Radio Health Journal: Recent Episodes
AURN
Listen to Radio Health Journal to get the latest scoop on what’s trending in health, science and technology, and the intersection of medicine and public policy. Each week we speak with leading experts to break down the complex medical jargon and report on a timely topic. Did you know ecstasy could help to cure PTSD? What does “Medicare for All” really mean?
These subjects and more with two stories weekly, plus Medical Notes – a short recap of the top medical headlines in the news. Hosted by Reed Pence, Nancy Benson and Shel Lustig. New shows posted each Sunday by 5 a.m. EST. Subscribe and listen, and find out more info at radiohealthjournal.org. Also, check out the latest on Instagram @radiohealthjournal and on Twitter @RadioHealthJrnl.
Is your breast milk toxic? You might already be protected from COVID and its variants. Doctors might soon be giving out tattoos. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-toxic-breastmilk-new-covid-antibodies-and-cellular-tattoos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Are tick bites messing up your diet? Then, new technology can detect Covid-19 in just seconds. Then, is your child a picky eater, or the victim of a chronic disease? And finally…do you really need an antibiotic? Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-red-meat-allergies-misdiagnosing-antibiotics-and-an-illness-thats-disguised-as-picky-eating Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Last week Dr. Tony Capra, an epidemiologist, explained how evolution protected our ancestors based on their environments. Today, we’re breaking down how this same genetic history affects our current biological makeup – including our vulnerability to disease: where it comes from and why we haven’t yet evolved to be fully protected from illness. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/evolution-pt-2-is-the-success-of-humanity-based-on-luck Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic diseases in America. Red blood cells become crescent-shaped and die much earlier than healthy cells. Oddly enough, the cause of this disease stems from an evolutionary advantage against malaria. Our experts explain the health and financial burdens of sickle cell disease. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/sickle-cell-disease-an-evolutionary-protection-turned-deadly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Cases of leprosy are on the rise in Florida. Then, how does a new battery help eliminate child labor? And finally, the future of robotic prosthetics is here. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-the-rise-of-leprosy-in-america-eliminating-child-labor-and-a-new-era-of-robotic-prosthetics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Science has come to learn that one treatment plan or medication won’t work the same for every patient. We need to tailor every dosage and application specifically for each person to have the best results. Our expert this week explains that in order to move into this new era of medicine, we need to take a look back at our evolutionary path. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/evolution-pt-1-how-our-ancestry-is-revolutionizing-precision-medicine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild to severe, but there are symptoms that may not show up until months or years after the incident. Personality changes, hallucinations, and delusions are all common occurrences. Dr. Sandeep Vaishnavi, a cognitive neuroscientist, reveals the best practices to heal from a TBI, including meditation and nutrition. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/revealing-the-hidden-symptoms-and-stigmas-surrounding-brain-injuries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Can we hear silence? Then, can a disease protect us from dementia? And finally, extreme heat isn’t the only threat this summer. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-how-we-can-hear-silence-using-a-blood-disease-to-fight-dementia-and-the-rise-of-snake-bites-in-america Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Clothes have always been a main form of non-verbal communication, but is this display of individuality worth the cost of our health? Alden Wicker, author of To Dye For, exposes the fashion industry’s frequent use of harsh and toxic chemicals that are serious threats to our health. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/mercury-hats-arsenic-dresses-and-poisoned-shoes-toxic-fashion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Natural selection is the driving force behind evolution and has helped humanity survive for thousands of years. But now that we’ve invented objects that let us dive deep in the ocean or live in Antarctica, have we cheated this ancient process? An expert reveals how natural selection works and how humans may be its best ally. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/have-we-cheated-natural-selection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Birth control is more accessible than ever before. Then, psychedelic drugs may help brain development. And finally… new plastic could help recycling efforts. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-over-the-counter-contraception-biodegradable-plastic-and-how-psychedelic-drugs-help-brain-development Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aspartame has been studied for more than 40 years, but people are still skeptical of its safety. The World Health Organization recently released a report that reaffirms the sweetener’s safety and didn’t find any evidence of cancer-causing properties. Experts break down the new research and explain the effects of having aspartame in your diet. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/kitchen-chemistry-is-aspartame-too-good-to-be-true Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bicuspid Aortic Valve is a rare heart condition that’s twice as likely to affect men. While it can be easily managed on its own, BAV can lead to hidden, secondary conditions that may cause heart malfunction. An expert explains the signs and symptoms to watch out for, and what to do if you’re diagnosed with BAV. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/hidden-heart-disease-what-makes-a-healthy-33-year-old-have-a-stroke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Will America be ground zero for the next pandemic? Then, grief may be making you sick. Then, a new experimental therapy is saving cancer patients. And finally... Music is good for the soul—and your health. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-music-is-good-for-your-health-new-cancer-therapy-and-is-america-ground-zero-for-the-next-pandemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bed rest is one of the most common interventions prescribed for high-risk pregnancies, but does it work? There’s no research that proves bed rest prevents preterm labor, however multiple studies show that this intervention harms a woman’s physical and mental health. Our experts break down the evidence and explain alternative interventions. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/high-risk-pregnancy-bed-rest-may-not-be-the-answer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Eponyms honor people who discover diseases, treatments, and procedures. You may be familiar with ones like Alzheimer’s disease, named after Alois Alzheimer, or Hodgkin’s lymphoma, discovered by Thomas Hodgkin. However, our experts explain how eponyms can go awry and place honor on criminals or even the wrong person. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/honoring-nazi-doctors-and-criminals-the-dark-side-of-medical-eponyms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Can artificial intelligence read your mind? Then, How moms can protect their newborn babies. Then, are you doing the best exercise for your health? And finally… will the rising heat wipe out our wheat crops? Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-how-ai-can-read-your-mind-protecting-your-newborn-baby-and-if-extreme-weather-is-threatening-our-wheat-production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Summer is a season of activities, but it’s also the favorite season of blood-sucking bugs like ticks. Do you know how to best protect yourself, your family, and your pets? Our expert explains which repellants are worth your money, and the most effective way to remove a tick to avoid diseases. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/are-you-protected-from-tick-borne-diseases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Everyone ages, so why are so many of us not prepared to grow old? Dr. Rosanne Leipzig, a gerontologist, says most of her patients don’t know what changes to expect in their old age – and often fight against the inevitable transition. She explains what’s normal, what’s not, and how to enjoy your later years in life. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/we-live-in-an-ageist-society-how-to-enjoy-old-age Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Are crosswalks as safe as you think? Then, the war on drugs may be making things worse. And finally, should your stove be gas or electric? Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-increased-pedestrian-fatalities-how-law-enforcement-contributes-to-overdose-deaths-and-the-dangers-of-gas-stoves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this follow-up to last week’s discussion on bioethics and disability, we dig into Dr. Brooke Ellison’s life as a quadriplegic. Using her own experience, she explains the public policies and technological advances needed to help people with disabilities live life to the fullest. Along with Ellison, Dr. Jeffrey Bishop -- a bioethicist – explores the many ethical decisions that surround end-of-life care. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/bioethics-part-2-should-you-have-the-right-to-end-your-own-life/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Compass Pathways is leading the charge for psychedelic therapy. The research is currently in stage three trials and is expected to receive FDA approval in the next few years. An expert explains how the treatment works and if the therapy will be covered by insurance. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/is-psychedelic-therapy-the-future-of-mental-health-treatment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Does cancer discriminate based on race? Then, can stem cells be used to repair diseased hearts? And finally… Light exercise may be beneficial for concussion recovery. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-death-rates-from-recurring-cancer-stem-cells-fix-bad-hearts-exercising-after-a-concussion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Though we’ve known about neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) since the 1970s, there has never been a standard treatment plan across all hospitals. In fact, the scale that’s used to determine a diagnosis is complicated and outdated. Experts discuss a promising new treatment approach and how to fix the root cause of NOWS. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-can-we-save-infants-from-the-effects-of-opioid-addiction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bioethicists help governments, universities, hospitals, and patients make the best possible judgement calls based on cultural and personal values. But they don’t always get it right. Experts explain how the disabled community is often left behind in society, medicine, and bioethics. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/theres-no-normal-person-the-intersection-of-ethics-and-disability Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Stopping pain at the cellular level. New treatments for eye disease may be right around the corner. Then, is drug enforcement saving lives? And finally…curly hair has helped humanity survive. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-july-5-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Of the 24 million Americans with autoimmune diseases, about 80% are women. A 2020 paper in the American Journal of Nursing estimates that nearly 90% of women who could become pregnant but don't want to use contraception – which may worsen a preexisting disease. Our experts explain what to do if you fall into this category and how to safely use hormonal contraceptives. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/will-hormonal-contraceptives-worsen-your-autoimmune-disease Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
hough the pandemic changed a lot about traditional offices, by now many people are back working in communal spaces. While this is great for building relationships, it’s also a surefire way to spread disease. Our experts discuss how office culture feeds into putting yourself and others at risk. https://radiohealthjournal.org/do-you-feel-pressured-to-work-while-youre-sick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Every female on earth will eventually go through menopause, so why don’t women know more about the process? If you’ve been suffering with menopausal symptoms or are confused about this life transition, our experts are here to help. They discuss how you can stay in control of your body and feel like yourself again during this time. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/menopause-what-to-expect-when-youre-finished-expecting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Can you take too many vitamins? Does everyone need eight hours of sleep? Dr. James Hamblin answers these common questions and many more on this week’s segment. He explains how to tell if a persistent itch or bothersome joint pain has a simple fix or needs to be checked by a professional. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/have-you-been-fooled-by-these-common-medical-myths Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Should everyone be screened for kidney disease? Your avocado oil may not be as healthy as you think. Do your eyes need to go to the gym? Severe grief is bad for your heart. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-june-28-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The gig economy seems to only be growing, especially with the boom of businesses like Uber and Grubhub. Workers now get to choose their own hours, but is the freedom worth the lack of regulation, protections, and benefits like health insurance? Experts explain the societal perception and personal psychology of gig workers. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-psychological-trends-of-the-ever-growing-gig-economy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Whether you lost your father ten days ago or ten years ago, Father’s Day can be a hard time of the month. Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a clinical neuropsychologist, says it doesn’t have to be something to dread. She offers advice on how to turn this time of year into an experience of healing and growth. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/dealing-with-loss-this-fathers-day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How to keep your kids safe in pools this summer. Then, it’s time for camping, grilling, and avoiding mosquitoes. Plus, new treatments for eye disease may be right around the corner. And finally… forget about our digital fingerprints, our actual DNA can be found almost anywhere in the world. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-june-18-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Hannah Boone entered medical school with a degree in music instead of having a typical science background. While this may seem unwise, some experts think it may be the best prerequisite for a career in medicine. Find out why this educational path is thought to create more involved and empathetic physicians. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/why-doctors-should-have-creative-passions-outside-of-medicine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Doctors told Karen DeBonis that her son’s concerning tics were normal, and he’d grow out of them. But when she got a second opinion, an MRI scan showed that he had a large brain tumor. This week - DeBonis shares how she was forced to advocate for herself when doctors didn’t listen take her seriously. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-gaslighting-what-to-do-when-doctors-stop-listening-to-you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This new brain discovery could save lives. Then, researchers estimate that at least half of this population is affected by hearing loss, but haven’t known what causes it. Then, scientists are getting up close and personal with our guts. And finally… watching the clock may be worsening your insomnia. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-june-11-2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
From improving the patient experience to speeding up protein evolution, artificial intelligence is rocketing the field of medicine into the future. Our experts discuss the many different applications of AI and how we can expect to interact with the technology in the years to come.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-ai-is-thrusting-us-into-the-future-of-medicine
Having dementia doesn’t mean taking more medication. Then, Is it the size or shape of your heart that matters? Then, Speech therapy is going digital. And finally, do we need high-tech diapers?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-may-7-2023
Flat head syndrome occurs when a baby’s head develops a long-lasting flat spot. However, Dr. Peter Taub, a professor of pediatrics, says the deformity isn’t a syndrome at all and doesn’t cause any neurologic symptoms. He explains what causes it and successful treatments to reshape your child’s head.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-babys-flat-head
Dr. Greg Hammer believes our health is a big piece of overall happiness. Unfortunately, it can be hard to break bad habits and be motivated to create healthier ones. Hammer offers tips and tools that can help us be more intentional with our health.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/rewiring-your-brain-to-create-healthier-habits/
Lupus ABC is the first of its kind public-private partnership with the FDA. It will allow researchers and patients to work together, hopefully leading to breakthroughs in lupus treatments. Experts explain why the patient perspective is so important for successful outcomes.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/im-not-dying-but-is-that-good-enough-improving-lupus-research
Cases of HIV may be on the rise. Then, why is multiple sclerosis under diagnosed in children? Then, Should fathers drink during a pregnancy? And finally… Protective gear in football is always evolving, but is the new padded cap making a difference?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-april-30-2023
Dr. Jason Ryder, an adjunct professor of chemical and biomedical engineering, says humans weren’t designed to eat this much sugar every day. Many alternative sweeteners have tried to solve this sugar dilemma, but Ryder believes the best solution can be found in plant proteins.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/kitchen-chemistry-sweet-proteins-may-be-the-future-of-sugar
Unfortunately, mass violence has become a common topic. And though many perpetrators we see on the news have been diagnosed with a mental illness, that attribute may be blinding us to the real issue. Experts explain what the statistics point to as the underlying cause of mass violence.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/is-mental-health-a-scapegoat-for-mass-violence
Autism diagnoses are at an all-time high. Teens using cannabis could have major reproductive effects later in life. Do we need to improve our food labels? And finally… artificial intelligence could help keep people alive.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-april-23-2023
New precision medicine may be a breakthrough for cancer treatment. Then, is dry cleaning bad for your health? and finally... Light therapy could mend your heart.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-april-16-2023
Health insurance has long been connected with a person’s employment – leaving many without coverage. Safety net hospitals help ensure that anyone who needs medical care can get access to it, no matter their insurance status. Dr. Ricardo Nuila discusses why this model may be more effective than the standard, privatized healthcare.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-safety-net-hospitals-increase-access-to-health-care
We see natural flavor listed as an ingredient in many of our products, but what does that mean? Dr. David Andrews explains the process of creating natural flavors, the FDA guidelines, and how safe they are for consumption.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/kitchen-chemistry-natural-flavors-how-natural-are-they
Are we prepared for another pandemic? Then, tackle football isn’t as kid-friendly as you think. Then, are you taking the right amount of insulin? And finally... Scientists have found a new component to mental health research.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-april-9-2023
Dr. Patti Feuereisen says incest is one of the most common forms of sexual assault, but is almost never talked about. For the survivors, this silence can lead to more events of trauma down the road. Feuereisen explains how to support victims of sexual abuse and why starting the conversation is necessary.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/breaking-the-silence-on-incest-and-sexual-trauma
Cases of functional tic-like disorder skyrocketed during the pandemic across the world, and experts believe the culprit is social media. Though classic tic disorders are mostly diagnosed in boys, this condition mainly affects women aged 18 to 21. Our experts explain the cause and how to successfully recover from the disorder.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/tiktok-tics-can-social-media-cause-neurologic-disorders
Diagnostic testing for Alzheimer's disease is becoming more accessible. Then, not all fiber is created equal. Then, Do you know why childhood stress can affect your adult life? And finally... The source of our balance can be found inside our ears.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-april-02-2023
Not all scientific discovery is on purpose. In fact, many important breakthroughs were by accident, like insulin and x-rays. Our experts discuss why we should look at failures as a starting point rather than the end of the road.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/happy-accidents-in-science-that-created-the-products-we-use-every-day
When Rebecca Fogg’s toilet exploded, she knew she had to do two things: call 911 and stop the bleeding from her arm. But how would you react in her situation? An expert explains the most important steps to take when you’re in a crisis that will give you the best chances of survival.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/saving-yourself-what-to-do-in-an-emergency-situation
How fevers can benefit your child’s health. Then, Can CBD help you kick your bad habit? And finally… if our eyes are always moving, why do we see a stable world?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-march-26-2023
Thousands of Alzheimer’s research papers have cited a 2006 study as a basis for their work. Unfortunately, that paper is now under investigation for research misconduct. Dr. Matthew Schrag, the whistleblower of the alleged falsified paper, explains the issue and what it means for future research.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/research-misconduct-the-growing-issue-of-data-integrity-in-science
The World Health Organization reports that polio cases have decreased by more than 99% since 1988, thanks to the vaccine. And while the names Sabin and Salk are often associated with the accomplishment, Dr. Dorothy Horstmann is the woman behind the cure you’ve probably never heard of. In honor of Women’s History Month, Author Lynn Cullen explains Horstmann’s crucial role in the fight against polio.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-woman-behind-the-polio-vaccine
Do you know what’s in your baby’s food? Then, Why are stroke-related deaths on the rise? And fianlly... Start walking for your liver health.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-march-19-2023
The FDA has granted emergency use authorization to Lucira Health’s combined Covid-19 and flu at-home testing kit. In just thirty minutes it can detect whether you’re positive or negative for Covid, influenza A, and influenza B. Dr. Emily Volk explains the EUA status and how to properly use this new test.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/new-test-can-detect-both-covid-19-and-the-flu
People with ADHD often have a weaker perception of time, called ‘time blindness.’ Though tardiness is usually interpreted as irresponsible, those suffering from time blindness simply don’t have any sense of time. Experts discuss the condition and give helpful tips on how to improve time management skills.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/always-running-late-you-may-be-a-victim-of-time-blindness
Invasive species cost America billions of dollars each year in eradication efforts. These plants and animals cause damage to the environment and economy and are extremely hard to get rid of. This week, two experts reveal how you can help by adding the invasive species in your area into your diet.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/eat-the-invaders-how-you-can-help-your-local-environment
How doctors can find the source of seizures before they occure.Then, a new powder could protect your lungs from viruses. And finally… babies remember all faces – even when we wear masks.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-march-12-2023
Ultra-processed foods first appeared in the 1950s and have since taken over much of what’s on our plates today. This diet leaves us lacking in several essential nutrients we need to function. Experts discuss how you can supplement your diet – with less pills and more natural ingredients – to get your health back on track.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/is-your-diet-slowly-killing-you
Science is learning a thing or two from nature. Then, a stressful day may look different depending on your gender. And finally… everything we know about love may be wrong.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-march-05-2023
Genetic counseling is more than just testing a patient for specific diseases. Counselors like Kevin Sweet and Colleen Jodarski become health investigators, sifting through a patient’s family history to compile a complete look at their risk factors. Our experts explain how to know if you need to see a genetic counselor.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/a-look-at-the-rising-field-of-genetic-counseling
All hospitals in the US operate under a standard of care that changes based on the clinic’s size and abilities. But what happens when that care isn’t upheld? Dr. Stanley Berry takes us through instances of medical malpractice and his experience dealing with negligent physicians.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-malpractice-im-privy-to-information-that-would-shock-people
Last week we discussed the history of gene editing and the opportunities this technology offers. In this second edition, our experts explain the ethical debate surrounding gene editing in humans. Where do we draw the moral line and have we already crossed it?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/genomics-pt-2-designer-babies-illegal-experiments-and-moral-issues
Our personal health may be determined before even our parents are born. Scientists have discovered that our ancestors have a greater impact on us than we think. Author Judith Finlayson explains how our grandparents’ habits and behaviors have a direct influence on our DNA.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/blame-your-grandparents-for-your-health-issues
We’re a step closer to giving people with paralysis more independence. Should men go sober when trying to start a family? Plus, long Covid symptoms have been narrowed down to just seven.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-february-26-2023
Nature is healing. The 2022 Scientific Assessment Of Ozone Depletion reports that the ozone is slowly repairing itself. Then, millions lost their sense of smell after a COVID-19 infection and scientists may have figured out why. Then, your antidepressant prescription may be contributing to antibiotic resistance. And finally, black coffee drinkers may want to start asking for cream.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-february-19-2023
We have coaches for nearly every aspect of our lives, so why not have one to help patients work through their health crises? Life Care Coaches are being integrated into hospitals to help patients safely use prescription opioids and even offer pain management strategies that don’t involve drugs. Experts explain how this new position is helping decrease rates of addiction and opioid overdoses.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/finding-pain-management-strategies-that-dont-involve-opioids
The field of genome editing goes all the way back to the 1970s when researchers discovered how to clone DNA. Now, scientists can genetically modify DNA to eliminate genetic diseases and even create entirely new species of organisms. Experts discuss how gene editing technology can fit millions of years of evolution into mere months.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-scientists-are-speeding-up-evolution-using-genome-editing
Whether it’s a quick nap or a full eight hours, sleep is something none of us can escape. But can it be more than just a pause on life? Dr. Deirdre Barrett, a psychologist, explains how you can increase your productivity as you slumber.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/ways-you-can-increase-productivity-using-your-dreams
Colette Hurd needed two new lungs and a kidney after being diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Unfortunately, her high antibody count made it nearly impossible to find a donor match. This week, we discuss how creative thinking and plasma exchange technology helped save Colette’s life.
Our brains have been keeping a secret. Then, a new strategy for treating tuberculosis. Then, science is calling upon elite free divers to help beat lung disease. And finally… Can your cognitive performance predict illness?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-february-12-2023
Move over, fingerprints, there’s a new crime-fighting technology in town. Genetic genealogy only needs to match with one percent of DNA to find a distant relative of an unknown suspect. Experts explain how this technology is helping police track down the guilty – and why your genetic privacy is still safe.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/genetic-genealogy-identifying-both-the-guilty-and-innocent
Eliza Hull’s doctor told her she couldn’t be a good parent because of her disability. She now has two little boys and a passion for correcting misinformation around parents with disabilities. Hull’s new book ‘We’ve Got This’ compiles stories from disabled parents around the world to prove that having a disability doesn’t equate to being a bad parent.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/correcting-the-misinformation-surrounding-parents-with-disabilities
Scientists have discovered a new use for vaccines. Is it possible for doctors to care too much? And finally…some good news for people with a sesame allergy.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-february-5-2023
America’s education system has long been focused on teaching -- but does this strategy benefit students? This week’s show features education experts who say students need to be taught how to learn before they can be successful in the classroom.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/does-your-child-know-how-to-learn
Natalie Kohlhaas says anxiety has been getting a bad rap. As an anxiety expert, she says we need to recognize how feeling anxious is a good thing, and that fear is the emotion that’s been holding us back. Kohlhaas explains the biological function of anxiety and how we can learn to love the feeling.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-you-can-make-anxiety-your-best-friend
Will the next generations have affordable healthcare? Then, do our eyes work better in the dark? And finally, your ‘natural’ skin products may be agitating your allergies.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-january-29-2023
Teenagers need sleep – but at what cost? Then, there may be a new breakthrough in Alzheimer's drug research. Then, Can a healthy gut microbiome help patients with multiple sclerosis? And finally…can something smell too good?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-january-22-2023
America is one of the only developed nations with a rising maternal mortality rate, according to the CDC. Even with cutting edge technology and advancements in women’s health, mothers are still losing their lives. Dr. Lindsay Admon joins us this week to explain the factors feeding into this crisis and offers potential solutions that could save more women. Nicky Dawkins, a professional doula, also chimes in with the benefits of bringing in extra advocates.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/more-and-more-mothers-are-dying-each-year-why-cant-we-stop-it
PTSD wasn’t an official diagnosis until 1980. Before then, Dr. Marilyn Wooley was told some people were simply a lost cause. Now, she helps first responders work through their trauma – proving that a PTSD diagnosis is not the end of their careers.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/saving-our-heroes-helping-first-responders-heal-their-ptsd
By 2026, all federally-funded scientific research articles will be publicly available thanks to a recent policy change by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Experts explain how this will affect the public, researchers, and the publishing industry.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/dropping-the-paywalls-to-scientific-research
Healthcare’s hope is that Covid-19 soon becomes a seasonal sickness that we deal with using yearly vaccines. And while the public seems eager to put the pandemic in the past, many people aren’t following up with the recommended booster shots. An expert discusses why we can’t become too lax with our treatment of this virus.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/is-covid-19-the-new-flu
Are masks affecting how our brains function? Then, getting a tattoo may be good for your health. Then, can our genes predict the future? And finally…it’s time to take your Sunday morning crossword seriously.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-january-15-2023
Many patients believe all they need to know about anesthesia is that it takes their pain away, but Dr. James Cottrell says that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He believes everyone should be knowledgeable about these dangerous drugs in order to ask questions and make sure you’re getting the best anesthesia – and anesthesiologist -- for your needs.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-most-powerful-drugs-known-to-man-a-guide-to-anesthesia
‘Drunkorexia’ is a habit that’s popular among young people where they refuse to eat before a night of drinking. Though many assume this will help keep their calorie consumption low, experts reveal why engaging in this practice can lead to weight gain and other health risks.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/drunkorexia-a-popular-practice-that-leads-to-malnourishment
We may soon be able to move things with our minds. Then, teenagers need sleep – but at what cost? And finally, Have we found the perfect solution to foggy glasses?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-january-08-2023
As we age, certain aspects of our home, like stairs and loose rugs, can become major obstacles. And while renovations can seem intimidating and expensive, there are many simple changes that can make a huge difference. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s Ty Pennington explains which projects to prioritize.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/aging-with-your-home-renovations-to-make-your-space-more-accessible
What’s causing the surge in RSV cases? Then, green tea is great for energy, just not for your liver. And finally…can we trust large companies with the health of our planet?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-january-01-2023
The Air Carrier Access Act was passed more than 30 years ago to prohibit airlines from discriminating against people with disabilities. And though it was an essential step for equality, it hasn’t been enough. Josue Cordova explains the struggles of traveling with a disability and how to fix these issues.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-air-travel-becomes-a-nightmare-for-people-with-disabilities/
If left untreated, kidney disease can eventually lead to death -- which is why early testing is so important. However, the main test has historically had different threshold requirements based on race, which has led to lower diagnosing rates and higher death rates from the condition in people of color. Experts dissect how a new testing equation will help even the scales and give accurate results for all patients.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/trying-to-fix-the-biased-lab-testing-thats-cost-countless-lives
Mirror-touch synesthesia is a sensory processing disorder where a person can feel the sensations of another. As you can imagine, this condition can be an asset for certain people, like Dr. Joel Salinas. He’s a neurologist who can diagnose patients just by being able to feel their symptoms in his own body. He explains the condition and what it’s like living with his empathy on overdrive.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-doctor-that-can-actually-feel-his-patients-pain
Did you know taking certain drugs can reduce the effectiveness of other’s you’re on? Then, the pandemic had unsuspecting effects on children. Then, is our skin biopsy research outdated? And finally…anyone can learn to be creative. Though we tend to think creativity is a skill inherited by birth, new research shows that’s not the case.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-december-25-2022
The National Safety Council reports that opioid overdoses have become the number one cause of death for people age 18 to 45. In an effort to save lives, Theo Krzywicki created the non-profit End Overdose. The organization informs and arms the public with the tools to prevent and reverse opioid overdoses. He explains the signs of an overdose and how to use life-saving devices like Naloxone.
Learn MOre: https://radiohealthjournal.org/ending-overdose-making-the-antidote-more-accessible-than-the-drug
The holidays are full of traveling, seeing our family, and visits to the emergency room. Whether you live in snowy Colorado or sunny LA, accidents increase during winter. Experts discuss this phenomenon and share tips on how to safely make it through the holidays.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/home-for-the-holidays-why-er-visits-spike-around-christmas
In the age of technology, we may finally have ‘smart eyes.' Then, a new way to track cancerous tumors. And finally…an expert reveals how you can stay healthy this holiday season.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-december-18-2022
We’re taught from a young age to always share and be kind, but Dr. Scott Kaufman thinks that’s not always the right thing to do. His new research looks at the idea of ‘healthy selfishness’ – taking care of yourself before focusing on helping others. He discusses the different forms of selfishness and why setting boundaries can be the best way to grow a relationship.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/being-selfish-is-sometimes-the-healthiest-option
A new test could better detect autism in children. Then, can air particles cause a heart attack? Then, A new, non-pharmaceutical approach to treating type two diabetes. And finally…can grocery shopping actually predict longevity?
The recent tragedy in South Korea during Halloween seemed to have come out of nowhere. However, crowd dynamic experts say it was actually the perfect storm for catastrophe. Crowd surges occur when too many people are packed into one p1:50lace and often results in the death of those unlucky enough to be stuck in the middle. An expert explains what happens during a crowd surge and how to stay safe in the middle of large gatherings.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/why-getting-stuck-in-a-crowd-is-more-dangerous-than-you-think
Acid reflux may seem like just an annoying condition, but when it becomes extreme, developing into GERD, it can create permanent damage. In fact, ignoring your acid reflux can lead to esophageal cancer. Dr. Samir Patel details how to properly treat your heartburn before it becomes a serious issue.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome has long been a condition surrounded by doubt in the medical community. How could someone be completely exhausted from doing a crossword puzzle? Dr. Lucinda Bateman, an ME/CFS expert, explains the mental and physical toll that plagues the people who suffer from this condition.
Scientists have found new information on the effects of pregnancy. Then, a key element in fighting cancer can be found in the forest. Then, a new paper in the journal, Endocrinology, is the first to show how men and women respond differently to vascular insulin resistance. And finally… can you think with only half a brain?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-december-4-2022
Air pollution may be killing more people than previously thought. Then, Science is giving us one more reason to drink wine. Then, Can air particles cause a heart attack? And finally… One of the first studies to research how COVID-19 affects older infants shows positive results.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-november-27-2022
Addiction doesn’t just affect one person; it can tear entire families apart. But how can you convince a loved one to get help, and is there a way to support them without enabling the addiction? An expert discusses the steps families can take to fight against substance use addiction.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/love-the-person-hate-their-behavior-supporting-an-addict
Trillions of bacteria live in our gut, creating an intricate system called the ‘gut microbiome.’ Dr. Robynne Chutkan, a gastroenterologist, explains how this network is a crucial component to our immune system. She also offers step-by-step guidance on how to strengthen your own microbiome.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/gut-feeling-the-trillions-of-bacteria-in-charge-of-our-immune-system
Suzanne Gordon’s new book “Our Veterans” explores the question: have we failed our service members? Though the VA Healthcare system is a great resource, too many veterans are unable to access it. Gordon exposes our society’s insufficient care for the men and women who’ve served our country and offers solutions to help right these wrongs.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/has-healthcare-let-down-the-men-and-women-who-served-our-country
In this continuation of last week’s antibiotic segment, we explore the prevalence of drug use within animal agriculture. Two-thirds of the yearly antibiotic supply are consumed by this industry. What’s the impact to people who ultimately eat these antibiotic-ridden meat, dairy, and produce products?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/antibiotics-part-2-we-are-what-we-eat
Will the war in Ukraine escalate global food insecurity? Then, overcrowding in emergency departments is becoming a risk to patient safety. Then, a new lighting design for motorcycles may save lives. And finally… the idea for a new medical glue was found under the sea.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-november-20-2022
People around the world have heavily relied on antibiotics to fight off infections for decades. Unfortunately, this dependency has created a global resistance to some of the drugs, leading to the deaths of more than one million people in 2019. Dr. John McKillip discusses the overuse, overprescribed, and misprescribed issues that, if left unchecked, could result in up to ten million deaths each year due to antibiotic resistance.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/antibiotics-the-growing-health-crisis-were-not-talking-about-part-1
People around the world have heavily relied on antibiotics to fight off infections for decades. Unfortunately, this dependency has created a global resistance to some of the drugs, leading to the deaths of more than one million people in 2019. Dr. John McKillip discusses the overuse, overprescribed, and misprescribed issues that, if left unchecked, could result in up to ten million deaths each year due to antibiotic resistance.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/antibiotics-the-growing-health-crisis-were-not-talking-about-part-1
Mental toughness is usually a term reserved for athletes. However, Dr. Haley Perlus, an expert in performance psychology, explains why it’s so important for everyone to work on their mental fortitude. Perlus joins us this week to offer tips on how to work past those mental blocks and achieve your goals.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-to-overcome-your-mental-blocks-to-reach-success/
Mental toughness is usually a term reserved for athletes. However, Dr. Haley Perlus, an expert in performance psychology, explains why it’s so important for everyone to work on their mental fortitude. Perlus joins us this week to offer tips on how to work past those mental blocks and achieve your goals.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-to-overcome-your-mental-blocks-to-reach-success/
Researchers are betting on gel in the fight against cancer. Then, CBD may be entering a new market. Then, Apple may be expanding into the health world. And finally, two tricks to help boost your memory.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-november-13-2022
Researchers are betting on gel in the fight against cancer. Then, CBD may be entering a new market. Then, Apple may be expanding into the health world. And finally, two tricks to help boost your memory.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-november-13-2022
Hospitals are a foundational part of our health, but Dr. Michael Stein, a primary care physician, believes we may be depending too much on medicine. He explains the difference between healthcare and public health, arguing that we should pay more attention to preventing conditions before they occur.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/have-we-relied-too-much-on-healthcare
Hospitals are a foundational part of our health, but Dr. Michael Stein, a primary care physician, believes we may be depending too much on medicine. He explains the difference between healthcare and public health, arguing that we should pay more attention to preventing conditions before they occur.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/have-we-relied-too-much-on-healthcare
In 1966, Americans were more likely to die from a car crash than soldiers in the Vietnam War. Most people needing emergency assistance were carried to the hospital in the back of a police car. In his new book, Kevin Hazzard uncovers how our modern-day paramedics came to be.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-ordinary-people-became-americas-first-paramedics
In 1966, Americans were more likely to die from a car crash than soldiers in the Vietnam War. Most people needing emergency assistance were carried to the hospital in the back of a police car. In his new book, Kevin Hazzard uncovers how our modern-day paramedics came to be.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-ordinary-people-became-americas-first-paramedics
Should america stop outsourcing essential drug production? Then, CBD may be entering a new market. And finally, Teenage alcohol abuse will catch up to you later in life.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-november-6-2022
Should america stop outsourcing essential drug production? Then, CBD may be entering a new market. And finally, Teenage alcohol abuse will catch up to you later in life.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-november-6-2022
Elizabeth O’Donnell experienced a stillbirth in 2020. Through her grief, she created Aaliyah in Action, a non-profit that helps women in similar situations, in honor of her daughter. She believes stillbirth prevention needs to be a public conversation – one that can save thousands of babies.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-conversation-around-stillbirth-thats-long-overdue
Even after decades of research, much of the human brain remains a mystery. In an effort to progress communication technology for the physically disabled, Dr. Daniel Rubin, a neurologist, is working to uncover some of the questions around sleep. He explains his groundbreaking findings and sheds light on the future of bridging our brains with technology for instantaneous communication.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-sleep-research-is-improving-communication-technology
New research warns of the educational effects of increasing school security. Then, a new blood test could predict worsening effects of Covid-19. Then, your child’s behavioral problems may be caused by medicine taken during pregnancy. And finally, a better way to break up kidney stones.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-october-30-2022
Primary care physicians have been experiencing a shortage in recent years. Couple that with a demanding patient load and it’s no surprise that both doctors and patients are feeling slighted. Experts discuss the systemic changes needed to turn the field around.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/field-in-crisis-doctors-need-26-7-hours-in-a-day-to-care-for-patients/
Even with a growing awareness of mental health, researchers say our compassion for those with mental illness hasn’t improved. Dr. Melanie Rosen, an assistant professor of philosophy, thinks the lack of societal empathy could be fixed in our sleep. She explains how the delusional nature of dreams could help us better understand the daily lives of those with mental illnesses, such as Schizophrenia.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/can-dreams-deepen-our-understanding-of-mental-illness
High school athletic participation predicts future drug abuse. Then, how different are human and animal brains? Then, the birth defect that may prevent healing in broken bones. And finally, Americans are ditching their sleep medication.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-october-23-2022/
Our upper and lower body movements are connected by two small joints called the sacroiliac joint. Any changes in this joint can cause severe pain and restricted mobility. Unfortunately, SI joint dysfunction is extremely hard to diagnose. An expert explains the difficulties in diagnosing and how the dysfunction can be fixed using regenerative medicine.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-condition-that-experts-say-is-severely-underdiagnosed
Did you know that men are just as affected by infertility as women? Yet, society tends to focus on female infertility more commonly. Because of the lack of discussion, many men wait too long to seek help for fertility issues. Dr. Scott Lundy, a urologist at the Cleveland Clinic, discusses different causes of male infertility and common treatment options men may not know about.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/why-we-need-to-have-better-discussions-around-male-infertility/
New research gets us one step closer to a cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Then, are you at an increased risk of medical debt? And finally… happy thoughts can extend the effects of antidepressants.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-october-16-2022/
As an ER doctor, Jay Baruch wears many hats. He’s a healer, listener, traffic director, and so much more during each shift. But in such a chaotic space, how can doctors maximize their time with patients? Baruch explains his beliefs on medicine’s moral center and changes that need to be implemented to give patients the best outcomes.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/dissecting-the-emergency-room-every-patient-has-a-story/
Treatments for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer have remained the same for seventy years – until now. Scientists have created a medication, called Nubeqa, that pairs with the original treatments and helps lengthen the lifespan of patients. An expert discusses why this is an optimistic time for MHSPC patients.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/a-new-hope-for-men-with-advanced-prostate-cancer/
The nighttime habits that can detect Parkinson’s disease. Then, how do we decide between risk and reward? Then, think twice before ordering a side of bacon. And finally…your sleeping habits could predict when you die.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-october-9-2022/
Neighborhood pharmacies are closing across the nation, leaving their communities without close access to medication and other healthcare needs. Dr. Walter Mathis has researched pharmacy deserts and how they’re affecting local communities. He explains possible solutions to this growing issue.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/pharmacy-deserts-the-shrinking-access-to-healthcare/
Peripheral Artery Disease may not be a household name like stroke or heart attack, but it’s just as common. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness means that many patients with PAD catch it too late and end up needing an amputation. Dr. Nick West discusses why public awareness is crucial to saving lives and limbs.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/an-illness-affecting-millions-of-unsuspecting-people-possibly-you/
Your posture may be affecting your medication. Then, aging no longer means losing your memories. And finally…do generous people sleep more?
