The Doc Talk Podcast

ER wait times in Canada are longer than ever, but many visits are preventable. In this episode, we break down the red flags that do require the ER, the common injuries and habits that don’t , and practical ways to stay out of hospital. From slips and falls to screenings, vaccines, and mental health, this is your guide to avoiding unnecessary emergencies. If you haven’t yet, check out Avoiding the...

We’re back with our parallel season of The Doc Talk Podcast, where we recap Season 1 of The Pitt,  the medical drama we can’t stop talking about. This week’s a double-header: Episodes 2 and 3. The pace slows down but the stories hit hard: an opioid overdose that shook us, a trainee’s first patient death, tough family battles over advanced directives, and a raw look at racism in medicine. We’ve als...

This week, we’re joined by our very first guest of Season 2, Canadian comedian, writer, and viral sensation Brittlestar (Stewart Reynolds). If you’ve scrolled TikTok or Instagram lately, chances are you’ve laughed at one of his sharp, family-friendly takes on modern life. With more than 650 million views worldwide , collabs with Ryan Reynolds and Gordon Ramsay, an invite from the Obamas, and even...

In this mini episode, we team up with Heart & Stroke’s Dr. Christine Faubert to introduce Risk Screen: a quick, evidence-based tool that helps Canadians understand their risks for heart disease and stroke — including helping women understand their unique risks for these conditions. We share what surprised us when we tried it ourselves, and why this tool could be a game-changer for prevention....

We’re kicking off our recap series with the pilot episode of The Pitt. our favourite medical drama that’s already sweeping awards season. In this first look inside the ER, the tone is set with a jam-packed morning shift, quick-fire decisions, and the introduction of the learners who give us an entry point into the chaos. We dive into the cases, unpack the character introductions, and share what fe...

Welcome to Season 2 of The Doc Talk Podcast ! We’re Dr. Shazma Mithani (ER doctor, Edmonton) and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe (family doctor, Toronto) two physicians, moms, and friends here to bring you no-nonsense, evidence-based health information for Canadian families. Every September, classrooms turn into germ factories. From coughs and fevers to itchy scalps and stomach bugs, it can feel like kids...

We’re wrapping up an incredible first season of The Doc Talk Podcast ! From the best sleep tips to practical advice on tackling loneliness, advocating for yourself as a patient, and why teamwork really does make the dream work—we’re highlighting the moments that stuck with us. Plus, get a sneak peek into what’s coming in Season 2, including exciting new guests and topics we can’t wait to share. Li...

Episode Summary : Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common—but misunderstood—hormonal conditions. In this episode, Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe (family doctor) and Dr. Shazma Mithani (ER physician) break down what PCOS really is, why it often goes undiagnosed, and what to watch for beyond irregular periods. We cover: What PCOS is—and isn’t Symptoms that show up in clinic and the ER Th...

Episode Summary: In this powerful conversation, Drs. Shazma and Sheila sit down with psychologist and author Dr. Jody Carrington to unpack the loneliness epidemic. Why are women more prone to loneliness? How can we be more intentional in raising our children to foster emotional intelligence? And what role does social media play in perpetuating disconnection? Dr. Carrington shares profound insights...

Menstrual pain, heavy periods, absent periods—what’s normal and what’s not? In today’s episode, we tackle the many types of menstrual disorders that impact millions but often get dismissed. From painful periods (dysmenorrhea) and heavy bleeding (menorrhagia) to absent periods (amenorrhea) and emergency situations like ovarian torsion, we break down symptoms, causes, and when to seek help. Plus, we...

In this episode of The Doc Talk Podcast , Dr. Shazma Mithani, an ER doctor, and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe, a family doctor, tackle an important listener question: How can I stay up to date with cancer screening to reduce my risk? Cancer screening is not about finding something wrong—it’s about catching potential issues early, sometimes before symptoms even appear . This episode covers what you need...

