WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR—TIPS FOR NEW MOMS
It's the classic new-parent conundrum: "Should we call the pediatrician?" Kristin Williams, M.D., an obstetrician and gynecologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie says that often, a quick check of the baby book or a session with the new-parent support group provides peace of mind. But she says that there are some instances when you should reach for the phone.
For Baby:- temperature (rectal) above 100.4ºF- labored breathing, wheezing or bluish fingertips- yellowish skin or jaundice- refusal to eat, drink or suck- persistent vomiting or diarrhea- spells of apnea- no urination for 12 hours
For Mom:- temperature above 100ºF or flu-like symptoms- continuous, heavy post-delivery bleeding- discharge that has a strong odor- burning, bloody or frequent urination- phlebitis (an area of redness, swelling and tenderness on the leg)- painful breasts with red streaks- depression
For more information about Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
NEW RESEARCH SHOWS 'LIGHT' SMOKING JUST AS RISKY
Is there such a thing as a 'light' smoker? Researchers say there may be, but there is no such thing as a 'low-risk' smoker. One, two maybe three cigarettes a day—it's often called 'light' smoking, but a new study shows that those who don't light up as often are still greatly increasing their lifetime risk for serious health problems.
"It starts with one cigarette a day. One cigarette a day and people have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than if they didn't smoke at all," says Mark Millard, M.D., pulmonologist on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.
Researchers who tracked the health of thousands of Americans for more than 30 years found that those who smoked between one and five cigarettes a day were almost three times more likely to die of lung cancer or heart disease when compared to those who'd never smoked at all.
"There are so many things that seem to track with light smoking," says Millard. "It's a behavior that predisposes people to cardiovascular complications as well as cancer—all these factors are higher in light smokers than they are in non-smokers at all," says Dr. Millard.
And researchers also theorize that some who consider themselves 'light' smokers, are merely kidding themselves. They say many who smoke less often actually take in more carcinogens with every puff.
"There are studies that show that while they smoke fewer cigarettes, they also tend to inhale those fewer cigarettes more. Daily smoking is unequivocally in every study that's ever been looked at it—a health risk," adds Dr. Millard.
Here's something else to keep in mind—less than five percent of people who develop lung cancer never smoked. That means that if you're a complete non-smoker you're odds are better.
So what if you've smoked but quit? What happens to your risk of lung cancer and heart disease? Your risk will significantly improve in seven to 10 years, but it will never go back down to the level of a non-smoker.
For more information about Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
BRINGING HOME BABY—TIPS FOR NEW PARENTS
Congratulations! You just had your first baby, and you're heading home. With plenty of diapers and a pediatrician on board, you're all set, right?
Before leaving the hospital:Did you remember the infant car seat? You can't leave the hospital without one. It's a good idea to buy and install the seat before your due date. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least 12 months, and the hospital is the place to get a successful start. "Mom's breast milk is truly best for the baby," says Steven Trostel, M.D., chairman, department of OB/GYN on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Garland. Certified lactation consultants visit shortly after delivery to explain the process and answer questions. New moms leaving Baylor Garland also take home a breastfeeding log, making it easy to stay on schedule.
Newborn to three months:Once home, someone will be sleeping like a baby—but it won't be you. "For the first 12 weeks you're looking at maximum sleep deprivation," Dr. Trostel says, because you'll be feeding the baby every two to three hours around the clock. And remember, what goes in must come out so expect eight to 10 dirty diapers every 24 hours, and four wet ones. You'll also be visiting the pediatrician on a regular schedule for well-baby checkups and immunizations. After the euphoria of the birth subsides, dad is back to work and relatives go home, "that's often when most new mothers go through some degree of the 'baby blues,' a phase where they feel down and disconnected," Dr. Trostel says. This should ease with time and sleep, but if feelings continue or become overwhelming, call your doctor.
Three months to nine months:You realize your life is no longer your own when a quick trip to the grocery store requires more time planning than it does actually shopping. But it's all worth it now as your baby starts to coo, smile and develop his or her unique personality. By this time, too, parents will have learned what works and what doesn't, gaining confidence in their parenting skills. (Getting more sleep doesn't hurt, either.)Since the baby will be moving around soon, now is a good time to "baby-proof" the house. Get down on baby's level and check for small objects and other potential hazards. Install safety gates where needed, and bolt heavy furniture to the walls.
