Health Yeah! With Monica Robins: Recent Episodes
wkyc studios
Welcome to Health yeah! with Monica Robins, from WKYC studios in Cleveland. Monica is the senior health correspondent for 3News. In this podcast, she talks with medical experts to get answers to the questions you're afraid to ask about your health and wellness.
Having a baby is supposed to be one of the happiest times in a woman’s life, but many women suffer from postpartum depression, or PPD, with feelings of sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness. This episode explores what it is and how it's different from the baby blues. And we'll try to help erase the stigma surrounding postpartum depression.
We also want women to know hope is available, including the first oral pill approved to treat PPD but why some may not be able to get their hands on it.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
If you’re dealing with gut issues – you’re not alone…
One in ten people worldwide are dealing with a disorder called irritable bowel syndrome or I-B-S.
Those living with it experience abdominal pain... bloating...constipation, diarrhea…and other bowel habits – that are not considered polite public conversations.
Which causes so many to suffer in silence and can cause a significant disruption in everyday life.
Plus, we’ll look at ways to get more fiber in your diet to keep your digestive tract clean.
We’re taking a gut check in this episode.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
There's an epidemic across the country that doctors say can pose serious health problems, but it's not what you might think.
It's an epidemic of loneliness.
The U.S. Surgeon General released a report in 2023 saying half of American adults experience "measurable" loneliness and that number is even higher for young adults.
In this episode, we look at ways to combat this problem and build connections within our communities.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
Fasting has been around for centuries—
It’s voluntarily withholding food for any reason from medical to spiritual.
Today - we’re talking about fasting to improve your health.
Chances are you’ve heard about it or someone you know has tried fasting, but is it safe?
And which type of fasting is best for you?
Plus—what are some of the dangers you need to know about before making this lifestyle change?
We tackle these questions in more in this episode.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
One in ten women experience endometriosis –
It’s a chronic inflammatory disease, which often causes severe pain.
Every woman’s experience with endometriosis is different – but most will experience pain, similar to cramps..
It is often missed or dismissed.
We’ll explore what to look out for and the treatments available for women.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
Colorectal cancer -- or sometimes colon cancer for short -- is a disease that develops from certain growths in the inner lining of your colon.
It’s one of the top three cancers in men and women across the country—and experts say one of the few preventable cancers.
The number of younger people getting the cancer has grown so much—
That doctors dropped the regular screening age from 50-- to 45!
And even younger -- if there’s a family history
We take you step by step through the screening process…
Plus -- A recent study highlighted the racial disparities when it comes to colorectal cancer and what can be done to remove barriers.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
It’s difficult being a teen these days. Many parents didn't have to deal with the stress of social media, cyber bullying and school shootings. But most parents probably had an episode of teen angst while they were growing up and trying to navigate the teen years with raging hormones. It's no surprise that occasionally self-doubt, stress and anxiety too center stage. But it's not easy for some parents to be able to distinguish between what is normal teenage behavior and when it could be something more serious like anxiety or depression. And when is it time to seek professional help? Those are the issues discussed in this episode.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
In a world where we’re bombarded with negativity, one can’t help but be pessimistic and feel anxious.
Turning on that positivity can be challenging when faced with stressful situations.
Today it’s all about the power of positivity.
That positive attitude can have lasting health benefits.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
Are you getting enough sleep at night?
Millions of Americans do not get the recommended amount of sleep each night, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Not getting enough zzzz’s can contribute to health problems.
Our doctor offers some tips to make a good night’s sleep more than a just a dream..
Also ahead – I dig into the archives for a sleep study I did…and see what a lack of sleep did to my body.
Plus those sleep trackers – many of us have them.. but do they work?
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
Trouble breathing, aches and pains.
These are some of the main symptoms of Sarcoidosis.
A rare inflammatory disease that develops when groups of cells in the immune system form clumps.
Diagnosing it can be challenging and it's often misdiagnosed.
We’ll identify the symptoms, causes, and complications and why some people may be walking around with sarcoidosis and not even know it.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
It's time for the total solar eclipse! This episode is dedicated to preventing damage to your eyes, and what you need to know to watch it safely.
Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S. and sadly, most cases can be prevented with lifestyle intervention. Today's episode is an indepth look at what works, who's at risk and what you should be doing right now, that's reasonably easy.
When we think of a broken heart we think of a bad breakup or the loss of a loved one. Not all broken hearts can be fixed with a good ugly cry, Netflix and chocolates. Broken heart syndrome is a real medical issue and it can happen at any moment. This episode explains what you need to know to prevent this from happening to you or your loved one.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
https://www.catbohannon.com/ The talking points alone are enough to make you go hmmmm. She's insightful, intelligent and makes compelling points that science should listen to. We kept it more on the science end of the interview focusing on subjects you probably never thought about, but below are some of the talking points she includes in her book. Women outlive men because female bodies are just better at not dying. And with few exceptions, that’s true from birth forward—even boys get more cancer than girls, and are more likely to die from it when they do—but this is especially true during our reproductive years. And that gap is only going to get bigger: 80 percent of the world’s centenarians are female. We probably evolved to be sexist. But we don’t have to keep doing it. From an evolutionary perspective, sexism and gynecology are two sides of the same coin: they’re both ways we use behavior to innovate around our species’ terrible reproductive system. (When you don’t have the Pill or condoms, having strict social rules that restrict access to female bodies can usefully limit how many times a woman will be pregnant.) But gynecology has vastly outpaced sexism in this regard. Now that we can mostly deal with our glitchy, complication-prone reproductive systems, we can finally choose not to be sexist—which is good, because sexism is actually starting to kill us. Breastfeeding babies talk to their mothers through their nipples. Or rather, their bodies talk to our bodies in an ancient language: because of the physics of nursing at the breast, babies’ spit is literally sucked into the mother’s breast through the nipple in a kind of undertow, wherein it’s “observed” by immuno-agents lining the mother’s milk ducts. (Formally, this is called “upsuck.”) Sick babies get different breastmilk than healthy ones. So do stressed babies—mom’s breast “reads” the cortisol in the babies’ spit and adjusts the composition of the milk accordingly. Human penises are terribly boring. So, too, our testicles. And it’s probably because men didn’t compete for mates as much as other apes, and also because we didn’t rape each other very much in our evolutionary past—species prone to rape tend to have whiz-bang penises and complicated vaginas to match, like the mallard duck’s corkscrew contraption, or the dolphin’s J-shaped prehensile phallus, which can literally swivel and whack a female until she submits. Female bodies probably led the way to bipedalism. The female musculoskeletal system is geared towards endurance, while the male’s is a bit closer to the older (chimp-like) model. So male bodies are usually better at explosive strength, and female ones better at enduring. That’s true all the way down to female muscle cells’ metabolism. And the thing about walking upright is you need endurance. Shame about our lower backs and knees, though… female sex hormones also make us more flexible, which is great for yoga and pregnancy, but absolutely terrible for long-term wear and tear on the joints.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the cells in the cervix, which is the lowest part of a woman's uterus. This is a sneaky cancer because early stages typically don't have symptoms. That's why routine pap smears are so important, along with HPV screenings -- since the vast majority of cervical cancer is HPV or human papilloma virus related. For women in their 20s cervical cancer rates dropped 65 percent during 2012 and 2019. According to the American Cancer Society's, cervical cancer diagnoses for women in their 30's and early 40's have consistently gone up each year since 2012. This episode looks into why these trends are happening and what women can do to prevent their risk.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
It's a devastating disease that can lead to chronic pain and early death and can be passed along to the next generation. Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited lifelong disease that impacts nearly 100,000 Americans. Sickle Cell disease is a group of disorders that cause red blood cells to become crescent shaped and break down. this can block flood flow and cause chronic pain and even death. But hope has arrived. In December the FDA approved what many are calling a game changer. So health yeah, we have your prescription for life.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
Aging is inevitable. It’s a part of life. However, there are ways to age gracefully. Our expert is here to tell us what three things we can do right now to improve our physical and mental wellbeing. You may have heard about Blue Zones. People in different parts of the world living healthier lives well into their 90s and 100s. We'll explain their secret and what U-S cities are doing to replicate their success. Plus -- A non-surgical procedure using radio frequency to tighten and smooth the skin.. Also – kids may be the key to living longer. It’s all straight ahead because Health Yeah! We have your Prescription for Life.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
According to the U.S. Pain Foundation, more than 50 million Americans suffer from chroinic pain and 20 million of those people are dealing with 'high impact' pain or pain that interferes with basic day to day functioning.
