Medicine and Health Books

The book All In A Days Work was an awesome read. I like "down home and personal" stuff. Certainly brought the characters into my home. And the scenery!!!! Great photos! Thanks Dr Way

I found this book to be very fascinating. Having grown up in the area and still having family in the area is what drew me to this particular book. I remember my father telling me about some of the people, as well as my mother-in-law who also resides in the area. I also have a daughter in medical school so I will pass this on to her so she can round out her understanding of all areas of medicine and people. The beautiful photographs added to this book. Anyone interested in the Adirondacks or in the medical field would find this book a must have for their collection.

As an allied health care provider (EMS) I cannot praise this book enough. Daniel Way is a truely remarkable Physician in an age where medicine as an art and calling has become a business and patients are easially lost in the system as only a diagnosis or case number. As someone who sees the depersonification of the medical practice every day and the endless referals, Dr. Way genuinely cares for his patients. Some of his vignettes are humorous, some are inspiring, and some display the raw cruelty of life and death. Dr. Way has a special gift in his writing that makes you feel as if you actually know the patient at the end of the biography. While reading this book I could almost sense the sights, emotion, and even the smell of where he was. As someone who has hiked, paddled, and biked all over the Adirondacks of New York State, this book's setting was all the more relative to me. This book should be mandatory reading for anyone that chooses to become a healthcare provider as it is a constant reminder as to what and who we chose our professions for. The medical community needs more people like Dr. Way.

You can tell by reading this book that the author is certainly no ordinary family doctor. The author, who happens to be my dad, shows without a doubt that he truly cares about his patients, and can find an intersting story behind any face that walks in for a checkup. From a World War II hero pushed to the brink of death countless times to a simple man spending his entire life in a rural convenience store, Dan Way's patient stories will make you laugh, gasp, and maybe tear up a little. Way compliments each story with beautiful pictures from a beautiful region that I've spent much of my life in: the Adirondack Mountains. This is definitely worth reading for anybody, particularly those interested in photography or those in the medical profession. Great job Dad!!!!

All In A Day's Work: Scenes And Stories from an Adriondack Medical Practice presents the ruminations of an experienced medical doctor whose home visits amid the Adriondacks allowed him to take in the beautiful scenery, capture photographs, and bring help to people who needed it, especially in a part of the nation with a high population of senior citizens. Full-color photographs illustrate every page, and the down-to-earth narrative text describes not only the beauty and majesty of the scenery, but also vignettes from the lives of patients, some stories uplifting, some heartbreaking. An emotionally moving portrait of land and the people who call it home.

This is one of my favorite books. I think I have purchased one for every family member. It gives a comprehensive look at conventional medicine, herbal medicine and homeopathy. What is particularly nice is that it gives the pros and cons of each treatment. After just being at my wits end years ago with going to my regular doctor and being prescribed antibiotics for a recurring infection this book gave me the tools to treat the problem and 6 years later I have never had another problem with the infection again. I can't stress enough how helpful this book can be, especially in a day and age when the doctor prescribes so many medications you need additional medications to combat the side effects from one or the other.

I am very glad I have this book as part of my reference library. It has come in handy several times. Dr. Walker is great!!

I like this book because it paints a broad picture: covering traditional medicine and then offering alternatives in homeopathy, herbal and chinese medicine. This is one of the only books I have seen which covers such a broad scope of alternative medicines from different disciplines and countries.

I have read this book and would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking into aternatives for modern medicine! This is one of the best herbal remedy books I have read. It gives what modern medicine would do for the problem, then gives many different herbal remedies to try.

This is an excellent resource for everyone. These are simple remedies that actually work. This book is an excellent alternative resource for many common problems. Most Americans are reluctant to try alternative remedies, but the rest of the world has used them with sucess for ages.

This book was written for all of the people that enjoy learning and/or for those folks that have been presented with the formidable challenge of having Alzheimer's or caring for a loved one with this condition. I am a nurse that has recently graduated from nursing school,and what I would have given to have already absorbed the knowledge base that this book offers. After all of the "book learn'in" nurses go through, their long process of the actual patient "clinicals" begin. During this period of the education student nurses are emerged into the real time process of patient care. My first clinical rotation took place in a long term care facility and yes, I had a patient load that was often 90% comprised of Alzheimer's patients. I soon realized that I had no real knowledge base from which I could draw to care for, or more importantly understand my patients feelings.
You absolutely need not be any sort of a medical professional to comprehend the material presented in the book, however, all medical professionals absolutely should not miss the opportunity of this important read.
In short, conditions such as autism and Alzheimer's are seemingly becoming more prevalent in our society. Books like this offer at least some hope in gaining the tools needed to have the ability to help and understand these types of disease processes.
Learn and read all that you can but if you only have the time or the initiative for one.........this is the book!
Thank you,
Sheryl Ford

As a worker in an Adult Day Facility, I have referred to Ms. Lokvig's book more times than I can count. It's organized practically by task which makes the information easily accessible. The author addresses the needs of the caregiver as well as those of the loved one, a necessary element of successful caregiving. I highly recommend this book to family, volunteer and professional caregivers alike.

