Aspirus Health Talk

One of the biggest things we hear is that it is very challenging to cook for one or two people.Many people are used to cooking for a family, so scaling back how much food they make is difficult.Most recipes serve 4-6 people. Ingredients in the store tend to serve more than 1-2 people (ex. 1# of ground meat).Easy to get in meal “ruts” or stuck with too many leftovers.Because of this, people sometimes resort to using more processed convenience foods (which can be used in moderation, but generally are not the best choice for health).Brianna Wolfe, registered, certified dietitian, is here to offer suggestions on how to cook for one or two with a healthy flare.

A little bit of exercise goes a long way to healthy lifestyle. James Bjork, Physical Therapist, is here to explain how the importance of exercise is key to remaining active with aging and helps to prevent falls.

When you are very ill or injured, you may not be able to make health care choices for yourself. If you are unable to speak for yourself, your doctors may be unclear as to what type of care you would prefer, and your family members may be uncertain or disagree about the type of medical care you should receive. An advance care directive is a legal document that tells your doctor what care you agree to in advance of this type of situation. With this document, you can tell your doctors what medical treatment you do not want to have and what treatment you want no matter how ill you are.William H Johnston, MD is here to explain that at Aspirus we have trained staff to help people discuss their wishes, complete a written advance directive, witness it, and make photocopies.

Growing a baby is hard work. Your body will go through a lot of changes as your baby grows and your hormones change.Pregnancy is supposed to be one of the happiest times of a woman’s life, but for many women this is a time of confusion, fear, stress, and even depression.Listen in as Dr. Steven Bergin discusses depression during pregnancy.

Getting good care before, during, and after your pregnancy can help your baby grow and develop and keep you both healthy. It is the best way to be sure your little one gets a head start on a healthy life.You will want to choose a health care provider for your pregnancy and childbirth. This provider will provide prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services.Dr. Jenna Kolodziej, OB/GYN, is here to discuss your best options while you prepare for pregnancy.

If you have extra milk, it can be processed into specialty formulations for the nutritional needs of premature and critically ill infants in neonatal intensive care units. Many moms donate their extra milk to help babies in need because they have had a preterm baby in the past or know someone who has had that experience.Chris Hanke is here to explain the benefits of donating your extra breast milk.

Have you found blood in the toilet? Maybe on your toilet tissue?Is this something to worry about?Hemorrhoids are veins in the rectum or anus that have become swollen and painful. There are 2 types of hemorrhoids: those that are just inside the anus or lower rectum (internal) and those that are outside the opening to the anus (external). You can have both at the same time. Internal hemorrhoids usually don't cause pain or discomfort, while external hemorrhoids often do.Erik Branstetter, DO is here to give you advice for when it's time to see a doctor and how to deal with hemorrhoids.

There is help for people who have chronic problems with diabetic foot sores. It’s important to seek help and not wait until a wound is severe. Diabetic foot sores can quickly become infected and lead to partial or total foot amputation.Lindsey Graff, NP is here to discuss Diabetic foot sores.

Do you have discomfort, skin breakdown, pain, bleeding or other possible side-effects that may have resulted from radiation treatments you received in past years?  These symptoms may be caused from lack of oxygen supply to the affected areas.  For some people, hyperbaric oxygen therapy will help enable the body to heal itself by providing a rich supply of oxygen to affected areas.Matthew Clancy, MD, is here to explain if Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments may be the answer you need.

The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart and the network of arteries, veins, and capillaries that transport blood throughout the body.As you get older, it gets more important and more of a challenge to take care of your heart. Peter Vaitkevicius, MD, is here to discuss Geriatric cardiology issues and necessary steps to get the best care for your heart to allow you to maintain the best quality of life possible.

Ankle arthroscopy – also known as keyhole surgery – can be an excellent option for repairing ankle tissue damaged by a fall, twist or sprain. Ankle arthroscopy typically requires only two tiny incisions, a few stitches, and bandages for about 10 days. Many patients don’t even need crutches following surgery, and most return to working out and running in just six to eight weeks. Dr. Torhorst is here to explain this minimally invasive procedure that is helping his ankle surgery patients enjoy fewer complications, less scarring and faster recoveries.

