What's your worst nightmare as a doctor? Missing a life-threatening condition must be among the biggest fears for health professionals. But sometimes the clue to the diagnosis lies in just a single symptom.

"Alarm Bells in Medicine" brings you up to speed on recognising the symptoms of serious illnesses. Internationally renowned authors list the most crucial presenting symptoms in their own specialties that should ring the alarm bells for you. They provide clear information on diagnosis and action. Organised under the relevant specialties, the information is quick and easy to find.

Since patients disclose alarm symptoms in all clinical settings, this book is as relevant for consultants as it is for GPs, as useful for junior doctors as it is for medical students.

Special Features of this book:
Answers the express need of doctors to avoid making diagnostic errors
Each chapter is written by a leading expert in the field
Concise and easy to use

Bile acids are increasingly being seen as extremely important carcinogenic agents in cancers of the bile duct, liver, colon, rectum, and oesophagus. They are essential agents involved in lipid digestion and absorption in mammals, however, they also play wide-ranging roles in a variety of disease states ranging from diabetes to cancer. They have evolved exquisite mechanisms for controlling their own synthesis and to ensure that they are produced at correct concentrations and also kept in the correct anatomical environment. It is only when these fine levels of controls are breached that Bile acids become associated with disease. This breaching of control mechanisms can occur through dietary means (e.g. in obesity) whereby excessive levels of Bile acids are produced and converted (via the bacterial flora) to damaging secondary Bile acids. Furthermore, lack of re-absorption of Bile acids can lead to liver pathologies. The atypical movement of Bile acids into the oesophagus, stimulated by episodes of reflux, is linked to oesophageal cancer. In recent years there have been tremendous advances in the understanding of the mechanisms behind the toxicity and bioactivity of different Bile acids and these are covered at length in this book. Prior to the publication of this book there was no single source of information on the toxicology and bioactivity properties of Bile acids. The book also uniquely collects all the relevant information together regarding the role of Bile acids in human disease and the mechanisms underlying Bile acid induced pathology. Additionally, as Bile acids are synthesised from cholesterol, there is wide recognition of the role for Bile acids in obesity linked diseases and this is also covered in this new publication. The book is edited by two experts in the field who have been involved in Bile acid research for several years and who are closely involved with major research groups in the UK, Europe and the US actively engaged in Bile acid research. The Editors have brought together world experts in their own fields to discuss the contribution of Bile acids to various disease pathologies, as well as discussing the mechanisms behind their activity. The book details the plethora of biological activities of this fascinating group of naturally occurring chemicals and provides a one-stop reference for scientists wishing to gain a fuller understanding of Bile acid activity and function.

This book offers an introduction to the newest, fastest-growing field in laboratory science. Explaining and clarifying the molecular techniques used in diagnostic testing, this text provides both entry-level and advanced information. It covers the principles of molecular biology along with genomes and nucleic acid alterations, techniques and instrumentation, and applications of molecular diagnostics. Written by leading experts, this book includes illustrations, tables, and a colorful design to make information easy to find and easy to use. A full-color, 4-page insert shows realistic images of the output for many molecular tests. Learning Objectives open each chapter with an overview of what you should achieve. Key Words are listed and defined at the beginning of each chapter, and are bolded in the text. Review Questions at the end of every chapter let you measure your comprehension. Advanced Concepts are included, but set apart from the rest of the text, for students who want a higher level of learning. Ethics boxes address ethical issues, allowing you to apply your knowledge to real-life scenarios. A glossary of all key words may be easily accessed in the back of the book.

Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance in pro-oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis that leads to the generation of toxic reactive oxygen species. Brain cells are continuously exposed to reactive oxygen species generated by oxidative metabolism, and in certain pathological conditions defense mechanisms against oxygen radicals may be weakened and/or overwhelmed. DNA is a potential target for oxidative damage, and genomic damage can contribute to neuropathogenesis. It is important therefore to identify tools for the quantitative analysis of DNA damage in models on neurological disorders. This book presents detailed information on various neurodegenerative disorders and their connection with oxidative stress. This information will provide clinicians with directions to treat these disorders with appropriate therapy and is also of vital importance for the drug industries for the design of new drugs for treatment of degenerative disorders.
* Contains the latest information on the subject of neurodegenerative disorders
* Reflects on various factors involved in degeneration and gives suggestions for how to tackle these problems

The ability to record an accurate and complete patient history, and to examine the patient appropriately in response to the history described, are fundamental skills that all student doctors need to acquire at an early stage in training. 'Making Sense of Clinical Examination of the Adult Patient' provides invaluable 'hands-on' guidance for medical students and junior doctors when presented with a new patient. Written from a very practical standpoint, Dr Douglas Model shares his extensive experience of teaching this subject. Real life scenarios are interspersed throughout the text. On reading 'Making Sense of Clinical Examination of the Adult Patient', the reader is given: practical advice on recording all aspects of a patient's history, including the present complaint, past medical history, and family history; and detailed guidance on performing an examination of each body system.

In today's medical education curriculum, it is necessary for students to learn the proper techniques for taking medical histories, performing physical exams, and the appropriate way to educate and inform patients. The best way for a student to learn these skills is through hands-on training with a Standardized Patient (SP) - an actor who has been hired to portray a specific set of health problems and symptoms. This type of training allows students to grasp concepts more quickly and enables faculty physicians to directly observe student's progress and asses their need for further instruction. Working with SP's has become so important in medical education that it is now a component of the USMLE clinical skills assessment exam. As with any tool that is used for teaching, assessment, and certification, it is easier to provide the best service when there are general guidelines for preparers to follow. The coaches who prepare SP's are no exception and there needs to be a guide for those who train SP's for their roles in new doctor education. This handbook is intended as that guide and as a support for those who are involved in training Standardized Patients, from the art of coaching through preparing SP's for the physical exam, to encourage each coach to develop a system that will deliver the best results and, in the end, help train the most competent doctors.

This invaluable guide for nurses improves the skills and knowledge required to consult effectively with patients. It is highly practical, easy to read and comprehend, and is designed for use in daily practice, and as an aid for professional development. The 'Consultation Assessment and Improvement Instrument for Nurses' (CAIIN) concept is introduced, and sample forms, suggested strategies and tables containing key information are also provided. The recent substantial changes that have taken place in health service structures, staffing arrangements and nursing practice have led to more nurses working in first contact roles and within nurse-led services. Nurses at all levels in primary and secondary care, including those in pre-registration training will find this guide vital, as will nurses considering taking on autonomous roles such as independent prescribing. It is also highly suitable for nurse lecturers, nurse managers, learning and health service managers, and undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students.

This open access book describes marked advances in imaging technology that have enabled the visualization of phenomena in ways formerly believed to be completelyimpossible. These technologies have made major contributions to the elucidation of the pathology of diseases as well as to their diagnosis and therapy. The volume presents various studies from molecular imaging to clinical imaging. It also focuses on innovative, creative, advanced research that gives full play to imaging technology inthe broad sense, while exploring cross-disciplinary areas in which individual research fields interact and pursuing the development of new techniques where they fuse together. The book is separated into three parts, the first of which addresses the topic of visualizing and controlling molecules for life. Th e second part is devoted to imaging of disease mechanisms, while the final part comprises studies on the application of imaging technologies to diagnosis and therapy. Th e book contains the proceedings of the 12th Uehara International Symposium 2017, "Make Life Visible" sponsored by the Uehara Memorial Foundation and held from June 12 to 14, 2017. It is written by leading scientists in the field and is an open access publication under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Patient-centered care for chronic illness is founded upon the informed and activated patient, but we are not clear what this means. We must understand patients as subjects who know things and as agents who do things. Bioethics has urged us to respect patient autonomy, but it has understood this autonomy narrowly in terms of informed consent for treatment choice. In chronic illness care, the ethical and clinical challenge is to not just respect, but to promote patient autonomy, understood broadly as the patients' overall agency or capacity for action. The primary barrier to patient action in chronic illness is not clinicians dictating treatment choice, but clinicians dictating the nature of the clinical problem. The patient's perspective on clinical problems is now often added to the objective-disease perspective of clinicians as health-related quality of life (HRQL). But HRQL is merely a hybrid transitional concept between disease-focused and health-focused goals for clinical care. Truly patient-centered care requires a sense of patient-centered health that is perceived by the patient and defined in terms of the patient's vital goals. Patient action is an essential means to this patient-centered health, as well as an essential component of this health. This action is not extrinsically motivated adherence, but intrinsically motivated striving for vital goals. Modern pathophysiological medicine has trouble understanding both patient action and health. The self-moving and self-healing capacities of patients can be understood only if we understand their roots in the biological autonomy of organisms. Taking the patient as the primary perceiver and producer of health has the following policy implications: 1] Care will become patient-centered only when the patient is the primary customer of care. 2] Professional health services are not the principal source of population health, and may lead to clinical, social and cultural iatrogenic injury. 3] Social justice demands equity in health capability more than equal access to health services.

