Medically Speaking Podcast

Arthritis of the Shoulder

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, July 6, 2009 10:00:00 EST

Arthritis of the shoulder is not as common as arthritis in the hands, hips and other joints, but it can cause significant pain and disability. Dr. Jason Stein, an orthopaedic surgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center, says the cartilage in the joint wears away as people age and the pain is caused by bone rubbing on bone. Dr. Stein says that physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, cortisone injections and arthroscopic surgical procedures to smooth the joint surface can sometimes be beneficial. For people with more severe arthritis, shoulder replacement surgery might be the best treatment option.

Tinnitus

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, June 22, 2009 17:00:00 EST

If you hear ringing in your ears, or buzzing, chirping, humming or hissing, you might be one of the millions of people who have a condition known as tinnitus. Dr. LaGuinn Sherlock, an audiologist and director of clinical audiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, says the condition can be caused by loud noises, certain medications, uncontrolled high blood pressure or an infection. It is not actually a disease, but rather a symptom, she tells interviewer Karen Warmkessel. In this podcast, Dr. Sherlock discusses the latest treatment options, including sound therapy to re-train the brain to ignore the unwelcome noise.

Pancreatic Cancer

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, June 8, 2009 12:00:00 EST

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose and treat and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Only a small percentage of people diagnosed with this cancer are alive five years later. In this podcast, Dr. H. Richard Alexander, a surgical oncologist at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, discusses the current treatment options. Dr. Alexander explains that an operation called the Whipple procedure is the best treatment option if the cancer hasn't spread to other organs. Patients may also receive chemotherapy and radiation after surgery.

Mitochondrial Disease

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:00:00 EST

Mitochondrial disease can affect cells in almost any part of the body, including the heart, liver, or bone marrow. In this podcast, Dr. Carol Greene discusses symptoms of mitochondrial disease, which can range from fatigue and muscle pain to liver failure, deafness or blindness, occurring at any age. She also explains how the diagnosis can be made and how treatments are tailored to a patient's specific symptoms

Rotator Cuff Tears

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, April 20, 2009 11:00:00 EST

Rotator cuff tears are a common shoulder injury that can cause pain, limited range of motion and weakness. In this podcast, Dr. Jason Stein explains that the rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons covering the top of the upper arm bone. Dr. Stein explains that physical therapy and medications can help with pain. He says these tears often can be repaired with minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery.

Hearing Aids

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, April 20, 2009 11:00:00 EST

As we get older, many of us experience some form of hearing loss and might need to wear a hearing aid. Dr. LaGuinn Sherlock, an audiologist and director of clinical audiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses the different styles of hearing aids and how people can benefit from wearing one. Dr. Sherlock explains that people need to be taught how to use a hearing aid and education is key to overcoming any difficulties.

Adult Genetics

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, April 6, 2009 11:00:00 EST

Advances in genetic research are providing new insights into how our genes may affect our health at all ages. In this podcast, Dr. Carol Greene, a board-certified clinical geneticist and co-director of the Adult Genetics Clinic at the University of Maryland Medical Center, talks about the emerging field of adult genetics. Topics include the types of patients cared for at an adult genetics clinic, treatment for adult genetic disorders, genetic testing and family counseling.

Prostate Cancer Detection

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, March 23, 2009 10:30:00 EST

When prostate cancer is diagnosed early, the chance of survival five years later is almost 100 percent. In this podcast, urologist Dr. Michael Naslund explains how prostate cancer is diagnosed, who should be screened, how often, and at what age screening should begin. Dr. Naslund is head of the Division of Urology at the University of Maryland Medical Center and professor of Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. In this interview with Ellen Beth Levitt, Dr. Naslund explains the role of prostate specific antigen, known as PSA, and what different PSA levels mean.

Smoking and Stroke in Younger Women

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Tuesday, March 10, 2009 11:15:00 EST

In the United States, more than 200,000 people under the age of 45 have suffered a stroke. While rare, these strokes can have a devastating effect on someone's life, leaving them with difficulties with speech, vision, balance and thinking. But University of Maryland researchers have found that smoking can greatly influence the risk of stroke in younger women. In this podcast, Dr. John Cole discusses his research that found a dose-relationship between smoking and stroke in younger women. This means the more these women smoked, the greater their risk of ischemic stroke, which is a stroke caused by a blood clot in the brain. Dr. Cole explains how smoking affects the body, particularly the blood stream and increases the risk for stroke.

Scoliosis

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, February 23, 2009 11:00:00 EST

Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, is a common medical condition, affecting about 6 million people in the United States. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Dr. Daniel Gelb, co-director of the University of Maryland Spine Program, explains how scoliosis is diagnosed and treated. Dr. Gelb says that young people are commonly affected, but adults also can have this condition. Often, the cause is unknown. Treatment options include wearing a back brace to prevent the curvature from worsening or surgery to straighten the spine.

