Drmommasays.com Website Review

Deborah Burton, MD - Dr Momma Says

Deborah M. Burton, MD is Dr. Momma and launched this website to share nearly 30 years of experience with timeless tips on parenting and healthcare.

Deborah Burton, MD

Category 1: Home care In my blog post, I call this category Momma Medicine. Why? Because I am a pediatric physician and over 90% of kids are brought to my office by their moms.u00a0 And as a mom myself, I understand the first of the healthcare levels actually starts with recognizing that something is wrong and deciding I need to do something. That's right! YOU are part of the healthcare team. This level of care begins once parents decide that there is a problem that needs addressing. Not the level of needing a healthcare professional to step in, but a level that you need to use your favorite remedies. What you do at home is important to physicians. If you end up seeing a physician, they will ask what you did and how long you did it. Many illnesses stop at this level. So go ahead and stock up on your favorite home care remedies. Category 2: Primary care By this, I mean that you are taking your child to their pediatrician or you are going to your family physician. I cannot emphasize enough how much I feel people need to rely on great primary care. These physicians are the glue that holds all the health problems together. No matter how many specialists you see, your primary care physician should be the all-seeing and all-knowing healthcare professional in your life. In this category, I also include urgent care physicians and emergency room visits because these are often needed after hours when you canu2019t get to your real primary care doctor. One of my podcasts delves er into my concern about the overuse of urgent care and walk-in clinics. There are consequences that you need to be aware of if you choose to have frequent care in these healthcare facilities instead of your primary care offices. Category 3: The Specialist Physician Like me! Why do I separate this category? Because specialists are seen after a problem is deemed more complex or more recurrent or more severe or moreu2026something that a physician with advanced training in this one area may need to look at. Without the need to focus on the many other possible issues that primary care physicians do, specialists can just zero in on our field. It is important for us that our patients are well managed by primary care physicians. Be sure to check out the podcast as I delve er into each of these healthcare levels and give examples of how they are used correctly, and how they are used incorrectly. Bottom line, I love my primary care physician colleagues! They make my job so much clearer. I can understand their thought process and plan of action and I know exactly how I can help. By short-circuiting the system with repeated urgent care visits, you are missing out on valuable healthcare discussions and planning. Dr. Burton's summary I recommend you stick with the basics: Step 1: Treat things at home, if not better, then Step 2: Go see your local Doc Welby or Dr. Quinn, medicine woman, and try your best to get a treatment plan that avoids the need for a specialist visit. Step 3: I am here, as well as all special physicians if you need me, but the goal should be a healthcare loop that skips specialists! Now go out and have a happy healthy life. AND try NOT to glance over at all those urgent care centers you p on your daily drives. Remember that all urgent care and walk-in clinics are not all created equal. Your healthcare line of sight should be laser-focused on your primary care office unless a truly urgent visit is needed. But that visit should just be a pit stop on your way to your primary care. As always, much love for supporting my work.u00a0I intend to launch new episodes every week, but may periodically produce bonus episodes. So, be sure to subscribe to iTunes or subscribe to my blog to be notified. You KNOW you do not want to miss an episode! Also, you may reach out to me on theu00a0contact pageu00a0to send comments, show topics or questions. You can also send requests to be a future guest, work with me, or sponsor an episode! **If you have not done so yet, I would LOVE for you to visit iTunes and leave me a 5-star rating so that I can continue to gain traction and grow this podcast.u00a0 I greatly appreciate your support!**   ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ambulance.png,width:750,height:500},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ambulance-150x150.png,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3539/juul-vaping-nicotine-is-especially-hazardous-to-kids.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:JUUL: Vaping Nicotine is Especially Hazardous to Kids,title:JUUL: Vaping Nicotine is Especially Hazardous to Kids,description:Ep 12: JUUL: Vaping Nicotine is Especially Hazardous to Kids Show Notes **Updated November 15, 2018, with excellent results of manufactures in response to new research** Todayu2019s episode of the Dr. Momma Says Podcast occurred very spontaneously, and that is HUGE for me!u00a0 I like to plan topics in advance, but when I learned about the JUULu00a0(a popular e-cigarette) and the impact of vaping on kids, I just had to get my thoughts out immediately. Products that contain hazardous nicotine impact everyone, but are especially harmful to young kids! What is JUUL? JUUL is the most popular e-cigarette.u00a0It is shaped to look like a USB drive, releases less smoke than other brands and has options to decorate them with colorful skins. Additionally, instead of pouring a liquid into a chamber, the JUUL has replaceable flavored pods...with names like Cool Cu ber, Mango, Creme Brulee, and Fruit Medley! These names encourage kids to consider the pods to be safe. Oh my goodness. Check out this You review of a JUUL pod called CoCo Mint. Can you imagine what your ager would be thinking while watching this? Notice how he did not mention that they were vaping nicotine! What is the difference between tobacco and nicotine? Tobacco is a plant that contains nicotine. When it is smoked, nicotine leads to addiction, but the other harmful effects occur because of inhaling smoke.u00a0We understand the risks of tobacco in cigarettes, but children and parents both need more education about e-cigarettes and vaping. Vaping nicotine is an increasingly popular activity, but many people do not fully understand that nicotine is still nicotine. Changing the delivery system does not change the chemical because the nicotine used in e-cigarettes comes from tobacco leaves! Nevertheless, e-cigarettes (including JUUL) are often considered tobacco-free. Tobacco products are highly regulated by the government for health purposes; however few regulations in the United States exist for vaping.u00a0 Scientists and physicians aim to change that to avoid preventable health problems. Both s and kids incorrectly think that vaping is safe because you inhale and exhale vapor, not smoke like in regular cigarettes. But there are harmful chemicals in the vapor. Long ago, regular cigarettes were found in vending machines in restaurants and stores; therefore, people did not realize the dangers ociated with smoking. Now, e-cigarettes are sold in convenience stores while vaping and hookah stores are found in many shopping plazas and malls. Just because they are easy to find and purchase does not make them safe! Many years of research has clearly shown the dangers of smoking tobacco; however, because e-cigarettes are new, they have only been studied for a few years. Basic information about the difference between e-cigarettes and regular tobacco cigarettes can be found here. Recently, at the Georgiau00a0Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting,u00a0Dr. Susan Walley, au00a0 pediatrician from the University of Alabama at Birmingham gave an incredible lecture. This presentation moved me to rush home and record a podcast about it. u00a0Take home messages about vaping nicotine products Vaping was initially created as a way for s to wean off cigarette smoking JUUL represents about 70% of e-cigarette sales Nicotine is a powerfully habit-forming drug which is found in both tobacco and e-cigarettes Vaping products are produced to resemble candy and food items which entice kids to buy them Children become addicted to nicotine faster than s due to im brain development s are using their JUUL in schools daily which is leading to more disciplinary problems s who vape have an increased risk (4x) of becoming tobacco cigarette smokers One JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as one pack of cigarettes! Second-handu00a0vape smoke contains nicotine PLUS other toxic chemicals. Parents should not vape around their young children Cigarette smoking has decreased over the years but now a new generation is becoming addicted to nicotine. Additional sources of information on vaping nicotine There is a lot of misinformation about e-cigarettes, but it is important to understand the 5 Truths You Need to Know About Vaping.u00a0u00a0Physicians are working hard to lead the charge in educating people about the dangers of vaping. Dr. Kristen Stuppy, an extremely active social media pediatrician. has written a comprehensive post detailing the concerns of vaping in childrenu00a0and Dr. Jill Grimes, a well-known family physician has detailed her concerns about how JUUL is not cool! If you want to sample the information I received during the meeting which led me to create this podcast,u00a0 check out Dr. Walley on You with her presentation about vaping and e-cigarettes. It's an hour so grab your coffee or tea, and get ready to learn. Update November 15, 2018: Because of research linking hazards of e-cigarettes in kids, the manufacturers of JUUL have stopped their targeting of underage children by discontinuing the sale of their flavored pods with enticing food and candy names. This is a victory of public health workers everywhere! As always, much love for supporting my work.u00a0I intend to launch new episodes every week, but may periodically produce bonus episodes. So, be sure to subscribe to the FREE podcast on iTunes or subscribe to my blog to be notified. You KNOW you do not want to miss an episode! Also, you may reach out to me on theu00a0contact pageu00a0to send comments, show topics or questions. You can also send requests to be a future guest, work with me, or sponsor an episode! **If you have not done so yet, I would LOVE for you to visit iTunes and leave me a 5-star rating so that I can continue to gain traction and grow this podcast.u00a0 I greatly appreciate your support!