Medically Speaking Podcast

Alcohol and Pregnancy

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, April 11, 2011 08:30:00 EST

In this podcast, Dr. Miska Terplan, an OB/GYN at the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses the health risks of alcohol during pregnancy, including the effect of alcohol on both the baby and the mother. Dr. Terplan is also an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Complementary Medicine and Cancer Patients

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, March 21, 2011 13:30:00 EST

Many types of cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy or a combination of these. But, more and more patients are adding non-traditional therapies, such as acupuncture, yoga, Tai chi and herbal medicine, to their treatment regimen. Dr. Ting Bao, an oncologist and medical acupuncturist who treats patients at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, says some of these therapies, such as acupuncture, can help patients deal with side effects of their cancer treatment. In this interview with Karen Warmkessel, Dr. Bao, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, describes the five categories of complementary medicine and what patients should know about them. She says patients should always check with their doctor before using non-traditional therapies because they might interfere with their treatment.

What is Nuclear Cardiac Imaging?

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, February 14, 2011 12:30:00 EST

If you have a heart problem, your doctor may recommend a nuclear medicine test to get a better look at your heart and gain information about your heart's function. In this podcast, Vasken Dilsizian, M.D., explains how nuclear imaging differs from X-rays, angiograms and echocardiograms. Speaking with Bill Seiler, Dr. Dilsizian, who is chief of the division of nuclear medicine and director of cardiac PET imaging at the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses how nuclear imaging can assist in the diagnosis of a variety of conditions. He also describes what to expect when you have a nuclear scan, the safety of nuclear imaging and the use of nuclear scans in children. Dr. Dilsizian is a professor of medicine and diagnostic radiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Role of Specialists in Treating People with Kidney Disease

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Thursday, January 6, 2010 17:00:00 EST

Chronic kidney disease can have a major impact on a person's health. While many primary care physicians treat people with kidney disease, their patients may benefit if their doctor collaborates with a kidney disease specialist. In this podcast interview, Dr. Clarissa Diamantidis, a nephrologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, describes the importance of collaboration with a kidney specialist and suggests how it can benefit patients. Speaking with Bill Seiler, Dr. Diamantidis explains the results of a study she led on this topic. She also says that specialists can provide strategies for slowing down the progression of chronic kidney disease and suggests other steps to keep a person as healthy as possible. Dr. Diamantidis is also an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, December 20, 2010 11:00:00 EST

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can kill without warning because it is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Many people who are poisoned are affected while they sleep and are unaware that the toxic gas is being released. In this podcast, Robert E. Rosenthal, M.D., describes the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and where it comes from. Speaking with Cindy Rivers, Dr. Rosenthal discusses what you can do to prevent exposure to carbon monoxide and how CO poisoning is treated, sometimes in a hyperbaric chamber. He also describes an early warning device that can alert you when carbon monoxide reaches unsafe levels. Dr. Rosenthal is head of hyperbaric medicine at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center located at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He is also a professor of emergency medicine and anesthesiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Helping Patients with Pain

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, November 1, 2010 11:00:00 EST

When people are in the hospital, they may feel anxious and stressed about how their illness is affecting their families. Or they may be struggling with feelings of helplessness or a sense of being out of control. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Donna Audia, a nurse on the pain management team at the University of Maryland Medical Center, offers specific ideas for family members who want to help a loved one who is in the hospital. These include relaxation techniques, such as music or meditation, as well as stress management suggestions, such as keeping a journal and yoga breathing. Audia also explains why nighttime is a particularly stressful time for many patients, and, in this interview with Sharon Boston, she explains why helping a patient to relax can be beneficial in helping the person to recover.

Genetic Counseling

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, October 18, 2010 11:00:00 EST

If breast cancer or colon cancer runs in your family, you might consider genetic testing/counseling to determine if you have inherited a gene that increases your risk of developing the disease. Jessica Rispoli Joines, a genetic counselor at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, says that while some people might not want to know about their increased risk, others feel "empowered" - that they are better able to make informed decisions. Joines tells Karen Warmkessel that genetic counseling also can be helpful in situations such as high-risk pregnancies, when couples are concerned about inherited conditions such as cystic fibrosis or Down syndrome or in cases where children are being evaluated for certain metabolic disorders and developmental delays. In still other instances, families might be worried about inherited conditions such as Huntington's Disease.

