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2011 | Health Eagle - Part 12
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Archives for 2011

Heartburn

by Dean Heller MD August 19th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
My schedule recently changed, so I work later, and I get home and eat dinner later. I have been getting heartburn at night recently, and my wife says I have been coughing in bed. What should I do?

It sounds like you are correct that you have developed "heartburn." These symptoms are related to acid refluxing back into your esophagus. Eating larger meals later in the evening can certainly be playing a significant role. The cough is also likely related; some people even experience chest pain from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the disease that frequently causes heartburn. Eating earlier in
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School Immunizations

by Tom Seman MD FAAP August 18th, 2011 | Pediatrician on Call
My child is starting Kindergarten this fall, and the school says that immunizations are required. I have heard scary things about some of the shots.  Do you think immunizations are necessary?

Starting school is often a scary time for both the child and the parents. There are so many concerns, such as transitioning and separating from the parent, behavior while away from home, friendships, tantrums, bathroom breaks, and the like. What should not be a concern is worrying whether your child will contract a serious illness. These are preventable by the use of immunizations.

We are fortunate. Since the onset of
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Tobacco Products and Children

by Lori Sciame August 15th, 2011 | Health News
Do you smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco? If yes, then you know how addicting nicotine can be. But do you also know that tobacco is harmful? In fact, “tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States.” And, “between 1964 and 2004, cigarette smoking caused an estimated 12 million deaths, including 4.1 million deaths from cancer, and 5.5 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases.”

These statistics, provided by the educational website Above the Influence, show the devastating effects of tobacco use on our population. Think about it. Don’t we all know someone who died
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Pradaxa

by Dean Heller MD August 11th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
I saw a commercial for a new medicine called Pradaxa that apparently takes the place of Coumadin, which I have been on for 10 years. Is this new medication safe?

Pradaxa is a new blood thinner that is effective for some patients that have atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm that puts you at risk for stroke. The advantage that Pradaxa has over Coumadin is that you do not have to have regular blood tests as you do with Coumadin. See your doctor if you think you may be a candidate for Pradaxa.

Expert: News Canada

To learn more about Pradaxa, watch
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Don’t Lose Your Balance

by Lori Sciame August 8th, 2011 | Exercise
Falling is a problem across the United States, and it is especially troublesome in my home state of Wisconsin. Here, falls are the leading cause of injury and death among older adults.

There are many reasons why older adults fall – from medication interactions to failing vision to home hazards – but losing balance is one of the main causes. Have you heard the saying, “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it?” This cliché speaks volumes concerning balance. When we are children, we practice balancing all the time. Riding bikes, walking on balance beams, and playing sports provide wonderful
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All health and medical information is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the medical advice or treatment of your healthcare professional.