Medicine Books

I always like to read an experience from the inside and this first person telling is very expressive and well worth the read.
I would like to also recommend Carol Levy's A Pained Life, a chronic pain journey.
It is of the same autobiographical mold.
The author in this book tells of her struggle with and against a facial pain disorder called trigeminal neuralgia - also called "the worst pain known to man" and "the suicide disease."
It has been called "hard to out down" by the American Chronic Pain Association" and "a fascinating story" by Steve Hall, writer, NY Times magazine.
If you enjoyed Out Of Joint I think this will also be a good read for you.


[...]

As someone with inflammatory arthritis and an advocate for making arthritis more visible to society, I was so glad to hear Mary speak and read this book. We have been lacking any sort of exploration of arthritis and its effects. Arthritis is epidemic in this country, but it is still invisible. This is one more step for bringing it to light.

This book explores so many different angles- the emotional, the artistic, the physical, the social, the private, the public. Sometimes her writing meanders over into poetry and somehow explains medical terms with poetic expression.

Mary Lowenthal Felstiner has written an important book on many levels. Out of Joint should become the classic for anyone struggling with a chronic problem, be it physical or mental. Mary has an amazing ability to express what so many of us feel ...but in an original, refreshing, and totally unique way.
I loved her refusal to quit or to accept that nothing more could be done. Like that energetic bunny, she just kept on going, searching for probable causes, exploring possible cures, and keeping a constant, sometimes hilarious, dialogue with herself. This book is also a lesson in how to go about family life and love the RIGHT way...an inspiration to us all.

Buy this book! And discover the magic which Mary
Felstiner, a prize-winning professor of history,
brings to words. This story about rheumatoid arthritis
is a page-turner. Felstiner's gift for mixing plain
speech with the technical and erudite is totally
astounding. Further, she demonstrates the healing
potential of narrative, a multi-faceted narrative
glinting with allusion. Through her account, Felstiner
manages to make us proud to be human, capable at the
same time of suffering and transcendence. Five stars.

I enjoyed this book so greatly. I love the way Mary Felstiner approaches the subject of joints, jointedness, connection, from such varied angles, using documents of cultural, personal, and medical history. Magnificent!! What a huge accomplishment this book represents. Apart from all else, I've learned a staggering amount from this gifted author about the body in a cultural context, and this has illuminated a lot of questions in my own life.

Incredible true life adventure. Full of a lot of interesting history and insight about the bahamas out islands. His adventure of transforming his life of recluse as a school teacher who lived with his parents until he retired, into a legend in the Abacos is incredible and awe inspiring. An execellent read for anyone that has ever dreamed of transforming their life and escaping to paradise.

Highly recommend the book, especially if you are thinking of visiting Abaco... I recommend taking a trip to the Abacos and finding your own new addition. It won't cost you any less, but it will be worth a lot more.

I borrowed this book from a friend in New Orleans. I was a little dubious about it from the '60's cover art. The very first chapter cast a net over me! I stayed up for hours to finish the story and have read and re-read the book. I have to return the book so I'm going to buy the newest print. "De Doctah" did something so many people haven't the courage to do by "going island" and then putting it in print. If you are an armchair adventurer, this book may make you get up out of the chair! This book is a WOW! I'll even say it backwards "WOW"!

This book embodies the desire within us to experience a life that few will ever know. I look forward to the day my fiance and I do the same.

This is a must for anyone visiting the Abaco's. It provides an interesting insight into the real life of Bahamians. The jargon learned in this book will separate you from the typical tourist. You will be pleasantly surprised the next time your "boat done reached."

During a visit to the Bahamas in 1972 I read this superb and incredible biography. When I finished it I flew over and met Evans Cottmann while he was seeing patients in his little office. I visited his fairy tale green castle, saw his ketch and authenticated for myself this unbelievable and beautiful story. This book proves what man can do who is endowed with limited means, unlimited imagination and a desire to give and share his life.

Overcoming Arthritis is a clear and detailed account of the accepted and non traditional ways of living with a chronic condition.

The book gives a brief discussion of the different strands of the arthritis family, and explains the more common ones in detail. There is not too much medical information; and yet the authors do not talk down to the readers.

As well as complementary therapies and medicine for arthritis, there is a section on herbal remediea and another on diet. The best arthritis diet, it says, is the one that suits your lifestyle and medications the best - so simple!The section on Tai Chi is incredibly detailed. Both pictures and words are used to good effect when describing @Tai Chi for Arthritis@. In fact, as a teacher of this programme, I use this bit with my classes.

