Airplane EarLindsay Block, M.D. Many of us have experienced Airplane ear, also called barotrauma, during air travel. Airplane ear is caused by an imbalance in the air pressure in the middle ear space and the air pressure in the environment. Most people experience airplane ear during take-off when the plane is ascending quickly, or during…
By: Karl Neuman, M.D. You need not be under suspicion of possessing narcotics to be hassled by security and customs inspectors at airports. Families have been hassled for merely carrying everyday, over-the-counter medications, have had the medications confiscated, missed their flights and, very rarely, been detained to explain their “crime.” Moreover, once overseas, obtaining medication…
Karl Neuman, M.D. There is nothing novel about infants traveling by air. They have been doing so since time immemorial, long before adults. Legend has it that they were “delivered” by storks, and were never the worse for their trips. Of course, stork flights skimmed rooftops, eliminating concerns of high altitude and accompanying ear issues,…
Gary Kaplan, M.D. More now than ever, there is greater awareness about TIA (transient ischemic attack) and stroke. This is for good reason. Unlike a regular stroke, TIA symptoms can resolve within a few minutes and last less than 24 hours. Physicians are now equipped to make a difference in outcome when a patient presents with…
ABC’s of Diabetes By Rachel Pessah-Pollack, MD Presented by Amertex Do you know your ABCs? Knowing the ABCs of your diabetes can lower your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Your ABCs are an easy way to remember the important issues related to your diabetes and help focus your visit with your physician. A is…
STRESS MANAGEMENT AS A TOOL TO HELP THE ELDERLY WITH PAIN Allen Lebovits, Ph.D. Many elderly patients who have chronic pain also have high levels of stress often because repeated medical interventions have failed to provide relief. In these situations, stress-management interventions can be very helpful. Many patients readily acknowledge that stressors, including conflicts with…
Allen Lebovits, Ph.D. The approaching New Year is often a very stressful time. It is a time when new commitments such as losing weight, quitting smoking, increasing exercise as well as other significant behavioral and lifestyle changes are made. Unfortunately, these goals and commitments are often overly ambitious and unrealistic. Choosing small, realistic, and attainable…
Why is My Child Coughing? Vlassi Baktidy, M.D. “You mean that my child’s cough is from asthma? No one in our family has asthma.” “What do you mean I have emphysema? I have never smoked.” As a pulmonologist, these are questions I hear on a regular basis. Patients and their families are often confused as…
WINTER SKIN CARE, SIMPLE TIPS Norma Montiel, D.O. These are the simple things you can do to help keep your skin healthy during the long winter months. Take comfortable short showers. Long hot showers will wash away the skin’s natural oils. Use fatty soaps or soaps that contain oils, such as Cetaphil, Dove or the…
Joshua Frank, M.D. Now that summer is approaching, our kids will be outside playing, swimming and having fun. With this fun, we must remember a few ways we can keep our kids safe, including using sunscreen and insect repellant, practicing smart pool and bicycle safety and remembering the importance of keeping our kids well hydrated.…