MMC Radio

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

At Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute in Portland, Maine, prostate cancer represents one of our largest volumes of cancer patients. High-tech prostate imaging gives men with suspicious prostate lesions more targeted and accurate biopsies. MMC is first hospital in Maine to offer this important tool.Listen in as Matthew Hayn, M.D., discusses all the latest advancements in diagnosing and monitoring Prostate cancer.

Peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.) is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood. P.A.D. usually affects the arteries in the legs, but it also can affect the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your head, arms, kidneys, and stomach.Listen in as Elizabeth A Blazick, MD, a vascular surgeon at Maine Medical Center, discusses P.A.D and although P.A.D. is serious, it's treatable.

Each year, 40,000 babies in the United States are born with Congenital Heart Disease, and one or more surgeries are typically required during the first year of life to correct their heart defects.Dr. Alexa Craig was recently awarded a KL2 Career Development Awards through Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute. The grant will allow Dr. Craig to continue her work on slowing down the rate of rewarming in babies with congenital heart disease following surgery. The idea is that slower rewarming will prevent fever and help improve developmental outcomes.Listen in today to Dr. Alexa Craig, she is a neonatal and pediatric neurologist with Maine Medical Center.

The latest advanced technology in breast cancer screening and diagnosis, called DBT (digital breast tomography), 3D or Tomosynthesis, creates a layered, 3-dimensional image. While the patient experience is very similar to traditional digital mammography, the new technology provides a series of thin images that a radiologist can view almost like turning the pages in a book. The results include better detection of invasive breast cancers and fewer call-backs for false positives. Elizabeth S. Pietras, MD, is here to explain the latest advanced technology in breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

The year 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the patent for Viagra, a pill which changed the world’s perspective of erectile dysfunction almost overnight and started a multi-billion-dollar subindustry.  Since that time, as our population ages, doctors have been encountering greater numbers of men with increasingly complicated medical problems who wish to maintain aspects of their sexuality.  And as many of these men are finding out, the more complicated one’s medical history, the less effective that oral medications like Viagra can be.  Hear from Dr. Graham VerLee, a urologist specializing in Men’s Health at Maine Medical Partners Urology, as he discusses the causes of ED, the reasons why prescription medications don’t always work in every patient, and the many options available for men beyond Viagra.

Keeping kids safe at home is a top priority.As a parent, it is important that you know what dangers to look out for that could be harmful to your children.  From TV tipovers, and window falls, you can prevent some of the scariest dangers to our children.Ian Neilson, MD a Pediatric Surgeon with Maine Medical Partners is here to discuss home safety for your children.

The Vector-borne Disease Laboratory at Maine Medical Center Research Institute is dedicated to the control of emerging tick-and mosquito-borne diseases. We seek to understand the environmental interactions of vectors, hosts, habitats, and climate; monitor the geography of risk; and increase public awareness of the threat of tick-and mosquito-borne diseases.Chuck Lubelczyk, Vector Ecologist, is here to help understand the environmental interactions of vectors, hosts, habitats, and climate; monitor the geography of risk; and increase public awareness of the threat of tick-and mosquito-borne diseases.

101,000 people in the US are waiting for kidney transplants. Due to the kidney organ shortage 5000 of them won’t make it to the end of this year. Living kidney donors provide recipients better chances for survival as the kidney’s usually last twice as long as deceased donors. Dr. Juan Palma, Transplant Surgeon at Maine Transplant Program at Maine Medical Center will discuss the facts around being a living kidney donor.

The Vector-borne Disease Laboratory at Maine Medical Center Research Institute is dedicated to the control of emerging tick-and mosquito-borne diseases. Chuck Lubelczyk, Vector Ecologist, is here to help understand the environmental interactions of vectors, hosts, habitats, and climate; monitor the geography of risk; and increase public awareness of the threat of tick-and mosquito-borne diseases.

Heart disease, not cancer, is the number one cause of death for women in America. Nearly every minute of every day each year, a woman dies of heart disease.What are the risk factors?How can we lower our risk?Dr. Lynette Weeman is here to explain the symptoms every woman should know, and what we can do about them?

Summer is a time for being carefree and outdoors as much as possible. Unfortunately, summer activities can lead to injury or worse if you aren’t careful when doing those activities. Learn how to keep your family safe when enjoying all that summer has to offer.Suzanne Grace, CPSTI, is here to discuss the best ways to keep your family safe during the summer months.

Winters can be tough. Months of frigid temperatures and heavy snow fall can make daily life difficult. You can, however, safely maneuver through winter weather by taking proper precautions, whether you are walking, driving or shoveling.Suzanne Grace, CPSTI, is here to discuss the dangers of frigid winter weather.

