The Dr. Leigh Vinocur Show

Learn the patterns that may mean you are dealing with seasonal allergies.ACHOO! Spring is one of the prime seasons for allergies.  Watery, itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing are standard symptoms that you are dealing with allergies. Dr. Leigh and her guest discuss additional signs you are one of the over 20% of the U.S. dealing with seasonal allergies. It helps to learn the patterns and causes so you know how to best alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms and help prevent allergies.

Signs, symptoms and important prevention options against STD's are discussed.Spring Break is one major way that High School and College age kids release the enormous pressures they deal with on a regular basis. Many times these Spring Breakers party excessively with alcohol and drugs.  With this partying comes impaired judgement - especially where unprotected sex is concerned. Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise. Chlamydia, Herpes and other STD's are common souvenirs that teens bring back from Spring Break due to unprotected sex. Learn the signs, symptoms and ways to help prevent STD's. This is a MUST listen!

Teenagers feel they are invincible, and of couse this is not true.  Listen for solutions to help our kids make the right decisions while traveling or on Spring Break.Teenagers often feel that they are invincible and nothing bad can ever happen to them - but we know this is simply not true! Spring Break is a prime opportunity for your teen to make poor decisions, especially in regard to drinking and partying while away with their friends, often times far away from home. The key is of course to talk to your kids about the potential dangers before they go on their Spring Break vacations. Dr. Leigh will provide key dos and dont's that you can make your child aware of before they make the wrong choice on Spring Break.

Spring Break can bring severe health risks, including binge drinking, drugs and more. Learn what may be waiting for your child on their next Spring Break.Spring Break can be a great time for teenagers, allowing them a much needed stress release, and time to enjoy with their friends. However, with Spring Breaks notoriously come many health risks, including, binge drinking, drug use and unprotected sex. Learn how to best prepare your teenager for their spring trip.

Learn the secrets of the Mediterranean Diet, and how it may help prevent heart disease.I'm sure you've heard of the Mediterranean Diet. And while it seems as if there is a new weight loss approach or "fad diet" every other week, could the Mediterranean Diet be the real deal? Why DO those who reside in the Mediterranean live long, healthy, full lives? Is it what they're eating? What are the secrets behind this way of life, and this way of enjoying the foods of the region? Could this diet actually help prevent things like heart attack and stroke? Special guest Dr. Pratap Reddy gives you the scoop on this increasingly popular diet, and how it may be the healthiest way for you to eat.

Colon cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in the U.S. and 100,000 individuals will contract this cancer each year. Will you be one of them?Colon cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in the U.S. and 100,000 individuals will contract this cancer each year. Will you be one of them? It's not the easiest cancer to talk about... after all, who really likes to talk about poop? But you need to be talking about it - and thinking about it - if you want to potentially save your life. In fact, if colon cancer is detected at an early stage it is highly curable. And if more people got screened at the age of 50, the deaths caused by colon cancer could be cut in half. In this interview, Dr. Andrew Meltzer discusses the importance of regular colon cancer screenings, as well as contributing factors to the disease, possible symptoms and tips for preventing this deadly disease.

A breakthrough new screening method could help save your life. Learn how this "pill camera" works and why it's so revolutionary.Internal bleeding is a dangerous and potentially deadly health issue. Methods of screening and detecting internal bleeding have typically been either an endoscopy or a colonoscopy. But these methods often failed to detect bleeding in lower intestinal regions. However, a new "pill camera" has been able to overcome the limitations of endoscopy and colonoscopy. Special guest Dr. Andrew Meltzer joins us to explain the inner-workings of this breakthrough discovery and how it just may save your life.

Being bitten by a wild animal may seem like a far-fetched occurrence, but it can happen. Find out what you need to do if you are exposed.Being bitten by a wild animal may seem like a far-fetched occurrence, but it can happen. And it can be deadly. Even urban areas can be affected by rabid wild animals, such as raccoons, skunks, and bats. In fact, our special guest Dr. Rich O'Brien states that "bats are rabid unless proven otherwise." Join us as Dr. O'Brien discusses the dangers of rabid animals and just how deadly rabies can be, as well as ways to recognize symptoms and signs of rabies in a wandering animal.

An animal bite can be frightening and even life-threatening. What steps should you take if you've been bitten?An animal bite can be frightening and even life-threatening. Rabies is one concern. Whether you've been bitten by a domestic animal or a wild animal, you need to consider the possibility of rabies. From dogs and cats to bats and raccoons, the threat exists. Other concerns arise from pet bites, such as from a dog or a cat. Cat bites can be extremely dangerous and often result in infection. Our guest, Dr. Rich O'Brien, discusses the immediate steps you need to take if you've been bitten by an animal, as well as methods of treatment and prevention.

Odorless and deadly, learn which clues you can look for to detect it, and how its presence puts your family at risk.Winter blizzards can bring major health hazzards, including Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Carbon Monoxide deaths lead to over 500 inadvertant deaths a year. This odorless gas is truly a hidden danger. Learn the symptoms and preventative measures to reduce your risks.

A new study in JAMA suggests that there’s a link between ER overcrowding and post-traumatic stress disorder in heart patients.Overcrowding in emergency rooms is becoming a major problem and health priority in the U.S. Did you know that this overcrowding can add psychological stress and PTSD to heart attack patients that are brought to overcrowded emergency departments? Find out the signs of potential Post Traumatic Stress Disorder brought on by the additional stress of overcrowding.

A new study in JAMA suggests that there’s a link between emergency room over-crowding and post-traumatic stress disorder in heart patients.Recent studies conducted by Dr. Donald Edmondson show that heart attacks can affect your pyschological health. Heart attacks are life altering events and can even lead to Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Overcrowding in Emergency Rooms can add undue stress to an already scary and confusing situation which can affect the patients psyche. Is this overcrwding the result of PTSD? Find out the shocking results.

Lifestyle changes that are necessary for a healthier heart are covered.Lifestyle changes are key in every aspect of your health, especially where your heart is concerned. More women die from heart disease than all cancers combined. If you are at risk, now is the time to make some changes. Dr. Leigh Discusses the appropriate lifestyle changes that could help save your life!

What are the symptoms or signs of a heart attack in women? How do they differ from men? Who’s most at risk?February may be heart month, but heart disease occurs all year long, especially in women. The Go Red for Women and other campaigns have begun to bring more awareness to women and heart disease, but there is still a big hill to climb to disseminate this information and make it more readily available. Women possess very different signs and symptoms of heart disease than men. Learn these differences, as well as the unique risk factors.

Domestic violence is a major issue all over the country. What are the warning signs? How can you protect yourself?Recently the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommended universal screening for domestic violence for women of child-bearing age.  Domestic violence is a common problem that emergency physicians see all too commonly, as it effects so many women across this country.  Learn how to spot the warning signs of these relationships and how to help someone you suspect is being abused.