Bibliography of Consumer Health Books
May 2005
From the Arkansas Consumer Health Information Network Resource Task Force
This core bibliography includes 50 consumer health books that have been selected and evaluated by the Resource Task Force of the Arkansas Consumer Health Information Network. These books cover many subject areas to answer questions frequently asked in public and hospital libraries. Titles in the Core Reference section are considered essential for a basic collection in any size library while titles in other subject categories may be collected in accordance with each library's budget and user needs. This list is in its sixth revision and will be updated annually.
Core Reference Books
American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Published by American Medical Association. 2004. 1136p. $45.00 (ISBN: 0-471-26911-5 ).
This book gives basic information about major diseases and medical conditions. The diagnosis charts for common symptoms and the photographs to aid in diagnosis make it a valuable resource for self-diagnosis.
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. By Mayo Clinic authors. Published by Harper Resource. 2003. 1424p. $49.95. (ISBN: 0-060-00250-6).
This book offers broad range of medical information from prevention to treatment, from infancy to old age. It is a good home guide to quick medical reference.
Merck Manual of Medical Information-2nd Home Edition. By Mark Beers. Published by Merck Research Laboratories. 2004. 1952p. $37.50 (ISBN 0-743-47734-0). This edition contains nearly all the information covered in the physicians' version of the Merck Manual, with the addition of a chapter on over-the-counter drugs, anatomy and physiology, and in-depth information about diseases, causes, and treatment.
Patients Guide to Medical Tests: Everything You Need to Know About the Tests Your Doctor Orders. By Joseph C Segen. Published by Checkmark Books. 2nd ed. 2002. 418p. $18.95. (ISBN: 0-816-04652-2). This book explains over 1000 of the most common medical tests in alphabetical order, giving a description of the test, patient preparation, reference ranges, abnormal values, costs, and comments.
NORD Guide to Rare Disorders. By National Organization for Rare Disorders. Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2003. 895p. $89.95. (ISBN 0-7817-3063-5). This guide describes signs and symptoms of a disease, its causes, related disorders, and standard and investigational treatments, plus organization information and web site links.
Dictionary
Mosby's Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary. Published by Mosby. 2005. 6th ed. 2135p. $38.95. (ISBN: 0-323-03736-4 ). This dictionary explains medical terms in fairly easy-to-understand language, with color illustration.
Specific Topics
Aging and Caregiving
The Merck Manual of Health & Aging : The comprehensive guide to the changes and challenges of aging-for older adults and those who care for and about them. Published by Ballantine Books. 2005. 961p. $14.95 (ISBN: 0-345-48274-This book covers virtual everything about aging: nutritional needs, finding a doctor, surgery, understanding tests, rehabilitation, and long term care.
Complete Guide to Caring for Aging Loved Ones. By Walter L., M.D. Larimore. Published by Tyndale House Pub. 2004. 2nd ed. 558p. $18.99. (ISBN: 1-414-30160-X). This book discusses the practical, emotional and spiritual aspects of caregiving, and gives tips on finding quality medical, financial and legal advice, and many other end-of-life issues.
Allergy and Asthma
Living with Chronic Sinusitis: A Patient's Guide to Sinusitis, Nasal Allergies, Polyps and their Treatment Options. By David W. Kennedy. Published by Healthy Living Books. 2004. 276p. $15.95. (ISBN: 1-578-26103-1).
This book provides general information for sinusitis sufferers, especially on causes, symptoms, and treatment options. It also includes information on new drugs and surgical procedures.
Alternative Therapy
PDR for Herbal Medicine. Published by Thomson Healthcare. 2004. 3rd ed. 1100p. $59.95. (ISBN: 1-563-63512-7). This book is based on the findings of the German Regulatory Authority "Commission E" and it offers information on over 600 common botanicals. Each entry describes the action and pharmacology, usage and precaution, dosage and consequences of overdoses.
Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Good Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis. By Gretchen Henkel. Published by Arthritis Foundation. 2005. 2nd ed. 207p. $16.95. (ISBN: 0-912-42321-8). Edited by leading physicians and experts in the fields of rheumatology and rheumatoid arthritis, this book provides information on how to understand and live well with arthritis.
Cancer
Mayo Clinic: Guide to Women's Cancers. By Lynn C. Hartmann. Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation. 2005 .640p. $34.95. (ISBN: 1-893-00533-X). This book is a thorough, in-depth reference to know the latest information about female-specific types of cancer, including the latest discoveries of genetic research, practical advice for living with the day-to-day physical and emotional stresses of cancer.
Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices--And Hope. By Claudia I. Henschke. Published by W.W. Norton & Company. 416p. 2003. 2nd ed. $16.95. (ISBN: 0-393-32498-2). This is a comprehensive guide for lung cancer patients and their families. It talks about how lung cancer develops, the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options. In addition to treatments, it also discusses clinical trials, alternative therapies, and cancer care.
Children's Health
AAP Baby & Child Health. By Jennifer Shu. Published by DK Publishing Inc. 2004. 352p. $30.00. (ISBN: 0-756-60454-0). This book covers more than 120 childhood illnesses, from genetic disorders and hormonal problems to rashes and infectious diseases.
Underage and Overweight: America's Childhood Obesity Epidemic--What Every Parent Needs to Know. By Frances M. Berg. Published by Hatherleigh Press. 2005. 464p. $16.95. (ISBN: 1-578-26193-7). This book offers a seven-point plan for raising healthy children that focuses on changing the way families think about food and physical activity. It also points out things teachers, caregivers and communities can do to help children.
Chronic Pain
Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Definitive Guide For Patients and Physicians. By Rodger H Murphree. Published by Harrison & Hampton Publishing . 2004. 281p. $19.95. (ISBN: 0-972-89380-6). In this book, Dr. Murphree explains how FMS and CFS are diagnosed and the underlying conditions that contribute to them. He also discusses traditional medicine, how to reduce or eliminate chronic muscle aches.
Cosmetic Surgery
America's Cosmetic Doctors and Dentists: A Consumer Guide. By Wendy Lewis. Published by Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd. 2004. 240p. $29.95. (ISBN: 1-883-76935-3). This book lists certified doctors, prices, photos, possible risks and recovery time for different kinds of surgeries. It prepares patients with questions to discusses with their doctors.
Cosmetic Breast Surgery: A Complete Guide to Making the Right Decision--from A to Double D. By Robert M. Freund. Published by Marlowe & Company. 2004. 220p. $14.95. (ISBN: 1-569-24455-3). This book covers all topics in cosmetic breast surgery, including breast enlargement, breast reduction, breast lift and breast reconstruction. It is easy reading and has chapters for teens.
Diabetes
The Type 1 Diabetes Book: Everything You Need to Know to Become an Expert on Your Own Diabetes. By Ragnar Hanas. Published by Marlowe & Company. 2005. 400p. $24.95. (ISBN: 1-569-24396-4). This book offers comprehensive information on how your body works to sweets, treats, and ice cream; from insulin injection technique to long-term complications. It comes with graphs and illustrations and references to articles and journals parents can further their research.
Diabetes: A Guide to Living Well. By Gary Arsham. Published by American Diabetes Association. 2004. 362p. $14.95. (ISBN: 1-580-40209-7). This book covers not only blood glucose control, but also integrating diabetes management with emotional well-being, dealing with crisis, managing stress, maintaining an active lifestyle, and working to increase adherence to self-care program.
Drugs - Prescription and Non-prescription
Physician's Desk Reference. Published annually by Medical Economics Co. 2005. 3440p. $89.95. (ISBN: 1-563-63479-X). PDR contains information on over 2,500 pharmaceutical products. An illustrated product identification guide is provided as well as a section on diagnostic information.
Eating Disorders
Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder. By James Lock. Published by Guilford Press. 2005. 296p. $16.95. (ISBN: 1-572-30908-3). This book explains what eating disorders are about and which treatments work best. It gives practical suggestions and encouragement.
Overcoming Bulimia: Your Comprehensive, Step-By-Step Guide to Recovery. By Randi E. McCabe. Published by New Harbinger Publications. 2004. 220p. $18.95. (ISBN: 1-572-24326-0). This guide discusses bulimia’s symptoms, causes, gives advice on how to normalize eating, shift eating-disordered thoughts, build on personal strengths, improve self-esteem, deal with underlying issues, prevent relapse, and understand what medications can help.
Eye Care
Does Your Child Really Need Glasses? A Parent's Complete Guide to Eyecare. By Robert Clark. Published by Prima Lifestyles. 2003. 288 p. $10.95 (ISBN: 0-761-56377-6. This is a valuable resource for general pediatricians as well as parents, with complete and clear explanations of the common and unusual eye problems in children.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gut Wisdom: Understanding and Improving Your Digestive Health. By Alyce M. Sorokie. Published by New Page Book. 2004. 255p. $15.95. (ISBN: 1-564-14753-3). This easy-to-understand guide offers specific procedures one can use to alleviate indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, and many other common ailments.