Pain is the main reason Americans seek health care and it's the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Estimates suggest pain costs the nation at least $560-635 billion a year in direct medical costs and lost productivity.
Living in pain can lead to problems at work, school and in relationships.
Those aches can become even more serious if they last for a long period of time.
Because of the opioid epidemic, doctors are more hesitant to prescribe painkillers, but other options are available and that's what this episode explains.
It kills more people in the U.S. than any other cancer and when it comes to screening, not enough people are getting tested. Today we're talking about lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society Lung cancer kills more people in the U.S. than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
Doctors are hoping new guidelines will change that statistic. Updated recommendations now clarify who should get screened, and there's hope for new detection.
Questions we'll tackle, we know lung cancer affects smokers but why are so many non smokers are getting diagnosed and what are the toxin in your home that can lead to lung cancer.
Back pain is the leading cause of disability for millions worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
It's a common problem that can impact anyone – from young adults participating in sports to weekend warriors and the elderly.
No need to suffer anymore.
Our medical expert takes us through some common causes of back pain, how to treat it and how to prevent it in the first place.
We'll also look at the right and wrong way to do some household chores – from raking the leaves to clearing your driveway.
And how some yoga poses can help alleviate your pain.
It’s a condition most Americans have never heard of – and it affects millions.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome or POTS for short.
It can take a once-active person and leave them homebound.
It’s often mis-diagnosed and brushed off as anxiety or a panic attack.
We dive into this disorder to bring awareness to a debilitating condition that often gets overlooked and help you advocate for yourself if you suspect you could have POTS.
It's the most common cancer in women.
Chances are – you or someone you know has been personally affected by breast cancer.
Research has shown -- the rate of cancer diagnosis rose in adults in their 30s from 2010 to 2019
But there is hope. Promising news on the medical front will hopefully wipeout this disease. We talk about prevention, treatment and the hope on the horizon in this episode.
They say the eyes are the window to the soul. If that's true, we need to do all we can to protect them. Today we're talking all about eyes. From children's eyesight and how the pandemic impacted their vision, the connection between dementia and vision, those viral videos floating around promoting home based remedies to improve our eyes and what foods you can eat that will actually improve your eye health.
It’s one of the most common - and most polarizing - questions new moms are asked: Do you plan to breastfeed?
Today, we are tackling the many challenges facing moms today when it comes to breastfeeding. From the struggles getting your new baby to latch, to under producing, to what it’s like to try to pump in the workplace today - even with the protections moms now have that our mothers certainly didn’t have. Plus, how much do you really have to breastfeed to get the benefits for both you and your baby. Everything you need to know about breastfeeding on this edition of Health Yeah!
Happy New Year! Did you make your resolutions? Because that's usually what most of us do at the start of a new year.
a recent poll found "weight loss" and "improve diet" rank in the top five when it comes to resolutions.
And for many of us, the beginning of the year is the perfect time to start anew -- a new diet plan, a new workout plan and all around new healthy habits.
Sometimes that means latching on to so-called fad diets, which may be too restrictive and just not sustainable.
However, there are some that do work.
We'll get into the best ones and the biggest mistakes many of us are making when it comes to healthy eating.
It's all straight ahead because Health Yeah! We have your Prescription for life.
Today we are talking about something that impacts men - and the partners who love them - at greater numbers than you might think. Erectile dysfunction. In fact, 52 percent of men will experience some form of ED in their lifetime - making it an important health topic.
Doctors describe ED as extremely common - impacting 30 million men in the US right now. And if you think this is a problem that only impacts older men, think again. Erectile dysfunction affects 26% of men under the age of forty.
what causes it? How can you prevent it? What’s the most effective treatment? And are there wider health implications to consider?
Plus, why if you have had COVID - you may be more likely to experience ED.
And what about all the supplements that promise to help - what our experts have to say.
Today, we unpack it all - answering your questions on erectile dysfunction.
Stressed? You're not alone and yes, heading into the holidays it can get worse, much worse.
55% of Americans are stressed during the day, that's according to the American Institute of Stress.
Stress can range from everyday pressures of work or family situations to financial worries and anything in between.
Today, we're learning how to pinpoint the bad stress, how to manage it, and when is it time to reach out for help.
Most American men believe they are leading a healthy lifestyle. However, a national survey by Cleveland Clinic found the habits and behaviors of many men tell a different story.
44 percent do not get a yearly physical.
44 percent do not prioritize mental health.
And 49 percent do not keep a healthy diet.
