Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

- Season 4

(2005)

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder marked by sporadic, often unpredictable seizures which may be embarrassing and disruptive during normal daily activities. While medications have helped many control their seizures, they often have side effects which can compromise the quality of life. Now, new alternatives are providing people with effective control of their seizures. In this program, we meet three people who have had epilepsy for many years, hear their struggles and share their victories as they learned to live with this often mysterious condition.

Myelodisplastic Syndromes, once little known blood disorders, are now among the most common blood cancers. In fact, these very serious conditions often result from previous cancer treatment. But MDS can be treated, managed and sometimes cured. In this program we take a look at current therapies and treatments that offer much promise for the future.

Hepatitis B is the most common Hepatitis virus affecting more than a billion people world wide. Unfortunately many of the people who carry the virus don't even know they're infected. As a result the infection continues to proliferate. But there is a serious effort to eradicate this virus, through treatment and vaccine programs. The important first step is for those in the "at risk" categories to be tested. In this program we hear first hand accounts of what could happen if the infection remains untreated for many years.

Pressure ulcers sound like an innocuous condition, but in fact they can be extremely dangerous, especially to those who are physically challenged, have diabetes or who live in long term care facilities like nursing homes. In fact, actor and activist Christopher Reeves untimely death at age 51 was attributed to a pressure ulcer. In this program we explain what pressure ulcers are, see how they develop and how they can be prevented. We also examine an innovative therapy that is helping to heal pressure ulcers quickly and painlessly.

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in America and high cholesterol numbers are a major risk factor for both heart attacks and strokes. In this program we offer information about lifestyle changes that can help keep cholesterol numbers in the normal range, plus we see how changing the diet and adding exercise can lower high cholesterol. Also, we examine the various medications used to treat high cholesterol, explain what side effects could occur and help patients understand why in some cases, medication may be their friend.

Heart disease used to be thought of as a man's disease, but the reality is more women die from first heart attacks than men. In addition, heart disease can have different symptoms in women than the classic chest pain that has been so well publicized. In this program, we explain why women are equally at risk for a heart attack as men; we look at how hormone therapy can increase that risk, and hear from patients who've discovered ways to lower their risk of having a heart attack.

One of the most feared conditions in the world is a stroke, also known as a brain attack. Suddenly, often without warning, people can lose their ability to see and speak, and they may be paralyzed on one side of the body. In fact, strokes are the number one cause of disability in the United States. In this program, we take a look at the warning signs of stroke, see what factors can increase a person's risk, and underscore the importance of getting to the hospital as soon as possible after a stroke has occurred.

While most people have heard of diabetes, many of us truly don't understand how dangerous this common condition is. The facts speak for themselves: diabetes is a major risk factor for both heart attacks and strokes, is a leading cause of kidney disease and blindness, and the reason for most non-traumatic amputations. However, the complications of diabetes can be prevented. Lifestyle changes, like changing the diet, and adding exercise can help many patients with diabetes slow down the negative effects of the disease or even reverse them entirely. In this program, ...

Millions of people live every day in chronic pain, but they shouldn't have to because there are treatments that can help. In this program, we explore what causes pain in our bodies and look at how it can be effectively treated through exercise, alternative therapies and medications.

A beautiful, bright smile is one of the most obvious signs of good health to many people, but that smile might be hiding a host of health problems. In this program, we examine the connection between gum disease and cardiovascular diseases, and other conditions including pre-term labor and delivery. We also take a look at some of the latest innovations in cosmetic dentistry and dental implants.

The word "flu" sounds innocent enough, but thousands of people every year die from influenza, also known as the flu. In this program, we take a look at how it is spread and how it can be prevented. In addition, we examine some of the most effective treatments.

Today, arthritis is one of the most common causes of debilitating pain in many older people, and osteoarthritis is by far the most prevalent form of this disease. While many consider it to be an inevitable part of aging, that's not necessarily true. In this program we learn about the risk factors for osteoarthritis and investigate the best treatments available, including which patients may benefit from surgery.

Millions of Americans live their lives with low back pain. This condition can often be seriously debilitating and interfere with a person's quality of life, but they don't have to live with the pain. In this program we discuss how to treat low back pain and offer suggestions on how to prevent it in the future.