Take Care of Yourself, 10th Edition: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Self-Care

by James F. Fries, Donald M. Vickery

Overview

A revised edition of the classic self-care guide, with new research on aging. "Every family should have this book"(Annals of Internal Medicine).



Continuing to break new ground after forty years in print, Take Care of Yourself is the go-to guide for at home self-care. Simple to use, even in a crisis, the easy-to-navigate flowcharts help you quickly look up your symptoms and find an explanation of likely causes and possible home remedies, as well as advice on when you should go see a doctor. This comprehensive guide covers emergencies, over 175 healthcare concerns, the twenty things you should keep in a home pharmacy, and how to work best with your doctor. This new edition explains the latest research on how to postpone aging and what you can do to prevent chronic illness and stay in your best shape as you age. With new information on the Zika virus, prescription pain relievers, and other pertinent updates throughout, Take Care of Yourself remains your path to the most comprehensive and dependable self-care.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738219738
Publisher:	Hachette Books
Publication date:	08/29/2017
Edition description:	Illustrate
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	113,479
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

James F. Fries, MD, is Professor of Medicine, Emeritus, at Stanford University. His work involves the study of health outcomes and how to improve them, prevention of disease by reduction in health risks, self-care techniques, and health economics. He has published over 300 scientific articles and 11 books.

Donald M. Vickery, MD, helped develop the first medical decision charts for non-doctors. Formerly the head of the nonprofit Self-Care Institute, he died in 2008. Fries and Vickery also coauthored, with Robert H. Pantell, Taking Care of Your Child.

Table of Contents

List of Tables xv

Preface xvii

Acknowledgments xix

How to Use This Book xxi

Introduction xxvii

Part I The Habit of Health 1

Chapter 1 A Pound of Prevention: Your Health Is in Your Hands 2

Postponing Aging 3

The Six Keys to Health 5

Vigorous, Regular, Serious, Lifelong Exercise 5

Not Smoking 12

Moderate Use of Alcohol and Other Intoxicants 14

Maintenance of a Moderate Weight 15

Reduction of Accidental Injuries 24

Wise Use of Professional Prevention 26

Is It Really as Simple as Postponing Aging? 34

Defining "Morbidity" and "Mortality" 34

Compressing or Expanding Morbidity? 35

What We've Learned about Aging and Morbidity 42

The Power of Prevention: How It Works 46

The Habit of Health 46

Chapter 2 Home Medicine Chest 47

Blood Pressure Cuff 50

Bandages and Adhesive Tape 50

Antiseptic Cleansers 52

Thermometer 53

Pain and Fever Medications 54

Prescription Narcotic Pain Relievers 57

Antacids 59

Skin Soothers 61

Syrup of Ipecac 61

Antihistamines and Decongestants for Allergies 62

Nose Drops and Sprays 63

Cold Tablets 64

Cough Syrups 66

Laxatives 67

Diarrhea Remedies 68

Sodium Fluoride 68

"Artificial Tears" Eye Drops 69

Zinc Oxide 70

Antifungal Preparations 71

Hydrocortisone Cream 71

Sunscreen Agents 72

Wart Removers 72

Elastic Bandages 73

Vitamin Preparations 74

Part II Common Problems 77

Chapter 3 Emergencies 78

Emergency Signs 79

Choking 82

Poisoning 86

Chapter 4 Common Injuries 88

Cuts 88

Puncture Wounds 90

Animal Bites 92

Scrapes and Abrasions 94

Tetanus Shots 96

Broken Bone? 98

Broken Ribs 100

Ankle Injuries 102

Knee Injuries 104

Arm Injuries 106

Head Injuries 108

Burns 110

Infected Wounds 112

Insect Bites or Stings 114

Snake Bites 116

Fishhooks 118

Smashed Fingers 120

Chapter 5 Ear, Nose, Throat, Eye, and Mouth Problems 123

Is It Viral, Bacterial, or Allergic? 123

Colds and Flu 126

Sore Throat 128

Ear Pain and Stuffiness 130

Ear Discharges 132

Hearing Loss 134

Runny Nose 136

Cough 138

Croup 140

Wheezing 142

Hoarseness 144

Swollen Glands 146

Nosebleeds 148

Foreign Body in Eye 150

Eye Pain 152

Decreased Vision 154

Eye Burning, Itching, or Discharge 156

Styes and Blocked Tear Ducts 158

Bad Breath 160

Mouth Sores 162

Toothaches 164

Chapter 6 Skin Problems 166

Baby Rashes 170

Diaper Rash 172

Hair Loss 174

Impetigo 176

Ringworm 178

Hives 180

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak 182

Rashes Caused by Chemicals 184

Skin Cancer 186

Eczema 188

Boils 190

Acne 192

Athlete's Foot 194

Jock Itch 195

Sunburn 196

Lice and Bedbugs 198

Ticks 200

Chiggers 202

Scabies 204

Dandruff and Cradle Cap 206

Patchy Loss of Skin Color 208

Aging Spots, Wrinkles, and Baldness 210

Chapter 7 Childhood Diseases 212

Mumps 212

Chicken Pox 214

Measles 216

Rubella 218

Roseola 220

Scarlet Fever 222

Fifth Disease 224

Chapter 8 Bones, Muscles, and Joints 226

Arthritis 226

Musculoskeletal Pain 228

Neck Pain 230

Shoulder Pain 232

Elbow Pain 234

Wrist Pain 236

Finger Pain 238

Low Back Pain 240

Hip Pain 242

Knee Pain 244

Leg Pain 246

Shin Pain 248

Ankle Pain 250

Ankle and Leg Swelling 252

Heel Pain 254

Foot Pain 257

Chapter 9 Chest, Abdominal, and Urinary Problems 260

Chest Pain 260

Shortness of Breath 262

Palpitations 264

Nausea and Vomiting 266

Diarrhea 268

Heartburn 270

Abdominal Pain 272

Constipation 274

Rectal Problems 276

Incontinence 278

Difficult Urination for Men 280

Difficult Urination for Women 282

Chapter 10 Generalized Problems 284

Fever 284

Headache 286

Sleep Disorders 288

Weakness and Fatigue 290

Dizziness and Fainting 292

High Blood Pressure 294

Anxiety and Grief 296

Hyperventilation Syndrome 298

Lump in the Throat 300

Depression 302

Alcoholism 304

Drug Abuse 307

Chapter 11 Women's Health 310

Breast Self-Examination 310

Gynecological Examination 312

Vaginal Discharge 314

Bleeding Between Periods or After Menopause 316

Difficult Periods 318

Missed Periods 320

Menopause 322

Chapter 12 Sexual Problems and Questions 324

Sexually Transmitted Diseases 324

Genital Herpes 326

AIDS and Safer Sex 328

Preventing Unwanted Pregnancy 330

Part III Managing Your Professional Medical Care 335

Chapter 13 Working with Your Doctor and Your Health Care System 336

Finding the Right Doctor 336

Communicating with Your Doctor 338

Medical History 338

Understanding Your Health Plan 340

Getting the Most Out of Your Visit to the Doctor 342

Asking Questions 342

Carrying Out Your Treatment Program 344

Choosing the Right Medical Facility 345

Hospitals 345

Emergency Rooms 346

Other Medical Facilities 347

Reducing the Cost of Medications 348

Your Doctor Can Help 349

Your Pharmacist Can Help 350

You Can Help 350

Immunizations: A family Record 352

Part IV Appendixes 353

Appendix A Taking Care of Yourself in an Age of Uncertain Risks 355

Appendix B Additional Reading 361

About the Authors 365

Index 367