Best Consumer Health Books of 2007

Strategies to fix America's ailing health-care system seemed to fly off the presses every month in 2007. Doctors, journalists, and policymakers clamored to have their say, as did supporters and opponents of the controversial life-extension movement. These top trends, which registered in 2006 as well and will only balloon in this election year, correspond to a complicated reality: aging baby boomers seek the fountain of youth while facing inadequate or nonexistent health insurance in the near future; their parents, in turn, may have to choose between obtaining necessary medical care and paying the rent or buying groceries.

Alzheimer's, a frequent subject in this summary, reappeared again in the form of guides to helping sufferers achieve a decent quality of life. Diet-and-exercise books tailored to the 50-plus audience and children also made a strong showing, as the U.S. obesity epidemic continues to cause rising levels of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.

An especially promising development came courtesy of child-rearing books dealing with general safety and “green” living (popularized in part, no doubt, by Al Gore's Oscar-winning global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth). Look for more environmentally friendly health-and-lifestyle books in 2008.

Books on wilderness medicine and water pollution demonstrate that nature plays a major role in health. Readers will also encounter personal stories of women coping with serious illness, a scientific examination of alternative medicine, and a lighthearted yet informative look at the female breast.

Ahern, Shauna James. Gluten-Free Girl: How I Found the Food That Loves Me Back... & How You Can Too. Wiley. 276p. ISBN 978-0-470-13730-7. $24.95.

Blogger Ahern's story sheds light on celiac disease, a little-known and difficult-to-diagnose autoimmune condition. Those afflicted cannot digest gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, rye, and related grains. Ahern explains how she learned of her malady and found that she was able to enjoy food while avoiding gluten. She even met and married a chef. This entertaining memoir includes gluten-free gourmet recipes. (LJ 10/1/07)

Bausell, R. Barker. Snake Oil Science: The Truth About Complementary and Alternative Medicine.Oxford Univ. 324p. ISBN 978-0-19-531368-0. $24.95.

Bausell, a professor at the University of Maryland who directed research at a National Institutes of Health–funded Complementary and Alternative Medicine Specialized Research Center, takes a hard look at the studies of these popular therapies. He finds that the positive results are largely owing to the placebo effect and explains how it works in the body. His aim is not to debunk the treatments, which, for the most part, work weakly and temporarily. Rather, he intends to promote rigor in research and urges investigators to factor in the placebo effect when conducting studies. (LJ 10/1/07)

Block, Jennifer. Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care. Da Capo Lifelong. 316p. ISBN 978-0-7382-1073-5. $26.

A former Ms. editor and coeditor of Our Bodies, Ourselves: A New Edition for a New Era, Block examines childbirth in the United States today. A normal physiological process, she argues, has become a medical procedure, often depriving women of the right to choose how they give birth. She looks at the consequences for women in hospitals and for those who opt for alternatives. Readers get objective analysis of informed consent, reproductive rights, and the rights of the fetus vs. the rights of the mother in this thought-provoking text. (LJ 5/15/07)

Boice, Judith. Menopause with Science and Soul: A Guidebook for Navigating the Journey. Celestial Arts. 280p. ISBN 978-1-58761-291-6. pap. $16.95.

Naturopathic physician and acupuncturist Boice offers women a holistic guide to menopause, blending conventional and alternative medical advice with spiritual support from a variety of disciplines. She discusses aging, nutrition, exercise, bioidentical vs. synthetic hormones, and bone health. Essays and poetry by well-known writers such as Brooke Medicine Eagle and Vicki Noble serve as personal reflections on the menopause journey. (LJ 4/1/07)

Carlton, Pamela, M.D. & Deborah Ashin. Take Charge of Your Child's Eating Disorder: A Physician's Step-by-Step Guide to Defeating Anorexia and Bulimia. Marlowe: Avalon, dist. by Publishers Group West. 240p. ISBN 978-1-56924-263-6. pap. $15.95. (LJ 12/06)

