ABC of Alcohol

Although doctors are mainly concerned with the physical or psychological problems of individual drinkers, the wider social consequences of alcohol misuse are just as important. Fully revised and updated, this fourth edition of the ABC of alcohol contains new sections on the impact of alcohol on Accident and Emergency departments and surgical practice as well as the potential dangers of the interaction of alcohol and legal and illegal drugs. This practical, well illustrated guide is an ideal reference for general practitioners and all health and social professionals who deal with people who have alcohol problems.

Chronic pain is a very common problem, impacting on many patients. Assessment and management can be challenging. The ABC of Pain focuses on the pain management issues often encountered in primary care. Covering major chronic pain presentations, such as musculoskeletal pain, low back pain and neuropathic pain, the ABC of Pain also provides guidance on the management of pain in pregnancy, children, older adults, drug dependency and the terminally ill. Beginning with an overview of the epidemiology of chronic pain, pain mechanisms and the assessment of pain, it then provides practical guidance on interventional procedures and methods of effective pain management. The ABC of Pain is a comprehensive, evidence-based reference. It is ideal for GPs, junior doctors, nurse specialists in primary care, palliative care specialists, and also hospital and hospice staff managing chronically and terminally ill patients.

ABC of Epilepsy provides a practical guide for general practitioners, and all those working in primary care, on the diagnosis, treatment and management of epilepsy, and for the continued monitoring and long term support of what is still a relatively poorly understood neurological disorder. This brand new title in the ABC series is highly illustrated throughout and presents what epilepsy is, its classification, and how to diagnose it. It covers anti-epileptic drugs and non-drug treatments, as well as self-management and living with epilepsy. Edited by a general practitioner and neurologist team, the ABC of Epilepsy reflects current NICE guidelines and is ideal for all GPs, primary health care professionals, practice nurses and specialist nurses, and non-specialist medical staff who play an increasing role in monitoring and managing of epilepsy patients.

In its different presentations, headache is one of the most common symptoms seen by family practitioners. The difficulty is in diagnosing the cause of the headache so that the appropriate treatment is provided, or if referral to a specialist is the recommended course of action. The ABC of Headache helps with this dilemma and guides the healthcare professional to look for the possible causes of presenting symptoms. Based on real case histories, each chapter guides the reader from symptoms through to diagnosis and management. This new ABC is a highly illustrated, informative, and practical source of knowledge. With links to further information and resources, it is a valuable text for healthcare professionals at all levels of practice and training.

Asthma is a common condition with increasing prevalence. This new edition of the highly regarded ABC of Asthma has been thoroughly revised with reference to the latest British Thoracic Society guidelines on the management of asthma in children and adults. It covers the advances in practice and methods, with a new emphasis on delivery systems, self-dose assessment and delivery of care with different pharmacological approaches. The ABC of Asthma is a concise, up-to-date overview of all aspects of asthma and includes two new chapters focussing on GP practice issues including clinical management and organisation of asthma care. It is ideal for GPs, junior doctors and medical students, nurses, and anyone dealing with the treatment of asthma in children and adults.

ABC of Rheumatology continues to be a practical and informative guide to the assessment, treatment and management of common rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions within primary care. Fully updated to reflect developments in this fast growing field, the fifth edition covers overviews of all key areas of rheumatology, and includes new chapters on radiology and immunology, as well as expanded coverage on metabolic bone disease, chronic widespread pain, and complex regional pain syndrome. Featuring highly illustrated chapters, boxed summaries and links to further resources, ABC of Rheumatology is an accessible reference for all primary care health professional, general practitioners, family physicians, junior doctors, medical students and nurses.

The ABC of Urology provides a comprehensive review of current practice in urology and is a structured and practical guide to the diagnosis, treatment and management of the most common urological conditions. This new third edition has been fully revised and expanded with additional chapters and improved coverage of renal and testis cancer, management of haematuria, laparoscopy, trauma and new urological advances. Prostate, bladder, renal and penile cancers are also covered in detail and new techniques and procedures for safer and effective treatment options are featured. The ABC of Urology is the ideal reference for general practitioners and general practitioner trainees, junior doctors and practice nurses, medical students and all primary health care professionals working to provide the best possible care for patients with urological conditions.

ABC of Multimorbidity is the first title to provide primary care practitioners with a practical approach to the complex issues of treating and managing patients with more than one morbidity. Ageing populations and earlier diagnosis of chronic conditions mean more people are living longer with multimorbidity. However, treatment guidelines are often designed for treatment in isolation of other morbidities. Multimorbidity management therefore requires a more patient centred approach and greater knowledge and coordination of existing services. Effective multimorbidity management both improves overall patient well-being and reduces the overall demand on health services. ABC of Multimorbidity examines how multimorbidities can be addressed within primary care, from the GP and family physician consultation through to the effective use of a range of health care services. It addresses complex issues such as polypharmacy, mental health, patient safety, patient involvement in self-management, and the role of the practitioner. It then provides guidance on how multimorbidities can be best treated and managed within primary care through specific interventions to improve outcomes. From an international, primary care editor and contributor team, ABC of Multimorbidity is a practical resource for general practitioners, family physicians, practice and specialist nurses, and others caring for multimorbid patients. It is also relevant for junior doctors, medical trainees and students.

The third edition of the ABC of COPD provides the entire multidisciplinary team across both primary and secondary care with an up-to-date, easy to read and accessible account of this common lung disorder. Thoroughly updated by experienced clinicians dealing with patients with COPD on a regular basis, it discusses the entire breadth of the condition from epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, treatment and end of life care. This practical and highly visual guide contains new and extensively updated chapters on diagnosis, smoking cessation and interventional approaches as well as expanded content on non-pharmacological and pharmacological management taking into account the most recent national and international guidelines. It also explores practical issues relating to COPD in terms of pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen use, air travel, and end of life care. The ABC of COPD is an authoritative and essential guide for specialist nurses, general practitioners, physiotherapists, junior doctors, front line staff working in emergency departments, paramedics, physician associates and students of medicine and its allied disciplines.

ABC of Diabetes provides primary care practitioners with a practical guide to all aspects of diabetes including the aetiology, diagnosis and management of Types 1 and 2 diabetes, detection and prevention, and the organization of care and support. Advances in diabetes care take place at a rapid rate and this new edition is updated throughout to cover the latest evidence-based information for contemporary practice. A new chapter describes the management of severe and complex obesity complicated by diabetes and the management of patients through bariatric surgery. It also covers the growing number of devices and digital technology, including health informatics, that can assist in diabetes care and provides evidence of their benefit. With more links to useful websites and resources online, it is now easier than ever to keep up-to-date with changes. Drawing on the professional and teaching experience of an expert author team, ABC of Diabetes is an essential guide for general practice, primary care practitioners, diabetes specialist nurses, as well as for medical students and those training in diabetes as a specialty.