Doctors Blog
Amber Teething Necklaces Are a Choking Hazard!
Amber necklaces are an extreme strangulation risk for young children. They have become almost common place among children in our practice. I am constantly reminding parents to take them off…
Spring Is Here and Allergy Season Came Along for the Ride
Allergy Season: Be Prepared Spring is here and in East Tennessee that means all of our beautiful trees and flowers are blooming and the pollen counts are starting to climb.…
Drool, Yes. Fever, No
It’s 10 PM, your 8 month old is fussy and not sleeping well, and hasn’t been for the past 3 nights. You recall that she has been drooling more and…
Accidental Poisoning
Accidental poisoning is a common concern in the pediatric population. Unfortunately, accidental poisoning is caused by ingesting many household items. Children swallow harmful substances even though they have a bad…
Hypothermia and Frostbite
As I was walking through the neighborhood tonight, I realized that winter has finally come to east Tennessee. No longer do we have the wet and balmy weather as we…
Family Resolutions for a Healthier 2016
It’s a new year! Why not get the entire family involved in living a healthier lifestyle? This can be done using the 0-5 easy steps listed below: 0: Eliminate sugary…
Ski Season, Head Protection and How to Avoid Injury
I’ve been thinking a lot about head protection lately. My Mom knocked her head pretty hard a couple of years ago and although some people might argue that she always…
Why Do Young People Begin to Use Mood Altering Drugs?
Working in the field of addiction medicine for the last 35 years and as a practicing pediatrician for the last 20 years has allowed me to draw several conclusions about…
Gardening, Endorphins and Dishes
I like weeding. There, I’ve said it. That feeling of satisfaction when a dandelion pulls right out, roots and all and leaves my beloved Shooting Star intact, is hard to match.…
Planned Home Births
Planned home births have increased during the past several years. Of all births, the incidence of home births is still below 1% and is not well supported in the United…