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The debate over whether nature (genes) or nurture (environment) contributes more to mental and other disorders is moving toward how nature and nurture interact. A genetically predisposed person might be "resilient" and never develop a mental disorder, perhaps because of environmental factors, says The debate over whether nature (genes) or nurture (environment) contributes more to mental and other disorders is moving toward how nature and nurture interact. A genetically predisposed person might be "resilient" and never develop a mental disorder, perhaps because of environmental factors, says Stephen Glatt, PhD, Stephen Glatt, PhD, an associate professor of neuroscience and physiology at Upstate. Fast-moving research in this area is also examining whether environmentally acquired traits could then be passed on to one‘s children. Glatt is an associate professor of neuroscience and physiology at Upstate. Fast-moving research in this area is also examining whether environmentally acquired traits could then be pass

The earlier a mental health problem can be identified and dealt with, the better. That is part of the reasoning behind The earlier a mental health problem can be identified and dealt with, the better. That is part of the reasoning behind increased funding increased funding to expand to expand Mental Health First Aid Mental Health First Aid, a longstanding program in Central New York, say Seetha Ramanathan, MD, (at left in photo) a psychiatrist with the, a longstanding program in Central New York, say Seetha Ramanathan, MD, (at left in photo) a psychiatrist with the state Office of Mental Health state Office of Mental Health, and, and Stephen Glatt, PhD, Stephen Glatt, PhD, an Upstate associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences (at right). The program, used worldwide, trains lay people to recognize mental problems in young people and direct them to services, while fostering empathy and lessening the stigma of mental illness. an Upstate associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences (at

Polio epidemics, which paralyzed and killed children and terrified parents before Jonas Salk, MD, developed a vaccine, are brought to life by a survivor of a 1953 outbreak. Polio epidemics, which paralyzed and killed children and terrified parents before Jonas Salk, MD, developed a vaccine, are brought to life by a survivor of a 1953 outbreak. Janice Flood Nichols Janice Flood Nichols was a DeWitt first-grader when she and seven classmates were stricken. Three of them, including her twin brother, Frankie, died (the twins are shown on their last birthday before his death, and Nichols is shown at right in a recent photo). Nichols recovered, took part in the Salk vaccine trials of 1954 and today advocates for vaccination against polio and other diseases. She also touches on her mild case of post-polio syndrome, which can attack polio survivors decades later. was a DeWitt first-grader when she and seven classmates were stricken. Three of them, including her twin brother, Frankie, died (the twins are shown on thei

Where should a newborn sleep? How much weight should a pregnant woman gain? Is breastfeeding important? The answers to these questions – in its own crib in the parents‘ room; probably about 25 pounds but check with your health care provider; and yes, very – are among the topics nurse Cathy Narcavage-Bradley fields as coordinator of Where should a newborn sleep? How much weight should a pregnant woman gain? Is breastfeeding important? The answers to these questions – in its own crib in the parents‘ room; probably about 25 pounds but check with your health care provider; and yes, very – are among the topics nurse Cathy Narcavage-Bradley fields as coordinator of Upstate‘s Best Beginnings classes. Upstate‘s Best Beginnings classes. The sessions help expectant and new parents learn about pregnancy, labor, delivery and newborn care. The sessions help expectant and new parents learn about pregnancy, labor, delivery and newborn care.

