Customer Reviews

Kidney Stones Handbook

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!).

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!

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.

When I had my first kidney stone attack, someone suggested I get the Kidney Stone Handbook. It was going into a second printing at the time and wasn't available for sale, so I borrowed a friend's copy. Now that the second edition is out, I've bought my own because anyone who makes kidney stones, has or has had a kidney stone attack, lives with or loves someone with kidney stones or who wants to avoid making kidney stones in the future should have a copy of this book. It is well written, informative and much clearer in its explanations than most of the pamphlets I've seen on the subject. It not only helped me through my own bout, it is helping me to keep from having another. Bless you Savits and Leslie.

The author is especially sensitive to the first time stone sufferer. Having gone through may of the treatments for stones herself, she describes what you might go through when you are facing treatment. Very helpful.

Everything said by the previous reviewers is True, True, TRUE!!! Finally a book with some answers as to why kidney stones occur and more importantly, how to PREVENT them. Do yourself a favor...get a copy of this book, AND tell your doctor to get one too. Mine had never heard of it. The information we received from his office was of little help, and incomplete at that. The medical community needs their patients to keep them informed just as much [or MORESO] than just depending on the quarterly articles published by the AMA! My doctor said a big THANK YOU!!!

this book is excellently written. It help my family get through a very difficult and painful time. since we read this book there are no more stones. there is no book out there like this plus i recommend their web site.

Easy-to-read handbook about kidney stones and their causes. Perfect reading for people who have kidney stones, or have friends/relatives with this condition. A very supportive book for people who have suffered the excruciating pain of kidney stones. This book also explains how to avoid a recurrence and what to demand from your physician/hospital

I think this is a must read for anyone who suffers from kidney stones. My first doctor was pretty passive about my treatment, and this book gave me the information that allowed me to be a bit more insistent on prevention, rather than just treating stones.