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March 13, 2016 March 13, 2016 Transfusion expert Transfusion expert Matthew Elkins, MD, PhD Matthew Elkins, MD, PhD, discusses bone marrow transplant. Neurosciences doctoral student Patrick Sweeney talks of the connection between emotion, genetics and eating patterns. Radiologist, discusses bone marrow transplant. Neurosciences doctoral student Patrick Sweeney talks of the connection between emotion, genetics and eating patterns. Radiologist Ravi Adhikary, MD Ravi Adhikary, MD, and radiology director Jennifer Caldwell tell about the merits of 3-D mammography., and radiology director Jennifer Caldwell tell about the merits of 3-D mammography.

A 3-D mammogram – similar to a CT scan – is becoming the new standard in breast cancer screening, experts at Upstate say. Multiple images from various angles can allow a better view into a breast, especially a dense breast, than traditional two-dimensional mammograms, say radiologist A 3-D mammogram – similar to a CT scan – is becoming the new standard in breast cancer screening, experts at Upstate say. Multiple images from various angles can allow a better view into a breast, especially a dense breast, than traditional two-dimensional mammograms, say radiologist Ravi Adhikary, MD Ravi Adhikary, MD, director of the women‘s imaging section, and Jennifer Caldwell, director of radiology. While 3-D mammograms are done in addition to 2-D now, in the future, just the 3-D version -- with a 2-D version reconstructed from it -- will likely be used. This will reduce radiation exposure and discomfort, should reduce false positives and, it is hoped, increase early detection of breast cancer, Adhikary says., director of t

Why does stress cause some people to lose their appetite and others to gorge? The complex relationships between emotion, genetics and eating patterns are explored by Why does stress cause some people to lose their appetite and others to gorge? The complex relationships between emotion, genetics and eating patterns are explored by Patrick Sweeney Patrick Sweeney, a neurosciences doctoral candidate in, a neurosciences doctoral candidate in Upstate‘s College of Graduate Studies Upstate‘s College of Graduate Studies, who, who recently published research recently published research showing that brain regions involved with emotion and stress are also involved in feeding behavior, something not previously reported. He hopes future research might lead to drugs for individual circuits of the brain, rather than the entire brain.  showing that brain regions involved with emotion and stress are also involved in feeding behavior, something not previously reported. He hopes future research might lead to drugs f

Being born in a poor country, training as a pediatrician, teaching medical students and working in impoverished areas have all contributed to the background of Being born in a poor country, training as a pediatrician, teaching medical students and working in impoverished areas have all contributed to the background of Upstate Medical University Upstate Medical University ‘s new president. ‘s new president. Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, tells of her birth in Haiti, her upbringing from age 7 in New York City and her passion for the rigors of medical research as well as the need for doctors to get real-life experience and for medical care to reach the underprivileged. She also takes a look at the future of medical education and health care., tells of her birth in Haiti, her upbringing from age 7 in New York City and her passion for the rigors of medical research as well as the need for doctors to get real-life experience and for medical care to reach the underprivileged. She also takes a

Most people infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus show no symptoms, and the disease is not a threat to human life, says Upstate infectious disease expert Most people infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus show no symptoms, and the disease is not a threat to human life, says Upstate infectious disease expert Timothy Endy, MD Timothy Endy, MD. Pregnant women exposed to Zika run the risk of their babies being born with abnormally small heads, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to avoid the Olympic games in Brazil later this year. Endy says the virus has been transmitted sexually from men to women and appears to be able to live in urine and semen for a month. So far, mosquitoes carrying Zika have been found in 10 or 12 countries in South America, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Subtropical mosquitoes feed in the daytime and prefer shady environments, so Endy recommends protecting yourself with insect repellents if you

