Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials Podcast

Coronavirus has disrupted our lives, and although we know this situation is temporary, it doesn’t always feel that way. Amy Greene, DMin, MDiv, discusses ways to find faith, calm and mindfulness amid all the fear. She shares techniques to help us cope and process all of our emotions. She also offers reassurance and advice as we try to navigate this situation together – while being apart.

Even with modern medicine, “that time of the month” can be a pain for most women, especially those prone to heavy menstrual bleeding. But abnormal uterine bleeding shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your life. Gynecologist Cara King, DO, talks about why it happens and when it’s time to see a doctor. She also offers tips on managing heavy bleeding and explains how common and treatable the condition actually is.

Your eyes are more than just the window to your soul. Ophthalmologist Aleksandra Rachitskaya, MD, walks us through potential warning signs of eye flashers and floaters, why we get them and what treatment can look like. She also explains why routine eye exams and being proactive about your eye health can help detect and prevent future health problems.

The 2019 novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is on everyone’s mind, with new developments emerging every day. Pediatric infectious disease specialist Frank Esper, MD, sits down to answer important questions about what we do and don’t yet know about the virus, and what everyone should be doing to protect themselves and others.

It’s no secret that a well-balanced diet is good for you, while a diet lacking in proper nutrients can leave you feeling less than your best. Family medicine specialist Kelly Raj, DO, talks about common vitamin deficiencies, the warning signs to be aware of and who’s most at risk. She also offers practical advice on taking a vitamin supplement and what to look for in a multivitamin.

Will it hurt? Will I be bloated afterward? What do I need to know about the prep? Colorectal surgeon James Church, MD, answers your top questions about having a colonoscopy and explains why they're so important for people over age 50.

Many people today follow a gluten-free diet for a number of reasons. But for people with celiac disease — a serious, lifelong autoimmune disorder — it’s absolutely necessary. Gastroenterologist Alberto Rubio Tapia, MD, explains how celiac disease is more than a gluten sensitivity and details the steps to getting a diagnosis, including who’s most at risk and how to get tested.

It’s estimated that nearly 20 million people in the United States suffer from some sort of neuropathy, which in and of itself can be a vague term with a variety of causes. In fact, neurologist Benjamin Claytor, MD, says there are over 100 different types of neuropathy, all with their own unique causes. In this podcast, Dr. Claytor discusses everything from diagnosing neuropathy to treating and preventing it.

Healthy eating seems simple — so why do many of us struggle with it? One reason is because our eating behaviors are highly influenced by our emotions, our environment and the people around us. Susan Albers, PsyD, shares tips on how to use mindfulness skills to combat unhealthy eating habits and truly enjoy food.

Most adults who come down with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) react to it like a regular cold. Within a few days your body kicks the virus to the curb and on you go with your life. But for infants and young children, this virus can be dangerous. Pediatric infectious disease specialist, Frank Esper, MD, discusses what you need to know to protect the youngest and most vulnerable people in your life.

There’s a reason that concussions are a hot topic lately. Now, more than ever, athletes are reporting concussions and bringing awareness to how serious blows to the head can be. We sat down with concussion specialist Richard Figler, MD, to find out what happens to the brain during a concussion and what the road to recovery looks like. He also discusses symptoms, concussions from non-sports, when to seek care and tips for prevention.

Rates of three common sexually transmitted infections — syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia — are at an all-time high in the U.S. What’s behind this rise, who’s most at risk and how can we protect ourselves? Oluwatosin Goje, MD, an Ob/Gyn who specializes in infectious diseases, explains.

A cold, the flu, bronchitis, a sinus infection – they all make you feel lousy, right? So what’s the difference between all of these winter ailments, and do you need to see a doctor? Family physician Donald Ford, MD, fills you in on what’s behind the myriad infections that can make you miserable this time of year.

It seems like the plot of a sci-fi movie – drug-resistant superbugs. But this reality is far from fiction. Infectious disease specialist Steven Gordon, MD, walks us through how the surge in antibiotic use launched us into the age of drug-resistant bacteria. He discusses foodborne outbreak, unnecessary antibiotic use, innovative research and what you can do to help control the spread.

Ever wonder how or why a nerve in your neck or back gets pinched? We hear from Dominic Pelle, MD, about what radiculopathy means for your spin and how to find relief from pain. Learn the difference between lumbar and cervical radiculopathy and what treatment can look like.

