Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials Podcast

Today, about 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social, speech and nonverbal communication skills as well as repetitive behaviors. Learn the different risk factors for autism and early signs that a child might have it from behavioral psychologist Cynthia Johnson, PhD, plus new research efforts underway to improve...

Midwives aren’t old-fashioned, and they don’t just deliver babies at home. They are highly trained and licensed healthcare professionals who can provide holistic and personalized care to women throughout their lives, including during pregnancy and birth. Tune in to hear Jessica Costa, CNM, address some commonly asked questions about midwives, including how they can help women manage pain during bi...

Addiction isn’t a choice – it’s a loss of control. It’s a brain disorder. It’s sometimes influenced by genetics. And there’s no one typical person it affects. Addiction psychiatrist David Streem, MD, debunks common myths and stereotypes about substance abuse and explains evidence-based medical treatments and psychotherapies that can help people recover.

Tired of trying wrinkle creams and face washes that claim to reduce the signs of aging on your face? Facial fillers and injectables might be another option. Listen is as cosmetic dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, walks us through the procedure of a lip enhancement using a dermal filler and explains how different fillers work on different parts of the face.

Pop…snap…ouch! As we age, our muscles get tighter, our tendons and ligaments become less flexible, and our bodies take longer to heal from injury. Family medicine physician Donald Ford, MD, explains the science behind some of not-so-pleasant changes that happen in our bodies as we get older and how to stay as healthy as possible.

Women are biologically different than men for a lot of different reasons. They have different hormones. They have different body makeup. They have different fat composition. The list goes on. Women's health expert Laura Lipold, MD, explains why you might want to see a primary care women's health physician.

Guys – have any below-the-belt questions you’re too shy or embarrassed to ask your doctor? Urologist Ryan Berglund, MD, has the answers – and more information than you even knew you wanted about what’s normal and what’s worrisome when it comes to the male anatomy.

If you’ve exhausted all of the other treatment options for knee or hip pain caused by osteoarthritis, it might be time to consider joint replacement surgery. Orthopaedic surgeon Trevor Murray, MD, spells out what makes someone a good candidate for this procedure, what you can do to prime yourself for the most successful surgery possible and what to expect afterward.

A healthy sex life isn’t just about what happens in the bedroom – it’s also dependent on your lifestyle, medications, diet, body image and what’s going on in a relationship. Take a candid look into the physical and mental aspects of women’s sexual health with Linda Bradley, MD, Vice Chair of Ob/Gyn at Cleveland Clinic, and clinical health psychologist Dana Brendza, PsyD.

A few simple measurements can tell us a lot about our heart health. That’s why preventive cardiologist Haitham Ahmed, MD, advises people to track their blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, waist circumference and blood sugar throughout their lives. Tune in as he explains what these numbers mean and what the research says about the link between some of your favorite foods and heart health.

Are you part of the estimated 36 percent of Americans who can recognize at least one symptom of a stroke? If it causes one of every 20 deaths in the U.S., shouldn’t we all know what it looks like? Here we turn to stroke neurologist Dr. Shazam Hussain to identify the different types of strokes, the biggest risk factors, the telltale signs and how new technology is changing the way medical professio...

Of course you worry about your kids – that comes with the parenting territory. But there are certain steps you can take every day to help them on their way to thriving both at school and at home. Pediatrician and head of adolescent medicine Ellen Rome, MD, has some practical tips on how to chip away at kids’ screen time, how to help them cope with anxiety at school and how to get them to open up a...

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland, which sits between your collarbone and the Adam’s apple, releases hormones that affect nearly every part of your body, from temperature to weight to periods and so much more. Tune in as adult endocrinologist Mary Vouyiouklis Kellis, MD, walks us through the functions of the thyroid, common disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and how to know when something’s...

You’ve heard of LASIK, but do you know how it actually works to help people see better? Or that it’s just one of several laser vision correction surgeries that exist today? Opthalmologist Ronald Krueger, MD, details the difference between three common procedures – PRK, LASIK and SMILE – and what you can expect during and after each one.

"We all know someone who has cancer. How do we support a friend? A loved one? How do we help make sure they maintain a good quality of life? Psychosocial oncologist Joel Marcus, PsyD, offers practical advise for supporting someone on the emotional roller coaster that accompanies living with a cancer diagnosis. "

As parents, we think our children will outgrow it. But at what age is bedwetting (and other potty problems) a real issue? Behavioral health expert Katherine Lamparyk, PsyD, and pediatric urology certified nurse practitioner, Kimberly Slocom, CNP, discuss what's normal, when parents should be concerned — and what help's available.

Does coughing, sneezing, jumping or running cause you to leak urine? You're not alone. Urogynecologist Katie Propst, MD, explains the common causes of stress incontinence and how to most effectively treat it. You'll also learn about urge incontinence, pelvic prolapse & more.

Stress is a normal part of life. But what about when the stress isn't so normal anymore? Integrative Medicine expert Brenda Powell, MD, discusses the wide ranging effects stress can have on you — from your sleep to your job performance — and how to best cope so you don't suffer its negative and destructive effects, like anxiety and depression.

Are you all too familiar with the ache of arthritis? M. Elaine Husni, MD, discusses why it's important to get a proper diagnosis (whether osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or lupus) so you can get the relief you're after.

There are a lot of things that have to go right to make a perfect heart. And in 1 in 110 cases, something does go wrong, making congenital heart disease (CHD) the most common birth defect in the United States. Tess Saarel, Chair of Pediatric Cardiology, explains the different types of CHD, from the relatively minor to the complex. She gives an overview of the surgical treatments available and how...

Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. Yet 30% of us are getting less than 7 hours of shut eye every night. Neurologist and sleep expert Nancy Foldvary, MD, explains exactly what a lack of essential sleep does to your body — and what help is available for common sleep disorders, from sleep apnea to insomnia.

Pregnancy. Sleep-deprived child-rearing. Menopause. There are a lot of circumstances in a woman's life that make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity medicine specialist Karen Cooper, DO, discusses these pitfalls and how to overcome them.

You know you're supposed to do a breast self-exam. But what do you do when you think you've found something troubling? Medical oncologist Megan Kruse, MD, explains normal and abnormal lumps, bras and breast cancer risk & more.

Despite the fact that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the U.S., there's still a lot of confusion about heart disease symptoms — and exactly how to keep your heart healthy. Steven Nissen, MD, Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, helps clear up what you need to know. He explains the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest (yes, there is one!), what diet's the hea...

Want your skin to glow? Then it's important to know that what you eat has a huge impact on its appearance! Dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, explains the role that vitamins, minerals and healthy fats play in healthy skin. She also discusses remedies for hair loss, the best treatments for rosacea, why it's not a good idea (though tempting!) to pop pimples and more.