Ask A Doctor
By Edward White Hospital
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Podcast Description
Physicians at Edward White Hospital, a HCA West Florida hospital, take time to answer common questions patients ask.
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Who will benefit from spinal surgery? | No transcript available | 6/18/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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I have been a runner all my life, now I have pain with walking, what are my options? | As a physician I recognize that each individual is unique and try to develop a treatment plan that will fit the individual patient's needs. The first step is to make an appointment and bring any previous x-rays or test results you may have. If you have never had an x-ray, one can be performed at your first visit. / If needed, you may have an MRI ordered to discover causes of your pain and your muscular skeletal conditions. / I will perform a thorough examination and an in-depth consultation as we establish goals for your well being. | 6/18/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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What are common treatments for overactive bladder? What are some common treatments for erectile dysfunction? | Q: What are common treatments for overactive bladder? / A: A wide variety of treatment options exists for overactive bladder. They include pelvic floor therapy, medications, and surgical interventions. Treatment regiments are generally chosen depending on the patient's lifestyle, severity of symptoms, and therapy goals. We implement diet modification, behavioral changes and pelvic floor exercises as the initial step to improve bladder control. Various medications are available should conservative measures fail. The medications used for overactive bladder can have some undesirable side effects such as constipation, dry mouth, blurry vision, and dizziness. Ultimately surgical interventions such as neuromodulation and botox injection into the bladder are available for patients whose symptoms do not respond to conservative treatments. / Q: What are some common treatments for erectile dysfunction? / A: Erectile dysfunction is a common condition that afflicts many men at one point in their life. Certain lifestyle choices such as quitting smoking, losing weight, getting regular exercise, decreasing alcohol use, and decreasing stress can help improve a man's erectile function. Some men have discovered a benefit from certain non prescription medications. They include yohimbine, L-arginine, and DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone. Men should always check with their doctor prior to starting one of the aforementioned supplements. Several prescription medications are also available to treat erectile dysfunction. They include Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. The medications work by increasing blood flow into the p***s thereby enhancing a man's erectile function. Should conservative measures fail, patients may consider a vacuum pump which draws blood into the p***s, penile injection therapy, and finally a penile prosthesis. Given all the treatment options available for erectile dysfunction, all men can have the ability to achieve normal sexual health. | 6/18/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Other options for chronic back pain | Question: An elderly family member of mine developed back pain. She went to her doctor who diagnosed her with a fracture in her back. She was placed in a brace, told to rest and given strong narcotics to help with the pain. She is still in a lot of pain. Are there any other treatments to help her? / Answer: There are many different types of fractures that can occur in the back. There is a certain type of fracture called a compression fracture which is very common in the elderly population. As we age, osteoporosis causes our bones to become weaker due to a decrease in the calcium in the bones, leading to compression fractures. Compression fractures can also be caused by tumors that go to the bones. There is a procedure which can be done to stabilize the fracture and reduce, if not eliminate the patient's pain. It is called a vertebroplasty. This procedure has been performed for over twenty years with excellent results. It involves using imaging guidance to place a needle into the fractured bone. A special type of bone cement is then placed through the needle and into the bone in order to stabilize the fracture. Most of the pain that a patient experiences in a compression fracture is because the fracture is not stable. By stabilizing the fracture, most patients have a significant reduction in pain or their pain goes away completely. Many patients are bedridden or in wheel chairs before the procedure but are able to walk out of the hospital after only a few hours. Our experience with vertebroplasty is that in the right patient, vertebroplasty provides excellent pain relief and marked improvement in our patient's daily lives. The procedure is not without risks, but the risks are minimal. As with any procedure, there is a risk of infection. The procedure is performed in a sterile environment to reduce this risk. There is a risk of bleeding, but this is very low as there are no major blood vessels in the region of the procedure. There is a risk that the cement does not go where it is supposed to. This is also very rare as we are watching with x-rays throughout the procedure. As mentioned, the risks are not very common and the benefits of the procedure far outweigh the risks involved. The results can be amazing and many patients often mention they wish they had come in sooner. It is also important to remember that although vertebroplasty provides excellent relief for compression fractures, it does not cure the underlying cause of the fracture, that is, osteoporosis or tumors. Patients should make sure they are being followed by their primary care physician in order to treat the underlying cause and prevent any future fractures. | 6/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Elderly patients often ask, "I've gotten this far, how do I stay healthy?" | Most of my older patients ask me "I've gotten this far, how to I stay healthy?" / This is a question about longevity, a question that strikes at the heart of Geriatrics as a specialty. Interestingly my centenarians have varied pasts from health-nuts to just plain lucky, but there is proof that certain patterns make for a better tomorrow. Indeed, there are many studied ways to live well and increase longevity. / Foremost appositive