Am I Dying?!

October 15, 2018
This lively, reader-friendly, and useful guide addresses a question that Kelly and Eisenberg, both Columbia University Medical Center cardiologists, are commonly asked by patients: namely, “Am I dying?” The book is divided into eight main parts—“Head and Neck,” “Chest and Back,” “Belly,” “Lady Parts,” “Gentleman Parts,” “Bathroom Trouble,” “Arms and Legs,” and “Skin and Hair”—with each individual chapter including three subsections, “Take a Chill Pill,” “Make an Appointment,” and “Get to the E.R.,” to help one decide “whether to pour yourself a cocktail, pick up the phone to make an appointment, or hightail it to the emergency room.” Despite the authors’ penchant for jocularity, they issue stern warnings when required, such as that “even minor head injuries can have devastating consequences.” Each section considers the benign as well as the more serious scenarios: for example, a sore throat may be the result of having “raged at a football game last night” or a severe bacterial infection that urgently requires antibiotics. Readers will feel reassured by the authors’ medical expertise (and that some chapters are edited by additional physicians specializing in the topic at hand) and appreciative of the clear instructions and reassuring, amicable tone.

December 1, 2018

Columbia University cardiologists Kelly and Eisenberg have written an accessible guide to knowing when to go to the emergency room or wait and see a doctor. With contributions from other medical specialists, sections cover specific health issues impacting the "Head and Neck," "Belly," and "Skin and Hair" in two to five pages each, with a general topic introduction and advice under the headings "Take a Chill Pill," "Make an Appointment," and "Get to the ER." The authors cite examples for each approach, providing important information that is clear and straightforward. Other topics take on a more lighthearted and humorous tone. There are also occasional "Quick Consult" sections, in which the authors go more in-depth about an issue, e.g., "Sleep Medications" and "Pain Pills." VERDICT Affable, authoritative authors present a readable, researched text. This isn't an essential buy for most libraries but a suitable ready reference for home use.--Elizabeth J. Eastwood, Los Alamos Cty. Lib. Syst., NM

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2018
In this easy-to-understand guide, two Columbia University cardiologists double as medical experts and comedians. When they mention that most people pass gas about 20 times a day, they observe, Another reason to work from home. They vividly describe bodily functions gone awry. Severe bleeding into the stomach or esophagus will make even the vomiting scene from The Exorcist look tame. Logically organized, the book includes chapters on the head and neck, arms and legs, belly, skin and hair, and gentleman parts and lady parts. It's also full of Trivia Pursuit-worthy facts. Who knew that it's normal to shed 100 hairs a day? Typically, the doctors are reassuring ( take a chill pill ). But they do always advise when it's a good idea to get to the E.R. A bad bladder infection, for example, can actually spread to the kidneys and bloodstream and become life-threatening. Expect solid information (anabolic steroids and beta blockers can cause erectile dysfunction; long-term use of high doses of Advil, Motrin, or Aleve can damage kidneys) presented in a lively, entertaining way.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)