Top Killer in America

I was going to bed while my husband was watching Television the other night and I stop and watch it with him because it was all about the top killer in America. I was curios about the subject and wonder what is really the number 1 Killer here in America.

I only saw the 5-10 minutes of the show. The countdown was already at number 4 killer which was related to a spider bite which was a virus and the guy just ignored the symptoms which includes persistent headache and he was claimed dead on arrival at the hospital. The number 3 was ALCOHOL ABUSE which is I think very common to all of us. The number 2 was OBESITY and of course the number killer is SMOKING and I can't ask any questions but agree to it because every time I am out I have seen individual smoking. I personally know someone that I wish just quit smoking for the sake of her health but it's easy to wish than see her quit.

I even research about the show and I think it was excerpt from Dr. G's New Book, How Not to Die. I wanted to include these 10 lessons that might be helpful all the readers.

1. Know your numbers.
   You'll live a longer and healthier life when your body mass index (BMI) is under 25. It may be possible to have a full life span with a somewhat higher BMI (25-29) if you stay in good shape, but in no event should you tolerate a BMI over 29. Aiming for 24 should be your goal. The adverse health effects of obesity are multiple and avoidable.
2. Listen to your body.
   If something doesn't feel right or you have an unusual pain that causes concern, pay attention to it. See your doctor and find an answer. Be proactive about your health and seek help early. Get regular physicals and have appropriate screening tests.
3. Use as directed.
   So many things in life come with instructions-and for good reason. Instructions tell us how to do things right so we won't get hurt or injure others. To increase your odds of living a long and fulfilling life: Take your medicine as directed, follow your doctor's orders, and obey posted and written rules.
4. Practice good hygiene.
   This advice isn't just your mother nagging you, either. Studies show that the more often you wash your hands, the less likely you are to get sick. Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to avoid illness. Along those same lines, use condoms when needed, since HIV is largely transmitted through sexual contact. Nearly 60 percent of AIDS cases diagnosed since 1981 could have been prevented by using condoms.
5. Drive carefully.
   The tendency to take chances on the highway that can land you in traffic court can just as easily land you in the morgue. Wear a seat belt when driving and a helmet when bike riding. Don't drink or do drugs and drive. Observe all rules of the road.
6. Just say no.
   Smoking is one of the best ways to ensure you'll wind up in the morgue. Get help to quit, if necessary. A little bit of alcohol may be healthy, but more than moderate amounts are not. Don't mess with recreational and illicit drugs, and don't abuse prescription drugs. The less you put of these things in your body, the greater your chances of being around for a long time to come.
7. Watch your step.
   Think about the consequences of your actions. Sure, I see some unavoidable accidents in the morgue, but a large percentage could have been prevented, and that includes most car accidents. I have the choice of only five manners of death on the death certificate: homicide, suicide, natural, accident, and undetermined. If I could add another, it would be "stupidity." It's difficult to say a cause of death is an accident when the decedent's death was clearly avoidable if he or she had applied a little thinking to the situation.
8. Have a good time.
   What's important isn't whether you got all of the food stains off your blouse or shirt. It's whether you had a good time at the picnic, the candlelit dinner, or the ice cream store with your kids. If you enjoyed yourself, then the experience was well worth it, whether your clothes looked good afterward or not. As you go through life, have fun and get a daily dose of vitamin H. Humor — through laughter and smiling — eases the burdens of life.
9. Don't go it alone.
   Relationships are important to me. Life revolves around them, and it shows in our health. People who maintain close relationships live longer and more healthily. Tap into the healing network of family and friends, neighbors and colleagues, so that when stressful, difficult times come, you'll have supportive people all around. It may sound corny, but caring for others helps us care for ourselves and brings added meaning to our lives.
10. Remember what matters.
    There's one thing that I'd like my kids to remember about me: I cared. I cared about my family, and I always put them first. We all need to clarify what's truly important and set priorities that make sense for us. When all is said and done, it's not how many years you live, it's what you do with those years.