbirth (World). She lives in Beavercreek, Oregan.

Michael Castleman writes about health and sexuality. For thirty-five years, his journalism focused on health defined broadly, including optimal wellness, mainstream medicine, alternative therapies, nutrition, fitness, and sexuality. Castleman also writes mystery novels set in San Francisco.

Anne Simmons M.D., is a board-certified family practitioner. She practices in a primary care clinic affiliated with the San Francisco Department of Public Health and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California’s San Francisco Medical Center. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, co-author Michael Castleman, and their two children, Jeffery and Maya.

Table of Contents

Preface	xxi
Acknowledgments	xxiii
Introduction: You Already Are Your Own ``Primary Care Practitioner''	3	(6)
The Seven Keys to Optimal Health	9	(32)
Eat and Drink Right	11	(5)
Exercise Regularly	16	(7)
Don't Smoke	23	(1)
Get Adequate Rest	23	(1)
Manage Your Stress Load	24	(4)
Maintain Strong Social Ties	28	(1)
Reduce Your Risks	29	(11)
Resources	40	(1)
Your Home Black Bag: Essential Items for A Well-Stocked Medicine Cabinet and Home Medical Tool Kit	41	(14)
Medicines	43	(6)
Supplies	49	(2)
Reference Books	51	(1)
Your Personal Medical Record	52	(3)
Lifesavers: First Aid for Common Medical Emergencies	55	(32)
Be Prepared	57	(1)
Play It Safe	58	(2)
Bleeding	60	(2)
Broken Bones	62	(2)
Choking	64	(4)
Electrocution	68	(1)
Fire	69	(1)
Head Injuries	70	(2)
Heart Attack	72	(2)
Heatstroke	74	(1)
Hypothermia and Frostbite	74	(3)
Loss of Consciousness	77	(1)
Motor Vehicle Accidents	78	(2)
Near Drowning	80	(2)
Poisoning and Overdoses	82	(1)
Seizures	83	(2)
Shock	85	(1)
Resources	85	(2)
Whole Body Health Problems	87	(40)
Allergies	89	(6)
Anemia	95	(3)
Body Odor	98	(1)
Chinese Restaurant Syndrome	99	(1)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome	99	(1)
Diabetes	99	(5)
Edema	104	(1)
Fatigue	104	(3)
Fever	107	(1)
Fluid Retention	108	(2)
Hangover	110	(1)
Insomnia	111	(2)
Jet Lag	113	(2)
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Intolerance	115	(1)
Motion Sickness	116	(2)
Overweight and Obesity	118	(2)
Sick Building Syndrome	120	(4)
Swollen Feet, Ankles, Hands	124	(1)
Swollen Glands	124	(1)
Resources	125	(2)
Emotional Health	127	(20)
Anorexia Nervosa	129	(1)
Anxiety	129	(4)
Bad Habits, Compulsions, and Addictions	133	(3)
Bulimia	136	(1)
Depression	136	(5)
Eating Disorders	141	(3)
Fears and Phobias	144	(1)
Manic Depression	144	(1)
Stress	144	(1)
Resources	144	(3)
The Skin and Hair	147	(70)
Abscesses	149	(1)
Abrasions	149	(1)
Acne	149	(5)
Athlete's Foot	154	(2)
Bite Wounds	156	(1)
Blisters	157	(1)
Boils	158	(2)
Bruises	160	(1)
Burns	161	(2)
Calluses	163	(1)
Chickenpox	164	(3)
Contact Dermatitis	167	(1)
