Wednesday, June 24, a few minutes after midnight, my daughter Beth delivered Michael Robert (my middle name also) into the world at 8 pounds, 8 ounces and 20 inches.  Her husband, Roger, was with her and I was in the waiting room. The labor lasted over 24 hours with no epidural.

Michael is my first grandson and doing well, probably the most beautiful and brightest kid ever born.

Beth and Roger are tired but doing well. Grandpa and Grandma Hubbard are very happy and proud.

by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor

My Family Doctor has learned that Boniva and Tamiflu are no longer covered by the recently announced Medicare-discount agreement.  Whether their manufacturer Roche Pharmaceuticals will instate its own discount is unclear.

On June 20, the powerful trade group Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America made big news, announcing their members would offer a 50-percent discount to most people in the dreaded Medicare Part D doughnut hole. But today, the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest reported Roche is leaving PhRMA.

My Family Doctor asked Roche whether they would still offer the discount. (more…)

by Leigh Ann Hubbard, managing editor

In an interesting turn of events, relief is coming for seniors. Drug manufacturers are going to help pay for some medicines!

This sounds great, definitely, but we want to know from you: How much will it really help?

The News
Today, President Obama and industry trade group Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America announced a big deal, part of which involves the dreaded Medicare Part D doughnut hole.

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by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor

On Friday, I blogged about some interesting resolutions from the American Medical Association’s annual meeting.  Today, as promised, it’s time for the My Family Doctor first annual Resolutions Awards (tongue firmly in cheek)!

Drum roll, please …

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by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor

The American Medical Association held their annual meeting this week.  Obama’s speech there grabbed the headlines, but AMA members also voted on some interesting resolutions.  You may be surprised at some of the topics.  But first, some …

AMA FAQs

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by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor

Last Friday, we highlighted some great health-related Twitter folks to follow.  Now, it’s time to celebrate registered dietitians and people who tweet healthy recipes.

What do you think of the list?  Any to add?

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Last week Congress passed a bill that gave the FDA regulating authority over tobacco. The president is sure to sign it. It is supposed to be a blow to the tobacco industry and their advertising efforts. No more flavored tobacco or “light cigarette” claims.

But I have a few questions: (more…)

by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor

Oh sure, CNN, Ashton Kutcher, Oprah and the like may have jumped on the bandwagon in the past few months, but we at My Family Doctor have been tweeting for more than a year.  Mm-hm.  Ahead of the curve, we are.

OK, I’ll stop.

If you’re new to Twitter or just want to discover more health tweeters, here are a few follow suggestions.  I’ll be doing this regularly for the Follow Friday festivities (the tradition of recommending good tweeters weekly).

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Pop quiz:

1. Why are some outdoor workers more prone to heat strokes after the first hot spell in early summer than later when it gets even hotter?
2. Why are there more heat strokes in Chicago when the temperature may be hotter elsewhere at the same time?

Answer:

Much has to do with your body having time to adapt, otherwise called acclimatization.  It takes between eight and 12 days for your body to acclimate to higher temperatures so when those hot days hit, you’re not ready.  The body acclimates to heat by: (more…)

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Summertime comes with lots of tips on how to stay cool. But for you how-stuff-works buffs out there, here’s the science behind why those tips work.

First, some basics on your body and heat.

• Heat is energy and is generated.  Cold is not generated, but is the absence of heat.
• Your body generates heat from metabolism even while you’re at rest (called the basic metabolic rate or BMR).  In fact, it usually creates more than you need.  Mechanisms explained below regulate you around 98.6 F.
• You generate as much as three to six times more heat with exercise.
• Just resting in the hot sun can increase your BMR 50 percent more than resting in the shade.
• Stimulant drugs like amphetamines and cocaine also cause you to generate more heat.

Now, here are the whys behind some of the dos.
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