10

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Symptom finder continued

L
Leg pain 889, 92, 94 Limb abnormal appearance of 161 pain 160, 161 swollen 160, 161 Lips cold sore on 70 cracked or sore 69 Personality change 20, 22, 25, 129 Phlegm 78, 104 Pinworms 137 Poor concentration 17, 18, 201, 223, 127 Poor memory 201, 223, 25 Pulse, abnormal 165 Stress, signs of 17, 201, 24, 38, 111, 123, 127 Swallowing difficulty 26, 81, 172 Sweating or clammy skin 12, 13, 24, 44, 109, 110, 129, 165, 167 Swollen ankles 96 Swollen face 26, 159 Swollen glands 27, 28, 81 Swollen joints 93, 95, 96, 160

R
Rash blistering 32, 33 diaper 152 itchy 32, 35, 36, 38, 44, 467, 113, 150 red 27, 29, 40, 44, 467, 113, 150, 152 Restlessness 86, 165

T
Talking, difficulty 26 Taste, loss or alteration of 77, 78, 79, 86 Teeth aching 75, 79 sensitive 75 Temperature, high 12, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 64, 78, 79, 81, 104, 119, 135, 136, 138, 140, 142, 167 Thirst 16, 165 Throat, sore 28, 30, 78, 81, 82 Tingling skin 33, 70, 100 Toe, sore 42, 55, 98 Tonsils, swollen 81 Toothache 75 Tooth, knocked-out 76

M
Menstrual periods irregular 129 painful 128 Migraine 201, 86 Mood changes 20, 22, 25, 127, 129, 141 Mouth dry 72 pain 71, 73, 75 Moving difficulty 87, 889, 90, 92, 93, 160, 161 Mucus in nose or throat 77 in stools 111 Muscles aching 26, 30, 85, 87, 889, 104, 160 cramps 94 spasms or twitching 889, 94, 166, 167 weakness 889

S
Sadness 201, 223 Scalp itchy 49, 50 scaly 49, 151 Scrotum pain 119 swelling 112, 119 Sensitivity to noise 86 Sex drive, loss of 223 Sexual difficulties 122, 123, 129, 134 Sexual intercourse, pain during 133, 134 Shaking/trembling 24 Shivering 12, 30, 135 Shoulder pain 85, 87, 90 Skin blue or gray 100, 159, 161, 164 cold 100 cracked 38, 41, 44 dry 38, 39, 41, 467, 69, 95, 129, 164 growths 43 hard 42, 98 hot 12, 135, 142, 160, 164 itchy see Itching lumps or swellings 35, 36, 45, 59, 95, 158, 164 painful or tingling 33, 45, 467, 70, 100, 164 pimples 32, 33, 34, 37, 40, 150, 152 red 36, 39, 40, 41, 467, 48, 49, 100, 158, 159, 164 scaly or flaky 38, 39, 41, 44, 48, 49, 151 splinters 156 white or pale 100, 110, 165 Sleeping difficulty 17, 18, 201, 223, 127, 1467 excessive 223 Smell, loss or alteration in sense of 77, 78, 86 Sneezing 78, 80, 138 Snoring 84 Sores face 34, 70 mouth 71 penis 120 Stools abnormal 111, 113, 115, 116, 136, 143 difficulty passing 18, 111, 115, 127

U, V
Unconsciousness 159, 162, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 1701 Urination difficulty 121 painful 119, 120, 130, 133 too frequent 121, 131, 139 Urine foul-smelling 130 leakage of 121, 131, 139 Vagina discharge 132 dryness 129 itching 133 pain 134 Veins, swollen 95, 117 Vision blurred 61 disturbed 86 Voice, loss of 82 Vomiting 31, 86, 109, 110, 114, 116, 136, 141, 143, 174 Vulva, itching 133, 137

N, O
Nails bitten 54 brittle 39, 53 disfigured 39, 44, 53, 55 Nausea 16, 24, 86, 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 115, 143, 165 Navel, swelling under 112 Neck stiff or sore 85, 87 swollen 26 Nipples, painful or cracked 126 Nose bleeding 83 blocked 77, 78, 79, 80 itchy 80 red 40 runny 27, 29, 77, 78, 79, 80, 138 Numb areas 100

P, Q
Palpitations 24, 105 Panic 201, 24 Parasites 35, 50, 137 Passing out 19 Penis discharge from 120 erection difficulty 122 painful 120 Periods, menstrual irregular 129 painful 128

W, X, Y, Z
Weakness 165 Weals 36 Weight gain 127 Wheezing 80, 103, 138, 159 Worms 137 Wounds 156, 157, 161, 162

COMMON CONDITIONS
This major part of the book features a wide range of common illnesses and disorders that can usually be treated successfully at home. The first section, covering general symptoms, such as fever or fatigue, that are common to many illnesses, is followed by coverage of the most prevalent infectious diseases. Conditions are then organized according to the parts of the body they affect, such as the chest and abdomen, or the eyes and ears. Specific problems affecting men, women, children, and babies are dealt with in their own sections.

12

COMMON CONDITIONS

GENERAL SYMPTOMS

Fever
In a fever, your body temperature is raised persistently above the normal level of 98.6F (37C). A fever is one way in which the body responds to infection, so it is likely to result from a viral illness such as the flu, or a throat, chest, or bladder infection. It can also be due to other diseases, heatstroke, sunburn, or reactions to drugs. At first you feel warm; if your temperature continues to rise, you feel chilled and may shiver, then as it drops you feel hot and flushed. You may become dehydrated if a fever persists.
WARNING

Get medical help immediately if: Temperature is over 103F (39.4C) You have a headache, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, and/or a rash G You are drowsy or confused G You have difficulty breathing
G G

See your doctor first

Arrange to see your doctor promptly if you feel weak and very ill, and/or if you have a specific symptom with a fever, such as an earache, a rash, or a cough with phlegm.

DRUG REMEDIES Analgesics such as acetaminophen (see p.177)

and ibuprofen (see p.185) will reduce fever and help to relieve headache and muscle aches. Start taking an analgesic as soon as you begin to feel feverish.

What you can do yourself

Use the following measures in conjunction with any treatment from your doctor. Rest; you dont have to stay in bed, but dont overexert yourself. Dont go to work.
G G

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE Checking your temperature Use a digital

thermometer placed in your mouth or armpit, or an aural thermometer, the tip of which is inserted in the ear. Forehead temperature strips are not reliable.
Using a digital thermometer Hold in place until it beeps, then read the temperature display.

Take an analgesic (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).

G Drink at least 8 glasses of water or diluted fruit juice to help prevent dehydration. Try to have 1 glass of fluid an hour. Avoid caffeinated drinks. Try soups and broths if you feel unable to eat. G Keep cool, but avoid getting cold. Wear light, loose clothes. In hot weather, use an electric fan. G To check your temperature, use a digital thermometer (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right).

If you are shivering, dont try to warm yourself. Instead, cover yourself up with a sheet or with a light blanket.
G

Seek further medical advice

Arrange to see your doctor if:
G Your temperature keeps rising despite attempts to bring it down G The fever has not subsided within 2 days and/or you have developed other symptoms

If you feel hot and sweaty, sponge your face with lukewarm water.
G