Best Consumer Health Books 2002

If Consumer Health Information (CHI) services came of age in 2001 with the establishment of the Medical Library Association's Consumer Health Credential, it moved into the mainstream last year with a national push for "information therapy." Proposed by Healthwise Inc., a nonprofit corporation that offers consumers health information, this plan would have health insurers reimburse physicians for "prescribing" reliable online sources of medical information to patients. This proposal, which was outlined in Donald Kemper and Molly Mettler's Information Therapy (Professional Media, LJ 10/1/02), reflects the realization by health professionals that informed patients who actively participate in their treatment are more likely to have a positive outcome. However, it fails in the words of LJ's reviewer "to acknowledge fully other efforts to educate patients"—efforts that are free and available without a prescription, such as the CHI services of public libraries.

Although consumers increasingly turn to the web for their health information, few can search the net efficiently and evaluate what they find. Many, especially older people who are not comfortable with computers, still want a book to take home, as recent public library circulation statistics prove: health and medical titles remain among the most popular items in a collection. It is therefore not surprising that libraries facing major budget cuts in these tough economic times still spend large amounts of money on books in this area.

To help libraries provide their patrons with "information therapy," listed below are the 23 most outstanding consumer health titles of 2002. Assuming that readers want to be active participants in their own healthcare, these books feature more detail about anatomy, physiology, and treatment options. Integrating complementary and alternative therapies is now routine. Although the popular topics—Alzheimer's, breast cancer, women's health—are still represented here, a number of books address more specific diseases like lung cancer and colitis. Less common conditions like auditory processing disorder are covered as well. Well-written medical memoirs indicate that activism and hope play important roles in a patient's therapy.

The Oxford Companion to the Body. Oxford Univ. 755p. ed. by Colin Blakemore & Sheila Jennett. illus. index. ISBN 0-19-852403-X. $75.
This is much more than an anatomy and physiology book. Over 1000 entries by 350 contributors cover not only the basics of organs, systems, and diseases but also a "seamless blending of science and humanities" by providing entries on how the major religions view the body and subjects such as debauchery, dance notation, nudism, and sounds of the body. Fascinating and informative. (LJ 5/1/02)

The Oxford Illustrated Companion to Medicine. 3d ed. Oxford Univ. 891p. ed. by Stephen Locke & others. illus. index. ISBN 0-19-262950-6. $75.
In this wonderful mixture of traditional health and medical information and general related topics, readers will find articles about countries and continents and their healthcare systems and about subjects such as creativity and opera (doctors and diseases portrayed in various works) along with details about diabetes, cardiology, natural childbirth, cults, and quackery. Sidebars provide brief biographies and notes of interest. Four indexes are arranged by broad topics (e.g., art, bioethics), diseases and conditions, general (subject), and people (not living). The editors and contributors are academics. (LJ 4/1/02)

DeBaggio, Thomas. Losing My Mind: An Intimate Look at Life with Alzheimer's. Free Pr: S. & S. 207p. ISBN 0-7432-0565-0. $24.
DeBaggio first noticed memory problems at the age of 57 and was diagnosed shortly thereafter with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Offering a unique perspective, his beautifully written memoir reflects the importance of memory in our lives: much more than simple recall, it connects us to the world and allows us to think, appreciate, experience, and survive. DeBaggio's book also demonstrates one's ability to live fully despite a devastating disease. (LJ 2/1/02)

Gearin-Tosh, Michael. Living Proof: A Medical Mutiny. Scribner. 334p. ISBN 0-7432-2517-1. $25.
After he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, Oxford literature professor Gearin-Tosh consulted several reputable physicians and received conflicting information about treatment. Despite warnings from the medical establishment, he decided to use only alternative therapies. This riveting account of his journey is a testament to Gearin-Tosh's tenacity and ability to take control of his life. He is alive eight years later, but he does not suggest that all cancer patients should follow his path. (LJ 3/15/02)

Henschke, Claudia, M.D. & others. Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices—and Hope. Norton. 320p. illus. ISBN 0-393-04154-9. $27.95.
Henschke, chief of the division of chest imaging at New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center, made news with her research on the importance of early detection. Coauthored with a patient advocate and medical writer, her comprehensive, up-to-date volume discusses the new imaging techniques that have increased the chances for early diagnosis. Also covered are improved treatment options, including details on clinical trials, and tips for navigating the healthcare system. The text also addresses the emotional and practical concerns of patients. (LJ 4/15/02)

Olson, James S. Bathsheba's Breast: Women, Cancer & History. Johns Hopkins 302p. index. ISBN 0-8018-6936-6. $24.95.
Adding perspective to the breast cancer literature, a historian and cancer survivor traces the history of breast cancer from ancient Egypt to the present. Olson notes the prominent women who succumbed to the disease and examines the evolution of cancer research as well as the politics and economics of the disease. Chronicling the advances in diagnosis and treatment and the uncertainty that women face while making difficult choices, he also shows the rise of patient activism means that women no longer struggle alone. (LJ 7/02)

