Healthlink On Air

Finding a treatment program and overcoming an addition to heroin or another opioid is difficult but not impossible, says Finding a treatment program and overcoming an addition to heroin or another opioid is difficult but not impossible, says Ross Sullivan, MD Ross Sullivan, MD, director of medical toxicology at Upstate Medical University.  Sullivan tells how the effort to control pain medically helped create the current addiction crisis in opioids -- drugs derived from the opium poppy (heroin, morphine) or that mimic them synthetically (fentanyl, oxycodone). Recent restrictions on prescription drugs have led to a flood of cheap heroin to fill the gap, he says, and current treatment options are inadequate to fight the high addiction rates. He outlines how the, director of medical toxicology at Upstate Medical University.  Sullivan tells how the effort to control pain medically helped create the current addiction crisis in opioids -- drugs derived from the opium poppy (heroin, morphine) or that mimic them synth

Screening for lung cancer has greatly reduced the chances of dying from that disease among those most at risk, says Upstate thoracic surgeon Screening for lung cancer has greatly reduced the chances of dying from that disease among those most at risk, says Upstate thoracic surgeon Jason Wallen, MD Jason Wallen, MD, who also describes other advances in treatment. If lung cancer is caught early, surgery is generally the best option, and it can often be done with small incisions, he says, while chemotherapy might be the best choice for cancer that has spread. Wallen also describes the challenges of diagnosing and treating cancer of the esophagus, which is much less common than lung cancer., who also describes other advances in treatment. If lung cancer is caught early, surgery is generally the best option, and it can often be done with small incisions, he says, while chemotherapy might be the best choice for cancer that has spread. Wallen also describes the challenges of diagnosing and treating cancer of the eso

April 3, 2016 April 3, 2016 Director of medical toxicology Director of medical toxicology Ross Sullivan, MD Ross Sullivan, MD, provides an update on the heroin epidemic. Registered dietitian nutritionist Kristen Davis explains the value of eating organic foods. Thoracic surgeon, provides an update on the heroin epidemic. Registered dietitian nutritionist Kristen Davis explains the value of eating organic foods. Thoracic surgeon Jason Wallen, MD Jason Wallen, MD, discusses lung and esophageal cancer., discusses lung and esophageal cancer.

Diabetes requires knowledge and discipline to manage, as well as emotional support from friends and relatives, says nurse Kristi Shaver, a certified diabetes educator and the education team leader at Diabetes requires knowledge and discipline to manage, as well as emotional support from friends and relatives, says nurse Kristi Shaver, a certified diabetes educator and the education team leader at Upstate‘s Joslin Diabetes Center Upstate‘s Joslin Diabetes Center. Shaver outlines the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and discusses how they relate to alcohol, stress, obesity and other illnesses. She also outlines. Shaver outlines the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and discusses how they relate to alcohol, stress, obesity and other illnesses. She also outlines resources for those who wish to learn more about managing diabetes resources for those who wish to learn more about managing diabetes. .

Do most adults know they need a tetanus booster shot every 10 years? Immunization recommendations can vary according to age, disease and other factors and should be discussed with one‘s primary care provider, says Upstate‘s family medicine department chair, Do most adults know they need a tetanus booster shot every 10 years? Immunization recommendations can vary according to age, disease and other factors and should be discussed with one‘s primary care provider, says Upstate‘s family medicine department chair, John Epling, MD John Epling, MD, who is among the experts helping to shape those recommendations at the national level. Epling explains changes in this year‘s schedule for adults and also the process of reviewing and updating that schedule., who is among the experts helping to shape those recommendations at the national level. Epling explains changes in this year‘s schedule for adults and also the process of reviewing and updating that schedule.

How do you control your weight over the long term? Suggestions from real-life success stories include eating breakfast regularly and watching less TV, according to Maureen Franklin, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Upstate. She reviews these and other tips from her professional experience and from the How do you control your weight over the long term? Suggestions from real-life success stories include eating breakfast regularly and watching less TV, according to Maureen Franklin, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Upstate. She reviews these and other tips from her professional experience and from the National Weight Control Registry National Weight Control Registry, which surveys people about their weight and habits. Franklin also touches on goal setting, grocery shopping and attitudes toward dieting. , which surveys people about their weight and habits. Franklin also touches on goal setting, grocery shopping and attitudes toward dieting. 

March 27, 2016 March 27, 2016 Joan Pellegrino, MD Joan Pellegrino, MD, discusses the role of genetics in rare diseases. Registered dietitian nutritionist Maria Erdman goes over the new food guidelines., discusses the role of genetics in rare diseases. Registered dietitian nutritionist Maria Erdman goes over the new food guidelines. John Epling, MD John Epling, MD, explains who needs adult immunizations., explains who needs adult immunizations.