The survey also highlighted some of men's biggest health concerns including mental health. In this episode we unpack more of Men's health and learn why this information may not only save their lives, but also their sex lives.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that between 40 and 60 percent of individuals in recovery will relapse at some point, and often that can happen during seasons of stress. The holidays can be a tempting time for those in recovery. Holiday parties, festivities, the stress of family and friends and money issues can be difficult to cope with and for some, it may put them on the brink of relapse.
In this episode, we delve into ways those in recovery can deal with the stress of the holidays and how their family and friends can help and support them.
It's estimated that fifty percent of women will report some sort of hair loss over their lifetime. So today we are talking about hair loss and the options for women. We discuss the main causes for hair loss in women with Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal. Everything from hormonal changes, pregnancy, menopause and even surgery that can cause hair loss. What can you do? What will insurance cover? What about supplements? All discussed in this episode.
Feeling a little blue? Can't get off the couch? Have no energy? For some, that awful feeling during the winter months can actually become a clinical diagnosis. More than ten million Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. It's a type of depression that can last months, most commonly from December through February, but it can happen at any time of year. Once we set the clocks back and have less daylight, things can get dark, literally and emotionally. Today we're looking for the Prescription for Life on how to cope with SAD and when you should actually seek professional help.
We've all done it. Every Thanksgiving, many of us eat about 3,000 calories in one sitting. This episode is about options. Things to think about as you plan those holiday dinners and side dishes and how to handle the sugar overload. Plus a recipe for those leftovers that can be breakfast for a few days afterward. Tips to stay in your portion control lane and how to make some of those traditional meals a little healthier.
It’s the words no one wants to hear - you have cancer. But, unfortunately, roughly two million people in this country will be diagnosed with cancer this year. And one of the most common cancers - is colon cancer. Today, we look at why colorectal cancer is on the rise in America - why we are seeing higher rates in young people than ever before - and why young men seem so susceptible. We will also look at who is most at risk - what those risk factors are - and what lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk. Plus, did you know the recommended age for a colonoscopy is younger now - if you’re 45, it’s time to get the screening. And if you don’t want to go in for a colonoscopy - we’ll tell you about the way you can test at home. It’s information that may save your life - or a loved one’s life. So stick around while we answer all your questions on colon cancer.
Six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease today. Six million families are coping with this diagnosis. Six million families are searching for hope.
Today, we discuss the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s - what is normal aging and what is something more. We look at the therapies available - including a new medication just approved that is showing signs of promise for dementia patients. Plus the resources available for family members - who have the crushing task of helping their loved one fight this disease.
There’s been a lot of talk of Alzheimer’s in the news lately. The FDA just approved a brand new drug that is offering a glimmer of hope to so many and we’ve seen some high profile cases - actor Bruce Willis’ family talking about his dementia diagnosis and the family of former first lady Rosalyn Carter talking about her diagnosis. It’s a cruel disease and a disease with no known cure. Today we are talking to an expert on Alzheimer’s - asking your questions and getting answers on everything from how to know if your forgetfulness is something more serious to the best therapies available to patients today.
ADHD, anxiety problems, behavior problems, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children.
There's a new push to address the growing number of kids who experience a mental health crisis.
Every year, half a million children and teens go to an E-R with some kind of mental health or behavioral health problem.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Emergency Nurses Association and the American College of Emergency Physicians released a joint statement demanding more resources.
This episode is a prescription for parents on how to deal with a variety of issues, including the drug shortage relating to ADHD.
This is a different type of episode and one of a personal nature. Shari Robins is my cousin. She's been living in Israel as a professional tour guide since 1984. She raised two daughters, the youngest is currently serving in the Israeli military. She's not a politician, she's not a military analyst but she's lived and experienced a region always under the threat of war for nearly four decades. As a tour guide she also knows the history of the region. This is her perspective of what is happening an hour and a half from her front door.
It’s something that all women must face at some point in their lives - menopause. The dreaded change. When men have a mid-life crisis they end up with fast sports cars. When women hit mid-life we end up with hot flashes and hair loss. But don’t despair - help is out there.
Today’s expert, Dr. Holly Thacker, women's health hormone specialist at Cleveland Clinic. She’s going to walk us through all the hormone replacements available today - and answer once and for all just how safe they are - and if there’s really any change in your risk of cancer if you take hormones. Plus the good side effects you didn’t know about.
It's that time of year! The beginning of the holiday weight gain and sugar binges. Does everyone around the office have candy on their desk and you just can't help yourself? Or how many times have you bought Halloween candy this year, but it never makes it past a few days because it's haunting you from the pantry? You're not alone, and while this episode is targeted to help parents deal with the kids and candy, there are quite a few tips that will help the adults fight the fear too. We have options and strategies that won't scare you!
Nearly half a million Americans die from cardiac arrest every year – and the bulk of those cardiac arrests happen outside the hospital. If CPR is administered immediately, it can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. With numbers like that – why isn’t EVERYONE certified in CPR? Why don’t we make this more of a priority?
More than 70% of CPR is administered at home. Followed by 15% in a public space. So this is really something families should be talking about – you’re most likely to need to give CPR to a family member or close friend in your home – not a stranger. This episode walks us through the reasons why you need CPR and AED training.
With fall right around the corner and winter not too far behind, it's time to bolster up our immune systems against illnesses.
Covid cases are up nationally, and experts are concerned about flu and RSV cases.
Could it be another case of the Tripledemic this year?
Last season, we saw all three of those viruses peak at the same time.
Doctors say staying on top of your health is the easiest way to prevent serious illness and the best tool is to get vaccinated.
Today, we're talking about the best protections against the Big 3.
It doesn’t care who you are, where you live or how much money you make.
Addiction can take ahold of anyone, significantly impacting families and communities.
Alcohol and/or drug addiction, also known as substance use disorder, is a chronic disease of the brain that can happen to anyone--like any other chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes.
Since 1999, more than one million Americans have died from overdose deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Our expert explains how treatment has changed, how medical care has adapted since the opioid crisis and how to find help.
You’ve all heard the statistic - 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. But is that number real? And if it is, what can you do to keep your marriage from becoming part of that statistic? If you’re struggling in your relationship, today’s show is for you.
It was this headline that caught our attention - five signs you need marriage counseling. What are the five signs? What if you only have one of them? What if you have all five? We asked the author of this article - a relationship expert - to sit down with us and tell us everything we need to know about marriage and relationships - how to know if you should double down on trying to make it work or if it’s time to walk away. All that and more, in this episode of Health Yeah!
