Multiple Sclerosis: Questions and Answers (Questions & Answers) (Paperback)

by David Barnes (Author), Ian McDonald (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This up-to-date and comprehensive publication is aimed at clinicians, patients and carers who require the most recent information available on Multiple Sclerosis. Setting the standard for books on MS, the contents includes answers to: Is MS a virus? Is it contagious? Can MS be passed to children? What age groups are affected? What are the symptoms? How is MS treated? Is it hard to diagnose? Is there a cure? What are the "alternative" therapies?

About the Author
Dr. David Barnes is a leading Neurologist at Atkinson Morley's Hospital in London. He has been published many times in the past and his research into MS is highly valued by the pharmaceutical industry.

The Foreword to the book has been written by the eminent clinican, Professor Ian McDonald of the Royal College of Physicians, in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Merit Publishing International (January 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1873413866
• ISBN-13: 978-1873413869
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,205,194 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very clinical, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

A very in depth book but I felt it used to many technical words and wasn't written for the average patient, more for doctors.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Multiple Sclerosis: Questions and Answers, January 31, 2001

By	"jmjahp5" (Oak Park, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This is one of the most informative books on the diagnosis and treatment of MS that I've read. It takes some careful reading for the lay person because it explains in some detail how and why certain tests are performed and included in the diagnositic process. This book is very helpful for the person who has a probable or definite diagnosis of MS and has an inquiring mind. ~MP

5.0 out of 5 stars Answering adequately your questions about Multiple Sclerosis, April 29, 2006

By	Stephen Pletko "Uncle Stevie" (London, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

+++++

This is a concise but comprehensive book by consultant Neurologist Dr. David Barnes that gives crucial information about the disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Barnes states the aim of his book:

"To provide a brief outline of the nature of MS and how it is likely to affect individuals both short- and long-term, a rational approach to its diagnosis, and an overview of symptomatic and other management strategies."

Who is this book meant for? Again, Barnes answers:

"Family and General Practitioners, residents, junior neurologists, interns, medical students, and carers with a specific interest, as well as informed patients."

In my case, I'm just a person who wanted to know more about MS and this book definitely delivered.

Each of these book's chapters is headed with what constitutes the chapter. Then a series of questions that relate to the heading act as sub-headings. (Note that some chapter headings are posed as questions.) It is the answering of these questions that make up the main narrative of each chapter. For example, one chapter is laid out as follows:

The diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (chapter heading or title)
1. What are the principles involved in making a diagnosis of MS? (sub-heading or sub-title)
2. What investigations might be helpful? (sub-heading)
3. What other tests might be needed? (sub-heading)

Having this book structured in this way makes it very easy to read since you are given a concise but adequate answer to each question. As well, you can pick and choose which questions you want to have answered.

The other chapter heading are as follows: (1) Definition and historical aspects (2) Epidemiology and etiology (3) The pathological evolution of the lesion (4) The role of MRI in MS (5) The clinical patterns of MS (6) The clinical manifestations of MS (7) The prognosis of clinically isolated syndromes and MS (8) What can be done about the symptoms of MS? (9) What is the value of steroids in MS? (10) Can anything make a difference to the natural history of MS?

More than fifty questions are answered with respect to MS.

There are photographs or diagrams or tables or graphs that accompany some answers. I found all of these interesting.

Finally, the only problem some readers may have is that there is some technical terminology. Barnes does not stop and define and explain each term. Actually, this is a good thing because if he did, this book would easily be five or more times greater in length. Thus, I would recommend having access to a basic medical dictionary when reading this book.

In conclusion, this is the book to get if you want your questions about Multiple Sclerosis adequately answered!!

(first published 2000; forward; introduction; 11 chapters; main narrative 115 pages; references)

+++++