Personal Website for Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Board Certified Pediatrician in calvert city and paducah http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:11:20 +0000 Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:11:20 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP
1.   Insertion did not hurt at all.   No brainer,   Kennedy has very little body fat,  and we had been told it would probably [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2013/01/16/diabetes-tech-review-dexcom-g4-part-two Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:11:20 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2013/01/16/diabetes-tech-review-dexcom-g4-part-two
We set up and tested Kennedy's Dex following the DIY  training site at Dexcom.com and in two hours we were up and running.    Here are my observations over the past 5 days... 

1.   Insertion did not hurt at all.   No brainer,   Kennedy has very little body fat,  and we had been told it would probably be uncomfortable to wear by our endo.    Really, a human hair is pretty tiny... 

2.   Tape does peel up after the third day a bit, but we left it alone and it seems to be sticking just fine, aside from these tiny edges that peel up at the top and bottom of adhesive.   Kennedy's a dancer, so naturally stretching is going to pull those edges...   

3.   No itchiness at the adhesive site whatsoever on day 5, that has been an issue with us for pods so we are happy to see that. 

4.   Accuracy gets better and better,    day one varied about 15%,  but from then on our calibrations have been scary spot on, varying between 1 to 5 points when blood sugar is in range.     With super high's ( we did have a pod fail this week)  vary's up to 30 points or so, as is to be expected with the variability of the meter at the high level.  

5.   Lag time seems to be around 10 minutes or so for us. 

6.    Low alarm of 80 seems about right,   if she's dropping fast and at 100,  we have still been able to thwart low blood sugars and head them off at the pass with this thing.   

7.    What an eye opener to see these blood sugars in flux,  we really get a new feel for how blood sugars FLOW.    Its always going somewhere, rarely flat, except last night when we finally managed to get basals set right! 

More to come but so far we have been happy and grateful for this incredible new diabetes tech!!     More on Dex here. 

To  Your Best Health, 
Dr Hodge 






]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2013/01/16/diabetes-tech-review-dexcom-g4-part-two#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2013/01/09/diabetes-technology-dexcom-g4-review Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:35:03 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2013/01/09/diabetes-technology-dexcom-g4-review
I am excited to be receiving Kennedy's new Dexcom G4 device for us to keep up with blood sugars continuously!   Fed ex to ship friday.    The other exciting development is that through my emr hello health, I will be able to remotely monitor blood sugars for my diabetics through Hello Health's integration with Qualcomm's 2net platform.   Now that is the future!!   All Dmom's should be demanding this of their caregivers!!

To Your best Health,
Dr Hodge


]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2013/01/09/diabetes-technology-dexcom-g4-review#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/09/27/so-how-do-you-make-a-diagnosis-of-adhd Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:23:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/09/27/so-how-do-you-make-a-diagnosis-of-adhd
We use generally the criteria as set forth in the DSM-IV which is our ” Bible” for psychiatric diagnoses. In addition to this the American Academy of Pediatrics has also added in a few additional criteria for ADHD to consider when looking at medication therapy. The AAP’s additional criteria essentially asks that we use explicit criteria from DSM-IV, second that we obtain information about the child in more than one setting, and third that we give consideration to the possibility of comorbid disorders as OCD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Here are the DSM criteria…

IA. Six or more of the following signs of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

* Inattention:

1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn’t want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (such as toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Often forgetful in daily activities.

IB. Six or more of the following signs of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

* Hyperactivity:

1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
2. Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
3. Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
4. Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
5. Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”.
6. Often talks excessively.

* Impulsiveness:

1. Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
2. Often has trouble waiting one’s turn.
3. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (example: butts into conversations or games).

II. Some signs that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.

III. Some impairment from the signs is present in two or more settings (such as at school/work and at home).

IV. There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.

V. The signs do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The signs are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (such as Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

I like to evaluate the child over the course of several visits. It is important to take a careful dietary history in the process of ADHD evaluation. Many processed cereals and convenience foods are loaded with corn syrup. A high sugar diet may play a role in inattentiveness and hyperactivity in many children. Another important factor is sleep. A child who is not getting enough sleep may present with hyperactivity. A careful physical exam and history are necessary to rule out sleep apnea, which may also present with hyperactivity and inattention. Some children will really improve with a trial of diet and sleep hygiene.

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/09/27/so-how-do-you-make-a-diagnosis-of-adhd#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/09/20/fall-ragweed Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:20:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/09/20/fall-ragweed
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/09/20/fall-ragweed#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/29/what-is-this-pearly-bumpy-rash-my-toddler-has Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:32:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/29/what-is-this-pearly-bumpy-rash-my-toddler-has
Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a viral infection of the skin or occasionally of the mucous membranes. It is caused by a DNA poxvirus called the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). MCV has no animal reservoir, infecting only humans. There are four types of MCV, MCV-1 to -4; MCV-1 is the most prevalent and MCV-2 is seen usually in adults and often sexually transmitted. This common viral disease has a higher incidence in children, sexually active adults, and those who are immunodeficient,[1] and the infection is most common in children aged one to ten years old.[2] MC can affect any area of the skin but is most common on the trunk of the body, arms, and legs. It is spread through direct contact or shared items such as clothing or towels.

The virus commonly spreads through skin-to-skin contact. This includes sexual contact or touching or scratching the bumps and then touching the skin. Handling objects that have the virus on them (fomites), such as a towel, can also result in infection. The virus can spread from one part of the body to another or to other people. The virus can be spread among children at day care or at school. Molluscum contagiosum is contagious until the bumps are gone (which, if untreated, may last up to 6 months or longer).

The time from infection to the appearance of lesions can range up to 6 months, with an average incubation period between 2 and 7 weeks.

Individual molluscum lesions may go away on their own and are reported as lasting generally from 6 to 8 weeks,[4] to 2 or 3 months.[5] However via autoinoculation, the disease may propagate and so an outbreak generally lasts longer with mean durations variously reported as 8 months, to about 18 months,[6][7] and with a range of durations from 6 months to 5 years.

Treatment is unnecessary in kids depending on the location and number of lesions, and no single approach has been convincingly shown to be effective. It should also be noted that treatments causing the skin on or near the lesions to rupture may spread the infection further, much the same as scratching does

It is helpful for toddlers to treat irritated areas with neosporin, and also helps to put a long shirt over the area, so keep the child from scratching the warts. There are medical treatments for molluscum, but we generally don't recommend them as they are painful and can cause permanent scarring, whereas molluscum that run their natural course resolve with no scars.

It seems bizarre for a viral wart rash to last for so long but the best outcome with the least pain and suffereing ( for both the child and the parent) is watchful waiting!

