Although asthma is an easy diagnosis to make, it is surprising how many people do not know if anyone in their family has asthma. One of the main reasons this happens is because doctors often prescribe medication for asthma, but tell the patient that he has “bronchitis” or “reactive airway disease.” (Reactive airway disease is a newer term for asthma.) In addition, people … [Read more...] about Is There a History of Asthma in Your Family?
Make it Easier for Young Children to Use Asthma Inhalers
When children with asthma get to be three or four, many doctors switch from nebulizers to handheld devices called metered dose inhalers (MDIs). There are two advantages to MDIs. First, they deliver inhaled medication much faster than nebulizers. Second, the size of the particles coming out of MDIs is smaller than nebulizers and therefore can go deeper into a child’s … [Read more...] about Make it Easier for Young Children to Use Asthma Inhalers
Easing the Transition into Nursery School
Many children have difficulty separating from their parents when they begin nursery school. My wife came up with a terrific idea to help our son adjust to school. First, she asked the director for a class list two months before school began. Then she called all of the parents on the list and invited them and their child to a Sunday morning play session on the school … [Read more...] about Easing the Transition into Nursery School
Avoid an Uncommon but Serious Side Effect of Acne Medication
Tetracycline and its derivatives are commonly used for acne. I have noticed that doctors sometimes forget to warn patients that a severe sore throat may occur if these medications dissolve in the esophagus. This can occur if the capsule “gets stuck” on the way down or if a teenager has an episode of reflux while lying down and the capsule goes back into the esophagus. … [Read more...] about Avoid an Uncommon but Serious Side Effect of Acne Medication
Taking Temperatures in Young Infants
After babies are born, the nursery staff takes axillary (armpit) temperatures to make sure that infants are not becoming chilled due to the temperature in the nursery. Since parents learn by watching the nurses, they may assume that they should continue using axillary readings once their babies go home. Because pediatricians watch carefully for fever in the first two … [Read more...] about Taking Temperatures in Young Infants