Medical Intel

For many women, breast reconstruction is an important part of the healing process after breast cancer surgery. Plastic surgeon Dr. Kenneth Fan discusses the three reconstruction methods we use and why treatment often depends on patients’ unique expectations, goals, and needs.    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: We’re speaking with Dr. Ken Fan, a plastic surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Fan. Dr. Fan: Pleasure to be here. Host: Today we’re discussing how breast reconstruction surgery, one that occurs after cancer surgery, works and what patients can expect from it. Dr. Fan, could you begin by explaining why women undergo breast reconstruction surgery after cancer surgery? Dr. Fan: Well, that’s an interesting question. And I think a important point to point out at this juncture is that breast reconstructi

About 800,000 Americans have a heart attack each year—and younger women account for nearly one-third of them, according to a recent study. Dr. Patrick Bering discusses what’s causing this rise in heart attacks.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Patrick Bering, a cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Bering. Dr. Bering: Thank you so much for having me. It’s a pleasure. Host: According to a 2018 study, younger women are having more heart attacks. In fact, they’re accounting for nearly one third of all female heart attacks in recent years. Today we’re going to discuss why this is, and ways women can prevent heart attacks. Dr. Bering, could you begin by explaining why we’re seeing this rise in heart attacks among young women? Dr. Bering: Absolutely. This is definitely an alarming t

Some of the most unexpected injuries in medicine are due to orthopaedic trauma, which involves problems related to bones, joints, and soft tissues. Discover what some of the most common orthopaedic trauma injuries are and how we treat them.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Robert Golden, Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thanks for joining us, Dr. Golden. Dr. Golden: Thanks a lot for having me. Host: Today we’re discussing common orthopaedic trauma injuries which commonly affect bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles, and how we diagnose and treat them at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Golden, could you begin by explaining why orthopaedic trauma injuries generally occur? Dr. Golden: Sure. They can occur from multiple different kinds of mechanisms, the most common

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which blood clots form in the deep veins, affects as many as 900,000 Americans each year and can cause symptoms such as pain while walking and a burning sensation in the legs. Learn who’s most at risk of developing DVT and common treatment options.    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: We’re speaking with Dr. Steven Abramowitz, a vascular surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Abramowitz. Dr. Abramowitz: Thank you for having me. Host: Today we’re discussing deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, a condition where a blood clot forms in one or more deep veins in your body. Dr. Abramowitz, could you begin by discussing how these blood clots form and where they typically arise? Dr. Abramowitz: Sure. So, in our body, our veins are responsible for bringing blood back into our heart.

BPH, or an enlarged prostate, affects about 50 percent of men between the ages of 50 and 60, causing symptoms ranging from frequent urination to a weak urine stream. Dr. Daniel Marchalik discusses GreenLight laser surgery, a minimally invasive treatment for BPH.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Daniel Marchalik, the Director of Ambulatory Urologic Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Marchalik. Dr. Marchalik: Thanks so much. Happy to be here. Host: Today we’re discussing a newer treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, which often is referred to as an enlarged prostate. This treatment is called greenlight laser surgery. Dr. Marchalik, could start by explaining what greenlight laser surgery is and how it works? Dr. Marchalik: Yeah, of course. So, as a lot of listeners kn

One of the main concerns for surgical patients is how much pain they will experience after their procedure.  Dr. Kenneth Fan discusses the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, which not only reduces pain after surgery, but also decreases the use of opioids.    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: We’re speaking with Dr. Ken Fan, a plastic surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Fan. Dr. Fan: My pleasure. Thanks for having me. Host: Today we’re discussing ways to reduce pain after various types of plastic surgery. Dr. Fan, pain has to be one of the most common fears patients have prior to plastic surgery. Can you explain how much pain patients can expect from surgery? Dr. Fan: Yes. With the enhanced recovery after surgery, multimodality, multidisciplinary protocol, the most important thing is to set th

Tree nuts are filled with high-quality nutrients, such as vitamin E, fiber, and phytochemicals. Dr. Patrick Bering discusses how tree nuts can decrease heart disease risk, particularly in people who have diabetes.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Patrick Bering, a cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Bering. Dr. Bering: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure. Host: Today we’re discussing how eating nuts may lead to lower heart disease risk for people with diabetes. According to one study, people with diabetes who ate at least five small servings of nuts a week were 17% less likely to develop heart disease. Dr. Bering, what do you make of these results? Dr. Bering: These results are very interesting, and they seem to add to our understanding of how diet plays a key role in o

