Rheumatic Diseases Books

The Autoimmune Epidemic: Bodies Gone Haywire in a World Out of Balance--and the Cutting-Edge Science that Promises Hope

Donna Jackson Nakazawa

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Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Disorders & Diseases -> Immune Systems

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Autoimmune disease, environment and medicine all in one place 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I am, admittedly, a fan of the book because it tells a powerful story of a neighborhood activism in Buffalo, NY, and I was involved in that story in a small way. But the story of folks with undiagnosed autoimmune disease, how this poor, minority community had the strength of will to ask difficult questions, identify scientific collaborators in the local University, and lead a groundbreaking study of lupus incidence is a lesson that bears repeating all across the US. Along with that chapter, Donna Jackson Nakazawa weaves together impressive scientific review, stories of her personal challenges and why it is relevant for patients all across the US, and clearly states key issues for those wanting to know what they suffer from.

On top of that, she identifies recommendations on health and diet.

A powerful book, because it captures a citizen and journalist describing research, citizen action and health recommendations for this rising tide of unknown diseases, that affect everyone around us.

Why so many MS patients? Why is lupus so hard to diagnose? Why do we only measure asthma and cancer, and not other disease rates? Why do we insist on such a burden of proof of problematic diseases in communities? Jackson Nakazawa identifies and tackles tough science and policy questions in a book that cannot be put down.

Scientists, medical professionals, doctors, researchers, community leaders and members, citizen activists, concerned neighbors. You all should read this book.

Editorial Review:

From the foreword by Dr. Douglas Kerr, Director, Johns Hopkins Transverse Myelitis Center

"The Autoimmune Epidemic by Donna Jackson Nakazawa is an astounding book....It is the kind of book that will rivet you and scare you. It will make you angry. It will amaze you with the courage of some of the people described in the book...The Autoimmune Epidemic is every bit as compelling as Upton Sinclair's The Jungle...It is also every bit as necessary as An Inconvenient Truth....

You will leave this book with no reservations about the veracity of the conclusions: put simply, there is no doubt that autoimmune diseases are on the rise and increasing environmental exposures of toxins and chemicals is fueling this rise. The research is sound. The conclusions unassailable....

Reading The Autoimmune Epidemic is a necessary first step. Reading The Autoimmune Epidemic is a life-altering event. It needs to be."

The New Arthritis Breakthrough: The Only Medical Therapy Clinically Proven to Produce Long-term Improvement and Remission of RA, Lupus, Juvenile RS, Fibromyalgia, ... & Other Inflammatory Forms of Arthritis

Henry Scammell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

I Got My Life Back, Too! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 33 years old. I grew up very healthy and active. In September 2005, I had my second child, a girl. I was 32 years old. During both pregnancies I had hyperemesis gravidarum, which means extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. In October and November of 2005, I had two root canals (I ruined my teeth from vomiting during pregnancy). My immune system was down because I had just had a baby (the immune system lowers as to not reject the fetus), I was getting very little sleep with a newborn, and I had just had two root canals, the perfect entrance for bacteria. In December 2005, the balls of my feet began to ache. By the beginning of January 2006, I knew something was wrong. I did some investigating later and found out I had a great aunt with Scleroderma and three second cousins with RA. There are also a lot of allergies and asthma in my family, indicating a pattern of hypersensitive immune systems. (I always thought I was the lucky one in the family who didn't get allergies. It seems my allergies have just manifested themselves in a different manner.) About a week later, I was in extreme pain and I had read a lot about RA and knew that my symptoms matched. I referred myself to a local rheumatologist. My pain had spread to over 35 joints. I was having trouble lifting my newborn baby, opening jars, turning car keys, fastening infant seats, putting on my 4-year-old's socks, brushing my teeth, washing my hair, etc. I required at least 12 hours of sleep at night, and was still tired during the day. I was very depressed. I would cry every day, usually out of frustration because I could not undo my seat belt or put on my son's socks for school. Everything that I read said this disease was progressive, degenerative and crippling. I could not imagine it getting any worse than it was! I was referred to [...] by other RA patients. I read and read. I contacted my local area contact. I told him I was considering starting Enbrel the following week. He e-mailed back that I had a choice to make. I could give antibiotics a try and possibly go into remission or get significantly better; or I could go on potentially harmful immune suppressors, which would usually eventually wear off and I would have to jump from one drug to the next. And what would happen if I ran out of drugs to try? He said there is hope in AP. With AP, I had the hope of getting better. With the other drugs, I was merely suppressing the symptoms, not getting to the root cause of the illness. I ordered the book The New Arthritis Breakthrough and started posting on the roadback board. It made much more sense than the conventional autoimmune wisdom which stated that: One random day my immune system just up and decided to attack my joints for no reason at all. I finally came to the conclusion that I did not want to just suppress my pain and symptoms. I wanted my life back. I knew that in the past I always tended to get side effects of medications and I thought I would probably be one of the 1% of people who got lymphoma, TB, or severe infection from the biologics. I knew I wanted to be alive to watch my kids grow up. It was not like I was NOT going to be treating my RA; I would be treating my RA with an American College of Rheumatology approved DMARD. I decided to try the antibiotic protocol. It was the best decision I have ever made. Within 1-2 months of being on Zithromax, the depression and fatigue had disappeared. Within 3 months, I felt 60% better. After 10 months, I was 98% back to my normal self. 18 months later, and I have only one finger that will not bend all the way into a fist (it is about an inch away). My rheumatoid factor has dropped from 282 to 28 and my CCP has dropped from it's all-time high of 153 to 55. My sed rate is 1.0 and my CRP is .3. I walk two miles a day. My feet, neck, knees, ankles, and shoulders do not hurt at all! I thank God, Dr. Thomas McPherson Brown, Henry Scammell,and The Road Back Foundation for giving me my life back!

