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Reviewer
Martin Entwistle, MBChB, FRCSEd, Publisher, Enigma Publishing Ltd.
Description
This book, published in 1999, provides a valuable resource for the many individuals who suffer from peripheral neuropathy and experience the associated effects, including pain. The author is an articulate lay person who, himself, has had peripheral neuropathy for more than 10 years and has written the book to address the lack of information for consumers and the lack of awareness of the condition, especially amongst the medical profession.
Purpose
The book explains peripheral neuropathy at a fairly high level but in non-technical terms, outlining how it develops and how someone is affected such that it is understandable by an affected individual, as well as their family and friends.
A large part of the book is devoted to in depth explanations of the range of treatments available, including those currently under investigation.
Feedback and comments from those with peripheral neuropathy are provided so that readers can benefit from the personal experience of others, although it is emphasised that this is not to be regarded as medical opinion.
Information is also provided for those with special considerations, eg neuropathies related to diabetes or HIV, as well as advice on how those affected can enjoy a better quality of life.
Audience
The primary audience for this book is the people who suffer from peripheral neuropathy and those who live close to them including partners, family and friends. At the same time it has wide appeal to professionals involved in the area, doctors, nurses and physical therapists as it eloquently describes the day-to-day reality of those who must live with this condition.
Synopsis
The text is divided into nine chapters. The first chapter commences with an explanation of peripheral neuropathy, its causes, investigations and assessment.
Chapter 2 outlines the range of problems associated with peripheral neuropathies, eg numbness, muscle weakness, etc, but focusses almost exclusively on pain. Physical and psychological explanations for its origins are given and the conclusion is drawn that both aspects are involved in a complex process that is not fully understood.
The next three chapters tackle the important issues of treatment. These chapters open by identifying some of the specific neuropathies which may be alleviated by treatment, while observing that such treatment will not lead to a cure. In many cases, however, pain persists as a major problem and the remainder of the chapter identifies the various medications available for its relief, many of which are only available on prescription and not necessarily available in all countries.
Other medical therapies are then explained, before introducing alternative treatments. Nutrients are explained next and their important role as complementary therapies is outlined.
The next chapter tackles the sensitive issue of experimental or unapproved use of drugs, and an extensive overview of the current state of experimentation and research is given.
Chapter 8 gives information for those with special considerations, diabetes and HIV in particular, and chapter 9 closes with information on coping, and improving quality of life until a cure is found.
Availability
The book may be ordered at the MedPress Online web site. A "Global Priority" option is provided which will enable delivery to New Zealand and Australia within 5-6 days.
Assessment
This is an extensive and well-written text primarily targeted at the individual sufferer of peripheral neuropathies and their caregivers. Nonetheless it will make useful reading for practitioners, to give insight on both the impact of the condition and the range of advice available to sufferers.
The author acknowledges that the area is fast moving and provides a useful form for readers to register their interest in being kept informed of developments.
While this text is thoroughly recommended, a few suggestions are made, although these in no way undermine the value of the book.
An appendix of related resources, in particular those available on the Internet would be useful, as would a greater range of information for international readers.
In addition it would be good to see referencing conform to the "Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals". This would assist practitioners and individuals to more easily obtain copies of referenced material.
