At last there is a well-written book that addresses the questions and concerns that our patients and their families have about osteoporosis. Dr. Nancy Lane has written a comprehensive book geared toward a general audience that reports in-depth information and current research on osteoporosis. The book provides insight into the many aspects of osteoporosis in older women, and the author is precise yet comprehensive in how she presents research information that informs us about osteoporosis. Dr. Lane uses her clinical experience to highlight essential points. She expresses a great understanding of a patient's need for information and explanation of osteoporosis, how it is diagnosed, as well as prevention and treatment possibilities. The focus of this 206-page book is clearly to provide broadbased information on osteoporosis for a lay audience, along with general references for additional sources of information. This broad focus allows patients to educate themselves and provides clinicians who counsel patients with a common and appropriate osteoporosis resource written in everyday vernacular.
The Osteoporosis Book is divided into two parts. Part I, Understanding Osteoporosis, includes chapters on bone biology, risk factors, diagnosis of osteoporosis, and osteoporotic fractures. Dr. Lane provides diagrams, charts, and pictures in this section that are instructive and easy to follow. Of particular interest is the extensive yet simple explanation of the bone density scan report. This description takes a somewhat complex topic that is difficult to "translate" for a patient and summarizes it in a concise, uncomplicated manner. The chapter on osteoporosis in men, an often overlooked subject, sets this book aside from most others on osteoporosis.
Part II, Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis, includes chapters on hormone replacement therapy, medications other than hormones to prevent and treat osteoporosis, vitamin D, bone-building agents,