Genetic Disorders
The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders. By Brigham Narins. Published by Thomas Gale. 2005.1345p. $429.00. (ISBN:1-414-40367-4 ). An A-Z guide to genetic disorders, each entry includes a definition and a description of the disorder, genetic profile, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Heart Disease
Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol. By Mason W. Freeman. Published by McGraw-Hill. 2005. 272p. $14.95. (ISBN: 0-071-44481-5). This book provides the latest information on diagnosis, traditional and alternative treatments, home remedies, and lifestyle changes that can make a difference in people's health.
The Black Women's Guide to a Healthy Heart. By Anne Taylor. Published by Hilton Publishing. 2004. 256p. $16.95. (ISBN: 0-971-60676-5). This book gives advice on how to prevent cardiovascular disease, how to recover and improve one's health if one has already survived heart disease or a stroke, how to work effectively with healthcare professionals, and healthy living habits to adopt.
Learning Disability
Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Integration Issues. By Lindsey Biel. Published by Penguin. 2005. 416p. $15.00. (ISBN: 0-143-03488-X). This book is about children with sensory integration problems, people who have difficulty processing everyday sensations and exhibit unusual behaviors.
ADHD: A Complete and Authoritative Guide. By Michael I. Reiff. Published by American Academy Of Pediatrics. 2004. 355p. $15.95. (ISBN: 1-581-10121-X ) This book discusses the diagnosis of ADHD, commonly coexisting conditions, treatment options, the role of medications, and behavior therapy.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Other ASDs. By Chantal Sicile-Kira. Published by Perigee Books. 2004. 360p. $15.95. (ISBN: 0-399-53047-9). This book provides practical information and a variety of resources for teachers, parents, caregivers of ASD children.
Liver Disease
Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide to Hepatitis & Liver Disease: What You Need to Know. By Melissa Palmer. Published by Avery Publishing Group.2004. 470p. $16.95. (ISBN: 1-583-33188-3). Dr. Melissa Palmer discusses all facets of liver disease, from symptoms and tests to treatment options and lifestyle changes. In addition, it also reveals cutting-edge research on the dangers of hepatitis C, one of the world's fasting-growing microbial threats.
Men's Health
The Prostate Book: Sound Advice on Symptoms and Treatment. By Stephen N. Rous. 2002. 3rd ed. 272p. $15.95. (ISBN: 0-393-32271-8). Dr. Rous offers up-to-date advice on healthy prostate function, diseases that affect the prostate, techniques of prostatic examination, surgical procedures and radiation therapy for prostate cancer, nonsurgical treatment for prostate cancer, and impotence.
The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health. By Harvey B. Simon. Published by Free Press. 2004. 485p. $17.00. (ISBN: 0-684-87182-3 ). This book is a comprehensive reference that features current information on the health preserving functions of diet, exercise, and over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
Mental Health
Understanding Paranoia : A Guide for Professionals, Families, and Sufferers. By Martin Kantor. Published by Praeger Publishers. 2004. 272p. $39.95 (ISBN: 0-275-98152-5). This book helps readers understand the causes and treatment of this disease and gives examples how to effectively treat and help people with paranoia.
Coping with Schizophrenia: A Guide for Patients, Families and Caregivers. By Steven Jones. Published by Oneworld Publications. 2004. 192p. $15.95. (ISBN: 1-851-68344-5). This book provides concise, up to date information and research on causes and treatments of Schizophrenia and strategies for the families to cope with acute or chronic attacks.
Musculoskeletal Diseases and Injuries
It's Not Just Growing Pains: A Guide to Childhood Muscle, Bone and Joint Pain, Rheumatic Diseases, and the Latest Treatments. By Thomas Lehman. Published by Oxford University Press. 2004. 418p. $35.95. (ISBN: 0-195-15728-1). This book explains the illnesses, the medications, the lab tests, and the disease course in simple language.
Dr. Pascarelli's Complete Guide to Repetitive Strain Injury : What You Need to Know About RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. By Emil Pascarelli. Published by Wiley. 2004. 272p. $17.95. (ISBN: 0-471-38843-2). This book teaches at-risk professionals how to recognize the early signs and risk factors of RSI and provides advice on how to correct it themselves and when to seek medical treatment.
