Summit Medical Group

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Although hearing aids cannot restore hearing to perfection, they improve a person's ability to understand speech and distinguish between a variety of sounds. In addition, many people suggest their self esteem improves after they receive a hearing aid.Bluetooth® technology allows wireless communication between hearing aids and other devices, including cellular phones, computers, televisions, frequency modulation (FM) systems, and digital audio (MP3) players.Listen in as Gary Thorne, AuD, an audiologist with Summit Medical Group, discusses how hearing aids have joined the digital revolution.

A rotator cuff tear is a common cause of pain and disability among adults with close to 2 million people in the United States reporting going to their doctors because of a rotator cuff problem. What exactly is the rotator cuff? This group of tendons and muscles are located in the shoulder and attach the upper arm to the shoulder blade.With the many movements of the rotator cuff it can make them very susceptible to injuries. Listen to SMG Radio to hear Dr. Mark Kavanagh explain the function of the rotator cuff and how to prevent injuries. Learn more about Summit Medical's new Orthopedic Location

In many health care facilities, a nurse practitioner or physician assistant may be on hand to help provide care. These professionals can diagnose and treat conditions and prescribe medications usually under the supervision of a physician.Raekeisha L. Dean, PA-C is here to explain the roles of PAs and NPs.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly injured ligaments of the knee. Athletes who participate in high demand sports like soccer, football, and basketball can be more likely to injure their anterior cruciate ligaments.Listen to SMG’s interview with orthopedic expert Dr. David Abrutyn, as he explains the ABC’s of the ACL. Learn more about Summit Medical's new Orthopedic Location

You might think a mango smoothie for lunch is a healthy choice. But did you know that calorie counting is just part of eating a balanced diet that promotes a healthy weight?  It’s also important to consider a glycemic index of food when you plan your meals and snacks.  A glycemic index is a measure of how foods, carbs in particular, affect your blood sugar level. For example, most fruits have a higher glycemic index than most vegetables.  Glycemic index is especially important for people with diabetes, but everyone can benefit from understanding the way their body processes carbohydrates and how to keep their glycemic index at an optimum level.  Tune in to SMG radio to hear Dr. Cynthia Paige explain why a low glycemic index diet should be on your health radar.

Does your child seem to have a problem hearing in the classroom? Children may pass a standard hearing test but still have trouble hearing in the classroom because they have central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). CAPD exists in children who have otherwise normal hearing tests (i.e., hear the beep at a specific pitch and raise their hand), but continue to have difficulties in the classroom due to their inability to perform in background noise or in situations with multiple speakers. These are not children with general hearing loss, but they do require professional evaluation and treatment.Tiffany N. Colon, AuD, audiologist at Summit Medical, is here to discuss the latest developments in Central Auditory Processing.

Life can sometimes be overwhelming. A medical diagnosis, family conflict, work stress, or feelings of anxiety or depression can cause you to struggle with daily activities. When this happens, the behavioral health specialists at Summit Medical Group Behavioral Health and Cognitive Therapy Center can provide the support you need for effective behavioral health management.Depression is not a sign of emotional weakness or failing of masculinity. It is a treatable health condition that affects millions of men of all ages and backgrounds, as well as those who care about them—spouses, partners, friends, and family. Unfortunately, depression in men can often be overlooked as many of them find it difficult to talk about feelings.Michael Likier, PhD, is here to to explain how men can benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy just as much as women and how important it is to help get their depression and anxiety under control.

By age 50, people are at average risk and should be screened for colorectal cancer. Every year, more than 130,000 people learn they have colorectal cancer, and many of them are men, yet men seem more hesitant to get the screening than women.Some people who get colorectal cancer have no known risk for it. Screening allows doctors to identify and remove abnormalities that can lead to cancer. It also allows us to identify cancer in its early stages when it has the best possibility of responding to treatment.Raymond P. Kenny, MD, gastroenterologist at Summit Medical Group, is here to discuss the importance of getting a colon and rectal cancer screening for men, and how their loved ones can encourage them to get this very important screening.

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart muscle weakens and cannot pump blood effectively. It results from high blood pressure, heart attack, valve disease, or other health problems.The Heart Failure Clinic team focuses on diagnosing the condition.A team of medical experts, including your physician, cardiologist, physician assistants, and registered nurses will partner to help strengthen your heart and improve your tolerance for activity.Seth Jawetz, MD, is here to talk about The Heart Failure Clinic at Summit Medical Group.

