A witty, highly entertaining compendium of the many obscure potential killers that lurk in modern society. From telephone stroke (holding the receiver too tightly to one’s head) to the most common housework-related fatalities among men, health journalist John Naish culls the most intriguing, odd, and completely true medical findings and bizarre syndromes.

Fans of The Worst Case Scenario books and Schott’s Original Miscellany will revel in this latest addition to the reference shelf. But don’t let it make you fret too much—research shows that worrying about your health quadruples your chances of an early death.

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Product Description

"There’s so much to worry about. Being tall can mean an early demise. Being short can kill, too. Then there are the perils of golfer’s liver and Chinese Restaurant syndrome ..."

A witty, highly entertaining compendium of the many obscure potential killers that lurk in modern society. From telephone stroke (holding the receiver too tightly to one’s head) to the most common housework-related fatalities among men, health journalist John Naish culls the most intriguing, odd, and completely true medical findings and bizarre syndromes.

Fans of The Worst Case Scenario books and Schott’s Original Miscellany will revel in this latest addition to the reference shelf. But don’t let it make you fret too much—research shows that worrying about your health quadruples your chances of an early death.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1501156 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
John Naish is a health journalist for The Times (London). He is a t’ai chi–practicing vegetarian who loves rock and rides fast motorcycles.

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Customer Reviews

A light, fun read, despite the topic!
There are parts of this book a real Hypochondriac should avoid. Even I (and I've never thought of myself as that much of a Hypochondriac) found myself thinking twice about how much more likely I am to die of a heart attack on a Monday (work stress) or what my height has predisposed me to (as if I can do anything about that). I didn't go so far as to decide to stop brushing my teeth (an activity that evidently injures over 2,000 people a year) or to run screaming from wheelbarrows (they injure 1,000 people a year), but I certainly view some activities in a new light.

The other part of the book, comprised of what sound like made-up diseases (Festive Auto Disorder?) is a hilarious read. In a way, it brings to light some of the ridiculousness in society today. For example, whiplash is a condition not really recognized in Greece. Even in a similar car accident, they will not walk away rubbing their necks crying `I have whiplash!' Why? Because they don't have the legal system we do. There's no benefit to being `injured' after a car wreck, so they are not. Sure, they may have a sore neck for a few days (it was a wreck, after all), but it goes away and everything is fine. Other than having to buy a new car and the hike in insurance rates, I'm sure.

The book also points to a number of cases where the `injury' was prolonged or worsened (psychologically) because of litigation. People are willing to talk themselves into being in greater pain for a longer period of time just to make their lawyer a few quick bucks. Sad, but true. Now, I'm not saying that the drunk driver that slams into you and causes you to lose a limb shouldn't pay. But the little old lady who tapped the back of your car at the stop light didn't disable you, and it's sad that there are people who sue over things like that.

One quibble: he once refers to `Kansas University Medical Center' (pg 92). There is no `Kansas University'. There is a KUMED, which stands for (unlikely as it is) `University of Kansas Medical Center'. Honestly, this (as a KU grad) really irritated me. As simple Google search reveals the real name of the hospital! It's a sloppy error that detracts from an otherwise stellar book.

Overall it's a thought-provoking read without being too heavy or technical. Sure, I wish there had been more detail on some of the cases, and a little more information on some of the conditions, but it's a small book and it really is, I think, intended for entertainment. And on that, it delivers. I highly recommend it, unless you're going to walk away from it convinced you have Hairdresser's Nipple or Trucker's Trouser...

Hypochondria really can kill you!
Slim and inconsequential compendium of strange diseases and research into hypochondria. One interesting tidbit: Hypochondria really can kill you!

The nocebo effect, the opposite of the placebo effect, is a real and documented danger. One study of heart patients taking aspirin divided the study into two groups, one warned of the side effects of aspirin, the other not. The group warned about the side effects were three times likely to suffer them. Another study of a group of women with equal risk factors found that those who believed they were susceptible to heart disease were four times more likely to die of heart disease.