Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners need to have an understanding of Western medical testing to recognize when laboratory tests are required and to interpret test results that are brought to them by patients. This book is an essential reference for the TCM classroom and clinic that teaches how to use and understand conventional lab testing in the treatment and referral of patients. Focusing on symptoms that commonly present in TCM practices, the book groups the lab tests by diseases or systems. Within each chapter are TCM case studies and perspectives, as well as multiple choice quizzes that test the reader's knowledge. Co-written by a doctor of Western medicine and an acupuncture physician, the book aims to familiarize TCM practitioners with the terminology and methodology of lab tests, bridging the gap between Eastern and Western schools of medicine and promoting an integrative approach to improve the overall care of the patient.

"This beautifuly designed two color book is filled with over 100 detailed illustrations to help the reader better understand the materials being presented. Red flag cases are included and clearly explained to help the practitioner decide when an immediate referral is necessary. This book covers many Western diseases you will encounter and is clearly written for practitioners of Chinese medicine. With this textbook you will learn the clinical presentation and treatment of the major diseases seen in Western medical practice today, and how to confidently interact with Western medical practitioners."--Publisher

The underlying technology and the range of test parameters available are evolving rapidly. The primary advantage of POCT is the convenience of performing the test close to the patient and the speed at which test results can be obtained, compared to sending a sample to a laboratory and waiting for results to be returned. Thus, a series of clinical applications are possible that can shorten the time for clinical decision-making about additional testing or therapy, as delays are no longer caused by preparation of clinical samples, transport, and central laboratory analysis. Tests in a POC format can now be found for many medical disciplines including endocrinology/diabetes, cardiology, nephrology, critical care, fertility, hematology/coagulation, infectious disease and microbiology, and general health screening. Point-of-care testing (POCT) enables health care personnel to perform clinical laboratory testing near the patient. The idea of conventional and POCT laboratory services presiding within a hospital seems contradictory; yet, they are, in fact, complementary: together POCT and central laboratory are important for the optimal functioning of diagnostic processes. They complement each other, provided that a dedicated POCT coordination integrates the quality assurance of POCT into the overall quality management system of the central laboratory. The motivation of the third edition of the POCT book from Luppa/Junker, which is now also available in English, is to explore and describe clinically relevant analytical techniques, organizational concepts for application and future perspectives of POCT. From descriptions of the opportunities that POCT can provide to the limitations that clinician’s must be cautioned about, this book provides an overview of the many aspects that challenge those who choose to implement POCT. Technologies, clinical applications, networking issues and quality regulations are described as well as a survey of future technologies that are on the future horizon. The editors have spent considerable efforts to update the book in general and to highlight the latest developments, e.g., novel POCT applications of nucleic acid testing for the rapid identification of infectious agents. Of particular note is also that a cross-country comparison of POCT quality rules is being described by a team of international experts in this field.

Designed specifically for the needs of acupuncturists. Within each chapter of the book are not only basics of examination techniques, but problem-based case studies with questions, quizzes and review exercises -- from the publisher's review.

Finding the right criteria to use when judging Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is essential if it is to stand up to criticism from those concerned about the importance of evidence-based medicine. This edited volume highlights how CAM requires different research tools and techniques from conventional medicine, and examines effective methodologies for accurately assessing CAM. Addressing a problem which is often cited as the reason for a failure to appreciate the potential in CAM approaches to patient care, experts from a wide array of CAM modalities suggest the most effective research methodology for each particular therapy and illustrate how a lack of adherence to that methodology produces a less effective assessment. Disciplines covered include Traditional Chinese Medicine, homeopathy, herbal medicine, craniosacral therapy, qigong and yoga. Providing direction in research and the best criteria to appropriately assess each discipline, this book highlights and responds to the issues underlying research in CAM. It will be of interest to anyone involved in CAM research, in addition to CAM practitioners and students, western medical practitioners looking to include CAM in their treatments, and anyone studying research design and methodology.

Based on careful analysis of burden of disease and the costs ofinterventions, this second edition of 'Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries, 2nd edition' highlights achievable priorities; measures progresstoward providing efficient, equitable care; promotes cost-effectiveinterventions to targeted populations; and encourages integrated effortsto optimize health. Nearly 500 experts - scientists, epidemiologists, health economists,academicians, and public health practitioners - from around the worldcontributed to the data sources and methodologies, and identifiedchallenges and priorities, resulting in this integrated, comprehensivereference volume on the state of health in developing countries.

This practical book provides need-to-know information vital for acupuncturists to treat patients with fertility problems. Nick Dalton-Brewer details the causes of fertility issues, including the impact of lifestyle and diet, and explains the scientific basis for the different methods of treatment. Integrating Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies and acupuncture, he presents his own cutting-edge research on the successful use of these therapies to improve fertility and pregnancy rates and describes a method for integrated diagnosis and treatment. This book will give TCM practitioners direct access to the vital specialist knowledge and technical information needed to treat the increasing numbers of patients with fertility problems effectively. It will also be of interest to doctors of Western medicine concerned about the efficacy of recommending acupuncture treatments as adjuncts to ART.

This new edition of Basic Skills in Interpreting Laboratory Data, 4th Edition is acase-based learning tool that will enhance your skills in clinical lab test interpretation. It provides fundamentals of interpreting lab test results not only for pharmacy students, but also for practitioners as an aid in assessing patient drug-treatment responses. It is the only text written by and for pharmacists and provides case studies and practical information on patient therapy.Since the publication of the third edition, much has changed—in the clinical lab and in the hospital pharmacy. Consequently, the new fourth edition incorporates significant revisions and a wealth of important new information. NEW TO THIS EDITION: Three new chapters including new information on men’s health, women’s health, and pharmacogenomics and laboratory tests. Mini-cases embedded in each chapter provide therapy-related examples and reinforce important points made in the text. Quickview Charts give an overview of important clinical information including reference ranges and critical values. Learning Points focus on a clinical application of a major concept present in the chapter.

The definitive source for choosing the optimal herbal therapy- thoroughly revised and updated. Millions of Americans are turning to herbal therapies to heal what ails them-either as an alternative or as a supplement to traditional medicine. From the most trusted name in natural healing, Phyllis A. Balch's new edition of Prescription for Herbal Healing provides the most current research and comprehensive facts in an easy-to-read A- to-Z format, including: Information on more than 200 herbs and herbal combination formulas, ranging from well-known herbs, such as ginseng and St. John's Wort, to less familiar remedies, such as khella and prickly ash Chinese and ayurvedic herbal combinations Discussion of more than 150 common disorders from acne to yeast infection, and suggested herbal treatment therapies

Looks at the basic principles of herbal medicine and outlines the properties of herbs and herbal combination forumlas for various kinds of ailments and alternative treatments.