Crabs	167	(1)
Cuts	167	(1)
Cysts	168	(1)
Dandruff	169	(1)
Diaper Rash	170	(2)
Dishpan Hands	172	(1)
Dry Skin	173	(1)
Eczema	174	(1)
Excessive Hair	175	(3)
Hair Loss	178	(3)
Heat Rash	181	(1)
Herpes Zoster	182	(1)
Hives	182	(1)
Human Bites	183	(1)
Impetigo	183	(1)
Infections	184	(1)
Inflamed Hair Follicles	184	(1)
Ingrown Toenails	185	(1)
Insect Bites and Stings	185	(3)
Irritations	188	(4)
Itching	192	(2)
Jock Itch	194	(1)
Lice	194	(2)
Lumps	196	(1)
Moles	197	(1)
Nail Problems	198	(4)
Poison Plants	202	(1)
Prickly Heat	202	(1)
Psoriasis	202	(1)
Puncture Wounds	203	(1)
Rashes	203	(2)
Ringworm	205	(1)
Scabies	206	(1)
Scaly Patch Rash	207	(1)
Scrapes	208	(1)
Seborrhea	208	(1)
Shingles	208	(1)
Spider Bites	208	(2)
Sunburn	210	(2)
Sweating Excessively	212	(1)
Tinea Versicolor	213	(1)
Warts	213	(2)
Resources	215	(2)
The Head and Nervous System	217	(30)
Alzheimer's Disease	219	(3)
Bell's Palsy	222	(1)
Dizziness	223	(2)
Facial Paralysis	225	(1)
Fainting or Lightheadedness	226	(1)
Febrile Seizures	227	(1)
Fever Fits	227	(1)
Headache	228	(3)
Memory Loss	231	(3)
Seizures	234	(3)
Sinus Headache	237	(1)
Stroke	237	(2)
Stuttering and Stammering	239	(1)
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Jaw Problems	240	(2)
Tics and Twitches	242	(1)
Transitory Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)	243	(1)
Tremors	243	(2)
Vertigo	245	(1)
Resources	245	(2)
The Eyes	247	(20)
Bags Under the Eyes	249	(1)
Black Eye	250	(1)
Blurry, Distorted, or Double Vision	250	(4)
Cataracts	254	(1)
``Computer Screen'' Eyes	254	(1)
Conjunctivitis	254	(2)
Contact Lens Problems	256	(1)
Double Vision	256	(1)
Dry Eyes	256	(1)
Eye Pain	257	(1)
Eyestrain	258	(1)
Glaucoma	259	(1)
Macular Degeneration	259	(1)
Pinkeye	260	(1)
Red Eyes	260	(2)
Something in Your Eye	262	(1)
Sty	263	(1)
Tearing or Excessive Watering	263	(1)
Resources	264	(3)
The Ears	267	(16)
Airplane Ears	269	(1)
Ear Infections	269	(1)
Ear Pain	269	(6)
Hearing Loss	275	(3)
Pierced Ear Infections	278	(1)
Pierced Ear Cuts and Tears	279	(1)
Ringing in the Ears	280	(1)
Ruptured Eardrum	280	(1)
Something in Your Ear	281	(1)
Swimmer's Ear	281	(1)
Wax in the Ear	281	(1)
Resources	281	(2)
The Mouth, Nose, and Throat	283	(34)
Bad Breath	285	(2)
Bleeding Gums	287	(1)
Broken Nose	287	(1)
Bruxism	288	(1)
Canker Sores	288	(1)
Chapped Lips	289	(1)
Cold Sores	290	(1)
Hoarseness and Laryngitis	291	(2)
Loss of Smell	293	(1)
Loss of Taste	293	(2)
Nosebleeds	295	(1)
Postnasal Drip	296	(2)
Runny Nose	298	(3)
Snoring	301	(2)
Something in Your Nose	303	(1)
Sore Throat	304	(2)
Sores in the Mouth	306	(1)
Strep Throat	306	(1)
Stuffed Nose	307	(1)
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Jaw Problems	307	(1)
Thrush	307	(1)
Tongue Bite	308	(1)
Tonsillitis	309	(1)
Tooth Decay	310	(1)
Tooth Knocked Out	311	(1)
