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An undescended testicle occurs in about 3 percent of full-term baby boys but in as many as 45 percent of boys born prematurely, explains An undescended testicle occurs in about 3 percent of full-term baby boys but in as many as 45 percent of boys born prematurely, explains Matthew Mason, MD, Matthew Mason, MD, a pediatric a pediatric urologist urologist at Upstate. The reasons why one testicle (or occasionally both) does not find its way to the scrotum are unclear, he says, noting that pediatricians check for this problem in well-child visits. Mason also describes aspects of the condition and possible complications, such as reduced fertility and testicular cancer, as well as treatment options. at Upstate. The reasons why one testicle (or occasionally both) does not find its way to the scrotum are unclear, he says, noting that pediatricians check for this problem in well-child visits. Mason also describes aspects of the condition and possible complications, such as reduced fertility and testicular cancer, as w

April 17, 2016 April 17, 2016 Urologist Urologist Oleg Shapiro, MD Oleg Shapiro, MD, discusses kidney cancer. Nurses Lorrie Langdon and Michelle Vallelunga tell about atrial fibrillation and its connection to stroke. Wikipedian Lane Rasberry talks about the medical information available at the online encyclopedia., discusses kidney cancer. Nurses Lorrie Langdon and Michelle Vallelunga tell about atrial fibrillation and its connection to stroke. Wikipedian Lane Rasberry talks about the medical information available at the online encyclopedia.

Lane Rasberry is confident that Wikipedia, the most consulted source of medical information, is of comparable value to online medical sources such as WebMD and the Mayo Clinic. As the Wikipedian in residence at Consumer Reports, specializing in health information, he visited Upstate to explain the free online encyclopedia and show how people can become involved. Rasberry notes his history with Wikipedia, how its medical and other information is edited and the importance of citing reliable sources. Lane Rasberry is confident that Wikipedia, the most consulted source of medical information, is of comparable value to online medical sources such as WebMD and the Mayo Clinic. As the Wikipedian in residence at Consumer Reports, specializing in health information, he visited Upstate to explain the free online encyclopedia and show how people can become involved. Rasberry notes his history with Wikipedia, how its medical and other information is edited and the importance of citing reliable sources.

April 10, 2016 April 10, 2016 Neurosurgeon Neurosurgeon Satish Krishnamurthy, MD Satish Krishnamurthy, MD, discusses hydrocephalus with the parent of a patient. Nurse and certified diabetes educator Kristi Shaver provides tips for living with diabetes. Registered dietitian nutritionist Maureen Franklin shares ideas for maintaining weight loss long term., discusses hydrocephalus with the parent of a patient. Nurse and certified diabetes educator Kristi Shaver provides tips for living with diabetes. Registered dietitian nutritionist Maureen Franklin shares ideas for maintaining weight loss long term.    

Handling an alcoholic or drug-addicted loved one is a particularly thorny issue because people worry that frank talk about the problem might endanger their relationship, says psychologist Handling an alcoholic or drug-addicted loved one is a particularly thorny issue because people worry that frank talk about the problem might endanger their relationship, says psychologist Rich O‘Neill, PhD Rich O‘Neill, PhD. O‘Neill touches on the related issues of enabling, tough love, blame and interventions and advises that people who keep silent about the love one‘s addiction will likely lose the relationship anyway.. O‘Neill touches on the related issues of enabling, tough love, blame and interventions and advises that people who keep silent about the love one‘s addiction will likely lose the relationship anyway.

Atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation, or “a-fib,” is a common heart problem that can greatly increase the risk of stroke, as two Upstate nurses explain. A heart that is in atrial fibrillation is beating too fast, too slow or irregularly, which might allow blood to pool and clot instead of being pumped normally, say Lorraine “Lorrie” Langdon (at right), coordinator of the, or “a-fib,” is a common heart problem that can greatly increase the risk of stroke, as two Upstate nurses explain. A heart that is in atrial fibrillation is beating too fast, too slow or irregularly, which might allow blood to pool and clot instead of being pumped normally, say Lorraine “Lorrie” Langdon (at right), coordinator of the Heart Failure Program Heart Failure Program, and Michelle Vallelunga (at left), data coordinator of the, and Michelle Vallelunga (at left), data coordinator of the Comprehensive Stroke Center Comprehensive Stroke Center at Upstate. Those clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. The nurses go over ris

Kidney cancer is often “silent” and discovered when a patient receives an imaging scan for something else, says Kidney cancer is often “silent” and discovered when a patient receives an imaging scan for something else, says Oleg Shapiro, MD Oleg Shapiro, MD, vice chair of urology at Upstate. Minimally invasive surgery can usually be done to remove tumors when they are caught early. Shapiro also explains how renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, how it can be aggressive and what treatments are on the horizon., vice chair of urology at Upstate. Minimally invasive surgery can usually be done to remove tumors when they are caught early. Shapiro also explains how renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, how it can be aggressive and what treatments are on the horizon.

Hydrocephalus is a fairly common but poorly understood condition with limited remedies, and an Upstate doctor and one of his patients‘ families are seeking better treatments. Neurosurgeon Hydrocephalus is a fairly common but poorly understood condition with limited remedies, and an Upstate doctor and one of his patients‘ families are seeking better treatments. Neurosurgeon Satish Krishnamurthy, MD Satish Krishnamurthy, MD (at right in photo), explains how the condition creates excess fluid and pressure on the brain, often resolved through surgical insertion of a shunt as a drain. That process can lead to infections and repeated surgeries. Tom Clough, (at left) whose daughter, now 6, has had six shunts inserted, explains how his family started a (at right in photo), explains how the condition creates excess fluid and pressure on the brain, often resolved through surgical insertion of a shunt as a drain. That process can lead to infections and repeated surgeries. Tom Clough, (at left) whose daughter, now 6, has

Finding a treatment program and overcoming an addition to heroin or another opioid is difficult but not impossible, says Finding a treatment program and overcoming an addition to heroin or another opioid is difficult but not impossible, says Ross Sullivan, MD Ross Sullivan, MD, director of medical toxicology at Upstate Medical University.  Sullivan tells how the effort to control pain medically helped create the current addiction crisis in opioids -- drugs derived from the opium poppy (heroin, morphine) or that mimic them synthetically (fentanyl, oxycodone). Recent restrictions on prescription drugs have led to a flood of cheap heroin to fill the gap, he says, and current treatment options are inadequate to fight the high addiction rates. He outlines how the, director of medical toxicology at Upstate Medical University.  Sullivan tells how the effort to control pain medically helped create the current addiction crisis in opioids -- drugs derived from the opium poppy (heroin, morphine) or that mimic them synth

Screening for lung cancer has greatly reduced the chances of dying from that disease among those most at risk, says Upstate thoracic surgeon Screening for lung cancer has greatly reduced the chances of dying from that disease among those most at risk, says Upstate thoracic surgeon Jason Wallen, MD Jason Wallen, MD, who also describes other advances in treatment. If lung cancer is caught early, surgery is generally the best option, and it can often be done with small incisions, he says, while chemotherapy might be the best choice for cancer that has spread. Wallen also describes the challenges of diagnosing and treating cancer of the esophagus, which is much less common than lung cancer., who also describes other advances in treatment. If lung cancer is caught early, surgery is generally the best option, and it can often be done with small incisions, he says, while chemotherapy might be the best choice for cancer that has spread. Wallen also describes the challenges of diagnosing and treating cancer of the eso

April 3, 2016 April 3, 2016 Director of medical toxicology Director of medical toxicology Ross Sullivan, MD Ross Sullivan, MD, provides an update on the heroin epidemic. Registered dietitian nutritionist Kristen Davis explains the value of eating organic foods. Thoracic surgeon, provides an update on the heroin epidemic. Registered dietitian nutritionist Kristen Davis explains the value of eating organic foods. Thoracic surgeon Jason Wallen, MD Jason Wallen, MD, discusses lung and esophageal cancer., discusses lung and esophageal cancer.

Diabetes requires knowledge and discipline to manage, as well as emotional support from friends and relatives, says nurse Kristi Shaver, a certified diabetes educator and the education team leader at Diabetes requires knowledge and discipline to manage, as well as emotional support from friends and relatives, says nurse Kristi Shaver, a certified diabetes educator and the education team leader at Upstate‘s Joslin Diabetes Center Upstate‘s Joslin Diabetes Center. Shaver outlines the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and discusses how they relate to alcohol, stress, obesity and other illnesses. She also outlines. Shaver outlines the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and discusses how they relate to alcohol, stress, obesity and other illnesses. She also outlines resources for those who wish to learn more about managing diabetes resources for those who wish to learn more about managing diabetes. .

Do most adults know they need a tetanus booster shot every 10 years? Immunization recommendations can vary according to age, disease and other factors and should be discussed with one‘s primary care provider, says Upstate‘s family medicine department chair, Do most adults know they need a tetanus booster shot every 10 years? Immunization recommendations can vary according to age, disease and other factors and should be discussed with one‘s primary care provider, says Upstate‘s family medicine department chair, John Epling, MD John Epling, MD, who is among the experts helping to shape those recommendations at the national level. Epling explains changes in this year‘s schedule for adults and also the process of reviewing and updating that schedule., who is among the experts helping to shape those recommendations at the national level. Epling explains changes in this year‘s schedule for adults and also the process of reviewing and updating that schedule.

