Parker's life is confined to a tiny, noisy apartment in the heart of City Centre's bustling gay neighborhood. Trapped in a monotonous job with scheming bosses, his cramped living conditions mirror the constraints he feels daily. But when the possibility of suburban tranquility emerges, Parker faces a difficult decision. Leaving the city may threaten the long-term relationship with his partner Francis, who wants him to stay put.As Parker adjusts to suburban life, the allure of peace...

In less than a generation, the country has seen its democratic government dismantled and replaced by a ruthless totalitarian regime. Set in the not-too-distant future, the United States is now run by the Authorities, who control every aspect of people's daily existence. Travel, entertainment, education, sexual expression, and even religion are severely restricted.Baltimore native Marty Broder wants little more than a steady job and a relatively peaceful life for himself and his par...

It is an extraordinary time for adolescents. Social media has a profound positive and negative influence on adolescents, drugs of abuse are readily available, social and sexual mores are changing, discussion about many aspects of racism is more prominent than ever, and surveys indicate that the prevalence of mental illness in teens is higher than any previous time. How Technology, Social Media, and Current Events Profoundly Affect Adolescents examines eighteen contemporary issues ...

Integrative medicine—the practice of combining remedies from various therapeutic disciplines to optimize relief and speed healing—is transforming both how health professionals treat disease and how patients manage their own care. Your Best Medicine introduces the reader to this new world of healing options for everyday ailments like dry skin, fatigue, and indigestion as well as more serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.All of the treatments and tech...

Recent research suggests that around the globe more than 2 billion cases of digestive diseases and disorders are diagnosed each year, making them some of the most prevalent medical issues.This book explores 30 serious conditions affecting the digestive system, including autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease and ulcerative colitis, cancers, chronic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stomach flu and other infections, and more. Utilizing a standardi...

This book summarizes the findings of scientific research studies to provide readers with straightforward information on a wide variety of healthy habits and the factors that may make them difficult to follow.How can taking a yearly vacation serve to improve your health? Is there any scientific proof that skipping breakfast is detrimental to one's health? Americans are constantly bombarded with health tips from magazines, television, the Internet, and other media, b...

This book examines 25 well-known and well-studied options for combating anxiety. These include first-line treatments such as benzodiazepines, SSRIs, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as complementary modalities such as animal therapy, exercise, and dietary supplements. Utilizing a standardized structure, each entry discusses a particular treatment's origins and underlying principles, how and in what contexts it's used, and potential side effects and risks. Su...

This accessibly-written book examines the most commonly-used substances and techniques for managing pain, exploring why they work (or don't), their risks and benefits, and key research findings regarding their use.No one is a stranger to pain. From sudden injuries and post-operative discomfort to nagging aches and stiffness, pain is an unwelcome but familiar part of life. There are numerous methods for managing pain, but it can be difficult to know which is the bes...

This accessibly written book examines the most commonly taken dietary supplements, exploring what they are and what they're purported to do, and summarizing key research findings regarding their potential health benefits and risks.Today, more than 50 percent of Americans take at least one type of dietary supplement regularly. But do these products actually work? How are they regulated? Are there any potential health risks?Dietary Supplements: Fact versu...

This book presents research findings about 50 foods that are commonly touted as healthy and educates readers about the medical problems they purportedly alleviate or help prevent.It is always in the best interest of those who market foods to make grandiose claims regarding their nutritional value, regardless of whether actual scientific proof exists to support such a claim. Even diligent and educated consumers often have difficulty discerning facts from mere theory...

Used in moderation, many oils can be beneficial to one's diet and lifestyle. This book presents accurate information on more than two dozen oils, examining the health claims associated with popular oils along with the clinical research findings.In the past, consumers were warned to avoid eating foods made with coconut oil, but more recently opinions about this oil have shifted. Many people now consider olive oil to be the most healthful—but is there truth behind th...

This accessible reference profiles the vitamins and minerals most important to human health, presenting information in an easy-to-use format and summarizing the findings of key research studies.Everyone knows that vitamins and minerals are nonnegotiable components of optimal health. But what exactly do these substances do in the body, and how much of each is needed? What happens if an individual ingests too little or too much of a particular vitamin or mineral? Whi...