Better Health Radio

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

RadioMD — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 22:26:51 +0000

According to the American Lung Association, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a chronic lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. The disease is increasingly common, affecting millions of Americans, and is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. The good news is COPD is often preventable and treatable.

In this segment, Dr. Desmond Young discusses COPD, treatments available at Tidelands Health, and the steps you can take to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

The Importance of a Quality Night's Sleep

RadioMD — Tue, 30 May 2017 22:35:35 +0000

If you have difficulty getting quality sleep, speak with your primary care physician. Primary care doctors can thoroughly assess you and make sure your sleep difficulty is not being caused by other health-related issues.

In this segment, Neal Lilly, Tidelands Health physician assistant, joins the show to discuss sleep disorders, the importance of getting a quality nights sleep and how Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital's sleep center offers a comfortable environment when you need a sleep study to help diagnose sleep disorders.

The Benefits of Centering During Pregnancy and Post-Partum

RadioMD — Mon, 29 May 2017 17:36:36 +0000

You can find more satisfaction with your maternity and post partum care experience by taking part in CenteringPregnancy at Tidelands Health.

How does CenteringPregnancy work?

You'll meet regularly with a nurse-midwife and several women in similar stages of pregnancy for health assessments, education and peer support. The program is linked to increased birth weight and gestational age of pre-term newborns, making CenteringPregnancy good for both you and your baby.

Listen in as Callie Meeks, MD., shares what you need to know about CenteringPregnancy and how it can benefit you and your baby during pregnancy and post partum.

Important Water and Swim Safety Tips

RadioMD — Mon, 22 May 2017 23:15:52 +0000

According to The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death in children. There are a number of strategies available to prevent these tragedies and other water related injuries.

Listen as Niki Ferrell gives you the most important tips for keeping your family safe this summer.

How Telehealth Benefits Patients

RadioMD — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 23:09:00 +0000

According to the Center for Connected Health Policy, Telehealth is a collection of means or methods for enhancing health care, public health, and health education delivery and support using telecommnications technologies.

Virtual visits via phone, video, computer/web, mobile app, or text with health care providers have grown in popularity of the years due to the comfort and convenience of being able to reach a doctor from your home or anywhere with internet connection (and not have to drive over town, spend time in the waiting room, etc.).

What are some examples of how telehealth is used?

Listen as Dr. David Haseltine explains telehealth, the benefits, and some examples of how it's used.

Medication Mishaps and How To Avoid Them

RadioMD — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 23:03:44 +0000

Medications can relieve symptoms of your condition and improve your quality of life. At Tidelands Health, you’ll benefit from pharmacists who help you get the right dose of the correct medication at the proper time.

When you're prescribed medication it's important to follow instructions carefully. If medications are taken improperly, it can cause some some serious issues.

What are some ways to avoid common medication mishaps? At Tidelands Health we take your medication safety seriously. That's why we've assigned a clinical pharmacist to every medical service in our hospitals. That means you get safe, effective and cost-efficient medication during your hospital stay. A clinical pharmacist is available around the clock to help your health care team respond immediately if your medical needs change.

In this segment, Darrell Willm, Tidelands Health pharmacist shares the most common medication mishaps and how you can avoid them.

The Goals of Speech Therapy

RadioMD — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 23:34:20 +0000

Outpatient rehabilitation can help patients recover from injury or illness. Tidelands NextStep Rehabilitation Services offers physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy customized to each patient's individual needs.

Speech therapy can help you or a loved one recover from illness or injury.

In this segment, Luann Mezzatesta, Tidelands Health speech therapist, explains that the goal of speech therapy is to help you or a loved one regain control of your voice and communication skills.

Genetics and Breast Cancer

RadioMD — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 00:33:32 +0000

Genetic BRCA testing or a quick, non-invasive HALO® Breast Pap Test can help you determine your odds of developing breast cancer.

When your health care providers know your risk, they can tailor a screening and education program that keeps you in the best possible health.

Listen in as Mike Haughton, MD discusses how your family history may increase your risk of breast cancer and when you may want to consider genetic testing.

Chocolate and Other Heart Healthy Foods

RadioMD — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 23:59:39 +0000

You hear all the time about heart healthy foods, but did you know that chocolate is one of those? It is great news to those of us that love it, but what kind of chocolate is the best, and how much do you need to eat to get the benefits?

Listen as Hillary Joel, a Tidelands Health Dietitian, discusses super foods for a healthy heart that also include an all time favorite, chocolate!

Adult Vaccination Recommendations

RadioMD — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 00:34:15 +0000

There are few things more precious than good health. At every stage of life, better health begins here.

Vaccine-preventable diseases can cause significant illness, hospitalization, pain, disability, and death in the United States, particularly when it comes to older adults.

