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Medical Costs Gone Amuck!
I read with astonishment the March 4, 2013 issue of Time magazine’s Special Report. In his special report, “Why medical bills are killing us,” Steven Brill eloquently and accurately illustrated the situation using real world examples. If you haven’t read this special report, take the …
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Allergic reactions to ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are among the most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of high blood pressure. There are numerous ACE inhibitor medications available and they are easily identified by the last part of their name “pril” such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, etc. A …
Will I die from asthma?
Each day, 9 Americans die from asthma. Most healthcare workers would suggest that these deaths could have been prevented. Severe asthma attacks can occur no matter whether you have been diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe asthma. Who is at high risk for a fatal …
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Be my Allergy-Safe Valentine!
So, it’s that special day…celebrating with a nice dinner, flowers and candy. Seems innocent enough, except— what is in that candy? Chocolate candy contains chocolate (not a very common allergy), milk (the most common food allergy in young children), peanuts or nuts (the #1 cause …
Will my child outgrow asthma?
This is a common question I’ve heard over the years. The answer is not quite so easy, but there are factors that may help predict the prognosis of toddlers who are wheezing around age 3 years old. The modified API (Asthma Predictive Index) is helpful. …
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Food allergies increase childhood bullying
Up to 8% of children have food allergies. Managing food allergies requires ongoing vigilance in avoiding the specific foods. This affects children not only at home, but also at school leading to anxiety, social isolation, and even bullying. Lifestyle and vulnerability might predispose these kids …
Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?
Okay…. So you need allergy injections, but are a little nervous about the ‘injection’ part. Here are some reassuring facts: Needle size: the needle is very thin at 0.01625 inches; this is smaller than a grain of table sugar, and it is short— only ½ …
Is it a cold, sinus or allergies?
Let’s face it. You feel miserable with a stuffy nose, nasal discharge and cough. But what is it? There are overlapping symptoms between the common viral cold, sinus infections and allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever). This little chart can assist in sorting out the problem: …
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Questions and Answers.
Why is RSV infection important? When do RSV epidemics occur? How contagious is RSV? How is RSV infection spread? What are the symptoms of RSV infection? How does one make the diagnosis of RSV infection? How do you treat RSV infections? What can you do …