A healthy eating pattern includes fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, protein and oils and limits intake of saturated fats and sodium. There's also room for coffee, says Upstate registered dietitian nutritionist Maria Erdman. A healthy eating pattern includes fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, protein and oils and limits intake of saturated fats and sodium. There's also room for coffee, says Upstate registered dietitian nutritionist Maria Erdman. New food guidelines from the U.S. departments of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services New food guidelines from the U.S. departments of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services for the first time include coffee, she says, because research shows it may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and some cancers. Nutritional recommendations designed to improve the health of Americans through diet are issued every five years.  for the first time include coffee, she says, because research shows it may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disea

Foods labeled "organic" carry an aura of better nutrition, but at a higher price. While there is no definitive answer yet, some evidence suggests higher levels of some nutrients in organically raised produce, meats, dairy products and eggs, as well as the decreased exposure to pesticides and antibiotics, says Kristen Davis, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Upstate. Bacteria levels in organic meats might also be high, requiring careful cooking. Davis also discusses the Foods labeled "organic" carry an aura of better nutrition, but at a higher price. While there is no definitive answer yet, some evidence suggests higher levels of some nutrients in organically raised produce, meats, dairy products and eggs, as well as the decreased exposure to pesticides and antibiotics, says Kristen Davis, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Upstate. Bacteria levels in organic meats might also be high, requiring careful cooking. Davis also discusses the so-called "dirty dozen" and "clean 15" fruits

Upstate geriatrician Upstate geriatrician Andrea Berg, MD Andrea Berg, MD, tells what to expect from loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia who are likely to struggle with short-term memory, language, reasoning and judgment. She discusses communication techniques, when and how to take the car keys away and the potential perils of wandering, as well as medical issues including depression and incontinence., tells what to expect from loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia who are likely to struggle with short-term memory, language, reasoning and judgment. She discusses communication techniques, when and how to take the car keys away and the potential perils of wandering, as well as medical issues including depression and incontinence.

Advances in genetic testing have provided new possibilities for diagnosing rare genetic diseases and also ushered in new dilemmas. Upstate geneticist Advances in genetic testing have provided new possibilities for diagnosing rare genetic diseases and also ushered in new dilemmas. Upstate geneticist Joan Pellegrino, MD, Joan Pellegrino, MD, explains that while genetic sequencing can help identify a patient‘s disease, that knowledge might offer little comfort if the disease has no known treatment or if the testing uncovers unrelated health problems. Pellegrino, director of Upstate‘s Inherited Metabolic Diseases Specialty Center, discusses these complexities and explains that while genetic sequencing can help identify a patient‘s disease, that knowledge might offer little comfort if the disease has no known treatment or if the testing uncovers unrelated health problems. Pellegrino, director of Upstate‘s Inherited Metabolic Diseases Specialty Center, discusses these complexities and reviews a local case reviews a

Back pain strikes most people at some point in their lives, but it‘s usually not serious and goes away with little to no treatment, says Back pain strikes most people at some point in their lives, but it‘s usually not serious and goes away with little to no treatment, says Adam Rufa, DPT Adam Rufa, DPT, an assistant professor of physical therapy at Upstate. While back pain‘s causes and risk factors are complex and can vary from person to person, the people who deal with it best tend to maintain their physical activities and a positive attitude, Rufa says. He also discusses herniated disks, the use of MRI tests and factors including depression and anxiety., an assistant professor of physical therapy at Upstate. While back pain‘s causes and risk factors are complex and can vary from person to person, the people who deal with it best tend to maintain their physical activities and a positive attitude, Rufa says. He also discusses herniated disks, the use of MRI tests and factors including depression and anxiety.

March 13, 2016 March 13, 2016 Transfusion expert Transfusion expert Matthew Elkins, MD, PhD Matthew Elkins, MD, PhD, discusses bone marrow transplant. Neurosciences doctoral student Patrick Sweeney talks of the connection between emotion, genetics and eating patterns. Radiologist, discusses bone marrow transplant. Neurosciences doctoral student Patrick Sweeney talks of the connection between emotion, genetics and eating patterns. Radiologist Ravi Adhikary, MD Ravi Adhikary, MD, and radiology director Jennifer Caldwell tell about the merits of 3-D mammography., and radiology director Jennifer Caldwell tell about the merits of 3-D mammography.

