The cost of health care and the insurance that may cover it has ballooned out of the reach of many in this country.  After a trend inthe last few decades of running to a health care provider for every possible ailment, no matter how minor, many people are becoming their own health care providers. Known as “self care” the availability of OTC medications has made this popular.  OTC medications for children are abundant and many homes have at least 5.5 OTC medications for children on hand at all times.

Conditions Well Suited for Self Care

The availability of OTC medications is almost limitless.  New developments and the release of many of the prescriptions drugs to OTC status have changed the way we approach many diseases.  Such low-risk conditions such as allergies, rashes, yeast infections and heartburn can safely be treated without the intervention of a health care provider.

Sites That Are Lacking in Information

Since self care relieves us of the necessity of a physicians visit, it becomes necessary to educate ourselves. Although books should be a good source of reference they are often out-dated or don’t have the latest data when they come to print.  This site aims to keep you well informed by providing you with the latest data available.

Those companies who produce the OTC medications are trying to sell their product.  In doing so they are likely to have tunnel vision and fail to give us an unbiased opinion of the best products for treatment of our condition,

Physicians are educated in prescription medications.  Drug companies spend large sums to have representatives visit doctors and “sell their wares”.  As there is not any representative for the OTC meds, even though many times they are just as effective, many physicians are unaware of what is available for treatment.

Another source of information is the pharmacist.  Although well schooled in medications and their proper usages they are little help when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of most conditions.  This site will provide you with what is needed to put you on the correct path of self-care.

A Blueprint To Consumer Medical Reports

Basic:

This provides a primer in disease, causes, anatomy, physiology and enough   education to allow us to recognize diseases.

Prevention:

This section will focus of on the areas that will help us avoid disease. You will learn preventative measures that can be taken so that you wont get the disease or after you clear up the problem.

Self-Care Treatment:

This section will provide information on all OTC medications. Some have not been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for effectiveness and that information will be covered also.  Diseases and the available medications and their correct usage will be explained.

When a Physician is Necessary:

Total healing takes time and medication.  But there may come a period when a secondary condition presents itself blocking total recovery.  This is the time to consult a physician and being able to recognize this is extremely important. There will be a section in here that will easily make this information, as when to see a physician, available.

Review of Medications:

Our primary responsibility is the education and health of the public.  We intend to present the public with enough education to make them feel comfortable in making medical decisions for themselves and their families. Ailments along with medications to combat these diseases will be suggested and explained.

The FDA has classified medications and a designation of “Category I” indicates that the drug is considered safe and effective. Only these Category 1 medications will be advised.

This site will only advise medications from major national brands that have a good record of effectiveness and is readily available.  All names of medications, whether it is brand name or generic, will be completely explained in language that is easy to understand.  Once you have all this data you will be able to make intelligent and safe medical choices.

Where to Begin:

To the left of this page is a list of conditions you may want to investigate.  Clicking on your choice will bring you to all the information necessary for you to provide self-care for your family.  This will be a revolving site as new information will be updated to the present topics and new topics will be added frequently.