Today we are talking about something that impacts every single one of us - our mental health. If the pandemic taught us anything - it’s that we all need to be more mindful, take time to reach out to those struggling, and be a little kinder to ourselves and each other. If you are experiencing your own mental health issues - you’re not alone. In fact, one in five adults in this country experience mental illness each year. And it’s not just us grown ups - one in six kids also experience mental illness. Sometimes it’s situational. Sometimes it’s genetic. Sometimes it’s a short-term struggle and sometimes it’s a struggle you’ll deal with for the rest of your life. We unpack it all today - and get some advice from our expert on how to manage anxiety, stress and depression - and when to know when it’s time for medical intervention.
We are talking all things men’s health today and it’s a big topic so get ready to take some notes! We look at why so many men just won’t go to the doctor - and why it’s so important to make those preventative appointments. Plus, what all men should be screened for and when. And the biggest risk factors for diseases that you should be watching for now. Plus sexual health and mental health. And this will not surprise the women out there watching - but men are less likely than you to go to the doctor. Men are also fifty percent more likely to suffer from heart disease than women - in fact, it’s the number one killer of men - and men, on average, die five years before women. So what are the most important screenings all men should be getting - and what are the most likely health issues men will develop. We’ll tell you the signs and what to look for and answer all your questions when our expert joins us here in a moment.
It’s back to school! Which means back to routines, back to normal schedules and back to packing school lunches! Today we are talking all about your kids’ lunches and snacks - and how to make them as healthy as possible without spending a ton of money or time. We have all the tips and tricks you need to know to keep your kids eating well this school year.
The kids are back to school and so are the germs! If you have big or small kids, you know you're bracing for cold and flu season. Kids can have up to 8-10 colds per year – mostly between September and May – which is basically one a month and the cold can last two weeks. Which means your kid could literally have a cold for half the school year. First and foremost – how many colds is “normal” for kids – when should parents be worried that maybe their child is getting sick too much? What should you really have on hand to remedy the misery and what are more severe symptoms to watch for? We chat with Dr. Gina Robinson, a pediatrician with Cleveland Clinic for some good advice.
Today we are tackling a topic that affects nearly 20 percent of American children - obesity. It’s a problem that has been on the rise in this country and parents struggle with the best way to address it - wanting their kids to be healthy but not wanting to create body image issues on that road to better health. So how do you know if your child is just going through a phase, or has a real problem? What are the tips and tricks to helping your child lose weight without making them self-conscious or hurting their self-esteem? When do you seek medical intervention? Our expert is here to answer all your questions - and tell you about the drugs and surgery that have recently been approved for children with obesity.
It’s bathing suit season. Ahh, the dreaded time of year where so many of us try to get a beach body in just a few weeks. You know what I’m talking about! And there are so many diets out there that promise to help us do it! But do they really work? That’s the million dollar question. Today, we look at all the most popular fad diets on the market - and the internet - that promise to help you lose weight quickly. Some of them you’ve heard of - the keto diet, the paleo diet, the Adkins diet… and some of them might be new to you. The lemon and cayenne pepper diet anyone? We ask our expert which one will help you get that beach body fastest. And more importantly - are they safe? And are they worth the effort - and the deprivation?
Here’s a staggering statistic - every forty seconds someone in the United States has a stroke. That’s nearly 800 thousand people a year. And before you think, oh, that only happens to the elderly, think again. Nearly 40 percent of patients who have a stroke are under 65 years old. Today, we are looking at strokes in young people. You will hear some of these patients - a young woman who ran into a stranger’s garage - unable to speak - pleading for help with her eyes. A new mom - who was told her symptoms were just stress from having a baby - and why she knew those doctors were wrong. And a personal friend - who told me he wasn’t having a stroke - he just stood up too fast - and why I knew he needed to go straight to the emergency room. The signs to look for, the symptoms that are different in young people than in older stroke patients - and what doctors say is the number one thing you need to do to save your life if you think you’re having a stroke.
Today we are talking all things autism. We will share the medical numbers and statistics - tell you the signs and symptoms and risk factors for being diagnosed with autism - but we will also hear from experts who have found exciting new treatments and therapies - and from parents who share success stories of kids triumphing over their medical diagnoses, and thriving.
Hopefully this week you are soaking up some summer sun - and you’re either on vacation or a vacation is coming up in your future. Afterall, these are the months to enjoy the outdoors, the pool or the ocean, fireworks and barbeques… unfortunately it’s also the season you’re most likely to make a trip to the ER. Yes, all that summer fun can come at a cost. But today we are here to help you enjoy it safely - with everything you need to know to respond to summer emergencies - from ATV accidents to drownings to heat stroke and everything in between. We have your Prescription for Life for a happy, healthy summer straight ahead.
Summer is here - picnics, beach vacations and hours in the garden and in the sun. But with all good things there is a price - and for more than 100,000 people in this country this year - that price will be a diagnosis of skin cancer. We are unpacking everything you need to know about sun damage and skin cancer. From what sunscreens are best - to how much SPF is really enough. The signs and symptoms you may have a problem. And the different treatments available. Our expert answers all your questions on what you need to know to enjoy the summer sun safely.
Heart disease. It’s the number one killer of Americans and a major contributing factor - your cholesterol. Nearly 94 million Americans over the age of 20 have cholesterol above 200 and nearly seven percent of children have high cholesterol. It’s a national epidemic. Today, we have everything you need to know about high cholesterol - from what really causes it to whether you can really do anything to prevent it. Plus, is 200 really the magic number that we need to stay below for good cholesterol? You might be surprised by what our expert says. Plus, statins have long been the gold standard for treating high cholesterol. But who should take them? How long? Can you really take them for life? And what about the folks who suffer some pretty severe side effects to statins - like body aches and muscle pain. There’s a new drug that is showing big promises. We’ll tell you all about it.
Millions of Americans struggle with weight and now there are medications out there promising to help you drop the pounds fast. But is it too good to be true? Today we tackle everything to do with weight loss medications from which ones work best, which one of your providers can give them to you and will your insurance even cover them? And how you can pay for them out of pocket for less if your insurance won't pick up the tab.
This episode is about the opioid epidemic and how the pandemic is impacting those battling addiction. A new CDC report just released finds the number of overdose deaths reached one hundred thousand. That’s the largest single year toll ever recorded. The study looked at deaths from April 2020, the beginning of the pandemic, until April 21.
Ohio is no stranger to the opioid epidemic and in past years has been one of the leading states for drug overdose deaths in the nation. Experts say the current overdose deaths are largely from fentanyl in meth and cocaine. Ohio saw a near 27 percent increase overdose deaths.
The state recently started a "Beat the Stigma" education marketing campaign and Ohio received $24 million from the recent opioid settlement from one drug company earlier this year. But what will it take to get control of a problem that seems to be once again spiraling out of control. To help sort through it, I gathered a panel of experts in the field.
