Medical Planet: 04/04/10

Sunday, April 4, 2010

What If Medicine Disappeared?

Argues convincingly, if counterintuitively, that modern medicine has little impact on longevity or mortality.

In this thought-provoking book, sociologists Gerald E. Markle and Frances B. McCrea ask what would happen if Western medicine were to disappear. Using a rigorous and imaginative method--a thought experiment--Markle and McCrea evaluate medicine's impact on mortality and our national health. They examine various aspects of medicine, such as primary care, surgery, emergency medicine, pharmaceuticals, and mental illness treatment, and convincingly point out the problems that health care actually causes. Supporting their ideas with statistics and studies from medical and social science literature, Markle and McCrea argue that the medical model, despite its tremendous budget and hype, accomplishes far less than most would think. Their conclusions should promote critical review and lively discussion among medical consumers as well as among health care professionals and policy makers.

What They Didn't Teach You at Medical School

Essential information for all junior doctors.

You are close to qualifying or you have already qualified. You are prepared to take on the working world of referrals, hospital jobs and the pager. Medical school taught you clinical anatomy, but possibly not clinical diplomacy. You have learnt how to diagnose illness but not how to identify trouble on the ward, or more importantly, how to avoid it.

Written by a doctor concerned by how little medical school prepares you for the blunt reality of life in a hospital environment, What They Didn’t Teach You at Medical School is an indispensable guide to help you sidestep the pitfalls of the job and achieve the heights expected by all consultants.

Divided into concise, advice-packed chapters, readers will learn how to:

stop your pager going off

work well with other medical specialists

refer patients and prevent referrals being ‘bounced back’

keep your seniors smiling

get on with nurses

get a job and a career path

This book will help you in becoming an experienced doctor, impressing your peers and helping you fast-track your career. Above all, this guide will help you to hit the ground running and give you a head start in the increasingly competitive medical world.
Written for:
Medical students and newly qualified doctors, house officers

Very Brief Psychotherapy

As the fields of psychiatry and clinical psychology are increasingly driven by the economics of the HMO or Mental Health Center, practitioners in any setting, whether it be private practice or university clinic, are now forced to develop more concrete procedures and models in order to practice more efficiently. This book presents a set of procedures for brief therapy that are based entirely on the four common dynamics of psychiatry. By following the model set forth in this book, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, and mental health workers will be able to build an entire brief therapy program based upon the initial conditions for each patient.

Human Physiology The Mechanism of Body Function

Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function - 8th Edition

Authors: Arthur Vander and James Sherman and Dorothy Luciano

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education

PDF | 803 pages | 13,7mb | English language | ISBN 0072908017

Human Physiology is a text designed to teach the functions of the human body from a mechanistic approach, stressing homeostasis and control systems. The fundamental purpose of this book has remained undeniably the same: to present the principles and facts of human physiology in a format that is suitable for undergraduates regardless of academic background or field of study. Human Physiology, eighth edition, carries on the tradition of clarity and accuracy, while refining and updating the content to meet the needs of today's instructors and students.

Mechanistic approach. Physiology is explained as a dynamic process of clearly defined chains of causal links. This approach prevents students from viewing physiology as a memorizing exercise -- students must understand causal links and processes within the context of homeostasis. This mirrors the experience they will have in the clinical setting.

Chapter Sections. Most text chapters are broken down into sections which contain their own pedagogy: key words, summaries, review questions, thought questions. Gives more pedagogical support to individual topics within chapters. Breaks information into smaller functional "chunks" which are better grasped by students.

Type 1 Diabetes in Adults: Principles and Practice

Recent research in diabetes has proven Type 1 diabetes is no longer only a juvenile disease. It has been projected adult Type 1 diabetes will increase 40% from 1997-2010, and as our understanding of the pathogenesis of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes grows - it is apparent that some cases previously classified as Type 2 are actually adult onset Type 1 diabetes. This volume is the first to focus exclusively on Type 1 diabetes in adults, seeks to clarify the complexities by explaining latest concepts in the pathophysiology and management of the disease, and to assist clinicians in the optimal utilization of cutting edge technology, therapeutics, and management strategies available to them.

