March 08

Pertussis abundant

I usually see about one case of pertusssis (also known as whooping cough) per year.  This year we have seen many in our office.  Here is a link with a story that confirms that there is increased activity of this infection in northern Kentucky.

http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=cincinnati&sParam=32928879.story

This infection causes a terrible cough, often accompanied by vomiting.  Luckily, most kids are immunized against this infection, so if they get it, they get a much less severe form of the disease.

4:52 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

February 26

Running for charity

I have decided to run the Flying Pig Marathon again this year.  This is the first year I will attempt to raise money by running in the event.  Our office has also constructed a relay team that will be running the marathon and we will both be raising money for the Aubrey Rose Foundation (www.aubreyrose.org), an organization which provides money for families who have children with special health care needs.  More details on this endeavor to come in the newsletter and on the website.  Stay tuned and get ready to give!

5:38 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

February 17

Little Green Men

'Tis the season of cough.  Cough is one of life's most inconvenient and frustrating symptoms.  Be aware that it can last 2 weeks from any cold or upper respiratory infection.  However, also remember that it is there for a reason - keeping mucous up out of the chest may prevent pneumonia.  If it lasts longer than a couple weeks, we should probably listen to the chest to make sure there are not asthma symptoms present.

Also remember that cough medicines do not work and are a waste of money.  I continue to be amazed at how well these old, medicines are marketed with new names.  A recent commercial showed Mucinex (the newer name for Robitussin) driving out little green men (symbolizing the mucous in your head and chest).  I see a lot of kids taking Mucinex.  Just know that I do not give cough/cold medicines to my own kids.  They have never been shown to work and they do have side effects.  I'm not sure why they are even allowed to sell it.

11:48 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

February 08

Simple steps are often the best

A recent study showed that those girls who ate dinner as a family more often, got adequate sleep, and spent less time in front of the television were at much less risk to become overweight.  Even more impressive was that the girls who practiced more than one of these behaviors had an even lower risk, with those practicing all 3 behaviors reducing their risk for obesity by 40 percent.  These girls spent less than 2 hours per day in front of the TV, got 10.5 hours of sleep per night, and ate together as a family 6-7 nights per week.  These small steps sound pretty easy compared with a lot of complex diet changes or extraordinary diet changes.  

9:56 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

January 19

I apologize

With the new year comes a lot of new paperwork.  Each year insurance companies require updated demographic information.  So don't be surprised when you get one (or more) clipboards handed to you when you come to our office for the first time this year.  It can be frustrating when filling out the forms (especially with multiple kids) can take longer than the medical visit itself.  We don't like this anymore than you, however, it does keep us up to date, allowing us have an email to reach out to you with reminders, updates, and newsletters.  I bet by this time next year you are able to fill these out online from the comfort of your home.  For now, sorry.

6:28 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)