Ms. Lokvig has stepped us through some of the most difficult behaviors and situations which may arise as we try to care for a person with dementia...the information she has lovingly and painstakingly gathered is readily accessible, as a previous reviewer has stated, so that one need not read the entire book to get to what one may need to know quickly.
I found the writing has a calming affect and is reassuring. The book is so rich with eamples of how to redirect a sticky situation. I am a professional in the field of gerontology and can recommend this fresh approach to a difficult road without hesitation.

While I was caring for my 80 year old mother, I was unable to find a useful book on dementia or Alzheimer's. Every book I read was utterly depressing and sobering. Jytte Lokvig's thoughtful and original way of working with people afflicted with this disease will make it all seem manageable. Her insight and knowledge of the condition and her approach-to-care is totally compassionate and perceptive. Through her years of working and caring for her patients, she has distilled an attitude of care that she brings home for everybody. I recommend Alzheimer's A to Z, most highly. Caregivers, buy this book! It will not only instruct you in taking care of your loved one, but will also assist you in taking care of yourself while you do.

"Alzheimer's A to Z: Secrets of Successful Caregiving" is a wonderful book for those dealing with a friend or loved one with Alzheimer's. The book is organized alphabetically by topic. These topics include agitation, baby talk, coaching, cursing, diet, driving, eating, fantasy, hallucinations, listening, medication, obsessive behavior, pets, routines, singing, undressing, vitamins, word substitution, and many others. Each topic gives examples of the specific item, suggestions on how to handle the situation, and related topics. This organization is one of the things that make this book so valuable. You don't have to completely read through the entire thing to try to find answers to your questions. Instead you can go directly to the topic. Written is a style reminiscent of a family friend helping you understand someone with Alzheimer's, it inspires confidence, empathy, and patience in the caregiver. A highly recommended read for the non-professional seeking advice and understanding when dealing with someone with Alzheimer's.

An excellent reference book for people who have a cronic condition and want additional advice broader than what most doctors recommend. My Dr. told me I needed surgery for my gallstones and I received no other info. This book gave me alternatives and also explained the down-side of removing my gallbladder. I highly recomend this book.

An outstanding book! When you need comprehensive information, tips, and techniques that you can use to cope with various common conditions, this book is a wealth of information. Conditions covered include evergthing from AIDS and Allergies to Pain, Parkinson's Disease and Sleep Disorders. The information Dr. Clark offers ranges from explaining the condition, identifying risk factors, telling how the disease is diagnosed, stating the usual traditional treatments, and, most importantly, detailing self-care measures that you can take to help yourself regain health.
Dr. Clark writes with a clarity and authority that make this book a "must-have" reference book for anyone who faces a chronic illness and wants to both understand the disease and help themselves overcome their medical problem.

An outstanding book! When you need comprehensive information, tips, and techniques that you can use to cope with various common conditions, this book is a wealth of information. Conditions covered include evergthing from AIDS and Allergies to Pain, Parkinson's Disease and Sleep Disorders. The information Dr. Clark offers ranges from explaining the condition, identifying risk factors, telling how the disease is diagnosed, stating the usual traditional treatments, and, most importantly, detailing self-care measures that you can take to help yourself regain health.
Dr. Clark writes with a clarity and authority that make this book a "must-have" reference book for anyone who faces a chronic illness and wants to both understand the disease and help themselves overcome their medical problem.

What a wonderful book! Dr. Clark has provided information on easing distress and unwelcome symptoms from a wide-ranging group of ailments. She addresses common problems such as pain, allergies, and obesity, but does not hesitate to tackle even the heavy hitters of illness: AIDS, Alzheimer's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and many more. Her writing is pleasant and easy to read, and her advice is simple to follow. I recommend this book to anyone who suffers from chronic conditions or has a loved one who could use some care. Thanks Dr. Clark!

