Healthlink On Air

Ophthalmologist Ophthalmologist Robert Swan, MD, Robert Swan, MD, explains uveitis, or inflammation of the eye, and how it can result from infection, injury, or more commonly, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation usually involves eye redness, discomfort and blurred vision and can often be treated with occasional drops, while chronic cases might require steroids. Swan, director of Upstate‘s uveitis service, stresses the importance of finding and stopping the condition as soon as possible. explains uveitis, or inflammation of the eye, and how it can result from infection, injury, or more commonly, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation usually involves eye redness, discomfort and blurred vision and can often be treated with occasional drops, while chronic cases might require steroids. Swan, director of Upstate‘s uveitis service, stresses the importance of finding and stopping the condition as soon as possible.

Through a partnership with the Through a partnership with the Syracuse Housing Authority Syracuse Housing Authority, , Upstate Upstate is helping to reduce health disparities in public housing neighborhoods. Connie Gregory (at right) and Aldrine Ashong-Katai explain how resident health advocates are trained in important chronic health and social conditions and asked to share the information with their neighbors. "People are more apt to listen to people they can relate to," explains Ashong-Katai. He and Gregory work in Upstate's is helping to reduce health disparities in public housing neighborhoods. Connie Gregory (at right) and Aldrine Ashong-Katai explain how resident health advocates are trained in important chronic health and social conditions and asked to share the information with their neighbors. "People are more apt to listen to people they can relate to," explains Ashong-Katai. He and Gregory work in Upstate's office of diversity and inclusion office of diversity and inclusion. .

Children between age 9 and 11, and again between 18 and 21, should have their cholesterol checked through a blood test, according to Children between age 9 and 11, and again between 18 and 21, should have their cholesterol checked through a blood test, according to new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Testing previously was reserved for children whose families included a history of high cholesterol, explains Testing previously was reserved for children whose families included a history of high cholesterol, explains Upstate Upstate pediatrician pediatrician Travis Hobart, MD Travis Hobart, MD. Now the strategy is to identify cholesterol problems early to allow time to intervene. "Children with high cholesterol are much more likely to become adults with a bad cholesterol profile," he says.. Now the strategy is to identify cholesterol problems early to allow time to intervene. "Children with high cholesterol are much more likely to become

Low-dose computerized tomography scans can help locate lung cancers at the earliest, most treatable stages, says Upstate radiologist Low-dose computerized tomography scans can help locate lung cancers at the earliest, most treatable stages, says Upstate radiologist Santiago Miro, MD Santiago Miro, MD. He tells about the. He tells about the lung cancer screening program at Upstate lung cancer screening program at Upstate (call 1-315-464-7064 or 1-800-464-8668 for an appointment) which is now covered by most health insurance plans. It's designed for people between the ages of 55 and 77 who have smoked what is known as "30 pack years." That's a pack a day for 30 years, or two packs a day for 15 years, or other variations. The testing is also for people who quit smoking within the last 15 years. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. (call 1-315-464-7064 or 1-800-464-8668 for an appointment) which is now covered by most health insurance plans. It's designed for peo

Syracuse University professor Syracuse University professor Amy Ellen Schwartz, PhD Amy Ellen Schwartz, PhD, examines factors that may influence America's obesity epidemic in schoolchildren. She has looked at physical education, school lunches and the barriers to walking to school. More recently she studied the obesity rates in New York City schools that installed water jets in school cafeterias, which allow kids to quickly fill cups or bottles with cold water. "After the installation of the water jets, obesity rates go down, and weight goes down," she says. "And we're convinced it's a causal relationship because we can compare it with schools that did not get the water jets." Schwartz specializes in economics in SU's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs., examines factors that may influence America's obesity epidemic in schoolchildren. She has looked at physical education, school lunches and the barriers to walking to school. More recently she studied the obesity rates in New York City schools th

