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The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have
The good you won't stop laughing. The bad Every word is true.
Profiling fifty of the most disgusting, painful, life-threatening and otherwise icky diseases, this remarkable book is the perfect treat for the closet temperature-taker, speed-dialing doctor stalker, or tissue-wielding virus-phobe in all of us. Each disease is fully documented, including a checklist of symptoms, an overview, treatment, prognosis, and―for the rare cases in which the reader is not yet infected―notes on prevention. With fascinating, sickeningly accurate text written by a member of the editorial staff in the Infectious Disease Department of Elsevier, The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have is capable of startling even the most health-confident into fanatical hand washing.
Profiling fifty of the most disgusting, painful, life-threatening and otherwise icky diseases, this remarkable book is the perfect treat for the closet temperature-taker, speed-dialing doctor stalker, or tissue-wielding virus-phobe in all of us. Each disease is fully documented, including a checklist of symptoms, an overview, treatment, prognosis, and―for the rare cases in which the reader is not yet infected―notes on prevention. With fascinating, sickeningly accurate text written by a member of the editorial staff in the Infectious Disease Department of Elsevier, The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have is capable of startling even the most health-confident into fanatical hand washing.
208 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2005
14 people are currently reading
1748 people want to read
About the author
Dennis DiClaudio
8 books59 followersDennis DiClaudio lives in Philadelphia, PA with one wife, one son, and two dogs. He is a former editor for Comedy Central's Indecision website and has contributed to The Onion and The AV Club. His plays have been staged in New York City, Philly, Atlanta, and Oxford, MS.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
March 19, 2013
This is an entertaining and terrifying romp through the world of awful diseases. I dinged it several stars, though, because the author is flagrantly sexist in his description of at least two diseases. Women picking up this book should be aware of that going in-- it damaged my enjoyment considerably.
September 14, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have been wanting to read this book for quite a while and was happy to receive a copy of the newly updated version. Then I came across Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, which I have had. Yikes! Thankfully that's the only illness in this book that I've had (and hopefully will never have any of the others!)
This book will make you squirm and feel like bugs or worms are crawling on you (and maybe they are?!) But despite making you squeamish, it takes these illnesses and throws some honest humor in.
I have been wanting to read this book for quite a while and was happy to receive a copy of the newly updated version. Then I came across Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, which I have had. Yikes! Thankfully that's the only illness in this book that I've had (and hopefully will never have any of the others!)
This book will make you squirm and feel like bugs or worms are crawling on you (and maybe they are?!) But despite making you squeamish, it takes these illnesses and throws some honest humor in.
November 10, 2019
Author's an asshole that cheers violent attacks on journalists.
June 23, 2007
Don't read this if you don't have a good sense of humor! Some people may become offended at the lighthearted manner this book uses to teach, but I believe it is important to keep a sense of humor about everything, no matter how grim.
I would actually classify this as a humor book, although it is a factual book giving an overview of unusual diseases. Each disease starts with symptoms (for the hypochondriac to identify with of course!), diagnosis ("If you're so vain you have a problem with giant bulbous growths disfiguring your jaw...then maybe (this disease) is kind of a big deal."), prognosis ("The good news is that you're not really in a coma, so it's quite possible that you'll be wide awake and fully aware of everything that's happening around you. The bad news is that you're not really in a coma, so it's quite possible that you'll be wide awake and fully aware of everything that's happening around you."), prevention ("Don't have a green marble cigar ashtray slammed against your skull repeatedly."), and an "OF NOTE" section with relevant history. Likely, I would not have read a non-humorous book with the same subject matter, but this one was an easy way to learn something without getting too detailed about anything.
I would actually classify this as a humor book, although it is a factual book giving an overview of unusual diseases. Each disease starts with symptoms (for the hypochondriac to identify with of course!), diagnosis ("If you're so vain you have a problem with giant bulbous growths disfiguring your jaw...then maybe (this disease) is kind of a big deal."), prognosis ("The good news is that you're not really in a coma, so it's quite possible that you'll be wide awake and fully aware of everything that's happening around you. The bad news is that you're not really in a coma, so it's quite possible that you'll be wide awake and fully aware of everything that's happening around you."), prevention ("Don't have a green marble cigar ashtray slammed against your skull repeatedly."), and an "OF NOTE" section with relevant history. Likely, I would not have read a non-humorous book with the same subject matter, but this one was an easy way to learn something without getting too detailed about anything.
August 16, 2017
The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide was a bit of a mixed bag for me. It was a random find at the library, and the title gave me a bit of a chuckle, so I grabbed it. I don't regret reading it, but I would definitely hesitate before picking up another of the author's books.
The book does have its positives. It is informative about many lesser known, extreme medical conditions. It deals with them in a humourous fashion, and several of the jokes are worth a chuckle. That said, there are times when the jokes take precedent over the facts, which aggravated me (I guess I would prefer medical facts with humour over a humour book about medical facts). Some of the jokes also felt sexist or ableist in tone, which just made me uncomfortable (particularly as a woman with chronic illnesses).