Natalie Hodge MD FAAP

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/29/what-is-this-pearly-bumpy-rash-my-toddler-has#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP MD, Pediatrics

Pen Injector

Pen injectors with the new 4mm BD needle are less painful than utilizing syringes. I find that slow injection technique helps, especially with evening Lantus dosing. [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/15/which-is-more-painful-for-diabetes-injection-the-pen-injector-or-traditional-needles Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:28:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/15/which-is-more-painful-for-diabetes-injection-the-pen-injector-or-traditional-needles MD, Pediatrics

Pen Injector

Pen injectors with the new 4mm BD needle are less painful than utilizing syringes. I find that slow injection technique helps, especially with evening Lantus dosing.



]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/15/which-is-more-painful-for-diabetes-injection-the-pen-injector-or-traditional-needles#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP
Yes: The first step is installing secure gates at the top and bottom of your stairs around 9 months of age once the baby starts crawling. Use gates that screw in to your woodwork, not the expandable gates that you often see, these are not secure! Teach all family members to close the gates as they go [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/10/is-there-a-good-way-to-keep-my-baby-from-falling-down-the-stairs Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:25:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/10/is-there-a-good-way-to-keep-my-baby-from-falling-down-the-stairs
Yes: The first step is installing secure gates at the top and bottom of your stairs around 9 months of age once the baby starts crawling. Use gates that screw in to your woodwork, not the expandable gates that you often see, these are not secure! Teach all family members to close the gates as they go through them. Remember gates only work when you USE them properly.

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/10/is-there-a-good-way-to-keep-my-baby-from-falling-down-the-stairs#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP
1. Eat. Babies should be feeding at the breast or bottle on demand. We like to see between 8 and 12 [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/09/eat-sleep-poop-pee-and-grow Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:02:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/09/eat-sleep-poop-pee-and-grow
1. Eat. Babies should be feeding at the breast or bottle on demand. We like to see between 8 and 12 feedings in a 24 hour period. Once your breastmilk is in, expect to see baby nurse for 15 to 20 minutes on each side. We will confirm his weight gain to be sure he is on track. Remember that most illnesses in babies, whether it is sepsis, a heart condition or respiratory problem, generally manifest themselves with poor feeding. If your baby is feeding well, you know you are in good shape!

2. Sleep. Babies can sleep up to 20 hours a day. They do have these brief alert periods in which they open their eyes, look around and see what's going on. Then it's back to sleep. You will start to get a feel for your babies patterns in these first weeks. If he seems to be sleeping more than his usual, or is difficult to waken for feeds, this is something I'll want to hear about.

3. Poop. Babies do have frequent stools! Especially breastfed babies. 10 to 12 stools shich are liquidy to seedy are normal. If your baby has less than three stools a day in the first week of life, this might be due to dehydration, I will want to hear about this.

4. Pee. We like to see at least three wet diapers a day, once your milk is in this will increase to 4 to 6 wet diapers a day.

5. Grow. Your first followup we will see how the baby's weight is doing. This can be so gratifying for breastfed moms! It may take two weeks for him to get back to his birthweight though!


]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/09/eat-sleep-poop-pee-and-grow#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP
1. Diabetes Buddy This has been a great ap for tracking blood sugars, insulin doses, exercise for us. [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/08/three-apps-for-dmoms Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:00:53 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/08/three-apps-for-dmoms
We have been using mainly three apps this month for diabetes management, calculations and data tracking. Here they are!

1. Diabetes Buddy This has been a great ap for tracking blood sugars, insulin doses, exercise for us. Features I like are ability to sync on multiple devices, making it easier for our diabetes " family" to keep up with Kennedy's blood sugars remotely. There is a nice trending screenshot which shows your lows, median and high blood sugar integrated with your exercise curve, so gives a nice snapshot of the week. Also we can easily email results to our endo, or screen shots of the data graphs, so it has made communications with our medical team easier.

2. Insulin Calculator This has been a great ap for calculating insulin doses. Features I like are ability to overcorrect/undercorrect for Blood Sugar, addition of carb factors, and easy simple intuitive User Interface. You can also turn on/ off the rounding functionality, this is nice for Kennedy as she is on super low doses of insulin right now. Our endo suggested NOT undercorrecting for morning blood sugar, so we are just making that adaptation.

3. Calorie King Mobile Calorie King's Mobile site has a nice User Interface, it is easy to dial down or up your portion and it is the recommended database by our endo. We found that by using one database and sticking to it, we could limit the mild variations that you see with different sources.

Happy Tracking!

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/08/three-apps-for-dmoms#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com
She did cry herself to sleep the other night as she [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/03/omnipod-a-nice-example-of-disruptive-innovation Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:32:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/03/omnipod-a-nice-example-of-disruptive-innovation
We have not made our final decision yet, but we are heavily leaning towards Omnipod. They are working out some kinks in manufacturing and some battery problems, but my 11 year old kid is from the Facebook Generation. Did anyone seriously think she would wear a pump with tubing?

She did cry herself to sleep the other night as she realized the shiny newness of diabetes has all worn off with her friends, and now she is still stuck with shots, carb counting, scary lows that come out of nowhere, and a blood sugar of 300 if there's a tad of brown sugar in her green beans.

It seems that Omnipod is the main thing she is looking forward to these days. Man, who could take that away from her?



We are crossing our fingers that we will be able to get her basal right, and that these things don't fail too often, but this is looking good to us so far!

Why aren't ALL kids put on pumps at diagnosis people? What is the evidence?

Natalie

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/03/omnipod-a-nice-example-of-disruptive-innovation#comments 5 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/03/how-do-i-avoid-gaining-too-much-weight-during-pregnancy Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:28:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/03/how-do-i-avoid-gaining-too-much-weight-during-pregnancy
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/08/03/how-do-i-avoid-gaining-too-much-weight-during-pregnancy#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/27/do-vaccines-cause-autism Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:55:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/27/do-vaccines-cause-autism
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/27/do-vaccines-cause-autism#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com
2. Carb counting is your new religion. Immediate purchases include a food scale and multiple measuring cups to stash everywhere. Our endo recommended Calorie King, so we fond it most useful to stick to one [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/26/top-five-tips-for-newly-diagnosed-t1-diabetes Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:59:18 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/26/top-five-tips-for-newly-diagnosed-t1-diabetes
2. Carb counting is your new religion. Immediate purchases include a food scale and multiple measuring cups to stash everywhere. Our endo recommended Calorie King, so we fond it most useful to stick to one carb counting resource, so you compare apples to apples.

3. Hook yourself in to the D Community. My favorite so far is diabetesmine from Amy Tenderich.

4. Do the math. The aps we found to be most useful for data collection are Insulin Dosing Calculator and Glucose Buddy.

5. Stay in contact with your diabetes team. You will learn more each day!

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/26/top-five-tips-for-newly-diagnosed-t1-diabetes#comments 1 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com D-Mom Blog about creation of 504 plan for your diabetic child. Originally adapted from [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/11/great-post-on-504-plan-from-d-mom-blog Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:02:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/11/great-post-on-504-plan-from-d-mom-blog D-Mom Blog about creation of 504 plan for your diabetic child. Originally adapted from ADA

504 Plan Considerations

Trained Diabetic Personnel: School will identify Trained Diabetes Personnel (TDP) who 1) Know how to test blood sugar levels and interpret the results. 2) Know how to measure and administer insulin given by a a syringe or insulin pump. 3) Know how to respond to hypoglycemic events, including the use of the Glucagon kit.

