Heartburn, coughing when lying down, pain in the upper chest or throat -- these can all be signs of an often misunderstood condition: hiatus hernia. This book looks at all aspects of dealing with this condition, from diagnosis to self-care. Case studies discuss how individuals have successfully minimized symptoms and how dangerous complications can sometimes arise.
Seven out of every 10,000 Americans have Crohn's disease. If you're one of them, you're all too familiar with the symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. You also know how traumatic and embarrassing this chronic inflammatory bowel disease can be. This book is a comprehensive look at all aspects of the disease, including risk factors, signs and symptoms, and diagnosis. Most important, it addresses what can be done.
Parents of asthmatic children often feel helpless when their child has a severe attack. This guide, written by an internationally known asthma expert, helps parents better understand and cope with this frightening situation. Dr. Jaggi explains the causes of asthma in children, discusses what goes wrong inside the lungs and describes the latest advances in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of the disease. Special sections review advances in alternative therapies.
Sjögren's (pronounced “show-grins”) syndrome, the most common autoimmune disease after rheumatoid arthritis, can affect both sexes and all races and strike any age from children to the elderly. In Sjögren's Syndrome, the body's immune system attacks its own moisture-producing glands. This book, written by a woman who has Sjögren's, presents and evaluates a full range of treatment options, conventional and alternative, providing unbiased assessments of their possible benefits and side-effects. Author Sue Dyson discusses everything from how Sjögren's affects the body to exercise, pregnancy, and relationships.
The diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be devastating. It’s important to note, though, that while COPD is debilitating, it is not a death sentence. With proper disease management, people with COPD can expect to live a full and happy life. While there are no magic pills or quick fixes, there are many things COPD sufferers can do to have more energy, less shortness of breath, and an overall better quality of life despite breathlessness or use of home oxygen. This comprehensive guide helps people in any stage of COPD learn to work with their physical limitations rather than against them. Compassionate and clearly written, it covers every aspect of the disease, including the psychological and emotional issues that go along with having COPD, medications and physical therapy, identifying triggers and warning signs, creating an action plan for worsening symptoms, techniques to make breathing easier, working with healthcare providers, and much more.
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the immune system attacks the body's tissue, causing damage and dysfunction, and sometimes affecting major body organs. Lupus may be mild, bu it can also bring on serious and even life-threatening complications. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, anemia and the general malaise, plus rash, most often across the face.
Colorectal cancer develops slowly over a period of several years, undetected, usually as polyps. It is a preventable and treatable disease if caught in time, yet most know little about how to read its symptoms.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a chronic nerve condition characterized by severe burning pain, excessive sweating, changes in the bones and skin, and extreme sensitivity to touch. It usually occurs at the site of an injury, but the cause of the disorder is unknown. This book provides holistic day-to-day strategies for managing the painful and often frustrating condition, as well as positive patient testimonies and the latest information on traditional and experimental interventions.
Positive Options for Colorectal Cancer offers readers everything they need to know about understanding and dealing with colorectal cancer. It presents detailed information in a clear and concise manner from a well-known advocate and author who is a personal survivor of Stage III colorectal cancer for more than 20 years. Chapters present information on prevention techniques, warning signs, and screening tests including the latest on virtual colonoscopy and how to find and talk honestly with the right doctor. It offers tips on treatment options including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation in addition to advice for life after colorectal cancer and how to find support and resources for the colorectal cancer patient.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), named after the cysts that may form in the ovaries, is a hormone disorder that causes irregular menstrual cycles, obesity, and infertility, among other symptoms. If untreated, it can lead to heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol levels and uterine cancer. The cause of PCOS is not fully known. Unfortunately many doctors aren't sufficiently enlightened about PCOS to readily make a diagnosis. Women who have experienced multiple miscarriages often have PCOS; doctors sometimes finally diagnose PCOS in a woman when she undergoes fertility investigations. Symptoms can include: ** multiple miscarriages ** infertility ** absent or irregular periods ** pelvic pain ** joint pain ** weight gain ** excessive facial and/or body hair ** adult acne ** hair loss ** depression POSITIVE OPTIONS FOR POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) includes information on causes, symptoms, diagnosis, getting help from a doctor, medications, and what a woman can do to help herself, including improved nutrition, complementary therapies, exercise, and lifestyle changes. A chapter on emotional support and case histories separates this concise guide from the competition.