The book also shows the variety of ways arthritis can affect your life - it can be anything from a minor nuisance to a life threatening illness.

For people with arthritis, the book is not too heavy or unwieldy to manage. Good clear print, with plenty of relevant illustrations a lso make this a good choice.

If you are only going to buy one book on arthritis, make this the one. I had to review it for an arthritis magazine, and was so impressed, I went out and bought my own!

"Overcoming Arthritis" is an excellent book for the lay person. It discusses the common types of arthritis, some of the origins of arthritis, and reviews treatments for arthritis. It also describes some of the self-care that people with arthritis can use to minimize the disease process itself and to make their lives more comfortable. The most important part of the book, however, is Dr. Lam's introduction of his "Tai Chi for Arthritis" program. He describes in photos and in words the twelve steps in the form that has been shown to decrease pain and stiffness in people with arthritis and to increase strength and flexibility and a sense of well-being in this same population. The photos are excellent and precisely demonstrate each of the twelve movements. From this book, a person could begin to practice Tai Chi on their own. He also suggests other places where a person might get more information about dealing with arthritis in a pro-active, positive way.
In a world of "how-to" books, I would highly recommend this to all people with arthritis--and to those who have a loved one with arthritis.

Dr. Lam and Ms. Horstman have written a beautiful book that outlines the available treatments for arthritis as well as Dr. Lam's own program of Tai Chi. The graphics are beautiful, and lend an uplifting quality to the text. There is enough information to start an exercise program on your own and a list of teaching resources in the back. This book promises and delivers a better quality of life for men and women with arthritis. I have been following the program for over a year and have benefited greatly. This is one of the best applications of complementary medicine out there. It's a winner!

All the students on our first Anglesey(North Wales)TCA Course rushed to order book having first seen our well thumbed copy.
To a person, they all agree that this is an excellent book and many couples are now fighting over it and wishing that they had ordered seperate copies! Recommended reading for when you are sitting down and planning your daily exercises or practise.
The exercises and the form are clearly described and illustrated and back up your Instructors words.
The information about Arthritis was clear and to the point.

Dr Lam's enthusiam for overcoming this painful condition originates from his own experience of the pain. His determination to teach others to overcome the pain and suffering is projected to the reader with a sense of joy and hope.

This book will be welcomed world wide for its sensitivity and hope. It raises teaching techniques to a new level of clarity with easy to follow directions for people of all nationalities and ages. Beautifully co-authored by the award winning medical journalist, Judith Horstman, the book is brought to life as if Dr Lam is the reader's own doctor, instructing in personal consultation.

Positive proof of Dr Lam's personal success in overcoming the painful condition can be seen in his flexibility and agility in his TAI CHI teaching and demonstration videos.

Books can go to people all over the world, to the furthermost places on earth, as gifts, general reading or study guides. Dr Lam's understanding of arthritic conditions comes also from years of teaching and the answers seem to be there before the questions are asked.

For the quick reader, it is a delightful page turner of information and interesting facts. For sufferers of arthritis and associated conditions who will read, learn and apply what they learn, the information will become a lifestyle of discovery.

After my 5 year old son was diagnosed with AVSD, I engrossed myself into extensive research about his condition. While I discovered many other books with great information, I found this one to be the most inclusive, definitive and easy to interpret. The Q&A are broken down under each chapter specifically dealing with certain attributes one might be facing with a diagnoses; not all,but most of my questions were answered after reading this book. Highly, highly recommended.
J.B.

I loved the question/answer format of this book. It made an overwhelming and complicated topic far more understandable. I wish this book had been available when our son was diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Vessels 12 years ago. We had so many questions, and while the doctors and nurses were super, a resource like this would have been invaluable becuase the questions don't stop when you finally leave the hospital! I'm sure the authors will keep the book as up-to-date as possible, but just know that cutting edge research is improving the methods of diagnosing and treating chd's every day. So, if the treatment protocol your doctor recommends isn't listed, don't panic. You might be benefiting from the latest research! When our son had his surgery, the Arterial Switch operation, which is now standard procedure, was only being done at a handful of hospitals around the country. Kids born with chd's today have a much better outlook thanks to the advances made by research. And, with more research, tomorrow will be even better.