Training: Training for TDP will be provided by a diabetes educator, nurse, or the parents.

Location for Pre-Lunch Testing: School will provide an appropriate location for daily pre-lunch blood sugar testing and for lunchtime insulin by injection or pump.

Access to Bathroom and Water: Child will be allowed unrestricted access to the bathroom, water fountain/or water bottle, snack and the office when she is not feeling well. Child can carry water and extra glucose sources.

Insulin Delivery: A TDP or nurse will supervise daily glucose monitoring and administer insulin via injection or insulin pump. If a substitute is not aware of how to administer insulin, the school will call the parents.

Testing: Glycemic conditions can have an effect on the child’s testing, therefore: 1) Blood sugar should be tested before important tests. 2) Child needs to eat her regularly scheduled snacks even if they are during a test. 3) If diabetes related activity (testing blood, snack, water, bathroom) must take place during a timed test, child will be given equivalent extension of time at the end of the test.

Recognition of Hypoglycemic Conditions: All staff in charge of child’s class should have training or in-service on how to recognize hypoglycemic conditions.

Fieldtrips: A TDP will accompany child on any trips away from school when a parent is unable to attend.

Parental Notifications: Parents will be notified when food supplies need to be replenished, when the child has abnormal readings, has pump problems, when the schedule is significantly changed, or when the nurse is absent. Notification should occur as soon as possible.

Substitute Teacher: Substitute teachers will be notified of child’s diabetes and made aware of which staff members are TDP. Substitute should be notified in the lesson plan that they are to use the TDP when needed.

Lunch Time: Child can go to the front of the lunch line to get lunch and/or milk so that she has time to get her food started before insulin is administered.

Hallway Transportation When Hypo or Hyperglycemic /Not Feeling Well: Child should be accompanied by an adult or responsible student when going to the office if she is not feeling well.

Emergency Supplies: Child’s emergency supplies and insulin pump bag (or meter/syringes/insulin) will be listed on the student roster to insure they accompany child during fire drills, field trips, and any time she leaves the immediate school grounds.

Lock Down Situations: Child will have blood sugar meter and snacks in an additional location that is accessible during lockdown.

Ketones: Child should use her blood ketone meter (or urine ketone strips) anytime that her blood sugar is over 300.

Of course how your family manages your child’s diabetes based on the recommendations of your care team will dictate specific wording and instructions. But training staff, having access to water and snacks, making sure that your child’s supplies go with her when she leaves the school grounds, making accommodations for testing, and ensuring the child has enough time to eat her lunch are important points to consider. We didn’t think about lock down situations until another school in the district was on lockdown. Now we will have extra supplies in another location.

If your school has a full-time nurse in residence, then you may have less need for more trained personnel. But the reality is that many schools have only a part-time nurse, if they have one at all.

Some of these items may not seem important to your younger child (like timed testing which doesn’t occur in our state until third grade). However, it is easier to add items when you first set up the 504 plan rather than try to add them later. (But note that a 504 plan is a fluid document and you should be able to make changes at any time.)

If you have a change in care routine, such as changing from MDI to a pump, it is important to modify your 504.

And it is my understanding that if your school receives a dime of federal funding then they are required to allow you to have a 504 plan in place.

Is your 504 plan in place and in order for the coming school year?

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/11/great-post-on-504-plan-from-d-mom-blog#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/07/type-one-diabetes-experience Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:44:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/07/type-one-diabetes-experience


This last week we had a rather intimate run on with diabetes. My ten year old Kennedy was diagnosed with Type One Juvenille Onset Diabetes. More on her treatment later, but what I want to focus on is early symptoms of diabetes and the simple test that can help your child get early intervention and avoid acidosis and a long ICU stay. Typically kids will report a several week history of "drinking a lot" or polydipsia and " peeing a lot" or polyuria. This is typically associated with fatigue and a small weight loss. New onset diabetics will often report night time enuresis. ( or wetting the bed) This is a key symptom in an older child who has been potty trained for a long time. So any child with this history needs to CALL ME and COME IN ASAP for a simple test that can cinch the diagnosis, and get your child on the road to a quick recovery and teaching admission at a major pediatric center, Vanderbilt, St Louis Children's Hospital, or Kosair. We make this diagnosis with a simple urine dip, which will show a concentrated urine, with a high level of glusose and ketones in the sample.

If we can catch symptoms early, as we did with Kennedy, ( OK, I am a pediatrician) you can quickly get the medicine your child needs to get on board, which is insulin! I'd much rather send you for a brief floor stay and sub q insulin shots, rather than a very dehydrated sick child who needs to be in the Intensive Care Unit!

So keep me posted. Kennedy is going to be just fine. She currently has all four of the major insulin pump makers vying for her business. She's in the Facebook generation, so things are going to be a little different for her.

Wishing you and your family the best of everything,

Natalie

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/07/07/type-one-diabetes-experience#comments 3 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/13/poison-control-center-phone-number Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:52:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/13/poison-control-center-phone-number
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/13/poison-control-center-phone-number#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/13/gun-safety Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:02:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/13/gun-safety
Did you know that both suicide and homicide are moore common in homes that have guns? The dangers increase as your child gets older... The best way to prevent a gun related death is to not have one in the home. Now, that said, if you MUST have a gun in the home, they should be stored unloaded and locked in one secure safe. Ammunition should be locked SEPERATELY from the gun! Be safe!

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/13/gun-safety#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com
Dr. Natalie Hodge
MD, Pediatrics


"Socially Impaired"

Early signs of autism are no social smile at six months, lack of gesturing and pointing by 12 months, poor eye contact, lack of pretend play by 18 months, it is a social and communication disorder, and we pediatricians are looking for these developmental [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/07/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:44:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/07/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism
Dr. Natalie Hodge
MD, Pediatrics


"Socially Impaired"

Early signs of autism are no social smile at six months, lack of gesturing and pointing by 12 months, poor eye contact, lack of pretend play by 18 months, it is a social and communication disorder, and we pediatricians are looking for these developmental milestones carefully during checkups!