People who arrive at a hospital in cardiac arrest (heart has stopped) have poor chances of full recovery. The PEARL Study is looking at improving those outcomes. Currently some of these patients undergo heart catheterization, while others do not, depending on the physician’s judgment. But what if everyone had a heart cath? Would it improve outcomes?A note about the study: Most medical research studies require an individual’s informed consent in writing before they can be enrolled, but patients arriving in cardiac arrest cannot speak for themselves. They may not have a family member there who can speak for them. Therefore, this study requires public outreach to make the community aware of it and provide a way for people to opt out.Dr. David Seder is here to explain the study and what it means for your health.We invite listeners to visit mmc.org/PEARL to read about the study and take a brief survey.

Many people come to the hospital and don’t have a clear understanding of the roles of their care team. Hospitalists play a key role in that care team during a patients stay. Dr. Dan Meyer, Hospital Medicine at Maine Medical Center will explain what a hospitalist is and how they differ from other people involved in the care of patient while in the hospital.

The Department of Vocational Services is a leader in the field of employment for people with disabilities. There are only a few hospitals in the US that have this as a service and MMC is the only one in the State. It is a unique service and one that allows patients to meet with an Employment Specialist while they are in the hospital to discuss any concerns they may have about returning to their current job or if they are unemployed how the service can assist them in obtaining employment.Listen in as Christine A. McKenzie, M.Ed discusses how in addition to the work with inpatients, the department also works with individuals in the community and has a statewide presence in the areas of behavioral health, providing vocational assessments for TANF participants providing benefits counseling for individuals on SSI and/or SSDI.

We all know reading to our kids is a good thing—but do you know the specific advantages your toddler or preschool-age child can receive by being exposed to reading? Some of the benefits that highlight the importance of reading to your child are a stronger relationship with you, academic excellence and better communication skills.Dr. Genevieve London is here to discuss the importance of starting to read to your child at a young age.

Lead poisoning happens when lead builds up in the body, often over a period of months or years.Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust in older buildings are the most common sources of lead poisoning in children.At very high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal.Some of the signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children may include: developmental delay, learning difficulties, and irritability.Listen in as Abby Markham, MD discusses lead poisoning, what to look for and possible treatments.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is a virus that can be spread through skin-to-skin genital contact. There are many different types of HPV. Some types cause genital warts and are called low-risk. And some types can lead to cervical, anal, or oral cancer and are called high-risk. There is no known cure for HPV, but there is a vaccine that can protect against some types of the virus. Stephanie Joy, MD, is here to explaine HPV and the importance of the vaccine Gardasil for your teens.

We recognize that many parents in Maine view tooth decay as an inevitable childhood disease and yet it is nearly completely preventable. The three things that parents can do to help prevent dental problems are:1. Improve the oral health of their own mouths by getting regular dental care and brushing daily to reduce the amount of bacteria in their own mouths. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria passed through saliva.2. Fluoride - Fluoride makes teeth stronger, prevents tooth decay (cavities) and also reverses early tooth decay. Specifically:a. Parents should brush their children's teeth with fluoride tooth paste twice a day.b. Parents should ask their child's medical provider for fluoride varnish applications. Fluoride varnish applications are safe, simple and effective. They can prevent up to half of all cavities.3. Start taking their child to the dentist by the child's first birthday - or as soon thereafter as possible.Other things that can help prevent tooth decay are selecting low-sugar foods and limiting drinks for toddlers to milk and water.Dr. Jennifer Dubail is here to talk about early childhood dental care.

All kids experience sleep problems every now and then, but for those that are affected repeatedly, it can create issues during the awake hours. Their school work can suffer, as well as their extracurricular activities. Dr. Thomas Mellow, Division Director Pediatric Pulmonology at Maine Medical Partners, addresses common sleep issues among kids and what families can do to change these behaviors.

Menopause and Perimenopause can affect women at different times and the symptoms and signs can be different for everyone. Dr. Daniel Spratt, with Maine Medical Partners Women’s Health is here to discuss menopause and perimenopause. He delves into the treatments for hot flashes and many of the symptoms women experience as they go through this very important change.  

Dealing with a serious or advanced illness is not easy for anyone involved. Palliative care programs can provide the much needed care and support for patients and their families but many are unfamiliar with this type of medicine. Dr. Isabella Stumpf, Medical Director of Palliative Care at MaineHealth will explain what palliative care is, what services are available, as well as the benefits for patients and families.

According to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG), hysterectomy is the second most common surgical procedure in the US. The trend is moving towards minimally invasive surgery which can result in the same outcome for patients with the least amount of invasion or smallest incision possible. Dr. Julia Brock, a gynecologist at Maine Medical Center, will discuss this trend and benefits to patients including faster recovery times, less pain, and shorter in hospital stay.

