Chronic-Disease Books

This book was very easy to read and understand. It had a wealth of information in it. I would recommend it to anyone who has any questions and wants answers about the thyroid gland. The book gives some great programs for you to follow.

I was very disappointed in this book. Didn't feel that I learned anything that I didn't already know.

This doctor goes very in-depth in his explanations of symptoms and how the thyroid works, but he is never talking over your head. He explains in easy-to-understand language how the thyroid works and what happens when it doesn't. This book has caused me to search for a new endocrinologist who is as concerned for his/her patient's overall health as Dr Arem. I recommend this book to all who are suffering from thyroid disease, even if you have had it for a long time. You will learn something new about your disease and it's treatment.

I had severe (tsh 337.85) hypothyroidism by the time I was diagnosed. This is the only author that I've seen that even mentioned some of the things that I experienced. I think that this doctor has a real feel for what the thyroid patient goes through.

After 11 years with hypothyroidism, this book finally answered all of my questions. If your lab tests say you're normal, but you don't feel normal, this book explains it ALL. Highly recommend!

Leal has done a fantastic job putting faces with a disease that most people know nothing about. She puts the reader right in the midst of the agonizing decisions that people with Huntington's disease have to make.

Since the disease is hereditary, should those with a history of Huntington's in their family get tested for the gene that causes the disease? Should those with the disease have children knowing that they could pass the disease along to the next generation? When, if ever, is it time for the person with the disease to move to a nursing home?

I didn't know anything about Huntington's before I read Leal's book. After reading it, I have a deep appreciation for the struggles that families face after a positive diagnosis.

If you are looking for a book about Huntington's that doesn't gloss over the hard parts of life and yet at the same time shows you what faces of courage, hope and faith can look like during trials, then this book is for you.

I am in the early stages of HD and I can understand the negative review. My wife has promised me that if my mind becomes that of a four year old, she will not dress me as a four year old and take me to an amusement park and allow strangers to photograph me. I know at that time I might not notice the loss of dignity, but I care now. If we do go, I want to go as an adult with HD, not wearing a "Goofy" shirt. The author seem insensitive to me.

As a healthcare professional I've worked with a few hundred families touched by HD over the last 17 years. Among those families, this book "Faces..." is known as a tool for hope, support and inspiration. I have purchased many copies of this book over the last few years and given it as a gift to families.
The positive reviews here clearly reflect the overwhelming praise that this book reliably receives from folks touched by HD.
I respect the views of the folks who've posted those negative comments. HD is the worst damn disease that can touch a family and it manifests itself in unlimited ways. And everyone handles it in their own unique way. However, it would be sad if a family looking for a source of hope like this one turned away from it because of those comments. The overwhelming percentage of folks who've read this book talk about it as an important source of hope and support for themselves.
Read it and see for yourself!

I just re-read Faces of Huntington's and decided it was time to write a review. I am so thankful this book was written and published. Again I was amazed at the author's sensitivity and her ability to pack so much into one book. For far too long there was nothing written about this disease except what was in a medical book. There was certainly nothing about the people themselves. I liked how so many people were included and not just the author. This gave us a much more complete and accurate picture of the disease from all sides.

I was amazed to read the negative review. I understand that not everyone sees the glass half full versus the 99% empty the person who reviewed the book sees. But the review seemed more an attack on the author's character rather than on her work. I feel really sad that someone is so bitter they can't see anything but ugliness no matter where they look. Makes me wonder did they really read the book since in the book I read had stories about suicide, abuse, juvenile Huntington's, death and other real effects of this devastating disease. When I read the review I wondered why this person doesn't write their own book filled with their 42 years of experience.

Faces of Huntington's is one of those books I know I will go back to many times over the years and will recommend to others.

I have purchased the book Faces of Huntington's,read it,and recommended it to friends.
This was a book that needed to be written.
For the first time I was able to read stories of other people dealing with this disease,like I am.
It is a book that is very easy to read.
Not all stories are sad , and that was encouraging.
You will find ways to handle your problems by reading how others have.
I found my self re-reading the book many times , its comforting.