Ensuring proper nutrition for senior citizens involves looking at changes in both body and lifestyle, say two registered dietitian nutritionists at Ensuring proper nutrition for senior citizens involves looking at changes in both body and lifestyle, say two registered dietitian nutritionists at Upstate Upstate. Decreases in muscle mass, bone density and the sense of smell, coupled with physical illness or depression, contribute to diminished appetite and calories needed, say Carrie Carlton (at right in photo) and Cecilia Sansone. Among their prescriptions are a varied diet of nutrient-rich foods tailored to the individual, sufficient fluids and several small meals as an alternative to three main meals.. Decreases in muscle mass, bone density and the sense of smell, coupled with physical illness or depression, contribute to diminished appetite and calories needed, say Carrie Carlton (at right in photo) and Cecilia Sansone. Among their prescriptions are a varied diet of nutrient-rich foods tailored to the indiv

Treating chronic kidney disease, which can result from diabetes, high blood pressure and other causes, can involve dialysis and take over the life of a patient and his or her family. That is why at-risk people should be screened, says registered nurse Deb Polmanteer, chronic kidney disease coordinator for the Treating chronic kidney disease, which can result from diabetes, high blood pressure and other causes, can involve dialysis and take over the life of a patient and his or her family. That is why at-risk people should be screened, says registered nurse Deb Polmanteer, chronic kidney disease coordinator for the Reach Kidney Care program Reach Kidney Care program in Central New York. She describes how this free program -- "Reach" stands for Real Engagement Achieving Complete Health -- helps patients get support and education to cope with the disease and avoid dialysis if possible.  in Central New York. She describes how this free program -- "Reach" stands for Real Engagement Achieving Complete Health -- hel

On top of each kidney sits an adrenal gland, which produces hormones a person cannot live without. When a tumor develops in an adrenal gland, the patient may face the removal of the entire gland and, if tumors were to also develop in the remaining gland, the reliance on medications for the rest of his or her life. So Erica Searles (at right in photo, with Gennady Bratslavsky, MD) appreciated the option presented by On top of each kidney sits an adrenal gland, which produces hormones a person cannot live without. When a tumor develops in an adrenal gland, the patient may face the removal of the entire gland and, if tumors were to also develop in the remaining gland, the reliance on medications for the rest of his or her life. So Erica Searles (at right in photo, with Gennady Bratslavsky, MD) appreciated the option presented by Gennady Bratslavsky, MD Gennady Bratslavsky, MD, who leads the, who leads the department of urology department of urology at at Upstate. Upstate. He removed a tumor but preserved Searles

Lyme disease is treated successfully with a short course of antibiotics in most cases, but prevention is the key to controlling the disease, say two experts from Lyme disease is treated successfully with a short course of antibiotics in most cases, but prevention is the key to controlling the disease, say two experts from Upstate Golisano Children‘s Hospital. Upstate Golisano Children‘s Hospital. Since the bacterial infection is transmitted to humans by deer ticks, people should wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors even in warm weather, as well as check their skin afterward, say Since the bacterial infection is transmitted to humans by deer ticks, people should wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors even in warm weather, as well as check their skin afterward, say Caitlin Sgarlat, DO Caitlin Sgarlat, DO (at left in photo, with program host Linda Cohen at center, and Jana Shaw, MD), who specializes in rheumatology and integrative medicine, and (at left in photo, with program host Linda Cohen

January 17, 2016 January 17, 2016 Stephen Graziano Stephen Graziano, MD, Upstate's division chief of hematology and oncology, shares what's new in precision medicine. Upstate's transplant division chief,, MD, Upstate's division chief of hematology and oncology, shares what's new in precision medicine. Upstate's transplant division chief, Rainer Gruessner, MD Rainer Gruessner, MD, explains how pancreas transplants may help some diabetics. And Upstate's chief nursing officer,, explains how pancreas transplants may help some diabetics. And Upstate's chief nursing officer, Nancy Page, Nancy Page, and nurse practitioner and nurse practitioner Archie McEvers Archie McEvers talk about the pursuit of higher levels of training. talk about the pursuit of higher levels of training.

