We all forget things but when does it become a concern? In Joan Carson Breitung’s book Forgetting: when to worry, what to do, discusses the difference between “normal” forgetfulness and what may have a more serious underlying cause. Aspects of cognitive change is discussed with a focus on the elderly.

Most of us would like to change some part of our body but in general our feelings do not lead to the serious health condition called Body Dismorphic Disorder which causes an unrealistic preoccupation with what is a perceived fault. Overcoming body image problems including body dismorphic disorder: a self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques by Peter Breggin explains the disorder and gives advice as to how cognitive therapy can assist.

Anti-cancer: a new way of life by David Kessler looks at ways to make small changes in lifestyle and diet to assist your body to prevent cancer. He covers aspects including stress reduction, the importance of a positive attitude, healthy eating and physical exercise.

Read these books and others about exercise anatomy, sports Pilates and psoriasis in this month’s Health Recent Picks.

For an increasing number of people, bread is a food that must be avoided to prevent health problems, from the mild to the severe. Gluten-intolerant physician Stephen Wangen has written Healthier without wheat: a new understanding of wheat allergies, Celiac Disease, and non-Celiac gluten intolerance from two angles – the medical and the personal. He discusses the difference between the conditions, highlights the importance of correct diagnosis and most importantly advises on what to do if symptoms are not improving.

David Kessler is a former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and his book The end of over-eating: taking control of the insatiable American appetite takes an in-depth look at the ways in which we have been conditioned to over-eat. Through research, personal stories and the examination of specific foods he explains how the desire to eat is stimulated in the brain by salt, fat and sugar.

Read more about these books and others for example the use of OCD, psychiatric drugs, how God changes the brain, shock treatment and Reiki in this month’s Recent Health Picks.

This month’s new health books cover a wide range of issues looking at clinical, psychological and scientific aspects.

One in nine New Zealand women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and author Alison Renfrew has written Cover your breasts to share her experiences with them. Advice and guidance is given about the initial diagnosis, the treatment process as well as covering psychological and financial aspects. She also focuses on life after cancer and assessing what is important.

I’m still here : a breakthrough approach to understanding someone living with Alzheimer’s by John Zeisel looks at physical symptoms and disease progression as well as the relationships between the Alzheimer’s sufferer and their carers. Practical advice about the physical layout of the home is also covered.

Joanna Moncrieff’s book The myth of the chemical cure : a critique of psychiatric treatment disputes what is generally seen as accepted medical prescribing. Her premise is that pyschiatric drugs create “abnormal brain states” rather than correcting chemical imbalances and this is harmful for those using this medication.

Read more about these titles, plus other new books on in-vitro fertilisation, bed-wetting, adrenal fatigue and Asperger’s syndrome via the latest Health Recent Picks.

In today’s society we work hard to make ourselves and our homes dirt and germ free. But is this good for our health? Mary Ruebush’s book Why dirt is good : 5 ways to make germs your friends says it is not. She discusses this dilemma in a light-hearted way with scientific evidence to back up her claims and challenges us to think about our obsession for cleanliness.

Can we lose weight by writing? – author Julia Cameron noticed a reduction in a number of her students’ weight when doing a class in creative writing. Her findings are in The writing diet : write yourself right-size.  What is the connection?  Could this help you lose weight?

Is someone watching us? Modern day society has the ability to follow our movements through technology but when does this become sinister in some minds. Paranoia : the 21st century fear outlines the prevalence of paranoia, the effect it can have on some people’s well-being and discusses ways to deal with paranoid thoughts.

Read more about these titles, plus new books on kidney failure, heart disease, arthritis and dementia via this month’s Recent Health Picks.

Long-term health conditions can have a profound affect on our physical and psychological well-being. This month’s new additions to our catalogue highlight a variety of long-term conditions and provides current advice and information specifically aimed at non-health professionals.  For example:
Autism : a short introduction. Causes and symptoms are discussed and the author provides the answer to two very interesting questions – “Why is autism becoming more common?” and “Are we all a little bit autistic?”.
The myth of Alzheimers – what you aren’t being told about today’s most dreaded diagnosis. Dr. Peter Whitehouse reviews and questions the conventional understanding and treatment of both Alzheimer’s disease and the brain’s aging process.
Stronger after stroke – your road map to recovery. This book presents advice on all the stages and aspects of rehabilitation and is targeted to stroke survivors and their care-givers. It has been shown that stroke survivors can aid recovery by using the same techniques that we all use to master any new task.
Read more about these titles, plus new books on influenza, lupus, candida and other topics, via the latest Health Recent Picks.

Our new health books cover art therapy, health after 50, overweight children, walking chi kung and more.

Our new Health recent picks feature whole foods, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, bird flu, ancient herbs, immune systems, asthma… we’ve a wealth of information!

Our Health recent picks for May include books on menopause, Chi gung and IBS. Jonathan Kaplan’s new book Contact wounds, on his experiences as a war surgeon, is particularly recommended. According to Amazon.com, “As a volunteer surgeon in Baghdad, he treated civilian casualties amid gunfights for control of hospitals, gangs of AK-47 wielding looters stripping pharmacies, and militant Shi’a groups harassing doctors out of operating rooms.”