Just Fine: Unmasking Concealed Chronic Illness And Pain If you have any doubts about purchasing this book, let me alleviate them now. The book not only explains these illnesses, but takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of those who suffer from these illnesses and how they cope on a day-to-day basis. Being a concealed chronic illness sufferer myself, I didn't realize how many people felt as I do. I'm going to buy more books for my doctors and family members. Feel free to do the same. This should be required reading for doctors, families, employers, etc. Well written and so very heartfelt.

I'm not easily impressed. This book impressed me.

I have read just about every book available on the topic of coping with chronic illness and pain. None of them come close to this one by Sveilich. She seems to know the subject quite well and presents unique resources from experts and professionals in the field.

Of course, the best experts are the people who actually live with chronic health disorders and they are respresented throughout this book. The profiles are amazing. I saw my story in just about all of the 55 profiles included. I also found some great coping tools to apply to my own life.

Good insights and coping tips were offered by psychologists as well as physicians. The author also discusses mind-body medicine and complementary approaches as well as traditional medicine. From Zen to Zoloft and everything in-between... this book has it all.

My only remaining question is, why isn't JUST FINE on the New York Bestseller list?

It should be.

Like others have written, JUST FINE is a gift to all those impacted by chronic, invisible illnesses and pain.

Chronic Fatigue (CFIDS) has been my challenge and teacher since my symptoms began more than 30 years ago. JUST FINE, written beautifully by a therapist surviving her own chronic illnesses, says everything I needed to know THEN when little was known and we were told it was a "psychological problem". The book reassures me - even NOW when we recently found out there are at least 5 genetic markers (see the CDC website) - that I am and have been doing MORE than "Just Fine" with the "luck of the draw" biologically & with the life circumstances that may have contributed to triggering my illness.

The photos and narratives of "people with..." function like a "support group in a book" and I KNOW that many readers may not have a group available or be able to reach one because of the limits often imposed by the illnesses themselves. I appreciate the participants' courage in speaking about often stigmatized experiences, while also knowing many of us are longing to be asked by someone who is truly willing to hear us. We continually search for language that can describe our often fluctuating experience: Carol Sveilich and her interviewees have done just that!

I have given this book to clients, friends and family. I look forward to any more writing Sveilich will do in the future, as she clearly has more to say that would be worthwhile to read - to "listen with your eyes".

Having chronic migraines, I have noticed how I can look one way, but I feel quite another way. For example, I ask myself how I can be in such horrible pain at work and no one around me even notices. Truly frustrated with this dilemma, I picked up a copy of Just Fine: Unmasking Concealed Chronic Illness and Pain by Carol Sveilich to see if I could find some answers.

The book discusses hidden health disorders in a unique way because the author not only offers insights and coping tips offered from physicians and psychologists, including traditional medicine and mind-body medicine. She also has included profiles of people living with a hidden health disorder and she lets them tell their story in their own words, along with their photographs.

What I really liked about the book was being educated about other types of concealed illnesses, and at the same time, how I saw myself in many of the stories. There were common threads of emotions from these people living double lives.

Some of the topics from the book included how to deal with canceling plans, learning how to answer people when they ask how you are, being envious of other people in good health, sacrificing personal goals, making adjustments, and how to respond to people when they question the severity of your symptoms.

I was surprised and relieved to see the author even dealt with the subject of sex with a chronic illness, which I never saw explored before in a book.

This book definitely made me feel not so alone with my double life. It was very comforting and it taught me how to look at people differently, because someone who is smiling in the office might be living with a hidden health disorder like me.

I enjoyed this book because of the suggestions for chronically ill people and also the many people in the book who wrote a personal page or 2 about their experience with chronic illness. There were alot of correlations between people who have different chronic illnesses it felt good to know that there are people out there like myself. I would suggest this book for anyone who has to deal with a chronic illness.

Great help during my support group for Fibromyalcia. I learned some of my symptoms and why. Not that there are any cures. However, some suggestions.

