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Smart Consumer: Online Tips and Guides
These electronic publications provide access to a wide variety of consumer related information. They can be read, but are not available for ordering from FCIC.


Most Recently Added
H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-based Organizations
New Over-the- Counter Medicine Label…Take a Look!


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Food - Health - Housing - Money - Small Business - Travel - And more...

Health
Anxiety Disorders - Lists treatments available and resources to contact for more information on panic phobias, stress, obsessive-compulsive, and other disorders. (PDF file)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Discusses symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments of this disorder which affects many children and young people. (PDF file)

Basik Lasik - Find out about Lasik eye surgery, who is a good candidate, possible risks and complications, and more. (PDF file)

Being Healthy - Examples and tips on getting exercise, following the dietary guidelines for good nutrition, and choosing and working with physicians to keep yourself healthy and fit. (PDF file)

Better Health and You - A balanced eating plan and regular physical activity are the building blocks of good health. By eating right and being active, you may reach or maintain a healthy weight. You may also improve your physical health, mental well- being, and set an example for others.

Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness) - Learn signs and symptoms, available treatments, and how to get help.

Bottled Water Basics - Not all bottled water is the same. Get tips on how to choose it based on the type of water and the source, taste considerations, and more. (PDF file)

Brain Attack: A Look at Stroke Prevention and Treatment - Discusses risk factors for stroke, how to identify symptoms, treatments available for different types of stroke, and how to prevent a recurrence.

Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide - Here's a helpful list of do's and don’ts when shopping for medications over the Internet. (PDF file)

Cracking Down on Health Fraud - Read about the specific cases of fraudulent health products on the market, and learn how to spot fake claims.

Do I Have Lupus? - Lupus is a disease in which the immune system attacks the body's healthy cells and tissues. Learn about the three main types, their symptoms, who is affected and how lupus is diagnosed and treated. (PDF file)

Do You Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight? - Being overweight increases your chances of developing serious health problems, like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. This guide can help you lose weight safely and develop a healthier lifestyle. (PDF file)

Drug Interactions: What You Should Know - Protect yourself and your family from potentially dangerous interactions of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, food, and medical conditions. (PDF file)

Facts About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Explains what it is, treatment options, and how to get help. (PDF file)

Federally-Funded Health Center Search Tool - Federally-funded health centers care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income.

Filtration Facts - Learn about the different types of home water filters available, including pitchers, faucet filters, and freestanding units. Provides general information on cost, maintenance, and performance. (PDF file)

Get Set for Winter Illness Season - In much of the Northern Hemisphere, this is prime time for colds, influenza (flu), and other respiratory illnesses. While contagious viruses are active year-round, fall and winter are when we're all most vulnerable to them. This is due in large part to people spending more time indoors with others when the weather gets cold. (PDF file)

Greater Access to Generic Drugs - What the FDA is doing to make generic drugs more available, and why that's good news for consumers.

H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith- based Organizations - Provides information about 2009 H1N1 flu and current response activities and specific action steps you can take to help keep your community healthy.

Handout on Health: Back Pain - Describes causes, diagnoses, treatments, and research efforts to learn more about back pain.

Handout on Health: Osteoarthritis - Discusses symptoms, treatments, and helpful exercises for the most common type of arthritis. (PDF file)

Handout on Health: Osteoporosis - Comprehensive guide details the causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteoporosis.

Handout on Health: Scleroderma - This group of diseases involves the abnormal growth of connective tissue under the skin and around internal organs. Describes the different forms of scleroderma, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. (PDF file)

Handout on Health: Sports Injuries - Most of us aren't pro athletes, so we need to have the facts about sports injuries. Learn what kinds of activities are most likely to cause injuries, how to prevent them, and treatments available. (PDF file)

Healthy Heart Handbook for Women - Information on the seven major risk factors for heart disease and six self-help strategies to beat it. Includes a food guide, recipes, and a resouce list. (PDF file)

Help Your Arthritis Treatment Work - Get the basics for managing your arthritis pain and stopping further damage. Gives questions to ask your doctor about new medications and what to watch out for with over-the-counter drugs.

How to Find Medical Information - How to use your local library, the federal government, and the Internet to get information on an illness or disorder.

How to Hold Your Own Against Colds and Flu - Get the facts on lowering your chance of infection, treating cold and flu aches and pains, and when to see a doctor.

