University of Virginia Health System

Signs of Stroke: FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call 911)

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 21:56:33 +0000

Stroke can happen at any age, even in infants. In fact, one-third of strokes happen to people under age 65.

Many of the risk factors for stroke can be changed. Smoking, obesity, heavy drinking, high blood pressure — all can play a role, as can conditions such as heart disease.

In this segment, Dr. Nicole Chiota-McCollum discusses why it is important for you to know the signs of a possible stroke, learn your risk factors and identify what you need to do if you suspect you or a loved one is having a stroke.

Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation

University Virgina Health System — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 23:25:49 +0000

UVA Cancer Center has a team of dedicated physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of non-cancerous (benign) blood disorders, including those that are secondary to hematologic or other cancers. Our hematopathologists are experts in identifying rare and complex diseases of the blood, and our benign hematology physicians and nurses offer superior care for patients in whom blood disorders have been diagnosed.

Dramatic advances have been made in recent years for most hematological cancers because of research. Novel targeted therapies, which complement or replace traditional chemotherapy and radiation treatments, are now routine for many hematological malignancies.

Listen as Karen Ballen, MD discusses Hematologic malignancies and stem cell transplantation at The UVA Cancer Center.

Cancer Center Learning Resource Center

University Virgina Health System — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:16:27 +0000

UVA Cancer Center treats patients for their disease but places equal emphasis on their well-being throughout the process. Learning about your condition is a great way to be an informed patient.

Listen as Lydia Witman, MLIS discusses the Cancer Center Learning Resource Center at UVA Health System.

Learn more about the UVA Patient and Family Library

Learn more about The Cancer Center Learning Resource Center

A Prescription for Information? The UVA Patient and Family Library Is There to Help

University Virgina Health System — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:12:21 +0000

What would you say if your doctor gave you a prescription to gather information on your particular condition? This is when the UVA Patient and Family Library can help. A more informed patient can be a better patient, with better outcomes.

Listen as Lydia Witman, MLIS discusses information prescriptions as a way for your doctor to guide you to be your own best health advocate.

Learn more about the UVA Patient and Family Library

Understanding Health Information and Terminology

University Virgina Health System — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:01:13 +0000

What does it mean to be your own best health advocate? It is The knowledge, ability, and confidence to find and evaluate information about your own health.

The Patient & Family Library in the University Hospital lobby near the Information Desk, is a good place to find easy-to-understand health information.

Listen as Lydia Witman, MLIS discusses ways to help you understand your health information and be an informed patient.

Learn more about the UVA Patient and Family Library

Precision Breast IORT

University Virgina Health System — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 22:59:40 +0000

Precision Breast IORT (intraoperative radiation for breast cancer) offers an image guided radiation treatment option for women with early stage breast cancer who apply for and are accepted into the study. With this unique form of IORT, subjects receive concentrated radiation at the time of their lumpectomy combining multiple procedures into a single visit.

Listen as Shayna Showalter, MD discusses Precision Breast IORT, a clinical trial option for women with early-stage breast cancer.

International Travel and Vaccines

University Virgina Health System — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 00:59:41 +0000

At UVA Travelers' Clinic, we provide pre-departure assessments and counseling for any international traveler. We see adults and children who may travel for:

Vacation, including visits to friends and relatives
Business, including health-care related work.

We focus on illness and injury prevention information. We also offer guidance and medication for self-treatable conditions such as traveler's diarrhea, altitude sickness and jet lag.

Listen in as Tania Thomas, MD discusses the UVA Travelers' Clinic where you can find reliable information on vaccines for safe travel.

Debunking Clinical Trials Myths

University Virgina Health System — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 02:23:05 +0000

A clinical trial is a scientific study that tests the effectiveness of a treatment, a device or a drug. A trial could test, for example, the effectiveness of blood pressure medication in lowering blood pressure or whether a certain drug could decrease cholesterol.

Clinical Trials are important in finding new cures for diseases, yet many people are skeptical of participating in clinical trial.

Dina Halme, Ph.D discusses the importance of clinical trials and myths that are associated with them.

The Latest Research on The Cancer Crisis in Appalachia

University Virgina Health System — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:32:59 +0000

Research from the School of Medicine shows that rural Appalachia now has the highest cancer death rates in the country. Nengliang (Aaron) Yao, PhD, and other researchers in UVA’s Department of Public Health Sciences examined decades of data obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics. They found that cancer incidence declined in every region of the country between 1969 and 2011 except rural Appalachia, where it increased.

