Many Americans assume tuberculosis is a disease of the past, but the reality is one-third of the world's population is infected with TB - an estimated 10 to 15 million people in the United States alone. Second Opinion explores this historic disease and what you need to know to protect yourself.
Medical research has helped us lead longer, healthier lives, but it has also sparked ethical concerns and contentious political debate. Through a Parkinson's Disease case, panelists explore the controversial world of clinical trials and debate the potential gains and pitfalls of science on the edge.
Many Americans think loss of vision is a normal part of aging. Think again. The number one cause of vision loss is actually a disease called macular degeneration. This episode describes the disease and how you may be able to prevent it from compromising your vision.
Heartburn is nothing to take lightly. For many people, heartburn can interrupt daily life and be the precursor to serious illnesses. Our panel of experts on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of it, as well as the symptoms you should not ignore.
Crossword puzzles, vitamins, and classical music have all been promoted as tools for improving memory. Panelists discuss the recent theories and research surrounding memory enhancement and help viewers separate fact from fiction.
While youth suicides earn more news headlines, suicide rates in the United States actually increase with age. This powerful episode explores the devastating reality of suicide, and what you should know about helping yourself or a loved one.
Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S. With doctors and researchers racing to stop heart disease in its tracks, diagnostic technology and treatment options are breaking new ground at astounding speed. But are there dangers? Can technology tell us too much? Our experts dive into the high-tech world of cardiac care.
One of the deadliest forms of cancer, ovarian cancer is also one of the few cancers for which genetic testing can determine a person's susceptibility. This episode explores the challenges faced by a woman balancing the opportunity to know her genetic profile with only limited diagnostic testing and sometimes radical treatment options available.
Often debilitating and misunderstood, migraine headaches and the options available to treat them are sources of much debate. Anger, frustration and desperation can plague both patients and physicians. Our panel navigates a case of migraine and the often confusing information that surrounds pain management and prevention.
While survival rates for breast cancer continue to improve, for some women, recurrence is a devastating reality. When women experience breast cancer recurrence, a sense of failure can confront both the patient and health care provider. Our expert panel explores a topic filled with both challenge and hope.
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or just normal aging? Knowing the difference can affect patient care and quality of living. Join experts discussing the real science behind the common degenerative disease, arthritis. Find out what you can do to help prevent it, and learn about promising treatments on the horizon.
Research indicates that inflammation underscores a significant percentage of heart disease, and some professionals believe that it may be the source of many complications of aging. Our panelists explore the relationship between inflammation and disease, and what new treatments lay ahead.
Research supports that not only do men and women present with heart disease differently, they can also develop it differently. Coronary Microvascular Disease is predominantly a women's heart disease - one that is often overlooked and under-diagnosed. Is it possible to have heart disease and yet appear to have healthy coronary arteries? The surprising answer is a resounding "yes."
Hospital acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections, are a growing problem in the U.S., however there are steps that healthcare systems can do to protect patients, and actions that you can take to protect yourself.
While there is no question that vaccines work and have changed our world by eradicating deadly diseases, some people have concerns about the risks of immunizations. The vaccine controversy remains-where do the rights of the public and the rights of the individual collide?
Isolation and depression can often be a result of hearing loss, but there are good treatments, including hearing aids and surgery. Learn about the actions you can take right now to protect yourself from hearing loss.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease can be devastating for a person and their loved ones. Caregiving issues surrounding a person with a cognitive disease are unique, and planning for decline in health is critical for the caregiver.
While chronic kidney disease continues to rise in the U.S., Second Opinion explores the many issues faced when caring for a loved one with a chronic disease.
Thirty one percent of the adult population age 20 to 75 provide informal care to a family member or friend who is ill or disabled. Burnout can result from the physical and emotional challenges associated with being a caregiver. While family caregivers give of themselves out of love, there are real physical, emotional and financial costs associated with caregiving. As we live longer and caregiving becomes a bigger issue in the U.S., learn what can be done to help our caregiving community.
