How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner

As a medical examiner. authoritative. Many ways to die. For example, driving with the window half way down. The danger happoens because you can be caught halfway extended through the window in a traffic accident. This book can save your life.

Surprisingly enough, this book is a real page turner. I enjoy Dr. G's TV show, so when I saw her book I had to get it. It is a very interesting and informative read, with sound advice on so many topics. Her respect for the deceased and their family is so profound one wishes that some of her colleagues who treat the living would follow her lead. Dr. G.'s book is full of common sense and at times, borders on the spiritual. Her lively, down to earth personality comes through on every page.

What a great book! It is full of practical advice and information on how to lead a healthier and safer life. Dr. G's plain spoken, no-nonsense writing style is so easy to read and understand. Her case studies are powerful and cause one to think about the real effects of one's behavior on one's body. I think this book should be required reading for everyone! Don't hesitate to buy this book. You'll find yourself referring to it again and again!

Dr. Jan Garavglia, M.D. is a forensic pathologist, Chief Medical Examiner for District Nine, Florida and tv show star as well showing us the "inner working" of what she does and of course she solves the mysteries of "her patients" for lack of a better word and doing so brings peace to the families and knowledge to people interested enough to tune in to what she is generously sharing with us. She profoundly cares about helping people and does so far more effectively through the unconventionally route she has chosen! Her beauty is her a dynamic and powerful positivity which you get a feel for immediately as she begins the book thanking each and every person she has autopsied because they allowed her the privilege to learn. I love her "acknowledgements" including to her husband. She is not a coroner but she explains the origin of the word and system dating back to the 12th Century A.D., England where sheriffs main job was collecting taxes for just about everything (here in NYC there are plenty of scandals & don't even mention the word taxes-someone could have a heart attack) but the sheriffs where stealing all the money and the king figured it out and created the coroner position to keep track of the money and I will give you a big hint dieing even than was expensive!!!! I am fascinated with corruption and I do think living and even dieing in New York is expensive so you can imagine what is running thru my mind as I read this section. Dr. G is fearless and she touches on so many topics from self help, safety tips, health tips and the importance of positive thinking. She mentions the HPV vaccine and while I am pro fighting cancer, I am against this vaccine which was heavily advertised targeting teen age girls and I am guessing there might be some big lawsuits coming so it appears the company hawking this vaccine has stopped the hard core advertising at least for now. My gut feeling is do not get this vaccine. Some of the reading is not easy for me because of the topic but the advice and insights Dr. G shares are worth it. It is a great book and she includes many empowering tips on including the advice "don't go it alone" and she encourages you to be happy. She has also included a list of resources and websites. I don't want to be autopsied but if I have to be I would want her to do it. She has such an amazing positive respectful attitude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr. Jan Garavaglia is the host of the Discovery Channel's "Dr. G: Medical Examiner" and the author of "How Not to Die," with valuable "lessons on living, longer, safer, and healthier" lives. Dr. G. is a forensic pathologist who performs autopsies in Orange County, Florida. The knowledge that she gains from investigating how and why someone passed away unexpectedly serves many purposes: It can bring closure to the decedent's family, solve crimes, and settle lawsuits. In addition, Dr. G. hopes that the living will learn from the dead that it pays to follow common sense rules about diet, exercise, mental health, and accident prevention "to avoid an early trip to the morgue." The author loves her work and it shows. She speaks with relish about the challenge of solving the tricky puzzles that she faces. Dr. G methodically examines each body, takes notes and photographs, makes microscopic slides, and sends fluids out to the toxicology lab. She also factors information from the individual's medical history into the equation. All of this leads to the doctor's findings about cause and manner of death. Dr. G's chatty writing style, colorful and fascinating case studies, compassionate attitude, and insights into her own life combine to make this an entertaining, educational, and lively book. Aficionados of "CSI" will find Dr. G's stories particularly engrossing, since they are sometimes dramatic, unusual, and at times, gruesome. Fortunately, Dr. G. has a sense of humor that makes even such grim subject matter a bit more palatable. Much of the author's advice is obvious: Be your own advocate if you are hospitalized, avoid abusing alcohol and other drugs, get regular checkups, do not ignore symptoms of illness, drive defensively (with seat and lap harness securely fastened), and make sure that you eat properly, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. Some of the recommendations that Dr. G. passes on, however, may prove surprising. For instance, an untreated dental infection can cause bacteria to migrate to the bloodstream, resulting in multisystem organ failure, so don't neglect your teeth and gums. The author emphasizes the crucial role of psychological well-being since the mind and body are so closely interrelated. Social connectedness, self-esteem, and a sense of purpose can affect a person's attitude and contribute to his longevity. "How Not to Die" contains useful and informative charts, a list of resources and Web sites, a bibliography, and a thorough index. As Dr. Garavaglia says in her epilogue: "Life has its challenges at times, and death is inevitable. We just don't have to help it along."

From: www.BasilAndSpice.com 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 you