Csrlivewell Podcast

Dr. Karen Wash, Diagnostic Radiologist and lead breast interpreting physician for CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System, discusses overcoming fears associated with mammograms, 3D mammograms, and the latest sta tistics related to breast cancer. Compression Pain Many women put off mammograms because of the discomfort involved in the screening. There may be a bit of pain during compression, but it only lasts a few seconds and the benefits far outweigh the few seconds of discomfort. The best time to get a mammogram for women who are still menstruating is one week after the menstrual cycle starts. That is when the breasts are least tender. Women can also take a pain reliever like Tylenol an hour before the screening to help reduce pain. Radiation Exposure The amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram is .4 mSv. We are exposed to a certain amount of background radiation in our environment on a daily basis. Radiation from a mammogram is equivalent to about seven weeks worth of daily exposure. Overcoming the Fear of

It's estimated that 1 out of 8 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  That's about a 12% lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers, Physicians and even Hospitals are constantly working to find better ways to detect and treat breast cancer. Dr. Judith Thompson, surgeon and steering committee member of the newly formed Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital - New Braunfels discusses the program. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa is leading the way in comprehensive breast cancer care in New Braunfels, Texas. At the center of the program is a Breast Cancer Tumor Board that meets to review treatments for newly diagnosed patients. A group of multi-specialty physicians review cases in a community setting. The board's findings and recommendations act as a second opinion and are presented to the patient's treating surgeon. A key component of the program includes a Nurse Patient Navigator who helps guide patients through the healthcare system. In addition to di

According to the American Heart Association, eight and a half million Americans suffer from Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Left untreated, this chronic circulatory condition can lead to amputations, and more than 160,000 people in the U.S. lose a limb each year because of it. Dr. Mario Rossbach, a vascular surgeon who practices at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels, explores PAD and how to combat it. What is PAD?  Peripheral Artery Disease, (PAD) also known as Peripheral Vascular Disease, occurs when fatty deposits build up in arteries outside the heart (including the arms, legs, and feet) and limits the supply of oxygen and blood to those limbs. What happens if PAD is left untreated? Without adequate blood flow, vital organs, legs, arms and feet, and your brain, suffer damage. Left untreated, the tissue can become infected or die. What are some symptoms of PAD? Leg, calf, or buttock pain that doesn't go away Foot or toe wounds that take too long to heal A limb, such as a leg or arm, that is

Many of us spend all day on our feet, and it's estimated that 3 out of 4 adults have some sort of foot problem. We asked Dr. Martin Chaney, a podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon who works at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – Alamo Heights, to determine when you should seek medical attention for those problem feet. Dr. Chaney answers our questions, and provides six tips for keeping those feet and toes healthy: What are some of the most common foot complaints that walk through your door? Overuse injuries such as tendinitis, heel pain called plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, arthritis. Acute injuries such as fracture and tendon tears are common all year round with the South Texas climate. We can be active all year long. A woman has a pair of shoes that complement an outfit, but ooh, do they hurt! Can shoes that hurt your feet lead to greater problems? Wearing any shoes that are hurting and putting your foot in an abnormal position can cause soft tissue injury and stress fractures. High heels are a frequent cause

Older Americans can expect to live longer than ever before. Studies show that if you get to age 65, plan on living much longer—women 19 years longer, men about 16 years longer. Whether those added years are healthy and enjoyable depends in part upon preventing and controlling a number of chronic diseases and conditions. So, how do you take care of yourself when just getting out of bed is a chore? Dr. Ken Davis, Chief Medical Officer for the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System , gives 7 exercises that can help senior citizens with endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility: Brisk walking Yard work (mowing, raking) Dancing Climbing stairs or hills Lifting weights Tai Chi Yoga Dr. Davis says exercise and physical activity can help a senior citizen manage and prevent diseases like diabetes, heart disease, breast and colon cancer, and osteoporosis. It also reduces feelings of depression, improves mood and overall well-being, and may keep the brain in shape, too! Although the bones and joints will creak and groa

What is the deadliest weather event in the United States? Believe it or not, it's heat — killing more than 600 people a year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Joe Pendon, Medical Director and Emergency Room physician at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – Medical Center answers some true and false questions about surviving the summer heat. You can be dehydrated without feeling thirsty. True. Thirst is actually a poor indicator of how hydrated you are. By the time you're thirsty, you've already lost some fluids. Hydrate before you enter the outdoors. Sports drinks can help you beat the heat. False. Sports drinks can help you recover electrolytes after a workout, but when it comes to re-hydrating, water is your best bet. Some sports drinks contain excess sugar or caffeine, which can make you feel more thirsty. Humidity in the air helps hydrate your body. False. Actually, dry heat is a better than humid heat. It allows better heat loss when you sweat to cool your body tempera

Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability. There are many myths surrounding this disease. Cori Nash, a nurse and Regional Stroke Coordinator for the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System, sets out to debunk those myths. Myth #1: You should quickly jump in your car and head for the hospital with your potential stroke victim. Fact:  A 911 call is best – because with that emergency call, a reservation is made in the ER for you, and doctors and nurses are prepped and ready to treat you. Also, treatment and assessment begins in the ambulance with qualified health care personnel. Myth #2:  Strokes only happens to older people. Fact: Strokes can happen in young people, including infants, even! Nearly a quarter of strokes occur in people younger than 65. Regardless of age, the warning signs of strokes are the same. It's often the reaction that's different, though. Young people are more likely to ignore the symptoms, because they think a stroke can't happen a

Food allergies send someone to the Emergency Room every 3 minutes in the United States. Peanuts, shellfish -- you name it -- and someone may have an intense reaction to it. In some cases, the allergic reaction can prove deadly. So, how can food allergies be prevented, and what signs should parents and allergy sufferers look for? Dr. Erika Gonzalez-Reyes, a pediatric immunologist with The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, says a little less protection from the world may be the best protection from allergies. In this episode, Dr. Gonzalez-Reyes talks about the 8 types of food that cause reactions and how to combat them. The CHRISTUS Santa Rosa LiveWell Channel continues to seek answers to creating healthier lives!

Dr. Randy Rogers, colorectal and gastrointestinal surgeon at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa, speaks with CSRLiveWell about the surge in cases of colon and bowel cancers in young people, the risks, and how lifestyles play a role. Thanks to improved health screenings, the rates of new colon and rectal cancer diagnoses have been falling in the United States for people, age 50 and older. But for those youngsters under 50, for whom routine screenings are not recommended, rates appear to be climbing significantly. Researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center looked at data and current trends. They predict that by the year 2030, the incidence rates of colon cancer for people between the ages of 20 and 34 will increase by 90% and by 124% for rectal cancer.