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Echocardiography uses ultrasound waves to generate images of cardiovascular structures and to display information regarding the blood flow through these structures. Knowledge of basic ultrasound principles and current technology is essential for image interpretation and for optimal use of equipment during image acquisition and post-processing. This fully updated second edition of the official textbook of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) serves the educational requirements of cardiologists and all clinical medical professionals, underpinning the structural training in accordance with the EACVI goals and reflecting the core European syllabus throughout.Less

Living Longer: The heart-mind connection is written for all those who strive for optimal long-term health and the maximal functioning of their hearts and minds. Today's problem for the health-conscious individual is information overload - new health studies pour out almost daily from newspapers, radio stations and television networks. Many of the reports are contradictory and often misleading. In this resource, Professor Opie sifts through the available information on the vast number of possible health promotion changes, varying from increased exercise to aspirin to green tea, and diets from Atkins to the vegetarian, with the aim of grading the validity of the evidence, asking questions such as, ‘Just how true are the studies,’ and ‘Just how compelling are the facts they claim’? This resource guides the reader through this morass of information with the message that just five key steps taken now will promote long-term health benefits for heart and mind and give protection from future heart disease and brain deterioration.Less

Explaining the practical implications of new discoveries in 'life-course biology', Nutrition and Lifestyle for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding is an informed resource on factors that affect offspring development. The impact of parental lifestyle and behavioural choices influence not only foetal development and birth outcomes, but also postnatal development, yet guidance on appropriate diet, behaviour, and exposures during pregnancy is often confusing and contradictory. With accessible explanations of the latest scientific research, and clear summaries and recommendations, this online resource is a valuable and authoritative guide for all levels of health care providers. It provides an overview of the background evidence, highlighting the importance of lifestyle choices prior to and during pregnancy, and it includes in-depth discussions of nutritional and lifestyle factors that impact on pregnancy and offspring that are based on the latest research and exploration of key scientific studies. Less

This online resource provides an integrated approach which facilitates the links between all aspects of nutrition and dietetics. Including nutritional science and based on clinical evidence, it covers everything you will need to be able to carry out your role effectively and confidently.Less

There is growing interest internationally in the contributions which the creative arts can make to wellbeing and health both in healthcare and community settings. This textbook is the first work of its kind tobring together contributions from practitioners and researchers in the creative arts in health field from around the world to provide a comprehensive account of the role the creative arts have in addressing public health needs at individual and community levels across the life-course. These developments are set firmly within a public health framework and argue that the creative arts can help in addressing some of the most pressing health challenges facing individuals and communities today. The creative arts can be seen as positive assets and resources contributing to the cultural vitality and wellbeing of any community, the building of social capital and the promotion of health. Access to opportunities for cultural engagement, creative expression and worthwhile leisure activities, are fundamental human rights to be valued in their own terms but also for the contributions they make to wellbeing and health. This book begins by providing a context in the development of public health as a discipline historically and the current concerns with health inequities and the social determinants of both illness and well-being. The historical context on the role of the arts in society and debates over the social utility of the arts are also explored. The book goes on to consider the place of the arts in different social settings and across the lifespan, and throughout concrete case studies provide insights into ways in which creative artists – in music, drama, the visual arts and dance are helping to address challenges to health and wellbeing in communities throughout the world.Less

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a technique that delivers mild electrical currents across the intact surface of the skin to reduce pain. TENS is used by practitioners throughout the world to manage painful conditions and equipment can be purchased by the general public so that they can self-administer treatment. There are thousands of experimental and clinical research studies published on TENS and related techniques yet there is uncertainty about the best way to administer TENS in clinical practice, because currents used during TENS can be administered in a variety of ways and the findings of research studies have been inconclusive. This resource provides guidance on how best to use TENS based on an evaluation of current research evidence. It covers what TENS is, how it works, and safe and appropriate clinical techniques for many conditions including chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis and cancer pain. It also offers solutions to the problems faced by researchers when trying to design clinical trials on TENS.Less