Meet the Experts

Dr. Samantha Taghva

Internal Medicine Physician with Baptist Health South Florida

Videos

Alternatives For Opioids

There are some things patients can do if they want to replace opioids, says Dr. Samantha Taghva, Internal Medicine Physician with Baptist Health South Florida. In neuropathic pain, for example, Doctor Taghva mentions there are controlled medications which are not in the opioid family, that are going to work on the action of the nerves and try to relieve pain. She recognizes that people can be scary about certain opioids like morphine. “I think that their fears are correct. We, as physicians, have to look at other things," she affirms.

Who Is At Risk Of Kidney Disease?

People who have diabetes, blood pressure and obesity will eventually have progression to CKD (Chronic kidney disease). Dr. Samantha Taghva, Internal Medicine Physician with Baptist Health South Florida, also says they could have a genetic predisposition to CKD. An early diagnostic and having under control any risk condition (diabetes, overweight, blood pressure) can slow progression into CKD, affirms Dr. Juan Kusnir, Nephrologist at the same place.

Coping With A Painful Recovering

Dr. Samantha Taghva, Internal Medicine Physician with Baptist Health South Florida, says empowering patients, giving the pharmacist a little bit more of a role and empowering physicians to help people with chronic pain are good decisions to improve patientsâ€™ quality of life. Any chronic pain medication that a patient may use should be mentioned to the doctor for the right prescription, she argues.

Symptoms Of Chronic Kidney Disease

Urinating too frequently or not urinating enough, especially in elderly males, are symptoms of issues with the prostate, says Dr. Samantha Taghva, Internal Medicine Physician with Baptist Health South Florida. Those are two of the most common symptoms of kidney failure is looming, she says, and is it probably the patient's progress into the CKD (Chronic kidney disease). Dr. Juan Kusnir, Nephrologist at the same place, advises drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated, because the kidney looks for body equilibrium.

Adjunctive Therapy With Medical Marijuana

Dr. Samantha Taghva, Internal Medicine Physician with Baptist Health South Florida, says medical marijuana is an adjunctive therapy that physicians can use to try to help patients out. There are over-the-counter-medications called NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), such as acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory, that can be used as well and come with side effects. However, if people use incorrect doses with these medications, they can suffer from health problems.

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