Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide to Hepatitis and Liver Disease: What You Need to Know (Paperback)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Palmer, a nationally recognized hepatologist, provides plainly written medical information explaining how the liver is integral to every aspect of daily functioning and well-being. She divides her text into four logical units: "The Basics," "Understanding and Treating Viral Hepatitis," "Understanding and Treating Other Liver Diseases," and "Treatment Options and Lifestyle Changes." Common misconceptions about this extraordinarily complex organ are dispelled; liver diseases are examined from symptoms through diagnosis and up-to-date therapeutics. Palmer advises on finding a doctor and getting the latest information on liver disease from the Internet, MEDLINE, and the medical literature. (The author maintains the popular website liverdisease.com.) She also covers drugs, diet and nutrition, alternative therapies, surgery and transplantation, the liver in pregnancy, and living with an imperfectly functioning liver. Palmer's impressive work is truly encyclopedic. Highly recommended.
-James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Illnesses of the liver are misunderstood by doctors and patients alike. In this book, liver specialist Melissa Palmer, MD helps people who have been diagnosed with liver diseases understand their diagnosis, evaluate their treatment options, and make healthy changes to their diet and lifestyle. In lay language, she explains a variety of liver conditions, demystifies liver biopsies, examines transplants and alternative therapies, and helps readers choose the right doctor.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: Avery
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895299224
• ISBN-13: 978-0895299222
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #170,911 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases > Hepatitis
  #49 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases > Abdominal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

114 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book review, November 29, 1999

By	Robert Scolnick M.D. (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide to Hepatitis and Liver Disease What You Need to Know will undoubtedly become a Bible to liver sufferers. In this superbly written book we come to understand a silent epidemic and the horrible toll it can exact on its victims and their families. The book is very easy to read and attacks liver disease in a step by step approach in which the valuable nuggets of information will be easily digested. The book covers a wide array of topics starting with what to do when you are diagnosed with liver disease. The book depicts the many manifestations of liver disease and the signs and symptoms which accompany it. The next step is what to do when you find out that you have a liver problem which includes picking the best liver specialist. The laboratory tests and diagnostic liver procedures are explained so that the reader will have a good comprehension of what it all means. Numerous chapters are dedicated to the various types of hepatitis including viral, alcoholic, and autoimmune. Cirrhosis is also a target of intense discussion not to mention the various types of benign and malignant liver tumors. There are a number of chapters which discuss treatment plans and the arsenal of drugs which are presently available along with their side effects. Frankly discussed are the alternative therapies and herbal medicines. The last few chapters are devoted to the practical aspects of liver disease and how best to live your life. Diet and nutrition as well as exercise and lifestyle changes are critical to a favorable outcome to those with liver disease. Discussed are the nutritional aspects of liver disease with regard to the optimal intake of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Sex, Pregnancy and the prevention of transmission of hepatitis also brought to light. Questions like, " Can I contract hepatitis through sex ?" and "Can I pass hepatitis to my unborn child?" are dealt with. The book debunks many of the myths out there with simplicity and science. On a final note as a physician I was gratified to learn that people with liver disease are not given a death sentence rather the outlook for them is more promising that ever.

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patient or family member, THIS IS -What you need to know-, January 7, 2000

By A Customer

If you read only one book on this subject, let this be it. It is style is concise, and very informative and easy to read, even for a layman. Dr. Palmer surely has experienced this subject since she virtually reads the patient's (and family member's) minds. She presents this frighinting subject with a calm voice. The section on Choosing the Right Doctor lists sources of information and questions to ask of the practioner. Give your self some sense of control. Reading this book is a first step.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Dr. Palmer's Guide to Hepatitis and Liver Disease, May 24, 2004

By	Robert Scolnick M.D. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide To Hepatitis and Liver Disease (Paperback)

The much anticipated 2nd edition of " Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide to Hepatitis and Liver Disease" hits an out of the park home run. In the five years since the first publication much new and vital information will enable its readers to digest the new drugs and treatment options which will be available to them. This edition will shed important new light on the latest findings worldwide to enable people with all types of liver disease to better understand their liver ailment and learn how best to deal with this chronic disorder.
This book was specifically written for sufferers of liver disease, their family members, as well as the healthcare professionals to whom their patients lives are entrusted. This book will serve as an extraordinary reference to those afflicted with liver disease and hepatitis to become knowledgeable about their particular illness and how best to seek out the appropriate treatment.
I feel that the beauty of this book lies in its simple folksy way the patient narrative
describes their own ailment and then goes on to describe the roadmap to diagnosis
and treatment options. This is done through explaining lab tests and liver biopsies results which the patient will have performed. Dr. Palmer dedicates a chapter to finding the best physician to participate in in your care and recovery.
The book also covers many frequently asked questions by patients which include the standard treatment options and their common side effects. The book also broaches
how the potentially adverse side effects of therapy can be minimized giving a much improved quality of life. A good number of pages are dedicated to nutrition, herbal remedies, and in extreme cases, liver transplantation
My prediction is that this book will be a bible to liver sufferers and enable them to live healthier and more vital lives .