I found this textbook to be a real bonus for my phlebotomy class. It had plenty of illustrations that complemented the text. I wound up getting an A in the class so I think the book is worth the money!" - Amazon Reviewer "Used this whole training for phlebotomy! Such a helpful informative book!" - Stacy T., Amazon Reviewer "Great book for a phlebotomy class. …lots of tips and warnings along with pertinent information and pictures." - Amazon Reviewer Enter the classroom and the laboratory with confidence! Rely on this comprehensive resource to master the techniques you need to safely obtain quality specimens. You'll understand all the hows and whys that lead to success in this rapidly changing field. Inside, you'll find the up-to-date coverage of routine procedures and their complications as well specialized procedures, quality and infection control, state-of-the-art equipment, medical terminology, ethical and legal issues, body systems, and related diagnostic laboratory tests. Videos and animations online help you to excel.

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder that is characterized by a complex neurobiology, clinical features that may overlap with over 300 causes of headache, and an association with major medical illnesses and comorbid diseases. This books draws upon the authors' vast clinical experience and exhaustive knowledge of the science of migraine and the practice of headache medicine and provides this knowledge in a comprehensive yet digestible format. While migraine is often a subject in other textbooks on headache, it is the sole focus of this volume. The authors provide an up-to-date overview of the evidence base and combine this with their experience and expertise to help practitioners make informed treatment decisions. This book also provides a glimpse into the future describing new treatment modalities, including neurostimulation technologies and biologics that are emerging as potentially valuable treatment options. The authors also deal extensively with the unique and complex management of migraine in women throughout the reproductive life cycle. For those looking for a practical, insightful, and in-depth review on the subject of migraine, there is no other option.

Molecular Diagnostics covers current molecular biological techniques used to identify the underlying molecular defects in inherited disease. Although an increasing number of laboratories, both academic and private are moving in that direction, there are only a few books in the existing literature, and they deal only partly with diagnosis at the molecular level. Each chapter includes the principle and a brief description of the technique, followed by exmples from the authors' own epertise. Contributors are well-known experts in their field, and derive from a variety of disciplines, to ensure breadth and depth of coverage.
* Examines widely used molecular biology techniques to screen for genetic defects causing inherited disorders
* Includes state-of-the-art techniques for the detection of the underlying genetic heterogeneity leading to inherited disorders
* Identification of genetically modified organisms (GMO's)
* Forensic analysis and every-day issues in a diagnostic laboratory
* Discusses ethics, genetic counselling and quality management

This book is a compilation of endoscopic images of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The 3rd edition is enriched with high-resolution digital images highlighting the classification and staging of endoscopically relevant diseases. Serial documentation of diseases and procedures like corrosive injury, variceal obliteration, peptic ulcer etc. provides a complete, informative and interesting perspective. Rare conditions like Dieulafoy's disease and Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) have been extensively discussed along with common diseases of the GI tract. This book outlines the technique and interpretation of endoscopic images proving to be a helpful guide to endoscopy practitioners. Key Features Explores various GI tract diseases through coloured, high resolution clinical photographs. Serves as a useful reckoner for trainee endoscopists and practitioners pursuing gastroenterology or gastrointestinal endoscopy. The text is updated with tables, flowcharts, classifications and international treatment guidelines.

A concise, quick-reference handbook on history taking and physical examination Pocket Guide to Physical Assessment is a compact yet comprehensive reference for students and practitioners alike, employing a step-by-step framework for effective patient assessment, diagnosis and planning of care. This valuable guide covers topics including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal system examinations, patient interviews, history taking and general health assessments. Clear diagrams and checklists illustrate key points, while easy-to-follow instructions and concise descriptions of clinical situations and diseases aid in clinical decision-making. Compact, pocket-sized guide that contains only the essential information for physical assessment Instructs readers on best clinical practice and how to present and communicate cases Develops and improves necessary skills for physical clinical examinations Ideal for use on the ward or as a companion to the accompanying textbook, Physical Assessment for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals Pocket Guide to Physical Assessment is an invaluable reference for healthcare students, newly qualified and advanced nurse practitioners, and allied health practitioners.

