Baptist HealthTalk

Drowning can happen in an instant, in as little as an inch or two of water. It is the leading cause of injury death in children between one and four years of age, and Florida has the most child drownings each year.  With vigilance and preparation, child drowning tragedies can be prevented. The information in this podcast is essential for every parent, grandparent, babysitter, camp counselor or any...

Swollen ankles, puffy legs - we've all experienced them at some point.  There are dozens of possible causes. Most aren't serious, but some, like blood clots, are dangerous  conditions that require immediate medical care.  How can you tell the difference?  This week's guest expert is Ian Del Conde, M.D. , a board-certified cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist with Baptist He...

Men are much less likely than women to seek medical attention when they’re not feeling well. The question is: why? Why are men more prone to skipping the screenings and check-ups that could potentially add years to their lives? During Men's Health Month in June, host, Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. brought together a panel of Baptist Health experts to answer some frequently asked questions about men&...

Who tends to wake up earlier?  Who is more prone to sleep apnea?  What role do hormones play?  And how can you keep your partner's sleep issues from keeping you awake? Those questions and more are explored in this episode as host, Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. welcomes Harneet Walia, M.D ., medical director of sleep medicine and continuous improvement at Baptist Health's Miami Cardiac & Vas...

The COVID pandemic has raised awareness of mental health symptoms. Yet there is still a certain stigma attached to the subject. That stigma can make it particularly tough for men in our society, many of whom have been conditioned to believe they should be stoic and solve their problems by themselves. Experts say that cases of anxiety and depression among men of all ages often go unreported and unt...

About 23% of adults in the United States have arthritis. The associated joint pain and stiffness can make everyday activities difficult --- so difficult, in fact, that 8-million working-age adults with arthritis report that their disease limits the kind of work they can do.  Where can arthritis sufferers turn for hope and help? Host, Jonathan Fialkow, M.D ., and his guest, Alan Saperstein, M.D .,...

You may think only older people need to worry about having a stroke, but it can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time.  Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the number-one cause of long-term disability. Stroke deaths are preventable. The most important factor is time. Stroke Prevention Awareness Month in May brought a panel of experts to the podcast, hosted by Jonathan Fial...

There's a lot of fear surrounding the topic of brain tumors - much of it due to widespread myths and misinformation linking brain tumors to everything from cell phones to sweeteners. May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, and a good time to separate facts from myths. Host, Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. , chief population health officer with Baptist Health, welcomes Michael McDermott, M.D . to the podca...

As more Americans become vaccinated and we look forward with hope, there is a group of people who can’t seem to fully recover from the virus. These COVID “long hauler” patients say that their illness continues to limit their day-to-day activities months after they recuperated from the initial infection. This long-term public health issue is the focus of this episode, hosted by Jonathan Fialkow, M....

Racial and ethnic minorities are among the fastest growing of all communities in the United States, making up nearly 40% of the population. Yet studies show poorer health outcomes among minorities across a wide spectrum of diseases. This past year, we’ve seen that many people from minority groups are also at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19.  National Minority Health Month in...

The state of our health goes hand in hand with the health of the environment we live in.  In honor of Earth Day, we look at how Baptist Health is working to reduce energy consumption and air pollution, conserve water, cut down on waste, and educate members of the communities we serve.  Guest: Jason Bell, Assistant Vice President of Operations, Baptist Health South Florida.   

In our culture, alcohol is everywhere.  We may have a drink or two at a family dinner or social occasion without even thinking about it. But studies have linked drinking with cancer, even when done in moderation.  Long-term use can cause serious health complications, and you don't have to suffer from the disease of alcoholism to experience the consequences. In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month...

When the pandemic began, companies across the U.S. abruptly closed their offices, asking employees to work from home. One year later, millions of people are still working remotely, many facing the additional challenges of juggling child care and remote schooling. The boundary between our work lives and personal lives has become blurred, leading many to ask: "Am I working from home, or living...

Can what we eat really affect our immune system?  You bet it can!  Don’t be fooled, however, by confusing and misleading claims about so-called ‘super foods’ and over-the-counter dietary supplements.    Host Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. and his guest, Lucette Talamas, a registered dietitian with Baptist Health’s community health program, separate facts from myths when it comes to the nutrients we need t...

Minimally invasive heart procedures like TAVR and MitraClip have made headlines in recent years. What makes these innovative approaches so remarkable? And what other advanced techniques are available to make heart surgery less traumatic while changing lives for the better? Host, Dr. Jonathan Fialkow, deputy medical director and chief of cardiology at Baptist Health’s Miami Cardiac & Vascular I...

While we all know that being overweight has a negative impact on our health, more and more of us struggle to reach and maintain a healthy weight for our body's frame.  It's not always a simple matter of eating less and being more active.  Often, obesity can be attributed to a hormonal abnormality that leads to storing energy as fat. Weight management expert Manuel Torres, M.D. , physicia...

The most common sleep disorder, insomnia, often goes undiagnosed or untreated. Whether it's difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up too early, insomnia has health consequences that can impact every aspect of a person's life. Sleep specialist Dr. Harneet Walia , medical director of sleep medicine and continuous improvement at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute , joins h...

Think athletic people are immune from cardiac issues because they work out all the time? Think again. Athletes are subject to the same conditions that affect us all. When it comes to taking care of their hearts, however, they have very specialized needs. That's where the field of Sports Cardiology comes into play.  Eli Friedman, M.D. , Director of Sports Cardiology at the Miami Cardiac &...

Noticing your hands shaking when you try to write, eat, or hold a glass? It can be unsettling—and for many people, the first thought is Parkinson’s disease. But in many cases, it may be something more common: essential tremor . In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk , Dr. Jonathan Fialkow and neurosurgeon Dr. Justin Sporrer explain why hands shake, how essential tremor differs from Parkinson’s dise...

What's the difference between diagnostic tests and screening tests? How do doctors decide which ones you need?  Why are some conditions under-screened or over-screened for?  And where do you turn for answers? Host Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. sorts out the facts with guest Douglas Inciarte, M.D., chief of family medicine at West Kendall Baptist Hospital.

We've all forgotten where we left our car keys, or the name of an old acquaintance.  It's not uncommon to develop some memory issues as a part of the aging process.  At what point should be we concerned that these "senior moments" are a symptom of something serious, like dementia? Host Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. , chief population health officer for Baptist Health, welcomed Patrici...

If any of your New Year’s resolutions involve getting healthier in 2021, a great place to start is with a visit to your primary care doctor.  They not only treat illnesses, they provide preventative care services and manage the kinds of chronic health conditions associated with greater vulnerability to COVID-19. Host Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. welcomes Baptist Health Primary Care physicians Kamaljit K...

2020 is coming to a close with the death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic surpassing 1.5 million lives worldwide.  There is some good news, however, in the form of new vaccines and treatments available to fight the disease and help us take the first steps back toward normal. Join host, Jonathan Fialkow, M.D. ,  chief population health officer at Baptist Health, and his guests Madeline Camejo, Pharm...

 The holiday season is known for celebrations and cheer. It’s also recognized as a peak time of year for strokes and heart attacks -- and not just for older people. What’s behind this potentially deadly phenomenon and how can we reduce our risk?    Host, Jonathan Fialkow, M,D. , chief population health office at Baptist Health looks into this “holiday phenomenon” with guest experts Felipe De Los R...

Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are directly linked -- but not because of blood sugar.  Metabolic disorders play the major role in increasing heart disease risk in diabetic patients.  Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute's cardiometabolic and prevention center is taking a comprehensive approach to these patients, aimed at controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, ob...