Articles filed under Komaroff, Anthony

• Establish safety rules for child home alone Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
  By the age of 11, some children can stay home alone safely for up to a few hours. Every child matures at a different rate, so it's not just age that matters in making your decision. To stay alone safely at home, your child must be mature enough to handle any potential emergency or stressful situation that may arise.
  

   

• Rely on your body’s natural detox system over a fad diet Feb 4, 2013 12:00 AM
  The word "detoxification" describes any type of therapy that removes potentially damaging toxins from the body. Pesticides are an example. The idea behind detox diets is that the buildup of toxins in our bodies decreases immunity, leads to chronic disease, decreases energy and slows metabolism. Detox diets claim to cleanse the body of this toxic waste. As toxins are flushed out, so the theory goes, the body functions better and metabolism returns to normal.
  

   

• What to do when your boss is the bully Jan 28, 2013 12:00 AM
  A reader asks what to do about a boss who is constantly leveling insults at work. Dr. Anthony Komaroff says when the insulting happens occasionally, it's easy to dismiss him or her as obnoxious, brush off the incident and move on. But when this kind of treatment is ongoing, moving on isn't as easy. Stopping these insults may not be within your power, especially when the perpetrator is your boss. But you can control how you react.
  

   

• Sorting through the options for glasses Jan 21, 2013 12:00 AM
  It’s finally happened — I need reading glasses! Can you help me sort through the different types of corrective lenses?
  

   

• Picky young eaters can grow up to like variety Jan 14, 2013 12:00 AM
  When I trained in pediatrics in medical school, I was amazed by how many parents brought their kids to the doctor because the kids were picky eaters. The good news? By the time most children reach the age of 10, they’re digging into a wide spectrum of foods.
  

   

• Annoying tics may be controlled with behavior training Jan 7, 2013 12:00 AM
  Tics are upsetting — both to the person who has them and to the people who see them. We like to feel in control of our world. A sudden, uncontrollable, rapid repetitive movement (called a motor tic) says we're not in control. Since your neck moves only when you want it to, it's disturbing to see your son doing something you know you could control. You can, but he can't.
  

   

• Glasses can correct blurred vision caused by astigmatism Dec 31, 2012 12:00 AM
  Astigmatism means that the cornea of the eye has an irregular shape. The cornea is the clear covering over the lens and the iris. The cornea is normally round, but in people with astigmatism, it may be an oval. As a result, light scatters as it passes through the cornea; the light rays do not focus on a single point on the retina. The result of uncorrected astigmatism is blurred vision.
  

   

• Infectious arthritis requires quick treatment Dec 24, 2012 12:00 AM
  In rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, an overactive immune system causes joint inflammation. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown. But joints also can become infected with bacteria and fungi. Once the microbe reaches the joint, it can multiply. The immune system recognizes the invading foreigner and tries to wipe it out. The infection and the immune response cause warmth, pain, stiffness and swelling.
  

   

• CRP blood test is not of use to everyone Dec 17, 2012 12:00 AM
  The C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test measures inflammation in the body. What does that have to do with heart disease? We now know that many heart attacks and strokes occur because cholesterol-rich plaques of atherosclerosis rupture. When that happens, blood clots form that can cut off the blood supply to part of the heart or brain. Many studies have shown that the CRP test does, indeed, help estimate a person's risk for heart disease. The question is whether the test should be used in everyone and how much additional information it gives.
  

   

• Vibration therapy not yet proven effective for osteoporosis Dec 10, 2012 12:00 AM
  Our bones are in constant flux, as old bone is broken down and new bone is created. If old bone is broken down faster than new bone is created, low bone density and eventually osteoporosis develops. For some women, exercise and medication may not be enough. As they age, health problems may limit women's ability to get bone-enhancing exercise. That's where vibration therapy might come in.
  

   

• Brushing, flossing critical for a healthy mouth Dec 3, 2012 12:00 AM
  How do you keep your mouth healthy as you age? You know the answer. The pillars of cavity and plaque prevention — brushing and flossing (at least twice a day), and regular cleanings at the dentist's office — remain as important as ever.If you have trouble brushing and flossing by hand because of arthritis or other conditions, switch to an electric toothbrush.
  

   

• Coronary angiography is little short of miraculous Nov 26, 2012 12:00 AM
  Coronary angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the coronary arteries that reduces blood flow to the heart. The miracle of coronary angiography is that the doctor can see not just inside your heart but also inside the arteries that feed your heart — without ever cutting the skin of your chest.
  

   

• High-fiber diet for diverticular disease can include seeds Nov 19, 2012 12:00 AM
  I no longer advise patients with diverticular disease to avoid these foods involving seeds and nuts. They are all good sources of fiber. Several large studies indicate that people who have high-fiber diets for many years are less likely to develop diverticular disease.
  

   

• Use common sense, simple tips to avoid traveler's diarrhea Nov 12, 2012 12:00 AM
  Traveler's diarrhea comes from eating food or drinking water contaminated by certain bacteria, viruses and parasites — particularly the bacteria called enterotoxigenic E. coli. About half of the people traveling to a developing country come down with traveler's diarrhea. Fortunately, it is usually not severe. Still, it can spoil a good vacation.
  

   

• Checking for asthma involves breathing tests Nov 5, 2012 12:00 AM
  My doctor thinks I may have asthma. He wants to do a pulmonary function test. What can I expect?
  

   

• Flu shot can make a difference in your child's health Oct 29, 2012 12:00 AM
  Every fall and winter, parents face the question: Should my child get an influenza (flu) shot? Many parents worry about risks and side effects, and if the shot is really necessary or worthwhile.
  

   

• Child’s ear infections can be treated with minor surgery Oct 22, 2012 12:00 AM
  Ear infections are very common and can make children miserable. Most go away and don't cause problems, even without treatment. But a few can lead to complications, including more serious infections of the bone near the ear or even the brain. Surgery is recommended for recurring or persistent infections, particularly if a child has hearing loss.
  

   

• Washing hands is simple task, but you’ve got to do it right Oct 15, 2012 12:00 AM
  I answer a lot of questions about complicated, serious diseases. Yet something all of us do every day is at least as important because we don’t always do it well ­— and we pay a price for that. Washing your hands is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria that cause colds, the flu and other infectious illnesses.
  

   

• Opioid addiction can be overcome through medication Oct 8, 2012 12:00 AM
  Oxycodone is among the most powerful painkillers available. However, opioids are notorious for producing withdrawal symptoms that make it difficult to quit. Medications for opioid addiction can help prevent or ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
  

   

• Surgical long-term relief available for facial pain Oct 1, 2012 12:00 AM
  Trigeminal neuralgia causes pain in the face. You have two trigeminal nerves, one on each side of your face. These nerves detect touch, pain, temperature and pressure. In trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve starts to malfunction, registering pain when there's no apparent reason for it. People suddenly have intense “stabbing” or electrical shock-like facial pain. But there are treatment options for it.