Natalie Hodge MD FAAP

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/07/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com
Nearly half of our world’s population lives in rural areas with little or no access to primary healthcare physicians, yet the funds necessary to build millions of hospitals in the developing world do not exist. Although most visits to primary-care physicians are routine in nature, many of them can become [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/07/cool-here-is-the-next-xprize-for-digital-doctor Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:00:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/07/cool-here-is-the-next-xprize-for-digital-doctor
Nearly half of our world’s population lives in rural areas with little or no access to primary healthcare physicians, yet the funds necessary to build millions of hospitals in the developing world do not exist. Although most visits to primary-care physicians are routine in nature, many of them can become fatal if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. The Digital Doctor X CHALLENGE will award $1 million to the team that builds a low-cost, point-of-care expert diagnostics and treatment system based on a computer platform that can be operated by a minimally-trained person to accurately diagnose a range of common, regional diseases.

Learn more about Xprize at www.xprize.org

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/06/07/cool-here-is-the-next-xprize-for-digital-doctor#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/30/which-is-the-best-baby-monitor-to-buy Mon, 30 May 2011 17:39:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/30/which-is-the-best-baby-monitor-to-buy
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/30/which-is-the-best-baby-monitor-to-buy#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/21/asthma-symptom-reduction Sat, 21 May 2011 10:17:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/21/asthma-symptom-reduction
To Your Best Health,

Dr Hodge and the Team at Personal Medicine

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/21/asthma-symptom-reduction#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com MD, Pediatrics
Yes

Yes! Everything changes after the birth of your child! The focus shifts from the marital relationship to the baby! Your baby's needs take precedence. The roles in the family shift. There are a variety of stresses in play here, from financial changes to the emotional changes of adjusting your [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/21/is-it-ok-for-my-relationship-to-change-with-my-husband-after-the-birth-of-my-baby Sat, 21 May 2011 09:49:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/21/is-it-ok-for-my-relationship-to-change-with-my-husband-after-the-birth-of-my-baby MD, Pediatrics
Yes

Yes! Everything changes after the birth of your child! The focus shifts from the marital relationship to the baby! Your baby's needs take precedence. The roles in the family shift. There are a variety of stresses in play here, from financial changes to the emotional changes of adjusting your new life. But remember to still put your marriage first and your child second, not the other way around!

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/21/is-it-ok-for-my-relationship-to-change-with-my-husband-after-the-birth-of-my-baby#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/09/what-is-the-most-common-mistake-parents-make-in-babies-skincare-and-bathing Mon, 09 May 2011 15:28:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/09/what-is-the-most-common-mistake-parents-make-in-babies-skincare-and-bathing
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/09/what-is-the-most-common-mistake-parents-make-in-babies-skincare-and-bathing#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD Natalie Hodge MD http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/05/what-is-the-dose-of-fenugreek-to-increase-milk-supply-for-breastfeeding Thu, 05 May 2011 13:53:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/05/what-is-the-dose-of-fenugreek-to-increase-milk-supply-for-breastfeeding
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/05/05/what-is-the-dose-of-fenugreek-to-increase-milk-supply-for-breastfeeding#comments 0 Brad Rankin Brad Rankin http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/27/seasonal-allergy-update-by-dr-rankin Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:37:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/27/seasonal-allergy-update-by-dr-rankin


Allergies are diagnosed by a thorough history and demonstration of specific IgE allergy antibodies showing a correlation of exposure and allergic symptoms and/or inflammation. This is best accomplished by allergy skin testing. Skin testing is more sensitive than blood testing – although the latter is used on occasion when skin testing is not feasible. We treat allergies in general in three ways: avoidance measures, medications, and sometimes allergy injections – the only FDA approved immunomodulating therapy in the United States.



For springtime allergies such as tree and grass pollen allergies, avoidance measures include keeping the windows up in your house and car, avoid use of attic fans, changing clothes, taking a shower and washing your hair at the end of the day, attempting to avoid dry, windy days in favor of gentle, frontal rains, avoidance of hanging clothes on clotheslines out of doors, and consideration of vacations at peak times of the year. Pollen counts decrease exponentially from the source, so changing routes getting to work or school can also be beneficial.



Many helpful medications are now available over-the-counter. In terms of how well they work, intranasal corticosteroids used daily are number one – available only by prescription. Although open for discussion, number two includes three intranasal antihistamines – which like intranasal steroids are nasal sprays and only available by prescription. A close number three are oral antihistamines. OTC non-sedating antihistamines include loratidine and now fexofenadine, and OTC low-sedating antihistamines include cetirizine. Number four is a leukotriene modifier available as chewable and non-chewable tablets available by prescription only.



If avoidance measures and medications fail, or if medications have side-effects or unaffordable, coexisting allergic rhinitis and asthma, or there are secondary complications from allergies a course of immunotherapy (IT – allergy injections) can be recommended. Injections can change the natural history of the disease as illustrated by IT reducing asthma development in those with just allergic rhinitis and the fact that IT stops the progression to new allergens. We are therefore recommending IT in selected children as young as 3 years of age. In general, IT decreases symptoms by as much as 75% and medication requirements by up to 55% - leading overall to a significant total cost savings.



In short, allergies can be avoided by avoidance measures, controlled by use of medications, and specifically treated by use of IT. Evaluation by your physician, often in conjunction with a board-certified allergist, can be very helpful to both adults and children alike.



Please visit our website at www.familyallergy.com

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/27/seasonal-allergy-update-by-dr-rankin#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com
Dr. Natalie Hodge MD, Pediatrics

Take Home Message? Gently and Infrequently

After the cord falls off, prepare a lukewarm bath, I like use of an organic bar soap from the middle of Nowhere in Montana that allows ONE Hand to wash (hair included) and One hand to HOLD, remember babies skin will be healthiest with [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/26/how-do-i-bathe-my-baby Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:20:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/26/how-do-i-bathe-my-baby
Dr. Natalie Hodge MD, Pediatrics

Take Home Message? Gently and Infrequently

After the cord falls off, prepare a lukewarm bath, I like use of an organic bar soap from the middle of Nowhere in Montana that allows ONE Hand to wash (hair included) and One hand to HOLD, remember babies skin will be healthiest with infrequent bathing, every other day, even every third day. Never leave baby unattended even with the fanciest contraption in the bath. Oh, and Enjoy!

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/26/how-do-i-bathe-my-baby#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/20/can-i-put-moisturizer-on-peeling-baby-skin Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:53:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/20/can-i-put-moisturizer-on-peeling-baby-skin
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/20/can-i-put-moisturizer-on-peeling-baby-skin#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/19/autism-advocacy-and-a-mothers-pain Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:13:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/19/autism-advocacy-and-a-mothers-pain
But of course being also a scientist and a pediatrician, I know the global science of the matter which is that there is no causal association between MMR and autism. The notion of which has been refuted by the global scientific community over and over after Wakefield's small, fraudulant study over ten years ago.

We feel for these moms, and I feel for my autistic son like any other mom. But there is a larger threat to our community, the threat of vaccine preventable illness namely measles encephalitis and pertussis. Take a look at my site and the knowledge center page as you consider vaccine safety for your family, I have some links to some great children's hospital vaccine education centers, as well as Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's site.