The public has a right to know that when they go to a therapist, they are almost certain to be given a psychiatric diagnosis, no matter how mild or normal their problems might be. It is unlikely that they will be told that a diagnosis will be written forever in their chart and that alarming consequences can result solely from having any psychiatric diagnosis. It would be disturbing enough if diagnosis was a thoroughly scientific process, but it is not, and its unscientific nature creates a vacuum into which biases of all kinds can rush. Bias in Psychiatric Diagnosis is the first book ever published about how gender, race, social class, age, physical disability, and sexual orientation affect the classification of human beings into categories of psychiatric diagnosis. It is surprising that this kind of book is not yet on the market, because it is such a hot topic, and the negative consequences of psychiatric diagnosis range from loss of custody of a child to denial of health insurance and employment to removal of one's right to make decisions about one's legal affairs. It is an unusually compelling book because of its real-life relevance for millions of people. Virtually everyone these days has been a therapy patient or has a loved one who has been. In addition, psychiatric diagnosis and biases in diagnosis are increasingly crucial portions of, or the main subject of, legal proceedings. This book should sit next to every doctor's PDR, especially given the skyrocketing use of psychoactive drugs in toddlers, children, and adolescents, as well as in adults, and especially because receiving a psychiatric label vastly increases the chances of being prescribed one or more of these drugs. A Jason Aronson Book

For exam prep courses in clinical lab science and medical technology. A complete study guide for national certification and state licensure exams SUCCESS! in Clinical Laboratory Science is an all-in-one summary and review of major clinical laboratory science content areas. Known for its concise summaries and rationales, this long-trusted guide prepares students for national certification, state licensure, and undergraduate exams. With more than 2,000 practice questions, the 5th edition has significant new coverage spanning medical fields, plus revised questions and rationales reflecting the most current clinical laboratory practices, technology, and terminology.

This text clearly presents a multitude of variables that potentially affect the results of neuropsychological tests. THe chapter authors, all noted experts in their respective fields, begin with a general discussion of neuropsychological constructs known to impact performance on neuropsychological tests, including demographics, personality, and sociocultural factors. They then present an empirical approach to assessment. They focus on the disorders under discussion (not solely the tests that might be used in diagnosis) and reflect the contributions the field has made to detecting differences in disorders that have neurological underpinnings.

The disorders reviewed include dementia, HIV-related syndromes, adult seizure disorders, toxic exposure, mild to severe brain injury, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cutting-edge information on databases for research and clinical practice in neuropathy! Quantitative Electroencephalographic Analysis (QEEG) Databases for Neurotherapy: Description, Validation, and Application examines the strengths and limitations of QEEG databases as a tool for the diagnosis of neurological and psychiatric disorders. This book is written by experts who have had considerable experience in either the development of databases or in working with them. This text can improve your ability to fine-tune existing protocols and develop new ones leading to better treatment, better long-term outcome, and fewer training sessions. Quantitative Electroencephalographic Analysis (QEEG) Databases for Neurotherapy can help you differentiate cognitive states, clinical disorders, and EEG changes throughout the lifespan of a patient. This book also reveals the latest technological developments and methodological practices, and comparisons are made between EEG databases to help you determine what is best for your needs. Several controversies involving quantitative EEGs are discussed, including ethical concerns and early criticisms against the use of these methods for diagnostic purposes. This book addresses important topics such as: the development of methodology for estimating the deviance from the database norms to determine abnormal brain functioning the most widely used QEEG databasestheir construction and application as well as a comparison and contrast of their features the creation of a universal set of standards for determining which database is suitable for a researcher's or practitioner's needs the use of quantitative EEG and normative databases for clinical purposesethical concerns, advantages and limitations, and the proposal for a new clinical approach for neurotherapy the comparison of QEEG reference databases in analysis and in the evaluation of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Quantitative Electroencephalographic Analysis (QEEG) Databases for Neurotherapy is supplemented with case studies, tables, figures, and graphs to support the experts' most recent findings. Furthermore, several chapters contain topographic maps to show the effects of these databases in clinical practice. This volume will be helpful to both novice and advanced neurotherapists in professions such as medicine, psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, and biofeedback.

