Scott C. Litin - Mayo Clinic Family Health Book: The Ultimate Home Medical Reference

Published by Mayo Clinic

2018 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER)

MAYO, MAYO CLINIC and the Mayo triple-shield logo are marks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, Fifth Edition, provides reliable, practical, comprehensive, easy-to-understand information on issues relating to good health. The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. This book is intended to supplement the advice of your personal physician, whom you should consult about your individual medical condition. The information in this book is offered with no guarantees. The author and publisher disclaim all liability in connection with this book. Mayo Clinic Family Health Book does not endorse any company or product.

ISBN (Hardcover): 978-1-945564-02-4
ISBN (Ebook): 978-0-7953-5102-0

Mayo Clinic Guide to Self-Care is designed to supplement the advice of your personal physician, whom you should consult regarding individual medical conditions.

MAYO, MAYO CLINIC and the Mayo triple-shield logo are marks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

In this book, we commonly use the term doctor when referring to an interaction between a health care professional and a patient. However, we are well aware that health care today is often provided by individuals who arent medical doctors. Other talented providers such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and nurse midwives are taking on an increasing role in medicine, especially in providing primary care. We use the term doctor as an umbrella term that encompasses medical doctors and other certified health professionals who are licensed to provide medical care. For space reasons and for ease of reading, using one word to describe this group of individuals was preferable.

The individuals pictured in the lifestyle photos are models, and the photos are used for illustrative purposes only. There is no correlation between the individuals portrayed and the condition or subject being discussed. All photographs and illustrations are copyright of MFMER, except for the following:

The field of medicine is ever-changing. Advances in technology and diagnostic and surgical techniques, and the development of new medications, continue to provide doctors and scientists with ever-more-powerful tools for diagnosing and treating disease. What this means for you and me is a better chance of living a longer, healthier life.

However, medical advances alone cant guarantee good health. You still play a crucial role in determining your future health and wellness. Even more important than the ability to treat disease is the ability to prevent it. And thats where your actions can pay off the most. Healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising daily, eating well and seeing your doctor for appropriate preventive care, are still your best bet for enjoying a long and productive life.

Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, Fifth Edition, is based on the premise that knowledge gives you the tools needed to maintain good health. This new edition of Mayo Clinic Family Health Book was created by revising and rewriting much of the information in the previous edition. Its our hope that this fully updated fifth edition will serve not only as a reference during times of illness but also as a guide in helping you and your family adopt healthy lifestyle practices.

The information provided in this book isnt a substitute for seeing a doctor. No book can replace the advice of a doctor who has evaluated your overall health. The intent of this book is to help you better understand various symptoms, diseases, tests and treatments so that you can communicate more effectively with your doctor and the two of you can work together to manage your health.

Mayo Clinic Family Health Book is based on the expertise of hundreds of Mayo Clinic health care professionals and the advice they give their patients day in and day out. A special thanks goes out to many Mayo Clinic staff members who took time from their busy schedules to offer their advice and guidance as we prepared this new edition.

This book could not have been completed without the dedication and efforts of Associate Editor Sanjeev Nanda, M.D., and Senior Editor Karen Wallevand.

I also want to thank the marvelous colleagues, nurses and support staff with whom I work, especially my administrative teammate Amy Clark, who have made my Mayo Clinic career so gratifying. They all care for our patients as they would their own families.

A final thank you goes to my wife, Jolene, my son, Sam, my daughter, Cassie, and her husband, Chad, and my sister Nancie. They have taught me the true meaning and importance of the word family.

All of us involved in the development of this book hope you find the information that it contains to be useful and that this great resource will help you and your family stay healthy.

Scott C. Litin, M.D.

Medical Editor

Medical Editor, Scott C. Litin, M.D.

Associate Medical Editor, Sanjeev Nanda, M.D.

Editorial Director, Paula M. Marlow Limbeck

Senior Editor, Karen R. Wallevand

Senior Product Manager, Christopher C. Frye

Art Director, Stewart Jay Koski

Medical Illustrators, David J. Cheney, David A. Factor, Stephen Graepel, John Hagen, Joanna R. King, Michael A. King, Margaret Alice McKinney, James Postier

Photographers, Michael J. Cleary, Jodi OShaughnessy Olson

Production. Kent McDaniel, Gunnar T. Soroos

Editorial Research Manager, Deirdre A. Herman

Editorial Research Librarians, Abbie Y. Brown, Erika A. Riggin, Katie J. Warner

Proofreaders, Miranda M. Attlesey, Alison K. Baker, Julie M. Maas

Indexer, Steve Rath

Administrative Assistant, Terri L. Zanto Strausbauch

Jayanth Adusumalli, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., General Internal Medicine

Paldeep S. Atwal, M.B., Ch.B., Clinical Genomics

Sophie J. Bakri, M.D., Ophthalmology

Brent A. Bauer, M.D., General Internal Medicine

Tracy M. Berg, R.Ph., Pharmacy Services

Crystal R. Bonnichsen, M.D., Cardiovascular Diseases

Barbara K. Bruce, Ph.D., L.P., Psychology

Lisa K. Buss Preszler, R.Ph., Pharmacy Services

Alan B. Carr, D.M.D., Dental Specialties

Bart L. Clarke, M.D., Endocrinology

Walter J. Cook, M.D., Pediatrics

John M. Davis III, M.D., Rheumatology

Stephanie S. Faubion, M.D., Womens Health Clinic

Debbie L. Fuehrer, L.P.C.C., General Internal Medicine

Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D., Dermatology

John B. Hagan, M.D., Allergic Diseases

Stephanie L. Hansel, M.D., Gastroenterology

Donald D. Hensrud, M.D., M.P.H., Preventive Medicine

LaTonya J. Hickson, M.D., Nephrology

Jeffrey R. Janus, M.D., ENT

Mary J. Kasten, M.D., General Internal Medicine

Cassie C. Kennedy, M.D., Pulmonary Medicine