Conversations in Medicine

Low bone mass is the most important risk factor for a fragility fracture. Dr. Reese Newsome, a musculoskeletal radiologist with the Baton Rouge Radiology Group, says anyone older than 55 should be screened.

Dr. Hector Ventura leads the Ochsner team that implanted the "Total Artificial Heart" for the first time in February. Their patient, a father of five now awaiting a matching donor heart, was the first in the Gulf Coast region to receive the device.

The Multi-Transplant Institute Team at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans was recognized as Number One in the U.S. for the year 2012 by CareChex, based on mortality and complication rates. Dr. Nigel Girgrah, Liver Transplant Director, says Ochsner's Living Donor Program helps prevent deaths of patients on the waiting list by reducing wait times. 

While politicians continue to wrangle over the roll-out of the federal Affordable Care Act, families and individuals are grappling with what it means for them.

Dr. Karen Elkind-Hirsch is part of a group of researchers from Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Woman's Hospital who will be following 306 pregnant women with smartphones.

Dr. April Erwin, with the Neuromedical Center, explains the latest drug therapies and clinical trials that may give Multiple Sclerosis patients hope for a more normal lifestyle.

Physicians treating patients with Alzheimer's are exploring new approaches to caring for people with the disease. Barbara Auten, Executive Director of Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area, is looking forward to the Keynote Address to be given by Dr. G. Allen Power at the 20th Annual Education Conference on Alzheimer's Disease: "Thinking  Outside the Medicine Bag: Alternative Approaches to Care for People with Alzheimer's."

Diabetes has multiple complications. Among them are kidney failure, lower limb amputation, blindness and it is a major cause of Heart Disease & Stroke. Dr. Andriette Martin Fitch, with Ochsner on Harding Blvd in Baton Rouge, is personally involved in the areas of Diabetes & Hypertension. She sees patients daily who are not maintaining a healthy lifestyle and spends a great deal of her day sending out the message to both parents & children. Her message to parents, "If you don't want your children, your spouse or your family members to die of Hypertension or Diabetes, make a change in your diet and exercise daily."

Dr. Mary Kathryn Rodrigue is the owner and mental health therapist at the innovative The Wellness Studio in Baton Rouge.

Dr. Brian Dyess, oral and facial surgeon, finds that in today's dental culture, it is not unusual to find an oral surgeon, in his or her office, diagnosing and operating on patients who have very complex cases, such as, oral cancer from smoking, a jaw cyst or dental implants.