"Time for Me" Lecture Series Provides A Forum To Learn More About Various Health Issues

Following are summaries of presentations prepared by Greater Baltimore Medical Center’s (GBMC) physicians for the 10th annual spring lecture series slated for the month of April. The four FREE 90 min. seminars 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.




The Diagnosis and Treatment of Bunions and other Common Foot Problems (Tuesday, Apr. 3)


A bony growth that bulges from the joint of the big toe, bunions, can cause significant pain while just walking and especially when running. They are a common problem and are not actually caused by high heeled, pointy shoes as most people are led to believe. Bunions are most often caused by a defective structure of the foot, which is genetic. The enlargement, which causes the big toe to point outward towards the other smaller toes, is due to a misalignment of the big toe joint and, in some cases, there is additional bone growth caused by inflammation. Steven A. Kulik, M.D., a surgeon from the Orthopaedics Specialists of Maryland at GBMC, can discuss symptoms, causes, and diagnosis and offer insight on both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for this and other common foot deformities.




New Developments in Urologic Cancer /strong> (Tuesday, Apr. 10)


Urologic cancers affect the organs and structures of the male and female urinary system and the male reproductive system. They can be experienced by both genders, such as bladder and kidney cancer, and others are gender specific, such as testicular cancer for men and vaginal cancer for women. These cancers are quite common, but as with most cancers, if caught early they can be treated. Paul Celano, M.D., medical director of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC, and Benjamin H. Lowentritt, M.D., a GBMC Urologist, will further discuss the types of urological cancers that affect both genders while outlining signs, symptoms, treatment options along with current and future developments in clinical trials and research.




Straightening Out The Facts On Spinal Stenosis/strong> (Tuesday, Apr. 17)


Spinal stenosis, also referred to as canal stenosis or spinal canal stenosis, is described as a narrowing of the spinal canal that contains the spinal cord and nerve roots. While the narrowing, which causes much pain and discomfort, most often occurs in the lower back and the neck regions, it can also cause numbness, weakness, cramping, in your arms or legs and even foot problems. Mark H. Iguchi, MD and Justin A. Slavin, MD, neurosurgeons with Greater Baltimore Neurosurgical Associates, can outline the different types of spinal stenosis and review causes, symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors along with surgical, non-surgical and therapy treatment options.




Neck Pain & Headaches: Understanding the Common Link/strong> (Tuesday, Apr. 24)


If you are dealing with neck or back pain, the discomfort can fluctuate from being merely bothersome to almost unbearable. There are several different causes that can lead to neck pain and headaches, but medical professionals might say that one of the major contributors to chronic neck pain and headaches is your smartphone or tablet. That forward and downward head position puts excessive stress and strain on the cervical spine and soft tissue structures of the neck. Michael Wah, PT, DPT, OCS and Joe Palmer, PT, DPT, OMPT, CSCS, CMTP, with the GBMC Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, will provide an overview of common and uncommon causes pain in the head and neck regions, symptoms, treatment options, and summarize ways that you can improve your posture to help lessen the frequency of headaches and neck pain.