Toothache	312	(2)
Toothgrinding	314	(3)
The Respiratory System	317	(32)
Asthma	319	(3)
Bronchiolitis	322	(1)
Bronchitis (Acute)	323	(1)
Bronchitis (Chronic)	324	(2)
Common Cold	326	(6)
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)	332	(1)
Cough	333	(3)
Croup	336	(1)
Emphysema	337	(2)
Flu	339	(4)
Formaldehyde Poisoning	343	(1)
Hayfever	343	(1)
Hiccups	343	(1)
Influenza	344	(1)
Painful Breathing	344	(1)
Shortness of Breath	345	(1)
Sinus Infection	345	(2)
Upper Respiratory Infection	347	(1)
Wheezing	347	(1)
Resources	347	(2)
The Cardiovascular System: The Heart and Blood Vessels	349
Angina	351	(1)
Chest Pain	352	(2)
Congestive Heart Failure	354	(1)
Heart Attack	355	(2)
High Blood Pressure	357	(3)
High Cholesterol	360	(2)
Hypertension	362	(1)
Palpitations	363	(1)
Varicose Veins	364	(2)
Resources	366
The Respiratory System	317	(98)
Abdominal Cramps, Distress, Pain, and Upset	369	(1)
Amebiasis	369	(1)
Anal Bleeding	369	(1)
Anal Burning	370	(1)
Anal Discharge	371	(1)
Anal Itching	372	(1)
Anal Pain	373	(2)
Belching	375	(1)
Blood in the Stool	376	(1)
Colic	376	(1)
Colitis	377	(1)
Constipation	378	(3)
Diarrhea	381	(8)
Diverticular Disease	389	(1)
Flatulence	390	(2)
Food Poisoning	392	(1)
Gallstones	392	(2)
Gas	394	(1)
Gastritis	394	(1)
Gastroenteritis	395	(3)
Giardiasis	398	(1)
Heartburn	398	(3)
Hemorroids	401	(2)
Hernia	403	(1)
Hiatal Hernia	404	(1)
Indigestion	405	(1)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome	406	(2)
Lactose Intolerance	408	(1)
Nausea	408	(1)
Nervous Stomach	408	(1)
Rupture	408	(1)
Stomach Flu	408	(1)
Stomachache	409	(2)
Tourista	411	(1)
Trouble Swallowing	411	(1)
Ulcerative Colitis	411	(1)
Ulcers	411	(2)
Vomiting	413	(2)
The Urinary Tract	415	(20)
Bedwetting	417	(3)
Bladder Infection	420	(1)
Blood in Urine	420	(1)
Color Change in Urine	421	(1)
Cystitus	422	(1)
Difficult Urination	423	(1)
Excessively Frequent Urination	424	(1)
Kidney Stones	425	(2)
Painful Urination	427	(1)
Urinary Incontinence	428	(3)
Urinary Tract Infection	431	(3)
Resources	434	(1)
The Bones, Joints, and Muscles	435	(84)
Achilles Tendinitis	438	(1)
Ankle Pain	438	(4)
Arm Pain	442	(1)
Arthritis	443	(5)
Back Pain (Lower)	448	(10)
Back Pain (Upper)	458	(1)
Bunions	459	(1)
Bursitis	460	(1)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome	461	(3)
Charley Horse	464	(1)
Elbow Pain	464	(3)
Fibromyalgia	467	(2)
Fibrositis	469	(1)
Finger Injury	469	(2)
Finger Pain	471	(2)
Flat Feet	473	(1)
Foot Pain	474	(6)
Ganglion	480	(1)
Golfer's Elbow	481	(1)
Gout	481	(2)
Hand Pain	483	(1)
Heel Pain	483	(1)
Hip Pain	483	(3)
Ingrown Toenail	486	(1)
Knee Pain	486	(4)
Leg Pain	490	(2)
Muscle Cramps	492	(2)
Muscle Strains	494	(1)
Muscle Tears	495	(1)
Neck Pain	496	(3)
Osteoporosis	499	(3)
Plantar Fasciitis	502	(1)
Rib Injury	502	(2)
Sciatica	504	(1)