Thank you,

Cindy Connor

I purchased this book for a friend of mine, recently. I had all ready bought it and it's companion book about 4 years ago. My friend was absolutely amazed at the "right on" words of Dr. Starlanyl on the FMS and CMP. She also was taken in by the easy to understand material. There was so much she had validated..she couldn't put the book down for a couple of days! It doesn't take the pain away..but it sure helps to know it "isn't all in your head"!!!

Exceptional book helps everyone who has this depliating disease. A must have I think .. glad i got it

Dr. Starlanyl was way ahead of her time when she wrote this book. I actually read this in 2006 after 4 months of extremely painful and useless chiropractic "treatments." Frustrated and in severe pain, I picked up this book and learned a few things I didn't already know. The main one being the difference between Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Trigger point therapy (TPT) is used to treat MPS and my FMS exacerbates the MPS. But now I had found a new treatment that actually allowed me to move again. Before TPT: Vacuuming would leave me in a knotted mess with severe low back pain and full-blown FMS flare. After TPT: Now when vacuuming pretty much feel only the exhaustion of FMS and a slight tension. And this has lasted a year! I am so thankful.

Definitely give this book a read and her other book. Check out my reviews for other helpful FMS books.

Update 01/08: This book is still one of the best out there. I use self-TPT still and plan on seeking a practitioner.

Regardless if you have this condition, know someone that has the condition, if your going to work/or do work in a clinical setting, YOU MUST OWN THIS BOOK!! I'm a recently retired Federal Clinical Social Worker who regrets not owning this book sooner. If your a librarian, do your clients a favor, PURCHASE THIS BOOK!! I plan to purchase this book for my PAIN CLINIC TEAM at the Veterans Hospital. Anyone knowing a veteran, military person, or a dependent of such should take a look at this book. Military people, past & present, take a body beating from the constant physical demands. This, in the long run, will effect you. Please, read the symptoms & be honset with yourself when doing so. There is no gain with pain if you don't acquire the needed help to manage it. It also doesn't make you less a person to admit your smart enough to accept help when needed. I was in the Marine Corps from 84 to 90. I didn't begin to feel the symptoms till 1999. I worked for the Veterans Hospital from 1994 til I medically retired in 2006. What is known as the Persian Gulf Syndrome is Fibromyalgia!!!! You need not have been in the Gulf to get this condition!!! Please, consider what I've typed & help another with the knowledge you will acquire from this wonderful MUST HAVE book.

This book answered many questions we have had. It is very clear and informative. I plan on giving a copy to my family doctor so we can improve my health care. The author truly understands what former polio suffers experience years later.

This book is very enlightening for anyone who has had polio and their extended family and friends. People who have had polio (and other diseases that affect muscles) need to understand that the traditional approach of "use it or lose it" is detrimental....they need to take a "conserve to preserve" approach to life activities. This requires a change in mind set....which, of course, is the hardest thing for these Type A personalities to accomplsh.

This book was very informative. There was so much I didn't know about post polio. With some systoms I have, now I know it's the post polio.

This is a very helpful and informative work for Polio survivors AND their families. Believe it or not, there are some informed professionals "out there."

I am a polio survivor, having had both bulbar and spinal polio at age 10. I am one of the fortunate who learned to walk again and seemed to overcome many residuals. Like many polio survivors, I am someone who has refused to acknowledge that something is impossible - I rarely give up, and this quality enabled me to endure all the physical therapy that resulted in what passed for recovery. I have a trach scar, weakness in my right leg, left arm and a gradual onset of back pain and fatigue. I have had a post-polio assessment, but wasn't certain until reading this book that I should be resting more than overdoing exercise. I feel so incredibly lucky when I see the many who are back in wheelchairs - brings the whole nightmare of the iron lung, the rocking bed, the tube from my nose to my stomach for sustenance, the suctioning of the trach tube, etc., etc. I hope that everyone who has suffered will read this book and gain a better quality of life.

This is a great book. I enjoyed reading it as it is easy to read and has numerous transcipts of interviews with patients who are real. The book also containes medical material which will be of interest to surgeons, nephrologist and patients. The books was very well received in a major medical journal. I am pleased that the book is doing well and I strongly recommend it to public and medical libraries.