Dr. Clark has done it again! COMMON CHRONIC CONDITIONS is packed with information for anyone with a chronic conditions or anyone who just wants to increase their level of wellness. For each condition, there is a section on what causes it and how the doctor diagnoses and treats it. This is followed by self-care steps you can take to help yourself. They fit in perfectly with the doctor's prescriptions. I've been sharing the information with my family. My uncle, who has arthritis, has changed the way he eats and started exercising based on what's in this book. My mother, who is recovering from breast cancer, told me she found out a lot of things she can do to prevent it from coming back. I have a friend at work in the early stages of AIDS. He says that some of the stuff about supplements and herbs that he's trying has really increased his energy level. I never knew castor oil packs were good for so many conditions. Get this book if you want to learn the latest research-backed ways to take care of yourself!

A holistic nurse in Florida

In American Shamans Jack takes us on a very personal journey through years of first hand experience in a world of folk magic and medicine that few people even know exist. His story is at times whimsical, often touching, and overall inspiring as we follow his growth from a skeptical Youth to a wiser and older practitioner through 30 years of research and experience. This book is interesting and concise; whether you are a practitioner, skeptic, or simply just curious, you will enjoy this book.

Jack Montgomery has created a memoir backed by extensive research on a topic that is new to many and familiar to generations of healers. His work documents a thirty-year labor of love; authentic, careful experience; and well-informed exploration. Scholars, experienced practitioners, and the newly curious will all find something of spiritual value and knowledge in Montgomery's exploration of American shamanism. American Shamans is an important addition to the worlds of folklore, cultural anthropology, social history, spiritual studies, and personal memoir.

Jack Montgomery's book, American Shamans, is an exciting adventure of shamanistic healing. I appreciate his strong research which explores the meaning of Shamanism, and outlines the history of Shamans in the U.S. His research allows the reader to enter the world of American Shamans by learning what others have written about on this topic. Montgomery has done a wonderful job combining his own personal interest and experiences with shamanistic practices, together with existing literature in the field.

I am studying to be a creative arts therapist and I feel that Montgomery's book is a wonderful resource to understanding traditional healing approaches. He provides many useful references that back up his firm belief that shamanism is as valid today as it was in the distant past.

I feel that my training to be a clinician and as a human being who wishes to help others, is greatly enhanced by reading the captivating stories about root doctors and other traditional healers.

I am in the process of writing a thesis for my program and Montgomery's book is an exemplary model of a research because:

- Montgomery clearly states his research question (of why the study of American Shamanism is effective today) and effectively ties in each section back to his orginal idea.

- Montgomery skillfully articulates the historical influences from which root-doctoring, hoodoo, and other traditional healing approaches are derived (again with backed up references).

- He is clear about his own assumptions and limitations, and makes no claims that his notion of healing is the ultimate. He expresses why he has been drawn to the field and this is important because his writing is accessible (not preachy).

- Montgomery provides a wonderful review of previous literature that deals with his research topic.

- Montgomery's actual research method is based on interviews with American Shamans - which I find very engaging.

All in all, Montgomery's book, which is based on 30 years of research, is artfully written, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in traditional healing. It's no easy task to write a thesis (I'm still in the research phase), and I appreciate that Montgomery took his time to organize and synthesize a huge amount of information!

This is my first book on Shamanism since reading Carlos Castaneda's books as a teenager around 35 years ago and I have to say, I can hardly put this book down and the impression created by the writing stays with me like a powerful dream. I did once meet a "healer" in Boston who "took on" or "absorbed" a persons illness, like cancer and such, and then he would have to purify himself of the illness thru spiritual practices. He also worked with herbs and herbal drinks he prepared. I was quite fortunate that he allowed me to spend time in his living quarters observing. This looks to be very similar to the hoodoo or witch doctor procedures described so far in this book. The book has a very personal, conversational character, and even has a Grimoire at the end. I highly recommend it!!

Anyone who grew up in the rural parts of the eastern US has probably heard of hoodoo, root doctoring, powwow, and other such folk magical practices. However, the families and individuals who continue these traditions are usually quite private. Jack Montgomery has opened the door to this hidden world and invited us inside. He shares stories, interviews, and a deep understanding of these home-grown American shamanic traditions, based on over thirty years of study and personal participation. American Shamans is part anthropological study and part memoir. Montgomery writes in an engaging fashion, drawing the reader into the wonder and mystery of the worldview he describes. Highly recommended.

This book is appreciated for the over 50 crowd, who are looking for the sdafe and gentle way to move into and continue with yoga. The facts, as well as the insights, are stated right to the point!!

This is a good book for those who are starting a Yoga practice, or for Yogi or Yogini, wanting to assist new students.

