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How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner | 
| Author: Jan Garavaglia
Publisher: Crown
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $15.78
You Save: $9.17 (37%)
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Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 2119
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 288
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 7.2 x 1.2
ISBN: 0307409147
Dewey Decimal Number: 614.1
EAN: 9780307409140
ASIN: 0307409147
Publication Date: October 14, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
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Product Description
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 storm
Using 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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| Customer Reviews:
 How Not to Die: 10 Lessons to Save Your Life October 15, 2008
Kelly J. Jadon (Florida)
27 out of 30 found this review helpful
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 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
But, then you die anyhow October 29, 2008
C. Wagner (On the banks of the Wabash far away)
5 out of 9 found this review helpful
So, maybe you can try to die from something not stupid...I purchased this book thinking it would be chock full of exercise and diet tips. Not being a television watcher, I was not familiar with Dr. G. But, I believe this title is an excellent library purchase for the good doctor's video fans and should have a certain impulse purchase aurora also. Since, I enjoy a good puzzle, the cadaver dissections had a certain vague appeal to me. There were a few dietary and exercise hints to make the book useful otherwise and the epilogue does include a wrapup on the matter and a list of "Resources and websites" is also appended along with a selected bibliography. Worth reading from whichever perspective you are coming from. And, I will try to avoid being struck by lightning...
"Their bodies store secrets and have stories to tell." November 2, 2008
E. Bukowsky (NY United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
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."
 Disappointing November 23, 2008
Dr Cathy Goodwin (Seattle, WA USA)
1 out of 11 found this review helpful
As an avid mystery fan, I was intrigued by the book's title. Like most people, I expect forensic medical examiners to perform autopsies when crimes are suspected. So I expected some juicy stories.
To be sure, Garavaglia offers lively and entertaining stories. But a lot of her advice can be found elsewhere. Stay thin. Wear seatbelts and motorcycle helmets. And so on.
To be honest, I was turned off on page 18: 'How not to die from latrophobia or odontophobia. Garavaglia's suggestions are laughable. She says we fear doctors because we don't want to discover we have a serious problem or "maybe you don't think your symptoms are important."
I'm afraid of doctors because I don't like dealing with rude, insensitive people, and that describes many doctors and their staffs. One eye doctor's staff calls all female patients "Mrs." When I suggested the correct term is "Ms.," the answer was, "Some people don't like it." The subtext: Married people are more important. (I wonder what they do when a married women keeps her name.0
In later chapters, Garavaglia points out all the ways we can die from medical mistakes. Doctors miss clues. Pharmacies dispense the wrong prescription. Doctors don't listen. We all know people with horror stories (if we don't have a few ourselves). So why wouldn't we fear doctors?
Garavaglia suggests having physical exams to get to know a doctor. These days, doctors don't spend time getting to know patients. On page 33, the author says, "If there's anything you don't understand, be sure to ask the doctor to explain or illustrate it." All I can say is, good luck.
We're warned against supplements...with the example of a young woman taking as many as 40 a day. Do I detect bias here?
In any case, many people avoid doctors because of the expense. On page 239 the author presents a laundry list of places where we can "shake the blues." It's hard to take her seriously after that.
Surprisingly, the author says nothing about domestic violence. Maybe the numbers are small, but she should be in a good position to comment.
Bottom Line: This book doesn't live up to the promise of "teasing secrets from the dead." As a copywriter myself, I had to smile when I saw the teasers on the book jacket. The copywriter found very small points, hidden in the text and easy to miss. I never did find what to look for when buying shoes or why to avoid doctors who wear ties.
We get the same old party line delivered by mainstream medicine. Even when she warns of problems with the system, she emphasize it's our responsibility to defend ourselves. The medical people are not accountable. The author comes across as somewhat arrogant, as she gives many examples of things she does right to illustrate her points. You'll get a few interesting ideas here but they won't come from the morgue.
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