Anxiety is an emotion that is felt in the body. It is a physical response. Often, when children feel anxious, they do not actually recognize or describe their body symptoms as anxiety or nervousness. Instead, they may say that they feel sick, or have a sore tummy. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns for children and adults, affecting upwards of 20% of children and adolescents over the lifespan.Melissa Breslin, MA, is here to explain how parents play an essential role in helping their child or teen manage anxiety.

Having diabetes means that there is too much sugar (glucose) in your blood. Your blood always has some sugar in it because your body needs it for energy. But too much glucose in the blood is not good for your health.Studies show that getting enough sleep is important for improving and maintaining good health. Researchers believe that certain processes necessary for repairing the body occur at best or only during sleep.Getting too little sleep means missing important cycles that help restore memory and ensure the ability to concentrate, accurately perform motor skills, and stabilize emotions.Diabetes and sleep problems often go hand in hand. Diabetes can cause sleep loss, and there's evidence that not sleeping well can increase your risk of developing diabetes.Jeffrey Bauman, MD, is here to discuss the importance of getting a good nights sleep as a way to keep your Diabetes under control or help prevent it altogether.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. An HPV test recently approved by U.S. health officials is an effective way to check for cervical cancer. Recent studies suggest that this HPV test is an effective, one-test alternative to the current recommendation of screening with either a Pap test alone or a combination of the HPV test and a Pap test. Tune in to SMG radio to hear women’s health expert Dr. Kara Goldman discuss HPV and cervical cancer screenings.

Cancer patients and their families often think they have to travel to large academic medical centers to get the expert care they need and access to the latest clinical trials.  That is not necessarily so. Summit Medical Group’s specialists are on the cutting edge of cancer care from diagnosis and treatment to the at-home care patients often require as their disease progresses.  Tune into SMG radio to hear Dr. Biren Saraiya talk about best practices in oncology care, palliative medicine and clinical trials for cancer patients.

Knee problems can occur at any stage of life, from children and adolescents to baby-boomers and the elderly. Because knees bear all our body weight, they are vulnerable to the wear and tear of daily living.    But it’s possible to keep your knees healthy throughout a lifetime with some basic steps like managing your weight.  Tune into SMG radio to learn the ABC’s of knee health in an exclusive interview with renowned knee surgeon Dr. Richard Rosa of Summit Medical Group.

If you suffer from chronic heartburn, you may actually have more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, a very common disorder. In GERD, there is chronic regurgitation of the stomach’s digestive “juices” into the esophagus.  This is unpleasant and also can cause substantial harm to the tissues of the esophagus, especially when the backflow is acidic.  If GERD is left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to a condition called Barrett's esophagus that may cause a rare cancer called esophageal adencarcinoma. Find out more Barrett's esophagus from Summit Medical Group’s Dr. Raymond Kelly, a noted gastroenterologist, by tuning into SMG radio.

Flat feet are a common condition—but they can lead to serious problems of the ankle and foot by changing the alignment of your legs. Both children and adults can suffer from flat feet.  The good news is that flat feet can be treated before trouble begins, if they are diagnosed in time.  Tune into SMG Radio to hear Summit Medical Group foot and ankle expert Dr. Tony DiStefano discuss how to recognize flat feet and the first steps to take to correct them.

Colorectal cancer screening is important for everyone, especially if you are age 50 years or older.  But it is especially important if you have risks for colorectal cancer.Some of those risks are being age 50 years or older, personal history of colorectal polyps, personal history of colorectal cancer,personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.Dr. Roger Klein is here to discuss Colorectal cancer prevention tips.

Cancer patients and their families often think they have to travel to large academic medical centers to get the expert care they need and access to the latest clinical trials.  That is not necessarily so. Summit Medical Group’s specialists are on the cutting edge of cancer care from diagnosis and treatment to the at-home care patients often require as their disease progresses. Tune into SMG radio to hear Dr. Biren Saraiya talk about best practices in oncology care, palliative medicine and clinical trials for cancer patients.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. New treatments for skin cancer have been evolving rapidly in recent years. Today, a surgical technique called “Mohs surgery” has come to be accepted as the single most effective technique for removing Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma, the two most common skin cancers. Moh’s surgery saves healthy skin, while removing cancerous cells effectively.  Tune into SMG Radio to hear SMG’s Dr. Hari Nadiminti discuss Mohs surgery and skin cancer.

When most people think of imaging, they think of an X-ray, CT scan or MRI.  In fact, imaging has evolved beyond those three modalities into one of the most sophisticated fields of medical technology.  Imaging is essential to many surgical procedures and is actually done simultaneously with the procedure. In addition, medical imaging now includes technology that can produce 3-D images.    Tune in to SMG Radio to hear Summit Medical Group imaging expert Kathryn Vendemia describe the full range of imaging services at SMG.

