H. W Poole

Although we each only get one birthday a year, on a cellular level we are being reborn all the time. But sometimes cell mutations can occur. These mutations can be harmless, or they can lead to a number of very serious illnesses. Cancer can begin in virtually any part of the body, while sickle cell disease is a particular blood disorder involving the growth of red blood cells. This book explains how these diseases occur and how they can be treated,...

Have you ever worried that you've forgotten something important, even though another part of your brain knew everything was fine? We all do this from time to time. But some people can't stop themselves from checking, or counting, or washing their hands. These are symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD can leave people feeling helpless and out of control. Fortunately, there is treatment available for OCD to help these people regain control...

The rates of kids having kids are lower than they have ever been. But still, more than 50 teen girls out of every thousand gets pregnant every year. These girls, along with the fathers of their children, are faced with some extremely adult choices. This book looks at the different issues that arise, including dealing with parents and friends, finishing school, and learning how to be a good parent. "What is a family?" What used to seem like a...

Drugs prescribed by doctors can save lives-but they can also destroy them if used incorrectly. This book looks at the various types of prescription drugs, including painkillers, ADHD medication, sleeping pills, and muscle relaxants, that can be tremendously helpful if used in the right context but deadly if used in the wrong one. From caffeine and aspirin to heroin and meth, drugs are an inescapable part of life in the 21st century. Addiction, once...

Everybody feels anxious sometimes; it's just part of being human. But for some people, those nervous feelings never go away. When anxiety gets so bad that it stops people from doing the things they want to do, it could be an anxiety disorder. Fortunately, there are lots of things people can do to feel better. The lives of millions of kids are affected by mental illness. And yet it's all too common for kids to feel like they are alone with their problems....

Feeling sad sometimes is a normal part of being human. But for some people, the sad feelings overtake everything else, leaving them hopeless and empty. The things that used to make them feel happy don't make them feel that way anymore. Having depression is a very common and very serious mental disorder. However, there are ways to fight depression, get treatment, and feel better. The lives of millions of kids are affected by mental illness. And yet...

We all have "down" days as well as happier days. For people with a bipolar disorder, feelings of sadness and happiness can be more extreme. There is an alternation between feeling very "up" and very "down." It can feel like their moods are in control of them. Fortunately, there are ways to treat this disorder and feel more balanced. The lives of millions of kids are affected by mental illness. And yet it's all too common for kids to feel like they...

Because anxiety doesn't feel very good, we tend to think it's always bad. But separation anxiety-or the fear of being apart from people you love-is a totally normal part of child development. It's also something we're meant to outgrow. When that doesn't happen, separation anxiety can indeed become a big problem. This book looks at separation anxiety both as a phase and as a condition, and it offers practical advice about how to conquer these fears....

As improvements have health care have made it possible for more people to live longer, healthier lives, grandparents have become increasingly important to the family structure. This book looks at the various ways that multiple generations can challenge but also enrich a family's life. "What is a family?" What used to seem like a simple question has grown ever more complex. The set explores the different types of family structures that have become...

The word phobia is often used as a joke-a kid might say he has a phobia of spinach, when all he really means is that he dislikes the taste. But for people with genuine phobias, the condition is no laughing matter. Whether it's heights or crowds or plane travel, phobias can make life very difficult. This book introduces readers to the most common phobias and provides useful advice about how these fears can be conquered. Fear and anxiety are completely...