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The average person's best protection against the flu is an annual shot, and everyone over the age of six months should get vaccinated, with few exceptions, says The average person's best protection against the flu is an annual shot, and everyone over the age of six months should get vaccinated, with few exceptions, says Bruce Simmons, MD, Bruce Simmons, MD, director of employee/student health at director of employee/student health at Upstate Medical University Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. in Syracuse. Except for people with bad reactions or egg allergies, a shot is the best prevention against this highly contagious influenza virus, which is spread by droplets from infected people and can cause severe fatigue and fever as well as complicate chronic illnesses, Simmons notes. He also advises washing one‘s hands and avoiding contact with flu sufferers as addition preventive measures in the October-to-May flu season. Except for people with bad reactions or egg allergies, a shot is the best prevention ag

November 15, 2015 November 15, 2015 On this week's edition of  On this week's edition of  Upstate Medical University Upstate Medical University 's "HealthLink on Air":  's "HealthLink on Air":  Bruce Simmons, MD Bruce Simmons, MD, gives an update on preventing the flu this season. Neurologist, gives an update on preventing the flu this season. Neurologist Antonio Culebras, MD Antonio Culebras, MD, talks about how to get enough sleep at all stages of life. Psychiatrists, talks about how to get enough sleep at all stages of life. Psychiatrists Mantosh Dewan, MD Mantosh Dewan, MD, and Swati Shivale, MD, discuss the art and science of prescribing. Psychologist, and Swati Shivale, MD, discuss the art and science of prescribing. Psychologist Rich O'Neill, PhD Rich O'Neill, PhD, provides a Check Up from the Neck Up, and literary journal editor, provides a Check Up from the Neck Up, and literary journal editor Deirdre Neilen, PhD Deirdre Neilen, PhD, reads a selection from the, reads a selection from the &q

An Upstate nurse practitioner was surprised to learn through An Upstate nurse practitioner was surprised to learn through her own research her own research that patients undergoing chemotherapy are not necessarily bothered by the constant touching they undergo in treatment. What matters more, according to a that patients undergoing chemotherapy are not necessarily bothered by the constant touching they undergo in treatment. What matters more, according to a nursing journal article nursing journal article by nurse practitioner by nurse practitioner Katherine “Kitty” Leonard Katherine “Kitty” Leonard  (left) and College of Nursing professor  (left) and College of Nursing professor Melanie Kalman, PhD, Melanie Kalman, PhD, is the quality of the caregiver/patient relationship. Whether a caregiver's touch is painful or intrusive is less important than whether the caregiver shows respect and dignity, they conclude. is the quality of the caregiver/patient relationship. Whether a caregiver's t

The surgical option for patients suffering from stroke used to be limited to traditional open surgery. Advances in radiology have made it possible for specially trained neurosurgeons, called endovascular neurosurgeons, to make repairs from within blood vessels using catheters and guide wires. "With the advent of interventional radiology techniques, we're finding more ways to get to places that were hard to get to with surgery, and we can get to them very quickly, which is critical for treating a patient who might be having a stroke," says The surgical option for patients suffering from stroke used to be limited to traditional open surgery. Advances in radiology have made it possible for specially trained neurosurgeons, called endovascular neurosurgeons, to make repairs from within blood vessels using catheters and guide wires. "With the advent of interventional radiology techniques, we're finding more ways to get to places that were hard to get to with surgery, and we can get to them very quickly, which is cr

November 1, 2015: November 1, 2015: On this week's edition of  On this week's edition of  Upstate Medical University Upstate Medical University 's "HealthLink on Air": Registered dietitian nutritionist Maureeen Franklin provides a nutrition update. Psychiatrist 's "HealthLink on Air": Registered dietitian nutritionist Maureeen Franklin provides a nutrition update. Psychiatrist Thomas Schwartz, MD Thomas Schwartz, MD, gives an overview of bipolar disorder. And gynecologist, gives an overview of bipolar disorder. And gynecologist Howard Weinstein, MD Howard Weinstein, MD, explains the causes of and treatments for abnormal uterine bleeding., explains the causes of and treatments for abnormal uterine bleeding.

October 25, 2015: October 25, 2015: On this week's edition of On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University Upstate Medical University 's "HealthLink on Air": Pediatrician 's "HealthLink on Air": Pediatrician Ann Botash, MD, Ann Botash, MD, addresses child sexual abuse. Project manager Jeanette Zoeckler talks about occupational dangers that low-wage workers face. Psychiatrist addresses child sexual abuse. Project manager Jeanette Zoeckler talks about occupational dangers that low-wage workers face. Psychiatrist Ronald Pies, MD Ronald Pies, MD, discusses whether mental illness is linked to violence., discusses whether mental illness is linked to violence.        