Editorial Review:

...can be miraculous for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.-- Health & Healing, Tomorrow's Medicine Today

The Lupus Recovery Diet: A Natural Approach to Autoimmune Disease That Really Works

Jill Harrington

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Be cautious about how you approach healing your Lupus. 3 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book perhaps three years ago when I was first diagnosed with Lupus. I read it extensively. I have had Lupus for more than a decade now, although I was only diagnosed just before I purchased this book. I am 45 years old, and I can honestly say that good nutrition is pivotal for any healthy body, but that Jill's proposed diet should be viewed with caution. There are indeed some lovely ideas about using whole foods, but here I was, a vegetarian for most of my life, eating a whole foods based diet, as slim as can be, and still searching for ways to amend my already sound eating habits to hopefully embrace remission. I too have Celiac disease and many people with Lupus have other comorbidities. My advice is not to look at this book as the only way to heal. Far more helpful to me (and I was a practicing pharmacist for many years) was to discover a wonderful naturopath. With no Lupus medications, my approach to healing is all about stress control, rest, diet, exercise and supplements. Most importantly, get an allergy screen. The night shades are not good for anyone with Lupus and this is not made clear in the book. After working with my naturopath, and after 30 years, I began to eat wild fish and use fish oil supplements. Last week, after 40 years, and following the Type O diet as elaborated by Dr. Dr D'Adamo, I began to eat grass fed meat. That was the most difficult thing to do and not something that Jill would ever advocate. I avoid the fruits and veggies that are toxic to my blood type and I honesly can say that for the first time in years, I am feeling so much better. My thoughts about Jill's work is that diet is important in helping people with Lupus feel better, but her diet is certainly not for everyone. In fact, eating raw produce even though organic, can be quite dangerous if you are immune-compromized. There are times when people with Lupus need to eat softer cooked foods so as not to stress the gut and avoid possible infections. I would strongly suggest eating according to your blood type, while avoiding allergens after allergy testing. Stay away from alfala and nightshades all together. I know Jill uses nightshades but they are pro-inflammatory. Gluten containing foods are also pro-inflammatory and should be avoided regardless of sensitivities. Certain gluten-free grains are wonderful like quinoa and buckwheat and I do not think Jill favors the use of grains. I think too often in life we grapple with the illusion that one plan fits all. Would it not be so lovely if that held true. I certainly think that Jill has devoted so much of her life's work to helping people with Lupus, but from my own journey, I have begun to understand immunology a whole lot more. Eating foods that do not awaken those auto-anti-bodies might just be another logical approach.

Editorial Review:

The Lupus Recovery Diet is a compilation of stories of people who've overcome autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia through diet and lifestyle changes. The book includes details of the program and delicious recipes.

Peripheral Neuropathy: When the Numbness, Weakness, and Pain Won't Stop (American Academy of Neurology)

Norman Latov

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Helpful 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 7 people found this review helpful.

It was very informative. Author seemed very knowledgeable and credible. I learned new ideas for supplements to help my condition. Easy to read.

Neuropathy Understandable 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Peripheral Neuropathy is a concise, inexpensive volume written in plain English. It will be useful to both neuropathy sufferers and their physicians alike.

Dr. Latov's expertise -- as a clinician, teacher, and a founder of The Neuropathy Association(www,neuropathy.org) -- is well-reflected in the text.