Riding an electric scooter is fun and convenient. But it’s important to be careful, as accidents can result in serious injuries, such as fractures to the lower and upper extremities. Dr. Robert Golden discusses how we treat these injuries, as well as tips for riding safely.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Robert Golden, Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Golden. Dr. Golden: My pleasure. Thanks for having me. Host: Motorized scooters are a growing form of transportation in the US. You see people riding them all around the streets and in traffic. As a result, injuries are always a possibility. Today we’re going to discuss some of these injuries, plus some key safety tips. Dr. Golden, could you start by explaining some of the most common injuries you se

Blood clots, prior abdominal trauma, or abdominal surgeries can lead to scarring in the iliac veins. Dr. Steven Abramowitz discusses how endovascular iliocaval reconstruction can restore healthy blood flow.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Steven Abramowitz, a vascular surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Abramowitz. Dr. Abramowitz: Thanks for having me. Host: Today we’re discussing endovascular iliocaval reconstruction, a treatment for iliocaval thrombosis and other vascular conditions. Dr. Abramowitz, could you begin by discussing who the best candidates are for endovascular iliocaval reconstructions? Dr. Abramowitz: Sure. It’s a mouthful. Endovascular iliocaval reconstruction is our way of rebuilding the connection in the veins, the structures that bring blood back to your hear

Each year, more than 500,000 people visit an emergency room because of a kidney stone, which can cause severe kidney pain and blood in the urine. Dr. Daniel Marchalik discusses outpatient tubeless mini PCNL, a minimally invasive procedure for large kidney stones.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Daniel Marchalik, the Director of Ambulatory Urologic Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Marchalik. Dr. Marchalik: Thanks so much. Happy to be here. Host: Today we’re discussing percutaneous nephrolithotomy, or PCNL, a technique used to remove kidney stones. Dr. Marchalik, could you begin by discussing who would be a candidate for mini PCNLs? Dr. Marchalik: Yeah, so PCNLs are...actually, it’s a very interesting procedure because traditionally we’ve always thought of PCNLs as being

Treating cancer on the head or neck can seem intimidating, as people fear surgery could leave unwanted scars around their face. However, with the techniques we use today, people often end up cancer-free with very few changes to their appearance.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Jonathan Giurintano, a head and neck cancer surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Giurintano. Dr. Giurintano: Thank you so much for having me today. Host: Today we’re discussing reconstructive surgery for head and neck cancers. When a patient has cancer in such a visible area of the body, it’s important for them to have options to not only remove the cancer, but also keep them looking like themselves after surgery. Dr. Giurintano, what are some of the more common cancers for which patients might need reconst

The adrenal glands respond to signals from the nervous system and produce hormones that regulate many of the body’s normal responses. Dr. Erin Felger discusses what happens when a tumor develops on the adrenal glands and how we treat it.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Erin Felger, an endocrine surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thanks for joining us, Dr. Felger. Dr. Felger: Thank you for having me. Host: Today we’re discussing adrenal surgery, or procedures to remove the adrenal glands. Dr. Felger, to begin with, what do the adrenal glands do? Dr. Felger: The adrenal glands are located on the kidney. The adrenal glands make different hormones that help regulate different systems in your body. A hormone that everyone is familiar with is adrenaline and that is one of the main hormones that the adrenal gland

Caregivers can spot dementia in numerous ways, ranging from a loved one forgetting about their favorite television program to suddenly not remembering to pay their bills on time. Learn who Dr. Cesar Torres says is most at risk of dementia and how to manage it.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Cesar Torres, a geriatric and house-call doctor at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Torres. Dr. Torres: Good afternoon. Host: Today we’re discussing dementia, a neurological condition that tends to develop in older adults and is characterized by memory loss and confusion. Dr. Torres, could you start by discussing how dementia develops in the brain? Dr. Torres: Certainly. Dementia develops as a result of the production of a neurotoxic protein called beta amyloid and, as a result of accumulation of th

