Medical Intel

Chronic pelvic pain can cost women productive time at work and lost opportunities with family and friends. Dr. Vadim Morozov discusses which populations are most at risk for chronic pelvic pain and the personalized treatment options that are available.   TRANSCRIPT Intro: MedStar Washington Hospital Center presents Medical Intel where our healthcare team shares health and wellness insights and gives you the inside story on advances in medicine. Host: Thanks for joining us today. We’re speaking with Dr. Vadim Morozov, a gynecologic surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Today we’re discussing chronic pelvic pain which can be a symptom of a variety of gynecologic disorders. Welcome Dr. Morozov. Dr. Morozov: Thank you. Glad to be here. Host: What do you mean when you say chronic pelvic pain? Dr. Morozov: So, chronic pelvic pain, by definition, a pain in your pelvis that’s been there for longer than six months duration. It could be caused by multiple reasons, but most common one in the female population a

Many people use health and fitness apps to set exercise and dietary goals, but these apps can also help diagnose and manage heart conditions.  Dr. Allen Taylor, Chief of Cardiology at the MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute, discusses the evolving role of health and fitness apps in heart care.   TRANSCRIPT Intro: MedStar Washington Hospital Center presents Medical Intel where our healthcare team shares health and wellness insights and gives you the inside story on advances in medicine. Host: Thank you for joining us today, we’re talking with Dr. Allen J. Taylor, Chief of Cardiology at MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Today we’re talking about the future of wearables as they relate to heart health. In 2017, Apple launched the Apple Heart Study App which is intended to pair with the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor to notify patients of irregular heart rhythm activity. This is a next step in technology that may help patients and cardiologists monitor and manage heart

A paraesophageal hernia can have symptoms as simple as acid reflux or feeling bloated after a small meal—or no signs at all. Dr. John Lazar, Director of Thoracic Robotics, discusses how we diagnose and treat paraesophageal hernias.   TRANSCRIPT Intro: MedStar Washington Hospital Center presents Medical Intel where our healthcare team shares health and wellness insights and gives you the inside story on advances in medicine. Host: Thanks for joining us today. We’re speaking with Dr. John Lazar, Director of Thoracic Robotics at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Today we’re discussing benign esophageal diseases, a group of non-cancerous disorders in the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Dr. Lazar, what are some of the benign esophageal diseases you see most often in your patient population? Dr. Lazar: I would say that the most common benign disease that we see is something called the paraesophageal hernia. And what that is, is that over time, the diaphragm weakens and the st

A new procedure can lead to quicker, more effective recovery after ACL repair. Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Evan Argintar explains how internal bracing works and who can benefit from the procedure.   TRANSCRIPT Intro: MedStar Washington Hospital Center presents Medical Intel where our healthcare team shares health and wellness insights and gives you the inside story on advances in medicine. In today’s episode, we talk to Dr. Evan Argintar, assistant director of sports medicine at MedStar Orthopedic Institute at Washington Hospital Center about their exclusive use of internal bracing in ACL repair and reconstruction. Host: Thanks for joining us today, we’re talking to Dr. Evan Argintar an orthopedic surgeon and assistant director of sports medicine at Medstar Orthopedic Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.  Welcome, Dr. Argintar. Dr. Argintar: Thank you for having me. Host: Today we’re talking about internal bracing, which can be used to stabilize a joint and accelerate healing time allowing a patient to

Partial knee replacements can provide relief from arthritis pain without the long recovery of a total knee replacement. Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Evan Argintar explains the benefits and who might qualify for the procedure. TRANSCRIPT Intro: MedStar Washington Hospital Center presents Medical Intel where our healthcare team shares health and wellness insights and gives you the inside story on advances in medicine.  Host: Thanks for joining us today. We’re talking to Dr. Evan Argintar an orthopedic surgeon and assistant director of sports medicine at Medstar Orthopedic Institute at Medstar Washington Hospital Center. Today we’re discussing an advancement in joint replacement surgery called bioplasty. These procedures preserve as much of the normal joint anatomy as possible. Dr. Argintar, what’s the goal of this advancement? Dr. Evan Argintar: So traditionally the treatment of arthritis has been a big issue and as the Baby Boomers age, we’re actually finding that there are not enough orthopedic surgeons to treat th

Pituitary tumors are more common than many people realize, with up to 17 percent of people at risk for developing one in their lifetimes. Dr. Susmeeta T. Sharma, Director of Pituitary Endocrinology, discusses how our team of experts recognizes and treats pituitary tumors. TRANSCRIPT Intro: MedStar Washington Hospital Center presents Medical Intel where our healthcare team shares health and wellness insights and gives you the inside story on advances in medicine.   Host: Thank you for joining us today. We’re talking with Dr. Susmeeta T. Sharma, Director of Pituitary Endocrinology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Welcome, Dr. Sharma.   Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me.   Host: Today we’re discussing pituitary tumors, which are much more common than many patients and physicians realize. Dr. Sharma, what types of pituitary tumors do you treat?   Dr. Sharma: So, one of the most common functional pituitary tumors would be a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor. So, prolactin is a hormone that the normal pit

Learn the facts surrounding urinary tract infections in women, including symptoms to watch for and common myths about treatment.