Listen as Grady Adkins, MD explains the importance of getting your adult immunization.

Myths at the Gym: Fact or Fiction?

RadioMD — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:16:19 +0000

If you've ever belonged to a gym, you've probably wondered just how clean the gym is or maybe how you're supposed to interact with others? Does your trainer have your best interest at heart or are they just going through the motions? There are many myths surrounding working out at a gym.

Tidelands HealthPoint Center for Health and Fitness is the region's premier medical fitness center.

Here to bust up myths about fitness facilities, Helene Aulisio, Exercise Physiologist with Tidelands Health, helps you separate gym fact from fiction.

Getting Rehabilitation Patients Back On The Road Safely

RadioMD — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 01:12:47 +0000

Being independent and able to drive is an important part of your well being, but after a illness or injury you might find it difficult to get back behind the wheel.

Driver rehab specialist Ian McClure talks today about Tidelands NextStep program and the goal of getting patients back on the road safely.

Managing Your Diabetes

RadioMD — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 02:02:17 +0000

If you have diabetes, your blood contains too much glucose – a type of sugar. Your pancreas may not make enough insulin to help glucose move from your blood into your cells, or your body may not be able to use insulin well. Although no cure currently exists for diabetes, Tidelands Health can help you with the condition.

Georgetown and Horry counties have higher rates of diabetes than the nation does as a whole. That’s why Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital and Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital offer diabetes educational programs that help you achieve your best possible state of health.

Dr. Katherine Johnson, Tidelands Health physician, is here to educate and offer advice on living with and managing Diabetes.

When a Loved One Needs Palliative Care or Hospice

RadioMD — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 01:55:40 +0000

When you or someone you love is facing the final stages of life, Tidelands Health will be by your side. We've partnered with Tidelands Community Hospice to offer high-quality, compassionate hospice care in our community.

When you receive care for a serious illness or chronic condition at Tidelands Health, palliative care can improve your quality of life. Palliative care can ease your symptoms, reduce discomfort and provide emotional and spiritual guidance at any stage of your disease.

Hospice care provides comfort, dignity, quality of life and time to individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness. Patients who may benefit from hospice services include those in the final stages of diseases such as heart disease, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, COPD, HIV/AIDS and cancer.

Hospice care can be delivered in the comfort of home, providing medical, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones. Tidelands Community Hospice also offers the N.E. and Ruby Green Hospice House for patients who need inpatient hospice care.

Listen in as R. Andrew Philipp II, MD discusses how you’ll feel more comfortable in both mind and body with support from our caring team.

Prescription Opioids and Addiction

RadioMD — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 16:22:05 +0000

Opioids -- including prescription painkillers such as OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet, as well as the street drug heroin -- killed more than 28,000 people in 2014, a record high, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In an effort to curb the national epidemic of prescription painkiller abuse, the FDA and CDC announced new initiatives this month. The FDA moved to label certain drugs with "boxed warnings" that notify users of the dangers of misuse, while the CDC instituted tough new guidelines for doctors prescribing prescription painkillers.

Listen is as Dr. Bryce Loader, a Tidelands Health Physician, discusses the rise of opioid addiction and the ways in which Tidelands physicians can help you deal with chronic pain and possible opioid addiction.

What Physical Therapy Can Do For Back Pain

RadioMD — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 11:26:00 +0000

If your back or neck aches, you're not alone. Spinal pain distracts millions of Americans from the joys of everyday life. Turn to Tidelands Health for relief, so you can focus on your family, work and hobbies again.

Listen in as Nick McClary, physical therapist and clinical services manager at Tidelands HealthPoint Center for Health and Fitness, explains that the goal of back and neck rehabilitation is to help you manage disabling pain, return to your highest level of functioning and independence possible, while improving your overall quality of life.

When is it Time to Consider Hip or Knee Surgery

RadioMD — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 22:59:26 +0000

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, almost 1 million joint replacements are done each year in the United States. When is it time to consider a joint replacement? Do you have to wait until the pain is unbearable?

As you age, joints begin to wear out and cause pain. If physical therapy, medications and other conservative measures haven’t brought lasting relief, joint replacement surgery at Tidelands Health can help you return to the life you love.

Listen in as Daniel Single, MD explains that when knee or hip pain severely limits your ability to walk, work or perform even simple activities, it might be time to consider knee or hip replacement surgery.

Regaining Motion Through Hand Therapy

RadioMD — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 22:41:12 +0000

A hand injury can dramatically impact quality of life. Even routine tasks such as brushing your teeth or writing a note can become difficult, if not impossible.

Tidelands NextStep Hand Therapy Center is staffed by certified hand therapists who can help patients who have suffered a hand injury or illness regain functionality and learn adaptive skills to achieve independence with activities.

