Itchy & Bitchy Podcast

(00:00:00) 223: Menopause Explained so Even a Husband can Understand (00:00:12) Welcome to the Itchy and Bitchy Podcast (00:00:43) Doc Itchy Medical Pets Supplements (00:01:03) Explaining Menopause in Simple Terms (00:03:39) The Pituitary-Hormone Axis: A Toilet Analogy (00:07:12) Menopause as a Hormone "Dumpster Fire" (00:08:22) Break Announcement (00:08:35) Four Hormone-Chaos Events in Life (00:1...

(00:00:00) 222: A Tick Just Stole Your Steak. Here's How to Get Revenge (00:00:11) Welcome to the Itchy and Bitchy Podcast (00:00:42) Doc Itchy Medical Pet Supplements (00:01:13) Introducing Alpha-Gal Syndrome (00:04:51) The Tick's Deadly Spit (00:06:32) Symptoms and Diagnosis of Alpha-Gal (00:07:47) Dietary Avoidance and Prevention (00:12:56) Tick-Borne Diseases: The Scary Truth (00:15:09) Accura...

(00:00:00) 221: Itchy & Bitchy ClinicCrawl: Your Dog Brought a Killer Into Your House; Skipping Your Meds could Kill You (00:00:11) Welcome to the Itchy and Bitchy Podcast (00:00:42) Doc Itchy Medical Pets Supplements (00:01:34) Hypertension and Medication Compliance (00:03:52) The Importance of Taking Medications as Prescribed (00:07:40) Ticks and Tick Prevention (00:11:34) Closing Remarks and Ca...

(00:00:00) 218.2: Itchy & Bitchy ClinicCrawl: CPR and Cats Coughing up LungWorms (remix) (00:00:11) Welcome to The Itchy and Bitchy Podcast (00:04:55) The Importance of CPR Training (00:07:05) Closing Remarks and Next Episode (00:07:07) Doc Itchy Pet Supplements Your Cat Isn't Allergic — She Has WORMS in Her Lungs. Also, Do You Know CPR? Because You Might Need It After Reading This. Itchy & Bi...

(00:00:00) 220: From TikTok to Doctor's Office: The Truth About 'Cortisol Moon Face' (00:00:11) Welcome to the Itchy and Bitchy Podcast (00:00:42) Doc Itchy Medical Pets Supplements (00:01:05) Revisiting Cortisol Face Controversy (00:04:21) The Importance of Sleep in Young Adults (00:09:02) Melatonin's Benefits for Dogs and Humans (00:12:45) Brief Intermission (00:13:01) Hormones and Growth During...

(00:00:00) 219: A Perfect Birth… Then a Deadly Heart Attack (00:00:11) Welcome to the Itchy and Bitchy Podcast (00:00:42) Doc Itchy Medical Pets Supplements (00:01:04) A Tragic Case of Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (00:02:31) Understanding Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (00:06:43) Risk Factors and Statistics (00:08:36) Treatment and Recovery for Mothers and Babies (00:14:39) Quick Break Announcement (00:15...

(00:00:00) 217: Healthcare Is a Dumpster Fire with Better Branding but the System Still Sucks! (00:00:03) Welcome to Itchy and Bitchy (00:00:19) Meet the Doctors (00:00:42) Doc Itchy Medical Pets Supplements (00:01:05) DocItchy.com Sponsor (00:03:40) The System is Broken (00:06:49) Provider Burnout and Workload (00:10:34) Break Announcement (00:10:50) The EMR Dilemma (00:19:00) Break Announcement...

Karen marks a major transition for Itchy and Bitchy as future hosts Stephen Miller and Dr. Keith Hnilica turn the tables and interview her about major life changes. Together, they reflect on significant transitions in life—from parenthood and changing careers to the handoff of the podcast itself. Visit our website  itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the sho...

Karen is joined by future Itchy and Bitchy hosts Stephen Miller, an acute care nurse practitioner specializing in cardiovascular disease, and Dr. Keith Hnilica, a veterinary dermatologist, for a wide-ranging conversation about estradiol and hormone replacement therapy. They discuss the recent removal of the FDA black box warning from most menopausal hormone therapy products and the long shadow of...

Family nurse practitioner Karen Nickell introduces future Itchy and Bitchy host Dr. Keith Hnilica, a veterinary dermatologist, for a lively conversation about pet food and what animals can teach us about wellness. They dig into GLP-1 drugs for pet obesity, the links between processed kibble, gut inflammation, and skin issues, why fresh or Mediterranean-style diets may be better for dogs. Visit our...