While other cancers continue to decline, lymphoma is on the rise. The good news is that with early diagnosis, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is often a very treatable disease with a good prognosis.
Depression in the geriatric population presents different challenges than in younger populations. Diagnosis and treatment can be difficult, but the management of depression in later life is critical to good physical health.
Biological, social and behavioral issues are just a few factors that play a role in why women live longer. Experts take an in-depth look into why men die at a younger age than women.
Since the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) was stopped early due to risk of heart attack and stroke, the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been debated in research, in the media and among women across the country. Second Opinion explores the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy.
When the thyroid gland loses its ability to make thyroid hormone, a person's whole life can be turned upside down. Affecting the physical and mental well-being of a person, the proper treatment of hypothyroidism can make a remarkable difference to overall health.
Can positive thinking, prayer or yoga help heal your body as well as your mind? It depends who you ask. Research into the connection between the mind and the body is both fascinating and controversial.
(Source: NIH / National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding brain cells. Brain cells die when they no longer receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood or there is sudden bleeding into or around the brain. The symptoms of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination; or sudden severe headache with no known cause. There are two forms of stroke: ischemic - blockage of a blood vessel supplying the brain, and hemorrhagic - bleeding into or around the brain.
(Source: NIH / National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute) COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary (PULL-mun-ary) disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. "Progressive" means the disease gets worse over time. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus (a slimy substance), wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants—such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust—also may contribute to COPD.
(Source: Mayo Clinic) Persistent, recurrent problems with sexual response or desire — that distress you or strain your relationship with your partner — are known medically as female sexual dysfunction. Many women experience problems with sexual function at some point in their lives. Female sexual dysfunction can occur at all stages of life, and it may be ongoing or happen only once in a while. You may experience more than one type of female sexual dysfunction.
(Source: NIH / National Institute on Aging) People in the U.S. are living longer than ever before. Many seniors live active and healthy lives. But there's no getting around one thing: as we age, our bodies and minds change. There are things you can do to stay healthy and active as you age. It is important to understand what to expect. Some changes may just be part of normal aging, while others may be a warning sign of a medical problem. It is important to know the difference, and to let your healthcare provider know if you have any concerns.
(Source: NIH / National Institute of Mental Health) Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can actually be beneficial in some situations. For some people, however, anxiety can become excessive.
(Source: HELPGUIDE.org) Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, stabilizing your mood, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible—all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them in a way that works for you. You can expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create and maintain a tasty, healthy diet.
Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. White blood cells help your body fight infection. Your blood cells form in your bone marrow. In leukemia, however, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. These cells crowd out the healthy blood cells, making it hard for blood to do its work.
Hip fractures are serious fall injuries that often result in long-term functional impairment, nursing home admission and increased mortality.1,2 As our population ages, the number of hip fractures is likely to increase.
Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which a person has long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown.
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of the heart's electrical activity. It can cause sudden, uncontrollable, dangerous arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs) in response to exercise or stress. Arrhythmias are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. People who have LQTS also can have arrhythmias for no known reason. However, not everyone who has LQTS has dangerous heart rhythms. When they do occur, though, they can be fatal.
]While sexually transmitted diseases were once thought of as a problem in the young population, diseases such as HIV are rising at alarming rates in the middle age and elderly. Second Opinion addresses the social, medical, physical and cultural factors that are contributing to this trend.
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) was a major multicenter clinical research study aimed at discovering whether modest weight loss through dietary changes and increased physical activity or treatment with the oral diabetes drug metformin (Glucophage) could prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in study participants. The DPP showed that people at risk for developing diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes by losing a modest amount of weight through diet and exercise.
Imagine having a condition that cannot be diagnosed for months or years. How do doctors find the answer to an elusive disease, and what role does the patient play in finding the cause?
Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays in the body in a dormant (inactive) state. For reasons that are not fully known, the virus can reactivate years later, causing shingles. Almost 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster. There are an estimated 1 million cases each year in this country. Anyone who has recovered from chickenpox may develop shingles; even children can get shingles. However the risk of disease increases as a person gets older. About half of all cases occur among men and women 60 years old or older.
