Free Library of References and Resources: Health

Back to Library Index

Airborne Allergens: Something in the Air - Sneezing is not always the symptom of a cold. Sometimes, it is an allergic reaction to something in the air. Health experts estimate that 35 million Americans suffer from upper respiratory tract symptoms that are allergic reactions to airborne allergens. Learn more about pollen, mold, dust mite animal allergens and more. (PDF File)

Anxiety Disorders - Lists treatments available and resources to contact for more information on panic phobias, stress, obsessive-compulsive, and other disorders. (PDF file)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Discusses symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments of this disorder which affects many children and young people. (PDF file)

Avoiding Food and Drug Interactions - What you eat and drink can affect the way your medicines work. Use this guide to alert you to possible "food-drug interactions" and to help you learn what you can do to prevent them. (PDF File)

Basik Lasik - Find out about Lasik eye surgery, who is a good candidate, possible risks and complications, and more. (PDF file)

Be Active Your Way--Consumer Booklet for Adults - Contains loads of ideas to help you reach the recommended activity level—2 hours 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week; plus strengthening activities two days a week. (PDF file)

Better Health and You - A balanced eating plan and regular physical activity are the building blocks of good health. By eating right and being active, you may reach or maintain a healthy weight. You may also improve your physical health, mental well-being, and set an example for others.

Bipolar Disorder (Manic- Depressive Illness) - Learn signs and symptoms, available treatments, and how to get help.

Bottled Water Basics - Not all bottled water is the same. Get tips on how to choose it based on the type of water and the source, taste considerations, and more. (PDF file)

Buying Drugs Online - A new advantage of the Internet is being able to buy prescription drugs online. Exlpains how online sales work, how to check for professional certification, and warning signs that a web site may be fraudulent. (PDF file)

Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide - Here's a helpful list of do's and don’ts when shopping for medications over the Internet. (PDF file)

Cracking Down on Health Fraud - Read about the specific cases of fraudulent health products on the market, and learn how to spot fake claims.

Do I Have Lupus? - Lupus is a disease in which the immune system attacks the body's healthy cells and tissues. Learn about the three main types, their symptoms, who is affected and how lupus is diagnosed and treated.

Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight? - Being overweight increases your chances of developing serious health problems, like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. This guide can help you lose weight safely and develop a healthier lifestyle. (PDF file)

Facts About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Explains what it is, treatment options, and how to get help. (PDF file)

Federally-Funded Health Center Search Tool - Federally-funded health centers care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income.

Filtration Facts - Learn about the different types of home water filters available, including pitchers, faucet filters, and freestanding units. Provides general information on cost, maintenance, and performance. (PDF file)

Get Set for Winter Illness Season - In much of the Northern Hemisphere, this is prime time for colds, influenza (flu), and other respiratory illnesses. While contagious viruses are active year-round, fall and winter are when we're all most vulnerable to them. This is due in large part to people spending more time indoors with others when the weather gets cold. (PDF file)

Greater Access to Generic Drugs - What the FDA is doing to make generic drugs more available, and why that's good news for consumers.

H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith- based Organizations - Provides information about 2009 H1N1 flu and current response activities and specific action steps you can take to help keep your community healthy.

Handout on Health: Back Pain - Describes causes, diagnoses, treatments, and research efforts to learn more about back pain.

Handout on Health: Osteoarthritis - Discusses symptoms, treatments, and helpful exercises for the most common type of arthritis.

Handout on Health: Osteoporosis - Comprehensive guide details the causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteoporosis.

Handout on Health: Scleroderma - This group of diseases involves the abnormal growth of connective tissue under the skin and around internal organs. Describes the different forms of scleroderma, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Handout on Health: Sports Injuries - Most of us aren't pro athletes, so we need to have the facts about sports injuries. Learn what kinds of activities are most likely to cause injuries, how to prevent them, and treatments available.

Healthy Heart Handbook for Women - Information on the seven major risk factors for heart disease and six self-help strategies to beat it. Includes a food guide, recipes, and a resouce list. (PDF file)

How to Hold Your Own Against Colds and Flu - Get the facts on lowering your chance of infection, treating cold and flu aches and pains, and when to see a doctor.

Joint Replacement Surgery - Explains this increasingly common procedure, as well as tips for a successful recovery and possible complications after surgery.

Joint Replacement: An Inside Look - Although hip and knee replacements are highly successful, some problems do remain. Read about the basics of replacement surgery, a new hip resurfacing procedure, materials that may reduce wear in artificial joints, and advances in surgical techniques.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - This disease affects children 16 years old and younger. Find out about the causes, symptoms, tests, and various treatments.

Keep Active - How older people can use exercise and sports to help lower the risk of common diseases, relieve arthritis pain, and recover faster from illness. Includes an activity log to track progress and lists tips to prevent injury.

Many Shades of Lupus - Lupus affects people of different races, ethnicities, and ages, both men and women, in many ways. Find out more about lupus, its symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Men and Depression - Depression is a serious medical condition that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way one eats and sleeps. It affects how one thinks about things, and one's self perception. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition one can will or wish away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely - pull themselves together - and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. However, appropriate treatment, often involving medication and/or short term psychotherapy, can help most people who suffer from depression.

Men: Stay Healthy at 50+ - Use the checklists in this flyer to help you stay healthy at 50+. The checklists help answer your questions about what daily steps you can take for good health, whether you need medicines to prevent disease, and which screening tests you need and when to get them. (PDF file)

New Over-the-Counter Medicine Label…Take a Look! - OTC labels were redesigned to make them easier to compare and understand. Here's a sample of the new label and the standard information you'll find on it.

Personal Emergency Response Systems - Explains how different systems summon help. Includes a helpful checklist and must-ask questions. (PDF file)

Questions & Answers About Bursitis and Tendinitis - If you’ve ever suffered from tennis elbow or painful inflammation around other joints, you’ll find this booklet useful. It explains the causes of bursitis and tendinitis, how the conditions are diagnosed and treated, and what you can do to prevent a recurrence.

Questions & Answers About Gout - Here are the details on this painful type of arthritis, including symptoms, treatments, and more.

Questions & Answers About Knee Problems - Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of specific knee conditions.

Questions & Answers About Vitiligo - Vitiligo causes white patches to appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Learn who is affected, other symptoms, including emotional and psychological aspects, treatment options, and more.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before You Have Surgery - Use this booklet to become a better informed and prepared patient. (PDF file)

Sun, UV, and You - Explains what the UV (ultraviolet radiation) index is and how you can use it to avoid skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, and more. (PDF file)

The New OTC Medicine Label - All over-the- counter medicines now carry usage and warning labels. Learn what's important--for your health's sake.

Use Caution with Pain Relievers - Over-the-counter pain relievers can be dangerous if misused. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage, and aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. Understand the risks and how to reduce them.

Weight Loss for Life - This guide will help you learn how to lose weight safely and stay healthy. (PDF file)

What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer - The most common cancer in the US is among the most curable – if caught in time. Learn what to watch for and how to do skin self-exams. (PDF file)

Women: Stay Healthy at 50+ - Use the checklists in this flyer to help you stay healthy at 50+. The checklists help answer your questions about what daily steps you can take for good health, whether you need medicines to prevent disease, and which screening tests you need and when to get them. (PDF file)

Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home - What to look for in a nursing home, alternatives to nursing homes, an evaluation checklist, and a list of helpful resources. (PDF file)

Back to Library Index