Stupid Reasons People Die, An Ingenious Plot For Defusing Deadly Diseases [Hardcover]

John Corso MD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2007

Dr. John Corso's entertaining yet serious non-fiction book, Stupid Reasons People Die, illuminates why thousands of people die in the prime of life, from easily preventable causes, and how you can avoid becoming one of them. This is not another "eat-right, get-fit, lose-weight" guilt trip. Nor is it "twenty more secrets that your doctor doesn't want you to know." Engaging and comprehensive, you will learn the things that actually work. The state-of-the-art knowledge, imaging, medications and more, that identify and stop our most common killers before they can hurt us, all presented by a straight-talking doctor with two decades experience on the front lines of medical practice. Vital tests and treatments too often remain unknown and unused by most people because they are not on their menu of medical benefits and may never be mentioned by their physicians. With stinging candor and wry humor, this compelling page-turner lays out exactly which screenings and treatments you should consider and how to gain the control and knowledge needed to get the best that modern medicine has to offer. This book is a survival guide, a get-smart, take-charge, how-to book on diffusing our own medical time bombs. When someone dies before their time from heart attack, stroke, cancer, or other natural cause, it represents a failure on the part of the patient, doctors, and healthcare system to detect disease and intervene when it is easily curable. The book explores why we fail so often, and exposes the blind spots and traps inherent in our healthcare system, our culture, and in our own minds. It shows how to make sure you and your loved ones avoid them, offering a logical yet radically different view from what most of us believe to be healthy vs. unhealthy establishing how we focus our efforts towards longevity on all the wrong things.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I found the book to be excellent. It is clear in layman's language but scientifically as correct as our current understanding. I found the writing style refreshing, interesting and fun. Great Job." --Bruce H. Brundage, MD Professor of Medicine Emeritus, UCLA School of Medicine

In his highly successful clinical practice Dr. Corso has been on the forefront of helping his patients through the complex maze of options available to not only treat disease, but to discover them early and head them off at the pass if at all possible. In his book, Stupid Reasons People Die he takes complex clinical subject matter and distills down the options and issues for the reader to make informed decisions about choices they may wish to pursue to detect and even treat problems at an earlier stage which may be the difference between life and death in some circumstances. He takes the reader outside the usual doctor visit to the cutting edge of screening that goes beyond the usual suspects and specifically identifies reasons people die that might be prevented had the patient been aware that they could specifically request going the extra mile past what is generally covered by their insurance carrier. His easy to read survival guide is a must read for anyone who is healthy and feels good, but want to know if there is anything else they can do to stay healthy as long as possible. --Edward M. Boyle, Jr, MD Board Certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon

From the Inside Flap

Something is terribly wrong. Thousands of people are dying in the prime of life, year after year, for no good reason. Your number one, greatest risk of an early death is from a disease that can be prevented or successfully treated. Yet, it slips in easily and frequently, picking off its victim because we aren't paying attention! If there were hundreds of complicated things we needed to do to avoid such disaster, there might be an excuse for not taking action. But, here's the frustration: There are only a few stupid reasons people die; they just happen to kill a whole lot of people. And it's not that we don't care! Both the health-conscious and the "worried well" in America spend billions of dollars on products that promise to keep them healthy or ensure a long life. There are countless "get healthy" books to guide us through myriad dietary and lifestyle changes, herbal and vitamin cures, and other instant miracles to ensure your health and longevity. This book is not one of them. After reading this book... You will: - look closely at beliefs and assumptions that may get in your way of staying alive. - identify your role as co-conspirator in a broken healthcare system. - recognize the breakdown in "breaking" healthcare news. - see "all natural" treatments through a new set of lenses. - have a new respect for prescription drugs and maybe even appreciate those who make them. - escape being a hostage of the insurance industry.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: High Lakes Press, LLC; 1st edition (March 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978992210
• ISBN-13: 978-0978992217
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,045,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read for Proactive Health Care Consumers, April 10, 2007

By 

Marc June (Anchorage, Alaska) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stupid Reasons People Die, An Ingenious Plot For Defusing Deadly Diseases (Hardcover)

Dr. Corso's does 3 things well in his book. He describes complex medical conditions in a straightforward manner with simple language. He explains how the relationship between patients, doctors, and their health insurers has become warped. Finally, he provides a strategy that we can all use to take control of our health care and make informed decisions to maximize our health. This is a good read for someone who wants to make sense of how to be proactive in health care.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable resource for a no-nonsense road map to healthcare, March 25, 2007

By 

Ron Shinkle (Bend, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stupid Reasons People Die, An Ingenious Plot For Defusing Deadly Diseases (Hardcover)

As a weight loss expert and professional strength coach I was elated to see a book come along that drives home the idea of preventative health care and a proactive approach to wellness. I was especially delighted as John Corso's book "Stupid Reasons People Die," challenges a person's belief about himself or herself and promotes a "hands-on" approach with regard to creating and maintaining great health. John delivers valuable information we need to help us take responsibility for our own good well-being. I recommend it to my clients as an excellent resource for information regarding important healthcare issues and to reinforce a proactive approach to health and health care.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saved my life, March 22, 2007

By 

Katie Merritt - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stupid Reasons People Die, An Ingenious Plot For Defusing Deadly Diseases (Hardcover)

At age forty, I was still operating under the assumption that I am indestructible...probably immortal even. I'd lived a charmed life where health was concerned. When a friend suggested I read STUPID REASONS PEOPLE DIE, I left it on my night stand for months. When I finally peeled back the cover I was taken in an instant. Dr. Corso's humor and instantly relatable writing style pulled me in. Once "in" I found that I agreed with his assertions regarding managing your health. That revelation led to a few blood tests, which led to the discovery that I wasn't the "Ox" I'd thought I was. My cholesterol was mysteriously high and I went on to find other symptoms of heart disease. My doctor classified me as a "time bomb" that was set to go off had I not taken action. I'm an avid reader and yet, this is the first time I've taken a minute to jot out a review. This is important stuff...take care of yourself, read it!!!