Vitamin D toxicity, also called hypervitaminosis D, is a rare but potentially serious condition that occurs when you have excessive amounts of vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D toxicity is usually caused by megadoses of vitamin D supplements — not by diet or sun exposure. That's because your body regulates the amount of vitamin D produced by sun exposure, and even fortified foods don't contain large amounts of vitamin D.
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, these cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells triggers genetic defects that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.
Every day, doctors are faced with patients with symptoms that prove difficult to diagnose. When healthy and active Larry Luitjens shows up in his doctor’s office with some peculiar and frightening symptoms, his doctor is put to the test to find the cause and get him the treatment he desperately needs.
An estimated 4 million babies are born in the United States each year, and many moms have specific hopes for how their labor should go. Our patient Anna Sproul-Latimer shares the story of her high-risk pregnancy and the choices she made for the birth of her son.<--break- />
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating chronic disease that has a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Because the cause is unknown, effective treatment is still out of reach for many patients. Danielle Warner’s description of battling CFS every day is a heartbreaking one, as she longs for her once active and vibrant life. Her husband and caregiver, Tyrone, joins Danielle as they share the story of their life, and their uncertain future.
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness in the face and often develops into small red, pus-filled bumps. For many, rosacea is an embarrassing condition that causes psychological symptoms, as well as physical ones. Although there is no cure for rosacea, there are some treatments which can control the symptoms, and knowing the triggers is key to preventing episodes. Meet Barb Ficarra, who has been dealing with rosacea for many years while living an active life with a demanding professional career.
Schizoaffective disorder is a form of psychosis and is a mental illness in which a person experiences a combination of schizophrenia symptoms. People affected often have hallucinations or delusions, as well as mood disorder symptoms such as mania or depression. Our patient, Lynne Fisher, had her life turned upside down by the onset of this illness, and battled through five years of symptoms to find a treatment plan that enables her to have a constructive and happy life.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) starts in childhood but often can go unrecognized until later in life. In this episode, Frank South shares his story of late diagnosis and the challenges he faces every day managing and adapting to life with ADHD.
With some parents deciding not to vaccinate their children, measles cases in the United States have reached a 20-year high. Our patient Emmi Herman relates the devastating impact this highly contagious childhood illness had on her own family.<--break- />
Sudden cardiac arrest is usually caused by an electrical disturbance in the heart, and leads to a sudden loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. Nine out of 10 people who experience sudden cardiac arrest, die from it. Fortunately, star basketball player Mike Papale survived because of the quick reaction of an EMT, who immediately initiated CPR and the chain of survival. Mike and his Mom, Joan, share their story of survival and living through the aftermath of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.
Almost 30 million people in the U.S. have Type II Diabetes. It’s a disease that can be greatly improved by lifestyle changes including a healthy diet and exercise, along with medication compliance and monitoring. But not many people do as well as Mark Lee, who completely turned his life around after his diagnosis. His story is an inspiration to those who struggle every day with controlling their diabetes.
More than half a million people die of cancer each year in the U.S., so it’s no wonder we want to do what we can to catch and treat cancer early. For some cancers, we have preventive cancer screenings that are readily available. But who should be screened? Rose Arp has no cancer history, but wants to know from the experts what screenings she should be getting as she turns 50 years old.
A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is devastating for the patient and his/her family. Often the cancer is caught when it is at an advanced stage, and survival rates are lower than many cancers. Peter Suess is more than 5 years out from his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, and his story of his ongoing treatment and survival is one of hope and inspiration.
CPR IN AMERICA sets out to do something no television show has ever done—teach as many people as possible the life-saving skill of Hands-Only CPR. 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. Receiving immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival. But 70% of Americans feel helpless because they don't know CPR or they're afraid of hurting the victim. CPR IN AMERICA aims to change that. You can help make a tangible difference in the cardiac arrest survival rate in your community!