If the title appeals to you, go for it. It has enough fun facts to be an okay read for the short time it takes to get through it. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.
The book does have its positives. It is informative about many lesser known, extreme medical conditions. It deals with them in a humourous fashion, and several of the jokes are worth a chuckle. That said, there are times when the jokes take precedent over the facts, which aggravated me (I guess I would prefer medical facts with humour over a humour book about medical facts). Some of the jokes also felt sexist or ableist in tone, which just made me uncomfortable (particularly as a woman with chronic illnesses).
If the title appeals to you, go for it. It has enough fun facts to be an okay read for the short time it takes to get through it. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.
November 9, 2012
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
First off, this is not a book for the faint of heart. It is, however, the perfect read for those with an off-the-wall sense of humor.
Mr. DiClaudio has compiled a list of forty-five of the most outlandish, obscure, and downright nasty diseases that you're likely to ever run across. Hopefully, on second thought, you'll never run across any of them, but in case you do, if you've read this book you'll at least be prepared for the horrid and totally disgusting ways with which you will suffer.
The diseases are broken up into categories, including Autoimmune, Bacterial, Genetic & Neurological, Idiopathic, Parasitic, Toxic & Fungal, and Viral & Prionic.
Although I found myself laughing hysterically at some of Mr. DiClaudio's observations, I sincerely hope to never find myself on the receiving end of these diseases. And, truth be told, I can't decide if I'd rather have worms living on my eyeball, having my flesh begin to decay while I'm still alive, or suffering from fatal familial insomnia (in which case, I'll never sleep again, and will probably spend my final waking hours wishing I had a disease as simple as worms living on my eyeball or having my flesh decay while I'm still alive).
Overall, a great way to spend a couple of hours. However, if you suspect you suffer from any of these forty-five diseases, you might want to actually see a doctor.
First off, this is not a book for the faint of heart. It is, however, the perfect read for those with an off-the-wall sense of humor.
Mr. DiClaudio has compiled a list of forty-five of the most outlandish, obscure, and downright nasty diseases that you're likely to ever run across. Hopefully, on second thought, you'll never run across any of them, but in case you do, if you've read this book you'll at least be prepared for the horrid and totally disgusting ways with which you will suffer.
The diseases are broken up into categories, including Autoimmune, Bacterial, Genetic & Neurological, Idiopathic, Parasitic, Toxic & Fungal, and Viral & Prionic.
Although I found myself laughing hysterically at some of Mr. DiClaudio's observations, I sincerely hope to never find myself on the receiving end of these diseases. And, truth be told, I can't decide if I'd rather have worms living on my eyeball, having my flesh begin to decay while I'm still alive, or suffering from fatal familial insomnia (in which case, I'll never sleep again, and will probably spend my final waking hours wishing I had a disease as simple as worms living on my eyeball or having my flesh decay while I'm still alive).
Overall, a great way to spend a couple of hours. However, if you suspect you suffer from any of these forty-five diseases, you might want to actually see a doctor.
June 9, 2010
The title is by far the best part. The author could not more plainly be kind of a cocky, unpleasant jerk. I didn't get far and will go no further.
January 31, 2017
interesting and at times laugh-out-loud funny, but lost a star for transphobic comments.
August 5, 2017
Funny and cringe-y, don't read this is you're squeamish. Although the misogyny in a few disease descriptions was not very funny.
May 4, 2013
La verità vera è che io sono ipocondriaca. Se poco poco avevo un minimo, una scintilla di dubbio, la lettura di questo libro me l'ha tolta XD
Leggendo i sintomi della prima terrificante malattia, ho iniziato tra me e me a dire: Ce l'ho, ce l'ho, ce l'ho, cavolo ce l'ho pure questo.. Mi manca, ce l'ho ce l'ho, doppio, mi manca.. Nemmeno stessi scambiando le figurine dei Pokemon!!
Man mano che progredivo con la lettura, ho scoperto di avere più malattie io che un ospedale nei giorni di punta.. Sono anche stata in grado di avere all'istante qualche doloretto sospetto che non si era mai manifestato prima.. :D
Se non volete rischiare di chiudere i contatti con il mondo, di andare in giro con la mascherina e proprio dovete, eh!! Il massimo sarebbe rimanere a casa..) , di vedere malattie ad ogni angolo, dovete far finta che questo libro non esista..
Se invece siete persone forti e totalmente aipocondriache, allora fatevi sotto.. Perché se non vi ucciderà una malattia, vi stenderà il libro a suon di risate:
The good news: you won’t stop laughing. The bad news: Every word is true.