Jason Joyce is the Executive Director of Hitchcock Center for Women he’s also a Licensed Clinical Counselor and Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor.
Thomas Stuber is the President and Chief Legislative Officer of The LCADA Way and an Adjunct Professor of Addiction Counseling at LCCC. He recently retired as CEO of The LCADA Way after leading the organization for the past 21 years.
Pam Bouyer is Clinical Director at the Women's Recovery Center and John Lisy is the Executive Director of the Shaker Heights Youth Center.
WEBSITES and Resources:
https://www.womensctr.org/
https://thelcadaway.org/
https://www.hcfw.org/
https://www.shakerheightsyouthcenter.org/
https://www.adamhscc.org/
http://opiatecollaborative.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/Treatment-Providers.aspx
https://www.emeraldjennyfoundation.org/
https://namigreatercleveland.org/resources/community-resources/
https://mha.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/mha/
https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/cleveland/resources/local-state-and-national-resources
Today is my "Craniversary." Two years ago on October 17, 2019 I underwent brain surgery at Cleveland Clinic to remove a sphenoid wing orbital meningioma. I know it's a mouthful of a name. Meningiomas are common, one in 32,000 people get one every year. The majority are benign, and while that's a good thing, depending on the location, even benign tumors can be fatal.
While my tumor is common, the location (behind my left eye) is not. My initial surgery was complex and I knew going in that they wouldn't be able to remove it all. We chose not to do radiation back then, because if I needed another surgery, the radiation would make it even more difficult if not impossible.
So we watched, waited and every six months I had an MRI to see if my residual tumors were growing. The surgery left me essentially with four residual tumors. One, the dangerous one, is 3mm from my carotid artery, one on my optic nerve, one on the back of my left eye and one in my eye socket. The last one is the problem. It decided to spread into my cavernous sinus. So in mid-December I'll be heading back into surgery. Only this time, I'm a candidate for a minimally invasive type of procedure. They'll try to remove as much as they can by accessing the tumor through my eyelid. I will likely need reconstruction surgery on my face.
As we get closer tos surgery, I'll update you with more podcasts on the subject and of course I'll be reporting on my journey with the hope of educating and helping those who may need more information about these types of tumors.
WEBSITES: https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/cleveland-clinic-performs-its-first-transoribital-neuroendoscopic-surgery/
PREVIOUS BRAIN TUMOR STORIES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OUn8IDyFtU
https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/health/3news-monica-robins-brain-tumor-story/95-552b537d-f6a5-44d1-a795-20782592a963
When was the last time you checked your “legal” wellness? We typically think of health and wellbeing in the physical sense. But there are other areas of your life that need to be healthy too and one of them is your legal health.
There may be obvious times you need to get a lawyer, but there are also many day-to-day events when you need some legal advice, and you may not even know it. Are you always clicking agree when you update your computer or phone? Are you tossing those postcards that say something about a lawsuit, but the print is too fine and complicated to read? Dan Karon is a legal expert and consumer advocate and in this episode, he’s going to explain some legal issues you likely didn’t even know you needed to know.
WEBSITE: www.yourloveablelawyer.com
Earlier this week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined with the Ohio Children's Hospitals Association in a direct appeal to school superintendents to require masks for staff and students during the current surge of the coronavirus.
Data that support this appeal include:
- Since August 15, 2021, there have been 29,823 Ohio school-aged kids ages 5 to 17 with confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19.
- Cases among this age group increased 198 percent from the week of August 15th as compared to the week ending September 4.
- American Academy of Pediatrics says COVID-19 cases among children have increased 240 percent nationally since early July when the Delta variant began to surge. During that same period in Ohio, there has been a 2000 percent increase in cases among Ohio children.
- COVID-19 cases are increasing at nearly twice the rate among school-aged kids as compared to the rest of the population. This past week Ohio saw a 44 percent increase among school-aged children and only a 17 percent increase among the rest of the population.
- Over the two-week period ending September 4, 2021, there was an average of 909 cases per 100,000 school-aged Ohio kids versus 561 cases per 100,000 people comprising the rest of the population.
- The 16 days with the highest number of cases per day throughout the entire pandemic for kids aged 5 to 17 in Ohio have all been in the last 19 days. This includes every day except the three days of the Labor Day weekend.
- In Ohio school districts where masks are optional, among school-aged kids, there are both higher case rates per 100,000 at 945.7 and a greater week-over-week increase in cases. School districts where masks are optional have seen a 54 percent week-over-week increase compared to a 34 percent increase in school districts where masks are either required for all or required for some (usually K-8th grade).
The Governor says about 50% of Ohio schools do have some type of mask requirement. From the medical perspective, the issue is more about overloading Children's Hospitals. Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital had longer wait times and more visits than they had in the last five years. Akron Children's Hospital was seeing a steady influx of COVID patients when all Children's Hospitals are already dealing with an earlier than usual RSV season that's filling necessary beds. Doctors are very concerned about what will happen when cold and flu season hits.
To discuss these issues and give parents a better understanding of what's happening is Akron Children's Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robert McGregor.
WEBSITE: https://www.akronchildrens.org/pages/2019-Novel-Coronavirus-Frequently-Asked-Questions.html
There is a critical need for more diverse populations to get involved in clinical trials. Too often drug trials skew white and male, but many times once the drug hits the market, we learn later that it doesn't work the same in women and/or people of color. There's no doubt the historic abuses of African Americans decades ago still linger in the minds of many, but that shouldn't stop doctors from asking their patients if they'be be willing to participate.
This episode features Gelise Littlejohn-Thomas, a member of the Research Integration and Education core at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Also, Rochelle Long, who has been involved in nearly half a dozen clinical trials relating to Alzheimer's disease after several family members were diagnosed with the devastating illness. Rochelle wants to know why African Americans are disproportationately affected by Alzheimer's and she wants to be on the discovery end of cutting edge treatments that may help her and future generations.
WEBSITES: UH Clinical Trials https://www.uhhospitals.org/uh-research/find-clinical-trials-and-studies
1.833.78 TRIAL
Clinicaltrials.gov
On August 23, 2021 the FDA granted the Pfizer BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine full approval. The Delta variant continues to rage across the U.S. and those on the front lines, in hospital Intensive Care Units, are seeing younger, unvaccinated patients needing the use of ventilators. The nurses and doctors who work on the front lines thought they saw the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, until the Delta variant surged. This episode gives insight into their lives. Dr. Joseph Khabbaza, a pulmonologist with Cleveland Clinic shares his experiences fighting the coronavirus pandemic and what he thinks and hopes FDA approval of a vaccine will accomplish.
A Cleveland Clinic study found women remain underrepresented in cardiovascular clinical trials despite guidelines and legal requirements developed almost 30 years ago to ensure broader inclusivity, according to a report from the American College of Cardiology Cardiovascular Disease in Women Committee published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Heart disease is the number one killer of women, yet most clinical trials involving heart medications and medical devices typically skew male.
This episode is an interview with Leslie Cho, MD, FACC, lead author of the study, a member of the ACC Cardiovascular Disease in Women Committee, and director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Center and section head of preventive cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation at Cleveland Clinic.
WEBSITES: clinicaltrials.gov
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/clinical-trials
Today’s episode is about an issue that is affecting more than six million Americans today and will likely affect millions more in the next decade. And due to COVID, even more may suffer from this debilitating disease. We’re talking about Alzheimer’s disease. Rebecca Hall, Program director for the Alzheimer’s association Cleveland Chapter, joins me to discuss what families and caregivers need to keep in mind and explains a new funding opportunity that can provide free in home care to those who need a break. For those who want to support the local Alzheimer's Association, its mission, resources and research there is an event on Thursday August 12, 2021.
Sprenger Health Care is presenting this charity event, Light it Up Purple, to benefit the Cleveland Area Chapter Alzheimer's Association
Date: Thursday, August 12, 5:30-9pm
Location: Lorain Palace Theatre in downtown Lorain
Tickets available for purchase for $25 ahead of time and at door. Must be 18+ to attend, 21+ to receive the signature cocktail
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/light-it-up-purple-tickets-163063899513
Event entertainment is Monica Robins and The Ninja Cowboys
The event features local restaurants and tastings. It supports the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, in which money raised pays for care and support for local families and funds research.
WEBSITES:
Alzheimer's Association Alz.org
Cleveland Chapter: https://www.alz.org/cleveland?set=1
Caregiver Relief Program: https://www.alz.org/cleveland/helping_you/the-jan-josephine-castora-family-caregiver-relief
We’re in the midst of the Olympics and kids are returning to sports. But when they resumed last summer – Sports Medicine specialists noticed a spike in sports injuries among kids.
Fallout from COVID caused shortened or no pre-season games. Many went right into games with little practice or supervised conditioning.
Seasons were condensed and kids played too many games in too short a period. And in some cases, the pandemic nixed entire season which put them at risk of injury when they returned.
Today’s episode is with Dr. Laura Goldberg from Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, about why parents need to pay attention to their young athletes and consider any impact the pandemic may have had on their sports that could lead to potential injury.
The more contagious Delta variant has become predominant but vaccination rates are declining. Masks have been put away. We're getting seemingly conflicting messages from the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics about whether kids should wear masks in schools. And parents want to know when kids age two to eleven can get the COVID vaccine. And what about flu season? In this episode, Cleveland Clinic infectious disease specialist, Dr. Susan Rehm gives us a sense of what we can expect come fall and winter and how we should prepare.
Today’s episode focuses on the darker side of online dating. Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Jennifer Knetig works with the Veterans Administration’s intimate partner violence assistance program. While the program helps veterans, their partners and VA staff who are impacted by intimate partner violence, her advice is critical for anyone who uses online dating. Also the VA IPV program helps perpetrators manage their anger and behavior.
VA INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV) ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Provides a number of resources for veterans using and/or experiencing violence, including safety planning, case management and psychotherapy in individual and group settings.
Call 216-791-3800, ext. 6868 for more information.
National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 (SAFE)
National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
Recently I moderated a panel with Cleveland Area Healthcare leaders and Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, representing Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, to discuss constricted access to social services. The virtual event was hosted by CareAdvisors, a healthcare technology firm. They had recently done a survey of Greater Cleveland social workers to determine what needs had changed because of the pandemic, and more importantly, what are their clients saying are their biggest concerns. The responses were eye opening. Panelists included; Terrance “Terry” Byrne, MBA, MJ, FACHE, vice president of Health Center Operations, at Neighborhood Family Practice Community Health Centers; Dr. Patricia Lyons, PhD, LISW-S, owner of Lyons Counseling and Consultation Services, president of the Columbus Association of Black Social Workers, and director of the Molina Healthcare Social Determinants of Health Innovation Center; Dr. Michelle Medina, MD, FAAP, associate chief of population health at Cleveland Clinic; Margaret Mitchell, president and cEO, YWCA Greater Cleveland; Dr. Adam T. Perzynski, PhD, associate professor of medicine and sociology, MetroHealth and Case Western Reserve University; and Lisa S. Weitzman, MSSA, LISW-S, ASW-G, C-ASWCM, WeCare manager of business development, at the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging. During the roundtable, panelists discussed lessons learned and innovative ways that their organizations have increased services and shared resources. Specifically, they tackled issues of vaccine hesitancy, food insecurity, health disparities, how to incorporate social determinants of health into their delivery systems, the shift in priorities due the COVID-19, and the impact of the digital divide for aging and other vulnerable communities.
In this episode, an Israeli virologist discusses how her country handled the pandemic and what the world could learn from their response.
This interview was conducted on March 23, 2021. Dr. Dana Wolf is Director of the Clinical Virology Unit at Hadassah University Medical Center in Israel. She’s also done research on giving vaccine to pregnant women and discusses her findings.
Israel managed to get nearly 70 percent of citizens vaccinated, she explains how they managed to do that and how transparency with the public and media was critical as well as a unified message.
WEBSITES: State of Israel Ministry of Health https://www.health.gov.il/English/Pages/HomePage.aspx
Over 700,000 Americans are living with a brain tumor today and more than 84,000 people will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor in 2021. All brain tumors are not alike - there are more than 120 different types of brain tumors.
Only about 1/3 of brain tumors are cancerous. But whether they are cancerous or not, brain tumors can impair brain function and potentially be deadly if they grow large enough to press on surrounding nerves, blood vessels and tissue.
Glioblastoma, the most prevalent primary malignant brain tumor, is the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Despite aggressive treatment strategies combining radiation and chemotherapy with surgery, prognosis for GBM patients remains poor. The average person lives just 15 months after diagnosis.
Meningiomas are typically benign tumors arising from the coverings of the brain and spinal cord. They represent about 1/3 of all primary brain tumors and occur most frequently in middle-aged women.
Meningiomas usually grow inward, causing pressure on the brain or spinal cord. They also can grow outward toward the skull, causing it to thicken. Most meningiomas are noncancerous, slow-growing tumors. Some contain sacs of fluid (cysts), mineral deposits (calcifications), or tightly packed bunches of blood vessels.