Book Review
The struggle for life: a psychological perspective of kidney disease and transplantation: Authors: Lyndsay S. Baines and Rahul M. Jindal Publisher: Praeger

Colin Baigent, BM BCh, MA, MSc, Reader in Clinical Epidemiology a [MEDLINE LOOKUP]

In the preface to this book, the authors challenge the reader to approach the subject matter with a fresh perspective. There is, they say, no place for the quantitative tradition when assessing psychological problems among patients with kidney disease. Complex emotional states defy classification by reference to quantitative psychology, and must instead be understood in the context of each particular patient's worldview. That sort of understanding comes only from talking to patients, and not from getting them to fill in questionnaires. It was in order to make this point forcefully that the authors, who run a psychosocial support service for kidney patients in Glasgow, Scotland, decided to write this book describing their own practical experience. They hoped that, by bridging the gap between psychotherapeutic and clinical services, others would try to create similar types of support for their own patients. Will they succeed?

Since the target audience is transplantation team members, the book begins with useful background material, including an outline of psychotherapeutic theory as it relates to chronic illness, and a short section on psychoanalysis. After this, however, the authors hit their stride, and we have chapters on a wide range of "human dilemmas," among them medical noncompliance, grief, abnormal body self-image, substance abuse, debt, depression, anxiety, and sexual problems. In each area, the authors explain why, in relation to these problems, dialysis and transplant patients ought to be considered sui generis and argue that much of the related psychological literature on other chronic illness (eg, cancer) simply misses the point. They explain, for example, that transplant patients frequently see themselves as the recipient of a "gift," and feel pressure from within to do something "special" with their lives. This aspiration is difficult enough if we are healthy, but many such patients have experienced years of poor health, perhaps even reduced cognition, and the inevitable result includes a range of consequences from depression and reduced self esteem, through to relationship difficulties and suicide. Each chapter gives us several vignettes from the authors' own experiences, together with a transcript describing how they tried to help, often with some success. Even as one steeped in the so-called quantitative tradition, I was impressed by the skill involved in trying to realign patients' expectations of their postmorbid lives, or in helping them to come to terms with their limitations, or in helping to ease their feelings of isolation. For me, these accounts were the most worthwhile part of the book: they remind us, above all, that health professionals have first of all to be human beings to connect with patients' experience of illness.

In spite of my enjoyment of much of the book, however, I fear it will be less widely read than it should be. Quite simply, for a book that aims to win over clinicians to the cause of psychotherapy, it seems to be too long. Busy physicians, surgeons, and other health professionals who are chronically short of time may lose patience with much of the supporting quantitative material on psychotherapeutic research and the sections on theory. It is a pity that the authors did not stick to their guns about the value of the oral tradition in this context. For the selective reader, however, reading of the transcripts of the psychotherapist's art will be rewarded by a rare insight into the emotional world of transplant or dialysis patients. In that respect, the authors may prompt others to explore how such a service might be provided in their own practice, and this can only be a good thing for present and future patients.

Publishing and Reprint Information TOP

aUniversity of Oxford, Clinical Trial Service Unit, Harkness Building, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, United Kingdom UK
Copyright © 2004 by National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2004.05.015

As a patient who received a kidney transplant, I found it easy to read and understand. Some of my questions which were not answered by doctors were neatly answered in this book. The transcripts of the patient interviews captured some of my own experiences as a patient. I recommend this book to patients and their carers, in particular, patient support groups and public libraries.

I am pleased that there is a new book dealing with chronic renal failure and transplantation. Psychological issues tend to get ignored; therefore, this book fills a need.

This book may be useful for patients and support groups as well as physicians, surgeons and perhaps nurses.

I found the transcripts interesting as we deal with similar patients in my work as a transplant coordinator. I congratulate the authors for this work.

I found that the book was well researched and it does have some interesting aspects on live kidney transplants and compliance issues in kidney transplant patients. Later editions could have material on liver and heart transplant patients. Patients with chronic diseases tend to be ignored, so this is a good start.

