Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends (Patient Centered Guides) - Softcover

Toporek, Chuck; Robinson, Kellie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 156592410X ISBN 13: 9781565924109

Publisher: Patient Centered Guides, 1999

Synopsis

Hydrocephalus, often referred to as "water on the brain," is a potentially life-threatening condition that affects one in a thousand babies born in the U.S. Hydrocephalus is now generally treated with surgical placement of a shunt system that drains excess fluid around the brain to another part of the body where it can be absorbed.As the child grows, shunt revision surgeries are often necessary. Adults with hydrocephalus can be prone to shunt failures or other changes that necessitate subsequent surgeries. Lifestyle choices or pregnancy can strongly impact fluid pressure and health.Authors Chuck Toporek and Kellie Robinson have lived with hydrocephalus for years and have interviewed neurosurgeons, patient advocates, and families living with the condition.Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends informs patient and family so that you can:

• Select a skilled neurosurgeon
• Understand what treatments are being proposed
• Participate more fully in your care
• Know what you can expect during and after surgery
• Know symptoms needing attention
• Know where to turn for support
• Keep records helpful for future diagnostic or surgical work

Families who read this book will encounter medical facts clearly explained, advice to ease their daily life, and tools for patient advocacy.

About this title

About the Author

Chuck Toporek cut his teeth on a Mac II system when he got his first job in publishing in 1988, and has been using them ever since. Chuck is a senior editor in charge of the Mac OS X/Apple Developer Connection (ADC) series for O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. He is also the author/editor of the Mac OS X Panther Pocket Guide, co-author of Mac OS X in a Nutshell, and author of the upcoming title, Inside .Mac.

Kellie Robinson, who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus in 1971, is a freelance writer and has worked in broadcasting. Kellie also writes a column for adults with hydrocephalus for the Hydrocephalus Association's quarterly newsletter. Chuck Toporek has worked as an editor in medical and scientific publishing since 1988 and is currently the managing editor of Web Review magazine. Together, the authors combined their skills and personal experiences to research and write the first guide for patients with hydrocephalus.

Edition details

• Publisher: Patient Centered Guides
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 156592410X
• ISBN 13: 9781565924109
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 379