Publisher's Synopsis
Every new car comes with an owner's manual telling us how to operate the vehicle, and with a service handbook to let us know when it's time to check the tire pressure and so on, depending on the mileage. At last, now we have an equally essential reference book and guide for another precious commodity: our very own bodies. As our cars age, we see to the ongoing maintenance, tests, and repairs that are necessary for optimal performance, but very few of us look after ourselves in the same way. Questions such as, "What is a colonoscopy?" or "When do we need one?" are often met with blank stares, or else dismissed. Why bother with such procedures when we're in seemingly good health? And yet, as a preventative measure, we routinely take our cars in for an oil change, even when they appear to be running smoothly. Unlike cars, however, our bodies rarely offer warning signs when something is amiss, which means we must make a conscious effort when it comes to taking the right precautions. While it can't be claimed that investigative tests will deal with every problem, they do go a long way when it comes to avoiding any catastrophic consequences, and although problems can still occur after identifying and addressing any issues, at least we have the peace of mind to know we tried our best. Too many of us rely on family members, friends, or even neighbors who have experienced the same symptoms to diagnose our condition even though none of them are medically trained. Evolving on a daily basis, medicine is a very complex science, and we should be aware that sharing the same symptoms with another person does not necessarily mean our problems are identical. An individual's symptoms could also be due to more than two very different causes, and it takes a medical professional to carefully identify them. Sentenced to Hospital! by Dr. Abdul Odemuyiwa dispels a lot of medical myths, points out the most frequent errors patients make, and tells us how to avoid them. It also addresses the common ailments of inpatients in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term acute care hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes, as well as dealing with outpatient care in office settings. Although the book should never be used in the place of professional advice from a qualified physician, it is guaranteed that the knowledge gained after reading this informative, revealing, and humorous guide to healthcare will not only prolong the life of the reader, but also that of their loved ones.