Measles, hope not to see you this year in Western Kentucky, but I know you are out there just waiting for your chance. Please comment and forward this post to those you love, particularly mom's with yong children who may be wrestling with this decision!

Natalie Hodge MD FAAP

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/19/autism-advocacy-and-a-mothers-pain#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/14/there-are-two-kinds-of-spitup-in-babies Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:46:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/14/there-are-two-kinds-of-spitup-in-babies
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/14/there-are-two-kinds-of-spitup-in-babies#comments 0 natalie hodge natalie hodge
by Natalie Hodge MD FAAP
no comments

Epicurious.com is a great platform to spend a little time on the weekend planning and shopping for the next week's family meals. Just pick your recipes for each dinner, and then the ap will create your list! Shop once for the whole week! [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/14/use-epicurious-web-or-iphone-ap-for-weekly-healthy-meal-planning Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:26:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/14/use-epicurious-web-or-iphone-ap-for-weekly-healthy-meal-planning
by Natalie Hodge MD FAAP
no comments

Epicurious.com is a great platform to spend a little time on the weekend planning and shopping for the next week's family meals. Just pick your recipes for each dinner, and then the ap will create your list! Shop once for the whole week!

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/14/use-epicurious-web-or-iphone-ap-for-weekly-healthy-meal-planning#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/13/seasonal-allergy-time Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:46:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/13/seasonal-allergy-time
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/13/seasonal-allergy-time#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/07/what-does-it-mean-if-my-newborn-has-acne Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:36:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/07/what-does-it-mean-if-my-newborn-has-acne
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/07/what-does-it-mean-if-my-newborn-has-acne#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/use-epicurious-web-or-iphone-ap-for-weekly-healthy-meal-planning Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:33:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/use-epicurious-web-or-iphone-ap-for-weekly-healthy-meal-planning
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/use-epicurious-web-or-iphone-ap-for-weekly-healthy-meal-planning#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/great-mom-fitness-tip Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:14:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/great-mom-fitness-tip
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/great-mom-fitness-tip#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/if-my-baby-was-exposed-to-diarrhea-at-daycare-will-she-get-it-answer-probably Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:00:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/if-my-baby-was-exposed-to-diarrhea-at-daycare-will-she-get-it-answer-probably
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/if-my-baby-was-exposed-to-diarrhea-at-daycare-will-she-get-it-answer-probably#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/if-my-newborn-won%e2%80%99t-sleep-on-her-back-will-she-get-sids Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:50:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/if-my-newborn-won%e2%80%99t-sleep-on-her-back-will-she-get-sids
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/if-my-newborn-won%e2%80%99t-sleep-on-her-back-will-she-get-sids#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/if-my-baby-has-a-potential-allergy-to-gelatin-should-i-avoid-vaccinating-him Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:38:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/if-my-baby-has-a-potential-allergy-to-gelatin-should-i-avoid-vaccinating-him
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/04/03/if-my-baby-has-a-potential-allergy-to-gelatin-should-i-avoid-vaccinating-him#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com

Dr. Natalie Hodge MD, Pediatrics

On demand feeding!

Depends on a variety of things, the age of the baby and diet primarily. But also whether your nipples are sore and how the baby is gaining weight are important too. The simplest answer especially if you are breastfeeding is that you feed the baby when he seems [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/31/how-long-should-i-wait-between-feedings Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:49:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/31/how-long-should-i-wait-between-feedings

Dr. Natalie Hodge MD, Pediatrics

On demand feeding!

Depends on a variety of things, the age of the baby and diet primarily. But also whether your nipples are sore and how the baby is gaining weight are important too. The simplest answer especially if you are breastfeeding is that you feed the baby when he seems hungry! On demand feedings in babies overall result in the happiest mother baby unit, and the best weight gain in infants!

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/31/how-long-should-i-wait-between-feedings#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com
Does a grocery list web app exist?

Natalie added an answer. Feb 18, 2011 • 4 Answers • Unfollow


Natalie Hodge MD,
1
My favorite app is Epicurious. If you are looking to eat healthy, search Epicurious " Healthy Recipes" and pick 5 or so that you like for the week. Then create a shopping list and [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/28/my-favorite-iphone-ap-for-healthy-meal-planning Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:26:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/28/my-favorite-iphone-ap-for-healthy-meal-planning
Does a grocery list web app exist?

Natalie added an answer. Feb 18, 2011 • 4 Answers • Unfollow


Natalie Hodge MD,
1
My favorite app is Epicurious. If you are looking to eat healthy, search Epicurious " Healthy Recipes" and pick 5 or so that you like for the week. Then create a shopping list and the app will automatically aggregate the recipes you picked into a weekly list sorted by food group and location in the grocery. Great time saver and helps you stay on track as a family eating healthy meals at home.







]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/28/my-favorite-iphone-ap-for-healthy-meal-planning#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com
There are many layers of barriers to successful implementation of breastfeeding for mother/baby unit. Many of these occur in the hospital setting and are related to separation of mom and baby after delivery,nursing protocols that keep mom's and babies apart. WHO has issued guidelines for [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/28/what-are-some-barriers-to-successful-breastfeeding-in-the-first-week-of-life Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:20:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/28/what-are-some-barriers-to-successful-breastfeeding-in-the-first-week-of-life
There are many layers of barriers to successful implementation of breastfeeding for mother/baby unit. Many of these occur in the hospital setting and are related to separation of mom and baby after delivery,nursing protocols that keep mom's and babies apart. WHO has issued guidelines for hospitals to use in the postpartum period that maximize early opportunities for breastfeeding, encourage rooming in, initiate breastpump and lactation consultant visits if there is a medical necessity for separation of mom and baby. And this is just the hospital factors. The first week is key in successful breastfeeding, and you need a patient pediatrician who will help you through the process. Family that is not supportive to breastfeeding or where there are not experienced grandmothers and aunts can reduce the chances of successful breastfeeding. Our culture in the US is not overtly breastfeeding centric, and once mom is at home, she will find many cultural barriers against her. It is important given all of these answers to remember that the decisions of the OB is important and not to be taken lightly during delivery. You can plan for the most perfect of deliveries, but your OB is there to deliver a healthy bahy and there are always times you have to move to plan B! If the baby and mom must be separated due to infant illness then early pumping is a must!



]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/28/what-are-some-barriers-to-successful-breastfeeding-in-the-first-week-of-life#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP
Dr. Natalie Hodge
MD, Pediatrics

Not so much...

Playgroups are not especially useful for development or socialization for babies less than a year of age. Playgroups are for parents to get together and share their new world of parenting. They are for forging new [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/23/when-do-babies-need-a-playgroup Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:43:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/23/when-do-babies-need-a-playgroup
Dr. Natalie Hodge
MD, Pediatrics

Not so much...