Listen in as Nengliang (Aaron) Yao, Ph.D discusses the research being conducted to help discover why the cancer rate is increasing in rural Appalachia.

Signs That an Aging Loved One Needs Help

University Virgina Health System — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 01:42:46 +0000

Physical and mental health decline often surprises family members, especially if aging relatives seemed fine the last time they were seen.

Hear from Laurie R Archbald-Pannone, MD, a UVA Geriatrician, about signs that indicate something may be wrong, so you and your loved one can properly prepare for the future.

New Guidelines to Reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

University Virgina Health System — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 23:58:47 +0000

Approximately 3,500 infants die annually in the United States from sleep-related deaths, including SIDS, ill-defined deaths and accidental suffocation and strangulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently published new recommendations to reduce the risks, and UVA expert Dr. Moon was the lead author.

Listen in as Dr. Moon discusses these new recommendations and what you can do to keep your baby safe and healthy.

How to Prevent, Identify and Treat Infections in Young Children

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 02:54:41 +0000

Minor infections are a normal part of childhood, but they can be puzzling and concerning for parents. If your child is in day care, the infections compound and can seem like an every day thing.

What infection symptoms should parents watch for in young children?

Dr. Leigh Grossman, a UVA Health System expert, provides tips for parents to navigate dealing with infections in young children.

Lung Cancer: Screening Can Save Your Life

University Virgina Health System — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 17:13:22 +0000

Lung cancer accounts for about 27 percent of all cancer deaths and is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.

Listen in to learn more about preventing and treating this disease from Dr. Michael Hanley, a UVA expert.

Breast Cancer: The Latest Information From UVA

University Virgina Health System — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 00:42:32 +0000

The UVA Breast Care Program offers advanced diagnostic and screening options for women and men, and personalized care and support for patients who need breast cancer treatment.

Learn more from Dr. David Brenin, a UVA surgeon, about the second most common form of cancer diagnosed in women in the United States.

Healthy Holiday Eating

University Virgina Health System — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 18:44:10 +0000

The holiday season is full of family, friends, fun and food. That means it's easy to over do it at the buffet table or at a festive party.

Hear from Katherine Basbaum, a clinical dietitian with UVA Health Systems, about the healthy way to approach holiday meals and parties.

Celebrating 50 Years of Organ Transplantation at UVA

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 01:10:44 +0000

In June 1967, the UVA Transplant Center transplanted its first solid organ, a kidney. Since then, we have completed over 1,500 kidney transplants, 1,200 liver transplants, and our lung and liver programs have achieved the highest survival rates in the country.

As the only Comprehensive Transplant Center in Virginia, UVA has more than 45 years of experience.

We provide comprehensive treatment for patients needing heart, lung, pancreas, kidney, liver and islet cell transplants.

Hear from Dr. Alden Doyle, the medical director of UVA’s kidney transplant program, about the evolution of transplantation, and UVA’s commitment to patient centered care.

Digging into Dementia

University Virgina Health System — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 23:49:43 +0000

When someone hears the word ‘dementia’, they automatically think Alzheimer’s disease. But there are dozens of conditions that can cause dementia, and it doesn’t just affect the elderly.

Hear more about dementia from Dr. Erin Foff, an expert at UVA’s Memory and Aging Care Clinic.

Diabetes Prevention and Management at UVA Health System

University Virgina Health System — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 22:59:30 +0000

The Diabetes Education and Management Program at UVA Health System offers a complete approach to diabetes care that addresses your whole body, with special clinics focusing on how diabetes can affect your heart and weight.

Our Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE) are registered nurses and dietitians that provide education and support on how to manage and prevent the complications of diabetes.

Our approach makes it easy for us to evaluate and treat your diabetes and help you understand how to reduce your risk of complications.

Learn more about preventing and managing this condition from Dr. Jennifer Kirby, a UVA Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism physician.

Stamping Out a Smoking Addiction

University Virgina Health System — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 01:25:29 +0000

The UVA Cancer Center offers free assistance to tobacco users wanting to address their addiction to tobacco.

Hear from Connie Clark, a tobacco treatment specialist, about common approaches, how to take the first step toward quitting, and available smoking cessation resources at UVA Health System.