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-october-2-2022/
Why are we able to function after mass tragedies? The answer is a defense mechanism in our mind that Dr. Paul Slovic calls the Arithmetic of Compassion. He explains how three components essentially numb our feelings to help us move on after traumatic experiences. Unfortunately, the Arithmetic of Compassion can aslo influence us to turn our backs on others who are suffering.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-our-minds-natural-defense-can-be-deadly-for-society/
The Mandela Effect is a phenomenon where large groups of people falsely remember the same information. But how is this possible? Experts discuss the possible causes, as well as how these false memories lead to errors in fields such as education and criminal justice.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/our-memories-are-lying-to-us-mandela-effect/
Afraid of needles? It’s your lucky day. Then, according to research in the journal, Science, a seafood market in Wuhan, China has been confirmed as ground zero for the coronavirus pandemic. Then, are antibiotics doing more harm than good? And finally, scientists are using mini antibodies, known as nanobodies, to treat neurocognitive diseases.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-september-25-2022/
Even though esport players compete online instead of on a field, the growing sport still requires the same team of trainers and medical staff as football or soccer. And given the intense practice schedules, injuries are thought to be unavoidable. Experts discuss both physical and ergonomic strategies to best prevent career-ending injuries.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/esports-virtual-gameplay-with-real-life-consequences/
The World Health Organization reports that the pandemic fueld the largest drop in childhood vaccination rates in the last thiry years. In fact, New York recently revealed the first case of polio America has seen in over three decades. Experts explain how vaccines are made and why parents need to update their children’s vaccines as soon as possible.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/a-drop-in-vaccination-rates-puts-us-all-at-risk
Gyms may soon be filled with older adults looking to workout their brain; Artificial intelligence could diagnose your next illness; Parental alcoholism may affect your children more than you know.
The field of emotion research is flooded with more opinions than facts, however, one main theory says our emotions are an instant response to the world around us. But does that mean we have no control? Two experts discuss the role of emotions and how you can foster your emotional intelligence.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/its-all-in-your-head-the-science-behind-emotional-intelligence/
Funerals happen nearly every day and are typically organized and paid for by loved ones. But what happens to the bodies that are never claimed? Dr. Pamela Prickett explains how states handle the dead who are left without any relatives or loved ones to bury them.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-unclaimed-bodies-of-america/
PCPs need more daylight to help all their patients; Using locust to detect cancer; Youth proves to be an asset in fighting Covid-19; Testosterone doesn’t always fuel anger.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-september-11-2022/
If you’ve ever felt connected to a movie star or celebrity, you’ve experienced a parasocial relationship. This one-sided connection gives the celebrity influence over your daily decision making and creates a feeling of friendship with someone you’ve never met. An expert explains both the benefits and drawbacks of parasocial relationships.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/parasocial-relationships-how-celebrities-influence-your-decisions
If you’ve ever felt connected to a movie star or celebrity, you’ve experienced a parasocial relationship. This one-sided connection gives the celebrity influence over your daily decision making and creates a feeling of friendship with someone you’ve never met. An expert explains both the benefits and drawbacks of parasocial relationships.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/parasocial-relationships-how-celebrities-influence-your-decisions
Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis are forced to try numerous, expensive medications until they find one that works. Fortunately, Scipher Medicine’s new blood test offers a precision approach, discovering what medication will work the first time. Dr. Sam Asgarian discusses how the blood test works and how it’s helping to change the future of autoimmune disease treatment.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/ending-the-trial-and-error-treatment-method-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/
Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis are forced to try numerous, expensive medications until they find one that works. Fortunately, Scipher Medicine’s new blood test offers a precision approach, discovering what medication will work the first time. Dr. Sam Asgarian discusses how the blood test works and how it’s helping to change the future of autoimmune disease treatment.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/ending-the-trial-and-error-treatment-method-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/
The fashion choice that could help those with muscular dystrophy; Science proves that patience truly is a virtue; And finally…how diabetes makes you pay in more ways than just one.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-september-4-2022/
The fashion choice that could help those with muscular dystrophy; Science proves that patience truly is a virtue; And finally…how diabetes makes you pay in more ways than just one.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-september-4-2022/
According to Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute, 66% of all U.S. adults use prescription drugs – and a majority of those are generic. So why don’t we know where these products are made? Dr. Rena Conti shares non-public data to show where much of the medication Americans ingest every day are manufactured.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/offshoring-medication-where-are-your-generic-drugs-being-made/
Cancer is a ruthless disease, which is why the traditional treatment methods are so aggressive. But does everyone need chemo? Dr. Jeanne Tie doesn’t think so. She’s created a blood test that determines whether chemotherapy is necessary for patients living with colon cancer.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/why-chemotherapy-may-not-always-be-the-best-option/
Are robots helping or hurting the human workforce; Rewarding someone for a job well done may be a mistake; Pregnant women no longer have to give up caffeine; One more reason to get your eight hours of sleep each night.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-august-28-2022
In many households, mental health isn’t talked about until it’s too late. Fortunately, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration created a suicide and crisis hotline in 2005 to help those struggling. This year, the ten-digit number was changed to just three: 988. Experts explain how this change will help increase awareness and access to prevention resources.
Learn more at https://radiohealthjournal.org/988-the-new-number-for-suicide-and-crisis-prevention/
Tattoos can be a sign of expression, but for survivors of breast cancer, the art means something different. Areola restoration is a subset of medical tattooing – an advanced form of cosmetic tattooing. It can provide a sense of closure for the women who’ve battled cancer and undergone mastectomies. Shana Irish discusses how medical tattooing can help these women finally feel comfortable in their own skin.
Learn more at https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-tattoos-that-give-breast-cancer-survivors-their-identity-back
How can we raise a healthier generation? A report determines that efforts to improve the health habits of children have largely failed. Then, a recent study in eLife reveals that our gender determines how our muscles interact with other metabolic tissue. Plus, does toxic air damage our brains? And finally…video games may not be rotting our brains after all.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-august-21-2022
When broken down, plastic products create tiny particles called microplastics. These nearly invisible specks seep into our water, air, and have recently been found inside our bodies. Experts discuss how we ingest microplastics, and what potential effects they may have on our health.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/what-you-should-know-about-ingesting-microplastics/
While the public safety industry has slowly evolved, entrepreneur Doron Kemple says there hasn’t been a large push for innovation in recent years. Kemple founded Bond – a private security company that’s betting big on drones working alongside first responders in emergency situations. He explains how these robots can advance the field by improving response times, providing more on-scene information through video, and more.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/first-responders-have-a-new-robotic-sidekick/
Only 7% of Americans have good cardiometabolic health; How light affects your mood; The secret to a long life; How cigar labels are misleading consumers.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-august-14-2022/
It’s no secret mercury can harm our health, so why are dangerous exposures still prevalent? Well, it might be due to the unexpected contacts many people don’t know about. Dr. Charles Driscoll explains how mercury’s invaded all parts of our lives, and the government’s erratic policies surrounding the element.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/mercury-pollution-invading-our-air-water-food/
Though the placebo effect has been the downfall of much research, one scientist aims to change that. Dr. Emiliano Santarnecchi hopes to use it as a supplemental therapy to medicinal treatments. He discusses the potential applications, as well as the ethical dilemma behind this idea.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/mind-over-matter-how-science-is-utilizing-the-placebo-effect/
In the future, robots may be brushing your teeth; Air pollution is taking years off of life expectancy; Can gardening help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression?; And finally…has zoom hindered creativity?
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-august-7-2022/
Scientists are bringing temporary tattoos into the medical realm using nanotechnology. Electronic tattoos are patches placed on a patient’s skin that will be able to both monitor and treat their specific condition. Dr. Aaron Franklin discusses how this technology will revolutionize patient care.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/stranger-than-fiction-using-electronic-tattoos-to-monitor-health/
Cancer treatments like radiation or chemotherapy elevate a patient’s risk of fatal heart disease, even decades after beating the cancer itself. Fortunately, a new medical discipline called cardio-oncology is working to reduce this heart damage in cancer patients. An expert explains how this new role fits into cancer care.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/why-beating-cancer-doesnt-mean-the-battles-over/
A new invention helps researchers study the body’s chemistry; A spray-on coating could eventually replace plastic wrap; How to stay cool while lowering your energy bill; And finally, women in science don’t always get credit for their work.
Learn more: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-july-31-2022/
Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that can lead to a partial or complete loss of hair. While the condition appears to be purely cosmetic, we speak with one patient, Deirdre Nero, about how it can lead to a plethora of physical problems and can greatly affect daily life. Dr. Brett King, a dermatologist at Yale University, explains how one new FDA-approved treatment is the first systemic therapy for severe alopecia.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/why-alopecia-is-more-than-just-hair-loss/
For many years, an HIV diagnosis was thought to be a death sentence. Although this is no longer the case, many affected individuals still face barriers to receiving treatment. Dr. Timothy Harrison, a deputy director at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, explains the still-persistent social stigma and how government entitities are increasing access to HIV care.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/ending-the-epidemic-life-saving-treatment-for-hiv/
A new questionnaire can determine the risk of car accidents in elderly drivers. Then, industrialization is bad for breast milk. Then, does spanking increase the likelihood of experiencing physical abuse? And finally, can scientists use plants to study psychiatric disorders?
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-july-24-2022/
Bodybuilding is a sport that requires athletes to constantly monitor their phisiques. This fixation can often develop into a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder called muscle dysmorphia. Dr. Roberto Olivardia explains how the condition fits into the culture of bodybuilding.
A recent survey by Orlando Health finds that many men overestimate how healthy they are, prompting one-third of them to skip their annual health screening. Dr. Thomas Kelley addresses common fears that keep men away from the doctor’s office, and why annual checkups are crucial to overall health management.
A study that finds that pain-relief medication could actually be worsening your injury. Then, if you think being vaccinated is the end of the COVID-19 threat, think again. Then, aspirin may be good for more than just headaches. And finally, how do you know if the whiskey you’re drinking is real or fake?
Sudden infant death syndrome has baffled the scientific community for years. What causes the condition is still unknown, though media headlines for a recent SIDS study would make you think differently. Dr. Fern Hauck explains the confusion and where SIDS research stands today.
Learn more about the guests and topics featured in the segment: https://radiohealthjournal.org/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-clickbait-headlines/
An outbreak of monkeypox, a viral disease, has popped up in numerous countries around the world. Public health agencies have issued safety recommendations, but with growing mistrust in these institutions, will anyone heed the advice? An expert discusses how the pandemic helped foster this rocky relationship.
Learn more about the guests and topics featured in the segment: https://radiohealthjournal.org/covid-19-shaping-public-monkeypox-response/
Why is homemade baby formula a bad idea? Medication doesn’t always work, especially if you have a severe form of asthma. Also, pregnant women are being exposed to chemicals more than ever. And finally, want to improve your kidney health? Drink more coffee.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-july-10-2022/
Doctors diagnosed Patrick Girondi’s son with thalassemia in 1992, declaring he’d die by age 14. Like most other rare conditions, treatments for thalassemia were slim to none. Dr. Stanley Nelson explains how orphan disease research has progressed in the last few decades and why a cure isn’t always the goal.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/orphan-disease-research/
Research has shown that hospitalized adolescents can walk away physically healthy, but years later, are still dealing with symptoms of posttraumatic stress from their experience. Dr. Justin Kenardy discusses the signs of posttraumatic stress and preventive measures both parents and medical professionals can utilize.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/one-hospital-night-years-of-trauma/
Why have experimental therapies for fragile X syndrome not worked? Then, antibiotics are great, but only when they’re actually needed. Plus, don’t try to vape your daily vitamins. And finally… allergies could save you from contracting Covid.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-july-3-2022/
Researchers have discovered how to use evolutions deadliest and oldest weapon for good. But how can scientists create medicine from lethal venom? Dr. Leslie Boyer reveals the entire process and explains why horses are so valuable to the research.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/venom-research-lethal-weapon-or-medical-miracle/
The World Health Organization reports a 25% global increase in anxiety and depression throughout the pandemic. During the same time, the mental health app industry skyrocketed. But how helpful are these programs? Dr. Stephanie Collier discusses the dangers of using these apps, many of which have no scientific evidence of successfully treating mental health.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/wellness-apps-mental-health/
Increasing green space in U.S. cities can significantly decrease mortality. Can a diabetes drug be used to treat cardiovascular disease? And finally, firefighters are more likely to get cancer than the general population but one bracelet may be able to change that.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-june-26-2022/
Doctors can now treat chronic pain with the technology of virtual reality. Patient Tom Norris joins us to share his experience using a VR headset in place of sedatives when doctors removed three tumors from his bladder. Dr. Brennan Spiegel at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center reveals how VR treatment works and how virtual therapeutics will revolutionize medicine.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medicine-in-the-metaverse/
Summer’s finally here, which means enjoying popsicles and pool days. But if you’ve been waiting all year for a summer tan, you may want to rethink that plan. Even a ‘healthy glow’ means our cells have already been damaged, and the sun isn’t the only problem. Dr. Shadi Kourosh discusses how factors like air pollution and digital screens can also harm our skin.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/why-doctors-say-healthy-tan-doesnt-exist/
Commercial gestational surrogacy allows parents to have a biological child that’s carried and birthed by another woman who receives a salary. Though many countries have outlawed commercial surrogacy, states in America are beginning to legalize it. Experts weigh in on the ethical implications of commercialized surrogacy.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/wombs-for-rent-legalization-of-commercial-surrogacy/
Mothers across the nation panicked when a major recall and supply chain issues caused a baby formula shortage. One response to the shortage told women to ‘just start breastfeeding again,’ but Dr. Karen Federici explains why that’s not as simple as it sounds.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/breastfeeding-natural-but-doesnt-mean-its-easy/
Scientists are sending bacteria to the front lines. A new drug cocktail reduces the risk of having an asthma attack. Then, what should you know about hepatitis in children? And finally, driverless cars may not yet be the safest option.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-june-12-2022/
It can be difficult to figure out how to comfort someone dealing with a traumatic loss. Often, there’s a fear of not knowing what to say, which can leave the grieving person feeling more alone. Two bereaved mothers recount their experiences of losing their children, and detail what good support looks like.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/support-in-wake-of-traumatic-loss/
Though now known for its anti-aging effects, Botox was first used to manage medical conditions like hyperhidrosis and migraines. Today, doctors are also using Botox to treat overactive bladder symptoms, a condition that plagues over 30 million Americans according to the National Association for Continence. A specialist discusses the benefits of the procedure.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/botox-overactive-bladder/
Are tattoos the future of medicine? Teens who have a miscarriage are twice as likely to attempt suicide. Antibiotics may not be the cure to your urinary tract infection. And finally, as the temperature rises, so do emergency room visits.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-june-5-2022/
Empty Nose Syndrome is a rare condition that can develop after some of the most common nose procedures. Those affected are left in a constant feeling of suffocation – and there’s no cure. An ENS sufferer describes his experience living with the condition.
Guest Information:
- Dr. Brent Senior, Chief of Rhinology, Allergy, and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- James R. Skinner, ENS patient
Resources:
- Brent A. Senior, MD, FACS, FARS | UNC Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
- Brent Senior (@ProfBrentSenior) / Twitter
- @jskinner / Twitter
- James R. Skinner's Empty Nose Syndrome Story | Nasal Cripple
- Nasal Damage (ENS) Investigated - James R. Skinner
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/empty-nose-syndrome/
It’s long been the case that men over 70 have the highest rate of suicide. This demographic is more likely to complete their first attempt than any other age group. Dr. Carrie Ditzel discusses some possible reasons as to what’s driving elderly men to take their own lives.
Guest Information:
- Dr. Carrie Ditzel, Clinical Psychologist, Baker Street Behavioral Health
Resources:
- Baker Street Behavioral Health | About
- Disparities in Suicide | CDC
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/elderly-men-suicide-rate/
Artificial intelligence can predict fatal heart attacks. A lack of patient diversity in Alzheimer's research threatens accurate diagnosing in people of color. One in three Americans will develop a substance use disorder, according to a recent study. And finally, is religion the downfall of consumerism?
- Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-may-29-2022/
While stay-at-home orders were great for slowing the spread of Covid, they essentially trapped victims with their abusers. As numbers of domestic violence reports rose, women’s shelters were overwhelmed with people in need of safe housing. One shelter employee discusses the challenges in helping the growing number of victims.
Guest Information:
- Dr. Alex Henke, Assistant Professor of Economics at Howard University
- Melanie Asher, Children’s Program Coordinator, Saint Martha’s Hall
Resources:
- COVID-19, staying at home, and domestic violence | SpringerLink
- Alex Henke (@Henkenomics) / Twitter
- Alex Henke
- St. Martha’s Hall
- Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/domestic-violence-during-pandemic/
Surprise medical bills are payments you believe are covered by insurance, but ultimately land back on you. The No Surprises Act protects patients from having to pay for emergency services at out-of-network facilities and other similar situations. Katie Keith describes why this law is necessary to protect patients.
Guest Information:
- Katie Keith, Associate Research Professor, Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University
Resources:
- No Surprises: Understand your rights against surprise medical bills | CMS
- Katie Keith, JD, MPH | Center on Health Insurance Reforms | Georgetown University
- Katie Keith (@Katie_Keith) / Twitter
- Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/no-surprises-act/
Smartwatches can now track your Covid symptoms. Guns are now the leading cause of death among adolescents. Magnetic needles may be the next evolution of surgery. And finally, a review of 8th grade math textbooks.
- Learn about all the headlines at radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-may-22-2022/
Sarah Fay was misdiagnosed six times throughout her life. Starting at age 12, Fay has battled with inaccurate and inadequate diagnoses that unfortunately shaped how she viewed herself. Fay details her journey and extensive research into mental health diagnoses in her new book Pathological. Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/should-you-always-trust-your-mental-health-diagnosis/
In research, scientists aim to create an environment that reflects humans as closely as possible. Many times, these models are found in mice. But how accurate are mice at showing what will happen in humans? Dr. Donna Arnett discusses what we should keep in mind when reading about mice studies.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/what-can-we-actually-learn-from-animal-studies/
Microplastics found in human blood. A 25% increase in alcohol-related deaths in 2020 compared to 2019. And finally…the food you eat may be affecting your personality.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-may-15-2022/
Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare heart condition that usually requires at least one open-heart surgery. However, two new self-expanding valves give up to 80 percent of patients the option of a catheterization procedure instead of surgery. Dr. Jeff Zampi explains how important this advancement is for patients with TOF.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/tetralogy-of-fallot-life-saving-surgery/
Experts estimate that only four percent of online pharmacies are legitimate. The rest are counterfeit operations that prey on customers by selling falsified medications. A scientist reveals a new technology that puts the power back into consumers’ hands.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/can-you-trust-online-pharmacies/
Is your medication harming the health of your baby? Then, the number of drugs laced with Fentanyl has skyrocketed. And finally, our vocal habits change depending on who we’re talking to.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-may-8-2022/
Everyone grieves differently, but some can become completely debilitated by their sorrow for years. The American Psychiatric Association recently recognized this type of grief as a diagnosis called Prolonged Grief Disorder. One doctor behind the decision talks about how this will help people find a way out of that cycle of grieving.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/prolonged-grief-disorder/
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a progressive brain disorder that can only be diagnosed after death. The condition is caused by repeated head trauma, but much of CTE is still a mystery. Dr. Michael Alosco discusses who he thinks is most at risk and the various obstacles researchers face while studying CTE.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/cte-brain-disorder-taken-over-nfl/
Why are farmers losing money? A new optical device can detect the risk of cavities before they appear. And finally… gardens around the nation are full of blooming roses and peonies. But as we inhale the sweet aromas, what’s happening in our brain?
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-may-1-2022/
History has shown that financial stress increases rates of child abuse. As millions lost their jobs in 2020, experts feared for the worst. This week on RHJ - two medical experts who specialize in studying and uncovering child abuse discuss the contradicting evidence of how the pandemic affected rates of child maltreatment.
Learn moret at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/child-abuse-during-pandemic/
Traditional lithium mining can ruin the surrounding environment, posing a risk to the health of local communities and wildlife. As production for a new mine in Nevada gears up, the company behind the project reveals how they’re reducing the public health threats of lithium mining. A mining critic talks about how the new mine will operate and why he believes its construction is essential.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/lithium-mining-environmental-impact/
What's causing the national blood shortage? New research suggest wind and solar power could effectively replace Texas's fired coal power. Scientists have created a wireless sensor that mimics dandelion seeds. And finally, astronauts have to eat their vegetables too.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-april-24-2022/
The CDC reports May 2020 through April 2021 saw the most drug overdose deaths ever recorded in a single year. These deaths put into question how effective America’s efforts to reduce drug use have been. Experts discuss the use of harm reduction services and why drug addiction is a mental health issue. Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/harm-reduction-services-reduce-drug-overdose/
As a black mother, Taylor Harris worries her child will be treated differently by medical professionals. A recent study reveals that some medical students believe pain thresholds vary by race. Dr. Ana Pujols McKee speaks on how proper education can help fix systemic racism in health care.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/systemic-racism-health-care/
Scientists might have found a way to reduce or delay dementia. Then, a new treatment destroys advanced stage ovarian cancer in mice. And finally, with so much information at our fingertips, how can we know what's true?
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-april-17-2022
Researchers have discovered that love is a natural addiction. It lights up the same part of our brain that substance addiction does. We need to eat, we need to sleep, and we need to love. Experts discuss how love affects our brain and why we need it for our survival.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/love-addiction/.
A vaginal rejuvenation laser treatment has been accused of targeting breast cancer patients and not upholding its promises. An expert reveals how this treatment can cause worse harm and chronic pain to breast cancer patients. Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/laser-treatment-harms-breast-cancer-patients/
Will global warming affect human aggression? Then, a new mouse study shows a link between your nighttime routine and the quality of your sleep. And finally, in the wake of schools moving to virtual learning during the pandemic, scientists have found that rates of bullying actually went down.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-april-10-2022/
Private prisons seemed to be the answer to America’s overpopulated prisons in the 1980s. It’s since become a controversial topic of debates. Experts discuss if the problem is with private prisons, or with our country’s incarceration system as a whole. Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/private-prisons/
Essential Tremor has always been treated by medication that’s not guaranteed to work, or brain surgery. A doctor explains the new, non-invasive treatment that can help those suffering with ET. Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/non-invasive-treatment-for-essential-tremor/
New research shows that more than 99% of commonly used chemicals aren’t sustainable. Then, researchers have identified unique differences between autism symptoms in boys versus girls. And finally, how paper airplanes are inspiring new types of flying robots. Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-april-3-2022/
Even as many students switched to virtual learning, school shootings didn’t stop. One recent school shooter used his parents’ gun, and now they are facing charges for their role in the incident. Experts discuss how the accountability of mass shootings doesn’t always just fall on the shooter.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/parents-charged-in-school-shooting/
Less congested roads during the pandemic gave room for drivers to increase their speed, creating a whole new type of driving called ‘super speeding’. The issue is that there’s also been the largest number of car crash deaths since 2006. Experts talk about the dangers of speeding and how we can slow drivers down. Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/super-speeding/
AI outperforms expert humans in brain surgery instruction. A new study finds brain measurements in children with ADHD not that much different than peers. And finally, the right education could decrease teen birth rates.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-march-27-2022/
Russia produces one-third of the world’s rough diamonds. The Russian government owns 33% of Alrosa, a Russian company that owns 90% of Russia’s diamonds. An expert discusses how a global embargo of Russian diamonds would send a strong economic message to its leaders.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/blood-diamonds-funding-russias-invasion-of-ukraine/
ASPD is a disorder where those affected don’t feel empathy. Many serial killers and rapists have ASPD, so why haven’t we been looking for a cure? An expert talks about the challenges facing ASPD research. Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/antisocial-personality-disorder/
Climate change is causing more harm than we can keep up with, according to the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report. Then, wastewater can help predict future Covid-19 outbreaks in communities. And finally, where are you looking during zoom meetings? Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-march-20-2022/
Fitness apps can be helpful, but for some people, obsessive meal tracking helped them develop an eating disorder. Experts talk about the slippery slope of the fitness industry, and discuss proper recovery methods.
Learn more at radiohealthjournal.org/fitness-apps-eating-disorders/
Spring is a popular time for fish owners to get rid of their goldfish. Most people think that letting them loose in a pond is the best option, but you may want to rethink that. Experts discuss why goldfish should be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown into a neighborhood pond.
Learn more at radiohealthjournal.org/why-you-should-flush-your-goldfish-down-the-toilet
A new paper found psilocybin-assisted therapy could help relieve depression for up to a year. Then, scientists have identified a new chemical inside of us that promotes obesity. Plus, Earth’s natural coasts are disappearing. And finally, do mosquitoes care about your fashion sense?
Thousands of people die each year due to the organ shortage crisis.
- Recently, doctors successfully transplanted pig kidneys into a brain-dead human for the first time in history.
- An expert discusses how pigs could be the future of human organ transplants.
- Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/pig-kidney-transplant/
Self-driving cars seem to be our future, but how safe are they?
- Researchers have identified 32 major impacts automated cars could have on public health, and 17 of them are negative.
- Experts discuss what a possible future of self-driving cars will look like.
- Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/trust-self-driving-cars/
Water from private wells could be harming your children. Then, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, except … maybe not for people who’ve experienced multiple major disasters. And finally, scientists are one step closer in their search for how to regrow lost limbs.
Although the Omicron variant accounts for 99 percent of Covid cases in the U.S., it’s far less lethal. Experts say this is the perfect combination that could bring us back to normalcy. It’s likely that life with Covid will start to resemble how we handle the flu.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/omicron-could-end-pandemic
Sleep deprivation affects about three out of four teenagers in America. Inadequate sleep has been linked to depression, anxiety, weight gain, and worsened heart functioning. An expert shows through a case study how implementing later school start times allows students and parents to get more sleep.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/later-school-start-times
Why should we trust our gut? Because it knows the difference between real and fake sugar, even when we don't. Then, a mouse study investigating a new cancer drug has found that the drug also improves metabolism. And finally, stop forcing food onto your picky eater.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-february-27-2022/
New research suggests the pandemic negatively affects child development. Many children born after the start of the pandemic score lower in child development than children born before. Researchers explain possible theories for these children’s slower development scores.
Seasonal affective disorder can occur any time of year but is most prevalent during the winter months. SAD can develop into non-seasonal major depression if left untreated. An expert gives advice on how to combat SAD and reduce the risk of getting it next year.
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology has found no association between the vaccine and the likelihood of conception. Then, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, except maybe not for people who’ve experienced multiple major natural disasters. Then, a common food additive could be making you sick. And finally, a study has found people with better psychological well-being are less likely to develop dementia and other cognitive impairments.
The future of climate change impacts a lot more than our crops. Natural disasters and mass migrations of people threaten the health and safety of populations and governments around the world. Experts discuss how climate change creates economic, sociological, political, and military issues.
Some experts believe that the future of food is vegan. With the increasing effects of global warming, changes to farms are inevitable. Experts talk about why eating animals is inefficient, and why our planet won’t be able to support it in the future.
An FDA-approved drug could help prevent memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients. Scientists discover why people with asthma are less likely to develop brain tumors. More than a third of Gulf War troops still suffer from Gulf War Illness, now a study shows that frequent exercise can help reduce symptoms. And finally, why are people moving back to their rural hometowns?
There’s a growing number of complaints to state medical boards regarding doctors lying about Covid-19 and vaccines. The doctors spreading misinformation are not always reprimanded by state medical boards and are allowed to continue voicing the misinformation. They cite freedom of speech as a defense, but other doctors say licensed professionals have an obligation to the truth. Experts explain the controversy.
Some people who have not yet gotten the Covid vaccine are simply afraid of the needle. Bad childhood experience can keep people from receiving necessary medical treatments. A needle-phobic and a physician explain how parents should discuss injections with their children from a young age.
When it comes to illnesses that cause the most deaths, we tend to think of things like heart disease and cancer. But a new study finds that one hidden killer is a lot bigger than most people think: antibiotic-resistant infections. Then, the use of hair products could be altering the course of many pregnancies. And finally, if you’re using a cloth mask to protect yourself against Covid, researchers say it’s a good idea to switch.
New estimates show that more than 167,000 children under 18 (a number growing rapidly) have lost a parent or major caregiver to Covid-19. Psychologists say deaths under such circumstances are also much more difficult for survivors to adjust to and will have a major impact on the US. Experts discuss how these “forgotten grievers” are coping and what actions might help ease the impact on them and to the nation.
According to the Geneva Convention and other agreements, health facilities and workers are supposed to be protected from the violence of war. However, they’re targeted much more often than most people know. A noted expert in the field discusses how this violence happens, its consequences, and how international organizations may be able to turn this trend around.
A study finds that increased demand for plastic is doing more damage to both humans and our environment than we thought. Then, car crashes involving pot consumption have doubled over the last 20 years. A study finds that sitting around more is a big reason for the increase in depression. And finally, e-scooters often have a bigger carbon footprint than what they replaced.
Studies show that law enforcement is the most sleep deprived of all professions, with potentially damaging and even fatal consequences for decision-making and reaction time, as well as long-term health damage. Experts discuss the unique challenges in having a poorly rested police force and in fixing it.
A growing number of pet owners are tempted to put their dog or cat on vegan, gluten-free or raw diets. An expert pet nutritionist and veterinarian discusses what pets should and shouldn’t eat to be healthy.
Study at Israel’s Sheba Medical Center shows that a 4th shot increases antibodies fivefold within a week. A new study shows the stigma of depression is lessening. Plus, a new survey finds that not everyone feels invited to the table when it comes to plant-based foods. And finally, analysis shows that recreational and even medical marijuana can contain high levels of heavy metals.
Severe life-threatening weather, such as the rare December tornadoes that tore through Kentucky and other states in December, 2021, will likely become more frequent with climate change. Experts discuss the difficulties in cleaning up large scale disasters and how planning could improve the results cheaply.
