OB-GYN versus General Practitioner

Do you see your gynecologist for more than just women issues? It seems more and more people are treating their OB-GYN as a general practitioner. I think I even got the option to make my OB my primary care physician.

FROM NBC:Whether it's for a check up, a mammogram or prescription refills, most women see their OB-GYNs once a year. But more and more patients are turning to OB-GYN's for general medical advice and the economy may be to blame. Lindsay Wilcox reports.

At just 22 years old, Jamie Moore is a healthy young woman. But she's seen her OB-GYN five or six times just this year for a range of healthcare issues. (SOT: Jamie Moore, Patient) "A stomach ache or heart racing, or just colds or headaches, things of that sort." Dr. Roderick Diggs says because OB-GYNs see their patients regularly - they develop a long term relationship. (SOT: Dr. Roderick P. Diggs III, OB-GYN) "And over time that relationship becomes closer, so we become someone that they trust and so they'll come to us."

Dr. Diggs says this is a trend he's seen for several years, but with these tough economic times, he's says more patients are turning to him, so they're not faced with two separate copays." (SOT: Dr. Roderick P. Diggs III, OB-GYN) "If it's simple, it's fine. However, if it's something that is a little more complicated or something that's going to be a long term issue, like blood pressure issues, cholesterol issues, then I encourage them to go see a PCP." Jamie says she really has a greater comfort level with Dr. Diggs than with any other doctor. (SOT: Jamie Moore, Patient) "The relationship that you form as a woman first is with your OB-GYN." And she plans to continue looking to him - for all her basic healthcare needs.

-NewsAnchorMomJen

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Preventing Teen drinking

FROM NBC: A new survey out today shows just how important parents can be in the fight to keep teens away from drugs and alcohol. The study suggests teens are much more likely to drink, use drugs and smoke if they've seen a parent drunk. Brian Mooar has the story in tonight's medical minute.

More than a third of America's teenagers have seen one or both of their parents drunk and that makes children twice as likely to get drunk themselves. That's the troubling finding of a new survey released today in Washington. Joseph Califano / Natl. Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia Univ."No one has greater power to influence a teen's decision whether to smoke, drink or use drugs than that teen's mother and father."

The survey by Columbia University's Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse also demonstrates that parental involvement can put the brakes on abuse. Joseph Califano / Natl. Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University:"We know that a child who gets to age 21 without smoking, using illegal drugs or abusing alcohol is virtually certain never to do so for the rest of their life."

Responses from a thousand teens and nearly five hundred parents suggest then availability of marijuana is up sharply. Two thirds of high school students say drugs are readily available at school. But the real threat may be in your home medicine cabinet. Elizabeth Planet, Natl. Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University "We were surprised to find how readily available prescription drugs are to American teens.

One in five – which translates to almost five million twelve to seventeen year olds can get their hands on prescription drugs. This Massachusetts mom wants her kids to have a good head start. Faith Dewsnap, Weymouth, Mass / Kids 8 and 11 "Once they're out the door they are in others peoples influence so I do what I can at home, but I know they are going to be influenced by their friends, so I do what I can." A message to all parents — teach by example. The study says if parents don't think marijuana is a big deal ... The teen is twice as likely to use it.

I will keep that 21-years-old time frame in mind. If your child makes it to that age without having serious alcohol/drug abuse issues, you may be home free. I have had a wine cooler or glass of wine in front of my kids before. I never really thought about it. It probably isn't the best idea. Do you ever have a drink in front of your kids?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Are you having an Acne Emergency? Call Soderstrom Skin Institute at 674 – SKIN… we treat acne seriously. With over 35 years of experience, Soderstrom Skin Institute will provide a personalized program to help you get your acne under control. Untreated acne can result in permanent scarring. Don’t suffer any longer! Evening and weekend appointment are available and in most cases you’ll be seen within one week.

Program for Kids with Autism

Funding for a local program for kids with autism has been approved. Illinois State University's Sprouts program starts next week and parents are thrilled. Research has shown, getting kids with autism in therapy as young as possible is key to their future development.

Many believe there's a window of opportunity for kids with autism to gain the basic skills they will need throughout life. Waiting until the child is in grade school may be too late. ISU's Sprouts program is for kids 3 to 5-years-old. Most of the kids go to preschool for half the day and sprouts the other half.

Sprouts Parent Katie Kelley said, "They say the younger they start therapy, the better off they will be in the long run. Birth to 5 is a critical time for learning development. My kids started speech, occupational and physical therapy at 18 months. Through early intervention, Connor is saying words, he has started talking."

Sprouts teacher Suzanne Engel said, “ We work on expressive language and social interaction, go through typical situations and teach the kids how to respond, there is individual time and group time– those functional routines."

If you would like more information on the sprouts program at ISU, call the Autism Place at (309) 846–2799.

There is still time to sign up for the Mclean County Autism Run–Walk on September 19th. Just head to www.autismmclean.org

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Are you having an Acne Emergency? Call Soderstrom Skin Institute at 674 – SKIN… we treat acne seriously. With over 35 years of experience, Soderstrom Skin Institute will provide a personalized program to help you get your acne under control. Untreated acne can result in permanent scarring. Don’t suffer any longer! Evening and weekend appointment are available and in most cases you’ll be seen within one week.

Low Amniotic Fluid and Dehydration

We ran a story on the news a few weeks ago about summer heat leading pregnant women to have low amniotic fluid levels. I drink a ton of water, but I am wondering now if I was one of those women!

