Health

Explore why the art of being mindful is now embraced as a means to improve job performance, personal relationships as well as physical and mental health.

If you think of practicing mindfulness and/or meditation as something only Zen Buddhists do you're wrong. Although these practices do have ancient roots, modern research is showing they have multiple benefits, including stress reduction, lowering the heart rate, improving memory, reducing emotional responses and, some say, making practitioners more effective at work.

Guests:

There's been a lot of attention paid to the consumer side of the Affordable Care Act. But the ACA is a sweeping piece of legislation, and it does a lot more than provide coverage for the uninsured. In short, the ACA seeks to reform the way health care is delivered in America. The goal is healthier patients AND lower costs, a tall order. How is Maine's health care system changing under the ACA?

Guests:

  Home births, c-sections and an update on our understanding of childbirth. Learn about different options for mother and baby during pregnancy and childbirth. Learn about issues that arise during a delivery, whether at home or in the hospital, and what new moms and dads can do to make such a momentous day as safe and comfortable as possible.

Host Keith Shortall speaks with:

Dr. Jay Naliboff,an Ob/Gyn practices at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington

Jill Breen, a Certified Professional Midwife and Certified Lactation Counselor

  The latest advances in cardiovascular science in the fight against heart disease. Why are symptoms of heart disease are different in women than for men, and why New Englanders are at greater risk for cardiology disease than the rest of the country.

Host Jennifer Rooks speaks with:

Dr. Craig Brett, cardiologist at Mercy Hospital

Dr. Chae C. Choi with Northeast Cardiologist Associates

Dr. Peter Ver Lee with Northeast Cardiologist Associates

  Each day people consume a drug derived from a natural insecticide. That drug is caffeine and former MPBN News reporter Murray Carpenter has written a book on the subject titled Caffeinated: How Our Daily Habit Helps, Hurts and Hooks Us.

Host Keith Shortall speaks with:

Murray Carpenter, author of Caffeinated: How Our Daily Habit Helps, Hurts and Hooks Us.

  A leading cause of death in hospitals and the number one reason for costly hospital readmissions are blood clots. It is a silent killer that now causes more deaths than breast cancer, AIDS and vehicular accidents combined.

Host Keith Shortall speaks with:

Dr. Paul Kim, Assistant Director of Vascular & Interventional Services for Spectrum Medical Group. He is on the forefront of a new DVT treatment study here in Maine.

Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, Founder of the Vein Healthcare Center

  Answers to questions about caring for infants and newborns during this critical stage in a child's development.

Host Keith Shortall speaks with:

Dr Jenny Pofah M.D, obstetrician/gynecologist at InterMed.

Dr. Laura Blaisdell M.D/M.P.H, Pediatrician at InterMed and Clinical Study Coordinator at "National Children's Study."

  What causes some people to become addicted to drugs and what are we learning about the best ways to help those in need.

Host Keith Shortall speaks with:

Dr. Christina Holt, a family physician with Maine Medical Center and Research Director for Maine Med’s residency program; among her areas of interest are addiction services and rural health care.

Dr. David Lextercamp, a family practice physician with Seaport Community Health Center; he is also an author.

  Join in a conversation on how to keep your bones healthy and strong as you age, what happens to our bones as we get older, whether or not we must shrink as we age, and the importance of calcium and vitamin D. We'll hear from experts on the latest research into osteoporosis and other bone diseases.

Host Keith Shortall will be joined by 

Dr. Ben Zolper, founder and medical director of Northeast Pain Management 

  As we approach Valentine's Day, we will discuss the role of communication in a good - and bad - relationship.

Host Keith Shortall will be joined by 

Erin Oldham, Ph.D in psychology specializing in child development; owner of Local Flames, a new offline matchmaking business 

Susannah Ford, Creative Change Counseling 

Dr. Pepper Schwartz, AARP Sex and Relationship expert

  How big of a problem is heroin addiction in Maine and what is the latest of our understanding about how addiction affects the brain?

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Carolee Lindsey, Director of Services, Catholic Charities 

Brian Townsend, Director of Social Work, Preble Street 

Nick, in treatment

  Where to turn for help when in a crisis that's not a medical emergency. Maine's crisis centers are located in communities throughout the state, and offer services to help those with mental health, substance abuse or other issues not related to a medical emergency.

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Leslie Mulhearn, LCSW, CSP, Senior Director Crisis and Community Based Services Sweetser 

Amy Brook, Mobile Crisis Manager/ACFS (Adult, Child and Family Services) 

  The American Lung Association recently released a report on the State of Tobacco Control 2014. Our panel will discuss tobacco addiction and what to do about it, and the safety and health effects of e-cigarettes.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by 

Rebecca Hitchcock, nurse practitioner and certified tobacco treatment specialist representing the Partnership for a Tobacco Free ME

Dr. Sheila Pinette, Director of Maine CDC 

  Gluten - what is it and why does it affect so much of the population? Our panel discussed why gluten causes such trouble and what can be done about it.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by 

Anna Furr, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Maine Medical Center, specializing in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition 

G. Alex Millspaugh—gastroenterologist with Portland Gastroenterology Center and Maine Medical Center 

  How to keep healthy in the new year. A panel of experts discussed how to help you keep - or make - new years resolutions to keep you fit in the year ahead, whether you're trying to lose weight, get in shape, or just lead a healthier life.

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Dr. Victoria Rogers/Lets Go Initiative

Diane Atwood/Health Writer, Blogger Catching Health 

Chris Scott/USM, Department of Exercise, Health and Sport Sciences