Doctors Hospital Health News Podcast

Dr. McGlone discusses wound healing and how the CGH Wound Healing Center can help with non healing wounds.

Respiratory Care Practitioner Jeanette Keegan discusses the four key concepts in pulmonary rehabilitation.

Stephanie Waller shares information about how colonoscopies can help prevent colorectal cancer.

Dr. Jason Reter shares everything you need to know about palliative care.

Allison Yemm, Lyndi LeMay, Staci Dirks and Brianne Hamstra discuss how CGH Rehabiliation helps patients who have suffered a stroke.

Dr. Preeti Joseph explains disorders of the nervous system.

Dr. Eric Kuhns discusses opioid use for pain management.

Physician Assistant, Kimberly Teats-Garrison and Nurse Practitioner Lynne Coffey discuss family medicine care at CGH Fulton Medical Center.

Gina Grennan and Erika Adams discuss breast care health and the no cost mammograms available at CGH Medical Center.

Physical therapists Geoff Wright and Nolan Wolfe discuss the expanded CGH physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and pediatric rehabilitation therapy programs.

Dr. Scott Reese discusses CGH's interventional cardiology services and its recent Chest Pain Center certification.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, but up to 8 million may be undiagnosed and unaware of their condition.Listen as Dr. Mateo Reyes discusses living with diabetes and what you can do to manage your symptoms and experience a better quality of life, even with diabetes.

It can be difficult to tell what is causing that coughing, sneezing, running nose and headaches. However, if you suffer from allergies you might be looking for ways to manage the symptoms. Listen in as Jane Unzeitig, MD, an Allergist with Doctors Hospital of Laredo Medical Center helps you to identify the triggers of an allergy, manage the symptoms, and help you better understand what is causing your allergies.

Doctors Hospital of Laredo is proud to be entrusted with the health and care of so many of Laredo's moms and babies. We believe that a family-centered approach to childbirth can help promote the healthy growth and development of the entire family. And we're proud of our long tradition of reaching out and serving a wide range of contemporary family structures. From beginning to end, your support person will be welcomed and encouraged to participate in your childbirth experience.In this segment, Maria Noela Avila,RN, Lactation Consultant at Doctors Hospital of Laredo, joins the show to discuss the benefits of breast feeding and how Doctors Hospital of Laredo has taken a giant step towards improving the health of newborns and infants by earning the Texas Ten Step Program facility designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. The Texas Ten Step Program encourages breastfeeding as the preferred method of feeding for newborns and infants. Doctors Hospital joins a growing number of Texas birth facilities that are supporting new mothers and their decision to breastfeed.

Of the nearly 70 million Americans who are problem sleepers, about half have a chronic disorder that keeps them from getting the restorative sleep they need according to the Centers for Disease Control. And many are completely unaware that something's wrong.If you sleep poorly, snore, have morning headaches or are fatigued or excessively sleepy during the day, you could have a sleep disorder. And while that can leave you tired and irritable, lack of sleep can also put a strain on relationships and affect performance at work or school.In this segment, Dr. Antonio A. Cardenas, Director of Doctors Hospital of Laredo Sleep Center, joins the show to discuss the importance of getting a good quality nights sleep and the how The Sleep Center at Doctors Hospital of Laredo can help you with sleep disorders.

More than 15 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This disease, also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, affects the cartilage in joints and may cause pain, stiffness, swelling and a limited range of motion in the knees and hips. If you have osteoarthritis, surgery to replace or resurface joints becomes an option if your quality of life is greatly diminished by the disease and you have difficulty carrying out activities of daily living. Listen as Dr. Ramon Soriano, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon and member of the Medical Staff at Doctors Hospital of Laredo discusses how surgeons at Doctors Hospital use Mako™ robotic-arm assisted surgery for knee replacement (knee resurfacing) to improve the quality of life for knee pain sufferers.

Viruses, bacteria, and parasites are living organisms that are found all around us. They are in water and soil, and on the surfaces of foods that we eat. They are also on surfaces that we touch, such as counter tops in the bathroom or kitchen. Some bacteria live in and on our bodies and don't cause problems. Other kinds of bacteria (as well as parasites and viruses) can make us very sick if they get inside our bodies.In this segment, Dr. Asuncion Soriano, Pediatric Gastroenterologist and member of the medical staff at Doctors Hospital of Laredo, discusses intestinal parasites, diarrhea in children and what to do if you suspect that you or your child might have an intestinal parasite.

Diabetes is a growing problem in the U.S. In fact, according to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million children and adults have diabetes.If you are told you have prediabetes or full blown diabetes, there are some very important steps you can take to manage your condition and take control of your health.Eloy Zamarron, MD discusses what you need to know about type-2 diabetes and the lifestyle changes you can make to help control it.