Carrie DeLuca, senior occupational therapist at Tidelands Health, is here to discuss hand therapy, and how it can help you regain mobility and movement in an injured hand.

Interventional Therapies For Chronic Back Pain

RadioMD — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 23:43:56 +0000

Low back pain (LBP) is a highly prevalent condition and one of the leading causes of lost productivity and health-care costs. Interventional pain procedures are used extensively in diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain.

Pain makes it harder for you to enjoy your hobbies, relationships and daily activities. But you don’t have to live with discomfort. Caring pain management specialists at Tidelands NextStep Pain Management Services can offer relief and give you hope.

Listen in as Dr. Channing Willoughby discusses Interventional therapies for chronic back pain.

Does Your Child Suffer With Mental Health Issues? There is Help

RadioMD — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 21:08:17 +0000

Mood disorders, including major depression, in children and teens can often be effectively treated. Treatment should always be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the adolescent and family.

Adolescents with a depressive or mental illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Treatment is often necessary and many times crucial to recovery.

Disorders affecting children may include anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.

Through greater understanding of when and how fast specific areas of children's brains develop, we are learning more about the early stages of a wide range of mental illnesses that appear later in life.

Listen in as Michelle Steffen, MD discusses how Tidelands Health can help diagnose and treat your child's mental illness so you and your family can live a fuller, healthier life.

What You Need to Know About the Zika Virus

RadioMD — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 18:59:09 +0000

The Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). The illness is usually mild, with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe symptoms requiring hospitalization is uncommon.

Back in 2015, Brazil was the first country to notice an increase of birth defects that were also coinciding with the Zika virus outbreak the country was dealing with.

What do you need to know to protect yourself from the zika virus?

Listen in as the Director of Tidelands Health's new family medicine residency program, Brintha Vasagar, MD discusses zika virus and how you can protect yourself from catching it.

Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery

RadioMD — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 16:17:36 +0000

A Tidelands Health spine surgeon has performed the region’s first cervical disc replacement. The innovative procedure is designed to relieve nerve pain caused by herniated cervical discs and cervical arthritis that affects a significant number of patients.

The procedure, which takes about an hour, involves removing a patient’s cervical disc, at one or two levels, and replacing it with a titanium disc about the size and shape of a dime. The titanium disc is expected to last a lifetime.

Listen in as Dr. Ellison explains how this surgery is less invasive than traditional fusion surgery and may allow patients to resume their normal routines more quickly. The surgery, which can be performed on an outpatient basis, has been shown to reduce the rate of subsequent cervical spine surgeries by decreasing degenerative changes in the discs above and below the disc replacement.

Peripheral Artery Disease

RadioMD — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 14:00:00 +0000

Your arteries and veins carry life-giving blood and oxygen throughout your body. But blood clots or plaque in your blood vessels can lead to heart attack, stroke or chronic health conditions.

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a slow and progressive circulation disorder caused by narrowing, blockage, or spasms in a blood vessel. PVD may involve disease in any of the blood vessels outside of the heart including the arteries, veins, or lymphatic vessels. Organs supplied by these vessels, such as the brain, and legs, may not get enough blood flow for proper function.

Listen in as Robert Brockman, MD discusses PVD and how Tidelands Health will take steps to protect your well-being with quality vascular care.

Hospitalist Medicine

RadioMD — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 17:14:22 +0000

Hospitalists are physicians whose primary professional focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients. Their activities include patient care, teaching, research, and leadership related to Hospital Medicine.

Dr. James Principe is here to explain that at Tidelands Health you can be assured of great in hospital care from their many qualified hospitalists.

Help for Painful Plantar Fasciitis

RadioMD — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 01:39:19 +0000

Do you stumble in the morning from pain in your foot? Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.

It can be incredibly painful and affect the quality of your life.

When your bones, joints or muscles hurt, you'll find no better place in the region than Tidelands Health to receive treatment. National health care ratings service Healthgrades has rated Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital in the Top 10 percent of hospitals in the country for overall orthopedic services in 2015.

Will Whiteside, MD, is here to discuss Plantar fasciitis and how Tidelands Health is here to help.

Tidelands Health Commitment to Quality and Service

RadioMD — Wed, 04 May 2016 19:05:20 +0000

At Tidelands Health, we are guided by a Triple Aim – that is, to deliver superior quality and service to our patients, to improve the health status of the communities we serve and to reduce the cost of health care delivery.

Ours is a singular commitment: Better health begins here.

Together, our more than 2,000 employee and physician partners are working side by side with our patients to transform the health of our region -- promoting wellness, preventing illness, encouraging recovery and restoring health.

Desmond Young, MD is here to insure you that our patients’ health, safety and comfort are our top priorities. We always strive to exceed our customers' expectations.

