Written by guest columnist Dr. Eric Schweiger

With people always looking for easier ways to combat unwanted body fat, there is a new, non-invasive procedure recently cleared by the FDA to help aid in the process, CoolSculpting by ZELTIQ.

Originally discovered by observing that children who ate an excess of frozen treats such as popsicles were developing more dimples, the science was then expanded on by Harvard researchers which has led to this new weapon in the battle of the bulge.

Since fat freezes at higher temperatures than surrounding muscle or organs, fat cells can be exposed to the the cooling technology and subsequently die off over the coming months without causing any harm to the surrounding bodily tissue.

During a consultation the doctor will determine if treatment is appropriate and if so, which areas will be targeted. The most popular areas patients typically choose to treat are the upper and lower abdomen, love handles and upper back or fat around the bra area, according to doctor.

Each treatment lasts about one hour and does not require anesthesia. Side effects include mild bruising and some mild tingling or numbness that can last a few days.

Results indicate that the patients typically observe a 20-25% fat reduction in the area within four months after the treatment. Additional treatments in the same area have been shown to yield an additional 20% fat loss.

Ideal candidates are actually those who are at or near their ideal body weight and have problem areas or bulges resistant to reduction. I like to say that if you can “pinch an inch” you are likely a good candidate for the procedure.

Patients see optimal results, naturally, when the procedure is combined with a diet and exercise regimen.

CoolSculpting by Zeltiq is completely non-invasive and less costly than tradition liposuction. We offer ZELTIQ at our Schweiger Dermatology office in New York City. For a list of providers around the country, you can visit the company website at www.zeltiq.com.

Dr. Eric Schweiger is a Board Certified Manhattan dermatologist and a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. You can visit his website at http://www.nyccosmeticdermatology.com/

The leading cause of death in otherwise healthy babies more than a month old is SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome. It occurs in about 50 of every 100,000 births in the U.S. SIDS applies to any infant whose death is sudden and unexplained.

Usually, the infant is found dead after having been put to sleep, and a subsequent autopsy finds absolutely nothing wrong with the baby. For parents, it is the most horrific of experiences.

No one knows what causes SIDS, but there are several risk factors asociated with it. Babies who are born prematurely are at increased risk for SIDS; so are those who are exposed to tobacco smoke. Laying an infant to sleep on his or her stomach also increases the risk, as does excess bedding, a soft sleep surface or the presence of stuffed animals.

There is no surefire way to prevent SIDS, but in light of these known risks, parents can take precautions to reduce its likelihood. Here are seven quick tips for avoiding SIDS.

–Don’t smoke in the house

–Don’t sleep with your baby in your bed. More and more evidence suggests that parents, especially overweight ones, may inadvertently smother their babies when they’re sleeping with their child.

–Do choose a crib with a firm surface

–Do keep blankets and stuffed animals to a minimum. Infants have little control over their heads and may smother themselves in their bedding.

–Do place baby on his or her back to sleep, never on the stomach.

–Do breastfeed if you can. One recent study showed that breastfed infants are five times less likely to have SIDS as forumula fed infants.

–Do use a pacifier. A recent study has noted that the use of pacifiers is associated with a 90 percent decrease in the risk of SIDS.