2003

S22.E1 ∙ Preventing Preterm Birth

Wed, Nov 23, 2011

Having a happy, healthy baby is the dream of many couples around the world but a preterm birth can turn that dream into a nightmare. When a baby is born too early or; preterm, defined as less than 37 weeks gestation there can be potentially serious short term and/or long term consequences on the babys health and development. Although in most cases the cause is unknown, as we see in this program, there are some risk factors that may make it more likely that a woman will deliver preterm. Scientists have developed different treatments that may help a woman stay pregnant for a full forty weeks. We will speak with women who have delivered preterm and the doctors who treated them to hear some of the ways to help reduce the risk of preterm birth.

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S22.E2 ∙ Getting Gout Under Control

Wed, Nov 30, 2011

Gout once thought to be a disease of Kings and Aristocracy is now considered one of the most common inflammatory conditions. It can also be excruciatingly painful. According to the National Institutes of Health, gout is a kind of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes joint inflammation. Often gout can be triggered by certain foods, lifestyle choices and other modifiable risk factors. In this program, we will raise awareness of the causes and symptoms of gout as well as the most effective treatments. We will stress the need for communication between patient and physician. We will hear directly from patients about how the treatments are working for themâEUR¦ and hear from physicians about the importance of sticking with those treatments long term.

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S22.E3 ∙ New Hope for People with Hepatitis C

Wed, Dec 07, 2011

An estimated 4 million people in the United States have chronic Hepatitis C, most are unaware of their infection, and the majority of those infected are Baby Boomers (people born between 1946-1964). The word hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that results from infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus. This virus is usually spread when infected blood enters the body. Many people became infected through the sharing of needles or other drug injecting paraphernalia in the distant past, as well as unsterile tattoo and piercing equipment. Patients who had blood transfusions or organ transplants prior to 1992 may also be at risk for Hepatitis C. There are vaccines available for Hepatitis A and B, but there is no vaccine available for Hepatitis C. While there is no cure for Hepatitis C, research reveals that chronic hepatitis C may be curable in some patients who undergo therapy. In this program we will meet the scientists and the sufferers who have done battle with Hepatitis C and hear their stories. WeâEUR(TM)ll see why there is may be new hope for people with Hepatitis C!

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S22.E4 ∙ Catching a Killer: Preventing Meningococcal Disease

Wed, Dec 14, 2011

Meningococcal Disease is serious infection with a dangerous and often well-deserved deadly reputation. Meningococcal disease which can cause a lethal form of bacterial meningitis as well as septic shock can strike quickly often without any warning at all and leave the patient dead or seriously impaired in a matter of hours. But there are ways to prevent meningococcal disease. The goal of this program is to educate viewers about meningococcal disease and the vaccines that are available to prevent it. We will hear from a patient who had the condition, see why it wasn't discovered by the ER physicians who initially treated her and find out what telltale symptom lead her doctor to give her lifesaving treatment. We will highlight the importance of immunization and booster shots for children and teenagers and encourage parents to be more proactive in their children's healthcare and work collaboratively with their own physicians and their children's pediatricians.

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S22.E5 ∙ Saving Lives: Stopping Anaphylaxis, an Allergic Emergency

Wed, Dec 21, 2011

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction: a true Allergic Emergency. It can occur within seconds or take up to an hour, but once the reaction begins it can involve the entire body and be rapidly fatal. The most common triggers include drug reactions, food reactions and insect stings. In this program we will meet both doctors and patients who fight allergic emergencies on a daily basis. We'll hear what the risk factors for anaphylaxis are as well as the early signs and symptoms. We'll see how patients live their day-to-day lives knowing that exposure to a particular allergen could send them, or their child to the emergency room or worse. We will highlight how to avoid an allergic emergency and what actions must be taken during an allergic emergency that can save lives.

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S22.E6 ∙ The Multiple Sclerosis Revolutions

Wed, Dec 28, 2011

As many as 400-thousand Americans have multiple sclerosis and it is believed to affect as many as two and a half million people worldwide. While the condition is relatively common it is also a mysterious illness that can strike seemingly without warning and have lifelong devastating consequences. But there have been many recent breakthroughs in the understanding of MS. This new knowledge has dramatically transformed the way MS is viewed and understood by the medical community. In this program we'll see how these new insights are leading to the development of new treatments and the promise of a better quality of life for patients

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