From routine cavities to sleep apnea and heart disease, your dentist is a key partner in overall health. As Dr. Brian Amison from Amison Dental Group explains, "The mouth is the gateway to the body." 

Today's program features Dr. Amison discussing the timeliness of treatment when an injury occurs, mouth guards, implants, dry mouth, the annual Dentistry from the Heart Event and more.  

Health Matters hosts and pharmacists, Brad White and Paul White discuss general dentistry with Dr. Brian Amison of Amison Dental Group.

L-R: Pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss the SWAP Syringe Exchange Program and Hepatitis A with Canton City Public Health's Amanda Archer, epidemiologist and Diane Thompson, nursing director.

Estate planning can sound intimidating, and many people think they don’t need to do any type of estate planning – perhaps because they have a will, or they may not be wealthy or have multiple assets. However, estate planning is for everyone. In this segment of Health Matters, we talk with Attorney Jim Contini from Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Doughterty Co., LPA  about the importance of planning and hear examples that can help us. 

L-R: Hosts and pharmacists, Brad and Paul White talk with Jim Contini, attorney for Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Doughtery Co., LPA

Summer is here and looking your best is usually top of mind for vacationers, sunbathers and pretty much anyone who wants to show more skin. But, as we all know, putting the pounds on is a lot easier than taking them off. In this segment, we hear about some healthy eating alternatives and get some advice on losing some of those unwanted pounds. We’ll also talk about weight management resources at Mercy Medical Center.

Pharmacists and hosts Brad White and Paul White talk about healthy weight loss with Mercy's Sereen Zawahri-Krasuna.

People with Parkinson's Disease may notice changes or difficulty chewing, eating, speaking or swallowing at any time but tend to increase as the disease progresses. Just as Parkinson's Disease affects movement in other parts of the body, it also affects the muscles in the face, mouth and throat that are used in speaking and swallowing.  In this segment of Health Matters we talk about different types of therapy that help people adjust and maintain speaking abilities and understanding with therapists from Aultman Hospital. Also, if you're looking for general resources available in Northeast Ohio, check out the Ohio Parkinson's Foundation. 

From left, Brad White and Paul White discuss Parkinson's Disease with Aultman Hospital's Michelle Sommers and Chad Gooding.

Nearly half of all adults in the U.S have high blood pressure, the most common controllable cause of stroke. This is why the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, with the support of Massillon City Health Department, has launched Check. Change. Control., a free program to help people in our community identify, lower and maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

L-R: Hosts and pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss the Check. Change. Control. blood pressure program with Massillon City Health Department Public Health Nurse Audrey Milburn and American Heart Association Community Health Director Tim Lewis. 

E-cigs, vapes and juuls are hot topics. Popular among teens, you can find interesting and enticing videos on social media, but they are not necessarily popular among parents. Today we learn more about whether they are safer than cigarettes, talk about the flavored juices used in them and find out more about what the risks and consequences are from the experts at Mercy Medical Center.

Mercy Medical Center respiratory therapists, Mary Duffield (left) and Dustin Shetler (right) discuss e-cigs, vaping and pulmonary effects with Medicine Center Pharmacy's Nancy Wharmby and Paul White. 

When it comes to medication, a lot goes on behind the scenes that impacts the final cost of medicine. Gag orders, clawbacks and PBMs, also known as pharmacy benefit managers, play a significant role in soaring medication costs. Antonio Ciaccia, director of government and public affairs for the Ohio Pharmacists Association, explains how this could be changing thanks to the efforts of a Canton politician. 

Americans on average do not live as long as people in other high-income countries like France, Britain and Japan. But with modern medicine and health options available in the U. S., life expectancy should be much longer. With simple lifestyle changes, we can extend our lifespan by more than a decade. In this segment of Health Matters you'll hear about practical steps you can take for healthy living and learn a few tips on how to save money at the pharmacy.

Health Matters show hosts Brad and Paul White. 

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, which means that instead of operating on patients through large incisions, mini-size surgical instruments that can fit through a series of quarter-inch incisions are used. Robotic surgery, or robot-assisted surgery, allows doctors to perform many types of complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques. Today we learn what this could mean for people who may have surgery in the future. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Steven Kelly, General Surgeon, Aultman Medical Group General Surgery.

L-R: Health Matters hosts and pharmacists, Brad White and Paul White discuss robotic surgery with Dr. Steven Kelly, general surgeon, Aultman Medical Group General Surgery.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 20 percent of cancer cases are preventable. A key element to early detection is screenings, which can help doctors find and treat several types of cancer early before symptoms begin. Early detection is vital because when abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat as well as prevent the spread of cancer.  In this segment of Health Matters, cancer nurse navigators Tara Barker, registered nurse, and Nicole Haines, registered nurse, of Mercy Medical Center talk about various cancer screenings with the experts.

L-R: Brad and Paul White, hosts and pharmacists talk with nurse navigators, Tara Barker, RN, and Nicole Haines, RN, of Mercy Cancer Center. 

Atrial fibrillation, commonly known as A-Fib, is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. According to the American Heart Association, 2.7 million Americans are living with A-Fib. Treatment options range from medications to non-invasive as well as surgical procedures. Today, Dr. Sardar talks with us about A-Fib and treatment options including a relatively new procedure – the Watchman Device

L-R: Medicine Center Pharmacy Executive VP Nancy Wharmby and Pharmacist and Host Paul White talk with Dr. Rizwan Sardar.

Allergy season is here, and they can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. However, allergies are more common in children and are caused when the immune system reacts to a specific allergen that has been inhaled, touched or eaten. Among the most common health problems, more than 50 million people are afflicted with asthma, seasonal hay fever or other allergy-related conditions each year. Today Dr. Heather Minto, allergist and immunologist, joins us from Akron Children's Hospital.

Occupational Therapy is an important profession that helps people of all ages accomplish daily living skills through therapeutic use of everyday activities. There are often circumstances that only occupational therapy can provide support, whether it may in school and social situations, medical recovery and other specialized conditions. Today we are going to talk about the fact that April is National Occupational Therapy Month. In addition, we are going to take a few minutes to let you know about a Health Fair and Screening event taking place at Mercy Medical Center.

Mercy's Director of Business Development Ron Bensinger (front left) and Occupational Therapist Lindsey Kichi join hosts and pharmacists Brad and Paul White to talk about Occupational Therapy and an upcoming screening event at Mercy Medical Center.

In today's podcast, we continue our conversation about pharmacy, including vaccines, supplements and our recommendations for what to keep in your medicine cabinet this spring.

Brad and Paul White, registered pharmacists, discuss supplements, vaccines and share tips for what to keep in your medicine cabinet this spring.

Staying active is a no-brainer when it comes to improving how you look and feel, yet fewer than one in four U.S. adults are getting the federal physical activity recommendations for aerobic and strengthening activity, according to the American Heart Association. This month, the American Heart Association is challenging everyone to get moving.

L-R: Valerie Stutler, American Heart Association social events director discusses Move More month and the 2018 Heart Ball with hosts and pharmacists, Brad White and Paul White.

During today's program, hosts and pharmacists, Paul White and Brad White discuss current news and offerings in Medicine Center Pharmacies. From genetic testing and compounded prescriptions to our free kids' vitamin program and our Minerva pharmacist running in the Boston Marathon, we have a lot happening!

Pharmacists Brad and Paul White

Sexual violence affects millions of Americans – both women and men. According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, every 98 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted. The assault can take many different forms, but one thing remains the same: it’s NOT EVER the victim’s fault. In this podcast, we talk about treatment through Mercy's HAVEN Program and community resources available locally for victims.

Pictured (L-R): Health Matters Hosts Brad White, R. Ph., and Paul White, R. Ph., and HAVEN Program Manager Sarah Schemmel.

Diabetes and nutrition impact a lot of people, including children and adults who have diabetes as well as family members and friends. Living with diabetes requires day-to-day knowledge of nutrition, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, medication and more. So, it’s only natural that diabetes education is extremely important in the management of healthy living. During this program we talk about diet, foods that influence blood sugar levels and learn about a new community diabetes program between Mercy and NFL players.

Hosts Brad White, R. Ph. and Paul White, R. Ph. talk with diabetes educator, Nicole Selinsky, Mercy Medical Center. 

Patient safety is a serious global health issue that impacts people of all ages, races and pretty much every health category. It is at the forefront of all patient care. Concerns range from transportation of a patient to treatment and medication. Today we are talking with health experts from Mercy Medical Center about some of these issues and potential risks patients face, as well as steps local health providers are taking to ensure patient safety.  

L-R: Hosts Brad White, R.Ph. and Paul White, R. Ph. are joined in the studio by Mercy Medical Center's Daniel Lane, Registered Nurse and Director of Quality & Risk Management, Laura Miller, MSN and Director, ICU/Dialysis, and Tammi Colly, RN, MSN, 5 Main/10Main Nursing Director