attitude has been proven to help. It is important to be sure to find happiness and find optimism in life. Just as important is to indulge n something that lets you enjoy the everyday, experiencing joy from hobbies or art or nature or music or TV. Similarly religious devotions seems to help. / A Social interface is crucial in staying healthy. This means you have to be active in conversation and visits with family, friends, community or professional organizations. You must be part of a social network. Studies prove you must do something interactive twice a day! / I advise my patients to stay productive. In fact some of my patient s have never retired. Of course the majority have retired, but the healthiest patient have found something to do, most of which is either a strict family obligation like the role of grandmother, or volunteer work. Other invest a great deal of time into hobbies or pets. / Similarly another key to aging is to maintain your memory and stress your intellectual strength. I recommend life-long learning and even enrolment in audit classes at the local college. I also recommend cross word puzzles or soduko. If you really want to try something new plan a foreign trip. / Lastly is the old advice that any doctor tells their patients to exercise and diet. It seems every decade a new key science breakthrough has become important, for instance the recent interest about vitamin D being good for everything. But whatever the health fad is, stick to a sensible diet and regular exercise. If you really want to get fir, try Tia Chi which has been proven to be quite effective in preventing falls in the elderly. / In conclusion I want to again stress the importance of Geriatrics as a specialty, and know that as you age, be sure your doctors understand the changes that come with longevity. In fact we are getting older every minute; In America every 16 seconds someone turns 65. So if you do the math by 2025 there will be more American Seniors than all other Americans. It is clear that people are living longer and better than ever before. | 6/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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What are some of the symptoms, treatment and new therapies for patients with seasonal allergies? | I have heard that the Spring of 2010 was one of the worst allergy seasons in recent years. What are some of the symptoms that patient report when they come to see you as an Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon, what treatment options are available, and are there any new therapies for patients with seasonal allergies? / Many patients have suffered from allergy symptoms over the past few months; some are accustomed to having problems with their nose, ears and sinuses every Spring, while others report the onset of problems only this year. Some common complaints we have all heard about: itchy watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion are some of the more common symptoms. I have found that many patients with allergies also exhibit ear blockage (also known as aural fullness), hoarseness, postnasal drip, facial pain, forehead pain and cheek pain, overlying the sinuses. This is known as aerosinusitis or barosinusitis. All of these symptoms can be due to allergies but oftentimes may be diagnosed as a sinus infection. When these symptoms fail to respond to traditional medical therapy for sinusitis, such as antibiotics, oral steroids, nasal steroids and OTC antihistamines, allergies must be considered. Many patients will have abnormal anatomy, such as a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates. These are easily remedied by a simple "same-day procedure" under general anesthesia known as septoplasty and turbinoplasty. When chronic sinusitis or aerosinusitis is the cause of facial pain, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery or FESS can be performed to open up the blocked sinus passages. A newer, less-invasive type of sinus surgery is called "Balloon Sinuplasty," where a small balloon catheter is advanced into the nose and sinus openings are gently dilated, without the removal of tissue. This can lead to a less painful post-operative course, less need for nasal packing, and less down-time in the immediate post-op period. / While the treatment options of medicines and surgery can help alleviate some of the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies, the underlying problem of allergies must be identified and addressed through formal Allergy Testing. This is most effectively done via a skin testing method, which not only detects the presence of an allergy, but also determines the severity of the allergy. If allergies are present and severe enough, Allergy Immunotherapy, also traditionally known as "Allergy Shots" are oftentimes recommended. This is a method of systematically introducing minute quantities of allergens to the body via a small needle inserted under the skin, so the immune system is not so sensitive to the allergens when they are encountered from the environment. This is usually done by administering a weekly shot for anywhere from 6-18 months, followed by a once monthly shot, for 3-5 years and maybe even longer. Some patients find this schedule inconvenient in their daily lives and there is a newer therapy which achieves the same effect as the traditional allergy shots. This is known as "Sublingual Immunotherapy" which is also referred to as "SLIT" or "needle-free allergy shots." In Sublingual Immunotherapy, the allergy patient administers 1-3 allergy drops, once daily, via a dropper bottle, under their own tongue, where it is held for a minute and then swallowed. The drops are in a sugar-based solution, so they have a slightly sweet taste. Since the patient does this on a daily basis in the comfort of their own home, very few Doctor's office visits are necessary. Also, since the drops are administered under the tongue, patients who are afraid of needles can finally have a "needle free alternative to allergy shots." Side effects of Sublingual Immunotherapy are minimal but can include itching under the tongue, itchy eyes, headache, stomachache, and rarely swelling of the airway. / I find that many patients suffer unnecessarily for chronic and recurrent sinusitis and allergy symptoms. Once the underlying problem is identified and addresse | 6/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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What are the most common signs of diabetes? | Excessive thirst Excessive urination Weight loss Blurred vision Fogginess | 6/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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What