We all notice things about our bodies that don’t seem quite right. But when are these simply harmless physical quirks and when are they signs that a visit to the doctor is in order? This comprehensive and fascinating guide covers every body part from head to toe—and everything in between—to help you decode the often mysterious messages your body sends you.

From brittle hair to hair in all the wrong places, a tingling tush, mismatched eyes, streaked nails, inverted nipples, and excessive flatulence, to name just a few, the body supplies endless signs regarding its state of health and wellness. Most of the time these require nothing more than a trip to the drugstore or cosmetic counter, or no treatment at all. At other times further attention is needed. So here’s the lowdown on what’s happening “down there,” the scoop on poop, straight talk about your joints, and a host of essential, even entertaining information on everything you ever wanted to know about your body—but might have been hesitant to ask even your doctor.

Drawn from cutting-edge research and the latest scientific literature, and vetted by a panel of medical experts, this remarkable book also includes historical trivia and fascinating factoids about each body area in question, plus an invaluable resource section. Whether you have a health concern or simply enjoy playing medical detective, Body Signs will not only absorb and inform you but will help you gain a more intimate understanding of the wondrous workings of your body.

"Despite today's sophisticated diagnostic tools, doctors still rely on the same powers of observation they've used for hundreds of years, parsing visual and olfactory clues for information about their patients' health. In their latest collaboration (after 2005's The Unoffical Guide to Getting Pregnant), medical sociologist Liebmann-Smith and medical journalist Egan, with help from a panel of experts, discuss a huge list of garden variety symptoms like dry skin, persistent coughs, embarrassing flatulence and strange body odors, none of which are necessarily worrying, but which may indicate something more serious afoot. For example, dry eyes are easily treated with lubricants, but may signal an adverse reaction to medication or the onset of autoimmune disease; likewise, scaly red patches on the skin may signal relatively benign, squamous-cell skin cancer, but dark spots resembling moles can indicate life-threatening melanomas. Though they do not deal with children's diseases or obvious call-the-doctor-now signs like high fever and vomiting, this volume is otherwise quite thorough and packed with information, a handy and entertaining resource that fulfills its mission 'to alert you, warn you, and maybe even scare you into going to the doctor... and save you the time, expense and anxiety of going' when one isn't needed." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Medical sociologist Liebmann-Smith and medical journalist Egan explain the medical significance of such conditions as hairy tongue, eye flashes, inverted nipples, and moonless nails. Chapters take body systems one by one, including hair, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat and neck, torso and extremities, private parts, and skin. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

"Lively and engagingly written, Body Signs is the perfect book for people fascinated by how the human body works. Read it and you'll know what to worry about and what to ignore." —Barbara Kantrowitz, co-author of Is It Hot in Here? Or Is It Me? The Complete Guide to Menopause

"Body Signs is indispensable. It's the ultimate catalog of our bodies' quirks, symptoms, and trouble spots—and a valuable guide to telling the amusing from the alarming. Written in a calm, clear voice, it's often funny, always informative, and potentially life-saving."—Joel Gurin, former Editorial Director, Consumer Reports