Some people suffer from chronic, debilitating disorders for which no conventional treatment brings relief. Can marijuana ease their symptoms? Would it be breaking the law to turn to marijuana as a medication? There are few sources of objective, scientifically sound advice for people in this situation. Most books about marijuana and medicine attempt to promote the views of advocates or opponents. To fill the gap between these extremes, authors Alison Mack and Janet Joy have extracted critical findings from a recent Institute of Medicine study on this important issue, interpreting them for a general audience. Marijuana As Medicine? provides patientsâ€"as well as the people who care for themâ€"with a foundation for making decisions about their own health care. This empowering volume examines several key points, including: Whether marijuana can relieve a variety of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and appetite loss. The dangers of smoking marijuana, as well as the effects of its active chemical components on the immune system and on psychological health. The potential use of marijuana-based medications on symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other specific disorders, in comparison with existing treatments. Marijuana As Medicine? introduces readers to the active compounds in marijuana. These include the principal ingredient in Marinol, a legal medication. The authors also discuss the prospects for developing other drugs derived from marijuana's active ingredients. In addition to providing an up-to-date review of the science behind the medical marijuana debate, Mack and Joy also answer common questions about the legal status of marijuana, explaining the conflict between state and federal law regarding its medical use. Intended primarily as an aid to patients and caregivers, this book objectively presents critical information so that it can be used to make responsible health care decisions. Marijuana As Medicine? will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, health care providers, patient counselors, medical faculty and studentsâ€"in short, anyone who wants to learn more about this important issue.

The Patient's Guide to Glaucoma is a very useful educational resource. The authors have done an excellent job of covering the pertinent aspects of glaucoma from the patient's perspective. It provides more complete explanations of aspects of glaucoma care than any other presently available resource. It will be very helpful to patients who want more information about medications, laser, trabeculectomy, tube-shunt surgery, and many other subjects. John S. Cohen, MD Director, Glaucoma Service Cincinnati Eye Institute, Volunteer Clinical Professor University of Cincinnati Drs. Kwon, Greenlee and Fingert are to be congratulated for creating this outstanding educational program on glaucoma. These materials provide an excellent overview of the disease and its treatment. The guide can be read in its entirety or searched to answer specific questions. It is aimed at the intelligent patient seeking to understand his or her disease. The ophthalmologist's best ally in battling glaucoma is a well-informed patient and this guide will serve to develop patients who truly understand their disease. W.L.M. Alward, MD The Frederick C. Blodi Chair in Ophthalmology, Professor of Ophthalmology, Vice-Chair, Dept of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Iowa

Significantly updated with the latest developments in diagnosis and treatment recommendations, Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2020 features the popular "5 books in 1" format to organize vast amounts of information in a clinically relevant, user-friendly manner. This efficient, intuitive format provides quick access to answers on 1,000 common medical conditions, including diseases and disorders, differential diagnoses, and laboratory tests – all reviewed by experts in key clinical fields. Updated algorithms, along with hundreds of new figures, tables, and boxes, ensure that you stay current with today's medical practice. - Contains significant updates throughout, covering all aspects of current diagnosis and treatment. - Features 27 all-new topics including chronic traumatic encephalopathy, medical marijuana, acute respiratory failure, gallbladder carcinoma, shift work disorder, radial tunnel syndrome, fertility preservation in women, fallopian tube cancer, primary chest wall cancer, large-bowel obstruction, inguinal hernia, and bundle branch block, among others. - Includes a new appendix covering Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Measures. - Provides current ICD-10 insurance billing codes to help expedite insurance reimbursements. - Patient Teaching Guides for many of the diseases and disorders are included, most available in both English and Spanish versions, which can be downloaded and printed for patients.

Recent dramatic advances in diagnosis, as well as medical and surgical treatment, mean that you can offer your glaucoma patients more timely and effective interventions. This brand-new clinical reference delivers the comprehensive, expert guidance you need to make optimal use of these new approaches.online, in print, and on video on DVD Get in-depth guidance on all aspects of adult and pediatric glaucoma with one volume devoted to diagnosis and medical treatment, and another that focuses on surgical techniques.

This unique resource is a practical, easy-to-use guide for the non-ophthalmologist healthcare provider as they encounter patients with eye complaints and other concerning ophthalmic conditions. The Columbia Guide to Basic Elements of Eye Care is specifically designed with the non-ophthalmologist in mind, and provides a foundation of basic eye anatomy and physiology, functional analysis, pathology, and concepts in eye care. Each chapter delivers an accessible summary of various ophthalmic diseases and conditions, all of which are frequently encountered in everyday practice. These chapters provide in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics, from testing and examination procedures to management protocols, referral guidelines and expected frequency of follow-up for each disorder. Complete with hundreds of high-quality, descriptive illustrations and clinical photographs, The Columbia Guide to Basic Elements of Eye Care presents clear, understandable explanations of basic eye anatomy, physiology, disease and treatment for non-ophthalmic practitioners and students. In doing so, this guide provides a framework for determining the normal versus the abnormal, helping the reader recognize which patients require referral, and identify which conditions are developing, require urgent treatment, or can be routinely followed. Non-ophthalmologist healthcare providers and students alike will find this book, written by leaders in the field, a practical resource to consult as they encounter patients with treatable but potentially sight-threatening conditions.