Choosing among natural sugars and artificial sweeteners can be daunting. Fortunately, much of the information you need about sweeteners is on the food‘s label, allowing you to see the calories, carbohydrates and other nutritional information, says Maureen Franklin, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Choosing among natural sugars and artificial sweeteners can be daunting. Fortunately, much of the information you need about sweeteners is on the food‘s label, allowing you to see the calories, carbohydrates and other nutritional information, says Maureen Franklin, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Upstate Upstate. Franklin also explains differences among the various sweeteners and how they can affect individuals differently, as well as the key factors in all dietary decisions.. Franklin also explains differences among the various sweeteners and how they can affect individuals differently, as well as the key factors in all dietary decisions.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Maureen Franklin, who works at Registered dietitian nutritionist Maureen Franklin, who works at Upstate, Upstate, explains some recent trends and offers practical tips for healthy, affordable eating, including homemade ways to satisfy a busy family with kids. For more information and recipes, she recommends the explains some recent trends and offers practical tips for healthy, affordable eating, including homemade ways to satisfy a busy family with kids. For more information and recipes, she recommends the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "What's Cooking?" site U.S. Department of Agriculture's "What's Cooking?" site .  . 

Dengue fever, a tropical disease present in subtropical areas of the United States, must be fought on several fronts, such as research, public education and government policy, says Dengue fever, a tropical disease present in subtropical areas of the United States, must be fought on several fronts, such as research, public education and government policy, says Upstate Upstate researcher researcher Anna Stewart-Ibarra, PhD, MPA Anna Stewart-Ibarra, PhD, MPA. She is working to find the solution to this mosquito-borne virus through research both in Syracuse and in Ecuador and outlines the effect of climate change and El Niño as well as attempts to control mosquitoes and find a vaccine for this incurable disease.. She is working to find the solution to this mosquito-borne virus through research both in Syracuse and in Ecuador and outlines the effect of climate change and El Niño as well as attempts to control mosquitoes and find a vaccine for this incurable disease.

October 18, 2015: October 18, 2015: On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University's "HealthLink on Air":  On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University's "HealthLink on Air":  Michael Weiner, MD Michael Weiner, MD, explains his research on Alzheimer's disease and the, explains his research on Alzheimer's disease and the Brain Health Registry Brain Health Registry. Neurologist . Neurologist  Hesham Masoud, MBBCh Hesham Masoud, MBBCh, tells about interventional neuroradiology and its role in stroke care., tells about interventional neuroradiology and its role in stroke care. Gail Banach Gail Banach from the from the Upstate New York Poison Center Upstate New York Poison Center unveils a new program in Onondaga County for disposing of medical needles and medications. unveils a new program in Onondaga County for disposing of medical needles and medications.        

Zafer Soultan, MD Zafer Soultan, MD Up to half of children have poor sleeping habits and behaviors, with about 10 percent having an actual disorder, says Up to half of children have poor sleeping habits and behaviors, with about 10 percent having an actual disorder, says Zafer Soultan, MD, Zafer Soultan, MD, director of pediatric pulmonary and sleep medicine at director of pediatric pulmonary and sleep medicine at Upstate‘s Golisano Children‘s Hospital. Upstate‘s Golisano Children‘s Hospital. Sometimes these issues stem from physical problems, but often they involve youngsters who never learn to sleep alone, says Soultan, who also describes how disorders such as apnea can be diagnosed in Upstate‘s pediatric sleep lab and how teens can display sleep problems as their body‘s rhythms clash with school schedules. Sometimes these issues stem from physical problems, but often they involve youngsters who never learn to sleep alone, says Soultan, who also describes how disorders such as apnea

Illness, death and annual health costs of billions of dollars result from people not taking their medicines as prescribed. This age-old problem, called non-adherence, happens all over the world, says Upstate psychiatry resident Swati Shivale, MD (right), who researched the issue with Illness, death and annual health costs of billions of dollars result from people not taking their medicines as prescribed. This age-old problem, called non-adherence, happens all over the world, says Upstate psychiatry resident Swati Shivale, MD (right), who researched the issue with Mantosh Dewan, MD Mantosh Dewan, MD (left), distinguished service professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. (left), distinguished service professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. The solution they suggest The solution they suggest is for doctors to carefully explain the condition and treatment to their patients, who understand and accept responsibility for taking their medicines. is for doctors to carefully explain the condition and tr

Lack of sleep can stem from many causes, and few people are taught good sleep habits, according to Upstate neurologist Lack of sleep can stem from many causes, and few people are taught good sleep habits, according to Upstate neurologist Antonio Culebras, MD, Antonio Culebras, MD, a consultant at the a consultant at the Upstate Sleep Center Upstate Sleep Center. People should follow a routine and limit alcohol, caffeine and screen time before bed to ensure sufficient, uninterrupted sleep, says Culebras, who recommends the. People should follow a routine and limit alcohol, caffeine and screen time before bed to ensure sufficient, uninterrupted sleep, says Culebras, who recommends the “Ten Commandments” “Ten Commandments” of good sleep from the of good sleep from the World Association of Sleep Medicine World Association of Sleep Medicine; Culebras is co-chair of that organization‘s annual; Culebras is co-chair of that organization‘s annual World Sleep Day. World Sleep Day.

