Barb's Daily Dose

Teens Who Harm Themselves

One of the most common reasons that teens come to an Emergency room is because they've harmed themselves. Sad, but tragically true. Unfortunately, this scenario becomes even more tragic, as the majority are not receiving the emergency mental health assessments that they need.

Weight Loss Surgery for Teens

Imagine being in high school and weighing more than 3 of your classmates combined?  The teen years are a minefield of emotional challenges, with body image being one that 99.9% of teens focus on at some point. If you're slightly overweight, sweatshirts can loose clothes can conceal embarrassment, but if you weigh over 300 pounds, then hiding is no longer an option.

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.

Heading the Ball in Soccer

In a soccer game, one of the most thrilling plays can be a terrific, spot on header! No doubt. it's a crazy way to move the ball in a game that relies exclusively on the feet and lower extremities. It's almost like the wild card that can sometimes insert itself for a momentary rush.  What about the players though?  Those balls are moving at an incredible velocity and force.  

Energy Drinks: Are They Safe?

I have a friend who works in high tech, has 3 kids, jets back and forth across the country 2-3 times/month and seems to accomplish more in 24 hours than anyone I know. When I asked her how she manages, she smiled and opened up the fridge in her garage.  It was chock full of Red Bull and next to the fridge was 6 other cases stacked to the side.  "With all the travel, I never know when I'll be able to do a Costco run."  I noticed that there was big packages of toilet paper and paper towels, but the stand out item was Red Bull.

Sexual Health: Contraceptives and Condom Use

Please check out this great article that was featured on HealthDayNews.  To view the video- click here.

Condom-Use Errors Common

Improper use Could Contribute to Unwanted Pregnancies or STIs

MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2012 (HealthDay News) — An analysis of data from 50 studies across 14 countries finds that errors in using condoms are common and could contribute to unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections.

Stephanie Sanders and colleagues at The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction at Indiana University looked at 16 years of data on the issue, mainly from the United States and Britain.

Questions and Answers about Heavy Periods

How Do I Know if I Have Heavy Periods?

Although many women may feel as though they are the only ones experiencing heavy periods, women of all ages have heavy periods that interfere with their day-to-day lives. You may have heavy periods if your period:

• Lasts a long time
• Is so heavy that you need to change pads or tampons every 1 to 2 hours
• Is so heavy that you often have a tampon AND a pad for more protection, and
• Is so heavy that you have to change pads at night.

Scripts for Talking to Teens About Sex

Most parents would rather see the dentist than to even think about talking to their kids about sex. Many of us put off having “The conversation” so long that our kids are left to learn about their bodies from what they’re picking up from TV, movies, video games and their friends. This is not exactly the most accurate information and can lead to lots of confusion, questions and heartache.

Are Depressed Kids Bully Magnets? - Health News

An Interesting Article from Health.com.

Are Depressed Kids Bully Magnets? - Health News - Health.com.