A new drug designed to fight middle-ear infections in certain children is getting high marks from doctors, Staying Healthy's Stacia Matthews reported.

Ciprodex is the first ear drop that contains an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory, Matthews reported. It is designed for children -- ages 6 months and up -- who have tubes in their ears.

Tubes sometimes are inserted in the ears of children who have repeated infections or need help draining fluid.

If not treated properly, middle-ear infections can lead to hearing loss and delays in language development.

Minimize Risk For Winter Heart Attacks

Because more heart attacks occur in the winter than during any other season, people might want to take steps now to reduce their risk, Matthews said.

Doctors say lower temperatures, hormonal changes resulting from reduced sunlight, and holiday eating contributes to the higher number of heart attacks in the winter.

When these factors combine with a normal morning surge in blood pressure, the risks can be even higher.

"We tend to be clotters rather than bleeders in the morning hours," said Dr. Domenic Sica, a heart specialist. "So, if you line those ducks up in a row, then you have triggers for the onset of a heart attack, and sometimes even a trigger for a stroke."

People can minimize their risk by cutting back on exertion and stress, maintaining a good diet and limiting alcohol intake.