You've probably seen them in your doctor's waiting room or at the clinic. Most people only read those pamphlets about diseases when the only magazine left is a car magazine from 1983. However, patient education handouts are there to help you take charge of your own and your family's health.
The handouts are there to explain certain health-related topics in an easy-to-understand way, without using the jargon that only medical professionals understand. They give you more information about the topic because during the consultation, you may not always remember to ask the right questions. Many of the materials are also available in other languages, such as Spanish, for those patients whose English may not be so good. Because they're free and also compact enough to fit into your pocket or your bag, you can take as many as you need.
Many pamphlets are related to living a healthy lifestyle and preventing illness. These days, most complaints that take people to the doctor, from gallstones to type 2 diabetes, are related to factors such as poor diet, smoking and drinking or not getting enough exercise. If you know, for instance, which foods to avoid and which to eat more of, you can reduce your risk of getting these conditions or, in some cases, even reverse the symptoms.
Vaccines are very important in preventing disease as well. They protect against certain serious diseases and help prevent these from spreading through a community. It's thanks to vaccines that most countries have managed to eradicate smallpox and even polio. However, in recent ears there has been a lot of misinformation about vaccines and some people now even refuse to have their children vaccinated. Informative brochures give you the facts, help to allay your fears and even give you a schedule for vaccination.
Some education handouts focus on a specific disease. This can be something as simple as the common cold or it can be about a more serious condition like tuberculosis or AIDS. The text and diagrams will explain the symptoms, the causes of the disease, how you can reduce the risk of getting it and what you can do to treat it or to alleviate the symptoms.
Education is key in cases of outbreaks of highly contagious diseases, such as meningitis, ebola or new flu viruses. When there is an outbreak in an area, the media often runs with the story but doesn't impart all the information you need. This leads to panic and misconceptions. However, with the correct facts you'll know what the risks are and what to do if you think you've contracted the disease, not only so that you can seek treatment but also so that you can prevent spreading the disease.
One of the most wonderful things about pamphlets for patients is that they can answer those questions you're too embarrassed to ask your doctor. For example, they may be about rashes in private areas or about blood in your bodily excretions. These symptoms are actually quite common even though nobody wants to talk about them.
Sometimes the materials are developed by companies that manufacture pharmaceuticals. Often, however, they're produced by a health council. Collect as many of these free materials as you can to make informed decisions about when you need to seek treatment.
The handouts are there to explain certain health-related topics in an easy-to-understand way, without using the jargon that only medical professionals understand. They give you more information about the topic because during the consultation, you may not always remember to ask the right questions. Many of the materials are also available in other languages, such as Spanish, for those patients whose English may not be so good. Because they're free and also compact enough to fit into your pocket or your bag, you can take as many as you need.
Many pamphlets are related to living a healthy lifestyle and preventing illness. These days, most complaints that take people to the doctor, from gallstones to type 2 diabetes, are related to factors such as poor diet, smoking and drinking or not getting enough exercise. If you know, for instance, which foods to avoid and which to eat more of, you can reduce your risk of getting these conditions or, in some cases, even reverse the symptoms.
Vaccines are very important in preventing disease as well. They protect against certain serious diseases and help prevent these from spreading through a community. It's thanks to vaccines that most countries have managed to eradicate smallpox and even polio. However, in recent ears there has been a lot of misinformation about vaccines and some people now even refuse to have their children vaccinated. Informative brochures give you the facts, help to allay your fears and even give you a schedule for vaccination.
Some education handouts focus on a specific disease. This can be something as simple as the common cold or it can be about a more serious condition like tuberculosis or AIDS. The text and diagrams will explain the symptoms, the causes of the disease, how you can reduce the risk of getting it and what you can do to treat it or to alleviate the symptoms.
Education is key in cases of outbreaks of highly contagious diseases, such as meningitis, ebola or new flu viruses. When there is an outbreak in an area, the media often runs with the story but doesn't impart all the information you need. This leads to panic and misconceptions. However, with the correct facts you'll know what the risks are and what to do if you think you've contracted the disease, not only so that you can seek treatment but also so that you can prevent spreading the disease.
One of the most wonderful things about pamphlets for patients is that they can answer those questions you're too embarrassed to ask your doctor. For example, they may be about rashes in private areas or about blood in your bodily excretions. These symptoms are actually quite common even though nobody wants to talk about them.
Sometimes the materials are developed by companies that manufacture pharmaceuticals. Often, however, they're produced by a health council. Collect as many of these free materials as you can to make informed decisions about when you need to seek treatment.
