This online guide is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. The information is given to help you make informed choices about your health. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.


Understand that many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine was aware of a trademark claim, the first letter of each designation has been printed in capital letters (e.g., Tylenol).

  1. 1.Ways to Prevent and/or Relieve a Throbbing Headache

  2. 2.How to Fight a Fever

  3. 3.Daily Defense against Dandruff

  4. 4.Twelve Ways to Sleep through Insomnia

  5. 5.Surefire Relief for Pink Eye

  6. 6.What to Do for a Stye

  7. 7.Help for “Computer Eyes”

  8. 8.How to Quiet the Ringing in Your Ears

  9. 9.How to Stop a Nosebleed

  10. 10.Declare War on Cold Sores

  11. 11.Secret Weapon against Bad Breath

  12. 12.Soothing Remedies for Laryngitis

  13. 13.A Cure for Hiccups

  14. 14.How to Soothe a Sore Throat

  15. 15.Twelve Ways to Banish a Blemish

  16. 16.Effective Home Remedies for the Common Cold

  17. 17.Relief for Sinus Misery

  18. 18.Seven Ways to Fight Off the Flu

  19. 19.What You Don’t Know About Asthma Can Hurt You

  20. 20.Don’t Let Hay Fever Ruin Your Life

  21. 21.Bounce Back from Bronchitis

  22. 22.How to Take the Heat Out of Heartburn

  23. 23.Freedom from Constipation

  24. 24.Put a Stop to Diarrhea

  25. 25.What to Do about Flatulence (Gas)

Chapter 1: Fast Relief for Everyday Health ProblemsChapter1_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0

Acknowledgments

Appendix A: The Healthy Habit Test

Appendix B: Hotlines to Health

A Year of Health Hints

365 Practical Ways to Feel Better and Live Longer

This guide is one of many self-care books, programs, and online products developed by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. The goal of all of these products is to help individuals reduce health care costs and improve the quality of their lives.


HealthyLife® Self-Care Guides - Each of these addresses: Families; Women; Men; Seniors; Children; Adolescents; Pregnancy; Alternative Medicine; and Mental Health. The books Health at Home®, Health at Home® Lifetime, and A Year of Health Hints are also available. Some publications are available in a low literacy format and Spanish. We also provide many wellness and disease management publications and programs.


The content on this website is proprietary. YOU MAY NOT MODIFY, COPY, REPRODUCE, REPUBLISH, UPLOAD, POST, TRANSMIT, OR DISTRIBUTE, IN ANY MANNER, THE MATERIAL ON THE SITE.

  1. 50.Alzheimer’s Disease: Making Up for Poor Memory

  2. 51.Angina: What It Tells You About Your Heart

  3. 52.Arthritis: Easy Exercise for Creaky Joints

  4. 53.Cancer: Look for Clues That Can Save Your Life

  5. 54.Cataracts: New Ways to Restore Vision

  6. 55.Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Way Up from Down

  7. 56.Cirrhosis: Be Kind to Your Liver

  8. 57.Coronary Heart Disease: 9 Ways to Avoid the Deadliest Health Problem

  9. 58.Crohn’s Disease: Help for an Inflammatory Bowel Disorder

  10. 59.Diabetes: Warnings and Ways to Reduce Your Risk

  11. 60.Diverticulosis: Take Action If You Have the Symptoms

  12. 61.Emphysema: Make Breathing Easier

  13. 62.Gallstones: What They Feel Like, What You Can Do

Chapter 2: Major Medical Conditions: Prevention, Detection, and TreatmentChapter2_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0

  1. 78.Consider an Exercise Stress Test

  2. 79.On Your Mark, Get Set, Exercise

  3. 80.Set a Goal, Then Go for It

  4. 81.Make an Appointment to Exercise and Keep It

  5. 82.Exercise Early

  6. 83.Warm Up Properly

  7. 84.Follow Up with a Cool-Down

  8. 85.Get Flexible!

  9. 86.Don’t Do These Stretches

  10. 87.Figure Out Your Target Heart Rate

  11. 88.Walk Your Way to Fitness

  12. 89.Pedal for Fitness

  13. 90.Give Water Exercise a Try

  14. 91.Swim the English Channel (or Its Equivalent)

  15. 92.Consider Low-Impact or Nonimpact Aerobics

  16. 93.Rate Your Aerobics Class

  17. 94.Choose an Exercise That Suits Your Body Type

  18. 95.Find Your Fitness Personality

  19. 96.Take Your Exercise à la Carte

  20. 97.Test Your Fitness Level

  21. 98.Take the “Talk Test”

  22. 99.Three Ways to Tone Your Stomach

  23. 100.A Shopper’s Guide to Exercise Equipment

  24. 101.How to Buy Sports Shoes That Fit

  25. 102.Take These Weather-Wise Steps to Exercise

  26. 103.Eating for Peak Performance

  27. 104.When to Eat If You’re Going to Exercise

  28. 105.Treat Sports Injuries with R.I.C.E.

