Baptist HealthTalk

The words “hormones” and “hot flashes” have been synonymous with menopause for decades. Now, more and more women have been speaking up and bringing this unique phase in a woman’s life to the spotlight. And the medical community is paying attention.     Host: Johanna Gomez   Guests: Alejandra Angel, M.D. , OB/GYN at Baptist Health Baptist Hospital   John P. Diaz, M.D. , Chief of Gynecologic Oncolog...

Most people don’t think about aging—until something starts to hurt, slow down, or change. But the truth is, how you live in your 30s, 40s, and 50s plays a major role in how you feel later in life. In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk , physicians Dr. Andrew Forster and Dr. Natalia Miranda Cantellops explain what healthy aging really looks like—and the simple daily habits that can help you stay ac...

Out of the blue, you’re sweating, you have clammy hands and your heart is racing. But you’re not even exercising. Are you experiencing warning signs of a serious heart condition?     Host: Sandra Peebles, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist Guests: Bryan Wilner, M.D. , Electrophysiologist at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute Mark Watson, Firefighter and A-Fib Patient    

Today’s teenagers do not know a world without smartphones and social media. And they are extremely skilled at navigating smartphones, tablets, and the Internet. As parents, you’ve probably seen the risks and challenges this online exposure brings to children – something our parents did not have to deal with. So how do we navigate this digitally dominant world to better protect and educate our kids...

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that more than eight million people worldwide have -- and that number is expected to grow to between 13 to 17 million by 2040. That’s exactly why we need to talk about it because it’s important to know the signs. People like our guest, a member of the Miami Dolphins, give others living with the same condition hope that they too can live their lives, and foll...

Before we know it, it’ll be back to school, and back to those "Friday Night Lights" and the sports we love in the fall. But if injuries are in the back of your mind, how can you manage that fear and protect your players?    Host: Willard Shepard, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist   Guests: Richard Morgan, D.O. , Spine Care Physician at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute   Michael Yu...

As women go through the first few foggy, very sleep-deprived weeks of motherhood, they face so many new challenges. And for many new moms, breastfeeding tops that list. It can be overwhelming. How do you make sure you’re giving what your baby needs? This is where lactation specialists come in. They can help new moms grasp the technique and navigate through the challenges – from sore nipples to low...

The element of heat can be a good thing -- like part of performance recovery for athletes and saunas. Or it can be a bad thing – as in extreme heat that fuels dangerous dehydration. So, how do you make sure heat is your friend – not your foe – for your health?   Host: Willard Shepard, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist Guests: Maria Kyriacou, M.D. , Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician at Baptist Hea...

You probably learned about red blood cells in a high school science class. But most of us don’t know the impact that they can have on our bodies when we don’t have enough healthy ones. When faced with a shortage of healthy red blood cells, our blood flow can be blocked causing pain, infection and fatigue. This is known as sickle cell disease.   Host: Willard Shepard, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist...

It’s important for men not to hit snooze on their health. Instead, they should take a proactive approach on recommended health screenings and regular check-ups. As the American Heart Association and other medical groups have pointed out repeatedly: Men are much less likely than women to take control of their health and see their doctor on a regular basis. Here's what men need to know about co...

If you’re on social media, chances are you’ve scrolled onto a post or two about mental health. Even in today’s movies and shows, it’s easy to see the tides have turned regarding society’s attitude towards the topic, with more support and awareness on these issues than previous years. One quarter of people worldwide suffer from mental illness. But because mental illnesses were often misunderstood a...

You've probably heard about the hype over “infusion therapy” or “IV therapy” for conditions such as dehydration, fighting exhaustion, boosting your immune system, and getting vitamins into your system. And while the IV therapy market (IV stands for intravenous or “within a vein” ) is expected to surge in demand and reach $4.5 billion dollars by 2028, infusion therapy is also a vital treatment...