Studies are finding that obesity significantly increases a person’s risk for a variety of cancers. However, not all forms of fat carry equal risk. An expert discusses who is more at risk and why.
About 25% of pregnant women have skipped taking care of their health needs due to cost. A new machine learning platform can analyze a short video clip created while taking selfies and accurately predict whether the person is at risk of Parkinson’s disease. Then, air pollution significantly lessens brain performance. And finally, if you want to help the planet, plant trees. Sources:
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2785593
- https://www.jmir.org/2021/10/e26305
- https://www.nber.org/papers?page=1&perPage=50&sortBy=public_date
- https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ppp3.10245
Up to 15 percent of calls to 911 involve people having a mental health breakdown, yet many call centers, especially in rural areas, have no one with any training on what to do or who to dispatch in those cases. Typically they send police, who may also have no training on how to handle mental health crises and may inflame the situation. Experts discuss why this happens and how communities can respond better.
Children and young adolescents may experience perceptual distortions or strange thoughts, but if they become frequent and disruptive, they can be an early tipoff to serious future mental health distress. An expert discusses this new field of mental health research in adolescents.
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 may flame out as quickly as it rose. Then, a new study shows that traditional books are making a come-back. And finally, your microwave could be making your dog really anxious.
Hoarding disorder affects at least five percent of Americans, and despite TV programs showing its effects, it is still widely misunderstood. Experts discuss the danger hoarding poses to others, including neighbors, children, and first responders; why those with the disorder are so attached to things; and the right and wrong ways to address the problem.
Life-threatening, lifelong chronic diseases from infancy are at the top of the list of medical challenges. A woman who has dealt with cystic fibrosis her entire life discusses how mindset is often the biggest factor in living a full life with such a disease, and sets out her recipe for shoring up one’s approach.
A new finds that patients showing up at rural hospital ERs have extremely similar outcomes compared to patients in urban-area ERs. Then, new research sheds light on why more girls don't go into STEM. Plus, pandemic depression linked to sitting and lack of activity. And finally, Alexa and Siri aren't very helpful when it comes to health.
Scars are a public health as well as aesthetic threat, as internal scars can compromise the function of organs and tissues. Scientists are now devising medications that promote healing without producing scars. One of the scientists on the front lines of scar treatment and research, Dr. Michael Longaker, discusses how these medicines work and their possible uses.
Preschool teachers have left the profession in huge numbers, closing some schools and threatening others. With nowhere to safely leave their children, millions of people are unable to return to work, sabotaging economic recovery. An expert discusses the low wages behind the 10% (or more) drop in early educators and how current legislation may finally turn the industry around.
Some theories claim that Covid-19 was created in a laboratory in Wuhan, China, but a study now has turned up more evidence confirming the wet market theory.
Plus, what restaurants and supermarkets you have in your neighbor can predict your health.
And finally, if transmission of Covid is more likely inside than outside, does that mean the wind is protecting you outdoors? The answer, apparently, is yes.
Drug overdoses killed more than 100,000 Americans in the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, as pressures built and users sometimes had to get their fix from unfamiliar sources. Experts discuss how the pandemic cost lives beyond COVID, and how surgical painkiller drug substitutions are beginning to keep some people from going down the opioid path.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/easing-opioid-epidemic/
Many people who need hearing aids never get them, in part because they currently require a prescription and expensive treatment. An expert discusses the FDA’s new proposed category of over-the-counter hearing aids which should be within reach of millions more Americans, but which will require consumers to cut through myths and lack of information to get what they want.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/otc-hearing-aids/
Johns Hopkins says we're a lot better off than we were last year at this time. Plus, you may be getting a lot of gift cards as presents for the holidays due to supply chain issues. And finally, a study finds that you can decontaminate used face masks by popping them in the oven.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-december-19-2021/
Getting less than six hours of sleep per night has long been known to be hazardous to health, but the discovery of the mechanisms behind those hazards is leading scientists to strengthen their warnings. Too little sleep or poor sleep carries heart and brain risks that are powerful, as experts explain.
The vaccine for Covid-19 was developed with record speed while still following required safety protocols. A noted investigative reporter discusses the development process he uncovered for his exhaustive book and explains why the hundreds of interviews he did have reassured him that the vaccine is safe.
An antidepressant called Fluvoxamine significantly reduces the chance someone getting Covid would need hospitalization. Match.com dating survey finds singles today are seeking emotional maturity rather than looks. STING drug shown to be an effective glioblastoma treatment in some dogs. And finally, OSU Wexner survey finds Americans are planning to remain cautious during the holidays.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-december-12-2021
Triple negative breast cancers have an especially poor prognosis… and now an analysis finds that black women have a higher risk for these kinds of cancer than previously known. Then, online dating violence begins at an early age—as early as age 12. And finally, science has conclusively proven something that makes common sense—when you’re nice to others, they’re more likely to be nice to you.
Traumatic brain injury can profoundly change the injured in personality and temperament, as well as physically and cognitively. Spouses bear the brunt of these changes to the point many feel like they’re living with a stranger. Two experts and the spouse of a TBI victim discuss the many ways life changes after an injury and what can help to get them through the ordeal.
Medicine in intensive care units has become so technically focused that many doctors believe they’ve lost their connection with the humanity of patients. The result is a high degree of post-ICU PTSD. A noted physician discusses how doctors can humanize the ICU while still utilizing life-saving technology.
Covid-19 vaccines are now approved for children as young as 5, but while people are afraid of getting the vaccine themselves, they’re even more nervous about getting it for their children. Misinformation is accelerating against use of the vaccine in kids. Experts discuss and correct the most prevalent myths.
The White House and many health officials have taken an aggressive approach to communicating the need for Covid-19 vaccines. Most people are prompted to get vaccinated by mandates and words that generate fear, but it’s clear that they backfire with a sizable minority of others. A communications expert discusses how certain words motivate some groups and repel others.
There are now two new pills that can prevent people from getting severely ill after contracting Covid-19. Then, a new type of magnetic brain stimulation is showing promise as a treatment for depression. And finally… if you crave one type of food over another… blame your genes.
Around a half million people are homeless in the US on any given night, but the street homeless who are most visible often incorrectly influence our assumptions about all of them. A noted researcher discusses myths and truths about their addictions, employment, residences, and more, and why people often become homeless.
The average age when men first become fathers has risen to 31, and more men are also becoming dads in their 40’s and 50’s. A National Book Award-winning author discusses his experience as a first-time dad at 56, and now as a 75-year old father with teenagers.
A new analysis in the journal JAMA Network Open finds that most insurance companies are no longer waiving co-pays and deductibles for Covid hospitalization. Plus, a study finds depression rates are even higher now than they were in 2020. 17% of four and five year-olds get put on medication when diagnosed with ADHD. And finally, teenage girls have been especially stressed during the pandemic shutdown but a study show some possible benefits as well.
Rural hospitals have long struggled to maintain staffing levels of nurses and other professionals that are adequate for good care. The pandemic has made it much worse, as staffers have quit and patient loads have increased. Experts discuss the roots of the staff shortage, the effects on care safety, the extreme cost of efforts to attract and retain staff, and the threat to hospital survival posed by the problem.
Many people are unfamiliar with arterial blockages away from the heart. Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, affects African Americans much more than other populations for unknown reasons. An expert physician discusses PAD, the possible consequences, warning signs, and a clinical trial of treatments.
Major surgery such as a heart bypass may increase the risk of dementia. Then, a study finds that gun violence is up by 30% since the start of the pandemic. Also, could the anxiety of being heard by someone else play a role in stuttering? And finally, research says about half of pregnancies in the United States are unintended.
Among active duty and veterans of the War on Terror, suicides have claimed four times more lives than combat since 9-11, according to a recent study. The study’s author discusses why the toll is higher than for previous conflicts, and he and another expert in tragedy recovery discuss what the military, VA, and loved ones can do to prevent suicide.
Twins share a bond that can’t be understood by non-twins. They’re often best friends and closest confidantes with an uncanny connection. When one twin suddenly dies, it can leave a huge hole and in the life of the other. A twinless twin who became a therapist specializing in twin loss discusses the issue.
Even if the Covid pandemic were to disappear tomorrow, a new study shows that the human toll of Covid would go on. Then, among college-educated women, unwed motherhood isn't as rare as it used to be. And finally…people with bipolar disorder may someday be given dietary guidelines to help control it.
Facial recognition technology is everywhere, from your smartphone to the grocery store to city streets. But do we really want to be constantly tracked? Law enforcement finds it immensely helpful, but many experts say it’s a massive invasion of privacy that needs limitation. Experts discuss.
Wild animals carry out “criminal acts” with amazing frequency, ranging from simple breaking and entering to theft to manslaughter. Wildlife managers spend much of their time trying to prevent these acts or clean up after them. Noted science writer Mary Roach discusses animal criminals and how human behavior is encroaching on wildlife habitat, forcing them into more criminal acts than ever.
An influential government task force issues new advice about low-dose aspirin. Plus, a study finds that people with natural immunity to Covid-19 don’t have it for very long. And finally, safe sex is still important--a quarter of people with STDs don’t tell their partners.
Many experts believe we have missed our chance to eliminate Covid-19, and that now it is very likely to become an endemic disease--one that persists, though at lower levels, and never goes away. Two noted infectious disease experts discuss what that means for precautions and lifestyles in perpetuity.
Doctors have learned that childhood allergies and asthma may have their start in dry, dysfunctional skin in infancy, when allergens such as food particles enter the body through cracks in the skin. A noted pediatric allergist discusses this ”atopic march” and ways to combat it.
A new study calls into question the six foot social distancing guidelines. Then, eating green vegetables and fiber can cut your risk of colon cancer in half, and spinach is especially effective. And finally…where you live may protect you from dementia.
Patients have to make medical choices today that they never did before. But do they have enough information to make those choices? Are normal people able to understand the flood of information and the medical terms to make good choices? An expert discusses how patients can work through these issues.
Headaches affect far more lives far more severely than most people realize. A sufferer and an expert physician discuss headaches and their treatment.
The CDC has now issued an urgent advisory for pregnant or recently pregnant women to get vaccinated. Research shows not only do the vaccines have no effect on fertility, they also pass immunity to babies who were in the womb when mom was vaccinated. A new study shows the rules restricting how many passengers teenage drivers can carry have been very effective at reducing risky driving, crashes and deaths. A new study says it's not just about how many steps you take per day, it matters how fast you walk. And finally, if the pandemic’s got you down and kept you from exercising, you’re not alone.
Addiction specialists are seeking to change the words we use to describe addictive behaviors, as they’ve learned the wrong language creates stigma and drives people away from treatment. Experts discuss the problem and solutions.
Scientists have merged biology, chemistry, genetics and other sciences to create new, synthetic organisms. The most visible use may be plant-based Impossible Burgers that taste like meat, but researchers believe “synbio” may eventually help address hunger, pollution, and other modern problems. Yet in the wrong hands, synthetic biology could unleash terrible biological weapons. Experts discuss.
An analysis finds vaccinations could have prevented more than 340,000 Covid hospitalizations in the U.S. A new study finds people with weakened immune system still get an immune response from Covid vaccination. And finally, turns out sugar is just as bad as high fructose corn syrup?
Grief is a process virtually everyone will face sometime. It’s unfortunately more common during the Covid-19 pandemic. But many people don’t know what to do when their pain does not follow the road map they expect--the well-known five stages of grief. Two experts on grief discuss what can happen under various scenarios when a loved one dies, and what people can do to make it through their pain.
Music is more than a fun pastime. Studies show that especially in children, studying music rewires the brain in beneficial ways, giving them an advantage in other cognitive skills. The scientist who’s done much of this pioneering work discusses its ramifications and impact.
Children as young as five may soon be part of the tug of war over vaccine mandates. Then, several important studies on Covid and vaccination are released by CDC. And finally, a study finds that people with a history of trauma get more of a high from morphine than people who’ve been trauma-free.
Loneliness has been increasing across all ages even before the pandemic. It’s especially noteworthy among seniors, and it can dramatically affect health. An expert geriatrician who has studied the effects of loneliness and the leader of an organization that provides friendly visitors to the isolated elderly discuss causes of increasing loneliness, its impact, and the effectiveness of visitor programs.
As much as 16 percent of the population suffers from trypophobia, which makes them uneasy at the sight of holes clustered together, as in a honeycomb. Two experts and a sufferer discuss this phobia, which can be remarkably debilitating.
A study suggests recovery from concussions might take twice as long as we thought. Then, researchers say they have a solution for "Zoom fatigue." Next, a study finds cannabis use may hurt men's fertility. Plus, new research finds that certain kinds of people are more susceptible to conspiracy theories. And finally, turns out craft beer really is different?
Government reports say more than 265 million healthcare records have been stolen, lost, or improperly disclosed in the last decade. It may create a financial risk, but it could also mean your health conditions and secrets are all over the internet. What are health systems doing to keep data safe? What should you do when you’re victim of a breach? One of the nation’s top health data experts discusses.
Heart disease is often preventable, but how people look at it often keeps them from doing as much about it as they could. Often this is a result of myth and misinformation. An expert physician discusses some of the most harmful of these myths.
With the Delta variant of COVID-19, far more Americans are worried about getting infected. Then, American children and adolescents now get two-thirds of their calories from ultra processed foods. And finally…it’s good to be productive… but if you think leisure is a waste of time, you’re likely to be unhappy overall.
Nail biting is an extremely common habit, but some people bite their nails so badly and so often that they suffer damage to their hands. Experts discuss why so many of us are driven to bite our nails, what can be done to stop it, and the damage that can occur when we can’t stop.
Entertainer Britney Spears claims in court that her conservator father won’t let her remove birth control. It’s merely the most celebrated recent case of something most people find surprising: forced sterilization still exists in the US, usually in cases of guardianship. Experts explain its legality, history & use.
A new study shows that naps don't make up for lost sleep. Then, research finds that people who have someone they can count on to listen to them have brains that age much slower than others. Next, a study suggests that for teens, a close, supportive bonds with their fathers is even more important than previously thought. And finally... a study says social media 'shares' and 'likes' have altered conversations by encouraging outrage and anger.
Scientists are developing 3D printing technology using human cells to build human organs. The technique could be used to grow organs for transplant, relieving the long waitlist. Experts discuss.
Schools that just a couple of months ago imagined opening free of great pandemic worry are now facing a Delta variant that’s even more contagious than the original. Yet last year’s experience is telling experts and administrators that school can be held safely if masking and other protocols are followed. Two pediatricians who are experts in how infectious disease affects schools discuss reopening for the school year.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 5, 2021 including: Growing up in poverty physically changes the brain… which makes it much more likely poor kids have cognitive and behavioral difficulties later. A study showing almost a quarter of all substances used to make plastic either cause cancer, damage organs, or are toxic to the environment. And finally…it’s no secret that people who are good looking are more likely to get hired and be paid more than the rest of us, apparently, they also act differently than others as well.
Many people in prison have a mental illness that keeps them from following the rules of society. Prison, its rules, and often its punitive intent may be the worst place for them, especially since treatment is often lacking there. A noted prison psychiatrist and behavioral scientist discusses this, and alternatives that may produce less recidivism when these inmates are released back into society.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 29, 2021 including: A study showing that a person’s risk for old age illnesses can be accurately predicted years earlier based on chronic inflammation in the body. Then, the key to an easier adolescence may be a teen’s relationship with Dad. Then, nearly half of boys play sports, but only a little more than a third of girls do. And finally… A new study finds that for some people, a robotic food mindset may backfire.
Heart disease is the number one killer in the US, but a well known cardiologist says if everyone would follow a plant-based, oil-free diet, heart disease could be eradicated. Yet many cardiologists won’t prescribe such a diet, fearing it’s so difficult to follow that it’s a prescription for defeat. Experts discuss.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 22, 2021 including: Some people still have fears of the Coronavirus vaccine. Then, Do you get migraines? Eating fish might be the solution. And finally… your sense of taste may be keeping you from making healthier food choices.
A new CDC report shows that suicide among veterinarians is much higher than in the general population. Experts discuss the unique stresses that affect these professionals, including financial, compassion fatigue, euthanasia, and online harassment. They also discuss measures being taken to prevent mental health struggles and suicide.
Swinging small children around by their arms may be fun, but it can lead to a very common injury, “nursemaid’s elbow,” an elbow dislocation, and each instance makes the next more likely. Physicians who treat it—and have experienced it in their own children—discuss the injury, its treatment and prevention.
One of the most popular searches on Google is for symptoms and what they mean. It’s created a much more well informed patient population, but one that may panic at the least pain or discomfort. Two experts discuss how to think of symptoms and how to search for them.
Adoption and how it is carried out have well-studied psychological effects on adoptees. However, how birth mothers are affected by giving up their child is less well studied. Birth mothers have historically been shunned and stigmatized, and often still do not receive the grief counseling and mental health services they need. Open vs. closed adoptions also differ. An expert psychologist and birth mother-author discuss.
Scientists have finally found something good about having a cold—it makes you less likely to be infected by Covid-19. Then, childhood exposure to lead may affect your personality later. And finally, scientists have developed clothing that can prevent 100 percent of mosquito bites.
Climate change has been discussed as a serious issue impacting future generations. However, the recent rash of extreme weather worldwide, which has killed hundreds, is making scientists wonder if we have reached a turning point more quickly than we thought. Experts explain how climate change results in droughts, floods, and other severe weather and the signals it provides of danger immediately ahead.
Some people have an unusual merging of senses, where they routinely see colors in sounds or numbers, see time visually, or have other perception differences. Artists sometimes have synesthesia, and researchers are beginning to study it to see how it might be tapped to help the rest of us. Experts explain.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 8, 2021 including: A new study shows that antibiotic exposure early in life could alter a child’s brain development. Then, the stress of the pandemic has led to a sharp increase in teenage eating disorders. And finally, researchers have found a potentially lifesaving heart attack treatment in a most unusual place.
Nearly 40 percent of American homes have a dog, and while dogs may be “man’s best friend,” sometimes they bite, and sometimes with serious consequences. An expert who has studied dog bites discusses the reality of breed temperament, especially when children are around, how to prevent bites, and whether breeds with dangerous reputations deserve them.
Hospitals are now required to post prices for many procedures on their websites, including cash prices and what insurers pay. The intent of the federal rule is to allow patients to shop around, putting pressure on hospitals to compete on price. However, many hospitals have yet to follow the rule. Experts discuss the rule, its likely outcome, and how patients can use it to their advantage.
A study confirms that just one night sleeping impacts your mental and physical well being. Then, some researchers are concerned that in-vitro fertilization may disturb the genetics of embryos. Then, if you’ve got allergies and suspect they’re worse than they used to be… you’re right. And finally, experts have been concerned that Americans have a poor work-life balance, made even worse by the pandemic.
A new study shows that people over age 70 are three times more likely than younger people to die when they fall. Older people also take more medications with a fall risk, and which pose a risk themselves when someone taking them falls. Experts discuss these complications and why it’s important to prevent falls and other injuries.
Where Covid-19 vaccination is high, it’s a getting-back-to-normal world after the pandemic. But even some vaccinated people won’t return to normal for months or years because of the psychological effects. Experts discuss why this occurs and how people can help themselves return to mental health.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of July 25, 2021 including: A big majority of the US workforce wants to know if their co-workers are vaccinated against Covid… but they don’t want to reveal if they’ve gotten the vaccine themselves. Then, if young adults get COVID-19, they may recover… but end up exhausted. And finally… researchers have found another risk factor for dementia—tooth loss.
More people die of lung cancer than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. A decade ago, a lung cancer diagnosis was often a death sentence. But now treatments are being developed that mean it can often be treated, especially if screening detects it early. A patient/advocate and researcher discuss.
A study by Save the Children shows on a county-by-county basis that children in poor and rural counties, especially in the south, are much less likely to survive into adulthood, and when they do, they’re often forced to become adults too soon by poverty, pregnancy, and lack of education. A Save the Children expert discusses factors that hurt children and ways they might be alleviated.
Everybody loves a home-cooked meal, but what if your stove was slowly poisoning you? Then, the average human life expectancy has increased dramatically. Plus, researchers have cured diabetes in mice by putting insulin-producing cells into a tiny device. Also, older people who have trouble falling asleep are more likely to have cognitive troubles later. Then, a study showing that smartphones should have a bedtime too. And finally, 25% of adults say they simply don’t want children… and they’re perfectly happy.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of July 11, 2021 including: Officials are worried we may start seeing a spike in COVID cases soon and it could become serious by fall. Then, Have you lost your sense of smell? COVID may not be to blame--it could be air pollution. Then, doctors can now use smartphone cameras to detect bacteria on the skin and in the mouth. And finally, for people suffering from hard-to-treat depression, new research suggests a non-traditional treatment method - laughing gas.
Dementia has a much wider range than most people think, and people with dementia are usually functional for years. An expert discusses the course of the disease and how life can still be positive for years before it reaches the late, debilitating stage most people think of when they hear the word “dementia.”
Traffic engineers are learning that they can increase road efficiency and safety by eliminating left turns at many busy intersections, even those that have left turn arrows. This increases distance traveled for some people--some may have to make three right turns instead--but virtually everyone benefits in travel time, as package carrier UPS has learned. A traffic engineer and UPS official discuss how it could work.
Many patients arrive in the emergency room as a result of violence or car crashes—events in which police have an investigative interest. Experts discuss which priorities come first.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of July 4, 2021 including: A study shows that even a mild case of COVID produces antibodies that are still going strong 11 months later. Then, Could flickering lights help treat Alzheimer’s disease? And finally a new study shows that the flavor ban in San Francisco may have pushed high schoolers to start smoking cigarettes instead.
Most people procrastinate at least now and then. But when we put something off, we’re usually facing not a time management problem, but an emotion management problem. Experts discuss what’s going on in our heads when we procrastinate.
Marfan syndrome produces obvious physical symptoms such as extreme height, but its hidden symptoms, especially in the heart and eyes, can be much more serious. Experts discuss its diagnosis and treatment.
Thousands of parents take their children to doctors each year seeking synthetic growth hormone to cure their relatively short stature, even though most of these children are merely late bloomers and have nothing wrong with them. Growth hormone also makes less difference in height than parents often imagine. Studies show that short stature generally does not create psychological damage. Experts discuss the issue.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of June 27, 2021 including: Many of us have the picture of a COVID pandemic winding down, but for cancer patients… treatment can still be hard to get. Then implanting the device back the mouse’s body. Then, evidence of adverse health effects is mounting, but there’s been little research on prenatal exposure to Glyphosate. And finally… the home of the future may include a smart toilet to gauge your bowel health.
Some people find that small “stones” are growing on their tonsils. They’re an accumulation of skin cells, food, and other debris. While they are not medically dangerous or painful, they often produce bad breath or sometimes pain. Two expert physicians discuss tonsil stones’ formation and treatment.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of June 20, 2021 including: A new study finds that organic meats are much less likely to be contaminated with foodborne pathogens. Then, fracking has been linked to higher heart attack rates in nearby communities. Then, more people are working the graveyard shift… and that means more people suffering from what’s called “shift work sleep disorder.” Then, here’s another way to cut your cancer risk—eat more mushrooms. And finally, can cannabis relieve chronic itch?
Each year, some 400 US children over age 1, most of them toddlers, die overnight for no known reason. Families, longing for answers, often find that their families, friends, and even pediatricians are unfamiliar with this classification of death, or that they even occur. Family members who have lost a child, a medical examiner, and a research expert who has lost a child discuss SUDC.
A recent report shows that more than a dozen refineries around the US are emitting benzene pollution into the air at higher levels than allowed by the EPA. An activist discusses this newly labeled problem and what the agency can do to curb it.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of June 13, 2021 including: Pregnant women face many medical risks, but a study suggests a case of symptomatic COVID-19 can make birth even riskier. Then, a new drug combination looks promising to treat Lou Gehrig's Disease. Then, doctors say you may want to reconsider using an over-the-counter antibiotic next time you scrape a knee. And finally… your chicken dinners aren’t saving any cows.
Infants, toddlers, and grade school children use many cues to learn language. Some of them are visual, involving seeing the mouth move. Some depend on clearly hearing speech. Both have been impacted by mask wearing during the pandemic. Experts now studying how far behind children are as a result discuss how language develops in children and how it’s been affected in the pandemic.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of June 6, 2021 including: Scientists have come up with a test that can tell in less than an hour whether you’re sick with a virus or bacteria. Then a study finds that there are changes in the blood that can predict a pregnant woman's due date more accurately than today's obstetricians. Then, more evidence that Covid symptoms can drag on and on for months. And finally, the impact of COVID-19 may be felt on the environment for centuries to come as discarded masks and gloves have already been washing up in remote places.
Hundreds of patients nationally have diseases that have confounded doctors and yielded no diagnosis and no reliable treatment. Today the Undiagnosed Diseases Network, founded and funded by the NIH, helps these patients, but its funding is uncertain beyond 2022. Patients and a physician leader of the UDN discuss the lonely plight of these patients and the hope UDN provides.
Many Americans believe that healthy food doesn’t taste good, and tasty food isn’t healthy. A chef who is also a cardiologist discusses how to find a balance by seeking out healthy ingredients rather than whole categories of foods.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, public health experts have looked to vaccines with the goal of creating “herd immunity,” where so many people are vaccinated that the virus stalls out. Now it is clear we will not reach that goal, meaning the threat of the pandemic may drag on for years. One of the nation’s leading infectious disease experts discusses how we are missing the target and what it means.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, public health experts have looked to vaccines with the goal of creating “herd immunity,” where so many people are vaccinated that the virus stalls out. Now it is clear we will not reach that goal, meaning the threat of the pandemic may drag on for years. One of the nation’s leading infectious disease experts discusses how we are missing the target and what it means.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 30, 2021 including: A large new study shows people are in more pain than ever before. Then, one of the hallmarks of diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS is a mis-folding of proteins. now researchers say those folded proteins may be linked to gut bacteria. And finally, a study showing that air pollution from farms contributes to nearly 18,000 deaths per year.
Since the 1980’s, almost all production of generic drugs has moved overseas, where FDA inspectors have a much tougher time making sure they’re following rules for safety. An investigative journalist describes the ways she’s found that many drugmakers cut corners, putting safety at risk, and details what consumers can do to protect themselves.
Covid-19 is usually a respiratory disease, but it can affect virtually any organ in the body. The nation’s top kidney disease expert discusses how Covid can prompt life-threatening kidney effects in the previously healthy, and how those with kidney disease are more susceptible to severe Covid infection.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 23, 2021 including: The stress of the pandemic on healthcare workers has been enormous, but a new study shows critical care nurses were already burning out in large numbers even before it hit. Then, more than half of all cases of cervical cancer in the United States occur in women who’ve never had a pap smear or HPV test. Then, a study finds cocoa powder may reduce liver disease. And finally, moms who’ve been working at home during the pandemic won’t be surprised to hear this—they’re shouldering a lot more of the household chores and childcare than dads who are also working at home.
Colon cancer is striking much younger people than it used to, leading experts to lower the age on screening recommendations. A noted colon surgeon discusses screening and treatment options, and the way COVID-19 has changed patients’ approach to getting
The US birth rate has been declining since the Crash of 2008, but it took an even larger decline during the pandemic to levels unseen since the Great Depression. Today fertility rates are below replacement levels, which could have big impacts on education, employment, and the tax base years down the road. Experts discuss how people make fertility decisions and the impacts they can have on the nation.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 16, 2021 including: A study showing that even Covid survivors who were never sick enough to be hospitalized have a 60 percent higher risk of death from other diseases. Then Most people assume that smoke from wildfires affects mostly the heart and lungs, but a new study finds that it increases the odds of eczema as well. And finally… more than a year after the first reports of “zoom fatigue,” we’re getting more insight on who’s most affected and why.
In the mid-1960’s, many Ivy League and Seven Sister colleges as well as prestigious prep schools allowed researchers to photograph incoming students naked as part of work on a now-discredited theory linking physical characteristics to leadership potential. A former student who went through it, now a physician and writer, discusses how research ethics have changed in the last 50 years.
Many of those who’ve had COVID-19 have suffered from a temporary loss of their sense of smell, but some have had what seems to be an even worse symptom weeks or months later—a distorted sense of smell, where everything, from coffee to flowers, smells sickeningly awful. An expert and a former sufferer discuss how disruptive to life this can be and what people can do to make it through to recovery.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 9, 2021 including: The injection of nanoparticles deep into the brain can produce relief for those with chronic pain and depression. Then, diagnoses for the four most common cancers take a big jump when people hit age 65. And finally, a new study shows that narcissistic people pump themselves up only because deep down inside, they don’t believe they’re any good.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 2, 2021 including: Doctors are preparing for the possibility of COVID-19 variants that vaccines don’t prevent. Then, a new drug that shows promise against pancreatic and triple-negative breast cancers. And finally… mindfulness and meditation apps are good for reducing stress and anxiety, but they can also make you selfish.
Bottled water sales have skyrocketed, in part because many people believe it is safer than tap water. Actually, bottled water faces few of the safety regulations that tap water does. The disconnect, according to a new study, comes from society’s pervasive distrust in all governmental institutions. The lead researcher discusses how restoring faith in water could begin to restore faith in all American institutions.
Studies show that as many as a third of people who were very ill with COVID-19 later develop PTSD. Caregivers and health care workers may be afflicted as well. An expert discusses how this develops and what people can do to get better.
Brain aneurysms—bulging in a brain blood vessel, like an inflated balloon—affect 1 in 50 people and are generally without symptoms until they burst. This occurs in about 30,000 people per year in the US, accounting for 3-5 percent of all new strokes. Here is the story of one survivor in her own words.
Millions of Americans cannot afford the medications they’ve been prescribed. Many skip doses, split pills or don’t fill prescriptions at all as a result, with sometimes even fatal consequences. But doctors are often unable to consider cost very well in prescribing, as the same drug often costs patients vastly different amounts due to insurance differences. Experts discuss the problem and what patients can do to save.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of April 25, 2021 including: New research shows that reopening schools can be safe. Then, The brain cancer glioblastoma has no cure… but that may be changing. And finally, as air pollution from cars declines, scientists in Los Angeles say another polluter is becoming more important—palm trees.
Scientists are testing hundreds of different kinds of animals as well as waste and stormwater for Covid-19, looking for reservoirs for possible mutation. They’ve learned even pets can possibly harbor the virus but probably aren’t a threat. An expert discusses how the knowledge will combat Covid variants.
Homelessness continues to be a stubborn problem despite many well-intentioned programs. A new experimental study finds that giving homeless people thousands of dollars in cash helps get many of them off the streets for good, calling into question many assumptions about the homeless and how they got that way. Experts discuss the new program and its implications for ending homelessness.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of April 18, 2021 including: A new study finds COVID-19 was likely circulating undetected for nearly two months before late December 2019. Then, a study indicating weight loss surgery significantly cuts the risk of cancer in people with severe obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. And finally, a small study finds that early in the lockdown, a weight gain of two pounds a month was pretty typical.
Plagues such as COVID-19 are nothing new, and this pandemic is far from the worst the world has ever faced. A physician and historian examines COVID in comparison to other pandemics and discusses the lessons that will serve us well in the future.
Two experts discuss the changing theory of how to survive an active shooter incident through what’s called “run, hide, and fight."
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of April 11, 2021 including: A federal task force says far more smokers and former smokers should be eligible for free CT scans to screen for lung cancer. Then, a single head injury could result in dementia decades later. Then, Women with heart disease do a lot better when they’re treated by women doctors. And finally, if you want to cut your risk of diabetes… eat breakfast early.
Today’s students often type their assignments, no matter the grade level. Writing by hand is done less frequently, and some students are barely able to produce cursive writing. However, studies show that writing by hand creates a better connection to the brain for learning content. Experts discuss how we might tap this connection in an increasingly tech world.
Many people are relieved that, thanks to vaccines, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be waning. But the mental health wreckage of the last year will take longer to overcome. Experts discuss how it’s showing up and what people can do to get back on track.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of April 4, 2021 including: One of the oldest drugs in the world, aspirin, may help prevent COVID-19 infections and make illnesses that do take place much less serious. Then, people with Crohn’s disease often have flare-ups. One reason those sores don’t heal—fungus in foods. And finally… bosses who demand that employees keep their noses to the grindstone may be hurting productivity.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 28, 2021 including: About 10 percent of people will have a kidney stone at some point in their lives. When it happens, doctors may want to check for Osteoporosis, too. Then, more evidence that a vitamin d deficiency may leave you more susceptible to COVID. And finally… a lot of people take a probiotic to improve their gut health, but a new study suggests… try avocados instead.
During the pandemic, millions of people have adopted diets full of comfort food, and have wrecked their heart health in the process. Now as the world begins to return to a semblance of normal, they will face wildly conflicting dietary advice. An expert cardiologist discusses how people can cut through the confusion.
Pain varies from person to person and is totally subjective. It can’t be truly measured. This makes pain management one of the greatest challenges in healthcare. An expert discusses how pain works and how doctors struggle to contain it.
Knee replacements are successful for 80 percent of recipients, yet many assume the success rate should be higher. Those who are not successful often are bitterly disappointed. However, patients and physicians can take steps to avoid a bad result. New techniques also offer much faster recovery. Experts discuss.
Today, women outnumber men in medical school. But 175 years ago, women were unheard of in medicine. An author discusses the ingenuity it took for two sisters to break barriers in medicine for women.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 21, 2021 including: Rich countries are buying all the available COVID-19 vaccine for themselves… leaving poor countries in the cold. Then, Have you been double masking? If you haven’t been able to get the vaccine, it could be one of the best things you can do to stay safe from COVID. And finally, you may think that loud music is distracting while you’re driving… but a new study finds that young drivers are more distracted by not having music.
Americans have waited anxiously for the COVID-19 vaccine. Now that it’s being rapidly deployed, how much will it change life for those who’ve received it? Experts offer a primer on exactly how the vaccines work, what activities recipients can and can’t safely do, and estimates of when masks won’t be necessary.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 14, 2021 including: Scientists have developed a urine test that’s extremely accurate at finding prostate cancer. Then, Spanking a child may be as bad for their mental health as being abused or neglected. And finally, we’ve heard about dogs that can sniff out cancer. Now we know they can sniff out COVID-19, too.