The Wound Healing Center at Doctors Hospital of Laredo provides a comprehensive range of services for patients suffering from chronic or non-healing wounds. The wound care program provides advanced treatment options and a team that specializes in advanced modalities in wound care.In this segment, Dr. Manuel Gonzalez, General Surgeon and the Medical Director of Doctors Hospital Wound Healing Center, discusses the amazing benefits of HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) for patients suffering from chronic or non-healing wounds.

Sepsis is the body's overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.Listen as Dr. Rafael Deliz, Pulmonologist and Medical Director of Doctors Hospital Intensive Care Unit, explains the importance of recognizing the symptoms of sepsis in it's early stages to get the best treatment possible.

Most women in labor have choices about what they want their birth experience to be. At the Family Birth Center at Maine Medical Center, the patient's safety and desires come first. Whether it is a natural child birth with little to no medical intervention, or one with medication to help ease pain, our nurses and doctors work with each patient individually to help them achieve their goals.Should you choose medication for relief during labor, it's best to know your options before making a decision. There are benefits and risks of using medications. One type of pain medication available during labor & delivery is Nitrous Oxide Inhaled gas that is self-administered after education provided by anesthesiologist and/or nurse.Listen in as Janet Oliver, a nurse at Maine Medical Center, discusses the advantages of Nitrous Oxide Inhaled gas to help with pain management during labor.

Just what is Integrative Family Medicine? Google the phrase and you come up with different answers.Traditional medicine is integrated with what -- acupuncture, yoga, special diets, massage therapy, hypnosis, meditation or some combination of all of these? Why?Tune in to SMG Radio to hear Dr. Marianna Shimelfarb demystify the issue and explain how integrative family medicine works, which holistic practices can be incorporated in patient treatment, and the health benefits you and your family will accrue if you choose to embrace integrative medicine.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. With regular screening, colon cancer can be found early, when treatment is most effective.Listen in as Eduardo Miranda, MD explains that early detection may mean a chance at a longer, fuller life, and in many cases, screening may even prevent colon cancer.

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is a nonsurgical procedure in which the areas of the atrium responsible for the generation of arrhythmia are mapped and then destroyed using either radiofrequency energy (heat) or cryoenergy (freezing).Tune into SMG radio to hear Jonathan Steinberg, MD explain how Catheter ablation is used to help treat atrial fibrillation.

According to the American Heart Association, you're never too young— or too old — to take care of your heart.Preventing heart disease (and all cardiovascular diseases) means making smart choices now that will pay off the rest of your life.Listen today as Dr Ralph Nimchan, Cardiologist and Medical Director of the Doctors Hospital Cardiac Rehab Program, gives you an important lesson in taking care of your heart.

No one wants to be admitted to the hospital but knowing what to expect can help make it easier. Dr. Elizabeth Herrle is a hospitalist at Maine Medical Center. Hospitalists are doctors who specialize in the care of patients in the hospital, and they are often your lead physician while you are admitted.Listen to inside information on how doctors and nurses work together to care for patients. There is a lot that happens regarding patient care that the patient doesn't see.  Another important factor is how clinical staff help to prepare patients for discharge early on in their hospital stay to help make the process of leaving easier.

According to the CDC, up to 6 million people in the US have Atrial Fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation, often called AFib, is the most common type of heart arrhythmia. With the aging of the U.S. population, this number is expected to increase.An arrhythmia is when the heart beats too slowly, too fast, or in an irregular way.Tune into SMG Radio to hear SMG cardiologist Dr. Robert Altman discuss the latest effective treatment options to help patients with A-fib.

Family physicians at Summit Medical Group treat all aspects of whole family health. In addition to diagnosing and treating a range of illnesses and conditions, your family doctor can provide routine health checkups and counseling. He or she can help you make healthy lifestyle choices, improve and maintain your health, and prevent illness.Tune in to SMG Radio to hear Dr. Afshan M. Khan discuss Preventive Care in Family Medicine at Summit Medical Group, and learn the advantages of working with a doctor who really gets to know you and your family for outstanding personalized care. 

For weeks you've been suffering with headaches, pressure around your eyes, thick, colored mucus when you blow your nose. Your chronic sinusitis is back.Chronic sinusitis isn't just one disease. There's a spectrum of disease that require different types of treatment so an accurate diagnosis and evaluation to pinpoint the cause of the inflamed sinus cavities is paramount. Tune in to SMG Radio as Dr. Giant Lin, an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist with Summit Medical Group, discusses the different types of chronic sinusitis, current treatment protocols, treatments that will soon be available and technology that may help the patient.