Karen kicks off a new chapter for Itchy and Bitchy by introducing future host Stephen Miller, a cardiology nurse practitioner, for a conversation on Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or “broken heart syndrome.” Together they explain what this stress-triggered heart condition is, why it so often affects postmenopausal women, and what recovery can look like. Visit our website  itchyandbitchy.com to read blo...

Karen answers a listener's question about vaginal biofilms. What are they and why do they make recurrent BV and yeast infections so hard to treat? She explains how these bacterial or fungal communities form protective layers that resist standard treatment, reviews options that may help break the cycle and looks at at-home microbiome testing. Visit our website  itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts...

Karen shares a collection of grounding techniques to help listeners manage stress, anxiety, and negative emotions. From holding ice, savoring food, and taking mindful walks to laughter, music, anchoring exercises, the 5-4-3-2-1 method, and even the calming power of pets, Karen offers tools to help listeners return to the present moment, ease stress, and reconnect with a sense of safety and calm. V...

Karen explains how AI is already being used in healthcare, from helping find polyps during colonoscopies to speeding documentation. She also covers the biggest concerns, including the possibility of errors, bias, privacy risks, and over-reliance. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.s...

Karen unpacks the fast-growing world of digital health, from Apple Watch and smartphone apps to telehealth and new hospital tech that can improve care and streamline recovery at home. She also addresses the downsides, raising concerns around the security of these technologies. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show. Become a supporter...

Karen shares a deeply personal episode on the human-animal bond after the loss of her family’s lovebird, Saki, exploring why pet grief can feel so profound and practical ways to heal. She offers suggestions, from letting yourself feel what you feel to creating memorial rituals, revisiting joyful memories, and caring for your body while you mourn, plus when to seek professional support. Visit our w...

Karen Nickell revisits menopausal mammal, this time with brand new context: new research from Uganda’s Ngogo chimpanzees shows some chimps experience menopause too. She explains what makes humans evolutionary outliers, unpacks the grandmother hypothesis, and explores why certain toothed whales (like orcas) stop reproducing yet continue to live for decades. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to r...

Karen takes a look at GLP-1 receptor agonists, best known for weight loss and diabetes. She explores the rapidly expanding list of conditions these medications may help treat. From emerging and sometimes conflicting research on Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease to FDA-approved benefits for cardiovascular health, kidney disease, and fatty liver disease, Karen breaks down what the science currentl...

Karen counts down her top 10 Itchy & Bitchy moments of 2025, from smarter New Year’s resolutions and promising UTI vaccines on the horizon to updated insights on HRT. Visit our website  itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/itchy-bitchy-podcast--4303608/support . Itchy & Bit...

Karen shares her personal journey with osteoporosis. What distinguishes it from osteopenia? How are DEXA T-scores interpreted? Why does early screening matter? She covers lifestyle and nutrition, hormone considerations, and medication options. Visit our website  itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spr...

Karen breaks down red light therapy (photobiomodulation) and where it actually helps: smoothing signs of aging, supporting hair regrowth, calming acne (especially paired with blue light), easing chronic pain and inflammation, and even emerging research for cognition in dementia. Visit our website  itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show. Become a suppor...

Family nurse practitioner Karen re-airs a timely episode on “holiday heart syndrome,” the spike in alcohol-triggered arrhythmias (often AFib) that can strike otherwise healthy people during festive gatherings. She explains what binge drinking looks like, key symptoms to watch for (from palpitations and chest pressure to shortness of breath), why it raises stroke risk, and simple prevention steps....

After listening to an episode of Itchy and Bitchy , a woman pushed for further testing and caught grade 1A ovarian cancer early—requiring only surgery. Karen revisits why self-advocacy saves lives, translating expert definitions into everyday guidance and offering practical steps: build a true partnership with your provider, keep detailed symptom and medication notes, ask clear questions about tes...

Karen tackles a common menopause question: oral vs. topical estradiol. She explains first-pass metabolism and why transdermal options can lower clot, gallstone, and side-effect risks for many, then compares real-world choices. Visit our website  itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast...

Karen tackles a listener question about low-dose lithium. She reviews micro- vs. low-dose ranges, discusses forms like lithium orotate/aspartate and third-party-tested supplement options, and flags safety essentials such as toxicity symptoms, thyroid/kidney considerations, and when to loop in your clinician. Visit our website  itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covere...