Dr. Steve: Drugs & Your Kids, Lasik Facts & How Back Pain May Be Bankrupting Us

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7:00am Segment Info:
As a parent it's always best to lead by example.. But when it comes to teaching your kids about alcohol abuse. You'll need to do a bit more than that.

According to a study of more than 4 thousand Finnish teenagers. The kids did generally mirror their parents behavior when it came to drinking, but the parents who were lax about drinking tended to have kids that drank more compared to parents who monitored their kids' drinking.

When should you start to talk to your kids about alcohol and drugs?

WATCH THE VIDEO & GET MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP

Experts say you need to start to talk to your kids early, and by early I mean middle school, while they're still listening to you. If you wait until your child's a teenager, it may be too late because many kids at that age tune out their parents. And when you talk to your kids it can't just be, don't do it, that's not effective. Instead, you want to talk about alcohol and drugs - talk about the peer pressure - talk about what it does to your body, how it affects your judgment and your ability to control yourself, so that they can understand the risks and "hopefully" make some smart decisions when you're not around.

In other news, there are lots of people who suffer from neck and back pain.

There are, and it's costing the healthcare system a fortune.

According to researchers from Temple University spending on spine problems has outpaced overall medical spending. To give you an idea of how much money we're talking about, from 1997 through 2005 outpatient visits cost more than thirty billion dollars. This study found much of this cost is due to doctor visits, hospital stays and prescriptions. Back and neck pain is one of the main reasons why people go to the doctor.

What about all those tests they order?

Other studies have found that it's medical imaging tests like MRI’s. Diagnostic tests, spinal injections and spinal fusion surgery that are costing so much. Some even say doctors are not really taught how to properly evaluate back pain and they fall back on these diagnostic tests when they're not necessary. To their defense, doctors often order tests because they're worried about malpractice or because insurance companies won't allow a certain procedure unless an MRI is ordered first. So it's a complicated issue.

8:00am Ask The Doctor Segment Info:
1. Juanita from Brooklyn, NY asks: How can I lose 10 lbs. in two weeks? Do you know any healthy ways?

Juanita, you're not going to like this, but it's not considered safe to lose more than 1 to 2 pounds a week. So 10 pounds in two weeks is just demanding too much of yourself. Starving yourself or following one of those crazy diets where you eat just one thing like grapefruits or eliminate entire food groups are not the way to go. If you want to lose weight quickly, the best thing you can do is cut out alcohol completely cut back on saturated fat, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and whole grains and get some exercise.

2. Hector from Bronx, NY asks: I work overnight and eat only two meals a day. I eat one at 8am, before bed, and another at 7pm, before work. Is this unhealthy? What should I do?

Hector, your problem is very common for folks who work the graveyard shift. I know, because i did it for years. The problem is when you do that shift your body is under tremendous stress so you really crave carbs. The best way to manage this is to eat frequently every three to four hours, but eat smart and healthy. Stay away from junk food, go for whole foods and protein. Even if you have to pack your food, it will be worth it. You won't come home starving after work.

3. Colleen from Queens, NY asks: I have a question about lasik surgery. How long does it last?

Colleen, lasik surgery changes the shape of your cornea with a laser. More than ninety percent of people who have lasik eye surgery never need glasses or contacts again. So it is considered permanent. But it's not for everyone and there are risks. So speak to your ophthalmologist and make sure you understand everything before going under the "laser". You only get one pair of eyes.