**    ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JUUL-vaping-nicotine.jpg,width:700,height:450},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JUUL-vaping-nicotine-150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3572/everything-you-must-know-about-sinus-cavities.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:Everything (many things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities,title:Everything (many things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities,description:Ep. 16: Everything (most things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities Show Notes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); I believe everyone has heard about facial sinus cavities and that a sinus infection can happen. However, in order to better understand how to treat these problems, it is important to learn more about sinus cavities. Who has them? Where are they located? What do they do? First, what are facial sinus cavities? Our skull bone is thick and heavy because it protects our delicate brain and eye . Sinus cavities, hollow, air-filledu00a0areas inside some of our skull and facial bones, are lined by soft pink tissue called mucosa, which produces mucus. Be sure to check out my post which shares the important role that mucus has in our health. There are 4 different sets of sinus cavities, but they are connected to each other by common drainage pathways. Each sinus can vary in size based on age but also upon location. Some of them are just one big cavity, and some have little dividing bones to make them a group of smaller sinus cavities. Where are the different sinus cavities located? The sinuses enter the facial bones through drainage sites inside of the nose. I have previously detailed the function of the noseu00a0which also highlights how the sinuses related to the rest of the nasal anatomy. Although many people simply say that they have a sinus infection or pressure in their sinuses, the location of the sinus can help us to know which sinus is involved. The four main sinuses are : Maxillary sinus: the largest sinus located in the cheekbone area Ethmoid sinuses: actually a cluster of small sinuses (6-12) located between the eye and the nose Frontal sinus: located in the low-center part of the forehead Sphenoid sinus: located in the bone straight back behind the nose, like in the center of the head! Most of us have a sinus or group of sinuses on each side of our faces; however, some people are missing some and others grow extra ones. Why do we have sinus cavities? The short answer is: no one knows! There are several theories, and I like all of them. Help humidify the air we breathe Help filter the air we breathe Improve the quality of our voices Enhance our sense of smell Simply make our heads lighter! (actually my favorite!) When do sinus cavities develop? This is such an important question because at least once a week, someone tells me that babies do not have sinus cavities yet. Ummm, nope. Well to be fair, that statement is partially correct because the sinus cavities do not develop all at the same time. The maxillary and ethmoid sinuses develop during the thirdu00a0month of pregnancy. That's right, infants are born with sinus cavities! And...those sinuses CAN get infected.u00a0 Sinus infections in infants, like so many other infant infections, can be a true emergency because the bone between the nose, eyes, and brain is thin. Infections can easily p between locations in infants. So keep flushing that mucus out of your baby's nose! The sphenoid sinus develops from the back of the ethmoid sinus around four years of age. The last sinus to develop is the frontal sinus which starts for form around age 7 but is not fully until mid- years. What diseases can happen in the sinus cavities? Obviously, the biggie is an infection! When the nose becomes inflamed and swollen due to the common cold or allergies, the sinus drainage pathways can become blocked. Mucus gets trapped in the sinuses, and infections occur. An entire post can be dedicated to sinus infections, but a brief overview is that there are 3 basic types: Acute: (short-term) Symptoms last less than 12 weeks and get better with the appropriate treatment. Chronic: (long-term) Symptoms lastu00a0longer than 12 weeks. Recurrent:u00a0This means the infection comes back repeatedly. Typically, 3 or more episodes of acute sinusitis in a year. Besides the expected viral and bacterial sinus infections, there may also be fungal infections, nasal polyps, and tumors (both benign and malignant) that need to be evaluated. This is a great place to end my overview. Separate podcast episodes are dedicated to understanding how to diagnose sinusitis, treating sinusitis and understanding complications of sinusitis. As always, much love for supporting my work. I will be adding many more posts to highlight parenting and healthcare tips, so be sure to consider subscribing to my podcast or to my blogu00a0to avoid missing a post!  ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sinus-cavities- .jpg,width:1920,height:1276},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sinus-cavities- -150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3530/surprising-allergy-symptoms-ofen-unsuspected.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:Surprising Allergy Symptoms You Might Not Suspect,title:Surprising Allergy Symptoms You Might Not Suspect,description:Ep. 13: Surprising Allergy Symptoms You Might Not Suspect Show Notes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Todayu2019s episode of the Dr. Momma Says Podcast discusses that even though allergies are common, there are many surprising allergy symptoms. Most people understand what allergies are. Or what they think they are! But every day in my private practice, my little patients complain of problems where I readily think about allergies. But, many parents have found them to be surprising allergy symptoms that they never considered. And because of the fact that it is ALWAYS an allergy season, I feel it is important to discuss what allergies are and how the symptoms can vary. First and foremost I want to emphasize the importance of understanding that allergies can affect the entire body. Because people usually think of hay fever as the cl ic allergy,u00a0 this explains why many people do not suspect some of these surprising allergy symptoms. So that we can all start on the same page, letu2019s just agree that the following are cl ic or commonly accepted allergy symptoms: Runny nose Nasal congestion Itchy eyes Watery eyes Postnasal drip Sneezing clearing And if we accept these symptoms as causing allergies, then most people can accept or not be shocked by common complications of allergies like ear infections, sinus infection, sore , and hoarseness. By the end of this episode, you will belong to the group of wiser people who can think about their symptoms in a different way and perhaps get started on an allergy evaluation or treatment protocol sooner rather than later. Below is the list, but be sure to catch the details on the podcast which include a lot of extra tidbits of useful information about each symptom!u00a0 9 Surprising Allergy Symptomsu00a0 Hearing loss Ringing in the ears Nosebleeds (Treating with Vaseline may be dangerous, so learn the best alternative to treat) Headaches Croup Chronic Cough Asthma Eczema Stomach problems Bottom line, medical care is not straightforward; consequently, every symptom you have may have many different causes. I highly recommend you do not give up attempts to get to the bottom of a chronic illness. Initially, it is absolutely appropriate to be treated for basic common problems. However, at some point, other options may need to be considered. Remember that an allergy is not always what you think it is. Allergies are immune system reactions that can happen due to a lot of different triggers and can impact many areas of the body. Your physician may need to refer you to get an allergy evaluation If the symptoms do not improve, consider seeing another specialist since many symptoms overlap with several specialties, and we all approach diagnosis and treatment differently. Primary care, ENT,u00a0 Allergy & Immunology, Pulmonary, Gastrointestinal and Dermatology physicians all care for these allergic patients. Before changing specialties, you might want to check to be sure that you have been evaluated and treated by a physician. Just as medical students and residents do not have the same experience as attending physician, physician istants and nurse practitioners do not have the same experience and training as attending physicians. Even when you are evaluated at a specialist physicianu2019s office, non-physician providers are often very helpful and are part of your treatment team. I personally hired and worked with nurse practitioners for over 15 years; however, problems that were not resolving needed to be seen and managed directly by me. Before deciding to escalate your treatment options, I simply remind you to verify the credentials of the provider you have been seeing. Complicated problems may require more experience to consider more unusual options. In summary, I think it might be a good idea for you to widen your concept of what allergy means. This may help you to see other ociated symptoms that you had previously ignored and help you get healthier sooner. As always, much love for supporting my work. I will be adding many more posts to highlight parenting and healthcare tips, so be sure to consider subscribing to my podcast or to my blogu00a0to avoid missing a post! medianet_width = 728; medianet_height = 90; medianet_crid = 456541731; medianet_versionId = 3111299; Resources and References mentioned in the podcast: Facts which help you understand how allergies occur How Do You Know if You Have Allergies The Best Nasal Allergy Treatments WebMD Categories of Allergy Types 12 Common Causes of Nosebleeds How Vaseline in the Nose Could Be Life-threatening What's the Best Alternative to Nose Vaseline?   ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Weeds.jpg,width:1920,height:1280},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Weeds-150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3551/learn-important-middle-ear-infection-information.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:Important Middle Ear Infection Information that Parents Need to Know,title:Important Middle Ear Infection Information that Parents Need to Know,description:Ep. 14: Important Middle Ear Infection Information that Parents Need to Know Show Notes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Because I have not fully developed the technical skills to successfully edit an interview episode, today I will launch another SOLO-CAST! Today's episode will be a chat about ear infections.u00a0 Specifically, middle ear infectionsu00a0which most people consider to be THE ear infection. Additional information can be found on my previous posts about ear infection facts, ways to prevent them, common ear infection myths and their severe complications. But my purpose today is to give a big old overview of ear infections. Like Middle ear infections 101. This is such a huge topic; therefore, I am doing a lot of talking with more details in the episode. Listen in and learn! At the end of this post, I will share my Pro-Tips. If you don't remember much else, remember these. First, there are 3 parts of the ear. outer ear....aka swimmers ear inner ear...near the brain, often with severe dizziness or the most dreaded permanent hearing loss. middle ear is ...well located between the outer ear (ear c ) and inner ear (next to brain) Cl ic ear infection cycle: infant runny nose fever pulling on ears antibiotics Boom, gone. But...clearly, this is not always the case. Many things go into determining when a middle ear infection is more severe or needs more aggressive care. Which is why, when you say your friend's child did XYZ. or when you were a child, ABC happened...none of this deals with the exact situation that is happening with the patient right now. Useful Middle ear infection information Nose symptoms almost always are the cause of the middle ear infection Just because nasal mucus is green does not mean there is a bacterial infection (check out my mucus blog post) Young kids under age 6 can have 6-8u00a0 viral infections a year (common colds are common!) From September to April,u00a0kids can have viral infections EVERY month! Middle ear infections can be recurrent or chronic. They are different. Most middle ear infections are viral and many (and I do mean MANY) do not need antibiotics The number of antibiotics prescribed does not always tell me the severity of the problem. (Often tells me how often you went to a physician and often requested antibiotics) Kids who may be treated more aggressively with fewer infections include newborns less than 6 weeks old kids who have seizures with fevers kids who have several ruptured eardrums Middle ear infection complications Common mild or temporary complications Muffled hearing with ear fluid Speech and balance issues which readily reverse Moderate complications Significant speech delay requiring speech therapy Sensory issues that may need therapy Learning issues Severe complications Chronic hole in the eardrum which needs surgery Scarring on the eardrum or hearing bones that needs surgery Skin build up behind the eardrum, (called a cholesteatoma) needing surgery Emergency complications, usually during acute infections Meningitis Brain Abscess Sepsis Mastoiditisu2026trapped infection in the bone behind the ear. Dr. Burton's Pro-Tips (the middle ear infectionu00a0take-home messages you need): Get a follow-up visit with your pediatrician to make sure the ear fluid is completely gone If you or your child is diagnosed with an ear infection, always, always ask where! Seriously. Which part of the ear? NEVERu00a0ask your physician to prescribe antibiotics. They will if they think it is needed. Aggressive treatment of nasal symptoms can reduce middle ear infections and their severity Acute infections may lead to severe emergency complications Chronic problems may lead to long-term changes that require more surgery medianet_width = 728; medianet_height = 90; medianet_crid = 456541731; medianet_versionId = 3111299; I give mini-speeches about ear infections all day long in my office. It is much easier to do because I can point to my posters on my walls and better connect the dots when I discuss different parts of the ear and the nose and brain relationship. I might have to add to my list of things to dou2026make some you videos where I can point to areas as I describe what is going on. Hmmm. I am currently struggling to not sound super awkward on these podcasts,u00a0 so seeing me on video?u00a0 Gotta mull that over for a bit more. As always, much love for supporting my work. I will be adding many more posts to highlight parenting and healthcare tips, so be sure to consider subscribing to my podcast or to my blogu00a0to avoid missing a post! ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/middle-ear-infection-babies.jpg,width:683,height:455},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/middle-ear-infection-babies-150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}}]} Popular Blogs

Listen - Dr Momma Says

Deborah Burton, MD launched the Dr. Momma Says Podcast and blog to share nearly 30 years of experience with timeless tips on parenting and healthcare.

Listen

Category 1: Home care In my blog post, I call this category Momma Medicine. Why? Because I am a pediatric physician and over 90% of kids are brought to my office by their moms.u00a0 And as a mom myself, I understand the first of the healthcare levels actually starts with recognizing that something is wrong and deciding I need to do something. That's right! YOU are part of the healthcare team. This level of care begins once parents decide that there is a problem that needs addressing. Not the level of needing a healthcare professional to step in, but a level that you need to use your favorite remedies. What you do at home is important to physicians. If you end up seeing a physician, they will ask what you did and how long you did it. Many illnesses stop at this level. So go ahead and stock up on your favorite home care remedies. Category 2: Primary care By this, I mean that you are taking your child to their pediatrician or you are going to your family physician. I cannot emphasize enough how much I feel people need to rely on great primary care. These physicians are the glue that holds all the health problems together. No matter how many specialists you see, your primary care physician should be the all-seeing and all-knowing healthcare professional in your life. In this category, I also include urgent care physicians and emergency room visits because these are often needed after hours when you canu2019t get to your real primary care doctor. One of my podcasts delves er into my concern about the overuse of urgent care and walk-in clinics. There are consequences that you need to be aware of if you choose to have frequent care in these healthcare facilities instead of your primary care offices. Category 3: The Specialist Physician Like me! Why do I separate this category? Because specialists are seen after a problem is deemed more complex or more recurrent or more severe or moreu2026something that a physician with advanced training in this one area may need to look at. Without the need to focus on the many other possible issues that primary care physicians do, specialists can just zero in on our field. It is important for us that our patients are well managed by primary care physicians. Be sure to check out the podcast as I delve er into each of these healthcare levels and give examples of how they are used correctly, and how they are used incorrectly. Bottom line, I love my primary care physician colleagues! They make my job so much clearer. I can understand their thought process and plan of action and I know exactly how I can help. By short-circuiting the system with repeated urgent care visits, you are missing out on valuable healthcare discussions and planning. Dr. Burton's summary I recommend you stick with the basics: Step 1: Treat things at home, if not better, then Step 2: Go see your local Doc Welby or Dr. Quinn, medicine woman, and try your best to get a treatment plan that avoids the need for a specialist visit. Step 3: I am here, as well as all special physicians if you need me, but the goal should be a healthcare loop that skips specialists! Now go out and have a happy healthy life. AND try NOT to glance over at all those urgent care centers you p on your daily drives. Remember that all urgent care and walk-in clinics are not all created equal. Your healthcare line of sight should be laser-focused on your primary care office unless a truly urgent visit is needed. But that visit should just be a pit stop on your way to your primary care. As always, much love for supporting my work.u00a0I intend to launch new episodes every week, but may periodically produce bonus episodes. So, be sure to subscribe to iTunes or subscribe to my blog to be notified. You KNOW you do not want to miss an episode! Also, you may reach out to me on theu00a0contact pageu00a0to send comments, show topics or questions. You can also send requests to be a future guest, work with me, or sponsor an episode! **If you have not done so yet, I would LOVE for you to visit iTunes and leave me a 5-star rating so that I can continue to gain traction and grow this podcast.u00a0 I greatly appreciate your support!