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Autoimmune diseases -- including chronic fatigue syndrome, vasculitis, juvenile diabetes, alopecia, Graves' disease, Sj#246;gren's syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis -- are among the hottest topics in the medical community. Although these diseases express themselves in different ways, in all of them, the body's immune system begins to attack normally functioning, healthy cells. Despite the recent surge in interest and research, these fascinating diseases are highly mysterious, frequently misdiagnosed, and controversial in cause and treatment. They are often interconnected in ways that are both misunderstood and life-threatening. And one of the biggest puzzles is why 80 percent of autoimmune disease sufferers are women.
In this authoritative yet thoroughly approachable guide, world-class immunologist Dr. Robert Lahita brings to bear his years of intensive research, patient care, and diagnostic acumen to shed light on the mysteries of these conditions, with a particular focus on how they affect -- and how he treats -- women.
One of the world's foremost authorities on the subject, Dr. Lahita strikes a refreshing balance between medical explanation and readability. Through the use of case studies, he describes the early warning signs (including minor triggers such as headaches, nausea, or exhaustion), symptoms, diagnostic processes, and the latest and most innovative treatments for the familiar -- as well as many of the lesser known -- autoimmune diseases. This scientifically sound, grounded, thorough, and sensitive work will be greeted with appreciation by anyone who wants to better understand these perplexing and often debilitating diseases.
Customer Reviews
Full explanation I can understand (2010-01-02)
I was told by several Dr.s that I have "mixed connective tissue disease" because I have a high ANA count. Each time - with a different Dr.- I asked what this means and they would say "it's your immune system fighting against itself; that's why you have MS, Lupus, Raynauds, Sjogrens, Osteoarthritis, Dupetryns, etc,etc,etc. That is as far as the explanations went. One day I was in the library and picked up this book. It totally explained all of these and how and why they are caused by immune cells fighting against each other - i.e. AutoImmune Disease. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has been diagnosed with any of the above problems. You'll understand what and why you have something.I immediately ordered it from Amazon.
Autoimmune sufferes must read! (2009-09-12)
My 26 year old sister-in-law recently had a stroke. She suffers from a first misdiagnosed, which is now an undiagnosed autoimmune disease. It is too bad her doctors didn't read this book. She was sent home by a hospital, general doc. & a neurologist after suffering 2 of the soon to be 5 infarctions. They said it was probably a sinus infection and a migrane. Please be aware of THICK BLOOD (blood clots) Autoimmune disease sufferers. You must be your own doctor with such a mysterious disease. I wish I knew more...the doctors knew more...before the bloodclot/stroke. This book opens your eyes to a lot of typical, but not too common things for women and autoimmune disease. A must read!
One of the Best! (2009-08-31)
I have purchased several books like this recently as I am being worked up for an autoimmune disorder myself. I like this one best of all. I found the information very useful and easy to understand and the book is easy to read through and stay with. its not dry like so many textbooks can be. I just wish Dr.Lahita was local for me as I'd love to go to him as a patient. I've considered flying across country to see him but my family thinks I'm nuts.
I recommend this book to anyone trying to get a grasp on autoimmune disorders.
Interesting overview (2006-02-07)
I find the book to be very reader friendly (very nice, useable set up) and some of the information can be useful. Overall I don't think this book acts as a good reference, though it's an interesting read. I found the section on multiple sclerosis to be inconsistent with information given by reputable multiple sclerosis resources (such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - for example: saying there are three types of MS: remitting, progressive and benign. There are actually four types: relapsing-remitting, primary-progressive, secondary-progressive and primary-remitting (people with what he calls benign account for an extremely small percentage of MS patients). His overview of diagnosis seems a little too general as well (his case studies aren't the best examples either. Forgetting information for a test is not unusual and memory loss, like forgetting where you put your keys, is not an exaggerated senior moment, I'm sure that most people have had that happen a few times). I don't know whether his views on the disease, diagnosis and treatments are outdated or just different, but I would not recommend this as a resource - at least not for MS (maybe it's better for some of the others), even if you are just family and friends wanting to get an idea. I think there are many other books that would give a clearer more detailed view of the disease. It is an interesting read though and it's nice to see a book geared toward women and autoimmune diseases. I think he's on to something there, but I think he has more general knowledge than specific with some of the disorders.
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