Teenagers looking to get high are abusing easily available household products, says Upstate toxicologist Teenagers looking to get high are abusing easily available household products, says Upstate toxicologist William Eggleston William Eggleston. Hydrocarbons, found in aerosol sprays, are being inhaled and can lead to irregular heart rhythms and “sudden sniffing death syndrome.” Loperamide (brand name: Imodium), an over-the-counter anti-diarrhea drug, is being taken in megadoses for a heroinlike effect. Dextromethorphan, found in cough and cold remedies, acts like the drug PCP in high doses and causes agitation and combativeness. Eggleston, who sees drug overdose cases through the. Hydrocarbons, found in aerosol sprays, are being inhaled and can lead to irregular heart rhythms and “sudden sniffing death syndrome.” Loperamide (brand name: Imodium), an over-the-counter anti-diarrhea drug, is being taken in megadoses for a heroinlike effect. Dextromethorphan, found in cough and cold remedies, acts like the drug

Countering sexual violence can start with a conversation to raise awareness and encourage people to speak out and intervene If necessary. This applies to college campuses as well as the larger society, say Meaghan Greeley (at left in photo)  and Tiffany Brec (at right in photo) of Countering sexual violence can start with a conversation to raise awareness and encourage people to speak out and intervene If necessary. This applies to college campuses as well as the larger society, say Meaghan Greeley (at left in photo)  and Tiffany Brec (at right in photo) of Vera House, Vera House, a Central New York agency that deals with domestic and sexual violence. In community sessions about sexual violence, Brec and Greeley encourage people to think about the culture‘s and their own attitudes, the role of bystanders and how violent acts eventually affect society as a whole. a Central New York agency that deals with domestic and sexual violence. In community sessions about sexual violence, Brec and Greeley encourage peopl

Many factors can put someone at risk for the bone-weakening conditions of osteopenia and the more serious osteoporosis, says endocrinologist Many factors can put someone at risk for the bone-weakening conditions of osteopenia and the more serious osteoporosis, says endocrinologist Jennifer Kelly, DO. Jennifer Kelly, DO. Among them are a woman‘s postmenopausal drop in estrogen, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and endocrine diseases such as hyperthyroidism, says Kelly, clinical director of the bone density unit at Upstate‘s Joslin Diabetes Center. She also describes the lifestyle changes and drugs recommended to treat osteoporosis. Among them are a woman‘s postmenopausal drop in estrogen, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and endocrine diseases such as hyperthyroidism, says Kelly, clinical director of the bone density unit at Upstate‘s Joslin Diabetes Center. She also describes the lifestyle changes and drugs recommended to treat osteoporosis.

Vascular disease, or diseases of the blood vessels, can lead to difficulty walking, heart attacks, strokes and gangrene, explains Upstate vascular surgeon Vascular disease, or diseases of the blood vessels, can lead to difficulty walking, heart attacks, strokes and gangrene, explains Upstate vascular surgeon Michael Costanza, MD Michael Costanza, MD. Changes in lifestyle habits often help: Don‘t smoke, get reasonable exercise, follow a healthy diet, and control any problems with diabetes, cholesterol or blood pressure. Costanza also addressed how vascular disease is diagnosed, who is likely to get it and the importance of screening.. Changes in lifestyle habits often help: Don‘t smoke, get reasonable exercise, follow a healthy diet, and control any problems with diabetes, cholesterol or blood pressure. Costanza also addressed how vascular disease is diagnosed, who is likely to get it and the importance of screening.

May 15, 2016 May 15, 2016 Upstate surgeon Upstate surgeon Scott Albert, MD Scott Albert, MD, explains the new way of thinking about thyroid cancer. Upstate toxicologist, explains the new way of thinking about thyroid cancer. Upstate toxicologist William Eggleston William Eggleston tells of the dangers of hydrocarbons and commonly abused medications. tells of the dangers of hydrocarbons and commonly abused medications. Support group Support group facilitator facilitator Christine Kowaleski Christine Kowaleski discusses discusses postpartum depression and psychosis postpartum depression and psychosis with Central New York mother with Central New York mother Heather Sherman Heather Sherman. .