Texas Children's Hospital. The Family Guide to Fighting Fat: A Parent's Guide to Handling Obesity, Diabetes, and Eating Issues. Griffin: St. Martin's. 304p. index. ISBN 978-0-312-35786-3. pap. $14.95. (LJ 9/1/07)

Carlton (founder & director, Adolescent Eating Disorder Education & Support Program, Stanford Univ.) presents practical support for parents of children with anorexia and bulimia. Underscoring the importance of a multidisciplinary treatment team, she provides useful advice on finding appropriate programs and getting insurance companies to pay for treatment. Quotes from teens and family members offer a reality check. What sets the book apart is its information on dealing with insurance companies.

Obesity is also a major problem among kids, and the Texas Children's Hospital shows parents how to promote healthy behaviors and provide healthyfood choices. Guidance on eating out wisely, kid-friendly recipes, healthy ethnic foods, and ways to incorporate fitness into a child's life are also supplied.

Drago, Dorothy A. From Crib to Kindergarten: The Essential Child Safety Guide. Johns Hopkins. 195p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8018-8569-3. $45; pap. ISBN 978-0-8018-8570-9. $15. (LJ 4/15/07)

Greene, Alan M., M.D., with Jeanette Pavini & Theresa Foy DiGeronimo. Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care. Jossey-Bass. 306p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-7879-9622-2. pap. $16.95. (Xpress Reviews, 10/16/07)

Child safety expert Drago shows parents how to eliminate hazards in the home, room by room. She also discusses the perils of daily activities: eating, sleeping, getting dressed, playing, and traveling. Illustrations, checklists, and charts make this user-friendly.

Greene, a Stanford pediatrician and author of the popular web site drgreene.com, teams up with a consumer health reporter and an author of parenting books to give parents ecofriendly options for pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Everything from choosing the best diapers to selecting nontoxic nursery paint and organic baby food is offered along with commonsense advice about diaper rash and food allergies. These are excellent companions to more traditional parenting books by the likes of T. Berry Brazelton.

Johnson, Christopher M., M.D. Your Critically Ill Child: Life and Death Choices Parents Must Face. New Horizon. 212p. index. ISBN 978-0-88282-284-6. pap. $15.95.

Parents of critically ill children face difficult and stressful decisions that will affect their child's life and health and impact family relationships. Johnson, former head of the Mayo Clinic's pediatric intensive care unit, explains how these special-care units operate and tells parents what to expect while their child is a patient. Case histories illustrate what may happen, while suggestions for self-care and lists of questions coach parents to play an active role. Johnson tackles issues such as ethics and medical expenses with sensitivity. A unique and much-needed resource for parents. (LJ 5/1/07)

Kaehler, Kathy. Fit and Sexy for Life: The Hormone-Free Plan for Staying Slim, Strong, and Fabulous in Your Forties, Fifties, and Beyond. Broadway. 230p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-7679-1618-9. $22.95.

Celebrity trainer and Today Show fitness expert Kaehler is also the mother of three children. Her exercise and diet regimen aims to help women through menopause without hormones. Illustrations demonstrate the exercises clearly, and a small selection of recipes accompanies the diet advice. Suggestions for stress reduction and rekindling romance round out the book. An appendix offers resources and web sites. (LJ 3/15/07)

Maskin, Steven L., M.D., with Pamela Thomas. Reversing Dry Eye Syndrome: Practical Ways To Improve Your Comfort, Vision, and Appearance. Yale Univ. 250p. index. ISBN 978-0-300-11176-7. $45; pap. ISBN 978-0-300-12285-5. $17.

