CHILDREN'S ARTICLE
Unplugging the Violence in Television

Recent research studies on the effects of television viewing by young people have indicated that heavy television viewing (24 - 26 hours per week) by a child who is younger than eight can have a lasting impact not only on the behaviors of the child but also on the way that the child looks at the world.

Unfortunately, most children do get an average of this much television. In fact, a recent survey shows that a majority of older children and 1 in 3 under six years of age have a television in their bedrooms.

Heavy television viewing, even of educational programs, has been linked with poor school performance, teenage obesity, and greater drug use and teenage pregnancy. Young children are increasingly developing sleep disorders both because of lack of sleep, and because of disturbing material affecting their sleep. These patterns last life long.

In a 30-year study of adults who, as children, were heavy viewers of television violence, the adults exhibited more violent behavior in their social interactions than those who were not heavy viewers.

For all the above reasons, parents should limit the amount of overall viewing and the kinds of programs their children watch. Children should view no more than one hour of television daily and parents should be involved in the selection.

Parents should watch television with their children in order to discuss a program and to help their children understand what has been viewed. Children whose parents mediate their viewing gain the most learning benefits from the programs.

When parents are conscious of what they watch in front of their children, they can make a lasting statement about their concern around this important influence. They can also help children be skeptical about advertising claims and avoid demands for the indiscriminate purchase of products.

Colon Screening

In this age of media exposure, we have Katie Couric of the Today Show to thank for bringing attention to colon cancer in a way that doctors have been unable to do. More than one patient has told us that seeing her televised colonoscopy convinced them they should consider having it done! Here are the facts: Colon cancer strikes men and women more commonly over the age of 50. While family history increases the likelihood, it can affect anyone-those with no risk factors should begin screening at age 50. Screening begins earlier for those with a significant personal or family history. Screening can be carried out in a number of ways: periodic colonoscopy (usually 5 - 10 years) being one. Talking with your doctor is best to decide on which method would be most acceptable for you.

Antibiotic Resistance

Within the last decade, concern about overuse of antibiotics has spread enough to reach the ears of many non-medical people. The problem is this:

Every year in the U.S., children and adults will suffer from viral upper respiratory infections or colds, and viral bronchitis-children under 3 an average of 6 - 8 times a year, decreasing to 2 - 4 times a year in adulthood.

Many of these infections are treated in medical offices with antibiotics. Because antibiotics do not work against viruses, these drugs do not improve the condition. The saying goes. . . "You'll be better in seven days with an antibiotic and in one week without."

In addition, such overuse increases the risk that bacteria will become resistant to valuable antibiotics, so that they will not be effective when really needed against a life-threatening bacterial infection. There is also the chance that an allergic reaction might develop.

Providing education so that people understand better when antibiotics are not needed and which medications may help with the symptoms of a viral infection is an important part of treating illnesses. In a busy doctor's office it is challenging to take this time. Studies show that many physicians feel their patients will be disappointed if not given an antibiotic prescription.

We have found this to be far from the truth. We have written information and explain in person what the infection is, how long it's likely to last (sometimes up to two weeks) and whether there is a chance it may even get worse before it gets better. We prescribe alternative medications that are symptom relievers while the infection takes its course. And we always invite a re-look if things are taking an unexpected downturn.

And finally, we are impatiently awaiting the cure for the common cold that no doubt some future Nobel Prize winner is about to discover!

Healthcare Revolutions

The past few years have seen dramatic changes in healthcare insurance around the country and in Monterey County. Reorganizations and constantly changing strategies from insurance companies have led to many medical offices turning away patients with insurances that barely covered the cost of their care. Many of our new patients had been affected by these changes.

We have come to believe that sticking through the upheavals and advocating for the most sensible care for each individual patient, regardless of constantly changing rules of health plans works out well in the end.

As perennial optimists, we hope to see that the pendulum swings back in the direction of insurance companies valuing the time we take with each individual, in order to make the best health care decisions.

Know What You Are Getting in a Health Insurance Plan

One of the common frustrations of health care is discovering that your insurance did not cover part or all of a visit you made to the doctor. While the necessities of going to the doctor's office when you're sick and taking care of preventive health care to stay well don't change, what insurances pay for is under a lot of flux. We have seen every combination of denial of coverage.

It may be that you have an individual and family deductible. This means you are responsible for the first few hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars towards all your health care in each calendar year. You may have a copay for each visit. Both deductibles and copays have been increasing in amounts rapidly, while the services paid for under various plans may be shrinking. If a physical is combined with any other care, your insurance may expect the collection of two copays as though it were two visits. Some insurance will not pay for any other care at the time of a physical.

A recent change we've seen in some insurances is that they will pay for the first 12 office visits each year, then pay only a percentage of each visit thereafter, perhaps leaving you to pay more than your copay amount. Some plans will pay for office visits but charge a deductible or a percentage for any other procedures or services received. As you can see, there are many variations in what insurances pay and how they will pay each claim.

Changes in medication coverage seem to be happening constantly, with your doctor's office receiving letters from the insurance company requesting changes to the prescription you've been taking.

All of this makes it extremely likely that your health insurance will not fully pay for the services you receive. The best way to deal with this is to be familiar with your plan coverage and speak to your insurance representatives to understand what is or what is not covered. You will find, as your doctor's office does, that these answers can be time consuming and otherwise challenging to obtain!

Acacia's Family

Baby Jacob Joseph Banuelos was born on June 8, 2001 at 2:30 A.M. to proud parents Veronica Banuelos and Roland Collado, one of the youngest to join Acacia Family Medical Group.

Mrs. Refugio Corona is 101 years of age. She grew up in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. She had eight children. She is not only the oldest patient at Acacia Family Medical Group but also one of our most gracious!