Second Opinion 1500 (10/30 minute programs) airs Thursdays at 1 a.m. beginning 12/19 – – Fast-paced and provocative, SECOND OPINION focuses on health literacy in an engaging, entertaining and accessible way. The long-running series engages a panel of medical professionals and lay people in honest, in-depth discussions about complex health issues and life-changing medical decisions. Host Dr. Peter Salgo, who maintains a full-time practice at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, presents intriguing, real-life medical cases to professionals representing a variety of specialties. As the experts grapple with the diagnosis and treatment options, viewers gain an understanding of doctors’ decision-making process. This season, topics include: psoriasis, chronic pain management, medical radiation pituitary gland tumor, living with Alzheimer’s, pneumonia, autism and more.
- #1501 “Precision Medicine” – One in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime and most of them will have no family history of the disease. Precision medicine helps determine the most effective treatment for individual types of cancer and helps avoid the risks and side effects of unnecessary treatment. In this episode, we learn about the latest approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
- #1502 “Teen Suicide” – Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-24 year olds. The tragedy of a young person dying by suicide is devastating to their family, their friends and their community. On this episode, Pat and Christina courageously share the story of their daughter and all the ways they worked to try to help her, and how they are working to help others moving forward.
- #1503 “Menopause” – The average life span of a woman in the United States is 84 years. That means that many women will spend a full half of their lives as post-menopausal. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by symptoms and unsure about how to deal with them. In this episode, menopause experts provide practical advice to help women cope with hot flashes and other common, often debilitating symptoms, while addressing myths about available treatment such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
- #1504 “Pain Management Beyond Opioids” – Opioid overdose caused more than 42,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2016, and the crisis continues. Every day, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. Two million Americans are dependent on pain pills and street drugs to deal with their pain. Our patient Laura Garrison has lived with disabling pain for decades and is concerned about managing her active life while also managing her chronic pain. Is it true that there are several other pain meds that are equally effective for treating pain? Learn what’s on the horizon as researchers work to help find ways for people to better manage pain.
- #1505 “Biologics in Orthopedics” – Biologics represent the cutting edge of biomedical research, and cover a wide range of therapies. From platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to stem cell therapy, this line of treatment is recasting orthopedics. Biologics’ restorative properties are being studied in a number of cases. In this episode, our patient, Sergeant Dan Brochu, who was shot in the line of duty, shares how biologic therapy was an important part of his amazing recovery.
- #1506 “Cardiac Comeback” – What if your second heart attack never had to happen? Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, yet many people who have had heart attacks never start or continue their cardiac rehabilitation. Olympic Gold Medalist Kris Thorsness went to bed feeling like the healthiest 47-year-old person alive, and was wakened in the night by pain in her upper back. The hours that followed were shocking and life changing. Physical and mental rehabilitation for people who have suffered cardiac events are essential to a long and healthy life for every cardiac patient.
- #1507 “HIV” – In 1981 the U.S. identified its first patient in what would become the AIDS epidemic. Today, people with access to testing, early intervention, and effective treatments can expect to live long, healthy lives. That was not true when Olympic diver Greg Louganis was diagnosed with HIV in the late 1980s. In this episode, Greg shares his own journey through what many consider one of the greatest success stories of modern medicine.
- #1508 – “Caregiving Through Alzheimer’s Disease” – million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease today. Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s is a cause for stress, exhaustion, depression, caregiver burnout, and other health problems for the caregiver. Our three guests share the journeys they have lived while caring for their loved ones.
- #1509 “Alcoholism” – Alcoholism reduces a person’s life expectancy an average of 10 years. Severe cognitive problems are common, and approximately 10% of all dementia cases are related to alcohol consumption, making it the second leading cause of dementia. In this episode, Annie Loyd shares how alcoholism took hold of her, and how recovery has empowered her to live a healthy and rewarding life.
- #1510 “Corneal Transplant” – A healthy cornea is a key to good vision. If your cornea is damaged by disease, infection, or an injury, the resulting scars can dramatically affect your vision. With an over 95% success rate and the most common type of transplant surgery, corneal transplants have brought back clear vision and improved quality of life to countless people like our patient Paul Orlando.