I am a yoga instructor but am used of teaching moderate/vigourous vinyasa flow. I wanted some further input into designing yoga classes - very gentle yoga classes as I have a mother with a stiff neck and a mother in law with a compression fracture of her spine...both of which require PT. In any case, I found this book very helpful, it provides chair modifications for many postures and brings awareness to simple asanas/stretches that can be extremely beneficial. It is not a flashy book and the pictures are dated - think old people in 70s sweat suits - but if you can get over that the information is, for the most part, very helpful.

The book is easy to follow and offers different variations of poses for gentle yoga and for those who have limitations due to health issues and who may need to do yoga seated in a chair.

As a Yoga teacher I frequently review yoga books for ideas and new information. I am very excited about Easy Does It Yoga! Could it be that finally Yoga has come of age? This book might just persuade the Yoga doubters to view Yoga as an acceptable exercise that truly will benefit the mind, body and spirit in the present and on into aging. The author, Alice Christensen, has written a comprehensive and compassionate book on Yoga and its tremendous health benefits for the older person, and indeed, anyone physically challenged by bad health, addictions and inertia. The various disciplines of yoga are discussed and benefits illustrated by case examples. The exercises are well detailed in words and pictures. Nutrition is covered in a reader friendly style that lists detailed menus of wholesome foods. Easy Does It Yoga should be required reading for any business involved in the health care needs of today's older population.

In "Anatomy of the Moving Body," Theodore Dimon, Jr. approaches his subject from a unique and focused perspective. By presenting anatomy in terms of function and evolutionary development and limiting his exploration to the neuromuscular system, Dimon has produced a book that is both user-friendly and fascinating. He manages the neat trick of lending clarity to this majestic subject while avoiding the pitfall of oversimplification. Of special interest in this regard is the light beam he shines into the murky shadows of intimidating anatomical terminology, showing the reader that there's nothing there to fear.

The subtitle of the book is "A Basic Course For Movement Educators. This provides the book with an organizing principle, but fails to convey the book's potentially broad appeal. It could be read with pleasure by all homo sapiens who wish to gain an enhanced understanding and appreciation of their evolutionary inheritance.

Although heavy on about 8 chapters about the throat muscles, tounge and spinal muscles that effect the voice (it is a book that is somewhat geared towards dancers, singers and actors after all and their voice is a major part of their life) the book covers the rest of the body nicely. Since this is from lectures it comes very easy to understand and full of knowledge which gave me a great idea as to how the body works together as a whole.

Help! This book made me into the class "know it all". I'm in school starting my second career and I need to know anatomy. I was suppose to learn it for my first career but it never stuck. After reading Dr. Dimon's book I'm finding I know more than I thought I could know and it has been so easy. I'm begining to understand the intelligence of our design and the names of all the bones and muscles just flow out or me, (and I haven't even made an effort to memorized them).

Dr. Dimon has written a clear and concise book demystifying anatomy--I especially enjoyed learning the meanings of the Latin terms. A must for anyone interested in how we are designed for moving.

This was easy and clear reading with excellent illustrations.

This is the most complete, easiest to read and comprehensive book I have read on the subject. Chock full of information that will help therapists and clients deal with whatever comes their way via anxiety. A winner.Reading Thomas Merton: A Guide to His Life and Work

I have had a copy for many years and have given copies to a grandchild and one child, since anxiety can be inherited (my father had it, and we also have hypoglycemia). I have also given the order forms in the back to friends. I first became aware of panic attacks as an eight year old, but I wasn't diagnosed until I was in my forties, and only after many counseling sessions for panic which didn't help. I found this book and it meant the end of Xanax for me. One doesn't have to read it all at once. The first things to learn are distraction and breathing exercises. Then move on to magnification and other thought control processes.

I first read this book in New Zealand.. and soon became hooked. Mainly as I suffer from anxiety and depression. I found it insiteful and cathartic. It helped me to understand more fully my idiosyncracies and attitudes, and gave me more peace of mind. It offers good advice on how to help combat these debilitating conditions and gain your life back. I would highly recommend it to anyone who suffers from these conditions, or lives with anyone who has them, to better understand what feelings are involved, and that no one ever chooses to suffer; for many reasons, it is simply how our brain reacts to difficult situations, and no one is to blame. An empathetic, yet highly practical book.

very easy to understand the causes of panic and aniexity, creates easy to understand solutions for people suffering from long term panic, GAD, etc..

I have just started using this book and it is such a relief. It is immensely practical and effective.