A 3-D mammogram – similar to a CT scan – is becoming the new standard in breast cancer screening, experts at Upstate say. Multiple images from various angles can allow a better view into a breast, especially a dense breast, than traditional two-dimensional mammograms, say radiologist A 3-D mammogram – similar to a CT scan – is becoming the new standard in breast cancer screening, experts at Upstate say. Multiple images from various angles can allow a better view into a breast, especially a dense breast, than traditional two-dimensional mammograms, say radiologist Ravi Adhikary, MD Ravi Adhikary, MD, director of the women‘s imaging section, and Jennifer Caldwell, director of radiology. While 3-D mammograms are done in addition to 2-D now, in the future, just the 3-D version -- with a 2-D version reconstructed from it -- will likely be used. This will reduce radiation exposure and discomfort, should reduce false positives and, it is hoped, increase early detection of breast cancer, Adhikary says., director of t

Why does stress cause some people to lose their appetite and others to gorge? The complex relationships between emotion, genetics and eating patterns are explored by Why does stress cause some people to lose their appetite and others to gorge? The complex relationships between emotion, genetics and eating patterns are explored by Patrick Sweeney Patrick Sweeney, a neurosciences doctoral candidate in, a neurosciences doctoral candidate in Upstate‘s College of Graduate Studies Upstate‘s College of Graduate Studies, who, who recently published research recently published research showing that brain regions involved with emotion and stress are also involved in feeding behavior, something not previously reported. He hopes future research might lead to drugs for individual circuits of the brain, rather than the entire brain.  showing that brain regions involved with emotion and stress are also involved in feeding behavior, something not previously reported. He hopes future research might lead to drugs f

Being born in a poor country, training as a pediatrician, teaching medical students and working in impoverished areas have all contributed to the background of Being born in a poor country, training as a pediatrician, teaching medical students and working in impoverished areas have all contributed to the background of Upstate Medical University Upstate Medical University ‘s new president. ‘s new president. Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, tells of her birth in Haiti, her upbringing from age 7 in New York City and her passion for the rigors of medical research as well as the need for doctors to get real-life experience and for medical care to reach the underprivileged. She also takes a look at the future of medical education and health care., tells of her birth in Haiti, her upbringing from age 7 in New York City and her passion for the rigors of medical research as well as the need for doctors to get real-life experience and for medical care to reach the underprivileged. She also takes a

Most people infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus show no symptoms, and the disease is not a threat to human life, says Upstate infectious disease expert Most people infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus show no symptoms, and the disease is not a threat to human life, says Upstate infectious disease expert Timothy Endy, MD Timothy Endy, MD. Pregnant women exposed to Zika run the risk of their babies being born with abnormally small heads, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to avoid the Olympic games in Brazil later this year. Endy says the virus has been transmitted sexually from men to women and appears to be able to live in urine and semen for a month. So far, mosquitoes carrying Zika have been found in 10 or 12 countries in South America, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Subtropical mosquitoes feed in the daytime and prefer shady environments, so Endy recommends protecting yourself with insect repellents if you

Bone marrow transplants offer hope to chemotherapy and other patients who lack healthy blood cells, and marrow collection methods have improved in recent years, explains Bone marrow transplants offer hope to chemotherapy and other patients who lack healthy blood cells, and marrow collection methods have improved in recent years, explains Matthew Elkins, MD, PhD Matthew Elkins, MD, PhD, Upstate‘s medical director of transfusion medicine. The marrow‘s stem cells – needed to grow healthy blood cells – can be harvested from a patient for his or her own later use, from a donor or from a newborn‘s discarded umbilical cord, he says, describing how pheresis machines have largely replaced the old needle-drawn method of harvesting. He also urges people to sign up for the, Upstate‘s medical director of transfusion medicine. The marrow‘s stem cells – needed to grow healthy blood cells – can be harvested from a patient for his or her own later use, from a donor or from a newborn‘s discarded umbilical cord, he says, descri

Pressured to see more patients in less time, doctors struggle to avoid burnout and serve their patients adequately. One alternative springing up around the country is to charge an annual fee for “concierge” or personalized care to a small number of patients. Pressured to see more patients in less time, doctors struggle to avoid burnout and serve their patients adequately. One alternative springing up around the country is to charge an annual fee for “concierge” or personalized care to a small number of patients. Joseph Barry, MD, Joseph Barry, MD, an internist who specializes in geriatrics in Camillus, says his personalized care includes short or no waits for appointments, sufficient time for patient-doctor visits, after-hours phone availability and free recreational events such as yoga classes or nature walks to encourage healthy living. Barry, who also maintains a more traditional practice, offers his views on changes in medical care and counters charges that concierge medicine is elitist by noting his annu

Screening and early detection are the keys to fighting colorectal cancer, says Screening and early detection are the keys to fighting colorectal cancer, says colorectal surgeon David Halleran, MD colorectal surgeon David Halleran, MD, section chief of surgery at Upstate‘s community campus. "As with all cancers, and particularly colorectal cancers, the earlier you find the cancers, the better your  survival rates,” he said, noting that the biggest risk factor is age, which is why a screening is recommended at age 50. Other risk factors include family history, smoking and obesity. Halleran describes the various tests for colorectal cancer, how often they are recommended and how the disease has changed from a killer to one that can often be cured if detected early., section chief of surgery at Upstate‘s community campus. "As with all cancers, and particularly colorectal cancers, the earlier you find the cancers, the better your  survival rates,” he said, noting that the biggest risk factor is age, which is why a