Many students beginning college see a 5 percent increase in their body weight the first semester. And while 60 percent of students adopt an exercise routine, many also develop unhealthy habits, says registered dietitian nutritionist Many students beginning college see a 5 percent increase in their body weight the first semester. And while 60 percent of students adopt an exercise routine, many also develop unhealthy habits, says registered dietitian nutritionist Tanya Horacek, PhD Tanya Horacek, PhD, of Syracuse University's Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. She says many students don't eat enough whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and many have trouble sleeping. During the transition phase that is college, Horacek says, it's important for students to improve their "eating competence." "This is a very formidable time. They are learning habits that they will carry into adulthood.", of Syracuse University's Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. She says many students don't eat enough whole grains,

Nurses today are likely to have more training and to seek further training than their counterparts a generation ago, say Upstate‘s chief nursing officer, Nurses today are likely to have more training and to seek further training than their counterparts a generation ago, say Upstate‘s chief nursing officer, Nancy Page, RN Nancy Page, RN (pictured, right), and clinical coordinator for palliative care, (pictured, right), and clinical coordinator for palliative care, Archie McEvers, NP Archie McEvers, NP. The nursing profession recognized that higher levels of training brought higher skill levels and better patient care, Page says. Today‘s shorter hospital stays and advances in technology demand nurses with ever higher levels of education and efficiency, so the incentive for additional training will continue, McEvers adds.. The nursing profession recognized that higher levels of training brought higher skill levels and better patient care, Page says. Today‘s shorter hospital stays and advances in technology deman

Complications often develop after a person undergoes gender reassignment surgery, and a urologist at Complications often develop after a person undergoes gender reassignment surgery, and a urologist at Upstate Upstate has developed expertise in providing surgical repair and ongoing urologic care to these patients. has developed expertise in providing surgical repair and ongoing urologic care to these patients. Dmitriy Nikolavsky, MD, Dmitriy Nikolavsky, MD, director of reconstructive urology at Upstate, says a variety of complications may develop after an operation to alter the genitalia. He welcomes patients from throughout the United States because he is one of few urologists specializing in repair work after gender reassignment surgery. "Even if they do not have complications, they still need to have continuing urologic care," Nikolavsky says. Also in the interview, director of reconstructive urology at Upstate, says a variety of complications may develop after an operation to alter the genitalia. He welco

Upstate Upstate 's new transplant division chief discusses how pancreas transplants would benefit some people with diabetes. 's new transplant division chief discusses how pancreas transplants would benefit some people with diabetes. Rainer Gruessner, MD Rainer Gruessner, MD, explains that a new pancreas can provide a person with a normal blood sugar level and halt the development of diabetic complications, such as kidney failure. "It's life saving, but it's also life enhancing," he says of the operation. And, improvements in immunosuppressant medications make pancreas transplants an option for more people., explains that a new pancreas can provide a person with a normal blood sugar level and halt the development of diabetic complications, such as kidney failure. "It's life saving, but it's also life enhancing," he says of the operation. And, improvements in immunosuppressant medications make pancreas transplants an option for more people.

Advances in cancer research are ushering in precision treatments designed to be more effective and less toxic to the patient. These treatments aim to zero in on a tumor and are less concerned with where it originated, says Advances in cancer research are ushering in precision treatments designed to be more effective and less toxic to the patient. These treatments aim to zero in on a tumor and are less concerned with where it originated, says Stephen Graziano, MD, Stephen Graziano, MD, Upstate's division chief of hematology and oncology. This could mean, for example, that a patient takes an oral medicine at home, with less nausea and hair loss than in traditional chemotherapy. Graziano cautions, however, that these treatments tend to be for a small percentage of patients and usually for more advanced cases. The high cost of these precision treatments will also need to be addressed, probably by Congress, he said. Upstate's division chief of hematology and oncology. This could mean, for example, that a patient t

