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
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,
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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,
Male Fertility and Lifestyle
by Dean Heller MD February 8th, 2013 | Ask the Doctor
I am a 46 year old male, and I don't have any children yet. I still want to have a family. What can I do to make sure that I will still be able to have children as I get older?
Age certainly does affect your ability to have children, but there are a number of things that you can do to improve your chances. The most important factors are to not smoke, and to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. If you are overweight, this will decrease your ability to have children. You should avoid any drugs, such as
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Age certainly does affect your ability to have children, but there are a number of things that you can do to improve your chances. The most important factors are to not smoke, and to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. If you are overweight, this will decrease your ability to have children. You should avoid any drugs, such as
Deep Venous Thrombosis
by Dean Heller MD February 1st, 2013 | Ask the Doctor
When my husband and I came home from visiting our kids, my husband became very short of breath after the flight. He saw his primary doctor who was worried about a blood clot, and asked him to go to the emergency room, but he did not want to go. He is a little better, but still short of breath, should I be worried?
The short answer is YES. You should convince your husband to go to the hospital and be checked. Being on a long flight is a risk factor for a blood clot in the legs, which is called
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The short answer is YES. You should convince your husband to go to the hospital and be checked. Being on a long flight is a risk factor for a blood clot in the legs, which is called
Dealing with Heavy Periods
by Dean Heller MD January 25th, 2013 | Ask the Doctor
My periods come exactly every four weeks, and there is very heavy bleeding almost all of the time. Not only that, I know some women only have it for a day or two, but mine lasts for five days. It seems like I spend my entire life dealing with this. I always feel tired. Is there anything I can do to decrease the amount of bleeding?
Many women deal with the same issue. First, and most importantly, you have to see your doctor to make sure there is not a serious cause to your heavy menstrual bleeding. Most of the
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Many women deal with the same issue. First, and most importantly, you have to see your doctor to make sure there is not a serious cause to your heavy menstrual bleeding. Most of the