Dry-eye syndrome (DES), or dysfunctional-tear syndrome, is associated with a number of medical conditions—Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, and diabetes—and affects more than nine million Americans. Milder forms are caused by computer use, wearing contact lenses, LASIK, and aging. Ophthalmologist Maskin explains how the eye works, how to diagnose DES, and how to treat it using a combination of diet, nonprescription drugs, and modifications of the home and work environment. DES materials are scarce, so this is a valuable resource. (LJ 5/1/07)

Meyers, Morton A., M.D. Happy Accidents: Serendipity in Modern Medical Breakthroughs. Arcade, dist. by Little, Brown. 390p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-55970-819-7. $29.95.

Many of the greatest medical discoveries—penicillin, the Pap smear, X-rays—occurred when scientists were expecting different results. Luckily, some researchers possessed enough insight to realize that they had stumbled onto something important. Meyers (radiology, emeritus, SUNY at Stony Brook) takes an entertaining look at scientific research and the role that serendipity can play in it. He also notes that funding agencies, peer review, profit-driven research, and the educational establishment stifle creativity and independent thought and proffers strategies for change. (LJ 3/15/07)

Moalem, Sharon with Jonathan Prince. Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease. Morrow. 267p. index. ISBN 978-0-06-088965-4. $25.95.

Moalem, who holds a Ph.D. in neurogenetics and evolutionary medicine and is a medical student, takes a look at history and evolution to tell readers why genetic disease is not always a bad thing. Looking at history, he shows how certain traits that seem useless or harmful now actually helped our ancestors survive and evolve. Writing in a clear, entertaining style, Moalem provides insight into the complex science of genetics and how it affects our lives. (LJ 2/1/07)

Morris, Robert D., M.D. The Blue Death: Disease, Disaster, and the Water We Drink. HarperCollins. 310p. ISBN 978-0-06-073089-5. $24.95.

Water is a necessity of life. When contaminated, it can kill. Morris, a physician with a Ph.D. in environmental engineering, brings readers a series of tales that highlight the vulnerability and the importance of the world's water supplies. From the cholera epidemics of Victorian England to post–Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, Morris vividly describes how water supplies become tainted. He also brings history to life with the stories of John Snow, Robert Koch, and Louis Pasteur. Ending the book is a note of caution about the environmental hazards and aging infrastructures that threaten our water stores and suggestions for making them safer. (LJ 6/15/07)

Nuland, Sherwin B., M.D. The Art of Aging: A Doctor's Prescription for Well-Being. Random.302p. ISBN 978-1-4000-6477-9. $24.95.

National Book Award winner Nuland (surgery, Yale Sch. of Medicine; How We Die) takes a fresh look at aging. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a disease, he argues, but it is a risk factor for many disorders. Nuland, 77, provides examples and suggestions for improving quality of late-in-life health: satisfying personal relationships, creativity, and physical fitness. He also posits that research aimed at preserving physical and mental function is more useful than that designed for life extension. (LJ 3/15/07)

Pearce, Nancy D. Inside Alzheimer's: How To Hear and Honor Connections with a Person Who Has Dementia. Forrason. 300p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-9788299-0-2. pap. $19.95. (LJ 6/15/07)

Voices of Alzheimer's: The Healing Companion; Stories for Courage, Comfort, and Strength. LaChance Pub. (Voices of). 258p. ed. by the Healing Project. ISBN 978-1-934184-01-1. pap. $16.95. (LJ 5/1/07)

In Inside Alzheimer's, clinical social worker Pearce guides caregivers toward meaningful connection with patients. Including stories and case histories, she finishes with exercises for “working it out.” Edited by a nonprofit organization that supports those living with chronic and life-threatening illness, Voices of Alzheimer's collects 40 stories by people touched by Alzheimer's: patients, friends, family members, and caregivers. Readers get firsthand views into the way families and professionals cope with the disease. Both books feature resource lists.

Perry, Arthur W., M.D. Straight Talk About Cosmetic Surgery. Yale Univ. (Health & Wellness). 408p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-300-11999-2. $45; pap. ISBN 978-0-300-12104-9. $18.