L'autore presenta 45 malattie agghiaccianti e terrificanti (pensate alla peggior cosa che può accadere al vostro corpo: Bene, sappiate che non è sufficiente!!) divise in malattie Autoimmuni, derivate da batteri, malattie genetiche e neurologiche, malattie idiopatiche**, dovute a parassiti, a funghi oppure virali
; ogni malattia è presentata con il nome scientifico e come può essere altrimenti conosciuta; segue una brevissima descrizione della malattia (due righe.. Ma le due righe più inquietanti del mondo!!), i sintomi raccolti in uno specchietto (dove io a pagina uno ho cominciato ad avere i sudori freddi XD), la diagnosi, la prognosi (aiuto!!), la prevenzione (solitamente impossibile) e la cura.
La cosa buona di questo libro (oltre che metterci tutti in guardia sui mille rischi che corriamo a mettere il naso fuori di casa senza la mascherina o una protezione totale della cute, onde evitare contagi pericolosi, ovviamente) è che l'autore ha un uso del sarcasmo magistrale.. Insomma, descrive queste cose come se stesse raccontando l'ultima barzelletta sentita al bar.. Mi ha fatto morire!!
Vi lascio a titolo d'esempio l'introduzione al libro, giusto per farvi un'idea! :D
As we go about our daily lives—ordering a fourth round of mojitos, waiting in line at the supermarket to pay for our hummus, delicately hanging our photographs of tropical fish—there are a staggering number of things trying to get inside our bodies. Viruses, bacteria, worms, insects, bloodsucking fish. These things are hungry to enter our warmth and feed from our flesh, to multiply, to overtake our biological functions. And our immune systems cannot keep them all at bay. Some will get through, storm the gates, and ravage our fragile constitutions. And even as we are under siege from these intruders, we are being attacked from the inside as well. Organs faltering, neurotransmitters in the brain misfiring, long-dormant and mischievous genes sparking to life. It seems miraculous that any of us have lasted this long. There are thousands upon thousands of diseases known to man. Medical texts on dusty library shelves are packed full with them. In writing The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have, I wasn't concerned with the huge majority of those diseases. After a great deal of research, I decided to settle upon a simple forty-five. The forty-five diseases included here are some of the worst, the deadliest, the strangest, the most repulsive, the most unpleasant maladies—all of them 100 percent genuine—that currently exist out there, waiting for you. This book, however, was not intended to serve as a definitive resource for the included diseases. If, after careful self-diagnosis based upon your apparent symptoms, you come to the conclusion that you have Marburg hemorrhagic fever or cerebral sparganosis, get a second opinion. Seek the advice of neighbors and coworkers, the guy who sells imported salami to the guy who runs the corner delicatessen. Submit yourself to the capable minds of an Internet message board. As a last resort, you may want to consider talking to a qualified physician. But don't begin medicating or amputating yourself based upon the information contained herein. I, the author, am not a doctor. I am one of you—cowering, anxious, obsessively washing his hands. There are better authorities on these matters. Find them. If you should find that you do indeed have one of the diseases included in these pages, please understand that it is not my intention to make light of your terrible situation. You've got it hard enough as it is. Please enjoy these horrible diseases, and may God have mercy on your soul. –Dennis J. DiClaudio, Jr., B.A. and may God have mercy on your soul.
–Dennis J. DiClaudio, Jr., B.A.
Purtroppo, l'edizione italiana è fuori catalogo e mi sono dovuta "accontentare" della versione digitale e in inglese (temevo infatti di non capire, trattandosi comunque bene o male di linguaggio "medico", ma alla fine si è rivelata una paura infondata!). Poiché come si sarà capito non sono una persona normale, durante la lettura mi ha assillato il pensiero di dover assolutamente ricordare una per una le malattie così che, non sia mai un giorno avrò davvero questi sintomi, posso battere sul tempo la cosa XD
Cioè, ora.. Solo una persona totalmente fuori di testa può avere questi pensieri!!!!
Comunque sia, per non saper né leggere né scrivere, ho salvato il file tra gli "speciali" e non l'ho cancellato come mio solito. Giusto per, non si sa mai !!!!
ORA non mi resta che leggere "Io sono paranoico" XD ahahahaha!!!
** Idiopatico è un aggettivo utilizzato principalmente in medicina che indica una malattia non dovuta a cause esterne note ovvero senza causa apparente o primitiva. Il termine deriva dalla lingua greca ἴδιος, idios (sé stesso) + παθος, pathos (sofferenza), significa approssimativamente "una malattia nel suo genere".
Gynaecomastia may occur with other forms of feminization, such as water retention, softening of muscle tissue, fatty deposits in the hips, and an inability to answer direct questions in a concise manner.
Everybody wants syphilis! But who wants to deal with all the sex involved in getting it? All that hassle. All that mess. Sweaty torsos and bodily fluids. There's got to be a better way . . . Good news! You don't need to have sexual intercourse to contract one of the world's most popular social diseases. Now there's bejel! Bejel (bej'-el) utilizes the innovative powers of Treponema pallidum endemicum (trep"-o-ne'-mah pal'-eh-dum en-dem'-eh-kum), a strain of the common syphilitic bacteria, to create a disease that is uncomfortable and disfiguring but does not need to be transferred through genital secretion. Bejel is transferable simply through direct or indirect bodily contact.