I am only halfway through this book, but I already know I will recommend this book to my family and friends. I was not excited to read it as an assignment - I thought it would be another boring book on eating right. It is much more than that and very interesting to read. The author has done us a favor by reading through hundreds of studies completed on different aspects of health. He presents the results of these studies in an honest, unbias, meaningful way. I thought I knew all about what to do and not do, eat and not eat, but reading this I am understanding how a body reacts to foods and the environment. It is full of information that the marketing departments of food producers will not tell you and would rather you not know. A main theme of the book is that all of these health-related items are directly related to the amount of serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes that cause most of the deaths in our country. As a society, we focus on the symptoms, rather than the causes of health problems. While we are pouring billions of dollars into finding a cure for these diseases, they are in many cases symptoms of our unhealthy lifestyles. By eating and living healthy, we can prevent the risks of most of these diseases. And you have to start now. As he points out, most people wait until they start seeing symptoms which in many cases, it may be too late. This is a must read for everyone interested in living a long, healthy life.

I really enjoyed this book! My friend sells corporate health benefit packages for a major insurance company and gives this book to his clients, so he gave me a copy.

What's so refreshing about this book is that it is NOT a diet book and is NOT about weight loss. Weight loss is just a happy side effect of a healthy lifestyle. The focus of the book is improving your health by making what really are pretty simple lifestyle changes. When you learn about what healthy and unhealthy foods do to your body, it really motivates you to improve the way you are eating. The same is true for the discussion of exercise and what it does for the cardiovascular and other systems.

Yes, we all know fruits and veggies are good for us, but I look at them in a whole new way now and you will too if you read this book!

This book is extreemly jam packed with information. I enjoyed the authors' sense of humor. Be warned this is deffinately not meant for a quick read. Slow and steady will win the race here. I found the book very motivating because the evidence was taken from actual studies performed.

This book was referred to me by my dietician after I tried to find that 'perfect motivational type book'. Let's just say I couldn't put it down the second I opened the cover. This book is amazing. I can't tell you how much it has changed my life, my perception of food and most importantly, the motivation it gave me to make the change forever. It's educational, realistic and not filled with gimmicks. I highly recommend this book to anybody looking for the motivation to get off the couch and moving! I'll never live the life I had before this book. I am up off the couch and getting healthy because now I understand the benefits of eating right and having an active lifestyle. This one is a must have in anyone's library!!!

The Culprit and the Cure is an all inclusive guide to healthy living. The premise of this book is that poor health is the primary cause of disease and early death. The author states that poor health is generally caused by improper diet, inadequate exercise, and the use of tobacco products. Thus, in order to become healthier, individuals must address these deficiencies and make permanent lifestyle changes.

To this end, this book examines various aspects of healthy living as studied in various nutrition, physical fitness, and psychological case studies as well as through real life examples. The author then translates this information into simple, inexpensive, realistic solutions for real people wanting to undertake permanent healthy lifestyle changes. This book also features many easy to understand charts and various interactive exercises to help the reader tailor his or her current lifestyle to become healthier.

The Culprit and the Cure is a unique guide to health as it examines the need for healthy lifestyle changes in nutrition and exercise. This book does not promote fast weight loss by undertaking fad diets. Instead, this book looks at the greater benefits of healthy living and more realistic aspects of making lifestyle changes to achieve a healthier way of life.

En el caso de la Fatiga Crónica, tenemos el recurso de ESTE ESTUPENDO LIBRO QUE NOS MUESTRA LOS SÍNTOMAS Y EL CAMINO A SEGUIR..

"ERA DE LAS EPIDEMIAS ":
Primero, EL SIDA
Luego, EL ÉBOLA
AHORA, LA PULMONÍA ATÍPICA
Pero todo el tiempo, como agazapado en la oscuridad, EL SFC (Sindrome de Fatiga Crónica ), que daña tanto PORQUE NO SE DETECTA FÁCILMENTE...Y QUE CRECE DÍA POR DIA COMO TODO LOS ORIGINADO POR UN VIRUS! Es el caso de la Pulmonía Atípica, que se confunde con una bronquitis o una gripa fuerte...
En el caso de la Fatiga Crónica, tenemos el recurso de ESTE ESTUPENDO LIBRO QUE NOS MUESTRA LOS SÍNTOMAS Y EL CAMINO A SEGUIR..
Depende de uno querer protegerse o no

