Dr. Deb

When the Cincinnati Bengals do well, there is cause for celebration. Perhaps since that does not happen as frequently as we would like, the Bengals know how to put on a show in the end zone.

Well before Ocho Cinco Shenanigans there was the Icky Wood’s shuffle. We love our hometown heroes, so when Icky Wood’s son, 16 year old Elbert Jovante Woods, died from a severe asthma attack earlier this week, it hit us all with great sadness.  Joe was a promising football player himself and more importantly, a great student and all around nice guy according to his fellow teammates.

We are sad for not just the Woods family but also a little scared because we all know a child that has asthma and wonder if this could happen to us.

7 million or 1-2 out of 10 children have some asthma. Asthma causes 4,000 deaths per year in the US and over 250,000 deaths worldwide.  It is the 3^rd cause of hospital admissions in children and African Americans are three times more likely to die from asthma.

Should I let my child with asthma play sports? Absolutely! According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology one in every 6 Olympic athletes have asthma. There are many faces of asthma including Jackie Joyner-Kersee, David Beckham and Jerome Bettis.

What is asthma? (more…)

My friend, Mike, is a great guy. Knows everyone, goes out of his way to do nice things, but Mike HATES doctors. I mean he really hates doctors. He hates waiting in the office, wearing that silly gown, talking to the doctor and certainly doesn’ t want to hear any recommendations that the doctor may have.

When Mike started having balance problems while running, the last thing that he wanted to do was go see a doctor. He HATES them. I am sure that he was also afraid that it might be something serious. And it was. Mike was diagnosed with MS in his 20s. This was not supposed to happen. But because Mike saw the doctor and received the proper medication, he has had little symptoms of MS and has continued to lead a productive and healthy life for almost 15 years.

Many men feel the same way Mike does about doctors. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 55 percent of men hadn’t had a checkup in the last year and 29 percent said they wait “as long as possible” to get help when they were sick.

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They called my Grandfather, “THE DUKE.” That is because he always dressed liked royalty with a pencil thin mustache, spats and slicked back hair. He loved to dance, drink, smoke and have a good time.  When he walked down the street, people took notice.

Sadly, the only memories that I have of him, occurred after his stroke. His daughters and wife kept him impeccably groomed but he was confined to a chair and could only speak a few slurred words.  He kept his sense of humor as I recall one time we played the game, “I’ve got your nose” and he pretended to not only take my nose but chew it up and spit in the spittoon by his side.  This caused quite an uproar since we only saw glimpses of the larger than life man that he once was.

Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in the US stealing life but liveliness as it did to the Duke. Most people with a stroke wait over 24 hours before seeking medical help.  Acting quickly is critical to prevent permanent damage or death. Hopefully I’ll teach you some things so you can keep the Dukes in your life.

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