Postpartum depression and anxiety Postpartum depression and anxiety are fairly common, says are fairly common, says Christine Kowaleski Christine Kowaleski (at right in photo), a nurse practitioner who facilitates a support group for new mothers and expectant mothers. Taking part in that group is (at right in photo), a nurse practitioner who facilitates a support group for new mothers and expectant mothers. Taking part in that group is Heather Sherman Heather Sherman (at left in photo) of Baldwinsville, who shares (at left in photo) of Baldwinsville, who shares her personal postpartum story her personal postpartum story of suicidal thoughts and of suicidal thoughts and her struggles her struggles to find treatment and help others with similar problems. Kowaleski, an associate professor at Crouse Hospital‘s Pomeroy College of Nursing, also explains the differences between “baby blues” and postpartum depression and tells how to get help (call 315-470-7940 to register for the f to find treatment and help others

Experts are re-examining whether to consider some slow-growing abnormalities of the thyroid gland as chronic diseases to monitor rather than as cancers to remove immediately, says Experts are re-examining whether to consider some slow-growing abnormalities of the thyroid gland as chronic diseases to monitor rather than as cancers to remove immediately, says Scott Albert, MD, Scott Albert, MD, division chief of breast, endocrine and plastic surgery at Upstate. Albert also explains the thyroid‘s functions, the uses of scans, biopsies and radioactive iodine, and how the vast majority of thyroid cancer patients do well after treatment, which generally involves surgical removal of the gland. division chief of breast, endocrine and plastic surgery at Upstate. Albert also explains the thyroid‘s functions, the uses of scans, biopsies and radioactive iodine, and how the vast majority of thyroid cancer patients do well after treatment, which generally involves surgical removal of the gland.

May 8, 2016 May 8, 2016 Paramedic Todd Curtis and emergency physician Paramedic Todd Curtis and emergency physician Jeremy Joslin, MD Jeremy Joslin, MD, tell how they provide medical safety oversight for TV wilderness adventure programs. Cardiologist, tell how they provide medical safety oversight for TV wilderness adventure programs. Cardiologist Harold Smulyan, MD Harold Smulyan, MD, discusses screening of and treatments for high blood pressure. Pediatric cancer researcher, discusses screening of and treatments for high blood pressure. Pediatric cancer researcher William Kerr, PhD William Kerr, PhD, explains his immunotherapy research., explains his immunotherapy research.

A love of the wilderness led a paramedic and a doctor to work with the National Geographic Channel adventure series A love of the wilderness led a paramedic and a doctor to work with the National Geographic Channel adventure series “The Great Human Race.” “The Great Human Race.” Todd Curtis (at left in photo), a paramedic who trained at Upstate and now teaches at Upstate, served as medical safety oversight director for the show, which follows two people as they re-create the conditions of early humans in remote locales in Ethiopia, Mongolia and elsewhere. Curtis got long-distance supervision from emergency physician Todd Curtis (at left in photo), a paramedic who trained at Upstate and now teaches at Upstate, served as medical safety oversight director for the show, which follows two people as they re-create the conditions of early humans in remote locales in Ethiopia, Mongolia and elsewhere. Curtis got long-distance supervision from emergency physician Jeremy Joslin, MD Jeremy Joslin,

High blood pressure is a fairly common condition that can contribute to a stroke, heart attack or vascular problems, and yet it often goes undetected. Since it often shows no symptoms, screening is important to detect it, and treatments are available, says Upstate cardiologist High blood pressure is a fairly common condition that can contribute to a stroke, heart attack or vascular problems, and yet it often goes undetected. Since it often shows no symptoms, screening is important to detect it, and treatments are available, says Upstate cardiologist Harold Smulyan, MD Harold Smulyan, MD. He explains the associated risks, such as smoking, obesity and excessive salt intake, and also who tends to be at higher risk for high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. He explains the associated risks, such as smoking, obesity and excessive salt intake, and also who tends to be at higher risk for high blood pressure, also known as hypertension

Pediatric cancer researcher Pediatric cancer researcher William Kerr, PhD William Kerr, PhD, is heading to France on a Fulbright Scholarship to collaborate with other researchers about ways to prompt the body's immune system to kill cancer cells. He explains the promising work that takes place in his Upstate laboratory and the accelerated efforts of American scientists to solve cancer by 2020., is heading to France on a Fulbright Scholarship to collaborate with other researchers about ways to prompt the body's immune system to kill cancer cells. He explains the promising work that takes place in his Upstate laboratory and the accelerated efforts of American scientists to solve cancer by 2020.

May 1, 2016 May 1, 2016 Jack Wohlers, PhD, of Jack Wohlers, PhD, of Centre Syracuse Centre Syracuse tells about detection and treatment of eating disorders. tells about detection and treatment of eating disorders. Rich O'Neill, PhD, Rich O'Neill, PhD, talks about how to help a loved one struggling with addiction. Upstate graduate talks about how to help a loved one struggling with addiction. Upstate graduate Michael Weiner, MD Michael Weiner, MD, discusses an, discusses an Alzheimer's disease research project Alzheimer's disease research project that seeks participants. that seeks participants.

April 24, 2016 April 24, 2016 Pediatric urologist Pediatric urologist Matthew Mason, MD Matthew Mason, MD, explains diagnosis and treatment of undescended testicles and other urologic problems that affect babies. Urologist, explains diagnosis and treatment of undescended testicles and other urologic problems that affect babies. Urologist Natasha Ginzburg Natasha Ginzburg, MD, discusses pelvic floor disorders affecting women. Urologist, MD, discusses pelvic floor disorders affecting women. Urologist JC Trussell, MD JC Trussell, MD, tells about causes and treatments for erectile dysfunction., tells about causes and treatments for erectile dysfunction.

Eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, can be viewed as a way to cope with life changes and stress, says psychologist Jack Wohlers, PhD. These complex disorders often occur during the transition from childhood to adolescence and from adolescence to early adulthood, says Wohlers, the clinical director of Eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, can be viewed as a way to cope with life changes and stress, says psychologist Jack Wohlers, PhD. These complex disorders often occur during the transition from childhood to adolescence and from adolescence to early adulthood, says Wohlers, the clinical director of Centre Syracuse Centre Syracuse, a treatment program for adults and teens with eating disorders. He describes the secretive behaviors and shame that can be associated with these disorders and the importance of early detection and treatment., a treatment program for adults and teens with eating disorders. He describes the secretive behaviors and shame that can be ass

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem that is generally treated with a three-tiered approach, says Upstate urologist Erectile dysfunction is a common problem that is generally treated with a three-tiered approach, says Upstate urologist JC Trussell, MD JC Trussell, MD. Erectile dysfunction is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection for satisfactory sexual performance, Trussell says, and it's an issue for more men as they get older. He describes the types of ED, contributing factors including stress, diabetes and heart disease, and the usual remedies, starting with medications, then moving to devices if needed, and, as a last option, an implanted prosthesis, all of which have had high rates of success.. Erectile dysfunction is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection for satisfactory sexual performance, Trussell says, and it's an issue for more men as they get older. He describes the types of ED, contributing factors including stress, diabetes and heart dis

The pelvic floor is a complex structure that can be the source of disorders as women age and bear children, says The pelvic floor is a complex structure that can be the source of disorders as women age and bear children, says Natasha Ginzburg, MD, Natasha Ginzburg, MD, urologist and director of female pelvic medicine and surgery at Upstate. She describes the pelvic floor as a hammock of muscle and tissue that, in women, includes the vagina, rectum and uterus. Problems with urination, defecation and protruding organs in the pelvic floor can be treated successfully through behavioral changes, physical therapy, medicines and biofeedback, with surgery (generally minimally invasive) as a last choice, she said. urologist and director of female pelvic medicine and surgery at Upstate. She describes the pelvic floor as a hammock of muscle and tissue that, in women, includes the vagina, rectum and uterus. Problems with urination, defecation and protruding organs in the pelvic floor can be treated successfully through b