  29. 106.If You’re Sick, Rest

Chapter 3: Get Fit, Stay FitChapter3_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_4_link_0

  1. 107.Eat Whole Fruit

  2. 108.Keep Produce at Its Peak

  3. 109.A Miniguide to Vitamins

  4. 110.A Miniguide to Minerals

  5. 111.Wash That Produce

  6. 112.Adopt a Bone-Builder Diet

  7. 113.Easy Ways to Tolerate Milk

  8. 114.Fiber Up

  9. 115.Be a Smart Meat Eater

  10. 116.A Safer Way to Bring Home the Bacon

  11. 117.Seven Ways to Make Your Barbecues Healthier

  12. 118.Get the Health Benefits of Fish

  13. 119.Drink Water, the Nutrient for Every Cell

  14. 120.Make Soup!

  15. 121.Shake Salt Out of Your Diet

  16. 122.How to Decode Food Labels

  17. 123.Strategies for Reducing Fats and Cholesterol

  18. 124.Go for the Good Oils

  19. 125.Plan an Anti-Cancer Diet

  20. 126.Get Up and Go with Better Breakfasts

  21. 127.Getting Your Kids to Eat Right

  22. 128.Nine Tips for Healthier Fast-Food Meals

  23. 129.What to Know about Irradiated Food

Chapter 4: Eating for Better HealthChapter4_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_5_link_0

  1. 130.Determining Your Healthy Body Weight

  2. 131.Find Out If You’re Overweight or Overfat

  3. 132.Set a Weight-Loss Goal You Can Reach

  4. 133.Figure Out Your Daily Calorie Quota

  5. 134.Don’t Crash Diet

  6. 135.Trim the Fat and Trim Pounds

  7. 136.Keep Fat at Bay with Water Each Day

  8. 137.Put Your Menu on a Diet

  9. 138.Develop Supermarket Savvy

  10. 139.Tips for Dining Out Without Pigging Out

  11. 140.Good Cheer for Holiday Dieting

  12. 141.Selecting Snacks under 100 Calories

  13. 142.How to Turn Your Cookie Jar into an Activities Director

Chapter 5: Weight Loss: Tipping the Scales in Your FavorChapter5_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_6_link_0

  1. 155.How to Cope with Emotional Fender Benders

  2. 156.Five Simple Ways to Reduce Stress

  3. 157.“Rehearse” for Stressful Events

  4. 158.How to Relax, Muscle by Muscle

  5. 159.Use Your Imagination to Unwind

  6. 160.“Remember” to Relax with Biofeedback

  7. 161.Command Yourself to Relax

  8. 162.Float Away Stress

  9. 163.Don’t Be Afraid to Cry

  10. 164.Laugh Your Cares Away

  11. 165.Learn to Accept Criticism

  12. 166.Just Say No to Stressful Thoughts

  13. 167.Ward Off Worry in Five Easy Steps

  14. 168.Slow Down!

  15. 169.Budget Your Time

  16. 170.Seven Ways to Cure Workaholism

  17. 171.If You Can’t Alter Traffic, Alter Your Mood

  18. 172.Keep Cool in a Crisis

  19. 173.Burned Out? Try This

  20. 174.Make Stress Work for You

  21. 175.Stop Family Friction Before It Starts

  22. 176.Remember:Kids Are People, Too

Chapter 6: Success Over StressChapter6_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_7_link_0

  1. 177.How to Manage Anger

  2. 178.Overcoming Jealousy

  3. 179.Get Rid of Guilt

  4. 180.Put an End to Depression

  5. 181.Defeat the Holiday Blues

  6. 182.A Cure for the Winter Doldrums

  7. 183.Managing Grief

  8. 184.Take the Fear out of Phobias

  9. 185.Feel Better with Music

  10. 186.Feeling Low? Get a Pet!

