Does it make a difference where you choose to have heart care? The annual Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals study ranked MeritCare Heart Center for the 9th time in 10 years. Only five hospitals across the nation have achieved this distinction. We'll learn what sets MeritCare apart and how patients with heart disease are benefitting.  View Episode

It's a troubling trend - more people in the U.S. are overweight than ever before, including children. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years. And although obesity is an easy medical condition to identify, it can be one of the most difficult to treat.
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This month's Health Talk will focus on the challenges facing health care organizations on the national and local level. MeritCare president and CEO Dr. Roger Gilbertson will discuss the financial landscape of health care, including the rising costs and the challenge of providing high-quality health care in a state where federal and private insurance reimbursements are far below the national average. He will discuss how health care is impacted by a number of complex factors including an aging population, the high cost of technology, market demands, public policy and changes in the economy. He will also talk about MeritCare's commitment to meet these challenges and to provide the best health care in the nation to the people of this region for the next 100 years. View Episode

In brachytherapy, the physician places the source of radiation close to the tumor or within a body cavity. Experts have found that brachytherapy allows a higher than normal dose of radiation placed in or adjacent to the tumor. This approach, HDR brachytherapy, reduces the risk of damage to healthy tissue and increases the likelihood of destroying the tumor.

HDR brachytherapy is a treatment option for early stage breast cancer and other types of cancers including rectal, biliary, lung, prostate, esophageal, skin and gynecological  View Episode

This month's Health Talk will feature Dr. Ron Miller, pediatrics, MeritCare Children's Hospital, and Bobbi Paper, coordinator, Safe Kids Fargo/Moorhead. They will give tips and guidelines on what steps can be taken to help keep children in our communities safe. They will discuss topics ranging from bike helmets to water safety, as well as talking about the consequences of what can happen when precautions aren't taken. This is a show that people with children in their lives shouldn't miss. View Episode

Tune into Health Talk to learn the latest information about children and cancer. Dr. Sandeep Batra, pediatric oncologist, will talk about what excellence in the care of children with cancer includes: specially trained doctors, access to clinical research trials, a setting appropriate for children and families, and specialized programs for disease.  View Episode

As people age, they often complain about wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. While it may seem like nothing much can be done, MeritCare Dermatology and Cosmetic Services can help.   View Episode?

Common chronic pain conditions include back pain, fibromyalgia, pain after a motor vehicle accident, abdominal pain, pelvic pain and cancer pain. The providers and staff at MeritCare's Pain Management Clinic want people to know that those suffering from chronic pain do not have to live with it. There are a number of treatment options available.   View Episode

According to the American Heart Association, "As many as 3 to 4 million Americans may have ischemic episodes without knowing it. These people have ischemia without pain — silent ischemia. They may have a heart attack with no prior warning. People with angina also may have undiagnosed episodes of silent ischemia. In addition, people who have had previous heart attacks or those with diabetes are especially at risk for developing silent ischemia."
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"There are two main kinds of meningitis: 1) Viral meningitis is fairly common. It usually does not cause serious illness. In severe cases, it can cause prolonged fever and seizures. 2) Bacterial meningitis is not as common but is very serious. It needs to be treated right away to prevent brain damage and death."

What causes meningitis? How is it diagnosed? What are the symptoms? How is it treated?  View Episode