HPV - At least 50% of sexually active people will get genital HPV (human papillomavirus). Some kinds of HPV cause serious health problems, including cervical cancer. Find out about treatments and a new vaccine for young women. (PDF file)

Joint Replacement Surgery - Explains this increasingly common procedure, as well as tips for a successful recovery and possible complications after surgery. (PDF file)

Joint Replacement: An Inside Look - Although hip and knee replacements are highly successful, some problems do remain. Read about the basics of replacement surgery, a new hip resurfacing procedure, materials that may reduce wear in artificial joints, and advances in surgical techniques.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - This disease affects children 16 years old and younger. Find out about the causes, symptoms, tests, and various treatments.

Keep Active - How older people can use exercise and sports to help lower the risk of common diseases, relieve arthritis pain, and recover faster from illness. Includes an activity log to track progress and lists tips to prevent injury.

Many Shades of Lupus - Lupus affects people of different races, ethnicities, and ages, both men and women, in many ways. Find out more about lupus, its symptoms, causes, and treatments. (PDF file)

Men and Depression - Depression is a serious medical condition that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way one eats and sleeps. It affects how one thinks about things, and one's self perception. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition one can will or wish away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely - pull themselves together - and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. However, appropriate treatment, often involving medication and/or short term psychotherapy, can help most people who suffer from depression.

Men: Stay Healthy at 50+ - Use the checklists in this flyer to help you stay healthy at 50+. The checklists help answer your questions about what daily steps you can take for good health, whether you need medicines to prevent disease, and which screening tests you need and when to get them. (PDF file)

My Medicines - Take care of yourself with this easy-to-follow guide that features questions to ask your doctor and a simple chart to keep track of your medications. (PDF file)

New Over-the-Counter Medicine Label…Take a Look! - OTC labels were redesigned to make them easier to compare and understand. Here's a sample of the new label and the standard information you'll find on it.

Pap Tests - Protect yourself from cervical cancer with a pap test. Learn when to get them, how to prepare for one, and more. (PDF file)

Personal Emergency Response Systems - Explains how different systems summon help. Includes a helpful checklist and must-ask questions. (PDF file)

Questions & Answers About Alopecia Areata - This autoimmune disease leads to hair loss on the scalp, face, and body. Find out what alopecia is, its causes, and treatment options available. (PDF file)

Questions & Answers About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases - Basic facts about these conditions, including examples of rheumatic diseases, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments. (PDF file)

Questions & Answers About Arthritis Pain - Discusses conventional and alternative options for short-term relief and long-term pain management. (PDF file)

Questions & Answers About Bursitis and Tendinitis - If you’ve ever suffered from tennis elbow or painful inflammation around other joints, you’ll find this booklet useful. It explains the causes of bursitis and tendinitis, how the conditions are diagnosed and treated, and what you can do to prevent a recurrence. (PDF file)

Questions & Answers About Gout - Here are the details on this painful type of arthritis, including symptoms, treatments, and more.

Questions & Answers About Hip Replacement - Who is a likely candidate, alternatives available, possible complications, recovery, and what to expect during rehabilitation. (PDF file)

Questions & Answers About Knee Problems - Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of specific knee conditions. (PDF file)

Questions & Answers About Psoriasis - This chronic skin disorder causes scaling and inflammation. Learn about its causes, symptoms, types, diagnosis, and treatments. (PDF file)

Questions & Answers About Vitiligo - Vitiligo causes white patches to appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Learn who is affected, other symptoms, including emotional and psychological aspects, treatment options, and more.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before You Have Surgery - Use this booklet to become a better informed and prepared patient. (PDF file)

Sun, UV, and You - Explains what the UV (ultraviolet radiation) index is and how you can use it to avoid skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, and more. (PDF file)

The New OTC Medicine Label - All over-the-counter medicines now carry usage and warning labels. Learn what's important--for your health's sake.

Use Caution with Pain Relievers - Over-the-counter pain relievers can be dangerous if misused. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage, and aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. Understand the risks and how to reduce them.

Weight Loss for Life - This guide will help you learn how to lose weight safely and stay healthy. (PDF file)

What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer - The most common cancer in the US is among the most curable – if caught in time. Learn what to watch for and how to do skin self-exams. (PDF file)

Women: Stay Healthy at 50+ - Use the checklists in this flyer to help you stay healthy at 50+. The checklists help answer your questions about what daily steps you can take for good health, whether you need medicines to prevent disease, and which screening tests you need and when to get them. (PDF file)

Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home - What to look for in a nursing home, alternatives to nursing homes, an evaluation checklist, and a list of helpful resources. (PDF file)

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