  11. 187.Develop a Cancer-Resistant Attitude

  12. 188.How to Spot a Possible Suicide

  13. 189.When to Seek Professional Help

  14. 190.How to Find a Therapist You Trust

Chapter 7: Your Emotions and Your HealthChapter7_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_8_link_0

  1. 191.Take the Nicotine Dependency Test

  2. 192.Blow Out Your Birthday Candles-If You Can

  3. 193.Seven Answers to Smokers’ Excuses

  4. 194.The Hidden Costs of Cigarettes

  5. 195.The “Warm Pheasant” Plan to Quit Smoking

  6. 196.Nicotine Gum Can Help Smokers Quit

  7. 197.Wean Yourself off Pipes or Cigars

  8. 198.Snuff Out Smokeless Tobacco

  9. 199.Help Someone Quit Smoking

  10. 200.Alcohol: Know Your Limit and Stick to It

  11. 201.Smart Tips for Business Drinking

  12. 202.How to Head Off a Hangover

  13. 203.Face Up to Your Drinking Habits

  14. 204.Where to Get Help for a Drinking Problem

  15. 205.Teach Your Kids Not to Drink

  16. 206.If You Suspect a Narcotics Overdose, Act Fast

  17. 207.Stay Tuned to Hidden Signs of Substance Abuse in Teens

  18. 208.Don’t Be Seduced by Cocaine

  19. 209.If You Take Valium, Beware

  20. 210.Use Caution with Sleeping Pills

Chapter 8: Freedom from Substance AbuseChapter8_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_9_link_0

  1. 211.Examine Your Breasts, Save Your Life

  2. 212.Relief for Breast Pain and Swelling

  3. 213.Dietary Measures to Protect Against Breast Cancer

  4. 214.Real Solutions to PMS

  5. 215.Relief for Menstrual Cramps

  6. 216.When to See a Gynecologist

  7. 217.Protect Yourself Against Toxic Shock Syndrome

  8. 218.Get Rid of Yeast Infections

  9. 219.Be Alert for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

  10. 220.What You Should Know About Pap Tests

  11. 221.Cut Your Risk of Cervical Cancer

  12. 222.The Facts about Fibroids

  13. 223.The Right and Wrong Reasons for a Hysterectomy

  14. 224.If You Take the Pill, Don’t Smoke

  15. 225.Want to Have a Baby? Try This

  16. 226.Tips for a Healthier, Easier Pregnancy

  17. 227.Safe Pregnancy after Age Thirty-Five

  18. 228.How Long Expectant Mothers Can Stay on the Job

  19. 229.Smart Ways to Exercise During Pregnancy

  20. 230.Breast Care for Nursing Mothers

  21. 231.Riding Out the “Baby Blues”

  22. 232.Plan for a Healthier, Happier Menopause

  23. 233.How to Take the Heat out of Hot Flashes

  24. 234.Simple Solutions for Vaginal Dryness

  25. 235.Tactics to Prevent Osteoporosis

  26. 236.Hormone Therapy May or May Not Be Needed

  27. 237.Protect Yourself Against Rape

Chapter 9: Women’s Health ProblemsChapter9_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_10_link_0

  1. 238.Alternatives to Baldness

  2. 239.Loosen Your Tie and See Better

  3. 240.Stop Snoring for Good

  4. 241.Prevent Jock Itch

  5. 242.Overcoming Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

  6. 243.Reversing Male Infertility

  7. 244.Facts and Fallacies about Vasectomies

  8. 245.Help for an Enlarged Prostate

  9. 246.How to Perform a Testicular Self-Exam

  10. 247.Men Need Calcium, Too

  11. 248.Managing Male Menopause

  12. 249.Don’t Be Too Macho for Your Own Good

Chapter 10: Men’s Health ProblemsChapter10_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_11_link_0

