Healthlink On Air

Kaushal Nanavati, MD, Kaushal Nanavati, MD, talks about living well and explains his “Core Four” concepts of nutrition, physical exercise, stress management and spiritual wellness. Registered dietitian nutritionist Maureen Franklin goes over long-term eating strategies. Syracuse University's talks about living well and explains his “Core Four” concepts of nutrition, physical exercise, stress management and spiritual wellness. Registered dietitian nutritionist Maureen Franklin goes over long-term eating strategies. Syracuse University's Tanya Horacek, PhD, Tanya Horacek, PhD, discusses how and why college students gain weight. discusses how and why college students gain weight.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide and called "the sneak thief of sight" because people might not know they have it and start treatment too late. A painless, comprehensive eye exam can detect the disease, which typically involves a buildup of pressure in the eyeball that damages the optic nerve, explains Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide and called "the sneak thief of sight" because people might not know they have it and start treatment too late. A painless, comprehensive eye exam can detect the disease, which typically involves a buildup of pressure in the eyeball that damages the optic nerve, explains Robert Fechtner, MD Robert Fechtner, MD, chair of the Upstate ophthalmology department and executive vice president of the, chair of the Upstate ophthalmology department and executive vice president of the World Glaucoma Association World Glaucoma Association. He advises when younger and older adults should get an eye exam, how the disease is more common in some families and et

Burk Jubelt, MD Burk Jubelt, MD, tells about polio and post-polio syndrome, and a polio survivor shares her story. An editor from Wikipedia discusses online medical information., tells about polio and post-polio syndrome, and a polio survivor shares her story. An editor from Wikipedia discusses online medical information.

A A pilot program aims to stem a rising problem on college campuses: the misuse of stimulants like Adderall, a drug prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Students under academic pressure obtain these drugs illegally and believe they will let them study longer and with better focus, although research does not support those perceptions, says pilot program aims to stem a rising problem on college campuses: the misuse of stimulants like Adderall, a drug prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Students under academic pressure obtain these drugs illegally and believe they will let them study longer and with better focus, although research does not support those perceptions, says Kevin Antshel, PhD, Kevin Antshel, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry at Upstate and of psychology at Syracuse University. He describes a program he is working on at SU that will train seniors and juniors to teach incoming freshmen about the dangers and misconceptions surrounding stimulants. If it

Psychiatrist Psychiatrist James Demer, MD James Demer, MD, discusses teen suicide and depression. Nurse Michele Caliva of the, discusses teen suicide and depression. Nurse Michele Caliva of the Upstate New York Poison Center Upstate New York Poison Center cautions that vitamin and herbal supplements can interact with medications. Upstate University Hospital's Karen Wentworth and Amy Szczesniak talk about medical care from a hospital patient's point of view. cautions that vitamin and herbal supplements can interact with medications. Upstate University Hospital's Karen Wentworth and Amy Szczesniak talk about medical care from a hospital patient's point of view.

A robotic tool is helping to add precision to A robotic tool is helping to add precision to hip hip and and knee knee joint replacement. With MAKOplasty, a surgeon can use a patient‘s CT scans to map out exactly what needs to be removed and use a robotic arm to help ensure minimal bone loss and optimal placement of the prosthetic joint, explains Upstate orthopedic surgeon joint replacement. With MAKOplasty, a surgeon can use a patient‘s CT scans to map out exactly what needs to be removed and use a robotic arm to help ensure minimal bone loss and optimal placement of the prosthetic joint, explains Upstate orthopedic surgeon Timothy Damron, MD Timothy Damron, MD, a professor of total joint reconstruction surgery and vice chair of orthopedic surgery. He discusses the reasons joint replacement surgery is needed, partial vs. total joint replacement and how early results look promising for the procedure‘s long-term success., a professor of total joint reconstruction surgery and vice chair of orthopedic surgery. He

To be certified as a Level I trauma center, a hospital must meet rigorous national standards for comprehensive, round-the-clock care of just about any injury, whether caused by a car, snowmobile, gun or farm machine. Upstate University Hospital is To be certified as a Level I trauma center, a hospital must meet rigorous national standards for comprehensive, round-the-clock care of just about any injury, whether caused by a car, snowmobile, gun or farm machine. Upstate University Hospital is the only Level I trauma center the only Level I trauma center between Albany and Rochester and serves an area from Canada to Pennsylvania. Surgeon between Albany and Rochester and serves an area from Canada to Pennsylvania. Surgeon William Marx, DO, William Marx, DO, Upstate's chief of trauma, critical care and burns (at right in photo), explains how Upstate's chief of trauma, critical care and burns (at right in photo), explains how Level I offers the highest level of care Level I offers the highest level of care. The eme