CADA DÍA HAY MÁS ENFERMOS...
Es de vida o muerte leer este libro para detectar si tenemos el Epstein Barr antes de que comience a dar síntomas !

la ruina: Tenía un negocito próspero y todo iba super bien , cuando una mañana ya casi no pudo levantarse... Una semana después, mi cuñada lo llevo al siquiatra, que dijo que estaba deprimido y le mandó Seropram..Pero Hugo seguía igual, y trató de suicidarse.
¡No hay mal que por bien no venga !
En Emergencias lo atendieron y mientras estaba en el hospital, le descubrieron la Fagiga Crónica..
Es muy importante leer este libro para poder identificarla y combatirla antes que las cosas pasen a mayores...

LOS VIRUS DE LAS COMPUTARODORAS, ALGUIEN O VARIOS SERES MONSTRUOSOS JUEGAN CON NUESTRA VIDA DESDE LOS LABORATORIOS MEDICOS...
De otra manera,¿CÓMO TE EXPLICAS LA EPIDEMIA DE EPIDEMIAS?
Y LA FASTIGA CRONICA ESTA CAUSADA POR EL VIRUS DE EPSTEIN BARR... Y NO EXISTIA...
Pero esa LA PUEDES DETECTAR Y COMBATIR..NO DEJES QUE SE TE CONFUNDA CON DEPRESION, O QUE UN MEDICO IGNORANTE LA CALIFIQUE COMO TAL...
PREVENTE !

I ordered this book and within two days I had it at my door. It is an excellent book for those of us who have chronic diseases.

She has a lot of good advice and makes you feel empowered, but really there's nothing new in this book and she didn't really offer solutions other than the obvious.

This is one of the best books that I have ever read. I was very inspired by Lori's thoughts on chronic disease. The book also had very good resources on ways to go about our everyday life. I would highly recommend this to anyone with a chronic disease.

As a social worker on a dialysis unit I have found this book extremely helpful in my own education of what new dialysis patients face, but also what patients deal with as a long time dialysis patient. The author leaves no stone unturned and not sugar coating a thing- she's going to tell you how to deal with failure and success each with a bit of unique humor and empathy. She has suggestions how to handle you illness in professional situations as well as how to not get bored if re-hospitalized. Bottom line she is an inspiration and a beneficial read to all!

As a student working to finish a university degree while dealing with a chronic illness (indeterminate IBD with myalgia and fatigue) Ms Hartwell's experiences of living a successful and joy-filled life despite her illness has been an inspiration and source of hope for me. Her humor despite trials is motivating, her wisdom is an amazing resource.
I especially enjoyed her chapter on overcoming the "Damaged Goods Syndrome". A tendency for those with Chronic Illness is to have negative thoughts and self-esteem challenges when we compare ourselves to other more healthy people. I often find myself viewing myself as "not good enough" and am frustrated by how disabling my illness can be in acheiving my goals.
While the mind can work destructively, it can also be employed to build joy, humor, and a positive attitude that helps achieve goals. Learning to identify and work through cognitive distortions gives you a new lens in which to see your life.
Hartwell quote in her book Helen Keller as saying "We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world."

There is nothing really new in this book. Eating well, exercising and relaxing is good for your health. Duh!

But it is very well presented, brings up enough (but not too many) testimonials to be inspiring, it is simply written without complicated theories. The diet is easy to do and presented with lots of details. The proposed exercises are varied - very much along the lines of "do what works for you and do it at least 3 times a week". The Skilled Relaxation is nothing new if you are already familiar with the work of Benson, Cade, Pelletier, Kabatt-Zin, but it is presented here in a non-scholar way that is easy to understand, easy to implement and the book provides the health motivation to keep doing it. Understanding skilled relaxation without actually doing it twice a day is worthless. The text in this book makes you want to do it and to keep doing it.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is sick and hopeless - or anyone who wants to implement good life habits and prevent illness. I like the fact that it does not promise an instant cure for anything but rather proposes a way of living that supports physical, emotional and mental health. Well done!

