Home Doctor

196 Pages·2009·5.44 MB·English

by  DK Publishing

FOREWORD BY ADRIANE FUGH-BERMAN, MD
HOME
DOCTOR
self-help t reatments
over 150 common conditions
emergency first aid
a–z of remedies
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO TREAAATTIINNGG
D
E
S
COMMON COMPLAINTS AT HOOMMEE VI
E
R
N, D
O E
TI AT
DR. MICHAEL PETERS CO N D AENDID UPD
E
S

HOM E
DOC TOR
LONDON, NEW YORK, MELBOURNE, MUNICH, AND DELHI
US Editors Shannon Beatty, Jill Hamilton, Jane Perlmutter
USEditorial Assistant Madeline Farbman
UK Editors Esther Ripley, Katie John, Alyson Lacewing, Dawn Henderson
Managing Editors Julie Oughton, Martyn Page
Project Art Editors Sue Caws, Isabel de Cordova
Managing Art Editors Louise Dick, Marianne Markham
Picture Researchers Romaine Werblow, Claire Bowers, Juliet Duff, Carolyn Clerkin
Production Editor Phil Sargeant
Production Controller Hema Gohil
Associate Publisher Liz Wheeler
Publisher Jonathan Metcalf
Art Director Bryn Walls
Additional Design Inperspective Ltd., Ist Floor, Exmouth House, 3–11 Pine Street, London EC1R 0JH
This Second Edition edited for Dorling Kindersley by Martyn Page
First American Edition, 2004
This Second American Edition, 2009
Published in the United States by
DK Publishing
375 Hudson Street
New York, New York 10014
09 10 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
[HD178–7/2009]
Copyright © 2004, 2009 DorlingKindersley Limited
Text copyright © 2004, 2009 Michael Peters
The author has asserted his moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written
permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this book is accurate. The information in this book will be relevant to the majority of
people but may not be applicable in each individual case, so you are therefore advised to obtain expert medical advice for specific information on
personal health matters. Never disregard expert medical advice or delay in receiving treatment due to information obtained from this book. The
naming of any product, treatment, or organization in this book does not imply endorsement by the author or the publisher, nor does the omission of
any such names indicate disapproval. Neither the publisher nor the author accept any legal responsibility for any personal injury or other damage
or loss arising from any use or misuse of the information and advice in this book.
Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited
A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-0-7566-5188-6
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contact: DK Publishing Special Markets, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014 or [email protected]
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HOM E
DOC TOR
Dr Michael Peters
US consultant editor
Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD
A Dorling Kindersley Book
Forewords
Dr Peters has written a very useful,extensive home medical reference
that contains a wealth of practical, easy-to-follow advice. Each condition
is introduced with a short description, and circumstances under which one
should consult a doctor immediately are conveniently placed first. For illnesses
that can be safely treated at home, effective nonprescription treatments are
recommended, as well as non-drug treatments such as peppermint oil for
irritable bowel syndrome, feverfew to prevent migraines, and relaxation
exercises for stress.
The major strength of this book lies in the hundreds of practical tips and
techniques for treating – and preventing – common symptoms and illnesses.
The illustrations are an excellent complement to the text and are very helpful
for demonstrating, for example, the technique for steam inhalation, how to stop
a nosebleed, or how to get out of bed when one has back pain. The techniques
for calming a baby with sleep problems or colic will be quite valuable to new
parents. First aid is also covered, and a glossary of nonprescription treatments
mentioned in the book is included.
It is clear that Dr Peters is a competent, experienced physician with loads
of common sense. This book contains an enormous amount of practical, easily
understood information, and would be an excellent addition to any home library.
Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD
People today are more awareof health issues than ever before, but they
are frequently confronted with a bewildering array of self-help advice. There
is often little guidance through this maze, leaving many confused about when
and whom to ask for help, and sometimes suffering because they do not want
to bother their doctor with "trivial" complaints.
As a general practitioner for many years, I have always felt it is important
to empower people by giving them clear information to enable them to make
sensible decisions about their health. In writing Home DoctorI have tried to
put this into practice, coveringover 150 common conditions for which home
treatment is often appropriate. In each article, I have given guidance on
identifying your condition and deciding whether self-help is suitable, and
advised on practical help and treatment.
A range of drug and natural remedies is suggested in this book (with more
information, such as brand names, listed in an A–Z list at the back). There is
a vast number of treatments available in pharmacies and health stores, but I
have confined myself to those that are likely to be most effective. Naturally,
there will be omissions or alternatives that may be just as suitable. As much
as possible, Ihave used a similar evidence-based approach in choosing