Playgroups are not especially useful for development or socialization for babies less than a year of age. Playgroups are for parents to get together and share their new world of parenting. They are for forging new relationships with other families that are meaningful given the context of your changing family. Playgroups are helpful of course for stay at home moms, but dads are welcome to jump in!

March 24, 2011

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/23/when-do-babies-need-a-playgroup#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com

Dr. Natalie Hodge
MD, Pediatrics

Think Pool Stairs Caustics!

Gates along the bottom of stairs that are sturdy are a must. Toilet covers, door locks, and locks to drawers need to be in place. Remember the Garage! Everything out there is toxic! Gas Cans, Pesticides, [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/23/how-can-i-babyproof-my-house Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:04:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/23/how-can-i-babyproof-my-house

Dr. Natalie Hodge
MD, Pediatrics

Think Pool Stairs Caustics!

Gates along the bottom of stairs that are sturdy are a must. Toilet covers, door locks, and locks to drawers need to be in place. Remember the Garage! Everything out there is toxic! Gas Cans, Pesticides, Bug Sprays, and Windshield Wiper Fluid are all DEADLY to a toddler. In the Home be sure and put Cleaners in a HIGH locked cabinet. I recommend removing Drano from the home entirely!

March 24, 2011

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/23/how-can-i-babyproof-my-house#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com How can I cure my baby's constipation?




Natalie Hodge

MD, Pediatrics

It depends...

This answer depends on whether the baby is breastfed, how is the baby feeding, is the baby gaining weight well, is the baby eating solid foods, is the baby's abdomen distended? How often does the child have a [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/22/my-first-answer-on-health-tap Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:16:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/22/my-first-answer-on-health-tap How can I cure my baby's constipation?




Natalie Hodge

MD, Pediatrics

It depends...

This answer depends on whether the baby is breastfed, how is the baby feeding, is the baby gaining weight well, is the baby eating solid foods, is the baby's abdomen distended? How often does the child have a bm? Is the BM soft? Are they rock hard? Does the baby cry when he has a bm? The answers to these questions are necessary to determine TRUE constipation in a baby which is quite rare.

March 22, 2011

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/22/my-first-answer-on-health-tap#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com
* Could Differences In Lung Defects Be Linked To Gender?
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin have raised questions about whether differences in lung defects could be linked to gender in a study presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/20/childrens-health-news-today Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:59:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/20/childrens-health-news-today
* Could Differences In Lung Defects Be Linked To Gender?
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin have raised questions about whether differences in lung defects could be linked to gender in a study presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Elizabeth L...

* New Research Continues To Give Hope For Outgrowing Milk Allergy
Milk allergy is the most common childhood food allergy, affecting 2.5% of children younger than 3 years of age.¹ According to research presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), one-third of participating children had resolved their milk allergy by 30 months of follow up...

* Children With More Severe Eczema Less Likely To Outgrow Milk, Egg Allergy
Unlike peanuts or seafood, allergies to egg and milk are often outgrown. But new research presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) sheds even more light on food allergy outcomes, suggesting that children who have more severe atopic dermatitis, or eczema, are less likely to outgrow their milk or egg allergy...

* Dow Corning And The Centre For Vision In The Developing World Launch Children's Vision Correction Initiative
Dow Corning, a global leader in silicon-based technology, and the Centre for Vision in the Developing World (CVDW) are jointly announcing a collaboration to create an innovative new way to help correct the vision of children in the developing world...

* The Importance Of Pediatric Auditory Research
Two to three in every 1,000 children are born with a hearing loss that is likely to impact development. Research of the auditory system at its early developmental stages, and efforts to identify hearing loss and initiate appropriate rehabilitation strategies, can be crucial to the healthy development of a child. Laurie Eisenberg, Ph.D...

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/20/childrens-health-news-today#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/10/my-answer-on-quora-to-the-question-how-do-physicians-interface-with-patients-after-hours Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:18:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/10/my-answer-on-quora-to-the-question-how-do-physicians-interface-with-patients-after-hours
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/10/my-answer-on-quora-to-the-question-how-do-physicians-interface-with-patients-after-hours#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/03/ Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:44:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/03/
I practice evidence based medicine grounded in a strong physician patient relationship. I'm a long time advocate of breastfeeding for babies and like to help moms initiate and continue the process. I am a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and help create and follow guidelines for the practice of pediatrics. Judicious antibiotic use I believe is important for the care of a child. A careful history and physical exam is key in the prevention of antibiotic overuse. I also believe in the potential of the internet to create health on a scalable level for our society in the US and in the world. We are at a transformative time in healthcare and I believe in the use of self tracking tools in the form of mobile aps to help families prepare meals at home, improve one's health and fitness, and evaluate one's dietary purchases. I believe in the use of social media to create scalable awareness of new health information, as well as help us as a society to improve one's measure of fitness. I love making house calls, blogging about topics that help parents care for their children, and going home knowing each of my patients feels cared for, validated and hopefully, well. I believe that what our healthcare system needs is to get back to careful history taking, physical exam, and focusing on lifelong relationships between doctors and patients. I believe in the use of second generation electronic medical records integrated with an electronic secure record for patients is part of best practice medicine.

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/03/#comments 3 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com
Children with autism spectrum disorders are better able to recognize faces, facial expressions and emotions with the help of an interactive computer program called FaceSay, according to newly published research from psychologists at the University of Alabama at [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/03/group-b-strep-still-common-meningitis-cause Thu, 03 Mar 2011 09:56:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/03/group-b-strep-still-common-meningitis-cause
Children with autism spectrum disorders are better able to recognize faces, facial expressions and emotions with the help of an interactive computer program called FaceSay, according to newly published research from psychologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham...

Boxing Injuries On The Rise; Youth Head Injury Rates Also Concerning

The risk and nature of injury in the sport of boxing has generated a great deal of controversy in the medical community, especially in relation to youth boxing. A new study, conducted by researchers in the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, examined boxing injuries among participants 6 years of age and older from 1990 to 2008...

Group B Strep Is Still Main Cause Of Bacterial Meningitis In Newborns

The Group B Streptococcus is still the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in newborns, concludes a seven-year French study in the March issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health...

Training For Medical Staff To Reduce Mother And Baby Deaths In Malawi

Warwick Medical School has just begun a 2.6 million euro three year research and training programme to train Malawian clinical officers in a bid to reduce the country's high death rate for pregnant mothers and babies. In a country with a population of just over 14 million, only 40 doctors complete their training each year and there is a chronic shortage of skilled obstetricians...

Cerebral Palsy Rate Drop Among Premature Babies Suggests Better Perinatal Care

Incidence of cerebral palsy, a neurodevelopmental condition that undermines motor function, is significantly higher among babies born prematurely. Because cerebral palsy is a result of brain injury received shortly before, during, or soon after birth, the number of infants being diagnosed with the condition is a good indicator of the quality of perinatal and neonatal care...

