CHECK IT OUT

While it may not be wise to do your own medical diagnosis, raising

your consciousness about whatever it is that ails you can foster the

healing process. For the task, dozens of circulating and reference

resources are available in the new science collection at the Newport

Beach Central Library.

The authors of “Making Informed Medical Decisions” recommend that the

search for a medical solution begin and end with a doctor. For the

interim, they provide dozens of tips for becoming a learned participant

in your own treatment. In this user-friendly manual for patients, medical

writer Nancy Oster, medical librarian Lucy Thomas and Dr. Darol Joseff

serve up valuable information about patient rights, diagnostic

interpretations and alternative therapies.

If your medical care involves a visit to the pharmacy, “Advice for the

Patient: Drug Information in Lay Language” can offer reassuring guidance

on proper drug use, precautions, side effects and such considerations as

age, allergies and pregnancy. Written in everyday language for the

general public, this reference resource from Micromedex includes a

glossary of medical terms and useful appendixes.

Also available at the Central Library reference desk is “The Johns

Hopkins Consumer Guide to Medical Tests.” Entries cover more than 170

diagnostic tests including description, test purpose, risks and potential

complications. Many tests commonly performed on adults older than age 50

are included.

Numerous circulating volumes concentrate on specific maladies. From

the Mayo Clinic there are separate titles covering depression, diabetes

and healthy weight maintenance. When such symptoms as joint pain, weight

gain and foggy-headedness combine with depression, it may be time for

“Thyroid Power,” from husband-wife team Dr. Richard L. Shames and Karilee

H. Shames, R.N., PhD.

Before going under the knife, those eager to see well without

corrective lenses can get answers to questions about procedures that can

improve vision in “The Complete Book of Laser Eye Surgery.” Written by

the doctor who first performed Lasik in the U.S., this comprehensive

guide to vision correction covers the different types of procedures, who

gets the best results, risks and possible side effects.

Even without a medical professional, you can take an active role in

your health with help from “Mom’s Medicine,” from the editors of

Prevention Health Books. With sections on kids, teens, husbands, parents

and moms themselves, as well as a general first-aid guide, this is a fine

manual for family health care.

Along with advice from a variety of medical experts, the editors also

suggest herbal remedies, such as sage for baldness, chamomile for stress,

turmeric for arthritis and herbal pillows to aid sleep. Such holistic

remedies set this guide apart from standard health books, and readers

seeking unique solutions to everyday health problems will find plenty of

fresh ideas here.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

Andrea Jason. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by

accessing the catalog at o7 https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

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