Don't touch anybody. Don't let anybody touch you. Don't shake hands. Don't high-five. Don't hug. Don't kiss. Don't let anybody reach over to wipe a piece of lint off your cheek. Don't support anybody in the crook of your arm. Don't eat with a fork that may have been used by somebody else. Don't take a sip of wine from the glass of an attractive and well-read person at a cocktail party. Don't go anywhere near any person who has an open sore, even if it's hidden beneath his or her clothes.
Leggendo i sintomi della prima terrificante malattia, ho iniziato tra me e me a dire: Ce l'ho, ce l'ho, ce l'ho, cavolo ce l'ho pure questo.. Mi manca, ce l'ho ce l'ho, doppio, mi manca.. Nemmeno stessi scambiando le figurine dei Pokemon!!
Man mano che progredivo con la lettura, ho scoperto di avere più malattie io che un ospedale nei giorni di punta.. Sono anche stata in grado di avere all'istante qualche doloretto sospetto che non si era mai manifestato prima.. :D
Se non volete rischiare di chiudere i contatti con il mondo, di andare in giro con la mascherina e proprio dovete, eh!! Il massimo sarebbe rimanere a casa..) , di vedere malattie ad ogni angolo, dovete far finta che questo libro non esista..
Se invece siete persone forti e totalmente aipocondriache, allora fatevi sotto.. Perché se non vi ucciderà una malattia, vi stenderà il libro a suon di risate:
The good news: you won’t stop laughing. The bad news: Every word is true.
L'autore presenta 45 malattie agghiaccianti e terrificanti (pensate alla peggior cosa che può accadere al vostro corpo: Bene, sappiate che non è sufficiente!!) divise in malattie Autoimmuni, derivate da batteri, malattie genetiche e neurologiche, malattie idiopatiche**, dovute a parassiti, a funghi oppure virali
; ogni malattia è presentata con il nome scientifico e come può essere altrimenti conosciuta; segue una brevissima descrizione della malattia (due righe.. Ma le due righe più inquietanti del mondo!!), i sintomi raccolti in uno specchietto (dove io a pagina uno ho cominciato ad avere i sudori freddi XD), la diagnosi, la prognosi (aiuto!!), la prevenzione (solitamente impossibile) e la cura.
La cosa buona di questo libro (oltre che metterci tutti in guardia sui mille rischi che corriamo a mettere il naso fuori di casa senza la mascherina o una protezione totale della cute, onde evitare contagi pericolosi, ovviamente) è che l'autore ha un uso del sarcasmo magistrale.. Insomma, descrive queste cose come se stesse raccontando l'ultima barzelletta sentita al bar.. Mi ha fatto morire!!
Vi lascio a titolo d'esempio l'introduzione al libro, giusto per farvi un'idea! :D
As we go about our daily lives—ordering a fourth round of mojitos, waiting in line at the supermarket to pay for our hummus, delicately hanging our photographs of tropical fish—there are a staggering number of things trying to get inside our bodies. Viruses, bacteria, worms, insects, bloodsucking fish. These things are hungry to enter our warmth and feed from our flesh, to multiply, to overtake our biological functions. And our immune systems cannot keep them all at bay. Some will get through, storm the gates, and ravage our fragile constitutions. And even as we are under siege from these intruders, we are being attacked from the inside as well. Organs faltering, neurotransmitters in the brain misfiring, long-dormant and mischievous genes sparking to life. It seems miraculous that any of us have lasted this long. There are thousands upon thousands of diseases known to man. Medical texts on dusty library shelves are packed full with them. In writing The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have, I wasn't concerned with the huge majority of those diseases. After a great deal of research, I decided to settle upon a simple forty-five. The forty-five diseases included here are some of the worst, the deadliest, the strangest, the most repulsive, the most unpleasant maladies—all of them 100 percent genuine—that currently exist out there, waiting for you. This book, however, was not intended to serve as a definitive resource for the included diseases. If, after careful self-diagnosis based upon your apparent symptoms, you come to the conclusion that you have Marburg hemorrhagic fever or cerebral sparganosis, get a second opinion. Seek the advice of neighbors and coworkers, the guy who sells imported salami to the guy who runs the corner delicatessen. Submit yourself to the capable minds of an Internet message board. As a last resort, you may want to consider talking to a qualified physician. But don't begin medicating or amputating yourself based upon the information contained herein. I, the author, am not a doctor. I am one of you—cowering, anxious, obsessively washing his hands. There are better authorities on these matters. Find them. If you should find that you do indeed have one of the diseases included in these pages, please understand that it is not my intention to make light of your terrible situation. You've got it hard enough as it is. Please enjoy these horrible diseases, and may God have mercy on your soul. –Dennis J. DiClaudio, Jr., B.A. and may God have mercy on your soul.
