Get the most out of summer by being active while staying safe

Summer is here, providing an ideal time for people in Georgia to get active. While some people may talk about getting a “beach body,” fitness is more than just a matter of aesthetics – it can mean the difference between a long life and premature death. Studies show 80 percent or more of premature chronic…

IBC: A rare form of breast cancer that you and your physician should know about

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, and according to a recent study conducted by Georgia State University, South Georgia has some of the highest numbers of IBC cases in the nation. And while certain types of breast cancer are widely known, many people have never heard of…

Media time for kids: Use it wisely as well as sparingly

Is your toddler already swiping across your smartphone, FaceTiming with family and friends, and confusing Siri with incoherent questions? Tired of wrestling it away for fear that screen time could hinder the child’s development? Parents, take a sigh of relief. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has new guidelines for media use among infants and toddlers….

Parents: Make sure your students are protected from meningitis B

As both a family physician and a mom, I know that the to-do list for parents is often a long one. And if you’re the parent of a high school or college student, you might not think about making sure your student is up to date on vaccines. But young adult vaccinations are critical, especially…

EpiPen price problem is not simple, but must be solved

Epinephrine is cheap. My office purchases a multi-dose vial for less than $10. That is why it is ironic that there has been so much discussion and debate recently about the increased cost of EpiPens, which are well-known auto-injectors for epinephrine. The reasons for the price uproar can be found in a combination of supply…

Doctor’s Column: Why I became a ‘concierge’ physician

Editor’s note: Recently Georgia Health News revived its Doctor’s Column section, giving physicians the opportunity to write about important medical issues. The following column focuses on a growing trend in medical care. Dr. Juliet Mavromatis, an Atlanta physician, writes about her transition to “concierge medicine,” a style of practice in which doctors offer more personalized care….

Summer is not a time off for ADHD treatment

It is a common misperception that once school is out for the summer, psychiatrists who treat attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder can slow down a bit. In fact, the summer months are a critically important time for adhd treatment and shouldn’t be overlooked. We all believe that summer for kids should be filled with time at the…

Young victims of the opioid epidemic need specialized strategies

Just a few years ago, the words “opioid epidemic” would have raised moderate public concern at best. Now, not a day goes by without news reports citing the latest statistics on overdose deaths and the most recent political initiative to combat the raging trend in drug abuse. The numbers are staggering. Opioid-related overdose deaths –…

Support your local quarterback — the primary care physician

I grew up in Georgia and always dreamed of playing high school football. Unfortunately, neither my DNA nor my mom shared that vision. But now, I’ll finally have my chance to play quarterback. This month, I will complete my medical training and begin practicing as a primary care physician (PCP) in Gwinnett County. A good…

Big insurance deals are bad news

The past decade has witnessed dramatic consolidation in every dimension of the metro Atlanta health care market. Spurred by changes from the Affordable Care Act, hospitals are hastily marrying each other and buying up smaller medical practices in their quest to expand. Such activities tend to increase costs by 20 percent or more in an…