Bone marrow transplants offer hope to chemotherapy and other patients who lack healthy blood cells, and marrow collection methods have improved in recent years, explains Bone marrow transplants offer hope to chemotherapy and other patients who lack healthy blood cells, and marrow collection methods have improved in recent years, explains Matthew Elkins, MD, PhD Matthew Elkins, MD, PhD, Upstate‘s medical director of transfusion medicine. The marrow‘s stem cells – needed to grow healthy blood cells – can be harvested from a patient for his or her own later use, from a donor or from a newborn‘s discarded umbilical cord, he says, describing how pheresis machines have largely replaced the old needle-drawn method of harvesting. He also urges people to sign up for the, Upstate‘s medical director of transfusion medicine. The marrow‘s stem cells – needed to grow healthy blood cells – can be harvested from a patient for his or her own later use, from a donor or from a newborn‘s discarded umbilical cord, he says, descri

Pressured to see more patients in less time, doctors struggle to avoid burnout and serve their patients adequately. One alternative springing up around the country is to charge an annual fee for “concierge” or personalized care to a small number of patients. Pressured to see more patients in less time, doctors struggle to avoid burnout and serve their patients adequately. One alternative springing up around the country is to charge an annual fee for “concierge” or personalized care to a small number of patients. Joseph Barry, MD, Joseph Barry, MD, an internist who specializes in geriatrics in Camillus, says his personalized care includes short or no waits for appointments, sufficient time for patient-doctor visits, after-hours phone availability and free recreational events such as yoga classes or nature walks to encourage healthy living. Barry, who also maintains a more traditional practice, offers his views on changes in medical care and counters charges that concierge medicine is elitist by noting his annu

Screening and early detection are the keys to fighting colorectal cancer, says Screening and early detection are the keys to fighting colorectal cancer, says colorectal surgeon David Halleran, MD colorectal surgeon David Halleran, MD, section chief of surgery at Upstate‘s community campus. "As with all cancers, and particularly colorectal cancers, the earlier you find the cancers, the better your  survival rates,” he said, noting that the biggest risk factor is age, which is why a screening is recommended at age 50. Other risk factors include family history, smoking and obesity. Halleran describes the various tests for colorectal cancer, how often they are recommended and how the disease has changed from a killer to one that can often be cured if detected early., section chief of surgery at Upstate‘s community campus. "As with all cancers, and particularly colorectal cancers, the earlier you find the cancers, the better your  survival rates,” he said, noting that the biggest risk factor is age, which is why a

Orthopedic surgeon Orthopedic surgeon Joshua Pletka, MD, Joshua Pletka, MD, explains common arm, shoulder and hand problems like fractures, rotator cuff injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger. Pletka, chief of orthopedics at Upstate‘s community campus, also explains when surgery is more appropriate than a conservative remedy, such as rest or a brace. Many minor hand and arm or sports-related problems can be treated at walk-in clinics at the Upstate Bone & Joint Center. Details are available at explains common arm, shoulder and hand problems like fractures, rotator cuff injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger. Pletka, chief of orthopedics at Upstate‘s community campus, also explains when surgery is more appropriate than a conservative remedy, such as rest or a brace. Many minor hand and arm or sports-related problems can be treated at walk-in clinics at the Upstate Bone & Joint Center. Details are available at upstateorthopedics.com. upstateorthopedics.com.

Ophthalmologist Ophthalmologist Robert Swan, MD, Robert Swan, MD, explains uveitis, or inflammation of the eye, and how it can result from infection, injury, or more commonly, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation usually involves eye redness, discomfort and blurred vision and can often be treated with occasional drops, while chronic cases might require steroids. Swan, director of Upstate‘s uveitis service, stresses the importance of finding and stopping the condition as soon as possible. explains uveitis, or inflammation of the eye, and how it can result from infection, injury, or more commonly, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation usually involves eye redness, discomfort and blurred vision and can often be treated with occasional drops, while chronic cases might require steroids. Swan, director of Upstate‘s uveitis service, stresses the importance of finding and stopping the condition as soon as possible.

Through a partnership with the Through a partnership with the Syracuse Housing Authority Syracuse Housing Authority, , Upstate Upstate is helping to reduce health disparities in public housing neighborhoods. Connie Gregory (at right) and Aldrine Ashong-Katai explain how resident health advocates are trained in important chronic health and social conditions and asked to share the information with their neighbors. "People are more apt to listen to people they can relate to," explains Ashong-Katai. He and Gregory work in Upstate's is helping to reduce health disparities in public housing neighborhoods. Connie Gregory (at right) and Aldrine Ashong-Katai explain how resident health advocates are trained in important chronic health and social conditions and asked to share the information with their neighbors. "People are more apt to listen to people they can relate to," explains Ashong-Katai. He and Gregory work in Upstate's office of diversity and inclusion office of diversity and inclusion. .

Children between age 9 and 11, and again between 18 and 21, should have their cholesterol checked through a blood test, according to Children between age 9 and 11, and again between 18 and 21, should have their cholesterol checked through a blood test, according to new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Testing previously was reserved for children whose families included a history of high cholesterol, explains Testing previously was reserved for children whose families included a history of high cholesterol, explains Upstate Upstate pediatrician pediatrician Travis Hobart, MD Travis Hobart, MD. Now the strategy is to identify cholesterol problems early to allow time to intervene. "Children with high cholesterol are much more likely to become adults with a bad cholesterol profile," he says.. Now the strategy is to identify cholesterol problems early to allow time to intervene. "Children with high cholesterol are much more likely to become

Low-dose computerized tomography scans can help locate lung cancers at the earliest, most treatable stages, says Upstate radiologist Low-dose computerized tomography scans can help locate lung cancers at the earliest, most treatable stages, says Upstate radiologist Santiago Miro, MD Santiago Miro, MD. He tells about the. He tells about the lung cancer screening program at Upstate lung cancer screening program at Upstate (call 1-315-464-7064 or 1-800-464-8668 for an appointment) which is now covered by most health insurance plans. It's designed for people between the ages of 55 and 77 who have smoked what is known as "30 pack years." That's a pack a day for 30 years, or two packs a day for 15 years, or other variations. The testing is also for people who quit smoking within the last 15 years. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. (call 1-315-464-7064 or 1-800-464-8668 for an appointment) which is now covered by most health insurance plans. It's designed for peo

Syracuse University professor Syracuse University professor Amy Ellen Schwartz, PhD Amy Ellen Schwartz, PhD, examines factors that may influence America's obesity epidemic in schoolchildren. She has looked at physical education, school lunches and the barriers to walking to school. More recently she studied the obesity rates in New York City schools that installed water jets in school cafeterias, which allow kids to quickly fill cups or bottles with cold water. "After the installation of the water jets, obesity rates go down, and weight goes down," she says. "And we're convinced it's a causal relationship because we can compare it with schools that did not get the water jets." Schwartz specializes in economics in SU's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs., examines factors that may influence America's obesity epidemic in schoolchildren. She has looked at physical education, school lunches and the barriers to walking to school. More recently she studied the obesity rates in New York City schools th

Ensuring proper nutrition for senior citizens involves looking at changes in both body and lifestyle, say two registered dietitian nutritionists at Ensuring proper nutrition for senior citizens involves looking at changes in both body and lifestyle, say two registered dietitian nutritionists at Upstate Upstate. Decreases in muscle mass, bone density and the sense of smell, coupled with physical illness or depression, contribute to diminished appetite and calories needed, say Carrie Carlton (at right in photo) and Cecilia Sansone. Among their prescriptions are a varied diet of nutrient-rich foods tailored to the individual, sufficient fluids and several small meals as an alternative to three main meals.. Decreases in muscle mass, bone density and the sense of smell, coupled with physical illness or depression, contribute to diminished appetite and calories needed, say Carrie Carlton (at right in photo) and Cecilia Sansone. Among their prescriptions are a varied diet of nutrient-rich foods tailored to the indiv

