How To Save Your Life

Conversations with Dr. Philip Stieg

From childhood asthma and breast cancer to neurological damage and the effects of aging, host Dr. Philip E. Stieg covers all the medical bases in this interview series involving the foremost experts in their fields.

Dr. Stieg, chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, sits with surgeons, general practitioners and researchers and probes them for answers about how to deal with medical problems that will touch each and every one of us at one point or another. His guests talk about how best to avoid or prevent afflictions and what steps to take when they strike. They also share their insights on the latest developments in medical science and technology.

How to Save Your Life is marked by a thoughtful, in-depth approach to these important topics and a hopeful tone that encourages listeners to be more proactive about their health. Tune in Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. on WAMC Northeast Public Radio for this important program.

Coming up on How To Save Your Life...

Show #091, Airs 7/8/08:
This week, Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, affectionately referred to as “America’s doctor.” Dr. Rosenfeld is a professor of medicine at New York Hospital Weil Cornell Medical Center and is widely recognized as one of the country’s premiere doctors. He talks about the current state of America’s health care system, offers his expert opinion on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and much more.

Show #090, Airs 7/1/08:
Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Dr. Michael Stewart, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Stewart is an expert on ear, nose and throat disorders. He tells listeners how to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction and the best way to treat allergies. They’ll also discuss snoring and sleep apnea in depth and much more.

Show #089, Airs 6/24/08:
Host Dr. Phil Stieg is joined by Dr. Charles Rosen, Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of California. Dr. Rosen is calling attention to the conflict of interest between physicians and the manufactures of medical devices. Dr. Rosen explains how unethical marketing practices by the medical device industry put patients and doctors at risk and offers solutions to fix the problem.

Show #088, Airs 6/17/08:
Host Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Dr. Ellen Marmur, Chief of the Division of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery and Assistant Clinical Professor at The Mount Sinai Medical Center New York. They’ll talk about the different types of skin cancer and how to identify and prevent them. They’ll also talk about cosmetic dermatology and cosmetic surgery issues including which products and procedures are safe and how to choose a doctor.

Show #087, Airs 6/10/08:
Host Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Dr. Herbert Pardes, President and CEO of New York Presbyterian Health Care System. As a hospital administrator, Dr. Pardes talks about what can be done to lower healthcare costs and expand access to the uninsured. They’ll also talk about how to create a culture of prevention to address the growing obesity epidemic and much more.

Show #086, Airs 6/3/08:
Dr. Stieg welcomes former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. Dr. Koop talks about the major health problems facing the country including obesity and smoking. He also talks about his “Shape Up America!” initiative which works to educate the public on the importance of physical activity and healthy eating.

Show #085, Airs 5/27/08:
Host Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Lt. General Russell Honore, commander of Joint Task Force Katrina responsible for coordinating military relief efforts for hurricane Katrina. Lt. General Honore talks about what we should be doing to prepare for disasters as individuals and at the local, state and federal levels. They’ll talk about what we’ve learned from natural and man-made disasters around the world and the importance of focusing on preparedness.

Related links:
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/
http://emergency.cdc.gov/
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm

Show #084, Airs 5/20/08:
Host Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Dr. John Ratey for a discussion on the science of exercise and the brain. Dr. Ratey is an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of the new book “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.” Dr. Ratey explains how exercise can transform the brain to make you smarter and help people overcome depression, anxiety, addiction and attention deficit disorder. (Replay of show #078, Air Date: 4/8/08)

Show #083, Airs 5/13/08:
Host Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by science writer Rita Carter to talk about her latest book Multiplicity. Carter explains her theory that while we tend to think of ourselves as just one person, we are actually a group of personalities and we slip from one to the other as we encounter different situation. Multiplicity explains how personalities are made and kept separate in the human brain and how to recognize, identify and take control of your various personalities.

Show #082, Airs 5/6/08:
Host Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Michael Paul Mason, author of Head Cases: Stories of Brain Injury and its Aftermath. They’ll discuss different types of brain injuries and levels of severity. They’ll talk about treatment and rehabilitation for people with brain injuries and how to get the best care. Mason also offers advice on preventing brain injuries before they happen.

Related links: http://www.biausa.org/ and http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi/Coaches_Tool_Kit.htm

Show #081, Airs 4/29/08:
Host Dr. Philip Stieg welcomes Dr. Jeffrey Moses, Director of the Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Heart disease is the number one killer in America. Dr. Moses explains the different treatments for heart disease including stents and new minimally invasive procedures. They’ll also discuss the role of lifestyle in preventing and treating heart disease.

Show #080, Airs 4/22/08:
Dr. Stieg is joined by Dr. Benjamin Natelson, author of Your Symptoms Are Real: What to Do When Your Doctor Says Nothing Is Wrong. Dr. Natelson describes the symptoms and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, two commonly misdiagnosed and misunderstood disorders. He also offers listeners tips on communicating with your doctor.

Show #079, Airs 4/15/08:
Host Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Dr. Eric Braverman, Director of The Place for Achieving Total Health. Dr. Braverman talks about how to achieve total body health by focusing on the connection between body and brain. They’ll talk about the warning signs of dementia and what to do about it. Also, they’ll talk about the four major areas of brain dysfunction including energy dysfunction, cognitive dysfunction, mood dysfunction and sleep dysfunction.

Show #078, Airs 4/8/08:
Host Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Dr. John Ratey for a discussion on the science of exercise and the brain. Dr. Ratey is an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of the new book “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.” Dr. Ratey explains how exercise can transform the brain to make you smarter and help people overcome depression, anxiety, addiction and attention deficit disorder.

Show #077, Airs 4/1/08:
Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Dr. Michael Stewart, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Stewart is an expert on ear, nose and throat disorders. He tells listeners how to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction and the best way to treat allergies. They’ll also discuss snoring and sleep apnea in depth and much more.

Show #076, Airs 3/25/08:
Dr. Philip Stieg is joined by Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, an expert on sexual activity. Dr. Hutcherson is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology and Associate Dean for Diversity and Minority Affairs at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. They’ll address some common questions and myths surrounding sex. Dr. Hutcherson offers advice for parents about how and when to talk to their kids about sex.

Show #075, Airs 3/18/08:
This week on How to Save Your Life, Dr. Stieg welcomes Dr. Michael Kaplitt, Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Kaplitt talks about the management of Parkinson’s disease, its signs and symptoms, how to treat Parkinson’s with medications and when surgery is an option to consider. Dr. Kaplitt also talks about pain management and whether pain should be treated medication or surgery. Dr. Kaplitt is also an internationally recognized expert in gene therapy. He talks about the application of gene therapy for diseases involving the brain or spine like Parkinson’s.

Show #074, Airs 3/11/08:
Host Dr. Philip E. Stieg welcomes Dr. Antonio Gotto, a world’s expert on the diagnosis, treatment and innovative therapies for cardiovascular disease. Statins have made an enormous contribution to the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease since being introduced to the market. Dr. Gotto tells listeners how statins work and who should be taking them. He also explains the many different factors that can affect cholesterol levels and how to go about reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol levels.(replay of show #068, air date: 1/29/08)

Show #073, Airs 3/4/08:
Host Dr. Philip E. Stieg welcomes Darlene Sullivan, Executive Director of Canine Partners for Life. Darlene talks about the benefits that service dogs can provide to people with disabilities. She explains how dogs can alert their owners before they have a seizure, fainting spell or other potentially life threatening episode. She also explains the difference between service dogs and therapy dogs and answers some of the most frequently asked questions she hears.