Man's Health Book [Paperback]

Michael Oppenheim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 1994

Presents information on men's health issues, including heart disease, cancer, digestive disorders, prostate enlargement, skin care, baldness, contraception, stress management, diet, fitness, and hearing loss.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall Press; 1 edition (April 12, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0138805504
• ISBN-13: 978-0138805500
• Product Dimensions: 39 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,839,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars To your health!, July 13, 2004

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Man's Health Book (Paperback)

I got this book several years ago with a subscription to `Men's Health' magazine; I have since purchased it as a gift for several friends over the past several years. Organising the information according to twelve broad topics, Dr. Michael Oppenheimer has put together an accessible, interesting and to-the-point guide for health-related issues. This is not a `fitness' book, in the sense that those types of books are usually full of pictures and descriptions of men doing exercises. This is more a book about general health and healthy living - while there is a section on exercise, it is more of a `why' than a `how to' text.

Oppenheimer sets this up as a challenge, as he explains that most men like that - he says that while men are more foolhardy than women (and thus smoke more), they also prize being rugged (and thus give up smoking more easily); men do better at losing weight than women, etc. - this is not a one-size-fits-all text, but rather specifically geared toward men. To be honest, it is one that is geared more toward men who are more inclined toward sports and exercise than those who aren't.

The first chapter is a general overview of health related issues, and, just to get the attention of the reader, it focuses upon sexual development from adolescence to adulthood. The second chapter is devoted to nutrition, including six basic rules to live by - here are simple rules, laid out in attainable ways (eat a variety of food, reduce protein intake, etc.). The third chapter looks at exercise, and includes general tips and concerns, as well as a beginning and intermediate suggested workout programme.

Men often don't like to deal with emotions - Oppenheimer addresses mental health and emotional issues in a non-threatening manner. Following this, the next chapter looks at general health priorities and trends to notice, divided up per decade, as the health issues change over time.

The second half of the book looks primarily at symptoms and pains (what shouldn't be ignored, for example); dealing with doctors, and again looking at sexual functions and male health issues (three of the twelve chapters in the book are devoted to this topic, beyond the introductory chapter). There is a chapter devoted specifically to skin and hair issues (not a grooming manual, but rather, what to look for in skin cancer, dandruff, baldness, etc.).

There are helpful hints and tips included along the way. Dealing with headaches, back-aches, various other kinds of ailments that, being relatively minor, are likely to be dealt with by men on their own without the benefit of a doctor (men go to the doctor much less frequently than women on the whole, but are often more ill when they do go). Some of the best advice for general back pain and care I've ever found is in this book; this book also taught me how to identify different kinds of headaches.

On the whole, this is a good book, and a great gift for men who often otherwise don't tend to think about their health other than in general terms or `fitness' terms (unless they are very sick). Oppenheimer is a frequent contributor to health magazines, so his style is popular and holds the readers attention; it is also organised in a short, article-like manner.