Aspirus Health Talk

You have probably heard of breast lifts and tummy tucks but may not be familiar with a procedure called labiaplasty According to the American Society of Plastics Surgeons, labiaplasty procedures are on the rise. So, what is labiaplasty? Labiaplasty is considered a vaginal rejuvenation procedure where excess labia minora tissue is trimmed or shortened so that it does not hang below the labia majora. This procedure may be done for cosmetic or functional reasons. Women may be self-conscious and concerned that the excess labia tissue may peek through their underwear or swimsuit. In addition, some women experience physical discomfort when doing physical activities like riding a bike or during sexual intercourse. Labiaplasty can relieve the discomfort and may improve sexual pleasure. After the procedure, many women feel more comfortable wearing yoga pants and other work-out gear. Multiple studies report labiaplasty is a safe and effective procedure with patient satisfaction rates over 94%.Labiaplasties are performed in an outpatient setting so you are able to return home the same day. The entire procedure takes about an hour. There are two different approaches: trim labiaplasty and wedge labiaplasty. Trim labiaplasty involves trimming the tissue and stitching it back together. The wedge labiaplasty is performed by removing a wedge section of the tissue and stitching the edges back together.Not everyone is a candidate for labiaplasty. You must be in good health prior to having the surgery. The plastics surgeon will perform an initial evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for labiaplasty and help determine which is the best approach for you.Most health insurance plans don't cover labiaplasty, or other plastic surgery that's elective rather than medically necessary. Only occasionally, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, is labiaplasty medically necessary, such as with labia hypertrophy (overgrowth) caused by excess testosterone, congenital conditions, or chronic irritation.

Dr. Divis Khaira discusses the factors that play in making an accurate cancer diagnosis.

Dr. Tom Raisanen discusses the causes and treatments for acne, and how diet and other factors can affect your skin.

The female athlete triad is defined as the combination of disordered eating, amenorrhea and osteoporosis. This disorder often goes unrecognized.

We'll discuss how much sugar is recommended, how much the average person gets, and where the sugar is coming from.

Let’s talk about it, ladies. You know what we’re talking about – it’s that subject we keep to ourselves and sometimes only talk to our gynecologist about.  We’re talking about your feminine wellness and the many issues women face after childbirth, menopause, or just over time as our more intimate areas start to change. Let’s have a serious discussion about your feminine health and the options available to you with the ThermiVa® Treatment of vaginal rejuvenation.

Dr. Kirk Klemme, an addiction and pain management physician, discusses ways to cope with and seek help for addiction while still maintaining social distancing.

Dr. Thomas Howard discusses the medical and surgical options for treating Gynecomastia (enlarged breast in men).

Erin Mcintyre discusses the role of a Women's Health Physical Therapist and the conditions they treat in women post pregnancy.

Audrea Williams discusses why keeping up with cancer screening is important.

Dr. Jonathan Brueggeman discusses diabetic foot wounds, as well as  the risk factors, and the treatment plans that can help.

Physical Therapist Brett Gervais gives tips on beginning an excercise routine.

Dr. Elizabeth Renaker-Jansen discusses breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.

Gayle Maslakow, FNP discusses Managing your diabetes and prediabetes.

Samantha Schneller discusses mammography and tips on how to get ready for your mammogram.

Brittany Schneller, NP-C, MSN shares what to expect when you're called back after a mammogram.

Allison Harr, DNP, CNM explains the role of a midwife.

Dr. Tom Raisanen explains the best ways to protect your skin throughout the year.

Dr. Amanda Eilers discusses Robotic Lung Surgery.

Dr. Radke discusses the symptoms of sepsis, why sepsis happens and why it should be taken serious.

Anna Mooi, RDN shares what you should be stocking your pantry with during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. James Black explains the importance of parents keeping their child's vaccines and appointments up to date during the pandemic.

Christina Asiala discusses COVID-19 Serology testing.

Kasey Burke FNP-C shares tips on how to work from home while under a shelter in place due to COVID-19.

Dr. Jared Scherr discusses common foot and ankle problems.

Karen Balderson shares information about Aspirus's Wound Healing services.

Megan Luttrell discusses the signs, symptoms, causes and treatments options for dysphagia.

Sports Medicine Physician Colleen Dupuis gives safety tips for runners.

Nurse Practitioner, Clint Pakkala, discusses Iovera Therapy, a non-opioid treatment option for knee pain management.

Lydia Lytle discusses the many benefits of aquatic therapy and how to optimize the effects of buoyancy to get the best results.

Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Robin Meneguzzo explains the philosophy behind the field of Functional Medicine, and how it looks at the whole person or the root of the cause of a disease instead of simply the disease itself. She shares how it's used to diagnose and treat patients from a whole body approach.

Sylvia Dennison, MD discusses treating anxiety with herbal remedies, specific warnings about "natural" treatments and their interactions with other substances, and stress relieving techniques that can help you to manage your anxiety and move forward with a healthier quality of life.

Dr. Kris Ferguson, Physician at the Pain Clinic at Aspirus Langlade Hospital, discusses the field of pain management and how treatment options can range from exercise, medication assisted treatment, physical therapy, injection procedures to surgical interventions if necessary.

Pelvic floor disorders can affect a women's quality of life in many ways.Anne Cooke, PT, MS, CAPP-Certified, discusses pelvic physical therapy and how it can help to relieve pain from many women's issues such as incontinence and pelvic pain.

Many people struggle with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While there are a variety of treatment options, some are less invasive than others. Dr. Semrau will discuss traditional and newly evolving treatment strategies for GERD.

There are times when it can become too difficult to take medications orally. There are also some medications that cannot be given orally because your stomach acids may destroy them, and they will no longer be effective to treat your disease. These are just a few of the reasons to learn about Infusion Therapy.In this segment, Terri Saari, RN, Registered Nurse in the Outpatient Infusion Department at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital, discusses infusion therapy and the important questions you should ask your provider if they recommend infusion therapy.

The Rehabilitation unit of Aspirus Wausau Hospital works with patients disabled as a result of disease, disorder, or injury. Patients with spine and neurological disorders often receive rehabilitation as part of their course of treatment.Joining the show to discuss the inpatient rehab program at Aspirus Health System is Margaret Anderson, MD. She is the Medical Director for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Obesity is a serious condition that affects over 78 million adults in the United States. Being obese substantially raises your risk of morbidity from serious health conditions and can stop you from doing the things you want to do in life.You don’t have to live with being overweight. Weight loss surgery provides a proven and effective way to achieve long-term weight loss to help you make a change for health and for life.Here to discuss bariatric surgery options available at Aspirus Bariatrics is Steven T. Weiland, MD. He is a Bariatric Surgeon with Aspirus Health System.

Losing weight with bariatric surgery is not just about a smaller number on the scale, it's about changing your life for the better. When you commit to taking the first step to a new life, you will have a multidisciplinary support team to back you along the way.Kristi Fregia-Rucks PT, Aspirus Bariatric Program Coordinator, joins the show to discuss Aspirus Bariatrics. Where you can find support for your success all the way to your goals.

In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD). For some people the first sign of CAD is a heart attack. However, a Coronary Calcium Scan can help you know your risk and allow you to take steps to improve your heart health.In this informative segment, David K. Murdock MD, Cardiologist at Aspirus Cardiology, joins the show to give expert advice that can help you decide if a coronary calcium scan may be right for you.

Losing weight is a challenge for a lot of people. Diets are hard to stick to and it’s difficult to find the time to exercise, but maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do for your immediate and long term health.Aspirus understands that an effective weight loss program is about setting goals and changing your lifestyle. We offer different options to help you shed unwanted pounds and keep them off.Whether you just want to lose a few pounds or make a more dramatic change because of health reasons, let us help you find a weight loss program that’s right for you.Here to discuss Aspirus Ideal Weight Solution is Cardiologist Timothy N. Logemann, MD, FACC, ABOM (American Board of Obesity Medicine).

Who would speak for you if you became unable to communicate your own healthcare wishes? An advance directives document enables you to designate someone who will make sure your healthcare wishes are followed if you are unable to speak for yourself.Advance directives are not just for the elderly. Anyone 18 or older should complete one. In addition to ensuring your wishes are followed, advance directives can help avoid disagreements between family members and loved ones. It can also help to avoid the expense of legal guardianship. Many people don't realize that in Wisconsin, family members generally do not automatically have the authority to make your healthcare decisions when you cannot. Wisconsin is not a "family consent" or "next-of-kin" state. Therefore, healthcare decision-making authority typically does not automatically pass on to the closest family member. That is why we recommend all mentally capacitated adults complete a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.In this very informative segment, Katie Schneider, Aspirus Riverview Hospital & Clinics patient advocate, explains advanced directives and why it is so important to decide who would speak for you should you became unable to communicate your own healthcare wishes.