When both the doctor and the patient are able to discuss neuropathy knowledgeably as a result of reading this work, the disease will be better understood and managed

Editorial Review:

Peripheral neuropathy, the variety of conditions that result when the nerves that connect to the brain and spinal cord are damaged or diseased, is commonly associated with diseases such as diabetes, HIV, alcoholism, and lupus. Although widespread — it affects 10–20 million people in the United States — information about the condition has been difficult to obtain. This essential guide explains what is known about peripheral neuropathy, including its causes and manifestations, and what can be done to manage it. Topics include drug therapy for the condition and its symptoms, interventional therapy, alternative medicines, caring for the feet, and much more. This book will enable patients to make informed decisions about their care.

The Lupus Book: A Guide for Patients and Their Families

Daniel J Wallace.

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 36 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Lupus, a disease of the immune system, can be quite deadly, claiming the lives of thousands of patients yearly. Dr. Daniel J. Wallace is one of the world's leading authorities on this disorder, an eminent clinician who has treated over 2000 lupus patients, the largest such practice in America. His The Lupus Book, originally published in 1995, immediately established itself as the most readable and helpful book on the disease.
Now Dr. Wallace has once again completely revised The Lupus Book, incorporating a wealth of new information. This Third Edition discusses the newest breakthroughs in drug treatments and alternative therapies as well as updated information on the immune system--all laid out in user-friendly language that any patient could understand. Readers will discover new blood tests and new drugs introduced since the last edition, an extensive table of herbs that can be used for the disorder, and a large section on cognitive therapy and biofeedback. And as in past editions, the book provides absolutely lucid answers to such questions as: What causes lupus? How and where is the body affected? Can a woman with lupus have a baby? And how can one manage this disease? There is also a glossary of terms and an appendix of lupus resource materials compiled by the Lupus Foundation of America.
Over a million Americans have lupus and some tens of thousands of patients die every year from the disease. The Third Edition of The Lupus Book offers these patients and their families a wealth of reliable, up-to-date information that will help them manage the disease and live a happier life.
DT Endorsed by the Lupus Foundation of America
DT A portion of the proceeds goes to Lupus research

ABC of Asthma, Allergies and Lupus: Eradicate Asthma - Now!

Fereydoon Batmanghelidj

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Yes, it is hard to accept but it has relieved my asthma greatly.. 5 out of 5 stars.
17 of 17 people found this review helpful.

After a lifetime of being told that salt is bad for me, I finally let go and started to use celtic sea salt liberally (as prescribed in the book). At first I only drank the water, but adding the salt completely maximized my progress. At 4 separate times this past weekend, I stopped my own asthma attacks at each onset. It took me about 7-10 minutes each time. It took alot for me not to use my inhaler, and to just give the water & salt a chance to work. I am extremely grateful and rather emotional about it, since I thought I would be on my proventil inhaler for the rest of my life. The inhaler has caused a number of side effects, and I am now planning a detox to remove the residue of this drug from my body, which I've been dependent on for more than 27 years. And I've only been doing this seriously for 2 weeks, (and getting better with each day). I thank "Dr.B" for giving me my health back (along with hundreds of others whose testimonials I've read on the www.watercure2.com site). These are the same testimonials I was so compelled to read again and again, because I just could not believe and accept that something so simple could cure this disease that left me so weak and scared about the future of my health. Not to mention, very likely preventing other diseases I would be on the road towards. I suppose this is my own testimonial, because it really happened, and I hope that readers searching for an answer will forget their fears (that it won't work) and try it. Yes, it is still hard even for me to believe...even though it continues to work for me. But I do know for sure that I will never stop Dr.B's water & salt prescription. I will say this - if you want your health back, just take it back by taking action.

Editorial Review:

This book introduces a new discovery that unintentional dehydration causes many painful, degenerative diseases. It explains the direct relationship between water deficiency in the body and allergies, asthma and lupus.

You will learn:

-How to prevent and cure childhood asthma without medication
-How to recognize the signs of an imminent asthma attack
-How to identify chronic dehydration in your body
-Compelling stories of naturally cured asthma
-Answers to the most frequently asked questions about asthma and allergies
-Why medically treated asthma can lead to genetic damage
-How to prevent and treat lupus naturally

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Autoimmune Disorders: The Revolutionary, Drug-Free Treatments for Thyroid Disease, Lupus, MS, IBD, Chronic Fatigue; Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Other Diseases

Stephen B. Edelson, Deborah Mitchell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Excellent book 5 out of 5 stars.
37 of 41 people found this review helpful.

Don't let the previous review scare you. The quackwatch guys are the quacks themselves. Barrett, who heads up the quackwatch "research", is not a board certified doctor of anything and has been sued a bunch of times. The book itself is excellent and describes a treatment protocol that works. This protocol brought me back from near death when no local doctor could even figure out what was wrong with me. The protocol has also significantly helped our son who has autism. The "best" specialists told us there was no treatment for our son's autism and he would be permanently institutionalized by the age of 7. However, like many autism kids doing biomedical treatments, including those listed in this book, he has almost recovered. He's now 8 and attends a regular school where he performs on grade level. The treatments in this book work. It's definately worth a look.

