2003

S24.E1 ∙ Cochlear Implants: Bringing Back the Joy of Sound

Wed, Jul 11, 2012

An estimated one third of people between the ages of 65 and 75 and close to one half of those over 75 have some degree of hearing loss. And it's not just a problem for the elderly. One to three children out of a thousand are born with profound hearing loss...or they have no sense of hearing whatsoever. But today advances in research and technology, particularly involving cochlear implants may bring sound to those who have lost their hearing. In this program we'll meet both children born without hearing and elderly patients - one as old as 90âEUR"who lost their hearing over time and can now engage with their families, swim, dance and study thanks to their cochlear implants.

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S24.E2 ∙ Learning About Tuberous Sclerosis

Wed, Jul 18, 2012

In the human body, there's a tiny structure that houses a huge amount of information: it's - the human gene. A gene is a length of DNA and helps to shape much of who we are. So, if something should go wrong with one of these smallest of elements, a giant-sized problem can result. And that's the case in the genetic mutation that causes a condition known as tuberous sclerosis, or TS. As you'll see in this episode Tuberous Sclerosis is a mysterious disease that causes lesions or tumors that can invade major organs. And though TS tumors are typically benign, they can bring on alarming consequences such as learning disorders, seizures, even autism.

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S24.E3 ∙ Restless Leg Syndrome: An Uncontrollable Urge to Move

Wed, Jul 25, 2012

It's the end of the day, you're home relaxing, and getting ready for a good night's sleep, when an irresistible urge to move your legs creeps in and keeps you awake all night. This could be caused by Restless Leg Syndrome, a neurological condition that creates a deep urge in the legs; a force that drives a person to have to move. For those with RLS it is an everyday, or every night occurrence. And it can have a profound influence on the person's ability to get a good night's sleep. But as we'll see in today's program although there is no cure for RLS, there are a number of therapies available today to help control the symptoms.

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S24.E4 ∙ Healing Vertebral Compression Fractures

Wed, Aug 01, 2012

Many older adults are concerned about breaking a hip, but in actuality spinal fractures are much more common. In fact vertebral compression fractures or VCF as they're known affect 25 percent of all post menopausal women in the United States. Unfortunately, often people don't attribute the sharp, agonizing pain in their backs to a fracture that can be healed, rather they blame arthritis or some other chronic condition they just have to live with. This leads to a poor quality of life because while the pain itself can be debilitating, fractures of the vertebra can also lead to deformities of the spine and difficulty with the most basic tasks of daily life. But there are treatments that can alleviate the pain almost instantly in some cases. In this program, experts will explain what puts people at risk for VCF and we will go into the surgical suite to watch as doctors perform procedures to heal the fractures.

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S24.E5 ∙ Saving Lives: Stopping Anaphylaxis - An Allergic Emergency

Wed, Aug 08, 2012

A growing number of children and adults face the risk of life threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis to foods, medications, insect stings, and even manmade substances like latex. Anaphylactic allergies start suddenly and involve several organ systems. Often children will have an anaphylactic response to peanuts or dairy or some other substance. But also adults who grew up allergy free can sometimes become anaphylactic later in life. In this program we will explore the science of allergies and anaphylaxis, see how to recognize an anaphylactic reaction, establish what should be done in case of an allergic emergency and meet families who've learned to cope with life-threatening allergies.

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