Courage and Information for Life With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The Handbook for Patients, Families, and Care Givers Managing COPD (Emphysema, Asthmatic Bronchitis, or Chronic Bronchitis).

Courage and Information for Life With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The Handbook for Patients, Families, and Care Givers Managing COPD (Emphysema, Asthmatic Bronchitis, or Chronic Bronchitis) Carter R, Nicotra B, Tucker JV. Onset, MA 02558, New Technology Publishing Inc, 1999, paperback, 266 pp, illus, ISBN: 1-882431-06-5, $29.95.

The authors describe this text as a handbook for patients, families, and caregivers managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is clearly written, easy to read, and illustrated with straightforward drawings and photographs. In fact, one of the authors is a woman who was diagnosed with COPD.

The foreword, "Taking Charge of COPD," emphasizes the importance of the patients' participation in the management of their disease, and the introduction describes the need for communication between the physician and patient. Chapter 1 consists of frequently asked questions and their answers. Chapter 2 is a personal account of Jo-Von Tucker's reaction to her diagnosis of COPD, the stages of acceptance, and her fear of the unknown. Practical information in this chapter includes advice on finding a physician and developing a partnership with that professional. The patient checklists throughout this book are especially helpful. In this chapter, there is a checklist for the physician interview and a symptoms checklist. The authors continue to stress the patients' responsibilities in the management of their condition. Chapter 3 is an introductory chapter on pulmonary anatomy and physiology.

Chapter 4 is a practical guide to medications and treatments. Topics include using a meter-dose inhaler, cleaning inhalers, using and cleaning nebulizers, medications, side effects, postural drainage, percussion, and vibration. The next chapter uses the same approach to explain the use of supplemental oxygen.

Subsequent chapters include information on smoking cessation strategies, sleep disturbances, sex, exercise, and nutrition for the patient with COPD. "Recipe for Living" (chapter 9) is full of helpful hints for getting through life with COPD, including tips for shopping, doing laundry, preparing meals, entertaining, traveling, and much more.

Severe disease and treatment, including surgery, is covered along with information on legal rights of the patient and advance directives. "How To Make Life: Easier" (chapter 12) consists of more tips and checklists. The text concludes with a glossary, references, and patient resources.

This is an excellent handbook for people with COPD and their families and is a valuable resource for any health care specialist working with this patient population.

John P Sanko, PT, EdD University of Scranton Scranton, Pa

Dr Sanko is Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy where he teaches courses in cardiopulmonary physical therapy, exercise physiology, and research.