Shea, Suzanne Strempek. Songs from a Lead-Lined Room: Notes—High and Low—from My Journey Through Breast Cancer and Radiation. Beacon, dist. by Houghton. 204p. ISBN 0-8070-7246-X. $23.
What sets this book apart from other breast cancer memoirs is the experience of radiation therapy. Shea, an award-winning novelist, kept a journal for personal therapy during her treatment, describing her feelings of despair, fear, and indignity. She also notes the compassion and blunders of family and friends as they helped her battle her disease. (LJ 4/1/02)

Lopez, Ralph, M.D. The Teen Health Book: A Parents' Guide to Adolescent Health and Well-Being. Norton. 508p. illus. ISBN 0-393-02046-0. $26.95.
Few parenting guides address the health issues of teenagers, so Lopez's excellent guide is a welcome addition to the consumer health shelf. An adolescent medicine specialist on the faculty of the Weill/Cornell Medical College, the author explains the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of puberty and discusses common ailments and health/lifestyle issues such as tattoos and piercing, sexuality, and substance abuse. He includes a list of web sites for teens and parents. (LJ 3/15/02)

Johnson, David. Free (or Almost Free) Prescription Medications. Robert D. Reed. 228p. ISBN 1-931741-15-8. pap. $19.95.
A multiple sclerosis patient who lost his health insurance coverage, Johnson discovered that people ineligible for state Medicaid and without prescription coverage could get assistance from pharmaceutical manufacturers with proper documentation. These programs are not publicized, and many physicians do not know about them. His unique guide lists contact information and eligibility requirements for 168 programs covering 1,415 drugs. (LJ 8/02)

Salt, William B., II, M.D. & Neil F. Neimark, M.D. Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the MindBodySpirit Connection: 7 Steps for Living a Healthy Life with a Functional Bowel Disorder, Crohn's Disease or Colitis. 2d ed. Parkview Pub., dist. by Independent Pubs. Group. 304p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-9657038-5-1. pap. $19.95.
While this new edition reduces the steps for living with IBS from eight to seven, it retains Salt's clearly written, easy-to-understand explanations and illustrations that outline the working of the digestive system. Emphasizing the need for patients to be active in their own treatment, the authors incorporating alternative therapies such as journal keeping is helpful. This is an empowering book about a group of disorders that can be difficult to treat. (LJ 2/1/02)

Bellis, Teri James. When the Brain Can't Hear: Unraveling the Mystery of Auditory Processing Disorder. Pocket. 342p. ISBN 0-7434-2863-3. $25.
People with auditory processing disorder (ADP) are not deaf. Rather, they can't hear clearly because their brains cannot process the sounds their ears hear; as a result, their ability to read, write, spell, and speak is affected. Bellis, an audiology professor who has the disorder as a result of a head injury, explains its diagnosis and treatment and offers tips for coping and living. (LJ 3/1/02)

Chute, Patricia & Mary Ellen Nevins. The Parents' Guide to Cochlear Implants. Gallaudet Univ. 197p. illus. index. ISBN 1-56368-129-3. pap. $19.95.
The authors are professors of communication disorders specializing in deaf education. Their thorough and complete guide to cochlear implants (CI) covers the evaluation process, the types of devices available, the surgical procedure, the switch-on, counseling, and device maintenance. They also explain the role of parents in helping the child adjust to and use the implant, issues related to deaf culture, and home activities to develop listening and language skills. The resource lists on parenting deaf children and CI are especially useful. (LJ 9/1/02)

Heffernan, Deborah Daw. An Arrow Through The Heart: One Woman's Story of Becoming Whole After a Heart Attack. Free Pr: S. & S. 320p. ISBN 0-7432-2922-3. $24.
A 44-year-old woman in good health with no obvious risk factors suffers a severe heart attack that leaves her permanently weakened. With a supportive family, good medical treatment, and some alternative therapies, she survives. Heffernan's account of her illness and slow recovery reads like a gripping suspense novel. Although she includes a heavy dose of New Age philosophy, her book will inspire those recovering from heart attacks. (LJ 4/15/02)

Simon, Harvey B., M.D. The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health. Source: S. & S. 416p. bibliog. ISBN 0-684-87181-5. $27.
Drawing on the results from three long-term health studies of over 96,000 men, the editor of the Harvard Men's Health Watch newsletter offers guidelines for diet, exercise, stress control, and routine medical examinations. He also outlines both sides of controversial topics such as the need for PSA blood tests to screen for prostate cancer, so that readers can make informed decisions. A solid, informative consumer resource. (LJ 10/1/02)

Murkoff, Heidi & others. What To Expect® When You're Expecting. 3d ed. Workman. 553p. illus. index. ISBN 0-7611-2549-3. $23.95; pap. ISBN 0-7611-2132-3. $13.95.
This classic has been revised and updated with new illustrations and details about birthing options, nutrition, choosing healthcare practitioners, and working while pregnant. It also discusses multiple births, postpartum depression, complementary and alternative therapies, and the role of the father. Although some may find it too cheerful, it is very user-friendly and easy to read. Be sure to keep an extra book on reserve to replace stolen copies. [This reviewer's library has already lost three copies.] (LJ 4/1/02)

