Kidney Stones Handbook [Paperback]

Gail Golomb (Author), Gail Savitz (Author), Stephen W. Leslie (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Four Geez Press; 2 Rev Exp edition (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963706861
• ISBN-13: 978-0963706867
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Genitourinary & STDs

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vital guide for kidney stone sufferers, February 15, 2001

By 

Kevin W. Parker (Greenbelt, MD) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kidney Stones Handbook (Paperback)

I have suffered through three kidney stones myself, with the most recent by far the worst. My therapy since then has been simple but (so far) effective: whenever I feel the least bit thirsty, I fill up a jumbo plastic 32 ounce cup (acquired from a local fast-food restaurant) with water and down the entire contents over the next half-hour or so. I may spend the rest of the day in the bathroom, but I haven't gotten a kidney stone since.

For those who want more information about possible therapies (and causes) of kidney stones, there is this book, which provides an excellent overview of the numerous types of stones, what causes them, and what can be done about them. There is strong encouragement to confront one's doctor to make greater efforts to diagnose causes along with information on just what these efforts should be. One key chapter covers what one should or should not eat, which is again divided according to types of stone. My only quibble is that an occasional looseness in terminology causes confusion: generally a stone is referred by type, which can include calcium or oxalate. However, at a couple of points, there is a reference to a calcium oxalate type. I have no idea how that fits in with the other types.

But that's a very minor point. Overall this is an excellent book and absolute must reading for anyone with serious kidney stone problems (i.e., who has gotten more than me!).

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is not a must-read - it's a MUST-HAVE, January 26, 2001

By 

DottyG - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kidney Stones Handbook (Paperback)

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is co-authored by a kidney stone sufferer. Gail Savitz knows what she is writing about. The other author is a urologist that is able to put the kidney stone nightmare into laymans terms. This isn't a book that you struggle to read; it is easily understandable and is written in "real" English, rather than Doctor Speak. The book explains what a stone is, the 5 most common chemical risk factors, common questions/answers, and many other things. Most importantly, it tells you steps to take to prevent another stone. Anyone who has suffered through this horror will appreciate knowing how to keep it from happening again. It is also an excellent book for the friends and family of stone sufferers. These people must learn what you are going through. This book gave me the information that my own doctor failed to give me. I recommend it highly!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding review of kidney stones. Highly recommended!, June 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kidney Stones Handbook (Paperback)

This new edition of the "Kidney Stones Handbook" is roughly twice the size of the first edition, but retains the easy readability and general usefulness of the original while greatly increasing the scope and information. Every person who has ever had a stone must get this book! Chapters include advice on what to do in the ER when you have an attack, which stones need surgery and what types of surgery are available, how to diagnose the various types of stones and most importantly how to obtain proper preventive testing and treatment. Each abnormal test and possible therapy is thoroughly explained in plain English which is clearly understandable without getting too technical. Nutrition, maintaining adequate fluid intake, stone "trivia" and history as well as a technical glossary to help you understand "doctorspeak" are all included.

This is an outstanding book for anyone with kidney stone disease. It is recommended by former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. If you or a loved one has ever had a kidney stone, GET THIS BOOK! It could save you many trips to the Emergency Room and many painful stone attacks.