Epilepsy affects 3.5 million Americans, yet stigma prevents many from speaking out, which in turn prolongs the stigma. An award-winning writer who has epilepsy describes the discrimination faced by people with seizure disorders and dispels the many myths many people hold about them.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 7, 2021 including: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says in the first half of 2020, overall American life expectancy dropped by a full year. Then, a new study finds that one third of Americans are anxious and depressed today. And finally… one way to reduce all that anxiety—listen to 80’s music.
The annual switch to Daylight Saving Time brings more accidents, heart attacks, and other health effects. Surprisingly, they don’t completely go away until we go back to Standard Time in the fall. Experts discuss health and mental effects of body clocks not being in synch with the actual time, and how year-around consistency would help. But should it be Standard Time or DST? Experts discuss alternatives.
Despite social distancing, experts say people are increasingly “hooking up.” Sexually transmitted diseases are growing as a result. An expert discusses STDs in a pandemic.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of February 28, 2021 including: A new survey shows that most of us will continue with health precautions even when Covid is behind us. Then, a study showing that Pregnant women who’ve had the coronavirus pass antibodies to their babies. Then, a study shows that bleeding of the gums as well as bleeding in the eye are associated with low levels of vitamin c. And finally… people blame short sleeping on a lot of things, but apparently they should also blame the moon.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected women’s employment much more dramatically than men, especially women of color, both because of the fields they work in and the need to take care of children who are distance learning. Experts discuss how this affects families, the workforce overall, and what can be done to ease the problem.
Hormones were unknown until a little more than 100 years ago, and experts admit we still have a lot to learn. An expert author details the discovery of hormones and how our growing knowledge has shaped treatment of many diseases and conditions.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of February 21, 2021 including: A study finds that schizophrenia is the second biggest risk factor for dying of Covid, second only to age. Then, scientists have discovered that a lack of a specific fatty acid in body tissues may trigger multiple sclerosis. And finally, a study recommending a calming influence for everyone... getting a cat.
People suffering from mental illnesses often go through a number of medications before they find one that works. A genetic test seeks to discover this information right away, so patients don’t have to wait. One of the test’s developers discusses its uses.
Parkinson’s disease has become one of the fastest growing diseases and causes of disability in the world. Evidence shows that environmental toxins such as pesticides play a role. Experts discuss what we know about Parkinson’s and how we could curtail its rise, saving lives and restoring quality of life.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of February 14, 2021 including: A study shows that the Covid-19 virus may hide in the body and become activated again much later. Then, Scientists have engineered a killer t-cell in the blood that attacks other t-cells causing diabetes. And finally… as the pandemic drags on, a new study is showing that people under age 30 aren’t weathering the strain as well as older people.
The number of cars on the road has been dramatically lower during the pandemic, yet the number of crash deaths has actually increased. That means the number of crashes and traffic deaths per mile driven have skyrocketed. Experts discuss this unprecedented scenario and what we can do about it.
Proof of having received COVID-19 vaccine may soon be required for boarding a plane, going to a ball game, going to school, having a job or eating in some restaurants. An expert involved in the design of a passport app discusses how it would all work.
Professional athletes are among the most superstitious of all people. While we may be tempted to think these rituals have no effect on performance, psychologists say that if an athlete believes it helps, then it actually does. Experts explain how superstitions work in sports and in life.
Healthcare workers in ER’s and ICU’s are in their 11th month of fighting COVID-19 and its exhaustion and depression. Two front line doctors describe how they’re managing to stay optimistic amid so much chaos, and how the vaccine has given them a goal keeping them afloat.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of February 7, 2021 including: New statistics from the American Cancer Society show that cancer deaths are continuing to drop. Then, a study finds that reopening schools doesn’t increase hospitalizations for Covid-19… at least not in areas where hospitalizations are low. Then, a new study showing that saliva tests are just as accurate and much more convenient than nose swabs. And finally… If you’ve received cosmetic facial fillers… there’s a slight chance the Covid-19 vaccine may cause a reaction to them.
During the Super Bowl, leftovers from gatherings—even small ones--may threaten to take over the refrigerator. An expert discusses consumer-friendly how-to’s, including how to read labels, that can lengthen food life and help avoid food waste.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that a new, more contagious version of COVID-19 will become the predominant strain by March, testing the new vaccine’s effectiveness. At the same time, researchers are trying to find ways to get the vaccine to more people more quickly by lengthening time between doses, with unknown results. Infectious disease experts discuss where we are in the fight.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of January 30, 2021 including: The world may cross the point of no return on climate change sooner than we thought. Then, taking glucosamine could be just as beneficial to your health as exercise. And finally... the key to treating intractable depression may be… magic mushrooms.
Surveys show that as many as 80 percent of people omit information, stretch the truth or outright lie to their doctors. Experts discuss why it happens, consequences, and methods that might reduce the amount of less-than-truthful answers to doctors’ questions.
The COVID pandemic has prompted people to clean and disinfect more than ever. However, experts believe that humans need a certain amount of germs for our immune systems to work properly. One expert discusses her concern that we’re living too clean in the pandemic, and how we can benefit from “good bugs” without danger from the bad ones.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of January 24, 2021 including: A study finding that 60 percent of all cases of COVID-19 are spread by people who have no symptoms. Then, children under age two may suffer effects from antibiotics later in childhood. And finally, new recommendations suggesting kids under age two should have no added sugar in their diet.
Some Americans say there is no way they’ll get a COVID-19 vaccine, yet some may have no choice if they want to keep their jobs. Law allows workplaces to require safety-related vaccines for workers. Businesses may even begin to require proof of vaccination among customers to maintain safe environments. An expert on health law discusses.
Scientists are discovering that our food preferences are much more than a matter of taste, and that taste itself is more complicated than we thought. Psychology also plays a role. An expert discusses what determines preferences, such as why some people like jalapeno peppers & black coffee, and some don’t.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of January 17, 2021 including: Glaucoma is the world’s number one cause of blindness … and those daily eye drops are not always successful. Then, the number of times a woman has given birth affects how quickly she ages. Then You can expect another decline in Covid-19 transmission as we head into spring, and finally, if you want to make shots hurt less… make the right kind of face.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of January 10, 2021 including: Doctors consider people at high risk for a stroke if they have medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. But maybe they should consider whether they’re depressed as well. Then, children under age two may suffer effects from antibiotics later on in childhood. And finally, mom may have always told you to eat your vegetables… but a little meat and dairy keep people from breaking bones.
Success of COVID-19 vaccines depends on about 75 percent of people getting them, but distrust of medicine and of vaccines among African-Americans means they may not come close to that milepost. Two experts discuss historical reasons for distrust, how the system will have to come through in ways it has not in the past, and how community leaders will make a huge difference in how the new vaccines are accepted.
Cars will soon be able to provide data as well as receive it. Experts explain how cars can talk with roads, traffic signals and central computers, and how roads themselves may collect data on the cars they carry. In the future, autonomous cars may use these links to greatly speed travel and make it much safer.
Poor communication and mixed messages have contributed greatly to poor acceptance of anti-coronavirus actions such as masking and social distancing, and experts fear it may be the same with the new vaccines. Experts discuss what we’ve done right in messaging and the lessons from what we’ve done wrong.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of January 3, 2021 including: The incidence of cancer is increasing among teenagers and young adults. Then, This is the time to make new year’s resolutions… but mental health experts say this year may not be the time to make big changes. And finally… your Roomba may be spying on you through your wi-fi network.
Researchers have found that severe emotional trauma in childhood triggers physical disease later in life, and has a cumulative effect. An award-winning science writer who has researched the topic discusses findings.
Pancreatic cancer is increasing, and soon to be the second leading cancer killer, since it is rarely detected in early stages. Two physicians discuss pancreatic cancer and its symptoms, as well as their research into methods to find the disease in earlier stages.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of December 27, 2020 including nearly 40 percent of Americans are attending family gatherings with more than 10 people this weekend, despite authorities’ continuing pleas to stay home. Then, if you have type two diabetes… drinking green tea and coffee are good for you. And finally… it’s seemingly a given that “mindful” people cope with stress better, but a new study finds that’s not true.
Millions of Americans are in financial straits due to COVID layoffs and furloughs. A doctor describes how he gets patients to talk about why they’re in trouble and what they do about it to create an eye-opening portrait.
Medical campaigns account for a third of monies raised on crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe, and many people who’ve fallen through the holes of the safety net have been helped this way. But studies show that fraud is rampant in crowdfunding, with fake patients and medical providers who are all too eager to take money for worthless treatment. Experts discuss these issues and the need for regulation.
This holiday season will be unlike any we’ve ever had before, with “loss” as a major theme—loss of little things such as routines as well as big ones. Two experts weigh in on how families can navigate this season while keeping it festive.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of December 13, 2020 including anti-Covid mandates have generally been seen as hurting business… but a new study shows that some of them, short of shutdowns, actually help the economy. And finally… playing brain games before surgery may help recovery.
Hiccups are annoying and uncomfortable, and doctors don’t know why we (and most other species) get them. An expert explains what we know about what hiccups are and why most home remedies actually work.
New COVID-19 vaccines won’t be available for most people until spring, and the months until then may have a staggering cost in lives and illness. A noted infectious disease expert discusses probable time lines and events between now and the vaccine’s availability, and how adherence to social distancing and masking could change outcomes.
Unlike most cells in the human body, the central nervous system cannot repair itself. People who suffer brain or spinal cord injuries, or neurological disorders such as MS and ALS have few alternatives. A neurological researcher describes how he has discovered previously unknown nerve growth factors that could someday allow such injuries and diseases to heal.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of December 6, 2020 including: Doctors are continuing to find new ways among old drugs to cut the damage done by COVID-19. Then, if you live out in the quiet countryside, you may be at lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. And finally, a study finds that, especially during the pandemic, video games can be good for your mental health and well being.
Just about anyone can report a parent to a child abuse hotline. It’s meant to protect children, but often, parents are reported when no abuse or neglect exists in order to retaliate for a divorce or some other grievance. Some parents are reported for merely letting children play outside or walk to school without an adult in attendance, what was once thought of as normal. Some activists say this robs children of independence. An expert and a woman who went through an unjustified child abuse investigation discuss.
Women are the fastest-growing prison population, but when they’re released, they face far more barriers to successful reintegration into society than men, especially if they have children. Experts and a former inmate running a new program for moms in prison discuss barriers and ways to overcome them.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of November 29, 2020 including: Two COVID vaccines showing a better than 90-percent effectiveness rate now have the data to seek emergency approval from the FDA. Then, a study shows that signs of concussion can be detected in a person’s saliva. And finally, a new study finds that deflating soccer balls just a little could cut concussion injuries in the sport.
Chemotherapy has saved millions of lives, but its origins date to the chemical warfare agent mustard gas. A secret shipment of the gas was released in Italy after the bombing of a US ship in World War II. An investigative reporter details how doctors turned death and tragedy to the lifesaver we know today.
Getting together with family and friends over the holidays will be different this year due to COVID-19 precautions for families and governmental restrictions on restaurants and bars. The hospitality industry complains it’s unfairly targeted, but data shows it’s a COVID hotspot. Yet families in homes can repeat some of the same errors. Experts discuss how to keep gatherings safe and the consequences if we don’t.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of November 22, 2020 including: Scientists say they’ve come up with a simple skin test that can accurately diagnose Parkinson’s. Then, a new Covid-19 test could be coming that requires you to simply gargle with a sterile saltwater solution. Then, a study shows that a single dose of sub-anesthetic ketamine can treat lazy eye. And finally… a study that shows how smog generates plastic trash.
Since the beginning of the “baby on back” movement to reduce sudden infant death syndrome, many more infants are developing misshapen heads with a flat spot in one place. An expert discusses whether this is serious, how it can be treated with a helmet-like device, and how it might be prevented.
Some people are finding relief from mental health issues through music therapy, a combination of psychotherapy and music-making. A noted music therapist describes what the practiced is and how it works.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of November 15, 2020 including: A study finds that some occupations may be more at risk of getting seriously ill. Then, a new study shows that men in jobs with hard physical work have a 55 percent higher risk of developing dementia, compared to men doing more sedentary work. And finally… it’s no secret that alcohol consumption has gone up in the pandemic. But a recent survey has quantified some of the results.
2020 has produced an ongoing barrage of stressful events, and psychologists say the months of strain have started to show in both physical and mental breakdowns among increasing numbers of people. Three mental health professionals discuss the signs that a person is in trouble, and what they can do to get through these difficult times intact.
Someone who is always late for everything and never finishes any project on time is often labeled as irresponsible, lazy, or purposely insulting. But they may be suffering from a brain abnormality called time blindness that’s often a part of ADHD, with often sad consequences. Experts discuss.
Handedness is a central part of a person’s identity. Left-handers are often seen as somehow different than the rest of us, and over history they’ve been stereotyped as more quirky, intelligent, and sinister than righties. Science shows that some labels are likely to be true. Experts discuss where handedness comes from, and what differences truly result.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of November 8, 2020 including: One of the biggest questions about the coronavirus is whether people who are infected are immune from reinfection… and if so, for how long. Then, wildfires this year have generated respiratory and circulatory illnesses costing more than 1.3 billion dollars. And finally, fast fashion means more plastic pollution of both our water and land.
Some nursing homes with a large number of patients with dementia have found that farm animals on-site and even in rooms can be helpful in raising spirits and reducing the need for medications. A therapist and program director at one such nursing home discusses how llamas, chickens, goats and mini horses have found a home, to the benefit of residents.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of November 1, 2020 including: The official death toll in the United States from COVID-19 is around 230,000. But a new study shows that the real number could actually be much higher. Then, Covid’s effects on virtually every organ of the body have been noted for months… And a new study shows that its effects on the brain can be profound. Then, a study shows that a new experimental technique can regenerate the cartilage that cushions joints. And finally, marijuana use in pregnancy is on the rise… but a new study finds that children born of pot-smoking moms are more likely to have mental health issues.
Black lung disease among coal miners is often thought of as a relic of the past, thanks to environmental laws. The disease is completely preventable, but a distinguished reporter and author has still found plenty of it among today’s miners. He discusses his findings and why it’s still going on.
Grief can come from the loss of anything important to us—a loved one, a job, a home, a status in the community. Today many people are suffering from unresolved grief, since there are no rituals to ease these forms of grief and prohibitions against large gatherings such as funerals. An expert discusses the many forms of grief and how we can get through them.
The new scientific field of planetary health seeks to analyze how humans are influencing the planet, which in turn rebounds to affect humans. The field encompasses more than environmental science and ecology, and helps to explain pandemics and other illnesses, mass migration, food consumption, and other public health factors. Two experts explain.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of October 25, 2020 including: A new study shows our diets are suffering as a result of stress from Coronavirus. Then, a study finds that when teachers are having a bad day, students pick up on it and are more likely to behave badly. And finally… eye doctors say they’re getting an influx of patients asking about eye irritation called, “Mask eye.”
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of October 18, 2020 including: The leaders of two of the nation’s leading science advisory groups are warning about what they call “Alarming political interference” in the government’s response to COVID-19. Then, one reason people oppose action on climate change is that it’s more expensive than doing nothing, at least in the short term. And finally… if you plan on having any trick or treaters this year… a word of warning about black licorice, especially if you figure on eating the leftover candy yourself.
In the race to perform the first human-to-human heart transplant, ethical corners were sometimes cut. An investigative journalist explains how a black man’s heart was harvested without his family’s consent for the first human heart transplant in the South, and how incidents such as this help to explain ongoing African-American distrust of medicine.
The ability to "know" the musical pitch of any sound has traditionally been thought to be learnable only at a very early age through musical training. But new research shows perfect pitch is teachable to adults as well. Experts discuss the implications on all forms of learning.
A searing, stabbing pain on one side of the face can be so severe it’s sometimes called “the suicide disease,” and may evade diagnosis. Trigeminal neuralgia is often caused by a throbbing artery in contact with nerves at the base of the brain. Treatment can be difficult though often ultimately successful. Two experts discuss.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of October 11, 2020 including: A group of black physicians has created a task force to vet government decisions about COVID-19 including treatments and a possible vaccine. Then, a study showing that many youths don’t understand just how strict social distancing has to be in order to work, or that restrictions are more than a short-term requirement. And finally, migraine headaches are the third most prevalent illness in the world… but exposure to the right kind of green light can make sufferers feel much better.
A COVID-19 vaccine is on the horizon, but while billions have been spent on its development, little has been spent on distribution and there are still many unanswered questions. Experts discuss how vaccine distribution might be carried out, how long it’s likely to take, and the steps needed to make it work.
Researchers see the new acceptance of telemedicine as an opportunity during clinical trials. Along with Zoom visits, numerous sensors on participants could provide constant monitoring of health conditions without traveling to see doctors, making control better.
An estimated 35 million people were food insecure last year, and the dislocations due to COVID-19 have made it much worse now. Experts discuss the health consequences of hunger, the strategies families are using to cope with economic dislocation, and one local effort typical of new volunteer programs to feed hungry children in need.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of October 4, 2020 including: Wearing a face mask may give people a sort of immunity to serious cases of COVID-19. Then, one more reason to save honeybees—their venom is a powerful chemotherapy agent against so-called “triple negative” breast cancer. And finally, a study finds thick thighs save lives when it comes to high blood pressure.
Studies show that medical professionals are as biased as the rest of us against people who are overweight, resulting in lectures, misdiagnoses, and patients who start avoiding the doctor. Experts explain the problem, results, and what might be done about it.
Rheumatoid diseases number around 100, though arthritis is the most well known. They can be crippling and sometimes even fatal, but good treatments exist. The key is early detection, as an expert explains.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 27, 2020 including: Most of what we’ve heard about delays at the postal service have had to do with the election…but delays could also keep millions of people from getting their medications. Then, a new study finds that two-thirds of the plastic waste in the United States comes from other things like electronics, consumer products and cars. And finally, if bosses want to curb fraud and unethical behavior among employees, encourage them to put up family photos at work.
Pets are a comfort in difficult times, and the pandemic is no exception. Animal shelters report a surge in pet adoptions, especially puppies, in the last six months, and veterinarians are having to adopt procedures such as telemedicine to deal with the increase while still staying safe. Experts explain how adopting and training a new pet has changed in the pandemic.
Children are living through a scary time right now and often have little understanding of why their world has been turned upside down. A noted public health expert explains what he’s found about children’s concerns of the pandemic and how parents can answer their questions.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 20, 2020 including:
- Scientists have learned why symptoms of a coronavirus infection includes the loss of the sense of smell.
- Then, a new nasal vaccine has proven effective in prompting an immune response in mice without causing illness.
- To keep COVID-19 from spreading indoors, scientists say we may need a new generation of air conditioners.
- And finally… some good news if you’ve always thought that selfish jerks get ahead quicker than nice people in this dog-eat-dog world.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 13, 2020 including: Having COVID-19 may not provide protection against getting it again, at least not for very long. Then, an experimental drug combination is showing some promise against A-L-S. Then, about 10 percent of Americans have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association, and many of them are undiagnosed. Then, if you’re working at home because of the pandemic, experts say there are really only two ways to handle it. And finally… the increase in states where recreational marijuana is legal is raising the alarm among physicians who say pot can cause interactions with other drugs.
Psychologists say there’s more anger in our society than ever. But they say that should be no surprise, since anger is often a reaction to uncertainty and fear. Two experts discuss the genesis of anger, how it serves a purpose, and how it can be controlled.
Pharmacists are often asked to do more work in less time than they need, and some experts worry it’s causing medication mistakes. A pharmacist specializing in medication safety discusses pressures on pharmacists and what consumers can do to protect themselves.
Many people who are smart, talented and successful still believe they are incompetent on the inside and that others will eventually find out. This “imposter syndrome” can undermine careers and lead to psychological distress. Two noted experts in the field discuss origins and how to deal with the phenomenon.
Rising global temperatures have produced extreme weather and a rising sea level. Climate scientists fear we may soon reach the point of no return, resulting in a hothouse with large portions of the planet uninhabitable. Authors of a major report on this phenomenon explain.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 6, 2020 including: A study that vaping among teenagers is a huge risk for COVID-19. Then, a study that evaluates injuries from ATV crashes. Plus, a study that shows that knowing the facts about the pandemic reduces the stress that people feel about it. And finally, you may have seen headlines recently that wearing a neck gaiter for a face mask is worse than no mask at all - a subsequent study produces evidence that they’re not so bad after all.
Medicine in the Third World is vastly different than in the US, and American doctors sometimes run into unexpected hurdles when they try to bring modern medicine to impoverished nations. One such doctor describes his efforts.
The next pandemic is only a matter of “When and what,” according to health security experts, who here discuss what’s needed to be ready for a variety of possible pandemics and infectious threats, both natural and terror.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 30, 2020 including: A study that shows patients who recover from COVID-19 without ever being seriously ill may still end up with heart damage. Then, research shows evidence that a common shrub often used in Native American medicine may be the key to treating antibiotic-resistant infections. And finally… if you like pale ale or IPA beers you’re likely to be a risk-taker.
With faces hidden behind masks for COVID-19, we are losing some of the visual information we depend on for smooth communication. Experts discuss the awkward encounters and specific looks we’re likely to misinterpret when we can’t see other people’s mouths.
People who injure their foot often think they have a mere sprained foot or ankle when they actually have an injury that is potentially much more severe and disabling if not treated. Experts explain the Lisfranc joint and injuries that can hurt it.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 23, 2020 including: Doctors are still learning about Coronavirus and some of what they’re finding is confusing. Then, many first responders to the 9-11 attacks in New York have brains that have aged 10 years more than normal. And finally, a study shows that people over six feet tall are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with COVID-19.
A new study shows that people who have type 2 diabetes and are under chronic stress are more likely to have high blood sugar. The study’s lead author and a patient discuss how stress can make diabetes worse and what people can do to counteract it.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 16, 2020 including: Chemicals called endocrine disruptors cause 32 different health problems ranging from infertility to diabetes and impaired brain development. Then, The COVID-19 pandemic is making working moms cut their hours on the job… but not dads. And finally, a study shows that becoming a dad gives men a greater sense of purpose… Which often leads to healthier and less risky choices.
Development of a Coronavirus vaccine is proceeding at a breakneck pace. What needs to happen to make sure it’s safe and effective? And if a vaccine is successfully made, who should get it first? Will enough people opt in to get back to normal life, or will COVID-19 be with us for years? Experts discuss.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 9, 2020 including: A study find that COVID-19 can damage the testicles. Then doctors have discovered a way to predict who is likely to be affected by organ rejection or damage. And finally, if social media makes you mad, it turns out that its heaviest users want you to feel that way.
People working at home may have no commute and can work in their pajamas, but they may find themselves more exhausted than when they worked at the office. Two experts discuss reasons for this fatigue—patterns of working at home and the surprising stress of virtual meetings.
Many school districts are delaying decisions on whether students will attend in person or will be taught remotely once again to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to children and staff. Experts discuss the methods under consideration to lower risks and whether that will be enough to open for classes.
Lung transplants are the least done of all major organ transplants because the lungs are so easily damaged in the death process. A lung transplant surgeon explains, using one particularly difficult case as an example.
Electroconvulsive therapy still has a stigma, with the reputation of being a painful, disturbing procedure that wipes out memories and, if movies are to be believed, even creates zombies. Experts explain the reality—that ECT is a quiet procedure that provokes a short brain seizure, releasing huge amounts of neurotransmitters to reset the brain in what is the quickest and most dependable treatment for severe and often suicidal depression.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 2, 2020 including: A study showing that telehealth is taking off in the United States. Then, a study in the Journal of Hospital Infection showing some mask materials are better than others. And finally, a new study shows that the “mommy brain” stereotype is wrong.
State and local public health officials have been under pressure like never before in the COVID-19 pandemic, as citizens and elected officials push back against tough restrictions designed to curb the virus. Some officials have even been threatened. Feeling their bosses don’t have their backs, a higher proportion of officials are quitting than normal, and these essential jobs will be hard to fill with qualified health experts.
Mental health experts once believed that children were too young to remember traumas well enough to suffer much from post-traumatic stress disorder. Now they know that children as young as 2 or 3 can be affected, often for the rest of their lives. An expert discusses PTSD in children and its treatment.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of July 26, 2020 including: Evidence is piling up that face masks cut the risk of getting COVID-19 by up to 65 percent. Then, a study finds that, at least in the laboratory, a common asthma drug can prevent the formation of tangles. Then, A study finds that cord blood helps some children with autism improve their social communication skills. And finally, if you feel especially insecure about your romantic partner… it may be all in your genes.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of July 19, 2020 including: Do-it-yourself COVID swabs could be just as accurate as those taken by a medical professional. Then, researchers say access to air conditioning is far more important than officials have planned for...especially when some people are still in isolation. And finally, for many people, one casualty of the coronavirus pandemic has been the grocery store they used to shop at.
Osteoporosis is increasing as America ages. However, fewer people are being tested for bone density and are agreeing to treatment because of side effects of osteoporosis medications. Experts discuss the devastating effects of increased broken bones and what can now be done to prevent them.
Doctors already say they’re burned out, but the COVID-19 pandemic is making it worse. A noted physician educator discusses how burnout starts with the way future doctors are taught.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of July 12, 2020 including: An analysis showing states that stuck to tough shelter in place rules are now recovering. Then, your blood type could be a more factor that can raise your risk of contracting coronavirus. And finally, Americans are less happy than they’ve been in at least 50 years. Scientists at the University of Chicago have been surveying happiness nationwide since 1972… and the results have never been worse.
Therapists report an increase in orthorexia, a not-yet recognized eating disorder where people become fixated on eating only healthy things and/or exercising hours per day. It can take over an afflicted person’s life and result in physical symptoms much like anorexia. Experts discuss diagnosis and treatment.
Summer is tick season, and tick bites are common. However, bites from a couple of types of ticks can produce paralysis and even death if the tick is not removed quickly. An expert discusses.
The next step in beating the COVID-19 pandemic may be stepped up contact tracing and quarantine of people who’ve had contact with Covid-positive individuals. However, many people see that as too expensive and intrusive to be practical. An expert discusses how it might work, and how it might not.
Studies show that people with autism are twice as likely as others to engage in substance abuse, contrary to previous belief that they are extremely unlikely to use drugs or alcohol. An expert and an author who has used alcohol to cope with his autism discuss the developments and their impact.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of July 5, 2020 including: Shelter in place rules have brought the economy to its knees but researchers say it was worth it. Then, people who’ve never smoked make up about 25 percent of those who develop the lung disease COPD. Plus, resetting the body clock may be as simple as exercise. And finally, people have joked about the “COVID 15,” the supposed weight gain of people staying home during the pandemic. But a new study shows it’s a real thing.
Some people insist that wearing a face mask smothers them and makes them feel like they’re not getting enough air. An expert discusses what might be going wrong and lays out the basics on how to wear a mask without needing to come up for air.
While most people who contract COVID-19 survive, those who suffer often-changing symptoms for months on end can only wonder when they’ll get well. A survey of members of a long-haul survivors support group find that many who don’t have “textbook” symptoms suffer poor medical care and discrimination as a result. Two women who operate the support group discuss the issues.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of June 28, 2020 including: Researchers have been looking for an already existing drug to quickly take on COVID-19, and apparently, now they’ve found one. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration has closed the door on using the malaria treatment Hydroxychloroquine (hy-drox-ee-klor-oh-quin) to treat COVID-19. Then, social isolation has been a lifesaver the last few months… but if it goes on too long, isolation can lead to shorter lifespans. And finally… when employees start going back to the workplace in large numbers… you can expect disastrous traffic on the roads.
With thousands of people demonstrating in the streets after the death of George Floyd, health experts are concerned that the crowds, shouting, and lack of masks may contribute to a spike in COVID-19 cases. However, with many locations also “opening up,” they say a spike is inevitable, to be made worse by protests, but teasing out what’s responsible becomes more difficult. Experts discuss.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of June 21, 2020 including: A study finds a much lower death rate among coronavirus patients placed on a ventilator. Then, everyone’s wiping down surfaces with disinfectant these days… but they may become contaminated again within seconds. Then, a new study shows that one reason older men have a higher risk for COVID-19 is because they’re not worried about it. And finally, if you’re counting on your child to grow out of being a picky eater… it may never happen.
Summer is when people want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Skin protection and sunscreen are something most of us consider, but overexposure to UV rays is extremely dangerous to the eyes as well. An expert discusses.
Stuttering is an extremely misunderstood disability. Many stutterers go to great lengths to avoid the words or phrases that trip them up, and are often successful in keeping their disability hidden. Yet then it may be mistaken for other problems. Experts explain, using former Vice President Joe Biden as an example.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of June 14, 2020 including: People who recover from a coronavirus infection often still have a long way to go to recover their mental health. Then, a study that shows sick leave is a good way to slow the spread of diseases like COVID-19. Then, doing good for other people is contagious. And finally, if you’re feeling stressed and anxious about the pandemic… You can bet your dog or cat is feeling it just as much.
Scientists have learned that the habits and environments of our parents and grandparents can have a strong effect on our health and longevity as a result of imprinting on egg and sperm cells. An expert explains.
It’s illegal for health insurers to use genetic testing to discriminate against policyholders. However, life insurers can and do discriminate on that basis if the test is in your medical file. Private testing lets patients know their risk for many diseases without landing in health files. Advocates want to make it illegal for life insurers to also discriminate on this basis, but it may end up with higher costs for everyone. Experts explain.
Seven hundred children under age 15 drown in the US each year, most within sight of a parent or other adult. Experts discuss one major reason: drowning doesn't look like most people picture it, and so are unaware the child is in trouble.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of June 7, 2020 including: Researchers are working on an app with a sensor to test for COVID-19 using only a drop of saliva. Then, life was more stressful than it was 25 years ago… and for middle aged people, it’s much more stressful. Plus, A study shows that emergency room visits for children for mental health disorders has increased 60 percent of the last 10 years. And finally, a study shows that homeschooled adolescents have significantly lower abdominal strength and endurance than public school kids even though their BMI’s were the same.
Women may have been known through the centuries as the weaker sex, but researchers have learned that they are anything but weak. Their 2 X chromosomes are both active and cooperate with each other, especially in immune response. An expert discusses new findings on their genetic superiority.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 31, 2020, including: A newly developed smartphone app is remarkably effective at predicting if a person is infected with COVID-19. Then biomarkers for ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease can be found in a person’s teeth in the first decade of life. Plus, a study shows that changing the way physical therapy is done can improve strength by an additional 30 percent. And finally, the labels on drinks for kids don’t help adults figure out which ones are real fruit juice and which are sugary, artificially flavored imitations.
Scientists have discovered that singing is an exceptionally effective way to spread viruses through the aerosolized particles it expels, which may travel much farther than the six foot safety zone many people follow. This means choruses and choirs may not get back to “normal” after the COVI-19 pandemic until much later than most activities, and only with rapid, effective testing or a vaccine. Experts explain.
For people under about age 70, COVID-19 is much harder on men than on women, especially those with strong male characteristics like scalp balding and plentiful body hair. A group of researchers has a theory as to why—that male hormones provide the virus with an entry into the cell. One of the researchers discusses what that could mean in terms of treatment.
Over the last 8,000 years, the human jaw has been getting smaller due to an increasingly soft diet and a lack of jaw exercise. The result is an epidemic of crooked teeth and serious health consequences, as two experts explain.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 24, 2020 including: Scientists have come up with a blood test that screens for a panel of biomarkers for pancreatic cancer that's nearly 92 percent accurate. Then, a new study shows that heart valve blockages in men and women may be caused by completely different factors. Plus, a report is out indicating Americans are feeling depressed right now. And finally, doctors and nurses can’t go back and forth like they used to, and that can create communication problems. One solution at some hospitals? Baby monitors.
The COVID-19 lockdown has triggered increased alcohol use in many people, and an alcohol use disorder in some. Help can be difficult to access, as face-to-face counseling and group sessions have been halted. For women, it can be even more difficult, as they are much more comfortable in more rare single-sex sharing situations. Two experts discuss today’s dangerous alcohol triggers and how to seek help.
Spring is the season of rituals—prom, graduation, commencement and weddings. Social distancing has taken most of these rituals away. An expert discusses the importance of rituals in our mental health and why it’s OK to grieve their loss. She also discusses how changing rituals can be successful save for the tragic loss of funerals.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 17, 2020 including: People with heart attacks and other health emergencies are avoiding the emergency room for fear of contracting COVID-19. Then, a study showing that artificial intelligence can predict with about 80 percent accuracy which moderately-infected COVID-19 patients will get worse and which ones won’t. Next, a study saying that having your first child by C-section may lead to impaired fertility. And finally, men, if your wife says she needs just a little more sleep, believe her.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 10, 2020 including: A number of new treatments for COVID-19 are showing promise and could be fast-tracked if clinical trials continue to show good results. Then, another trial of 53 severely ill patients reported in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 68 percent showed clinical improvement with Remdesivir. Then, viruses like COVID-19 that jump from animals to people are going to become more common. Then, If you’re having trouble sleeping these days, you’re far from alone. And finally many people are concerned about getting COVID-19 from food they buy, but scientists say the risk of that is very, very low.
Doctor’s appointments via smartphone have been available for some time but were little used except in remote areas due to insurance reluctance. Now telemedicine has been forced on us and on insurers by COVID-19 restrictions, and many providers swear by them. Three experts discuss.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a quicker economic crash than we’ve ever seen. Opening the nation too fast will likely trigger a “W” shaped recovery with wide swings of growth then decline. Either way, the effects will last for years. Experts discuss likely scenarios.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of May 3, 2020 including: By now, most of us are familiar with the main symptoms of a COVID-19 infection—fever, cough, and respiratory distress. But doctors are learning that the virus may also attack the heart and brain. And finally, last year we told you about a “smart toilet seat” that could diagnose congestive heart failure. Now scientists at Stanford University have put diagnostic tools in the toilet itself.
