Hives: The Road to Diagnosis and Treatment of Urticaria (Paperback)

~ (Author) "My interest in hives began with a personal experience..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A practical guide to deciphering the myriad triggers of chronic hives, written for the patient and for health care professionals." -- David L. Goodman, M.D. October 1, 2003

"As a health care professional, this book should be your choice if you want an organized method to evaluate patients." -- Richard G. Asarch, M.D., September 1, 2003

Dr. Wanderer has provided an excellent, time-saving, on the spot reference for urticaria (hives) in a reader-friendly format." -- Donna Whitman, PA-C, October 15, 2003

Product Description

It is estimated that one out of five persons in the United States experiences at least one episode of hives in their lifetime. That is approximately sixty million people in the U.S., almost twice the population of California. Even if the actual number is over-estimated by fifty percent because of inaccurate diagnosis, thirty million remains an impressive number. Approximately five to ten percent of these patients may experience symptoms from six weeks up to two years or longer. This suggests that 1.5 to 3 million individuals in the U.S experience chronic hives.

There is a paucity of materials to assist health care professionals (HCP) and patients on these conditions.There is in fact no existing publication, past or present, that provides the practical approach discussed in this book for the evaluation and treatment of these conditions. The book will appeal to patients who are desirous of a self-help approach and to HCPs who need time-saving guidance to organize and standardize the evaluation of these conditions.

Many of the common questions that are asked by patients are answered in this book. It is our experience that addressing the following questions allays anxiety that patients experience and will improve their understanding as to why their symptoms are sometimes not diagnosed or brought under control.
•What are urticaria and angioedema?
•Why is it difficult to find the cause of urticaria and/or angioedema?
•Is there a common mechanism that causes urticaria and/or angioedema?
•Why do urticaria and/or angioedema remain only for a short time in some individuals, while other patients experience symptoms for longer periods, sometimes months or years?
•Can the duration of symptoms be predicted for chronic urticaria and/or angioedema?
•Why aren’t antihistamines completely effective in treating urticaria and/or angioedema?
•How can you determine whether a food, food additives, dyes, preservatives, or undetected allergens are causing urticaria and/or angioedema?
•Do psychological factors play a role in causing urticaria and/or angioedema?

This book is very different than existing medical textbooks as it distills the information from a variety of scientific sources to a level that is understandable for patients and for health care professionals, who may not be familiar with these complex conditions.

This book provides time saving tools to gather information efficiently from patients. Key sections may be reproduced for use with multiple patients. The book organizes and standardizes the evaluation and treatment process and encourages a cooperative approach between HCPs and patients that improves outcomes. It can be used by:

•Health care professionals (HCPs) who can advise their patients to complete a workbook section. Based upon the workbook information, the HCPs can utilize a numeric algorithm to guide them to discussion(s) of possible diagnostic possibilities, laboratory test considerations and treatment recommendations. •Patients, who believe they have hives or swelling, can complete the workbook section. This is shared with the health care professional, who can use the information to consider diagnostic possibilities, laboratory considerations and treatment recommendations.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: AnsonPublishing, LLC; Workbook edition (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972794808
• ISBN-13: 978-0972794800
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #201,924 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Hives, February 24, 2004

By	Harry Ward (Island Park, Idaho USA) - See all my reviews

I have been battling hives for several months. Dr. Wanderer was the third Dr. I encountered in an attempt to rid myself of this problem. On my first visit with Dr. Wanderer, he recommended a thorough series of testing to try and determine the cause of my outbreak of hives. During our interview time, it was apparent to Dr. Wanderer that I was in need of information on my illness. He suggested I read a book that he had written on the diagnosis and treatment of hives. I would encourage anyone who might have a bout with hives to get this book! It has helped me immensely with the understanding of the illness and more importantly, the diagnosis and treatments. I am still in treatment but I'm doing better and I've stayed the course of treatment ONLY because I have the book to go to for guidance and understanding. I'm hopeful of a positive outcome for my illness now because I have this book for reference. I would not have progressed to this point of recovery if not for the book Dr. Wanderer has published for us! It has given me strength daily!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very welcome book, January 21, 2004

By	Carol Sadler "sadlersweb" (U.K.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Speaking as a sufferer of chronic urticaria for ten years, I cannot recommend this book too highly for anyone with chronic hives, and their carers/family/doctors. While most doctors are familiar with acute hives, chronic hives are more difficult to diagnose and treat. Sufferers often go from doctor to doctor seeking answers, or try endless expensive "alternative" treatments to no avail. It is a miserable and frustrating condition, and for some, it can be life-threatening. The book has a unique workbook section for the sufferer to complete and take to their doctor, which I feel is a valuable and useful idea, and the book itself is full of factual information about urticaria. Every doctor should have it on their bookshelf, as far as I'm concerned. This book is very welcome and there are no others like it, to my knowledge. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hives: The Road to Diagnosis and Treatment of Urticaria, February 9, 2004

By	Vicki L. Parks (Lakewood, CO United States) - See all my reviews

I have recently developed problems with swelling, particularly in my face, together with hives, but after a visit to see Dr. Alan Wanderer for some guidance, I purchased his book for basic information and direction. It was very helpful to learn some of the causes/reasons for swelling and hives (book has pictures of both). It helped me know I am not alone with this malady and not to feel so overwhelmed by it. I sincerely recommend Dr. Wanderer's book to anyone who experiences problems with swelling and/or hives, as it will help give you some basis in discovering sources and finding possible solutions to the problems.