Don't Worry Be Healthy!: How to Avoid Obsessing About Your Health (Paperback)

by Martin P., M.D. Solomon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this age of hyperbole and hype, nothing cuts to the quick like common sense. This straight-talking, sage guide to healthier living displays common sense in abundance, which helps explain why the author has been voted Boston's top primary-care physician, based on surveys conducted by Boston magazine. Upfront, Solomon defines the real subject of his book--how to live well--and, a bit later, identifies a major obstacle to that goal: "Rather than enjoy life, we as a culture worry constantly about health and illness." The fault lies not primarily with patients, he explains, but with a medical industry that has "fostered a climate of obsessive concern about health, illness, suffering and insurability." That established, Solomon explores just about every aspect of general health--from diet to exercise to sore joints, fatigue, viral illnesses, digestive difficulties, aging, cancer and death--with additional chapters on medicines, herbs and vitamins, and alternative therapies (he finds much merit in yoga, acupuncture, tai chi, even chiropractic). Invariably, Solomon's approach, illuminated by myriad case studies and personal experiences, manifests an avuncular wisdom that surprises for its very reasonableness (for example, while advising that the obese diet and exercise, he holds that "it's high time for overweight people to stop feeling guilty about their weight"; instead, fat or not, they should enjoy their lives). Smart, iconoclastic, brimming with sound advice and good humor, this book is just what the patient ordered. (Aug.)

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 174 pages
• Publisher: Ansco; 1 edition (August 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967114500
• ISBN-13: 978-0967114507
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,541,710 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars timely medical self-help book, October 18, 1999

By	Henry Berry "Henry Berry" (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It's easy to see why Dr.Solomon has been named as the #1 primary-care doctor in the Boston area, in surveys conducted by Boston Magazine. He has a commonsense, down-to-earth, yet authoritative style--which is evident in this timely, self-help health guide. He offers wise counsel and practical advice for a range of topical medical concerns and interests, including obesity, cancer, alternative remedies, and preventive measures. With his exceptional understanding, he deals with a person's emotional and psychological states, as well as the physical aspects of the various conditions and illnesses and the therapies, medications, vitamins, and treatments for them. In the self-help vein bolstered by his professional standing and two decades of experience, Dr. Solomon proffers for readers uneasy about, or perhaps even anxious over, various medical problems, a perspective on them that is positive for their overall well-being while sensibly taking into account their particular medical condition and their concerns. Dr. Solomon's definition of good health includes not worrying excessively about your health so you can enjoy life fully, which is the healthiest condition of all. He delivers a welcome perspective for many reader's in today's health-conscious culture.

Henry Berry, Book Reviewer Editor/Publisher, The Small Press Book Review

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Spock For Adults, September 8, 1999

By A Customer

Physicians have written many books for the lay public that are narrowly focused on the medicine and the disease. "Don't Worry Be Healthy" offers a new and refreshing perspective that focuses on the patient from the physician's point of view. Have you ever wondered what your doctor is thinking about when you visit him or call him in the middle of the night? How does the physician "practice" when the remedy is related to attitude and behavior? The author, a noted Boston area internal medicine specialist, reveals how he evolved scientifically and emotionally to help patients confront and deal with a variety of health issues ranging from obesity, cancer, aging and death.

The perspective is unique because it comes from an experienced internal medicine physician whose insight and character have clearly advanced not only from his practice, but from his personal experience with cancer that infected not only him, but his wife, his father, his father-in-law, and his mother-in-law. Despite this Job-like journey, Dr. Solomon not only survives but also gains the wisdom to provide many useful lessons that help his patients and readers understand and deal with health and illness.

"Don't Worry Be Healthy" is very much like Dr. Spock's Baby & Child Care, but for adults. It offers impassioned and practical advice for people when confronted with illness - real or imagined.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another view of today's medical market place., March 2, 2000

By	William bishop (Hayward, CA USA) - See all my reviews

The book stresses using common sense in the face of the over-hyped medical scene and frightening implications presented by the Media that we are all likely to be the victims of some dread disease. Dr Solomon's bedside manner is so rare today.