Now that it is summer, my kids want to wear flip flops all of the time. I don't think that is good, as they need more support of their feet and ankles. Is there any information out there that supports this? I would like to have my kids wear regular shoes when they are not at the pool.
That is a great observation, and you are correct. While flip flops are easy to take on and off while you are at the pool, they are not meant for walking significant distances. Wearing flip flops can cause heal and ankle pain, and
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
by Dean Heller MD June 8th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
I have had 3 kids. After my first 2, I was able to get back into shape quickly. On the 3rd, it took its toll on my body. My stomach is stretched out, and despite losing most of the weight I gained, my stomach looks terrible. I am thinking about surgery for this. What are your recommendations?
An abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, is the surgery that is done on many people who have lost weight, very commonly after pregnancy. After pregnancy, some of the muscle fibers and soft tissue in the abdomen stretch and can break, and the only
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An abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, is the surgery that is done on many people who have lost weight, very commonly after pregnancy. After pregnancy, some of the muscle fibers and soft tissue in the abdomen stretch and can break, and the only
Folic Acid and Children
by Dean Heller MD June 1st, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
I took folic acid with my prenatal vitamins, but now I am hearing that I should be giving my child folic acid, as it decreases risk of certain diseases, such as cancer. Is that true, and should I be giving my child a supplement of folic acid?
There is some truth behind this. There is research that has shown that the incidence of certain types of chldhood cancers, such as Wilms tumor, are decreased when there is folic acid supplementation. The FDA mandated folic acid supplementation in food in 1998, so it is included in cereals, breads, and rice. It
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There is some truth behind this. There is research that has shown that the incidence of certain types of chldhood cancers, such as Wilms tumor, are decreased when there is folic acid supplementation. The FDA mandated folic acid supplementation in food in 1998, so it is included in cereals, breads, and rice. It
Heartburn
by Dean Heller MD May 25th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
I get heartburn everytime I eat pizza, potato chips, and some of my other favorite foods. Do I have to stop eating them for the rest of my life?
Certainly if there are foods that consistently give you heartburn, it is best to avoid them; however, if your favorite food always gives you heartburn, try chewing a few Tums, or Maalox before you eat that food; it may help. You can also try one of the over the counter medications that lower the acid levels in the stomach, such as Prilosec OTC. If you have persistent symptoms, you should see
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Certainly if there are foods that consistently give you heartburn, it is best to avoid them; however, if your favorite food always gives you heartburn, try chewing a few Tums, or Maalox before you eat that food; it may help. You can also try one of the over the counter medications that lower the acid levels in the stomach, such as Prilosec OTC. If you have persistent symptoms, you should see
Understanding Stroke
by Dean Heller MD May 18th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
My aunt, who is 83, keeps on getting episodes of confusion, and at other times she is ok. She has been diagnosed with dementia, but because the episodes come and go, we are very concerned about an early stroke. What should we be looking for to prevent stroke?
First of all, people with dementia can have varying degrees of loss of memory and what appears to be confusion. So it is likely that these symptoms are just related to the dementia. While confusion can be a sign of a stroke, the most common symptoms are slurred speech and weakness on one side of the body. Sometimes
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First of all, people with dementia can have varying degrees of loss of memory and what appears to be confusion. So it is likely that these symptoms are just related to the dementia. While confusion can be a sign of a stroke, the most common symptoms are slurred speech and weakness on one side of the body. Sometimes