Medical Stories Podcast

In San Diego, we meet Lisa, who started suffering from mysterious swelling on her abdomen, limbs, and face when she was 12. Her mother also suffered from the same condition, but her doctors were mystified until a life-threatening medical crisis finally led to the diagnosis of a rare disease called hereditary angioedema, or HAE. Today, Lisa is able to better control her HAE and enjoys a full and ac...

Wilson disease is a rare genetic condition that can affect individuals in several ways, causing liver disease as well as problems with the nervous system, according to the National Library of Medicine. Cory, a 33-year-old former naval aviator, was devastated when he was diagnosed with Wilson disease, which forced him to give up his lifelong passion for flying. But as we see in this episode of Medi...

In Florida, we meet Brooke, who was paralyzed from a diving accident when she was a teenager. An avid surfer growing up, Brooke still loves the ocean, but today, her new dream is to design homes for people in wheelchairs. Subscribe to listen to more inspiring stories. You can also watch more episodes on our website ( MedicalStories. TV ) our YouTube channel ( @medicalstories ), or your public tele...

Chandon, a husband and father of two, was living a healthy life in Long Beach, California, where he surfed almost twice a week. But despite his fit lifestyle, one day he experienced a strange pain in his leg that took him to the ER. There, he discovered that not only had he had a stroke, but even more shockingly, it wasn't his first one. After this news, Chandon, now 60, embarked on a mission to w...

Medical Stories explores the little-known disease called hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS, which produces large and extremely painful boils on a person's body. This illness is so excruciating that people with HS are twice as likely to commit suicide. Sandra, a mother of two, inherited the disease. She explains what it's like to live with this incurable condition and how support groups like "Hope fo...

According to the National Institutes of Health, mitral valve regurgitation is the most common valvular abnormality worldwide, affecting over 2% of the total population.  When Georgia, 59, was told she didn't have long to live, her greatest fear was the time she would miss with her family. But through remarkable advancements in medical devices, her fears are now behind her. This episode also featur...

Tim is a gregarious, fun-loving man who has spent his career creating special effects in movies and theme parks. Thirteen years ago, Tim was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Tim says the diagnosis was very tough on both him and his wife, but it acted as a reminder to live their lives as fully as they can, every single day. This episo...

In Memphis, B.T. Washington is enjoying his retirement after serving in the United States Air Force for 30 years. While he spent most of his time helping others by volunteering, he's forced to help himself after his chronic kidney disease begins to threaten his life.  Together with his wife, Gemma, B.T. took up the challenge to fight back against his illness while continuing to enjoy life with his...

The National Institutes of Health says sickle cell disease (SCD) affects 20 million people worldwide, although it has a higher frequency among those of African ancestry.  For 29-year-old African-American Walter, who lives in Colonial Heights, Virginia, that means living with excruciating pain since he was 3 years old. Medical Stories offers a look at Walter's battle with SCD, during which Walter s...

Aubrey, 37, was living her dreams as a new bride and mother when she returned from her honeymoon to the crushing news that she had an aggressive type of breast cancer. Her devastating diagnosis quickly led to a plan of action from her doctor to help set Aubrey on the right path to remission. This episode features in-depth commentary from renowned experts Terry Mamounas, MD, Medical Director of the...

Alyssa is a busy wife and mother who finally found the time and space in her life to train as a triathlete, until her body started to rebel. She and her doctors were mystified by her fatigue, unusual aches, and worst of all, a significant weight gain. Forced to become a medical sleuth, she was eventually diagnosed with Cushing's disease, a rare hormonal disorder. This episode features in-depth com...