The weakest point maybe is that it addresses general well being but only mentions in a rather weak way that people with long term diseases may have to be much more specific to completely heal. The proposed diet may not work for everyone, some people may need specific types of exercises and to avoid others, some types of meditation or biofeedback processes may be better than others for some conditions, etc.

However as an adjunct, Dr Stoll bulletin Board [..]) is filled with more specific information and the good doctor is also available to answer questions. A very generous proposition.

Ok - Got to go now and practice my skilled relaxation...

Recapture Your Health outlines a balanced solution to improving overall health. The authors call this program a 3LS solution named after the three legged stool which is perfectly balanced and fully functional without a lot of extras that aren't needed.

Like the three legged stool, the 3LS program contains three simple but sturdy elements (nutrition, exercise, and relaxation) that create a foundation for improved health. The nutrition section focuses primarily on minimizing damage caused by the high intake of refined foods in the modern diet. The authors promote a whole foods approach to nutrition that reduces and potentially eliminates all refined foods. This is very similar to the slow food philosophy that is gaining popularity.

Likewise, the exercise and relaxation portions of this program are not radical but are somewhat based in good common sense. Participants are expected to exercise twenty minutes three times a week of virtually any type of activity that gets them moving. Relaxation is guided through various types of formal relaxation exercises such as meditation or guided imagery completed for approximately twenty minutes twice a day.

While conventional medicine tends to focus on covering up symptoms with medications, many of which cause dangerous side-effects, this book provides step-by-step instructions on how to potentially avoid the doctor's office altogether. Based on the premise of 'how to be healthy,' this book outlines what Dr. Stoll refers to as the '3-Legged Stool of Wellness' - Skilled Relaxation, A Whole Foods Diet, and Exercise. As simple as this sounds, there are many crucial aspects that one needs to be aware of in order to implement the Wellness lifestyle effectively. 'Recapture Your Health' provides all the knowledge, insight, frequently asked questions, and troubleshooting guides needed for anyone to do just what the title says. Jan DeCourtney's writing style makes this book both fun and motivational to read cover to cover as well as easy to use as a quick-reference using the detailed index in the back. Hats off to this book, a long-awaited tribute to a very important aspect of Walt Stoll's life's work of getting the truth about Wellness out to the public!

Walt Stoll and Jan DeCourtney have given readers a chance to redeem their health or maintain it using three simple tools. Seemingly so simple, yet the authors have used their talents to give a good explanation of some of the who's, what's, and why's of the road back to health.

Even if you think you know the information to wellness they present, "Recapture Your Health" is still a great reference to have linking many common and not so common ailments to the modern day interpretation of stress. Many of us have used one of their key elements at one time or another, but in putting all the pieces of the puzzle together you have a great weapon to use in the war against disease.

If you have not yet had to deal with a serious illness or condition, you can certainly can go a long way to prevent it, according to the book, and maintain quality your quality of life for the years to come.

Something for everyone,

A+

"Recapture Your Health" focuses on relaxation, nutrition and exercise. This is the basis for the entire program so you can maintain optimal health. Not only does this show a way to a healthier lifestyle, it promises relief from a wide variety of chronic health conditions. Whether you are already suffering from a condition or want to take a more preventive approach, this book has many pertinent answers. The authors teach a more holistic approach and also explain the roots of illness.

What is the real cause of illness?
How can you reduce depression, anger and anxiety?
Is there a natural solution for chronic fatigue?

Throughout the book, personal examples are shown as people who followed this program explain how their symptoms disappeared. Some of the main things the authors recommend is the elimination of sugars, alcohol and caffeine. In order to follow the program there is also a handy list of foods you should include or avoid. If you enjoy reading labels, there is also a section about additives.

After following this program you can expect better sleep, happier moods and less headaches. As the authors say: "...most people lose health because of an unhealthy lifestyle." This book puts you on a fast track with a special section called "quick start guides." This allows you to get started even before you have read a third of the book.

The authors present a discussion about supplements, encourage healthy lifestyle changes and give lists of exercises like Pilates, Yoga and Walking. I also though their list of helpful ways to reduce stress was very helpful.

~The Rebecca Review