**   ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ambulance.png,width:750,height:500},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ambulance-150x150.png,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3539/juul-vaping-nicotine-is-especially-hazardous-to-kids.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:JUUL: Vaping Nicotine is Especially Hazardous to Kids,title:JUUL: Vaping Nicotine is Especially Hazardous to Kids,description:Ep 12: JUUL: Vaping Nicotine is Especially Hazardous to Kids Show Notes **Updated November 15, 2018, with excellent results of manufactures in response to new research** Todayu2019s episode of the Dr. Momma Says Podcast occurred very spontaneously, and that is HUGE for me!u00a0 I like to plan topics in advance, but when I learned about the JUULu00a0(a popular e-cigarette) and the impact of vaping on kids, I just had to get my thoughts out immediately. Products that contain hazardous nicotine impact everyone, but are especially harmful to young kids! What is JUUL? JUUL is the most popular e-cigarette.u00a0It is shaped to look like a USB drive, releases less smoke than other brands and has options to decorate them with colorful skins. Additionally, instead of pouring a liquid into a chamber, the JUUL has replaceable flavored pods...with names like Cool Cu ber, Mango, Creme Brulee, and Fruit Medley! These names encourage kids to consider the pods to be safe. Oh my goodness. Check out this You review of a JUUL pod called CoCo Mint. Can you imagine what your ager would be thinking while watching this? Notice how he did not mention that they were vaping nicotine! What is the difference between tobacco and nicotine? Tobacco is a plant that contains nicotine. When it is smoked, nicotine leads to addiction, but the other harmful effects occur because of inhaling smoke.u00a0We understand the risks of tobacco in cigarettes, but children and parents both need more education about e-cigarettes and vaping. Vaping nicotine is an increasingly popular activity, but many people do not fully understand that nicotine is still nicotine. Changing the delivery system does not change the chemical because the nicotine used in e-cigarettes comes from tobacco leaves! Nevertheless, e-cigarettes (including JUUL) are often considered tobacco-free. Tobacco products are highly regulated by the government for health purposes; however few regulations in the United States exist for vaping.u00a0 Scientists and physicians aim to change that to avoid preventable health problems. Both s and kids incorrectly think that vaping is safe because you inhale and exhale vapor, not smoke like in regular cigarettes. But there are harmful chemicals in the vapor. Long ago, regular cigarettes were found in vending machines in restaurants and stores; therefore, people did not realize the dangers ociated with smoking. Now, e-cigarettes are sold in convenience stores while vaping and hookah stores are found in many shopping plazas and malls. Just because they are easy to find and purchase does not make them safe! Many years of research has clearly shown the dangers of smoking tobacco; however, because e-cigarettes are new, they have only been studied for a few years. Basic information about the difference between e-cigarettes and regular tobacco cigarettes can be found here. Recently, at the Georgiau00a0Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting,u00a0Dr. Susan Walley, au00a0 pediatrician from the University of Alabama at Birmingham gave an incredible lecture. This presentation moved me to rush home and record a podcast about it. u00a0Take home messages about vaping nicotine products Vaping was initially created as a way for s to wean off cigarette smoking JUUL represents about 70% of e-cigarette sales Nicotine is a powerfully habit-forming drug which is found in both tobacco and e-cigarettes Vaping products are produced to resemble candy and food items which entice kids to buy them Children become addicted to nicotine faster than s due to im brain development s are using their JUUL in schools daily which is leading to more disciplinary problems s who vape have an increased risk (4x) of becoming tobacco cigarette smokers One JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as one pack of cigarettes! Second-handu00a0vape smoke contains nicotine PLUS other toxic chemicals. Parents should not vape around their young children Cigarette smoking has decreased over the years but now a new generation is becoming addicted to nicotine. Additional sources of information on vaping nicotine There is a lot of misinformation about e-cigarettes, but it is important to understand the 5 Truths You Need to Know About Vaping.u00a0u00a0Physicians are working hard to lead the charge in educating people about the dangers of vaping. Dr. Kristen Stuppy, an extremely active social media pediatrician. has written a comprehensive post detailing the concerns of vaping in childrenu00a0and Dr. Jill Grimes, a well-known family physician has detailed her concerns about how JUUL is not cool! If you want to sample the information I received during the meeting which led me to create this podcast,u00a0 check out Dr. Walley on You with her presentation about vaping and e-cigarettes. It's an hour so grab your coffee or tea, and get ready to learn. Update November 15, 2018: Because of research linking hazards of e-cigarettes in kids, the manufacturers of JUUL have stopped their targeting of underage children by discontinuing the sale of their flavored pods with enticing food and candy names. This is a victory of public health workers everywhere! As always, much love for supporting my work.u00a0I intend to launch new episodes every week, but may periodically produce bonus episodes. So, be sure to subscribe to the FREE podcast on iTunes or subscribe to my blog to be notified. You KNOW you do not want to miss an episode! Also, you may reach out to me on theu00a0contact pageu00a0to send comments, show topics or questions. You can also send requests to be a future guest, work with me, or sponsor an episode! **If you have not done so yet, I would LOVE for you to visit iTunes and leave me a 5-star rating so that I can continue to gain traction and grow this podcast.u00a0 I greatly appreciate your support!**    ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JUUL-vaping-nicotine.jpg,width:700,height:450},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JUUL-vaping-nicotine-150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3572/everything-you-must-know-about-sinus-cavities.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:Everything (many things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities,title:Everything (many things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities,description:Ep. 16: Everything (most things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities Show Notes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); I believe everyone has heard about facial sinus cavities and that a sinus infection can happen. However, in order to better understand how to treat these problems, it is important to learn more about sinus cavities. Who has them? Where are they located? What do they do? First, what are facial sinus cavities? Our skull bone is thick and heavy because it protects our delicate brain and eye . Sinus cavities, hollow, air-filledu00a0areas inside some of our skull and facial bones, are lined by soft pink tissue called mucosa, which produces mucus. Be sure to check out my post which shares the important role that mucus has in our health. There are 4 different sets of sinus cavities, but they are connected to each other by common drainage pathways. Each sinus can vary in size based on age but also upon location. Some of them are just one big cavity, and some have little dividing bones to make them a group of smaller sinus cavities. Where are the different sinus cavities located? The sinuses enter the facial bones through drainage sites inside of the nose. I have previously detailed the function of the noseu00a0which also highlights how the sinuses related to the rest of the nasal anatomy. Although many people simply say that they have a sinus infection or pressure in their sinuses, the location of the sinus can help us to know which sinus is involved. The four main sinuses are : Maxillary sinus: the largest sinus located in the cheekbone area Ethmoid sinuses: actually a cluster of small sinuses (6-12) located between the eye and the nose Frontal sinus: located in the low-center part of the forehead Sphenoid sinus: located in the bone straight back behind the nose, like in the center of the head! Most of us have a