Are you one of the 30 million Americans at risk for vascular disease? Vascular disease prevents blood from flowing properly through the circulatory system. Often, vascular disease has no obvious signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is known as a silent disease. In many cases, screenings are the only way to detect it.   Summit Medical Group offers 3 types of vascular screening to help detect silent vascular disease. Early detection can help identify and treat potentially debilitating vascular conditions and protect your health.With a 10-minute screening, you can help prevent strokes, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms, and peripheral arterial disease. Screenings are painless procedures that use ultrasound technology.Tune in to SMG radio to hear Dr. Richard Nitzberg, a vascular surgeon and diagnostic expert explain why vascular screenings are a key to good health in middle age and beyond.

Have any of your close relatives had cancer? Researchers know that cancer can “run in families” and can have a genetic component. Increasingly people who feel they have a high cancer risk, especially for breast and ovarian cancer, are getting genetic testing, but this can be stressful and bring up difficult decisions and emotional issues.  To learn more about genetic screenings for cancer, tune into SMG radio for an interview with SMG;s genetic counseling expert, Niecee Singer Schonberger.

Are you at risk for a heart attack? Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans—but you don’t have to be a victim of cardiovascular disease.  If detected early, heart disease is treatable-and it is also preventable.  Tune into SMG radio to hear Summit Medical Group’s Chief of Cardiology, Dr. Andrew Beamer, talk about SMG’s new Early Heart Disease Prevention Program and the importance of a cardiac stress test, among other testing.

Cancer patients and their families often think they have to travel to large academic medical centers to get the expert care they need and access to the latest clinical trials.  That is not necessarily so. Summit Medical Group’s specialists are on the cutting edge of cancer care from diagnosis and treatment to the at-home care patients often require as their disease progresses.  Tune into SMG radio to hear Dr. Biren Saraiya talk about best practices in oncology care, palliative medicine and clinical trials for cancer patients.

The Zika virus has been front-page news. Originating in tropical countries the virus is spreading rapidly and it has been known to cause birth defects. The Centers for Disease Control have issued a travel advisory for pregnant women traveling to South America, the Caribbean and Polynesia. New Jersey reported its first case of Zika on January 20th, last week, in a woman who was traveling in Columbia. What exactly is Zika and what can you do to prevent getting it?  Tune in to SMG Radio to hear infectious disease expert Dr. Redentor S. Mendiola, Jr, explain the how's and why's of the Zika virus and what you can do to protect yourself from it. 

Puberty can be a rocky time in any child’s life, so it’s important to prepare children for the transitions of puberty before the changes start.These discussions can be difficult to have.  Parents want to know how to begin the conversation, and how much information is enough—but not too much.  Relax, there’s help on the way. To learn more about preparing your child for puberty, listen to SMG Radio’s interview with pediatric and adolescent medicine specialist Dr. Dahlia Hall.

Are you properly vaccinated? Having the right vaccines is as important for adults as it is for children. This is especially true for people who are over age 65 and for pregnant women.  But who should get which vaccines?  To learn more about vaccinations for adults, tune into SMG radio for an interview with Dr. Sweetie Mehra, who will discuss the important of getting immunized for shingles and pneumonia and also getting the single vaccine that protects against three illnesses in one shot: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

It can be tricky to start a conversation with your parents or spouse about writing an Advance Directive for health care—but it’s important to plan ahead for end-of-life decisions. Studies show that having advance directives reduces stress for family members who may have to make grueling end-of-life decisions.  But how can you get that conversation started? Tune into SMG radio to hear Summit Medical Group’s patient relations manager, Mary Petti, RN, discuss the importance of planning ahead about end-of-life decisions, provide useful information about how to prepare an Advance Directive, and explain how to get sample forms.

If you suffer from chronic heartburn, you may actually have more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, a very common disorder. GERD causes a backflow of the stomach’s digestive “juices” into the esophagus.  This is unpleasant and also can cause substantial harm to the tissues of the esophagus, especially when the backflow contains harsh stomach acids.  Find out how to recognize the difference between simple heartburn and GERD—and what the latest GERD treatments are when you tune into SMG radio for an exclusive interview with from Summit Medical Group’s Dr. Raymond Kelly, a gastroenterologist and expert in GERD diagnosis and treatment.

Does your child have trouble falling or staying asleep?  About 25 to 30 percent of infants and children have sleep problems, due to medical issues, emotional issues or poor bedtime routines.  Sleep problems disrupt the rest of both children and their parents, and can leave everyone in a household exhausted.  If your child has issues with sleep, or they use too many electronics before bed and can't fall asleep, listen in to SMG radio’s interview with pediatrician Dr. Dahlia Hall.