As the medical world's understanding of human health and illness becomes ever more sophisticated, pharmaceuticals and surgical techniques rise to meet it. For those of us dependent on healthcare - every one of us at some stage in our lives - lack of knowledge can present a daunting and anxious challenge. The RSM Health Encyclopedia, written by Dr Robert Youngson FRC, is a fully updated A-Z guide to health and the surrounding issues. It takes the reader from symptoms to surgical procedures, through pregnancy, neurological and psychological disorders, cosmetic surgery and much more. Pharmaceutical brands are cross-referenced with their generic terms, while more diverse topics such as medical ethics, Jehovah's Witnesses and Indian Medicine are also covered. There are longer discursive entries for broader matters like the brain, care of the elderly, cancer, and health maintenance. Dr Youngson gives selected valuable medical advice in highlighted boxes, while a special feature discusses the salient ailments of each stage of life, with cross references to relevant entries.A separate First Aid section provides easy-to-follow instructions for action in emergencies, and a list of addresses and websites signposts the reader to further information. Entries are supported by clearly labelled and detailed diagrams where appropriate. The RSM Health Encyclopedia is an authoritative and comprehensive guide for anyone - young adults, parents, the middle-aged, the elderly or the infirm - seeking information and advice for curing illness or simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle.