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Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dr. George Abraham Taler, geriatrician and professor, dies
Dr. George Abraham Taler, a physician who specialized in geriatric medicine and advocated house calls for the homebound elderly at a time when this practice was disappearing, died in his sleep of coronary artery disease April 16 at his Severna Park home. He was 75. Born in Marburg, Germany, he was the son of Dr. Joseph Taler, who practiced medicine in Anne Arundel County, and his wife, Bronislawa, who assisted him in his medical work. Both his parents were Polish Holocaust survivors. He came to Baltimore in 1951 and was a Severn School graduate. He earned degrees at the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Taler was a resident at the University of Maryland Medical Center and completed a geriatrics fellowship at the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation in New Hyde Park, New York. At 15, he met his future wife, Cyndy Renoff, through mutual friends. They attended the 1969 music festival at Woodstock, New York, and married in 1977. As a geriatrician, professor, mentor, and author, Dr. Taler focused his career on creating comprehensive care for the elderly and homebound. He visited his patients at their homes and introduced modern mobile technology, an interdisciplinary social health team and a financial sustainability model. He said to his patients, 'Don't go to the hospital, people die there.' 'He learned about house calls and their value from our father, whose medical practice was based in Glen Burnie,' his sister, Gustava E. Taler, said. The Rev. Willie E. Ray of Baltimore's Stop the Violence dies Richard 'Marcy' Price, former All-American lacrosse standout, dies Muriel Annice Davis Johnson, former school vice principal, dies Mary Hohenberger, among the first women to serve in the Baltimore City Police Department, dies Robert Allen 'Bob' McIntire, Baltimore attorney and history buff, dies From 1980 to 1999, Dr. Taler led the geriatrics care and house call medicine team at the University of Maryland Medical Center and served on the Maryland Medical School faculty. 'Dr. Taler was determined to make the world a more ethical place,' said a colleague, Dr. Eric DeJonge. 'He showed up every day with warmth, humor, creativity, a big smile, and a work ethic that set a standard for all around him,' Dr. DeJonge said. 'His legacy is one of kindness and unwavering generosity. He lived his life with purpose, and in so doing, helped others live theirs with dignity.' He was featured in a 2004 article in The Baltimore Sun entitled, 'Physician's black bag making a comeback.' The article described what he carried, 'a portable computer, a digital camera, an instrument for measuring oxygen in the blood and, depending on which patient he's headed to see, a hand-held EKG machine.' Dr. Taler said in the story, 'You might liken it to a supercharged V-8 in a Model T frame.' In 1999, Dr. Taler came to the MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., where he co-founded the MedStar House Call Program. He later introduced legislation on Capitol Hill, which led to the Independence at Home Demonstration Act. Dr. Taler later served at MedStar's Good Samaritan Hospital and was the medical director for Collington Continuing Care Retirement Community in Bowie. He was most recently the medical director at Symphony Manor in Roland Park. He also co-founded the American Association of Family Physicians' Home-Based Primary Care Member Interest Group, was the founding president of the Maryland Geriatrics Society. He played the piano and designed his residence on the Magothy River. He had been the camp physician at Camp Airy in Thurmont. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Cyndy Renoff, a former flight attendant; two sons, Dr. David J. Taler, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Jordan H. Taler, of Baltimore; a sister, Gustava E. Taler, of Baltimore; and four grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned. Have a news tip? Contact Jacques Kelly at and 410-332-6570.
Buzz Feed
02-04-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
"That May Be A Cause For Concern": These Stomach Pain Symptoms Are A Sign You Need To Seek Medical Attention ASAP
Everyone experiences a stomachache every so often, whether that's because you ate something that didn't agree with you or maybe you're constipated. These aches and pains tend to go away on their own either after a bowel movement or just a little bit of time. However, there are some cases when stomach pain may warrant a trip to the emergency room ― especially if the pain is severe enough to make you concerned. Based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, abdominal pain is the leading chief complaint among emergency department visits, accounting for 8.8% of all visits. We spoke with gastroenterologists about different types of stomach pain and when you'll want to visit the emergency room for more immediate medical attention: 1. Sharp, stabbing pain that's in one specific spot or moves around the belly button. If you are experiencing a sharp, stabbing pain in your stomach, then you'll want to take a trip to the emergency room as soon as possible. 'A sharp, stabbing, more focal pain that reaches six or higher on the pain scale may be associated with a peptic ulcer. Or, if located in the right lower abdomen or shifts from the area around the belly button to the right lower abdomen, may indicate acute appendicitis,' said Dr. Jean-Pierre Raufman, a gastroenterologist and chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at University of Maryland Medical Center. ″ This type of pain should be evaluated by a health care provider sooner rather than later since it is likely to require specific treatment or even surgery.' 2. Consistent, throbbing pain that isn't getting better. According to Dr. Feenalie Patel, a gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist, throbbing pain may be a sign of muscle injury or more severe organ injury, including appendicitis, pancreatitis, hernia, etc. 'The location of your pain may suggest which organs are involved, but pain can often radiate and move, so it is important to seek care so your doctor can help identify the cause of your pain,' she said. 3. Pain in the right upper and lower quadrants of your stomach. If your stomach pain is in the upper and lower right quadrants of your stomach, then that may be a cause for concern and could warrant a visit to the ER. 'Pain in the right upper abdomen may reflect gallbladder disease, perhaps from gallstones,' Raufman said. 4. Severe pain in the lower abdomen. If you notice pain in the lower quadrants of your stomach that persists and is sharp and unbearable, then that could mean a trip to the ER may be warranted. Not all lower stomach pain is serious, but Dr. Douglas Sprung, a gastroenterologist at The Gastroenterology Group in Florida, said that you'll want to be cautious of appendicitis, which is mostly in the right lower quadrant, and diverticulitis, which is mostly in the left lower quadrant. 5. Swelling in the abdomen or other accompanying symptoms. In addition to stomach pain, if you have other worsening symptoms like swelling, that means you should go to the emergency room straight away. 'Abdominal pain associated with swelling of the abdomen, abdominal tenderness ― that is, touching or pushing on the abdomen worsens the pain, or chest pain, persistent vomiting or yellowing of the skin (jaundice) is concerning,' Raufman said. 6. Pain with fever or bleeding. 'If abdominal pain is associated with rectal bleeding or vomiting blood, or severe abdominal pain with concomitant fever, sweats, and chills, these are times to consider going to the ER/hospital for medical evaluation, blood testing, and ultrasound testing,' Sprung said. Are there cases where you should try to treat your pain at home first? If your stomach pain doesn't exactly match the descriptions above ― or you don't think it's severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room right away ― then there are some things you can try at home first to see if it helps. For starters, Raufman suggested going easy on your diet to see if it helps your symptoms. Eat foods like 'crackers, bananas, or other easily digestible foods and [drink] plenty of water,' he said. Next, you can try over-the-counter medications. 'A trial of Tums, Pepcid, or Mylanta for heartburn or upper abdominal burning can be done before going to the ER,' Sprung said. 'If symptoms are a lot better, then continue that until you can get to your doctor.' Lastly, if you think your stomach pain is related to constipation or gas, Patel recommended light exercise to help move your colon, over-the-counter gas (e.g. simethicone) or constipation (e.g. Miralax, stool softener) medications, and fiber-rich foods to help. At the end of the day, you know your body better than anyone else. If you notice something doesn't feel right or the pain doesn't subside, you'll want to take a visit to the emergency room just in case. It's always better to be cautious. HuffPost.
