Medically Speaking

February is Heart Month and we are continuing our series of interviews about heart disease and heart health. This edition of our Medically Speaking features Kevin Kett, MD, FACC, who is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology and has practiced in the Greater Waterbury area for more than two decades. He also is President of the American College of Cardiology Connecticut Chapter. Dr. Kett talks with program host Robin Sills, RN, about irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias, and the latest advances in device therapy, as well as Saint Mary's accreditation by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI with Resuscitation.

Dd you know that 70 to 80 percent of people will experience at least one episode of back pain in their lifetimes? Find out what you can do about your aching back and sore neck. Sandeep Johar, D.O., M.S., Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics & Spine Specialists (NOSS) joins host Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison, on “Medically Speaking” to talk about back and neck pain, the difference between acute and chronic pain, plus interventional management, including how it works, when it’s appropriate and the latest techniques. Dr. Johar has a master’s degree in physiology from Roswell Park Cancer Institute and received his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internship and residency in emergency medicine at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, a fellowship in sports medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and a fellowship in spine, sports and musculoskeletal medicine at the University of Florida.

Do you know your numbers? There are four key measurements of health everyone should know and track. They are early warning signs of heart disease and stroke. In this special edition of our "Medically Speaking" series sponsored by Saint Mary's Spirit of Women network, program host Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison, talks with Paul Kelly, M.D., Chief of Cardiology and Medical Director, Cardiac Services, about how to keep your numbers within a healthy range, which can help prevent a medical emergency, such as a heart attack.

Are you listening to your heart? Have you been paying attention to what your heart has been trying to tell you? One of the best ways to prevent cardiovascular disease is to understand what your heart is saying. Board-certified cardiologist Joseph Gnanaraj, M.D., of Franklin Medical Group - Cardiology, talks with host Robin Sills, RN, on "Medically Speaking" about daily strategies you can use to detect chest pain and early heart attack signs, and most importantly when to act on them! Learn how you can assess your risk of heart disease and what you should ask your doctor to keep your heart healthy!

We all have habits. Some are good (for example, brushing your teeth before bed), while others can be annoying or even harmful, such as biting your nails or mindlessly eating a pint of ice cream when you feel stressed. In "Breaking Bad Habits," a special edition of "Medically Speaking" sponsored by Saint Mary's Spirit of Women network, Dr. Jim Uberti, a board-certified primary care physician with Franklin Medical Group, talks with guest host Jennifer Clement about how to break bad habits and create good ones to start the New Year successfully. What are you resolving to change about yourself and what's holding you back from meeting your goals? This special broadcast offers advice and strategies for success, whether your goal is to stop smoking, lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more or just live healthier!

When it comes to choosing the best care for you and your loved ones, it's important to know whether you can opt for a visit to the local Urgent Care Center or if it's best to head straight to the Emergency Room. Janice Edmonds, RN, talks with program host Robin Sills, RN, about Saint Mary's Urgent Care Centers, which are equipped to handle urgent medical concerns, from sore throats and ear aches to something more serious that might require stitches or an X-ray. Saint Mary's Urgent Care Centers are staffed by physicians and other providers who are trained in emergency medicine, and they're super quick and convenient. But for more serious or life-threatening injuries or illnesses, like chest pain, suspected stroke, head injury, extreme burns (with blistering), suspected drug overdose, uncontrollable bleeding, or broken bones that you can see, your best bet is still the ER.

If digestive problems leave you with tummy troubles, you won't want to miss "Gut Check," a special 30-minute edition in our "Medically Speaking" series on WATR radio 1320 AM sponsored by Saint Mary's Spirit of Women network. Program host Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison, talks with Sue Bongiorni, RN, BSN, Clinical Manager, Perioperative Services and Bariatrics, about digestive problems that can keep you feeling down and out. The good news is, many of these problems are controllable! Listen to learn more about the causes and symptoms of digestive issues as well as the best courses of action to take to prevent getting sick -- especially during the holiday season!

How can grief be good? Chaplain Geri Cappabianca of the Spiritual Care Department Saint Mary's Hospital joins Robin Sills, RN, Physician Liaison and host of "Medically Speaking" to talk about the stages of grief and how to navigate the holidays when you or a loved one is experiencing grief or loss. The holidays are a time of joy, but also can be a difficult time if you have experienced any type of loss--the loss of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job. Chaplain Geri talks about how grief can be good, and offers advice on how to help others who are grieving. Geri has presented to groups throughout Greater Waterbury and beyond about grief and the grieving process. She has been featured on the Office of Radio and Television's Sunday morning TV program, "That's the Spirit," hosted by the Rev. John Gadzak. She also is the author of "Memoirs of a Hospital Chaplain: I Stand Near the Door." GriefGrievingLossSadnessHolidaysCappabiancaChaplain

A Latin poet once wrote, “Life is not merely to be alive, but to be well.” Wellness is about living healthfully, not because you have to, but because you love to, on every level. This special 30-minute edition of "Medically Speaking" is sponsored by Saint Mary's Spirit of Women network and features Dr. Sudha Thiruvengadam, who is passionate about primary care medicine. "Dr. Sudha" as she is affectionately known, talks about how to unite our families through wellness.

