What You Should Know About Medicines
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It is highly important that every person have some knowledge of the medicine that he consumes. Such knowledge will help him to be a better consumer. This guide is intended to provide general information about the most common medicines in use.
The text is targeted at general people who do not have knowledge of medicine, but intend to benefit by acquiring some information. Most of the text is presented in a simple informal style - so that the targeted audience is not confused by the weighing terminology.
Table of Contents:
1. WHY MEDICINES: Why does your doctor prescribe medicines for you?
2. USEFUL TERMINOLOGY - What's that : To have a better understanding, you should first increase your vocabulary. Some words you will find useful while reading medical literature.
2a. Words used to categorize medicines: Anticoagulant, Antipyretic, Antidepressants, Anticonvulsants, Anticoagulants, Analgesics, Anticholesterols, Anxiolytics, Antipsychotics, Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors), Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB's), Diuretics, Neuropathic, Narcotics, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) , Opiates, Opioids, *Diabetes Medications, **Insulins, **Sulfonureas, **Incretins
2b. Words used to describe states of body and mind related to medicines: Anorexia, Diaphoresis, Anxiety, Anxiolytic/, affect, Aggression,Constipation, Coma, convulsive, Delirium ,delusions, Dementia, Depression, Dissociation, Dysphoria, Epilepsy, Nausea, Obtunded, Vomiting, Euphoria , Disinhibition, Impulsivity, Hyperactivity,Inflammation , psychotic, Rage, Edema, Sepsis, Febrile, Sedation
2c. Other Useful Words: That you may already know or want to know about: Addiction, Dependence, Overdose, Tolerance, Withdrawal, Toxicity, Acute, Chronic
3. How medicines are dispensed: Tablet, Liquid suspension, Liquid Solution, Suppository, Capsule, Sublingual, Opthalmologic, Injectible, Transdermal,
4. More in depth: How Medicines work: Absorption, or how quickly it may work, How they are in the blood, Volume of distribution, or how much is needed, Fat and water solubility, Half life, or how often to take it, Excretion or Metabolism, which is how long it lasts,
5. Common Diseases And Complaints
6. Guide to Understanding Symptoms
7. Complaints requiring Immediate Attention
8. Uncommon Complaints that you should know of: Endocarditis, Hepatitis, AIDS
9. Children and Medicines
10. Aged People and Medicine: "Start low, go slow"
11. Natural Living
