The New Standard in Medical Reference DK Publishing has just made it easier for you to become a better-informed patient, with the American College of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide -- the most elaborately illustrated, innovative and authoritative guide to family heath and medicine ever produced, featuring the latest advances in medical science and a proactive approach to health care. Compiled by a team of more than 70 internationally acclaimed medical experts and specialists in conjunction with the American College of Physicians -- the nation's largest medical specialty organization -- the Complete Home Medical Guide covers everything you need to maximize your health and well-being. Jargon-free text and clear layouts provide guidelines for a healthy lifestyle and explanations of diagnostic techniques and treatments, as well as symptom charts and detailed descriptions of all major medical conditions. One of the key features is the magnificent full-color images. Every aspect of health and medicine is brought to life through more than 2,000 drawings, vivid photographs, microscope images and specialized medical scans. One particular innovative feature is the combination of artwork and photography, creating unique detailed images of medical procedures with unrivaled accuracy. The result is a collection of stunning images that make medical information easily accessible and help you understand diseases and disorders, medical procedures, how your body works, and how to keep healthy. The Complete Home Medical Guide has the latest facts on genetics, lifestyle and health. The roles that genetics and lifestyle choices play in determining your health are emphasized throughout the book. By understanding the factors that affect your health, you and your physician can optimize your current and future well-being. Interpret your symptoms with the user-friendly guide. Seventy easy-to-use symptom charts describe common symptoms, suggest possible causes for them, and guide you to seek the appropriate level of medical help. They are cross-referenced to articles on particular diseases and disorders and self-help boxes. In addition to carts that apply to all ages, there are charts that cover symptoms affecting only women, men, or children. The Disease and Disorders section presents accurate, detailed, and accessible information on more than 750 conditions. The section is subdivided primarily by body system, with each subsection introduced with accounts of normal anatomy and physiology. Individual articles discuss each disease or disorder in depth, and illustrated boxes describe specific tests, treatments and self-help procedures. Other features include a Drug Glossary that lists more than 2,500 generic and brand name drugs used in the US; a specific section on Infants and Children; every book come with a free interactive CD-ROM -- The Ultimate Human Body 2.0. This outstanding CD-ROM includes unique 3-D graphics, microphotography, and authoritative text making it the perfect tool for learning about your body; a comprehensive selection of online sites cross-referenced from articles throughout the book. The American College of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide may be the biggest health book you've ever lifted--page count: 1100; page size: 10 by 7.5 inches. The emphasis here is on disease. More than 600 pages are devoted to more than 700 different diseases and disorders. Each article discusses the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis of the condition. Two thousand full-color illustrations let you see disease symptoms up close, understand the anatomy, and view treatments. Online resources are also given for additional and updated information--though the light-blue type of the URLs can make them difficult to read and type. Besides disease information, you'll appreciate the 70 symptom charts--find your symptom (lump, wheezing, impaired vision, abdominal pain, for example) and follow the flow chart, which pins down specifics and makes suggestions. You can also learn first aid and read about drugs, surgery, and rehabilitation. [...] --Joan Price The newest addition to the lay medical literature is a stunningly illustrated volume from the American College of Physicians and DK. The American editors are physicians on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. They have adapted material prepared by British practitioners. The book is organized in sections. "Taking Control of Your Health" discusses genetics, health, and health care at different stages of life; and lifestyle issues such as diet, exercise, safety, and substance abuse. "Assessing Your Symptoms" is a series of color-coded flow charts. Some are general and others are specifically for men, women, or children. They guide users through the process of analyzing symptoms and deciding when to seek medical care. "Looking for Disease" covers medical examinations, laboratory tests, and imaging techniques. "Your Body and Disease" discusses va