–Dennis J. DiClaudio, Jr., B.A.
Purtroppo, l'edizione italiana è fuori catalogo e mi sono dovuta "accontentare" della versione digitale e in inglese (temevo infatti di non capire, trattandosi comunque bene o male di linguaggio "medico", ma alla fine si è rivelata una paura infondata!). Poiché come si sarà capito non sono una persona normale, durante la lettura mi ha assillato il pensiero di dover assolutamente ricordare una per una le malattie così che, non sia mai un giorno avrò davvero questi sintomi, posso battere sul tempo la cosa XD
Cioè, ora.. Solo una persona totalmente fuori di testa può avere questi pensieri!!!!
Comunque sia, per non saper né leggere né scrivere, ho salvato il file tra gli "speciali" e non l'ho cancellato come mio solito. Giusto per, non si sa mai !!!!
ORA non mi resta che leggere "Io sono paranoico" XD ahahahaha!!!
** Idiopatico è un aggettivo utilizzato principalmente in medicina che indica una malattia non dovuta a cause esterne note ovvero senza causa apparente o primitiva. Il termine deriva dalla lingua greca ἴδιος, idios (sé stesso) + παθος, pathos (sofferenza), significa approssimativamente "una malattia nel suo genere".
Gynaecomastia may occur with other forms of feminization, such as water retention, softening of muscle tissue, fatty deposits in the hips, and an inability to answer direct questions in a concise manner.
Everybody wants syphilis! But who wants to deal with all the sex involved in getting it? All that hassle. All that mess. Sweaty torsos and bodily fluids. There's got to be a better way . . . Good news! You don't need to have sexual intercourse to contract one of the world's most popular social diseases. Now there's bejel! Bejel (bej'-el) utilizes the innovative powers of Treponema pallidum endemicum (trep"-o-ne'-mah pal'-eh-dum en-dem'-eh-kum), a strain of the common syphilitic bacteria, to create a disease that is uncomfortable and disfiguring but does not need to be transferred through genital secretion. Bejel is transferable simply through direct or indirect bodily contact.
Don't touch anybody. Don't let anybody touch you. Don't shake hands. Don't high-five. Don't hug. Don't kiss. Don't let anybody reach over to wipe a piece of lint off your cheek. Don't support anybody in the crook of your arm. Don't eat with a fork that may have been used by somebody else. Don't take a sip of wine from the glass of an attractive and well-read person at a cocktail party. Don't go anywhere near any person who has an open sore, even if it's hidden beneath his or her clothes.
March 11, 2010
If you are truly a hypochondriac this book is not for you. I have become convinced that I will die from one of these horrible and sometimes very rare diseases. The upside is that the author manages to insert much humor. Especially for those of us who need to take life or death situations with a side of humor. :)
March 20, 2015
A humorous book about dangerous diseases with a few good laughs among a lot of actual information.
Took a while to read because digesting all that information took its time. At times a bit gross so maybe not a book for everyone, but I liked the writing style and the humour and I like the gross so a good fit for me.
Took a while to read because digesting all that information took its time. At times a bit gross so maybe not a book for everyone, but I liked the writing style and the humour and I like the gross so a good fit for me.
September 10, 2019
What is there to say about a book this jaw-droppingly, antique lamp-smashingly, fine scotch-drinkingly good? I can't think of a thing.
Read
March 13, 2010Tried to be funny, but failed. The title is great, and it went down-hill from there.
Read
July 28, 2016Possibly the grossest thing I've ever read. Excellent.
September 30, 2019
"Cornu Cutaneum - In which you grow a horn, not like a goat, more like a rhinoceros.
If any comedians see your horn and decide to start calling you a goat boy, you can quip back 'Hey asshole, that's Rhino boy to you'."
A brilliant, sarcastic, informative and extremely amusing collection of various diseases, its symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment and of notes. A parodical version to all the doctor's magazine, in a way, with information on diseases you probably didn't probably know existed.
This is probably the only book which I didn't read with empathy to those who have endured the diseases, as controversial as it may sound. The moment I read the title, I knew I had to take it because it's everything I love: Scientific, Psychological and Humour! It makes you squeamish and for a moment, a hypochondriac too, with all those symptoms. As disgustingly it is described, diagnosis, prevention and of notes totally hit the top, thanks to the author's sense of humour. To describe this book in short: You have few symptoms you are worried about it and you Google search it. The results of the search are what this book contains. You know how it turns out. The only place I have seen the word 'Tumor' more than it is necessary is this book and Google (WebMD)!
What I really like about the book is that it is quite an eye-opening read to hypochondriacs. Trust me, if you are a hypochondriac, after reading this book you hypochondria will be miraculously healed! Even you will not believe you have it because of its horrifying details and illustrations. This is definitely the book anyone and everyone will love. Even if you are triggered by medical and pathological details, the book hits it lightly and with quick and disgusting humour!
