Dr. Richard B. Patt, one of America's leading cancer pain experts, teams up with science writer Susan Lang to produce a much-needed, sensible handbook for patients and caregivers on all aspects of cancer pain. The authors illuminate the reasons why patients are so often undermedicated, including unfounded fears of addiction, patients thinking they need to tough it out, time-consuming paperwork for doctors who prescribe narcotics, and laws that fail to distinguish between drug abuse and the legitimate employment of narcotics. Lang and Patt demonstrate that properly medicated patients are better able to resume active lives and marshal strength to fight their disease - while those in chronic pain not only suffer, but also may jeopardise their potential for recovery. A Complete Guide to Relieving Cancer Pain and Suffering enables cancer patients to make informed decisions about their care and gives numerous, concrete suggestions on how patients and their families can work most efficiently and effectively with doctors. This volume will be of enormous value to the growing numbers of patients, family members, and health-care professionals who are determined to relieve needless cancer pain.

Mild depressions are so insidious that sufferers often don't seek help. However persistent mild depression, which afflicts up to 35 million Americans, can be readily and permanently cured. This book shows how chronic mild depression can be relieved by learning strategies that help us to recognise negative and distorted thinking patterns that lead to a downward spiral of pessimism. It reveals that a combination of medication and therapy has been shown to be the most effective treatment for mild depression, with an impressive 85% of patients experiencing full relief. It discusses when you should seek help from a therapist and what kinds of therapy work best. It outlines the antidepressants that are helpful for both mild and severe depressions, detailing each drug's strength and weakness, and examine alternative therapies, including stress management (meditation, relaxation, massage, biofeedback), physical exercise, acupuncture, supplements, and other mind/body therapies. Finally, the book provides in-depth discussions of mild depression in children, adolescents, college students, and elderly parents, as well as those with chronic stress. Throughout, the authors use boxed text and charts to make the key ideas immediately accessible and easy to use. Beating the Blues is an inspiring and empowering book, filled with the information and encouragement you need to turn your life around and begin to feel renewed pleasure and joy.

This is the one book that anyone who has taken care of a loved one with cancer wished they had from the beginning. Starting with a review on why cancer pain is still an everyday tragedy when modern medical techniques can relieve it in almost every case, it teaches families everything they need to know about cancer pain and its treatments. Viewing pain as a whole-body phenomenon that comprises physical and psychological well-being, this book outlines the latest medical treatments and medications as well as psychological, cognitive, and spiritual approaches to coping and relieving cancer pain.

A revolution has occurred in the headache field in the last ten years. Yet many people who suffer from headaches never consult a doctor, believing that no help is available, while others become frustrated and give up the search for relief. Fully revised and updated, this valuable book can save you time and trouble and help you stop the pain. It describes the full range of treatment options for migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches. It includes easy-to-understand information on the actions and side effects of hundreds of over-the-counter and prescription medications that prevent or abort headaches or dull the pain of a headache in progress. Special highlights: Details on the medications that have revolutionized migraine treatment Discussion of how hormones affect migraines Quick-reference guides to the medications that are most likely to work for your particular condition Helpful suggestions on how to describe your headache to your physician Hard-to-come-by information on headaches in children, teens, women, and people over fifty Alternative treatments, including herbs and acupuncture Self-help strategies such as relaxation techniques and biofeedback A national index of headache clinics and organizations