Understanding the immune system how it works

Understanding the immune system how it works
PDF | 63 page | 2.2 mb

The immune system is a network ofcells, tissues*, and organs that worktogether to defend the body against attacksby “foreign” invaders. These are primarilymicrobes(germs)—tiny, infection-causingorganismssuch as bacteria, viruses,parasites, and fungi. Because the humanbody provides an ideal environment formany microbes, they try to break in. It isthe immune system’s job to keep them outor, failing that, to seek out and destroy them.

The Cure for all Diseases

Cure for All Diseases
B Jain Publishers Pvt Ltd | ISBN: 8170218993 | PDF | 5Mb | 631 Pages

All diseases have simple explanations and cures once their true cause is known. Doctor Hulda Clark explains thecauses of both common and extraordinary diseases and gives specific instruction for their cure through naremedies aelectrical device you can build at home.

The Self in Neuroscience and Psychiatry

An international team focuses on current models of self-consciousness from neurosciences and psychiatry in this collection of essays. These are set against introductory essays describing philosophical, historical and psychological approaches. Neuroscience has recently contributed important insights to the concept and construction of the self from conditions, such as schizophrenia, in which the self becomes disordered and can be studied against healthy controls through experiment, building cognitive models of how the mind works, and imaging brain states.

The Neuropsychiatry of Epilepsy

Michael Trimble and Bettina Schmitz have assembled an international team of experts to review the most recent findings and explore the interface between epilepsy and behavior disorders. The authors discuss the classifications available and examine how adequate they are for defining the subtleties of behavioral changes in patients with neurological disorders. Coverage is broad-ranging, from related cognitive problems, biological underpinnings, and pseudoseizures, to clinical aspects and treatment issues. This timely book covers the practical implications of ongoing research, and offers both a diagnostic and management perspective.

The Hippocratic Oath and the Ethics of Medicine

This engaging book examines what the Hippocratic Oath meant to Greek physicians 2400 years ago and reflects on its relevance to medical ethics today. Drawing on the writings of ancient physicians, Greek playwrights, and modern scholars, each chapter explores one of its passages and concludes with a modern case discussion. The Oath proposes principles governing the relationship between the physician and society and patients. It rules out the use of poison and a hazardous abortive technique. It defines integrity and discretion in physicians' speech. The ancient Greek medical works written during the same period as the Oath reveal that Greek physicians understood that they had a duty to avoid medical errors and learn from bad outcomes. These works showed how and why to tell patients about their diseases and dire prognoses in order to develop a partnership for healing and to build the credibility of the profession. Miles uses these writings to illuminate the meaning of the Oath in its day and in so doing shows how and why it remains a valuable guide to the ethical practice of medicine. This is a book for anyone who loves medicine and is concerned about the ethics and history of this profession.

Goodman and Gilman's Manual of Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Laurence Brunton, Donald Blumenthal, Iain Buxton, Keith Parker, «Goodman and Gilman's Manual of Pharmacology and Therapeutics»
McGraw-Hill Professional | ISBN 0071443436 | PDF | 1230 Pages

The Goodman & Gilman Manual of Pharmacology and Therapeutics offers the renowned content of Goodman & Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Eleventh Edition, condensed into an ultra-handy, streamlined reference.

More than just a pocket drug guide, this indispensable resource offers:

A carry-along source of essential fundamental information, with all the authority of Goodman & Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Eleventh Edition
The benefits of the world's leading pharmacology text in a convenient, portable format
Comprehensive, yet streamlined and clinically relevant coverage of the pharmacological basis of therapeutics
High-yield overview of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the foundations of pharmacology
Expert insights into the properties, mechanisms, and uses of all the major drug classes
Considerations of vital patient-specific issues

The Eye Care Sourcebook

Jay B. Lavine “The Eye Care Sourcebook"
McGraw-Hill | 2001-07-27 | ISBN: 0737303956 | 336 pages | PDF | 1,4 Mb

The most comprehensive, patient-friendly guide to eye care available
The Eye Care Sourcebook offers you the best approach for obtaining quality eye care. It provides an overview of LASIK and other forms of vision correction, as well as in-depth descriptions of most major eye problems, including poor vision among elderly people, macular degeneration, cataracts, itchy and burning eyes, and more.