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in Canada. In this episode of The Doc Talk Podcast , we dive into what heart disease can look like in women, how it’s too often overlooked, and what you can do to protect yourself and those you love. We kick off with a listener question from Kellie, who asks: “What does the research say about how heart disease shows up differently in women—and...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Doc Talk Podcast , Drs. Shazma and Sheila tackle the critical and often under-discussed topic of bladder health. From the nuances of urinary tract infections (UTIs) to the dangers of kidney infections and urosepsis, the doctors break it all down. Plus, they shine a spotlight on incontinence, exploring its causes, social impact, and treatment options. Join us...

In this quick mini-episode of The Doc Talk Podcast , Drs. Sheila and Shazma break down the basics of measles, why outbreaks are back, and how to stay protected with vaccinations. They highlight the serious risks associated with measles, share who should get the MMR vaccine, and address rare cases where vaccination might not be suitable. If you’re unsure about your immunity, this episode provides e...

Today’s episode of The Doc Talk dives into a listener question on bone health and osteoporosis.  Definition of Osteoporosis:   - Dr. Sheila explains osteoporosis as a condition where bones become weak and brittle, making them prone to fractures.   - It’s often called the “silent disease” because there are no symptoms until a fracture happens. Osteoporosis Statistics:   - Over 2.3 million Canadians...

In this episode, we’re talking about all things sleep with sleep expert and social media star, Dr. Sujay Kansagra . If you’ve ever struggled to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling rested, this episode is for you. And make sure you stay until the end to hear Dr. Kansagra’s prescription for better sleep! We touch upon all your sleep-related questions, including: What about naps? How do cann...

Episode Overview: Welcome back to The DocTalk Podcast! In this episode, we’re tackling a condition that affects millions of Canadians: Diabetes . We discuss what diabetes is, risk factors, prevention strategies, complications, and how to manage it effectively. This episode is inspired by a listener question about reducing the risk of diabetes and its complications. Listener Question: “Hey docs, Di...

Key Discussion Points: The Journey from Hockey to Medicine: What inspired Hayley to pursue a new career as a physician after her legendary hockey career? How her experience as a professional athlete shaped her training and approach to medicine. Lessons from Sports to Medicine: The parallels between high-performance sports and practicing medicine. How discipline, teamwork, and resilience from sport...

The emergency room is one of the busiest places in healthcare—and while it’s there for when we need it most, wouldn’t it be great to avoid a trip altogether? In our first episode of 2025, we kick off a two-part series on how to stay out of the ER. This episode focuses on pediatrics, though many of the tips are just as relevant for adults. Dr. Shazma Mithani and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe dive into th...

On this week’s bonus episode of The Doc Talk, we do a crossover episode with Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo!  In this rapid-fire episode, we talk about misinformation and the importance of sourcing credible health information from social media. Melissa then hits us with rapid-fire listener questions on as many health topics as she can cover!

Colorectal Cancer: Screening, Prevention, and What You Need to Know Welcome back to The Doc Talk Podcast ! In this episode, Dr. Shazma Mithani and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe take a deep dive into the critical topic of colorectal cancer —the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada. Whether you're curious about screening options or wondering how...

Introduction In this episode of The Doc Talk Podcast, Dr. Shaz Mithani and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe delve into a topic that affects millions of women worldwide: perimenopause.  This phase of life often brings about various symptoms, from mood swings to cycle changes, and can sometimes leave women feeling like they're in uncharted territory. Today’s discussion is structured around Dr. Shaz’s pe...

Walking pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It’s called walking pneumonia because of the mild to absent symptoms.  Even though the symptoms are mild, there are still things that can signal Mycoplasma pneumonia. The symptoms tend to build more slowly and can include cough, but also things like sore throat, runny nose fever, and fatigue, which often makes people th...

Welcome to episode 1 of The Doc Talk Podcast! This episode is an overview of respiratory season. Key Viruses and the Illnesses They Cause Influenza A (H1N1) : Symptoms : Fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, fatigue. Complications : Pneumonia, exacerbation of asthma or heart conditions RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) : Symptoms : Runny nose, cough, wheezing, reduced appetite. Complications : Bronc...

Welcome to The Doc Talk, a new podcast from Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe and Dr. Shazma Mithani!  Get ready to join them as they answer your healthcare questions, and deep-dive into different medical topics with each episode. They're here to make navigating the healthcare system a bit easier by informing you with what you need to know to get the care you need.  Launching mid-November, 2024.