health at home chapters

Health at Home
American Institute for Preventive Medicine's
HEALTH at HOME
Your Family Guide to Symptoms and How to Treat Them
Don R. Powell, Ph.D.

Search in Book Alpha Format (A~Z)

Note: This guide is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. The information is given to help you make informed choices about your health. Follow your doctor's or health care provider's advice if it differs from what is given in this book.

Section I - Wise Medical Consumerism - Table of Contents
Section II - Common Health Problems - Table of Contents
Section III - Emergencies - Table of Contents
Section IV - Major Medical Conditions - Table of Contents
Section V - Health Resources - Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Telephone Numbers & Information Sheet

SECTION I - WISE MEDICAL CONSUMERISM
Introduction

Chapter 1. YOU & YOUR DOCTOR
Choosing a Doctor
See Your "Primary" Doctor Before You See a Specialist
Talking With Your Doctor/Provider Checklists
Rating Your Doctor

Chapter 2. MEDICAL EXAMS & TESTS
Having a Routine Checkup
Tests & What They Are For
Common Health Tests & How Often to Have Them
Immunization Schedul e
Home Medical Tests

Chapter 3. MEDICATIONS
Taking Medications Safely
Questions to Ask about Medications
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
Your Home Pharmacy
Overhauling Your Medicine Cabinet

Chapter 4. HOSPITALS & SURGERY
Ambulatory Surgery
Hospital Admissions
Saving Money in the Hospital
Types of Surgery
Patient Rights
Informed Consent
Advance Directives

Chapter 5. HEALTH INSURANCE
Insurance Terms
Consider Your Needs

Chapter 6. MEDICAL DECISIONS
Key Questions Checklist
Medical Decision Comparison Chart
Wallet-Size Checklist

Chapter 7. YOU & YOUR DENTIST
The Dental Checkup
When to Visit Your Dentist
Dental Specialties

Chapter 8. MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health Facts
It's Smart to Ask for Help
Reasons to Seek Help

Chapter 9. STAYING WELL
Cigarette Smoking - Packing It In
Stress - Learning to Cope
Fitness - Get Fit, Stay Fit
Nutrition - Eating for Life
Weight Control - "Chewsing" Well
Playing It Safe - Tips for Home
Pregnancy - Planning a Healthy Baby

SECTION II - COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS
Introduction
How to Use This Section
What the Instructions Mean

Chapter 10. EYE, EAR, NOSE & THROAT PROBLEMS
Earaches
Eyestrain From Computers
Hay Fever
Hearing Loss
Hiccups
Laryngitis
Nosebleeds
Pinkeye
Sinus Problems
Sore Throats
Sty
Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

Chapter 11. RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS
Asthma
Breathing Problems
Bronchitis
Common Cold
Coughs
Flu

Chapter 12. SKIN CONDITIONS
Acne
Athlete's Foot
Burns
Cold Hands & Feet
Corns & Calluses
Cuts, Scrapes, & Punctures
Eczema
Hair Loss
Hives
Ingrown Toenails
Insect Stings
Poison Ivy (Oak, Sumac)
Shingles
Skin Rashes
Splinters
Sunburn
Varicose Veins

Chapter 13. ABDOMINAL PROBLEMS
Constipation
Diarrhea
Flatulence (Gas)
Heartburn
Hemorrhoids
Vomiting & Nausea

Chapter 14. MUSCLE & BONE PROBLEMS
Backaches
Broken Bones
Dislocations
Shoulder & Neck Pain
Sports Injuries
Sprains & Strains

Chapter 15. OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS
Anemia
Chest Pain
Fatigue
Fever
Headaches
Hyperventilation
Insomnia
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Snoring
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Chapter 16. MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
Alcoholism
Anxiety
Codependency
Depression
Drug Dependence & Abuse
Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa & Bulimia)
Grief/Bereavement
Panic Attacks
Phobias
Sexual Concerns
Stress
Suicidal Thoughts

Chapter 17. MEN'S HEALTH PROBLEMS
Enlarged Prostate
Jock Itch
Testicular Cancer & Self-Exam

Chapter 18. WOMEN'S HEALTH PROBLEMS
Breast Cancer & Self-Exam
Cervical Cancer
Endometriosis
Fibroids
Menopause
Menstrual Cramps
Ovarian Cysts
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Vaginal Yeast Infections

Chapter 19. CHILDREN'S HEALTH PROBLEMS
Bed-Wetting
Chicken Pox
Colic
Croup
Lice
Measles
Tonsillitis
Wheezing

Chapter 20. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDs)
Basic Facts about STDs
Chlamydia
Genital Herpes
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis

Chapter 21. DENTAL PROBLEMS & INJURIES
Abscess
Broken or Knocked Out Tooth
Fractured Jaw
Gum (Periodontal) Disease
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
Toothaches

SECTION III - EMERGENCIES
Introduction
Recognizing Emergencies
Being Ready for Medical Emergencies

Chapter 22. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
First-Aid Precautions
CPR (Rescue Breathing/Chest Compressions)
Choking (Heimlich Maneuver)
Recovery Position

Chapter 23. EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
Animal/Insect Bites
Choking
Drowning
Electric Shock
Eye Injuries
Fainting
Frostbite
Head Injuries
Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stoke
Neck/Spine Injuries
Poisoning
Seizures
Shock
Unconsciousness

SECTION IV - MAJOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Introduction

Chapter 24. CHRONIC ILLNESSES
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Arthritis
Cancer
Cataracts
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Cirrhosis
Coronary Heart Disease
Diabetes
Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis
Emphysema
Epilepsy
Gallstones
Glaucoma
Gout
High Blood Pressure
HIV/AIDS
Kidney Stones
Lung Cancer
Multiple Sclerosis
Osteoporosis
Parkinson's Disease
Peptic Ulcers
Phlebitis & Thrombosis
Pneumonia
Sickle Cell Disease
Strokes
Thyroid Problems

SECTION V - HEALTH RESOURCES
Introduction

Chapter 25. PLACES TO GET INFORMATION & HELP
General Health Information
For Specific Concerns

Please know that many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this guide and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in initial capital letters (e.g. Tums).

Copyright 1998, 3rd edition, American Institute for Preventive Medicine
All rights reserved. No Part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without written permission

Date updated 04/20/99