By the age of 80, a majority of people develop diverticula, or pouches, in the wall of their colon. If these pouches become inflamed, they can cause abdominal pain, bleeding and more. Learn all about diverticular disease and how to reduce your risk from colorectal surgeon Sherief Shawki, MD.

From the pill to IUDs and fertility awareness methods, there are so many options today for preventing unintended pregnancy. How does a woman choose the one that’s going to work best for her? It starts by discussing your priorities and goals with a healthcare provider, says Ob/Gyn Ashley Brant, DO. To lay the foundation for that discussion, Dr. Brant answers commonly asked questions about birth control, side effects, safety, effectiveness and more.

Do you have chronic back pain that radiates down your leg? You might be dealing with sciatica. Or maybe it’s stemming from your hips? Dominic Pelle, MD, explains how to identify the source of your back pain – and most importantly – how to find relief.

We tend to associate grief with the death, but a number of other life events can trigger grief, too — from the end of a relationship to the loss of a job to financial hardships. Clinical psychologist Regina Josell, PsyD, explains the many emotions that come with grief and ideas to help you get through it.

It’s estimated that 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their life – and one of the most common causes is from a herniated disc. Spine surgeon Dominic Pelle, MD, discusses why people get herniated discs, diagnosis, treatment and preventative measures. Learn about basic treatment options you can try at home all the way up to surgical intervention.

How do I know menopause is coming? Will I gain weight? Will I need to take hormones? And is there anything I can do about those annoying hot flashes? Women’s health specialist Pelin Batur, MD, walks us through what to expect.

If you know that burning feeling in your chest after you finish a big, fatty meal, you know heartburn. Learn some lifestyle tweaks you can make to minimize your heartburn, and the truth about what foods really make it worse, from gastroenterologist Scott Gabbard, MD.

Leukemia encompasses many different types of chronic or acute blood cancer. Hematologist Aaron Gerds, MD, clears up misconceptions about leukemia and explains how it’s different from lymphoma, what the risk factors are and how new treatments are emerging.

Ever feel unsteady, lightheaded or like the room is spinning around you? Vertigo and dizziness are common symptoms, but the causes can range from BPPV, to head injuries and migraines, to cardiovascular responses. Audiologist Julie Honaker explains the difference between feeling dizzy and having vertigo, and what to do when feeling unsteady takes over your life. She also addresses why vertigo can be worse at night and offers simple exercises that can provide relief.

More people are affected by autoimmune diseases than you may realize. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis are just a few examples. Rheumatologist Howard Smith, MD, discusses what factors — including diet — play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases, as well as the latest treatments available.

As an alarming number of young people take up vaping, and reports of dangerous vaping-related lung illnesses continue to surface, what’s a worried parent to do? Pulmonologist and smoking cessation specialist Humberto Choi, MD, delivers the knowledge you need to talk with your teenager or loved ones about e-cigarettes.

Anyone who’s ever experienced restless legs knows how frustrating it is to feel the uncontrollable urge to move your legs when you lie down at night. Sleep specialist Carlos Rodriguez, MD, talks through what experts know about this odd condition, including why some people get it, what aggravates it and what you can do about it.

Few things worry a woman like finding a lump or having breast pain. Jame Abraham, MD, discusses what you need to know about breast changes, dense breasts and the latest breast cancer treatments.

Women who have gone through menopause are the most at-risk group when it comes to developing osteoporosis, which causes bones to become weak and susceptible to fractures. We hear from internal medicine physician Yong Chen, MD, about how osteoporosis screening works and what treatments are available today.

From acid reflux to constipation, your GI tract can cause plenty of discomfort from time to time. Gastroenterologist Maged Rizk, MD, addresses many common issues from the low FODMAP diet for irritable bowel syndrome to how to know if your bowel movements are "normal." This episode is a re-run from 2018.

Unlike many health conditions, those affecting the skin are visible to everyone around us. Dermatologist Christine Lopez, MD, offers advice for acne, milia, psoriasis, dandruff & more. This episode is a rerun from May 2018.

The term "arthritis" actually encompasses more than 100 different conditions that affect the body’s joints and connective tissue. Rheumatologist Adam Brown, MD, takes a deep dive into some of the more common types, from osteoarthritis to psoriatic arthritis to gout.

