The most recent edition of Health Matters Presented by SSM Health provides KMOX listeners with an in-depth look at several hot button medical issues.
One of the topics discussed in this week's show is a new study that raises concerns about toxic metals in nearly all of the baby food we buy at the grocery store. SSM Health pediatrician Dr. Trinh To has some advice for parents.
We also talk about why we are seeing an increase in whooping cough cases across the area with SSM Health pediatrician Dr Sarah King.
Singer Alanis Morrisette speaks out about her postpartum depression and how she is dealing with it. SLU Care OB GYN Dr. Katherine Mathews at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital tells us her story is typical of the feelings shared by many new mothers.
We also talk about a new celiac disease treatment with our co-host -- Dr. Fred Buckhold, a SLU Care general internist at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.
To listen to this weekend's show here:
Health Matters Presented by SSM Health -- October 26, 2019 -- 4pm -- KMOX
1. Dr. FRED BUCKHOLD, SLU Care general internist with SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. New celiac treatment discovered. Dr. Buckhold says this new treatment -- once proven safe through further human testing -- will be greatly welcomed by celiac patients. But he cautions to hold your excitement till further testing is done. A surge in the number of people dying from pancreatic and colorectal cancer -- up 10 percent over past three decades. Increase is linked to more people are obese or diabetic. Basic tips to lower cancer risk? Dr. Buckhold says it goes back to a healthy lifestyle. Physical fitness is important, moderation of alcohol, don't smoke, eat right and hopefully you will have good genes too. Mental illness stigma is huge today -- 90-percent of people think there is a lot of negative stigma attached to mental illness -- but less than before. More believe it is a real medical condition. Dr. Buckhold agrees. A huge stigma still exists, he says, but it is getting better. Finding good treatment center is hard and expensive. The more we recognize this is a medical condition, the better off we will all be. A new study finds increased use of electronic devices leads to greater sugar and caffeine consumption. No surprise, says Dr. Buckhold. Distracted eating is partly to blame. As may be commercials. He has some tips for screen time.
2. Dr. TRINH TO, pediatrician with SSM Health Medical Group. New report shows 95-percent of grocery sold baby foods tested contain toxic metals. A lot of these metals are naturally occurring in the soil. How bad is that for our kids? Very bad for infants and the developing brain -- can lead to lower IQ, attention deficit problems and other learning and behavior issues as well. What does this research mean for parents and their babies? Root vegetables like carrots and sweet potato-based baby foods are suspect. Are there safer alternatives? Switch to water instead of fruit juices. Use rice-free snacks. What resources are available to parents looking for safer alternatives? Dr. To says the FDA could be doing more. Lots of baby food processing companies are now changing what they are doing and now paying attention. Dr. To says talk with your pediatrician about safer alternatives. American Academy of Pediatrics also provides up to date guidelines. Healthy Babies Bright Futures did the report. Dr. To also talks about adenovirus. What is it? Pretty common. Occurs in all seasons. Symptoms include red eyes and sore throat. It is a virus so no antibiotics necessary. Just supportive care. And use good hand hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus.
3. Dr. SARAH KING, pediatrician with SSM Health Medical Group. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports a big increase in whooping cough - or pertussis -- cases. Vaccinations are down. And current vaccine wanes over time. So there are gaps in coverage. Dr. King says the signs of whooping cough are cold-like -- a cough, little bit of a fever. Then cough worsens with kids not being able to catch their breath or vomit. Lingering cough can last up to a couple months. Can cause apnea, SIDS, rib fractures, popped lung, pneumonia. Can affect adults too but not as bad. Adults mainly spread the illness. Dr. King says this is one of the most contagious viruses out there. Spread by respiratory secretions. Treated with antibiotics -- but they don't shorten the duration of the illness. The vaccine will prevent the virus before you get it. Most likely to be hospitalized are infants under a year or six months. Also big with kids around 9 or 10 when the vaccine wanes before the booster but older kids are rarely hospitalized. Vaccine is given at 2, 4, and 6 months. Then a booster at one year, again at 4 years and then at 11 years of age. A booster is needed every ten years. Included in the DTAP vaccine.
4. Dr. KATHERINE MATHEWS, OB GYN with SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital and a SLU Care physician. Grammy Award-winning singer Alanis Morrisette is opening up about her experiences with post-partum depression. In an essay on her website, Morrisette called it a sneaky monkey with a machete working its way through her psyche. Dr. Mathews says the stigma of post partum depression is a huge issue. What are the signs of post partum depression? Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, feeling guilty, lack of sleep due to fear, changes in appetite and sleep. When should you seek help? Does it go away on its own? What is the treatment? Does meditation help? What kind of help is out there? Support is critical. Dr. Mathews works at the St. Mary's Hospital Prenatal Care Clinic. She heads up the Mood Clinic there. St. Mary's also runs the Moms line for peer to peer support. That number is 314-768-MOMS or 314-768-6667. Post partum can get so severe that you have thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby. WHen you have those thoughts, Dr. Mathews says you need to go the emergency room right away.