Does your child wake up complaining of an upset stomach or headache and ask to stay home from school? Once school starts does he stop complaining and act normally? If you force the issue, does he head to the nurse's office right after school begins? What's really going on? Is your daughterbeing bullied, afraid of not getting all A's or is it just more fun to stay home? Tune into SMG Radio to hear Kristen Cole, LCSW, ACT, talk about the many causes of “school refusal” and how to change your child's behavior.

Have you suddenly started to trip over your child? When you try to leave him with grandma, does he start to wail and throw a tantrum? Your child may be experiencing separation anxiety, a typical rite of passage for children between the ages of eight and 12 months that should disappear at about two years. Young children aren't the only ones to experience separation anxiety, sometimes mothers will be unable to leave their child with anyone. Tune in to SMG Radio and hear Allison H. Berry,  LCSW, discuss how to respond to an anxious child and soothe their fears and yours.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently diagnosed cardiac rhythm disorder. Affecting 2.5 million people in the United States, AF can be associated with an increased risk for death, congestive heart failure, and stroke. Tune into SMG Radio to hear cardiac electrophysiologist Jonathan Steinberg discuss the latest effective treatment options to help patients with AF.

According to US Department of Health and Human Services | National Institutes of Health, having a healthy pregnancy is one of the best ways to promote a healthy birth. Getting early and regular prenatal care improves the chances of a healthy pregnancy. This care can begin even before pregnancy with a preconception care visit to a health care provider.Listen in as Dr. David Benavides, obstetrician/ gynecologist and a member of the medical staff at Doctors Hospital of Laredo, explains the importance of good prenatal care to help insure a healthy mom and a healthy newborn.

Are teachers and coaches telling you your child is disruptive and suggesting you need seek professional help?Tune in to SMG Radio and get answers to these and other questions as Dr. Leonid Topper describes ADHD's symptoms and gives listeners a "tool kit" to treat it successfully.

If you suffer from migraine headaches, you're not alone. About 12 percent of the U.S. population gets them. Migraines are recurring attacks of moderate to severe pain.Could that pounding headache, blurry vision and nausea be a migraine or could they be signs of something more serious? Tune in to SMG Radio to hear Dr. Leonid Topper discuss how to accurately diagnose migraines and how to successfully treat and live with them.

Lung cancer is second most common type of cancer in the United States and Lung cancer can be difficult to find in its early stages because it often has no symptoms until it has spread to other places in the body.According to the National Cancer Institute, a 2011 report from the NLST suggests that compared with standard chest x-rays, low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screening could reduce lung cancer deaths by 20 percent because they help doctors identify lung cancer in its early stages.Listen in as Sarada Gurubhagavatula, MD, explains that CT lung cancer screening only takes about 10 minutes and can detect lung cancer early and result in better treatment outcomes.

How do you shrink your stomach without surgery? For many obese individuals, the answer may be an Intragastric Balloon. Doctors use an endoscope to insert a deflated balloon in your stomach and fill the balloon with a sterile saline solution. The inflated balloon is left in place for about six months while you lose weight, learn new ways to eat and turn your health around. Tune into SMG Radio and listen to Summit Medical Group Gastroenterologist Dr. Hazar Michael explain the medical pros and cons of the Intragastric Balloon.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.Childhood obesity can have both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being.Listen as Dr.Francisco Cervantes, pediatirician and a member of the Medical Staff at Doctors Hospital of Laredo, discusses this epidemic of childhood obesity and how parents can help their children make better food choices, be more active which will give them the best foundation for which to lead a healthier life.

If you have tried everything to loose weight, and you have a lot of weight to loose, you might want to consider bariatric surgery.Whether you have surgery to make your stomach smaller and bypass some of your intestine (Roux-en-Y) or have an adjustable silicone band placed to decrease your stomach pouch (Lap Band/Gastric Banding/Gastric Sleeve), bariatric surgery may be your best chance to lose weight. For those who are severely overweight, weight-loss surgery and lifestyle changes can lead to a longer and healthier life.It's not what you've got to lose, it's what you'll gain. How do you know if you're a good candidate for bariatric surgery?Listen in as Michael Morris, MD explains bariatric surgery options at Doctors Hospital of Laredo and how our goal is to support you with valuable, accurate information about bariatric surgery.

What can increase the success rate in treating breast cancer? Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in women, and one of the most important factors in regaining health are lifestyle changes. Diet, exercise and stress reduction all play an important role in getting back on the road to health, well being  and living life cancer-free. Tune into SMG Radio to hear Dr. Roshini George talk about lifestyle modification to aid in breast cancer survivorship.

Losing significant weight without trying and feeling continually exhausted may be some of the symptoms of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. (CLL)CLL is a type of cancer that affects older adults, often white men, and it can be present long before it causes symptoms. It may also be harder to treat than other forms of leukemia.To learn more about CLL, tune into SMG Radio to hear Dr. David Gallinson, a specialist in cancer, discuss the symptoms and treatment of this form of leukemia.

