January 2018 - Media Tip Sheet

Listed below are story ideas from Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC). To pursue any of these stories, please call John M. Lazarou at 443-849-2126 or jlazarou@gbmc.org.

• HURRY UP! GET YOUR FLU SHOT
• UPDATE ON THE BATTLE AGAINST BIRTH DEFECTS
• CERVICAL CANCER CAN BE BEATEN IF NOT IGNORED
• TIPS BEFORE “THE DIP” FOR POLAR BEAR PLUNGERS
• TIME TO REGROUP AND GET HEALTHY
• STOPPING THE “SNEAK THIEF OF SIGHT”

HURRY UP! GET YOUR FLU SHOT


With flu activity increasing according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), GBMC primary care physicians suggest that now is the time to get your flu shot if you haven’t already done so. Influenza, also known as the flu, even as a mild case, can present itself with a fever, fatigue, painful muscle/body aches, and a runny, stuffy nose. Symptoms can last from a few days to less than two weeks, but, for those with chronic illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, or in cancer treatment, the complications of influenza can be life threatening. A GBMC PCP can address what’s new with this flu season, options on the flu vaccines, What flu viruses do the current vaccines protect against, why it’s important for people of all ages to get your annual flu vaccine, even if you were diagnosed with the flu last year, and what is the best way for people to protect themselves and their family from the flu. Read More...




UPDATE ON THE BATTLE AGAINST BIRTH DEFECTS


According to the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) every 4.1/2 minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States. Birth defects are the most common cause of death in infants and the second most common cause of death in children between one to four years of age. Birth defects include: congenital heart defects, cleft lip or palate, defects of the brain and spine, bones, muscles and internal organs, and a variety of genetic syndromes such as Down Syndrome. Some birth defects have only a minor and brief effect on a baby’s health while others have life-threatening or life-long effects, which can often be lessened by early detection and treatment. Natalie Blagowidow, MD, medical director for GBMC’s Harvey Institute for Human Genetics, can outline current research in this field, methods for diagnosis, counseling and treatment of patients with genetic and congenital disorders. CERVICAL CANCER CAN BE BEATEN IF NOT IGNORED Almost 20 million Americans, currently have the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is the most common sexually transmitted disease and major cause of cervical cancer. Regular cervical cancer screening in essential part of women’s health, but too often it’s disregarded. For women aged 21–65 years, regular cervical cancer screening can help prevent cancer. Francis Grumbine, MD, chief of gynecologic surgery and chairman of the department of Gynecology at GBMC, can highlight issues related to cervical cancer, HPV disease and the importance of early detection. A GBMC Gyn/Onc can discuss recent advances and research in the prevention, detection and treatment of cervical cancer or HPV.




TIPS BEFORE “THE DIP” FOR POLAR BEAR PLUNGERS


Thousands of plunge participants will brave the winter weather and chilly water temperatures of Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis as part of the 22nd Annual Maryland State Police (MSP) Polar Bear Plunge (Saturday, Jan. 27) and although many of the participants have their heart in the right place for charity, emergency medicine physicians at GBMC are encouraging participants to be mentally and physically prepared before throwing themselves into a frigid body of water. Jeffrey P. Sternlicht, MD, FACEP, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at GBMC, can offer some additional tips to help plunge participants steer a safe course while still enjoying the festivities. TIME TO REGROUP AND GET HEALTHY With the New Year here and our country’s obesity epidemic ongoing, it’s likely many people will make it a goal to try and slim down. Healthy Weight Week, due to kick off on Sunday, Jan. 21, is an annual celebration and an appropriate time for individuals with weight control issues to focus on healthy eating habits and to start active lifestyle that can last a lifetime. Elizabeth Dovec, MD, medical director for the GBMC Comprehensive Obesity Management Program (COMP), can discuss surgical options to help individuals lose large amounts of weight, to keep most of it off and to complete and succeed in their journey to a healthier life.




STOPPING THE “SNEAK THIEF OF SIGHT”


Approximately three million Americans have been diagnosed with vision loss due to glaucoma and the National Eye Institute projects that this number will reach over four million by 2030. Glaucoma is called "the sneak thief of sight" and the most common type, primary open-angle glaucoma, has no noticeable signs or symptoms. Glaucoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness and is more prevalent among the African American and Latino populations. January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and Mary Louise Z. Collins, MD, GBMC's Chairman of Ophthalmology, can discuss the importance of early diagnosis, outline symptoms, risk factors, prevention methods, surgical and non-surgical treatment options.