EP002-Acne, New Treatment Guidelines

Doctors are being trained all across the country on how to better communicate with patients and families. At Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, the Clear Conversations program was launched after the director of pulmonary hypertension, Dr. Rana Awdish, noted during a hospitalization that while the care she received was excellent, life-saving even, communication, however, was less than desirable. She explains how her experience led to an initiative that trains physicians to be more empathetic and look at conversations about health from the patient's point of view.

Sinusitis affects millions of Americans with symptoms ranging from minor and short-lived drainage and inflammation to chronic symptoms that can negatively impact one's quality of life. Treatment might include O-T-C symptom relievers, prescription meds and for some, surgery. Henry Ford ENT surgeon specializing in rhinology, Dr. John Craig discusses the most effective ways to reduce sinusitis symptoms as well as the importance of getting a proper diagnosis to help rule out symptoms possibly being a result of allergies or even migraines.

Beyond tree, grass and weed pollens that may cause seasonal allergy symptoms, some other allergens may aggravate your respiratory system year-round. Henry Ford allergist, Dr. Haejin Kim talks about non-seasonal allergens that can be not only annoying but in some instances, life-threatening. She discusses vacuum cleaners, humidifiers, and air purifiers, -- what's helpful and harmful for allergy sufferers.

Complications during pregnancy seem to increase a woman's risk of developing heart disease, according to recent studies. Dr. Deirdre Mattina, director of The Henry Ford Women's Heart Center, discusses how the Center's Postpartum Heart Health Program helps moms with complications such as gestational diabetes, pregnancy induced hypertension, or preterm birth, modify their lifestyle to lower the risk of having a heart attack or stroke later in life.

Drug and alcohol addiction affects people of all ages and backgrounds. For those who have lost all hope, Dr. Elizabeth Bulat, medical director of Henry Ford Maplegrove Addiction Treatment Center explains that addiction is a treatable and manageable disease, much like other chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. She explains that drug addiction is an illness and not a moral issue or matter of self-control. Advice is given on how to increase the odds of achieving treatment and recovery success.

Allergy treatments have evolved over the years including newer generation antihistamines being developed that have fewer side effects, also the way allergy shots are administered has changed. Henry Ford allergist, Dr. Haejin Kim discusses why some people may not get the relief they seek from their allergy medicine. She explains when and how to correctly use nasal sprays, of which many are now available without a prescription. Treatment myths are addressed and tips provided on how to reduce indoor allergens which may exacerbate seasonal allergies.

If your're over age 50 and haven't yet had a colonoscopy, there is nothing to fear, says Henry Ford department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, division head, Dr. Craig Reickert. He details what to expect on colonoscopy prep day, the actual procedure, all the way through to discharge, including explaining why you're barred for the day from things like driving or even going for a walk. In Michigan 72 percent of adults that should be screened for colorectal cancer have done so, still, that translates into far too many lives still being loss to cancer. The key to saving more lives is discussed.

Colon cancer screening, unlike most screenings, is designed to both detect and correct issues which involves removing polyps before they become cancer.This has led to fewer people over age 50 being diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer and those that are diagnosed, experience improved survival rates due to the cancer being detected early. Henry Ford Hospital division head of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Dr. Craig Reickert, talks about colon cancer symptoms, risks, the importance of screening, why not to be fearful of colonoscopy and the younger age of some of the newly diagnosed.

If you are like many who are trying to manage diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, obesity or high cholesterol, in this episode you'll learn about how lifestyle changes and a wellness or lifestyle coach may be the missing link in being able to reach and maintain your health improvement goals. Henry Ford director or metabolic health and weight management, Dr. Tom Rifai talks about the big gap in American lifestyle that contributes to multiple health problems and steps that can be taken to reverse negative health trends. 

When faced with shortness of breath or a lack of energy, exercise may be difficult for individuals living with pulmonary hypertension. Yet, understanding how physical activity can help them, patients often ask Henry Ford Hospital pulmonologist, Rana Awdish to recommend safe, doable exercises. Combining her 20 years as a Yoga practitioner with her medical expertise, Dr. Awdish developed the first-of-its-kind Yoga program to meet the unique needs of PH patients, from the wheelchair bound to those with more physical stamina. The sequences are also appropriate for people with asthma, COPD and heart failure. The free video, Yoga for PH, now in several languages, is available to patients on DVD and online.