Healthlink On Air

October 11, 2015: October 11, 2015: On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University's "HealthLink on Air": Pediatric rheumatologist On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University's "HealthLink on Air": Pediatric rheumatologist Caitlin Sgarlat Deluca, DO Caitlin Sgarlat Deluca, DO, tells of adding integrative medicine to rheumatology. Pediatric infectious disease expert, tells of adding integrative medicine to rheumatology. Pediatric infectious disease expert Jana Shaw, MD Jana Shaw, MD, provides an update on vaccinations. Psychologist, provides an update on vaccinations. Psychologist Kevin Antshel, PhD Kevin Antshel, PhD, explains the psychopathology of autism., explains the psychopathology of autism.    

October 4, 2015: October 4, 2015: On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University's "HealthLink on Air": On this week's edition of Upstate Medical University's "HealthLink on Air": Ramsay Farah, MD, Ramsay Farah, MD, discusses melanoma, the diagnosis former President Jimmy Carter recently disclosed. discusses melanoma, the diagnosis former President Jimmy Carter recently disclosed. David Keith, MD, David Keith, MD, goes over theories of family therapy. goes over theories of family therapy. Meghan Jacobs, MD, Meghan Jacobs, MD, discusses the effects of corporal punishment. discusses the effects of corporal punishment.    

Although it‘s often difficult to detect, child abuse does leave signs – odd bruises, sudden emotional changes – and concerned adults have both a state hotline and local organizations that offer help, says pediatrician Although it‘s often difficult to detect, child abuse does leave signs – odd bruises, sudden emotional changes – and concerned adults have both a state hotline and local organizations that offer help, says pediatrician Ann Botash, MD Ann Botash, MD  of the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.  of the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.

Illness and even death can result when children go unvaccinated, says Illness and even death can result when children go unvaccinated, says Jana Shaw, MD, MPH Jana Shaw, MD, MPH, an associate professor of pediatrics and an infectious disease specialist at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. Modern vaccines are extremely safe – they do not cause autism -- and are designed to be given on a certain schedule, she says, explaining how unvaccinated children contributed to a measles outbreak in California. Shaw advises parents to follow reliable medical advice and to check with their doctor or school about children‘s required vaccines., an associate professor of pediatrics and an infectious disease specialist at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. Modern vaccines are extremely safe – they do not cause autism -- and are designed to be given on a certain schedule, she says, explaining how unvaccinated children contributed to a measles outbreak in California. Shaw advises parents to follow reliable medical advice a

Alternative or integrative therapies -- from homeopathy and nutritional counseling to yoga and deep breathing -- can enhance conventional Western medicine, explains Alternative or integrative therapies -- from homeopathy and nutritional counseling to yoga and deep breathing -- can enhance conventional Western medicine, explains Caitlin Sgarlat Deluca, DO Caitlin Sgarlat Deluca, DO, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Upstate who works in the recently created Division of Pediatric Rheumatology and Integrative Medicine in the Upstate Golisano Children‘s Hospital. The marriage of the two approaches to medicine aims to treat the whole child, says Sgarlat Deluca, who tells how nutritional supplements or acupuncture, for example, helps the arthritis and lupus patients she often sees as a pediatric rheumatologist., an assistant professor of pediatrics at Upstate who works in the recently created Division of Pediatric Rheumatology and Integrative Medicine in the Upstate Golisano Children‘s Hospital. The marriage

Jeanette Zoeckler with Michael Lax, MD, medical director of the Occupational Health Clinical Center Jeanette Zoeckler with Michael Lax, MD, medical director of the Occupational Health Clinical Center A low-paying job often brings a host of problems along with it, according to A low-paying job often brings a host of problems along with it, according to “The Low-Wage Workers‘ Health Project,” “The Low-Wage Workers‘ Health Project,” led by the Upstate-affiliated Occupational Health Clinical Centers. Now in its second year, the study hopes to suggest policies and solutions to help those earning barely enough to live at a basic level. These workers often deal with physical pain, lack of access to medical care, dangerous conditions, bullying and ever-changing schedules that complicate family life and second jobs, according to Jeanette Zoeckler, MPH, project manager of the OHCC and lead researcher on the project. led by the Upstate-affiliated Occupational Health Clinical Centers.

Child abuse can take many, often hidden, forms, and overcoming it requires victims to learn how to trust and not to blame themselves, according to Child abuse can take many, often hidden, forms, and overcoming it requires victims to learn how to trust and not to blame themselves, according to Ann Botash, MD Ann Botash, MD, professor of pediatrics at Upstate, co-director of the Child Abuse Referral and Evaluation Program and medical director of the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center. She describes the signs of neglect and physical, emotional and sexual abuse and shares a five-point guideline: learn the facts, minimize opportunities, talk about it, recognize the signs and react responsibly. She recently appeared in a TLC program about child sexual abuse called, professor of pediatrics at Upstate, co-director of the Child Abuse Referral and Evaluation Program and medical director of the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center. She describes the signs of neglect and physical, emotional and sexual abuse and shares a fi

Autism spectrum disorder often brings with it attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or anxiety disorders, says Autism spectrum disorder often brings with it attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or anxiety disorders, says Kevin Antshel, PhD, Kevin Antshel, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Syracuse University and an adjunct associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Upstate. He describes the concurrent conditions and ascribes at least part of the increase in autism cases in recent years to more awareness among the public and pediatricians, earlier screening and changes in educational laws to accommodate children with the disorder. an associate professor of psychology at Syracuse University and an adjunct associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Upstate. He describes the concurrent conditions and ascribes at least part of the increase in autism cases in recent years to more awareness among the public and pediatricians, earlier screening and changes in educ

A leading researcher hopes to monitor millions of people online in a long-term study to find out who is at risk for Alzheimer's disease. A leading researcher hopes to monitor millions of people online in a long-term study to find out who is at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Michael Weiner, MD Michael Weiner, MD, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, has created the website, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, has created the website www.brainhealthregistry.org www.brainhealthregistry.org, which encourages people to take free brain function tests twice a year and hopes to find candidates for Alzheimer treatment trials. Weiner, who earned his MD degree at Upstate in 1965, explains how Alzheimer‘s differs from normal memory loss and how he helped create the world‘s largest Alzheimer‘s research project.  , which encourages people to take free brain function tests twice a year and hopes to find candidates for Alzheimer treatment trials. Weiner, who earned his MD degree

September 27, 2015: September 27, 2015: Robert Kellman, MD, and Seung Shin Hahn, MD, Robert Kellman, MD, and Seung Shin Hahn, MD, provide an overview of head and neck cancers. provide an overview of head and neck cancers. Christian Knutsen, MD Christian Knutsen, MD, tells about the return of the house call, for urgent health matters., tells about the return of the house call, for urgent health matters. Roberto Izquierdo, MD Roberto Izquierdo, MD, discusses diabetes in children., discusses diabetes in children.

The deadliest skin cancer, melanoma, can affect the liver and brain in its later stages, as happened to former President Jimmy Carter, explains The deadliest skin cancer, melanoma, can affect the liver and brain in its later stages, as happened to former President Jimmy Carter, explains Ramsay Farah, MD Ramsay Farah, MD, division chief of, division chief of dermatology dermatology at Upstate. Caused by pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, melanoma is best treated when caught early, says Farah, who notes the significance of irregular moles and the need for regular skin exams. Farah also details Carter's cutting-edge treatment, which awakens the body‘s immune system to fight the melanoma. at Upstate. Caused by pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, melanoma is best treated when caught early, says Farah, who notes the significance of irregular moles and the need for regular skin exams. Farah also details Carter's cutting-edge treatment, which awakens the body‘s immune system to fight the melanoma.

An old medical custom -- the house call -- is being revived. Upstate at Home will send a doctor to homes in Syracuse‘s eastern suburbs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily to deal with minor maladies, such as sore throats or ear infections, thus avoiding a difficult trip to a hospital or a long wait at a doctor‘s office, explained An old medical custom -- the house call -- is being revived. Upstate at Home will send a doctor to homes in Syracuse‘s eastern suburbs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily to deal with minor maladies, such as sore throats or ear infections, thus avoiding a difficult trip to a hospital or a long wait at a doctor‘s office, explained Christian Knutsen, MD Christian Knutsen, MD, the Upstate, the Upstate emergency medicine emergency medicine physician who created the program. Patients call 315-464-4646 to speak to a nurse, who sends a doctor if the case is appropriate. The visit requires a co-payment, and many insurance companies will cover the visit. Learn more at physician who created the program. P

David Heisig, MD David Heisig, MD, explains the fecal transplant procedure., explains the fecal transplant procedure. George Starr, MD George Starr, MD, tells how the intensity of gifted children may lead to mislabeling or misdiagnosis., tells how the intensity of gifted children may lead to mislabeling or misdiagnosis. Lauren Feiglin and Annette Guisbond Lauren Feiglin and Annette Guisbond talk about keeping seniors connected and active through the OASIS program. talk about keeping seniors connected and active through the OASIS program.

