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Is This Normal?: What to Expect As We Age
A collection of vital information that answers readers' most pressing questions about how age impacts their bodies.
Many people are embarrassed to bring their everyday health anxieties to their physicians or even to ask for advice from family and friends. They might think that depression, failing eyesight, memory loss, and other difficulties that change their quality of life are normal because of their age. This is where Is This Normal? steps in and lets readers know whether or not these changes should be a concern or an expected part of aging.
With compassion, reassurance, and friendly guidance, Dr. John Whyte, chief medical expert at the Discovery Channel, provides the essential tools for dealing with the common health issues that arise as we get older, proving that you can stay active and healthy at any age.
"Using soothing language and a gentle sense of humor, Whyte...tries to separate fact from rumor." —The Washington Post
"All your embarrassing aging questions answered—finally!"—Vital Juice
Many people are embarrassed to bring their everyday health anxieties to their physicians or even to ask for advice from family and friends. They might think that depression, failing eyesight, memory loss, and other difficulties that change their quality of life are normal because of their age. This is where Is This Normal? steps in and lets readers know whether or not these changes should be a concern or an expected part of aging.
With compassion, reassurance, and friendly guidance, Dr. John Whyte, chief medical expert at the Discovery Channel, provides the essential tools for dealing with the common health issues that arise as we get older, proving that you can stay active and healthy at any age.
"Using soothing language and a gentle sense of humor, Whyte...tries to separate fact from rumor." —The Washington Post
"All your embarrassing aging questions answered—finally!"—Vital Juice
270 pages, Hardcover
First published August 2, 2011
18 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 24, 2019
I haven't had a unbroken night's sleep in 8 years. I'm not tired the next day, but I wake up 2-3 times a night. Apparently, that's a normal sleep pattern for someone for my age (ahem). Now, if I were sleepy the next day, that could be a sign of sleep apnea and should be addressed.
The fact is, as we age, our bodies change. How do we know what's normal and what should require medical intervention? This book pretty much lays out what to expect physically and physiologically when you reach "middle age." A very helpful, informative book. Highly recommend for those 40 and over.
The fact is, as we age, our bodies change. How do we know what's normal and what should require medical intervention? This book pretty much lays out what to expect physically and physiologically when you reach "middle age." A very helpful, informative book. Highly recommend for those 40 and over.
July 15, 2011
Read the electronic ARC through NetGalley. Very informative! Is This Normal, by John Whyte, explains middle-age+ health issues in easy to understand language. The writing style is engaging and accessible; great for baby boomers who want to figure out what's going on with their bodies (and minds!) but aren't inclined to do research with more academic medical resources. Terrific list of additional resources is included at the end.
February 19, 2016
Useful information
Well written, organized and useful information. Easy to read, not overwhelmed with medical terms (simply defined when used) and provides good list of resources. As we age changes happen, this book helps you sift between those likely to be just part of normal aging and those you should check with your doctor about.
Well written, organized and useful information. Easy to read, not overwhelmed with medical terms (simply defined when used) and provides good list of resources. As we age changes happen, this book helps you sift between those likely to be just part of normal aging and those you should check with your doctor about.
November 2, 2013
Only ok, passable as a reference on aging.
June 23, 2012
I didn't really find this book particularly insightful.
November 27, 2011
This is a good, solid overview of the changes that the human body goes through as it ages. Written by an internist who is the chief medical expert for the Discovery channel, it presents in clear terms and plain language both what is normal for the aging body and what is not.
Dr. Whyte explains how the different body systems work, what happens as they get older, and what we can do about it. He covers all the body systems: the skin and hair, the digestive system, metabolism, eye problems, memory, hearing, pain, sex and mental health. There questionnaires to help you determine if you have a problem or not. Sidebars provide case histories as examples.
If you know a lot about the human body- say, you live on the Web MD site- you might not get that much from this book. The average reader, however, will get a huge insight into how the human body works and how it ages.
Dr. Whyte explains how the different body systems work, what happens as they get older, and what we can do about it. He covers all the body systems: the skin and hair, the digestive system, metabolism, eye problems, memory, hearing, pain, sex and mental health. There questionnaires to help you determine if you have a problem or not. Sidebars provide case histories as examples.
If you know a lot about the human body- say, you live on the Web MD site- you might not get that much from this book. The average reader, however, will get a huge insight into how the human body works and how it ages.
March 4, 2016
Having had a hysterectomy about a year and a half ago and trying to deal with the changes since then, this book was helpful. Of course, not everything touched on pertained to me, but it was still interesting to read about. Unfortunately it also made me feel realllly old. I'm 47. Very depressing.
I wish I'd been given some resources about the changes in the body after a hysterectomy from my doctor and if I had been, this could have been one of them.
I wish I'd been given some resources about the changes in the body after a hysterectomy from my doctor and if I had been, this could have been one of them.
April 3, 2015
This is an excellent book for we aging boomers. It answers items of our changing bodies as we age in a manner easy to understand and learn. I enjoyed this guys moments of plain spoken clarity when dealing with aging.
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March 30, 2016Road map for baby boomers
This was a nice look at getting older and what is normal for aging. I found this type of advice helpful also when I was raising children. I would have liked more detail, but do appreciate the areas covered.
This was a nice look at getting older and what is normal for aging. I found this type of advice helpful also when I was raising children. I would have liked more detail, but do appreciate the areas covered.
December 3, 2011
Good book for anyone hitting middle age. Tells you want is normal (and what needs medical attention) as we age - vision, hearing, memory, sleep, sex, etc. Easy to understand.
Want to read
December 24, 2011Potential gift for parents' 60th b-day. Hee hee.
June 3, 2012
A book of comfort for us boomers...a good deal of it is already known but there are a few surprises. Worth a quick read.
October 4, 2014
Was wondering why that was happening, now I know
August 2, 2014
Ho hum...
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August 7, 2021to-read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews