Ask the Expert
Health professionals in Maryland answer questions related to their field
2:05 PM EDT, May 2, 2012
Hernias in women can be hard to diagnose
Hernias are a common ailment among Americans; more than 4 million people develop the painful condition. And although both men and women develop hernias, female patients may be harder to diagnose. Doctors and patients may not realize the abdominal pain a woman is feeling is because of a hernia. Dr. Hien Nguyen, assistant professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said the pain can be mistaken for other conditions with similar symptoms, such as adhesions from prior surgery, endometriosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts. Nguyen talks about treating hernias in women.
4:24 PM EDT, April 18, 2012
A guide to vasectomy reversal
Sometimes men are the ones to take care of birth control through a surgical procedure. But when those men and their partners have a change of heart about children for any number of reasons, they seek to reverse their vasectomies. And that's usually possible, even long after the original procedure, says Dr. Brad Lerner, co-director of the Vasectomy Reversal Center of America a division of Chesapeake Urology. Lerner answers questions about getting and reversing a vasectomy.
3:33 PM EDT, April 4, 2012
Understanding the new pap smear guidelines
Many women became used to having a Pap smear annually to check for cervical cancer, but recent recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force have updated the timeline. Now, most women will need the test every five years. Cancer experts now agree that that this can fully protect women, while cutting down on costs, false positive test results and side effects, said Dr. Amanda Nickles Fader, assistant professor of gynecologic oncology at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
4:52 PM EDT, March 21, 2012
Parents, teens must weigh many factors in deciding on rhinoplasty
Many teens are unhappy with their appearance and ask their parents for a "nose job," or rhinoplasty. But there are a lot of factors to consider, such as the limits of surgery, the long-term effects and possible complications, according to Dr. Patrick J. Byrne, a facial plastic surgery specialist who practices at the Johns Hopkins Cosmetic Center at Green Spring Station. Byrne, also an assistant professor at Hopkins School of Medicine, says there are better techniques to make the surgery successful, but this is still a big decision.
6:34 PM EST, March 7, 2012
Fertility preservation for women with cancer
When a young woman is diagnosed with cancer, getting pregnant is probably the last thing on her mind. But if she wants children in the future, it's something she should think about. The chemotherapy and radiation treatments used to treat cancer can hurt a women's fertility. Nearly 10 percent of the 1.5 million diagnosed with cancer each year are of childbearing age, according to the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Melissa M. Yates, an assistant professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins Fertility Center, says these women need to think about fertility preservation before they begin treatment for cancer.
1:38 PM EST, February 23, 2012
Spinal stenosis a painful arthritic condition
Jim Calhoun should be on the sidelines of a basketball court, coaching the University of Connecticut men's team. Instead, he's been on medical leave for a painful arthritic condition.
2:17 PM EST, February 8, 2012
Emergency preparation for dialysis patients
Dialysis is a lifesaving treatment for those with kidney disorders. But during emergencies, particularly bad weather, sometimes patients don't want to go — or can't get to — their usual dialysis center. There are some steps patients can take to prepare, says Brandon Eck at the DaVita dialysis centers, who volunteers with the company's emergency response team, DaVERT.
4:30 PM EST, January 25, 2012
Robotic technology to treat lung cancer
The da Vinci robotic technology allows doctors to perform more precise surgeries. The technique also enables patients to recover more quickly with fewer complications in many cases. The technique is used to perform many different types of surgeries. Dr. Gavin Henry, program director of the surgical residency at Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, uses it over traditional lobectomy surgery to treat patients with lung cancer. The hospital said Henry is poised to outpace every surgeon in Maryland in the use of robotic technology for this operation. He talks about the technique below.
3:41 PM EST, January 11, 2012
Treating menopause symptoms
Every woman will experience menopause, some in the normal course of aging and some before. It can bring on a host of symptoms in addition to hot flashes. But there are things that women can do, from improving their diet and exercising to finding the right treatment, explains Dr. Rakhi Gupta, a gynecologist at the Center for Women's Health at Good Samaritan Hospital. She answers some common questions about this life change.
3:07 PM EST, December 28, 2011
Quitting smoking is tough, but not impossible
Many people pick quitting smoking as their New Year's resolution. But if quitting smoking was easy, most smokers would have already done it. Tobacco is highly addictive and the process isn't easy, but quitting is possible for those who really are ready and are linked to methods that work for them, says Christine Schutzman, a certified tobacco treatment specialist who leads a free Freshstart smoking cessation program at the Cancer Institute at St. Joseph Medical Center.
December 15, 2011
Taking care of diabetes during holidays
More than 20 million Americans are living with diabetes, and another 40 million are in the early stages of the disease. Managing diabetes can be a challenge all year long, but the holidays can pose special problems. All those extra treats, meals and drinks can add up to extra pounds and higher glucose levels. But a little planning, and will power, can keep diabetes in check, according to Susan Steinweg, a registered nurse and a certified diabetes educator. She's also the coordinator of Carroll Hospital Center's Diabetes Center.
2:26 PM EST, November 30, 2011
Cubital tunnel syndrome causes numbness in some fingers
Most people have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, and likely even know someone who suffers from it. Cubital tunnel syndrome is less common but also can cause debilitating symptoms, such as numbness in the ring and little fingers and wasting of muscle in the hand. More men than women suffer from the disorder, which can be caused by repeatedly leaning on your elbow or bending your arm for long periods of time. Dr. Ryan Katz, attending hand surgeon at the Curtis National Hand Center at Union Memorial Hospital, answers questions about its cause and treatment.
12:48 PM EST, November 16, 2011
Eyelid inflammation becoming more common
Blepharitis, usually identified by a sufferer's red, irritated eyelids, is becoming more common. And while doctors aren't sure why, it can be controlled with vigilance, according to Dr. Laura K. Green, residency program director of cornea, cataract and refractive surgery at the Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. She said there are some simple things sufferers can do at home, such as keeping the eyelids clean, that can help ease the irritation.
5:13 PM EDT, November 2, 2011
Early treatment key to foot injuries
We've all stubbed a toe, stepped down on our foot awkwardly or hurt our feet in an accident. Sometimes there's no damage. But other times, there's pain, swelling and bruising. Dr. Gary A. Pichney, from the Mercy Medical Center Institute for Foot & Ankle Reconstruction, answers questions about proper steps to take after an injury to the toe or foot, when to see the doctor and how long the healing may take.
5:40 PM EDT, October 19, 2011
Understanding the new prostate cancer screening recommendations
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent advisory panel, recently recommended that healthy men not be given PSA blood tests to detect prostate cancer. But that won't mean the end of diagnosis and treatment of the disease, the most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in American men.
6:30 PM EDT, October 5, 2011
Tips and advice for runners training for Baltimore Marathon
There is more to training for a marathon than running a few laps around the track. Finishing 26.2 miles, or even getting to the starting line, takes attention to some details about eating and hydrating, miles covered, and aches and pains. Dr. John Senatore, avid runner and chief of podiatry in Union Memorial Hospital's sports medicine department, talks about what to do — and what not to do — as next week's Baltimore Running Festival approaches.
10:52 AM EDT, September 30, 2011
Cancer patients turn to acupuncture to cope with symptoms, side effects
Acupuncture, the traditional Chinese medicine that uses needles for treatment, is increasingly being used with cancer patients. Dr. Ting Bao, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and faculty at Maryland's Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center and Center for Integrative Medicine, regularly used acupuncture to alleviate pain and treat side effects.
September 22, 2011
A look at Maryland's emergency medical system
The state of Maryland created one of the nation's first statewide emergency medical systems to ensure that patients got consistent and timely care no matter where they were. The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems now oversees and coordinates the providers from the field to the emergency department, according to James W. Brown, director of educational support services, from headquarters in Baltimore.
September 8, 2011
Progress in Hepatitis C research
Hepatitis C has long been a problem with a low rate of cure. But new drug therapies are in use and others are on the horizon, according to Dr. Paul J. Thuluvath, chief of gastroenterology at Mercy Medical Center and the medical director of the Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy. That has meant better liver health for millions in this country and around the globe.
August 25, 2011
Back-to-school checkup
Going back to school, particularly if it's a new school, can be a daunting time for kids and their parents. There's a lot to consider, from sleep schedules to proper nutrition and immunizations. Much can be accomplished by establishing good habits, says Dr. Julie Yeh, a pediatrician at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, who answered questions about handling the coming school year.
August 11, 2011
Sepsis
Every year, some 750,000 Americans develop sepsis, an extreme immune system response to infection. It kills a quarter to half of them, more than the number that die from prostate and breast cancer and AIDS combined, according to the National Institutes of Health. Health care providers have a limited amount of time to treat sepsis, which appears to be on the rise, possibly because of the longevity of people with chronic diseases and spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms. Dr. Dean W. Meadows, assistant director of the adult intensive care unit at St. Agnes Hospital, explains sepsis and how it's treated.
6:04 PM EDT, July 27, 2011
Total disc replacement
A newer procedure that involves inserting an artificial disc, called total disc replacement, means patients can get that range of motion and pain relief without the drawbacks of fusion.
4:28 PM EDT, July 13, 2011
Early-onset dementia and Alzheimer's
Everyone forgets a name or a date from time to time. But how do you know when it's something serious?
4:51 PM EDT, June 29, 2011
Food safety for the Fourth of July
There are steps to take to ensure there aren't any unwelcome fireworks in your belly.
4:27 PM EDT, June 1, 2011
MRSA in children
Dr. Robert Ancona at St. Joseph Medical Center answers questions about MRSA in children
3:37 PM EDT, May 4, 2011
Poisoning risks
Maryland Poison Center fields questions about medications, cleaners, plants and other household items
April 7, 2011
Childhood asthma
In Baltimore, as many as one in five children suffers from the condition and many go untreated.
March 24, 2011
Animal bites, scratches
Dr. Tanveer Giaibi of Northwest Hospital answers questions about animal bites
March 10, 2011
Tommy John injuries
Union Memorial orthopaedic surgeon discusses danger as baseball season approaches
3:28 PM EST, February 23, 2011
Deciding when seniors should give up driving
Driving can become a challenge as people age. Jan Crye, an occupational therapist and certified driving rehabilitation specialist at the Driving Evaluation and Training Program at Sinai Hospital, called it a delicate balance between the need for independence and the need for safety. She pointed to an 83-year-old man who recently drove the wrong way on a California freeway, causing a pileup. There are many factors that should be considered before elders get behind the wheel, she said.
4:26 PM EST, February 9, 2011
Wisdom teeth removal
Dr. Robert Williams of University of Maryland Dental School answers questions about third molars
January 27, 2011
The difference between sudden cardiac arrest and heart attacks
The new year brings a lot of resolutions to exercise. And sometimes the cold weather also means more snow shoveling. All that exertion can be harmful to people with abnormal hearts by leading to sudden cardiac arrest. Dr. Gordon Tomaselli, director of cardiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital, talks about the difference between sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack and what those at risk can do.
Copyright © 2012, The Baltimore Sun
E-mail
Twitter
Facebook
Home Delivery
Follow 