Editorial Review:

Autoimmune disorders are not well understood and therefore difficult to treat. The result is that there are millions of Americans who are suffering because they aren't being diagnosed properly, or getting the correct medical treatment they need. Here, Dr. Edelson discusses the most common types of autoimmune diseases, including lupus, Chron's disease, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome, outlining their symptoms, causes, and risk factors. He describes his own revolutionary program for treating the root of all autoimmune disorders-without drugs-providing readers with new hope for getting back on the road to better health.

The New Sjogren's Syndrome Handbook (Sjogrens Syndrome Foundation)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Afflicting nearly four million Americans, Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that commonly causes dryness of the eyes, mouth, and nose, and that can lead to complications including profound fatigue, depression, and lymphoma. While there is no cure for Sjogren's, much can be done to alleviate the suffering of patients. This extensively revised handbook offers everything you need to know to cope with this disease.
The New Sjogren's Syndrome Handbook, Third Edition is a comprehensive and authoritative guide, produced by the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation and its medical advisors and edited by physician Daniel J. Wallace, a leading authority on auto-immune disorders. This expanded edition provides readers with the best medical and practical information on this disorder, bringing together the current thinking about Sjogren's in an easily readable and understandable book. The handbook illuminates the major clinical aspects of the syndrome and is loaded with practical tips and advice to assist those seeking information. Indeed, it offers a wide-ranging look at the many faces of Sjogren's, covering diagnosis, the various organ systems that can be affected, the possible psychological problems, and the many treatment options, as well as an appendix listing the resources available for patients with the disease. It is a valuable aid that patients can use while discussing their illness with their physician and an excellent resource for family members. And because Sjogren's is greatly underdiagnosed, this handbook is a particularly valuable resource for healthcare professionals.
The most reliable and informative guide available, The New Sjogren's Syndrome Handbook, Third Edition is the first place for patients to look when they have questions about this little known but serious chronic disease.

Lupus: Alternative Therapies That Work

Sharon Moore

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

A comprehensive guide to noninvasive, nontoxic therapies for lupus--written by a lupus survivor.

• The only book to focus on alternative therapies for lupus.

• Includes therapeutic approaches drawn from the fields of naturopathic medicine, nutritional medicine, environmental medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, nontoxic dentistry, energy medicine, and psychological healing.

• Lupus affects more than four million Americans and does not respond well to conventional treatments.

More than four million Americans (90 percent of them women) have been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic, debilitating disease of the autoimmune system that manifests itself with extreme fatigue, arthritic pain, rashes, and a host of other symptoms. Add to that the fact that lupus is notoriously difficult to diagnose, and the number of potential sufferers grows. Sharon Moore lived with lupus for several years before doctors finally put a name to it. The only therapies offered to her were pharmaceuticals--toxic drugs that could control or suppress some of her symptoms but couldn't cure her disease. Dissatisfied with this approach, she set about researching alternative treatments for her condition. Nine years later her health is greatly improved, and she has written this book to share the most effective natural healing techniques with other lupus sufferers.

Chock full of specific, scientific, well-documented evidence on effective alternative treatments, this book is a godsend for anyone suffering from lupus. Moore provides a comprehensive diagnostic checklist and helps readers identify the possible causes of their illness, from environmental toxins and dental amalgam fillings to compromised liver function and poor nutrition. She offers ways to nurture the mind and spirit when living with chronic disease and shows readers how they can rebuild their lives. Equally important, she writes with the understanding of someone who's been there. 

The First Year--Lupus: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed

Nancy C. Hanger

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Lupus affects an estimated 1.5 million people in the U.S.—90 percent of whom are women—but due to the diversity of its symptoms and severity, it remains one of the most difficult conditions to identify and diagnose. In the tradition of the other titles in the First Year™ series, The First Year™—Lupus uses a unique approach—guiding readers through their first seven days following diagnosis, then the next three weeks of their first month, and finally the next eleven months of their first year—to provide answers and advice that will help everyone newly diagnosed with lupus come to terms with their condition and the lifestyle changes that accompany it. Starting with the day of diagnosis, Hanger provides vital information about the nature of lupus, choosing the right doctors, treatment options, coping mechanisms, holistic alternatives, and much more. The First Year™—Lupus will be a supportive and educational resource for everyone who wants to take an active role in the management of their condition. Although Lupus is not preventable or curable, this illustrated book explains how symptoms can be treated through prescription medications and self-management strategies.