Americans on average do not live as long as people in other high-income countries like France, Britain and Japan. But with modern medicine and health options available in the U. S., life expectancy should be much longer. With simple lifestyle changes, we can extend our lifespan by more than a decade. In this segment of Health Matters you'll hear about practical steps you can take for healthy living and learn a few tips on how to save money at the pharmacy.

Health Matters show hosts Brad and Paul White. 

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, which means that instead of operating on patients through large incisions, mini-size surgical instruments that can fit through a series of quarter-inch incisions are used. Robotic surgery, or robot-assisted surgery, allows doctors to perform many types of complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques. Today we learn what this could mean for people who may have surgery in the future. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Steven Kelly, General Surgeon, Aultman Medical Group General Surgery.

L-R: Health Matters hosts and pharmacists, Brad White and Paul White discuss robotic surgery with Dr. Steven Kelly, general surgeon, Aultman Medical Group General Surgery.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 20 percent of cancer cases are preventable. A key element to early detection is screenings, which can help doctors find and treat several types of cancer early before symptoms begin. Early detection is vital because when abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat as well as prevent the spread of cancer.  In this segment of Health Matters, cancer nurse navigators Tara Barker, registered nurse, and Nicole Haines, registered nurse, of Mercy Medical Center talk about various cancer screenings with the experts.

L-R: Brad and Paul White, hosts and pharmacists talk with nurse navigators, Tara Barker, RN, and Nicole Haines, RN, of Mercy Cancer Center. 

Atrial fibrillation, commonly known as A-Fib, is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. According to the American Heart Association, 2.7 million Americans are living with A-Fib. Treatment options range from medications to non-invasive as well as surgical procedures. Today, Dr. Sardar talks with us about A-Fib and treatment options including a relatively new procedure – the Watchman Device

L-R: Medicine Center Pharmacy Executive VP Nancy Wharmby and Pharmacist and Host Paul White talk with Dr. Rizwan Sardar.

Allergy season is here, and they can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. However, allergies are more common in children and are caused when the immune system reacts to a specific allergen that has been inhaled, touched or eaten. Among the most common health problems, more than 50 million people are afflicted with asthma, seasonal hay fever or other allergy-related conditions each year. Today Dr. Heather Minto, allergist and immunologist, joins us from Akron Children's Hospital.

Occupational Therapy is an important profession that helps people of all ages accomplish daily living skills through therapeutic use of everyday activities. There are often circumstances that only occupational therapy can provide support, whether it may in school and social situations, medical recovery and other specialized conditions. Today we are going to talk about the fact that April is National Occupational Therapy Month. In addition, we are going to take a few minutes to let you know about a Health Fair and Screening event taking place at Mercy Medical Center.

Mercy's Director of Business Development Ron Bensinger (front left) and Occupational Therapist Lindsey Kichi join hosts and pharmacists Brad and Paul White to talk about Occupational Therapy and an upcoming screening event at Mercy Medical Center.

In today's podcast, we continue our conversation about pharmacy, including vaccines, supplements and our recommendations for what to keep in your medicine cabinet this spring.

Brad and Paul White, registered pharmacists, discuss supplements, vaccines and share tips for what to keep in your medicine cabinet this spring.

Staying active is a no-brainer when it comes to improving how you look and feel, yet fewer than one in four U.S. adults are getting the federal physical activity recommendations for aerobic and strengthening activity, according to the American Heart Association. This month, the American Heart Association is challenging everyone to get moving.

L-R: Valerie Stutler, American Heart Association social events director discusses Move More month and the 2018 Heart Ball with hosts and pharmacists, Brad White and Paul White.

During today's program, hosts and pharmacists, Paul White and Brad White discuss current news and offerings in Medicine Center Pharmacies. From genetic testing and compounded prescriptions to our free kids' vitamin program and our Minerva pharmacist running in the Boston Marathon, we have a lot happening!

Pharmacists Brad and Paul White

Sexual violence affects millions of Americans – both women and men. According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, every 98 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted. The assault can take many different forms, but one thing remains the same: it’s NOT EVER the victim’s fault. In this podcast, we talk about treatment through Mercy's HAVEN Program and community resources available locally for victims.

Pictured (L-R): Health Matters Hosts Brad White, R. Ph., and Paul White, R. Ph., and HAVEN Program Manager Sarah Schemmel.

Diabetes and nutrition impact a lot of people, including children and adults who have diabetes as well as family members and friends. Living with diabetes requires day-to-day knowledge of nutrition, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, medication and more. So, it’s only natural that diabetes education is extremely important in the management of healthy living. During this program we talk about diet, foods that influence blood sugar levels and learn about a new community diabetes program between Mercy and NFL players.

Hosts Brad White, R. Ph. and Paul White, R. Ph. talk with diabetes educator, Nicole Selinsky, Mercy Medical Center. 

Patient safety is a serious global health issue that impacts people of all ages, races and pretty much every health category. It is at the forefront of all patient care. Concerns range from transportation of a patient to treatment and medication. Today we are talking with health experts from Mercy Medical Center about some of these issues and potential risks patients face, as well as steps local health providers are taking to ensure patient safety.  