natural remedies, with the occasional addition of a soothing herbal tea or
oil that may help and is unlikely to cause harm.
In researching and writing this book, I have tried to create a simple home
reference that can be turned to when any family member is sick or needs
medical advice. However, a book can give only general guidance and is no
substitute for professional advice. When you can’t find an answer here, or
are in any doubt about a medical condition, you should see your own doctor.
Dr Michael Peters
Contents
How to use this book 8 Corns and calluses 42
Symptom finder 9 Warts and plantar warts 43
Athlete’s foot and jock itch 44
COMMON Boils 45
CONDITIONS 11–152
Heat rash and sunburn 46
Ringworm 48
General symptoms
Dandruff 49
Fever 12 Lice 50 Tinnitus 67
Excessive sweating 13 Unwanted or ingrown hair 51 Foreign object in the ear 68
Itching 14 Hair thinning and hair loss 52
Mouth, nose, and
Fatigue 15 Disfigured or brittle nails 53
throat problems
Hangover 16 Nail biting 54
Chapped or cracked lips 69
Difficulty sleeping 17 Ingrown toenail 55
Cold sore 70
Jet lag 18
Eye and ear problems
Mouth ulcers 71
Feeling faint or dizzy 19
Itchy eyes 56 Bad breath 72
Stress 20
Dry eyes 57 Sore mouth or tongue 73
Feeling depressed 22
Conjunctivitis 58 Bleeding gums 74
Panic attacks 24
Stye 59 Toothache and sensitive teeth 75
Poor memory 25
Contact lens problems 60 Knocked-out tooth 76
Infectious diseases
Foreign object in the eye 61 Blocked or runny nose 77
Mumps 26 Black eye 62 Common cold 78
Rubella 27 Earwax 63 Sinusitis 79
Mononucleosis 28 Earache 64 Hay fever 80
Measles 29 Swimmer’s ear 65 Sore throat 81
Influenza 30 Popping ears 66 Hoarseness and loss of voice 82
Pertussis 31 Nosebleed 83
Chicken pox 32 Snoring 84
Shingles 33
Head, back, and
Skin, hair, and limb problems
nail problems
Headache 85
Impetigo 34 Migraine 86
Scabies 35 Stiff or sore neck 87
Urticaria 36 Lower back pain 88
Acne 37 Shoulder pain 90
Eczema 38 Tennis or golfer’s elbow 91
Psoriasis 39 Hip pain 92
Rosacea 40 Knee pain 93
Dry skin 41 Leg cramps 94
Varicose veins 95 Painful menstrual periods 128
FIRSTAID 153–174
Swollen ankles 96 Menopausal problems 129
Foot pain 97 Cystitis 130
First-aid essentials/
Bunions 98 Poor bladder control 131
first-aid kit 154
Painful heel 99 Vaginal discharge 132 Blisters 155
Cold fingers and toes 100 Genital irritation 133 Cuts, scrapes, and splinters 156
Painful intercourse 134
Severe bleeding 157
Chest and abdominal
Children’s problems Insect bites and stings 158
problems
Anaphylactic shock 159
Fever 135
Hiccups 101
Sprains and strains 160
Diarrhea and vomiting 136
Coughing 102
Fractures and dislocations 161
Pinworms 137
Wheezing 103
Head injuries 162
Croup 138
Acute bronchitis 104
Eye injuries 163
Palpitations 105
Burns 164
Indigestion 106
Shock 165
Heartburn 107
Seizures 166
Bloating and flatulence 108 Febrile seizures 167
Nausea and vomiting 109 Unconsciousness 168
Motion sickness 110 Recovery position 169
Irritable bowel syndrome 111 CPR – Rescue breathing 170
Hernia 112 CPR – Chest compressions 171
Food intolerance 113 Choking 172
Food poisoning 114 Swallowed poisons 174
Constipation 115
Diarrhea 116 A–Z OF DRUG AND
Hemorrhoids 117 NATURAL REMEDIES175–189
Bedwetting 139
Itchy anus 118
Earache 140
Index 190
Temper tantrums 141
Men’s problems Acknowledgments 192
Problems in babies
Painful scrotum 119
Painful penis 120 Fever 142
Urinary problems 121 Diarrhea and vomiting 143
Erectile dysfunction 122 Feeding problems 144
Premature ejaculation 123 Sleep problems 146
Colic 148
Women’s problems
Excessive crying 149
Breast pain and lumpy breasts 124 Rashes and skin problems 150
Cracked nipples 126 Cradle cap 151
Premenstrual syndrome 127 Diaper rash 152
8 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
How to use this book
Home Doctor is divided into three main sections. The first, Common Conditions, is the core of the book,
providing detailed advice on home treatment for a wide range of everyday disorders and complaints. The
second section, First Aid, describes basic first-aid treatment for minor and more serious emergencies; and
the final A–Z of Drug and Natural Remedies supplies further information on remedies suggested in articles.
Common Conditions
is divided into general symptoms; Warningalerts you
infectious diseases; groups to symptoms that need
immediate medical help
of disorders such as eye and
ear problems; and problems See your doctor first
tells you if you need to
specific to men, women, children,
see a doctor before you
and babies. begin home treatment
Summaryof the symptoms Practical technique
of an illness and whom it affects or tipstells you how to
helps you identify the problem perform home treatments
Drug remedies that
have been suggested
in the main article are
described here
Natural remedies that
have been suggested
in the main article are
described here
What you can do Preventionsuggests
yourself advises on ways to help prevent
treatment. Icons the illness or recurrences
direct you to Drug
remedies, Natural Seek further medical
remedies, and advicetells you if you
Practical technique need to see a doctor
and tips boxes following home treatment
First Aidprovides basic first-aid advice for minor A–Z of Drug and Natural
mishaps and injuries, and step-by-step techniques Remediesgives information, such as
to help you deal with serious injuries and emergencies. brand names, side effects, and precautions,
for the treatments suggested in articles
andgeneral advice on using them safely.
Warning
A–Z OF DRUG AND NATURAL REMEDIES177
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