sinus or group of sinuses on each side of our faces; however, some people are missing some and others grow extra ones. Why do we have sinus cavities? The short answer is: no one knows! There are several theories, and I like all of them. Help humidify the air we breathe Help filter the air we breathe Improve the quality of our voices Enhance our sense of smell Simply make our heads lighter! (actually my favorite!) When do sinus cavities develop? This is such an important question because at least once a week, someone tells me that babies do not have sinus cavities yet. Ummm, nope. Well to be fair, that statement is partially correct because the sinus cavities do not develop all at the same time. The maxillary and ethmoid sinuses develop during the thirdu00a0month of pregnancy. That's right, infants are born with sinus cavities! And...those sinuses CAN get infected.u00a0 Sinus infections in infants, like so many other infant infections, can be a true emergency because the bone between the nose, eyes, and brain is thin. Infections can easily p between locations in infants. So keep flushing that mucus out of your baby's nose! The sphenoid sinus develops from the back of the ethmoid sinus around four years of age. The last sinus to develop is the frontal sinus which starts for form around age 7 but is not fully until mid- years. What diseases can happen in the sinus cavities? Obviously, the biggie is an infection! When the nose becomes inflamed and swollen due to the common cold or allergies, the sinus drainage pathways can become blocked. Mucus gets trapped in the sinuses, and infections occur. An entire post can be dedicated to sinus infections, but a brief overview is that there are 3 basic types: Acute: (short-term) Symptoms last less than 12 weeks and get better with the appropriate treatment. Chronic: (long-term) Symptoms lastu00a0longer than 12 weeks. Recurrent:u00a0This means the infection comes back repeatedly. Typically, 3 or more episodes of acute sinusitis in a year. Besides the expected viral and bacterial sinus infections, there may also be fungal infections, nasal polyps, and tumors (both benign and malignant) that need to be evaluated. This is a great place to end my overview. Separate podcast episodes are dedicated to understanding how to diagnose sinusitis, treating sinusitis and understanding complications of sinusitis. As always, much love for supporting my work. I will be adding many more posts to highlight parenting and healthcare tips, so be sure to consider subscribing to my podcast or to my blogu00a0to avoid missing a post!  ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sinus-cavities- .jpg,width:1920,height:1276},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sinus-cavities- -150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3530/surprising-allergy-symptoms-ofen-unsuspected.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:Surprising Allergy Symptoms You Might Not Suspect,title:Surprising Allergy Symptoms You Might Not Suspect,description:Ep. 13: Surprising Allergy Symptoms You Might Not Suspect Show Notes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Todayu2019s episode of the Dr. Momma Says Podcast discusses that even though allergies are common, there are many surprising allergy symptoms. Most people understand what allergies are. Or what they think they are! But every day in my private practice, my little patients complain of problems where I readily think about allergies. But, many parents have found them to be surprising allergy symptoms that they never considered. And because of the fact that it is ALWAYS an allergy season, I feel it is important to discuss what allergies are and how the symptoms can vary. First and foremost I want to emphasize the importance of understanding that allergies can affect the entire body. Because people usually think of hay fever as the cl ic allergy,u00a0 this explains why many people do not suspect some of these surprising allergy symptoms. So that we can all start on the same page, letu2019s just agree that the following are cl ic or commonly accepted allergy symptoms: Runny nose Nasal congestion Itchy eyes Watery eyes Postnasal drip Sneezing clearing And if we accept these symptoms as causing allergies, then most people can accept or not be shocked by common complications of allergies like ear infections, sinus infection, sore , and hoarseness. By the end of this episode, you will belong to the group of wiser people who can think about their symptoms in a different way and perhaps get started on an allergy evaluation or treatment protocol sooner rather than later. Below is the list, but be sure to catch the details on the podcast which include a lot of extra tidbits of useful information about each symptom!u00a0 9 Surprising Allergy Symptomsu00a0 Hearing loss Ringing in the ears Nosebleeds (Treating with Vaseline may be dangerous, so learn the best alternative to treat) Headaches Croup Chronic Cough Asthma Eczema Stomach problems Bottom line, medical care is not straightforward; consequently, every symptom you have may have many different causes. I highly recommend you do not give up attempts to get to the bottom of a chronic illness. Initially, it is absolutely appropriate to be treated for basic common problems. However, at some point, other options may need to be considered. Remember that an allergy is not always what you think it is. Allergies are immune system reactions that can happen due to a lot of different triggers and can impact many areas of the body. Your physician may need to refer you to get an allergy evaluation If the symptoms do not improve, consider seeing another specialist since many symptoms overlap with several specialties, and we all approach diagnosis and treatment differently. Primary care, ENT,u00a0 Allergy & Immunology, Pulmonary, Gastrointestinal and Dermatology physicians all care for these allergic patients. Before changing specialties, you might want to check to be sure that you have been evaluated and treated by a physician. Just as medical students and residents do not have the same experience as attending physician, physician istants and nurse practitioners do not have the same experience and training as attending physicians. Even when you are evaluated at a specialist physicianu2019s office, non-physician providers are often very helpful and are part of your treatment team. I personally hired and worked with nurse practitioners for over 15 years; however, problems that were not resolving needed to be seen and managed directly by me. Before deciding to escalate your treatment options, I simply remind you to verify the credentials of the provider you have been seeing. Complicated problems may require more experience to consider more unusual options. In summary, I think it might be a good idea for you to widen your concept of what allergy means. This may help you to see other ociated symptoms that you had previously ignored and help you get healthier sooner. As always, much love for supporting my work. I will be adding many more posts to highlight parenting and healthcare tips, so be sure to consider subscribing to my podcast or to my blogu00a0to avoid missing a post! medianet_width = 728; medianet_height = 90; medianet_crid = 456541731; medianet_versionId = 3111299; Resources and References mentioned in the podcast: Facts which help you understand how allergies occur How Do You Know if You Have Allergies The Best Nasal Allergy Treatments WebMD Categories of Allergy Types 12 Common Causes of Nosebleeds How Vaseline in the Nose Could Be Life-threatening What's the Best Alternative to Nose Vaseline?   ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Weeds.jpg,width:1920,height:1280},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Weeds-150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3551/learn-important-middle-ear-infection-information.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:Important Middle Ear Infection Information that Parents Need to Know,title:Important Middle Ear Infection Information that Parents Need to Know,description:Ep. 14: Important Middle Ear Infection Information that Parents Need to Know Show Notes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Because I have not fully developed the technical skills to successfully edit an interview episode, today I will launch another SOLO-CAST! Today's episode will be a chat about ear infections.u00a0 Specifically, middle ear infectionsu00a0which most people consider to be THE ear infection. Additional information can be found on my previous posts about ear infection facts, ways to prevent them, common ear infection myths and their severe complications. But my purpose today is to give a big old overview of ear infections. Like Middle ear infections 101. This is such a huge topic; therefore, I am doing a lot of talking with more details in the episode. Listen in and learn! At the end of this post, I will share my Pro-Tips. If you don't remember much else, remember these. First, there are 3 parts of the ear. outer ear....aka swimmers ear inner ear...near the brain, often with severe dizziness or the most dreaded permanent hearing loss. middle ear is ...well located between the outer ear (ear c ) and inner ear (next to brain) Cl ic ear infection cycle: infant runny nose fever pulling on ears antibiotics Boom, gone. But...clearly, this is not always the case. Many things go into determining when a middle ear infection is more severe or needs more aggressive care. Which is why, when you say your friend's child did XYZ. or when you were a child, ABC happened...none of this deals with the exact situation that is happening with the patient right now. Useful Middle ear infection information Nose