Why we get sick : the new science of Darwinian medicine / Randolph M. Nesse, George C. Williams ; [illustrations by Jared M. Brown]

By:

Nesse, Randolph M

Contributor(s):

New York : Vintage Books, 1996, c1994Edition: 1st Vintage Books edDescription: xi, 290 p. : ill. ; 21 cmISBN:

9780679746744 (pbk.)

Other title:

New science of Darwinian medicine

Subject(s):

Genre/Form:

Print books.

DDC classification:

610.1 Nes

LOC classification:

R723 .N387 1996

Contents:

The mystery of disease -- Evolution by natural selection -- Signs and symptoms of infectious disease -- An arms race without end -- Injury -- Toxins: new, old and everywhere -- Genes and diseases: defects, quirks and compromises -- Aging as the Fountain of Youth -- Legacies of evolutionary history -- Diseases of civilization -- Allergy -- Cancer -- Sex and reproduction -- Are mental disorders diseases? -- The evolution of medicine

Summary: The authors state the case that illness and disorder are part of an evolutionary reaction by the human body, and in some cases, they may be beneficial to the current physical or psychological state of the ill person. Examples include morning sickness as a control over the nutritional needs of the pregnant woman, and fever as a means to regulate body temperature to fight off infection. While the authors do not claim that medical treatment should be withheld, understanding the underlying causes of some medical illness or disorders may be as important as typical medical treatment

Item type:

BOOKS

Average rating: 0.0 (0 votes)

Holdings ( 1 )
Title notes ( 3 )

Holdings
Current library	Home library	Call number	Status	Barcode
Alfaisal University On Shelf	Alfaisal University On Shelf	R723 .N387 1996 (Browse shelf(Opens below))	Available	AU0000000005956

Total holds: 0

Includes bibliographical references (p. 251-273) and index

The authors state the case that illness and disorder are part of an evolutionary reaction by the human body, and in some cases, they may be beneficial to the current physical or psychological state of the ill person. Examples include morning sickness as a control over the nutritional needs of the pregnant woman, and fever as a means to regulate body temperature to fight off infection. While the authors do not claim that medical treatment should be withheld, understanding the underlying causes of some medical illness or disorders may be as important as typical medical treatment