My new born daughter was recently diagnosed with Complex Congential Heart Defects and naturally I wanted to learn as much as I could about the topic. I purchased several related boks through Amazon.com and founf this one to be very relevant and answered lots of appropriate questions for me. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about Heart Defects of any type. It is very thorough and covers every defect I am aware of.

I would recommend this book to anyone with a child that has a congenital heart defect. This book is easy to read and explains anything and everything you need to know about a heart defect.

My husband and I searched everywhere for answers. This book answered all our questions.

We have a non-profit for congenital heart defects. This is the book we tell all parents to get!!...

My son Noah was diagnosed in-utero with a VSD and at the age of 9 days received his first sonogram and EKG. The VSD closed - confirmed at his 1-year appointment, but was diagnosed with mitral valve stenosis at this same appointment. This book guides one through diagnosis, parental coping, issues/caring for the newly born, answers many of your obvious and not so obvious questions, surgery - what to expect/how to prepare and the likely impact your childs' condition may have on his/her life basis current knowledge. It also is full of annecdotal stories from parents that are going through the same thing you are as well as commentary from pediatric cardiologists. Additionally, there are resources from the internet to camps in the appendicies. No doubt, the book is at times depressing, but it is also enlightening. The undelying message is you need to be prepared for what you and your child are yet to experience and it is a map to guide you in this area

EXCELLENT resource book !!! I am back ordering a second copy for our family to share around.... gives excellent, detailed information on both the physical side of the disease and the side-effects of the medications... easy read... very comprehensive... I recommend HIGHLY !!

Never having had any experience or knowledge on the basis of this disease, I got the book to help me understand my father's disease. I have gotten a fuller understanding of the causes of the disease, the symptoms, the treatments (and making decisions regarding the selections of the treatments), and the progression of the disease. I feel much better informed and feel I can support my father better because of it. It was definitely written to help support the patient and family supporting that patient.

If you have PD or care for someone or know someone with it you will find this book helpful in any of those situations. I learned many things from this book. Including that some things my husband, who has early onset PD, was going through that turned out were symptoms and not just random events. I thank those that wrote this for helping me care for him and being informed. Also, they section on young onset PD really helped because i was beginning to feel he had intermediate PD when really it was signs and symptoms from his Y.O.P.D. It lifted a heavy weight knowing he wasn't that far into the disease (intermediate stage). I was able to rely many things to his nuerologist that he was experiencing based upon my reading so he can get better care. Thank you.

The author of this book did a great job in explaining what Parkinson's Disease is and giving information for the patient and the caregiver. I am a dental hygienist and I learned just an overview of the disease in school. After having my first patient with the disease I decided to learn more about it. I learned alot from this book that I should of already known for my patient. The book tells you the symptoms and the side effects of the disease and advice on drug therapy, diet, and exercise. Some people don't even know that they have the disease for a couple of months or even years. They think it is just old age or arthritis. The book also states what kind of medical advice to seek.
I have never met a patient with Parkinson's Disease until a couple of months ago. I didn't know what to expect. When the patient walked in I was shocked. She looked normal and wasn't shaking. She was the sweetest patient I had met. She explained to me her life and how she lives with the disease. She said that she sometimes gets embarrased to be seen in public when she has her tremors because she thinks that everyone is staring at her. But she said she is the same person as all of us. She just has to take medication and she gets tired alot more than you and me. When I was cleaning her teeth she only had mild tremors so it wasn't that difficult to work on her. But one day I will probably get a patient who has severe tremors but I am ready thanks to this book in guiding me with the knowledge of what I needed to know. I think that if you know someone who has Parkinson's disease or if you would like to learn more about the disease buy this book and you will be filled with all the information you need to know about Parkinson's disease.

I have Parkinson's, and this is the most comprehensive, up-to-date book on the subject I've seen. If you are buying one book on this topic, this is the book to get.

This is a very great book. Every day I read a little bite of it. You can be sure you'll learn a new thing in each page. A must read for all species Clinicians, not only Vet Pathology students.
A great book. One of the best I know in this area.

Simply the best veterinary pathology book ever made. It's the bible. There's no other definition for it. Easy to read and high quality images for students and veterinary pathologists.

Hi friends
I receieved my book and start the minute I received it to read through it, it is very nice book, well written and I encourage all veterinary students to buy it.

I recd the book in the best possible coondition and within a week of my purchase..I was mighty impressed.

Very good. A must for any Vet who wants to keep on top of their knowledge of pathology.