Shoulder Pain	505	(5)
Slipped Disc	510	(1)
Sprains	511	(1)
Stress Fractures	512	(1)
Swollen Joints	513	(1)
Tendinitis	513	(2)
Tennis Elbow	515	(1)
Toe Injury	515	(1)
Toe Pain	516	(1)
Torn Ligament	517	(1)
Wrist Pain	517	(1)
Resources	518	(1)
Women's Health	519	(40)
Atrophic Vaginitis	521	(1)
Bacterial Vaginosis	522	(1)
Breast Pain, Tenderness, or Soreness	523	(4)
Breast Lumps	527	(3)
Breast Swelling	530	(1)
Douching	531	(2)
Endometriosis	533	(2)
Fibrocystic Breasts	535	(1)
Fibroids	535	(1)
Gardnerella	536	(1)
Lumpy Breasts	537	(1)
Menopause	537	(3)
Menstrual Cramps	540	(2)
Menstrual Disorders	542	(1)
Nipple Discharge	543	(1)
Nipple Pain, Tenderness, or Soreness	544	(1)
Osteoporosis	545	(1)
Pain or Soreness During Intercourse	545	(1)
Pelvic Pain	545	(1)
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)	546	(3)
Toxic Shock Syndrome	549	(1)
Uterine Fibroids	550	(1)
Vaginal Burning	550	(1)
Vaginal Discharge	550	(2)
Vaginal Dryness	552	(1)
Vaginal Itching	553	(1)
Vaginitis	554	(1)
Yeast Infection	554	(3)
Resources	557	(2)
Men's Health	559	(14)
Blood in Semen	561	(1)
Blue Balls	561	(1)
Breast Swelling	561	(1)
Circumcision	562	(2)
Discharge from the Penis	564	(1)
Foreskin That Won't Retract	564	(1)
Lump in the Testicles	564	(1)
Pain in the Groin or Testicles	565	(1)
Pain on Ejaculation	566	(1)
Painful Erection	566	(1)
Penis Size	567	(1)
Phimosis	568	(1)
Problems with Urination	568	(1)
Prostate Enlargement	569	(1)
Prostate Syndrome	570	(1)
Prostatitis	570	(1)
Prostatodynia	571	(1)
Swollen Testicles	571	(2)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases	573	(20)
AIDS	575	(3)
Chlamydia	578	(2)
Condyloma Acuminata	580	(1)
Gonorrhea	580	(2)
Herpes	582	(3)
Nonspecific Urethritis	585	(1)
Penile Discharge	586	(1)
Syphilis	586	(2)
Trichomonas	588	(1)
Vaginal Discharge	589	(1)
Venereal Warts	590	(1)
Resources	591	(2)
Contraception and Sex Problems	593	(66)
Abortion	595	(4)
Birth Control Pills	599	(2)
Cervical Cap	601	(2)
Condoms for Men	603	(3)
Condoms for Women	606	(1)
Contraception	607	(3)
Desire Differences	610	(3)
Diaphragm	613	(2)
Ejaculation Difficulties	615	(3)
Ejaculation (Involuntary)	618	(3)
Erection Problems	621	(6)
Fertility Awareness	627	(2)
Impotence	629	(1)
Infertility	629	(4)
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)	633	(2)
Loss of Sexual Interest	635	(4)
Morning-After Contraception	639	(1)
Natural Family Planning	640	(1)
Nonintercourse Lovemaking as Birth Control	640	(1)
Orgasm Difficulties	641	(5)
Painful Intercourse	646	(1)
Pregnancy and Childbirth	647	(2)
Premature Ejaculation	649	(1)
Progesterone Implants	649	(1)
Retarded Ejaculation	650	(1)
Spermicides	650	(2)
Sponge	652	(1)
Sterilization	653	(1)
Tubal Ligation	653	(1)
Vaginismus	654	(1)
Vasectomy	655	(2)
Withdrawal	657	(1)
Resources	657	(2)
Index	659