Barb's Daily Dose

Measles

I was just talking to a reporter about the recent increase in Measles cases. This is one of those highly contagious infectious diseases that has been just under the radar for years, but recently has increased dramatically. Most people under 40 haven't seen a case of measles and don't know anyone who had measles. If you're over 50, chances are that you had measles or knew someone else who couldn't go to school for a week while recovering from measles. 

Five S Method for Calming Babies

The Five S Method

1. Swaddling
2. Stomach or Side position
3. Shushing Sounds
4. Swinging, and
5. Sucking opportunity.

These methods were tested with babies who had received vaccinations.  There was one group of babies who were calmed with the Five S Method and another group was offered sugar water.  Most babies using the Five S Method were able to become calm within 45 seconds, while the babies who were offered sugar water were still crying, despite their using one of the Five S ingredients, sucking.

How Much Calcium Do You Need?

How Much Calcium do You have Each Day from Milk, Yogurt, Cheese or Supplements?

This is the question I always ask my patients during their annual exam.  No matter if they're 19, 39 or 59, most answer the same way.  Maybe they have a little milk in their coffee or cereal, some yogurt a few times a week, and maybe some cheese now and then.  Broccoli and spinach are thrown in once in awhile.  It all adds up, but it doesn't make the grade.  

Hearing Loss from Earbuds

What Did You Say?

Just when you think that your teen is ignoring you on purpose, it may be that they really can't hear you. Plugging into their portable music players, earbuds dangling and music blaring is causing a lot more hearing loss than we previously thought. Of the 10 million people in the US with hearing loss, about 12-15% are under 25!  That's only the kids who have hearing loss from excessive noise exposure.

Whooping Cough on the Rise

In Washington State, there is currently and epidemic of whooping cough.  There have been 640 case reported there in the first 3 months of the year, compared to only 93 the year before.

Whooping cough is also known as pertussis and can be serious and even life threatening in babies. The reason that there's a new epidemic is that we think that people's immunity to it decreases over time.

Expert Advice on Five Common Breastfeeding Issues

Please read another great article from Fit Pregnancy. 

The latest expert advice on five common breastfeeding issues.

 Expert advice on five common breastfeeding issues - Fit Pregnancy.

Sinus Infection? Cold or Flu?

What Can You Do for a Cold or Flu?  

Rest, rest, rest - Really, who has time for that?  Yet, the truth is, that our bodies are craving naps and time curled up on the coach with a soft blankie, hot tea with lemon and honey and a Romantic Comedy for distraction.

How Can I Figure Out if I have a Sinus Infection or Just a Cold? 

How do you know?  It's hard to figure out, even if you've searched on-line for symptoms.  Here's a clue.

Black Cohosh and Menopause

Here's the scoop on Black Cohosh

The studies done on Black Cohosh have not shown consistent results.  In a few, it is better than placebo, and in others, it's no better than placebo.  However, one thing I explain to my patients, is that with ANY menopause treatment, the placebo response can range from 30-50%, so if if works for you, then it works.

Part of the problem when looking at Black Cohosh, is that there are so many different formulations and it's available in different strengths.  It also seems that some women do very well with it, while others are left scratching their heads wondering what the big deal is.  

Chicken Pox Vaccination

What many of us forget is that virtually everyone used to get chicken pox. That meant that there were between 3-4 million cases each year.  While the vast majority of people recovered after a few days of  itching and feeling miserable, there were still about 100 people, mostly children who died from chicken pox each year. Now with vaccination rates for chicken pox increasing the numbers of deaths has also decreased dramatically.

Women are the Family Medical Officer

On Christmas Eve, just after I managed to wrap the last gift and stuff the last stocking, I was ready to sit down with a nice glass of eggnog.  It was then, at 11:15 pm that the phone rang. I didn't think it was Santa, or Rudolph and took a deep breath, bracing myself for what could possibly be going on.  It was my elderly neighbors, who I'd spent most of the afternoon with at the local urgent care center. It seemed that Anna (not her real name) was feeling much worse and could I come over and take a look.