Ogle, Amy & Lisa Mazzullo, M.D. Before Your Pregnancy: A 90-Day Guide for Couples on How To Prepare for a Healthy Conception. Ballantine. 426p. index. ISBN 0-345-44096-X. pap. $19.95.
Authored by a dietician and a physician, this valuable and unique prepregnancy guide offers prospective parents advice about nutrition, fitness, personal readiness for parenthood, which medications and herbs to use and avoid, and what to look for in a preconception physical examination. The text also notes ethnic considerations and explores the home and work environments, elements often ignored in traditional pregnancy/parenting books. (LJ 9/1/02)

Flancbaum, Louis, M.D. & Erica Manfred with Deborah Biskin. The Doctor's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: How To Make the Decision That Could Save Your Life. Freedonia Communications. 218p. illus. index. ISBN 0-9710968-0-5. pap. $16.95.
For the morbidly obese, weight-loss surgery can be a radical but lifesaving step. A bariatric surgeon and one of his patients team up to explain the procedure. They discuss obesity and its dangers, choosing a surgeon, the various surgical techniques, possible complications, recovery, and eating after the procedure. The authors remind readers that this is not a miracle cure; the secrets of long-term weight-loss success are eating less and exercising more. A resource list and recipes will help readers achieve their goals. (LJ 2/1/02)

Mitchell, Deborah R. & David Charles Dodson, M.D. The Diet Pill Guide: The Consumer's Book of Over-the-Counter and Prescription Weight-Loss Pills and Supplements. Griffin: St. Martin's. 205p. ISBN 0-312-28711-9. pap. $12.95.
With various weight-loss drugs, especially those containing ephedrine, in the news, this handy book by a physician specializing in nutrition and obesity and a medical writer is timely and useful. For each prescription or over-the-counter drug currently on the market, there is information on the ingredients, dosage, effectiveness, and possible side effects. Reliable studies are cited to support or refute claims made by the manufacturers and to discuss safety issues. Similar details are provided on nutritional supplements. The authors note that calorie reduction and exercise are the most important parts of weight loss.

Waterhouse, Debra. Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell—After Pregnancy: Every Woman's Guide to Shaping Up, Slimming Down, and Staying Sane After the Baby. Hyperion. 242p. index. ISBN 0-7868-6537-7. $22.95.
The newest entry in Waterhouse's series on the female fat cell offers sound advice about postpartum weight loss. A registered dietician who recently had a baby, the author discusses allowing the body to heal, eating on a regular schedule without dieting, and exercising with the baby in a backpack or stroller to help establish a healthy routine. Waterhouse stresses that patience and consistency are the keys to maintaining a healthy weight.

Delgado, Jane. Salud: A Latina's Guide to Total Health. rev. ed. Rayo: HarperCollins. 396p. illus. index. ISBN 0-06-000621-8. pap. $19.95.
Updating her 1997 work with current medical information and advice on nutrition and fitness, the head of the National Hispanic Women's Health Initiative also reflects Hispanic culture by stressing the importance of spirituality, alternative therapies, and family relationships in daily life. Personal histories interspersed with clinical details give her book a more intimate tone. Also available in a Spanish-language edition, Salud: Guía para la salud integral de la mujer latina. (LJ 12/01)

Frisch, Rose E. Female Fertility and the Body-Fat Connection. Univ. of Chicago. 186p. illus. index. ISBN 0-226-26545-5. $20.
Sometimes a little fat can be good, as Frisch's fascinating study reveals. A scholar at the Harvard School of Public Health, she examines the intricate relationship between weight, body composition, and hormones in determining female fertility. A critical level of fitness is necessary for reproduction, she argues. Frisch gives women the tools they need to achieve this level and regulate their fertility health. (LJ 6/1/02)

Skilling, Johanna. The First Year®—Fibroids: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. Marlowe: Avalon, dist. by Publishers Group West. 306p. bibliog. index. ISBN 1-56924-542-8. pap. $15.95.
Fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus that affect many women. When she was first diagnosed, the author could find little information about them and eventually wrote a comprehensive book (Fibroids) in 1999. Aiming her helpful new guide to new patients, Skilling divides each chapter into "Living" and "Learning" sections. The first covers practical tips such as what to wear after surgery while the second explains diagnosis, treatment options, medication, and current research. (LJ 8/02)

Stewart, Elizabeth Gunther, M.D. & Paula Spencer. The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health. Bantam. 455p. illus. index. ISBN 0-553-38114-8. pap. $13.95.
Stating that "your private parts should not be private to you," a gynecologist and a medical writer explain in plain, friendly English the female genitalia, sexually transmitted diseases, contraception, cancers, and sexuality. With good illustrations, a resource list, and tips on choosing a gynecologist, this is an excellent, affordable, and unique guide to an area of women's health that is not often covered. (LJ 6/15/02).