Experts say the heroin epidemic, which is a growing problem nationwide, is largely spurred by people who first become addicted to prescribed opiate pain medications. As the pills become more expensive and harder to obtain, people move on to the cheaper and more potent high that heroin can provide. Cynthia Scudo, grandmother of twenty, shares the story of hip pain that ended with a nine-year addiction to heroin.
Often misunderstood and under-diagnosed, borderline personality disorder is a serious mental illness that leaves those affected struggling to control emotions and maintain healthy relationships. Amy Allison shares the story of the life she achieved as a high-functioning professional while her personal life was in turmoil.
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that presents in early childhood or adolescence with the first symptoms often being involuntary movements, or tics. Peter Morrison was diagnosed when he was 10 years old, and he shares his story of overcoming the personal and social challenges caused by the syndrome. He’s joined by his mother Susan, who provides her perspective as a parent.
Can you really die of a broken heart? Research says that indeed you can die from Broken Heart Syndrome, also known as Takotsubo and Stress Cardiomyopathy. But with quick medical intervention, the condition can be completely reversed. Maryann Murray shares her story of how stress suddenly turned her into a cardiac patient.
Life expectancy for people with Down Syndrome has increased over the last 30 years – from 25 years old in 1983 to 60 years old today. While Down Syndrome carries certain health issues and risks, people with Down Syndrome and their families are moving beyond the limitations of this disability. Patient and Special Olympic medalist Frankie Antonelli and his mother Debbie share what their family has done to help Frankie reach his full potential.
In any given year, nearly 21 million American adults are diagnosed with a mood disorder. Our patient Brittany DiCapua shares her story of mental and physical symptoms that appeared suddenly and inexplicably in a very special “mystery diagnosis.”
With the increase of chronic diseases such as Type II Diabetes, the need for kidney transplants is on the rise. Both deceased and live donors are needed, and our experts shed light on the organ transplant process. Karen Scott Gledhill was shocked in her early 20’s to find out she had a rare genetic kidney disorder. Fortunately, her life was saved by a deceased donor, and then again many years later by the life-giving gift of her brother Tom Scott, who joins her to share their story.
Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems—particularly in young children. Our patient Yvette Reynolds shares her personal story about her daughter's dangerously high lead levels and how it could have been prevented.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that is known as the “great imitator” because many of its symptoms can mask themselves as other disorders. Our patient Shanelle Gabriel thought her symptoms were a result of her busy college schedule—until a moment of vanity took her to see her doctor.
More than 10 million women in the U.S. struggle with Endometriosis. Our patient Ruta Biteman shares her journey of the pain she experienced throughout her life, and the challenges that she experienced in getting effective care, help, and hope.
Only two months since their son Patrick died of a heroin overdose, Mary and Joe Mullin courageously share their story with viewers.
Experts discuss how groundbreaking research is making the lives of children with Type I Diabetes, and their parents, better than ever before.
Medical experts discuss the groundbreaking immunotherapy research and treatments being discovered each day in the area of cancers—treatments that will change the way we look at cancer.
Since the age 12, Gabi Thomas has been fighting the physical and mental ramifications of having Crohn’s Disease.
OCD is an often misunderstood disorder, patient Kyra Mills and the medical experts openly discuss diagnosis and treatment options, while helping to destigmatize the disorder.
While other media outlets sensationalize and politicize issues surrounding transgender youth, Second Opinion looks at the issue from a truly medical perspective.
Unsure of the cause of his racing heart and extreme fatigue, Joel Dittman was finally diagnosed with the very common disorder, Atrial Fibrillation. As he shares his story, medical experts discuss the treatments that are available to help people with this condition lead full and active lives.
Jennifer Slack bravely shares details on her life, how she recognized her condition, and how she continuously works to battle her disease.
ovel H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. First detected in the United States in April 2009, this virus spreads from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. Though the majority of cases continue to be mild, some cases – usually in children, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions – have been more severe.