Persistent foot or ankle pain may seem like just an annoyance. But without proper treatment, the pain and discomfort can get worse, potentially damaging mobility and quality of life. In this segment, Dr. Caitlin Zarick, Podiatric Surgeon with MedStar Washington Hospital Center, joins the show to discuss when you should see a podiatric surgeon and how a comprehensive, patient-focused approach offers the latest innovations in podiatric surgery, health and treatment.

About half of all cancer patients receive some type of radiation therapy during the course of their treatment. Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells. In this segment, Dr. Pamela Randolph-Jackson, Chair of the Department of Radiation at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, discusses advances in radiation oncology treatments and the types of cancer treated with the Edge system.

Hernias occur when a weak abdominal wall allows a piece of the intestine or other tissue to slip through, often creating a noticeable lump. They either develop slowly over months or years or develop very suddenly. Hernia surgery is critical for repairing the opening or weakness in the abdominal wall. If the opening is not repaired, tissues can become entrapped, weakening blood supply to those areas. In this segment, Dr. Ivanesa Pardo, discusses treatment for hernias to help determine the most effective repair surgery for you.

Spine surgery has traditionally been done as an open surgery. However, in recent years, there have been technological advances have allowed more back and neck conditions to be treated with minimally invasive surgical techniques. The orthopaedic surgeons at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute have extensive training in the most advanced and innovative surgical procedures to treat back pain, including minimally invasive back surgery and motion sparing surgery. In this segment, Dr. Oliver Tannous discusses the latest advances in spine surgery at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.

According to the NIH, in the United States, approximately 1.25 million people with burns present to the emergency department each year. People do not realize that summer fun carries with it an increased risk of many types of burns. In this segment, Dr. Jeffrey Shupp, director of the Burn Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, joins the show to discuss how to prevent those summer burns and how the Burn Center is the only adult burn treatment facility in the Washington region, serving the District, southern Maryland, northern Virginia and eastern West Virginia.

Kidney stones are solid deposits of minerals and acid salts that build up inside the kidneys. Kidney stones are relatively common, hospitalizing more than one million Americans each year. Approximately 10 percent of people in the United States will have a kidney stone at some point in their life. In this segment, Dr.Daniel Marchalik joins the show to discuss kidney stones and how MedStar's urology specialists focus on the medical management of kidney stones for patients that require metabolic evaluations for recurring kidney stones.

Susan O'Donoghue, MD, discusses the burgeoning field of cardiogenetics, which can help identify various certain inherited cardiovascular disorders, particularly those that are based in the heart's electrical system. Potential candidates include individuals who have fainted due to physical exertion or who have a family history of unexpected cardiac arrest and/or death at young ages. Dr. O'Donoghue also explains the importance of genetic counseling pre- and post-screening and guidance on when a molecular autopsy might be in order.

Stan Chia, MD, discusses the curative options for sleep apnea patients who are not good candidates for CPAP. Options include removal of the tonsils, reducing excess tissue of the tongue, advancing the upper and lower jaw to open up the airway, and even bariatric surgery to eliminate obesity-induced apnea. Dr. Chia also provides information on the newest therapy, upper airway stimulation, which is a pacemaker-like device implanted in the chest.

Krishnan Venkatesan, MD, discusses the common causes of erectile dysfunction (ED), including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, side effects from certain medications, prior surgeries, trauma to the pelvic and/or genital region, and mental/emotional hindarances. Dr. Venkatesan also explains the various ways to address ED, such as medication, vacuum devices, injections and penile prostheses.

James Robinson, MD, discusses new advances in minimally invasive, non-invasive and robotic-assisted gynecologic surgeries. These new approaches address issues such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, and abnormal bleeding. Benefits include shorter hospital stays, less pain, a more rapid return to work and daily activities, preserved fertility, and a reduced risk of post-operative infection or other complications.

Michelle Magee, MD, explains why type-2 diabetes is on the rise across all generations, genetic factors surrounding the disease, and lifestyle factors you can shift in order to get control of your blood sugar. Dr. Magee also discusses when you should consider insulin therapy, as well as new medications and advances in insulin delivery methods.

Dr. Evan Argintar, an Orthopaedic Surgeon at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute, dives in to the most common injuries associated with exercise and athletics. From acute to chronic injuries, he provides recommendations for nonsurgical therapies and advice on when it's time to consider a surgical approach.

Lower back and neck pain are among the most common reasons that people seek medical care. These issues greatly affect their ability to work and manage daily activities of life. The latest Global Burden of Disease study reveals that back pain has the second highest number of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in the United States. If you suffer from this type of pain, you're likely looking for solutions. As you do, it's wise to consider all of your options – surgical and nonsurgical. Oliver Tannous, MD, says that the first step is to figure out exactly where your pain is coming from. Listen in as Dr. Tannous describes the variations of back pain, nonsurgical therapies, and which surgical treatments work best for certain patients.