Abnormal uterine bleeding can be tricky to detect, let alone trace to a cause, and related factors might involve age, obesity, diabetes, pregnancy, high blood pressure or cancer. One key to figuring out whether blood loss is abnormal is that women know their usual menstrual cycle, says Abnormal uterine bleeding can be tricky to detect, let alone trace to a cause, and related factors might involve age, obesity, diabetes, pregnancy, high blood pressure or cancer. One key to figuring out whether blood loss is abnormal is that women know their usual menstrual cycle, says Howard Weinstein, MD, Howard Weinstein, MD, division chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Upstate‘s community campus. If a woman‘s cycle is out of sync for three months, she should contact her physician, says Weinstein, who also describes the role of transvaginal ultrasounds and endometrial biopsies. division chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Upstate‘s community campus. If a woman‘s cycle is out of sync for three months, she should contact h

Host Linda Cohen with Philip Rose Host Linda Cohen with Philip Rose Even though the message that alcohol can harm young people is getting through, a quarter of those under the legal age still drink alcohol. Among them, binge drinking and a rise in female drinking have been noted, according to Philip Rose, program coordinator for underage drinking for the Even though the message that alcohol can harm young people is getting through, a quarter of those under the legal age still drink alcohol. Among them, binge drinking and a rise in female drinking have been noted, according to Philip Rose, program coordinator for underage drinking for the Prevention Network of Central New York Prevention Network of Central New York. Bad decisions, risky behaviors and harm to the still-developing adolescent brain are all consequences of alcohol use, and peer and other pressures glamorize alcohol, Rose says. Still, he says, parents, teachers and other adults can wield influence by modeling good behavior, developing a trusting re

Communication can frustrate both a person with Alzheimer‘s disease and his or her family and caregivers, but there are ways to help, says Katrina Skeval, chief program officer for the Communication can frustrate both a person with Alzheimer‘s disease and his or her family and caregivers, but there are ways to help, says Katrina Skeval, chief program officer for the Alzheimer‘s Association of Central New York Alzheimer‘s Association of Central New York. Patience and respect are the keys to strategies like speaking clearly to the patient, waiting for an answer, asking questions one at a time and not correcting the patient‘s faulty memory or speech. Skeval also recomends remaining aware of the patient‘s changing abilities and seeking out the free resources offered by groups such as the Alzheimer‘s Association. The 24-hour hotline phone number is 800-272-3900.. Patience and respect are the keys to strategies like speaking clearly to the patient, waiting for an answer, asking questions one at a time an

October 11, 2015: October 11, 2015: On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University's "HealthLink on Air": Pediatric rheumatologist On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University's "HealthLink on Air": Pediatric rheumatologist Caitlin Sgarlat Deluca, DO Caitlin Sgarlat Deluca, DO, tells of adding integrative medicine to rheumatology. Pediatric infectious disease expert, tells of adding integrative medicine to rheumatology. Pediatric infectious disease expert Jana Shaw, MD Jana Shaw, MD, provides an update on vaccinations. Psychologist, provides an update on vaccinations. Psychologist Kevin Antshel, PhD Kevin Antshel, PhD, explains the psychopathology of autism., explains the psychopathology of autism.    

October 4, 2015: October 4, 2015: On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University's "HealthLink on Air": On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University's "HealthLink on Air": Ramsay Farah, MD, Ramsay Farah, MD, discusses melanoma, the diagnosis former President Jimmy Carter recently disclosed. discusses melanoma, the diagnosis former President Jimmy Carter recently disclosed. David Keith, MD, David Keith, MD, goes over theories of family therapy. goes over theories of family therapy. Meghan Jacobs, MD, Meghan Jacobs, MD, discusses the effects of corporal punishment. discusses the effects of corporal punishment.    

Although it‘s often difficult to detect, child abuse does leave signs – odd bruises, sudden emotional changes – and concerned adults have both a state hotline and local organizations that offer help, says pediatrician Although it‘s often difficult to detect, child abuse does leave signs – odd bruises, sudden emotional changes – and concerned adults have both a state hotline and local organizations that offer help, says pediatrician Ann Botash, MD Ann Botash, MD  of the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.  of the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.

Illness and even death can result when children go unvaccinated, says Illness and even death can result when children go unvaccinated, says Jana Shaw, MD, MPH Jana Shaw, MD, MPH, an associate professor of pediatrics and an infectious disease specialist at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. Modern vaccines are extremely safe – they do not cause autism -- and are designed to be given on a certain schedule, she says, explaining how unvaccinated children contributed to a measles outbreak in California. Shaw advises parents to follow reliable medical advice and to check with their doctor or school about children‘s required vaccines., an associate professor of pediatrics and an infectious disease specialist at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. Modern vaccines are extremely safe – they do not cause autism -- and are designed to be given on a certain schedule, she says, explaining how unvaccinated children contributed to a measles outbreak in California. Shaw advises parents to follow reliable medical advice a