Women are biologically different from men in a lot of ways — from our hormones to our body makeup to our enzyme levels and more. And our healthcare needs are different, too. Primary care physician Laura Lipold, MD, walks through some important stops on a woman’s healthcare journey, from cervical cancer screening to menopause management and more.

What’s the difference between “good” fats and “bad” fats? And can I still eat red meat if I have heart disease risk factors? Kate Patton, RD, LD, CSSD, answers these questions and more to help you craft a menu that’s good for your heart and your entire body.

Infertility can be a scary word for most couples. Marjan Attaran, MD, walks us through risk factors and what can go wrong on the road to pregnancy. From ovulation predictor kits, male infertility issues and how age plays a factor in it all – discover insightful advice and learn about treatment options.

The words meditation, mindfulness and mental health get tossed around in conversation frequently. Roxanne B. Sukol, MD, MS, breaks down the lifestyle of mindfulness and how it's achieved.

A lot can go wrong with the 26 bones and 33 joints that you have in your feet. And since the average person walks about 150,000 miles in their lifetime, it’s important to your quality of life to solve your foot aches and pain. Georgeanne Botek, DPM, addresses issues like gout, poor circulation, in-grown toenails and the negative side effects of uncontrolled diabetes.

Many people think OCD and perfectionism are synonyms, but that's not exactly the case, as psychiatrist Scott Bea, PsyD, explains. Learn more about what triggers OCD, and how you can best support a friend or a loved one who is struggling.

You probably don’t think much about your kidneys, but they’re always there quietly working to filter the bad stuff out of your body. They actually have other jobs, too, as nephrologist James Simon, MD, explains. Here’s a look at what they do, why they fail and how to keep them healthy.

Medical experts are making progress in understanding fibromyalgia, a condition that involves chronic, widespread muscle and joint pain thought to be caused by increased sensitivity to pain signals in the brain. Pain management specialist Benjamin Abraham, MD, explains how treatment involves a team of specialists and engages both the mind and the body.

As most of us know, a stress-induced tension headache or a throbbing migraine can flip a good day, well, on its head. Headache specialist Emad Estemalik, MD explains the different types you might experience and prevention strategies for people who are prone to migraines.

Periods that last too long, abnormal pap smears, infertility and painful intercourse are just some of the women's health issues that Linda Bradley, MD, touches on in this episode. Learn about what’s normal, what’s not and when to see your doctor. But there’s one thing for certain – ob/gyn issues should not get in the way of you living your life.

How do genetic tests work, and why are there tests to assess your risk of some diseases but not others? Genetic counselor Allison Schreiber brings you up to date on what these tests can and can’t do, why they’re important and how a genetic counselor can help.

Some pass without you even knowing they were there. Others cause excruciating, radiating pain underneath your ribcage. Yes, we’re talking about kidney stones, and unfortunately they’re on the rise in young adults and kids. Urologist Manoj Monga, MD, describes what to do if you think you have one and what you can do to cut your risk.

More than 95% of people who have liver failure and get a liver transplant receive the organ from a donor who has just died. The other 5% get it from a living donor who has made the selfless decision to give up a piece of their body to save someone else’s life. Koji Hashimoto, MD, PhD, Director of Living Donor Transplantation, explains how it all works, what it takes to be a living donor and what risks are involved.

Falling asleep is a learned process – that’s why it's so important for kids to develop healthy habits at an early age. Pediatric sleep expert Vaishal Shah, MD, dispenses advice on all things sleep for babies, toddlers and pre-K kids, from naps to sleep training to crib safety.

Bacteria, viruses and parasites are all around us. But when harmful ones make their way into our food supply, they can wreak havoc on our digestive systems. Learn what to do when you hear about a food recall and tips for preparing food safely in your own house from gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD.

Women are more likely to have a stroke than men. That’s partially because they tend to live longer, and age is the biggest risk factor for stroke. But women also have some unique, hormone-related risk factors. Neurologist Shazam Hussain, MD, explains.

Is it bad for your teen’s sleep schedule to let them stay up late on the weekends? And how much sleep should they actually be getting? Pediatric sleep expert Sally Ibrahim, MD, has those answers and more expert advice to help you make sure your children get the rest they need.

Whether it’s acute pain or chronic pain – neck and back discomfort can derail your plans and put your life on hold. Neurosurgeon Edward Benzel, MD, discusses everything from the symptoms of aging, to conservative therapy and surgery. Learn about what it means to “throw your back out” and what therapies and techniques might be options for you.