This is definitely one of my best reads this year!
Recommended: If you are pursuing in the field of medicine, this book will be the best light and informative read you'll have! And everyone else, grab this book asap!
Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - becker&mayer kids! for providing me with a review copy!
If any comedians see your horn and decide to start calling you a goat boy, you can quip back 'Hey asshole, that's Rhino boy to you'."
A brilliant, sarcastic, informative and extremely amusing collection of various diseases, its symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment and of notes. A parodical version to all the doctor's magazine, in a way, with information on diseases you probably didn't probably know existed.
This is probably the only book which I didn't read with empathy to those who have endured the diseases, as controversial as it may sound. The moment I read the title, I knew I had to take it because it's everything I love: Scientific, Psychological and Humour! It makes you squeamish and for a moment, a hypochondriac too, with all those symptoms. As disgustingly it is described, diagnosis, prevention and of notes totally hit the top, thanks to the author's sense of humour. To describe this book in short: You have few symptoms you are worried about it and you Google search it. The results of the search are what this book contains. You know how it turns out. The only place I have seen the word 'Tumor' more than it is necessary is this book and Google (WebMD)!
What I really like about the book is that it is quite an eye-opening read to hypochondriacs. Trust me, if you are a hypochondriac, after reading this book you hypochondria will be miraculously healed! Even you will not believe you have it because of its horrifying details and illustrations. This is definitely the book anyone and everyone will love. Even if you are triggered by medical and pathological details, the book hits it lightly and with quick and disgusting humour!
This is definitely one of my best reads this year!
Recommended: If you are pursuing in the field of medicine, this book will be the best light and informative read you'll have! And everyone else, grab this book asap!
Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - becker&mayer kids! for providing me with a review copy!
October 18, 2019
Do Not Read If You Like Medical Information to Be Serious
Like this author's book on mental disorders, this is a quirky combination of actual facts about unusual medical maladies with some very off-beat humor. If you prefer your information about anything to do with medicine to be serious, you'd be better off skipping this book. But if you don't mind a little humor with your knowledge intake, this is a surprisingly—if not somewhat scary—read. Most of the humor is in the diagnosis section of each malady, and of course, the cartoon pictures to go along with the diseases and syndromes are meant to be humorous. Although, I actually found some of them to be a little on the scary side! I am a registered nurse, and some information provided is actually spot-on accurate, which is surprising in a humorous book. The author has clearly researched all of these well, enough to both share accurate information and to lampoon the subject matter. The introduction states that this is a new edition; he has updated some straight-up information and played around with some humorous parts. If you don't mind a book that doesn't take medical problems too seriously, you might find yourself both amused and educated if you choose to read this book.
NOTE: From what I saw on Amazon, it appears as though the first edition is listed there, not this second. The cartoons are definitely different in the first edition; they appear to be historical art rather than modern-drawn cartoons as are in the edition I received.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Check out my book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
Like this author's book on mental disorders, this is a quirky combination of actual facts about unusual medical maladies with some very off-beat humor. If you prefer your information about anything to do with medicine to be serious, you'd be better off skipping this book. But if you don't mind a little humor with your knowledge intake, this is a surprisingly—if not somewhat scary—read. Most of the humor is in the diagnosis section of each malady, and of course, the cartoon pictures to go along with the diseases and syndromes are meant to be humorous. Although, I actually found some of them to be a little on the scary side! I am a registered nurse, and some information provided is actually spot-on accurate, which is surprising in a humorous book. The author has clearly researched all of these well, enough to both share accurate information and to lampoon the subject matter. The introduction states that this is a new edition; he has updated some straight-up information and played around with some humorous parts. If you don't mind a book that doesn't take medical problems too seriously, you might find yourself both amused and educated if you choose to read this book.
NOTE: From what I saw on Amazon, it appears as though the first edition is listed there, not this second. The cartoons are definitely different in the first edition; they appear to be historical art rather than modern-drawn cartoons as are in the edition I received.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Check out my book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
September 12, 2019
Okay so I read all three of these books very quickly and wrote my review for book 1 before I glanced at any other reviews... what is wrong with people?
Just looking at the titles should give a reader an idea of what the inside will hold. Obviously we’re not dealing with a flat, dull litany of facts that you’d be lucky to retain 10% of after completing. No! These are hilarious, the authors comedic and sometimes dry wit is masterful and stylistically made these diseases, phobias and kinks come alive. And even with this strong sense of comedic effect Dennis Diclaudio still manages to retain respect for these things since they are real ailments and kinks.
I plan on purchasing all three of these for coffee table books as soon as I can, and an extra one of the mental disorder books in particular for my anxiety ridden sister 😂.
So if you hate smart witty dialogue, filled with interesting information that will constantly make you want to shake the person next to you “Did you know?!?” Just so you can share some of the new facts you just absorbed, then by all means don’t read this, this book isn’t for you anyway.
