What Nurses Know and Doctors Don't Have Time to Tell You

Table Of Contents

What Nurses KnowAcknowledgments
Dedication
Introduction

1. Treating Symptoms

Head Cases

Headaches
Earaches and Hearing Loss
Eye Irritation and Vision Changes
Toothaches and Mouth Pain

Body Aches And Pains
Back and Neck Pain
Bone, Muscle, and Joint Pain
Chest Pain
Weakness and Dizziness
Rashes and Itches

Cold And Fever
Cough
Stuffy or Runny Nose
Sore Throat
Fever

Stomach Aches
Heartburn
Diarrhea and Constipation
Abdominal Pain

2. Treating and Preventing Injuries

Bites and Stings
Cuts and Scrapes
Sprains and Strains
Poison Control
Home Safety
Travel Health and Safety

3. Choosing and Using Medicines Wisely

What You Must Know About Every Prescription
OTC (Nonprescription) Medications
Is It a Medication Allergy or a Side Effect?
Antibiotic Alert
Herbal Remedies and Nutritional Supplements

4. You and the Health Care System

Choosing Your Primary Care Provider
Getting the Most from Your Relationship with Your Health Care Providers
Insurance Scrabble: Making Sense of the Letters
Tips for ER Visits
Tips for Hospital Stays

5. Medical Tests and Same-Day Surgery

Medical Tests
Blood Tests
Medical Imaging
Bowel Prep
Endoscopy
Same-Day Surgery
Postoperative Pain

Appendix: Web Resources
Research References
Index