REVIEW: Am I Dying?! by Christopher Kelly, M.D. and Marc Eisenberg, M.D.
B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended ReadsDoctor / health / medicine / non-fictionNo Comments
Featured on CBS This Morning, Men’s Health, The Washington Post, Buzzfeed, and The Dr. Oz Show
Two top doctors present a comprehensive, light-hearted guide for the hypochondriac in all of us.
Christopher Kelly, MD, and Marc Eisenberg, MD, FACC, are both highly accomplished physicians and health experts from UNC Health and Columbia University Medical Center. In Am I Dying?!, Dr. Kelly and Dr. Eisenberg walk you through common symptoms and medical myths to provide a helpful, conversational guide on what to do when you experience symptoms – offering advice on whether to chill out, make a doctor’s appointment, or go to the hospital.
Most new symptoms turn out to be minor. Most likely, a stuffy nose isn’t a sign of cancer. But sometimes a headache isn’t just a temporary nuisance and could be a sign of a serious condition. The internet can offer a wealth of data, but it can also be a source of harmful misinformation. So if you have a new symptom, how worried should you be?
This down-to-earth, humorous symptom guide covers over forty different symptoms, organized into eight body areas – including head/neck, chest/back, belly, skin, and more. Some examples include:
· Belly: When is bloating a sign of a serious problem? Why do some people feel nauseated all the time?
· Lady Parts: How often do you really need a mammogram? When is a lump likely to be serious?
· Bathroom Trouble: Why do some people pee so often (and can a bladder explode from holding it)?
Packed with practical information and organized in a fun, easy-to-access format, Am I Dying?! is a perfect gift, medical resource, and must-have addition to your home library.
Dear Doctors,
I began reading this book a few months ago just for fun. I’d pick it up every month or so and read another chapter. Then came COVID-19 life as we suddenly know it in early 2020 and suddenly it’s much more relevant. So for those who either can’t get in to see their regular doctor or don’t want to brave a waiting room full of potentially virus-y patients, here’s a better option for medical concerns other than coronavirus symptoms instead of random articles on the internet written by Dr. Google.
The writing style is informative, accessible, clear, and concise. Each chapter (written by specialists in that field) starts with general information about the most common complaints then dives into three levels of information describing when patients should probably be alright and the condition will most likely resolve with basic home treatments or time, when they should call for a doctor’s appointment to get tests, diagnosis, drugs, and possible treatments or in the worst case scenario when they need to hightail it to an Urgent Care or the Emergency Room NOW. The dry humor is a bonus.
All of us differ and vary so of course there are circumstances that are not covered in the general guidance provided here. Of course there are patients who have underlying conditions that might change what they need to do. Exceptions and things to be concerned about are mentioned but if in doubt – of course call your doctor. The information is not intended to be used for children or teenagers and applies to new symptoms. For further reading these links are provided:
Am I Dying?!: https://www.amidying.com (We’re partial to this one.)
Merck Manual: https://www.merckmanuals.com
UpToDate for Patients: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/table-of-contents/patient-education
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-care-and-health-information
National Institutes of Health: https://www.nih.gov/health-information
Thanks docs! B+
~Jayne
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