Dr. Steve: Wednesday

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7:00am Segment Info:
Cholesterol lowering drugs are very popular these days, and with so many people taking them. There is a push by drug companies to try to make them available over the counter. In fact, Merck. The company that makes Mevacor wants to sell a low dose version of the drug without a prescription.

The FDA believes the drug can be safe and effective over the counter. But the agency is concerned that the wrong people will take the drug. The company has asked twice before.. I'll let you know what the final decision will be.

What makes them think the "wrong" people will take the drug.

When Merck surveyed consumers to see who was a proper candidate for the drug. Only 20 percent answered all the questions correctly. That number went up to 50 percent if researchers counted people who said they'd check some things with their doctor before purchasing the drug. And only about 30 percent of people who already were diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes or had had a stroke wanted to purchase over-the-counter Mevacor, and those people need to see a physician and should be under the care of a doctor.

In other news, we talk about it all the time, kids need to get more exercise.

They do, and not just to lose weight.

Researchers say exercise is key in lowering kids' blood pressure. That's right, you heard me, kids have high blood pressure these days. According to a British study of more than 5 thousand boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 12, frequent exercise lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. If you think about it, it makes sense. We know exercise is good for adults. Why wouldn't it be good for kids?

What's more important, duration of exercise or intensity?

According to this story. The amount or duration of exercise was more important than the intensity. And here's the best part. All it took was 15 minutes of activity, and the more exercise they did the better the improvement in blood pressure.

8:00am Ask The Doctor Segment Info:
1. My 13-year-old son was recently diagnosed with A.D.D. Our doctor suggested medication. What is your opinion on A.D.D medication?
Gloria from Queens

Gloria, there's been a lot written on the good and bad of A.D.D. medication. The truth is that some of today's newer generation of drugs are much better than the first ones that were on the market with fewer side effects. I can tell you that some children who take these medications can have dramatic improvement in their ability to focus. Remember, they are not a quick fix and they should be used in conjuction with behavioral therapy. Since there are potential side effects your child should be under the close care of a physician. Ultimately, the decision to go ahead is up to you.

2. When I go to bars or restaurants, my voice seems to go hoarse. Do you have any idea why it gets so scratchy?
Elizabeth from New York, New York

Elizabeth, what you're describing is quite common, especially in bars if they're noisy and smoky. Most have lots of people and loud music playing. If it's noisy you're probably speaking more loudly than you realize and that can strain your voice. If it's a little smoky that can be contributing as well. I know that most bars are smoke free these days, compliance is sometimes difficult.

3. Good morning Dr. Steve. My name is Nadeen Freeman. I'm from Brooklyn, NY and my question is why do women gain weight in the middle during menopause?

Nadeen, it's called the middle aged spread. That midlife expansion can be tough to fight off, but it's not all due to the change in hormones. It has a lot more to do with lifestyle. Most people who gain in the middle around menopause exercise too little and eat too many calories. They wind up gaining more fat than muscle and that slows down their metabolism. To fight it you're going to have to do it the old fashioned way.

4. I exercise... I run a lot and my knees bother me. I was wondering is there anything I can do to prevent it?
Jessica from queens,

Jessica, one of the main reasons for knee pain is overuse, and if you run a lot probably overdoing it. It's not that running is bad, it's just that you're probably not resting enough in between runs setting off a cycle of inflammation and overuse without giving your body enough time to repair. I suggest you cross train - do other activities so that you're not running all the time so that you give your knees a chance to recover. Also, make sure you're warming up and stretching.