How do you control your weight over the long term? Suggestions from real-life success stories include eating breakfast regularly and watching less TV, according to Maureen Franklin, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Upstate. She reviews these and other tips from her professional experience and from the How do you control your weight over the long term? Suggestions from real-life success stories include eating breakfast regularly and watching less TV, according to Maureen Franklin, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Upstate. She reviews these and other tips from her professional experience and from the National Weight Control Registry National Weight Control Registry, which surveys people about their weight and habits. Franklin also touches on goal setting, grocery shopping and attitudes toward dieting. , which surveys people about their weight and habits. Franklin also touches on goal setting, grocery shopping and attitudes toward dieting. 

March 27, 2016 March 27, 2016 Joan Pellegrino, MD Joan Pellegrino, MD, discusses the role of genetics in rare diseases. Registered dietitian nutritionist Maria Erdman goes over the new food guidelines., discusses the role of genetics in rare diseases. Registered dietitian nutritionist Maria Erdman goes over the new food guidelines. John Epling, MD John Epling, MD, explains who needs adult immunizations., explains who needs adult immunizations.

A healthy eating pattern includes fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, protein and oils and limits intake of saturated fats and sodium. There's also room for coffee, says Upstate registered dietitian nutritionist Maria Erdman. A healthy eating pattern includes fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, protein and oils and limits intake of saturated fats and sodium. There's also room for coffee, says Upstate registered dietitian nutritionist Maria Erdman. New food guidelines from the U.S. departments of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services New food guidelines from the U.S. departments of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services for the first time include coffee, she says, because research shows it may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and some cancers. Nutritional recommendations designed to improve the health of Americans through diet are issued every five years.  for the first time include coffee, she says, because research shows it may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disea

Foods labeled "organic" carry an aura of better nutrition, but at a higher price. While there is no definitive answer yet, some evidence suggests higher levels of some nutrients in organically raised produce, meats, dairy products and eggs, as well as the decreased exposure to pesticides and antibiotics, says Kristen Davis, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Upstate. Bacteria levels in organic meats might also be high, requiring careful cooking. Davis also discusses the Foods labeled "organic" carry an aura of better nutrition, but at a higher price. While there is no definitive answer yet, some evidence suggests higher levels of some nutrients in organically raised produce, meats, dairy products and eggs, as well as the decreased exposure to pesticides and antibiotics, says Kristen Davis, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Upstate. Bacteria levels in organic meats might also be high, requiring careful cooking. Davis also discusses the so-called "dirty dozen" and "clean 15" fruits

Upstate geriatrician Upstate geriatrician Andrea Berg, MD Andrea Berg, MD, tells what to expect from loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia who are likely to struggle with short-term memory, language, reasoning and judgment. She discusses communication techniques, when and how to take the car keys away and the potential perils of wandering, as well as medical issues including depression and incontinence., tells what to expect from loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia who are likely to struggle with short-term memory, language, reasoning and judgment. She discusses communication techniques, when and how to take the car keys away and the potential perils of wandering, as well as medical issues including depression and incontinence.

Advances in genetic testing have provided new possibilities for diagnosing rare genetic diseases and also ushered in new dilemmas. Upstate geneticist Advances in genetic testing have provided new possibilities for diagnosing rare genetic diseases and also ushered in new dilemmas. Upstate geneticist Joan Pellegrino, MD, Joan Pellegrino, MD, explains that while genetic sequencing can help identify a patient‘s disease, that knowledge might offer little comfort if the disease has no known treatment or if the testing uncovers unrelated health problems. Pellegrino, director of Upstate‘s Inherited Metabolic Diseases Specialty Center, discusses these complexities and explains that while genetic sequencing can help identify a patient‘s disease, that knowledge might offer little comfort if the disease has no known treatment or if the testing uncovers unrelated health problems. Pellegrino, director of Upstate‘s Inherited Metabolic Diseases Specialty Center, discusses these complexities and reviews a local case reviews a

Back pain strikes most people at some point in their lives, but it‘s usually not serious and goes away with little to no treatment, says Back pain strikes most people at some point in their lives, but it‘s usually not serious and goes away with little to no treatment, says Adam Rufa, DPT Adam Rufa, DPT, an assistant professor of physical therapy at Upstate. While back pain‘s causes and risk factors are complex and can vary from person to person, the people who deal with it best tend to maintain their physical activities and a positive attitude, Rufa says. He also discusses herniated disks, the use of MRI tests and factors including depression and anxiety., an assistant professor of physical therapy at Upstate. While back pain‘s causes and risk factors are complex and can vary from person to person, the people who deal with it best tend to maintain their physical activities and a positive attitude, Rufa says. He also discusses herniated disks, the use of MRI tests and factors including depression and anxiety.