If life in the NFL taught me one thing, it’s this: the future comes up quicker than you think. One day, I was a first-round draft pick. The next day, I was a Pro-Bowler. The day after that I was retired and asking myself, “OK, Ken, what’s next?” Getting financially fit is no different than...Continue reading
There’s no doubt about it: We are in the thick of winter. And while we have a fresh start to the new year, many of us may be experiencing the same old cold and flu symptoms we get every year. Through my position at the FDA and as a physician, I’m accustomed to giving advice...Continue reading
Dear Mr. Dad: My husband and I are both American and speak only English. We’ve heard that it’s good to expose children to other languages. Is it really? If so, when and how do we do it? A: There’s absolutely no question that learning a second language is good for kids (and adults). Here’s how:...Continue reading
A patient recently referred to me as the “Doctor’s doctor.” I was honored. And it led me to think: What makes a doctor really good at doctoring? Look it Up If you look up the term “Doctor’s doctor,” you might not find a formal definition for it. Among physicians and groups that rate doctors, it...Continue reading
Dear Mr. Dad: Our 5-year-old daughter has several special needs. My wife and I love her unconditionally, but I have to admit that parenting her has affected our marriage. Part of the tension comes from the fact that she and I don’t respond to the stress the same way. Do you think there’s anything we...Continue reading
Name something besides celebrity status that the following couples have in common: Rhea Durham and Mark Wahlberg, Tory Spelling and Dean McDermott, and Victoria and David Beckham. Bingo! They each have a brood of 4 kids. Whatsup with large families? A Big Brood I just got another birth announcement from a lovely couple in my...Continue reading
Dear Mr. Dad: My wife and I are having trouble conceiving. After putting us through months of testing, the fertility doctor we’re seeing says that the problem is on my end. I’m devastated. I just assumed that women were the ones who had fertility problems, and I feel like a complete failure, as if I’m...Continue reading
You’re done with the kid thing and thinking of getting your wings clipped. What can go wrong early on after a vasectomy is pretty understandable and, fortunately, quite uncommon. But what about later on, say many years afterwards? Anything you should worry about? Worry Wart I get asked this all the time by patient’s considering...Continue reading
You start having chest pains, so go to the nearest emergency room. Needless to say, it’s a frightening, stressful time. You look to the health professionals treating you to get best possible advice about next steps. Are you having a heart attack? Do you need to be admitted to the hospital? Chest pain accounts for...Continue reading
Our digestive system is an amazing 26 foot length work of art. Its talent includes taking the food we eat, breaking down and extracting the components of various nutrients, fiber, and calories that help to nourish and keep us alive. This work of the digestive system comprises the two main functions this irreplaceable system has...Continue reading