Metastatic Liver Cancer

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, February 9, 2009 12:00:00 EST

A cancer that spreads, or metastasizes, to the liver from another part of the body is the most common form of liver cancer, and many cancers ultimately invade this vital organ. According to Dr. H. Richard Alexander, a surgical oncologist at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, the liver is a common place for cancers to spread, especially for colon cancer and other GI cancers, because it serves as a filter. In this podcast, Dr. Alexander, explains that treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radioactive microspheres called SIR-Spheres, chemoembolization and a new technique under investigation to deliver high-dose chemotherapy only to the liver.

Prostate Enlargement

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, January 26, 2009 12:00:00 EST

Prostate enlargement is very common among men as they get older. The condition, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, causes a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. However, there are many effective treatment options, including medications and minimally invasive procedures. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Dr. Michael Naslund describes prostate enlargement symptoms and the different treatments and explains why men with symptoms of BPH should see their doctor.

Vaccine Safety

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, December 15, 2008 11:30:00 EST

In recent years, some people have raised concerns about the safety of childhood vaccines in relation to the risk of autism. In this podcast, Dr. Virginia Keane addresses those concerns. She says there are no studies showing a definitive link between vaccines and autism. Instead, she says, it is coincidental that autism symptoms begin at around the same age at which children are due for key vaccinations. Dr. Keane describes the importance of getting kids vaccinated against serious diseases that were once prevalent in the U.S., including measles, pertussis and polio.

Childhood Obesity

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, December 1, 2008 11:30:00 EST

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in America. In this interview, Dr. Virginia Keane explains that increasingly sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy food choices are leading to rising numbers of overweight children. She talks about how obesity during childhood greatly increases the risk for obesity and other health problems in adulthood. Dr. Keane also discusses how parents can help their kids lose weight or prevent obesity in the first place. Keeping kids moving with sports, active video games or even dancing is critical, Dr. Keane says. Cutting out sugary juices, processed foods and empty calories is just as important, she adds. Dr. Keane is a pediatrician with the University of Maryland Hospital for Children and an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Keane also is president of the Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Music for Your Heart

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Tuesday, November 18 11:00:00 EST

Listening to your favorite music may promote heart health. In this interview, cardiologist Michael Miller, M.D., director of preventive cardiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, describes his research, which shows for the first time that the emotions aroused by joyful music have a healthy effect on blood vessel function. Dr. Miller, who is also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, explains why the positive response to music is not confined to a particular style or genre. In this interview with Bill Seiler, Dr. Miller suggests that active listening to joyful music may be another preventive strategy that can be incorporated into daily life to promote heart health.

Obesity

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 3 November 2008 11:00:00 EST

Despite warnings about the increased health risks associated with obesity, Americans are continuing to gain weight. In this podcast, Dr. Verlyn Warrington, a family medicine physician at the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses some of the factors causing many people to gain weight and the health risks associated with obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease. Dr. Warrington also describes genetic, emotional and cultural effects on weight, the increase in childhood obesity, the role of exercise. And, in this interview with Sharon Boston, she offers some suggestions for losing weight.

Stroke

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 20 October 2008 17:00:00 EST

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the third-leading cause of death in the United States. But with recent medical advances, doctors are learning more about preventing and treating strokes. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Dr. John Cole, a stroke specialist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses the signs of stroke and why it is important to get immediate medical attention. He also explains the concept of stroke as a brain attack as well as risk factors for stroke. In this interview with Sharon Boston, Dr. Cole also talks about new understanding about the role of rehabilitation and brain plasticity, the idea that the brain may actually be able to create new connections. Dr. Cole is also an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a clinical research scientist at the Baltimore VA Medical Center.

Cholesterol Control

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 6 October 2008 11:00:00 EST

Nearly 107 million adults in the United States are estimated to have cholesterol levels that put them at risk for cardiovascular disease. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Dr. Robert Vogel explains why we should know our cholesterol numbers, and he describes the role of cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. He also talks about the risk of side effects associated with statins. Dr. Vogel also describes how it is possible to reduce and control elevated cholesterol without medications.

Walking for Wellness

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 22 September 2008 10:30:00 EST

Taking the first step toward a healthier life may be as simple as putting on a pedometer, a small electronic device that counts the number of steps you take each day. In this interview, Dr. Verlyn Warrington talks about how using a pedometer can help motivate you to improve your health by increasing your physical activity. Dr. Warrington is a family medicine physician at the University of Maryland Medical Center and an assistant professor of family and community medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She is also the medical director of Get Fit Maryland, a walking and wellness program from the University of Maryland Medical Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Merritt Athletic Clubs. Participants in the program strive to take 10,000 steps each day in order to decrease their risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. In this interview with Sharon Boston, Dr. Warrington also offers some suggestions on how to increase your step count.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 8 September 2008 15:00:00 EST

High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener that's used in many foods, from soups to salad dressings. Since its creation in the 1960s, our consumption of high fructose corn syrup has gone up dramatically. Some people speculate that the increased use of this sweetener corresponds with the rise in obesity rates, although there has not been any definitive research to support this theory. In this interview, Mary Beth Sodus, a registered dietitian and nutrition therapist at Center for Weight Management and Wellness at the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses how high fructose corn syrup is made and why many food companies use it. And speaking with Sharon Boston, Sodus shares the advice she gives her weight loss patients about high fructose corn syrup.