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) has come a long way since it was introduced in the U.S. in 2007, as doctors’ experience and technological advancements have improved. But the medical community still has work to do. Dr. Toby Rogers discusses the current and future state of TAVR.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Toby Rogers, an interventional cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rogers. Dr. Rogers: It’s a pleasure to be here. Host: Today we’re discussing the future of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR. TAVR is a treatment for patients with aortic stenosis, or narrowing of the aortic valve. Dr. Rogers, could you discuss how a doctor can replace an aortic valve without open-heart surgery? Dr. Rogers: That’s a great question and it’s one that every patie

Skin cancer is common in the head and neck area because of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Dr. Jonathan Giurintano discusses the most common types of skin cancers and how we treat them.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Jonathan Giurintano, a head and neck cancer surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Giurintano. Dr. Giurintano: Thank you so much for having me today. Host: Today we’re discussing treatment options for skin cancers of the head and neck. Dr. Giurintano, how common are skin cancers of the head and neck compared to skin cancers that affect other areas of the body? Dr. Giurintano: Skin cancers in the head and neck region are extremely, extremely common. The most common types of skin cancers (these are basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and

Symptoms of bunions include pain, restricted movement of the big toe, swelling and redness.  Dr. Ali Rahnama discusses what causes bunions and how we treat them.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Ali Rahnama, a foot and ankle surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rahnama. Dr. Rahnama: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure. Host: Today we’re discussing bunions, which are painful, bony lumps that can develop at the base of the big toes. Dr. Rahnama, what’s going on within a patient’s foot when a bunion forms? Dr. Rahnama: So, as you very nicely said, a bunion is a large bump at the base of the great toe joint that forms. There are multiple reasons that can contribute to a bunion’s development. We think that, for the most part, the average patient that we see with bunions, it’s like

Transoral thyroid surgery is a procedure we use to remove thyroid nodules by going through the mouth, as opposed to making incisions in the neck. Dr. Erin Felger discusses who’s a candidate and what recovery is like.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Erin Felger, an endocrine surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Felger. Dr. Felger: Thank you for having me. Host: Today we’re discussing transoral thyroid procedures, or thyroid surgeries done through the mouth instead of through open incisions in the neck. Dr. Felger, why would a doctor recommend a transoral thyroid procedure instead of a traditional approach? Dr. Felger: The main reason that someone would offer a transoral procedure to their patient or an endocrinologist would offer to have a patient seen for transoral procedur

Many adults are caregivers for elderly relatives.  Dr. Cesar Torres discusses common problems these caregivers face and his best tips to keep elderly loved ones safe.   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: We’re speaking with Dr. Cesar Torres, a geriatric and house-call doctor at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Torres. Dr. Torres: My pleasure. Host: Today we’re discussing advice for adults caring for older relatives. Dr. Torres, in terms of safety, what are some of the key areas of concern that caregivers often worry about? Dr. Torres: I think the number one area would be falling. Falls can lead to very life altering fractures, specifically fractures of the hip. And, study after study has shown that a hip fracture will have significant effect on mortality rates. Your odds of dying within the first year of a hip frac

Adult circumcisions are common in the Mid-Atlantic for men who never received a circumcision as a baby boy. The reasoning? Some men feel self-conscious about the way they look, while others develop skin conditions. Dr. Krishnan Venkatesan discusses the procedure and what men can expect during recovery.   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. Krishnan Venkatesan, Director of Urologic Reconstruction at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Welcome, Dr. Venkatesan. Dr. Krishnan Venkatesan: Hi. Thank you for having me. Host: Today we’re discussing adult circumcision, a reconstructive procedure that, while not widely discussed, is growing in popularity among men in the Mid-Atlantic region. Dr. Venkatesan, could you start by explaining what circumcision is for listeners who might not know? Dr. Venkatesan:

Sleep apnea, or when patients temporarily stop breathing during sleep, can be cured with corrective jaw surgery. Dr. Ravi Agarwal explains how it works and what to expect during recovery.   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. Ravi Agarwal, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and the residency program director for the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Welcome, Dr. Agarwal. Dr. Ravi Agarwal: Thanks for having me here today. Host: Today we’re discussing corrective jaw surgery for obstructive sleep apnea and breathing issues. Dr. Agarwal, how is the jaw related to breathing conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea? Dr. Agarwal: Great question! Most people do not realize that the top jaw and the bottom jaw do more than just allow us to eat and chew. Th