29Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

In summer, kids need real play time

Children's Health, Parenting
According to a wonderful report in USA TODAY, if you're looking for ways to get your children to move more this summer, show them the games you played as a kid, such as chasing lightning bugs, jumping rope, playing kickball, flying a kite or using a hula hoop. In this age of high-tech entertainment, USA Today calls this type of play “retro play.” More Information: (more…)
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24Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

First Review of Dr. Walt’s First Novel – It’s called a “fast-paced super thriller”

Medical Economics
My first novel, co-written with my dear friend, Paul McCusker, will be out in mid August. It's called "TSI: The Gabon Virus" and will be published by Simon and Schuster / Howard Books. We've just received our first professional review and I wanted to share it with you. I'm delighted and excited that the review is so positive. More Information: (more…)
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23Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

Swine flu has summer camps scrambling! What’s a parent to do?

Children's Health, Parenting
Cuts and bug bites, sprains and bruises aren't all that children are at risk for at summer camp this year. News reports from around the country indicate that Swine flu is spreading through dozens of camps. Some have shut down. Some are delaying their opening. Others are treating campers with antiviral drugs. If you've got a child you love heading to camp or even vacation Bible school this summer, what should you know? More Information: (more…)
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22Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

Rear-Facing Car Seats Safest for Kids Up to Age 4

General Health
A new recommendation published in the British Medical Journal suggests that children up to the age of 4 are safest if placed in such seats when riding in a car. The British experts say most parents are too quick to switch their children to front-facing car seats, a team of doctors has argued. More Information: (more…)
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12Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

Vitamin supplement dramatically lessens risk of miscarriage and birth defects

Nutritional Health, Parenting, Woman's Health
Taking a multivitamin before and during early pregnancy has just been shown to be associated with a dramatic 57% reduction in the risk for miscarriage. If you are a woman who is sexually active and not sterile or infertile, whether you are taking birth control of not, you should, in my opinion, be taking a prenatal multivitamin every day. More Information: (more…)
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10Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

Over 90% of online pharmacies may be violating FDA regulations

Cancer, General Health, Heart Health, Medical Economics, Men's Health, Mental Health, Parenting, Woman's Health
Buying prescription medications from online pharmacies may seem cheap and easy. But cheap and easy shouldn't be your top priority when it comes to your health. While there are plenty of legitimate U.S. Internet pharmacies that follow the law and put public safety first, there are many more that don't. More Information: (more…)
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08Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

An easier way to diagnosis diabetes is announced. I highly recommend it.

General Health, Heart Health, Men's Health, Obesity, Woman's Health
A blood test physicians use regularly to check the average blood sugar levels in people with diabetes is now being recommended as a tool to diagnose the disease. And, the test is much more convenient for patients, as it does not have to be done fasting. Furthermore, I predict that this test will help us doctors identify many of the people with diabetes that don't know they have it . . . and a whopping 40% of people with diabetes don't even know they have it! Could you be one of them? More Information: (more…)
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08Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

When it comes to fast food, how can you make better choices for you and your family?

Children's Health, Health Headlines, Men's Health, Nutritional Health, Obesity, Parenting, Woman's Health
Fast food may be inexpensive and convenient, but it is often high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Being highly processed, it may be low in many essential nutrients. And, it's typically very low in fiber. So, what’s a parent to do when it comes to fast food? Some say avoid it completely. That's great, if you can do it. If not, definitely try to reduce your visits to fast food restaurants. But, if you go, here are some helpful suggestions. More Information: (more…)
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05Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

Updated pregnancy weight gain guidelines

Children's Health, Nutritional Health, Obesity, Woman's Health
As a family physician, I had the honor and unmitigated privilege of attending the birth of over 1500 babies in my career. Each one was a special experience for me. And, as you can imagine, mothers-to-be always had tons of questions about pregnancy and their newborn-to-be. Of course, the issue of weight gain was always on the list. This is of great importance to many mothers-to-be, because the health of the newborn depends a lot on the mom's weight. And now, for the first time in nearly two decades, officials at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have issued new guidelines regarding weight gain during pregnancy.  More Information: (more…)
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03Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

Larimore Family Newsletter – June 2009 Edition

Alternative Medicine, Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Medical Missions, Men's Health, Mental Health, Parenting, Woman's Health
Family Update Dr. Walt Named in “Guide to America’s Top Family Doctors” Dr. Walt Finally on Facebook Publication Update New Title for Dr. Walt’s First Novel: The Gabon Virus Dr. Walt writes chapter for Joe Gibbs’ new book: Game Plan for Life Nice Blog Review of Bryon City Seasons and Bryson City Secrets Nice Blog Review of Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook Broadcast Update Dr. Walt and Barb to be featured on the Focus on the Family Radio Broadcast in July Events of the last month and Upcoming Events  More Information: (more…)
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03Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

Yet another study suggests television viewing may impair children’s language development

Children's Health, Mental Health, Parenting
As most parents will admit, nothing can occupy a child quite like the boob tube. What shocks most parents to learn is that more than a half dozen studies now suggest that the TV babysitter has a steep price: the more time babies spend sitting in front of a TV screen, the more their social, cognitive and language development may suffer. A brand new study add to others showing that TV-viewing tends to decrease babies' likelihood of learning new words, talking, playing, and otherwise interacting with others. More information: (more…)
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03Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

More reasons to consider having your vitamin D level checked – you may think better and have less arthritis

Alternative Medicine, General Health, Men's Health, Mental Health, Nutritional Health, Woman's Health
Low vitamin D levels may impair thinking and adequate vitamin D levels may help prevent knee osteoarthritis, according to two studies released this last week. Both of these studies, added to the others I’ve discussed in this blog in the past, may lead you to get your doctor to check your vitamin D level at your next physical exam. More Information: (more…)
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03Jun 2009 by Walt Larimore

Most Children are Vitamin D Deficient Also

Children's Health, Nutritional Health, Parenting
Vitamin D deficiency is a growing problem in the United States. A 2004 study reported that 42 percent of otherwise healthy adolescents in a primary care setting were vitamin D deficient. Among infants, dark skin pigmentation and breastfeeding without supplementation have been cited as risk factors. Most studies have examined infants, but there are fewer data as to whether this problem persists as children are weaned to fortified milk and solid foods. A new study should raise a red flag for parents. More Information: (more…)
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