From the Inside Flap

The eye serves as a window to the body. And with The Eye Care Sourcebook, Dr. Jay B. Lavine, noted authority in ophthalmology and nutrition, shows you how to ensure the optimal health of this vital organ. Embracing the philosophy that prevention is the highest form of healing and that surgery should always be considered the last resort, Dr. Lavine discusses nutritional and lifestyle changes that can bring you better eye health.
The author exposes what he calls "today's entrepreneurial medical practices" and gives you the tools to determine whether or not risky, invasive surgeries are in your best interests.
In The Eye Care Sourcebook, you will find the latest information on:
• LASIK and other refractive surgeries--What are the real risks? Do you really need it?
• Cataract--Are there steps you can take to prevent the condition? How can you avoid unnecessary surgery?
• Glaucoma--Can a new herbal extract actually help preserve vision? What role does diet and lifestyle play in the worsening of this condition?
• Diabetes--How can you best avoid laser treatments? Are there foods and nutrients that can halt the vision decline associated with this disease?
• Macular degeneration--What foods and herbs can help prevent it?
• Vision and aging--What are the most common causes of poor vision as you age and are there actually some nutritional approaches that can produce unwanted side effects in this population?
• Itching and burning eyes--What natural, effective treatments can bring relief?
• Vision in infants--How can you detect early warning signs and thus optimize a child's future vision?

The Encyclopedia of the Brain and Brain Disorders

Description: "The Encyclopedia of the Brain and Brain Disorders, Third Edition" is a significant update to the original that now also includes a substantial amount of new material on memory, updated from "The Encyclopedia of Memory and Memory Disorders". More than 800 entries cover all aspects of the brain, from anatomy, function, and development to diseases and disorders. With a large focus on memory, one of the mind's most important and mysterious functions, this extensive volume discusses the functions and elements of memory, how it works, how it breaks down, and various diseases and disorders that affect it. Helpful organizations, current advances in research, and up-to-date information on diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases complete this in-depth resource.The topics include: Aging and the brain, Brain cancer and other diseases, Causes of memory loss, Development of thoughts, feelings, and memories, Learning processes, Nutrition and the brain, Parts of the brain, Technology for studying the brain and diagnosing diseases, Treatments for diseases that affect the brain and memory, Types of memory and more.

The ECG in Practice

The ECG in Practice

Author: John R. Hampton

Publisher: Churchill Livingstone

PDF | 433 pages | 36,8mb | English language | ISBN 0443072507

An excellent value for money pocketbook reference for anyone dealing with ECGs on a regular basis, whether rhythm strips or twelve leads. If you understand the cardiac axis and the chest lead progression then you should have no problem with understanding the contents. The chapters are sensibly grouped into; healthy people, palpitations and syncope, chest pain, breathlessness, and non cardiac influences; the main reasons why you would be recording an ECG. The wide range of examples often overlooked in other texts is bound to be useful as there are twenty examples of what can be normal , and this should help the reader from falling into the trap of diagnosing ECGs by what they look like. Also included are useful reminders on interpretation, and plenty of clinical information. The only drawback is that the recordings are all reduced in size, and the manner by which limb leads and chest leads are grouped on the page could be improved. Every cardiology ward or department should have a copy, as it would be a useful reference to both medical and nursing staff.

"...an excellent way to get to grips with any subject and would recommend this one." Medical Student, MAD Magazine (Medics and Dentists at Barts and the London), April 2003

"...general practitioner in particular needs a set of guidelines that will enable him or her to categorise his or her interpretation into: (1) normal tracings; (2) abnormal tracings in which he can identify with certainty specific abnormalities, for example left ventricular hypertrophy; (3) complicated abnormal tracings about which he is uncertain and which require specialist advice. Professor Hampton recognises this problem and attempts to overcome it by illustrating the extremes of the normal range and specific examples within the range."

Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary

Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (Thumb Index)
2788 pages | F. A. Davis Company; 20 Revised edition (February 14, 2005) | ISBN: 0803612079 | PDF | 37 Mb

A reference for health care clinicians and students, that takes account of the integration of alternative and complementary approaches into standard western medical care, defining terms relating to herbal remedies and traditional cures from other cultures.
Because for more than 65 years, Taber's has provided students and practitioners with the definitions and information they need to provide superior care for their patients: 56,000 definitions with 2,400 brand new to the 20th edition.almost 50% more than our nearest competitor. More than 6,000 revised terms. 700 superior illustrations with more than 500 in full color 100 more Patient Care sections NEW! Cautions statements added to almost 350 terms bold and in a second color New and revised appendices, including Nutrition, Complementary Medicine.

