Health

The Mouth as Body's Mirror
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Approximately 20 percent of visits to the doctor are because of mouth or throat complaints. But by peering into the mouth the doctor may discover more than a strep infection or a canker sore.

Lead in Ceramic Ware
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Most glazes for ceramic products contain lead but are safe because they have been properly formulated and fired to prevent the release of toxic amounts of metal into foods. However, some pottery, especially earthenware made by individuals and in small

Anesthesia: Going Under Safely
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The anesthesiologist is a second-year resident. Based on what she has learned about this patient and the planned operation, she has selected the anesthetic drugs and technique she plans to use and has gone over it all with her instructor.

Day-Care Centers: Cleanliness Is a Must
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Day-care centers have become a way of life in America. More than half of all mothers of children too young to care for themselves hold jobs outside the home. For them-indeed for millions of American families - day-care centers provide a service

Medical Imaging
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Advances in X-ray technology have vastly increased the range and precision of medical imaging. Meanwhile, research scientists have developed entirely new imaging technologies, some of which enable physicians to look inside the body without subjecting

1988 Product Approvals
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Among our most important product approvals last year were several for use in diagnosing or treating AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Applications to approve AIDS therapies automatically are assigned 1-AA priority when they arrive at FDA.

Asbestos Exposure
by National Cancer Institute
Asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers which can be separated into thin threads. These fibers are not affected by heat or chemicals and do not conduct electricity.

A Guide to Understanding Informed Consent
by National Cancer Institute
If you and your physician have found a clinical trial that is of interest to you and for which you are eligible (that is, you meet requirements such as type and stage of cancer, age, treatment history, overall health, and others), you will need

Types of Health Insurance
by US Department of Health and Human Services
Most insurance plans will pay only what they call a reasonable and customary fee for a particular service. If your doctor charges $1,000 for a hernia repair while most doctors in your area charge only $600, you will be billed for the $400 difference.

Which Type of Health Insurance Is Right for You?
by US Department of Health and Human Services
The differences among fee-for-service plans, HMOs, and PPOs are not as clear-cut as they once were. Fee-for-service plans have adopted some activities used by HMOs and PPOs to control the use of medical services.

Health Insurance Choices
by US Department of Health and Human Services
Health insurance is one of your most important needs. Without it, one serious illness or accident could wipe you out financially. The information provided will help you decide which is the best plan you can afford.

Finding Quality Information
by US Department of Health and Human Services
Today, you can find a great deal of information about health care quality, both online and in print. New tools and resources for assessing and improving health care quality are being developed and will be available soon.

Guide to Health Care Quality: Clinical Measures
by US Department of Health and Human Services
Clinical measures can be used to assess quality of care and patient satisfaction. Examples are provided here of measures that can be used to assess care quality for three of the most common conditions: diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Guide to Health Care Quality
by US Department of Health and Human Services
This guide is designed to help you get quality health care. Getting quality health care can help you stay healthy and recover faster when you become sick. The tips presented here are provided to help you be active in making decisions about your health

Having Surgery?
by US Department of Health and Human Services
Having Surgery? What You Need to Know is for patients who are facing surgery that is not an emergency. Some of the questions in this document may help you and your family understand more about your surgery, whether it has to be done right away or can

What to Do After Your Diagnosis
by US Department of Health and Human Services
Your doctor gave you a diagnosis that could change your life. This document can help you take the next steps. Every person is different, of course, and every person's disease or condition will affect them differently.

What Is Anthrax?
by CDC
Anthrax is a serious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that forms spores. A bacterium is a very small organism made up of one cell. Many bacteria can cause disease. A spore is a cell that is dormant (asleep) but may come to life

Men and Depression
by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
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.

Headaches
Discover Wellness
by Phyllis Taber-Greenberg
I had headaches almost every day of my life from the time I was in my early twenties. The headaches started at exactly the same time that I had a series of dental cavities filled with mercury/silver amalgam fillings.

The Politics of Food
The Ethical Gourmet
by Jay Weinstein
Pork is more than just the other white meat. Political pork is the driving force behind needless overproduction in agricultural states where congressional representatives bring home federal farm subsidies.