Death rates among pregnant women and new mothers in the United States appear to be rising, but that may be partly due to how the data is collected and interpreted, says Death rates among pregnant women and new mothers in the United States appear to be rising, but that may be partly due to how the data is collected and interpreted, says Alexandra Spadola, MD Alexandra Spadola, MD, an Upstate obstetrician and gynecologist. For example, death certificates formerly did not state whether a woman had died during or soon after a pregnancy, and records might not state whether a woman might have died of something unrelated to her pregnancy. Factors including poverty, access to care, obesity and childbearing at an older age are being studied as medical officials work to standardize and interpret the data. Spadola explains that nationwide efforts are underway to improve maternal health and women‘s health overall. (Click, an Upstate obstetrician and gynecologist. For example, death certificates formerly did not state whe

Infectious disease specialist Infectious disease specialist Joseph Domachowske, MD Joseph Domachowske, MD, talks about meningitis. Microbiologist, talks about meningitis. Microbiologist Jennifer Moffat, PhD Jennifer Moffat, PhD, discusses her work on a new drug for shingles. Scientists, discusses her work on a new drug for shingles. Scientists Michael Zuber, PhD Michael Zuber, PhD, and, and Andrea Viczian, PhD Andrea Viczian, PhD, tell about their retinal cell research., tell about their retinal cell research.

Modern technology requires doctors, nurses and technicians to spend time on computers and record-keeping, while at the same time making sure that patients have good experiences during their hospital stay. Two Upstate University Hospital officials talk about how patients can expect to be treated with respect and empathy rather than as medical conditions. Amy Szczesniak (at left in photo), chief experience officer, and Karen Wentworth (at right), of the Modern technology requires doctors, nurses and technicians to spend time on computers and record-keeping, while at the same time making sure that patients have good experiences during their hospital stay. Two Upstate University Hospital officials talk about how patients can expect to be treated with respect and empathy rather than as medical conditions. Amy Szczesniak (at left in photo), chief experience officer, and Karen Wentworth (at right), of the patient relations patient relations and guest services department, tell how and why patients are encouraged to a

A rural doctor is a vital part of his or her community, has nature nearby and a life outside of work, and it‘s not as remote or technically backward as some might think. A rural doctor can offer state-of-the-art medicine and a more personalized approach than typically found in a bigger city, say A rural doctor is a vital part of his or her community, has nature nearby and a life outside of work, and it‘s not as remote or technically backward as some might think. A rural doctor can offer state-of-the-art medicine and a more personalized approach than typically found in a bigger city, say Robert Ostrander, MD Robert Ostrander, MD (at right in photo), and his son, Geoffrey Ostrander, MD (at left), graduates of Upstate Medical University who share a family practice in the Finger Lakes village of Rushville. They note the challenges of lower pay and less administrative support and their involvement with Upstate‘s (at right in photo), and his son, Geoffrey Ostrander, MD (at left), graduates of Upstate Medical Univer

Children growing up today are exposed to almost constant social media, which adds to the pressures of adolescence at a time when the Children growing up today are exposed to almost constant social media, which adds to the pressures of adolescence at a time when the suicide rate among youngsters is rising suicide rate among youngsters is rising. . James Demer, MD James Demer, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Upstate, talks about the importance of maintaining communication and keeping track of any troubling changes in teens, and guiding them toward professional help when necessary as a way to help prevent teen suicide. He reviews risk factors and explains how a young person‘s primary care doctor is often the go-to person about whether and where to seek help., a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Upstate, talks about the importance of maintaining communication and keeping track of any troubling changes in teens, and guiding them toward professional help when necessary as a way to help prevent teen su

Preparing for a child‘s first mental health appointment requires parents to be honest and patient, says an Upstate child and adolescent psychiatrist. Parents should tell the child why they are seeking help and how it can make things better, says Preparing for a child‘s first mental health appointment requires parents to be honest and patient, says an Upstate child and adolescent psychiatrist. Parents should tell the child why they are seeking help and how it can make things better, says James Demer, MD, James Demer, MD, who offers age-appropriate tips for this. He explains what to expect, how to deal with any stigma or anxiety and that it takes time for the assessment and treatment processes to take place. who offers age-appropriate tips for this. He explains what to expect, how to deal with any stigma or anxiety and that it takes time for the assessment and treatment processes to take place.    