Donald Siegel, PhD, a Syracuse University earth sciences professor, talks about fracking on Upstate's weekly talk radio show, HealthLInk on Air. Donald Siegel, PhD, a Syracuse University earth sciences professor, talks about fracking on Upstate's weekly talk radio show, HealthLInk on Air. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, brings with it a controversial mix of issues that range from public health and science to jobs and politics. As with any energy production process, there are drawbacks to pumping water and chemicals underground to extract oil and gas, explains Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, brings with it a controversial mix of issues that range from public health and science to jobs and politics. As with any energy production process, there are drawbacks to pumping water and chemicals underground to extract oil and gas, explains Donald Siegel, PhD, Donald Siegel, PhD, department chair of earth sciences at Syracuse University. Siegel explores the scientific evidence on fracking, advocates the use of ren

Rakesh Khanna, MD is interviewed for Upstate's weekly talk radio show, HealthLink on Air. Rakesh Khanna, MD is interviewed for Upstate's weekly talk radio show, HealthLink on Air. Men with prostate cancer are often advised to hold off on radical treatment to see whether they can maintain a normal life while a doctor monitors the disease. This strategy of “active surveillance” involves testing and exams, says Upstate urologist Men with prostate cancer are often advised to hold off on radical treatment to see whether they can maintain a normal life while a doctor monitors the disease. This strategy of “active surveillance” involves testing and exams, says Upstate urologist Rakesh Khanna, MD Rakesh Khanna, MD, and a less aggressive variation is called “watchful waiting.” Both aim to avoid the incontinence and impotence that can result from surgery or radiation treatment, says Khanna, who also explains the promise and limitations of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing to screen for prostate cancer., and a les

January 3, 2016 January 3, 2016 Upstate cardiologist Upstate cardiologist Harold Smulyan, MD Harold Smulyan, MD, and infectious disease expert, and infectious disease expert Donald Blair, MD Donald Blair, MD, take a historical look at a deadly heart infection. Upstate assistant vice president Thomas Pelis shares how big institutions, such as Upstate Medical University, are going green. Bioethics and humanities assistant professor, take a historical look at a deadly heart infection. Upstate assistant vice president Thomas Pelis shares how big institutions, such as Upstate Medical University, are going green. Bioethics and humanities assistant professor Thomas Curran, MD Thomas Curran, MD, and associate professor, and associate professor Robert Olick, JD, PhD Robert Olick, JD, PhD, discuss the importance of the health care proxy., discuss the importance of the health care proxy.

Professor of psychiatry Professor of psychiatry Stephen Faraone, PhD, Stephen Faraone, PhD, provides an update on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Concussion expert provides an update on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Concussion expert Brian Rieger, PhD Brian Rieger, PhD, tells about winter head injuries. Pulmonologist Lawrence Kurlandsky, MD (retired), explains his research into Christmas tree syndrome. And pediatrician, tells about winter head injuries. Pulmonologist Lawrence Kurlandsky, MD (retired), explains his research into Christmas tree syndrome. And pediatrician Steven Blatt, MD Steven Blatt, MD, discusses what to do about dry skin., discusses what to do about dry skin.

One source of stress is believing you don't have enough time, money or energy. Those feelings can hit as people deal with the “extra stuff” of the holiday season, such as socializing, decorating and gift giving, says One source of stress is believing you don't have enough time, money or energy. Those feelings can hit as people deal with the “extra stuff” of the holiday season, such as socializing, decorating and gift giving, says Upstate Upstate psychologist psychologist Rich O'Neill, PhD Rich O'Neill, PhD. To keep the holidays positive, he suggests that people set realistic expectations, do what worked well in the past, learn to say no and take time to regroup. Making simple, personal connections is a better idea than aiming for perfection, he adds.. To keep the holidays positive, he suggests that people set realistic expectations, do what worked well in the past, learn to say no and take time to regroup. Making simple, personal connections is a better idea than aiming for perfection, he adds.