Summary-For Health

Health information that can be trusted is based on scientifically controlled studies that yield consistent results over time. Health fatalism occurs when people disregard health information because they believe that new findings will be contradictory. Epidemiological studies are population studies that observe habits and behaviors of a large number of people. A study is considered reliable if its findings can be confirmed in repeated studies conducted over the course of many years. Scientifically controlled studies involve experimental and control groups, use randomly selected participants, and are double blind. Signs and symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention are signs of internal bleeding, abdominal pain associated with nausea, a stiff neck accompanied by fever, and serious first aid emergencies and injuries. People can help to ensure proper and safe care while in a hospital by checking on the hospital's accreditation status, deciding on accomodations before admission, knowing their rights as a patient, discussing treatments and procedures with their physician, asking questions, and staying active. Good health care means establishing a doctor patient relationship while in good health. The doctor who manages the general care of patients and directs patients to specialized services is the primary-care physician. When telling a physician about a problem, you can enhance good communication by presenting the most important problem first, being as specific as possible, being familiar with your family medical history, knowing the names of medicines you are taking, and asking questions. The three major components of a physical examination are medical history, hands-on examination, and diagnostic laboratory tests. A medical history is the most important part of the physical examination, especially during the initial visit to a doctor. A selective health examination involves the use of specific tests for specific problems. A periodic exam involves the use of tests and procedures after a complete medical history and a discussion of individual/personal lifestyle factors and risk factors. Defensive medicine is the practice of prescribing tests and procedures for the purpose of protecting doctors from medical-malpractice lawsuits. The eight diseases for which adults need to maintain immunization are influenza, pneumonia, hepatitis B, measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and chicken pox. The three basic options for paying for health care include private, fee-for-service insurance; prepaid group insurance; and government insurance.