Nine months to 12 months:Once babies start rolling, crawling and pulling themselves up, that's when mom and dad develop "parental radar," that extra set of eyes in the back of their heads. Some babies walk at nine months, others not until 13 months, Dr. Trostel says.Whether it's the first tooth, first word or first haircut, don't forget to document your baby's special moments. By this time you should be checking off milestones like a pro. And you'll have realized what all new parents come to know: Having a baby is a challenging, life-changing experience—absolutely worth all the sleepless nights.
For more information about Baylor Medical Center at Garland, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ABDOMINAL FAT COULD BE INDICATOR OF RISK FOR HEART DISEASE
It's not news that being overweight increases your risk of heart disease, but researchers recently discovered that where you carry that excess fat may be more important than you think.
Weight and body mass index, or BMI, is how doctors have usually determined whether or not you were obese, but that may soon be changing.
"You can miss a lot with that test. If you have someone who is exercising and physically fit they can fall into the 26, 27 body mass index range and they're not obese, but they have a lot of muscle mass so that's where we kind of get into trouble with the body mass index," says Barbara Crishi, certified diabetes educator, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.
Now researchers have discovered there's another number that may be more important. The conclusion was drawn from a major international study that recently looked at what was more predictive—weight in pounds, body mass index or a person's waist-to-hip ratio.
"They found that it was the waist-to-hip ratio that was the most significant indicator of possible cardiovascular disease," says Crishi.
So here's how to get that ratio: first measure your waist—just under the ribcage—then your hips at their widest point. Finally, divide the waist measurement in inches by hip measurement in inches.
For women, if that ratio is greater than .8 and for men if it's greater than 1.0, you're at risk.
"That goes back to looking at does your body have an apple shape, or a pear shape? The apple shape is more indicative of having cardiovascular disease than the pear shape is," says Crishi.
Basically the research shows that abdominal fat is more strongly associated with health problems like heart disease and diabetes, something that has always been suspected, but now there is strong data to prove it.
There are several other possible risk factors including high blood pressure, cholesterol, history of smoking and a family history of heart disease.
Do researchers know why abdominal fat is linked to greater risk? Not really, they have several theories, but they note in their study that further research is needed.
For more information abut Baylor Regional medical Center at Grapevine, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
STAY A STEP AHEAD OF OSTEOPOROSIS—FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO HELP KEEP YOUR BONES STRONG
The National Osteoporosis Foundation calls osteoporosis and low bone mass a major threat to public health—44 million Americans, mostly older women, either have osteoporosis or low bone mass.
We build bone mass during childhood and our teenage years, reaching peak bone density between ages 25 and 35. But bone is broken down and rebuilt throughout our lifetimes. To help keep your bones strong, follow these tips:- Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. - Exercise. Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are best because they put a load on the bone, stimulating it to grow. Try low-impact aerobics, stair climbing and resistance exercises with machines or elastic bands.- Don't smoke, and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
Talk to your doctor to see if you should have a bone density test. Osteoporosis is a silent disease, and you don't want a fracture to be the first sign that you have it. The test uses low doses of radiation—less than a standard chest X-ray—to measure bone thickness.
"It's a very simple procedure. You lay down on a table and the machine scans over you. It takes just 10 minutes," says Gayle Poudevigne, manager of the Women's Imaging Center at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano.
The test can provide valuable information to those who want to assess their risk for bone loss. Especially recommended for post-menopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy, the screening is also a good idea for smokers and anyone with a family history of osteoporosis.
If the scan shows that you're at risk for osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend prescription medications, calcium and vitamin D supplements, or hormone replacement therapy as well as an exercise regimen to help slow the progression. To make sure you have enough calcium, aim for two or three servings of these calcium-rich foods into your diet every day: Yogurt: 1 cup = 350 mg calciumSardines and canned salmon: 4 oz. = 300 mg calciumMilk: 1 cup = 300 mg calciumCalcium-fortified orange juice: 1 cup = 300 mg calciumMacaroni and cheese: 1 cup = 250 mg calciumLow-fat cheese: 1 oz. = 200 mg calciumBroccoli with cheese: 1â„2 cup = 200 mg calciumCollard greens: 1â„2 cup = 200 mg calcium Cottage cheese: 1 cup = 100 mg calcium Dried peas/beans: 1 cup = 100 mg calcium Almonds: 1 oz. = 100 mg calcium Tofu: 1â„2 cup = 100 mg calcium
For more information about Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
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