Just looking at the titles should give a reader an idea of what the inside will hold. Obviously we’re not dealing with a flat, dull litany of facts that you’d be lucky to retain 10% of after completing. No! These are hilarious, the authors comedic and sometimes dry wit is masterful and stylistically made these diseases, phobias and kinks come alive. And even with this strong sense of comedic effect Dennis Diclaudio still manages to retain respect for these things since they are real ailments and kinks.
I plan on purchasing all three of these for coffee table books as soon as I can, and an extra one of the mental disorder books in particular for my anxiety ridden sister 😂.
So if you hate smart witty dialogue, filled with interesting information that will constantly make you want to shake the person next to you “Did you know?!?” Just so you can share some of the new facts you just absorbed, then by all means don’t read this, this book isn’t for you anyway.
October 22, 2019
This I found to be better than the same author's other book in this series, regarding sexual peccadilloes. Here he refrains from his unfunny set-ups and approaches to the topics at hand, and just gets down to the syndromes, the risible way we would have to struggle with life if we didn't want to get, say, a ringworm floating around our brains, what we have to do to cure things, and other relevant trivia. The ailments here are all suitably rare, disgusting or otherwise unusual, so we're introduced to fully locked muscles, fully fused bodies where bone matter has replaced our muscles, and inflamed eyes that feel they're being stabbed at for weeks on end. What humour there is here then is suitably black, and all round, while this isn't a gross-out one to really make the reader squirm, you do have to approach the book with some trepidation if you are at all squeamish or don't take to such dark details of our nature.
Oh, and if you wanted to know how the Viz character Buster Gonad had such huge appendages he needed a wheelbarrow, turn here...
Oh, and if you wanted to know how the Viz character Buster Gonad had such huge appendages he needed a wheelbarrow, turn here...
December 27, 2019
NTV Yayınlarının yine böyle bir kitabını okumuştum Zihni Geliştirmenin 101 Yolu diye. Yine aynı midi boyda bir eser. Pek de baskısı yok ikinci el aldım. Çeviri muazzam güzel Avi Pardo ismi zaten çok değerli.
Yazar öylesine mizahi bir dil kullanmış ki bazen gerçekten komik bazen de çok sulu geldi. Pek beğendiğimi söyleyemem. Asıl merak ettiğim hastalıklardı. Tanı ve tedavi kısımları daha ilgi çekiciydi.
7 bölümden oluşuyor. Otoimmün, Bakteriyel, Genetik&Nörolojik, İdiyopatik, Parazitik, Toksik&Mantarsı, Viral&Prionik olarak ayrılıyor.
Hastalıklar ise adım adım anlatılmış; Belirtiler, Tanı, Gidişat, Korunma, Tedavi ile bitiyor. En sonda meraklısına diyerek küçük bir bilgilendirme ile bitiyor her hastalık.
Kısa sürede bitirdim. Farklı, bilmediğimiz çok hastalık var. Coğrafi konum olarak, topraklarımızın zenginliği olarak, yemek ve içmedeki zengin kültürümüz olarak gerçekten ülkemizin konumundan dolayı çok şanslıyız.
Tavsiye ederim hoş bir eser.
Yazar öylesine mizahi bir dil kullanmış ki bazen gerçekten komik bazen de çok sulu geldi. Pek beğendiğimi söyleyemem. Asıl merak ettiğim hastalıklardı. Tanı ve tedavi kısımları daha ilgi çekiciydi.
7 bölümden oluşuyor. Otoimmün, Bakteriyel, Genetik&Nörolojik, İdiyopatik, Parazitik, Toksik&Mantarsı, Viral&Prionik olarak ayrılıyor.
Hastalıklar ise adım adım anlatılmış; Belirtiler, Tanı, Gidişat, Korunma, Tedavi ile bitiyor. En sonda meraklısına diyerek küçük bir bilgilendirme ile bitiyor her hastalık.
Kısa sürede bitirdim. Farklı, bilmediğimiz çok hastalık var. Coğrafi konum olarak, topraklarımızın zenginliği olarak, yemek ve içmedeki zengin kültürümüz olarak gerçekten ülkemizin konumundan dolayı çok şanslıyız.
Tavsiye ederim hoş bir eser.
December 30, 2019
Oh my, there are some gruesome diseases in here. There are also some that are just plain scary, not that I started thinking I had them, but just knowing things like that exist is worrisome. If you are a hypochondriac, I would say, DO NOT read this book under any circumstances. Each illness comes with a helpful list of symptoms, which makes it really easy to check things off and convince yourself that you have whatever is being described.
The book is written in a tongue in cheek manner. When it comes to treatment or prognosis, there are times when it straight up says that if you have this, you are going to die, but life might be really great up until the inevitable death.
