The Complete Book of Men's Health has a very fresh, clear and comprehensive layout, which includes a good introduction containing both statistical information about such matters as male/female mortality and causes and possible medical interventions. Finally, advice is offered on how best to use the information contained within its pages. Dr Sarah Brewer wastes no time in focusing in on matters and section one deals with Sexual Health. She concentrates on matters that seem to commonly affect men and that, in some cases, can appear frightening and distressing. This includes problems such as sexual dysfunction, low sperm count, prostate dysfunction, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases. She takes nothing for granted, starting the process by describing medical terminology in layman's language and supporting the descriptions by simple, clear, titled sketches of male genitalia and the reproductive process.
In part two, which concentrates on Illness and Disease, Dr Brewer sets out to cover the physical illnesses and diseases that can beset the adult male, such as Coronary Heart Disease, Hypertension and high blood pressure, Cancer, Gastro Oesophageal Reflex Disease and heartburn, and peptic ulcers. She describes how they may be detected, their possible causes and how a change of diet, lifestyle and medication may help both prevention and cure.
The section finishes on a more cosmetic note, describing the possible reasons for hair loss, acne, eczema and fungal skin infections, and their various treatments.
Part three contains analysis of some of the reasons for illness such as obesity, alcohol abuse, smoking and stress, drawing on such ground rules as the BMI (Body Mass Index) and calorie/activity levels.
The conclusion to part three offers advice and programmes not only to fight such problems as excess weight, alcohol abuse, smoking and stress, but also to prevent their onset in the first place. Better diet, lifestyle, vitamin and mineral levels are all discussed as ways to correct earlier, bad decisions and make men healthier in general.
This is a very readable and accessible book that avoids confusing professional jargon and sets out information in a manner which allows the reader to dip and find what's needed easily and efficiently. --Peter Kidd
About the Author
Dr Sarah Brewer read natural sciences at Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge Clinical School in 1983 as a Doctor of Medicine. Though her first love is medicine, she also writes for a wide variety of lay and professional magazines. In addition to being the resident doctor for theDaily Mirror, she has written a number of books, including Increase Your Sex Drive, Bluff Your Way in Sex, What Worries Women Most?, Planning a Baby? and Super Baby.
