Between the frantic tissue-grabbing, you might wonder: How do I know if the congestion is normal, or if it’s indicative of something worse? How long should I slog through symptoms before calling a doctor for advice?

These are all-too-common questions — so this week, we wanted to share some common sense, courtesy of URMC pulmonologist (lung disease specialist) Dr. Irene Perillo. In this week’s video post, she gives telltale symptoms (colored phlegm, long-lasting fevers and more) that might suggest something besides a simple cold virus is afoot. The knowledge is vital, she adds, since a cough that lingers too long might be evidence that a secondary bacterial infection — like pneumonia — has taken hold.

To hear Dr. Perillo, watch the clip below.

Did you know?

Though a cough that hangs around too long might actually be worth worrying about, most are short-lived, and caused by one of three common triggers:

1)      Post-nasal drip. If a cold virus has your nose running like a faucet, it’s possible that some of that congestion is tickling the back of your throat – prompting your throat muscles to cough in attempt to expel the irritant.

2)      Heart burn. Reflux disease (or GERD) – a chronic condition in which acid accidentally flows backward from the stomach and into the windpipe – also can irritate the throat, prompting coughing spells.

3)      Cough-variant asthma. Sometimes, asthma suffers don’t just wheeze – they cough if exposed to certain triggers, like heavy perfume or even cold air.

To learn about the care URMC provides to patients with pulmonary diseases – or for information on making an appointment with a specialist – click here

The compound is revered for its believed ability to protect blood vessels, reduce bad-cholesterol levels in the body, and prevent clots.

But headlines from earlier this month are casting some doubt on that noble idea; report after report explores allegations that University of Connecticut researcher Dr. Dipak Das, known for his extensive work investigating the cardiac boons of resveratrol,  may have falsified scientific data in more than 100 instances.  The controversy is causing many wine aficionados to scratch their heads.

“I think the important thing to remember is that this is one small piece to a very large puzzle when it comes to heart health. Yes, red wine might hold some benefits, but we definitively know that eating nutritious foods and regular physical activity are powerful,” he said. “As far as decreasing your heart disease risk, I like to use the analogy of cleaning your bedroom:  Drinking a glass of red wine might be compared to dusting the nightstand; practicing regular exercise and eating a healthy diet is much more impactful — like vacuuming the floor, making the bed, and everything in between.”

To learn more about the state of “wine science,” we spoke to URMC cardiologist Dr. John Chad Teeters.

Dr. Teeters is the Chief of Cardiology at URMC’s Highland Hospital. To learn more about cardiology care and services available at URMC, click here.

Fortunately, pediatric ophthalmologist Matthew Gearinger offers these parents peace of mind.

“I hardly believe that experiencing artificial 3D environments will prove problematic,” Dr. Gearinger said. “Children’s brains and eyes will have plenty of opportunity to mature normally, as they’ll be walking around in a real 3D environment for the lion’s share of their lives.”

To learn more about how our brains interpret 3D technologies – and if and how parents should limit 3D screen time – we spoke with Dr. Gearinger further.

Scripts: How do our brains interact with the 3D technology on screen to fake depth and dimension?

Dr. Gearinger

Gearinger: In the natural world, each of our eyes perceives a separate “picture” based on the angle between each eye and the given object (naturally, that angle is greater for nearby objects, and smaller for distant objects). This discrepancy – between the images that our left and right eyes register – is the secret behind what we commonly refer to as “depth perception.”

Typically, when traditional movies, video games and paintings inhabit a flat surface, there is no real depth to the objects – so our brain creates it, based on the relative sizes of the overlapping objects. Today’s 3-D technology, however, does one better – recreating the illusion of depth even more realistically by allowing each eye to view separate images – each taken at slightly different angles – through polarized glasses. The moment you slip off your glasses, though, the screen looks blurry – after all, you’re viewing two different pictures at the same time.

Sometimes, people will experience visual unease (fuzzy vision, headaches) because of the mismatch between perceived depth and actual depth. Let me explain. Typically, as a natural object approaches us, our eyes turn in (converge or cross). At the same time, as a reflex, we unconsciously shift our degree of “optical power” to better focus in on the object. In an artificial 3D experience, however, our eyes still turn in – but there’s no need for the real-life reflex of changing “optical power,” as the object never moves from the screen.  Decoupling this “converging” and “optical power shifting” can be exhausting; the brain has a hard time resisting its normally programmed behavior.

Scripts: How much 3D TV or gaming is too much, in general? And is it important to take breaks while playing or watching 3D programs – and if so, how often?