Nursing homes have been a hotbed of fatal COVID-19 infections. The virus was loose in many of them before they could even know it. An industry expert discusses what nursing homes are doing now to keep the virus out and their patients safe.
Mental health is difficult to maintain when people are required to stay inside at home. In fact, we’re asked to engage in activities that normally would indicate mental distress. A noted psychologist with the NIH discusses ways to stay mentally healthy during the pandemic lockdown.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of April 26, 2020 including: A blood test for many types of cancer has been a long-sought goal of researchers, and now they’re much closer. Then, a team of faculty and students at Rice University has developed an automated bag valve mask ventilator using $300 worth of parts off the shelf. And finally, a study from the University of Michigan finds that if you talk to yourself in the third person by name, you’ll be less likely to cave in to tempting foods.
Many Americans are impatient with social distancing as a result of COVID-19 despite the success of the tactic. However, reopening the country too quickly could allow the virus to come roaring back, resulting in thousands more deaths and even more economic damage. Two experts explain how the rollout should happen to get us back to work safely.
A lack of ventilators potentially puts doctors in the position of deciding which of their COVID-19 patients get a ventilator and live, and which ones don’t get one and die. New rules for making such decisions have been released which are designed to be fair and independent. The designer of the rules explains.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of April 19, 2020 including: If you’ve been taking the drug Ranitidine for reflux or ulcer prevention, the FDA says stop. Then, a new study shows that parents are yelling at their children since most of us have been ordered to stay home. And finally, with COVID-19 testing in such short supply… why not let a dog do it?
The national effort to shelter in place has closed gyms and led many people to complain of weight gain. Two exercise experts discuss how people can maintain fitness at home with no equipment.
Hospitals are scrambling to get extra equipment and outfit more beds and ICU units for COVID-19 patients. Their treatment is time-consuming and expensive. At the same time, hospitals’ lucrative elective procedure business has largely been eliminated. Will the combination bankrupt hospitals? Two experts who have studied the crisis discuss.
With hundreds of millions of Americans sheltering at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the odds and fear of domestic abuse are rising. The leader of a noted shelter and counseling program discusses the increase, the difficulty of counteracting it during a national lockdown, and what people can do to cope.
People who suddenly speak with what sounds like a foreign accent often have a brain injury due to a stroke or other trauma. Experts discuss the syndrome and chances of recovery.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of April 12, 2020 including: A study that says taking large amounts of Ibuprofen may be worse for your liver than we thought. Then, a new study finds that there’s no harm in letting your baby "cry it out." Then, scientists have come up with a new way to deliver vaccines without getting a shot. And finally… a study showing Americans are washing their hands more often these days, and taking evasive action by using paper towels to open door handles.
Virtually no one in the US has been unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic, and stress is at high levels. A public health and brain expert discusses why “sheltering in place” is so important in spite of the stress it generates, and a few simple steps to ease the stress.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of April 5, 2020 including: Experts say most people infected with COVID-19 under age 60 will have symptoms much like a cold or the flu, and it’s no reason to panic. Then, we’ve heard the advice a thousand times to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and stop touching your face... That last point may be the hardest. Then, a study shows that being “a real man” builds “toxic masculinity” as men age… affecting their health and overall happiness. And finally, if you’ve ever worried about whether you should spend on an exotic vacation or buy more expensive “things,” a new study says… go on that trip.
Perinatal depression (previously known as postpartum depression) is seldom brought up by a new mother, so healthcare providers must screen for it carefully. However, sometimes they err on the side of caution in efforts to prevent the mother from harming herself or her baby. Experts discuss the balancing act.
Most people who have kidney disease are not aware of it. In fact, nearly half of people with severe kidney disease don’t know it. Kidney disease is often silent, and one of its main risk factors, high blood pressure, is silent as well. The head of the NIH’s kidney research organization discusses this major public health issue and what people should look for to receive early intervention.
Millions of Americans are suddenly having to work from home for the first time as a result of coronavirus. Many do not have a good home office setup, tech skills, family makeup or the temperament to do it. A remote working expert discusses the do’s and don’ts of working from home without going crazy.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 29, 2020, including: A treatment combining radiation and chemotherapy could be much more effective for colorectal cancer. Then, scientists have discovered that a WWI helmet is actually superior to even modern equipment when it comes to protecting its wearers from shock waves. And finally, doctors can tell whether you’re rich or poor through urinalysis.
The effectiveness of efforts to contain coronavirus often depend on governmental policies determined years or even decades ago that, at the time, had nothing to do with public health. A health policy expert discusses some of these policies and what they mean for coronavirus testing and treatment.
In the past 10 days, the US has finally begun to institute aggressive tactics against coronavirus that may limit its spread and the death toll. But many Americans remain confused about what they should do and why. One of the nation’s most authoritative infectious disease experts discusses.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 22, 2020, including: It’s getting much more dangerous to walk where you’re going with pedestrian fatalities up by more than 50 percent in the last decade. Then, a report that an experimental urine test has the potential of accurately finding prostate cancer while eliminating false positives. And finally, is your smartphone giving you a headache?
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 15, 2020, including: There is a higher risk of heart disease for women who've experienced domestic abuse. Then, a study that shows that the pulse can vary wildly between people. Plus, can being tall protect men from dementia? And finally, if you make a lot of typos when you text... your thumbs may be too long.
The Institute of Medicine report “To Err Is Human” in 1999 shook health care with the finding that as many as 120,000 Americans die each year due to medical mistakes. A noted researcher re-examines how far we’ve come since then and the difficult cooperation it will take to make patient safety more certain.
Studies show that by this time of year, most of us have failed new year’s resolutions to lose weight. A noted expert discusses how most people get in trouble with obesity and a more reasonable way to try to lose weight than most people follow.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 8, 2020, including: The chemical known as BPS can pass through the placenta of pregnant rats and hindered brain development in their offspring. Then, for those under age 50 who develop Parkinson's, the seeds may have been planted in the womb. Also, men who use marijuana may have a higher risk of fathering children with brain abnormalities. And finally, if you fill out paperwork when you arrive at the doctor's office, you’re using something with 46,000 times more germs than the average toilet seat—a shared pen.
Poor children often can’t access healthcare or other needs in spite of decades of efforts. A pediatrician who has established clinics for the poor discusses the problem.
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects about 10% of American women, but has such a wide variety of troubling symptoms that it’s often misdiagnosed. Experts discuss the disorder and what women should know.
Some experts believe the healthy lifespan eventually may be extended to hundreds of years through genetic manipulation. This brings many philosophical and ethical questions, which a noted science author discusses.
Public policy is built on the food desert theory: the lack of neighborhood supermarkets drives people to eat less fresh food and more junk food. New research is challenging that theory, but finding values of grocery stores in other, unexpected places. Experts discuss how nearby supermarkets change people and the neighborhoods where they live.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 1, 2020, including: A study showing that a molecular switch governing chronic inflammation can be turned off. Then, a study shows that few of us are taking advantage of the great outdoors. And finally, doctors are reporting a strange, rare side effect of the active ingredient in Viagra—intensely blue-tinted vision.
More than 100 million Americans have high cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease. Most people think of their diets as the main cause, but genetics also play a role in both good and bad ways. A noted expert discusses how scientists are harnessing cholesterol genes to lower the risk of heart attacks.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of February 23, 2020, including: A study that finds water chlorination may also be unsafe. Then, children have a much higher risk of becoming obese if a home is cross-generational and grandparents are raising the kids. And finally, another reason to eat your brussels sprouts.
Big data is changing the world, but it’s been slow in coming to healthcare. An expert in healthcare IT explains how that’s changing and what it could mean to treatment.
Coronavirus has sickened tens of thousands in China and killed hundreds, but few cases have reached the US. Experts explain exactly what this Coronavirus is and the relative danger it poses compared to more familiar diseases such as influenza.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of February 16, 2020, including: Studies showing physical activity helps prevent obesity virtually from birth. Then, low doses of lithium may show promise in treating dementia. Also, about half of people recovering from a concussion have sleep problems. And finally, a study showing that maybe the two genders are becoming more equal.
Parents who have a mental illness known as factitious disorder may fake or induce illness in their children to get attention, sometimes taking kids to hundreds of medical visits and deceiving doctors into performing numerous procedures and surgeries. Experts and a parent who got his child out of an abusive situation discuss how the legal & medical system may fail kids, danger signs and the road to recovery.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of February 9, 2020, including: The gap between black and white uninsured rates has dropped by more than four percent. Plus, a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine shows that only two percent of those who are considered high risk for drug overdose have filled a prescription for Naloxone. Then, Cancer patients often receive radiation therapy over several months, but a new study shows how it could all be done in less than one second using high-energy flash therapy. And finally, a study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine shows that when we lose weight, we lose it everywhere, even in the tongue.
Untold millions of people are afraid of needles. Most manage by looking the other way when they’re facing an injection, but many may avoid the doctor as a result of their fear. The problem is increasingly dangerous for the rising number of people with diabetes, who must inject themselves with insulin to survive. A needle-phobic woman and doctor who’s squeamish himself discuss.
Spouses of Alzheimer’s disease patients often struggle with depression while caregiving and are desperate for support. Some have started new relationships while their loved one is still alive but no longer recognizes them. Acceptance of such infidelity is highly individual. Experts and a woman involved in such a relationship discuss how it can benefit even the incapacitated spouse, as long as families find it acceptable.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of February 2, 2020, including: A vaccine against dementia could be in human trials within a couple of years. Computers are taking over a lot of functions… and reading mammograms may someday be one of them. And finally, just about everybody knows that the normal temperature of the human body is 98.6. except it’s not anymore.
Super Bowl party snacks are prime territory for contamination via cross contamination and being dropped on the floor. A scientist who has studied both phenomena discusses the truth (or lack of truth) in two old myths.
Pre-medical students have typically majored in science, but some medical schools are finding that liberal arts and even music majors with no science background can do well. Some admissions officers and doctors believe they may even have advantages, given the importance of communications in the doctor-patient relationship. A musician-turned-med student, an admissions officer and a musical doctor explain.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of January 26, 2020, including: A new report from the American Cancer Society finds that in 2017, the overall cancer death rate dropped more than two percent. Then, a new experimental technique using a special kind of imaging and machine learning has been developed to battle colon cancer. Plus, a new machine that can keep livers alive outside the body for a week. And finally, a class of naturally occurring proteins called Sestrin can possibly deliver the benefits of exercise without moving a muscle.
New research shows that most people with ADHD have a disordered body clock, prompting disturbed sleep, sleep deprivation, and a worsening of ADHD symptoms. Experts discuss how fixing the body clock could lessen the impact of both ADHD and physical diseases that result from poor sleep.
Surveys show the vast majority of employees go to work when they’re sick, risking fellow workers and slowing their own healing. Experts discuss the maladjusted workplace culture that promotes this, how to know when you really should stay home, and ways to protect yourself from illness at the office.
Nearly a quarter of us owe past due medical debt, and hospitals are moving more aggressively to collect. The rise is the result of a tradeoff--Americans have avoided higher health insurance premiums only to be jeopardized by extremely high deductibles and out-of-network costs. Experts explain what unpaid medical debt can mean, how patients can escape its clutches, and how one charity works to buy and forgive debt.
Doctors are realizing that concussions can smolder in the brain for years with symptoms that are missed, making diagnosis at the time of occurrence all the more important. Yet a new study shows that protocols affecting the most vulnerable—young athletes—often are not followed. Experts explain why, and what people should do when they receive any blow to the head.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of January 19, 2020, including: Late-stage age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of vision loss among older people. Then, long term effects of being born as a result of in vitro fertilization. And finally, people in Scandinavian countries say that taking a sauna has all kinds of benefits, and they’re apparently right.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of January 12, 2020, including: Teenagers are vaping marijuana at rapidly rising rates. Then, a report on concussions and why they can produce lifelong effects. Then, another study confirming the importance of sleep, and finally, a new survey of emergency rooms proves that smartphones make people run into things.
Some hospital units have set up handshake bans because too few healthcare workers wash hands well enough to keep from spreading germs. The general public is even worse at washing hands, which has caused spread of serious disease. Some experts say handshakes foster important human connections and oppose bans. Experts discuss and describe what it takes to wash hands well enough to be “clean.”
When a person suffers a severe emotional shock, they may suffer what looks like a heart attack but is actually what doctors call “stress cardiomyopathy.” Most patients recover but the condition can be fatal, confirming that it is possible to die of a broken heart. An expert explains.
Lies aren’t always bad. Often, they’re told to be polite, and compassionate people are most likely to tell whoppers. But as the stakes of lies rise, honesty trumps kindness. Yet few people are ever able to distinguish when they’re being told lies. Experts explain.
As loved ones age, tough decisions need to be made on finances, housing, and other concerns, and these decisions need to be made far earlier than they typically are. This is especially true if a person does not have family to act as support and caregiver.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of January 5, 2020, including two experimental drugs that show promise in women with certain types of breast cancer. Then, the Federal Communications Commission has started the process to create a three-digit number similar to 9-1-1 that connects to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Then, it appears that teenagers aren’t very good at telling the difference between real and fake news, and finally, can magic mushrooms be used to treat depression?
Fifteen years ago, advanced melanoma was usually lethal. But new treatments harnessing the immune system have increased survival so much that researchers haven’t completely been able to quantify it. An expert physician discusses the advances.
Hoarding disorder affects at least five percent of Americans, and despite TV programs showing its effects, it is still widely misunderstood. Experts discuss the danger hoarding poses to others, including neighbors, children, and first responders; why those with the disorder are so attached to things; and the right and wrong ways to address the problem.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of December 29, 2019, including: The last three flu seasons have been bad, but there’s a chance this year could be even worse. Then, sleeping too much can be a risk factor for stroke. Plus, more than 30 million people in the United States think they’re allergic to penicillin when they’re not. And finally, if you’re scheduled for surgery, ask your doctor what kind of music she listens to in the operating room.
Winter in general, and the holidays in particular, are the busiest time of year in hospital emergency departments, even in places where it doesn’t snow. Experts discuss the increase in deaths of all kinds, including the “Merry Christmas Coronary” and possible reasons those deaths bounce up.
During the holidays, reflux problems are magnified by big meals with trigger foods like chocolate and alcohol. But reflux sometimes doesn’t show up as heartburn. A gastroenterologist discusses reflux, how it may appear as asthma or hoarseness, and how it can be treated.
Guest:
- Dr. Jeffrey King, Chief of Gastroenterology, National Jewish Health, Denver
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of December 22, 2019, including: A new study showing an injectable could be the answer for people with food allergies. Then, people suffering from depression may find some improvement by taking aspirin or ibuprofen. And finally, if you spend your workday wearing headphones, listening to music… you may be a lot less productive than you think.
The debate over vaccination isn’t as civil as it once was, and leaves little room for common ground or even discussion. Pro-vaccine advocates often point to science showing safety and effectiveness, but as a noted medical humanities researcher explains, values common among anti-vaccine advocates lead them to reject this science, and both sides need to understand where the disconnect comes from.
Rich people receive deference that the rest of us don’t, but do wealthy kids grow up knowing they can get away with what others can’t? Research finds that all children apparently know this. Experts discuss.
But a new study shows giving buses an inexpensive engine retrofit helps not only the health of students who ride them, but also their academic performance. The study looked at a variety of school districts over time and concluded that test gains from green buses were like going from a rookie teacher to one with more than five years of experience.
Some bullies never grow up, and just keep on bullying. Experts describe where and how it most often occurs, what workplace bullies are seeking, who they target, why it continues, and what needs to happen to stop it.
The average age when men first become fathers has risen to 31, and more men are also becoming dads in their 40’s and 50’s. A National Book Award-winning author discusses his experience as a first-time dad at 56, and now as a 73-year old father with teenagers.
The HPV vaccine can prevent about 92 percent of those cancers, but only about half of adolescents receive it. Now, two new studies in the journal Pediatrics could provide reassurance that the HPV vaccine is safe. Reviewing 28 million doses, researchers say 97 percent of side effects are minor ones like headache and dizziness. The vaccine is recommended for routine vaccination at age 11 or 12.
Studies show that law enforcement is the most sleep deprived of all professions, with potentially damaging and even fatal consequences for decision-making and reaction time, as well as long-term health damage. Experts discuss the unique challenges in having a poorly rested police force and in fixing it.
A growing number of pet owners are tempted to put their dog or cat on vegan, gluten-free or raw diets. An expert pet nutritionist and veterinarian discusses what pets should and shouldn’t eat to be healthy.
People with significantly clogged heart arteries often undergo bypass surgery or stenting procedures, but a large new study shows that drug therapy alone is often just as effective. The study presented to meetings of the American Heart Association finds that artery blockages discovered during stress tests can be managed by medication and results in no more heart attacks or deaths than in patients who received either stents or bypass surgery.
Around a half million people are homeless in the US on any given night, but the street homeless who are most visible often incorrectly influence our assumptions about the homeless. A noted researcher discusses myths and truths about their addictions, employment, residences, and more, and why people often become homeless.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/radiohealthjournal/RHJ_19-47B.mp3
Women undergoing cancer treatment often suffer hair loss and other impacts on appearance. A noted beauty expert discusses best ways to deal with it.
Guests:
- Caitlin Keirnan, former fashion columnist & beauty director, cancer survivor and author, Pretty Sick: A Beauty Guide for Women With Cancer
A study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology shows that people with conditions such as eczema, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are often made miserable by itching. Those with itch were more than twice as likely to be depressed and nearly twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts as controls without those conditions.
Some agencies estimate that 50,000 children have been born in the US using donor eggs. But egg donation (or sale, as some insist) is not regulated, and while short term risks are known, few donors have been followed for years. Long term risks are not well understood. Experts discuss what we know… and what we don’t.
Guests:
- Dr. Linda Kahn, Postdoctoral Fellow in Pediatrics, New York Univ. School of Medicine
- Dr. Richard Paulson, Prof. of Reproductive Medicine, Univ. of Southern California and President, American Society of Reproductive Medicine
- Dr. Wendy Chavkin, Prof. of Public Health and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia Univ.
Additional Links:
- NYU School of Medicine, Division of Environmental Pediatrics Team
- USCFertility Profile: Richard J. Paulson, MD
- Columbia University Profile: Wendy Chavkin
HIV/AIDS was once an epidemic and a death sentence. But many Americans are too young to remember that, so HIV awareness has faded. One of the nation’s top HIV experts discusses HIV as a treatable, chronic illness and the need to still be vigilant—and be tested.
Guests:
- Dr. Laura Cheever, Assoc. Administrator, HIV/AIDS Bureau, US Health Resources and Services Administration
Medical notes this week… Cystic fibrosis affects about 30,000 people in the United States, prompting a severe buildup of mucus in the lungs and other organs. The major gene defect causing 90 percent of cases of CF was discovered 20 years ago, and now there's finally a three-drug combination that effectively targets it. The drug, Trikafta, is being hailed as a breakthrough and could increase the current 44-year life expectancy of people with CF. When doctors prescribe antibiotics, you're supposed to take the entire prescription, even if you feel better before then. But the National Poll on Healthy Aging shows that 13 percent of people over age 50 have pills left over from their last prescription. Most of the time, they say they're saving them for later use or for a family member. Half of those people admit they've taken leftover antibiotics without checking with a doctor first. Post-traumatic stress disorder can have effects in a lot of seemingly unrelated areas. a study in the journal Epidemiology shows that having PTSD nearly doubles a person's risk of infections. The risk increase varies by disease -1.7 times higher for the flu and more than two and a half times higher for viral hepatitis. Researchers say PTSD also seems to affect the infection risk differently for men and women. Men are more likely to get skin infections, while women are more likely to get urinary tract infections. And finally, researchers have long observed that heavy alcohol use is associated with reduced brain size, with the conclusion that alcohol can shrink the brain. But now a study in the journal Biological Psychiatry suggests that smaller brain size comes first. People with less grey matter in the brain are genetically predisposed toward alcohol consumption, which may, in turn, shrink the brain still further.
For those left behind when a loved one dies of suicide, recovery can be difficult. Stigma, guilt, and blame are exceptionally common. They need more support, but often get less, and their own risk of suicide is elevated. Experts—one a suicide survivor herself—discuss the difficulties and ways survivors can cope.
Guests:
- Joyce Bruggeman, Executive Director, Survivors of Suicide Loss
- Dr. Holly Prigerson, Co-Director, Center for Research on End of Life Care, Professor of Geriatrics and Sociology in Medicine, Weill-Cornell Medical College
Additional Links:
- National Suicide Prevention – Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- Save.org
Birth rates in the US are at an all time low, and fertility for all age groups under age 30 is dropping. Experts explain that it may not be as good a thing as we may think, and cite nations like Japan and Italy which are facing labor shortages and elderly populations as a result of less-than-replacement-level fertility.
Guests:
- Richard Jackson, President & founder, Global Aging Institute
- Dr. Elise Berlan, Director, Young Women’s Contraception Program, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
Medical notes this week… The largest study of its kind is strengthening the link between football and the brain disorder CTE. The study in the Annals of Neurology finds that every year of playing football increases the risk of CTE by 30 percent. Among those with a CTE diagnosis, the risk of severe symptoms doubles with every 5.3 years of football. And those with the longest careers, who play more than 14.5 years, have a risk of CTE that's 10 times higher. However, it's far from a sure thing. Some players with more than 15 years on the field have no evidence of CTE at all. Speaking of football injuries…cortisone injections are common among athletes to mask pain. They're also used for everyday people who have symptoms of osteoarthritis. But a new study in the journal Radiology shows that complications due to cortisone shots are much more common than previously thought. People who receive hip injections have complications 10 percent of the time, including stress fractures, a progression of their arthritis, and even a collapse of the joint. Those getting cortisone in the knees suffer complications about four percent of the time. And finally, another study is proving that dog owners live longer. A study in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes finds that people who own a dog are 24 percent less likely to die of any cause compared to non-dog owners. And 31 percent less likely to die of a heart attack or a stroke. The benefits are even greater for people who live alone and have already had a heart attack or stroke.
Mass shootings and other forms of mass violence are on the increase. Where to assess blame is in sharp dispute. A new report from a blue ribbon panel of behavioral scientists has found that mental illnesses carry some of the blame, but mental “distress” is a much more likely factor. Panel members discuss mental health first aid, red flag laws, and other report recommendations on ways to prevent mass violence.
Guests:
- Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Dr. Joseph Parks, Medical Director, National Council for Behavioral Health
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of November 3, 2019, including: A study showing a growing number of young adults have substance use disorders. Then, a specific diet could help alleviate crushing fatigue for people with multiple sclerosis. And finally, a new study suggests men should stop drinking before conception to reduce the risk of heart disease in their offspring.
Intelligence agencies have long sought ways to control the mind to get people to do their bidding. An author discusses his investigation into CIA mind control efforts in the 1950’s and 60’s through the use of psychedelic drugs, which unwittingly led to an explosion of the drugs’ use.
Guests:
- Stephen Kinzer, Senior Fellow, Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, Brown Univ. and author, Poisoner In Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control
http://traffic.libsyn.com/radiohealthjournal/RHJ_19-43A.mp3
Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are making crops grow bigger & faster. However, researchers have found that these crops contain significantly lower levels of protein, iron, zinc, and other important nutrients, potentially endangering nutrition for hundreds of millions of people. Experts explain the effect will get worse as CO2 levels continue to rise, and what might be done to combat the problem.
Guests:
- Dr. Sam Myers, Principal Research Scientist and Director, Planetary Health Alliance, Harvard University
- Dr. Kristie Ebi, Director, Center for Health and the Global Environment, University of Washington
http://traffic.libsyn.com/radiohealthjournal/RHJ_19-43B.mp3
The US is one of the few world nations that provides no paid job leave for either new moms or dads. A new study shows that paid leave has benefits in infant mortality as well as mother’s health. An expert and advocate for paid leave discusses the benefits.
Guests:
- Lucy Sullivan, Executive Director, 1000 Days
A study that finds that cutting back on red meat and processed meat in the diet has little impact on health. Then, a study finds that a urine test for a genetic biomarker can accurately detect one form of prostate cancer affecting about a third of men with cancer. Then, an alarming study showing health issues with "cheat days" and keto diets. And finally, you may think your cat doesn’t care when you come home from work. But a new study shows they probably do, just as much as dogs.
https://traffic.libsyn.com/radiohealthjournal/RHJ_19-42A.mp3
Gig work is becoming more and more a part of the American economy. It takes a certain temperament for a worker to thrive on the freedom gig work offers without being paralyzed by the lack of security.
Guests:
-
Dr. Brianna Caza, Associate Professor of Business Ethics, University of Manitoba
-
Jeff Kreisler, Editor in Chief, PeopleScience.com
Emergency room physicians have to make sense of and care for complete strangers every day. A recently retired ER doctor looks back at lessons he’s learned that are applicable to everyone’s life.
A new study shows that americans’ diets are getting better… but only by a little. Then, if someone gets a new diagnosis of hearing loss, getting a hearing aid will lower their risk of being diagnosed with dementia, depression, or anxiety. And finally, if you want to feel better about your spouse, look at pictures of him or her along with pictures of cute puppies and bunnies.
A large number of hospitals in rural areas have closed, and many more have closed their maternity units, leaving many rural mothers-to-be with no nearby place to deliver their babies or even get prenatal care. Experts discuss the financial and demographic reasons behind these closures, the danger it presents to mothers and children, and some ways to counter the risk.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/radiohealthjournal/RHJ_19-41B.mp3
Doctors have learned that childhood allergies and asthma may have their start in dry, dysfunctional skin in infancy, when allergens such as food particles enter the body through cracks in the skin. A noted pediatric allergist discusses this ”atopic march” and ways to combat it.
Guests:
- Dr. Donald Leung, Head, Pediatric Allergy Division, National Jewish Health, Denver
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of October 13, 2019 including When you call 9-1-1 for an ambulance, paramedics are supposed to take you to the closest hospital. But a new study shows that doesn’t happen about 40 percent of the time. Then, Flu season is rapidly approaching again… And finally… A study finds that if you want to live longer, take a nap.
Fluoride in community drinking water has been controversial since its introduction nearly 75 years ago. A new study adds to this with evidence that pregnant women who drink fluoridated water may produce children with slightly lowered IQ. The study author and two other experts discuss what’s known and what the ramifications of the study could be for communities, for oral health, and for children.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of October 6, 2019 including: A quarter of people who develop the brain plaques of Alzheimer’s disease apparently can compensate for the deficit. Then, Scientists may have found a way to roll back your biological age. And finally, A study on mice in the journal “Cell Metabolism” shows that a high-fat diet produces inflammation in the hypothalamus.
As much as 16 percent of the population suffers from Trypophobia, which makes them uneasy at the sight of holes clustered together, as in a honeycomb. Two experts and a sufferer discuss this phobia, which can be remarkably debilitating.
The availability of consumer DNA tests and databases has allowed long-hidden family secrets to be revealed, including mistaken paternity and unknown siblings. It has also taken the anonymity away from some cases of sperm donation. Two experts discuss the ethics of overturning this promised secrecy and the impact that the revelation of secrets can have on entire families.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 29, 2019 including Cancer survivors having a higher risk of heart disease and other illnesses. Then, a new study shows that prescription omega 3 fatty acids can significantly reduce high triglycerides. And finally, a new study shows that being optimistic is one of the best things you can do for your lifespan.
Dr. Joel Salinas has mirror touch synesthesia, a condition involving cross-wiring in the brain. The result is that visual stimuli prompt a response in his touch system. He literally feels it when people experience pain. Salinas discusses how this strange condition works and how he is able to use it in diagnosis.
Violence increases as temperatures rise in the summer, but are higher temperatures a cause of aggression? New research shows that the answer is yes, especially in family conflict, and that poor neighborhoods bear the brunt of the relationship. Researchers discuss the synergy between poverty, heat, and aggression, and speculate that a warmer world in the future could be a more violent one.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 22, 2019, including more drivers than ever are running red lights. Then, people have noticed a bump in premature births where a hurricane is approaching. And finally, you may want to start thinking about cooking with rose water or even drinking it.
Nail biting is an extremely common habit, but some people bite their nails so badly and so often that they suffer damage to their hands. Experts discuss why so many of us are driven to bite our nails, what can be done to stop it, and the damage that can occur when we can’t stop.
The Trump Administration has proposed wholesale import of drugs from Canada to ease high US prescription drug prices. But since Canada is 1/10th the size of the US, could it supply enough drugs to make a difference? What’s more, it appears Canadians are opposed to the plan and are devising rules to stop it. Experts discuss pro’s and con’s.
The US spends more on medical care than other nations while quality still lags behind. A health industry expert explains how increased use of primary care and increased engagement with providers could reverse both trends.
Medical Notes for the week of September 15, 2019, including Nodding off very often during the day may be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Then, surveys show that about a tenth of Americans over age 18 either use illicit drugs or don’t use their medications the way they’re supposed to. And finally, If you’re really stressed, a nice glass of red wine really could be just the ticket.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/radiohealthjournal/RHJ_19-36A.mp3
With the recent active shooter incidents in El Paso and Dayton, these incidents no longer seem rare, and experts say there’s been a shift in public perception. Now they seemingly could happen anywhere, and it’s become a public health issue. Two experts discuss the changing theory of how to survive an active shooter incident through what’s called “run, hide, and fight.”
Guests:
- Dr. Cheryl Lero Jonson, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Xavier University
- Dr. Park Dietz, founder and President, Threat Assessment Group
Links for more information:
- Google Scholar Profile for Dr. Cheryl Lero Jonson
- Theme Assessment Group (TAG) profile for Dr. Park Dietz
Medical Notes for the week of September 8, 2019 including: A new study shows that people are more likely to have heart disease if they're genetically predisposed to insomnia. Then, Vaping is being called a “gateway drug” for marijuana use… After a new study showing it can more than triple the risk of becoming a pot smoker. And finally… if you want toddlers to learn something, don’t use video.
College students are facing more stress than ever, but may be less prepared to handle it. As students head back to campus, two experts discuss how students can reduce stress.
Each year, some 400 US children over age one, most of them toddlers, die for no known reason. Families, longing for answers, often find that their families, friends, and even pediatricians are unfamiliar with this classification of death, or that they even occur. Family members who have lost a child, a medical examiner, and a research expert who has lost a child discuss SUDC.
Medical Notes for the week of September 1, 2019 including: Death rates due to heart failure have been increasing since 2012 despite improvements in medicine and surgery. Then, Binge drinking is often seen as a problem among college students and 20-somethings… but a study in the journal of the American Geriatrics Society finds that a lot of senior citizens binge drink, too. Then, ACL tears have traditionally been thought of as the result of one bad landing… but new research in the American Journal of Sports Medicine finds they may be the product of an accumulation of repeated, less severe stresses. Then, If you’ve ever done shift work, you know how it can mess up your body clock. But two new studies in the journal “current biology” find that early morning sunshine and a couple of good breakfasts can reset it. And finally, if you have a generic smartphone charger, it could be time to get rid of it.
Some people find that small “stones” are growing on their tonsils. They’re an accumulation of skin cells, food, and other debris. While they are not medically dangerous or painful, they often produce bad breath or sometimes pain. Two expert physicians discuss tonsil stones’ formation and treatment.
Experts believe about 40 percent of the food available in America is thrown away. Solving this environmental problem also creates an opportunity to help with food insecurity. It starts with consumers.
Medical Notes for the week of August 25, 2019 including: A blood test for early alzheimer’s disease could be just a few years away. Then, what makes a murderer? it could be less gray matter in the brain. And finally…hot tub owners may have the secret to a good night’s sleep.
Epilepsy can show itself in many ways, including as episodes of giggling and laughing. An expert discusses the case of a then nine-year old boy with such seizures, the danger they posed, and the novel way he was treated.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/radiohealthjournal/RHJ_19-33A.mp3
High levels of copper in the body can produce mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and aggression. However, most doctors don’t test for copper levels and may prescribe medications like antidepressants instead. An author who suffered years with undiagnosed copper toxicity and two expert psychiatrists discuss diagnosis and treatment.
Guests:
- Deb Tokarz, author, I Cu Copper
- Dr. Judy Tsafrir, holistic psychiatrist in Boston and Teaching Associate, Harvard Medical School
- Dr. Courtney Snyder, holistic psychiatrist, Louisville, KY
Links for more information:
- Deb Tokarz Author Website
- Dr. Judy Tsafrir’s Website
- Dr. Courtney Snyder’s Website
Medical Notes for the week of August 18, 2019 including: Several studies have found little heart benefit in taking a daily aspirin if you don’t already have heart disease… Then, drowning is america’s leading cause of accidental injury death for children under age five… but the drowning rate is dropping dramatically, and finally… if mosquitoes feast on you, it’s because of your breath.
Plagues can wipe out entire populations and create fear and great mystery in how they spread. An author who has explored plagues and dangerous diseases explains.
Thirty years of research have shown that teenagers’ biology prevents them from getting to sleep much before 11pm, and with most high schools starting classes around 8 am, they are chronically sleep deprived. Experts discuss how students and even the economy would benefit from later start times and the reasons many people and school districts still oppose the change.
Nearly 40 percent of American homes have a dog, and while dogs may be “man’s best friend,” sometimes they bite, and sometimes with serious consequences. An expert who has studied dog bites discusses the reality of breed temperament, especially when children are around, how to prevent bites, and whether breeds with dangerous reputations deserve them.
Medical Notes for the week of August 11, 2019 including a study in the British Medical Journal which shows Glucosamine can help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Then, statistics regarding HIV testing showing most people age 13-64 get tested atlas once in their lifetime. Experts are starting to think about the next flu season knowing last years vaccine was only 29% effective. Finally, A higher IQ was observed in children that took 30-60 minute naps during the day.
Traumatic brain injury can profoundly change the injured in personality and temperament, as well as physically and cognitively. Spouses bear the brunt of these changes to the point many feel like they’re living with a stranger. Two experts and the spouse of a TBI victim discuss the many ways life changes after an injury and what can help to get them through the ordeal.
Medical Notes for the week of August 4, 2019, including: A kid's picky eating could be a sign of autism. Then, medication dispensing limits are supposed to save money, but that may not be the case for birth control pills. Finally, shrinking screens could be distorting your view of the news.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/radiohealthjournal/RHJ_19-31B.mp3
With the school year approaching, drivers need to be aware of children in crosswalks—and away from them. However, increasing distractions for both pedestrians and drivers sometimes make that difficult. A safety expert and a veteran school crossing guard—the nation’s “favorite crossing guard”––discuss.
Guests:
Getting less than six hours of sleep per night has long been known to be hazardous to health, but the discovery of the mechanisms behind those hazards is leading scientists to strengthen their warnings. Too little sleep or poor sleep carries heart and brain risks that are powerful, as experts explain.
Heart disease is the number one killer in the US, but a well known cardiologist says if everyone would follow a plant-based, oil free diet, heart disease could be eradicated. Yet many cardiologists won’t prescribe such a diet, fearing it’s so difficult to follow that it’s a prescription for defeat. Experts discuss.
Medical Notes for the week of July 28, 2019, including: A new study from Drake University show that EpiPens contained the required does of epinephrine more than two years after their expiration date. Then, a new virtual biopsy device that creates digital images of skin lesions non-invasively and at a fraction of the cost. And finally, with the right skill, your Alexa or Google Home devices could detect the distinctive gasping sound of someone who's in cardiac arrest.
Medical Notes for the week of July 21, 2019 including: A study showing gestational diabetes during pregnancy can raise the risk for type 1 diabetes in the child. Then, a specific antibiotic that might help women with symptoms from endometriosis, and finally, gazing down at smartphones is causing the development of horns in young adults.
Studies are finding that obesity significantly increases a person’s risk for a variety of cancers. However, not all forms of fat carry equal risk. An expert discusses who is more at risk and why.
Mobile health apps are becoming very popular, though some are being shown to have little benefit. Few barriers exist to almost anyone entering the field whether they have health expertise or not. Privacy is also a concern. Experts discuss how people can protect themselves and find apps that do what they want.
Most people associate cirrhosis of the liver with heavy alcohol use. But nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which also leads to cirrhosis, is growing rapidly, and may affect a quarter of the population. Experts discuss this silent disease and what people can do to prevent and treat it.
Medical Notes for the week of July 14, 2019 including: A new study finds the people we trust most, friends and family may be at fault for triggering opioid addiction. Then, a new study finds that vitamin D may help cancer patients live longer, and finally, another reason you should think twice before dozing off with the television left on.
Cancer treatment has always focused on survival. Now doctors are increasingly focusing on side effects, including the effect of treatment on sexual function and satisfaction. However, many patients are shy about bringing up their difficulties, unaware there are ways to help. One of the nation’s top experts discusses.
Strep infection may prompt a severe reaction in some children, causing their own immune system to attack cells in the brain. What appear to be extreme psychological symptoms result from what is really a physical disorder. The disorder, known as PANDAS, is often misdiagnosed. Experts discuss.
Most people procrastinate at least now and then. But when we put something off, we’re usually facing not a time management problem, but an emotion management problem. Experts discuss what’s going on in our heads when we procrastinate.
Medical Notes for the week of July 7, 2019 including: The Scientific reports the rotavirus could give children some protection against diabetes. Then, studies showing a rough childhood can have an affect on development. Skin biopsies are costly and invasive but a new virtual biopsy device could change all of that. Finally, are you a dog person, a study in Sweden says, "It's genetic."
Suddenly, cannabis-related, hemp-derived CBD is almost everywhere. CBD’s FDA status is murky, and we know very little about its benefits, thanks in part to its former place on DEA Schedule 1. How much has been proven about its supposed health qualities? What are the risks? Experts discuss in depth.
Medical Notes for the week of June 30, 2019, including: Eating chicken can be just as bad for you as eating red meat according to a new study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Then, a hormone released during pregnancy may be the solution.
When most of us think of genetic testing for health, we imagine tests to detect whether we’ve inherited genes that predispose us for cancer or other serious disease. But another kind of gene testing—genomic testing of tumor cells for their susceptibility to targeted treatments—is giving thousands of people hope of survival they’ve never had before. Experts discuss both genetic and genomic testing.
Since the 1980’s, almost all production of generic drugs has moved overseas, where FDA inspectors have a much tougher time making sure they’re following rules for safety. Slightly more than half of all Americans take prescription drugs, and 90 percent of those drugs are generic.
The FDA inspects health regulations and data in drug manufacturing companies to ensure the safety and quality of the environment and the actual drugs. Unfortunately some companies worry less about the safety of the people using the drugs and more about speedy production and high profit margins.
Investigative journalist Katherine Eban uncovers the alarming level of fraud and deception that some generic drug companies have achieved in her new book, Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom.
Eban conducted research for the book by following an FDA inspector through the process of exposing fraudulent practices at Indian and Chinese generic drug manufacturing plants. According to Eban, this investigator saw past the diversions, looking at the internal computer systems where he uncovered clear-cut data tampering. It turns out there was fraudulent quality data in 67 of the 86 plants the FDA inspector investigated in India and China over five years.
But it’s more than just data tampering. Basic health regulations like maintaining a sterile environment are often violated. Eban says there are cases where work spaces don’t even have bathrooms with running water, making it impossible for the employees to wash their hands.
Part of this problem is globalization. It’s harder for the FDA to investigate international plants. According to Eban, they’re often given notice a month or more in advance of an upcoming inspection, while companies in the United States have inspectors stop-in without any prior knowledge. Some Chinese companies will even pool resources to set up “show” plants, causing regulators to inspect manufacturers completely independent from the intended locations. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Italy, the FDA relies entirely on inspectors from those countries.
As it stands, patients are at the mercy of the companies producing the final product that’s handed to them at the drugstore. It’s nearly impossible to test every single pill as it comes into the U.S., and that’s why Eban says it’s so crucial that the common practice of fabricating fraudulent manufacturing data is curbed.
So what can be done? Right now, the onus is on consumers to research the companies producing our generics. Eban says the easiest way to do this is find the name of the manufacturer on your prescription label, then Google it along with the terms ‘FDA’ and ‘warning letter’. In some cases, that’s the most that can be done, at least until laws are changed. Further information can be found at https://www.katherineeban.com/new-page.
Guest:
- Katherine Eban, author, Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom
Links for more information:
- More about Katherine Eban
- Learn more about how to research generic drugs
Each year, the humanitarian organization Save the Children develops a nation-by-nation scorecard on how likely children are to grow up healthy, educated, and safe. The organization’s CEO discusses how most nations have improved the ways children are treated over the past generation, and why the US ranks 36th.
Medical Notes for the week of June 23, 2019 Including: Job related stress or "burnout" is now a legitimate diagnosis according to the World Health Organization. Then, too hot, too cold? How the temperature at the workplace affects men and women's cognition, and finally, a study that shows you can be too passionate about your job.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/radiohealthjournal/Reed_Generics_conversation.mp3
Reed Pence speaks with investigative Reporter Katherine Eband, author of Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom about the quality of regulation of generic drugs.
Featuring:
- Reed Pence, host of Radio Health Journal
- Katherine Eban, author, Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom
Most forms of cancer have a built-in constituency of patients, loved ones, and concerned others. Lung cancer patients, instead, are often blamed for their own disease because of its frequent connection with smoking. Patients are often isolated, and research dollars lag behind other, less common cancer killers.
Guest:
- Donna Fernandez, lung cancer patient
- Carly Ornstein, National Director of Lung Cancer Education, American Lung Association
Many Americans believe that healthy food doesn’t taste good, and tasty food isn’t healthy. A chef who is also a cardiologist discusses how to find a balance by seeking out healthy ingredients rather than whole categories of foods.
A study showing the dangers of car seats. Kids are eating less fish than ever. How do VA benefits differ by gender? Is antibiotic use for acne a mistake? And finally, it's beneficial to base your workout routine on your personality.
Loneliness is increasing across all ages, but it’s especially noteworthy among seniors, and it can dramatically affect health. An expert geriatrician who has studied the effects of loneliness and the leader of an organization that provides friendly visitors to the isolated elderly discuss causes of increasing loneliness, its impact, and the effectiveness of visitor programs.
Guests:
- Dr. Carla Perissinoto, Associate Chief for Clinical Programs in Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco
- Janet Seckel-Cerrotti, Executive Director, FriendshipWorks, Boston
Many Americans believe if they have good health care, they’ll have good health. But many factors beyond medicine contribute to our level of health. A noted public health expert explains these factors, and why our own health is much more than an individual concern. Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/why-good-health-care-doesnt-equal-good-health/
Guest:
- Dr. Sandro Galea, Dean, Boston University School of Public Health and author, Well: What We Need to Talk About When We Talk About Health
Links for more information:
- Sandro Galea, MD, MPH, DrPH – Dean & Robert A. Knox Professor – Boston University School of Public Health
- Meet Dr. Sandro Galea
A new study shows that older Dad's may be also at risk to their child's physical well-being. Then, evidence showing that taking antibiotics over a long period of time puts women at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, and finally, coffee grounds can be used to improve your skin whether you decide to drink it, or smear it all over your face?
Measles had been declared eliminated in 2000, but has come roaring back because of the increasing number of people who have not been vaccinated. Parents may have legitimate fears of side effects, but claims that vaccines are unsafe are not true. Experts discuss the complicated psychological reasons vaccine refusal exists despite this, and what may help change minds to promote public health.
More than 80% of infants are breastfed in the US today, but breastfeeding often doesn’t look the way most of us think of it, as a result of adoption, same sex marriage, and other changes in parenting. An expert discusses some of the hurdles and challenges to getting infants the best nutrition possible.
Medical Notes for the week of June 2, 2019 including: Pharmaceutical commercials are about to change by including their prices in the ad's and MDMA, or "ecstasy" is being used for PTSD with a high success cure rate. Finally, a study highlighting what makes us reach for our smartphones.
The amount of severely obese teenagers, carrying 100 pounds or more than the ideal weight, has doubled to 10% in the past 15 years. Chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea associated with obesity could all be avoided with proper bariatric surgery at a young age. Dr. Thomas Inge, Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Children’s Hospital in Colorado, says it is sometimes unrealistic to think children will simply lose weight by growing up.
Many people may picture the immune system as the ruthless blaster of all foreign invaders, but a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer says his research shows it prefers to get along with friendly invaders, saving its power for the truly dangerous...
Medical Notes for the week of May 26, 2019 including: Could a poor sense of smell be a sign of a downturn in health? Then, hospital guidelines regarding eating food and drinking liquids before surgery, and finally, teamwork is great, but studies show that's only the case when team members take time to step away to solve problems on their own.
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus carry a genetic predisposition, but need an environmental trigger to take hold. Triggers are poorly understood, but some women claim their disease is a result of contraceptives, including...
Preelampsia, an irregularity in the placenta during pregnancy, is the leading cause of premature delivery worldwide, and causes nearly 20 percent of maternal deaths in the US. Little is known about its cause and how it can be treated, but an...
Medical Notes for the week of May 19, 2019 including: A blood test that proves Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is real. Then, new studies to indicate an hour of walking can help you stave off "mobility disability" later in age, and finally, your doctor's white coat could be teaming with bacteria according to a study from the University of Maryland.
Every day our DNA mutates hundreds of thousands, if not millions of times. Mutations which can lead to cancer cells, according to Dr. Joshua Schiffman, an investigator at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. So how do we not get cancer on a daily basis? Our immune system detects and deals with the mutations. A “stopwatch” in the mutated cell begins, and if the mutation is not fixed in the allowed time by the cell itself, the cell will be killed to prevent further mistakes in future cells. When the immune system fails to fix or kill the precancerous cell, it will begin to uncontrollably divide and potentially take over an organ. One mechanism in particular that can help prevent cellular organ domination comes from the p53 gene, commonly referred to as the “Guardian of the Genome.” If there’s a mistake in the DNA sequencing, p53 helps to fix it –– think genetic spell check.
Dr. Vincent Lynch, assistant professor of Human Genetics and Organismal Biology at the University of Chicago, studied the p53 gene in a surprising and massive population. The UIC geneticist began with the skin cells of Asian and African elephants. Dr. Schiffman pursued the mystery behind elephant p53 as well.
What both men found is that elephants have 40 copies of p53, whereas humans only have two. This difference may hold the key to why only 3% of elephants get cancer as opposed to 40% of humans.
What both men uncovered is elephants have around 40 copies of p53, whereas humans only have two. This difference may hold the key to why only 3% of elephants get cancer as opposed to 40% of humans. The doctors see the potential for p53 to be utilized to produce a new medicine to treat cancer in humans. It might even be possible to use it as a preventative measure in the near future.
Guests:
- Dr. Joshua Schiffman, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Utah and investigator, Huntsman Cancer Institute
- Dr. Vincent Lynch, Assistant Professor of Human Genetics and Organismal Biology, University of Chicago
Links for more information:
- Huntsman Cancer Institute Schiffman Lab – The University of Utah
- Lynch Lab – Department of Human Genetics – The University of Chicago
Dementia has a much wider range than most people think, and people with dementia are usually functional for years. An expert discusses the course of the disease and how life can still be positive for years before it reaches the late, debilitating stage most people think of when they hear the word “dementia.”
Medical Notes for the week of May 12, 2019 including: A major tactic deployed by police called "Pro-active Policing" may be backfiring. Then, preschoolers are just as bad as adults at resisting large portions of food and finally, a study showing that young children are swallowing more foreign objects than ever...
Medical Notes for the week of May 5, 2019 including: A new cure for infants with Bubble Boys Disease. Then, a study in the American Journal of Public Health shows that depression, suicide, drug use, and alcohol abuse are rising for people in their late 30's, and finally, does smiling make you happier?
Dr. Stacie Dusetzina, Associate Professor of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine has learned that 1 in 4 people have trouble filling their prescription. According to Dusetzina, people with chronic conditions, like cancer, have a greater risk of running into financial obstacles. One cancer patient is taking a stand against the financial burden of disease.
Millions of Americans cannot afford the medications they’ve been prescribed. Many skip doses, split pills, trade pills with friends and family, or don’t fill prescriptions at all as a result––with sometimes even fatal consequences. Dr. Stacie Dusetzina, Associate Professor of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine has learned that 1 in 4 people have trouble filling their prescription. According to Dusetzina, people with chronic conditions, like cancer, have a greater risk of running into financial obstacles. One cancer patient is taking a stand against the financial burden of disease.
David Mitchell, a 68-year-old living with multiple myeloma is the founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs. The two drugs that make Mitchell’s rare form of cancer treatable cost $325,000 a year. For Mitchell, the only reason his drugs are affordable are thanks to insurance and the fact that his drugs are infused rather than pills. Mitchell is seemingly luck with his insurance and form of treatment. A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that up to 30% of prescriptions are never filled, with cost likely a contributing factor.
Some people can’t afford $50 a month for treatment, Dusetzina says, and the price can hinder people from taking the full prescription. Dusetzina believes, splitting up drug doses may be worse than taking none at all. Cutting medication could lead to drug resistance––an outcome potentially worse than taking no drug at all. In particular, Dusetzina says that patients who are rationing insulin are threatening their own lives to a sometimes fatal extent.
And it is not just the illness but also the stress that comes from the price of the drugs that can make someone worse, according to Mitchell. A solution the CDC has begun to work on to combat the pricing out drug dilemma would involve a system where a physician takes a patient’s insurance card and in real time knows the cost of the drug they are about to prescribe. This would be extremely beneficial for financial drug adjustment. According to the CDC, 60% of those who are uninsured have not asked their pharmacist or physician if there are cheaper treatment options––options that could be just as life-saving as the drugs themselves.
Guests:
- David Mitchell, cancer patient, founder and President, Patients for Affordable Drugs
- Dr. Stacie Dusetzina, Associate Professor of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University
Links for more information:
- Patients for Affordable Drugs – Our Team
- Stacie B. Dusetzina, Ph.D. – Vanderbilt University Medical Center
One in every 50 Americans has a chance of experiencing the type of headache that no amount of medicine can dull. One with a 40% fatality rate. Typically non-symptomatic and often undiagnosed, brain aneurysms are bulging blood vessels in the brain (picture an expanding water balloon). 30,000 people per year have the misfortune of not recognizing their brain aneurysm until it ruptures and produces searing pain. A pain that prompted brain aneurysm survivor Janet Sutherland-Madden to call her mother one March afternoon to say what she believed to be her final goodbye.
What started as one of her daily headaches ended up bringing her dangerously close to death. Soon after Sutherland-Madden dialed 911, paramedics found her seizing on the kitchen floor and recognized that she was displaying the symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm. Amazingly, these paramedics had recently undergone training on how to identify brain aneurysms––a fact Sutherland-Madden recognizes as a true miracle.
Statistically, a brain aneurysm ruptures every 18 minutes, and ruptures have been found to occur twice as often in the African American community compared to Caucasians. Sutherland-Madden discusses these statistics and other truths in her new book Nose Over Toes––a product of her new-found mission to disseminate knowledge and raise awareness about aneurysms.
Experts, all little people themselves, discuss major causes of dwarfism and the prospect of treatments that could one day make little people much more rare.
Lewy body dementia affects 1.4 million Americans, with symptoms commonly misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease.
It's rare for people to lose their memory of past events. An expert discusses why doctors believe it occurs, and a woman to whom it happened recounts her experience.
Experts discuss the coverup of doctor suicides, the reasons behind depression in doctors, and why doctors who are depressed are less likely than normal to get help.
An expert discusses why food contamination scares are becoming more common, what producers are doing to protect us, and what we can do in our own kitchens to make foods safer.
Experts discuss links between prodigies and some people with autism and their implications for autism treatment.
Experts discuss the huge cost of presenteeism on the economy and the accommodations that could save businesses billions of dollars.
Experts discuss the use of animals to diagnose disease and their efforts to build machines that can do the same thing.
Experts discuss the pro's and cons of direct to consumer advertising and its effect on patients and physicians.
One expert describes why he believes sugar is to blame for the obesity epidemic, and changes that made sugar a larger part of our diets.
Heart attacks that produce few if any symptoms can be more serious than those that bring crushing pain because they often don't bring a victim to the hospital for lifesaving help.
An expert discusses telltale symptoms of silent reflux and the dietary triggers that can cause the disorder.
An expert examines how far we've come in medicine by focusing on past practices, which lead him to conclude doctors in ancient Greece provided better care than those in the US 150 years ago.
Experts describe how misunderstanding autism has drastically affected treatment, and how schools and other institutions can change their approach to improve treatment.
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome is often misdiagnosed and remains difficult to treat. However, children often outgrow the disorder as it transitions into migraine headaches.
A sleep disorder strangely named "exploding head syndrome" may keep more than 10 percent of people awake at night by inflicting them with crashing sounds that only they can hear.
Car accident survivors and one of the world's foremost experts discuss variables that make PTSD worse and essentials victims must carry out to recover.
Colleges are now required by Federal law to present anti-sexual assault training to new students, but rather than instilling "no means no," some experts think we need to do much more to enlist men to help prevent sexual assault.
Scientists have discovered that tinnitus involves many more areas of the brain than just those involved with hearing. Experts explain what sufferers can do now.
Social anxiety disorder is more than just shyness. It can be crippling and keep people completely inside the house. An expert whose daughter was afflicted discusses social anxiety warning signs in children and how the disorder can be treated.
Psychological or physical abuse by siblings is much more common than most people realize. Experts discuss warning signs of abuse and how parents can act without endangering the family.
Studies are now showing that loneliness and social isolation not only affect our mental health but also have profound effects on our physical health, and increase the risk of death substantially.
Many people will have to deal with a natural disaster at some point in their lives. Two civil defense experts discuss how to be ready before it comes.
Color blindness (or color vision deficiency) affects up to eight percent of men. Until recently, doctors could do nothing to treat it. Now high-tech glasses can make colors come alive for many people with the most common form of color blindness.Experts explain color blindness and the glasses that can treat it.
Millions of people can't carry a tune when they sing and believe they're tone deaf. However, most simply have trouble matching tones when they sing and would benefit from more practice. To the truly tone deaf person, all pitches sound alike. No amount of practice would help. Experts discuss the concept and offer hope to the karaoke-challenged.
Experts discuss how and why attacks on health care workers occur and how hospitals and health care workers can do a better job preventing them.
Anxiety is normal, but too much can be crippling; An author and anxiety sufferer discusses the nature of crippling anxiety and what people can do about it.
Only children have been vilified for more than a century as inevitably selfish, spoiled and lonely. Yet research finds that children without siblings are psychologically quite similar to those with brothers and/or sisters. Today the proportion of only children is increasing. Experts refute the myths about only children and discuss how parents can help children navigate life with no siblings.
Graduated driver's license programs have improved teen driving records, but a new study finds they are often distracted before crashes. Experts discuss distracted driving and ways to get teens to pay attention on the road.
Most people have little idea what goes on in the digestive system. A science writer explains everything she found during an exhaustive investigation.
Experts discuss possible reasons for the increase in the death rate surrounding pregnancy in the US and one possible ways to reverse it.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of July 15, 2018.
When it comes to cancer are you better off safe than sorry? Despite cancer screenings potential risks, many Americans still want it. A study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology finds that more than a third of participants want to receive a hypothetical cancer screening, even when the possibility of serious harm is described in detail. Clinicians say screenings can produce false positives that could lead to unnecessary worry and follow up tests. They can also over-diagnose, resulting in costly and unnecessary treatment of cancers that will never spread.
Men who take low dose aspirin to ward off heart attacks have more reason to stay out of the sun. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology finds those who take aspirin have nearly double the risk of developing melanoma compared to men who don’t take it. However, scientists say that’s not reason to stop taking aspirin, which not only reduces heart attacks but also helps prevent a variety of cancers. Women taking aspirin showed no increased melanoma risk.
And finally, want to get more done at work? Scoot on over to a window. A study from Cornell University finds that natural light produces health benefits and increased productivity. Lack of daylight and access to views decrease the ability of the eye to relax and recover from fatigue, but natural light cuts eyestrain is by 51 percent and reduces computer vision syndrome which impacts 70 million workers worldwide.
Some animals, such as elephants, almost never get cancer, and scientists have learned that the elephant DNA repair system is 20 times more powerful than the human system
The proportion of severely obese teenagers continues to rise, but teens are often held back until even bariatric surgery isn’t enough to return them to normal weight.
A look at top medical headlines for the week of March 26, 2017: A breakthrough in a blood test for cancer, treatment for pitching injuries, and the link between productivity and a good sex life.
Since the introduction of antibiotics doctors have prescribed courses of treatment that typically ran longer than necessary but bacterial resistance is forcing a reevaluation.
Summer is tick season, and tick bites are common. However, bites from a couple of types of ticks can produce paralysis and even death if the tick is not removed quickly. An expert discusses.
With the recent rise in food recalls due to contamination, many Americans are wondering why this is happening and what they can do to protect themselves from foodborne illnesses and infections.
Dr. Mark Tamplin, former food safety adviser to both the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and author of Phage, explains two primary causes and what consumers can do to stop the contamination from spreading.
A Listeria outbreak is one of the biggest challenges to the food industry, Tamplin says, and, it is often to blame in cases of food contamination, especially in ready-to-eat produce. Because of the increasing size of processing plants, once contamination spreads, it is hard to stop, and if something goes wrong, a lot of people are affected. Listeria thrives in the cold temperatures that stop other bacteria from growing and lives in hard-to-clean places, making it a challenge to contain.
Furthermore, Norovirus is the number one cause of foodborne illnesses in the US, responsible for 60% of those illnesses. This virus comes only from humans, so it raises concerns about how processing companies and consumers themselves handle their food. Tamplin advises consumers to always rinse their produce, even if it has been pre-washed, to never keep food in the danger zone between 40-140 degrees for longer than 4 hours, and to clean and sanitize their kitchens properly. With the right precautions and regulations, the contamination in our homes and the food industry can be contained.
Osteoporosis is increasing as America ages. However, fewer people are being tested for bone density and are agreeing to treatment because of side effects of osteoporosis medications. Experts discuss the devastating effects of increased broken bones and what can now be done to prevent them.
A look at the top medical notes for the week of July 29, 2018. Some of the topics covered include: a new app in California to review doctors, a study on bacteria in surgical implants, the role obesity plays, before and after menopause, in a woman's risk of contracting breast cancer, a non-invasive blood glucose monitoring device being developed, and research on how drinking coffee may help people live longer.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 12, 2018 including: a new study about colonoscopies and bacterial infections, then research on how a glass of wine can ward off PMS, and finally how concern about future stress can make the concern become a reality.
Electroconvulsive therapy still has a stigma, with the reputation of being a painful, disturbing procedure that wipes out memories and, if movies are to be believed, even creates zombies. Experts explain the reality—that ECT is a quiet procedure that provokes a short brain seizure, releasing huge amounts of neurotransmitters to reset the brain in what is the quickest and most dependable treatment for severe and often suicidal depression.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 16, 2018 including: Women and heart attack survival rates, the leading cause of death for people with disabilities ages 45 years and younger, and finally free food at the workplace and its cost to your health.
Gene research has made incredible leaps in the last decade. A physician/Pulitzer-prize winning author explains what our new knowledge means for our immediate medical future, given our struggles with genetic knowledge in the past.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 23, 2018 including: Unplanned pregnancy associations to attachment insecurity, the ideal amount of hours you should spend sleep, and what's the safest level of alcohol consumption?
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of October 7, 2018 including: Identifying Alzheimer's at an early age, sleepless nights due to restless leg syndrome, and finally, wrinkles and an increased chance for heart disease.
Top medical notes & headlines for the week of October 21, 2018, including: A new study suggest gum disease may kick start Alzheimer's disease. Nearly half of Americans spend most of the work day sitting, and some have now installed treadmill desks. Finally, scientists in India have uncovered a major public health threat...taking selfies.
Medical Notes for the week of November 4th, 2018 including: post surgery opioid addiction in women, risks of drinking one drink per day, intestinal bacteria ties to obesity in toddlers, and lung cancer death decreases in California due to anti-smoking campaigns, and finally a reduction in the flu for some due to television watching habits.
New recommendations for earlier colorectal cancer screenings, low rates of folic acid consumption by pregnant women, exercise may not improve prevent cognitive impairment, and more evidence that drinking soda leads to weight gain.
Most people think of military science in terms of defeating the other side. But it also involves keeping our troops sheltered, clothed, fed, and protected from adversaries like exhaustion, infection, heat and noise. A noted investigative journalist explains the less well known side of military research.
A new link between specific genes and depression, the potential to use a certain protein to treat sundown syndrome in Alzheimer's patients, and new research on an increased risk of death after the death of a spouse.
Presenteeism is when people go to work at less than peak efficiency due to illness, injury or distraction. Experts discuss the huge cost to the economy, the chronic illnesses that exact the most cost, and the accommodations that could save businesses billions of dollars.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 5, 2018 including: a new drug to help with excessive sweating which impacts 15 millions Americans. The FDA has approved a new epilepsy drug derived from marijuana. And a new study shows having the same doctor for awhile can extend your life.
After criminal convictions, many people with substance use disorder are placed on probation with the condition they remain completely drug free. They are often jailed when they relapse, setting back recovery and removing them from treatment that helps keep them clean. Is that fair, when relapse is a common symptom of their disease (and many others)? Addiction and and legal experts discuss.
Researchers may have found the cause of polycystic ovary syndrome, another study showing the impact on brain health from tackle football, and researchers at UCLA may have found an antidote to hangovers.
Doctors are attempting suicide in high numbers, and are much more likely than the general population to complete it. Experts discuss the coverup of doctor suicides, the reasons behind depression in doctors, and why doctors who are depressed are less likely than normal to get help.
Many children are bullied, especially in the middle school years, and many parents worry about their kids, especially if the parents have experienced this themselves growing up. But kids with disabilities are about twice as likely to be victims as those without disabilities. Experts discuss the problem and provide specific how-to’s to educate parents and schools to work together to prevent bullying of these children.
Major League Baseball teams spend $1.7 billion annually on pitchers, yet it is an extremely risky investment. Teams haven't figured out how to prevent all-too-frequent arm injuries, which are now filtering down to children as well. A journalist who investigated the science of pitching injuries explains.
Studies show that medical professionals are as biased as the rest of us against people who are overweight, resulting in lectures, misdiagnoses, and patients who start avoiding the doctor. Experts explain the problem, results, and what might be done about it.
Medical Notes for the week of April 28, 2019 including: About a quarter of people over 65 have heart valve disease, and the medication Celebrex might be increasing that risk. Then, flu season is almost over, but be aware, come Fall, that what you eat can sabotage your flu shot. Then, adult cannabis use and the correlation of increased need for more sedatives during surgery. Then, A new study showing pay-for-performance compensation may make employees more anxious and depressed and finally, eating more that a cup and a half of cooked mushrooms for a week shows signs of reduced mild cognitive impairment.
The flu’s unique ability to mutate makes it one of the toughest diseases to solve, as it evades vaccines and treatment. It also has a deadly history, which prompts fears each flu season. A noted expert discusses all about the flu and its myths.
Millions of Americans believe they are allergic to penicillin. However, most of them are wrong. Experts discuss how these misdiagnoses happen and what results when so many of us avoid the most effective, yet cheapest antibiotic.
Medical Notes for the week of April 21, 2019 including a new study concludes the number one public health threat worldwide is a poor diet. Then, rapid eye movement sleep disorder and the link to Parkinson's disease, and, a rare form of cancer has now been linked to textured breast and buttocks implants. Finally, outfitted smart toilet seats are now being used to detect heart failure in those with pre-existing conditions.
Heart disease is often preventable, but how people look at it often keeps them from doing as much about it as they could. Often this is a result of myth and misinformation. An expert physician discusses some of the most harmful of these myths.
Many people having a mental health crisis go to the emergency room. However, ER’s are not well equipped to handle them, and many patients are boarded there for hours or even days without treatment. Experts discuss the reasons for the failure, the outcomes it produces, and solutions that have been successful in limited trials.
Medical Notes for the week of April 14, 2019 including: A major study showing a daily aspirin does nothing to prolong life, and increases risk in gastrointestinal bleeding. Then, soda with sugar and the connection to heart death and increased cancer risks. Then, how preventive road maintenance can save drivers costs, and finally, eating nuts to maintain brain function as you age.
Research shows that friends are the most powerful people in our lives, influencing our behavior, attitudes and health even more than our parents or spouses. An expert discusses the many ways friends
determine our destinies.
Organ transplantation has dramatically changed lives and is raising hopes it could do even more for millions of people. But getting where we are has not been easy. A transplant surgeon traces the history of transplant research and notes the courage to fail among pioneering researchers and patients.
Medical Notes for the week of April 7, 2019 including: The average american eats enough eggs a week to raise risk for heart attack or death. Then, a study indicating common heartburn medications are being linked to kidney failure and chronic kidney disease, and finally, your apple watch might be able to detect an irregular heart beat.
One of the most popular searches on Google is for symptoms and what they mean. It’s created a much more well informed patient population, but one that may panic at the least pain or discomfort. Two experts discuss how to think of symptoms and how to search for them.
Congressional plans, one from each side of the political spectrum, are competing to blow up the current healthcare system. Here experts examine one of them—the left’s bid to replace private insurers with a government-run single-payer plan labeled “Medicare for All.” Alternatives may include bolstering the Affordable Care Act, or getting rid of it completely.
Studies show a rudeness epidemic in the US, and that people are profoundly affected when they experience or even witness it occurring to someone else. Two experts discuss.
Medical Notes for the week of March 31, 2019 including: A nasal spray to treat depression called Esketamine. Then, parent skills that can help navigate conflict with teens. Finally, fast food now accounts for 11% of the energy intake in the United States.
Patients used to accept doctors’ orders without question. Today, more are asking questions and challenging their doctors’ opinions. However, even those who do it politely are likely to be labeled “difficult.” A doctor whose late wife nearly made a career of being a difficult patient discusses how patients can do it respectfully and fruitfully.
Medical Notes for the week of March 24, 2019 including: In the first two months of 2019 the U.S. has had more cases of measles than ALL of 2017. Then, if you don't get enough sleep during the week, you can't catch up by sleeping in on the weekend, and finally; does the secret to a long life require drinking alcohol and coffee?
Many people have questions about their bodies that seem so silly, they never bring them up with their doctors. While the answers are sometimes humorous, often they are more complicated and important than we imagine. An expert physician/writer discusses.
Knee replacements are successful for 80 percent of recipients, yet many assume the success rate should be higher. Those who are not successful often are bitterly disappointed. However, patients and physicians can take steps to avoid a bad result. New techniques also offer much faster recovery. Experts discuss.
Medical Notes for the week of March 17, 2019 including: Does the world's most widely used weed killer cause cancer? Then, the push up test and it's reliability to predict heart disease. Finally, gardeners will tell you there's a reason playing in the dirt makes you happy, and now there's proof.
On St. Patrick’s Day—one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year—an expert discusses why hangovers occur and what might work to prevent them and recover from them.
Clinical trials drive medical advancement, but cancer clinical trials seldom meet their goals in recruiting patients. Experts discuss causes, consequences, and actions being taken to meet needs.
Medical Notes for the week of March 10, 2019 including: A new study finds that the active ingredient in antibacterial soaps can actually be making bacterial able to withstand medications. Then, a study suggests enlarged prostates appear to prevent colon cancer, and finally, using apps to chart your health and how these shadow health records can tip off a lot about your health to savvy data gatherers.
Fatigue in the workplace carries enormous costs in loss of productivity and injury. Experts are beginning to measure its precise effects in real time using wearable motion sensors, with some surprising results that will shape solutions. An expert who has studied this shares insights.
New surveys show that as many as 80 percent of people omit information, stretch the truth or outright lie to their doctors. Experts discuss why it happens, consequences, and methods that might reduce the amount of less than-truthful answers to doctors’ questions.
Medical Notes for the week of March 03, 2019 including: Women's brains burn energy in a much more youthful way throughout adulthood. Binge drinking and prolonged heavy drinking may trigger a permanent change in a person's DNA. Finally, more than half of all American workers burned out and not taking time off of work for mental health.
Children with serious chronic diseases often have a tough time transitioning from pediatric care, which has much support built in, to adult care, which has to be managed by the patient. Experts discuss how parents can make it easier with a gradual transition.
Heart attacks that produce few if any symptoms may be mistaken for indigestion or simple malaise, but they can be more serious than heart attacks that bring crushing pain because they often don't bring a victim to the hospital for lifesaving help. Experts discuss.
Medical Notes for the week of February 24, 2019 including: Explorers and scientists are speculating that an age inhibitor, or "fountain of youth" drug may be ready for human trials. Lower speed limits increase crashes due to government overrides? A study suggesting "Let's do science" is much more effective at getting girls engaged than suggesting, "Let's be scientists."
In the mid-1960’s, many Ivy League and Seven Sister colleges as well as prestigious prep schools allowed researchers to photograph incoming students naked as part of work on a now-discredited theory linking physical characteristics to leadership potential. A former student who went through it, now a physician and writer, discusses how research ethics have changed in the last 50 years.
A new CDC report shows that suicide among veterinarians is much higher than in the general population. Experts discuss the unique stresses that affect these professionals, including financial, compassion fatigue, euthanasia, and online harassment. They also discuss measures being taken to prevent mental health struggles and suicide.
Medical Notes for the week of February 17, 2019 including: A cancer diagnosis can create stress that goes beyond the breaking point. Electric scooters are a rapidly rising cause of injury, and a new study shows 1 in 3 will need treatment in the E.R., and finally, people who are good navigators are almost always good at identifying smells as well.
Advancements in genetic science are often clouded in ethical controversy. Often, scientists are accused of “playing God.” Experts discuss a new platform where scientists and public can debate it, and from which education can be disseminated.
Many patients arrive in the emergency room as a result of violence or car crashes—events in which police have an investigative interest. Sometimes, police needs clash with trauma care, and priorities are hashed out case by case. Experts discuss which priorities come first and when, and the procedures needed to smooth out sometimes contentious interaction.
Medical Notes for the week of February 10, 2019 including: The life long effects of trauma experienced at a young age, the need for an additional knee replacement surgery after the first, and finally if you're in a stressful situation, think of your Valentine.
Scientists are discovering that our food preferences are much more than a matter of taste, and that taste itself is more complicated than we thought. Psychology also plays a role. An expert discusses what determines preferences, such as why some people like jalapeño peppers & black coffee, and some don’t.
After attempts to use non-human primates as a source of scarce organs for transplant, doctors have turned to pigs for a variety of reasons. They’re now making great progress against the largest hurdle—rejection. One of the world’s foremost xenotransplantation experts discusses how the process might work and what the future might look like for millions of potential organ and tissue recipients.
Medical Notes for the week of February 3, 2019, including: Cancer deaths are on the decline, parents are dissatisfied with the systems school have in place to counteract gun violence. A study shows an increase in cardiovascular harm to patients taking basal insulin. Finally, more than half of those taking medical marijuana for chronic pain admit to driving while under the influence.
Professional athletes are among the most superstitious of all people. While we may be tempted to think these rituals have no effect on performance, psychologists say that if an athlete believes it helps, then it actually does. Experts explain how superstitions work in sports and in life.
Scientists have discovered that the way parents talk to their infants has a huge effect on their intellectual development and later success. Experts discuss why and how parents should hold "conversations" with their babies.
Medical Notes for the week of January 27, 2019 including: A drinkable cocktail of designer molecules that stops the development of dementia. Then, using sugar substitutes as part of a weight loss resolution and the evidence that suggests it's no better or worse than plain old sugar. Finally, shaming people for what they do isn't right even thought new research suggests that it can get people who engage in dangerous activities to quit.
Hormones were unknown until a little more than 100 years ago, and experts admit we still have a lot to learn. An expert author details the discovery of hormones and how our growing knowledge has shaped treatment of many diseases and conditions.
Since the introduction of antibiotics in World War II, doctors have prescribed courses of treatment that typically ran longer than necessary. Bacterial resistance is forcing a reevaluation, shortening courses sometimes to just a few days and even prompting doctors to advise not using all pills if patients feel better.
Medical Notes for the week of January 20, 2019 including Vitamin B9 is an essential nutrient, and now new research shows supplementation is more important than we thought. Then, If you ever fibbed to your doctor, you're not alone, and scientists have found a specific genetic mutation that causes frontal temporal Alzheimer's. Finally, forcing kids to apologize and recent studies that show how it usually backfires.
Dupuytren's disease (pronounced DOO-pah-tren) is the most common disorder crippling hands that most people have never heard of. It is a genetic condition of the fascia beneath the skin of the palms, and it stubbornly resists treatment. An expert and a patient discuss the disorder.
Surveys show that fewer Americans have a primary care doctor, especially among younger people. Experts discuss the ramifications of this trend both medically and economically, reasons behind it, and how primary care practitioners are changing the way they work to answer objections.
Medical Notes for the week of January 13, 2019 including the number of people with dementia around the world has more than doubled since the 1990's, the effects of air pollution on city dwellers, and finally studies proving that it doesn't take long to believe your own lies.
Experts say incest is the most common of all sexual abuse, but the least discussed openly. This can leave victims isolated and less able to reveal abuse, which can have further psychological ramifications later on. A noted expert on sexual abuse discusses how incest makes girls feel particularly responsible and unable to come forward, and a non-profit organization that seeks to help them.
Experts have believed that autism affects four times as many boys as girls, but the ratio may not actually be quite that high. Doctors are learning that autism shows up differently in girls’ behavior as a result of brain differences. This leaves many girls with autism undiagnosed. Experts discuss how it appears in girls and the consequences of those differences.
Medical Notes for the week of January 6, 2019 including: Death risks related to blood transfusion, sleep studies indicating high anger responses in those who are sleep deprived, and finally abused employees making great bosses.
Does addiction affect all of us in some degree? A noted addiction specialist and author believes we are all somewhere on the addiction spectrum, from bad habits to full-blown addiction. He discusses how small triggers can push people to seek relief, producing deepening decline.
Medical Notes for the week of December 30, 2018 including: Death rates for most major health conditions are in decline except for chronic kidney disease. Children don't just grow up faster but also age faster if they had a tough childhood, and finally, if you're a night owl, recent studies your health may suffer for it.
Epilepsy affects 3.5 million Americans, yet stigma prevents many from speaking out, which in turn prolongs the stigma. An award-winning writer who has epilepsy describes the discrimination faced by people
with seizure disorders and dispels the many myths many people hold about them.
Drug and alcohol addiction and abuse is rising. Researchers have found that “fear mongering” educational efforts to combat it in adolescents doesn’t work. New science has discovered that certain personality types are predictably predisposed to addiction risk, and that educational efforts can be targeted to them effectively. Experts discuss.
In the near future, cars will be able to provide data as well as receive it, and a variety of methods are being researched to tap into this. Experts explain how cars can communicate with roads, traffic signals and central computers, and how roads themselves may collect data on the cars they carry. In the future, autonomous cars may use these links to greatly speed travel and make it much safer.
Medical Notes for the week of December 23, 2018 including: The reason for a decline of American lifespans, a study explaining why waiting a year between the birth of 1 child lowers complications, and finally if your desk is a mess, your co-workers probably make negative assumptions about you.
Many people with dwarfism also face skeletal abnormalities which can lead to disability. Experts, all little people themselves, discuss major causes of dwarfism, the hurdles they create, the struggle for respect, and the prospect of treatments that could one day make little people much more rare.
It's a rare thing for people to lose their memory of past events. An expert discusses why doctors believe it may occur, and a woman to whom it happened recounts her experience.
Medical Notes for the week of December 16, 2018 including: Studies showing neither aspirin, nor omega 3 fish oil supplements help during a heart attack. Then, health issues related to inflammation and grief and finally, people with ADHD being recognized as assets to their employers.
During the holidays, leftovers from gatherings and parties may threaten to take over the refrigerator. An expert discusses consumer-friendly how-to’s, including how to read labels, that can lengthen food life and help avoid food waste.
Medical campaigns account for a third of monies raised on crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe, and many people who’ve fallen through the holes of the safety net have been helped this way. But new studies show that fraud is rampant in crowdfunding, with fake patients and medical providers who all too eager to take money for worthless treatment. Experts discuss these issues and the need for regulation.
Medical Notes for the week of December 9, 2018 including: The increase in skin cancer deaths among men, a higher heart attack risk due to an immune molecule called IL-17, and finally, changes to diagnosing pain levels using EEG.
During the holidays, party foods are a prime source of food-borne illness. Two food scientists discuss common ways foods become contaminated, some of the myths of food contamination, and ways to keep foods safe when you have guests to protect.
With monitors surveying every part of patients’ bodies, hospital intensive care units appear to be a model of high tech. But systems engineers say ICU’s are actually models of inefficiency because few of those high tech devices talk to each other. Experts discuss how ICU’s could be improved to save lives.
Medical Notes for the week of December 2, 2018 including: A study indicating how ramping up exposure to peanuts can make it safer for kids with allergies. Then, the increase of multigenerational households, and why volunteering to help out co-workers isn't always a good idea. Finally, genetic super tasters, and their likeliness to enjoy more caffeine.
Most people think of science as fact-based and not as subject to bias as the rest of the world. However, studies show that gender bias is rampant in science, and that women are not taken as seriously as men, even with identical qualifications. Experts discuss the problem and possible solutions.
Many people who have chronic recurrent sinusitis may have an allergic reaction to fungi rather than a bacterial infection. Treatments for the two are completely different, and in some cases, fungal sinusitis can be life threatening. Two experts and a patient explain.
Medical Notes for the week of November 25, 2018 including: the cost of non-fatal injuries annually, a possibly cause to scoliosis, why volunteering to help out a co-worker isn't always a good thing, and finally, what kind of person swears the most?
Companies instituting open offices without walls often claim they improve collaboration and interaction. Studies now show that the opposite is true—that workers put on headphones and interact via email rather than in person in order to shut out distractions and stress. Experts discuss.
Schools would be a good place for programs to screen for mental health issues in students, and to educate about mental health to lessen the pervasive stigma. Some states are making programs mandatory, but elsewhere schools and personnel may resist, seeing mental health as outside the normal role of teachers. Experts discuss how inventive programs are overcoming obstacles.
Medical Notes for the week of November 18, 2018 including the connection between the appendix and Parkinson's Disease, plus asthma related issues due to obesity, third generation households, and finally, makers of smoke alarms may be thinking of changing what they sound like.
A woman who suffered abuse as a child describes the mental health benefits of owning a dog, and an expert on the Americans with Disabilities Act discusses requirements for emotional support animals.
Just about anyone can report a parent to a child abuse hotline. It’s meant to protect children, but all too often, parents are reported when no abuse or neglect exists in order to retaliate for a divorce or some other grievance. And though the world is actually safer for children than it used to be, some parents are reported for merely letting children play outside or walk to school without an adult in attendance, what was once thought of as normal. Some activists say this robs children of independence. An expert and a woman who went through an unjustified child abuse investigation discuss.
Medical Notes for the week of November 11, 2018 including doctors pinpointing the gene at fault for AML. Plus, obesity links tied to asthma, immaturity being mistaken for ADHD, and finally vitamin gum and it's benefits.
Thanks in part to its Biblical past, the disfiguring disease leprosy carries more stigma than most diseases. We hear little about it today, but it still exists, and because it’s now treatable, often the stigma is worse than the disease. An expert discusses.
People suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder often can’t face their trauma, which is necessary for psychotherapy to work. It is a big reason PTSD is so difficult to treat. Scientists are leading clinical trials into the use of the banned drug MDMA in connection with therapy to help break this hurdle, and the results so far have been outstanding in curing PTSD.
Tickling is a unique application of the sense of touch that surprisingly has developmental and cultural importance. Experts discuss the science and sociology of tickling.
People who are adopted have more psychological problems than others, yet they also tend to have other psychological strengths. Experts, both themselves also adoptees, discuss the roots and outcomes of these issues as adopted children grow up.
Medical Notes for the week of October 28, 2018 including: hay fever vaccines, egg freezing becoming common for young women, and finally more evidence supporting the existence of junk food addiction.
Sleep disorders can be difficult to diagnose and treat. A science journalist discusses his efforts to overcome narcolepsy, which produces extreme daytime sleepiness, and cataplexy, which produces instant sleep-like paralysis, as well as the science behind sleep disorders.
About 40 percent of eligible people have been vaccinated against the flu in recent years, but many more might do so were it not for persistent myths about the disease and its vaccine. For example, a new survey shows that more than half of parents believe the flu shot can cause the flu. Experts explain why those myths aren’t true and set the record straight.
Surveys show that hospital gowns are one of the things that most makes a hospital stay unpleasant. Finally hospitals may be moving to get rid of the old style gowns toward a less revealing, more dignified design that is still functional for healthcare workers. Experts discuss.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of October 14, 2018 including: A new anti-depressant to help mothers experiencing postpartum depression, an asthma drug that may help reduce the damaging effects of multiple sclerosis, and finally, angry people may think they're smarter, but studies show this clearly isn't the case.
What we now call “homesickness” used to be a medical diagnosis called “nostalgia,” and it was considered life-threatening. Today many people consider homesickness to be a childish emotion, but an expert says it’s nothing to be ashamed of. We all suffer from it sometime and need to know how to cope.
About two-thirds of people with dementia in the United States are women, and researchers are discovering it’s not just because they live longer. Reproductive history also plays a role. Scientists are focusing on the role of estrogen as a potential protective factor against Alzheimer’s disease. Several who are involved in this research explain.
Researchers have discovered a variety of components in foods that are essential to health but are low in quantity in most diets. One of these is a set of compounds called polyamines. Researchers explain what they are, how they work, and how people can replace those that are needed in the diet.
Medical bills have long been labeled the number one cause of bankruptcy in the US. A recent study has examined how medical crises produce personal financial disaster. Researchers say for the
uninsured, medical bills are, indeed, a heavy burden. But for both insured and uninsured, illness or injury can cause disruption of employment that may linger for years, and from which family finances may never recover. Experts discuss causes and possible solutions to the problem.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 30, 2018 including: A vaccine for acne, a "good cholesterol" correlation to heart attacks, and solutions for "I-pad neck" and finally, designating a driver for, "The morning after."
For decades, the US has exported much of its recycled waste to China, an option no longer available to us by Chinese government policy. Now much of this waste may go to other Asian third world
countries that are poorly equipped to take it.
Experts say US consumers need to improve their recycling habits, but some advocates say we should aim for more—a “zero waste” lifestyle where a family of four can literally fit its annual trash in a pint jar. Experts discuss recycling options and how to reduce waste.
Since the beginning of the “baby on back” movement to reduce sudden infant death syndrome, many more infants are developing misshapen heads with a flat spot in one place. An expert discusses whether this is serious, how it can be treated with a helmet-like device, and how it might be prevented.
The second most common form of dementia is virtually unknown to most people. However, Lewy body dementia affects 1.4 million Americans, with symptoms commonly misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease. Additional symptoms such as hallucinations and uncontrollable shaking make diagnosis and caregiving more difficult, and treatments for Alzheimer's or psychosis can often be harmful. Experts discuss.
Rising global temperatures have produced effects such as extreme weather and a rising sea level. Climate scientists fear that if temperatures continue to rise, we may soon reach the point of no return. If the earth’s natural cooling systems start to fail, each could feed failure of the next, resulting in a hothouse with large portions of the planet uninhabitable. Authors of a major report on this phenomenon explain.
"Imposter syndrome” can undermine careers and lead to psychological distress. Two noted experts in the field discuss origins and how to deal with the phenomenon.
Decades ago, psychiatric treatment meant talk therapy. Now it usually means drugs or cognitive behavioral therapy for an extremely short time. A noted clinical psychologist and author explains why patients are better served when talk therapy is an option for recovery.
The drug Naloxone has been hailed as a lifesaver, as it can reverse the effects of what would otherwise be fatal opioid overdoses. Expert panels recommend that more average citizens carry it, especially those likely to be in contact with drug users. However, obstacles including cost prevent even some first responders from having access. A new study also shows Naloxone may have unintended consequences, such as more drug use. Experts discuss.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 9, 2018 including: A connection between adolescent drinking and adult prostate cancer, a study on music preferences related to income, and finally, matching musical tastes to dating profiles to see who gets more private messages.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 2, 2018 including: High blood pressure links to dementia, then osteoporosis genetic screening tests, and finally, is friendship timeless?
If dementia is recognized early, medication and coping strategies are very beneficial. However, dementia is often undiagnosed and untreated until it is far along. A newly developed online test can help assess if someone has mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia.
Homeless Americans have a life expectancy of only around 50, and often use the ER for primary care at a huge cost. The lack of followup care for their illnesses and the mental health or substance abuse disorders common in this population add up to an enormous health burden.
People who injure their foot often think they have a mere sprained foot or ankle when they actually have an injury that is potentially much more severe and disabling if not treated. Experts explain the Lisfranc joint and injuries that can hurt it.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 26, 2018 including: Germs resistant to hand sanitizers, a new study regarding removing children's tonsils and adult health, a report on biological age vs chronological age, and finally, is calorie free sparkling water sabotaging your diet?
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 19, 2018 including: a study on how stress changes our genes, research on artificially sweetened drinks being beneficial to colon cancer patients, a report on why study drugs don't work, and finally dogs reading human social cues.
People have different ways to interpret the world around them, and miscommunication is often a result when we assume we see the world similarly. A noted author discusses an innovative way to classify communication styles to avoid clashes.
A searing, stabbing pain on one side of the face can be so severe it’s sometimes called “the suicide disease,” and may evade diagnosis for some time. The cause of trigeminal neuralgia is often a throbbing artery in contact with nerves at the base of the brain, and while treatment can be difficult it is often ultimately successful. Two experts discuss diagnosis and treatment.
Studies show that college students are America’s loneliest people—even more so than the elderly—even though they’re surrounded by people and activities. The role of technology is discussed in isolating students, and the role of changing culture toward children and adolescents having a constantly structured schedule with few breaks for downtime or spontaneity. Experts also discuss how parents, schools and students themselves can overcome social isolation.
A number of court cases have challenged the Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, and the federal government has always defended the law—until now, and a Federal Court case brought by the State of Texas. With the stakes increased, experts discuss what the government’s reversal means to consumers.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of July 22, 2018. Some of the studies and surveys covered this week include an alarming study showing an increase in suicide rates. Two surveys, one that polled parents and one that polled pediatricians, revealing very different ideas about spanking. And on a lighter note, tricks your favorite restaurant might be using to get you to order more.
Mental health experts once believed that children were too young to remember traumas well enough to suffer much from post-traumatic stress disorder. Now they know that children as young as 2 or 3 can be affected, often for the rest of their lives. An expert discusses PTSD in children and its treatment.
Premature births are increasing in the US, but a new study shows they could be cut drastically if pregnant women increased blood levels of vitamin D. An expert discusses misconceptions about the vitamin, how it works and how it could be used to reduce infant mortality.
Sexual addiction is not a real disorder, according to the DSM-5, the authoritative psychiatric manual. But, many experts disagree. Dr. Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, addiction psychiatrist from Weill Cornell Medical College and author of Infidelity: Why Men and Women Cheat, as well as Neil Strauss, author of The Truth: An Eye-Opening Odyssey Through Love Addiction, Sex Addiction, and Extraordinary Relationships, discuss why they think sex addiction is real and what can be done about it.
The controversy surrounding the classification of sex addiction as a legitimate condition is centered around several concerns, namely that the DSM manual has made mistakes before, that psychiatrists may be over pathologizing normal human behavior, and that sex addicts are just seeking this classification as an excuse for their behavior. But, Dr. Rosenberg believes sex addiction is an entirely legitimate condition. It deals with dysfunctional sexual behavior in direct contrast with the addicted individuals’ ideals and moral standards, jeopardizing their families and, at times, their lives.
Dr. Rosenberg and Strauss say that sex addiction is often misunderstood. It’s often not about the sex itself, but about the validation and compulsion those who suffer from the condition experience, whether manifested in infidelity, pornography use, or visiting prostitutes. At the same time, they both believe that the 1-4% of the American population who have this condition should not be excused from the consequences of their behavior, especially any criminal acts, and should still be held responsible to manage their condition. Also, the two experts stress the importance of the harm this condition causes the victims, namely the spouses of sex addicts. Several treatments are offered for individuals with sexual addiction, including individual treatment, group therapy, and medication.
For more information about our guests, their books, or treatment for sexual addiction, see the links below.
Concerns over flu deaths in children has experts concerned, a new study shows it is possible to catch up on lost sleep, and finally there is evidence that what a doctor wears can impact how patient's feel about them.
Over the last 8,000 years, the human jaw has been getting smaller due to an increasingly soft diet and a lack of jaw exercise. The result is an epidemic of crooked teeth and serious health consequences.
Summer is when people want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Skin protection and sunscreen are something most of us consider, but overexposure to UV rays is extremely dangerous to the eyes as well.
A look at new proposed hypertension guidelines, youth baseball injuries, and drinking coffee to be have more productive meetings.
Teenagers used to experience rites of passage including getting a driver’s license, going out on dates, drinking, having sex, and getting a job. They’re engaging in these activities much less often today. It means less risk, but may leave adolescents less ready for adulthood and independence.
Using an eczema drug to treat asthma, scientists are developing a biomedical tattoo to catch cancer early, exercise is likely the key to not having a heart attack, and why chewing gum and walking is good exercise.
Pain is an often misunderstood reality for millions of people. A noted university professor who became a quadriplegic in a bicycle accident discusses her constant pain and the way it changes life.
As the opioid crisis continues, the city of Vancouver, BC, has found that a harm reduction approach helps addicts move to safer drug use and eventually getting clean. An author who’s watched the process discusses the controversial approach of officially allowing drug use, but in safer conditions.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/drug-abuse-and-harm-reduction/
The White House has rolled out a plan to reduce the cost of prescription drugs nationally. Experts and those involved discuss elements of the plan and how it might work.
A study with new evidence to support the hygiene hypothesis, a link between exercise and macular degeneration, and how complaining impacts morale in the workplace.
Recent studies show that people with autism are twice as likely as others to engage in substance abuse, contrary to previous belief that they are extremely unlikely to use drugs or alcohol. An expert and an author who has used alcohol to cope with his autism discuss the developments and their impact.
A rise in illnesses contracted from insects, fracking chemicals found in ground water, and a future cure for food poisoning.
Parents who have spent 18 years or more raising children often feel lost when the last child leaves home for college or their own place. A psychotherapist discusses common reactions and strategies for renewing purpose living in the empty nest.
True prodigies are hard to find. Only one in every five to ten million people are labeled a prodigy. A diagnosis of autism, on the other hand, occurs once in every 88 people.
Dr. Joanne Ruthsatz is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at The Ohio State University and the author of The Prodigy’s Cousin: The Family Link Between Autism and Extraordinary Talent. She says her research shows a strong link between prodigies and autism.
Ruthsatz interviewed thirty prodigies and noticed over half of them had a close relative with autism, including several prodigies with multiple autistic family members. She also notes many of the characteristics of prodigies are shared with people with autism. Both are inclined to have an extraordinary recall and repetitive behaviors.
Ruthsatz says prodigies have a unique proclivity for a certain skill. These skills typically include math, music, art, and chess, the same four skills displayed in individuals with autism. This led Ruthsatz to investigate a genetic link between autism and prodigies. She found prodigies and their autistic relatives had a common genetic mutation. Ruthsatz hopes to identify the ‘moderator’ gene. A gene that allows prodigies to have the shared proclivity in one area without the deficits that autistic individuals experience in all other areas. This could ultimately result in a treatment or medicine that could mimic this moderator gene and potentially change the lives of people with autism.
Dr. Jennifer Gerdts, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington and an attending psychologist at the Seattle Children’s Autism Center, says further research needs to be done to back up Ruthsatz conclusions. Since prodigies are so rare, Gerdts says it would be extremely difficult to find a big enough sample size, which would require hundreds of prodigies.
Gerdts agrees that finding the link between autism and prodigies could potentially result in major scientific breakthroughs. Finding a specific mutation or absence of a gene that’s common to both groups could explain the similarities between the prodigies and their autistic relatives. In a best-case scenario, the discovery could result in the development of a medical treatment or cure for autism.
Firefighters have extremely high rates of PTSD, similar to combat soldiers, yet are very reluctant to seek help. Experts discuss reasons for this reluctance, results of it, and how new efforts at peer counseling may help ease the psychological strain.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/firefighters-and-ptsd/
A new study shows arthritis may be caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the intestines, the impact of caffeine on Alzheimer's disease, and how an erratic schedule affects your weight
Researchers are discovering that for some people, eating processed foods produces some of the same brain effects as people addicted to alcohol or drugs. An expert discusses how dietary adjustment can end this addiction and its effects.
Diseases apparently have distinctive odors that humans can't detect. Researchers are using dogs, mice, rats and other animals to literally sniff out cancer and other diseases in the laboratory. In the 3rd World, rats are used to diagnose TB. Experts discuss the use of animals to diagnose disease and their efforts to build machines that can do the same thing.
Next year's flu vaccine, a link between calcium and colon polyps, and the risk of a potential chocolate shortage
Many people confuse allergies, colds, and sinus infections. A physician specializing in these maladies describes the differences, and the new ways sinusitis can be treated.
New limits on Medicare prescriptions of opioids are controversial, as some doctors believe patients could suffer more pain. Others believe the limits will achieve a much needed brake on the temptation to overprescribe while allowing legitimate treatment.
A study finds it's not true that vaccines overload children's immune system. Face-to-facet interaction at work is linked to happiness. Plus, maybe pasta really isn't that bad for you?
Perinatal depression is seldom brought up by a new mother, so healthcare providers must screen for it carefully. Experts discuss the balancing act.
People who suddenly speak with what sounds like a foreign accent often have a brain injury due to a stroke or other trauma. Experts discuss the syndrome and chances of recovery.
Using pot to combat the opioid epidemic, therapy dogs in the ICU, and how losing your life savings could cost you your life.
Experts discuss symptoms and treatments of Meniere's disease, an often misdiagnosed disorder producing loss of hearing and crippling vertigo.
How cancer impacts the rest of a person's life, a new treatment for urinary tract infections, and the connection between lowering stress levels and your sweetheart's t-shirt.
Is vaping safe, the danger in judging a person's health by their weight, and how much money buys happiness.
Millions of lives have been saved as a result of vaccines. But in the development of desperately needed vaccines, scientists cut corners in ways that wouldn’t be allowed today.
Hospitals and very large medical groups are buying up independent physician practices but studies show purchased practices cost more for patients.
The Dr. Larry Nasser case publicized doctors who sexually abuse patients. However, the extent of these assaults is unknown, as few doctors are ever punished and their misdeeds are never known.
Experts discuss how to help doctors better listen to their patients when diagnosing their illness in order to improve care plans and decrease healthcare costs.
How PFCs affect weight gain, women are more likely to bully other women, and what is more important for longevity exercise or the occasional drink?
Lung diseases such as COPD are difficult to treat but a new method taking a patient’s own stem cells is showing success.
Experts discuss their “housing first” approach and how it is helping to reduce healthcare costs for the homeless population.
A new treatment for Gulf War Illness, eating disorders in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, and a link between nose jobs and selfies.
Studies show that a large proportion of college students are at least occasionally “drunkorexic,” avoiding food when they know they’ll be drinking later in order to get a better buzz or to keep from gaining weight.
A new test for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, treatment for colicky babies, and the long-term effect of letting kids under age twelve try alcohol.
Big data is changing the world, but it’s been slow in coming to healthcare. An expert in healthcare IT explains how that’s changing and what it could mean to treatment.
A noted expert discusses how schools go wrong with lockdown drills and what they should do to be effective.
Anesthesia is a bedrock of medical practice, yet doctors admit we don’t know exactly how it works. An expert discusses anesthesia’s back story and recent improvements.
A new antibiotic found in soil, a link between bullying and mental health, and babies crawling on carpet and allergens
New studies show doctors may have more time than they thought to respond to a stroke, a study on how we treat people if they look like someone we've known in the past, and research into sugar comas
Experts describe cyclic vomiting syndrome, and how the syndrome is often misdiagnosed and remains difficult to treat.
Learn moret at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/cyclic-vomiting-syndrome/
A real-life version of the Star Trek Tricorder has won a major contest after passing multiple tests. Its developer discusses what the device is and how it could be used.
Hope for a new, faster anti-flu drug, a study shows that food poisoning is often the culprit behind the 24-hour stomach flu, and research revealing short people are less likely to develop blood clots
New research shows that most people with ADHD have a disordered body clock, prompting disturbed sleep, sleep deprivation, and a worsening of ADHD symptoms.
Surveys show that most Americans are less than happy, and seldom experience joy. Two experts discuss how even naturally glum people can manufacture joy.
Experts discuss how far fiber can go to keep us healthy, and what happens when we ignore fiber in the diet.
New research has several findings about stuttering including a structural deficiency in the brain's wiring, an inability to perceive rhythms, and a successful way to treat stuttering.
A familiar tool in the fight against melanoma, proof we can tell if people are sick by looking at them, an unexpected benefit of going to church, and research on why women avoid certain majors
Experts discuss the state of sexual harassment claims with more women speaking out, what makes these perpetrators more dangerous, and how to make legal claims stick.
An expert describes why he believes sugar is to blame for obesity, and the changes in the market and government advisories that made sugar a much heavier part of our diets.
When should kids get their first smartphone?, the affect of loneliness on health, and a story that will make you think twice about stifling a sneeze
Experts describe adult bullying, where and how it occurs most, what they are seeking, who they target, why it continues, and what needs to happen to stop it.
Why the ozone layer is recovering, slowing the natural aging of your lungs by eating fresh tomatoes and apples, and at what age spending habits form.
An expert explains traumatic brain injuries and how to prevent some of the consequences.
For decades, doctors have believed depression and anxiety were the result of chemical imbalances. However, a journalist’s investigation shows there are many factors involved.
Why the flu season is so bad this year, getting more sleep to help cut down on eating sugar, and a reason to add cursing to your workout.
Experts discuss how parents can decide when the time is right for their kids to get their first phone.
A link between a blood thinner and a reduced risk of cancer, kids who eat fish sleep better and higher IQs, and the rise in women enrolling in US medical schools
Millions of people who think they have allergies, asthma, and sinus problems may actually have “silent reflux” which can travel up the esophagus all the way to the throat and head. An expert discusses telltale symptoms and the dietary triggers that can cause the disorder.
An author/journalist who has donated twice with vastly different results discusses the technology and what to look out for when approaching egg donation.
Experts discuss how and why attacks on healthcare workers occur and how hospitals and health care workers can do a better job preventing them.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of January 14, 2018, including: Increased risk of heart disease death for people with restless leg syndrome, an experimental test for whether an upper respiratory infection is caused by a virus or bacteria, and genes that cause bad breath.
The link between "chemo brain" and inflammation in the blood, the rise in attempted suicide in young girls, individuality in diets to lose weight, how where you walk contributes to your health, and smart pills that let doctors know when patients take meds
Surveys show young women are often unaware of their risk for a heart attack and are much less likely to go to the emergency room when one occurs.
An expert examines how far we've come in medicine, leading him to conclude doctors in ancient Greece provided better care than those in the US 150 years ago.
Poor children often can’t access healthcare in spite of decades of efforts. A pediatrician who has established clinics for the poor discusses the problem.
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects about 10% of American women, but has such a wide variety of troubling symptoms that it’s often misdiagnosed.
Birth control pills and cancer risk, the link between disabilities and imprisonment, and late night snacking leading to wrinkles.
Weight gain when drinking diet sodas, adverse affects in pregnant women, and are cats or dogs smarter?
Mega-storms such as Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria disrupt uncounted lives and leave psychological scars that can last for decades and recur every hurricane season.
Boosting the effectiveness of the nasal mist flu vaccine, implementing new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, fecal transplants, and the search for the abominable snowman
Hiccups are annoying and uncomfortable, and doctors don’t know why we get them. An expert explains what hiccups are and why most home remedies actually work.
Meditation and mindfulness could be in even more demand as civility declines and stress increases. An expert explains how it works.
Some people may get the blues or worse as the days get shorter, they suffer from seasonal affective disorder, a chemical change in the brain caused by decreased exposure to sunlight.
Experts discuss readiness of pediatricians to treat mental illness in children and efforts to be sure they’re prepared.
Concern about a potential Parkinson's disease pandemic, how stress prevents aging in cells, and Botox to relieve migraines
Experts discuss why foreigners are especially at risk of being intimidated into forced labor and how they might be rescued.
An advocate and a genetic counselor discuss the state of pancreatic cancer screening and the few alternatives available.
Adults are bullied as much as children, why aging predictors don't work, and a link between air pollution and stress
Questions around using stents to reduce chest pain, incidents of asthma are on the rise, exercise is the key to maintaining weight loss, and the importance of variety in relationships.
Spouses of Alzheimer’s disease patients often struggle with depression while caregiving, some have started new relationships while their loved one is still alive but no longer recognizes them.
Researchers have found that severe emotional trauma in childhood triggers physical disease later in life, and has a cumulative effect.
Lies aren’t always bad but as the stakes of lies rise, honesty trumps kindness. Yet few people are ever able to distinguish when they’re being told lies.
Poultry farming has become heavily industrialized, in part through the use of antibiotics in feed. This contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistance, as an expert author explains.
Experts discuss symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder and how it may be treated, though few with the disorder agree to psychological treatment.
Rising levels of carbon dioxide are making crops grow bigger, however, these crops contain lower levels of important nutrients, endangering nutrition for millions of people.
A sleep disorder strangely named "exploding head syndrome" may keep more than 10 percent of people awake at night by inflicting them with crashing sounds that only they can hear.
