To Our Readers

This book is strong medicine. It can be of great help to you. The medical advice is as sound as we can make it, but it will not always work. Like advice from your doctor, it won’t always be right for you. This is our problem: if we don’t give you direct advice, we can’t help you. If we do, we’ll sometimes be wrong. So here are some qualifications:

If you’re under the care of a doctor and receive advice contrary to this book, follow the doctor’s advice; the individual characteristics of your problem can then be taken into account. This is especially important if you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition.

If you have an allergy or a suspected allergy to a recommended medication, check with your doctor, at least by phone, before following the advice in this book.

Read medicine label directions carefully; instructions vary from year to year, and you should follow the most recent.

If your problem continues to concern you beyond a reasonable period, you should see a doctor. We suggest for most problems what a reasonable period might be.