  1. 26.Say Good-Bye to Urinary Tract Infections

  2. 27.How to Muzzle Frostbite

  3. 28.Ten Ways to Get Rid of Winter Itch

  4. 29.A Simple Remedy for Prickly Heat

  5. 30.Leaflets Three, Let Poison Ivy Be

  6. 31.You Can Head Off Hives

  7. 32.Treatments for Warts

  8. 33.Nine Ways to Take the Itch out of Eczema

  9. 34.What to Do If You Get Shingles

  10. 35.Protect Yourself against Insect Stings

  11. 36.What Your Fingernails Reveal about Your Health

  12. 37.Free Yourself from Fatigue

  13. 38.How to Correct Common Anemia

  14. 39.What to Do for Fainting

  15. 40.Help for Your Aching Back

  16. 41.How to Describe Your Pain and Get Relief

  17. 42.Twenty Questions to Diagnose Back Problems

  18. 43.The Dos and Don’ts of Lifting

  19. 44.Put Your Tennis Elbow on Ice

  20. 45.Ten Ways to Relieve Varicose Veins

  21. 46.Wipe Out Athlete’s Foot

  22. 47.Winning Remedies for Corns and Calluses

  23. 48.How to Deal with Ingrown Toenails

  24. 49.Warming Up Cold Hands and Feet

  1. 63.Glaucoma: You Can Keep Your Sight for Life

  2. 64.Gout: Relief at Last

  3. 65.High Blood Pressure: Get It Down, Keep It Down

  4. 66.Kidney Stones: A Painless Solution

  5. 67.Lung Cancer: How to Avoid a Killer

  6. 68.Multiple Sclerosis: You Can Live with It

  7. 69.Parkinson’s Disease: Options to Consider

  8. 70.Peptic Ulcers: Tender Treatment for a Sensitive Stomach

  9. 71.Phlebitis: How to Get Back on Your Feet

  10. 72.Pneumonia: Tips for a Full Recovery

  11. 73.Reye’s Syndrome: The Single Most Important Safeguard

  12. 74.Scoliosis: A Simple Solution to a Common Problem

  13. 75.Sickle Cell Anemia: Information Is the Best Defense

  14. 76.Strokes: You Can Reduce the Risk

  15. 77.Thyroid Problems: Look for These Signs

  1. 143.Debunking Myths on Exercise and Weight Loss

  2. 144.Exercise Your Calories Away

  3. 145.Don’t Let Appetite Triggers Shoot Down Your Diet

  4. 146.Keep a Weight-Loss Diary

  5. 147.Calorie Burners You’d Be Better Off Without

  6. 148.Knowing When Not to Weigh Yourself

  7. 149.How to Help a Heavy Child Lose Weight

  8. 150.Painless Ways to Eat Less Without Starving

  9. 151.Reward Yourself for Weight Loss

  10. 152.How to Survive a Dieting Setback

  11. 153.Practice Positive Imagery to Avoid Binge Eating

  12. 154.Lose Weight by Cleaning Up Your Psychological Pollution

  1. 250.Know Your Birth Control Options

  2. 251.The Too-Tired-for-Sex Syndrome

  3. 252.Stop Premature Ejaculation

  4. 253.Improving Poor Sexual Response

  5. 254.Basic Facts about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

  6. 255.Getting Rid of Genital Warts

  7. 256.Beating Trichomoniasis

  8. 257.The Subtle Signs of Chlamydia

  9. 258.Simple Steps against Herpes

  10. 259.Telltale Signs of Syphilis

  11. 260.If You Think You Have Gonorrhea, Do This

  12. 261.Protect Yourself Against HIV/AIDS

  13. 262.What Condoms Can and Can’t Do

  14. 263.How to Talk to Teens About Sex

  15. 264.Saying “Yes” to Sex after a Heart Attack

  16. 265.Selecting a Sex Therapist

Chapter 11: A Happier, Healthier Sex LifeChapter11_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_12_link_0

  1. 266.Debunking the Myth of Senility

  2. 267.Six Ways to Build Better Brainpower

  3. 268.Guard Against Macular Degeneration

  4. 269.Help for Hearing Loss

  5. 270.Enhance Your Sense of Taste

  6. 271.Guard Against Denture Trouble

  7. 272.Make the Most of Mealtime

  8. 273.A Diet for Lifetime Health

  9. 274.Tips for Good Digestion

  10. 275.How to Prevent Bowel Problems

  11. 276.Help for Bladder Control

  12. 277.How to Care for Mature Skin

  13. 278.Don’t Be Duped by Antiwrinkle Creams

  14. 279.What to Do about Liver Spots

  15. 280.Help for People Who Snore and Twitch

  16. 281.Four Ingredients for a Happy Retirement

  17. 282.Stress Relief for Caregivers

Chapter 12: Better Health Over 55Chapter12_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_13_link_0

  1. 283.Your Pre-Vacation Checklist

  2. 284.Immunizations: Your Best Shot against Infectious Diseases

  3. 285.Don’t Forget Your Medication

  4. 286.Pack a Traveler’s First-Aid Kit

  5. 287.Check Your Health Insurance Coverage

  6. 288.Taking the Stress Out of Travel

  7. 289.How to Prevent Jet Lag

  8. 290.Fitness in Flight

  9. 291.Plane Travel for Those with Special Health Problems

  10. 292.Prevent In-Flight Ear Pops

  11. 293.How to Prevent Motion Sickness

  12. 294.Eat, Drink, and Be Wary

  13. 295.What to Do If Turista Strikes

  14. 296.Footwear and Foot Care for Travelers

  15. 297.Travel Hints for Retirees on the Go

  16. 298.Safe Travel for Pregnant Women

  17. 299.The ABCs of Traveling with Children

  18. 300.How to Locate a Physician Away from Home

Chapter 13: The Healthy TravelerChapter13_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_14_link_0

