Take Care of Yourself: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Medical Self-Care (Take Care)

Over 150 common healthcare problems and symptoms-likely causes and how you might relieve them at home. Diagrams to 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. Contents......Page 8 To Our Readers......Page 6 Preface......Page 16 Acknowledgments......Page 18 How to Use This Book......Page 19 Introduction......Page 24 PART I: The Habit of Health......Page 28 CHAPTER 1 A Pound of Prevention: Your Actions, Your Future......Page 30 The Seven Keys to Health......Page 31 The Power of Prevention: How It Works......Page 54 CHAPTER 2 Your Home Pharmacy......Page 58 Bandages and Adhesive Tape......Page 61 Antiseptic Cleansers......Page 63 Thermometer......Page 64 Pain and Fever Medications......Page 65 Antacids......Page 68 Syrup of Ipecac......Page 70 Allergy Medications: Antihistamines and Decongestants......Page 71 Nose Drops and Sprays......Page 72 Cold Tablets......Page 73 Cough Syrups......Page 74 Laxatives......Page 75 Sodium Fluoride......Page 76 "Artificial Tears" Eye Drops......Page 77 Zinc Oxide......Page 78 Hydrocortisone Cream......Page 79 Wart Removers......Page 80 Elastic Bandages......Page 81 Vitamin Preparations......Page 82 PART II: Common Problems......Page 84 CHAPTER 3 Emergencies......Page 86 Emergency Signs......Page 87 Choking......Page 89 Poisoning......Page 93 Cuts......Page 95 Puncture Wounds......Page 97 Animal Bites......Page 99 Scrapes and Abrasions......Page 101 Tetanus Shots......Page 103 Broken Bone?......Page 105 Ankle Injuries......Page 107 Knee Injuries......Page 109 Arm Injuries......Page 111 Head Injuries......Page 113 Burns......Page 115 Infected Wounds......Page 117 Insect Bites or Stings......Page 119 Snake Bites......Page 121 Fishhooks......Page 123 Smashed Fingers......Page 125 Is It a Virus, a Bacterium, or an Allergy?......Page 128 Colds and Flu......Page 131 Sore Throat......Page 133 Ear Pain and Stuffiness......Page 135 Ear Discharges......Page 137 Hearing Loss......Page 139 Runny Nose......Page 141 Cough......Page 143 Croup......Page 145 Wheezing......Page 147 Hoarseness......Page 149 Swollen Glands......Page 151 Nosebleeds......Page 153 Foreign Body in Eye......Page 155 Eye Pain......Page 157 Decreased Vision......Page 159 Eye Burning, Itching, and Discharge......Page 161 Styes and Blocked Tear Ducts......Page 163 Bad Breath......Page 165 Mouth Sores......Page 167 Toothaches......Page 169 Approaching Skin Problems......Page 171 Baby Rashes......Page 175 Diaper Rash......Page 177 Hair Loss......Page 179 Impetigo......Page 181 Ringworm......Page 183 Hives......Page 185 Poison Ivy and Poison Oak......Page 187 Rashes Caused by Chemicals......Page 189 Skin Cancer......Page 191 Eczema......Page 193 Boils......Page 195 Acne......Page 197 Athlete's Foot......Page 199 Jock Itch......Page 200 Sunburn......Page 201 Lice and Bedbugs......Page 203 Ticks......Page 205 Chiggers......Page 207 Scabies......Page 209 Dandruff and Cradle Cap......Page 211 Patchy Loss of Skin Color......Page 213 Aging Spots, Wrinkles, and Baldness......Page 215 Mumps......Page 217 Chicken Pox......Page 219 Measles......Page 221 Rubella......Page 223 Roseola......Page 225 Scarlet Fever......Page 227 Fifth Disease......Page 229 Arthritis......Page 231 Musculoskeletal Pain......Page 233 Neck Pain......Page 235 Shoulder Pain......Page 237 Elbow Pain......Page 239 Wrist Pain......Page 241 Finger Pain......Page 243 Low Back Pain......Page 245 Hip Pain......Page 247 Knee Pain......Page 249 Leg Pain......Page 251 Shin Pain......Page 253 Ankle Pain......Page 255 Ankle and Leg Swelling......Page 257 Heel Pain......Page 259 Foot Pain......Page 262 Chest Pain......Page 265 Shortness of Breath......Page 267 Palpitations......Page 269 Nausea and Vomiting......Page 271 Diarrhea......Page 273 Heartburn......Page 275 Abdominal Pain......Page 277 Constipation......Page 279 Rectal Problems......Page 281 Incontinence......Page 283 Difficult Urination for Men......Page 285 Difficult Urination for Women......Page 287 Fever......Page 289 Headache......Page 293 Sleep Disorders......Page 295 Weakness and Fatigue......Page 297 Dizziness and Fainting......Page 299 High Blood Pressure......Page 301 Stress, Anxiety, and Grief......Page 303 Hyperventilation Syndrome......Page 305 Lump in the Throat......Page 307 Depression......Page 309 Alcoholism......Page 311 Drug Abuse......Page 314 Breast Self-examination......Page 317 The Gynecological Examination......Page 319 Vaginal Discharge......Page 321 Bleeding Between Periods......Page 323 Difficult Periods......Page 325 Missed Periods......Page 327 Menopause......Page 329 Sexually Transmitted Diseases......Page 331 Genital Herpes......Page 333 AIDS and Safer Sex......Page 335 Preventing Unwanted Pregnancy......Page 337 PART III: Managing Your Professional Medical Care......Page 342 Finding the Right Doctor......Page 344 Communicating with Your Doctor......Page 346 Understanding Your Health Plan......Page 348 Getting the Most Out of Your Visit to the Doctor......Page 350 Choosing the Right Medical Facility......Page 353 Reducing the Cost of Medications......Page 356 Immunizations: A Family Record......Page 359 Additional Reading......Page 360 B......Page 362 D......Page 363 H......Page 364 L......Page 365 P......Page 366 S......Page 367 Z......Page 368 A comprehensive and self-care guide which contains over 150 common healthcare problems and symptoms along with likely causes, and ways to relieve them at home. It includes diagrams to help you recognize problems and, in many cases treat them quickly and easily.