Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials Podcast

Playing sports is one major way kids can learn important life skills while staying healthy and strong. However, when a child is diagnosed with a heart condition, parents might wonder if it’s still safe for them to play. Pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Akash Patel, discusses what to know about student athletes and heart safety, the importance of pre-participation cardiac screenings and important precau...

Your blood pressure is an important signifier of your overall health. If it’s too high or too low, it could be a sign that something is off with your health, and it can lead to serious conditions. Cardiologist Luke Laffin, MD outlines the steps you can take to lower your blood pressure and to keep it within a healthy range.

Navigating the postpartum time—or the time period after you’ve given birth—can present challenges. Your body has transformed significantly while being pregnant, and you’re now navigating new parenthood while continuing to experience major physical changes, including hair loss, bladder issues, and more. Ob/Gyn Dr. Erica Newlin, MD discusses what new parents can expect to experience physically in th...

News headlines tell of a national emergency when it comes to teen mental health in the U.S., with teen depression and suicide are on the rise. Pediatric psychologist Dr. Ethan Benore delves deeper.

More than 15 million Americans live with alcohol abuse disorder. It's considered a chronic disease with no cure. There are, however, steps you can take to help someone with an alcohol addiction move toward sobriety. Psychiatrist Akhil Anand, MD, offers some guidance.

How much sleep do babies need and - perhaps more importantly - how can you help them get those ZZZs so you can get some rest, too? Pediatrician Heidi Szugye, DO offers some tips for creating a safe and comforting sleep environment that will allow your baby (and you) to thrive.

When you’re trying to achieve smooth, glowing, ageless skin, it can feel nearly impossible to wade through all of the internet’s advice and separate fact from fiction. Dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, answers your most pressing skin care questions and shares guidance to help you figure out what’s best for your skin.

Instead of following strict dieting rules and restricting what you eat, intuitive eating teaches you to trust your internal hunger and fullness cues to help you decide what and how much to eat. Studies show that this eating style is associated with positive body image and self-esteem. Psychologist Susan Albers. PsyD, discusses the principles of intuitive eating and how to apply them in your own li...

Mild, moderate or severe erectile dysfunction affects more than 50% of American men between age 40 and 70. Although frequently associated with aging, the condition can also be caused by numerous diseases and conditions, as well as certain medications and surgeries. Lawrence Hakim, MD discusses symptoms and diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, as well as the range of medical and surgical treatments a...

Your kids have more screen time than you might think, between watching their favorite movies on TV, playing online games with friends, attending virtual school on their computer, or chatting on their phones. However, too much screen time can affect kids’ health, particularly by affecting their sleep. Noah Schwartz, MD discusses the impact of screen time on kids, how much screen time is recommended...

If you find that your brain starts revving up as soon as your head hits the pillow, or you’re prone to tossing and turning at night, you’re not alone. Certain health conditions, as well as factors such as stress and anxiety, can impact the quality of your sleep. However, there are tools available that can help you sleep better—and fall asleep faster. Cleveland Clinic sleep disorders specialist Mic...

It’s that time of year, when your eyes water and your nose runs. But what’s happening in your body when your allergies act up? What are you actually allergic to? And most importantly, how can you get a handle on your symptoms so you can just enjoy the season? Allergist Mark Aronica, MD, delves deeper into how to best keep your allergies at bay.

Sometimes the foods we love don’t love us back. But when you experience gastrointestinal issues, it can be tough to figure out which foods are causing your symptoms. Registered dietitian Sharon Jaeger, RD, explains the process of an elimination diet and how it can help identify the culprit of your concerns.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can encompass difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, delayed or absence of language development, or poor motor coordination. Behavior analyst Chiara Graver, M.A., BCBA , COBA discusses questions you might have about autism spectrum disorder in children, including signs to look out for, how to get a diagnosis and availabl...

Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy can have a significant impact on your daily life. One way to figure out what’s causing your sleep disruption—and determine the best treatment—is by having a sleep study. Sleep medicine specialist Nancy Foldvary, DO, MS discusses what to expect from a sleep study, how you know you need one, and what the results can tell you.

Donating an organ to a person in need can save their life. Living organ donation often allows the life-saving gift to happen faster. David Kwon, MD, PhD, joins us to talk about laparoscopic living donor surgery — specifically for liver transplants — and how this approach to organ donation impacts the lives of both donors and recipients.

Going to work every day in a hostile environment can be harmful to your mental and emotional health, which can, in turn, even lead to physical symptoms. Psychologist Chivonna Childs, PhD, talks about the signs of a toxic workplace and what you can do if you’re experiencing one.

Lead poisoning might not be something you think about regularly. However, it’s important to know about the risks around you. Lead can be found in your environment, in certain products or in your workplace. Pediatrician Roopa Thakur joins us to talk about why lead is dangerous and ways to prevent lead poisoning in our children.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S. That’s why regular screenings are so important: Early detection of any problems, including potentially cancerous polyps, is vital. However, with so many screening choices available—including colonoscopies and at-home tests—which is best? Arielle Kanters, MD takes...

What does cholesterol do? What’s the difference between good and bad cholesterol? And importantly, what can you do to try to lower your cholesterol? Cardiologist Leslie Cho, MD, tells you what you need to know about cholesterol, including what it is, why it matters so much and how you can naturally lower yours through diet, exercise, stress management and more.

TikTok is great for content related to choreography, cooking and cats… but what about health advice? Every week, a new viral health trend seems to make headlines, as influencers share so-called hacks to cure what ails you. Ear, nose and throat specialist Raj Sindwani, MD, weighs in on some of the most popular — and, in some cases, most dangerous — TikTok trends.

Early in your baby’s life, there aren’t many activities you can do together. It’s all about changing diapers, figuring out feeding patterns and learning sleep schedules. One activity that you can do together is tummy time. We’re joined by pediatrician Matthew Badgett to learn what tummy time is, how often you should do it and how this activity helps your baby develop new skills.

American women are waiting longer than ever to have children, and many now choose to freeze their eggs during their most fertile years in the hopes of improving their chances of getting pregnant later in life. Reproductive endocrinologist Stephen B. Mooney explains the ins and outs of the process and what to expect.

If you’re feeling exhausted and sluggish, and even simple tasks feel overwhelming to complete—or you find yourself so stressed out that you’re quick to get angry or frustrated—you might be experiencing burnout. While frequently associated with a stressful job, burnout can affect many areas of your life and even cause health problems. Dr. Borland discusses the major symptoms of burnout, and provide...

During the holiday season, it’s understandable that you might overindulge on unhealthy food or get off track with your usual routines. That’s why so many of us see a new year as a chance to adopt healthier habits and diets. Dietitian Maxine Smith explains how mindful eating can help us reassess our lives and revisit our usual routines—or make new ones—in a thoughtful way.