  1. 301.The Twenty Most Dangerous Household Hazards

  2. 302.Audit Your Home for Safety

  3. 303.Easy Ways to Childproof Your Home

  4. 304.Use Ladders Safely

  5. 305.Keep This First-aid Kit Handy

  6. 306.Install Smoke Detectors and Be Sure They Work

  7. 307.Know How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

  8. 308.Kitchen Safety

  9. 309.What to Do If Clothing Catches Fire

  10. 310.Only You Can Prevent Christmas Tree Fires

  11. 311.How to Save Your Life in a House Fire

  12. 312.Burglarproof Your Home

  13. 313.In Case of Accidental Poisoning, Act Fast

  14. 314.Master the “Hug of Life”

Chapter 14: Be Smart, Be SafeChapter14_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_15_link_0

  1. 315.Learn CPR. It Could Help Save a Life!

  2. 316.Procedures for Near Drowning

  3. 317.Six Things You Should Never Do in Your Car

  4. 318.Keep a Survival Kit in Your Car

  5. 319.How to Steer Clear of Drunken Drivers

  6. 320.Traffic Tips for Tots

  7. 321.Take the Hazard out of Halloween

  8. 322.After-Dark Joggers, Heed This Advice

  9. 323.Pedaling Safely with Your Toddler

  10. 324.Never Cycle Without a Helmet (and Other Tips for Safer Biking)

  11. 325.Accident-Free Boating

  12. 326.Lawn Mower Safety

  13. 327.A Safer Way to Shovel Snow

  1. 328.All About Brushing and Flossing

  2. 329.The Right Way to Use Mouthwash

  3. 330.Sticky Snacks Spell Trouble

  4. 331.Foods That Fight Cavities

  5. 332.Seal Out Tooth Decay

  6. 333.Take a Good Look at Your Gums

  7. 334.Safety Tips for Your Teeth

  8. 335.What to Do for Toothaches and Other Dental Emergencies

  9. 336.Ways to Relieve Dental Anxiety

  10. 337.Treating TMJ

  11. 338.Don’t Pull That Tooth

  12. 339.Bonding for a Beautiful Smile

  13. 340.When to Consider Crowns

  14. 341.Brace Yourself for Adult Orthodontics

Chapter 15: Dental Health: Beautiful TeethChapter15_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_16_link_0

  1. 342.Symptoms Your Doctor Should Know About

  2. 343.See Your “Primary” Doctor Before You See a Specialist

  3. 344.How to Make the Most of a Doctor Visit

  4. 345.Rate Your Doctor

  5. 346.The Importance of an Emergency Room Companion

  6. 347.The ID Card That Can Save Your Life

  7. 348.Understanding Prescription Abbreviations

  8. 349.Questions You Should Ask About Medications Prescribed for You

  9. 350.The Seven Golden Rules of Prescription Medicine

  10. 351.How to Take Painkillers Safely

  11. 352.Over-the-Counter Drugs: Reducing the Risks of Self-Prescribing

  12. 353.Aspirin Dos and Don’ts

  13. 354.Overhaul Your Medicine Cabinet

  14. 355.When and How Often to Have a Cholesterol Test (and Other Routine Tests)

  15. 356.Ask “Is This X-Ray Really Necessary?”

  16. 357.A Word to the Wise about Home Medical Tests

  17. 358.How to Avoid Hospital Germs

  18. 359.A Dozen Rights Every Patient Should Expect

  19. 360.Review Your Patient Chart

  20. 361.Know What Treatment You’ve Agreed To

  21. 362.When to Refuse Tests or Surgery

  22. 363.When in Doubt, Get a Second Opinion

  23. 364.Reducing Presurgery Jitters

  24. 365.The Ins and Outs of Ambulatory Surgery

Chapter 16: All About Medical CareChapter16_intro_HH.htmlshapeimage_17_link_0

The content on this Web site is proprietary. YOU MAY NOT MODIFY, COPY, REPRODUCE, REPUBLISH, UPLOAD, POST, TRANSMIT, OR DISTRIBUTE, IN ANY MANNER, THE MATERIAL ON THE SITE.