Health Discovered

Multiple sclerosis (MS)  is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the protective layer around the nerves. It affects more than 2.8 million people worldwide, most often younger adults between ages 20 and 40 –  with women significantly more affected. What are the symptoms? What should newly diagnosed individuals know? In this episode,  Robert Bermel, MD , Dir...

Why does  jealousy  sometimes creep into our friendships? How can we recognize when a slow drift is turning into a silent goodbye? And how can we strengthen communication and emotional connection with our friends? We speak with  Lia Love Avellino, LCSW , modern love therapist and founder of Spoke Circles in Brooklyn, about the outside pressures friendships face, the importance of re...

Cancer therapies can save lives, but they often come with tough side effects that aren’t always fully addressed. What side effects should you expect from cancer treatments – and how can you manage them? We sat down with Elizabeth J. Cathcart-Rake, MD , an oncologist at Mayo Clinic, to explore how these effects impact patients’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being –...

How does oral health affect your entire body? What is the oral microbiome, and how can oral bacteria trigger inflammation beyond your mouth? In this episode, we spoke to Nammy Patel, DDS , holistic dentist and leader of Green Dentistry, to dive into how gum disease impacts chronic conditions and autoimmune health. We also explore myths about oral health, the effects of smoking , pregnancy-related...

What does it mean to  age with dignity in today’s healthcare system? What will it take to truly transform how we care for older adults in America? In this episode, the first of a six-part series, we explored the documentary Aging in America: Survive or Thrive , created by The John A. Hartford Foundation . We spoke with Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN , president of The John A. Hartford Foun...

Obesity is far more complex than willpower. In this episode, we spoke with Robert F. Kushner, MD , renowned weight management expert, to explore how the medical community’s understanding of obesity has shifted – from a perceived lifestyle choice to a recognized chronic condition shaped by biology, genetics, and environment. Our guest expert breaks down modern diagnostic tools, new trea...

Over 100,000 Americans are waiting for life-saving kidney transplants , with 17 dying each day. Why isn’t universal donation enough? Could xenotransplantation – transplanting gene-edited organs from other species into humans – be the answer? We sat down with Sanjay Gupta, MD , CNN’s chief medical correspondent, to unpack his documentary Animal Pharm and explore the promise...

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition. Despite increasing rates in Autism diagnoses and its growing presence in public conversation, there is a great deal of confusion around the causes and how to navigate this diagnosis. To help clarify key questions, we spoke with Suma Jacob, MD, PhD , a child-adolescent-adult psychiatrist and neuroscientist, about autism’s causes , including ge...

What is lifestyle medicine, and how can it apply to cancer care? In this empowering episode, we explore the transformative role of lifestyle medicine in cancer survivorship . We spoke to Amy Comander, MD , medical director of the Mass General Cancer Center-Waltham and the Breast Oncology Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, who explains how intentional choices around nutrition, exercise, sleep, a...

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are more common than you think – but stigma and silence often stand in the way of testing, treatment, and honest conversations. So what happens after a diagnosis? How do we navigate disclosure, dating, and self-worth? We spoke with Emily L. Depasse, MSW, MEd , a leading sex educator, to break down what sexually transmitted infections really are –...

Microplastics – tiny plastic particles found in water, food, soil, and even dust – are an emerging health concern. These particles, along with the chemical additives in plastics, can enter our bodies through inhalation and ingestion. Research now links microplastics not only to inflammation and hormone disruption but also to specific risks in women’s health. What can we do about...

Hearing loss is one of the most common changes that comes with aging. But what exactly does it mean to lose your hearing? And how does simply perceiving sound differ from truly understanding it? In this episode, we speak with Douglas L. Beck, Au. D., F-AAA, CCC-A , Senior Director of Audiology at EssilorLuxottica Inc, to break it all down. He walks us through the most common causes of hearing loss...

How much alcohol is actually safe – and are there any true health benefits? We speak with David Nutt, MD, author of Drink? The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health , to explore what alcohol really does to your brain and body . From fertility to gut health, mental health to emotional health, we break down the risks, debunk common myths, and discuss how to better understand and counsel other...

Ayurveda goes beyond herbs—it's a 5,000-year-old medical system that means “science of life.” How can it support chronic conditions and enhance daily wellness? We spoke with Siva Mohan, MD, MPH , an Ayurvedic practitioner, about the roots and philosophy of Ayurveda, how she integrates it into clinical care, and its potential to complement Western medicine. She also clears up comm...

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)  affects an estimated 31 million people worldwide, yet remains widely misunderstood. How is it different from  premenstrual syndrome (PMS) ? Why can it magnify symptoms like irritability, brain fog, and emotional distress—and how does that ripple into work, relationships, and identity? In this episode, we talk to  Heather Hirsch, MD, MS,...

Stillbirth affects thousands of families each year, yet misinformation persists. What are the risk factors, and how do disparities in care contribute? Heather Florescue, MD, FACOG , OBGYN at the University of Rochester Medical Center, sheds light on the psychological toll of stillbirth, the often-overlooked postpartum period, and steps to reduce risk during pregnancy and conception. We then spoke...

Feeling down from time to time is normal, but how can you tell when sadness is something more – like major depressive disorder ? We spoke with Jessi Gold, MD, MS , the first chief wellness officer of the University of Tennessee system and bestselling author of How Do You Feel?, to unpack the complexities of depression. She breaks down the differences between temporary low mood and clinical d...

Stress often gets a bad rap, but did you know some stress is not just helpful—it’s essential for a longer, healthier life? We spoke with Sharon Bergquist, MD , physician, research scientist, and author of The Stress Paradox: Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier , about the science behind beneficial stress. She explains how short bursts of the right kind of stress...

Every year on March 30th, World Bipolar Day shines a light on bipolar disorder , a condition often misunderstood. But what exactly is bipolar disorder, and how does it differ from unipolar depression? We spoke with Holly A. Swartz, MD , professor of psychiatry and president of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, to break it all down. She explains the hallmark signs of mania and hypoma...

While some pain is normal and a necessary signal for our bodies, there is also pain that can be persistent and chronic. What is the difference between acute and chronic pain ? And why do our brains sometimes amplify discomfort? We spoke with Daniel J. Clauw, MD , director of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan, about the complexities of pain management, how w...

Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women, yet it remains underdiagnosed and misunderstood. How can you know if you have endometriosis? Why is it often missed? And what treatments—both surgical and medical—can provide relief? We spoke with Lora Shahine, MD , a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and OBGYN at Pacific North West Fertility, to break down its complex...

Migraine isn't just a bad headache – it’s a complex neurological condition that can leave you sidelined for days. What are certain triggers for migraine? What are the treatment options? We spoke with Cynthia E. Armand, MD , associate professor of neurology at Montefiore Medical Center, who helps us break down what makes migraine different from headaches, the certain triggers that can s...

Genetic testing can be both illuminating and intimidating. What exactly is genetic testing, and who might benefit most? We spoke with Huma Q. Rana MD, MPH , Clinical Director of the Division of Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, about the impacts of genetic insights, breaking down the process, addressing log...

Generational trauma is the psychological and physiological effects that trauma can pass down through generations of families. But is generational trauma a life sentence, or can it be overcome? In this episode, we explore its impact on mental health with James Longman – journalist, ABC News chief international correspondent, and author of The Inherited Mind: A Story of Family, Hope, and the G...

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. And it most commonly impacts older adults, with higher prevalence among men and African Americans. What are the symptoms and signs that are often subtle or overlooked, leading to delays in diagnosis? What treatment options are available for those diagnosed? In this episode spoke with Jens Hillengass, MD, PhD ,...