Perry (plastic surgery, Univ. of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey) updated his 1997 book Are You Considering Cosmetic Surgery? to include the latest innovations in plastic surgery, provide sound advice for those considering procedures, and offer an overview of the field as well as information about specific procedures. His strong ethics—he discloses his consulting relationships and financial ties to companies—and insistence on evidence-based practice make this an outstanding resource. (LJ 6/1/07)

Relman, Arnold S., M.D. A Second Opinion: Rescuing America's Health Care; A Plan for Universal Coverage Serving Patients Over Profit. PublicAffairs: Perseus. 205p. index. ISBN 978-1-58648-481-1. $24.

Relman (emeritus, medicine & social medicine, Harvard; former editor, New England Journal of Medicine) is one of our most distinguished physicians. This book is his call to reform America's profit-driven health-care system, which fails to cover a large segment of the population. His solution is a single-payer network that provides universal coverage and uses salaried community-based physicians. This thought-provoking book is recommended for all who are interested in health care. (LJ 5/1/07)

Ryder, Christopher S., M.D. Take Your Pediatrician with You: Keeping Your Child Healthy at Home and on the Road. Johns Hopkins. 621p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-8018-8601-0. pap. $16.95.

This revision of Handbook for Pediatric Health Problems at Home and on the Road (originally self-published) is small enough to tuck into a suitcase, but it contains a wealth of information for parents. Ryder, who has practiced medicine in America, England, and South Africa, covers common pediatric illnesses and conditions, first aid, and travel-associated illnesses, clearly telling parents when to treat at home and when to seek medical attention. He also supplies a chapter on bringing a child adopted abroad back to the United States. This is an excellent choice and a bargain for both libraries and parents. (LJ 5/15/07)

Silverstein, Amy. Sick Girl. Grove. 294p. ISBN 978-0-8021-1854-7. $24.

Silverstein's heart was destroyed by a viral infection when she was a 24-year-old law student. A heart transplant saved her life, and this memoir gives readers a brutally frank look at her “recovery.” She reveals her anger toward her doctors and her deep love for her husband and son. This compelling story of survival and the desire for a normal life is essential for health-care providers. It will fascinate lay readers as well. (LJ 8/07)

Squires, Elisabeth. Boobs: A Guide to Your Girls. Seal, dist. by Publishers Group West.293p. ISBN 978-1-58005-207-8. pap. $15.95.

This is the book about breast health that your best girlfriend wrote. Squires, the self-described “boob-lady” and mind behind www.booksonboobs.com, offers readers a breezy “mammoir” covering breast lore, choosing a bra that actually fits, and breast health. It has less medical detail than Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book, but it includes a “boobliography,” current information about breast disease and cosmetic procedures, and a format and style that will appeal to young readers. (LJ 9/1/07)

Van Tilburg, Christopher, M.D. Mountain Rescue Doctor: Wilderness Medicine in the Extremes of Nature. St. Martin's. 293p. ISBN 978-0-312-35887-7. $24.95.

Adrenalin junkie and emergency room physician Van Tilburg is a member of the Hood River Crag Rats, the oldest search-and-rescue (S&R) team in the United States. Both adults and teens will relish his vivid recountings of efforts to rescue sports enthusiasts who got lost or injured in the mountains. His thoughts about the high cost of S&R operations, both monetary and human, and the debate about whether the victims should be held partially responsible for some of the costs are also interesting.

Wanzer, Sidney H., M.D. & Joseph Glenmullen, M.D. To Die Well: Your Right to Comfort, Calm, and Choice in the Last Days of Life. Da Capo. 209p. ISBN 978-0-7382-1083-4. $24.

Two distinguished Harvard physicians present a lucid, compassionate, practical guide for patients with terminal illnesses and their families. Besides patients' rights and what can be done to achieve a peaceful death, the authors address the controversial issue of hastening death and discuss available options. Information about the physician-assisted death laws in Oregon, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland and a series of appendixes with forms for living wills and advance directives provide further assistance for patients and their loved ones. (LJ 3/1/07)