Parkinson's Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients and Families (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) [Large Print] [Paperback]

Dr. William J. Weiner MD (Author), Dr. Lisa M. Shulman MD (Author), Dr. Anthony E. Lang MD FRCP (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0801868807 | ISBN-13: 978-0801868801 | Publication Date: April 3, 2002

In recent years, new treatments have vastly improved the lives of people with Parkinson's disease, substantially reducing symptoms and significantly delaying disability. Maintaining good quality of life with Parkinson's disease means understanding the disorder, developing effective coping skills, and making educated choices among an array of treatment options.

Written by leading authorities on movement and neurological disorders, this comprehensive book provides up-to-date information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and management of Parkinson's disease to help people cope with medical, emotional, and practical challenges. Texts, illustrations, and tables provide detailed information on the use of medications as well as diet, exercise, and complementary therapies and surgery.

Topics include:

• Symptoms of Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders

• Q& A section addressing the most commonly asked questions

• Drug treatments

• Diet, exercise, and complementary therapies

• New surgical therapies

• The practical issues of insurance, employment, health care choices, and coping

• Information on medication side effects

Parkinson's Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients and Families helps those who are living with Parkinson's disease make healthy adjustments to profound life changes, develop expertise in self-monitoring and self-management, and become effective partners in shared decision making with family members and medical professionals.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As a result of actor Michael J. Fox's disclosure that he has Parkinson's disease, public discussion about both the symptoms and treatment of this illness has heightened. This attention is important, according to these authors, all specialists in the treatment of Parkinson's and other neurological disorders, because it is a progressive, chronic disease whose symptoms including trembling, uneasy gait and loss of dexterity mimic those of other diseases, which can often lead to misdiagnosis. One of the most frustrating aspects of Parkinson's is that it manifests itself differently in each of its victims, which makes coping with this disease particularly challenging. Nonetheless, what is most important, aver the authors, is that both Parkinson's patients and their families have access to the most up-to-date treatment including new drugs, surgery and other therapies (diet, speech therapy, acupuncture), and with compassionate, clear writing, they provide an excellent overview. Leaving no stone unturned, Weiner, Shulman and Lang also advise patients about less clinical but equally important matters such as dealing with health insurance companies and informing employers. Particularly useful for readers are the Q&A section and a comprehensive resource directory. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the first step, after which patients and their loved ones will find this practical guide the perfect complement to a physician's care. Illus.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Parkinson's disease affects over one million Americans and has recently has received notoriety thanks to actor Michael J. Fox's diagnosis. Weiner, director of Maryland Parkinson's Disease Center, presents known facts and clarification about this degenerative neurological disease. Physical, behavioral, and psychiatric signs and symptoms exhibited during mild, moderate, and advanced stages of the disease are examined, as are diseases that can mimic Parkinson's. The author emphasizes the questions patients should ask and the tests they should undergo before a diagnosis is made, and he outlines drug and surgical treatments, including alternative and complementary therapies. Somewhat clinical in tone, this title is more comprehensive than the American College of Physicians' Parkinson's Disease (DK, 2000), but it is not as effective as Caring for the Parkinson Patient, 2d ed., edited by J. Thomas Hutton and Raye Lynne Dippel (Prometheus, 1999), in providing information on daily coping skills and psychological adjustment to the disease. Still, the guide is excellent for its current medical and research information for the newly diagnosed. Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans' Hosp., Tampa, FL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press (April 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801868807
• ISBN-13: 978-0801868801
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,652,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Information, February 12, 2002

By 

B. J. Emerson (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parkinson's Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients and Families (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) (Paperback)

Never having had any experience or knowledge on the basis of this disease, I got the book to help me understand my father's disease. I have gotten a fuller understanding of the causes of the disease, the symptoms, the treatments (and making decisions regarding the selections of the treatments), and the progression of the disease. I feel much better informed and feel I can support my father better because of it. It was definitely written to help support the patient and family supporting that patient.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One who knows what Parkinsons Disease is like., December 31, 2001

By 

Lisa (Loganville, GA. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parkinson's Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients and Families (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) (Paperback)

Very informative. This books explains in PLAIN ENGLISH what the Dr's look for when making a diagnosis. Also it explains what the average PD. patient goes through in stages. I give it 5 stars!

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parkinson's Disease, April 19, 2002

By 

Ashley Raczkowski (West Newton, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parkinson's Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients and Families (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) (Paperback)

The author of this book did a great job in explaining what Parkinson's Disease is and giving information for the patient and the caregiver. I am a dental hygienist and I learned just an overview of the disease in school. After having my first patient with the disease I decided to learn more about it. I learned alot from this book that I should of already known for my patient. The book tells you the symptoms and the side effects of the disease and advice on drug therapy, diet, and exercise. Some people don't even know that they have the disease for a couple of months or even years. They think it is just old age or arthritis. The book also states what kind of medical advice to seek.
I have never met a patient with Parkinson's Disease until a couple of months ago. I didn't know what to expect. When the patient walked in I was shocked. She looked normal and wasn't shaking. She was the sweetest patient I had met. She explained to me her life and how she lives with the disease. She said that she sometimes gets embarrased to be seen in public when she has her tremors because she thinks that everyone is staring at her. But she said she is the same person as all of us. She just has to take medication and she gets tired alot more than you and me. When I was cleaning her teeth she only had mild tremors so it wasn't that difficult to work on her. But one day I will probably get a patient who has severe tremors but I am ready thanks to this book in guiding me with the knowledge of what I needed to know. I think that if you know someone who has Parkinson's disease or if you would like to learn more about the disease buy this book and you will be filled with all the information you need to know about Parkinson's disease.