Halloween Safety Tips

University Virgina Health System — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 19:51:57 +0000

Each year, poison centers manage numerous exposure cases involving Halloween-related substances, like candy, glow sticks, and special cosmetics.

Hear from Dr. Christopher Holstege, director of the Division of Medical Toxicology at UVA, and the co-medical director of the Blue Ridge Poison Center, about simple precautions to take in order to prevent accidental poisoning this Halloween.

SPEED Clinic Helps Athletes Prevent Injury, Improve Performance

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 22:40:31 +0000

The UVA SPEED (Speed, Power, Endurance, Education and Development) Clinic is a world-class program for runners and golfers that combines modern technology with practical experience in sports to optimize athletic performance and heal and prevent injury.

The SPEED Clinic offers advanced technology for biomechanical analysis for athletes of all levels, from weekend warriors and 5K enthusiasts to Olympic competitors.

Learn more about the services offered from Max Prokopy, a UVA exercise physiologist.

Learn more about the UVA SPEED Clinic

Nail Insertion to Address Limb Length Discrepancy

University Virgina Health System — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 23:30:06 +0000

At UVA Children’s Hospital, orthopedic surgeons encounter a variety of congenital conditions that affect a child’s mobility, and stay abreast of the latest technologies and procedures to provide patients with greater options.

Learn from Dr. Mark Romness about one innovative procedure to treat patients who have one limb that is significantly shorter than the other.

Keeping Kids Safe in the Car

University Virgina Health System — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 20:03:03 +0000

Selecting a child's car seat can be overwhelming for families. However, A car seat is one of the most important purchases you'll make for your child.

Learn current recommendations and tips from KK West, a UVA Children’s Hospital safety program coordinator.

Race Recovery: Important Tips

University Virgina Health System — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 01:06:58 +0000

Knowing how to recover from an endurance event is just as important as knowing how to compete.

A UVA physician, Dr. David Hryvniak – who is a running enthusiast – shares tips about how to safely get back on your feet after a big race.

Breast Cancer Screening for Women with Dense Breasts

University Virgina Health System — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 00:55:34 +0000

If a recent mammogram showed you have dense breast tissue, you may wonder what this means for your breast cancer risk. Doctors know dense breast tissue makes breast cancer screening more difficult and it may increase the risk of breast cancer.

In the United States, there are laws that require doctors in some states to inform women when mammograms show they have dense breasts. But just what women should do in response isn't clear.

Women who have dense breasts are more likely to develop breast cancer than women with low breast density. Researchers are still trying to figure out why.

Dense breasts can make it more difficult to find breast cancer on a mammogram, and since both cancer and dense breast tissue look white or light gray on a mammogram, dense tissue may hide a tumor from view.

Learn about screening challenges and options for women with dense breasts from Jennifer A Harvey, MD, a UVA expert physician.

How to Maintain a Heart-Healthy Diet: It's Easier Than You Think!

University Virgina Health System — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 22:52:44 +0000

Eating right: We know how complex it can be. What you eat can have emotional and health impacts and can affect your family and lifestyle.

The American Heart Association offers seven simple steps to help avoid cardiovascular disease.

Some common questions about heart healthy eating are how much of an impact does sugar have on the cardiovascular system? What are the key foods to incorporate into a heart-healthy diet?

Listen in to hear answers to these questions and to learn about key components of a heart-healthy diet from Mary Lou Perry, MS, RD, a UVA registered dietitian.

Prostate Health, Cancer Risk Factors and Screening

University Virgina Health System — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 18:44:42 +0000

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men (after skin cancer). Screening has helped doctors to find and treat this cancer in its early stages.

Listen in as Dr. Robert Dreicer, the Deputy Director of UVA Cancer Center, shares information about prostate health and examinations to detect prostate cancer.

Treatment Options for Liver Cancer

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 17:15:04 +0000

The liver is the second most important organ in your body side and liver cancer strikes approximately 33,000 Americans each year.

For patients diagnosed with liver cancer, what treatment options are available?

Learn more from Dr. Reid Adams, a board-certified surgeon and chief of surgical oncology; as well as the chief of liver and pancreatic surgery at UVA Cancer Center

New Partnership Expands Access to Pediatric Liver Transplants

University Virgina Health System — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 19:51:50 +0000

If your child needs a liver transplant, you'll have a team of specialists at UVA. This team approach ensures your child receives the best therapy during this highly complex process.