symptoms almost always are the cause of the middle ear infection Just because nasal mucus is green does not mean there is a bacterial infection (check out my mucus blog post) Young kids under age 6 can have 6-8u00a0 viral infections a year (common colds are common!) From September to April,u00a0kids can have viral infections EVERY month! Middle ear infections can be recurrent or chronic. They are different. Most middle ear infections are viral and many (and I do mean MANY) do not need antibiotics The number of antibiotics prescribed does not always tell me the severity of the problem. (Often tells me how often you went to a physician and often requested antibiotics) Kids who may be treated more aggressively with fewer infections include newborns less than 6 weeks old kids who have seizures with fevers kids who have several ruptured eardrums Middle ear infection complications Common mild or temporary complications Muffled hearing with ear fluid Speech and balance issues which readily reverse Moderate complications Significant speech delay requiring speech therapy Sensory issues that may need therapy Learning issues Severe complications Chronic hole in the eardrum which needs surgery Scarring on the eardrum or hearing bones that needs surgery Skin build up behind the eardrum, (called a cholesteatoma) needing surgery Emergency complications, usually during acute infections Meningitis Brain Abscess Sepsis Mastoiditisu2026trapped infection in the bone behind the ear. Dr. Burton's Pro-Tips (the middle ear infectionu00a0take-home messages you need): Get a follow-up visit with your pediatrician to make sure the ear fluid is completely gone If you or your child is diagnosed with an ear infection, always, always ask where! Seriously. Which part of the ear? NEVERu00a0ask your physician to prescribe antibiotics. They will if they think it is needed. Aggressive treatment of nasal symptoms can reduce middle ear infections and their severity Acute infections may lead to severe emergency complications Chronic problems may lead to long-term changes that require more surgery medianet_width = 728; medianet_height = 90; medianet_crid = 456541731; medianet_versionId = 3111299; I give mini-speeches about ear infections all day long in my office. It is much easier to do because I can point to my posters on my walls and better connect the dots when I discuss different parts of the ear and the nose and brain relationship. I might have to add to my list of things to dou2026make some you videos where I can point to areas as I describe what is going on. Hmmm. I am currently struggling to not sound super awkward on these podcasts,u00a0 so seeing me on video?u00a0 Gotta mull that over for a bit more. As always, much love for supporting my work. I will be adding many more posts to highlight parenting and healthcare tips, so be sure to consider subscribing to my podcast or to my blogu00a0to avoid missing a post! ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/middle-ear-infection-babies.jpg,width:683,height:455},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/middle-ear-infection-babies-150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}}]} Popular Blogs

Resources - Dr Momma Says

Deborah Burton, MD launched this website to share nearly 30 years of parenting and healthcare timeless tips. Check out Dr. Momma Says resources

Resources

Category 1: Home care In my blog post, I call this category Momma Medicine. Why? Because I am a pediatric physician and over 90% of kids are brought to my office by their moms.u00a0 And as a mom myself, I understand the first of the healthcare levels actually starts with recognizing that something is wrong and deciding I need to do something. That's right! YOU are part of the healthcare team. This level of care begins once parents decide that there is a problem that needs addressing. Not the level of needing a healthcare professional to step in, but a level that you need to use your favorite remedies. What you do at home is important to physicians. If you end up seeing a physician, they will ask what you did and how long you did it. Many illnesses stop at this level. So go ahead and stock up on your favorite home care remedies. Category 2: Primary care By this, I mean that you are taking your child to their pediatrician or you are going to your family physician. I cannot emphasize enough how much I feel people need to rely on great primary care. These physicians are the glue that holds all the health problems together. No matter how many specialists you see, your primary care physician should be the all-seeing and all-knowing healthcare professional in your life. In this category, I also include urgent care physicians and emergency room visits because these are often needed after hours when you canu2019t get to your real primary care doctor. One of my podcasts delves er into my concern about the overuse of urgent care and walk-in clinics. There are consequences that you need to be aware of if you choose to have frequent care in these healthcare facilities instead of your primary care offices. Category 3: The Specialist Physician Like me! Why do I separate this category? Because specialists are seen after a problem is deemed more complex or more recurrent or more severe or moreu2026something that a physician with advanced training in this one area may need to look at. Without the need to focus on the many other possible issues that primary care physicians do, specialists can just zero in on our field. It is important for us that our patients are well managed by primary care physicians. Be sure to check out the podcast as I delve er into each of these healthcare levels and give examples of how they are used correctly, and how they are used incorrectly. Bottom line, I love my primary care physician colleagues! They make my job so much clearer. I can understand their thought process and plan of action and I know exactly how I can help. By short-circuiting the system with repeated urgent care visits, you are missing out on valuable healthcare discussions and planning. Dr. Burton's summary I recommend you stick with the basics: Step 1: Treat things at home, if not better, then Step 2: Go see your local Doc Welby or Dr. Quinn, medicine woman, and try your best to get a treatment plan that avoids the need for a specialist visit. Step 3: I am here, as well as all special physicians if you need me, but the goal should be a healthcare loop that skips specialists! Now go out and have a happy healthy life. AND try NOT to glance over at all those urgent care centers you p on your daily drives. Remember that all urgent care and walk-in clinics are not all created equal. Your healthcare line of sight should be laser-focused on your primary care office unless a truly urgent visit is needed. But that visit should just be a pit stop on your way to your primary care. As always, much love for supporting my work.u00a0I intend to launch new episodes every week, but may periodically produce bonus episodes. So, be sure to subscribe to iTunes or subscribe to my blog to be notified. You KNOW you do not want to miss an episode! Also, you may reach out to me on theu00a0contact pageu00a0to send comments, show topics or questions. You can also send requests to be a future guest, work with me, or sponsor an episode! **If you have not done so yet, I would LOVE for you to visit iTunes and leave me a 5-star rating so that I can continue to gain traction and grow this podcast.u00a0 I greatly appreciate your support!**   ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ambulance.png,width:750,height:500},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ambulance-150x150.png,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3539/juul-vaping-nicotine-is-especially-hazardous-to-kids.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:JUUL: Vaping Nicotine is Especially Hazardous to Kids,title:JUUL: Vaping Nicotine is Especially Hazardous to Kids,description:Ep 12: JUUL: Vaping Nicotine is Especially Hazardous to Kids Show Notes **Updated November 15, 2018, with excellent results of manufactures in response to new research** Todayu2019s episode of the Dr. Momma Says Podcast occurred very spontaneously, and that is HUGE for me!u00a0 I like to plan topics in advance, but when I learned about the JUULu00a0(a popular e-cigarette) and the impact of vaping on kids, I just had to get my thoughts out immediately. Products that contain hazardous nicotine impact everyone, but are especially harmful to young kids! What is JUUL? JUUL is the most popular e-cigarette.u00a0It is shaped to look like a USB drive, releases less smoke than other brands and has options to decorate them with colorful skins. Additionally, instead of pouring a liquid into a chamber, the JUUL has replaceable flavored pods...with names like Cool Cu ber, Mango, Creme Brulee, and Fruit Medley! These names encourage kids to consider the pods to be safe. Oh my goodness. Check out this You review of a JUUL pod called CoCo Mint. Can you imagine what your ager would be thinking while watching this? Notice how he did not mention that they were vaping nicotine! What is the difference between tobacco and nicotine? Tobacco is a plant that contains nicotine. When it is smoked, nicotine leads to addiction, but the other harmful effects occur because of inhaling smoke.u00a0We understand the risks of tobacco in cigarettes, but children and parents both need more education about e-cigarettes and vaping. Vaping nicotine is an increasingly popular activity, but many people do not fully understand that nicotine is still nicotine. Changing the delivery system does not change the chemical because the nicotine used in e-cigarettes comes from tobacco leaves! Nevertheless, e-cigarettes (including JUUL) are often considered tobacco-free. Tobacco products are highly regulated by the government for health purposes; however few regulations in the United States exist for vaping.u00a0 Scientists and physicians aim to change that to avoid preventable health problems. Both s and kids incorrectly think that vaping is safe because you inhale and exhale vapor, not smoke like in regular cigarettes. But there are harmful chemicals in the vapor. Long ago, regular cigarettes were found in vending machines in restaurants and stores; therefore, people did not realize the dangers ociated with smoking. Now, e-cigarettes are sold in convenience stores while vaping and hookah stores are found in many shopping plazas and malls. Just because they are easy to find and purchase does not make them safe! Many years of research has clearly shown the dangers of smoking tobacco; however, because e-cigarettes are new, they have only been studied for a few years. Basic information about the difference between e-cigarettes and regular tobacco cigarettes can be found here. Recently, at the Georgiau00a0Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting,u00a0Dr. Susan Walley, au00a0 pediatrician from the University of Alabama at Birmingham gave an incredible lecture. This presentation moved me to rush home and record a podcast about it. u00a0Take home messages about vaping nicotine products Vaping was initially created as a way for s to wean off cigarette smoking JUUL represents about 70% of e-cigarette sales Nicotine is a powerfully habit-forming drug which is found in both tobacco and e-cigarettes Vaping products are produced to resemble candy and food items which entice kids to buy them Children become addicted to nicotine faster than s due to im brain development s are using their JUUL in schools daily which is leading to more disciplinary problems s who vape have an increased risk (4x) of becoming tobacco cigarette smokers One JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as one pack of cigarettes! Second-handu00a0vape smoke contains nicotine PLUS other toxic chemicals. Parents should not vape around their young children Cigarette smoking has decreased over the years but now a new generation is becoming addicted to nicotine. Additional sources of information on vaping nicotine There is a lot of misinformation about e-cigarettes, but it is important to understand the 5 Truths You Need to Know About Vaping.u00a0u00a0Physicians are working hard to lead the charge in educating people about the dangers of vaping. Dr. Kristen Stuppy, an extremely active social media pediatrician. has written a comprehensive post detailing the concerns of vaping in childrenu00a0and Dr. Jill Grimes, a well-known family physician has detailed her concerns about how JUUL is not cool! If you want to sample the information I received during the meeting which led me to create this podcast,u00a0 check out Dr. Walley on You with her presentation about vaping and e-cigarettes. It's an hour so grab your coffee or tea, and get ready to learn. Update November 15, 2018: Because of research linking hazards of e-cigarettes in kids, the manufacturers of JUUL have stopped their targeting of underage children by discontinuing the sale of their flavored pods with enticing food and candy names. This is a victory of public health workers everywhere! As always, much love for supporting my work.u00a0I intend to launch new episodes every week, but may periodically produce bonus episodes. So, be sure to subscribe to the FREE podcast on iTunes or subscribe to my blog to be notified. You KNOW you do not want to miss an episode! Also, you may reach out to me on theu00a0contact pageu00a0to send comments, show topics or questions. You can also send requests to be a future guest, work with me, or sponsor an episode! **If you have not done so yet, I would LOVE for you to visit iTunes and leave me a 5-star rating so that I can continue to gain traction and grow this podcast.u00a0 I greatly appreciate your support!**    ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JUUL-vaping-nicotine.jpg,width:700,height:450},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JUUL-vaping-nicotine-150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3572/everything-you-must-know-about-sinus-cavities.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:Everything (many things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities,title:Everything (many things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities,description:Ep. 16: Everything (most things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities Show Notes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); I believe everyone has heard about facial sinus cavities and that a sinus infection can happen. However, in order to better understand how to treat these problems, it is important to learn more about sinus cavities. Who has them? Where are they located? What do they do? First, what are facial sinus cavities? Our skull bone is thick and heavy because it protects our delicate brain and eye . Sinus cavities, hollow, air-filledu00a0areas inside some of our skull and facial bones, are lined by soft pink tissue called mucosa, which produces mucus. Be sure to check out my post which shares the important role that mucus has in our health. There are 4 different sets of sinus cavities, but they are connected to each other by common drainage pathways. Each sinus can vary in size based on age but also upon location. Some of them are just one big cavity, and some have little dividing bones to make them a group of smaller sinus cavities. Where are the different sinus cavities located? The sinuses enter the facial bones through drainage sites inside of the nose. I have previously detailed the function of the noseu00a0which also highlights how the sinuses related to the rest of the nasal anatomy. Although many people simply say that they have a sinus infection or pressure in their sinuses, the location of the sinus can help us to know which sinus is involved. The four main sinuses are : Maxillary sinus: the largest sinus located in the cheekbone area Ethmoid sinuses: actually a cluster of small sinuses (6-12) located between the eye and the nose Frontal sinus: located in the low-center part of the forehead Sphenoid sinus: located in the bone straight back behind the nose, like in the center of the head! Most of us have a sinus or group of sinuses on each side of our faces; however, some people are missing some and others grow extra ones. Why do we have sinus cavities? The short answer is: no one knows! There are several theories, and I like all of them. Help humidify the air we breathe Help filter the air we breathe Improve the quality of our voices Enhance our sense of smell Simply make our heads lighter! (actually my favorite!) When do sinus cavities develop? This is such an important question because at least once a week, someone tells me that babies do not have sinus cavities yet. Ummm, nope. Well to be fair, that statement is partially correct because the sinus cavities do not develop all at the same time. The maxillary and ethmoid sinuses develop during the thirdu00a0month of pregnancy. That's right, infants are born with sinus cavities! And...those sinuses CAN get infected.u00a0 Sinus infections in infants, like so many other infant infections, can be a true emergency because the bone between the nose, eyes, and brain is thin. Infections can easily p between locations in infants. So keep flushing that mucus out of your baby's nose! The sphenoid sinus develops from the back of the ethmoid sinus around four years of age. The last sinus to develop is the frontal sinus which starts for form around age 7 but is not fully until mid- years. What diseases can happen in the sinus cavities? Obviously, the biggie is an infection! When the nose becomes inflamed and swollen due to the common cold or allergies, the sinus drainage pathways can become blocked. Mucus gets trapped in the sinuses, and infections occur. An entire post can be dedicated to sinus infections, but a brief overview is that there are 3 basic types: Acute: (short-term) Symptoms last less than 12 weeks and get better with the appropriate treatment. Chronic: (long-term) Symptoms lastu00a0longer than 12 weeks. Recurrent:u00a0This means the infection comes back repeatedly. Typically, 3 or more episodes of acute sinusitis in a year. Besides the expected viral and bacterial sinus infections, there may also be fungal infections, nasal polyps, and tumors (both benign and malignant) that need to be evaluated. This is a great place to end my overview. Separate podcast episodes are dedicated to understanding how to diagnose sinusitis, treating sinusitis and understanding complications of sinusitis. As always, much love for supporting my work. I will be adding many more posts to highlight parenting and healthcare tips, so be sure to consider subscribing to my podcast or to my blogu00a0to avoid missing a post!  ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sinus-cavities- .jpg,width:1920,height:1276},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sinus-cavities- -150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3530/surprising-allergy-symptoms-ofen-unsuspected.