Stop That Heart Attack

The new third edition of this fully revised and updated practical manual, shows you how you can dramatically reduce your risk of a heart attack, without complicated dietary regimes or expensive health clubs. It covers lifestyle, food and nutrition, exercise, stress, smoking, coping with life events - a whole range of factors which go to make up our chances of either keeping alert and active till ninety, or succumbing to heart problems (or other diseases, such as cancer). New in this edition: · Latest evidence on cholesterol reduction and statin drugs (including findings from the Heart Protection Study 2002) · New evidence on the benefits of fish oil · Completely rewritten section on HRT – Dr Cutting weighs up the benefits and risks in light of the latest research · New section on South Asian diets – how some simple changes to traditional methods of cooking can make all the difference

Introductory Clinical Pharmacology (7th Ed) by Sally S. Roach

Introductory Clinical Pharmacology (7th Ed) by Sally S. Roach
Publisher: Williams & Wilkins | 2006 | ISBN: 0781767911 | Pages: 456 | PDF | 6.36 MB

This text presents a clear, concise introduction to pharmacology. Designed for the LPN/LVN student, the book focuses on basic principles and the nurse's responsibility in drug administration. Organized by body system, the book examines pharmacologic properties and therapeutic applications of drugs as a class or group. Summary Drug Tables present generic and trade drug names, uses, adverse reactions, and usual dosage ranges. Features include updated drug tables, gerontologic alerts, special considerations, home care checklists, and patient and family teaching boxes. New to this edition: complementary therapies information, dimensional analysis review, chapter summary questions, drug category flowcharts, math review problems, and full color throughout.

Recent Research in Personality Disorders, An Issue of Psychiatric Clinics

Joel Paris "Recent Research in Personality Disorders, An Issue of Psychiatric Clinics"
Saunders | 2008-09-15 | ISBN: 1416063455 | 192pages | PDF | 1,2 MB

This issue on Recent Research on Personality Behaviors discusses diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, outcome and treatment for these perplexing disorders. Topics include: Diagnosis: Dimensional diagnosis for PDs, Improving categorical diagnosis of PDs, Separating traits from personality disorders. Epidemiology: The community prevalence of PDs, The clinical prevalence of PDs. Etiology: Genetics of PDs, Neurobiological and imaging studies, The neurobiology of psychopathy, Child development and PDs. Outcome: The long-term outcome of PDs, Mechanisms of recovery in PDs. Treatment: Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments, Managing suicidality, Future directions in PD research.

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicin

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicin

1.83 Mb | SharingMatrix | Medical Book | 382 Pages

The world of alternative medicine can be an intimidating and confusing place - so many different types of practices all claiming success for improved health.

The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicine is an easy-to-follow comprehensive resource for therapies as diverse as Chinese medicine, aromatherapy, massage, biofeedback, dream study, herbal remedies, meditation, Ayuredic medicine, homeopathy, yoga, prayer, and much more.

Written in easy to understand language, the Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicine guides readers through the hype to the heart of alternative therapy, explaining how to find a qualified practitioner, how diagnoses are made in each field, and what treatments work best for which ailments. The author also explains how various therapies are used in conjunction with traditional Western medical treatment in complementary medicine. Now that medical doctors are discovering the power behind alternative medicine, patients are more likely than ever before to be referred for an alternative therapy in addition to traditional therapy. Currently more than 3.8% of doctor visits result in an order of alternative medical therapy.

Psychology - A Self-Teaching Guide

Psychology - A Self-Teaching Guide
Skyhorse Publishing | ISBN 0471443956 | 2002 | PDF | 289 pages | 6.8 Mb

A complete course, from brain biology to abnormal psychology
Hundreds of questions and many review tests
Key concepts and terms defined and explained
Master key concepts. Answer challenging questions. Prepare for exams. Learn at your own pace. What are the two basic psychological dimensions of emotions? How do you define abnormal behavior? Is extrasensory perception real? What is Viktor Frankl known for? With Psychology: A Self-Teaching Guide, you'll discover the answers to these questions and many more.
Frank Bruno explains all the major psychological theories and terms in this book, covering perception, motivation, thinking, personality, sensation, intelligence, research methods, and much more. He presents the foundations of psychology and the biology of behavior; explores how children develop into adults and the psychological factors that make us individuals; and examines various mental disorders and the types of therapy used to treat them. The step-by-step, Q&A format of Psychology makes it fully accessible, providing an easily understood, comprehensive overview of the topic.
Like the other popular Self-Teaching Guides, Psychology allows you to build gradually on what you have learned-at your own pace. Questions and self-tests reinforce the information in each chapter and allow you to skip ahead or focus on specific areas of concern. Packed with useful, up-to-date information, this clear, concise volume is a valuable learning tool and reference source for anyone who seeks a greater understanding of human behavior.