Mom: A special title for a group of exceptional women who have carried the weight of the world on their shoulders as they raised their tiny humans through two decades of life. Becoming and being a mother can bring on a range of feelings. And mothers deserve the best, including the very best mental health. May is a time when we come together to honor and celebrate the amazing mother in our lives –...

One minute everything feels normal. The next, you can’t speak, move, or think clearly. That’s what having a stroke can feel like—and recognizing the signs quickly can save your life. In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk , we hear from stroke survivor Meisha McIntosh, who shares her real-life experience of having a stroke while at work, and how fast action helped save her life. Dr. Guilherme Dabus...

Award-winning actor Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 at just 29 years of age. It's a progressive brain disorder that can strip away a person’s movement and speech over time. There’s been some headway since Mr. Fox created his foundation on Parkinson’s research in 2000. But what’s the latest and what more can be done for the estimated one million Americans who have...

You’ve likely seen celebrities such as Christina Applegate, Selma Blair and Jamie Lynn Sigler talk publicly about their battles with multiple sclerosis, or MS. But do you know what this disease entails; or how common it is; or how disabling it can be? MS was among the first diseases to be described scientifically nearly 200 years ago. Although doctors back then didn’t understand what they saw and...

Imagine looking at a photo and not being able to recognize the person. In that moment, he or she is a stranger. However, in reality they have been your spouse or child for more than 30 years. Dementia is part of the harsh reality millions of people are facing and it’s a global problem. Dementia has plagued us for a very long time, but only recently has research begun to crack the code of fighting...

Can you believe it’s been four years since the world shut down? It was March 15, 2020 when everyone was put on lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic began. And we are still seeing a list of effects -- both directly from having had the virus, and indirectly from side effects related to how we work and live our lives. Although the federal government canceled the public health emergency just last year,...

Trying to eat healthy in the U.S. can feel overwhelming. With fast food everywhere, confusing nutrition advice online, and busy schedules, many people struggle to know what a truly healthy diet looks like. In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk , experts from Baptist Health discuss practical ways to build healthier eating habits while living in the United States. They explain how everyday food choi...

Statements such as – "I’m so empty, I can’t even cry” ... “It’s like hell.” – are just some of the ways sufferers of depression have described their conditions. However, now patients are sharing these: "For the first time in years, I am off all anti-depression medications" ... "My family and friends say it’s great to have ‘me’ back.” Many patients have shared very similar exper...

Colorectal cancer isn’t exactly exciting dinner conversation. But the alarming fact of the matter is that colorectal cancer is on the rise in young adults under 50 and has been for years. And doctors say people as young as 20 – that’s both Millennials and Gen Zers -- need to know the warning signs.   Host:   Johanna Gomez   Guests: Victor Maciel, M.D. , Colorectal Surgeon at Baptist Health Youssef...

Artificial intelligence, or AI, has become a hot topic lately, and a game-changer in the healthcare field. AI is already being used for medical imaging analysis, telehealth, and robot-assisted surgery – and that’s only the beginning. Technological advances in recent years have enabled physicians to help a wider range of patients with complex heart issues and catch problems sooner with novel device...

You’ve probably heard the saying: “Men are from Mars; women are from Venus.” Well, that may apply to heart health too.  Recent research has shown how heart disease and heart attacks can affect women worse or very differently, compared to men. This makes it so important for women to take charge of their health and understand their personal risk factors and family history.    Host:    Neki Mohan, Aw...

The saying "saving your skin" takes on extra meaning when you are outdoors. Living a "sun and fun" lifestyle can come with a price -- the sun's damaging UV rays and the risk of skin cancer. Hopefully, you practice safety by using sunscreens, hats and clothing to mitigate those harmful rays. Some people forget that sun damage and skin cancer can be synonymous. As spring and...

We all know someone affected by heart disease. It’s the leading cause of death for all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity. But did you know that Black adults in the U.S. are at a greater risk than any ethnic group? Research shows that Black adults are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease.  And conditions such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension put them at an increased risk....