The Home Doctor - Practical Medicine at Home: Your Ultimate Guide to Health and Wellness

Home Doctor Guide to Back Pain

If you feel a lot of pain in your lower back, you might have back pain. Back pain is a very common problem, but it is important to know that there are different types of back pain and some are more serious than others. If you have pain under your shoulder blades, you might have back strain, which is caused by lifting something too heavy or by doing too many repetitive movements with your back. If you have pain in your lower back that comes on suddenly and does not go away, you might have sciatica. The most common type of back pain is chronic low back pain. Causes of chronic back pain include arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. People who have chronic back pain often have to make changes to their daily activities, exercise routines, and work environments.

Home Doctor Guide to the Common Cold

Almost everyone gets a cold at some point in his or her life. A cold is an infection caused by a virus. It causes a runny nose, cough, and achy feeling in the body. Symptoms usually begin within a few days after coming into contact with the virus. Cold viruses are most often spread by touching the hand or some other part of the body that is contaminated with droplets from a runny nose (sneezing does not spread the cold virus). The viruses get from the hands to the nose or mouth and then to the rest of the body. A cold cannot be treated with medication, but it may be possible to ease symptoms. Some things that you can do to help yourself get through a cold include drinking plenty of water, getting plenty of rest, taking over-the-counter pain or fever reducers as needed, and washing your hands frequently.

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Home Doctor Guide to Ear Infections

Ear infections are very common in young children. Infections may be caused by bacteria or by viruses. Most ear infections occur in one ear at a time. Ear infections are painful and may make a child irritable. They are also a health concern because, if they are not treated, they can spread to the other ear and then to the middle part of the brain. Ear infections can be prevented by maintaining good hygiene and keeping the air around your child fresh. If your child has had an ear infection, you should carefully follow your doctor's instructions regarding ear care.

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Home Doctor Guide to Strep Throat

If you have a sore throat that is painful, accompanied by a fever, and you feel generally unwell, you may have a strep throat infection. This is a very common infection and is caused by bacteria in the mouth. When to see a doctor: Strep throat is usually treated with antibiotics. If you are unsure if you have a cold or strep throat, it is important to get it checked out by your doctor. In some cases, it may be necessary to be hospitalized. Most people with a strep throat infection do not need to be seen by a doctor. But, it is important to note that strep throat is not the same as a cold. Unlike a cold, which is caused by viruses, strep throat is caused by bacteria. Antibiotics kill the bacteria and therefore treat the infection.

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Home Doctor Guide to the Flu

Flu is an infection of your respiratory system, caused by viruses. People often get the flu when their bodies are fighting off an infection. The flu is contagious and can be spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces. You can also get the flu if you are in a close environment (such as a plane, train, or bus) with someone who has the flu. When to see a doctor: If you are at risk of having a serious illness, have a weakened immune system, or have a baby/child who is less than 6 months old, it is important to visit a doctor. If you have been prescribed antiviral medication, you should also get medical care.

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Home Doctor Guide to Constipation

Constipation is a condition in which a person has infrequent bowel movements and the bowels are hard to pass. Symptoms of constipation include feeling the need to have a bowel movement, but not being able to pass stool or having abnormal bowel movements. There are many reasons why someone may develop constipation. Some of the most common causes include not eating a balanced diet, having a lack of exercise, having an illness or condition that affects the digestive system, or taking certain medications such as antidepressants, narcotic pain medications, or iron supplements. Most people with constipation can get relief by making lifestyle changes and taking natural remedies. It is important to talk to your doctor if your constipation becomes chronic or if you are worried about your symptoms.

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Home Doctor Guide to runner's knee and other running injuries

Running is an exercise that is both enjoyable and healthy, but it is also one that is prone to injury because it puts a lot of pressure on your body. There are many running injuries that people suffer from, but the most common ones are Plantar fasciitis, Runner's knee, Shin splints, and Achilles tendinitis.

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Conclusion

Exercise is beneficial to your health in many ways, but it is important to be careful that you don't push yourself too far and overdo it. If you keep exercising regularly, you will increase your stamina and be able to do more things. If you are a busy person who doesn't have much time to spend going to the doctor, or if you dislike the idea of going to the doctor because it can be scary and also very expensive, then you should definitely check out these home doctor guides. These e-books are practical and packed full of useful information that can help you deal with health problems on your own so that you don't need to see a doctor all the time.

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