If you have been diagnosed with a cancer of pelvic region, inflammatory bowel disease or other condition that requires you undergo a procedure that results in an ostomy, you might feel that this is the end of life as you knew it. However, with some extra care and help from your health care providers, you can manage your ostomy and come to terms with your "new" normal.In this segment, Patty Cimino, RN, discusses ostomy care and how Aspirus Health System can help you can live a very full and healthy life, even with an ostomy.

One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle. Each year, thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. Proper use of car seats helps keep children safe. But with so many different seats on the market, many parents may find this overwhelming.Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital and Clinics has a new car seat safety expert dedicated to teaching local parents and caregivers proper car seat installation and use to keep kids safe.Car seat checks are free and available at two locations: Aspirus Keweenaw Laurium Clinic in Laurium and Aspirus Houghton Clinic in Houghton. To schedule an appointment at either location, call Jenn Jenich-Laplander at 906-337-6541.In this segment, Jenn Jenich-Laplander, Certified Passenger Safety Technician, shares everything you need to know about car seats and how you can keep your child safe while riding in the car.

In the United States, low bone mass and brittle bone disease, otherwise known as Osteoporosis, are currently considered major public health threats. Worldwide, osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually, that’s one fracture every 3 seconds! Osteoporosis accounts for more days spent in the hospital than many other diseases, including diabetes and breast cancer for women over 45 years of age. One in five, over the age of 50, will experience an osteoporotic fracture of either the forearm, humerus, hip or spine. Even more concerning --- Hip fractures increase a person’s risk for dying. Mortality rates jump 20-24% in the first year after a hip fracture. Here to explain more on the importance of good bone health is Sandy Hoogland, Family Medicine Certified Physician Assistant at Aspirus.

Is a wound that won't heal keeping you from doing the things you love? Aspirus Riverview Wound & Hyperbarics in Wisconsin Rapids can help. Using their expertise and technology, including two hyperbaric oxygen chambers, they can heal most wounds – even those that haven't responded to conventional treatment.In this segment, Sarah Falkner, RN, Clinical Nurse Manager with Aspirus Riverview Wound & Hyperbarics, located in Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids, discusses wound healing with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. (HBOT)

Breast Reduction is designed to relieve the physical discomfort associated with large breasts while improving overall breast appearance. Elevating the breast and reducing nipple size is an integral portion of this procedure. This procedure is frequently covered by insurance if certain criteria are met.Listen as James H. Kong, MD, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon at Aspirus Health System, discusses breast reduction surgery and how to decide if this procedure is right for you.

Anti-reflux surgery is a treatment for acid reflux or GERD, a problem in which food or stomach acid come back up from your stomach into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube from your mouth to the stomach.Reflux often occurs if the muscles where the esophagus meets the stomach do not close tightly enough. A hiatal hernia can make GERD symptoms worse. It occurs when the stomach bulges through this opening into your chestSymptoms of reflux or heartburn are burning in the stomach that you may also feel in your throat or chest, burping or gas bubbles, or trouble swallowing food or fluidsListen in as Michael McAllister, DO, General Surgeon, explains the damages of ongoing reflux and how anti-reflux surgery might be the treatment for you.

It takes 21 days to create a habit and 90 days to create a lifestyle. People often say they want to take steps toward becoming healthy, so they often jump in full force, saying they are going to work out 5 days/week and go on a diet of fruits & vegetables and nothing else. That does not usually work. Instead, picking one healthy change at a time and focusing on that, is what helps people stick to a program. It can be as simple as drinking the recommended amount of water each day. Work on doing just that for 21 days to create a habit. Then pick the next habit you want to adopt and work on it for 21 days. A habit can be emotional, physical or food-driven and should be something that you want to get control of.Listen in to this segment with Laura Ching, Fitness Instructor for Aspirus.

As your due date approaches, you might be wondering what the medical and natural options for pain relief are best for you and your baby. In recent years using nitrous oxide during pregnancy has grown in popularity.According to the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), research has supported the reasonable efficacy, safety and unique beneficial qualities of nitrous oxide as an analgesic for labor. Christiann Rosemurgy CNM, WHNP-BC discusses nitrous oxide as an alternative comfort option for labor, and the many benefits nitrous oxide has for women in labor.

After pregnancy, child bearing, and breast feeding; many women are dissatisfied with the appearance of their body and seek surgical options to change troubled areas. The most popular surgical options include tummy tucks, breast enhancement, and liposuction. How do you know if this type of makeover is right for you? Jennifer Cameron, MD, MPH shares what you should know about mommy makeovers and what to expect after surgery.