Recent media quotes from experts within UI Health Care

Jennifer Niebyl, M.D.
People magazine

A story about the common childbirth practice of episiotomy-a small surgical incision made at the edge of the vagina, intended to ease childbirth by reducing the risk of tearing and promoting faster healing-quotes Niebyl, head of obstetrics and gynecology. "Patients should say they don't want an episiotomy-unless there's a good reason," she says.

Jennifer Robinson, M.D.
Chicago Tribune

Extra girth went from a Victorian mark of power to a moniker of the lower class in the 20th Century. Until May 2005, that is, when a study presented to the American Heart Association showed rising obesity rates among people who earn more than $60,000 a year. Studying government data linking family income to obesity levels, Robinson and UI colleagues found the percentage of the higher-income obese grew from less than 10 percent in 1970 to nearly 27 percent in 2002. During the same period, obesity rates among people earning less than $25,000 rose to 32.5 percent from 22.5 percent. "Obesity prevalence now is similar across all income categories, with obesity prevalence in the highest income group rapidly approaching that of the lowest income group," said Robinson, an epidemiologist.

Carol Scott-Conner, M.D.
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Scott-Conner, a surgeon, was quoted in a story about a condition called gynecomastia, from which men develop breasts. Symptoms of earlystage gynecomastia include a small lump in one or both of the breasts. The story suggested that's when men should find out whether the lump is gynecomastia or male breast cancer, which strikes one man for every 100 women. Scott-Conner said there is no link between gynecomastia and male breast cancer. If the diagnosis is gynecomastia, treatment options include two forms of liposuction and sometimes surgery.

John Weiler, M.D.
Newsday

So many people are being diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma that the nation's largest group of athletic trainers has drawn up its first guidelines for dealing with the condition. The National Athletic Trainers' Association's guidelines familiarize trainers, health professionals, parents, and coaches with asthma's symptoms and treatments. Weiler, who has studied exercise-induced asthma for more than 20 years, said many athletes keep their asthma secret, fearing it could hurt their chances of a professional career. "A guy who's played four years of football at state college and is looking at the NFL, it just isn't something he wants to (let) get out," he said.