Treating chronic kidney disease, which can result from diabetes, high blood pressure and other causes, can involve dialysis and take over the life of a patient and his or her family. That is why at-risk people should be screened, says registered nurse Deb Polmanteer, chronic kidney disease coordinator for the Treating chronic kidney disease, which can result from diabetes, high blood pressure and other causes, can involve dialysis and take over the life of a patient and his or her family. That is why at-risk people should be screened, says registered nurse Deb Polmanteer, chronic kidney disease coordinator for the Reach Kidney Care program Reach Kidney Care program in Central New York. She describes how this free program -- "Reach" stands for Real Engagement Achieving Complete Health -- helps patients get support and education to cope with the disease and avoid dialysis if possible.  in Central New York. She describes how this free program -- "Reach" stands for Real Engagement Achieving Complete Health -- hel

On top of each kidney sits an adrenal gland, which produces hormones a person cannot live without. When a tumor develops in an adrenal gland, the patient may face the removal of the entire gland and, if tumors were to also develop in the remaining gland, the reliance on medications for the rest of his or her life. So Erica Searles (at right in photo, with Gennady Bratslavsky, MD) appreciated the option presented by On top of each kidney sits an adrenal gland, which produces hormones a person cannot live without. When a tumor develops in an adrenal gland, the patient may face the removal of the entire gland and, if tumors were to also develop in the remaining gland, the reliance on medications for the rest of his or her life. So Erica Searles (at right in photo, with Gennady Bratslavsky, MD) appreciated the option presented by Gennady Bratslavsky, MD Gennady Bratslavsky, MD, who leads the, who leads the department of urology department of urology at at Upstate. Upstate. He removed a tumor but preserved Searles

Lyme disease is treated successfully with a short course of antibiotics in most cases, but prevention is the key to controlling the disease, say two experts from Lyme disease is treated successfully with a short course of antibiotics in most cases, but prevention is the key to controlling the disease, say two experts from Upstate Golisano Children‘s Hospital. Upstate Golisano Children‘s Hospital. Since the bacterial infection is transmitted to humans by deer ticks, people should wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors even in warm weather, as well as check their skin afterward, say Since the bacterial infection is transmitted to humans by deer ticks, people should wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors even in warm weather, as well as check their skin afterward, say Caitlin Sgarlat, DO Caitlin Sgarlat, DO (at left in photo, with program host Linda Cohen at center, and Jana Shaw, MD), who specializes in rheumatology and integrative medicine, and (at left in photo, with program host Linda Cohen

January 17, 2016 January 17, 2016 Stephen Graziano Stephen Graziano, MD, Upstate's division chief of hematology and oncology, shares what's new in precision medicine. Upstate's transplant division chief,, MD, Upstate's division chief of hematology and oncology, shares what's new in precision medicine. Upstate's transplant division chief, Rainer Gruessner, MD Rainer Gruessner, MD, explains how pancreas transplants may help some diabetics. And Upstate's chief nursing officer,, explains how pancreas transplants may help some diabetics. And Upstate's chief nursing officer, Nancy Page, Nancy Page, and nurse practitioner and nurse practitioner Archie McEvers Archie McEvers talk about the pursuit of higher levels of training. talk about the pursuit of higher levels of training.

Many students beginning college see a 5 percent increase in their body weight the first semester. And while 60 percent of students adopt an exercise routine, many also develop unhealthy habits, says registered dietitian nutritionist Many students beginning college see a 5 percent increase in their body weight the first semester. And while 60 percent of students adopt an exercise routine, many also develop unhealthy habits, says registered dietitian nutritionist Tanya Horacek, PhD Tanya Horacek, PhD, of Syracuse University's Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. She says many students don't eat enough whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and many have trouble sleeping. During the transition phase that is college, Horacek says, it's important for students to improve their "eating competence." "This is a very formidable time. They are learning habits that they will carry into adulthood.", of Syracuse University's Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. She says many students don't eat enough whole grains,