New Book Helps GravesÂ’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism Sufferers Live Well
Patient advocate Mary Shomon, New York Times best-selling author of "The Thyroid Diet," has just published her newest book, "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know." The book provides comprehensive, patient-empowering information on conventional and holistic approaches for the treatment and management of the overlooked and often misdiagnosed overactive thyroid conditions and autoimmune Graves' disease.
Kensington, MD (PRWEB) October 3, 2005
As many as 25 million people in the United States suffer from thyroid conditions, and among them are the overlooked and misunderstood sufferers of Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism, an over-functioning of the thyroid gland. George and Barbara Bush were diagnosed with Graves’ disease during the Gulf War and Olympic Sprinter Gail Devers was diagnosed during the 2000 Summer Olympics. However, for the millions of people who suffer from Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism, the process of assessing the symptoms, getting diagnosed and sorting through the myriad of treatments is a daunting task. Now with her new book, “Living Well With Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You…That You Need to Know,” New York Times best-selling author and thyroid patient advocate Mary Shomon presents readers with a comprehensive resource that spans from diagnosis to treatment to life after treatment.
Hyperthyroidism is caused by an overproduction of the thyroid hormone, which controls the body’s metabolism, and Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that triggers hyperthyroidism. In “Living Well,” Mary Shomon explains the history and science behind the disease, giving readers an understanding of the endocrine system, the metabolism, and the role of the thyroid.
With symptoms that include fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, hair loss, muscle aches/pains, and fertility problems, it’s easy to see why doctors frequently misdiagnose Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism, and patients themselves write off symptoms, assuming their problem is stress, depression, age, or “women’s” issues. Mary Shomon offers her readers a detailed “Checklist of Risks, Signs, and Symptoms” that they can fill out and share with their doctors, combined with explanations of the symptoms, as well as honest case studies and testimonials. Many of the explanations of the often difficult-to-understand symptoms also include personal patient anecdotes; Shomon shares the story of one woman whose friends convinced her that she had anorexia before she was properly diagnosed with Graves’ disease.
After helping readers to examine symptoms and verify a diagnosis, Shomon draws on an extensive network of experts to discuss treatment options. Understanding that treatment is ultimately requires an informed personal choice. To help, Shomon provides specific guidelines on four different routes a patient can follow, including the pros and cons of each:
The Traditional Antithyroid Drug Approach Traditional Radioactive Iodine Treatment Traditional Surgical Treatment A Complete Alternative/Holistic/Nutritional Approach An Integrative (Conventional Plus Alternative) Approach
The holistic and nutritional approaches to non-acute hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease are what make this book truly unique, and these innovative approaches may help patients reduce dependence on antithyroid drugs and avoid these drugs’ side-effects – or even potentially achieve a temporary or permanent remission in their disease itself. No other book dedicated to Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism has provided such detailed holistic protocols for these conditions.
"Living Well With GravesÂ’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism" also features special sections on treatments for specific problems, including thyroid eye disease, hyperthyroidism and fertility, hyperthyroidism during pregnancy, hyperthyroidism in newborns and children, the impact of hyperthyroidism on mental health, and ultimately, lifelong hypothyroidism (which is the usual result after most hyperthyroidism treatments, even though many doctors fail to mention this to patients).
"Living Well With GravesÂ’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism" closes with inspirational success stories and ideas on how to live well in the future. The hefty Resources Appendix features additional recommendations regarding books, websites, newsletters, organizations and support groups, and experts who can help patients get properly diagnosed, treated and live well.
Mary ShomonÂ’s sound and practical advice, complemented by her sensitivity to and understanding of patientsÂ’ needs, makes this book an unparalleled educational resource. She touches upon every method of diagnosis and treatment that even a general practitioner may neglect to mention. This book is a much-needed comprehensive approach for patients to take control of their thyroid condition.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Diagnosed with a thyroid disease in 1995, Mary Shomon has transformed her health challenges into a mission as a nationally-known patient advocate. In 1996, Mary founded the popular Thyroid Info patient website at http://www. thyroid-info. com (http://www. thyroid-info. com), and she has been the About. com Thyroid Disease guide since 1997, writing thousands of articles at http://thyroid. about. com (http://thyroid. about. com). Mary Shomon is the New York Times best-selling author of "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss." The book, published in 2004 by HarperCollins, was also an Amazon. com Top 10 Health Book of 2004, and a Quills Award Semi-Finalist. Her first health book, "Living Well With Hypothyroidism," was a health bestseller since its publication by HarperCollins in 2000. After 20 printings, the book has been updated and revised, and was re-released in 2005. Mary is also the author of "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease," "Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia," and "The Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Success." She also edits the thyroid patient subscription newsletter, "Sticking Out Our Necks," and the "Sticking Out Our Necks" email newsletter and "Weight Off My Mind" thyroid diet/metabolism newsletter. A member of the Endocrine Society, Mary is also one of the first patient members of the American Academy on Physician and Patient. She lives in Kensington, Maryland.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
TITLE: "Living Well With GravesÂ’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism: What Your Doctor DoesnÂ’t Tell You...That You Need to Know"
AUTHOR: Mary J. Shomon
PUBLICATION DATE: September 27, 2005
PRICE: $14.95 ($19.95 Can.); Paperback
ISBN: 0-06-073019-6
WEBSITE: http://www. thyroid-info. com/graves (http://www. thyroid-info. com/graves)
MORE INFORMATION ONLINE:
Special features offering additional information about “Living Well With Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism” are available online at the book's website -- http://www. thyroid-info. com/graves (http://www. thyroid-info. com/graves) -- including:
Table of Contents -- http://www. thyroid-info. com/graves/contents. htm (http://www. thyroid-info. com/graves/contents. htm)
Read a Chapter Online -- http://www. thyroid-info. com/graves/chapter. htm (http://www. thyroid-info. com/graves/chapter. htm)
Risks, Signs & Symptoms Checklist: Graves' Disease & Hyperthyroidism -- http://www. thyroid-info. com/graves/checklist. htm (http://www. thyroid-info. com/graves/checklist. htm)
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