Meningiomas account for about 36% of all primary brain tumors. They are most likely to be found in adults older than 60; the incidence appears to increase with age. They occur about twice as often in women as in men.
Monica Robins is a brain tumor survivor, and this episode is dedicated to brain tumor education. Cleveland Clinic neurosurgeon, Pablo Recinos, M.D. will discuss the latest in treatments and what future research hopes to bring us. Dr. Recinos is also the surgeon who operated on Monica’s tumor.
WEBSITES: American Brain Tumor Association www.abta.org
It's a billion dollar industry and only expected to grow even bigger. CBD is being sold in nearly every pharmacy, grocery store and even convenience stores. But what is it, how is it used, what's it for and does it get you high? Why do so many people think CBD is marijuana? In this episode I talk to Meredith Farrow, Founder and CEO of Avon, Ohio based Clean Remedies. She explains the uses of CBD, laws and misconceptions from an industry insider point of view.
Website: https://cleanremedies.com/
This episode is Part 3 of a three-part series on Gender Affirmation surgery. Specifically, phalloplasty, which is creating a penis typically using skin from a patient’s arm. In part one, I introduced you to the patient. In part two, we learned more about the complex procedure from Dr. Shubham Gupta. In this episode we learn more about the plastic surgery aspect of the procedure with Dr. Tobias Long from University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center’s LGBTQ and Gender Care Services Clinic.
WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/3fS5AS8
This episode is part two of a three-part series on Gender Affirmation surgery. Specifically, phalloplasty, which is creating a penis typically using skin from the patient’s arm. In part one I introduce you to the patient, Bobby Hillier of Toledo. In part two I talk with Dr. Shubham Gupta, a urologist with University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center’s LGBTQ and Gender Care Services Clinic. He explains the complex surgery and the criteria needed for someone to become a candidate.
WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/3fS5AS8
This episode is part one of a three part series on Gender Affirmation surgery. Specifically phalloplasty, which is creating a penis typically using skin from the patient’s arm. In part one I introduce you to the patient, Bobby Hillier of Toledo. He began his transition at age 18 and since then has been waiting for the day he’d be able to "make himself whole." This interview is his back story and the subsequent podcasts are with his doctors from University Hospitals LGBTQ & Gender Care Services Clinic.
WEBSITES: https://bit.ly/3fJ1pYI
May is skin cancer awareness month and for those of us living in northeast Ohio, getting a splash of sunshine is a welcome respite from our miserable winters. According to the American Cancer society more than 46 hundred Ohioans will develop Melanoma this year. That is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It is the 6th most common cancer in women and 5th in men. But there are other forms of skin cancer too and better ways to detect and remove them. This episode features dermatologist and skin cancer expert Dr. Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga of Apex skin care.
WEBSITES:
apexskin.com
https://www.aad.org/
https://melanoma.org/
https://www.skincancer.org/
UPDATE: Governor DeWine signed bill that now allows children 12 and under to get COVID vaccine at a pharmacy. Those 12 and up can now get a vaccine at any provider in Ohio. (12 to 17 can only received Pfizer) In this episode six experts answer your questions relating to the COVID vaccines. You can learn more about our doctors and their specialties here: https://bit.ly/3eLymEG
From MetroHealth Dr. David Margolius and Dr. Kelly Gibson From University Hospitals Cleveland, Dr. Amy Edwards and Dr. Claudia Hoyen and from Cleveland Clinic Dr. Kristen Englund and Dr. Veronica Isaac.
WEBSITES: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
FDA https://bit.ly/2RnKrHd
It’s National Women’s Health Week, (May 9 through the 15th) and the COVID-19 pandemic has led many people to put off having life-saving preventative care, checkups and screenings, including mammograms. But early detection and prevention are just as vital as ever, especially when it comes to your cancer screenings. And those can save your life.
Nine-time Grammy Award winning artist and breast cancer survivor Sheryl Crow and OB/GYN Dr. DeCarla Albright discuss the importance of self care, being your own advocate and not putting off your health.
WEBSITE MENTIONED: https://www.mygenius3d.com/
This episode is with author, Dr. Brandy Schillace. She writes non fiction on death and dying, the history of science and steampunk. She just released a new book called 'Mr. Humble and Dr. Butcher' A monkey’s head, the Pope’s neuroscientist and the quest to transplant the soul. The book is about well known Cleveland neuroscientist and surgeon, Dr. Robert White and his efforts to transplant the human brain/head. I had the privilege of knowing Dr. White, who passed away in 2010. The devout catholic was friend to two Popes and yes, he did transplant the head of a primate that lived for nine days. But that's just one part of a storied career that Dr. Schillace captures in her book. His science weaved through some of the biggest turning points in history, and not just medical history.
Dr. Schillace's books have been reviewed in Science Magazine, New York Times, Boston Globe, New Yorker and Wall street journal. She’s also the 2018 winner of the Arthur P. Sloan Science Foundation award and has appeared on Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the museum and NPR’s Here and Now. She’s also editor in chief of BMJ’s Medical Humanities Journal.
WEBSITE: www.brandyschillace.com
Today’s topic focuses on Medical Malpractice and how to be your own best health advocate. Medical negligence is a difficult subject, but sometimes mistakes are made that change lives in catastrophic and unfortunate ways. A Johns Hopkins study claims more than 250,000 people in the U.S. die every year from medical errors. Hopefully, you never need the information we’re about to give you, but if you do, I hope this will serve as an educational guide to send you in the right direction. On this edition of Health Yeah! With Monica Robins, Cleveland Medical Malpractice attorney, Brian Eisen, of the Eisen Law Firm answers and explains the questions and complexities of the law and when it may apply to your situation.
WEBSITES:
https://www.patientadvocate.org/
Eisen Law Firm 216-687-0900
www.malpracticeohio.com
www.birthinjuryohio.com
In the past two decades we’ve become increasingly aware of the danger and damage contact sports can have on the athlete’s brain. Especially those repeated hits to the head. It has been a big issue in the NFL and we’ve seen rules change from the pros to the pee wees. The NFL draft is in Cleveland next week and today’s episode is about how NFL players Association is teaming up with Cleveland Clinic to not only care for their brains, but yours too, with significant research. To explain is lead researcher, Jay Alberts, Ph.D.
