Fitbooks

The Savvy Mom's Guide to Medical Care by Pamela F. Gallin, M.D., and Kathy Matthews (St. Martin's Press, $24.95)<br><br>Dr. Pamela F. Gallin and free-lance writer Kathy Matthews have seven kids

Monday, April 10th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Savvy Mom's Guide to Medical Care by Pamela F. Gallin, M.D., and Kathy Matthews (St. Martin's Press, $24.95)

Dr. Pamela F. Gallin and free-lance writer Kathy Matthews have seven kids between them. Their experience shows in this book, which gives guidance on recognizing the type of medical care a child needs and advice on securing that care.

The book starts with sections on choosing a pediatrician and what to expect at well-baby visits and it includes useful tips on when to call the doctor for symptoms such as sore throats and fever. Its greatest strength, however, is in explaining what to do in less common situations - from choosing the right specialist to dealing with hospitalization, surgery and chronic medical conditions.

Dr. Gallin, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Babies & Children's Hospital of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, is particularly adept in the chapter explaining second opinions. That chapter lists eight reasons for getting another perspective and includes a description of a dozen specialties approved by the American Board of Pediatrics.
Five mom-tested tips for taking yucky medicine will be welcome in many households. Also commendable is the way other useful tips are set off from the main text in easy-to-read boxes.

This slim volume is no lightweight.

The Fibromyalgia Relief Book: 213 Ideas for Improving the Quality of Your Life by Miryam Ehrlich Williamson (Walker and Co., $14.95)
Fibromyalgia (FM) is associated with aches and pains, severe fatigue, disturbed sleep, cold sensitivity and other sometimes amorphous symptoms. No cause has been found. The National Institutes of Health estimates that FM affects more than 3.7 million people. In The Fibromyalgia Relief Book, FM sufferer Miryam Ehrlich Williamson gives examples of ways FM sufferers can lighten the burden of living with FM.

The chapters on intimacy, securing modifications in the workplace, handling housework and personal care will prove helpful for anyone dealing with a debilitating illness.

Her advice includes learning everything possible about FM, building a support system and assembling the right medical team.

Sixteen pages that list further reading, support groups and Web sites should go a long way toward helping people with FM feel less isolated.

Older & Wiser: How to Maintain Peak Mental Ability for as Long as You Live by Richard M. Restak, M.D. (Berkley Books, $12.95, paperback)

The brain doesn't automatically lose tens of thousands of cells each day as part of normal aging. Memory retrieval slows with advancing years, but compensation mechanisms, such as wisdom, make up for the lost speed - so it is wrong to consider memory failure part of the aging process. And creativity is not limited to the young.

These are some of the ideas in Richard M. Restak's well-organized and well-researched book on aging and the brain, now in paperback.

Dr. Restak has written 10 other books on the brain, and the wealth of information he brings to his subject adds depth to each topic he discusses.

This volume includes 30 recommendations for maintaining mental dexterity. Those include regular weight-bearing exercise and maintaining normal blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. To reduce the chance of developing dementia, he recommends delaying retirement as long as possible, conversing frequently with others and filling up spare time with useful endeavors. His advice includes some no-brainers such as fastening seat belts and not smoking.

Although loneliness is not a disease, he considers it the greatest challenge facing people as they age. To combat that problem, he says people should diversify their social life the same way someone would diversify an investment portfolio.

This book will provide reassurance during those "senior moments."

Deborah Wormser is a free-lance writer who specializes in medical topics.