Family Medicine in Practice: A Guide for Common Conditions
Dr. Shane Malitha Halpe · Dr. Udayanga Andadola · Prof. Kandasamy Arulanandem
A practical, easy-to-read health guide designed to help individuals, families, students, and healthcare providers understand common health problems and make safer decisions in everyday life. Written from a family medicine and primary care perspective, it explains how good health begins with early action, prevention, and a trusted relationship with a family doctor or primary care team, with special attention to the Sri Lankan context. The book is organised into five practical sections: primary care essentials, symptom-based guidance, chronic disease self-management, life-stage guidance, and lifestyle and special topics — covering fever, headache, cough, chest pain, abdominal pain, joint pain, skin problems, urinary symptoms, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma, COPD, stroke, kidney health, arthritis, mental health, child health, women’s health, men’s health, elderly care, nutrition, tobacco and alcohol use, physical activity, first aid, and community wellbeing. A key strength is its emphasis on recognising red flags — warning signs that require urgent medical attention — alongside quick checklists, case stories, and key messages for safer decision-making at home, in clinics, and in community health settings.