Birth Control Options

RadioMD — Wed, 04 May 2016 18:11:16 +0000

Birth control refers to any activity, medicine, or equipment used to prevent pregnancy.

There are many types of birth control available for women who do not wish to become pregnant.

The decision on which method is right for you should be made with your health care provider, as well as with your partner.

Xaviera Estes, MD is here to help you better understand your options of birth control.

Calcium Scoring Scan: How it Works and Benefits/Importance

RadioMD — Sun, 01 May 2016 17:59:50 +0000

A new service available at Tidelands Health can help you understand your risk for coronary artery disease and heart attack.

Called Heart Scan, the test measures the amount of calcified plaque build-up in coronary vessels, which is an accurate predictor of heart attack risk.

Candidates for Heart Scan typically have no known heart disease but do have at least one of the following risk factors: between the ages of 45 and 85, smoke, are living with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, have a family history of heart disease, are overweight or obese and are physically inactive.

Christopher Daub, MD., is here to explain the benefits of early screening for calcified plaque build-up.

Do You Or A Loved One Suffer from Addiction?

RadioMD — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 16:05:46 +0000

Research has shown that addiction is a brain disorder, and it is just as life-threatening or more so than heart disease, diabetes, or emphysema.

The behavior and social symptoms of addiction can hurt family, friends, or coworkers.

Yet you may be in the best position to help the addict recognize the need to seek treatment.

Most people who are in recovery say they got help because a friend or relative was honest with them about their drinking and other drug use.

E.V. Archambeau, MD is here to discuss addiction and how you can help save your or someone you loves life.

Genetic Testing and Breast Cancer

RadioMD — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 17:13:51 +0000

Genetic BRCA testing or a quick, non-invasive HALO® Breast Pap Test can help you determine your odds of developing breast cancer.

When your health care providers know your risk, they can tailor a screening and education program that keeps you in the best possible health.

Dr. Angela Mislowsky, Tidelands Coastal Carolina Breast Center, is here to help you better understand all your options to help prevent or treat breast cancer.

Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy

RadioMD — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 17:48:09 +0000

Typically, when a breast biopsy is recommended for an abnormal mammogram finding, a core needle biopsy may be recommended as opposed to a surgical biopsy.

Advanced technology has helped to make minimally invasive breast biopsy methods a possible alternative to surgical biopsy for some women. It might just be the option for you.

Listen as Craig Brackett III, MD, the Director of Tidelands Health Breast Health Program, helps you to better understand this minimally invasive breast biopsy.

The Latest Treatments for Shoulder Injuries

RadioMD — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 17:22:55 +0000

Sports medicine doctors have special training to restore function to injured patients so they can get moving again as soon as possible.

They are also knowledgeable about preventing illness and injury in active people.

Although sports medicine doctors do work with professional athletes, they also treat children and teens involved in sports and adults who exercise for personal fitness, as well as people who have physically demanding jobs, like construction workers.

Signs of a significant injury include severe pain, swelling, numbness, and an inability to put any weight on the injured area.

William Greer, MD, is here to explain how most sports injuries do not require surgery.

Treatment for a sports injury can include the use of pain relievers and keeping the injured area immobilized with a cast or sling. In some cases, a surgical procedure may be required to repair torn tissue or realign bones.

Seasonal Allergies: Tidelands Health Can Help

RadioMD — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:23:17 +0000

Your immune system defends your body from diseases.

But sometimes a substance that shouldn’t harm you triggers your immune response – leading to rashes, sneezing, itching, swelling or other allergy symptoms.

A specially trained allergist at Tidelands Health can help you ease symptoms of allergies – which often are caused by pet dander, pollen, insect stings and certain foods and medications.

James Turek, MD, is here to discuss your options if you struggle with allergies.

What it’s Like To Work in an Emergency Room

RadioMD — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 21:56:25 +0000

Have you ever wondered if what you see on emergency room TV shows is actually how it is?

Michael Ratliffe, MD, an emergency room physician at Tidelands Health, is here to explain just how it is in the emergency room.

Mona Lisa Laser For Vaginal Atrophy

RadioMD — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 22:39:55 +0000

Vaginal atrophy, also known as atrophic vaginitis, is an uncomfortable condition that many women suffer from in silence.

Vaginal atrophy is often caused by hormone changes associated with menopause, but may also occur in women who experience decreased estrogen production due to cancer or breastfeeding.

It is characterized by thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls and causes intercourse to be painful and may also contribute to problems with urination.

The Mona Lisa Touch, an Italian-built laser device, was recently approved by the FDA, and uses lasers to stimulate collagen.

Once activated, the laser removes the dried skin which stimulates the collagen revival. This reportedly improves the overall condition.

Christine Gerber, MD ObGYN is here to discuss this new procedure that's helping many women.