Time For Me Fall Lecture Series

The following are summaries of presentations prepared by Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) physicians for the ninth annual fall lecture series slated for the month of October. The four, FREE, 90-minute seminars each start at 6:30 p.m. and take place in the Civiletti Conference Center located in GBMC’s Physicians Pavilion East. To cover the series, to set up interviews, or for further details, call John M. Lazarou at 443-849-2126 or email jlazarou@gbmc.org

• Vein of My Existence…(Tuesday, Oct. 3)
• Keeping Your Skin Radiant…(Tuesday, Oct. 10)
• Keeping Hearing Loss At Bay Can Lower Odds of Dementia…(Tuesday, Oct. 17)
• Have an Arthritic Knee, Hip or both?...(Tuesday, Oct. 24)

Vein of My Existence (Tuesday, Oct. 3)


The vascular system is a group of blood vessels that includes the arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry oxygen and nutrients to the body and veins return blood from the tissues to the heart. Vascular disease refers to changes that can occur in blood vessels affecting the normal flow of blood and there are multiple types of vascular disease including: peripheral artery disease (PAD) which is the blockage of arteries outside of the heart and brain, venous disease which includes varicose veins, spider veins, and chronic venous insufficiency and other common disorders such as Raynaud’s disease, Buerger’s disease, and aneurysms which can cause anything from unsightly and painful veins to life threatening concerns. Everyone is at risk for vascular disease. With the increase in obesity and Type II diabetes, and as the population ages, vascular diseases are becoming widespread. Jennifer A. Heller, MD, director of GBMC’s Vein Center and medical director at the GBMC Wound Care Center, can outline what is vascular disease, common factors that put you at risk, identify the causes, warning signs, diagnosis and treatment methods including minimally invasive, surgical and non-operative.




Keeping Your Skin Radiant (Tuesday, Oct. 10)


Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in the body? Known as the body's coat it’s the first line of defense against disease and infection and it helps control body temperature, stop fluid loss and removes the body’s excess water and salt. Mark H. Lowitt, MD, head of GBMC’s Division of Dermatology, will discuss why there is more to keeping your skin healthy than the soap you use and explain how diet, exercise, stress along with your living and working environments play a major role in how your skin ages. He can also discuss how someone should care for their skin, given their age and skin type, what foods have the most impact on our skin, ways to protect your skin from various environmental stressors and what you can do to keep or give your skin that youthful glow.




Keeping Hearing Loss At Bay Can Lower Odds of Dementia (Tuesday, Oct. 17)


Age-related hearing loss is a common condition that impacts close to 1 in 2 adults over age 65 and although age-related hearing loss is not a life-threatening condition, it can have major impact on your quality of life if left untreated. A recent study, in the medical journal The Lancet, also showed that preventing or managing age-related hearing loss, can decrease your chances of getting dementia. The journal’s commission on dementia came up with nine “potentially modifiable health and lifestyle factors” that might help prevent dementia and age-related hearing loss was identified as the second most important issue. Brian Kaplan, MD, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology can discuss causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and prevention of age related hearing loss and Kimberly A. Bank, Au.D., FAAA, CCC/A, senior audiologist, can further discuss the connection between dementia and age related hearing loss and provide a brief glimpse for the future of hearing aids and amplification when it comes to age-related hearing loss.




Have an Arthritic Knee, Hip or both? If So, Get To Know Your Options For Prevention and Treatment (Tuesday, Oct. 24)


The knees and hips are the largest joints in our body and are instrumental in supporting our body weight and helping us move. That is until we can’t because of an injury or pain. The hips and knees are weight-bearing joints and are at a high risk for osteoarthritis (OA) the most common form of arthritis. Approximately 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with hip and knee arthritis according to U.S. government statistics. Jamie Johnston, MD, a surgeon with Orthopedic Specialists of Maryland at GBMC, can discuss what is OA, causes, how are they diagnosed, symptoms, risk factors and treatment options, such as joint preservation versus replacement, for arthritis in the knee and/or hip. He can also outline ways a person, diagnosed with knee and hip arthritis, can improve their quality of life.




Learn more at gbmc.org/timeforme.