Pregnancy and Child Birth
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. By Mayo Clinic. Published by Harper Resource. 2004. 624p. $19.95. (ISBN: 0-060-74637-8). This authoritative guide provides week by week accounts of the baby’s development, entries on how pregnancy can be affected by dozens of previous health conditions, self-care tips for side effects like nausea and back pain, and how to handle "troublesome signs and symptoms".
Depression In New Mothers: Causes, Consequences, And Treatment Alternatives. By Kathleen A. Kendall-Tackett. Published by Haworth Press. 2005. 234p. $19.95. (ISBN: 0-789-01838-1). This book addresses fatigue, pain, negative birth experiences, infant characteristics, and psychosocial factors that can cause postpartum depression, including treatment options that are safe for use with breastfeeding mothers.
Sleeping Through the Nigh: How Infants, Toddlers, and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night's Sleep. By Jodi A. Mindell. Published by HarperResource. 2005. 368p. $14.95. (ISBN: 0-060-74256-9). Dr. Mindell uses short case studies to illustrate four sources of sleep problems and encourages the reader to keep a sleep log to see what is keeping him/her up at night. Tips are also given to new parents on how to make from bassinet to crib and from crib to bed, deal with night terrors and nighttime fears and other issues.
Smoking Cessation
The Easy Way to Stop Smoking : Join the Millions Who Have Become Non -Smokers Using the Easyway Method. By Allen Carr. Published by Sterling. 2005. 224p. $14.95. (ISBN: 1-402-71861-6). This revolutionary bestseller helps smokers discover the psychological reasons behind their dependency, explains in detail how to handle the withdrawal symptoms, shows them how to avoid tempting situations, and enables them to stay smoke free.
Thyroid Disorders
The Thyroid Sourcebook for Women. By M. Sara Rosenthal. Published by McGraw-Hill. 2004. 304p. $17.95. (ISBN:0-071-44161-1). This new edition features the latest research on thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer, and their effect on women's health and lives.
Weight Loss
Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for Everybody. By Donald Hensrud. Published by Mayo Clinic. 2005. 319p. $22.95. (ISBN: 1-893-00534-8). This book gives step by step guidance that teaches people how to reach and maintain their ideal weight by healthy eating and physical activities.
The Patient's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: Everything You Need To Know About Gastric Bypass and Bariatric Surgery. By April Hochstrasser. Published by Hatherleigh Press. 2004. 200p. $15.95. (ISBN: 1-578-26165-1).
This book gives detailed information on the four different types of weight loss surgery, the risks and negative aspects of the procedures and how to cope with emotional ups and downs.
Wellness
The New American Plate Cookbook : Recipes for a Healthy Weight and a Healthy Life. By American Institute for Cancer Research. Published by University of California Press. 2005. 312p. $24.95. (ISBN: 0-520-24234-3). This book is written by a team of cooks, nutritionists, food writers, and scientists. It includes 200 recipes that combine sound nutrition with culinary ingenuity that will help reduce risk of serious health problems like cancer and heart disease.
Mayo Clinic Fitness for Everybody. By Diane Dahm. Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation. 2005. 358p. $22.95. (ISBN: 1-893-0537-2). This book gives general information on physical fitness and tips on how to create a personal wellness program to maintain health.
Women's Health
The New Harvard Guide to Women's Health. By Karen J. Carlson. Published by Belknap Press. 2004. 704p. $24.95. (ISBN: 0-674-01343-3). This book combines alphabetical listings with cross-referencing throughout the 300 topics. Many of the entries include illustrations, anatomical charts, and alternative therapies.
Body for Life for Women: A Woman's Plan for Physical and Mental Transformation. By Pam Peeke. Published by Rodale Books. 2005. 288p. $26.95. (ISBN: 1-579-54601-3). This book incorporates nutrition, exercise and a sound mind to create a blueprint for staying healthy at every stage of life. Dr. Peekee explains why a woman’s attitude about managing the stresses of life while honoring her mind and body is so important.
Our Bodies, Ourselves: A New Edition for a New Era. By Boston Women's Health Book Collective. Published by Touchstone. 2005. 848p. $24.95. (ISBN: 0-743-25611-5). This updated edition includes the latest on nutrition and exercise, relationships, sexuality, and sexual health, complementary health practices, reproductive choices, pregnancy, childbearing, aging , medical testing and procedures.
Arkansas Consumer Health Information Network Resource Task Force
For comments, please contact Lily Liu
Arkansas Children's Hospital Library
800 Marshall Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
Last updated May 2005