Live Greater | A University of Maryland Medical System Podcast

Having head or neck cancer can change your life. After your cancer treatments, you may need rehabilitation to meet life head-on! Learn what therapies you might need, how they help and ways you can stay as healthy as possible before and during cancer treatments. Sponsored by the UM Rehab Network.

If you have a heart condition, your cardiologist might recommend cardiac rehabilitation. What is it and how does it help you live healthier? Cardiac Rehabilitation Therapist Gerald Zachar shares the benefits of cardiac rehab, what sessions are like, if insurance covers services, how to find a cardiac rehab center and more.

It is vitally important for women to see a gynecologist throughout their lives. But how often should they go? What is a pap smear? And what are some of the best ways to maintain a healthy reproductive system? Hear the answers to these questions and more from UM Capital Region Health's Dr. Briana Walton.

Many people suffer from back pain on a daily basis. How do you know when your back pain warrants a conversation with a spine surgeon? Learn from Dr. Charles Sansur, a spine surgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center and member of the UM Spine Network, what a spine surgeon does, how to find a great one, when you might need to see one and much more.

Usually diagnosed during childhood and adolescence, scoliosis can also develop in adults. Most cases are mild, but the degree of the curve in the spine determines how much treatment is needed. Learn from Dr. Daniel Cavanaugh, a spine expert and member of the UM Spine Network, what causes adult scoliosis, what treatments are available, if it can be prevented and more.

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in the United States in both men and women. Getting regular lung cancer screenings can help save lives. Learn more about who needs to be screened, what a screening is like, what happens after you’ve been screened and much more from Tiffany Matonak MMS, PA-C, an expert in thoracic surgery and lung cancer at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center,...

Could your back pain be from a herniated disk? The soft disks between your vertebrae cushion and keep your vertebrae in place. But as you age, they can break down and lose their ability to cushion the spine and can cause pain, weakness or numbness. Learn from spine expert Dr. Eugene Koh what a herniated disk is, what causes them, how to prevent them and much more.

What is peripheral artery disease (PAD)? Learn about this condition, its risk factors, prevention methods, and treatment options from Dr. Charles Fox, a vascular surgeon at UM Capital Region Health, and Dr. Nathanael Dayes, a former vascular surgeon at UM Capital Region Health.

You have a nagging cough. Could it be COVID? Learn from Dr. Ed Pickering, an interventional pulmonologist at UM Capital Region Health, what might indicate COVID versus bronchitis or a chronic cough. He will also discuss what bronchitis and chronic coughs are, what treatments are available, and how to manage these diseases.

Heart disease and cancer are leading causes of death in the United States. How are they linked and what steps can you take to prevent them? Learn from cardio-oncologist, Dr. Dipan Desai of UM Upper Chesapeake Health, more about how these diseases can affect you.

Does cold weather trigger your asthma? Some weather conditions can cause flare-ups, but there are precautions you can take. Learn from UM Capital Region Health's Dr. Sunil Swami what you can do to protect your lungs, how to exercise in the winter season, and how to manage this lifelong condition.

Osteoporosis is a disease where the bones become brittle and weak, which makes them easier to break. Did you know there are ways to prevent weakening and increase bone strength? Dr. Natalie Chilaka, an osteoporosis expert who heads up the UM BWMC Osteoporosis Clinic, talks about who is most at risk for this disease, ways to prevent it and how you can improve your bone health.

There are times when waiting for care could be detrimental to your health – especially for women. Learn from Nurse Practitioner Sherry Pearson what symptoms require urgent or emergency care, including what to do and where to go after surviving a physical or sexual assault or abuse.

Diabetes is not just an adult problem. Children can get it, too – both Type 1 and Type 2. How does it affect their growth and development? What are the ways to best manage this disease? Diabetes expert Meaghan Moxley, MD, from UM Upper Chesapeake Health, talks about these and many other issues to help kids be as healthy as possible if they have diabetes.

Diabetes is a complex disease that can affect many parts of the body and your life. It is important to take a team approach to care for yourself. Not only do you have to be involved in your own care, your health care providers need to work together to offer comprehensive coordinated care. Learn from Dr. Kashif Munir, a Diabetes expert at the University of Maryland Medical Center – Midtown Campus,...

If you find that you can’t keep your head upright, you may have Craniocervical Instability, or Dropped Head Syndrome. There are many things that can cause the problem and you may have other symptoms caused by or related to this condition. Learn from Dr. Malini Narayanan, Chair of the Department of Surgery at UM Capital Region Medical Center, what causes this condition, how to treat it and much mor...

Sneezing and wheezing can be signs of seasonal allergies, but what if you get hives or swelling or you can’t breathe? You might be having a serious allergic reaction. This may occur because of a medication, food, animals, latex or other allergens. And sometimes coming into contact with something you are allergic to can be life-threatening. Learn the signs to look out for, what to do if you have an...

If you are a cancer patient, you may be familiar with the mental cloudiness and other changes to your mental clarity that happen with chemotherapy and other treatments. It is a common side effect of cancer treatments known as “Chemo Brain.” In this podcast, two experts from the UM Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center discuss what chemo brain is, what treatments are available, how it can be manag...

Women should do self-breast exams at least once a month, but what happens if they find a lump? Does it automatically mean cancer? The short answer is no. In this important podcast, Dr. Meghan Garstka, breast surgical oncologist at UM Upper Chesapeake Health, discusses how to detect a breast lump, what a lump could be and what steps to take next.

Many times, our “doctor’s visit” are with a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. What is the difference between an NP, a PA and an MD? When can I see a nurse practitioner instead of a physician? In this podcast, two nurse practitioners from University of Maryland Shore Medical Group explain the benefits of seeing an “advanced practice provider,” what their education and experience is like co...

What you eat affects more than just your waistline. By eating the right foods, you can help fight cancer. Get tips from Brooke Sawicki, a registered dietitian at the Tate Cancer Center, including how to eat healthy on a budget.

Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine that is well-researched is effective for pain relief and much more. Learn from Brian Jackson, LAc, a licensed acupuncturist at University of Maryland Orthopedics, how acupuncture can help with spinal pain and recovery.

Neck pain can be caused by many factors, including the electronic devices we use every day. Wendy Towers, a nurse practitioner who specializes in the care of neurosurgical patients, shares ways to manage your neck pain naturally and how to know when you need to see a professional.

While telemedicine became popular during COVID-19, it is not going away any time soon. How do you know if it is the right option for your care? Dr. Scott Burger from University of Maryland Urgent Care explains what telemedicine is and how to know if it is a good choice for you.

Dr. Theodore Manson discusses the common myths and reasons surrounding hip and knee replacements.