Health Recent Picks

March 2009

The underlined title links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

Why dirt is good : 5 ways to make germs your friends, by Mary Ruebush. (c2009)
"The archetypal link between dirt and guilt, and cleanliness and innocence is built into our language," says journalist Katherine Ashenburg. But Dr. Mary Ruebush counters that with the fact that Western civilization's obsession with antibacterial soaps and our quest to be clean all the time is actually making us sick. Why Dirt is Good is a fun look at the plus side of dirt and germs. Complete with cartoons, the book features irreverant yet medically sound advice that illustrates how we can become healthier by exposing ourselves to a bit of dirt and germs. Divided into four parts, the book will explore through text and cartoons: Part 1:Dirt = good, antibiotics = bad; Part 2:How your immune system really works; How the immune system develops in children; Part 3: What a germ or bug is trying to do to prolong its life in the presence of antibacterials and antibiotics Part 4: What you can do to make your immune system healthier" (Amazon)

Knee surgery : the essential guide to total knee recovery , by Daniel Fulham O'Neill. (2008)
"Millions of people have knee surgery each year, and in the years to comenbsp;millions more will head to the O.R. Chances are, you or someone you know has had or will undergo knee surgery.nbsp; Busy doctors, therapists, and athletic trainers have limited time to spend on quality physical and mental rehabilitation education, yet this is the key to full recovery.Written by renowned knee surgeon and Sport Psychologist Daniel F. ONeill, M.D., Ed.D., this comprehensive and accessible guidenbsp;presents what youll want and need the most after knee surgery: a scientifically-based recovery program you can understand that will get you back to work and sports as quickly as possible.In this age of same-day surgery and do-it-yourself health, Knee Surgery presents an easy-to-do, well-illustrated program of movement for knee rehabilitation - with a special focus on the mind/body connection - and describes the physical and mental rehabilitation process in complete detail, providing all the guidance you need to decrease pain and increase fitness after knee surgery." (Global Books in Print)

The writing diet : write yourself right-size, by Julia Cameron. (c2007)
"... "I'm a creativity expert, not a diet expert. So why am I writing a book about weight loss? Because I have accidentally stumbled upon a weight-loss secret that works. For twenty-five years I've taught creative unblocking, a twelve-week process based on my book" The Artist's Way. "From the front of the classroom I've seen lives transformed-and, to my astonishment, bodies transformed as well. It took me a while to recognize what wasgoing on, but sure enough, students who began the course on the plump side ended up visibly leaner and more fit. What's going on here? I asked myself. Was it my imagination, or was there truly a "before" and an "after"? There was!" "- (Julia Cameron from "The Writing Diet")

America Anonymous : eight addicts in search of a life, by Benoit Denizet-Lewis. (2009)
"The unforgettable story of eight men and women from around the country - including a grandmother, a college student, a bodybuilder, and a housewife -struggling with addictions. For nearly three years, journalist Benoit Denizet-Lewis immersed himself in their lives as they battled drug and alcohol abuse, overeating, and compulsive gambling and sexuality. Alternating with their stories is Denizet-Lewis's candid account of his own recovery from sexual addiction and his examination of our culture of addiction, where we obsessively search for new and innovative ways to escape the reality of the present moment and make ourselves feel "better." " (Publisher Description)

Diagnosis mercury : money, politics, and poison, by Jane M. Hightower. (c2009)
"When Dr. Jane Hightower walked into her exam room one morning in 2000, she wasn't expecting to become embroiled in a political firestorm. She saw a new patient who complained of nausea, fatigue, and trouble concentrating, but a battery of tests revealed no apparent cause. Then a chance encounter led to one more test, and a surprising diagnosis: mercury poisoning." "It was a revelation that would propel Dr. Hightower into the fight of her life, pitting her against powerful industries, departments of her own government, and parts of the medical establishment. It also led her to the sobering realization that the incident was far from isolated. Several of her other patients - and many others around the world - were being harmed by high levels of mercury found in certain seafood." "In Diagnosis: Mercury, Dr. Hightower retraces her investigation into the current prevalence of mercury poisoning, revealing how political calculations, dubious studies, and industry lobbyists endanger our health." (Book Jacket)

Paranoia : the 21st century fear, by Daniel Freeman and Jason Freeman. (2008)
"... Until recently, no one suspected just how common paranoia was. But new research suggests that around a quarter of us have regular paranoid thoughts, and probably lots more have them occasionally. Paranoia is so prevalent that there's a very good chance that all of us will, at some point in our lives, be among the 25%. Yet, although paranoia is as common as depression or anxiety, most of us know almost nothing about it. What is paranoia? What causes it? Are some people more prone to paranoia than others? Are we more paranoid now than we used to be? How should we deal with our paranoid thoughts? And how can we reduce the amount of paranoia in our society? Co-written by one of the world's leading psychologists of paranoia, and drawing on the latest scientific research, this book answers these key questions, highlighting for the first time the central role of paranoia in our world today." (Global Books in Print.)

Kidney failure explained : everything you always wanted to know about dialysis and kidney transplants but were afraid to ask, by Andy Stein and Janet Wild. (2008)
"30,000 people in the UK today are on treatment for chronic kidney failure. But up until now there hasn't been a complete reference manual that tells people everything they need to know about their condition. Kidney Failure Explained answers all the questions that people with a kidney condition want to ask, including those questions that they may be embarrassed about asking their GP. It also shows the importance of recognising the psychological issues involved, from initial reactions to being diagnosed with kidney failure, to the stresses faced by kidney patients and also, strategies for coping." (Amazon)

Loving your heart : learn how to recognise your risk factors and reduce your chances of having a heart attack, by Angela Peris. (c2008)

The health guide to arthritis : professional advice on managing pain, choosing the right treatment and leading an active lifestyle , by Carol Eustice and Scott J. Zashin. (c2007)

It's never too late to change your mind : the latest medical thinking on what you can do to avoid dementia, by Michael J. Valenzuela. (2009)

Traditional Chinese medicine, by Liao Yuqun ; translated by Li Zhaoguo etc. (2006)

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