My amniotic fluid level got down to a 6 at one appointment. If it gets to a 5, they usually deliver the baby because it's dangerous. Last week I went in and my level was up to an 11-which is typical for 37 weeks gestation. I am probably drinking double the amount of fluid that is recommended. All I do is drink water these days (and go to the bathroom.) It is very time consuming. I am wondering if I just needed more water than what I thought. My Doc says the the low levels around 30-33 weeks may be why I am dealing with a breech baby right now. That's usually the time they turn. I just thought I should throw this out there in case anyone ends up in the same situation.

FROM PHYSORG:
Pregnant women have a higher incidence of insufficient amniotic fluid levels (oligohydramnios) in the summer months due to dehydration, according to a study conducted by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU).

The retrospective population-based study was published in the July issue of Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The main objective of the study was to determine whether the summer season is a risk factor for oligohydramnios, by comparing the frequency of amniotic fluid loss during the summer months versus its frequency during the rest of the year.

In the study at Soroka University Medical Center in Beer-Sheva, Israel, the researchers evaluated pregnancies of patients with oligohydramnios that delivered from May to August during the years 1988-2007.

After excluding other causes of fluid loss, such as premature rupture of membranes, intra-uterine growth restriction or malformations, the study determined that higher rates of oligohydramnios were found in the summer months as compared to the rest of the year.

During the study period, there were 191,558 deliveries of which 4,335 were diagnosed with idiopathic oligohydramnios. Of these, a proportionally higher number, 1,553 deliveries (36 percent), occurred during these four summer months, while 2,782 deliveries occurred during the other eight months of the year (64 percent).

"It is important for pregnant women to drink appropriate amounts of water specifically in the summer -- about 10 glasses per day -- and avoid direct sun, not only for the health of the mother, but also in order to avoid fetal dehydration," explains Prof. Eyal Sheiner of the Faculty of Health and Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Are you having an Acne Emergency? Call Soderstrom Skin Institute at 674 – SKIN… we treat acne seriously. With over 35 years of experience, Soderstrom Skin Institute will provide a personalized program to help you get your acne under control. Untreated acne can result in permanent scarring. Don’t suffer any longer! Evening and weekend appointment are available and in most cases you’ll be seen within one week.

Home Schooling Facts

I got this email from a reader a couple weeks ago and meant to post the answer, but I got side tracked. If any of you home school and would like to share more information, please do so by clicking on comment. Thanks!

"I am sending you this email with the hope of some much needed Facts and Laws In the State of ILLINOIS . Regarding the Subject about Homeschooling . Important Issues Like Where to go for Supplies , Get Study Materials and Know the Requirements . Especially That School Is Right at The Doorstep. :) I am planning to Home School Starting this Year. This would be a Informative and Interesting but( Mostly Helpful )news Story on your page. I have not found one source with all the Information in one place that I Need . Thank you ."


Hi Julie,

Here are the answers to your questions. This website has most of the information you need. I didn't see anything on where to buy materials so I included the Assoc. of Peoria Area Christian Home educators. They are based in Peoria so they will have the best idea where to get materials for school.

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/laws/blIL.htm

Good Luck to you and let me know if I can do anything else! Jen

Association of Peoria Area Christian Home Educators (APACHE) Edit Remove More
P.O. Box 5203, Peoria, IL 61601-5203
Phone: (309) 589-1307
Email: info@apachecentralillinois.org
http://www.apachecentralillinois.org

-NewsAnchorMomJen

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Safe Sleeping Babies

FROM NBC: Moms are getting mixed messages when it comes to safe sleeping environments for their babies.

To reduce the risk of SIDS -- the American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends babies be put on their backs to sleep, in their own beds, without any type of soft bedding, blankets or stuffed animals.

But open many parenting magazines these days -- and you'll find glossy pictures of sleeping babies cuddling with stuffed animals or a blankie.

In fact -- a new study from Children's National Medical Center in
Washington, DC finds more than a third of photos in women's magazines depict babies in unsafe sleep positions. Most of those sleep environments were also deemed unsafe.

Researchers analyzed pictures in 24 magazines marketed toward 20- to 40-year old women. They included photos in both articles and advertisements.

I decided to design my own little bedding collection this time. The sheet is brown/light blue polka dots(you can't really tell in the picture.) I decided to make the dust ruffle because I wanted a long one with shiny wedding fabric. Of course it took me like 3 months because I don't sew that often. I decided not to do bumper pads because they are not recommended for safety reasons. I may get a breathable bumper pad at some point. Obviously the canopy will have to come down when he starts sitting up. I have a mobile I am putting up that will make the crib look a little less scarce!

I have definitely noticed the magazines have a ton of stuff in the cribs. Every single one has bumper pads and usually pillows and blankets that match. They look super cute, but are not safe for baby. I feel like most parents know they can't put anything but the baby in the crib, but maybe not. What do you think? What kind of bedding did you choose?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Afraid to wear shorts? Do you have unwanted hair? Embarrassed by unsightly varicose or spider veins? You don't have to be afraid to wear shorts because you are embarrassed by unwanted hair or unsightly varicose veins. Call 674-Skin to schedule your FREE leg vein or hair removal consultation at Soderstrom Skin Institute.

Soderstrom Skin Institute is positioned to be a comprehensive, full service skin care facility. Visit www.soderstromskininstitute.com to learn what Soderstrom Skin Institute can do for you.