I loved this book. Vet (Dr. Churchill - Atlanta, GA) shared it with me. We took blood test of my dog only to find she was not in the normal range. We raised all her levels (cortizone and thyroid) and she is doing great. No more itching, allergies. She eats Royal Canine hypo-allergy and takes meds. Much better than going thru symptoms every 3 months and just getting a steroid shot !! Her coat is even coming in more and she looks healthly. Go get the book and share it with your vet !!! Good luck. Karen and Dominique

This Book is a God-Send! I was always at the vet, literally. I was there sometimes multiple times in a week at the bad times, and in the relative good times only a couple times in a month. You see I have 3 dogs and 3 cats, and between them I was literally spending thousands of dollars on vet bills for their various ailments and afflictions.

I was wondering why on earth my animals were always sick. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats that were diagnosed with IBD (Inflamatory Bowel Disease), and all my dogs had allergies with various sorts of secondary skin and ear infections that go with. Not to mention the occasional surgery to remove and biopsy a suspicious looking cyst, or lump that appeared here and there.

I was also spending hundreds of dollars a month on various medications for their chronic conditions. Yet, they just seemed to treat the symptoms and no the cause as my pets still seemed to get getting sicker.

Well, This book gave me the answer! 4 of my 6 animals (My 3 dogs and 1 of my cats) has tested positive for Low Cortisol as described in this book. After putting my animals on the Plechner Protocol (and working with my holistic vet does the testing and follows the protocol) they are now the healthiest they have ever been. So many of seemingly unrelated health problems in aniamls are explained by Low Cortisol and this book.

Buy It! Everyone Pet owner should have a copy. It not only saved me money from tons of vet visits, it most importantly helped me to improve my animals health by treating the root cause, instead of just the symptoms of their health problems.

Veteranrian Alfred J. Plechner (a practicing graduate from the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with thirty-five years of clinical work experience), draws upon his years of experience and considerable expertise in Pets At Risk: From Allergies To Cancer, Remedies For An Unsuspected Epidemic spotlights just how endocrine-immune imbalances can cause or exacerbate multiple medical disorders in our beloved animal companions. Offering practical advice for helping imbalanced dogs and cats with supplements; natural remedies for a variety of possible ailments; diet replacement programs, and so much,more, Pets At Risk also stresses the responsibilities pet owners face, as well as exploring the implications these groundbreaking discoveries have for we humans. Pets At Risk is essential, accessible, "reader friendly", and very strongly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Pet Care reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

A friend sent me the Plechner book, "Pets At Risk". It went with me on vacation to Puerto Rico, where I read it cover to cover. There I was by the pool, reading avidly about canine endocrine disorders.

This is an absolutely enthralling read for anyone who cares about their pets' health. Vets have significantly improved their abilities to diagnose diseases, but are still grappling with treating the result versus treating the underlying cause. As an owner who has dealt with issues ranging from cancer to skin allergies to Addison's disease, I found Dr. Plechner's observations and insights providing "Aha!" moments.

I've already ordered books for each of my vets, in order to discuss whether this treatment could work with some long-term issues in some of our pets.

I read this book when my dog was so sick wth chronic ear infections (that were not responding to the typical prescription drugs) that she had to have 2 benadryl every 4 hours--and this is when she was already on a hypoallergenic diet. Three vets said she had food allergies (she did appear to react worse to some foods, and did somewhat better on duck and potato). Two vets said to try an elimination diet. We did, and could hardly add any thing back, as she NEVER seemed to get healthy enough after reacting to a new food to add another food. Well, I read this book in one sitting, and made an appointment immediately with the one vet in our state who is familiar with E&I dogs and Plechner. Our dog tested positive for the disorder--her cortisol levels were less than half than that of a healthy dog. She has only been on the medications for a few days, and she's stopped shaking her head and licking her paws. She's got her old playful attitude back--she hadn't wanted to play her favorite game for a couple of months. The best part is that she will very likely be able to eat well-rounded diet when she's better stabilized. What looked like food allergies was most likely food intolerances caused by her imbalance. Most E&I dogs can eat normal diet unless they have "true" food allergies.I'm in raptures because without this book, my dog would more than likely have struggled all her life with these problems, been treated symptomatically for what was a whole body glandular disorder, and continued to have a poor quality of life. This book is easy to read, compassionate and straightforward. Plechner pulls no punches- the test is expensive, and the medication regimen is usually for life. But he gives countless examples of diseases and symptoms that are often caused by E&I imbalance-- it's amazing and heartening to read that countless problems occur when the animal isn't making enough cortisol, and that these problems are fixable. He gives info technical enough to help any vet treat your animal--even if the vet has never diagnosed an E&I dog before. He sternly explains that E&I treatment won't fix true food allergies---but it will more than likely make symptoms caused by other kinds of allergies disappear. I am buying this book for friends who have chronically sick dogs, and lending my copy out to anyone who is curious. It's well worth the investment. My dog will be the first to agree!