Professional Guide to Signs and Symptoms

Professional Guide to Signs and Symptoms
Pages: 928 | Publication: 2006 | ISBN: 1582555109 | 36 MB

Thoroughly updated for the Fifth Edition, this comprehensive manual covers over 550 signs and symptoms. More than 300 of the most important signs and symptoms are organized alphabetically; each entry includes a description, emergency interventions (where appropriate) , history and physical examination, causes, special considerations, and patient counseling. Over 500 illustrations, tables, and flowcharts are included. Appendices describe 250 less familiar signs and symptoms and provide English/Spanish translations of common signs and symptoms. New to this edition: signs and symptoms of emerging diseases, including avian influenza, blast lung injury, and metabolic syndrome; flowcharts that guide practitioners through assessment evaluation; and appendices on common laboratory test values and conducting a patient history.

Pharmacotherapy of Obesity

Pharmacotherapy of Obesity
Birkhäuser Basel | 2007 | ISBN: 3764371382 | Pages: 120 | PDF | 1.35 MB

Obesity has become a major epidemic that now rivals smoking as a risk to public health. The ensuing epidemics of diabetes, vascular disease and other complications are set to overwhelm the healthcare systems of wealthy and poorer nations alike. The need for effective pharmacotherapy has never been greater. This book takes a new look at the many potential targets for drug development for regulation of body weight, placing them in the context of the chequered history of drug development for obesity and currently available therapies.

Potential peripheral and central nervous system targets are discussed in detail by authors with extensive knowledge and research experience in the science of body weight regulation, and its translation into effective therapies that will benefit patients. This book is of interest to clinicians, researchers in the field and members of the pharmaceutical industry who are interested in learning more about the current state of the art and future directions in the pharmacotherapy of obesity.

Pharmacotherapy of Diabetes

Treatment of Type 1 and Type diabetes has changed radically over the past few years. There are new opportunities for treating the key abnormality in diabetes, increased blood glucose, by effective agents such as new insulin preparations and oral agents.
Increasing so-called non-glycemic intervention is of prime importance. Blood pressure lowering therapies, anti-cholesterol strategies, and specific treatment related to complications is becoming increasingly important.
Pharmacotherapy of Diabetes is a unique, invaluable guide to all aspects of the pharmacological treatment of diabetes, covering basic concepts and an in-depth review of current and future therapies. This work provides an overview for the new changes in therapies that can be implemented in clinical practice and treatment of the diabetic patient.

Pharmacogenetics of Psychotropic Drugs

This book provides a conceptual framework for understanding and studying the pharmacogenetics of psychotropic drugs, reviews advances in the field, and describes the findings that have already emerged. Coverage extends to antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizing, cognitive-enhancing and anxiolytic drugs. The volume also examines the interface of pharmacogenetics with substance dependence and brain imaging, and considers its impact on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. This book defines the young field of pharmacogenetics as it applies to psychotropic drugs, and is therefore an essential reference for all clinicians and researchers involved.

Oral Pharmacotherapy for Male Sexual Dysfunction: A Guide to Clinical Management

A state-of-the-art review of each aspect of male sexual dysfunction (interest, performance, and orgasm) and their implications for treatment. The authors address a wide variety of clinical issues, ranging from common medical risk factors for ED, to the evaluation and management of men who have atypical presentations that require focused testing; from diabetic ED to the safety assessment of PDE inhibitors for cardiac patients; and from combination drug therapy for refractory patients to neuropharmacological therapies. On the pharmaceutical side, the authors summarize the pharmacology and development of PDE-type 5 inhibitors, review the preclinical data and 5 years of postmarketing data on Viagra®, examine the preclinical data on Levitra®, and discuss the design and conduct of US clinical trials of Cialis®. Oral Pharmacology for Male Sexual Dysfunction: A Guide to Clinical Management clarifies for urologists, family physicians, and internists each of the diagnostic approaches to male sexual dysfunction, as well as the pharmacological strategies available for its safe and effective management.

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