Gearinger:  Honestly, the real evils attributed to “too much” 3D television or gaming are probably linked more to the resulting lack of physical activity – and the lack of varied intellectual stimulation – than any problem or potential threat to the eyes.

That said, I do see some kids who qualify as heavy screen-users, and they can suffer from dry eye. They concentrate so hard on the visual task at hand that they actually forget to blink! Taking breaks can certainly help.

Scripts: So, bottom line – do you think 3D is here to stay?

Gearinger: 3D technology definitely seems to be a trendy add-on for movies, TV, and games, and it can really enhance the viewing experience (one caveat, though: It does tend to dim the brightness of the images, as each eye is only getting half of the light). Overall, though, it shouldn’t cause visual problems in the majority of consumers.

More about Dr. Gearinger

Dr. Gearinger’s passion for improving the vision of children is the driving force behind his daily research and clinical practice. In the Flaum Eye Institute’s pediatric wing, he treats patients suffering from a variety of conditions ranging from pink eye, blocked tear ducts and blurred vision, to  pediatric glaucoma and congenital cataracts. He has treated adults with misaligned eyes, and even performed surgery on one-week-old infants.

To learn more about pediatric ophthalmology care at URMC, click here.

It’s not the dramatic stuff of daytime talk shows, but the URMC staffer and father of five said shedding those pounds was monumental, jump-starting a health revolution that’s shaken up his daily routine.

When he’s not busy feeding his kids breakfast and loading them on the school bus, Burgos, a clinical technologist in the ED, is running around at work – keeping equipment in tip-top shape for a bustling team of trauma care doctors and nurses, and sometimes even running around delivering patients’ belongings (occasionally forgotten in the ED) throughout hospital.

“With a full schedule both on the job and off, it was really important that I get into top shape, lose weight, and find the energy I needed,” Burgos said.

And he’s found it. Already a five-year veteran at the Medical Center’s Fitness and Wellness Center, Burgos had slowly dropped weight since first moving up to Rochester from New York City back in 2005. Back then, he tipped the scale at 290.

“But I made a priority of working out before my 11 a.m. shift, five days a week,” he said. “I’d work the weights for 45 minutes, put in 25 minutes on a cardio machine, and do my sit-ups at home, and the weight started to melt off.”

Even so, his loss was slow, steady, and eventually reached a plateau. Eager to take his health revolution to the next level, this October Burgos registered for the Fitness Center’s “Amazing Weight Loss Race” – an eight week program promising cash prizes for the top 12 “biggest losers” and offering weekly, half-hour education classes, ranging from meal-time nutrition strategies (courtesy a licensed dietitian) and exercise tips (from professional fitness trainers).

“Those mini-classes equipped me with really useful advice, which I could take home and easily put into practice,” Burgos said. “For me, that was radical. I’d been an devoted exerciser, and had even eaten grilled and baked foods over fried things, but I’d not really grasped – or put into practice – the importance of watching portion size, resisting unnecessary ‘seconds,’ or filling up on salads and other vegetables first before digging into the main dish.”

By paying closer attention to his eating habits – and boosting his daily cardio exercise by a mere 10 minutes – Burgos shaved off 16 pounds in just eight weeks.

“The weight-loss competition re-energized me,” said Burgos, who now weighs almost 50 pounds less than he did six years back. “It’s broadened my perspective. I’m thrilled at trying new things – like mixing dark, leafy greens into my salads, packing fresh fruits in my lunch.”

What’s more exciting, though, is that he’s piqued his kids’ interest, too.

“They’re eating spinach right alongside me, and begging for apples in their lunch bags,” he laughs. “It’s incredible how curious they are. It’s so rewarding to see them learning these life habits at such a young age.”

Burgos (left) takes a moment to pose with Eric McCloud (right) of Environmental Services, who befriended him years back and has since encouraged him shape up. Burgos also credits Bernard Williams (not pictured), also of Environmental Services, for lending him support on his weight loss journey.

Burgos, thrilled by the fun, competitive community environment he found in the recent weight loss challenge, has already signed up for the next one, which launches in February.

And his motivation is infectious; he’s already recruited six fellow ED staff to join him.

“You have to do this for you,” he said. “Sure, it’s a really fun way to get started on your goal, but you have to ultimately want to be healthy yourself. Personally, I want to be there for my kids when I’m older. And that means not giving up on my weight loss goal, even if I hit a bump in the road. I have to stay positive. I have to stay focused on the prize at the end.”

Do your New Year’s resolutions need help getting started on the right foot? Learn more about URMC’s next Amazing Weight Loss Race, here.

Don’t work at the Med Center? You can still follow Burgos’ lead; talk with your physician about small, manageable changes you can make to your diet, eating habits, and exercise routine.

And with so many loved ones milling about – crowding kitchens, sipping wine and getting caught up in the holiday cheer – it’s not uncommon the littlest guests to sneak off and find their way into trouble.

“We see too many toddlers suffer injuries while visiting grandparents, or while at holiday gatherings where their parents are otherwise distracted,” says Dr. Anne Brayer, an emergency department pediatrician at the University of Rochester Medical Center, who also co-directs the local Injury Free Coalition for Kids chapter.

So, how do you keep curious little fingers from finding danger – especially in a non-child-proofed home? Brayer offers the following tips:

• Before settling into the fun with friends and family, quickly scan the room that youngsters are in. Don’t let the munchkins toddle off without having made sure there are no open outlets, electric cords, or easy-to-swallow items in reach. Also pay special attention to pointy-edged coffee tables, wall corners that jut out, or any other sharp objects an infant could bump her head on – and watch out for kitchens, bathrooms, and other cabinets that might hold cleaning supplies.
• Don’t leave children without an adult. Well-meaning cousins or other grade-school-aged friends might not recognize potentially risky situations. What’s more, they often get so carried away in amusing one another, they forget to make babies’ and toddlers’ safety their first priority.
• Monitor a child’s interaction with pets. Little ones might be tempted to grab Fluffy’s tail, or even try to climb Fido, causing some pets to lash out. “Dog bites are especially problematic this time of year, since many dogs who aren’t used to toddlers horsing around the house,” Dr. Brayer warns. Even subdued pets can easily knock over little ones.

Remember, no one wants to spoil a holiday with a trip to the emergency room (or worse, carry the guilt of having a little guest injured at their house!) – so while it may seem cumbersome to pay extra attention to youngsters and prepare the house for their arrival, make the effort! It’s time well-spent.

Wishing you a most safe and happy holiday season!

Scripts will not publish next week, but returns Wednesday, Jan. 4. Happy New Year!

Somehow, as an adult, that thrill is harder to come by. Maybe it’s because, rather than snuggling up and watching the Charlie Brown special, you’re pulling late-nighters to dutifully manufacture cookie trays, shovel driveways, unravel knotted lights, and battle paper-cuts (and sore backs) during gift-wrapping marathons.

But does it have to be that way? Do hectic preparations have to dominate the weeks leading up to the celebration? What if, rather than focusing on the “big finish” or making a future moment perfect, we slowed down and made a point to intentionally enjoy the season, stress and shopping and all?

Practicing mindfulness – a fancy way of saying “being in the moment” or “tuning in” – can be a solution, says URMC internist Dr. Michael Krasner. An expert on the art (and science!) of intentionally “appreciating the journey,” Krasner travels worldwide training physicians as to how they can bring “intention, attention and reflection” to their clinical practice (thereby reducing stress, heading off burnout, and improving patient care).

But can his insights apply to your holiday hubbub?

Definitely. Granted, you can’t buck those time-intensive traditions altogether (bah, humbug!), but Dr. Krasner says we can find ways to enjoy the planning, and the season, itself. In this week’s clip he offers some practical tips for unwinding, including:

(1)    Setting the tone. Lighting a spicy fragranced candle or whipping up a special hot drink before setting to work on a wrapping or baking bonanza makes a big difference.  This cheerful tone helps to make those must-do chores part of the fun – rather than something to rush through.

(2)   Making it social. Not only do you split the work when you invite pals to tag along – but you transform a task you’ve been avoiding into a special gathering.

(3)    Slowing down. To avoid the post-holiday let-down, let up on the gas. Pause to enjoy aromatic sensation of baking, the textures and colors of fancy wrapping supplies, the glitter of the lights in your neighborhood. If you want to treasure vivid memories of the season, you have to slow down, like a child, and take time to wonder afresh at its beauty.

To learn more about Dr. Krasner’s work training physicians to be mindful, click here.

But once outside the womb, an all-out assault begins: American culture (and the rising tides of childhood obesity) is poised and ready to threaten that beautiful beating.

Maybe it’s the inescapable screens (TVs, iPads, DXs, cell phones, you name it). Parents’ fears of letting kids play outside, running loose through the neighborhood.  Or, blame the cartoon mascots on sugary cereals, or our frenzied, fast-food culture.

The point? Raising heart-healthy kids in modern America is no easy feat.

