I saw a local news segment that it was American Heart Month, and the area hospital was screening cholesterol levels for people. Why do you need the cholesterol level, and how is that linked to heart problems?
Having high cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for coronary artery disease, the most common heart problem in America. This disease causes over a half a million heart attacks each year in the US. Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance, and there are multiple different cholesterol particle types. The most important one that causes heart disease is the LDL, or the
Young Children and Nutrition
by Tom Seman MD FAAP February 27th, 2013 | Pediatrician on Call
My two year-old son will only eat fruit and bread, but not vegetables. Should I worry about him getting the right nutrition?
It is very important for everyone to have well balanced daily nutrition to remain healthy. This should include mostly whole grains and a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as lean proteins, good oils/fats, with limited amounts of solid fats such as butter and margarine, and only scant amounts of refined sugars and candies. Children are no exception. There are many important nutritional items in fruit, but not everything found in vegetables can be found in fruits,
Read More
It is very important for everyone to have well balanced daily nutrition to remain healthy. This should include mostly whole grains and a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as lean proteins, good oils/fats, with limited amounts of solid fats such as butter and margarine, and only scant amounts of refined sugars and candies. Children are no exception. There are many important nutritional items in fruit, but not everything found in vegetables can be found in fruits,
Frostbite
by Dean Heller MD February 22nd, 2013 | Ask the Doctor
It has been very cold this winter, and my son, who is 12, does not like to wear gloves or a hat. I know as a mom that it is not good for him, but what should I tell him the medical risks are if he does not cover up in the cold weather?
When temperatures are very cold, or if you have prolonged exposure to even moderate cold, there are significant risks. One of the major concerns is frostbite. This is when there is actually skin and tissue damage from the cold weather. Your hands and feet are most
Read More
When temperatures are very cold, or if you have prolonged exposure to even moderate cold, there are significant risks. One of the major concerns is frostbite. This is when there is actually skin and tissue damage from the cold weather. Your hands and feet are most
Hydrocodone: FDA Passes Tighter Restrictions
by Kimberly Hays February 20th, 2013 | Medication
Soon it may be difficult to obtain a prescription for hydrocodone or other drugs that are mixed with it. During the last week of January, the FDA held a panel to vote on reclassifying hydrocodone and its compounds, and the vote won 17 to 10 to classify them as a Schedule II drug instead of Schedule III. This means that it would then be regarded to have even more capacity for abuse and addiction.
Some of the widely prescribed drugs that include hydrocodone are Norco, Vicodin, and Lortab. Because of the addiction and abuse associated with hydrocodone and drugs that
Read More
Some of the widely prescribed drugs that include hydrocodone are Norco, Vicodin, and Lortab. Because of the addiction and abuse associated with hydrocodone and drugs that
Mediterranean Diet: Diabetes Management
by Dean Heller MD February 15th, 2013 | Ask the Doctor
I just read a cookbook that promotes a Mediterranean diet. It seems like a fairly easy diet to follow; is it really good for you?
Yes, a Mediterranean diet has many benefits. It was known for years that certain populations around the Mediterranean had low rates of heart disease and diabetes, and people have been trying to find out their secret for years. The main aspect of the Mediterranean diet is to avoid processed foods and to concentrate your diet on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish. The benefits can decrease your chance of needing medications for diabetes,
Read More
Yes, a Mediterranean diet has many benefits. It was known for years that certain populations around the Mediterranean had low rates of heart disease and diabetes, and people have been trying to find out their secret for years. The main aspect of the Mediterranean diet is to avoid processed foods and to concentrate your diet on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish. The benefits can decrease your chance of needing medications for diabetes,