Urinary Incontinence in Women

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, October 4, 2010 10:00:00 EST

Urinary incontinence is a common problem among women, especially as they age. However, there is a variety of effective treatments and women do not need to suffer with this problem. In this podcast. Dr. Leslie Rickey, a urogynecologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center who specializes in treating women, discusses the causes and treatment options for different kinds of urinary incontinence. She tells Ellen Beth Levitt that treatments can include certain exercises, lifestyle modifications, medications, an incontinence "ring" and minimally invasive surgical options. Dr. Rickey is an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Patient Families and Stress Reduction

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, September 20, 2010 14:30:00 EST

Having a loved one in the hospital can be a stressful experience. Beyond concerns about your loved one's health, there may be practical issues about paying bills or taking care of children or dealing with household chores and other responsibilities. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Donna Audia, a nurse on the pain management team at the University of Maryland Medical Center, offers specific techniques and coping strategies for family members who may have a loved one in the hospital. You will also hear suggestions about how to stay connected to your loved when you can't be at the hospital 24/7. And speaking with interviewer Sharon Boston, Audia also discusses what families can do to cope with stress when the patient comes home.

Genes and Cancer

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Tuesday, August 31, 2010 14:15:00 EST

Genes can play a role in how tall you are, the color of your eyes or whether your hair is curly or straight. But genes also can play a role in your risk of developing cancer and other diseases. Jessica Rispoli Joines, a genetic counselor at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, explains how genetic testing can help identify whether a person has an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. In an interview with Karen Warmkessel, Joines stresses that it is important to receive counseling along with genetic testing to look at your options.

Parkinson's Non-Motor Symptoms

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, August 9, 2010 09:30:00 EST

People with Parkinson's disease typically have tremor, stiffness and slowed movements, which are physical effects known as "motor symptoms." However, neurologists are now focusing on some under-diagnosed "non-motor" symptoms, which include constipation, urinary incontinence and sleep disturbances. In early 2010, the American Academy of Neurology issued new treatment guidelines about these non-motor symptoms. Dr. William Weiner, chief of neurology and head of the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, was one of the authors of the new guidelines. In this interview with Sharon Boston, Dr. Weiner describes the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's and says there are ways to treat them, so people should talk with their doctors if they have these symptoms. Dr. Weiner is also chairman and professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

The Remarkable Story of Copaxone for MS

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, July 26, 2010 11:30:00 EST

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common disabling disease of young adults. Many people who have MS today take medications to prevent relapses, and hopefully delay the progression of the disease. The approval of those drugs followed decades of painstaking research into many possible avenues of treatment. The results were often disappointing until the discovery of Copaxone, a drug that has a unique and fascinating history, described in a new book called, "The Remarkable Story of Copaxone." The author, Dr. Kenneth Johnson, played a major role in leading the national clinical trials of Copaxone that eventually led to its approval. In this interview with Ellen Beth Levitt, Dr. Johnson describes how Israeli scientists, working under tumultuous circumstances, discovered that the drug Coplymer 1 had promise as a treatment for MS. Dr. Johnson is retired as Chairman of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Carotid Endarterectomy

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, July 12, 2010 11:30:00 EST

Fatty deposits are common in the carotid arteries, which are main pathways for blood to get to your brain. The build-up of this waxy plaque dramatically increases your risk for a stroke, so surgeons often perform a procedure called a carotid endarterectomy to remove these potential blockages. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Sharon Boston interviews Dr. Brajesh Lal, a vascular surgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center, about carotid endarterectomy. He describes the surgery, what the recovery is like and who can benefit from this procedure. Dr. Lal, an associate professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, also talks about screening for carotid artery blockages as well as some alternatives to surgery.

Parkinson's Basics

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 21 June 2010 16:00:00 EST

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects about one million people in the United States and Canada. This podcast covers some basic information about Parkinson's disease, including symptoms and treatment. The guest is Dr. William Weiner, director of the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center and chairman and professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Weiner explains how Parkinson's disease is diagnosed and how it affects the body. In this interview with Sharon Boston, Dr. Weiner also talks about medications to treat Parkinson's and Deep Brain Stimulation, a surgical option treatment for some Parkinson's patients.

