Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, Third Edition [Hardcover]

Mayo Clinic (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book | Publication Date: May 6, 2003

Since its initial publication in 1990, Mayo Clinic Family Health Book has become a classic home medical reference, selling more than 1 million copies. Now in its third edition, this completely revised, generously illustrated volume offers the latest in medical knowledge with a strong emphasis on self-care. From prevention to treatment, from infancy to old age, this comprehensive health guide offers reliable, easy-to-understand information in six convenient sections.

Part I: Living Well

Filled with health-promotion strategies, this section details nutrition, fitness, stress management and other practices for healthy living.

Part II: Common Conditions and Concerns Through Life's Stages

Here you'll find explanations of human growth and development, descriptions of health issues common to children and adults, and a discussion of issues related to death and dying.

Part III: Making Sense of Your Symptoms

This all-new section is intended to help you better understand what may be causing certain signs or symptoms that you're experiencing. It includes information on frequent concerns and complaints common to adults, as well as those common to children.

Part IV: First Aid and Emergency Care

Here you'll find guidance on how to respond to situations ranging from simple sprains and cuts to urgent events such as chest pain and choking.

Part V: Diseases and Disorders

The largest section in the book, Part V includes discussions of more than 1,000 diseases and disorders. Here you can find detailed information about specific conditions. Each discussion lists common signs and symptoms, followed by a description of the condition, information on how it's diagnosed and a review of treatment options. Preceding this section are 40 pages of color illustrations to help you better understand human anatomy and common disorders.

Part VI: Tests and Treatments

This section discusses tests commonly used to evaluate individual health and diagnose disease. It also includes a medications guide and information on surgery, various methods to manage pain and complementary and alternative therapies.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mayo Clinic took root in farm fields near Rochester, Minn., in the late 1800s. It grew from the medical practice of a country doctor, William Worrall Mayo, and the partnership of his two sons, William J. and Charles H. Mayo #150; affectionately known as Dr. Will and Dr. Charlie.

The brothers' innovative ideas and tireless work in learning and creating new surgical techniques attracted international attention. Physicians from around the world came to watch the Mayo brothers perform surgery.

The Mayo brothers invited other doctors to join them, forming teams of medical experts. Today, Mayo Clinic #150; one of the world#146;s oldest and largest multispecialty group practices #150; comprises more than 45,000 physicians, scientists, nurses and other staff at its three locations in Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla., and Scottsdale, Ariz., and its regional community-based health care practices.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1424 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 3 Sub edition (May 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060002506
• ISBN-13: 978-0060002503
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #515,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Reference
  • #68 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Medical

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great source for writers...., June 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, Third Edition (Hardcover)

The Mayo Clinic Family Health Book is like having six resource books in one. Information from Mayo is reliable, easy-to-understand and reviewed by some of the most respected physicians in the world.

Part I: Living Well
Part II: Common Conditions and Concerns Through Life's Stages
Part III: Making Sense of Your Symptoms
Part IV: First Aid and Emergency Care
Visual Guide: Anatomy and Common Disorders (color photos and illustrations)
Part V: Diseases and Disorders
Part VI: Tests and Treatments
Glossary and Resources
Index

Each disease mentioned contains information about key signs and symptoms, a basic description of the disease, illustrations, how the disease is diagnosed, potential consequences, information on treatment, and information on prevention.

The comprehensive index in the third edition is easy to use. For example, information on "scoliosis" can be found on pages 235, 603, 774, 980, and 981. (Page 980 features an illustration.)

There is also a complete listing of resources for more information including addresses, phone numbers and Web sites. I particularly like the section on symptoms. You can just look up a symptom such as "back pain" and learn more about conditions that cause back pain. The book then directs you to the page containing detailed information about that condition.

I'm looking forward to what I hope will be the interactive DVD version of the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book in the future.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is One of the Three books you Need to Have, December 22, 2005

By 

Sonya "readaholic" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, Third Edition (Hardcover)

This is an excellent resource book that covers a large majority of health conditions and treatments. It give a thorough explanation of Symptoms, First Aid, Diseases and Disorders, Tests and Treatments. What is especially nice are the chapters on common conditions based on your age group and how to Live Well. The information is covered thoroughly with illustrations and diagrams. There is a full-color photograph and illustrations section in the book called the Visual Guide. This section is helpful when trying to identify things like rashes and skin disorders and for reviewing anatomy.

The other two books you should possess for starting your medical/health library should include a good drug/medication book (or use a website like www.medlineplus.gov) and a good medical dictionary (recommend Taber's, but MedlinePlus also has an encyclopedia/dictionary).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mayo Clinic - Family Health Book, August 7, 2006

By 

C. Levy "Laboratory worker-bee" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, Third Edition (Hardcover)

The Mayo Family Health book is a "wealth of information."
My husband recently became ill and was hospitalized. We were able to pinpoint symptoms in the book which helped us along with our health provider get appropriate testing and treatment for his condition.

With healthcare today, we must be "informed consumers".
I have worked nearly 35 years in clinical laboratory medicine and I still learn something new everyday....this book certainly helps.