Understanding Hughes Syndrome: Case Studies for Patients [Paperback]

Graham Hughes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1848003757 | ISBN-13: 978-1848003750 | Publication Date: December 12, 2008 | Edition: 1st Edition. 2nd Printing.

Along with AIDS, antiphospholipid syndrome was the major medical discovery of the late 20th century, so for many it is still deemed a ‘new’ disease. The discovery of ‘sticky blood’ (commonly known as antiphospholipid syndrome or ‘Hughes Syndrome’) came out of years of observation of patients who had developed lupus. Many specialists in the 1970s were interested in the neurological aspects of lupus, and Dr Hughes, among others, spent a number of years studying the mechanisms of brain inflammation. In the mid 1970s, Hughes observed a number of young women with a form of viral paralysis, where interestingly many of them carried an antibody in their blood actually directed against ‘phospholipid’ – one of the components of brain and spinal cord. It quickly became apparent that individuals who had "anti-phospholipid antibodies" suffered from a tendency not only to develop brain and spinal cord symptoms, but also a tendency to develop both vein and artery thrombosis. As investigation continued it became apparent that these symptoms were not just confined to lupus patients, but occurred in others too, specifically those with severe migraines, with repeated strokes, with memory loss, and in women with recurrent miscarriage.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Antiphospholipid Syndrome or Hughes Syndrome was the major medical discovery of the late 20th century; for many it is still deemed a ‘new’ disease. As a result many people are now living with the disease with little knowledge of its causes, effects and available treatments. Many of these patient’s are also struggling to cope with the daily demands posed by living with such an illness. Understanding Hughes Syndrome: case studies for patients, presents 50 case histories, each covered independently to give a comprehensive view of the vast spectrum that is Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Neurological aspects and effects are covered in approximately half the text, with the remainder covering everything from repeated miscarriages to easy bruising. The provision of personal accounts of Antiphospholipid Syndrome makes this book the ultimate companion to people living with the disease; giving not only the facts but also the personal touch that many people need when coming to terms, and dealing, with their condition.   Understanding Hughes Syndrome: case studies for patients is written by Graham R.V. Hughes, MD, FRCP, a world-renowned expert in the field of rheumatology, and as the name suggests discoverer of Hughes or Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Hughes is also the Head of The London Lupus Centre, Founder and Editor of the international journal Lupus, and life president of the lupus patient’s charity ‘Lupus UK’.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st Edition. 2nd Printing. edition (December 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1848003757
• ISBN-13: 978-1848003750
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,460,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Hughes Syndrome, September 17, 2009

By 

Debra Andrews "knitting krazy" (Atkinson, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Understanding Hughes Syndrome: Case Studies for Patients (Paperback)

This book is excellent! As someone who was diagnosed with this syndrome in 2002, I found it very helpful. The information contained in these stories are scary to some extent, but for people who have this, and their family and friends, it is so good to know everything we can to help ourselves and sometimes, our doctors, as well. I am very fortunate in that I have a doctor who specializes in this, also called Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome or Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

This is a very multi-symptom disease and this book tells of so many of them. I highly recommend this book for anyone diagnosed with this syndrome. There is more and more being found out about this syndrome every day. Thank goodness for Dr. Graham Hughes, his research and his very informative books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful book by the doctor who 'discovered' APS!, April 5, 2009

By 

Lindychr - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Hughes Syndrome: Case Studies for Patients (Paperback)

I read the whole thing in one sitting. My daughter has APS, and the experiences she went thru before her diagnosis were frightening and horrifying. We are so very grateful that she wasn't done irreparable harm. I'm glad to see more info coming out about APS and all its different manifestations. This is a great "awareness" book, I think!!