The Duke University Medical Center Book of Arthritis [Paperback]

David S. Pisetsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 1995

"COMPREHENSIVE...A USEFUL SOURCE...RECOMMENDED."
--Library Journal
If you are one of the nearly forty million people in the United States who suffers from some form of arthritis, you are probably confused by the myths and misinformation surrounding the illness. Arthritis is, in fact, not a single malady, but more than one hundred different diseases, each with its own cause, symptoms, characteristic progression, and treatment. Here, at last, from the world-renowned Duke University Medical Center, is an authoritative, complete, and fully up-to-date home reference for arthritis sufferers. It tells you:
-- Who gets arthritis, and when
-- How to identify arthritic diseases in their early stages
-- What to expect at a complete examination
-- How to become an active partner with your doctor in keeping your arthritis under control
-- The actions and side effects of the primary drugs used to treat arthritis
-- How to conduct an exercise program that is right for you
-- How to alter your lifestyle and work habits to minimize your discomfort
The Duke Basic Arthritis Program is designed to relieve the symptoms of arthritis and prevent its complications. Taking into account your lifestyle, job, emotional make-up, and physical abilities, the Duke Basic Arthritis Program allows for an individualized treatment program based on the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, daily rest, physical therapy, good health habits, and adjustments in your daily routines.
Packed with up-to-the-minute information and written in a lucid, user-friendly style, this is an absolutely invaluable book for anyone with arthritis.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Pisetsky, who teaches at Duke University Medical Center and works with arthritis patients at Duke's Arthritis Center, has written a very readable book about the family of diseases known as arthritis. He explains complex terms in language that the educated layperson can understand. In the first section, Pisetsky gives readers the basic facts about arthritis; in part two, he describes all the major forms of the disease and discusses at length the multifaceted modes of treatment. Part three is devoted to the Duke Basic Arthritis Program, a comprehensive approach that helps sufferers relieve their symptoms and prevent complications. Pisetsky concludes with a survey of research in the field of rheumatology. A useful source that will complement Fred Kantrowitz's Taking Control of Arthritis ( LJ 11/1/90). Illustrations not seen. Recommended for public libraries. --Mary J. Jarvis, Methodist Hosp. Medical Lib., Lubbock, Tex.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

"COMPREHENSIVE...A USEFUL SOURCE...RECOMMENDED."
--Library Journal
If you are one of the nearly forty million people in the United States who suffers from some form of arthritis, you are probably confused by the myths and misinformation surrounding the illness. Arthritis is, in fact, not a single malady, but more than one hundred different diseases, each with its own cause, symptoms, characteristic progression, and treatment. Here, at last, from the world-renowned Duke University Medical Center, is an authoritative, complete, and fully up-to-date home reference for arthritis sufferers. It tells you:
-- Who gets arthritis, and when
-- How to identify arthritic diseases in their early stages
-- What to expect at a complete examination
-- How to become an active partner with your doctor in keeping your arthritis under control
-- The actions and side effects of the primary drugs used to treat arthritis
-- How to conduct an exercise program that is right for you
-- How to alter your lifestyle and work habits to minimize your discomfort
The Duke Basic Arthritis Program is designed to relieve the symptoms of arthritis and prevent its complications. Taking into account your lifestyle, job, emotional make-up, and physical abilities, the Duke Basic Arthritis Program allows for an individualized treatment program based on the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, daily rest, physical therapy, good health habits, and adjustments in your daily routines.
Packed with up-to-the-minute information and written in a lucid, user-friendly style, this is an absolutely invaluable book for anyone with arthritis.

Product Details

• Paperback: 420 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (March 7, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449908879
• ISBN-13: 978-0449908877
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,088,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most comprehensive book on arthritis--but dated, July 6, 2000

By 

drdebs (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Duke University Medical Center Book of Arthritis (Paperback)

This is an indispensable guide for anyone suffering from any type of arthritis, especially the auto-immune varieties like rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Polymyalgia Rheumatica. It has wonderful sections on treating arthritis with drugs, rest, exercise, and diet as well as detailed descriptions of each of the arthritic conditions and their treatments.

The only downside of this book is that it was printed in 1995, so there is no information about new treatments such as Enbrel. Still, if you have some form of arthritis this would be a good book to purchase for your reference shelf.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but not up-to-date, January 25, 2005

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Duke University Medical Center Book of Arthritis (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent resource on arthritis and other inflammations of the joints and musculoskeletal system. That's right, as so many pains and inflammations are referred to as "arthritis" by laymen, this book goes beyond rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and covers everything from Lupus to gout and even tendonitis.

Part one of this book is entitled, "What's Happening to Me?" and covers key medical terms, joints and connective tissues, and what sorts of tests are used in reaching a diagnosis. Part two discusses the types of conditions, including symptoms, prognosis, treatment and outlook. Part three covers a wide range of treatments for arthritis, while part four discusses what is in the future. But, do not stop there! At the tail end of the book is a selection of frequently asked questions, and a list of helpful resources.

OK, where do I start? Overall, I found this to be a great resource, one that helped me understand what was going on with my body, and what it meant. Now, admittedly, the edition I read was the 1992 edition, which means that it is far from up-to-date on the latest treatments. But, that said, it did help me enormously, and I am very glad that I have it.

So, what I would say is this: if you are new to your experience with arthritis, then this is an excellent resource for you to have. But, if you have a more than minor problem with arthritis, and are looking for the latest information, then you might want to look elsewhere. For myself, I highly recommend this book.