"Provides clear explanations and practical information for sufferers of Sjogren's syndrome, the most common rheumatic-type autoimmune disease.

One of the most common yet underrecognized autoimmune and rheumatological disorders. Sjögren's (pronounced SHOW-grens) syndrome, or SjS, affects more people than rheumatoid arthritis and lupus combined. Difficult to diagnose, SjS is characterized by symptoms that shift almost daily, usually beginning with vague discomforts such as dry eyes and dry mouth, then advancing to more severe concerns such as joint pain and swollen glands. A Body Out of Balance provides a comprehensive guide to the wide array of symptoms, traditional and complementary treatments, and invaluable coping methods, so patients may devise a personal treatment plan. Co written by a woman living with the disease and by a physician who has treated countless SjS patients, this indispensable resource will enhance awareness and demystify this often-misunderstood disorder.

Afflicting one in seventy Americans, Sjögren'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 Sjögren'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 Sjögren's Book, Fourth Edition is a comprehensive and authoritative guide, produced by the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation and its medical advisors and edited by physician Daniel J. Wallace, a leading authority on autoimmune disorders. This expanded edition provides readers with the best medical and practical information on this disorder, bringing together the current thinking about Sjögren's in an easily readable and understandable book, with an entirely new section on lifestyle issues aimed at improving the quality of life for Sjögren's sufferers. With more than thirty chapters written by leading experts, the handbook illuminates the major clinical aspects of the syndrome and is loaded with practical tips and advice. Indeed, it offers a wide-ranging look at the many faces of Sjögren's, covering diagnosis, the various organ systems that can be affected, the possible psychological problems, and the many treatment options, as well as a concluding chapter listing the web, print, and media resources available. 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 Sjögren's is greatly underdiagnosed, this handbook is a particularly valuable resource for healthcare professionals. Recognized as the bible for Sjögren's suffers, this reliable and informative guide is the first place for patients to look when they have questions about this little known but serious chronic disease.

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the immune system attacks the body's tissue, causing damage and dysfunction, and sometimes affecting major body organs. Lupus may be mild, bu it can also bring on serious and even life-threatening complications. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, anemia and the general malaise, plus rash, most often across the face.

The diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be devastating. It’s important to note, though, that while COPD is debilitating, it is not a death sentence. With proper disease management, people with COPD can expect to live a full and happy life. While there are no magic pills or quick fixes, there are many things COPD sufferers can do to have more energy, less shortness of breath, and an overall better quality of life despite breathlessness or use of home oxygen. This comprehensive guide helps people in any stage of COPD learn to work with their physical limitations rather than against them. Compassionate and clearly written, it covers every aspect of the disease, including the psychological and emotional issues that go along with having COPD, medications and physical therapy, identifying triggers and warning signs, creating an action plan for worsening symptoms, techniques to make breathing easier, working with healthcare providers, and much more.

Parents of asthmatic children often feel helpless when their child has a severe attack. This guide, written by an internationally known asthma expert, helps parents better understand and cope with this frightening situation. Dr. Jaggi explains the causes of asthma in children, discusses what goes wrong inside the lungs and describes the latest advances in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of the disease. Special sections review advances in alternative therapies.

This book contains information on an increasingly common autoimmune disorder. Also called "sticky blood" and Hughes Syndrome, APS makes one's blood clot too easily, creating high risk of stroke, thrombosis, and premature heart attack. It is also implicated in many other health problems including repeated miscarriages, neurological problems, eary dementia and migraines. It is often associated with lupus, and mimics the symptoms of other diseases, including MS. Symptoms include; migraines and headaches, recurrent miscarriage, memory loss, slurred speech, blood clots, poor circulation, muscle pain and cramps, blurred vision, extreme fatigue, epilepsy, strokes, thrombosis and a form of angina. Because of lack of knowledge of APS in the medical establishment, sufferers are often misdiagnosed with MS or other more life-threatening conditions. This book helps the reader identify the symptoms and provides important information on diagnosis and treatment of APS. It contains many moving stories, explaining how people eventually got a diagnosis, their symptoms, the impact of APS on their lives and whether or not treatment has worked. Written in collaboration with Dr. Graham Hughes, the major researcher of APS in the UK, this book provides a clearly written informative look at an important but little-known disease.