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
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.â€
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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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
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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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
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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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
Quitting Smoking
by Dean Heller MD August 5th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
I am having trouble quitting smoking cigarettes. I have been smoking for 50 years, and I have tried to quit this bad habit at least 8 times. I am so frustrated, do you have any suggestions?
One of the reasons it is so difficult to quit smoking is that it is not just a bad habit, it is an addiction. Your body becomes physically addicted to nicotine. Because of that, some people will need to slowly decrease their nicotine intake, and to use one of the nicotine patches. There are also medicines which can decrease the physical craving. See your
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One of the reasons it is so difficult to quit smoking is that it is not just a bad habit, it is an addiction. Your body becomes physically addicted to nicotine. Because of that, some people will need to slowly decrease their nicotine intake, and to use one of the nicotine patches. There are also medicines which can decrease the physical craving. See your