This online 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 guide.

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Medical Care  

Choosing a Doctor or Health Care Provider

See Your “Primary” Doctor Before You See a Specialist

Tell & Ask the Doctor/Provider Checklists

Choosing a Health Plan

Comparing Health Plans

Health Insurance Checklist

Using Your Health Plan

Preventing Medical Errors

 

Medical Exams & Tests

A Routine Checkup

Tests & What They Are For

Health Tests & When to Have Them

Immunization Schedule

Vaccines for Traveling Abroad

Home Medical Tests

Family Medical Record

 

Medications

Safe Use of Medications

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

Your Home Pharmacy

Medication Interactions

Overhauling Your Medicine Cabinet

 

Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Definitions

Types

Safe Use

Herb Alert Chart

 

Medical Decisions

Gather Facts

Key Questions Checklist

Medical Decision Comparison Chart

Patient Rights

Informed Consent

Advance Directives

Ten Basic Tips to Stay Healthy & Safe

 

Staying Well

HealthyLife® Risk Appraisal

Be Physically Active

Eat for Good Health

D.A.S.H. Eating Plan

Nutrition for Children

Control Your Weight

Control Your Cholesterol & Triglycerides

Be Tobacco-Free

Use Alcohol Wisely

Your Mind + Your Body = You

Manage Stress

Home Safety Checklist

Personal Safety Checklist

Healthy Travel Checklist

 

Workplace Health & Safety

General Guidelines

Prevent Injuries

Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders

Workstation Exercises

Manage Job Stress

 

Be Prepared for Disasters & Threats

Plans to Make Before a Disaster

Be Prepared for Certain Disasters 

Introduction

How to Use This Section

 

Eye Conditions

Cataract

Eyestrain from Computer Use

Floaters & Flashes

Glaucoma

Macular Degeneration

Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)

Stye

Vision Care

Ear, Nose & Throat Problems

Earaches

Hay Fever

Hearing Loss

Laryngitis

Nosebleeds

Sinus Problems

Sore Throats

Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

Respiratory Conditions

Asthma

Avian Influenza – “Bird Flu”

Bronchitis

Colds & Flu

Coughs

Emphysema

Hiccups

Pneumonia

SARS–Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Wheezing

Skin Conditions

ABC’s of Skin Care

Acne

Athlete’s Foot

Blisters

Boils

Cellulitis

Cold Hands & Feet

Corns & Calluses

Dry Skin

Hair Loss

Ingrown Toenails

Insect Stings

Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac

Shingles

Skin Cancer

Skin Rashes

Splinters

Varicose Veins

Warts

Digestive & Urinary Problems

Abdominal Pain

Constipation

Diarrhea

Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis

Flatulence (Gas)

Food Poisoning

Gallstones

Heartburn & Indigestion

Hemorrhoids

Hernias

Hiatal Hernia

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Kidney Stones

Lactose Intolerance

Peptic Ulcers

Rectal Problems

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Vomiting & Nausea

Muscle & Bone Problems

Arthritis

Back Pain

Fibromyalgia

Foot Problems

Leg Pain & Ankle Pain

Osteoporosis

Repetitive Motion Injuries

Shoulder Pain & Neck Pain

Introduction

Recognizing Emergencies

Being Ready for Medical Emergencies

 

Emergency Procedures

First Aid Precautions

Rescue Breathing

CPR

First Aid for Choking

Recovery Position

 

Emergency Conditions / First Aid

Bites & Stings

Bleeding

Broken Bones/Dislocations

Burns

Choking

Dehydration

Electric Shock

Eye Injuries & Irritation

Fainting & Unconsciousness

Fishhook Removal

Frostbite & Hypothermia

Head/Neck/Spine Injuries

Heart Attack

Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke

Hyperventilation

Near-Drowning

Objects in the Ear or Nose

Poisoning

Seizures

Shock

Skin Injuries/Wounds

Sprains, Strains & Sports Injuries

Stroke (Brain Attack)

 

Acknowledgements

General Health Conditions

Allergies

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

Anemia

Cancer

Chest Pain

Chronic Pain

Diabetes

Fatigue

Fever

Headaches

Heart Disease

Heart Palpitations

Hepatitis

High Blood Pressure

HIV/AIDS

Memory Loss

Multiple Sclerosis

Parkinson’s Disease

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Sickle Cell Anemia

Sleep Disorders & Snoring

Thyroid Problems

Mental Health Conditions

Mental Health

Alcohol & Drug Problems

Anger

Anxiety & Panic Attacks

Codependency

Depression          

Eating Disorders

Gambling Problems

Grief/Bereavement

Stress & Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Suicidal Thoughts

Violence & Abuse

Men’s Health Issues

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Jock Itch

Premature Ejaculation

Prostate Problems

Testicle Problems

Women’s Health Issues

Birth Control

Breast Lumps, Cancer & Self-Exam

Cervical Cancer

Endometriosis

Fibroids

Menopause

Menstrual Bleeding Problems

Menstrual Cramps

Ovarian Cysts & Cancer

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Toxic Shock Syndrome

Vaginal Infections

Children’s Health Problems

Bed-Wetting

Colic

Croup

Lice

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Regular Dental Care

Bad Breath

Broken or Knocked-Out Tooth

Fractured Jaw

Gum (Periodontal) Disease

Mouth Sores

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome

Toothaches

This guide is one of many self-care books, programs, and online products developed by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. The goal of all of these products is to help individuals reduce health care costs and improve the quality of their lives.

HealthyLife® Self-Care Guides - Each of these addresses: Families; Women; Men; Seniors; Children; Adolescents; Pregnancy; Alternative Medicine; and Mental Health. The books Health at Home®, Health at Home® Lifetime, and A Year of Health Hints are also available. Some publications are available in a low literacy format and Spanish. We also provide many wellness and disease management publications and programs.

The content on this website is proprietary. YOU MAY NOT MODIFY, COPY, REPRODUCE, REPUBLISH, UPLOAD, POST, TRANSMIT, OR DISTRIBUTE, IN ANY MANNER, THE MATERIAL ON THE SITE.

Healthier at Home® Online

The Proven Guide to Self-Care & Being a Wise Health Consumer