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This week: hernia repair, Lyme disease and midlife changes

Hernias, which are potentially dangerous openings in the abdominal wall, can result from car wrecks and other injuries. Their treatment has changed in the past decade, says Dr. Moustafa Hassan, director of acute care surgery at Upstate University Hospital.

Patients with traumatic hernias were once rushed to surgery, Dr. Hassan says, in contrast to the current “damage control” strategy -- which aims to stabilize the patient first with surgery often coming later. He also explains the multidisciplinary approach now being used and factors that influence surgery, such as smoking and obesity.

Also on this week’s show:  the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, plus how the sense of coherence changes as people age, starting in middle age.

Join us for HealthLink on Air this Sunday, July 26 at 9 p.m. on WRVO.