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:Surprising Allergy Symptoms You Might Not Suspect,title:Surprising Allergy Symptoms You Might Not Suspect,description:Ep. 13: Surprising Allergy Symptoms You Might Not Suspect Show Notes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Todayu2019s episode of the Dr. Momma Says Podcast discusses that even though allergies are common, there are many surprising allergy symptoms. Most people understand what allergies are. Or what they think they are! But every day in my private practice, my little patients complain of problems where I readily think about allergies. But, many parents have found them to be surprising allergy symptoms that they never considered. And because of the fact that it is ALWAYS an allergy season, I feel it is important to discuss what allergies are and how the symptoms can vary. First and foremost I want to emphasize the importance of understanding that allergies can affect the entire body. Because people usually think of hay fever as the cl ic allergy,u00a0 this explains why many people do not suspect some of these surprising allergy symptoms. So that we can all start on the same page, letu2019s just agree that the following are cl ic or commonly accepted allergy symptoms: Runny nose Nasal congestion Itchy eyes Watery eyes Postnasal drip Sneezing clearing And if we accept these symptoms as causing allergies, then most people can accept or not be shocked by common complications of allergies like ear infections, sinus infection, sore , and hoarseness. By the end of this episode, you will belong to the group of wiser people who can think about their symptoms in a different way and perhaps get started on an allergy evaluation or treatment protocol sooner rather than later. Below is the list, but be sure to catch the details on the podcast which include a lot of extra tidbits of useful information about each symptom!u00a0 9 Surprising Allergy Symptomsu00a0 Hearing loss Ringing in the ears Nosebleeds (Treating with Vaseline may be dangerous, so learn the best alternative to treat) Headaches Croup Chronic Cough Asthma Eczema Stomach problems Bottom line, medical care is not straightforward; consequently, every symptom you have may have many different causes. I highly recommend you do not give up attempts to get to the bottom of a chronic illness. Initially, it is absolutely appropriate to be treated for basic common problems. However, at some point, other options may need to be considered. Remember that an allergy is not always what you think it is. Allergies are immune system reactions that can happen due to a lot of different triggers and can impact many areas of the body. Your physician may need to refer you to get an allergy evaluation If the symptoms do not improve, consider seeing another specialist since many symptoms overlap with several specialties, and we all approach diagnosis and treatment differently. Primary care, ENT,u00a0 Allergy & Immunology, Pulmonary, Gastrointestinal and Dermatology physicians all care for these allergic patients. Before changing specialties, you might want to check to be sure that you have been evaluated and treated by a physician. Just as medical students and residents do not have the same experience as attending physician, physician istants and nurse practitioners do not have the same experience and training as attending physicians. Even when you are evaluated at a specialist physicianu2019s office, non-physician providers are often very helpful and are part of your treatment team. I personally hired and worked with nurse practitioners for over 15 years; however, problems that were not resolving needed to be seen and managed directly by me. Before deciding to escalate your treatment options, I simply remind you to verify the credentials of the provider you have been seeing. Complicated problems may require more experience to consider more unusual options. In summary, I think it might be a good idea for you to widen your concept of what allergy means. This may help you to see other ociated symptoms that you had previously ignored and help you get healthier sooner. As always, much love for supporting my work. I will be adding many more posts to highlight parenting and healthcare tips, so be sure to consider subscribing to my podcast or to my blogu00a0to avoid missing a post! medianet_width = 728; medianet_height = 90; medianet_crid = 456541731; medianet_versionId = 3111299; Resources and References mentioned in the podcast: Facts which help you understand how allergies occur How Do You Know if You Have Allergies The Best Nasal Allergy Treatments WebMD Categories of Allergy Types 12 Common Causes of Nosebleeds How Vaseline in the Nose Could Be Life-threatening What's the Best Alternative to Nose Vaseline?   ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Weeds.jpg,width:1920,height:1280},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Weeds-150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}},{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/podcast-player/3551/learn-important-middle-ear-infection-information.mp3,type:audio/mpeg,caption:Important Middle Ear Infection Information that Parents Need to Know,title:Important Middle Ear Infection Information that Parents Need to Know,description:Ep. 14: Important Middle Ear Infection Information that Parents Need to Know Show Notes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Because I have not fully developed the technical skills to successfully edit an interview episode, today I will launch another SOLO-CAST! Today's episode will be a chat about ear infections.u00a0 Specifically, middle ear infectionsu00a0which most people consider to be THE ear infection. Additional information can be found on my previous posts about ear infection facts, ways to prevent them, common ear infection myths and their severe complications. But my purpose today is to give a big old overview of ear infections. Like Middle ear infections 101. This is such a huge topic; therefore, I am doing a lot of talking with more details in the episode. Listen in and learn! At the end of this post, I will share my Pro-Tips. If you don't remember much else, remember these. First, there are 3 parts of the ear. outer ear....aka swimmers ear inner ear...near the brain, often with severe dizziness or the most dreaded permanent hearing loss. middle ear is ...well located between the outer ear (ear c ) and inner ear (next to brain) Cl ic ear infection cycle: infant runny nose fever pulling on ears antibiotics Boom, gone. But...clearly, this is not always the case. Many things go into determining when a middle ear infection is more severe or needs more aggressive care. Which is why, when you say your friend's child did XYZ. or when you were a child, ABC happened...none of this deals with the exact situation that is happening with the patient right now. Useful Middle ear infection information Nose symptoms almost always are the cause of the middle ear infection Just because nasal mucus is green does not mean there is a bacterial infection (check out my mucus blog post) Young kids under age 6 can have 6-8u00a0 viral infections a year (common colds are common!) From September to April,u00a0kids can have viral infections EVERY month! Middle ear infections can be recurrent or chronic. They are different. Most middle ear infections are viral and many (and I do mean MANY) do not need antibiotics The number of antibiotics prescribed does not always tell me the severity of the problem. (Often tells me how often you went to a physician and often requested antibiotics) Kids who may be treated more aggressively with fewer infections include newborns less than 6 weeks old kids who have seizures with fevers kids who have several ruptured eardrums Middle ear infection complications Common mild or temporary complications Muffled hearing with ear fluid Speech and balance issues which readily reverse Moderate complications Significant speech delay requiring speech therapy Sensory issues that may need therapy Learning issues Severe complications Chronic hole in the eardrum which needs surgery Scarring on the eardrum or hearing bones that needs surgery Skin build up behind the eardrum, (called a cholesteatoma) needing surgery Emergency complications, usually during acute infections Meningitis Brain Abscess Sepsis Mastoiditisu2026trapped infection in the bone behind the ear. Dr. Burton's Pro-Tips (the middle ear infectionu00a0take-home messages you need): Get a follow-up visit with your pediatrician to make sure the ear fluid is completely gone If you or your child is diagnosed with an ear infection, always, always ask where! Seriously. Which part of the ear? NEVERu00a0ask your physician to prescribe antibiotics. They will if they think it is needed. Aggressive treatment of nasal symptoms can reduce middle ear infections and their severity Acute infections may lead to severe emergency complications Chronic problems may lead to long-term changes that require more surgery medianet_width = 728; medianet_height = 90; medianet_crid = 456541731; medianet_versionId = 3111299; I give mini-speeches about ear infections all day long in my office. It is much easier to do because I can point to my posters on my walls and better connect the dots when I discuss different parts of the ear and the nose and brain relationship. I might have to add to my list of things to dou2026make some you videos where I can point to areas as I describe what is going on. Hmmm. I am currently struggling to not sound super awkward on these podcasts,u00a0 so seeing me on video?u00a0 Gotta mull that over for a bit more. As always, much love for supporting my work. I will be adding many more posts to highlight parenting and healthcare tips, so be sure to consider subscribing to my podcast or to my blogu00a0to avoid missing a post! ,meta:[],image:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/middle-ear-infection-babies.jpg,width:683,height:455},thumb:{src:https://www.drmommasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/middle-ear-infection-babies-150x150.jpg,width:150,height:150}}]} Popular Blogs

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