Acid reflux disease affects roughly 20% of the US population and causes extreme heartburn and regurgitation, and other complications with the esophagus and other parts of the body. While medication can temporarily deal with symptoms and pain, the TIF procedure is a revolutionary way to deal with the root cause of the issue. Due to the unique approach of the TIF procedure, patients typically experience less discomfort, faster recovery and fewer adverse effects. Most patients are able to return to work and normal activities within a few days after their TIF procedure. The TIF procedure, using the EsophyX device, reconstructs the antireflux valve at the entrance from the esophagus into the stomach. This valve opens and closes as food is swallowed and is a physical barrier to reflux. By preventing reflux, TIF eliminates both the acidic symptoms of reflux such as heartburn and sore throat as well as the non-acid symptoms such as asthma, chronic cough and regurgitation.Dr. Medhat Fanous is here today to further exp

We live in a world where it's far too easy to be hard on ourselves and our family. Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Maleah Cummings, a provider at Aspirus Grand View, joins the show to explain how to foster healthy emotional and mental health for you and your whole family.

Breastfeeding is a bonding experience that benefits both mom and baby.  Today, we're talking with Aspirus International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Registered Nurse Sue LindeKugel.  Sue has years of experience helping moms get breastfeeding off to a great start.  Today she’s sharing insights to the benefits of breastfeeding, some common concerns moms have, and some tips for continuing to breastfeed once mom has returned to work.

Women’s bodies undergo many changes at midlife. One of the most common areas women experience midlife health issues is with breast health.Breast cancer is when a cancerous tumor occurs inside the breast.Earlier detection, combined with improvements in therapy, has resulted in improved survival rates.Clinical breast exams should be performed every 1 to 3 years up to the age of 40 and then annually after that.Exercise alone reduces the risk of breast cancer by 25 to 30%, and the association seems strongest for those who engage in moderate rather than extreme forms of physical activity.Cecilia Stroede, M.D., is here to talk about myths surrounding breast cancer. What are your risk factors? What is the importance of prevention and the elements of a good prevention plan? What are your common breast changes and concerns during midlife? Dr. Stroede offers everyday living tips for maintaining your breast health and preventing disease.

Diabetes can harm your eyes. It can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, which is the back part of your eye. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes also increases your risk of having glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye problems.You may not know there is any damage to your eyes until the problem is very bad. Your doctor can catch problems early if you get regular eye exams.If your doctor finds eye problems early, medicines and other treatments may help prevent them from getting worse.Shalini Johnson, MD is here to discuss Diabetic eye care.

When someone says, “I laughed so hard I pee’d my pants”, it may have been spoken not only in jest, but in truth as well. 57% of women between 40-60 years old have reported at least one incident of urinary incontinence in the past year.  There are 3 types of urinary leakage; stress, urge and combine. Stress incontinence is particularly common in younger women after childbirth…   Really?!  Why?! What’s causes this?  Can a woman prevent urinary incontinence?  Do men suffer from it too? What options are there to treating it?Suja Roberts, MD, an Aspirus Medford Hospital OB/GYN, is here to answer these and other great questions.

At Aspirus we are dedicated to the early detection and treatment of breast cancer through screening and diagnostic mammograms, ultrasound, MRI and image-guided interventions.When should a woman have her first mammogram?  There are differing opinions about how often a woman should have a mammogram?  What are the medical recommendations?  Do the recommendations change with age?  If a woman has a history of breast cancer in her family, does that change the recommendations? Is there a certain time of the month that a woman should schedule her mammogram to mitigate discomfort? And, if something suspicious is found what options are available relative to tests to determine next steps?We will be talking with Dr. Michael Olson from Aspirus Langlade Hospital about some common questions women have about mammogram screening.

Summer is the time get out and get active, but it can be especially difficult if you have foot pain. Improper footwear, especially in the summer, can cause foot issues. In order to keep your feet healthy, Dr. David Wood from Aspirus Grand View is here to talk about how to prevent issues such as ingrown nails and hammertoe – and how correction can be quick, easy and get you back in the sand and water sooner.

Many people suffer from various types of abdominal pains they think are diet or stress related when in fact it could be a hernia or gall bladder problem that is easily treated.Dr. McAllister helps explain the early warning signs you should know to prevent a simple hernia or gall bladder issue from becoming a more critical health risk.