This book was given to me by my vet after my dog (Nikki) was diagnosed with lymphoma. I read this book in one sitting!! This book was a great resource for me in a time of great sadness. I was able to take the many questions that didn't come to me at the vet's office and get them answered. I highly recommend this book to others who may be going through this experience.

I read this little book the first night I got it, and learned a great deal. I only wish I had this info before I lost my beautiful cat friend Taura to cancer almost 5 yrs ago. Even though I thought I was well informed at the time Taura was sick, I've since learned that I really was not, and a book like this could have made a real difference. Veternarians do not always have the skills or knowledge to give thorough information and this book has an abundance of real life info and leaves one with a great deal to think about.

HOWEVER, I was very disappointed in the section on nutrition, which seemed to lack a full view of nutritional options. Even though there was info given on the importance of protein, carbohydrates,etc. the main recommendation for a cancer fighting food was Hills Diet, which felt bias. Some info was given on supplements, but none on other options for foods, such as the possiblity of homemade diets, either cooked or raw, which under the guidance of a good vet could be the answer to good health, depending on the individual needs of each animal. Also, no other quality foods were listed, of which there are many, which with proper guidance may also be appropriate. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OTHER NUTRITIONAL OPTIONS WITH A VET WHO KNOWS NUTRITION, AS MANY DO NOT.

THIS IS A REALLY GOOD BOOK TO HAVE - I will keep it near and hope I will not need it.

A brilliantly written book which offers hope, comfort and compassionate advice for all pet owners whose animal companions face this horrible disease. Covers all aspects of cancer care from diagnosis to end stages of the disease. A must for the pet owner whose beloved animal companion has been stricken with cancer. Thank you, Dr. Downing for this gem of a book.

After my dog was diagnosed with cancer, I searched the internet for answers, and found this book on Amazon. It is a little book, worth it's weight in gold. It is written by a knowledgeable vet who translates clinical information into a factual, yet compassionate conversation with the reader. By using the website links in the back of the book, I was able to find a world class animal hospital in my area that correctly diagnosed the rare form of cancer my dog has. Seven months later, we are on the road to remission. I still refer to Dr. Downing's book, and am more than thanful to have found it.

This is an excellent book, and if you have ever had, or currently have, a pet with cancer, you deserve a copy of this book.

It takes you by the hand, and explains in easy to understand layman terms, just what the diagnosis of cancer means to you and your pet, in terms of options, cures and hope. It phrases the questions you should ask your vet about any anticipated therapies and operations for the cancer-stricken pet.

The book is positive in outlook, giving pet owners hope, when there seems to be none. Cure types, therapies, and chemotherapy types and kinds are explained. It even discusses nutrition as it relates to saving the pet and `starving' cancer. And research shows diet can play an important role in starving cancer!

The book gives lots of detail; it answers all the questions that the pet owner, in a state of shock after the diagnosis, forgot to ask the vet. It gives helpful hints on how to organize yourself for future vet visits with the cancer-striken pet, and suggests questions you should then ask the vet.

In sum, for anyone with a pet that has cancer - this little book will become your `guide book.'

I'd buy the book `before the event' however, so you have it when you need it.

I teach anatomy and physiology subjects at a Health Faculty, and I have been using Physiological Medicine as my guide for the subject of Applied Physiology. I find it extremely useful, well written, with good summaries, questions and cases. The graphic quality could be better, yes, but everything important is there.

I am a neurologist and I have this expensive "hobby" of buying science books. I have read many biology and physiology text books and none comes close to this wonderfully presented physiology material that is pleasurable to read (yes, I mean it!) and at the same time laden with clinical knowledge. My only suggestions are that this book be made available on hard copy with longer paper size, and the illustrations be made on entire pages. This book should be made a classic in my opinion.

If you are a medical student and want a refreshing, interesting approach to learning basic physio, this book is a dream!
Fundamental information is explained clearly and thoroughly, clinical examples are given throughout the book, and the author has a very realistic and helpful attitude toward medical knowledge and the practice of medicine.

