Note: This 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 health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this book.

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 guide and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in capital letters (e.g., Tylenol).

Note: PDF forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader available free. The free version allows you to read a PDF file,  fill out a PDF form and send a PDF file to your printer. If you want to save the completed form you must have a full licensed version of Adobe Acrobat software installed on your computer.

by Don R. Powell, Ph.D. and the
American Institute for Preventive Medicine

You are at a time in your life when you need to make a lot of decisions: Decisions on career choices, future plans and goals, etc. You need to make decisions to take care of your health, too. Knowing what to do can be confusing. You may not have had many health problems in the past, and when you did, your parents probably took care of you. You need to fend for yourself now. This guide can help. It contains 3 sections. The first one addresses 20 common health problems. The second section covers issues that deal with keeping you safe while keeping you healthy. The third section presents information on lifestyle issues. Like a roommate or a friend, this self-care guide can come to your aid when you need it. It may even save your life!

Section I–Common Health Problems How to Use This Section
Abdominal Pain Acne Asthma - Not Available on Demo Colds & Flu Coughs - Not Available on Demo Depression Diarrhea - Not Available on Demo Eating Disorders Fatigue - Not Available on Demo Fever	Headaches - Not Available on Demo Skin Injuries Sore Throats Sprains, Strains & Sports Injuries - Not Available on Demo STDs/HIV Stress Suicidal Thoughts - Not Available on Demo Urinary Tract Infections - Not Available on Demo Vaginal Problems - Not Available on Demo Vomiting & Nausea
Section II–Playing It Safe
General Safety Guidelines - Not Available on Demo Alcohol & Alcohol Safety Drugs & Drug Safety Over-the-Counter Medication Safety - Not Available on Demo Sexual Health & Safety - Not Available on Demo Birth Control Options - Not Available on Demo Skin Safety Tests & Immunizations - Not Available on Demo Testicular Self-Exam - Not Available on Demo Breast Self-Exam - Not Available on Demo
Section III–Lifestyle Issues
Communicate Effectively - Not Available on Demo Eat Well & Get Regular Exercise - Not Available on Demo Set Up Good Sleep Habits Don’t Use Tobacco Products - Not Available on Demo

Contributors and Reviewers

- Not Available on Demo

Forms

• Telephone Numbers & Information - Form to record important emergency phone numbers and insurance information. (1 page PDF form)- Not Available on Demo

• What to Tell Your Health Care Provider - Use this summary form when you call or visit a health care provider. (1 page PDF form)- Not Available on Demo

{Note: “LifeArt image copyright, 1998, Williams & Wilkens. All rights reserved” applies to illustrations in this guide noted with a single *.}

Copyright  2001
American Institute for Preventive Medicine
All rights reserved.

November 15, 2001