How to Use This Section

  1. •Find the health condition in the index or in the Table of Contents. Go to that page. The problems are listed in chapters. Each chapter covers certain conditions, such as Eye Conditions, and Ear, Nose & Throat Problems, etc. The topics in each chapter are listed in order from A to Z.

  2. •Read about the problem, what causes it (if known), its symptoms, and treatments.

  3. •Read the “Questions to Ask.” Start at the top of the flow chart and answer YES or NO to each question. Follow the arrows until you get to one of these answers:

  4. -Get Medical Care Fast.

  5. -See Doctor.

  6. -See Counselor or Call Counselor.

  7. -Call Doctor.

  8. -Use Self-Care.



What the Instructions Mean

  1. Common Health Problems

Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Your doctor or a staff member will respond to your call.

The term “counselor” can be used for a number of mental health care providers:

  1. •Your counselor or therapist, if you already have one.

  2. •A mental health professional provided by your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at work.

  3. •A mental health center.

  4. •A clinical psychologist.

  5. •A social worker with a master’s degree (M.S.W.).

  6. •Another health care provider in the mental health field, such as a psychiatric nurse.


{Note: Your primary care doctor may be able to provide some counseling, too, or help you by making a referral to another mental health care provider. If you belong to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or other managed health care plan, you may need a referral from your primary care doctor for services to be covered. Also, a counselor may have you join a self-help / support group.}



Call Doctor

Call your doctor or health care provider and state the problem. He or she can decide what you should do. He or she may:

  1. •Tell you to make an appointment to be seen.

  2. •Send you to a laboratory for tests.

  3. •Prescribe medicine or treatment over the phone.

  4. •Tell you specific things to do to treat the problem.

Use Self-Care

You can probably take care of the problem yourself if you answered NO to all the questions. Use the “Self-Care” measures that are listed. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better soon, though. You may have some other problem.

Online Instructional Workshop

An online workshop, called Self-Care and You, teaches you how to effectively use this book.

Go to www.aipm.net/workshop.

Get Medical Care Fast

If your symptoms are listed under this heading, get medical care without delay. See Recognizing Emergencies for warning signs of a medical emergency. For one or more of these signs, go to a hospital emergency department if you can do so safely. If not, call 9-1-1, your local rescue squad, or an ambulance. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use a hospital emergency department if symptoms do not threaten life. Call your doctor right away or go to an “urgent care” center. Some hospital emergency departments have a “Prompt Care” area to treat problems, such as a sprained ankle.


Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a sprained ankle or similar problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.


Find out, now, how your health insurance covers medical emergencies, so you’ll know what to do.


Know phone numbers for emergency medical help. Write them down near your phone and on the Telephone Numbers & Information list. Call 9-1-1 where the service is available. If your HMO prefers that you use a certain ambulance service, find out their number and write it.

See Doctor

If your symptoms are listed under this heading, you should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.


The term “doctor” can be used for a number of health care providers:

  1. •Your doctor.

  2. •Your Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) clinic, primary doctor, or other health care provider.

  3. •Walk-in clinic.

  4. •Physician’s assistants (P.A.s), nurse practitioners (N.P.s), or certified nurses (C.N.s) who work with your doctor. This includes your “Nurse Call” Information Service.

  5. •Home health care provider.

  6. •Your psychiatrist.

  7. •Your dentist.


Write down phone numbers for your health care providers on the Telephone Numbers & Information page.

See Counselor or Call Counselor

If your symptoms are listed under this heading, call your mental health counselor, if you have one. If not, call your doctor for a referral. You will get advice on what to do.