Life and Breath: Preventing, Treating and Reversing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

by Neil Schachter

Book Overview

For the first time in one collected volume, a doctor explores the signs and symptoms of COPD, examining the lifestyle, environmental, and physiological factors. Schachter describes exercise routines,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767912888
• ISBN13: 9780767912884
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Broadway Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book for anyone with COPD or asthma!

I picked this book up because I was concerned about my husband, who has had a morning cough for about 2 years. The book was the catalyst to a whole lifestyle change for him! We went to his doctor, had him tested for COPD (he is in the early stages), he quit smoking, we ripped out our carpet, we've changed our diet.... I can't say enough about the value of this book. Read it!!!

Life and Breath

Finally, a book to help patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The families of people suffering from COPD will have a better understanding of the disease after reading this book. At the present time, COPD is not curable. However, by reading Life and Breath, it will help those suffering from COPD live longer, happier and healthier lives. The book will teach us how to better control COPD. One is taught and is given a better understanding of the complete chest workup. Eating habits are gone over extensively, and we learn that by changing our diet we can breath easier and more normally. Pulmonary protection and physical work outs will allow us to breath easier and realize it is never too late to give up bad habits. Treatment strategies for both asthma and COPD are outlined in the book and are extremely important. I recommend this bood to doctors, COPD patients and their families. Daniel J. Colona, NY

Well worth the read....

I first saw Dr. Schacter being interviewed on the Today Show in April while I was home recouperating from my third round of pneumonia in about 15 years. I ordered the book immediately and read it within a day of receiving it. The information contained in the book was extremely helpful in educating me about how serious a chronic cough can be and how important it is to get appropriate treatment for anything that is related to your lungs on a timely basis. My sister is a severe asthmatic and I ordered a copy for her and sent it to her in California.Following my bout of pneumonia, I have learned that I have a pulmonary nodule and again found the information in the book helpful as I have begun to navigate the ramifications of that health issue. When I was first diagnosed, I also emailed Dr. Schacter some questions and he responded to me personally which was certainly "above and beyond." I highly recommend this book to anyone anyone with any pulmonary issues.

This book could save your life

This is an excellent book for anyone suffering from or who has just acquired a breathing disorder. I bought it after coming down with a case of bronchitis that would not go away after several weeks. The book helped me realize the dangers of not getting the proper treatment for COPD. It also helped me be a partner with my doctor in the treatment of it. I understand the treatment decisions, the drugs used (and not used) and what to do to prevent a recurrance. The cost of the book is a small price to pay for being a knowledgeable patient.

Eminently readable, very interesting

I happened to open Dr. Schachter's book randomly and began reading about the complications of cigarette smoking. As an ex-smoker (I quit after a "warning" heart attack several years ago and still dread the thought of lung cancer) I found the information both revealing and riveting. I read much more of "Life and Breath" and discovered a great deal of information that really hit home for myself and several people in my life - primarily the links between one's diet and home environment with asthma, heart disease, hypertension and some cancers. The book also surprised me with some common symptoms a person could easily dismiss as "nothing to worry about" but which could be clear signs of a totally unexpected lung disease. Most impressive was the doctor's writing style. It is delightfully engaging and very clear, presenting medical information as a skilled storyteller would. This was a pleasant surprise and greatly enhanced my enjoyment of "Life and Breath". I'm a mystery fan and this is a book I never expected to read. But once I got going, "Life and Breath" was as interesting as a good forensic whodunit.