While I found this book informative and entertaining, I only gave it two stars because it is not one I would read cover to cover again. I might go to specific sections and read those, but not the whole book. I do think that people that are really into health or science would find this book fascinating and really enjoy it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Dennis DiClaudio
Publisher: becker&mayer! Books
Publication Date: December 13th 2005
The book is written in a tongue in cheek manner. When it comes to treatment or prognosis, there are times when it straight up says that if you have this, you are going to die, but life might be really great up until the inevitable death.
While I found this book informative and entertaining, I only gave it two stars because it is not one I would read cover to cover again. I might go to specific sections and read those, but not the whole book. I do think that people that are really into health or science would find this book fascinating and really enjoy it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Dennis DiClaudio
Publisher: becker&mayer! Books
Publication Date: December 13th 2005
September 14, 2019
Excellent science writing with a great sense of humor
I loved this book. Dennis Diclaudio writes with a great sense of humor, which, given the subject matter, is amazing. The book covers many diseases divided by type. It also has a handy index sorted by symptom. But the value of this book isn't in self-diagnosis. Indeed it should not be used for this purpose. But it is an excellent introduction to pathology, with any science well explained. Even though I was familiar with a lot of the material, DIclaudio made reading about it fun. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in medicine.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.
I loved this book. Dennis Diclaudio writes with a great sense of humor, which, given the subject matter, is amazing. The book covers many diseases divided by type. It also has a handy index sorted by symptom. But the value of this book isn't in self-diagnosis. Indeed it should not be used for this purpose. But it is an excellent introduction to pathology, with any science well explained. Even though I was familiar with a lot of the material, DIclaudio made reading about it fun. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in medicine.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.
January 4, 2020
From autoimmune disorders to viral infections, and everything in between, The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have by Dennis DiClaudio covers forty different real medical conditions that are hilariously terrifying. Each entry comes a short list of symptoms, a diagnosis, a prognosis, and treatment options. In case you don't already have the disease, helpful prevention tips are provided. I was cracking up reading this! I recognised a few, but many of these were new to me. Highly recommended, both for humour value, and trivia value!
***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
March 16, 2018
Aaaaargh. This book is a humorous account of some truly ghastly diseases. Who knew that a common fungus could eat your brain and your face from the inside? Who knew that common bacteria could run amok and flay your skin off? Worse, most of these gruesome conditions have no prevention and no cure. Don't touch kittens, don't touch anything, don't eat anything, don't get scratched, don't go near anyone else. You can't unread this book! Unless of course you get amnesiac shellfish poisoning, in which case you'll have unread everything else too.
November 3, 2019
I was attracted by the the title of this book, which promises a somewhat quirky and entertaining read. While not meaning to insult people who are diagnosed with any of the disorders, Dennis DiClaudio finds humour among the various conditions. Full of humour and entertaining, a printed copy of this book would make a perfect gift and something to dip in and out of as an interesting reference book. Although not for medical diagnoses! It's the companion to another book by the same author which gives a guide to "mental disorders."
September 16, 2019
Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Facts about diseases so horrible you could have nightmares about them, served with a helping of dry wit that sneaks up on you and is extremely enjoyable. This is a quick and fun read, that will make you realize you should immediately stop petting kittens, eating, breathing and living, so as to avoid catching any of these diseases.
Facts about diseases so horrible you could have nightmares about them, served with a helping of dry wit that sneaks up on you and is extremely enjoyable. This is a quick and fun read, that will make you realize you should immediately stop petting kittens, eating, breathing and living, so as to avoid catching any of these diseases.
March 24, 2020
In this time of pandemic induced paranoia, this book is a perfect gift to remind people of all the other horrible diseases they may already have. It's comical even in it's seriousness, particularly as the book eliminated any information it deemed "boring" so it's basically has the feel of when you find a bump or a mark and ask Google "Causes for ____" and you are instantly given a laundry list of worst case scenarios that make you freak out.
July 20, 2021
This is NOT a book I should read because I think I have everything...it's probably why my friend gave it to me. So many horrible diseases that I have ALL the symptoms (I'll probably be dead by the time this review is published).
Honestly, it's not really a sit down and read book, its more of a guest bathroom, put on the reading rack book. Fun to flip through, not always fun to contemplate. Pick it up...IF YOU DARE.
Honestly, it's not really a sit down and read book, its more of a guest bathroom, put on the reading rack book. Fun to flip through, not always fun to contemplate. Pick it up...IF YOU DARE.
April 22, 2024
Much like the Mental Illnesses version, this book (which was published before the mental illness one) attempting to sort the illnesses it contains into categories. Unfortunately, much like the mental illnesses book, several of these categories contain diseases that simply don't belong there. The humor isn't particularly funny, and the science is mediocre at best. There's a lot of weird ageism and misogyny, and more ableism for a book about acute illness than I expected.
September 11, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this one because I do feel that it has some interesting, useful information.
However it contains blatant transphobia and I cannot in good conscience recommend it.
I really wanted to like this one because I do feel that it has some interesting, useful information.
However it contains blatant transphobia and I cannot in good conscience recommend it.
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