Diseases, Disorders, Symptoms

Every year, between 4 and 20 percent of the world population catches some form of influenza. Influenza, or the flu, is an infection caused by a viruses, much like the common cold, but unlike the common cold, the flu, whether seasonal, avian, or swine, has killed millions around the world throughout recorded history. Advances in science are producing effective vaccines and medications to combat this disease, but the influenza virus continues to change. Readers will learn what the flu is and what it is not, what different types of flu exist, how to avoid infection, and what to do if they get the flu.

Everyone has heard of eating disorders. Readers and viewers of television, magazines, tabloids, and the Internet are kept up to date on which celebrities are too thin and which are too fat, but how much do people really understand about these psychological illnesses. This book demystifies the complex causes of eating disorders, discusses a myriad of treatment options, addresses helpful preventative measures, and highlights real people living with eating disorders.

Nineteen million new STD infections occur each year. STDs have been around since there were humans, yet the history, causes, symptoms, treatment, and current topics surrounding these diseases are not always adequately addressed because of fear, embarrassment, and social stigma. This informative book discusses the causes and symptoms of the most common STDs, answers important questions, shows how real people deal with STDs, and much more.

Diabetes can affect anyone from children to teens, and even to Olympic athletes, and famous performers. This informative book will answer questions about diabetes: what it is and what it does to the body, how glucose and insulin work, why not every diabetic has to inject insulin, how a healthy diet and exercise can help people avoid Type 2 diabetes, and how amazing advances in treatment may someday make insulin injections a thing of the past.

Depression and bipolar disorder are imbalances in brain chemistry that affect mood, perception, and behavior. If left untreated, these imbalances can lead to years of pain and even suicide. Better understanding of the causes of depression and bipolar disorder and a revolution in medications for psychiatric illness along with psychotherapy have made both conditions treatable and brought relief to millions. Everything from the history of these disorders to their treatment options and stories of real teens dealing with depression are covered.

Even though tuberculosis can be successfully treated with antibiotics, it still infects millions of people every year, causing painful, debilitating symptoms and sometimes death. The overuse of antibiotics has led to the evolution of "superbugs," creating strains of TB and other diseases that are much more difficult to cure. This book investigates the history of TB and other drug-resistant diseases, explains who is most susceptible, and discusses the very real threat of these diseases today.