Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient

Rating:
Summary: Raises Medical Memoir to the Level of Literature
Review: As an essay, Anatomy of an Illness is engrossing. At as a work of inspiration, it is indispensible. Anyone you know who is ill, or who simply cares about his or her state of health, will gain wisdom and hope from this carefully constructed, sober, yet passionate memoir of healing.

Rating:
Summary: ReVieW of AnOtoMy Of an ILLnesS aS PrciEvied By tHe PatIeNt
Review: I think this is a really insparationall book for people who have any kind of sickness and an insight on how people are treated in hospitals when they are hurting and in pain. how people are taken advantige of when they are weak. how hospitals do not do everything in their power to confort their patients. and the detail is so instensive in some areas that u can feel the patients pain and relief his laughter and hurt. i recomend this book to anyone who is interested in books of someones paining life but with alot of exteamly high points of ups and downs and a good ending.

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Summary: Outlook and attitudes help Alzheimer's caregivers
Review: Norman Cousins examines such topics as creativity and humor as being essential to treatment. Important to anyone touched by chronic illness. This was one of the first books my husband Tom and I read when we found out he had Alzheimer's disease. It was one I found particularly helpful in meeting the demands and changes Tom's illness imposed on me. It is a book that talks about outlook and attitudes and taking charge of one's life.

Rating:
Summary: Raises Medical Memoir to the Level of Literature
Review: Profound! Plainly written! Reality oriented; with the constant earmarks of someone who has, in fact, "been there and done that." Norman Cousins speaks out again!

Rating:
Summary: The genius does it again!
Review: Profound! Plainly written! Reality oriented; with the constant earmarks of someone who has, in fact, "been there and done that." Norman Cousins speaks out again!

Rating:
Summary: Jeepers Creepers!!
Review: This book ought to be required reading for anyone in healthcare and sit at the bedside table in hospitals. A well written book that gives you a different perspective on illness and probably some power back to a few patients. Readers may also be interested in "Treat Your Own Knees" and "The Multifidus Back Pain Solution."

Rating:
Summary: Started the mind-body revolution -- still relevant
Review: This book revolutionized the way Americans think about health and health care. Diagnosed with a life-threatening and incurable condition, Cousins checked himself out of the hospital and basically healed himself with laughter, rest and Vitamin C. A few years later, he recovered from a major heart attack on his own and wrote about that, too.

These books jump-started the whole field of mind-body medicine. Hundreds of books have followed in its tradition, including mine, The Art of Getting Well: Maximizing Health When You Have a Chronic Illness. Anatomy of an Illness holds up well. I just re-read it and it's still relevant.

Not everything here will apply to most readers, because Cousins was a major cultural figure with many physicians among his friends. Not everyone would have his self-confidence or his sources of support. But his ideas and his approach are more needed than ever today.

David Spero RN www.art-of-getting-well.com

Rating:
Summary: Started the mind-body revolution -- still relevant
Review: This book revolutionized the way Americans think about health and health care. Diagnosed with a life-threatening and incurable condition, Cousins checked himself out of the hospital and basically healed himself with laughter, rest and Vitamin C. A few years later, he recovered from a major heart attack on his own and wrote about that, too.

These books jump-started the whole field of mind-body medicine. Hundreds of books have followed in its tradition, including mine, The Art of Getting Well: Maximizing Health When You Have a Chronic Illness. Anatomy of an Illness holds up well. I just re-read it and it's still relevant.

Not everything here will apply to most readers, because Cousins was a major cultural figure with many physicians among his friends. Not everyone would have his self-confidence or his sources of support. But his ideas and his approach are more needed than ever today.

David Spero RN www.art-of-getting-well.com

Rating:
Summary: Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient by Cousins
Review: This work contains numerous strategies aimed at maintaining
health into the far future. For instance, the author explains
how cancer occurs more frequently in patients with significant
grief, anger or fear in their daily lives. He indicates the
importance of physician contact with the patient. The importance
of a balanced diet is articulated. The author decries poor
nutrition in some hospitals . i.e. white bread and bleached flour
Specific medical tests are referenced i.e. SED RATE
The sed rate is the speed with which red blood cells settle in a test tube measured in milli-liters~ severity of inflammation.
He explains the importance of Vitamin C in collagen maintenance.
This work would be valuable for any middle-age or elderly person
seeking to maintain health far into the future.