Turning the Tide

While it might be more challenging than ever to bring up health-conscious kids, it’s a battle worth fighting, according to pediatric cardiologist Dr. Rae-Ellen Kavey. Taking time to teach kids to be proactive in choosing active lifestyles and wholesome, nutritious foods is one of the best investments you can make, Kavey explains, because it’s much easier to shape (or reshape) kids’ habits than it is to overhaul ingrained behaviors as an adult (once cardiovascular disease  has likely already taken root).

In this week’s blog video, Dr. Kavey explores new pediatric heart health guidelines from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which include some unprecedented recommendations (e.g., the panel called for cholesterol checks for kids between ages 9 and 11; for parents to “walk the talk,” modeling non-sedentary lifestyles; and for all kids over 2 to make the switch to non-fat milk).

To listen to all of Dr. Kavey’s insights, just play the clip below.  (Parents: For a quick-reference chart explaining which cardiovascular risk-factors you and your child’s pediatrician should be discussing at various well-child visits, click here.)

Dr. Kavey, who served as coordinator for the NHLBI panel producing the new pediatric heart health guidelines, has sat on both the Obesity Task Force and its Pediatric Obesity Working Group, and currently sits on several American Heart Association committees, including the Committee on Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Obesity. She divides her time between clinical pursuits, mainly in preventive cardiology and the Center’s exercise lab, and expanding the division’s clinical research program.

To learn more about the Children’s Heart Center at URMC’s Golisano Children’s Hospital, click here.

Fast-forward to 2011, and now, armed with a host of innovative medicines (the latest are “oral molecules”) and clearly defined outcome measures, rheumatologists are setting much more aggressive goals: To spot rheumatoid arthritis (RA) early, and act fast to stall or slow the inflammation before it ever has the chance to wreak havoc on joints.

What’s more, just last year, Swedish researchers suggested that a new, simple blood test might one day allow doctors to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis years before any symptoms arise. With that kind predictive power, physicians could make a proactive strike – potentially stopping RA in its tracks.

Developments like these underscore how dramatically the rheumatology field has evolved in the past decade, says Dr. Allen Anandarajah, medical director of the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Early Arthritis Clinic – one of only about a half-dozen such centers recognized nationally.

“We now have a window of opportunity to make a life-changing difference for rheumatoid arthritis patients, especially if we begin treating symptoms within the first three months,” he says.

To learn more about the disease – and how much care and science have come in the past two decades – watch this week’s video clip, below.

To learn more about URMC’s early arthritis clinic, click here. To schedule an appointment, call (585) 341-9200.

But are short-term quitting jaunts pointless?

Not one bit, says URMC smoking cessation expert Dr. Scott McIntosh. In fact, short-term quitting stints like the Smokeout provide smokers with valuable insights, allowing them to pinpoint their own unique stumbling blocks and strategize ways surmount them the next time they formally quit (for many, around New Year’s).

Regardless of whether smokers use the Nov. 17 holiday to quit for a day or to quit for life, McIntosh makes it clear: Quitting isn’t merely “kicking the habit.” Smokers must work to overcome a bona fide addiction and must plan accordingly (though a lucky few do manage to stop “cold turkey”).

The good news? Planning (and “quitting practice”) pays off.  What’s more, smart smokers who leverage a few proven strategies in their quit plan – enlisting social support, learning stress management techniques, and tapping the power of nicotine-replacement medication – will eventually succeed in the long-term.

To learn more about building a successful quit plan and the immediate and longer-term health boons of stopping smoking, watch the clip below.

Are you a primary care provider interested in free CME-based training (over lunch)? Call the Greater Rochester Area Tobacco Cessation Center (GRATCC) at 275-0598 to learn more about how you can help your patients quit smoking successfully.

But it’s true. And the closer researchers look into the connection, the more they’re discovering that many of these so-called “ailments of the aging” have roots reaching to early life – perhaps as far back as the prenatal period.

To better understand how childhood – even gestational – influences and exposures might pave the way for serious conditions in adulthood, a group of pediatric researchers at URMC have launched “PPOD” – the Perinatal and Pediatric Origins of Disease program.

Led by scientist Dr. Michael O’Reilly, this cohort of experts in pediatrics, obstetrics, environmental medicine and ophthalmology is seeking to better appreciate the threats kids face in the womb and the outside world – and how interventions and treatments might alleviate or prevent these diseases altogether.

To hear more about the new PPOD program, just listen to Dr. O’Reilly in the clip below.

Still curious about the new PPOD research initiative? Click here.