7 out of 10 Americans say they would prefer to die at home, yet nearly 70 percent of Americans die in a hospital, nursing home or long-term-care facility. The care someone receives at the end of their life can be greatly impacted by planning ahead and having those difficult discussions with family members before it’s too late. Dr. Michael Roy, Chief of Medicine at Maine Medical Center, is here with valuable information on how families can be better prepared and how that planning can help patients and families.

Many people have limited or no experience with setting realistic goals for themselves. In the pursuit of healthy lifestyle changes, many people set themselves up for failure by not having a clear, realistic pathway to success. This can lead to frustration and self-doubt. Ellie Foster is here to help you learn how setting small, achievable goals can boost confidence and lead to lasting lifestyle change.

The doctor patient relationship is an important one. Finding a doctor who shares your beliefs, listens to your needs and can partner in your care is the foundation of a great doctor/patient relationship. There are other factors that go into finding the right doctor that need to be considered too. Like does he accept your insurance? Is his staff friendly and helpful? Are his office hours convenient for your schedule? Jean Gould, a program manager with the MaineHealth Learning Resource Center, offers you the best tips to consider for finding the best doctor for you.

Preparing for a doctor’s visit will help both you and your provider make the most out of your appointment. In this age of online information and health tools, it can be quite confusing whether what you read is the truth or fiction. With medical records becoming digital and health information available at the touch of a button, you might wonder if this is more complicated or easier to access. Janell L. Lewis is here to offer simple strategies to make sure that your 15 minutes with the healthcare provider leads to the best health outcomes.

Sleep is very important to your child's health and well-being. In fact, good sleep habits start from birth. However, getting young children to sleep (and to stay asleep) is often one of the most daunting tasks of parenthood. Regardless of your child's age, the key is to have a predictable series of steps that help him wind down from the day. Parents may find that routines may ease the stress that some families experience at nighttime.Jessica Begley, Certified Child Sleep Consultant & Health Educator at MaineHealth Learning Resource Center, joins the show to discuss the easy changes you can make to help prepare your child physically and mentally for sleep.  Not only will bedtime become calmer but the whole family will be better rested.

Many parents don’t realize the importance of recognizing early onset of puberty and the issues it can cause that persist into adulthood if not diagnosed when still young. There is a misconception that puberty is occurring years earlier than just a decade ago and this is not true. Dr. Jerrold Olshan, Pediatric Endocrinologist and Diabetes specialist with Maine Medical Partners Pediatric Specialty Care is here to discuss the ramifications of early puberty, how it can be treated and what may or may not be contributing to changes when puberty occurs.

It’s estimated that more than 5 million men in the United States suffer from bladder problems and incontinence. Often, men are uninformed about this topic, and the challenges it can present. While prostate removal for cancer treatment is one of the most common causes, other conditions can come into play as well, such as neurological disorders, diabetes, or spinal injury. Hear from Dr. R. Clay McDonough III, a Urologist, and co-director of the Maine Medical Partners Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery Program, as he talks about this issue, its causes, and ways that treatment can improve a patient’s quality of life.

Adolescence can be a difficult time for kids and parents. Today’s adolescents have more issues to deal with than ever before which can make parenting difficult. Many parents have a hard time addressing certain health issues with their teenagers but primary care providers can be of great assistance with health related topics including vaping (e-cigarettes), Marijuana, HPV, sex and screen time.Dr. Jonathan Fanburg is here to discuss the best ways to approach your child when it comes time to address these important issues.

Maintaining good nutritional status during cancer treatment is essential to a positive outcome. Cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can cause side effects that may impact a patient's ability to eat.The right nutrition plan helps patients better cope with side effects by minimizing treatment breaks and enhancing their quality of life.Since each patient is different, the Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute has dedicated a registered dietitian to work with each patient to meet their individual needs.Karen Schilling, M.S., R.D., is here to discuss the right nutrition plan for pre and post cancer treatments.

Dementia is a syndrome that affects 47.5 million people worldwide, and a new case is diagnosed every 4 seconds. Caring for loved ones with dementia can be overwhelming physically, emotionally and financially. With education and advocacy, the quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers can be greatly improved.Richard T. Marino Jr., MD is here to discuss Dementia and how you can help those around you stay safe.

Shared Decision Making is an integrative process between patients and clinicians that can engage the patient in decision making for their best outcomes. It provides the patient with current and unbiased information about alternative treatments; and helps them make decisions about their own healthcare in a more informed way.Another important factor is that it can facilitate the incorporation of your values and preferences in your own treatment.Decision making in health care is changing, and patients will be asked to be more involved in their own healthcare decisions and advocate for their own best outcomes. Neil Korsen, MD is here to discuss how you can be your own best advocate for your health, and how your decision making process, in conjunction with your health care provider, can give you the best chance at a healthy lifestyle and best outcomes.