L-R: Hosts Brad White, R.Ph. and Paul White, R. Ph. are joined in the studio by Mercy Medical Center's Daniel Lane, Registered Nurse and Director of Quality & Risk Management, Laura Miller, MSN and Director, ICU/Dialysis, and Tammi Colly, RN, MSN, 5 Main/10Main Nursing Director

Up to 10 million Americans, and hundreds of millions of people worldwide, suffer from lymphedema and other lymphatic disorders. In the United States, that’s more people than are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, ALS, Parkinson’s disease and AIDS combined. Both children and adults, males and females, can develop lymphatic conditions. But, it often goes undiagnosed until the symptoms have progressed to the point that lymphedema is very difficult to treat, and hospitalization is frequent due to infections and wounds. March is Lymphedema Awareness Month, and during this podcast we talk with experts Jonas Sykes, physical therapy director and Jeannie Lee, certified lymphedema therapist and occupational therapist assistant at Aultman Lymphedema Management Clinic.

L-R: Health Matters hosts, Brad White, R. Ph. and Paul White, R. Ph. talk with Aultman Hospital's Jeannie Lee and Jonas Sykes.

Wound care is essential to healthy living. Most of us have experienced scratches or scrapes that healed naturally, but sometimes there are wounds that just will not heal. Other health issues—diabetes, circulation problems, radiation and many more can complicate the healing process, and turn the simplest wounds into complex, non-healing health issues that can cause big problems. Thanks to science, we know wounds need oxygen to heal properly, and when the body isn’t getting the oxygen it needs, there are other steps that can be taken to impact the healing process. In this segment, we discuss treatment options with Mercy Wound and Hyperbaric Center's Kim Landsberger, registered nurse and program director.

Pharmacists and Health Matters hosts Brad and Paul White discuss wound care with Kim Landsberger, RN.

Vision therapy is a specialized program, which helps correct visual, developmental and perceptual problems that are not helped through glasses or contacts. Think of vision therapy as physical therapy for the eyes and brain. If you or someone you know has vision problems, behavioral problems or learning problems, vision therapy might help. Today we will talk about optometric vision therapy with Dr. Drusilla Grant and learn more about the types of issues it addresses.

L-R: Melissa Overly, R. Ph., Dr. Drusilla Grant, Paul White, Melissa Moreno, vision therapist and Nathan Overly discuss optometric vision therapy.

February is American Heart Health Month, and this month we are focusing on heart health for both men and women. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The good news? It is also one of the most preventable. Making heart-healthy choices, knowing your family health history and the risk factors for heart disease, having regular check-ups and working with your physician to manage your health are all integral aspects of saving lives from this often, silent killer. Today we will talk about women and heart disease, heart failure as well as the link between diabetes and heart disease with Mercy Medical Heart Center experts Michelle Amos, RN, MSN and Kim Swast, RN.

L-R: Brad White, R. Ph. and Paul White, R. Ph. discuss women's heart health with Mercy Heart Center's Kim Swast, RN and Michelle Amos, RN, MSN.

Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability and refers to a group of symptoms, which results in difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading as well as spelling, writing and pronouncing words. Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, the impact can change throughout various stages in life. According to the International Dyslexia Association, it is considered a learning disability because dyslexia can make it very difficult for a student to succeed academically in the typical instructional environment. Also,  in its more severe forms, dyslexia can qualify a student for special education, special accommodations or extra support services. Today we talk with Jim Fidler, vice chairman of the Children's Dyslexia Center of Canton.

L-R: Health Matters program hosts Brad and Paul White, pharmacists talk with Jim Fidler, vice chairman of the board of governors for the Children's Dyslexia Center of Canton.

Hearing loss affects people of all ages in varying degrees. Whether mild, moderate or severe, hearing loss impacts 48 million people in the United States, according to the Center for Hearing Communication. Hearing loss can begin at birth or develop at any stage. Technology has provided many advances in treatment, and today we talk with Dr. Denise Testa, audiologist from Aultman Medical Group about causes, various types of hearing loss, aids and more.   

L-R: Health Matters Hosts and Pharmacists Brad and Paul White with Dr. Denise Testa, Audiologist

As the number one killer of women, cardiovascular diseases, which include stroke, claim the life of a woman about every 80 seconds, according to the American Heart Association's Valerie Stutler. In fact, today heart disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer combined. This forces us to consider that a woman we know and love may be affected at any age.

L-R: Health Matters hosts and pharmacists, Brad and Paul White with Valerie Stutler, social events coordinator for the Canton office of the American Heart Association.

Parkinson’s Disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement and often includes tremors. Nerve cell damage in the brain causes dopamine levels to drop, leading to the symptoms which often start with a tremor in one hand. Other symptoms are slow movement, stiffness and loss of balance. There is good news - with proper treatment, most people with Parkinson's Disease can lead long, productive lives for many years after diagnosis. Several therapies are available that can help delay the disease, and we explore those a little more in depth with the Aultman Hospital's Delay the Disease therapists, Kari Lawson and Chrissy Foraker.

L-R: Pharmacists Brad and Paul White, Chrissy Foraker, occupational therapist and Kari Lawson, physical therapist.

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