How is a new partnership between UVA and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh at UPMC expanding access to pediatric liver transplants in Virginia?

Learn more from Dr. Kenneth Brayman, a UVA transplant surgeon.

How Can You Prevent and Treat ACL Injuries?

University Virgina Health System — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 15:20:04 +0000

Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, happen frequently among athletes. How can athletes reduce their risk for ACL injuries? If they do injure their ACL, what is the typical recovery period?

Learn more from Dr. Mark Miller, a UVA orthopedic surgeon whose specialties include ACL injuries.

Clinical Trial Examines Epilepsy Medications

University Virgina Health System — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:57:43 +0000

UVA will be part of a unique national trial examining the best medication for treating epileptic seizures.

Learn more about the trial, and how it differs from most clinical trials from Dr. J. Stephen Huff, a UVA specialist in epilepsy.

Preventing Teen Pregnancies

University Virgina Health System — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:39:31 +0000

Why is it so important to continue working to reduce the teen pregnancy rate? How and when should parents discuss this with their children?

Learn more from Dr. Nancy McLaren, a UVA pediatrician who specializes in caring for teens.

Answering Common Questions About Vasectomies

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 15:25:25 +0000

Sperm passes from the testes to the penis in tubes called the vas deferens. A vasectomy is a surgery that blocks these tubes. This makes a man unable to make a woman pregnant.

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about vasectomies from Ryan P Smith, MD, a UVA expert in male reproductive medicine and men’s health.

Clinical Trial Tests Treatment for Enlarged Prostate

University Virgina Health System — Tue, 24 May 2016 00:35:50 +0000

About 210 million men worldwide suffer from symptoms such as frequent or painful urination caused by an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

A clinical trial at UVA is examining a non-surgical procedure for these symptoms called prostatic artery embolization.

Learn more about the trial from Ziv J. Haskal, MD, a UVA specialist in interventional radiology.

Keys to a Healthy Pregnancy

University Virgina Health System — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 14:17:17 +0000

What are the most important steps a woman can take to have a healthy pregnancy both for them and their baby?

Learn more from Vanessa H Gregg, MD., a UVA expert in pregnancy and childbirth.

Head and Neck Cancer: What to Watch For

University Virgina Health System — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 14:37:46 +0000

What are some of the most common symptoms of head and neck cancer?

What treatment options are available?

Learn more from Paul W. Read, MD, a UVA Cancer Center expert in head and neck cancer.

Should Kids Specialize in One Sport?

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 22:53:50 +0000

How soon is too soon for kids to specialize in a single sport?

What are the benefits of playing multiple sports?

Learn more from Winston Gwathmey, Jr., MD., a UVA expert in sports medicine?

Pulmonary Embolism: Surgery May Be Necessary

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 17:00:00 +0000

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of an artery in the lungs.

The embolism prevents blood and nourishment from getting to a specific area of the lungs.

This may lead to the death of lung tissue in this area.

Damage to the lungs may make it difficult for the lungs to work properly.

In severe cases, a pulmonary embolism can lead to death.

Learn more from Dr. Aditya Sharma, a UVA specialist in aneurysms and vascular disease.

When Should You Get a Colonoscopy?

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 17:00:00 +0000

When should you have your first colonoscopy, and how often should you have one?

Get recommendations from Dr. Cynthia Yoshida, a UVA specialist in colon cancer and colonoscopies.

How to Deal with Menopause Symptoms

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 17:00:00 +0000

What are some of the most common symptoms of menopause, and what are some potential options for dealing with them?

Learn more from Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, a UVA expert in menopause.

How a Midwife Can Help You

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 17:00:00 +0000

Midwives are probably best known for helping women with childbirth, but they provide a wide range of care for women.

Learn more from Kate Becker, a certified nurse midwife at UVA.

The Importance of Becoming an Organ Donor

University Virgina Health System — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 17:00:00 +0000

Why should you consider becoming an organ donor?

Learn more from Dr. Ken Brayman, a UVA specialist in transplant surgery.

Innovations in Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

University Virgina Health System — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 17:00:00 +0000

Innovations in minimally invasive heart surgery are providing additional treatment options for patients.

Learn more from Dr. Gorav Ailawadi, a UVA expert in minimally invasive surgery.

Making More Lungs Safe for Transplant