Cervical cancer screening with a pap smear has been an essential part of a woman's routine health care for many years. However, the guidelines are changing and the test we've relied on for so many years may now be an adjunct to the HPV test. My guest today is Dr Ann ricks she is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Summit Medical Group.Listen in as Ann M. Ricks, MD obstetrician and gynecologist at Summit Medical Group, discusses the new guidelines for cervical cancer screening.

About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, caused by abnormal genes passed from parent to child. Most inherited cases of breast cancer are associated with two abnormal genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2; however, there are other genes associated with breast cancer risk. Getting tested for the mutations of these genes is a very personal and private decision women must make with their doctors. They can then decide with their physicians what to do with that information. Listen in as Susan Miesfeldt, MD discusses The Genetics of Breast Cancer.

Did you know that treatment from one of the world's leading cancer centers is now available in your backyard? Last spring, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Summit Medical began a new partnership to provide world-renowned cancer care to patients at its locations throughout northern New Jersey. Tune into SMG Radio to hear cancer expert Dr. William DeRosa explain how this exciting new partnership will benefit patients at Summit Medical Group.

National news stories have drawn attention to the shorter course of radiation therapy now recommended for many women with early stage breast cancer, but not widely practiced.Listen in as Ian Bristol, MD explains that earlier trials confirmed that treatment can be safely and effectively delivered in 3-4 weeks, resulting in increased convenience for the patient, decreased cost to the health care system and, therefore, increased value of services provided.

Restricting calories and exercising are both important to weight loss—but so are other lesser known factors.  For example, it's also important to eat at regular intervals so your body has a steady stream of energy. Other factors critical to weight loss are drinking water and eating foods that are low in sugar, including carbohydrates.  Tune into SMG Radio to hear Dr. Cynthia Paige debunk some myths about weight loss and give tips that will help you shed those extra pounds.

Taking medication correctly may seem like a simple or personal matter, but non-adherence (or not taking medication as directed) is a complicated and common problem.The treatment of chronic illnesses commonly includes the long-term use of medications. Diseases like Diabetes or Heart disease may require long term medication.  Although these medications are effective in combating disease, their full benefits are often not realized because approximately 50% of patients do not take their medications as prescribed.Gwen Egloff, PharmD is here to explain the importance of taking, as prescribed, all your medications.

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition of the elbow caused by overuse. Not surprisingly, playing tennis or other racquet sports can cause this condition. However, several other sports and activities can also put you at risk.Tennis elbow is usually caused by activities that overuse the tendons and muscles in your forearm that straighten and raise your hand and wrist. Examples of these activities are tennis and other racket sports, carpentry, machine work, computer work, and knitting. Tennis elbow may also be caused by a sudden injury that twists or tears your tendon. Listen in as Robert S. Boretz, MD discusses tennis elbow, what you can do to prevent it and how Summit Medical Group's orthopedics and sports medicine can help get you back to playing your favorite sports.Learn more about Summit Medical Group's orthopedics and sports medicine

Do you wear flip flops or open back shoes? Both put a lot of pressure on your feet and ankles and cause foot strain along the arch. Do you like to take barefoot walks on beaches? That can strain the joints of the feet. Ankle sprains and foot strains are common, but many can be easily prevented. Find out how to care for your feet! Tune into SMG Radio and hear podiatrist Dr. Marco Ucciferri's tips on foot and ankle health.Learn more about Summit Medical Group's orthopedics and sports medicine

There are many misconceptions about diabetes and diet. Many people think that people with diabetes have to follow a "diabetic diet." In fact, they just have to eat the same healthy diet that is good for everyone: lean meats, fish and chicken, whole grains, fruits and vegetables and a small amount of fat, and refined sugar. Switching to a healthier diet can do a lot to improve your health, but it does require discipline if you suffer from Diabetes it may be even more difficult to maintain that healthy lifestyle and make good choices. People with diabetes can eat the same foods the family enjoys. Everyone benefits from healthy eating so the whole family can take part in healthy eating.Jeffrey Bauman, MD, is here to discuss the importance of your diet to help control your diabetes.

Recurrent brain cancer, called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) can be a life threatening condition, however, immunotherapy – which is showing tremendous promise for many cancers – is now being tested against this cancer. The trial is testing a vaccine created with the patient's own tumor tissue.Immunotherapies are treatments that restore or enhance the immune system's natural ability to fight cancer. In just the past few years, cancer immunology has produced several new methods of treating cancer that increase the strength of immune responses against tumors. Maine Medical Center is participating in this phase II randomized trial through its participation in the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.Listen in as Christine Lu-Emerson, M.D discusses how the clinical trial at MMC gives hope to patients diagnosed with a brain tumor.