Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Guide for Patients and Families (Paperback)

~ M.D. Hiroshi Mitsumoto (Author), M.D. Theodore L. Munsat (Author) "With those words, Lou Gehrig announced his retirement from the New York Yankees on July 4, 1939, at the age of 36, ending one of..." (more)
Key Phrases: wheelchair system, antitip devices, anryotrophic lateral sclerosis, New York, United States, Muscular Dystrophy Association (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...serve(s) as a useful introduction to clinicians...dealing with ALS...as well as a guide to patients and families." -- Physical Therapy, January 2002

You couldn't ask for a more comprehensive (book) than this latest volume from Demos. -- Quest, Vol. 8, No. 4, 2001

Product Description

Approximately 10,000 individuals are diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) each year. Although there have been major advances in understanding the underlying pathology of ALS, for most patients the clinical outcome is fatal. However, a great deal can be done to treat the symptoms of ALS, to improve the patient's quality of life and to help caregivers and families to cope with the disease. This new and extensively revised guide covers every aspect of living with ALS. There are discussions of:
Classifications and clinical features of the disease; Diagnosis; Patient care; Therapeutic trials; Unorthodox treatments; Speech problems; Physical therapy; Nutrition; Environmental adaptations; Ventilatory care; Nursing care; Long-term care; Financial resources; Role of support groups Rounding out this comprehensive review are sections that deal with hospice care, life support systems, legal, ethical, psychosocial and spiritual aspects of dealing with the disease, and the role of the National Voluntary Health Agency in dealing with all aspects of the disease.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 470 pages
• Publisher: Demos Health; 2nd edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888799285
• ISBN-13: 978-1888799286
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #747,298 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for newly diagnosed and families., May 16, 2003

By	S. Hansen (Tucson, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My mother was diagnosed with ALS in January 2001. Unfortunately, it took me 4 months as "Buyer Waiting" to obtain a copy of this book. By the time I received the book, my family and I already felt besieged by the challenges of rapidly advancing bulbar ALS. While I cannot speak for what this book might mean for the ALS patient, I can attest for what it has meant to me as caretaker. As such, I found my time and attention limited to each immediate crisis at hand. Fortunately, the book is arranged in such a way that you can skip around--reading whichever chapter or chapter portion pertains to your current dilemma. Sadly, I lost my Mom on Easter Sunday 2003. Probably, I only read 50 percent of this book before her passing--but that 50% did help me navigate the turbulent challenges of this disease and connect emotionally with my mother on a level that otherwise might not have been possible once she lost her ability to communicate. While this book is not an end-all resource within itself, it is a good place to start for the newly initiated.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, January 1, 2006

By	Aman Bawa - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I used this book religiously before my dad passed away from complications due to ALS last July. The book was very helpful to understand what was happening and what was coming. As depressing as it all is, it was better to understand the situation so I could do all I could to help my loved one. I was just looking at my copy the other day and the amount of highlighting in it and stickies hanging out of it reminded me of how used the book was.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a 5, January 26, 2004

By	"als_daddys_girl" (Franksville, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This book has helped our family tremendously with understanding what is occuring and how to stay ahead of the game dealing with ALS.

Ideas shared in the book are practical and helpful.

A good read for families dealing with ALS...especially care givers.