Ophthalmology researchers Ophthalmology researchers Andrea Viczian, PhD Andrea Viczian, PhD, and, and Michael Zuber, PhD, Michael Zuber, PhD, lead a team at Upstate's lead a team at Upstate's Center for Vision Research Center for Vision Research that discovered just two genes -- not seven, as previously believed -- are responsible for beginning the process of eye development. Their work advances the understanding of how retinal cells are formed and offers hope that scientists someday might be able to prompt the development of cells to treat retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa. Viczian and Zuber study eye development in frog embryos, which contain the same retinal cell types and whose retinas develop in a manner similar to the human retina. They work with stem cells that have the potential to form a variety of adult cell types. (Click that discovered just two genes -- not seven, as previously believed -- are responsible for beginning the p

Meningitis can range from unpleasant to deadly and typically causes a headache, fever, stiff neck and sensitivity to light as the membranes, or meninges, surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, explains Meningitis can range from unpleasant to deadly and typically causes a headache, fever, stiff neck and sensitivity to light as the membranes, or meninges, surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, explains Joseph Domachowske, MD, Joseph Domachowske, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Upstate. The more serious, or bacterial, form of the disease can be “really scary” and spread quickly among otherwise healthy people living in close quarters under stress, such as college dormitories and military barracks, he says. The less serious, or aseptic, form is usually caused by a virus, he says, noting who is most at risk and treatments for the disease, which has been largely controlled in the U.S. through vaccines. a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Upstate. The more ser

Upstate University Hospital nurse Jody Adams tells why she donated one of her kidneys to a woman she had never met. Transplant surgeon Upstate University Hospital nurse Jody Adams tells why she donated one of her kidneys to a woman she had never met. Transplant surgeon Vaughn Whittaker, MD Vaughn Whittaker, MD, explains how such kidney donations are saving and improving lives. Emergency physician, explains how such kidney donations are saving and improving lives. Emergency physician Jeremy Joslin, MD Jeremy Joslin, MD, and paramedic Todd Curtis tell about consulting for a wilderness adventure television show., and paramedic Todd Curtis tell about consulting for a wilderness adventure television show.

Radiation oncologist Michael Mix, MD Radiation oncologist Michael Mix, MD, explains how stereotactic radiation can shorten treatment for some cancer patients. Social worker, explains how stereotactic radiation can shorten treatment for some cancer patients. Social worker Kathleen Deters-Hayes Kathleen Deters-Hayes goes over treatment options for people with eating disorders. Cara Howe, curator of Upstate's historic collections, talks with art conservator Susan Blakney about preservation and medical history. goes over treatment options for people with eating disorders. Cara Howe, curator of Upstate's historic collections, talks with art conservator Susan Blakney about preservation and medical history.

Emergency physician Emergency physician Louise Prince, MD Louise Prince, MD, talks about empathy. Pediatric oncologist, talks about empathy. Pediatric oncologist Melanie Comito, MD, Melanie Comito, MD, discusses childhood cancer and tumors of the brain and spine. Nurse Michele Caliva of the discusses childhood cancer and tumors of the brain and spine. Nurse Michele Caliva of the Upstate New York Poison Center Upstate New York Poison Center calls attention to holiday-time hazards. calls attention to holiday-time hazards.

Treatments for eating disorders vary, but they might involve one‘s primary care provider, a therapist and a nutritionist to work on the different aspects of the illness. Treatments for eating disorders vary, but they might involve one‘s primary care provider, a therapist and a nutritionist to work on the different aspects of the illness. Kathleen Deters-Hayes Kathleen Deters-Hayes, a clinical social worker who coordinates Upstate‘s, a clinical social worker who coordinates Upstate‘s Eating Disorder Program Eating Disorder Program, describes the symptoms of anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder and how parents might detect this behavior in their children. She stresses the importance of getting people into treatment and says anyone may contact the Eating Disorder Program office at 315-464-3179 for information or a referral., describes the symptoms of anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder and how parents might detect this behavior in their children. She stresses the importance of getting people into

People who had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine as children can undergo a reactivation of that disease‘s virus in adulthood: shingles. Researching ways to prevent and treat shingles, which brings a rash and possibly debilitating nerve pain, is the work of People who had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine as children can undergo a reactivation of that disease‘s virus in adulthood: shingles. Researching ways to prevent and treat shingles, which brings a rash and possibly debilitating nerve pain, is the work of Jennifer Moffat, PhD Jennifer Moffat, PhD, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Upstate. She describes how shingles can affect people with weakened immune systems and is most common in adults older than 50. Moffat‘s laboratory is working on developing a drug to treat shingles that uses nanoparticles, tiny molecules designed to stick to the viruses and deliver the drug effectively. She also gives an overview of drugs used to treat and prevent shingles and tells what‘s on the horiz