are symptoms and consequences of sleep apnea? | Sleep apnea occurs in 5% of population. Sleep apnea means stop breathing during sleep. symptoms of sleep apnea are snoring, restless sleep, stop breathing while at sleep, frequent awakening, choking feeling, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, morning headache, feeling tired during daytime, personality change, morning dry mouth, poor memory and concentration deficit. / Sleep apnea can cause irregular heartbeat, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, high pressure in the lungs and heart failure. / If you have all these symptoms, you should have sleep study, Edward white hospital has fully equipped high tech sleep lab. Sleep apnea can be treated with CPAP mask. If treated early you can prevent heart attack, hypertension and heart failure. | 6/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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What is a "Mommy Makeover"? | What is a "Mommy Makeover"? / Hello, I am Dr. Marni Mentis, and I would like to talk to you about the "Mommy Makeover". / Motherhood is a wonderful blessing, but it can come with some unwanted changes to your figure. From one Mommy to another, I know that these changes can be taxing to you both mentally and physically. With weight gain, fatigue, and stretching of skin and muscles, all parts of a mother's body can be affected - from your face to your breasts, abdomen and thighs. A Mommy Makeover is a combination of cosmetic procedures that will restore your pre-pregnancy shape, and give your spirits a well-deserved lift. / Each Mommy Makeover is tailored to your individual needs and may consist of simple in-office procedures like facial injectables and skin care or it may consist of an appropriate selection of surgical treatments. Facial wrinkles and facial volume loss can be improved with products such as Botox and Juvederm, which would give you a fresher, happier appearance. Droopy, deflated breasts that commonly appear after breast feeding could be enhanced with breast surgery. A breast lift could be performed for women with an adequate volume of breast tissue, but who desire repositioning of their nipple, and a breast augmentation with implants could be performed for women who have deflated breasts. A combination of a breast lift and a breast augmentation may be necessary as well. Abdominal surgery involves removing excess skin and fat, as well as, tightening muscles which have been drastically stretched out while carrying a baby. Most stretch marks would be completely removed during this procedure. Unwanted fat deposits of the abdomen and thighs could easily be removed with liposuction. I would like to give you a younger feeling body and a fresh outlook on life, which in turn, would allow you to be better able to take care of your family. / If you have any questions about this pod cast, please call Dr. Mentis at 727-474-0205. | 6/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Wound Care Center at Edward White | No transcript available | 6/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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I feel like something is falling down in the pubic area. Do I need surgery? | Surgery does not have to be the first choice. / A vaginal pessary is a flexible device made of silicone that can be worn in the v****a. / It is traditionally used for women with pelvic organ prolapse (when the bladder, v****a, uterus, or rectum bulge from the v****a). These help to support the urethra during a cough or sneeze, and may reduce or eliminate urine loss and hold up the pelvic organ. / A pessary is a reasonable treatment for women who want to delay surgery and for those who prefer a non-surgical treatment. When fit properly, the woman will not feel the pessary. The pessary must be removed and cleaned with soap and water periodically. There is a small risk that the pessary can cause irritation of the vaginal tissues. / Treatment of pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence with a pessary is inexpensive, effective, and safe; contraindication to use and serious complications are rare. At the initial visit, approximately 85 percent of women with pelvic organ prolapse can be fitted with a pessary; two to three different size pessaries may needed to be tried before finding the fit. / At the follow-up visit one to two weeks later, women are asked if there are side effects such as discomfort, expulsion, persistent bulge or pressure symptoms, loss of urine, difficulty with urination or bowel movements, or vaginal bleeding or discharge. / In the absence of bothersome side effects, pessary use may be continued indefinitely. / A change in the pessary type or size may be needed as a woman ages. | 6/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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When should I consider hip or knee replacement surgery? | When should I consider hip or knee replacement surgery? That is a good question. In my practice the decision for hip or knee replacement surgery is a patient driven decision. The key question that needs to be answered is whether the patient's lifestyle is being significantly adversely affected by a problem with their hip joint or knee joint that is correctable by joint replacement. Our job as physicians is to evaluate patients when they have complaints of hip or knee pain. We need to initially do examinations and x-rays to define the source of the pain to ensure that the source is in fact their hip or their knee. Once that has been established, initial treatment generally consists of medications or injections to try to manage and control the pain to an acceptable level. If this cannot be accomplished, then surgery can be an option for these problems. Minimally invasive techniques have been developed over the last several years for both hip and knee replacements and are widely available. These newer techniques have shortened recovery times and are statistically shown to provide up to 95% patient satisfaction with the procedures. First and foremost these operations are very effective at relieving the pain that is associated with degenerative arthritis of the hip and knee. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and these need to be discussed with your surgeon. We are fortunate in this community to have a well trained orthopaedic team at Edward White Hospital that is very experienced and well equipped to provide state of the art joint replacement services. | 6/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 12 Episodes |
