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The article is excerpted from Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine.


Consult the second edition of this authoritative, comprehensive, in-depth medical guide for information on more than 1,700 medical topics in language accessible to adult laypersons. Presented in a single alphabetical sequence, articles range in length from one or two paragraphs for minor topics, to several pages or m... More

The article is excerpted from Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine.


Consult the second edition of this authoritative, comprehensive, in-depth medical guide for information on more than 1,700 medical topics in language accessible to adult laypersons. Presented in a single alphabetical sequence, articles range in length from one or two paragraphs for minor topics, to several pages or more for major topics. Disease/disorder articles typically cover definition; description; causes and symptoms; diagnosis; treatments; prevention; and more. Test/treatment articles typically cover definition; purposes; precautions; preparation; risks; normal and abnormal results; and much more. This second edition includes more than 200 new entries, 300 updated entries, approximately 650 color images and illustrations, and a comprehensive subject index. New features include biographical and historical sidebars throughout the text.

Disease/disorder articles contain some or all of the following sections: Definitions -- brief dictionary-style definition of the disorder Descriptions -- overview of the disorder; who gets it and why Causes & symptoms -- process, substance or organism that produces the condition; any risk factors that increase susceptibility to the condition; signs and symptoms of the disease Diagnosis -- overview of procedures and tests used to diagnose the condition; how the test is done; who should be tested and when; time required; cost; whether it's typically covered by insurance Treatments -- overview of conventional methods of care or management of the condition, such as drugs, surgeries, physical therapy, etc. Alternative treatments -- overview of alternative/complementary therapies that may be used to treat the condition Prognosis -- probable outcome of the disease Preventions -- what actions can be taken to prevent the condition from occurring

Test/treatment articles contain some or all of the following sections: Definitions -- brief dictionary-style definition of the test/treatment Purposes -- why and when this test/treatment is prescribed Precautions -- when this test/treatment should not be prescribed Descriptions -- overview of the test/treatment including cost, length of time required, procedures followed, whether typically covered by insurance Preparation -- pre-test treatment procedures, if any Aftercare -- post-test treatment procedures, if any Risks -- any complications/side effects commonly associated with the test/treatment Normal results -- for tests, describes the normal values; for treatments, describes the anticipated outcomes Abnormal results -- defines abnormal test values



Published/Released: December 2001

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