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/03/03/group-b-strep-still-common-meningitis-cause#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com
* FDA Decision Endorsed By Leading Texas LAP-BAND Team True Results
The True Results team of gastric band surgeons and medical weight loss experts is pleased the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized the long-standing safety and effectiveness record of the LAP-BAND® System. This ruling will now allow [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/02/23/fitness-and-obesity-news Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:43:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/02/23/fitness-and-obesity-news
* FDA Decision Endorsed By Leading Texas LAP-BAND Team True Results
The True Results team of gastric band surgeons and medical weight loss experts is pleased the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized the long-standing safety and effectiveness record of the LAP-BAND® System. This ruling will now allow millions of additional Americans to qualify for earlier weight-loss intervention...

* Knee Pain From Common Arthritic Condition Eased By Weight Loss
Knee pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) is a common complaint among obese individuals and retired professional athletes, especially former NFL players, but researchers presenting their work at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day program said they have a simple solution: lose weight...

* Study Reveals A Dismal 1 In 1,900 People Met AHA's Definition Of Ideal Heart Health
Only one out of more than 1,900 people evaluated met the American Heart Association (AHA) definition of ideal cardiovascular health, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Their findings were recently published online in Circulation...

* Evidence-Based Nutrition Guidelines Needed For Cancer Survivors
Cancer survivors die of non-cancer-related causes at much higher rates than the general public. In 2008, the U.S. economic burden of cancer totaled over $228 billion but only 41% of these costs involved direct cancer care. The majority of expenses were attributed to increased morbidity, lost productivity, and premature mortality...

* Study Finds Children In Public Housing Play Outdoors More, May Impact Obesity Prevention
Young children living in urban public housing spend more time playing outdoors than other urban children, according to researchers at Rice University, Columbia University and Princeton University...

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/02/23/fitness-and-obesity-news#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD Natalie Hodge MD http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/02/15/top-3-iphone-aps-i-use-in-practice Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:08:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/02/15/top-3-iphone-aps-i-use-in-practice
2. Loseit.com - Great self tracking tool to self monitor your calories. Has EVERY fast food known to man when you slip up such that you can easily add those calories in too. Can track your weight here and if you're brave, share it with your social network. Loseit.com has nice nutrient content estimations that can help you follow your protein intake as well. I have lots of overweight teens and preteens losing weight on this now.

3. Fooducate- Great iphone ap with an integrated bar code scanner to check nutrient content of foods and get a rating at the store before you buy. It rates foods on an A, B, C, D schedule according to some complex algorhythms. The founder is a techie and dad who wanted to simplify label reading for familes at the grocery store.

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/02/15/top-3-iphone-aps-i-use-in-practice#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/02/03/dr-hodges-weekly-whats-going-around Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:11:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/02/03/dr-hodges-weekly-whats-going-around
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/02/03/dr-hodges-weekly-whats-going-around#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP
Physicians Must Ride the Third Great Wave...

Here we are ready to say goodbye to 2010 and usher in 2011. This year has been a massive year for the tech world. The Consumer Internet reigns. Start-ups are providing incredible services for both consumers and businesses to gain feedback on their application and use of their [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/01/05/physicians-can-innovate Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:33:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/01/05/physicians-can-innovate
Physicians Must Ride the Third Great Wave...

Here we are ready to say goodbye to 2010 and usher in 2011. This year has been a massive year for the tech world. The Consumer Internet reigns. Start-ups are providing incredible services for both consumers and businesses to gain feedback on their application and use of their sites. Lean start-ups which start first with customers and then create products out of nothing are the norm. Cost of business creation is at an all time low. Free and freemium models abound. Our social graphs have deepened and have new-found importance. As of November 2010 Apple is activating 275,000 ios devices a DAY. Consumers have chosen the mobile as their device of choice. E commerce reins as the consumer’s choice and has decimated almost every brick and mortar industry.

Now let’s reflect on the year of 2010 in health care. There is a lot going on. Hospitals and physician practices are hard at work. The focus is on reform and meaningful use implementation, as well as the acquisition of government funding to keep floating our ailing hospitals and broken fee for service business models. Primary Care continues to lose ground, as hoards of physicians flock to retirement, better opportunities in health care consulting and health IT sales, as predicted in this Physician’s Foundation Study from 2008. Physicians in private practice are leaving contracts with medicare in a variety of states, notably, Texas. Innovative products and services do help our hospitals and physician practices improve, with improved billing platforms, portals, and the like. These are all forms of incremental innovation. Yet, the focus for both hospitals and physician practices remains the third party payer, with most of our products in Health IT laser focused on revenue cycle management. They focus on the improvements in the work-flow of the physician office that must implement the excruciating and time consuming details of third party payer practice. There are certainly opportunities for improved contracting, process, revenue cycle and acquisition of HHS funding for Medical Home projects. These are the domain of consultants in the industry. Christensen notes that industries in decline always have the most robust consulting opportunities.

I want to take a minute to warn all of us entrenched in the above considerations, that we have missed the boat, my friends. Meaningful use and specifically the Patient Health Record has a far more significant importance. Clay Christensen writes in Innovator’s Prescription that the only chance of saving healthcare is through disruption. Disruptive Innovation that is. Disruption is all around us in 2010. Both hospital and physician practice models are being massively disrupted already, by companies harnessing the third great wave of innovation that John Doerr of Seqoiua Capital predicts. We have been disrupted by a long list of emerging business models that have taken marketshare, accentuating the financial woes of the typical physician practice. Clay C. and Jason Hwang discusses a long list of these in his book. Coming from the experience of building a health service organization and cloud platform that helps doc’s go mobile, I have spoken at conferences and Health IT panels with the founders of these emerging businesses that focus on consumers, self tracking, social contagion, and croudsourcing. There are even new professional organizations that have grown out of this refreshing consumer interest in creation of health WITH their physician. that are growing as a result. They focus on consumer’s interest to improve the physician patient relationship utilizing high tech tools in some instances, specifically the PHR. Yes, the group of us doctors who use social media to improve health all agree that 2010 is the “ Year of the Patient”, with epatient dave leading the charge.

The growing success in these emerging business can be attributed to new business model creation which validates pricing directly with customers. They utilize a host of high tech tools to rapidly gather feedback and iterate their product offerings. They are creating something out of nothing, what Eric Ries from Lean Startup calls, a “ Miminum Viable Product” and then selling it. They then build the business around customers with an ongoing process of customer development. They build out process and corporate culture that revolves around customers. This is disruptive innovation. As the existing business models in healthcare continue to struggle with distractions like meaningful use, government, reform and revenue cycle management, the new value network in health care is DISRUPTING you. The disruption will continue, Clay says, until within 5 years we will have a new value network, the center of which is the Patient Health Record. (Not hospitals and physician offices as in 2010) In order to stay in the game, primary care physicians MUST implement the principles of disruptive innovation alongside the continued incremental changes that you are implementing in practice.

