Take Care Of Yourself The Complete Illustrated Guide To Medical Self-care, Sixth Edition

by Vickery, Donald M.; Fries, James F.

• ISBN13: 9780201489897
• ISBN10: 0201489899
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-03-13
• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books

Summary

Take Care of Yourselfis easy to use, even in a crisis. Simply look up a symptom in one of the chapters listed at the left. You'll find a complete explanation of likely causes and how you might relieve that problem at home. Diagrams will help you recognize problems and, in many cases, treat them quickly and easily. Easy-to-follow decision charts tell you exactly when to see a doctor.This book also covers emergencies, how to avoid health problems, what to keep in a home pharmacy, and how to work best with your doctor.Take Care of Yourselfbelongs in every home.Easy-to-use decision charts quickly show how to treat problems at home, and when to see a doctor.

Author Biography

Donald M. Vickery, M.D., helped develop the first medical decision charts for non-doctors. He now heads Health Decisions International, creating new ways to deliver medical information to people. James F. Fries, M.D., Professor at Stanford Medical School, created the first step-by-step decision chart for diagnosis.

Table of Contents

How to Use This Book	p. iii
Emergencies	p. ix
Emergency Signs	p. x
Choking	p. xii
Poisoning	p. xvi
To Our Readers	p. xxi
Preface	p. xxx
Acknowledgments	p. xxxii
Introduction	p. xxxiii
The Habit of Health	p. 1
A Pound of Prevention: Your Actions, Your Future	p. 2
The Seven Keys to Health	p. 3
Exercise	p. 3
Diet and Nutrition	p. 8
Not Smoking	p. 13
Alcohol Moderation	p. 16
Weight Control	p. 16
Avoiding Injury	p. 18
Professional Prevention	p. 20
The Power of Prevention: How It Works	p. 25
The Habit of Health	p. 28
Your Home Pharmacy	p. 29
Bandages and Adhesive Tape	p. 32
Antiseptic Cleansers	p. 34
Thermometer	p. 35
Pain and Fever Medications	p. 36
Antacids	p. 40
Baking Soda	p. 42
Syrup of Ipecac	p. 43
Antihistamines and Decongestants	p. 44
Nose Drops and Sprays	p. 45
Cold Tablets	p. 46
Cough Syrups	p. 48
Bulk Laxatives	p. 50
Diarrhea Remedies	p. 51
Sodium Fluoride	p. 52
"Artificial Tears" Eye Drops	p. 53
Zinc Oxide	p. 54
Antifungal Preparations	p. 55
Hydrocortisone Cream	p. 56
Sunscreen Agents	p. 57
Wart Removers	p. 58
Elastic Bandages	p. 59
Vitamin Preparations	p. 60
Common Complaints	p. 63
Common Injuries	p. 65
Cuts	p. 66
Puncture Wounds	p. 68
Animal Bites	p. 70
Scrapes and Abrasions	p. 72
Tetanus Shots	p. 74
Broken Bone?	p. 76
Ankle Injuries	p. 78
Knee Injuries	p. 80
Arm Injuries	p. 82
Head Injuries	p. 84
Burns	p. 86
Infected Wounds and Blood Poisoning	p. 88
Insect Bites or Stings	p. 90
Snake Bites	p. 92
Fishhooks	p. 94
Smashed Fingers	p. 96
Ears, Nose, Throat, Eyes, and Mouth Problems	p. 98
Ear, Nose, and Throat: Virus, Bacteria, or Allergy?	p. 99
Colds and Flu	p. 102
Sore Throat	p. 104
Ear Pain and Stuffiness	p. 106
Ear Discharges	p. 108
Hearing Loss	p. 110
Runny Nose	p. 112
Cough	p. 114
Croup	p. 116
Wheezing	p. 118
Hoarseness	p. 120
Swollen Glands	p. 122
Nosebleeds	p. 124