This is a newer edition; for more rave reviews from people who have been through the whole program, check out the older edition:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0446670537/

(The link will be slow because it has to rebuild "your" view, but just give it time).

If you really want to get better, if you're ready to do whatever it takes (because it does take hard work!), then this book can really help you take those steps. It's one of the few that are genuinely about "self-help" - how to gain internal strength and heal yourself. Good luck!

This book was required for an online college course I was taking. The book is layed out in a nice format and is easy to follow. The CD that comes with the book is quite helpful when preparing for exams and quizzes.

I am an instructor for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Professional Medical Coding Curriculum (PMCC) and often recommend this book as a way for a student to be fully prepared to take our course.

I love the CD ROM with the excercises (that's the instructor in me :) as well as the fact that there are pronunciations. This is truly a "self study" course and I highly recommend it.

Laureen Jandroep, OTR, CPC, CCS-P A+ Medical Management & Education...

I read this book cover-to-cover during a Medical Transcription certificate program and was really impressed with the format. The order in which the terms are presented and the fill-in-the-blank sections are excellent for testing and retesting yourself. The answers to the tests are in the back of the book so that you can be sure you answered the questions correctly. I have seen other medical terminology books on the market, but none compare to this one for ease of learning!

Wow! I wish I had found this before I blew two weeks salary on a medical transcription course. This book covered more ground than the manuals that I received, and for a fraction of the cost. Without this book I don't think I would ever have picked up the terminology - and I would have missed out on such a great career! (2 years and going strong!)

As a provider of Medical Transcriptionist training, I wouldn't suggest people try to replace a comprehensive course with this book. But anyone would profit by adding it to their course materials. It is particularly strong in supporting retention, which is a rare quality in textbooks.

With a title like, "The Baby Boomers' Guide To Living Forever," it would be easy to pass over this book with the assumption that it is a journey into some sort of medical never-never land. But as I quickly discovered, this is far from the case. "The Baby Boomers' Guide" shapes as an absolutely fascinating, at times scholarly, tour of what middle age America can do to improve both the quality and quantity of life. Dr. Grossman covers a remarkable spectrum of topics and, with support from co-authors who are experts in each of dozens of medical/health areas, provides an astonishing treasure of useful information. This is one of those rare books that can literally change the course of the reader's life. "Baby Boomers' Guide" is must reading for anyone who is serious about extending their years, perhaps beyond anything that they ever imagined was possible.

Dr. Grossman and the co-authors have put together one of the best longevity / anti-aging books around. They don't just banter on about generalities as other authors do on the subject, but provide practical and real information. This book is a good guide for one interested in the anti-aging movement, not only the patient but for doctors discovering this field of medicine.

I couldn't put it down. Dr. Grossman presents a straightforward strategy for remaining healthy and extending life. The book's information is extremely interesting and his recommendations are easy to adopt. WOW! I loved it!

At first blush most of the information if acted on in the book will probably result in adding years, if not decades to some peoples lives. My own recommendation is to do your own independent research [separate from this book], first, if you make any life changing adjustments, particularly if it involves consuming vitamins suggested in the book. Some of the recommendations only strengthened what I already knew, such as taking Co-Q10 on a daily basis. Co-Q10 is expensive, but a very good nutrient that can help protect your body from free radical damage, resulting in reduced risks of succumbing to various cancers and heart diseases. Other recommendations in the book did raise some concerns for me such as consuming L-Carnosine on a daily basis. Research i've found dating back to 1984 expressed that L-Carnosine built up in the body can potentially have dangerous neurotoxic side effects. Taking too much of it could induce what is medically referred to as "Carnosinemia", which also can be inherited. Most of the oral vitamin supplements in the market offer L-Carnosine at 500MG doses, recommending you take it once or twice daily. The book recommends 200MG per day in single or "divided doses" and stressed "its low level of toxicity"...... but I don't know how much is too much frankly, so I will avoid this particular molecule until more research data is known.

Over the years I have read several health oriented books promoting ideas for healthier and longer lives for us, this one is by far the best, containing down-to-earth advice of a practical and far reaching nature. Many areas are covered, including supplements from arginine to zinc, social issues, and lots of other topics.

This book supports the method of using biostasis (cryonics) at the time of death as a means of reaching the future era of advanced nanomedicine, much anticipated by many scientists who work in this nascent field. About fifteen pages are devoted to cryonics, a very good introduction to this subject, an idea and practice that is slowly becoming 'mainstream'. In fact, Terry Grossman, himself an M.D., is signed up for cryonics.

Overall, this volume contains much useful advice and should be read by everyone.