Health Discovered

Indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) is a rare form of systemic mastocytosis (SM) caused by an abnormal buildup of mast cells throughout the body. What causes ISM, and how is it diagnosed? In this episode, we speak with Aaron Gerds, MD , Associate Professor of Medicine in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute, about the signs and symptoms of ISM, the diagnostic p...

Egg freezing is often talked about, but what does the process actually involve? What can fertility tests really tell you? And should you be thinking about it in your 20s or 30s? We spoke with Temeka Zore, MD , a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN, about what egg freezing is, who may benefit, what the two-week process looks like, the costs involved, and common myths that...

For many people, their 40s bring subtle but significant health shifts. The habits that once worked may no longer deliver the same results, and between careers, caregiving, and family responsibilities, personal wellness often takes a back seat. In this episode, we cut through the noise of social media health hacks and wellness trends to focus on what truly matters: nutrition, exercise, sleep, and s...

Epidemiology is the study of how and why diseases affect different groups of people, and what the science increasingly shows is that preventing disease and preserving health are deeply connected. In this episode, we focus on  endometrial cancer , a disease where many risk factors are within our control. We speak with  Immaculata De Vivo, PhD , professor in the Department of Epidemiology...

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States and the fourth most common cancer affecting women. One of its most important warning signs – abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting – is something many women experience and may dismiss. While survival rates exceed 95%, both overall incidence and mortality rates are rising. In this episode, we speak with Ursula...

Vaping, the act of inhaling an aerosol created by an  electronic cigarette or vape , has been on the rise among youth. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, between 2020 and 2024, the share of current users who vaped every day increased from 15.4% to 28.8%. The vaping and nicotine products available to young people today are not the cigarettes we were warned about growing...

When someone you love is in the hospital, the experience can feel overwhelming – filled with unfamiliar faces, complex medical terms, and fast-moving decisions. In this episode, we speak with Ashley Williams, BSN, RN, registered nurse at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, about how patient advocates and clinical coordinators help guide patients through their care journey. From underst...

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects millions of men – about half of those in their 50s, with prevalence increasing by decade. Yet sexual health is often left out of routine care, not for lack of importance, but because it can feel difficult to discuss. Speaking up matters: ED is frequently an early sign of underlying health conditions. In this episode, board-certified urologist Ashley Winter,...

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and high cholesterol is a major contributor – yet it often has no symptoms. You can feel healthy and still be at risk for heart attack or stroke. So what should you really know? Is it just about diet, and when should you get tested? In this episode, preventive cardiologist Ann Marie Navar, MD, PhD , breaks down what’s changed in...

GLP-1 medications are changing how we approach weight management – but they’re just one part of a bigger, more compassionate picture. In this episode, we explore why shame and blame have never worked in treating obesity and how shared decision-making can lead to better outcomes. Obesity is a chronic disease, not a personal failure, and effective care must be rooted in respect, science,...

Apr. 30, 2026 -- Nearly everyone will either become a caregiver or need one at some point, yet few are truly prepared for what that role involves. Caring for an aging loved one can be profoundly meaningful but also emotionally and logistically challenging, and our healthcare system doesn't always make it easier. In collaboration with The John A. Hartford Foundation , this six-part A...

Stroke remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC – but many cases are preventable. What raises your risk, and how can you recognize the warning signs in time? We speak with Shyam Prabhakaran, MD, MS, FAHA , a leader in vascular neurology and stroke research, about the lifestyles that increase stroke risk, the BE FAST acronym for spotting symptoms and knowing when to...

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and often develops without pain or early warning signs. So what is it, and how is it detected before vision is lost? We spoke with Sandra F. Sieminski, MD , Interim Chair and Director of Glaucoma Services at the University at Buffalo, about how glaucoma works, the latest advances in treatment , and why early detection is critical. We...

For decades, people with type 2 diabetes have heard the same message: manage it, slow it down, but expect it to progress. But what if the words "you have type 2 diabetes" didn't have to mean a lifetime of medications, worsening numbers, and a condition that only ever gets harder to manage? Why don't we talk more about the fact that remission is possible? We spoke with Mahima Gulati, MD, MSc , a tr...

Allergy season is more than a few weeks of sneezing. It can be hard to tell what’s “just allergies ,” what might be an infection, and when it’s time to seek more than over-the-counter relief. What’s actually happening in your immune system when symptoms flare? And why can they feel so intense? We spoke with Zachary E. Rubin, MD , author of All About Allergies, about h...

Non-small-cell lung cancer  accounts for about 85% of all  lung cancer  cases. It’s a diagnosis that changes everything, yet conversations often focus on  treatment and overlook  what patients live through every day. We hear from writer and lung cancer patient advocate  Janet Freeman-Daily , who shares her experience with non-small-cell lung cancer – from...

When someone you love is dealing with serious health issues or repeated hospital visits, it can feel like you’re constantly bracing for the next crisis. In those moments, it’s hard to step back and think about what your loved one truly wants, needs, and what would support their quality of life. Yet for many families, conversations about  palliative care  and advance care plan...

While heart disease may be the number-one killer in the United States, kidney disease is the silent partner we rarely discuss. It often develops quietly, with no pain or clear symptoms until advanced stages. What should we know about kidney health and kidney diseases? We spoke with Kirk Campbell, MD , president of the National Kidney Foundation , about the kidneys’ vital roles – from r...

A lot of us have heard about “high cortisol ” in the context of stress. But Cushing’s syndrome , which has recently been in the news, is something very different. It’s pathologic cortisol excess that can quietly drive certain health problems. We spoke with Lewis Blevins, MD , a neuroendocrinologist specializing in pituitary, hypothalamic, and adrenal disorders, about what c...

For many of us in the “sandwich generation” – those raising kids while caring for aging parents – preventive health can feel like one more impossible task on an already full plate. But prevention isn’t just about protecting your future; it’s about preserving your energy so you can show up for the people who need you right now. We spoke with Eduardo Sanchez, MD,...

Joint pain is often brushed off as a normal part of aging – but pain that interferes with your daily life doesn’t have to be something you simply live with. In this episode, we talk with Una Makris, MD, MSc , a clinical rheumatologist, about the common joint conditions affecting older adults and what actually helps. From movement and weight management to nutrition and physical therapy,...

In part two of our menopause series, we unpack common myths and misinformation about perimenopause , menopause , and hormone replacement therapy . Many women are treated in fragments – this episode brings the conversation back into the exam room with practical, patient-centered guidance. We continue our conversation with Sharon Malone, MD , board-certified OB-GYN and chief medical advisor fo...

In 2025, the U.S. FDA removed the “black box” warnings from menopausal hormone therapy products – but what does that actually mean for patients? For decades, many women have navigated perimenopause and menopause with limited information, few effective options, and little validation of their symptoms. In part one of this two-part series, we speak with Sharon Malone, MD , board-cer...

How does trauma shape identity, trust, and connection in relationships? In this episode, we spoke with Thema Bryant, PhD , author of Matters of the Heart: Healing Your Relationship with Yourself and Those You Love , to unpack how PTSD can show up in intimacy and everyday life through hypervigilance, shame, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection, and the pathways to healing. From safe relationships...

Perimenopause is the natural transition leading into menopause, marked by erratic fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. These unpredictable shifts can trigger  emotional , cognitive, and physical changes – often years before menopause officially begins. We spoke with Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C , a licensed clinical psychologist, about the whole-body experience of perimenopause, incl...