A piano lesson, a yoga class, a computer tutorial -- those are among the scores of offerings for adults 50 and older through A piano lesson, a yoga class, a computer tutorial -- those are among the scores of offerings for adults 50 and older through Upstate‘s OASIS program Upstate‘s OASIS program, which aims to provide a high quality of life, a sense of community and an interest in lifelong learning, said Executive Director Lauren Feiglin. The programs run with a small staff and many volunteers, such as Annette Guisbond, a retired teacher who developed a popular political lecture series called “State of the Union.” Call 315-464-6555 or go to, which aims to provide a high quality of life, a sense of community and an interest in lifelong learning, said Executive Director Lauren Feiglin. The programs run with a small staff and many volunteers, such as Annette Guisbond, a retired teacher who developed a popular political lecture series called “State of the Union.” Call 315-464-6555 or go to http://www

The link between mental illness and mass shootings is weak, and predicting who might become a mass killer is probably impossible, despite popular notions to the contrary. That‘s the opinion of Upstate The link between mental illness and mass shootings is weak, and predicting who might become a mass killer is probably impossible, despite popular notions to the contrary. That‘s the opinion of Upstate psychiatry psychiatry professor professor Ronald Pies, MD Ronald Pies, MD, who notes that severely mentally ill people commit only 5 percent of violent crimes and 10 percent of homicides. Most mentally ill people are not violent, he said, noting that “we might better spend our time looking at people involved in barroom brawls or domestic violence, not people with schizophrenia.”, who notes that severely mentally ill people commit only 5 percent of violent crimes and 10 percent of homicides. Most mentally ill people are not violent, he said, noting that “we might better spend our time looking at people involved in b

Bipolar disorder, which provokes dramatic mood swings and can wreck one's life, is not curable but is treatable, said Bipolar disorder, which provokes dramatic mood swings and can wreck one's life, is not curable but is treatable, said Thomas Schwartz, MD Thomas Schwartz, MD, vice chair of the, vice chair of the Upstate Psychiatry Department Upstate Psychiatry Department. The hallmark of the disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a sustained period of elevated mood, energy and activity that can provoke impulsive and destructive behavior, followed by or mixed with a period of depression. Popular media often focus on the extreme aspects of bipolarity, Schwartz said, adding that maintaining a regular sleep schedule as well as medications and psychiatric treatment can help control the disorder.. The hallmark of the disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a sustained period of elevated mood, energy and activity that can provoke impulsive and destructive behavior, followed by or mixed wit

Brian Rieger, PhD Brian Rieger, PhD, provides an update on concussion research and assessment tools., provides an update on concussion research and assessment tools. Meghan Jacobs, MD Meghan Jacobs, MD, goes over research on corporal punishment., goes over research on corporal punishment. Kelley Flood Kelley Flood, from Upstate's Immune Health Services, talks about treatment for people with AIDS., from Upstate's Immune Health Services, talks about treatment for people with AIDS.

Corporal punishment of children, such as spanking, is common around the world, says Corporal punishment of children, such as spanking, is common around the world, says Meghan Jacobs, MD Meghan Jacobs, MD, a pediatric resident physician at Upstate who has analyzed research on the topic. Studies show negative lifelong effects from corporal punishment, including aggression, anxiety, delinquency and a poor parent-child relationship, said Jacobs, who advocates nonviolent alternatives that focus on solutions rather than punishment and are mindful of a child‘s developmental level., a pediatric resident physician at Upstate who has analyzed research on the topic. Studies show negative lifelong effects from corporal punishment, including aggression, anxiety, delinquency and a poor parent-child relationship, said Jacobs, who advocates nonviolent alternatives that focus on solutions rather than punishment and are mindful of a child‘s developmental level.

Twenty years ago, Twenty years ago, Roberto Izquierdo, MD Roberto Izquierdo, MD, might have seen one pediatric case of Type 2 diabetes a year; now he sees 20 or 30. The increase is related to rising obesity in children, said Izquierdo, a professor of, might have seen one pediatric case of Type 2 diabetes a year; now he sees 20 or 30. The increase is related to rising obesity in children, said Izquierdo, a professor of medicine medicine and and pediatrics pediatrics and associate director of Upstate‘s and associate director of Upstate‘s Joslin Diabetes Center Joslin Diabetes Center. Type 2 diabetes, much more common than Type 1, usually requires changes in the young patient‘s dietary, exercise and video-screen habits to avoid problems with kidneys, eyes, nerves and blood vessels that can result from diabetes, he said.. Type 2 diabetes, much more common than Type 1, usually requires changes in the young patient‘s dietary, exercise and video-screen habits to avoid problems with kidneys, eyes, nerves and blood ve

A virulent intestinal bacterium that is often resistant to antibiotics is being fought with an age-old practice. Clostridium difficile, or “C. diff,” can sicken or even kill patients, but a fecal transplant can help restore the normal balance of gut bacteria, explains A virulent intestinal bacterium that is often resistant to antibiotics is being fought with an age-old practice. Clostridium difficile, or “C. diff,” can sicken or even kill patients, but a fecal transplant can help restore the normal balance of gut bacteria, explains David Heisig, MD David Heisig, MD, an Upstate gastroenterologist. After screening, slurried stool from a healthy donor is inserted into the patient by colonoscopy, and although much research remains to be done, anecdotal evidence of its effectiveness is strong so far, Heisig said., an Upstate gastroenterologist. After screening, slurried stool from a healthy donor is inserted into the patient by colonoscopy, and although much research remains to be done, anecdotal evidence of its e