Foreign Body in Eye	p. 126
Eye Pain	p. 128
Decreased Vision	p. 130
Eye Burning, Itching, and Discharge	p. 132
Styes and Blocked Tear Ducts	p. 134
Bad Breath	p. 136
Mouth Sores	p. 138
Toothaches	p. 140
Skin Problems and Childhood Diseases	p. 141
Identifying Skin Symptoms	p. 142
Baby Rashes	p. 146
Diaper Rash	p. 148
Hair Loss	p. 150
Impetigo	p. 152
Ringworm	p. 154
Hives	p. 156
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak	p. 158
Rashes Caused by Chemicals	p. 160
Skin Cancer	p. 162
Eczema	p. 164
Boils	p. 166
Acne	p. 168
Athlete's Foot	p. 170
Jock Itch	p. 171
Sunburn	p. 172
Lice and Bedbugs	p. 174
Ticks	p. 176
Chiggers	p. 178
Scabies	p. 180
Dandruff and Cradle Cap	p. 182
Patchy Loss of Skin Color	p. 184
Aging Spots, Wrinkles, and Baldness	p. 186
Mumps	p. 188
Chicken Pox	p. 190
Measles	p. 192
Rubella	p. 194
Roseola	p. 196
Scarlet Fever	p. 198
Fifth Disease	p. 200
Bones, Muscles, and Joints	p. 203
Arthritis	p. 204
Pain in the Muscles, Tendons, and Ligaments	p. 207
Neck Pain	p. 210
Shoulder Pain	p. 212
Elbow Pain	p. 214
Wrist Pain	p. 216
Finger Pain	p. 218
Low Back Pain	p. 220
Hip Pain	p. 223
Knee Pain	p. 226
Leg Pain	p. 228
Shin Pain	p. 230
Ankle Pain	p. 232
Ankle and Leg Swelling	p. 234
Heel Pain	p. 236
Foot Pain	p. 239
Chest and Abdominal Symptoms	p. 243
Chest Pain	p. 244
Shortness of Breath	p. 246
Palpitations	p. 248
Nausea and Vomiting	p. 250
Diarrhea	p. 252
Heartburn	p. 254
Abdominal Pain	p. 256
Constipation	p. 258
Rectal Problems	p. 260
Incontinence	p. 262
Difficult Urination for Men	p. 264
Difficult Urination for Women	p. 266
Generalized Problems	p. 269
Fever	p. 270
Headache	p. 276
Insomnia	p. 278
Weakness and Fatigue	p. 280
Dizziness and Fainting	p. 282
High Blood Pressure	p. 284
Stress, Anxiety, and Grief	p. 286
Hyperventilation Syndrome	p. 288
Lump in the Throat	p. 290
Depression	p. 292
Alcoholism	p. 294
Drug Abuse	p. 298
Women's Health	p. 301
How to Do a Breast Self-examination	p. 302
The Gynecological Examination	p. 304
Vaginal Discharge	p. 306
Bleeding Between Periods	p. 308
Difficult Periods	p. 310
Missed Periods	p. 312
Menopause	p. 314
Sexual Problems and Questions	p. 317
Sexually Transmitted Diseases	p. 318
Genital Herpes Infections	p. 320
Aids and Safer Sex	p. 322
Preventing Unwanted Pregnancy	p. 325
Questions About Sex	p. 330
Managing Your Professional Medical Care	p. 333
Working With Your Doctor and Your Health Care System	p. 334
Finding the Right Doctor	p. 334
Communicating With Your Doctor	p. 336
The Medical History	p. 337
Understanding Your Health Plan	p. 338
Getting the Most Out of Your Visit to the Doctor	p. 340
Asking Questions	p. 340
Carrying Out Your Treatment Program	p. 342
Choosing the Right Medical Facility	p. 343
Hospitals	p. 343
Emergency Rooms	p. 343
Other Medical Facilities	p. 345
Reducing the Cost of Medications	p. 346
Your Doctor Can Help	p. 346
Your Pharmacist Can Help	p. 347
You Can Help	p. 348
Keeping Your Family's Medical Records	p. 349
Immunizations: A Family Record	p. 350
Childhood Diseases	p. 351
Family Medical Information	p. 353
Hospitalizations	p. 354
Additional Reading	p. 355
Index	p. 359
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.