This volume is intended to help practicing therapists and counselors, as well as students of these professions, to explore more fully and systematically the processes of self-improvement in their work and lives. It captures the reader's interest by discussing some of the therapist's personal and professional challenges in a refreshingly honest way. The book deals with a number of standard areas of self-supervision, such as self-monitoring and working with mentors, and provides a framework and a process for examining one's own strengths and weaknesses, then taking steps to improve excellence across a host of domains.

Population aging is a growing challenge worldwide. As such, new models of provision, organization, and allocation of resources, particularly in healthcare, are needed. As the self-care and long-term care needs of this age group become more prevalent, the importance of improved health services and effective health management strategies are apparent. The Handbook of Research on Health Systems and Organizations for an Aging Society provides emerging research exploring the challenges and opportunities for the development and management of health systems and organizations in relation to people aged 65 and over. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as emotional wellness, long-term care, and professional caregiving, this book is ideally designed for health technicians, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, hospital administrators, clinical directors, laboratory technicians, medical professionals, researchers, and students.

Differential Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder provides a framework for clinical considerations and best practices related to diagnosing children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) versus commonly co-occurring conditions. Differential diagnosis is a complex process, and it is common for clinicians to observe symptom overlap between conditions. In this comprehensive text, the authors focus on the similarities and differences between ASD and a second diagnosis. Leading experts provide practical guidance in the diagnostic process for ASD versus a second condition, such as anxiety or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Each chapter includes clinical case studies to provide real-world examples of how clinicians make diagnostic decisions. Ample illustrations and 'decision trees' provide a visual representation of clinical decision-making.

First Aid™ remains the most trusted name in USMLE® review—just ask any medical student!   First Aid Clinical Algorithms for the USMLE Step 2 CK was designed to help you develop and refine your clinical thinking skills—preparing you for success in your clerkship and on the Step 2 CK exam. This new addition to the First Aid™ series uses an algorithmic approach that allows you to methodically walk through the diagnostic decision making process. The content is organized by symptom to reflect how information will be presented in an actual clinical setting. Clinical vignettes focusing on specific illnesses are followed by step-by-step flowcharts outlining the diagnosis and treatment of the illness and its relevant differential diagnoses.  •  Unique algorithmic approach  •  Clinical vignettes accompany decision-making algorithms  •  Flowcharts outline the diagnosis and treatment process  

In spite of the theoretical knowledge of diagnosis and assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning imparted by their course instructors, most students are confused about the interrelationships of these processes in practice and are unable to apply what they have learned to the solution of thorny client problems. This book is designed to bridge the gap between classroom and clinic. In pragmatic fashion it walks beginners through the strategies needed to work with adults in outpatient settings and answers the questions they most frequently ask their clinical supervisors at the outset of their clinical apprenticeships.
Three chapters succinctly summarize the crucial general information and skills that must be reflected in a clinician's approach to any client. Then, following a standard format that facilitates understanding and comparison, experts describe specific disorders one by one and present their own illustrative cases to point the way to effective targeting.
"Diagnosis, Conceptualization, and Treatment Planning for Adults" will be an indispensable guide for mental health professionals in training who are facing their first assignments with clients.

In spite of the theoretical knowledge of diagnosis and assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning imparted by their course instructors, most students are confused about the interrelationships of these processes in practice and are unable to apply what they have learned to the solution of thorny client problems. This book is designed to bridge the gap between classroom and clinic. In pragmatic fashion it walks beginners through the strategies needed to work with adults in outpatient settings and answers the questions they most frequently ask their clinical supervisors at the outset of their clinical apprenticeships.
Three chapters succinctly summarize the crucial general information and skills that must be reflected in a clinician's approach to any client. Then, following a standard format that facilitates understanding and comparison, experts describe specific disorders one by one and present their own illustrative cases to point the way to effective targeting.
"Diagnosis, Conceptualization, and Treatment Planning for Adults" will be an indispensable guide for mental health professionals in training who are facing their first assignments with clients.

The origin and early years of any rapidly changing scientific discipline runs the risk of being forgotten unless a record of its past is preserved. In this, the first book-length history of clinical chemistry, those involved or interested in the field will read about who and what went before them and how the profession came to its present state of clinical importance. The narrative reconstructs the origins of clinical chemistry in the seventeenth century and traces its often obscure path of development in the shadow of organic chemistry, physiology and biochemistry until it assumes its own identity at the beginning of the twentieth century. The chronological development of the story reveals the varied roots from which modern clinical chemistry arose.