See, disruption starts and ends with consumers. If you listen to your patients carefully, they will tell you exactly what they want. Consumers and businesses are willing to pay for services. I want physicians in primary care to remember they need us now more than ever. We are focused at Personal Medicine on service line strategy of disruption and new business model creation for physicians. Our legacy and vision is a global mobile primary care workforce who rides the third great wave of innovation, the mobile, social, e-commerce revolution.

Feedback?

Natalie Hodge MD FAAP
Chief Health Officer Personal Medicine
www.personalmedicine.com

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2011/01/05/physicians-can-innovate#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com

via xconomy.com [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/10/personal-genetics-comes-of-age Fri, 10 Dec 2010 06:04:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/10/personal-genetics-comes-of-age

via xconomy.com



We are looking down the barrel of having the answers to our patients personal genomes. These are companies primarily going direct to consumers. I have had the experience of parents requesting genetic testing OVER our current lab technologies and have been recommending 23and me and or Bayor screen here. So we are primed for a MASSIVE shift in the way that consumers view our current blood chemistry industry and how we as physicians use that information. We are entering a new era of " prediagnosis" and consumers are on board with it. Payors as usual will not be, but it is understood by consumers that this testing will be out of pocket. Furthermore, consumers are NOT willing to share this private genetic data with payors. Get on board doc's the future is coming, well, no, it is here.

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/10/personal-genetics-comes-of-age#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com Check this out!! [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/04/how-to-eat-more-from-dr-oz Sat, 04 Dec 2010 06:57:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/04/how-to-eat-more-from-dr-oz Check this out!!

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/04/how-to-eat-more-from-dr-oz#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/02/superfoods Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:34:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/02/superfoods
Here they are in alphabetical order...

Beans
Blueberries
Broccoli
Oranges
Pumpkin
Salmon
Oats
Soy
Spinach
Tea
Tomatoes
Turkey
Walnuts
Yogurt

Simple huh? try this ebook out and bring your shopping list with you this week

Best, Natalie

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/02/superfoods#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/01/check-this-out Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:08:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/01/check-this-out
Here is a talk I recently did on how technology and ecommerce create new ways for physicians to care for their patients!

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2010/12/01/check-this-out#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com Latest Health News and Medical News posted throughout the day, every day.

* General Mills Launches Website To Help Consumers Seeking Gluten-free Foods And Recipes
General Mills has created liveglutenfreely.com to provide consumers with information on gluten-free products [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2009/12/10/todays-pediatric-news Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:50:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2009/12/10/todays-pediatric-news Latest Health News and Medical News posted throughout the day, every day.

* General Mills Launches Website To Help Consumers Seeking Gluten-free Foods And Recipes
General Mills has created liveglutenfreely.com to provide consumers with information on gluten-free products and gluten-free recipes. The site lists General Mills products labeled gluten-free and features kitchen-tested recipes for preparing an array of gluten-free foods...

* 'Hidden Nuggets' On Work Breaks And Calorie Counts Added To Health Reform Legislation
USA Today reports that the health care bills moving through Congress have dozens of "lesser-known provisions" that include ideas that failed to gain traction in the past but are benefiting by hitching their proposal to health care reform...

* U.N. Weather Agency Predicts Heightened Disease Spread With Rising Temps; Globe And Mail Examines Potential Health Effects Of Climate Change In Africa
The decade 2000-2009 "is very likely to be the warmest since record-keeping began in 1850, and 2009 could rank among the top-five warmest years," the World Meteorological Organization said on Tuesday at the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen, the Associated Press reports...

* A Collection Of New Resources On European Traditional Foods Released
A new report on traditional European foods and a series of accompanying recipe cards have been published by The British Nutrition Foundation, on behalf of the European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR) project, a world leading European Network of Excellence on food composition databank systems, to give an overview of traditional foods eaten in European countries...

* Heinz Micronutrient Campaign Expands To Africa For The First Time To Combat Iron-Deficiency Anemia In Children
The Heinz Micronutrient Campaign (HMC), a groundbreaking program of the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation that is combating malnutrition in developing nations, announced a partnership in Tanzania, bringing the program to Africa for the first time. The HMC has awarded a grant that establishes a research partnership with the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania and Michigan State University...

Natalie Hodge MD FAAP

]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2009/12/10/todays-pediatric-news#comments 0 Natalie Hodge MD FAAP Natalie Hodge MD FAAP http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2009/11/29/paducah-pediatrics-implements-electronic-medical-records Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:34:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2009/11/29/paducah-pediatrics-implements-electronic-medical-records
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2009/11/29/paducah-pediatrics-implements-electronic-medical-records#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2009/11/29/check-out-our-blog-for-health-updates Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000 http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2009/11/29/check-out-our-blog-for-health-updates
]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/2009/11/29/check-out-our-blog-for-health-updates#comments 0 personalpediatrics@gmail.com personalpediatrics@gmail.com Latest Health News and Medical News posted throughout the day, every day.

* Health Effects Of Low-Intensity Warfare
For nearly two decades, Ivy Pike, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona, has been studying ethnic groups in rural [...]]]> http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/0000/00/00/todays-news-for-parents http://personalmedicineofkentucky.com/blog/0000/00/00/todays-news-for-parents Latest Health News and Medical News posted throughout the day, every day.

* Health Effects Of Low-Intensity Warfare
For nearly two decades, Ivy Pike, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona, has been studying ethnic groups in rural northern Kenya to understand how violence shapes the health of those eking out a living there...

* Rates Of Common Mental Disorders Among American Youth Tracked By National Survey
Only about half of American children and teenagers who have certain mental disorders receive professional services, according to a nationally representative survey funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The survey also provides a comprehensive look at the prevalence of common mental disorders...

* About 47M Infected, 10,000 Dead From H1N1 In U.S., CDC Says
U.S. health officials on Thursday announced nearly 10,000 people in the U.S. had died from H1N1 (swine flu) since the virus was first reported in April, the New York Times reports. The latest numbers mark a "significant jump" from CDC's estimate last month of 4,000 deaths in the U.S., the newspaper writes (McNeil, 12/10)...

* Soy Infant Formula Safety Evaluated By Scientific Panel
What: On Friday, December 18, 2009 there will be a scientific meeting evaluating the safety of soy infant formula. An independent panel of 14 scientists will evaluate the most current research on soy infant formula to determine whether exposure to soy infant formula is a risk to human development. The expert panel will also indentify data gaps and research needs...

* Physical Education Teaching Staff Play Key Role In Making You Like Sport
What factors have an influence in making us like sport in the physical education classes we receive in school? According to a new investigation, physical education teaching staff must develop the responsibility, encourage social interaction and avoid making comparisons between the pupils. The objective is to make us feel capable of doing physical exercise and playing sport throughout our lives...


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