I used this book in a 2nd year medical student course taught by V. Lingappa, and I've read it almost in it's entirety - it's that easy to read and understand. I've never done that with any other text. The clinical pearls are very insightful and helpful to bring clinical relevance to the
material.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone studying physiology
as a primary text or as an excellent resource. It's been very helpful
to me as a medical student.

My name is Marco Antonio Vazquez and I am a physician from Mexico. To tell the truth, "Physiological Medicine" is an excelent book. Unfortunately, there is not an spanish edition. You see, when I was a medical student, I did not read english and I had never had a chance to read a book like this one. I remember that I used to read some good Physiology's books: Berne and Levy, Guyton and Best and Taylor.

In my private practice, because of the clinical cases, I have used this book a lot. This cases makes me think in real human beens with real problems. Because of this situations I think medicine is an art.
In some ways due to this book I have become to be a much more humble physician. I believe that I understand better my own limitations. Nature is quite much more complex that I used to think. In some way, I think that nature defends itself against some of our medical actions.

I really enjoy reading books like this and Lehninger's Biochemistry. It is fantastic to understand the real foundations, how it works our body, from biomolecules to organs and systems. I hope that this very basic knowledge makes me a better physician and human been at last.

DO NOT HESITATE, YOU SHOULD BUY THIS WONDERFUL BOOK¡¡¡¡

I believe this book will be helpful to people who are considering options for medical treatment. Giller's advice seems sound, and the book can help people sort through their thoughts as they face the challenges of health issues. Don't let this be the only book you read about your medical issues, but please let it be one of them.

In the last twenty years, my immediate family has been struck by five --5--major medical catastrophes. We plowed through medical libraries and whatever sources we could find in order to become informed, know what questions to ask, and try to decide where to go for treatment and how to find the best physicians. It was always a frightening, tiring and difficult process. If Dr. Cole Giller's book had been available for us to use, it would have made an unbelievable difference in our ability to make very difficult decisions. Give this book to family members and friends. You will be doing them a tremendous favor.

Important decisions are rarely straight forward. This is particularly true of medical decisions. Choices are intricate, outcomes uncertain and ultimately the decision is yours.

Cole Giller, a board-certified neurosurgeon and associate professor, draws on his experience of guiding his patients through this difficult maze to offer guidance to anyone facing an important medical decision. In doing so, he has penned a book of wisdom that transcends its stated purpose.

Giller's six steps for making medical decisions are applicable to anyone faced with a bewildering array of choices. Simply put, they are:

1. Identify your options.
2. Identify the trade-offs.
3. Find the supporting data.
4. Be skeptical of the data.
5. Pay attention to your beliefs.
6. Contemplate the decision's meaning.

This book is a treasure. Giller weaves his experience into a well-written, easily-understood and widely-applicable approach to dealing with complicated decisions. While the book is a compassionate guide for individuals facing a medical challenge, it also offers sound guidance for decision-makers in any field.

Knowledge may be power, as the old saw says. But all too often in this age of information explosion, it is not enough to overcome the decision crisis. Giller's model provides a practical for living with the decision's results.

Here's why I bought this book and why you might need it yourself:
1. Medical decisions are NOT what they used to be and patients need to be informed in order to make the right decision.
2. The book outlines the six major steps necessary to make the right decision - from identifying your options to interpreting numbers, etc
3. This book includes a guide to the right reference books and tips on reading and interpreting relevant medical articles, newsletters, television and even advertisements.
4. It includes a guide to the internet as well as suggested Web sites. There are also helpful tips for navigating PubMed and other medical websites.
5. Included are valuable strategies for finding the right medical information and interpreting the often confusing numbers and percentages included in medical tests and other medical procedures.
6. Finally, this book looks at ALL the various aspects of medical treatment, from medical insurance to managing doctors.
I've never seen another book like it and think it'd be invaluable for any patient - or family of one.

When I picked up this book, I read it cover to cover in one sitting--I couldn't put it down. As a family physician, I help my patients make tough medical decisions every day, and I know firsthand how agonizing the process can be. In this book, Dr. Cole Giller leads patients through six steps of the medical decision making process to help them make choices that are best for them, in keeping with their beliefs, values, and priorities. The book is compelling and easy to read, written by a doctor that is not only competent, but extremely compassionate. It is a must-read for anyone who is faced with making a medical decision, whether it is a physician, a patient, or someone who must decide for a loved one.