Medically Speaking Podcast

Children and the Flu

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 9 November 2009 15:00:00 EST

While the flu is a concern each year for both adults and children, the new H1N1 strain of influenza is affecting children and young adults in greater numbers than the usual seasonal flu. Also, young people are at higher risk of serious complications from the H1N1 flu than older people. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Dr. Keyvan Rafei speaks about the flu--especially the H1N1 strain. He describes ways to prevent and treat the flu in children, as well as how to differentiate the flu from other viral illnesses. He also talks about the role of the flu vaccine.

Choosing a Primary Care Doctor

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 26 October 2009 11:00:00 EST

Having a primary care doctor is important to help us stay healthy. What should you expect from your primary care doctor? And how do you know if he or she is the right doctor for you? In this interview with Sharon Boston, Dr. Richard Colgan, a family medicine specialist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses the role of the primary care physician. He also discusses the qualities that people should look for when choosing a primary care doctor. This interview also covers what patients can do to make their doctor visits more productive.

Cancer and Nutrition

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 12 October 2009 12:30:00 EST

A healthy diet is important for everyone--especially those who have cancer. They have special nutritional needs and concerns. Cancer alone, and treatments for cancer, can affect a person's metabolism and appetite. So patients may need to change what they eat and the frequency of their meals. In this Medically Speaking podcast, Ellen Beth Levitt speaks with a registered dietician, Mindy Athas, who specializes in caring for cancer patients about strategies to maintain a healthy diet and meet their nutritional needs.

Flu Facts

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 28 September 2009 10:30:00 EST

The flu has become a greater concern this year because of the emergence of a completely new strain that has spread rapidly around the world, known as H1N1 or swine flu. Even though the symptoms caused by the new virus and the way it is spread are similar to seasonal flu viruses, there are some differences. In this podcast interview with Dr. Kerri Thom, you will hear the latest information from an infectious disease expert about H1N1 and seasonal flu, including how these respiratory illnesses are spread, treatments and the best way to protect yourself and your family.

Interstitial Lung Disease

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, 14 September 2009 17:00:00 EST

Interstitial lung disease is the term that describes a group of disorders that cause coughing, shortness of breath and scarring in the small airways of the lungs. In this interview, Dr. E. James Britt explains the characteristics of these disorders and the treatment options. Dr. Britt explains that a thorough patient evaluation is crucial in determining the most effective treatment. He also describes how inhaled irritants such as mineral particles, dusts and gases can lead to interstitial lung disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, August 24, 2009 09:00:00 EST

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is known as COPD, is a chronic, debilitating disease that is treatable and manageable. In this podcast, Dr. E. James Britt, a pulmonologist and associate director of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses the symptoms of COPD, how it is diagnosed and what new treatments are on the horizon. And Dr. Britt, who is also a professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, describes the role of structured rehabilitation and exercise in increasing the strength and endurance of a person with COPD, as well as improving their quality of life.

Colorectal Cancer

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, August 10, 2009 11:00:00 EST

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer for both men and women in the United States. There are about 108,000 new cases of colon cancer and another 40,000 cases of rectal cancer diagnosed each year. In this podcast, Dr. Naimish Pandya, a medical oncologist at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, says that colorectal cancer can be treated very effectively when it is detected early. That's why, he says, it's important for people to have regular colonoscopies after they reach the age of 50, and people with certain risk factors should be screened earlier. Dr. Pandya also discusses how colorectal cancer is diagnosed and treated and what people can do to prevent it.

Researchers Begin First Nationwide Tests of H1N1 Vaccine

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, July 27, 2009 13:00:00 EST

The H1N1 influenza virus has been declared a global pandemic, and the first national vaccine trials are getting underway to develop a vaccine to protect people against the virus. Researchers at the University of Maryland Center for Vaccine Development are leading the efforts. In this Medically Speaking podcast, lead investigator Dr. Karen Kotloff describes the nationwide study that she and colleagues will conduct in 1,000 volunteers. The researchers will evaluate the vaccine's safety and its ability to stimulate immunity to the H1N1 virus among children, adults and seniors.

Prostate Cancer Treatments

agoldberg1@umm.edu (UMMS) — Monday, July 20, 2009 10:00:00 EST

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, with more than 180 thousand cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Many types of treatment are available depending on the stage of the cancer and the man's age and overall health. In this interview, Dr. James Borin describes the variety of treatment options available today, in addition to "active surveillance" - a strategy for carefully watching certain lower-risk tumors prior to treatment. He also compares prostate surgery with the da Vinci robot to the traditional open surgery.

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.