Trauma and Aging

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 7 June 2010 11:30:00 EST

Trauma used to be considered a "young person's disease." But with people living longer and staying active in their older years, the number of people over age 65 who have traumatic injuries is growing. These patients often have chronic health conditions or special needs that are different from younger people who are injured in traumatic incidents. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Ellen Beth Levitt discusses the growing incidence of trauma among older people with Dr. Steven Gambert. He is director of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center and he is running a unique program at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center to meet the needs of older patients. Dr. Gambert is also a professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Carotid Stenting

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 17 May 2010 10:45:00 EST

For many years, surgery was the standard treatment for patients who had fatty deposits in their carotid arteries, which are the main pathways for blood into the brain. However, more patients may now be looking at stents as less invasive alternative to surgery. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Sharon Boston talks about carotid stenting with Dr. Brajesh Lal, a vascular surgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Lal discusses the stenting procedure, including how it works, what the recovery is like and who can benefit from stenting. However, certain people may not be good candidates for stenting, and Dr. Lal explains how doctors and patients can decide which procedure may be best for each individual. Dr. Lal is also an associate professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Cervical Cancer

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 3 May 2010 10:30:00 EST

Cervical cancer once was the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. But the death rate - as well as the number of cases of cervical cancer - has declined dramatically because more women are having regular Pap tests to detect abnormalities. According to Dr. Sarah Temkin, an oncologist who specializes in treating gynecologic cancers at the University of Maryland Medical Center, more than half of the women diagnosed with cervical cancer in this country have never had a Pap smear. Dr. Temkin, who is also an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, explains that most cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. In this interview, she tells Karen Warmkessel that HPV infection is very common, but only a small fraction of those who are infected develop cervical cancer. Dr. Temkin also discusses the new HPV vaccine and new guidelines regarding when young women should start getting regular Pap smears.

Endarterectomy vs. Stent

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 19, April 2010 14:30:00 EST

Results of a major national study, released in spring 2010, compared two methods for treating blockages in the carotid arteries, which are the main pathways for blood getting to your brain. Blockages in these arteries dramatically increase the chance for stroke, so researchers wanted to know which method, surgery or stenting, provided the best outcome for patients. In this interview with Sharon Boston, Dr. Brajesh Lal, a vascular surgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses the results of the study called CREST (Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Versus Stenting Trial). Dr. Lal was one of the lead authors of the study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Lal is also an associate professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Interventional Radiology

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Tuesday, 6, April 2010 11:30:00 EST

Interventional radiologists use images, such as X-rays and CT scans, as tools to steer therapies through blood vessels to treat a variety of problems, ranging from uterine fibroids to brain aneurysms. In this interview with Sharon Boston, Dr. Ziv Haskal, chief of vascular and interventional radiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses minimally invasive treatments offered by interventional radiologists. Topics covered in this interview include pelvic pain, uterine fibroids, varicose veins, peripheral arterial disease and treatments for cancer in the liver, lungs, kidneys and bones. Dr. Haskal is also professor of radiology and surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Ovarian Cancer

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 22 March 2010 10:30:00 EST

More than 21,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the United States, and about 14,000 die from the disease. It's been called the "silent killer" because the symptoms are vague and the cancer often isn't diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. Dr. Sarah Temkin, an oncologist who specializes in treating gynecologic cancers at the University of Maryland Medical Center, says that the most common form occurs in epithelial cells, or the outside lining, of the ovary. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Dr. Temkin, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, tells Karen Warmkessel that about 10 percent of ovarian cancers are linked to genes. Mutations in the BRCA genes run in families and are tied to increased risk for both breast and ovarian cancers, she says. Women who have these gene mutations should be screened and monitored closely.

Minimally Invasive Back Surgery

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 8 March 2010 13:30:00 EST

With recent advances in technology, spine surgeons are now able to repair a number of back problems in a minimally invasive way, accessing the spine through small openings rather than a large incision. Dr. Daniel Gelb, an orthopaedic surgeon and spine specialist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, says that this approach can cut the length of time that patients must stay in the hospital, reduce pain and speed recovery. Dr. Gelb, who is vice chairman and associate professor of orthopaedics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, also says that complicated surgeries - such as those involving several segments of the spine - might require a more traditional "open" approach. He tells Karen Warmkessel that surgeons always try to use the most effective treatment for each patient with a focus on minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.

Dialysis Stent

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 22 February 2010 13:00:00 EST

Many people with kidney failure who undergo hemodialysis develop scarring at the site where the dialysis machines connect to their bodies. This scarring causes the blood vessels to become narrowed or blocked, which can impede blood flow. These patients may then need repeated procedures, such as angioplasty, to open the blood vessels. But a study shows that a new stent is effective at keeping the vessels open longer, reducing the number of angioplasties that patient need to re-open the vessels. In this podcast, Dr. Ziv Haskal talks about his study and describes hemodialysis. Dr. Haskal's study on the new stent is published in the February 11, 2010, edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.