Plummeting breast cancer death rates, detecting concussions with an app. Reluctancy to use AEDs. Vaping over traditional cigarettes. And the impact of mental health on the effectiveness of flu shots.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-week-of-october-29-2017/
Only about a third of research subjects in clinical studies are women this results in poor understanding of how new drugs work on women.
Many people will have to deal with a natural disaster at some point in their lives. Two civil defense experts discuss how to be ready before it comes.
Concussions in girls, eating foods rich in flavonoids to fight effects of the flu, and how being under stress impacts the way we perceive new threats.
Scientists are learning the specific workings of the brain when it is addicted to a substance or behavior, and showing that all addictions are similar.
Women undergoing cancer treatment often suffer hair loss and other impacts on appearance. A noted beauty expert discusses best ways to deal with it.
Experts discuss how students and even the economy would benefit from later school start times and the reasons many people and school districts still oppose the change
With the federal government’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants, many of them are skipping going to the doctor or the emergency room for fear of deportation.
Youth football before the age of 12 may be especially damaging to the brain, time consuming electronic health records, and more women than men are going to college.
Pregnancy and early childhood are the most common time for a strange disorder that prompts people to eat non-food items such as clay or ice.
A rise in death from stroke, probiotics to fight peanut allergies, and the average age that men become dads is rising.
Researchers explain experiments on animals with a new treatment that could eliminate fetal alcohol syndrome, perhaps even after birth.
Experts explain that dropping fertility rates in the US may not be as good a thing as we may think, and may lead to labor shortages and elderly populations.
An expert psychologist explains the inner workings of teen boys and how parents can bring out the best in them.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of September 24, 2017, including: A new test to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, estrogen therapy helping fight off gum disease, and changing grocery shopping habits at the start of the school year.
Experts discuss what can be done to enlist men to do much more to prevent sexual assault.
Opioid addiction and improper disposal of painkillers, proteins link to a healthier gut, and the proliferation of mommy-shaming
A healthy diet is one of the best weapons against heart disease, yet new studies show cardiologists (as well as other physicians) are woefully deficient in nutritional knowledge
Experts explain the FDA's proposed plan to mandate a significant cut in the nicotine content of cigarettes to encourage them to move to healthier forms of nicotine distribution.
Most forms of cancer have a built-in constituency of patients and loved ones, but lung cancer patients, instead, are often blamed for their own disease.
Experts discuss why pet obesity is a problem and ways pet owners can keep their furry friends healthy.
The link between mental health and talking to yourself, using a brick of coffee to improve head surgery, and what freckles on your eyes might mean.
Rust in the brain causing Alzheimer's, feeling tired on the job, and smart stairs that spare leg pain.
Experts, including an active CIA analyst, describe how they us psychological techniques to predict the behavior and decisions throughout the world.
An expert explains that human error is impossible to completely eliminate, so labs are increasingly turning to DNA tracking to catch mistakes when they occur.
A new blood test for Alzheimer's disease, a malaria drug to combat Zika, and evolutions role in restless nights.
Medical errors are the third largest cause of death in the US, and mistakes in making diagnoses are the most frequent form of error. A noted expert discusses why mistakes happen, and what doctors and patients can do to make them less frequent.
Researchers discuss why our brains can't do two things at once, and why supertaskers may be different.
Experts discuss the need for rural healthcare and the close link between hospitals and community economics.
Fertility in men in the western world is falling, how the poor function of taste buds could lead to obesity, and a link between alcohol and recall.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of August 13, 2017, including: The number of college students binge drinking is dropping, the physical and mental demands of staying healthy, and sweating less if you have a tattoo.
Even though death is part of life, few people prepare for it by collecting important documents and contact points that survivors will need to know.
Laws criminalizing homeless activities may make cities feel like they’re easing public discomfort, but jail does little to address the root causes of homelessness.
New studies show that changing your weekday sleep schedule by sleeping in as a little as an hour every weekend can have severe health impact.
Proton-pump inhibitors and an increased risk of death, a new link between drinking coffee and a lower risk of several diseases, and worse cold symptoms if you are lonely
Two car accident survivors and one of the world's foremost experts discuss what can make PTSD worse and the essentials victims must carry out to recover.
An expert discusses her contention that the care the VA provides is much better than its perception.
Children’s medicine is more specialized than many people think an expert explains how pediatric practitioners and hospitals are set up to deal with the different biology of children.
Expensive tech built for cell phones has pushed 911 call centers to consolidate, but will it cost lives when a far away worker with no local geographic knowledge takes your call?
Smartphone use and carpal tunnel syndrome, the effect of pesticides on pregnant women, and the link between sex and brain power.
Side effects from antibiotics given in the hospital, environmental rules fatigue, and the link older dads and geeks.
Psychological or physical abuse by siblings is much more common than most people realize. Experts discuss warning signs of abuse, and how parents can act.
We often judge people by their smiles, however, dental care and medical care have always been separate in the US, creating a large population that doesn’t receive dental care.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of July 9, including: A new treatment for ulcerative colitis, the effects of smoking on future generations, and wind farms that help crops grow.
The sense of smell evokes powerful memories and makes food taste good, but it also has important functions in interpersonal relations and personal safety.
Experts discuss how culture drives our obsession with weight and what science really has to say about it.
High achieving high schoolers are often pushed to do more and more creating a culture of pressure that has mental health consequences.
Dr. Joel Salinas has mirror touch synesthesia, a condition involving cross-wiring in the brain that allows him to feel it when people experience pain.
The ability to "know" the musical pitch had been thought to be learnable only at an early age but new research shows perfect pitch is teachable to adults as well.
An expert whose daughter was afflicted discusses social anxiety warning signs in children and how the disorder can be treated.
A look at important medical, health and science headlines for the week of July 2, 2017, including: Technology and parenting, exhaustion in doctors, and abusive bosses.
A look at important medical, health and science headlines for the week of June 18: Bad advice for those being bullied at work, a type of stroke that increases suffers desire to drink alcohol, and studying flamingos to improve braces and artificial limbs.
A noted expert discusses the vast amount that we don't know about chemicals and how tougher regulation in other countries could help keep Americans safer
Experts discuss the “textalyzer,” how it would work to deter texting while driving, and its pros and cons.
Foodmakers have removed trans fats from many of their recipes, and they’ll be banned in many foods nationwide in about a year. It’s a policy that could save plenty of lives, according to a study of counties that have already banned trans fats. The study in the journal JAMA Cardiology looked at 11 counties in New York State where trans fats have been banned in restaurants. Researchers found that heart attacks dropped by nearly 8% and strokes by more than 3%, compared to counties that didn’t restrict trans fats. Diagnosing lung cancer in the future could be as easy as making a quick swab of the nose. A study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that in people with lung cancer, cells as far away as the inside of the nose are genetically altered. People without cancer don’t have those alterations. Researchers have found 30 genes they could use as biomarkers for lung cancer. The test needs more work before it could be available as a screening test. And finally… if you’re dieting, the tone of your Tweets give away whether you’ll lose weight. Researchers presenting to a conference of the Association for Computing Machinery say they were able to predict dieting success with 77% accuracy just by reading the dieter’s tweets. People who succeed are more upbeat and focused on the future. Those who fail send tweets that are more anxious.
Experts refute the myths about only children and discuss how parents can help children navigate life with no siblings.
A neuroscientist explains the sense of touch and what can happen when it's not working as it should.
Pot smoking among pregnant teens, lead poisoning from target practice, painkiller abuse, and employees who work from home work longer hours.
Studies are showing that loneliness and social isolation have profound effects on our physical health, and increase the risk of death substantially.
One young woman who overcame a life on the streets describes how she beat the odds and what runaways need to have a chance to succeed.
Taking low-dose aspirin to protect against breast cancer, sunscreen contributing to vitamin D deficiency, and testosterone shown to produce overconfidence.
The crisis with opioid painkillers is making doctors look at alternative medicine therapies for a substitute for these drugs.
Going gluten-free is very popular, but a new study finds that if you don’t have celiac disease, there’s no point in it. In fact, it may even hurt you. The 25-year study in the journal BMJ shows that people who eat the lowest levels of gluten have a 15% higher risk of heart disease. Researchers say the results aren’t necessarily cause-and-effect, but when people restrict heart-healthy whole grains to reduce gluten exposure, they often end up eating more refined grains.
Kidney transplants in children are helping them survive longer. A study in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that 96% of children who got a new kidney about 10 years ago are still alive today. The transplanted kidneys themselves are also surviving longer—78 percent of living donor kidneys are still functioning 10 years later, compared to less than half a few decades ago. Better immunosuppression drugs get much of the credit.
And finally... if you’ve heard fewer kids complaining about being bullied lately, there’s a reason. Researchers have documented a significant decline in school bullying over the last 10 years. An ongoing study in the journal Pediatrics asks students about their experience with bullying over the last month. Since 2005, the proportion of children saying they’d been bullied has dropped about two percent per year to below 10 percent. Fewer than half of students also say they’ve witnessed bullying in the most recent survey. In 2005, about two-thirds of kids said they’d witnessed it.
There are still a lot of questions about electronic cigarettes, but evidence is accumulating that the effect on the oral cavity can be as significant as tobacco cigarettes
Researchers have sought safe and effective blood substitutes for 60 years, and a few viable alternatives are in animal testing
Firefighter heart attack deaths, a link between sleep and dementia, and avoiding eating junk food by...waiting.
Doctors can cure cancer in children better than ever, but decades later, many survivors suffer from chronic disease as a result of powerful cancer treatments.
Dogs that can sniff out cancer, depressions and heart disease, lack of sleep connection to more arguments, and how parents feel about their kids playing sports.
Scientists are tapping the entire adult population of Iceland for a clinical test for treatments for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.
Higher levels of concussions in women, DNA typos, and intelligence in first born children.
Experts discuss how much exercise is enough and how to make the most of light exercise.
Drinking coffee to fight dementia, nonprescription birth control pills, and finally quality over quantity of sleep.
Sleep used to be natural, governed by darkness, light, and fatigue. Now it’s highly processed and scheduled.
Relieving allergy symptoms, rampant incorrect use of inhalers, and relieving pain with green light.
Plagues can wipe out entire populations and create fear and great mystery in how they spread. An author who has explored plagues and dangerous diseases explains.
Studies show a rudeness epidemic in the US, and that people are profoundly affected when they experience or even witness it occurring to someone else.
Patients used to accept doctors’ orders without question. Today, more are challenging their doctors’ opinions. However, even those who do it politely are likely to be labeled “difficult.”
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 19, 2017, including: Mental health treatment linked to stroke, waking up early to stay healthy, and the benefits of working from home.
Anxiety is normal, but too much can be crippling. An author and anxiety sufferer discusses the nature of crippling anxiety and what people can do about it.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 12, 2017, including: The increase in drug overdose deaths, vitamin D to ward off infections, and drug prices.
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches an expert discusses why hangovers occur and what might work to prevent them and recover from them.
Many people sing badly and think they’re tone deaf, but a surprisingly low proportion of them truly can’t tell one note from another.
Medical Notes this week: Opioid addicts and amnesia, traffics link to domestic violence, driving and concussion recovery, and the affects of strict discipline
Some FDA commissioner candidates have proposed radical reform. Experts discuss what reform might look like and what the FDA needs to better succeed.
Many people have questions about their bodies that seem so silly, they never bring them up with their doctors.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of February 26, 2017, including: Pregnancy and baby aspirin, obesity and education, toxic snow.
Doctors are taking what they’ve learned in hand transplants, especially in nerve regeneration, and applying it to eye transplant development.
Primary care doctors can treat opioid addiction in their offices using drug substitution therapy potentially erasing the stigma of getting treatment.
Experts discuss new federal rules regarding the use of antibiotics in food animals, where the majority of US antibiotics are consumed.
New studies show rather than keeping kids away from peanuts to protect them, parents should give most infants peanuts from an early age.
Music thanatology is a specialized practice of playing harp music for the dying. A practitioner of the art explains how there is also science to it as well.
A psychologist explains research showing most users take the wrong approach when seeking a good match online, and how to better their odds of finding true love.
Injured NFL players are treated by doctors employed by teams, but a Harvard study claims there is an inherent conflict of interest in that arrangement, which might mean putting players on the field before they’re recovered. One of the study’s co-authors discusses.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/nfl-team-doctors-in-whose-interest/
Public hospitals have a poor reputation, but in some fields, especially trauma, they are often among the best hospitals in the US.
Researchers have found that poor health and disabilities can be factors leading to prison. An expert discusses the life cycles that can make this occur.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/poor-health-and-prison/
Over the last decade, the number of women over age 30 seeking treatment for anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder has skyrocketed.
Medical Notes this week: Health and female physicians, Aspirin's link to lower pancreatic cancer risk, New Year's resolutions
Hospital intensive care units appear to be a model of high tech, but systems engineers say ICU’s are actually models of inefficiency.
The shortage in primary care doctors is getting worse. We talk to Dr. Elizabeth Baxley about how to keep medical students in primary care.
Some people simply have no rhythm. A small percentage may be "beat deaf," the rhythmic equivalent of tone deafness.
Experts discuss what kind of healthcare reform to expect from the incoming Trump Administration.
New science has discovered that certain personality types are predictably predisposed to addiction risk, and that educational efforts can be targeted to them effectively.
Patients who have bariatric surgery stand to lose not only lots of weight but often an identity which changes many of their relationships.
A variety of liver diseases may cause test results that mimic alcohol-related cirrhosis. One, known as PBC, is the second largest reason for liver transplants in women. A patient and an expert discuss.
We discuss the mental health benefits of owning a dog, and the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for emotional support animals.
Virtually all animals with a backbone yawn, but scientists don’t know what purpose it serves or why yawns are so contagious.
During the Halloween season, many people seek out frightening experiences. This controlled fear has a psychological and developmental purpose, as an expert explains.
Direct to consumer genetic testing is now available to consumers to satisfy a variety of desires, however, risks come with what doctors say is incomplete knowledge.
A new survey shows more pediatricians are experiencing vaccination refusal, and while the reasons are evolving, they still often result from misinformation.
People who are adopted have more psychological problems than others, yet they also tend to have other psychological strengths.
Tickling is a unique application of the sense of touch that surprisingly has developmental and cultural importance.
Some people who have a stroke in the brain stem suffer from a condition where they are fully aware yet cannot move a muscle, except for sometimes the eyes.
The EpiPen brand has become synonymous with epinephrine injectors, which can save the life of a person suffering a severe allergic reaction. Recently there’s been outcry over large price hikes for the devices, which have forced some people to seek other alternatives or go without. Experts discuss the economics involved and what patients can do to be protected without going broke.
What we now call “homesickness” used to be a medical diagnosis called “nostalgia,” and it was considered life-threatening. Today many people consider homesickness to be a childish emotion, but an expert says it’s nothing to be ashamed of. We all suffer from it sometime and need to know how to cope.
Scientists are learning that people who repeatedly drive drunk are not all the same in the personalities and brain chemistries that motivate their behavior. An expert discusses new research suggesting different ways to reduce recidivism in each of these personality types.
The dreaming brain is nearly as active as it is when we are awake. Experts discuss ways to shape dreams to help solve problems.
Experts discuss heart attacks, known as SCAD, that are caused by arteries splitting open rather than blockages.
Studies show that doctors are as biased as the rest of us against people who are overweight, resulting in lectures, misdiagnoses, and patients who avoid the doctor.
Every generation thinks the one behind it is full of spoiled, entitled, lazy kids, prompting parenting advice that research shows is actually harmful to children. An expert discusses why conventional wisdom about raising kids is often all wrong.
Experts explain the danger of lead, especially to children, and other chemicals that may be in drinking water.
An expert physician explains what varicose veins are and new treatments that simplify getting rid of them.
Children and adolescents seldom have “heart attacks,” but they sometimes have heart arrhythmias which can look like the same thing, and be just as deadly.
A new field of advocates are helping people navigate the insurance system, assisting with denials and delays. Three experts discuss how to fight your insurer and win.
Experts discuss why salt is such a health problem and what the federal government is doing to push food processors toward reducing salt content in our diets.
When a child is pulled out of the water and revived they may face life-threatening peril hours or days later as the body reacts.
Women are the fastest-growing prison population, but when they’re released, they face far more barriers to successful reintegration into society than men, especially if they have children. Experts and a former inmate running a new program for moms in prison discuss barriers and ways to overcome them.
Diagnostic tests are often less certain in their results than people think, making patients sometimes doubt doctors' competence.
A noted investigative journalist explains the less well known side of military research.
Experts discuss why the risk of kidney stones in kids is rising, why doctors still sometimes miss the diagnosis, and how kidney stones are treated in children.
One expert explains which kinds of people would find the gluten-free diet appropriate and the pitfalls to avoid.
A noted university professor who became a quadriplegic in a bicycle accident discusses her constant pain and the way it changes life.
Experts explain a new desensitization technique that may help people who need a kidney transplant and kidney exchanges that make more patients eligible for transplants.
When doctors can take advantage of massive amounts of data on patient outcomes, lives will be saved. We look at one of the first efforts, an attempt to associate dangerous drug interactions.
Kids with disabilities are twice as likely to be victims of bullying. Experts discuss the problem and how to prevent bullying of these children.
An expert neurologist discusses changes in thinking that can create more positive physical brain pathways, making us happier.
Bleeding disorders such as hemophilia can be extremely serious but are treatable. However, many must fight the legacy of more primitive treatment, such as HIV and hepatitis C.
Experts discuss how doctors on the street can improve health for the homeless and lower cost for society.
Freezing eggs in their 30's allows women to preserve fertility well into their 40's. The concept was originally meant for women whose fertility was threatened by disease or medical treatment, but today the majority of those having eggs frozen are doing so for social or career reasons. Now egg freezing is even offered as a corporate benefit in some places. Experts discuss the procedure and its uses.
Specially trained crisis intervention teams have spread around the country to prevent deaths, injuries, and unnecessary incarceration.
The newly appointed director of the world's only research center devoted exclusively to bladder cancer discusses risks and treatments.
Parents who have spent 18 years or more raising children often feel lost when the last child leaves home for college or their own place. A psychotherapist discusses common reactions and strategies for renewing purpose living in the empty nest.
Restless legs syndrome strikes people at night, creating some of the worst sleep conditions known by any patients. Experts discuss identifying and treating the syndrome.
Many people confuse allergies, colds, and sinus infections. A physician describes the differences, and the new ways sinusitis can be treated.
Experts explain why drug shortages occur, the unfortunate outcomes, and what they do to try to minimize the damage.
Experts discuss symptoms and treatments of Meniere's disease, an often misdiagnosed disorder producing loss of hearing and crippling vertigo.
Studies have found that many doctors don't really listen to their patients, and so miss how illness is affected by the other things in life.
In an age of increasing medical complexity, some leading thinkers in medical education are proposing that time spent on medical education be cut by nearly one third.
Biofilm is resistant to many antibiotics and is gaining new attention as a source of hard to eradicate infections.
Genetic testing has become a widespread reality in the past five years, but doctors are struggling with what many genetic findings really mean.
Experts discuss the most common reasons for secret-keeping and the consequences that may result.
In response to "factory medicine" some doctors are moving to a "concierge medicine" practice where patients receive more personal care for higher fees.
An author and journalist who has donated twice with vastly different results discusses the technology and what to look out for when approaching egg donation.
Thyroid disease affects millions of Americans, many of whom have not been diagnosed. Experts discuss symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Experts discuss the Zika virus, how it's transmitted, its spread to the US, the severe birth defect it has been linked to and how to protect yourself from it.
American healthcare is the most expensive in the world. An expert author details some of the causes and possible solutions now being established.
Funding of clinical trials has dramatically shifted so that today, trials paid for by pharmaceutical and device makers outnumber publicly funded trials 6-to-1.
Party snacks are prime territory for contamination. A scientist discusses the myth of the five second rule.
Stuttering has been blamed even fairly recently on parenting, but new research has several new findings including a much more successful way to treat stuttering.
A surprisingly high percentage of people who've been treated in the ICU later suffer from PTSD. Experts discuss why this occurs and what's being done to treat and prevent it.
Low-level systemic inflammation is being tied to many disorders including heart disease. Experts discuss how inflammation can be combatted through diet and supplementation.
An expert and author discuss the political forces creating unusual unanimity behind breast feeding, and the truth of health claims on the benefits.
Scientists have developed the technology to edit single genes, which could eliminate some inherited diseases. However, doctors don't know how "germline editing" would affect other genes.
Hip and knee replacements are common, now doctors say ankle replacements have become technically good enough to make fusion obsolete for arthritis patients in pain.
A noted expert discusses how the US might regulate potentially toxic chemicals better, and how tougher regulation in other countries could help keep Americans safer.
Experts discuss different conditions affected by weather, why pain responds to weather changes and possible remedies to some of these maladies.
A novelist discusses her observations from years on the hospital floor with her sick child as the basis for her book.
Only about a fifth of people who could use hearing aids have them. An audiologist, hearing aid manufacturer, and hearing aid user discuss why.
The holidays are like no other time in your local hospital's emergency department. Experts discuss, among other things, why more heart attacks occur and how to prevent them.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may produce cognitive and personality changes months later. An expert explains these injuries and how to prevent some of the consequences.
Experts discuss why foreigners are especially at risk of being intimidated into forced labor in the US and how they might be rescued.
Experts discuss readiness of pediatricians to treat mental illness in children and adolescents and efforts to be sure they're prepared.
A nationally known rehab specialist discusses using prehabilitation techniques for newly diagnosed cancer patients.
Infertility is often due to poor egg quality, or chromosomal damage. A new procedure seeks to replace mitochondria in old eggs with fresher mitocohndria to improve egg quality.
Controversy has broken out over the doctor's traditional white lab coat and necktie. Experts discuss.
Experts discuss reasons for food insecurity, outcomes, and a variety of inventive solutions.
Scientists have found that the psychology of innocent people is a major reason for false confessions. Experts discuss why this occurs and how to prevent it from happening.
A pharmacist advises what should be in your medicine cabinet and how to keep those medicines safe and effective.
One year ago, we visited Greg O'Brien, a journalist attempting to document his own decline into early onset Alzheimer's disease. He discusses the how the disease has progressed.
The body uses extra calories to stay warm in cold conditions, creating heath through thermogenesis. Recently scientists discovered one of the mechanisms the body uses for this - brown fat.
People who use drugs, even those who are not addicted, are often destructively enabled by families. An expert explains what families have to do to break through their own denial.
Studies estimate that about five percent of diagnoses are wrong, leading treatment down the wrong road. Experts discuss why misdiagnoses occur and how they might be prevented.
Experts explain how a device called DADSS - Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety- can test whether a person is drunk as he attempts to start his car and debate some of the issues surrounding its possible rollout.
30 million Americans wear contact lenses, but today's high tech lenses are vastly superior to those of a few decades ago. Even so, most contact wearers don't maintain their lenses correctly.
As many as five percent of people diagnosed with Parkinson's or Alzheimer's diseases may in reality have a treatable disorder caused by "water on the brain." An expert and patient discuss.
Children who suffer multiple traumas such as loss of a parent and physical abuse are much more likely to experience cancer, heart disease and autoimmune diseases as adults.
Only about a third of research subjects in clinical studies are women. Experts discuss why such an imbalance occurs, its results, and how the problem is being addressed.
Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/gender-diversity-in-basic-research/
A well-known psychotherapist describes what therapists are thinking while the patient is talking and how these thoughts guide treatment.
Many schools are cutting down on recess to focus on the 3R's, but child development experts say play is part of children's "work" and an important part of how they learn.
Most medium and large businesses now have corporate wellness programs for employees in an effort to keep health insurance costs down. Many have incentives for reaching health goals. Experts discuss how these plans work and whether the effort shows up favorably on the bottom line.
Scientists have discovered that older research animals can seemingly be made young again with infusions of young blood which reactivate stem cells opening the door to possibly rolling back the clock on aging.
Newly-invented powdered alcohol is entering the market, but some experts and legislators believe it should be banned because it's likely to be abused by teens.
Cancer biopsies traditionally require surgery to remove a piece of tumor. But researchers hope to eventually be able to use liquid biopsies for cancer screening and early diagnosis.
Experts discuss why pet obesity is a problem and ways pet owners can keep their furry friends healthy.
A surprisingly large number of people may become agitated or even enraged when they hear "mouth sounds" such as chewing or slurping, sniffling, or crunching of paper. This disorder, misophonia, is largely unknown, but researchers believe audio processing of these sounds is misrouted to rage centers in the brain. Experts and a sufferer discuss the syndrome.
Everyone deals with grief at one time or another. An expert discusses how it's experienced by most people, and a writer/illustrator discusses his experience dealing with his spouse's sudden death.
Researchers are learning that tears shed for different reasons are chemically different. Experts discuss why it's good for people to cry.
Multitasking seems like a necessity for most people, and most of us think it improves our efficiency. However, studies show that only a tiny proportion of people can juggle tasks well. Researchers discuss why our brains can't do two things at once, and why "supertaskers" may be different.
Consumers who purchase medicines online are taking a big risk-experts say 97% of online "pharmacies" are rogue sites operating illegally. Experts discuss how consumers can buy safely.
Few people are aware that the vehicle occupant most likely to be hurt in a crash is the one in the front passenger seat. Experts discuss how car occupants can protect themselves from injury.
An award winning science writer discusses her experience observing how medical professionals and patients differ in their acceptance of impending death, and what families need to know to navigate the end of life toward a "good death."
Research shows that singing in a group has health benefits. Experts discuss how singing is being used to treat one serious disease.
The ability to "know" the musical pitch of any sound has traditionally been thought to be learnable only at a very early age through musical training. But new research shows perfect pitch is teachable to adults as well.
Air pollution is blamed for one of every eight deaths worldwide, including 200,000 in the US each year. A noted lung physician discusses some of the diseases smog can cause and ways to keep your lungs safe.
TV doctors wield tremendous influence with patients, sometimes even more than a person's own doctor. Experts discuss how celebrity doctors miss the mark and why they're so popular.
Most people don't think much about what happens to their trash after they set it at the curb. But day in and day out, refuse workers have the most dangerous municipal job, with more injuries than police or firefighters.
Many doctors believe emotion is detrimental to medical practice, and many patients think doctors are cold and emotionless. But one influential physician explains why emotion is important to doctors.
Bell's palsy is a frightening malfunction in the nerve controlling half of the face that occurs for unknown reasons. Sufferers often think they're having a stroke. Experts and two people who've had the disorder discuss.
More than 5 million children have been born as a result of in-vitro fertilization, but many are born as twins, triplets and even quadruplets. Experts discuss new technology that promises to reduce the number of multiples in IVF.
Digital technology has revolutionized many industries, but medicine has lagged behind. One of the nation's most influential doctors discusses what the consequences are and what it will take to bring health care technology to its full potential.
Some people who remember things extremely well may claim they have a "photographic memory," but some experts say such a thing doesn't really exist. Experts discuss how memory works.
Learn more at: https://radiohealthjournal.org/photographic-memory/
When AIDS first became widespread in the 1980's, it was a death sentence. A doctor who has spent her career on the front lines of HIV recounts the desperation of the early days and the transition of HIV into a treatable chronic disease.
The sense of smell evokes powerful memories and makes food taste good, but it also has important functions in interpersonal relations and personal safety. Experts discuss the science behind it.
Testing for breast cancer genes BRCA-1 and 2 has been inaccessible to many women due to extremely high cost. Now a new 249 dollar breast cancer gene test is available. Experts discuss whether this changes who should be tested.
Seven hundred children under age 15 drown in the US each year, most within sight of a parent or other adult. One major reason is because drowning doesn't look like most people picture it, and so are unaware the child is in trouble.
Many diseases have a genetic trigger, but a noted researcher concludes that alteration of the diet can override that programming. He discusses how disease doesn't have to be preordained.
The cultural bias against obesity is often justified on health grounds. But recent studies show that people classified in the "overweight" BMI category actually have less mortality than normal weight people.
Lung cancer is the world's #1 cancer killer, but its association with smoking has created a stigma that often stuns patients who never smoked and results in much less research money for lung cancer than for other less lethal diseases.
Doctors too often use language that's indecipherable to normal people. Efforts are underway at medical schools to teach doctors to speak in plain language. An expert at one such school and a participant in these classes discuss.
Surveys show young women are often unaware of their risk of a heart attack and are much less likely to go to the ER when a heart attack occurs. Experts discuss reasons and possible remedies.
Since the dawn of medicine, doctors have believed that, once injured, the brain could not heal. Now they've learned that the brain can heal, and are beginning to tap ways to make it heal better and faster.
Vitamins are essential to our health, and we can get most through our diets. Standards for dietary minimums help prevent deficiency diseases, but little is known about whether it's possible to consume too many vitamins.
Many people have misconceptions about what addiction is and is not. A noted British journalist explains how these myths fuel the war on drugs, and alternatives that might curb addiction and drug trafficking.
Studies are showing that people who train hard and long at running have death rates similar to couch potatoes. Experts discuss how much exercise is enough and how to make the most of light exercise.
Experts explain the brain chemistry of food addiction, how it is virtually identical to the chemistry of drug addiction and alcoholism, and what it means for the nation's fight against obesity.
An expert discusses his study of traditional native societies, which shows how human genetics have not adapted to change.
The US once led the world in proportion of women in the workplace, but that number has declined the last 15 years. Experts explain the factors that are leading women to quit their jobs and stay home.
At some point in their careers, 35 percent of workers will be bullied badly enough to affect their health. Experts discuss the reasons for workplace bullying and how to prevent it.
Hospitals and clinics often have to stock a huge variety of bandages to address different kinds of wounds. Now a high-tech "smart dressing" can replace them.
Many people are familiar with the use of Botox to reduce wrinkles and frown lines. But Botox can also be used to reduce the effects of depression. One of the principal researchers on this subject explains.
Measles is more widespread than it has been in years. The current measles outbreak in several states has prompted questions about the responsibility of parents to have their children immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases. Experts discuss this "social contract" cited by courts since colonial times, and why highly-contagious measles is a good test case for the rights and responsibilities of parents.
Doctors can cure cancer in children better than ever, but decades later, many survivors suffer from serious, chronic disease as a result of powerful cancer treatments. Often those survivors don't get screening and treatment for late effects. Experts and survivors discuss how treatments influence life decades later, how survivors can get treatment they need, and new ways of treatment can lessen late effects.
New parents are often at wits' end when their baby won't sleep. Infants who won't sleep and cry inconsolably are also at major risk of being victims of shaken baby syndrome. Experts discuss the connection and ways babies can be more reliable sleepers.
The sense of touch is often taken lightly, yet it conveys more emotion than any other sense because it literally has a separate emotional wiring system. A neuroscientist explains the sense of touch, how it works, the power it has over everyday decisions, and what can happen when it's not working as it should.
People eat for reasons other than satisfying hunger, and those reasons play a great role in whether we eat too much or not. Experts discuss the role of the environment in our appetites and how we may use it to stay slim.
Scientists are learning that the bacteria living inside us, most notably in the intestines, influence our bodies far more than previously suspected. Our microbiome influences many other organs, particularly the liver, brain, and immune system. Different mixes of these bacteria may account for a great deal of the variability among people, particularly in our weight. Two researchers explain.
Few female role models exist at major research universities in scientific fields, subverting efforts to get more women into math and science. Many scientists have dismissed gender bias as a factor. However, new research shows that unintentional bias results in women being subconsciously considered less competent than their male scientific counterparts. Experts explain how unconscious bias exists and its pervasive effect in academia and society at large.
Eye exams are looking for a lot more than just eye diseases or how well you see. The eye is the window to the rest of our body's health, and many diseases can be spotted there first. An ophthalmologist explains.
For the first time in history, today more than half of American adults are single. Many are still looking for love--more than 40 million are members of online dating sites, which have their busiest time of the year between now and Valentine's Day. A noted psychologist explains research showing most users have exactly the wrong approach when seeking a good match online, and discusses how they can better their odds of finding true love.
The 2014-2015 flu season started much earlier than normal and so far has been much more severe than usual. Experts explain how this year's mismatch occurred between the flu vaccine and the predominant strain of flu, and how people can protect themselves in spite of the ineffective vaccine.
Music thanolotology is a specialized practice of playing harp music for the dying. A practitioner of the art explains how there is also science to it as well.
Human papilloma viruses are responsible for many cancers, especially cervical cancer and throat cancer. Vaccines exist for the major HPV's that cause these cancers, yet relatively few eligible youths have gotten them. Experts discuss the toll of HPV and the reasons so many people avoid both vaccination and Pap tests that can detect cervical cancer early.
The new year is a time for people to stop bad habits and start new, good routines. An expert discusses the psychology of habits and how people can be more successful in changing their lives for the better.
The military is beginning to recognize a new category of emotional and spiritual injury in war--moral injury, a result of committing or witnessing an event such as an atrocity that violate deeply held ethical beliefs. Experts discuss evolution of the concept, how moral injury occurs, and what psychologists are doing to prevent and treat it when it occurs.
It's much more common today for 20-somethings to delay moving out of Mom and Dad's house to start an independent life. An expert discusses the reasons for this trend, and emerging thought on whether this apparent new stage of life is normal.
Professional musicians often suffer from repetitive motion injuries, while dancers suffer athletic injuries. Both often "play hurt," in part due to fear of losing position or income, or because they are more likely than most professions to have no health insurance. Experts discuss ways performers are recognizing the problem and seeking to treat and prevent workplace injuries.
Almost everyone is victimized at some point by a cutthroat co-worker who lies with ease and feels no remorse. These people may be "almost psychopaths," people with psychopathic characteristics too subtle to be diagnosed. Two experts explain how these people operate and how the rest of us can avoid being played.
Heart failure is a major source of death and disability. Experts discuss causes, consequences and new treatments that may greatly lessen its toll.
As "Obamacare" health insurance exchanges enter their second year, some insured people are finding that getting access to care is extremely difficult due to meager provider networks and low doctors' payments. Many insured are also being surprised by high deductibles and co-payments. Experts discuss the extent of the problems and ways they might be resolved.