The Official Patient's Sourcebook on Myotonia Congenita: A Revised and Updated Directory for the Internet Age [Paperback]

Icon Health Publications (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2002

This sourcebook has been created for patients who have decided to make education and Internet-based research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it also tells patients where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to myotonia congenita, from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. The title of this book includes the word official. This reflects the fact that the sourcebook draws from public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research. Selected readings from various agencies are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on myotonia congenita. Following an introductory chapter, the sourcebook is organized into three parts. PART I: THE ESSENTIALS; Chapter 1. The Essentials on Myotonia Congenita: Guidelines; Chapter 2. Seeking Guidance; PART II: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND ADVANCED MATERIAL; Chapter 3. Studies on Myotonia Congenita; Chapter 4. Books on Myotonia Congenita; Chapter 5. Multimedia on Myotonia Congenita; Chapter 6. Physician Guidelines and Databases; PART III. APPENDICES; Appendix A. Researching Your Medications; Appendix B. Researching Alternative Medicine; Appendix C. Researching Nutrition; Appendix D. Finding Medical Libraries; Appendix E. Your Rights and Insurance; ONLINE GLOSSARIES; MYOTONIA CONGENITA GLOSSARY; INDEX. Related topics include: Thomsen's disease.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This is a "must have" reference book for patients, parents, caregivers, and libraries with medical collections. This sourcebook is organized into three parts. Part I explores basic techniques to researching myotonia congenita (e.g. finding guidelines on diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis), followed by a number of topics, including information on how to get in touch with organizations, associations, or other patient networks dedicated to myotonia congenita. It also gives you sources of information that can help you find a doctor in your local area specializing in treating myotonia congenita. Collectively, the material presented in Part I is a complete primer on basic research topics for patients with myotonia congenita. Part II moves on to advanced research dedicated to myotonia congenita. Part II is intended for those willing to invest many hours of hard work and study. It is here that we direct you to the latest scientific and applied research on myotonia congenita. When possible, contact names, links via the Internet, and summaries are provided. In general, every attempt is made to recommend "free-to-use" options. Part III provides appendices of useful background reading for all patients with myotonia congenita or related disorders. The appendices are dedicated to more pragmatic issues faced by many patients with myotonia congenita. Accessing materials via medical libraries may be the only option for some readers, so a guide is provided for finding local medical libraries which are open to the public. Part III, therefore, focuses on advice that goes beyond the biological and scientific issues facing patients with myotonia congenita.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Though many physicians and public officials had thought that the emergence of the Internet would do much to assist patients in obtaining reliable information, in March 2001 the National Institutes of Health issued the following warning: "The number of Web sites offering" health-related resources grows every day. Many sites provide valuable information, while others may have information that is unreliable or misleading." Since the late 1990s, physicians have seen a general increase in patient Internet usage rates. Patients frequently enter their doctor's offices with printed Web pages of home remedies in the guise of latest medical research. This scenario is so common that doctors often spend more time dispelling misleading information than guiding patients through sound therapies. ... This book has been created for patients who have decided to make education and research an integral part of the treatment process. ... While this sourcebook covers myotonia congenita, your doctor, research publications, and specialists may refer to your condition using a variety of terms. Therefore, you should understand that myotonia congenita is often considered a synonym or a condition closely related to the following: Thomsen's disease.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: ICON Health Publications (September 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0597830134
• ISBN-13: 978-0597830136
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,451,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)