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Author & Book Views On A Healthy Life!
Book Review: How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner (Crown Pub., 2008) by Jan Garavaglia, M.D.
A FirstLook Review
Dr. Jan Garavaglia is also known as Dr. G: Medical Examiner on the Discovery Channel's hit series. In real life she is a forensic pathologist in District 9 of Orange County, Florida. Her district sees about 1100 cases (bodies) a year. She determines the cause of death.
The purpose of How Not To Die lies in the fact that most medical examiners' labs in the United States see deaths for the following reasons:
* 10 % are homicides
* 40% are premature natural deaths
* 40% from accidents
* 10% are suicides
Dr. G writes, "There are other actions you might not be aware of that can save your life." Though many of us believe in an appointed time of death, Dr. G believes that fate lies with genetics and luck, and "a lot of us make our own bad luck."
Following upon the heels of her successful television show with this book, Dr. G hopes to alert society to the benefits of forensic pathology. This science allows doctors to warn us about ways to save our lives. Using actual case studies and sometimes graphic scientific descriptions, Dr. G motivates the reader into health and safety contemplation. She adds various lists and data to improve the reader's comprehension--for example:
* 10 Questions to Ask a New Doctor
* Symptoms Not to be Ignored and What They Could Mean
* Screening Tests Needed for Women and Men
* Commonly Confused Medications
* How Not to Die in the Hospital
* Finding a Trustworthy Hospital
Reading How Not to Die reminded me of a young boy who went into our local hospital for ear tubes several years ago. He died on the operating table. Why? A medical mishap occurred when a drug, which should not have even been in the room, was mistakenly given to him.
Dr. G writes that life is precious and death has taught her to live a healthier, happier life. Her 10 major lessons out of which the books evolves:
1. Know your numbers: Body Mass Index, blood glucose level, blood pressure, LDL and HDL cholesterol
2. Listen to your body--seek attention if something doesn't feel right
3. Follow medical directions from your doctor and those on any medications. To avoid injury follow instructions.
4. Practice good hygiene--wash your hands. Protect yourself when necessary.
5. Drive carefully--wear a seat belt. Observe road rules.
6. Just say no to smoking, illegal drugs, drinking too much.
7. Watch your step--think before you act.
8. Have a good time. Include humor and laughter in your life.
9. Don't go it alone. Form close relationships and live a longer life. "Caring for others helps us care for ourselves and brings added meaning to our lives."
10. Remember what matters. Set priorities by putting family first. What did you do with your life's years?
How Not To Die is a book written from a scientific viewpoint, but explained so that the general public can understand what happens inside a forensic pathologist's lab. It's fascinating. Dr. Garavaglia is truly a captivating author, drawing us in, and then sounding an alarm of warning.
Did you know:
The most common cause of death while traveling is a heart attack. And 30% of people who die suddenly from a heart attack have no prior symptoms.
Each year 800,000 American seek medical attention for dog bites, half of them children.
Chewing tobacco (snuff) contains 28 carcinogens.
A motorcyclist is 37 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than someone in a car.
Nearly 1/3 of adults take 5 or more medications, putting them at greater risk of a medical interaction with other drugs, food, alcohol, herbs, or tobacco.
An excess of 500-600 milligrams of caffeine each day can cause anxiety, nausea, and heart palpitations.
The most commonly abused prescriptions drugs Dr. G sees: methadone, oxycodone, benzodiazepines, hydrocodone, fentanyl.
How Not to Die is not the usual wellness book. It's a wake up call to what we're all in denial about: death. Yes, we'll all die one day, but about 80% of these cases could potentially be prevented until a later date in life. Read the book. Save your life.
5 Stars
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WHEN THIS DOCTOR TALKS, YOU SHOULD LISTEN.Thousands of people make an early exit each year and arrive on medical examiner Jan Garavaglia's table. What is particularly sad about this is that many of these deaths could easily have been prevented. Although Dr. Garavaglia, or Dr. G, as she's known to many, could not tell these individuals how to avoid their fates, we can benefit from her experience and profound insight into the choices we make each day.In How Not to Die, Dr. G acts as a medical detective to identify the often-unintentional ways we harm our bodies, then shows us how to use that information to live better and smarter. She provides startling tips on how to make wise choices so that we don't have to see her, or someone like her, for a good, long time. • In "Highway to the Morgue," we learn the one commonsense safety tip that can prevent deadly accidents—and the reason you should never drive with the windows half open• "Code Blue" teaches us how to increase our chances of leaving the hospital alive—and how to insist that everyone caring for you practice the easiest hygiene method around• "Everyday Dangers" informs us why neat freaks live longer—and the best ways to stay safe in a car during a lightning stormUsing anecdotes from her cases and a liberal dose of humor, Dr. G gives us her prescription for living a healthier, better, longer life—and unlike many doctors' orders, this one is surprisingly easy to follow.
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