WEBSITE: Healthybrains.org
Today we’re going to inspire you, hopefully fire you up and make you reflect on what’s really important in life. Which in the middle of a pandemic is some much needed stress relief we all need. To help me do that is Dr. Robert Smith, the director of the Medical staff Assistance Program at MetroHealth and a psychologist. Dr. Smith had surgery today (April 1st) to remove cancerous lesions on his lungs and liver. Ironically it’s April Fool’s day, but also the start of Stress Awareness Month. For the last five years he has battled colon cancer and its spread. But his attitude is one of hope, healing and gratitude. He and I discuss how we tackled our issues. For me it was a brain tumor diagnosis in 2019 and subsequent surgery. Tumor remains on my carotid artery, optic nerve and left eye and I still have to have MRIs every six months to check its growth. We both learned a great deal from our experiences and we hope our conversation helps you better deal with the stress, grief or mental anxiety in your life.
WEBSITES: Cancer.org
EPISODE 9:
This episode focuses on mental health. A topic we can all learn from but seeking mental help in communities of color is often a taboo subject. According to Mental Health America more than 13 percent of Americans identify as black or African American and last year 16% reported a mental health issue. That’s more than seven million people. But studies show black and Hispanic people are less likely to seek help, but more likely to need inpatient services. Cleveland Clinic psychologist, Chivonna Childs, Ph.D., want to change the mindset. Especially in a time of pandemic stress and the anxiety that comes with racial tensions and all the news coverage dealing with those issues.
WEBSITES:
psychologytoday.com
https://findblacktherapist.com/
EPISODE 8: This episode is about the big news out of Pfizer that data shows its vaccine is safe and effective for kids 12-15. It has yet to be published or submitted to the FDA, but likely middle schoolers will be able to be vaccinated before going back to school in the fall. I spoke with Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Michelle Medina, she’s the Associate Chief of Clinical Operations within Cleveland Clinic Community Health. She’s also a pediatrician. I asked her about what this means and what parents need to know.
There’s no way in health you want to google this info just anywhere. You can read more about the study at Pfizer’s website. Also check out guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics. I put links to both websites in the description of this podcast.
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @monicarobins. Check out stories and video podcasts on my YouTube Channel and please subscribe too. Also like my Facebook page, Monica Robins (WKYC) to learn about upcoming podcasts and health news. Find more info on WKYC’s social pages and YouTube channel as well as wkyc dot com for comprehensive COVID-19 coverage. Have a healthy day.
WEBSITES: Pfizer
https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-biontech-announce-positive-topline-results-pivotal
American Academy of Pediatrics https://www.aappublications.org/news/2021/02/02/aap-covid-vaccine-guidance-020221
EPISODE 7: Is COVID vaccine safe for pregnant women?
There’s been a lot of concern among pregnant women on whether or not to get the COVID vaccine. Studies are ongoing but data is still limited. The CDC says the vaccine should be made available to pregnant women, and the World Health Organization recommends women in high risk professions should get it, such as healthcare workers. In this episode, Monica talks to two Cleveland Clinic Doctors. Dr. Tosin Goje is an OB/GYN and infectious disease specialist and Dr. Carli Lehr is a pulmonologist specializing in lung transplantation. Dr. Lehr received the vaccine back in December while she was pregnant. She just delivered a healthy baby boy. She explains why she chose to vaccinate.
WEBSITES: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html
ACOG https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19
SMFM https://www.smfm.org/
This week we’re looking at the hidden dangers in your medicine cabinet. Do you take your vitamins and supplements the right way? Or, are you just wasting your money? This mostly unregulated industry is worth more than $31 billion in the U.S. But there’s a lot we don’t know about vitamins and supplements, and in some cases, even our doctors can’t explain what we need to know.
Dr. Fady Abdlrasul, Pharm. D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He’ll tell you what you need to look for in your vitamins, supplements and herbals, what will help you during the pandemic, which vitamins and supplements can be a bad mix with your medication and dozens of other great tidbits of info you didn’t know you actually needed.
WEBSITE: Nutrition.gov
While many of you may be waiting for your federal stimulus check, there’s another part of the American Rescue Plan that may impact you, especially if you use the federal marketplace for your health insurance. Congress included a $34 billion dollar expansion to the plan that applies to those needing COBRA and they changed the subsidies, so there’s a chance you may be able to pay less for coverage. I talked with insurance broker Tim McNichols at LIG Solutions to help us figure out what’s included and who should benefit.
WEBSITES: healthcare.gov
Ohio Department of Insurance Licensed Agency locator https://gateway.insurance.ohio.gov/UI/ODI.Agent.Public.UI/AgentSearch.mvc/DisplaySearch
Tim McNichols – LIG Solutions 866.230.0222 www.ligsolutions.com
The pandemic has become a goldmine for scammers trying to rip off health insurance and banking information from those desperate for a vaccine or anything relating to COVID-19. In fact your healthcare information is a huge doorway to identity theft. In this episode, Devoted Health benefits advisor, Kent Jacobs, discusses what you need to know about your Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance info, how to keep it safe and what to do if you've been scammed. The FBI is the primary agency for investigating healthcare fraud. So if you’ve been a victim of healthcare fraud, after you alerted all of the agencies pertaining to your personal information, you might want to give your local field office a call.
WEBSITES: mymedicare.gov IdentityTheft.gov
When actor, Chadwick Boseman, died of colon cancer in August 2020 it brought to light a deadly trend. Why are more men of color dying from this type of cancer and why is it also impacting more young men? In this episode, Monica talks to Dr. Suneel Kamath, a GI Medical Oncologist with Cleveland Clinic about what younger men need to understand about their bodily bathroom functions and the importance of being your own best advocate by understanding the often “hidden” symptoms. Follow @monicarobins on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook Monica Robins (WKYC) to learn about upcoming podcasts and health news. WEBSITES: WEBSITES: Cleveland Clinic http://cle.clinic/3t2pf6X American Cancer Society http://bit.ly/3sVxpOp
Dr. Grace McComsey is Vice President of Research and Chief Science Officer at University Hospitals in Cleveland. Currently she and her team are conducting about two hundred clinical trials on potential treatments for COVID-19. Some you’ve probably heard of and you might have wondered whatever happened to those that used to be in the headlines. Also she always gives great insight into how to turn your medicine cabinet into a COVID arsenal. WEBSITES: clinicaltrials.gov https://www.uhhospitals.org/uh-research/for-patients/patient-education
It's not everyday you get all three CEOs of Cleveland's biggest medical centers to chat for an hour about the pandemic, future of healthcare, job creation, health disparity, vaccines and advancements thanks to COVID-19. In this exclusive interview Monica talks with Cleveland Clinic President and CEO, Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, MetroHealth President and CEO, Dr. Akram Boutros and University Hospitals Cleveland President and CEO Dr. Cliff Megerian. The systems may be in competition, but the pandemic brought them together for an unprecedented collaboration. WEBSITES: my.clevelandclinic.org MetroHealth.org and UHHospitals.org