For this episode of Medically Speaking, join host Robin Sills, RN< as she chats with primary care physician John Testa, MD (and two special guests!) about family care, school-aged children, getting back to school, establishing healthy routines, and our NEW Urgent Care and Primary Care Center in Cheshire, Connecticut! "Medically Speaking" originally aired on 1320AM WATR, in Waterbury, Connecticut. To learn more about Saint Mary's Hospital, visit stmh.org.

Diabetes is on the rise in the United States. In honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month (November), join endocrinologist Dr. Shilpa Shetty, who talks with "Medically Speaking" host Robin Sills, RN, about diabetes diagnosis, management, how to spot the telltale signs of diabetes, and how to live life with the diagnosis. "Medically Speaking" airs on 1320AM WATR in Waterbury, Connecticut. To learn more about Saint Mary's Hospital, also located in Waterbury, visit stmh.org.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, join breast surgeon Dr. Nicole Sookhan and host Robin Sills, RN, on "Medically Speaking." This special October show discusses all the different advances in breast cancer screening, why you should always get a mammogram even if you have dense breast tissue, and more! This show originally aired October 19 on 1320AM WATR. To learn more about Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut, visit stmh.org.

Wait, was that a YAWN? Far too many of us don't get enough sleep, which can impact our health, our work and our relationships. Dr. Gregory Colodner, board-certified sleep specialist, has the answers to help you get your zzz's. Dr. Colodner talks with host Robin Sills, RN, about how to help your kids adjust to changes in sleep patterns and how daylight savings time can affect your sleep. He also sheds some light on changes in sleep patterns that can affect women approaching and during menopause.

Don’t get fever phobia! It’s hard to see your child suffer through a fever, and it can be difficult to determine whether your child requires a doctor’s visit, or even a trip to the emergency room. Fevers themselves are generally not dangerous or harmful, but what causes high temperatures in kids may be. "Temperature Tantrum" features an interview with pediatrician Karen Kennedy, MD, who shares tips on the best way to take and treat a child's temperature, and what to do when a fever spikes. Sponsored by Saint Mary's Spirit of Women network.

Dr. Joseph Gnanaraj, a cardiologist with Franklin Medical Group Cardiology, talks about the newest approaches to diagnosing, treating and preventing heart failure and other common cardiac conditions.

Dr. Philip Corvo, Chairman of Surgery at Saint Mary’s Hospital, discusses how surgeons are helping to prevent patients from becoming addicted to opioid medication through new procedures called “opioid sparing surgery.”

It's a stall world after all. Do you spend an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom stall? Overactive bladder (OAB) and other voiding disorders can keep you from doing the things you love because you constantly live in fear of being too far away from a restroom. Program host Robin Sills, RN, talks with Lisa Oliveira, APRN, MSN, of Urology Specialists, about female incontinence, why always having to go isn't normal, and what you can do about it, both inside and outside the doctor's office.

Our ER physician has all the tips you need to keep your kids and your entire family cool and safe this summer. Learn how to avoid dehydration, heat strokes and other heat-related illnesses and reduce your risk of injuries associated with summertime activities. Dr. Ije Akunyili, Associate Medical Director, Department of Emergency Services, Saint Mary's Hospital, talks with program host Robin Sills, RN, about water safety, bike safety, all terrain vehicles, and how to look after your elderly family members, friends and neighbors and keep them safe and healthy all summer long.

Join host Robin Sills, RN, for another exciting edition of "Medically Speaking." She'll chat with Dr. Todd Beery of Interventional Spine and Sports Medicine about his multidisciplinary approach to treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal and spinal disorders by incorporating physical therapy, medications, and interventional procedures. Dr. Beery has specialized training in both physical medicine and rehabilitation, and interventional pain medicine. "Medically Speaking" originally aired on 1320AM WATR in Waterbury, Connecticut. To learn more about Saint Mary's Hospital, also located in Waterbury, visit stmh.org.

Join host Robin Sills, RN, and her special guest, J. Alexander Palesty, MD, Director of Surgical Oncology at Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut, for a discussion about the signs, symptoms and treatment of skin cancer. "Medically Speaking" originally aired on 1320AM WATR in Waterbury, Connecticut. To learn more about Saint Mary's Hospital, also located in Waterbury, visit stmh.org.