A Note of Appreciation to DUers for the rec's on Pathogenesis, Anatomy and Physiology texts

[Mike03]

Yesterday I received the textbooks on human pathology, anatomy, the human body and physiology, and the are simply enthralling, amazing. Many of the illustrations in these texts are the exact ones used in the Teaching Company lectures on the human body and what can go wrong with it.

Truly, we have evolved into amazing beings. Anyone who has not studied the human body and immune system might want to, because it is one very positive, optimistic and amazing thing to learn about.

The only question I have, is how can a person who studies medicine and the complexities of the human body not become extremely paranoid or self-conscious about these complex and fragile systems, because there are so many things that can go wrong with our bodies?

Today I was jogging with my dog after watching a lecture on the skeletal system, and all I could think about was the ball and socket joint in my hips and whether or not I was wearing them out.

[supernova]

1. Are you in med school?

It's not uncommon for med students to get "the disease of the week" while they study.

:crazy:

[Mike03]

2. LOL...

No, I'm not in med school, but I love your post about the disease of the week. That would definitely be me. I'm probably on the same plane as Howard Hughes.

The minute I started reading about various diseases, every twinge or pain seemed to signify some horrible disease...

My father and grandfather had the same kind of cancer, and I'm just very worried that I will get it too.

[supernova]

3. Oh I see

I have a similar situation.

Both my sister and my mother had breast cancer, so I'm rather nervous about it myself --when I think about it--, as is my sister's daughter.

But really, the only thing you can do is be aware of risk factors and try to minimize those as much as possible. And perhaps be aware of which hospitals are experts in your problem.

Is there a genetic component? Would you want to be tested to know if that were possible?

edit: Please don't worry yourself so much that you forget to enjoy today. I'm sure your relatives wouldn't want you to do that. :hug:

[zingaro]

4. I think that

when you study the body in relation to medicine, you do realize how very fragile an organism our body is but you also realize how durable it is, as well as how many ways there are to treat, fix, or heal a body. It goes both ways. :)