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.

Accompanying CD-ROM contains customizable patient self-care guides.

Supplement to "Putting Evidence into Practice: Improving Oncology Patient Outcomes" (Eaton and Tipton, 2009).

Few side effects of cancer treatment are more feared by patients than nausea and vomiting. Failure to control these symptoms on the first day of chemotherapy increases the risk of them occurring on subsequent days and in subsequent cycles of chemotherapy, and can often result in patients refusing further cancer treatment. Very effective antiemetics are available to prevent this from happening, but do you know how best to use them? 'Fast Facts: Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting' presents the evidence for the clinical agents that can prevent CINV, along with the recommendations for their use in various clinical settings using recently established international guidelines. Correct administration of prophylactic antiemetics in relation to the emetogenicity of the chemotherapy being given not only improves patients’ quality of life during treatment but also adherence to subsequent cancer treatments, thus improving overall outcomes. This refreshingly readable handbook is therefore a must-read resource for all health professionals in a position to make this kind of a difference. Contents: • Definitions and pathophysiology • Types of CINV and risk factors • Antiemetic agents • Prevention and management of acute and delayed CINV • Treatment of breakthrough, refractory and anticipatory CINV • Prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea • Barriers and opportunities in CINV management

The following papers were presented at an international symposium on the mechanisms and treatment of nausea and vomiting in man held in Oxford in 1984. I believe that this meeting was the first occasion on which representatives from such a wide variety of scientific and clinical specialities had come together to review and debate the spectrum of the vomiting phenomenon. An attempt was made to put before an invited international audience all the pertinent facts on the different facets of the topic and then to encourage extensive discussion of the contentious issues. The first day of the meeting was devoted to the basic science ap proach to the problem and the second day to the more clinical aspects. This format has been broadly retained in the layout of the book, with the addition of summary chapters reviewing each day's contributions and focusing upon areas of particular importance. Acknowledgement must here be made to the enormous input from the many participants who either spoke in the debate or rose and themselves gave small presenta tions in addition to those of the invited speakers. The meeting occurred at a time of increasing interest in the problem of nausea and vomiting, especially because of its importance in cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and even in space travel.

Treatment tolerance is a challenge for most cancer patients, and it is therefore essential that healthcare professionals (HCPs) are quick to recognize adverse events and implement management strategies to address them. Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting in Cancer Patients provides comprehensive guidance on managing nausea and vomiting, which are common and often severe adverse events experienced by patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The book refers to the latest American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), and Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) guidelines and will be a useful resource for oncologists, oncology fellows, general physicians, and other HCPs wishing to learn more about the effective management of chemotherapy-and radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.

Management of Cancer in the Older Patient, by Drs. Arash Naeim, David Reuben, and Patricia Ganz, offers the help you need to effectively diagnose, refer, and manage cancer in geriatric patients. You’ll see how to provide effective cancer screening; refer your patients to the right oncologist; deal with comorbidities, frailties, and other complications; navigate end-of-life issues; and much more. A templated, user-friendly format makes it easy to find and apply the answers you need. See how to best manage geriatric cancer patients with help from leading specialists in both geriatrics and oncology Make informed decisions as to when to refer patients to specialists. Provide the supportive care your patients and their families need on issues such as such as mental health, pain, fatigue, nausea, insomnia. Be prepared to help cancer survivors navigate their after-treatment care including adjuvant therapy, side effects, second cancers, quality of life, and other concerns. Offer accurate guidance on ethical issues like competency, end of life, hospice, the role of the caregiver, and more.