Colorectal cancer is the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is the fourth most common cancer in Maine; however it is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented. Through proper colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove hidden growths (called “polyps”) in the colon, before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer altogether. It's much easier than you think!Screening for Colorectal cancer is simple and not nearly as difficult as most people think!Know your family history. It may mean you start screening before age 50, or screen more frequently.Sara W. Mayo, MD is here to discuss Colorectal cancer, and how you can get a simple test to help prevent this cancer.

For patients who have a non-healing wound, or suffer from conditions that slow typical healing time – diabetes, arterial insufficiency, etc. – wound care is an effective method of treatment. Utilizing new technologies, specialists like William Herbert, MD can assist these types of patients, and get them back on their feet. Hear from Dr. Herbert as he talks about wound care, and the new MMC Wound Healing & Hyperbarics program.

Researching surgical procedures can be a serious, and sometimes complicated process.If you’ve found yourself wondering which surgeon you should look to, and how you can find out which hospital or medical practice has the best patient outcomes, listen to Dr. Brian McGrory of Maine Medical Partners – Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, as he talks about the most effective research methods.

Maine has the 5th highest exemption rate in the US for childhood vaccination according to the CDC. The debate on the effectiveness and safety around vaccinations continues to be a hot topic, especially with recent outbreaks of measles. Board certified Maine Medical Partners Pediatrician, Jonathan Fanburg, M.D. will discuss the importance of vaccinations and their safeness for children.

According to the American Psychological Association, to date, the prevalence of children who either present as gender diverse or identify as transgender is unknown. There is some existing data from clinical samples of children referred for gender dysphoria. These studies estimate that 5 to 12% of girls and 2 to 6% of boys exhibit cross-gender behavior. There is a lot of education to be done for families and the public about transgender and how to support and help children experiencing gender dysphoria. Maine Medical Partners Pediatric Specialty Care has Northern New England’s only Pediatric Transgender Clinic run by Dr. Jerold Olshan with involvement of a team of specialists who work with children and their families.

Most people don’t understand the connection between allergies, airway irritants and asthma. Dr. Annie Coates will discuss raising awareness of common causes of allergies and airway irritants here in the Northeast, the time of year that they tend to be most troublesome; how to recognize symptoms and diagnose them (both by history and various types of testing), how best to manage the symptoms both by avoidance and medical therapy if needed. Lastly, by partnering with your physician and medical team, we can help control them.

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that affects 7 million children. Maine has the highest asthma rates in the country. Although there is no cure for asthma, it can be controlled.  With today's knowledge and treatments, most people who have asthma are able to manage the disease. Dr. Annie Coates, one of Maine’s four pediatric pulmonologists is here to discuss how taking an active role in managing the disease with ongoing treatment and building strong partnerships with your doctor and other health care enables children with asthma to live healthy lives.

Looking for relief from leg pain or other health issues caused by varicose veins?Today’s laser therapy is scientifically proven to give the best results. Better than radio frequency treatment. Better than surgery. And many insurance plans cover treatment.Listen in as Mary Fahrenbach, MD discusses how laser surgery gives superior results, quick recovery and many other advantages for the treatment of varicose veins.

There are 3 major types of gynecologic cancers, cervical, endometrial and ovarian.A major gynecological cancer is ovarian cancer, which accounts for three percent of cancers among women but causes more deaths than any other cancer of the reproductive system.Emmanuel Soultanakis, MD discusses why gynecological exams are important for catching the three major gynecological cancers.

With warmer weather and longer days on the way, runners will soon hit the streets in large numbers. And if you’re getting ready for a road race, it’s easy to over-train early on. Stress fractures are one of the leading causes of a premature end to a great running season. Hear from sports med physician Krystian Bigosinski, M.D., as he talks about ways to identify symptoms of a stress fracture, and how to lower your risk.

Mental illness can sometimes go unidentified in its early stages leading to more serious diagnosis that may affect a person’s ability to live a normal life. Early intervention and mental health programs can help treat mental illness and enable sufferers to continue their lives. Dr. William McFarlane created the Portland Identification and Early Referral Program, a model being used in many states to effectively identify and treat patients early.

Severe obesity is a serious, and sometimes life-long health problem for many folks today.  If you’ve found yourself struggling with weight, and repeated attempts at dieting have not proved successful, then bariatric surgery may be an effective treatment. Hear from Catherine LaPointe, ANP of the MMC Weight & Wellness Program, as she talks about the potential benefits of this procedure.