Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Special Treatment: How to Get the Same High-Quality Health Care Your Doctor Gets

Special Treatment: How to Get the Same High-Quality Health Care Your Doctor Gets
jjares avatar reviewed on + 3307 more book reviews


The clever title to this book implies that doctors get better care because they know the tricks of the trade. However, I found that this info is what a doctor would want you to know if he/she had unlimited time to explain risk factors to you.

The book is easy to read and understand. It is chock full of insights and information it is dangerous NOT to know!

On a personal note, I have a heart condition and this book gives lots of info for avoiding a heart attack. Since childhood, doctors have told me to take B vitamins because I do not have enough vitamin B 6 and B 12.

On pages 217-218, the section called, Homocysteine: An Unknown Risk Factor, explained things fully. It also told me exactly how much of these vitamins (plus beneficial foods) that will keep my homocysteine in check. That section alone was worth the price of the book!

Another little known fact about the human body is that folks with advanced gum disease are twice as likely to have a heart attack and 3 times more likely to have a stroke (than others with little or no gum disease). Ignoring your dentist can be hazardous to your health!

Theres so much in this book that it is hard to cover it all. However, here are some life-saving sections I found helpful:

- Your medications and surgery can be a deadly mix. Which meds to stop before surgery (and how long before surgery to discontinue them). Obviously, you must discuss this with your doctor including ALL supplements, vitamins and herbal preparations.
-
- Why you should avoid the Emergency Room and what to do if you cannot!
-
- Side effects of over-the-counter drugs. Remember, ALL drugs have side effects.
-
- What/where is the best hospital for my particular surgical procedure?
-
- Which hospital has the best anesthesiologists?
-
- Which medical tests are most accurate? Least accurate?
-
- How doctors make decisions about meds, physical therapy, surgery and more.
-
- Where doctors go for the latest medical info and so can you!

I found this book to be a wonderful reference. Relatives call me and ask what that book says about .